If you’re preparing to start college this year, you may have already realized just how essential a laptop is. It’s not only that everybody in the lecture hall has one, but it is rather the portability and access to information that you need it for. As many students prepare their books, many forget about this important piece of tech that can save you time and make you more productive.
Digital vs. Paper Study Materials
Digital materials, on the other hand, are so easy to make that many teachers get carried away and assign crazy amounts of work to be read/prepared for the exams. This is why so many students try to find the best paper writer website and make their job easier. After all, preparing study notes should not take weeks – a weekend should be enough.
Contemporary College
Contemporary college definitely needs to be updated with the latest tech solutions. Luckily, many colleges have recognized the place technology has in everyday life. The ease of access to the information and the fact that you’re so much more productive with a laptop in your hands speaks volumes about the need to keep up with the technology.
How to Choose the Best PC for College?
When looking for the best PC for college, there are several factors that you should consider first. First of all, you should understand your needs and your goals with a PC. If you are a literature student, for example, you may want an HD screen as the top priority.
This is because of the volume of material that you will be reading throughout the semester. A design student, on the other hand, may need a good graphic card for rendering. Once you’ve decided on your college major, you will be able to better assess your needs.
Understand your Needs
Having pen and paper in your hands in a college lecture hall seems a bit outdated. Hipster-ish, actually. And while the paper is perfect, if you want to draw graphs and make visual connections between important points in the material, you should not overuse it. After all, typing is much faster on a laptop, and structuring the text is equally as easy.
No two students are alike, and choosing a universal PC is a waste of time. While some may enjoy music while typing out their notes, other college students may spend time playing high-res games. A third group, again, may code or work on their blog in their free time. Being able to understand your PC habits and needs and the specificities of your use is the best way to go.
Processor Speed
A good and fast processor that puts little strain on the battery is a must these days. Together with RAM memory, it gives a diversity of uses to your laptop and ensures that your machine works smoothly for years to come. Never spare money for a good processor, as you may have to replace your laptop after two or three years.
RAM Memory
RAM Memory is another important factor to consider when choosing your PC. RAM memory gives you the speed of switching between tasks and different windows and ensures a smooth boot time. Having a lot of RAM memory means that your laptop will be able to run large programs even in the future. Do not take any laptop with less than 16 GB of RAM.
Memory Capacity
When it comes to memory capacity, this solely depends on your habits. While many use the cloud for storage and can easily go about with 128 GB or less, some have entire digital libraries that have a lot of dear pictures and videos that they do not want to give up on. Generally, you can go up 1 TB of storage space without cashing out too much extra.
HDD or SSD? Which is better?
HDD or SSD is a big question. SSD seems to have taken over the storage market in the previous five years, as SSDs consume less power and provide more storage capacity in less volume. SSD also offers higher speeds and way faster boot time.
Graphics Card
Whether you need a separate or an integrated graphic card depends on your needs. If you use your PC to take notes, spend time on social networks and occasionally play Minecraft, the integrated version is just fine. If you study graphic design and spend a lot of time working on designs and rendering, a separate graphic card with good performance is what you need.
Screen Resolution
Screens come in different sizes, ratios, and resolutions. Resolution is simply put, the most important factor to consider when choosing your PC, as a higher resolution means much more comfortable work and less strain on the eyes. Nothing below full HD (1920 x 1080) should suffice.
Read more about Laptop vs Desktop: Which Is Best for College Students?
Final Considerations
Choosing your new college PC should not be taken lightly. This is a device you will be spending a considerable time working on every single day and should last you for a minimum of three years. This means that spending more time finding the best PC for college will pay off in increased comfort and work done faster.
