Why Do You Need A Laptop For College?

Laptops offer students the freedom and flexibility they require to perform academic work from anywhere and anytime. They have transformed how instructions are delivered in a classroom. Both information processor laptops and mobile operating systems have been beneficial to students and tutors in learning and delivery of lectures, respectively.

According to research, when students have access to a digital device, they better their performance. More and more institutions have realized such benefits and have begun programs to include laptops in classrooms.

Typically, laptops are portable, lightweight computers, weighing about 2 kilograms while still being sturdy. It was in 1983 that the term laptop came into use. Over two decades later, colleges and schools have adopted technology, including multi-media learning modules in their curriculum. Broadly the Worldwide web has opened new horizons in learning.

This has seen an increase in the use of online libraries to do research and complete assignments. This article offers some critical insights on why you need a laptop for college.

Also read, the pros and cons of hibernation a laptop; What Are the Pros and Cons of Hibernating a Laptop? The Myths!

What Are The Benefits Of Laptops For Students?

Students can enjoy lots of benefits from the use of laptops in college. These benefits include:

Helps achieve organization

College students always find taking notes in class to be problematic. Typically, during lectures tutors tend to overwhelm students with lots of notes, resulting in students rushing to jot down words, which results in multiple errors.

With laptops, a student will have a better understanding of class lectures and will keep with the note-taking pace with fast typing skills. Even when a student doesn’t own a laptop, it is advisable to restructure and edit the notes they took in class on their home desktop. This helps a more efficient and easier way of studying for tests

Easy Connectivity and accessibility

One of the leading reasons for the preference for laptops among students is that they help students gain access to information from anywhere, provided there’s an internet connection. With technology having made great strides, there has been an increase in the provision of free Wi-Fi, making internet access easier.

This ease of accessibility makes it possible for students to study from anywhere, particularly in their free time. In a nutshell, a laptop enables easier access to notes and educational tools, thus enhancing students’ performance inside a class.

It offers more writing and editing options

Laptops make it possible for students to edit papers more efficiently and write them with much convenience. Typing has been proven to make writing quicker and ensure the whole school work faster. With the multiple tools and features offered by word processing software, this helps students to be able to write and edit various academic documents.

Facilitates Group assignments

Group assignments are common in college. Nonetheless, working with various individuals in their spaces can be challenging. With the advancement of technology, access to laptops makes it possible for cloud work. With a laptop with access to a network, you can access services such as Zoom and skype that make online meetings possible from the comfort of your home. This makes it very convenient for college students to work on assignments from the comfort of their preferred space.

How Necessary Is A Laptop For College?

A laptop will offer you lots of advantages as outlined above as a student. However, to get the most out of your college laptop, you must consider the future. Always go for a laptop with the capacity to cope with technological advances.

The laptop you choose should have enough power to handle the needed computational power for coursework and demanding video and can accommodate new software updates. Below are some considerations to ensure you get the most from your college laptop.

# 1 – Weight and Size

A laptop’s weight and size are critical considerations for a student. College life often involves movement from one lecture hall to another. Thus, the ideal laptop should be easy and lightweight to ensure convenience when moving around.

# 2 – Speed:

Student life is often time-bound. There are always deadlines for assignments, lectures have timeframes, and group work will be needed within a particular period. To ensure one can meet these deadlines, it is essential to go for devices with speed.

Speed in laptops means the faster opening of files without lag and thus adherence to deadlines; this will also positively affect performance as timely delivery will earn you good grades.

# 3 – Warranties

As a student, you will typically not have an income source. Thus, the aim is to reduce any repair cost that your laptop may need as much as you can. Go for laptops with an extended warranty; typically, three years is the recommended warranty period.

During the warranty period, you can always take it to the manufacturer for repair or even replacement in case of a malfunction.

# 4 – Hard Drive

Students find additional storage attractive, meaning they can store more files on their devices. This includes even other files that are not necessarily related to their schoolwork like movies and music to enjoy during their leisure times.

Do you know what laptops are USA-made? Not really, have a quick read of What Laptops are Made in USA.

Can Students Get A Free Laptop?

With a laptop becoming almost a necessity in a student’s college life, there are several options for students who may not afford laptop market prices. You can get one cheaply or even completely for free by using these ways.

# 1 – Look for local listings

You can always find laptops on offer by checking classifieds in relevant websites and newspapers. Typically, people with old laptops find the need to dispose of them from time to time and advertise them.

They might be interested in a small fee which you can afford without much struggle. Email or call the person and seek to know which deal they are looking for. Also, check college notice boards for listings that might as well be posted there.

# 2 – Find Educational Grants And Apply

While grants are known to cover tuition, others go to even broader extents and cover supplies needed, such as laptops. Particularly tech companies that manufacture laptops are known to offer such. Always look for such and find if you are eligible and proceed to apply.

Is your laptop heating up regularly? If yes, then do check out this blog post about Can Laptops Cause Fire? The Truth!

Do Colleges Provide Laptops?

Colleges have increasingly sought to support their student by having free laptop programs. Below are some international universities that offer free laptops and their eligibility criteria.

1. Rochester University: All undergraduates in their first year of study are offered either an iPad or a free Apple MacBook.

Eligibility: To be eligible as an undergraduate, you need to have 29 or fewer credit hours when enrolling.

2. Northwest Missouri State University: Lends all students laptops, which they keep until graduation.

Eligibility: All undergraduate and graduate students living inside and outside the campus are eligible.

3 . Full Sail University: It has a program through which students get a laptop with accessories and software that are pertinent to their degrees

Eligibility: It includes the software and laptop cost in the tuition

4. Strayer University: This university offers students laptops with free Microsoft software, and the student can keep them after the completion of their initial three semesters.

Eligibility: All students in the online bachelor’s degree program qualify.

5. Wake Forest University: Has a program that offers students laptops at discounted rates: students who are being offered any financial aid from the institution can be offered a technology grant, making the laptop free.

Eligibility: The discount program is available for all undergraduate students. Students getting institutional aid can receive a free laptop under the grant program.

In conclusion, advancements in technology have made colleges offer almost each of their services online. Thus, a student must have a laptop to access these programs. This article has insights that inform why you need a laptop for college.