Starting college and pursuing a dream course can be exciting, but it can also be expensive. By the time you add up the cost of accommodation, books, and a weekly budget, there might not be much left to spare. That’s why it’s important for students to invest in a reliable laptop that can handle various tasks, such as writing essays, taking notes, collaborating on group projects and providing entertainment; sometimes all at the same time.
Harvey Norman’s technicians extensively test dozens of laptops every year to help customers find the best option for their specific course requirements. The top priority is the laptop’s price-to-performance ratio, followed by factors like battery life, size and weight, keyboard and trackpad quality. Whether attending classes remotely or in person, Harvey Norman can suggest options that best support college students’ needs.
According to Sanjay Satheesan, a technology buyer and adviser with over 20 years of experience, purchasing a laptop for university should be seen as an investment rather than a simple purchase.
“Students should look for a laptop that can last throughout the entire course and a year beyond, into searching for a job and the first stage of their career,” Satheesan says.
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“The key factors to focus on are the processor and memory (RAM), with storage being less critical due to the availability of cloud storage options. However, the specific demands of a student’s course may influence the importance of other features, such as a graphics card for architecture and design students.”
Considering the rapid pace of software upgrades, it’s essential to have a computer that won’t become obsolete quickly. Investing in reliable hardware can help students save money in the long run, especially since software purchases are mostly subscription-based now.
Also, students shouldn’t overlook the tactile and auditory experience of a laptop, such as the sound of tapping keys, as it can significantly impact comfort while using it. Microsoft is a company with good expertise in this area which has been especially helpful for neurodiverse students.
Satheesan uses a Wizard of Oz-style analogy to describe the importance of hardware: “The heart of the computer is the processor, then the memory; the RAM is the brain of the computer.”
For those who want a laptop to serve as both a home and portable entertainment system, the screen’s quality is of great importance. Satheesan recommends a 16-inch screen with good light reflection.
Don’t forget those essential accessories too. From printers to keyboards, monitors to smartphones, Harvey Norman stocks all you need from the biggest brands. The company also offers all the necessary programmes and security software essential to keep your laptop or tablet working optimally throughout the college years.
Satheesan gives advice to students who are about to embark on their college years, with pearls of wisdom on the best laptop for several specific courses:
For aspiring architects for instance or anyone doing a similar course, Harvey Norman recommends a laptop with a powerful processor, a decent screen size and a dedicated graphics card. Check out the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra.
Engineers should choose a powerful, performance-driven and robust laptop capable of handling complex workloads. Check out the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio.
Fashion designers can consider the Apple MacBook Air, which combines power and style.
Journalists should seek a laptop with a powerful processor, good memory, lightweight design and longer battery life, like the HP Spectre.
Accountants will benefit from a laptop with a strong processor for productivity, good battery life for flexibility and ample storage to handle large files. Check out the Acer Aspire.
Harvey Norman offers a wide range of options and financing plans, including 24-month choices to accommodate and stretch budgets. Their stores also provide a bespoke service named Love Tech in each of its locations, ensuring customers receive technical support and assistance.
Additionally, Harvey Norman provides convenient post-sale options for returns and have Apple repair centres in their Rathfarnham and Cork branches. If you don’t live near either of these branches you can bring your Apple to a Love Tech centre, and they will package and send your laptop to the Apple repair centre.