Best Laptops for Grad School

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You’ve come to the right place if you are searching for the best laptops for grad school.

There’s no doubt graduate students face a mountain of (never-ending) paperwork. Professors expect research papers, dissertations, or essays from their students. These result in extensive hours of data collection and various fact-checking techniques. They require a laptop with an exceptional performance that is available at all times of the day.

Students of all academic levels need a laptop with an impressive performance to learn much more straightforwardly. However, with so many companies producing laptops with distinct specialties, purchasing a laptop can be a tedious affair. Also, getting a laptop that cannot fulfill academic functionality can be frustrating. 

 So, we reviewed various brands and checked their price-to-performance ratio, storage, portability, battery life, keyboard comfort, and a customer review. With such an evaluation, we came up with a list of laptops that students in grad school can use. Because of its brilliant performance and suitability for grad school students, our best pick on the list is MacBook Pro 13. However, check out the other models listed below. 

Brand Overview

• MacBook Pro 13 — Overall Best
• Asus Vivobook 15 — Best Backlit Keyboard
• HP Pavilion 15 — Best Convertible Laptop
• Dell XPS 15 — Best For Portability 

1. MacBook Pro 13 — Overall Best

Key Features: 

• 8th-generation quad-core Intel Core i5 Processor
•  AMD Radeon Pro 5500M
•  4GB of GDDR6 memory 
• Strong Battery Capacity
• Automatic graphics switching

A new generation of MacBook Pro is coming to market using the new Apple-made M1 processors, and we consider this change to be a new bright era for Apple. With a 58.2 Wh battery, the MacBook Pro 13 can run all day under ideal conditions and is advertised to last up to 10 hours. There are two versions of this model, one with 8GB and one with 16GB, which we recommend.

Besides a superior keyboard and trackpad, this laptop has a small touch screen with endless programmable buttons. Although the touch bar isn’t universal, we think it helps change tasks as it’s a small screen with boundless programmable buttons. With wireless networking standard Wi-Fi 6, the MacBook Pro laptop offers much faster data downloads and uploads than most non-Apple laptops available today. 

Apple’s MacBook design doesn’t need much explanation. With just 8.36 inches of thickness, it is one of the most portable laptops available. This Apple notebook’s 5.39 pounds weight makes it an excellent option for academics and on-the-go business professionals.

According to customer reviews, the laptop is great for students. Most claimed that the mac screen has deep colors and is dazzling despite its small size. However, some complained about the connectivity of the laptop. This laptop, like other Apple products, has issues when it pertains to connectivity. While there are two USB Type-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 capability, you will ultimately need to purchase an adaptor.

Pros

• Design that is both sleek and light
• Exceptional performance
• The battery life is excellent.

 
Cons

• Bad Connectivity

2. Asus Vivobook 15 — Best Backlit Keyboard

Key Features:

• Intel Core i3 processor
• Ergonomic backlit chiclet keyboard
• FHD IPS display with no glares
• 8GB RAM and 128GB M.2 SSD

Taking notes has never been simple, specifically in graduate school, because notes aren’t always as precise. Because most personal laptops are not for optimal typing, it isn’t easy to type on them.

Fortunately, the ASUS VivoBook 15 answers the problem of undergraduate and graduate students concerning typing. It features a comfortable structure for a better typing position, a fingerprint sensor, and a backlit keyboard to simplify typing in low-light situations.

Asus Vivobook 15 devices are available with either an Intel Core processor or an AMD Ryzen. We recommend choosing the Intel Core models because they are less expensive, and you won’t need to execute high-end work on a note-taking laptop. The ASUS VivoBook 15 is on a level with modern laptops for design. The device weighs 3.8 pounds, which is relatively light.

This lightweight laptop also shines in terms of connectivity. The device features USB 3.1 Type-C, USB 3.1 Type-A, and USB 2.0 ports. It also features a micro-SD card reader and a full-sized HDMI port. ASUS has also integrated a fingerprint scanner. This model has a long battery life of up to 5 hours.

The laptop has an excellent backlit keyboard and most loved its portable size, according to customer reviews. However, some users have complaints about the screen quality. 

Pros

• Bezel-free Full HD display
• Ultra-portable designPortable sleek
• Extensive connectivityGood battery life

Cons

• Less storage capacity 

3. HP Pavilion 15 — Best Convertible Laptop 

Key Features: 

• Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor
• 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD Storage
• Substantial Battery Life

The HP Pavilion 15 aims to provide the perfect combination of utility and operation at this price range. Its webcam kill switch and microphone mute button emphasize the importance of communication in the HP Pavilion 15. Its other features include an Intel Core i7 processor with sixth-generation graphics, 16G RAM, a display brightness of 340 nits, and up to 512GB of storage. It can incorporate 32 GB of Intel Optane memory on the top-end models, which can speed up the loading of your applications!

The pavilion includes all the modern processors in a tiny laptop weighing over 4.27 pounds in a simple, stylish, basic classic look. Most recent laptops do not include optical disks, instead opting for three USB ports, a headphone/microphone combo, an HDMI 2.0 port, and an SD card reader. The laptop features Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5. This enables ultrafast network connectivity.

Battery life for HP Pavilion 15 is 8 hours, thanks to its 3-cell, 41Wh battery. Its ability to charge up to 50% in 45 minutes is helpful for students. You can get the most out of your battery with balanced usage at an appropriate brightness, and the screen will last long enough for school sessions. A laptop with ample storage, a 11th generation i7 processor, and operating memory, such as the HP Pavilion, can meet the demands of college grad students without having to spend a lot.

Most users seem to love the laptop’s flexibility and build quality. Some also liked the fact that the i7 processor is quick. However, some users are not happy with the product. Some complained that the battery life isn’t as long as the manufacturer claimed in the technical specification. 

Pros 

• HP Fast Charge
• 11th gen processor
• It has a compact design
• Wide-viewing angles

Cons

• No backlit keyboard
• Heating/ fan issues

4. Dell XPS 15 — Best For Portability 

Key Features:

• NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650 Ti graphics
• 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H
•  512GB SSD and 16GB DDR4 RAM
• 15.6 inches FHD Infinity edge display

Dell’s XPS line is more expensive than their Inspiron series, and as a result, it has a higher quality and reliability and a better fit and finish. Their most recent models include 32GB of RAM, Intel tenth-generation processors, and up to 1TB of M.2 NVMe storage.

Dell’s displays have always been good, and the XPS range offers some of their greatest. A standard XPS 15 series is a 15.6-inch display with a peak brightness of 500 nits and a 1920 x 1200 pixels resolution. However, you can choose to upgrade to a 3840 x 2400 pixel screen, but it’s not very necessary.

The touch panel version of the screen features Gorilla Glass 6, which is a reasonably strong glass, and it’s housed in a CNC machined aluminum frame with some carbon fiber composite parts. 

This Dell XPS notebook, like many other high-end Windows-based Windows laptops, provides a good sense of connectivity. Besides a full-sized HDMI port, a physical battery indicator, and two USB 3.1 ports, it has a separate media card reader. If you still use an older camera, the media port will come in handy.

This device is no exception to the company’s reputation for producing some of the most fabulous ultrabook keyboards. Besides having a good click feel, the backlit keyboard is excellent. It’s the ideal partner for those late-night essay-writing sessions.

The device’s performance-friendly battery life should last up to 14 hours, which is impressive. However, you can expect less backup if you’re doing Photoshop work.

Most users enjoy the laptop’s performance and battery life. However, some complained about the packaging as they believe they got a used product and not a brand new one. 

Pros

• Touchscreen display with 4K resolution
• The design is slim and elegant
• Ports for a variety of connections
• Lightweight and easy to transport 
• Long battery life

Cons

• Problems with overheating
• The audio quality is poor

Factors to Consider When Buying A Laptop For Grad School—Buying Guide

As a graduate student with a lot of coursework, there are some factors you need to consider before getting yourself a laptop for grad school. These factors include benefits, features, and frustration that need to be first before ordering a laptop. 

Operating System 

Before buying a laptop, grad students should first look at laptops’ operating systems. Our recommendation is to stick with Windows, Mac OS, and even Linux, which are some of the most widely known operating systems.

Some software and apps you might need for your homework, and studying might not be compatible with other operating systems. Also, if you have a minimal budget, make sure that the laptop you choose includes an operating system, so you won’t need to pay for a different operating system. 

Battery Life

For a long time, laptop producers have provided exaggerated battery life figures, making it challenging to know if you’re getting a good battery. However, the battery’s capacity in Watt-hours is somewhere within their technical specifications.

We don’t advocate buying a laptop with a battery capacity of less than 35 Wh, regardless of how long they claim it will last! Do not even purchase a laptop just because it claims it can last up to 20 hours.

A battery’s life remains one of the most annoying purchasing metrics, but if you plan on spending over two or three hours away from a power outlet, research it thoroughly.

CPU and RAM

We are lucky that computer processors, especially laptops, have advanced dramatically in recent years because of the intense struggle between the two major players: AMD and Intel, making selecting a processor easier than ever.

If you’re going to undertake intricate arithmetic computations, physics simulations, or other complex mathematics, art, or video, it’s essential to ensure you have something from the newest generation. Aside from that, practically any CPU will suffice for most tasks.

Getting a laptop with 8G RAM is the best. RAM controls how many programs you can run at once and is often available in quantities ranging from 4GB to 32GB. Although this is not stored on your system, ipads and particular laptops still have 32GB hard drives, so be sure you’re looking at the proper specification.

Connectivity

Several students find that a perfectly functioning, speedy, powerful, adaptable, and comfortable laptop satisfies their demands. Nevertheless, not every graduate student has the exact requirements, which is where connectivity comes in.

You ensure that the laptop you select has adequate connectivity and can connect to other gadgets both wirelessly and via cable connections. The printer is among the significant things you’ll need to connect, but most students choose to attach noise-cancelling earphones, trackpads, a pair of or even an extra keyboard.

A laptop with many USB ports, an HDMI port, and a few extra connections like a multiple card reader or even a DVD/RW drive is quite helpful. However, USB and HDMI connections are the most necessary connectors to search for.

Conclusion

Finally, if you seek a solid and economical laptop that is ideal for your graduate studies, you might select one model discussed in this article. Each one provides a high level of performance and a variety of functionalities that will make your studying much simpler and more pleasurable. However, it’s best to consider some factors such as connectivity, battery life, flexibility, etc., before buying a laptop. Because of its outstanding performance, flexibility, and good customer reviews, our top pick among the listed models is MacBook Pro 13. We hope this article helps you make a sound judgment when picking one of the best laptops for grad school.