12 best laptops for study
The rich variety of laptops of various configurations offered by the modern market allows us to satisfy any needs of even the most demanding users - from the simplest office work to the processing of heavy and resource-intensive graphics. The rating review offered today by experts from expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ is devoted to a special category of portable computers - laptops for study. To begin with, let's see briefly what characteristics of modern laptops are important in this context.
How to choose a laptop for study
If we consider a laptop as an instrument of education, which involves its operation within the walls of an educational institution, carrying it daily, storing in a dormitory, etc., several other characteristics come first in importance.
Dimensions, weight, physical endurance
Since the student may have to carry a laptop with him every day, carry between classrooms and university buildings, it is important that the device be as light as possible, the body as strong as possible, and the hardware as resistant as possible to shock loads. Ideally, it would be nice if the surface of the case were not branded.
Therefore, it is recommended to look closely at the build quality, the absence of deflections, squeaks, backlashes. The optimal solution is an aluminum case, but this does not always relieve all problems, and high-quality plastic can also cope with the task.
Autonomy
The second important point is the battery life. During a lecture, a seminar or a practical lesson, and even at a break, conditions for recharging will not always and not everywhere. It is necessary to pay attention to the battery life stated by the manufacturer, the actual capacity of the battery and compare with the expected loads and user reviews.
Security and Information Security
In the classroom, dormitory, and other places where the learning process is underway, the laptop will inevitably have to be left at least occasionally, but unattended. Therefore, it is highly desirable to protect both information from unauthorized access, and the device itself from theft. The first reliably provides a fingerprint scanner, with the second coping well Kensington lock.
Screen and video card
There are also special requirements for the screen in the context of the conditions of use of the laptop by students and high school students. It is highly desirable matte or anti-glare coating, good viewing angles, a significant margin of brightness. This provides almost any IPS-matrix, and if the more attractive at the price of the TN-matrix, then only quality. Screen size and resolution, as well as a powerful graphics card are important for a fairly narrow range of specialties.
Processor, memory, hard disk
Finally, those characteristics that provide performance and in the mass of buyers are most valued for students and schoolchildren have almost the minimum value. Therefore, here you can build on an exceptionally affordable budget.
Ranking of the best laptops for study
Nomination | a place | Name of product | price |
The best inexpensive laptops for study | 1 | Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E480 | 33 688 ₽ |
2 | HP ProBook 440 G5 | 45 980 ₽ | |
3 | DELL INSPIRON 5770 | 29 990 ₽ | |
4 | ASUS VivoBook Max X541UV | 29 468 ₽ | |
5 | Lenovo IdeaPad 520 15 | 38 297 ₽ | |
6 | Prestigio SmartBook 141C | 10 827 ₽ | |
The best laptops for study in terms of price-quality ratio | 1 | Apple MacBook Air 13 Mid 2017 | 54 390 ₽ |
2 | DELL INSPIRON 7567 | 50 990 ₽ | |
3 | Lenovo IdeaPad 320s 13 | 37 954 ₽ | |
4 | HP PAVILION POWER 15-cb000 | 60 585 ₽ | |
5 | Acer TravelMate P2 | 23 692 ₽ | |
6 | ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 N580GD | 64 898 ₽ |
The best inexpensive laptops for study
The first large group in the ranking is the most affordable devices in terms of price, the performance of which is enough to cover most of the typical training and related tasks. All models are equipped with a Kensington lock slot, standard combo audio I / O, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless modules, and a network card with an RJ-45 connector.
Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E480
Rating: 4.8
Let's start with a fairly powerful machine from a well-known supplier of budget electronics Lenovo. The model is notable for a very rich choice of modifications, very good physical parameters and characteristics of functional modules.
Laptop dimensions for study - 329.3х242х21.9mm, weight - 1.75 kg. In such a dimension, the developers have placed a screen with a “compromise” diagonal of 14 "and a matte finish. A high-quality IPS-matrix is offered in two resolution options - 1366x768 or 1920x1080.
The center of computation can be the processor Core i3, i5 or i7 on 2 or 4 cores with a frequency of 1600 to 2200 GHz. RAM capacity is from 4 to 8 GB, it is physically possible to install memory up to a limit of 32 GB. The video module can be an integrated UHD Graphics 620 card from Intel or a separate Radeon RX 550 from AMD with SMA memory of 2 GB.
It is possible to choose a complete set of hard carriers. In the “trimmed” version - a classic HDD with a capacity of 1 TB, at the maximum - a pair of SSD + HDD. Capacity SSD - from 256 GB. There is a slot for reading 3 in 1 memory cards. There is no optical DVD drive.
To connect external devices, there are three USB 3.1 ports, one USB 2.0 port, HDMI-video interface. For strict authorization is a fingerprint scanner.
The operating time declared by the manufacturer is as long as 13 hours, but it should be understood that this figure is more than conditional. The actual battery capacity is 45 Wh.
As an option, the laptop is equipped with an illuminated keyboard.
Virtues
- weighs less than 2 kg;
- a wide range of modifications;
- there is a fingerprint scanner;
- easy access to the "internals" (upgradeability);
- high-quality assembly;
- backlit keyboard as an option.
disadvantages
- mark body;
- insufficient stock screen brightness.
HP ProBook 440 G5
Rating: 4.7
The second number in our ranking is a laptop for studying from the famous American company Hewlett-Packard. This model in terms of technical parameters, performance and available modifications is almost identical to the previous one, but it weighs significantly less and, on average, slightly cheaper.
The size of the laptop is 336h238h20mm, weight - 1.63 kg. The screen size is 14 "diagonal, the matrix is IPS with a resolution of 1366x768 or 1920x1080, depending on the selected configuration. The screen covering is matte.
The processor selection options are completely analogous to the previous model - Core i3, i5 or i7 on 2 or 4 cores with a frequency of 1600 to 2400 MHz. The RAM is installed in the amount of 4 or 8 GB, you can upgrade to 16 GB (two slots are provided). The graphics capabilities are a bit wider - in the minimal configuration, an integrated HD Graphics 620 card from Intel or a separate GeForce 930MX from NVIDIA with 2 GB memory is available.
It is possible to install as the only traditional HDD with a capacity of 1TB, and a pair of carriers with non-mechanical SSD capacity from 128 to 256 GB. There is no optical DVD-drive, there is a card reader.
Compared to the above described laptop from the same manufacturer, this model has broader peripheral capabilities. In addition to two USB ports of different generations, there is also a VGA-out (D-Sub), DisplayPort, and an HDMI-video interface on board. There is a fingerprint scanner.
The battery is made up of 3 cells with a total capacity of 48 Wh.
Virtues
- optimal performance;
- sufficient screen brightness;
- attractive appearance;
- simple upgrade without loss of warranty;
- low weight
disadvantages
- faulty cooling;
- high-frequency squeak.
DELL INSPIRON 5770
Rating: 4.7
The third number in the ranking of the best laptops for study will consider a fairly bright model from the company DELL (USA). It is noteworthy, first of all, of the impressive size of the screen, due to which it is recommended for students mastering specialties related to graphics (design, engineering, video editing, etc.).
The linear dimensions of the laptop are 415.4 × 279.2 × 25mm. The diagonal of the screen is 17.3 ", the matrix is an inexpensive TN with a matte finish, the resolution is 1600 × 900 or 1920 × 1080 to choose from. Due to the size of the screen, this model cannot be super-light by definition, its weight is 2.79 kg.
The choice of processor in this case is even wider than the previous models. In addition to the Core i3-i7, the manufacturer also offers a configuration based on an inexpensive mobile Pentium processor. The cores are Kaby Lake or Skylake-U with a frequency from 1600 to 2300 MHz. The standard RAM options are 4 or 8 GB, the upper expansion limit is 16 GB. The video subsystem can be HD Graphics 610 from Intel or a dedicated Radeon 530 from AMD with 4 GB of memory in the maximum configuration.
Variations with hard carriers are similar to the models described above - one classic HDD with 1 TB or “tandem” - HDD and SSD with the latter capacity ranging from 128 to 256 GB. In contrast to the two previous solutions, this model is equipped with an internal DVD-RW drive. There is also a memory card reader.
Placed interfaces include four USB ports of different generations, including one with PowerDelivery support and the ability to broadcast video (assuming the graphics card is discrete). There is also an HDMI video output.
Virtues
- a wide range of equipment;
- Beautiful design;
- large screen;
- the presence of a DVD-drive, which can be replaced by SSD.
disadvantages
- TN-matrix (optional replacement for IPS).
ASUS VivoBook Max X541UV
Rating: 4.6
Further in the ranking, expert.bigbadmole.com/en/ experts offer a very good laptop for equipment and technical indicators for studying produced by ASUS. What is important, this model is on average more than twice cheaper than any of the previous ones.
The dimensions of the laptop are 381.4х251.5х27.6mm, weight - 2 kg. This dimension allowed developers to place a relatively large screen with a diagonal of 15.6 "with a TN matrix of 1366 × 768 or 1920 × 1080 resolution. As an option, a screen with touch functions can be installed.
Modifications are available laptop-based processors from Intel - Core i3 or i5 on two cores Kaby Lake, Skylake or Skylake-U and a frequency of 2000 to 2500 MHz. The nominal capacity of RAM-memory - 4 or 8 GB. Expansion is possible, but we must bear in mind that there is only one slot for RAM. Variations with a video subsystem are also available - for example, a simple integrated card from Intel, or a discrete mobile NVIDIA GeForce 920MX with 1 or 2 GB memory, can be responsible for graphics. As an option there can be two working video cards.
Available modifications include only hard drive HDD with capacity from 500 to 1000 GB. There is an internal optical DVD-RW drive and card reader.
Peripherals connect to the laptop through the following ports. Three USB 2.0, 3.0 Type A, 3.0 Type-C, VGA-out (D-Sub) and HDMI-video output.
Virtues
- attractive appearance;
- high enough performance;
- affordable price;
- thoughtful ergonomics.
disadvantages
- few USB ports;
- weak TN matrix (lack of brightness and viewing angles).
Lenovo IdeaPad 520 15
Rating: 4.5
Now, as part of our rating, we will consider another laptop from Lenovo, which is comparable in terms of technical parameters with the ThinkPad model described above, and at a price - significantly cheaper. A noticeable advantage of this model is the metal case.
The linear dimensions of the laptop - 378h260h22.9mm, weight - 2.2 kg. Screen size - 15.6 "diagonal, IPS FullHD matrix of 1920 × 1080. Non-reflective matte surface.
Functional center of electronics, depending on the choice of the buyer, may be a processor Core i3, i5 or i7 on 2 or 4 cores with a frequency of 1600 to 2700 MHz. Equipped with RAM-memory with capacity from 4 to 12 GB.A rather wide choice of video card bundling is offered - from the minimum integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 to dedicated GeForce 920MX - 940MX made by NVIDIA with 2 or 4 GB of memory. As an option, it can be equipped with two video cards.
With hard drives, different variations are possible, as in previous models: one traditional magnetic HDD with a capacity of up to 2000 GB in budget configuration, or a pair of disks, where a non-mechanical SSD with a capacity of 128 GB is reserved for the system. Card reader installed.
To connect the peripherals is a set of USB-ports, including USB 3.0 Type-C, HDMI-video interface. Built-in fingerprint scanner. Optionally it can be equipped with a backlit keyboard.
Virtues
- stylish "youth" design;
- optional backlit keyboard;
- case material - aluminum;
- high-quality IPS-matrix.
disadvantages
- few interfaces for peripherals.
Prestigio SmartBook 141C
Rating: 4.4
And closes the group of the rating of inexpensive laptops for study according to expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ compact notebook of the brand Prestigio. The technical characteristics of this model are extremely minimalist, but precisely because of this, the cost of the laptop is record-breaking. This is a sensible solution for students in high school.
The dimensions of the laptop are 329.14х220.44х23.6mm, the weight is the lowest in the group - only 1.45 kg. The screen size on the diagonal is 14.1 ", the matrix is IPS with a matte finish and a resolution of 1920 × 1080.
The control center is an economical Atom x5 processor on 4 Cherry Trail cores with a frequency of 1.44 GHz. Integrated RAM-DDR3 in the amount of 2 GB. As the graphics subsystem is used built-in Intel HD Graphics 400.
Hard drive functions performs solid-state eMMC-block with a capacity of 32 GB. Optical drive no. There is a slot and a device for working memory cards.
A set of connectors for connecting external devices is as concise as the electronic interiors of a laptop - there are only two USB ports - 2.0 and 3.0 Type A, an HDMI video interface and a Mini HDMI.
The claimed autonomy - 8 hours of continuous operation with a battery capacity of 9000 mAh.
Virtues
- high build quality;
- IPS-matrix;
- long battery life;
- the most attractive cost.
disadvantages
- extremely limited technical characteristics of the "iron".
The best laptops for study in terms of price-quality ratio
The second and final group of devices is laptops for study, which our experts have included in the rating for reasons of the best combination of cost, quality and work efficiency. All of the models listed below, except for the MacBook Air, contain a slot for the Kensington lock, equipped with the necessary means of wireless communication - Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Apple MacBook Air 13 Mid 2017
Rating: 5.0
Let's start with the most notable laptop, not only in our review, but also generally on the market. It is noticeable, of course, first of all by the brand itself. In addition, it is this model with the proposed package that refutes the established opinion about Apple products as the embodiment of high prices - the price for this Apple laptop is quite acceptable.
The laptop is made in a very recognizable, elegant and concise design with a typical aluminum body. Its dimensions are 325x227x17mm, weight - 1.35 kg. The screen size of 13.3 "diagonally contains an inexpensive but high-quality TN-matrix with a glossy surface. Resolution - 1440x900.
Designed laptop based on Intel Core i5 processor on 2 cores with a frequency of 1800-2200 MHz. RAM-memory LPDDR3-1600 MHz with a resource of 8 GB. The video subsystem is only a built-in Intel Graphics brand HD Graphics 6000 card.
There is only one hard drive - non-mechanical SSD with a capacity from 128 to 512 GB. No optical disc drive, card reader available.
A set of connectors for connecting peripherals is expectedly poor, as is the case with almost all Apple computers, but it can be quite enough for educational tasks - two USB 3.0 Type A connectors and one Thunderbolt 2.
The lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 54 W · h provides very good autonomy - the manufacturer claims an average battery life of about 12 hours.
The laptop keyboard has a nice backlight.
Virtues
- brand;
- good autonomy;
- metal case;
- super thin and light;
- Relatively affordable, as for Apple cost.
disadvantages
- Apple-specific port shortages.
DELL INSPIRON 7567
Rating: 4.9
The second number in this group of rating is a bright in all respects decision from the American manufacturer DELL. This is the option that is needed for students studying professions related to the production of resource-intensive graphics (design, video editing, 3D modeling, etc.).
This is not the most dimensional, but the most massive model in the review. The linear dimensions of the notebook are 384.9x274.73x25.44, weight is 2.62 kg. It is notable for its elegant, but expressive design, in which “gaming” notes are unobtrusively but clearly visible. Available in two versions of the dominant colors - black and red. Screen dimension - 15.6 ”diagonally. The resolution of the TN-matrix - 1920x1080.
The set of available modifications is based on Intel Core i5 or i7 processors on 4 Kaby Lake-H cores with a frequency of 2500 to 2800 MHz. Nominal grade RAM DDR4 - from 8 to 16 GB. If desired, the memory resource can be expanded up to a maximum of 32 GB. The video module can be either an integrated graphics card or a dedicated 4GB GB GeForce GTX 1050 (Ti) from NVIDIA with onboard memory.
Of the hard drive options, it is assumed either a traditional HDD for 1 TB in the minimum assembly, or a set of non-mechanical media of 128 GB and a traditional one for 1 TB.
Providing the periphery of a laptop is not the richest, but minimally sufficient for educational tasks - access to a wired LAN, a set of USB interfaces of various generations and standards, an HDMI video interface, and a standard output to a headset.
A very good battery autonomy is provided by a capacious 74 W · h battery made up of 6 cells.
Virtues
- decent build quality;
- expressive appearance;
- high-quality cooling;
- gaming appearance and parameters;
- high ergonomics;
- long battery life.
disadvantages
- complaints about breakage of the subwoofer.
Lenovo IdeaPad 320s 13
Rating: 4.8
The third item in the ranking of the best laptops for study is a decent and fairly inexpensive solution from Lenovo. The main advantage of the laptop - compact size and minimum weight.
The dimensions of the laptop are 307.4х211х16.9mm, weight is 1.2 kg. Such dimensions allowed developers to place a screen with a dimension of 13.3 ", an excellent IPS-matrix with a matte outer surface and image detail of 1920x1080. All electronic" stuffing "is placed in an aluminum case with a concise but attractive design. Adds charm to the device ergonomic keyboard with a pleasant two-level backlight.
You can choose from a fairly wide range of configurations based on Intel's Core i3, i5 or i7 processors on 2 or 4 Kaby Lake (R) cores with a frequency of 1600 to 2400 MHz. RAM-memory is set hard - 4 or 8 GB and does not imply expansion. The video module can be either an integrated HD (UHD) Graphics 620 card from intel, or a dedicated mobile GeForce MX150 from NVIDIA with 2 GB memory.
The hard disk is only a non-mechanical SSD with a capacity from 128 to 256 GB with connection via the M.2 interface. No DVD drive, card reader available.
The peripheral software is rather ascetic - one USB port of standards 2.0, 3.0 Type A and 3.0 Type-C, an HDMI video interface, and a typical output for a headset.
Another advantage of this model is a very good autonomy, which is provided by a capacious battery of six cells.
Virtues
- metal case;
- small weight;
- thin;
- strong, high-quality assembly;
- good autonomy.
disadvantages
- Cannot expand RAM.
HP PAVILION POWER 15-cb000
Rating: 4.8
Now consider a very decent model for learning production Hewlett-Packard. Its remarkable feature is that even standard modifications provide, if not top-end configurations of modules, then certainly not minimal ones.
The dimensions of the laptop are 378x252.2x24.1, weight - 2.21 kg. Installed screen with a diagonal size of 15.6 ". IPS-matrix is offered in a single resolution version - 1920x1080. Coverage - matte. The keyboard is equipped with a pleasant backlight. Built-in slot for a Kensington lock.
The manufacturer offers only two options for equipping the processor - Core i5 or i7 from Intel on 4 Kaby Lake-H cores with a frequency of 2500 to 2800 MHz.A wide choice of bundling RAM-memory - from 4 to 16 GB with a frequency of 2133 or 2400 MHz. The developers have made a serious emphasis on the video subsystem - the integrated one was not considered at all, and two options are offered - GeForce GTX 1050 (Ti) with 2 or 4 GB memory. DVD drive is not installed.
With hard drives, variations are allowed - the traditional HDD for 2000 GB or “tandem”, where in addition to HDD (5400 or 7200 revolutions to choose), there is also a non-mechanical SSD with 128 or 256 GB. There is a slot for reading memory cards.
The laptop is equipped with a good set of USB interfaces - different generations and standards, including high-speed data transfer and support for the Sleep and Charge technology. There is also a HDMI-video interface.
Autonomy of work provides a capacious battery at 70 Wh. The stated conditional operating time is 11.4 hours. The nominal full charge time is 1.5 hours.
Virtues
- powerful electronics;
- reliability;
- good autonomy;
- productive video.
disadvantages
- noisy cooling system.
Acer TravelMate P2
Rating: 4.7
The penultimate position in the ranking of laptops from expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ is a decent and inexpensive laptop from Acer. The TravelMate P2 line includes several series with different sets of modifications. We consider the most popular - P259-MG, which, in terms of demand, has left the other series far behind.
The dimensions of the laptop are 381.6x259x30.2mm, weight - 2.4 kg. The screen size on the diagonal is 15.6 ". The matrix is an inexpensive TN-type, which largely determined the affordable price of a computer. The ability to detail the image is offered in two versions - 1366x768 or 1920x1080. The surface is matte.
The central control module is a Core i3 or i5 processor from Intel on two Skylake-U cores with a frequency of 2000 to 2300 MHz. RAM memory with a capacity of 4 or 8 GB, and it can later be upgraded to 32 GB maximum, for this there are two slots. The graphics card can be integrated in the cheapest version or a dedicated mobile GeForce 940MX from NVIDIA with 2 GB of memory.
With rigid carriers, variations are permissible, as in most of the models described above. So, in the minimum assembly, the drive can be a traditional HDD (5400 rpm) with a capacity of up to 2000 GB or two carriers, where the non-mechanical capacity of 128 GB is added to the HDD. There is a DVD-RW drive and card reader.
The set of peripheral interfaces is small, but sufficient for most training tasks: USB standards 2.0, 3.0, 3.1 Type-C; VGA video output (D-Sub), HDMI video interface. There is a nest for Kensington Castle.
The capacity of the battery of this model is 2800 mAh in four cells.
Virtues
- good build;
- good autonomy;
- very convenient trackpad;
- efficient cooling with minimal noise;
- affordable price.
disadvantages
- "Average" screen;
- inconvenient port layout.
ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 N580GD
Rating: 4.7
At the end of the rating, and at the same time of the entire review, experts of expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ suggest paying attention to the powerful laptop for studying produced by ASUS. Its feature is modules, uncommon in power and functionality, even in the minimum configuration. Ideal for students whose learning process is associated with the use of resource-intensive software, including graphics. This is the only model in the review equipped with a 4K matrix.
The laptop has a strong metal case, its dimensions are 380x256x20.5mm, weight - 1.99 kg. The screen dimension is 15.6 "diagonally, the matrix is high-quality IPS with an outstanding resolution of 3840x2160 (4K). The screen surface is matte.
At the buyer's choice, two basic configurations are offered - based on Core i5 or i7 processors on 4 or 6 cores of Coffee Lake (H) with a frequency from 2200 to 2300 MHz. As part of the RAM memory in this model, ASUS is not exchanging trivialities, but immediately offers at least 8 GB or 16 (the maximum possible amount). The same applies to the video card - no integrated "under-cards", only a discrete and full-featured GeForce GTX 1050 from NVIDIA with 4 GB of memory.
Completion hard drives also does not provide for trimmed options - put immediately "tandem" of HDD with a capacity of 1 TB (5400 rpm) and non-mechanical SSD up to 256 GB. Optical DVD-drive decided to abolish, there is a slot for memory cards.
To provide peripherals, there are four USB ports - two 2.0 and one each 3.0, an HDMI video interface.There is a slot for a Kensington lock, a fingerprint scanner, keyboard backlight.
Autonomy (not the most, however, outstanding) provides a lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 47 Wh.
Virtues
- 4K screen;
- metal case;
- powerful electronics;
- increased impact resistance.
disadvantages
- insufficiently powerful battery;
- large and heavy power supply.
Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.