Best HP Laptops for Students
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Whether you’re a high school student searching for your first desktop computer or you want to find a laptop upgrade for college, there are some things to keep in mind before you buy a new laptop.
You’ll need to use your computer for a number of different purposes, from doing homework and researching online to streaming your favorite movies, often running several applications at once.
Choosing the right computer for school requires that you think about what you will most likely use it for.
Your computer can be as essential to your academic success as your textbooks, so knowing what you need in advance can only help you when it comes to making the final decision.
Here’s what you should keep in mind when looking for the best computer for students.
Know your classes and your school
Where you will be attending school can actually have a big influence on the type of laptop you might need.
Most colleges tend to use software that runs well with the Windows operating system, and they may request that you have the same for your own computer. Before you purchase your laptop, make sure that any software you’ll use is compatible with your operating system.
Upkeep and repair
Most schools have an IT department with technicians manning a help desk. This often includes an on-site repair center that will service your laptop if something goes wrong.
Many colleges also work with specific companies like HP, so it’s a good idea to know if you can get your PC fixed on campus or if you’ll need to visit an actual store. A simple call to them can answer a lot of your questions.
Student discounts
Some schools also work with companies to provide purchasing deals for students. If you are looking for a chance to use your student discount, it might be worth it to look into the models your school bookstore offers or programs such as HP’s UNiDAYS.
You can also find all you'll need for the school year, whether you're a student or teacher, on our HP Back to School Guide, featuring bundles and curated PC and accessory options picked for your specific education needs. For special discounts every day of up to 40% on tech for school, join the HP Education Store Program - no student ID is required!
Consider the features of your laptop
It may be tempting to purchase a computer with a large screen for streaming movies and playing your favorite games, but you should keep in mind that you’ll probably need to carry your PC from one end of campus to the other.
And when it comes to tasks like taking notes and writing papers, you’ll only need a more basic laptop. With that in mind, it’s important to find something that balances your needs and wants. It’s also likely that you won’t just be carrying your computer in your backpack. You’ll also need room for your books and papers.
Laptop size and weight
For most students, a 13-inch laptop or 14-inch laptop should be just the right size in order to have a functional display while avoiding muscle strain.
You will most likely be using your computer to write papers and chat online with friends and family too, so you’ll probably want the experience of having a full keyboard.
Laptops smaller than 13 inches tend to have a more cramped keyboard, which can cause problems when you are spending hours upon hours typing. If you do want a smaller computer, consider purchasing a standalone keyboard for those particularly long papers.
Also, you can always purchase an additional computer monitor for your desk to be the larger display you need for entertainment or homework. You can simply plug your laptop in when you get back from class for a desktop-computer-like experience.
Laptop battery life and power
Long battery life can be extremely helpful. As a student, you’ll need your computer for nights spent at the library or hours in class. You may not always be able to predict when you’ll have a power source nearby, so batteries that can run for 8 or 9 hours are ideal, especially on days with a full class schedule.
Much of how long your laptop battery lasts will depend on how you use your laptop, of course. Activities like web browsing and word processing shouldn’t eat up too much power, while gaming and streaming videos will.
The same concept applies to the processing power you’ll need. Those who will mostly be browsing and writing papers will be fine with an Intel® Core™ i5 or i7 processor. These are more than strong enough to handle those needs, but high-powered users may need a little something extra.
While they carry a higher price tag, a gaming laptop is usually much more powerful than your more standard model. You will need to consider graphics cards and how much computing speed you’ll need in order to play your favorite games. These laptops also tend to have a shorter battery life simply because of how they’re used.
Laptop hard drive storage
In the past, storage was a much bigger consideration when purchasing a laptop for school. Cloud storage and file sharing have made having room on your physical hard drive less crucial. However, adequate storage may be necessary if you plan to run a number of applications at once or if you want to save your favorite movies and TV shows on your laptop for offline viewing.
For most students, 500GB of hard drive space should be more than enough to handle any documents and media files you need for assignments or entertainment. Storage also affects the speed of your computer, so if you want applications to load more quickly, then you may need to free up hard drive space or supplement existing storage capacity. External hard drives are another option and can be a nice complement to the aforementioned monitor and keyboard setup.
Should I purchase a hybrid laptop?
Hybrid laptops are becoming a common sight on campuses and there are several reasons students would want one. Because they can be used as both a laptop and tablet, they can serve several functions that would normally require two devices.
The two main designs of hybrid laptops are convertibles, which allow you to flip the keyboard away from the screen so it can be used as a tablet, and detachables, which have been designed for the keyboard to be completely removed.
They are also pretty affordable, especially for those who don’t need a high-powered laptop.
Best HP laptops for students
HP has a number of great models available for students and their various needs. These laptops combine power and battery life without having to sacrifice portability or price. Here are some options to consider before the new school year.
HP Pavilion 15” Laptop
The HP Pavilion 15-inch laptop combines functionality with a classic design while providing plenty of power and space on a student’s budget.
You also have the choice of customizing this laptop up to a Full High-Definition (FHD) touch screen. One of the best features is its slim frame, which makes it easy to slip into a backpack. Its 13th Generation Intel Core i5 processor offers plenty of computing power for basic functions and video creation and be customized to an even more powerful i7 Core before purchase.
Notable features:
- Intel Iris® Xe Graphics customizable up to NVIDIA® GeForce® MX550 (2GB) graphics
- HP True Vision 1080p FHD web camera with temporal noise reduction
- Up to 1TB storage and 16GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM
- Supports battery fast charge of about 50% in 45 minutes
HP ENVY x360 Convertible Laptop
One of the great things about the HP ENVY x360 15-inch touch screen laptop is how it delivers amazing graphics in such a small package. It is available in three different screen sizes (13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch) to help students find the option that best suits them and what they need from their laptop. It also includes a touch screen, so it can be used for multiple purposes.
This 15-inch laptop computer boasts long battery life for long nights spent typing papers or binge-watching the latest movie or show, with support for battery fast charge to about 50% in 30 minutes. It’ll also power through any assignments with its 13th Gen Core i5 processor, upgradeable to i7 before purchase, and Intel Iris Xe Graphics, upgradeable to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX option before purchase.
Students and teachers can also take advantage of discounts on Microsoft Office and more through the HP Education store.
Notable features:
- HP Wide Vision 5MP IR web camera with temporal noise reduction
- Slim design for portability, and comes in either Natural silver or Nightfall black colors
- FHD display customizable to OLED, UWVA screen
HP Spectre x360 Convertible Laptop
While it may seem like an investment for a student, the HP Spectre x360 touch screen laptop comes with a solid warranty and plenty of features to keep users happy through four or more years of college. With a 13th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, this sleek computer can handle almost anything you can throw at it. It’s also available in 13-inch and 14-inch models.
It also features up to 15 hours of battery life and support for fast charge up to 50% in about 45 minutes, making it simple to achieve full battery life between classes. The fingerprint reader and IR security camera add an extra layer of security for peace of mind, and the touch screen allows for an interactive experience for those who like to go hands-on to complete projects and write notes.
Notable features:
- Audio by Bang & Olufsen and quad speakers featuring HP Audio Boost
- Full-sized backlit keyboard
- Accelerometer; AI chip; eCompass; Color temperature light sensor; Gyroscope; IR thermal sensor
- Includes HP Rechargeable MPP2.0 Tilt Pen
HP OMEN Gaming Laptop
Those who like to game in their spare time may look for some different specifications than students who just need basic functions. The HP OMEN 16-inch gaming laptop straddles the line between offering functionality and performance. And with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 laptop graphics card, it can handle all of your favorite games.
It also boasts an FHD (1920 x 1080), 165 Hz, 7 ms response time display - customizable to QHD (2560 x 1440), 240 Hz, 3 ms response time - for a desktop-like experience in a compact laptop. It has plenty of storage, too, (up to 2 TB PCIe NVMe TLC M.2 SSD) to support your entertainment needs alongside more crucial files like your homework and class projects.
Notable features:
- 16-inch or 17-inch display options
- HP True Vision 1080p FHD IR camera with temporal noise reduction and integrated dual array digital microphones
- Full-size, 1-zone white backlit keyboard and 26-Key Rollover Anti-Ghosting Key technology, upgradeable to 4-zone or per-key RGB backlight
- 16GB DDR5-4800 SDRAM memory customizable to 32GB before purchase
HP Chromebook Touch Screen Laptop
For students who need versatility in their laptops and want something more streamlined, the HP Chromebook 14-inch touch screen laptop is for you. It also boasts features that promote creativity such as up to 11 hours of battery life so that you never have to pause in the middle of a great idea. It’s High-Definition touch screen display also features an HP Wide Vision 720p HD camera so that you look your best on any call.
This HP Chromebook’s Intel Pentium® Silver processor and Intel UHD Graphics pack a surprising amount of power into a small device. At 12.8 inches, students will easily slip it in their bag without worrying about it weighing them down.
Notable features:
- Chrome OS™ operating system
- 64GB eMMC flash-based storage
- 4GB LPDDR4x-2933 MHz RAM
- Light at 3.2 lbs
HP Dragonfly Pro
The HP Dragonfly Pro brings several premium options into one laptop, with an AMD Ryzen™ 7 processor and AMD Radeon™ Graphics, up to 1TB of internal storage, and WUXGA (1920 x 1200) multitouch-enabled display with anti-reflection Corning®️ Gorilla®️ Glass NBT™️ technology.
One of the highlights of this laptop is its dedicated 24/7 support button. Get help with your PC at the press of a button with an HP Subscription Care Pack, ensuring you never run into technical difficulties for too long. Along the right side, there are also dedicated buttons for a customizable key, myHP access, and HP SmartCam.
The HP Dragonfly Pro is also equipped with a 5MP RGB-IR camera with electronic shutter with B&O Audio, so you’ll look and sound great in any virtual classroom.
Notable features:
- Fingerprint reader and dedicated mute mic button
- Up to 15 hours battery life
- 16GB of RAM customizable to 32GB
- Comes in Ceramic White and Sparkling Black colors
HP 17” Laptop
Sometimes, you just want the basics. The 17-inch HP Notebook offers simplicity for those who need a functional, affordable computer with plenty of power to accomplish basic homework assignments. Its compact design means you can take it anywhere, and it also features fast battery charge up to 50% in about 45 minutes, so you can get back to your papers after a short period of downtime.
Its 17.3-inch HD+ display can be customized to a touch screen or FHD display, showing off your work in the best resolution or truly making your favorite TV shows shine. The HP 17-inch laptop’s 720p HD camera includes a privacy shutter to offer extra security, and features temporal noise reduction and dual array digital microphones.
Notable features:
- 8GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM customizable to 16GB
- 128GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage customizable to 1TB
- Full-size island-style keyboard
- Weighs in at 4.58 lbs
Summary
Finding the right laptop as a student doesn’t have to be difficult. With HP, you can find a device that works for both your homework and your hobbies. There are also models in every price range, making it simpler to narrow down the options that will carry you all the way until graduation.
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