HP Laptop vs Desktop: Which is Best for College Students?
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Amid the COVID-19 era, the role of computers in enhancing productivity, collaboration, and research within educational institutions has grown substantially. This development makes owning a PC, whether a desktop or laptop, a necessity for college students.
Students need a PC to attend online classes, complete assignments, catch up with loved ones through video calls, and do other activities such as gaming, content creation, and watching movies.
At HP, we recognize your need for a reliable and durable PC capable of handling the rigors of campus life. That’s why we’ve developed this article to assist you in deciding between laptops and desktops and to showcase our best computers tailored for college students.
Understanding PC basics
Let us start by looking at how laptops differ from desktops. These factors can play an important role in how you fit a PC into your campus life. You'll also want to make sure whichever PC you pick matches the processing requirements for your workload and, of course, your budget.
Laptop factors
- Portability: Lightweight and highly portable.
- Screen size: Laptops offer smaller screen size options. Typically, 10-17 inches.
- Connection options: Their compact design allows only a few connection ports and expansion slots.
- Cost: They can be affordable depending on the level of specs you require.
- Space efficiency: Slim profile can fit most workspaces with relative ease.
- Power: They rely on batteries that require periodic charging.
Desktop PC factors
- Portability: Desktops are heavier, and frequently moving them can be challenging.
- Screen size: Desktops provide a variety of screen options. Typically, 19 inches or more.
- Connection options: Their larger size makes it possible to have more connection ports and expansion slots.
- Cost: They can be affordable depending on the level of specs you require.
- Space efficiency: They have a larger chassis and can take up more space depending on desk placement and monitor and keyboard-mouse space.
- Power: They are powered by an AC adapter, which is always connected to a power source.
Benefits of a laptop for college students
Portability
One of the most significant selling points for laptops is their portable nature. They’re lightweight and effortless to carry. Simply slide your laptop into your college backpack and take it to class to take notes or to the library or café to do more research.
Convenience
Laptops are super convenient. They run on batteries, some lasting up to 20 hours of video playback time, so you can use them without plugging in. They also eliminate the need for a dedicated working space as their compact design takes up less space.
Multifunctionality
Laptops are like versatile Swiss army knives for college students. They allow students to switch between tasks smoothly, such as participating in a remote class while taking notes simultaneously.
Here are our top HP laptop picks tailored for college students.
HP Laptop (15t-fd000): Best for versatility
Key specifications
- Intel® Core™ i7-1355U
- 15.6" diagonal HD display
- 12GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM
- 128GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- HP True Vision 720p HD camera
- Microsoft 365 Personal 1 Year
If you're searching for a dependable and long-lasting laptop to use in your daily college life, look no further than our HP Laptop 15t-fd000. We've designed this laptop with an Intel Core i7-1355U processor and 12GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM, which collaborate to make multitasking effortless so that you can switch between tasks without a drop in performance.
Moreover, we've included the HP True Vision 720p HD camera to keep you connected with friends and family. This camera integrates temporal noise reduction technology, guaranteeing your loved ones can hear and see you.
HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop (14-ef2047nr): Best for style
Key specifications
- Intel Core i7-1355U
- 13.5" diagonal WUXGA+ touch display
- 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe TLC M.2 SSD
- 16GB LPDDR4x-4266 MHz RAM
- Intel Iris® Xe integrated graphics
- Up to 18 hours of battery life
Are you looking for an elegant and powerful laptop? Then consider our best-in-class HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop 14-ef2047nr. Our team has integrated this laptop with Intel Iris Xe graphics, a widescreen ultra-extended graphics array (WUXGA), and intuitive touch screen technology. These features deliver stunning visuals with vibrant colors that elevate your viewing experience.
We've also crafted this laptop using ocean-bound plastic for the bezel and speaker enclosures and post-consumer recycled plastic materials for the keycaps.
OMEN Gaming Laptop (16-xf0087nr): Best for high performance
Key specifications
- AMD Ryzen™ 7 7840HS
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 graphics card
- 16GB DDR5-5600 MHz RAM
- 1TB PCIe® Gen4 NVMe™ TLC M.2 SSD
- 16.1" diagonal FHD display
- AMD Radeon™ FreeSync support
We’ve designed our premium OMEN Gaming Laptop 16-xf0087nr to give college students desktop-like gaming power. Our team has integrated this laptop with a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 processor, a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, and even included integrated AMD Radeon Graphics. These components provide unrivaled performance with rapid response times and intricate visuals.
We’ve also included OMEN Tempest Cooling technology in this laptop to ensure your computer remains cool during intense gaming sessions.
Benefits of a desktop for college students
Power
Desktops are king when it comes to raw processing power. This is because they have more space to support the latest and most powerful processors, RAM sticks, and graphic cards.
Durability
Desktops have longer lifespans. They are usually used in a dedicated workspace, meaning they are not subject to the physical wear associated with frequent transportation. Furthermore, their components are also less susceptible to damage caused by overheating due to the superior cooling systems found in these towers.
Easy to upgrade
Desktops offer unparalleled upgrade potential. They are designed with the flexibility to support upgrades for most of their components. Their spacious chassis also provides ample room for expanding storage options and even adding exciting features like RGB lighting.
Below are our top selections for the best desktops for college students.
HP Pavilion Desktop (TP01-3025t): Best for versatility
Key specifications
- Intel Core i5-12400
- Intel UHD Graphics 730
- 8GB DDR4-3200 MHz RAM
- 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- DVD-Writer
- 4 USB Type-A ports and 1 USB Type-C port
We’ve paired a 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD with a 1TB 7200 rpm SATA HDD within the framework of our HP Pavilion Desktop TP01-3025t. This unique combination of dual storage options facilitates applications to launch faster and enhances the overall system responsiveness.
We’ve incorporated a DVD-writer optical drive into this desktop for those interested in nostalgic times. This feature allows for compatibility with legacy media, which is helpful for research purposes.
Victus 15L Gaming Desktop (TG02-1000): Best for high performance
Key specifications
- Intel Core i5-13400
- Intel Arc A380 Graphics
- 8GB DDR4-3200 MHz RAM
- 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- 4 USB Type-A ports and 1 USB Type-C port
- M.2, PCIe x16, and PCIe x1 expansion slots
Our team has built the Victus 15L Gaming Desktop TG02-1000 using the latest 13th Generation Intel Core processor, the Intel Core i5-13400. It redefines computing prowess with a remarkable 10 cores and 16 threads, alongside an overclocking speed of up to 4.6 GHz through Intel Turbo Boost Technology. This processor enables this desktop to deliver uncompromising performance with minimal lag.
We’ve also equipped it with multiple expansion slots to allow you to upgrade your desktop's capabilities to suit your evolving needs.
HP ENVY All-in-One (34-c1070xt): Best for style
Key specifications
- Intel Core i7-12700
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card
- 34" diagonal WUHD display
- 16GB DDR5-4000 MHz RAM
- 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- HP True Vision 16MP binning IR privacy camera
If you’re looking for a powerful yet space-efficient computer that catches the eye with its fabulous design, look no further than our HP ENVY All-in-One 34-c1070xt. Our team has crafted this all-in-one (AIO) PC with an expansive 34-inch diagonal Wide Ultra High Definition (WUHD) display that captures the room. This display has an impressive 5K resolution and 500 nits brightness, producing detailed images with stunning clarity.
We’ve also incorporated it with wireless charging technology. Simply place any compatible smartphone onto the base of this AIO to charge it for added convenience.
HP laptops vs. HP desktops: Which is right for you?
Best for average students
You need a computing solution that allows you to browse, complete assignments, store photos, attend online classes, and watch movies.
HP’s suggestion: HP Laptop-15t-fd000
Best for architecture and design students
Your computing needs involve running resource-intensive software for modeling and rendering your projects with minimal lag.
HP’s suggestion: Victus 15L Gaming Desktop TG02-1000
Best for the journalism enthusiast
You need a computing solution with a sleek design that allows you to capture and edit photos and videos for on-location reporting.
HP’s suggestion: HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop 14-ef2047nr
Best for the social media sensation
You need a powerful computing solution with the latest graphics card and more screen real estate to edit photos and videos comfortably.
HP’s suggestion: HP ENVY All-in-One 34-c1070xt and OMEN Gaming Laptop 16-xf0087nr
Summary
Owning a computer is no longer a luxury but a necessity for college students. We advise students to reflect on personal needs, hobbies, and study habits before deciding on a laptop or desktop. If mobility is vital, explore our top HP laptops. If raw power is a priority for you, explore our best HP desktops.
