Buying a computer can be such an expensive task, so it’s important to get it right. Preferably, you want to purchase a computer that will last you your entire scholastic career. That can definitely be more challenging for science, technology, and mathematics majors, who typically require more computing power. In this article we’ll explore the most significant factors you should take into account when choosing a laptop for college.
The Huge Question
When choosing a laptop for college, Mac or PC? It’s polarized consumers since the beginning of time. Or at least it seems that way. First, you should check your school’s specific computing requirements because your major may mandate a software that’s only supported on Mac or on PC. In this case, the decision is easy. If not, other factors to consider include cost, personal preference, and overall functionality. Chromebook is also a good option to keep in mind for individuals that don’t require a lot of technical requirements (liberal arts and communications majors).
The Breakdown
PC’s typically run on Windows 10 operating system, but they can also have Linux installed on them. Linux is an open source operating system that allows for more user freedom. Computer science and engineering majors use Linux more often than other majors. PC’s can’t run the Mac operating system, whereas Mac can run Windows and Linux through downloadable softwares such as VMWare and VirtualBox. You need a lot of memory to run these kinds of softwares, so take that into account. PC’s also have many touchscreen displays, while Macs do not have any sort of touchscreen options.
The Pricing
PC’s have a much larger price range than Apple’s computers. The low-end PC’s are significantly less than the cheapest Macs, but there are also equivalently priced PC’s to Apple’s most expensive models as well. So if you want a touch screen and a cheaper laptop for college, PC sounds like your best bet. If you don’t need touchscreen and cost isn’t a concern for you, Mac will be your fit.
The Storage
The more memory your computer has, the faster it will process computationally intensive softwares, and the higher the number of softwares you can run at once. This (again) comes down to the software you need for your major. Typically, a minimum of 8 gigabytes of memory is a sufficient amount to look for on a computer. If you can afford it, however, spring for 16 GB. This range of 8-16 GB will give you the option to install virtual machines, which are softwares that allow you to run multiple operating systems. This will come in handy for a majority of STEM and business majors.
Before making a decision on a laptop for college, check out the computational needs for your major/college. Go through your school’s websites or ask your campus’ IT departments about the kinds of software you’ll be needing for your respective major! For other backpack essentials, read this article.