Best Laptops for Nursing Students (SPEED and Efficiency)
Owning a laptop today is one of the most obvious decisions to make for any student or professional who does work from home.
They are all-important gadgets for a number of reasons and specifically for nursing students, having a laptop is essential to their studies and student life.
For one, laptops can provide students with a variety of educational resources and tools that they may not have access to otherwise.
You can even use a payment plan to get one.
Additionally, having a laptop can help nursing school students stay organized and on top of their assignments.
Laptops can be carried between school and clinic, providing a uniform experience.
Here are the best laptops for nursing students we could find!
Apple Macbook Pro 13
Weighing just 3 pounds, the MacBook Pro 13-inch is extremely portable. It has a unibody design that is both stylish and durable.
It has an Intel Core i5 processor and 8 GB of RAM that can handle anything you throw at it, from browsing the web to watching movies and even editing videos.
The 13.3-inch Retina display is simply gorgeous, the Force Touch trackpad is extremely responsive, and the battery lasts a full 17 hours.
Specifications:
- Display: 13.30-inch, 1600×2560 resolution
- Processor: Core i5
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD (Expandable up to 1 TB)
- Graphics: Intel Integrated Iris Plus Graphics 645
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is a great laptop because it has a lot of features that are beneficial for both work and personal use.
For example, the device has a powerful processor and a large amount of storage, which makes it ideal for multitasking and storing large files.
Additionally, the Surface Pro 4’s touchscreen display is perfect for browsing the web and using productivity apps.
Finally, the laptop’s portability makes it easy to take on the go.
While there are more recent versions of the Surface Pro, the 4 is more affordable and has everything a nursing student needs.
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6300U X2 (2.4 GHz)
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- SSD: 256 GB
- Operating System: Windows 10 Professional
- Graphics: Integrated
- Display: 12.3”
- Weight: 1.69 pounds
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 14-Inch Laptop is another great, mid-range option for nursing students.
It has a powerful Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB of RAM, making it capable of handling all of your schoolwork.
Plus, its super durable keyboard is a joy for writing your own notes or working on your next assignment.
This laptop will work as hard as you do.
Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Core i5 (1.6 GHz)
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- SSD: 256 GB
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit
- Graphics: Integrated UHD Graphics 620
- Camera: 720p HD
- Display: 14” FHD (1920×1280)
- Weight: 2.38 pounds
Dell XPS 13-Inch
Dell laptops have a lot going for them and are consistently a top option for all students and those who need a versatile and durable laptop that’s still affordable.
Weighing just 2.7 pounds – considered a ‘lightweight laptop’ – it is super-portable and makes working on the go a breeze.
It fits nicely in a laptop sleeve, backpack, or tote bag so you can keep all your notes in one place and take them with you between the class and the clinic.
Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6200U (2.8 GHz)
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- SSD: 128 GB
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Display: 13” Infinity Edge
- Weight: 2.70 pounds
- Battery Life: 14 hours
Asus ZenBook
The Asus ZenBook 13-Inch Laptop is a great computer for anyone looking for a powerful and portable device that’s built for speed, reliability, and long battery life.
Asus is not a top-of-mind brand for most, but they’re legendary in the world of high-performance electronics.
This laptop has a quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and 8GB of RAM, making it perfect for multitasking and heavy workloads.
The ZenBook also has a fast 256GB solid-state drive, ensuring quick boot times and fast data access.
And despite its small size, the ZenBook has a full HD display that is perfect for working on complex projects or watching movies.
If you’re looking for a laptop that can do it all, the Asus ZenBook is a great choice.
Specifications:
- 13.3-inch Full HD display
- Quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor
- 8GB of RAM
- 256GB solid-state drive
- Windows 10 Home operating system
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
- Dimensions: 12.4 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
MSI CX62 15.6”
For students who may need more than just a basic laptop for studying, the MSI 15.6″ laptop comes with a dedicated Nvidia graphic card.
Whether you’re looking to game between classes or use some illustration software, the MSI will be a constant companion.
This laptop is also great for those preferring a more solid build – the laptop weighs a considerable 5.29 pounds.
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6300HQ Quad-Core Processor (2.3-3.2GHz)
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 2133MHz
- Hard Drive: 1TB (5400RPM)
- Optical Drive: SuperMulti DVD
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA Geforce 940MX 2G DDR3
- Display: 15.6”
- Maximum expandable Ram memory: 32 GB
- Weight: 5.29 pounds
Acer Aspire 15.6”
Acer produces great low-priced machines that are known to be durable and great for everyday use.
This isn’t the laptop that you’ll have through med school, but it’ll last a few years.
If you’re not looking to go for pricey options like Apple or HP, the Acer Aspire 15.6″ is a great affordable laptop with a 7th Gen i7 processor and 1 TB drive.
The price can’t be beaten for the size of the hard drive on this laptop.
If you know you’ll need a lot of memory, this is a good one to consider.
Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Core-i7 6500U (2.5Ghz)
- Display: 15.6″ Inches
- RAM: 8 GB DDR3
- Memory: 2.5 GHz
- Hard Drive: 1 TB
- Graphics: HD Graphics 520
- Weight: 4.9 pounds
HP Spectre x360
Often called a cheaper alternative to the Macbook, the HP Spectre x360 does not lack any performance compared to a Macbook.
From a stunning bezel-less display to a functional style through its 360-degree, tablet-inspired design, the HP Spectre serves as an all-in-one study and entertainment device.
The metal body feels more premium (albeit chunky) and has solid grip while carrying.
The long-lasting battery and the affordable price make it a worthy opponent to the Macbook.
You’ve still got the pearly gray keyboard which gives this budget laptop a better futuristic look than its pricier alternative – the Macbook 13.
Specifications:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1065G7HQ Quad-Core Processor (2.8GHz)
- RAM: 8GB
- SSD: 512 GB
- Optical Drive: SuperMulti DVD
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Display: 13.3”
- Weight: 5.2 pounds
What Should You Look for While Buying a Laptop?
When buying a laptop for a nursing student, there are many factors to consider in order to get the best possible value for your money.
Here’s a list of some of the most important factors to keep in mind:
Performance
How powerful do you need the laptop to be? What kind of tasks will you be using it for?
If you only need it for basic tasks like web browsing and word processing, then you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a high-end model.
However, if you plan on using it for more demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, then you’ll need to make sure you get a laptop with enough power to handle those activities.
Price
Obviously, price is going to be a major factor in your decision.
You don’t want to spend more than you have to, but you also don’t want to sacrifice quality or performance.
Try to strike a balance between the two and find a laptop that’s affordable but still has the features and performance you need.
If you’re working on a tight budget, opt for one of the great budget laptops mentioned on this list or even go for a more recent Chromebook.
While they aren’t super reliable and get mixed reviews, they’re super popular right now for students due to the simple function and affordability.
Looking for the cheapest laptop you can find to get you through school? Check out the Best Laptops For Colleges Students Under $500.
Size
Another important consideration is size.
Do you need a large laptop with a 17-inch display, or would a smaller model be just as good?
It really depends on your personal preferences and how you plan on using the laptop.
If you’ll be carrying it around with you often, then a smaller, lighter model is a better choice.
Battery Life
This is especially important if you’ll be using your laptop for long periods of time away from a power outlet.
Make sure to look at the average battery life ratings before you buy and try to find a laptop that can last for at least 5 hours on a single charge.
Operating System (OS) Compatibility
If you’re a Windows user and love Windows laptops, then you’ll obviously want to get a laptop that comes with Windows pre-installed.
However, if you’re open to using another operating system like macOS or Linux, then there are more options available to you.
Just make sure that the laptop you choose is compatible with the OS you want to use.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard and touchpad are two of the most important parts of any laptop, and even more so for nursing students because they have to take lots of notes and complete extensive coursework on their laptops.
If possible, go to the electronics store and type on the keyboard of models you’re considering to make sure you like the feel of the keys and trackpad before you buy.
Ports and Connectivity Options
Make sure the laptop has all the ports and connectivity options you need.
If you plan on using external devices like a printer or scanner, then you’ll need to make sure the laptop has the right type of port for those devices.
And if you need to connect to the internet, then you’ll want to make sure the laptop has Wi-Fi and/or Ethernet capabilities.
Display Quality
The display is one of the most important parts of any laptop, so you’ll want to make sure it’s good quality.
Look for a laptop with a high resolution display and good viewing angles.
Graphics Card Type
If you plan on doing any gaming or other graphics-intensive tasks, then you’ll need a laptop with a dedicated graphics card.
Not familiar with the ins and outs of graphics cards?
Start with this quick video to get the rundown on the most popular graphics cards to help you pick.
Audio Quality
The audio quality is also important if you want to enjoy movies and music on your laptop.
Look for a laptop with good speakers and/or support for external speakers.
Built-in Webcam
A webcam can be useful for video conferencing and other purposes.
Make sure the laptop you choose has a good quality webcam built-in.
If privacy is a concern, you can find laptops with webcam shields or covers that allow you to physically block the eye of the camera when it’s not in use.
Weight
Another factor to consider is weight. If you’ll be carrying your laptop around with you often, then you’ll want to make sure it’s not too heavy.
Be aware that laptops with wide screens often don’t fit in regular laptop sleeves and briefcases.
Double-check the dimensions before you buy.
Warranty
Finally, be sure to check the warranty before you buy.
Most laptops come with at least a one-year warranty, but some manufacturers offer longer warranties.
It’s always better to have a longer warranty in case anything goes wrong with the laptop.