A laptop is an essential piece of equipment for any college student, whether you’re an English major or programming virtual reality games. These days, a variety of manufacturers offer an incredible selection of high-quality machines, from refurbished Apple® products to slim digital notebooks that can fit into a handbag. Below are a few tips for sorting through the options and choosing the right machine for your classes.

4 Tips for Selecting a Laptop for College

1. Consider the Program

The best laptop for your needs will depend largely on the type of classes you’re taking. For instance, liberal arts students who will be doing a lot of writing should focus on the keyboard over processor speed and screen resolution. However, if you’re going to be running CAD or rendering 3D images, you’ll definitely need a more powerful central processing unit, plenty of RAM, and a separate graphics card.

2. Select a Lightweight Device 

Five pounds may not seem like a lot, but a clunky laptop can get heavy if you’re carrying it around campus all day. If you’re going to be taking your laptop to class, you’ll be happier in the long run with a slim, lightweight machine. Many laptops come in multiple screen sizes and weights, and some are no larger than a notebook. 

3. Evaluate Price

Price is one of the most important features for college students, but it is important not to buy the cheapest laptop you can find. Performance issues, software compatibility problems, and a small hard drive can make even the simplest assignments into a nightmare. Refurbished Apple products offer amazing value, giving students access to some of the most advanced technology on the market at a lower price. 

4. Choose the Right Hard Drive

Laptops with less internal storage can be a great value, but they aren’t right for everyone. Students in math and literature programs will probably be fine with a 256 GB hard drive, especially if you store pictures and other large files in the cloud. However, if you’re in a graphics or video editing program, consider investing in a larger hard drive so that you don’t run out of space. 

With an extensive inventory of refurbished Apple products, Experimax Gilbert in Gilbert, AZ, has the perfect laptop for any college student. They pride themselves on being knowledgeable about Apple products and will take the time to help you select the perfect machine for your style, workload, and lifestyle. Visit their website to browse their selection of refurbished Apple products today, and call (480) 534-7596 with any questions.