It’s nearly that time of year once again; as we say goodbye to the summer and all the fun that came with it, students across the country are getting ready for the start of a new academic year.
In the build-up before term starts, students are bombarded with adverts and deals on all the classroom essentials, although when it comes to buying things like laptops, you need to look for more than just a good price. Buying a laptop is one of the most important financial decisions a student can make, as it can take a big chunk of your student loan and has to last the duration of your course… which is usually upwards of three years.
What are you using it for?
When shopping for a laptop, the most important thing you need to consider is what you’ll be using it for; someone who is studying graphic design is going to need a different model than someone who is studying accounting. If your course would only need you to use your laptop for a couple of administrative tasks then you can probably save some money and go for something cheaper, potentially even buy a tablet instead. If your course will need you to have features like good graphics, a big screen, and a powerful processor then it’s probably best to splash the cash on something nicer.
But let’s be honest, you’re not just going to be using it for your studies; when shopping for a laptop you also need to consider your hobbies, because that can sometimes have an impact on the final decision. So for example, if you like to binge-watch shows on streaming services then you might focus on screen quality, or if you play a lot of video games, you might go for something with more processing power.
Where are you using it?
The student experience has been a strange one over the past few years due to the pandemic, as many students are choosing to study from home rather than living on campus or commuting.
If you decide that you’ll be studying from home then you might not even want to go for a laptop, you could want to go for a desktop as in some cases you might get more for your money. Although if you’re trying to make the most out of the student experience, you’ll be carrying your computer to class most days… so it might be more sensible to get something smaller and easier to carry.
How are you paying for it?
If you’re worried about finding ways to pay for that shiny new laptop you have your heart set on then it’s worth looking for a student laptop grant, which could be provided by either the government or the university you’re enrolled at. This time of year is also the best time to look out for student discounts, especially for laptops; some companies offer students free accessories, such as headphones with new devices such as laptops… which themselves can be worth over £100!
Once you get your hands on your new laptop, it’s important that you make sure that you protect it; there are so many things that can go wrong and if you’re thinking about deadlines, the last thing you need is the stress of replacing or repairing your laptop.
