How to choose a laptop for studies in 2024 without overpaying for unnecessary features

It's important for students to choose a reliable and affordable laptop.

There are no strict criteria for "study" laptops. Such devices are usually inexpensive and not very powerful - sufficient for basic tasks: working with texts, tables, and presentations.

In this article, I will explain what to pay attention to when browsing budget notebooks and from which features you can refrain. A student laptop is also suitable for business tasks: working in Word, compiling simple presentations, and maintaining a calendar.

What are the important parameters for a student laptop

Sometimes, for studying, you don't need to buy a laptop - a smartphone or tablet with a connected keyboard will suffice. But for serious and constant work, they are not suitable, and you can only write code or process photos on PCs and laptops.

Here's what to pay attention to before purchasing.

Hardware. The performance of any computer and laptop is most affected by the graphics card and processor. Graphics cards are needed for creating 3D graphics, video editing, and in-game graphics. The newer and more advanced the graphics card, the better the graphics in games and the faster the videos are processed.

The processor is responsible for the speed and stability of work as a whole: with its help, applications run and work, as well as the operating system itself. A powerful processor will facilitate work with large tables and volumes of data, as well as with games and programs for 3D modeling.

There is also RAM - it determines how many programs and browser tabs you can open at the same time. In addition to it, the storage also affects performance. With a hard drive, or HDD, the system and programs will start slower. Solid-state drives, or SSDs, will allow you to open programs faster and turn on the device in a few seconds.

Ergonomics. A touch screen, ultra-lightweight case, and keyboard with tactile feedback are not required on a student laptop. Just make sure it fits in your backpack, the screen is a comfortable size, and the touchpad correctly responds to presses.

Battery Life. Most laptops hold a charge for four to five hours with active use. Over time, the battery resource wears out, and you will have to charge the laptop more often.

Operating System. Most likely, Windows will be installed on the laptop. It is flexibly customizable, devices with it are released a lot, and it can be installed on any laptop.

An alternative option is a DOS laptop. This is a computer without an operating system, which is sold at a lower price. After purchase, you can install any version of Windows or even Linux to your liking, you will only need a USB flash drive with installation files.

Price. For studying at school and for most university specialties, a laptop costing up to $600 will suffice. Everything that is more expensive is either excessively powerful or distinguished by designer refinements, on which you can save. You can also choose a laptop for less money: there are models cheaper than $300, but using them may not be very comfortable.

Connectors, Interfaces, Important Details. A laptop is an "all-in-one" device, so purchasing one should take into account many details:

1. Standard USB-A is useful for flash drives and simple peripherals like mice, keyboards, and printers.
2. USB-C comes in different types but is usually used for charging, connecting advanced monitors, and fast external storage.
3. 3.5 mm jack - headphone and microphone output.
4. HDMI port for connecting an external monitor. An alternative, mini DisplayPort, is of higher quality but not as convenient.
5. VGA - many schools still have projectors with an outdated blue connector with pins. But good laptops with it are not released in 2023, so it's better to just buy an adapter.
6. Wi-Fi module is built into all modern laptops, but it comes in different standards. The optimal one is called 802.11ac, also known as Wi-Fi 5. If 802.11n or another with a single letter at the end is indicated, then the internet will be slow, these are old standards. Sometimes you come across 802.11ax or Wi-Fi 6 - fast and modern, but it won't help much in studies.
7. LAN RJ-45 - a connector for wired internet. A useful thing, but not very necessary for study tasks.
8. Bluetooth module - almost every laptop has it, allows you to connect wireless headphones and mice. It comes in different standards, it's better to take models version 5.0 or newer, there is no particular difference.
9. Built-in camera - a standard option for a modern laptop, but the image quality varies greatly depending on the model and price of the device. For distance learning and video calls, 1280 x 720 or 720p is enough. There is no need to chase a clearer 1080p.

Note that all USB ports are different: ordinary ones only differ in data transfer speed, and USB-C also has additional features like charging or outputting the image to an external monitor. Before buying, look for reviews or reviews of a specific model - they often write about it in detail.

USB 3.0 and 3.2 Gen 1 have a blue connector. Through it, files from a flash drive and back will be transferred 10 times faster than through a regular USB 2.0. Through even more advanced ports like 3.2 Gen 2, USB 4 or Thunderbolt 3 - even 2-4 times faster, but it's not worth overpaying for instant transfer of huge files for school. In practice, the speed also depends on the flash drive or external hard drive itself.

 

What Should be the Screen of a Laptop for Studies

Since we constantly look at the screen, it's important that it's of comfortable size and good quality, so as not to irritate and decrease productivity. You should choose it based on several parameters.

Size. The size of the screen determines whether the laptop will fit in a backpack and whether it will be convenient to work on it without connecting an external monitor.

The optimal size for a study laptop is 13-15.6 inches. Models with a smaller size are more convenient to carry, but you won't be able to open two windows comfortably. Models with a larger size are suitable for gamers or those who need to work with tables, but it will not be easy to carry them constantly.

 

Here are the different tasks suited for various screen sizes:

1. Less than 13 inches: Laptops of this size are convenient for writing short texts, working with graphics, and browsing the web. But they are not suitable for photo editing and gaming.
2. 13-15.6 inches: These are universal sizes. Laptops with these screen sizes fit into standard backpacks and allow you to work with tables and graphics. The keyboards of such laptops often have separate numeric pads, or numpads, which are useful if you need to type a lot of numbers during your studies.
3. 16 inches: These are the same models as those with a 15.6-inch screen, but with thinner frames.
4. 17.3-inch screens are suitable for stationary work. They weigh quite a bit, but the screen is large enough for both games and working with tables. You don't need to connect a monitor to these laptops, and they almost always have a numeric block on the keyboard.

Screen size also affects the price - it's almost impossible to find a decent laptop with a 17-inch screen within $600. But it's worth trying.

Screen Matrix: The most important parameter when choosing a screen. It determines how good the image will be, how well it can be seen in the sun, and how well the screen will render colors.

There are four options to choose from, each for different budgets:

1. TN: Cheap matrices with a pale picture. They are suitable for games thanks to a small response time, but working and studying on them will be uncomfortable. This is due to the low brightness and contrast of the picture. Also, TN matrices have the worst color rendering.
2. IPS: The optimal choice - these screens are all right with colors, and you can look at the monitor at a large angle if you want to work from bed. They cost more than TN and VA matrices, but it's worth paying extra for a good screen.
3. VA: A matrix with a contrasty and saturated picture, suffering from color rendering comparable to TN. They are slightly cheaper than IPS.
4. OLED: The most expensive and high-quality matrix. It is characterized by a particularly natural black color, OLED screens give the best picture in dark rooms. This matrix is brighter sharper, more energy-efficient than others, but also more expensive - laptops with it are rarely cheaper than $800.

 

Refresh Rate and Response Time. If you plan on using your laptop for both studies and gaming, pay attention to the screen's refresh rate and response time. These determine how smoothly objects move on the screen.

For studying, it's important for the screen's refresh rate to be no less than 60 hertz, and the response time to be no more than 16 milliseconds. For documents, presentations, and spreadsheets, you don't need more performance.

Resolution. The screen resolution should be no less than Full HD, i.e., 1920 x 1080 pixels, to avoid a grainy image that's irritating. Models with QHD 2560 x 1440 resolution and even 4K are available, but they only make sense for professional photographers. You don't need to pay extra for high clarity for texts, communication, and browsing.

Necessary and Unnecessary Features. Manufacturers of expensive laptops enhance the screen image with various advanced technologies. But they're not particularly needed in a budget study laptop, and it's often not worth paying extra for them.

Here's what definitely won't be needed in a study laptop:

1. High brightness - ordinary laptops reach a screen brightness of 250-300 nits, which is enough for indoor use. If it's stated to be 400 nits or more, the colors will be more saturated, and the screen won't "blind" in bright sunlight.
2. HDR - a technology that enhances the brightness and contrast of images in movies, series, and games. It's useless for studying or working - unless you work with graphic content.
3. Screen coating - can be glossy, matte, and anti-glare. Glossy screens catch glares from light bulbs but give more saturated colors. Matte ones glare less, but are not as sharp. The best is a glossy screen with an anti-glare layer, but this option is only found in expensive models.
4. Flicker-free - reduces high-frequency flickering of the backlight, so your eyes get less tired. A very useful option in any gadget.
5. Touchscreen - a nice addition that you quickly get used to. But there's no need to pay extra for it.

 

What processor should a study laptop have?

How a processor works. It's responsible for the computer's speed: how quickly the system boots up, opens files and programs, performs calculations in Excel, and how many simultaneous windows and browser tabs the computer can support without lagging.

Processors consist of computational cores that operate at a specific clock frequency. The more cores and the higher their frequency, the more powerful the chip is - and the more energy it consumes and the hotter it gets. Therefore, a powerful laptop will always be thicker, heavier, and louder with fan noise, but a thin and quiet model won't match it in speed, but will win in battery life. When buying, it's important to determine your priorities in advance.

How to choose a processor. Stores sell devices on dozens of different processors. One model can have many versions with chips of different brands, different power, and even different years of release.

Processor names consist of combinations of letters and numbers:

1. Brand name - Intel or AMD. There are only two on Windows, and there is no clear leader among them.
2. Series name - Core, Atom, Pentium, Ryzen. Most budget lines are not very good, so when choosing, you should focus on Intel Core and AMD Ryzen.
3. Processor series - Core i5, Ryzen 7. AMD and Intel logic coincide: chips of beginner level are marked with the number 3, mid-range with 5, and top ones with 7 and 9.
4. Generation - i7 13xxx, Ryzen 7xxx. The larger the first number in the model index, the newer the chip. In 2024, Intel's 12th and 13th generation chips are relevant, and AMD's are 5, 6, and 7.
5. Model - i7 xx750x, Ryzen 3 x400x. The larger the number, the more powerful the chip, but you should pay attention to this part of the name last.
6. Suffix - a letter at the end indicates the purpose of the chip, this parameter should be looked at first. Among common chips, models with the letter H or P are more powerful, but those with letters U, Y, C, and G are weaker, but consume less battery charge.

Comparing processors is easiest by generations: the higher the number, the newer and better the processor. If you delve into the characteristics, you can make the wrong conclusions because there are many nuances. In any unclear situation, you can check with test aggregators like this one. Just copy the names from the description in the store and look at the charts on different parameters.

Best processors. Below is a list of optimal processors for study and work laptops in 2024. These are not the most powerful chips, but they are more than enough for speed in the browser, messengers, and office programs. Here are a few popular options:

• Intel Core i3 1115G4;
• Intel Core i5 1135G7;
• Intel Core i3 1215U;
• Intel Core i5 1235U;
• AMD Ryzen 3500U;
• AMD Ryzen 5300U;
• AMD Ryzen 5500U;
• AMD Ryzen 5600H.

 

What kind of graphics card should a study laptop have?

How a graphics card works. A graphics card, or graphics processing unit (GPU), is a separate microchip in a computer that handles graphics rendering. Without it, a computer cannot display an image on the screen or showcase the operating system. More powerful models allow for the creation and running of contemporary games with realistic graphics, and for creating special effects for Hollywood movies.

Graphics cards can be integrated or discrete.

Integrated is located within the main processor and cannot be separated from it. The newer and more expensive the processor, the more powerful the integrated graphics card. It's not very fast, but it uses battery power more efficiently.

Most processors released after 2020 have powerful integrated graphics cards. They won't replace a gaming PC, but they can run "light" games like Dota 2, CS:GO, or old single-player hits like Doom (2016) and GTA V.

All the processors mentioned above can do without a separate discrete graphics card. Such laptops are suitable for calls, texts, watching movies, photo retouching, light video editing, and occasional launching of non-demanding games.

Discrete graphics card is a separate chip that works in tandem with the processor. This option is usually much more powerful than integrated graphics but consumes more energy and heats up significantly. Laptops with a powerful discrete graphics card are more expensive, bulkier, heavier, and discharge faster, but they are better suited for games and creative tasks.

Separate graphics cards are made by three companies: Nvidia, AMD, and Intel. Nvidia chips have proven to be the best - they operate more stably. They also have many additional features, like the NVENC codec, which makes video editing and live broadcasts during video calls easier.

Below we have collected a few successful graphics card models that are found in inexpensive laptops - they will allow you to do amateur video editing and sometimes play games. If a model is not on the list, then it is either outdated or does not significantly differ from integrated options in terms of performance, so it is not worth overpaying for it.

• GeForce GTX 1050;
• GeForce GTX 1650;
• GeForce GTX 1660

What Kind of Memory Should a Study Laptop Have?

A laptop has two types of memory: RAM and storage. The former supports parallel processes and speeds up work with large files, while the latter hosts the operating system, all programs, and files.

RAM. The minimum acceptable amount of memory for comfortable work in 2024 is 8 GB. The most budget models come with a reserve of 4-8 GB, but in 2024, this is already a bit small for Windows and applications. The more gigabytes, the more programs the device can simultaneously support without lagging.

Memory comes in different types: DDR4, LPDDR4, DDR5, and others. They differ in speed, but for an entry-level laptop, it's not worth worrying about this: it's only critical for professional creative applications and games.

However, it's better to pay attention to the memory layout. Some laptops have RAM chips soldered directly onto the motherboard, so it's impossible to replace them in the future. It's better to buy an inexpensive laptop with removable RAM- then, in the future, you can extend the reserve from 8 to 16 GB to enhance performance.

 

Storage. The first thing that's important to learn about storage when choosing a laptop is its type.

There are three types:

1. HDD – a slow mechanical hard drive. It can break or fail due to shaking, it makes a noticeable noise, and it operates quite slowly. Windows loads from an HDD in several minutes, and large applications are installed and launched with a noticeable delay.
2. SSD – modern solid-state drives. The slowest SSD operates 5 times faster than an ordinary HDD, and advanced models – more than 50 times faster. With an SSD, Windows fully launches in less than a minute, and applications launch instantly.
3. eMMC – a variant for the cheapest laptops. A small and slow solid-state memory chip, soldered onto the laptop's board. It operates faster than an HDD but lags behind SSDs in all parameters.

So, when choosing a laptop, immediately exclude options without an SSD – it's no longer a luxury, and a small economy isn't worth wasting time waiting for loads and getting annoyed at lags. But you can ignore the speed of a specific SSD: the difference between them is almost unnoticeable for "study" tasks when you don't need to copy and archive thousands of photos or gigantic video files.

Unlike RAM, any SSD can be replaced. But these drives come in two types, which differ in speed and connection mode:

1. SATA – the slowest type of SSD, identical in size and shape to HDDs. They are easy to replace yourself, and models with a large volume are relatively cheap.
2. M.2 or NVMe – a slot on the motherboard where a small board with chips is inserted. This type of SSD is much faster and takes up less space in the case. But the slot can sometimes be in a hard-to-reach place inside the case, and NVMe drives themselves are one and a half to two times more expensive than SATA models of the same volume.

How Much Does a Study Laptop Cost?

You shouldn't spend more than $600 on a study device, especially if you have a separate device for gaming and creative tasks — like a powerful PC, tablet, or gaming console.

Study laptops can be divided into four price categories:

1. Up to $250. These are basic machines for those who need to save as much as possible. It's not advisable to buy such cheap models for the long term: they skimp on everything, so the computer will likely work slowly, discharge quickly, and creak. In this case, an Android tablet at the same price would be faster and have better battery life.
2. $250 to $400. This price range offers optimal entry-level models. They can handle browser usage with many tabs, filling out large tables, and some light video editing.
3. $400 to $600. These are higher-quality laptops, optimal for study and work. You can expect decent design, a good battery, and enough power to run online games from these models.
4. Over $600. These are high-end and premium powerful devices. This category includes gaming models, stylish metal business laptops with great screens, and even current MacBooks in basic configurations.

Sales in network stores or buying used models on Amazon or eBay can help save money. For example, this is almost the only way to buy a MacBook on a limited budget — we didn't even consider Apple computers in this article because they are premium devices.

Be careful: older laptops can be significantly weaker than similar models from 2021 to 2023. Therefore, the price difference may be smaller than the gap in performance and component quality.

This is especially true for screen quality, RAM volume, and storage type: today, even inexpensive laptops almost always come with a fast SSD storage and a decent display, but before 2020 this was considered more of a luxury.