Some people absolutely love their PC’s due to being familiar with the layout, and for the software compatibility. On the opposite spectrum there are Mac lovers who would never buy a PC product again after trying Apple computers and technology. Everyone has their preferences, and before making the expensive investment to buy a laptop you should physically try out and become familiar with different models. You’ll want to not only go to a couple stores and play around with the features and ask questions, but also make sure that you get a laptop that suits your needs.
If you decide to get a Mac, you can get a student discount from StudentRate here! College students, parents purchasing on their behalf, faculty and staff can save on any Mac computer by purchasing online through the Apple Store for Education brought to you by StudentRate.
Generally, the more expensive the laptop, the more storage space, processing speed, and memory it will have. With faster technology, you can multitask with greater ease as the loading time decreases. One of the most annoying first world problems that we experience are waiting for things to load so having a more efficient processor can save you some frustration. A faster processor doesn’t automatically make it better, as the functions of additional processors (a quad core is more powerful than a dual core) play a role. The average user probably won’t notice a difference in functionality, but you may experience variation in speed between different laptops if you will be editing videos and/or running applications than may need faster processing features. If you plan on carting your laptop around everyday in addition to textbooks, you may want to get a lighter model as the few extra pounds can make a notable difference. You can look into getting a laptop with a smaller screen, or check out structurally lighter models such as the MacBook Air.
Click for a student discount on Apple!
What size screen should you get? A laptop with a screen on 13 to 14 inches provides the best balance of portability and usability, and fits comfortably on your lap. This size is ideal if you plan on being mobile and need a laptop that can easily travel with you. A 15 inch screen is the most popular, however this size weighs in between 5 to 6.5 pounds and can be a drag to carry it around. Nevertheless, It can be a good option if you plan on having it stationary at your desk for the majority of the time, and it tends to be more affordable.
Laptops have different battery lives, and it is generally wise to get a laptop that comes with more battery life because additional batteries can cost upwards of $200 apiece. Typically, heavier batteries will give you a higher watt-hour rating and more time before it dies. A 6-cell battery may be the same form factor as a 9-cell, but the 6-cell will weigh less since there’s less chemical in it to hold onto that charge. The battery life that the manufacturer lists should be taken with a grain of salt because there are factors that can make the life vary dramatically.
If you are nowhere near an outlet but need to use your laptop, there are a number of things you can tweak to milk the time that you have left. You should decreasing the brightness of your screen, X-ing out of programs that are not crucial (iTunes, videos, unnecessary programs), and keep the battery contacts clean. Every few months you should wipe clean the battery’s metal contacts with a clean cloth with a dab of rubbing alcohol, which keeps the transfer of power from your battery more efficient. Hope these tips and the student discount were helpful!
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