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Whether you’re heading to a physical campus, taking classes online or a mix of both, a laptop is sure to be the control center for your studies. Getting a new machine can better help you stay on top of your schedule and handle your furious multitasking with dozens of tabs devoted to research while you write your essays. Given we’re still dealing with ongoing inflation and the global chip supply shortage, you might be concerned about rising prices or what might be in stock. The good news is, companies are still making a ton of new laptops, and there are plenty of models for you to consider. We compiled this guide to help you make the right choice, alongside a list of this year’s best laptops.
Since the introduction of Apple’s M1-powered MacBooks and Windows 11 last year, not much has changed significantly. Apple unveiled its new M2 system-on-chip (SoC), alongside two laptops that are equipped with it, including a redesigned MacBook Air. Meanwhile, new PCs keep getting announced, with models this year typically powered by 12th-gen Intel processors or the latest AMD Ryzen chips.
Though the shift to ARM-based systems has been successful for Apple, the PC industry is still struggling to keep up, and Windows on ARM is still tough to recommend. Snapdragon laptops may look and feel sleek, offer excellent battery life and built-in cellular radios, but they’re typically quite expensive, especially considering their limited app compatibility.
Speaking of, most laptops with top-of-the-line specs can cost you around $1,800 to $2,000 these days. For most students, though, a midrange machine might be enough. Depending on your field of study, you could get by with an Intel Core i3 processor or equivalent, with at least 6GB of RAM. If you need to run specialized software for design or programming, consider upgrading to a beefier system with more memory. On the other hand, if you do most of your coursework online or in a browser, getting a Chromebook could save you a lot of money.
You’ll also want to pay attention to a device’s weight. There are a lot of premium ultraportables in the 13-inch category, with chips like Intel’s Core i3 or i5, that cost around $1,000. And if that’s too expensive, you’ll still have respectable options in the $600 to $800 range, but they might be heavier and use older, slower processors. I’ve included our favorite budget-friendly model in this roundup but we also have a complete guide to more-affordable laptops that you can check out as well.
With some laptop makers deciding to get rid of headphone jacks this year, it’s important to check specs lists when you’re shopping for newer machines. If you don’t have wireless headphones or use equipment that plugs into the 3.5mm jack, you’ll want to steer clear of devices like Dell’s new XPS 13 Plus.
Finally, while most laptops in 2022 offer WiFi 6 or 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 or later, the compatible routers or other devices that would enable those faster connections aren’t very prevalent yet. Chances are, your campus WiFi might still be stuck on an older setup, so it’s not crucial that you get a system with the latest standards yet. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to get a laptop that’s future-proof, but just know that of all the things to look out for, WiFi 6E shouldn’t be a dealbreaker in your decision-making process.
Apple
Though Apple just released the new MacBook Air with M2, we have yet to fully test its performance and battery life. Plus, it costs $200 more than the M1 model, which is still retailing for $999. In fact, even though it’s older, the M1 MacBook Air is a solid machine, outperforming many PCs while maintaining a fanless design, which is why we’re recommending it over the new model. You’ll still get a great keyboard and excellent battery life, along with a nice Retina display.
Of course, it uses a 720p webcam, while the new model has a sharper 1080p setup housed in a notch. The latter also has thinner display bezels that make it look more modern, as well as a Magsafe port that lets you keep charging while still having access to the device’s two USB-C ports. But if you’re already living a largely wireless life and don’t mind a not-so-great camera, you might find the M1 MacBook Air is a better deal.
If you can wait a little longer and can spare the extra $200, the new MacBook Air could be worth considering. It also comes in a fresh Midnight shade which could set you apart from the sea of silver or gray in your lecture hall.
Buy MacBook Air M1 at Amazon - $999 Buy MacBook Air M2 at Amazon - $1,199Engadget
The best PC has long been Dell’s well-rounded XPS 13 series and I still recommend it to anyone that doesn’t want a Mac. Yes, the new XPS 13 Plus lacks a headphone jack, and we haven’t got one in to test yet. But the XPS 13 is a well-rounded machine and reliable workhorse that will get you through classes and late-night writing sessions without breaking a sweat.
Like its predecessors, the XPS 13 Plus offers a lovely OLED screen with impressively thin bezels and packs a roomy, comfortable keyboard. It also features a new minimalist design that looks more modern. I’m not sure about the row of capacitive keys at the top in lieu of traditional function keys, but from our time with an early sample, they at least worked.
If you don’t like the changes Dell has made to the XPS 13, or if you definitely need a headphone jack, the older generations are still solid options. There’s also the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro series, which feature beautiful OLED screens and sharper webcams in thin and light frames. I also like Microsoft’s Surface Laptops, and the most exact edition offers great performance and battery life, albeit in an outdated design.
Buy XPs 13 Plus at Dell - $1,275Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
Just because your laptop might primarily be for school or work doesn’t mean you can’t use it for fun. Those looking to game on their machines should prioritize responsive screens and ample ports for their favorite accessories that can best help them defeat their virtual enemies. If you’re considering a gaming-first machine that you can use for school, check out our guide to buying a gaming laptop. It covers details about different CPUs and GPUs, minimum specs and more. Our favorite gaming laptop is the Razer Blade 15, which has an Intel Core i7 processor, and an NVIDIA RTX 3070 graphics for $2,500.
It’s the most expensive item on this list, but you also get a 15-inch quad HD screen that refreshes at 240Hz. Different configurations are available, depending on your preference, including a Full HD 360Hz and a 4K 144Hz version. The Blade series is also one of the most polished gaming laptops around.
Those looking for something cheaper and more portable should consider the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, which was our favorite model last year. The main reason it got bumped down a notch is because the 2022 refresh is almost $600 more expensive. It’s still a solid gaming laptop though, with an excellent display, roomy trackpad and plenty of ports in spite of its thin profile.
Buy Blade 15 at Razer - $2,500Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
If you can do most of your schoolwork through web-based apps, a Chromebook is worth considering. Sure they don’t generally look fancy, nor have high-end specs. But they’re often more affordable and have longer battery life. Our favorite Chromebook is Lenovo’s Flex 5 Chromebook, which Engadget’s resident Chrome OS aficionado Nathan Ingraham described as “a tremendous value.”
This laptop nails the basics, with a 13-inch Full HD touchscreen, a fantastic keyboard and a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor. The 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage may sound meager, but in our testing the Flex 5 held up in spite of this constraint. It’s also nice to see one USB-A and two USB-C ports, eight-hour battery life and a 360-degree hinge that makes it easy to use the Flex 5 as a tablet. That’s a bonus, especially now that Chrome OS supports Android apps.
Though the Flex 5 is almost two years old by now, it’s a solid device for around $400. In fact, you can sometimes find it on sale for as little as $300, making it a great option for someone looking for a basic browser-based machine on a tight budget.
Buy Flex 5 Chromebook at Amazon - $430Daniel Cooper / Engadget
If you’re looking for something under $800, your best bet is the HP Pavilion Aero 13. For $750, you’ll get a Full HD screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio and surprisingly thin bezels, as well as a comfortable keyboard and spacious trackpad. Importantly, the Aero 13 provides relatively powerful components compared to others in this price range, with an AMD Ryzen 5000 series processor and Radeon graphics. Plus, it has a generous array of ports and enough juice to last you the entire work day and then some.
Buy Pavilion Aero 13 at HP - $799Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
For those who need their laptops to occasionally double as tablets, the Surface Pro series is a no-brainer. Compared to notebooks with rotating hinges, tablets with kickstands are often much slimmer and lighter. The Surface Pro 8 is the most exact model and it features Microsoft’s sleek new design with a thinner profile and minimal bezels. The Pro 8 also has a 120Hz display that makes scrolling long documents or spreadsheets feel much faster, and you can drop the refresh rate down to 60Hz if you want to conserve battery life.
We also like Microsoft’s Type Covers, though it’s worth noting that they’ll cost you an additional $100 to $180. Those who want to doodle or sketch on the display may appreciate the Surface Slim Pen 2’s haptic feedback.
Unless you’re bent on sticking to Apple’s ecosystem, in which case an iPad Pro would suit you best, the Surface Pro 8 is arguably the best convertible laptop around.
Buy Surface Pro 8 at Amazon - $1,099A new school year approaches, and regardless or how you might feel about that, one thing all students can agree on is the importance of having a good laptop for doing classwork (as well as for winding down with some streaming or gaming after class). Computers aren’t cheap, though, and we know as well as anybody that cash can be tight when you’re a student. If you’re gearing up for the new school year, you need a new machine for work and/or play, and you’re on a budget, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got a hand-picked selection of the best cheap student laptop deals available this month. Better still, all of them come in at less than $1,000 — and most for much less than that.
Why Buy
While some would say that the HP Chromebook 11 is a bargain bin computer, the truth is that it’s a surprisingly good all-arounder for the price point, even if it may not wow anybody.
In terms of specs, they’re about what you’d expect for a computer that you can pick up for just a couple hundred bucks. The CPU is an AMD A4, a basic mobile processor but more than enough to run ChromeOS. While you aren’t going to be a productivity powerhouse on the Chromebook 11a, you will be able to handle most productivity software you can get on ChromeOS, which is really what this computer is designed for. More importantly, the 11.6-inch screen with a 1366 x 768 is big enough to feel bigger than your average tablet while not so big that it becomes weight and a distraction.
As for the other specs, you get 4GB of RAM, so don’t open a dozen browser tabs, and 32GB of internal storage, which should be enough for most use cases, but you can always supplement it with one of our external hard drive deals. Interestingly enough, the Chromebook 11 does have an AMD Radeon R4 integrated GPU, which, while not the most powerful graphics out there, should be able to handle a few games from the Play store here and there.
Ultimately, the Chromebook 11 was created as a budget-friendly all-around device for those who really need a device to study (or even work) but can’t afford to drop several hundred dollars. On the bright side, it’s also pretty good for other general tasks, such as streaming, browsing, and even some light mobile gaming, so it’s a great deal overall.
Why Buy
While we need to make certain concessions and compromises when it comes to budget computers, one thing we generally don’t like compromising on is usability, and that’s where the 15.6 inch screen of the Inspiron 15 3000 comes in. With a Full HD resolution and reasonably good size, it provides for a large amount of screen real estate for your apps and productivity, and not only that, but the larger size also means you get a relatively big keyboard to type on, which is always appreciate with a budget computer. Even better, the trackpad is surprisingly nice to use as it tracks well and is pretty big, so you won’t have to do some weird hand gymnastics to control your mouse. We’ll also mention the 720p webcam at the front, which is excellent if you need to do Zoom meetings with classmates for projects and whatnot.
In terms of pure specs, you get an 11th-gen Intel Core i3 CPU which is powerful enough to run most productivity software comfortably. Similarly, you get yourself 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which is much more than a cheap Chromebook. For graphics, you get an integrated Intel UHD Graphics, which might let you play some simple indie games or games that don’t require a ton of resources. Or, you could just grab one of our desktop monitor deals to help with some extra productivity and screen real estate. Either way, the Inspiron 15 3000 works well across a variety of needs, whether it’s study, entertainment, or general use.
Overall, the Inspiron 15 3000 is a great alternative to tablets and Chromebooks, especially if you want something with a bigger screen and keyboard but don’t want to go over a $400 budget.
Why Buy
Convertible 2-in-1 laptops can be very handy, especially for studying and presenting work; unfortunately, they can be pretty expensive due to that versatility, which is why it’s nice to see an affordable one that has some great specs. Where the Lenovo Yoga 6 shines is in its screen with its 13-inch 1200 resolution and IPS panel, providing some crisp and rich colors for when you’re drawing or writing. The hinges are also pretty sturdy, so there’s minimal wobble if you’re panic about that, although there is one downside: the peak brightness is 300 nits, which isn’t bad by any means, although 400 would have been nicer. Nonetheless, it’s hardly a deal-breaker, especially given the touch experience is pretty nice, with good palm rejection and relatively fast movement.
As for the specs, you get an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor which is a pretty powerful little CPU and should handle most productivity and general tasks that anybody but extreme power-users can throw at it. You also get 8GB of RAM, which is just at that sweet spot for general computer use, and should deliver you ample space to have a few tabs and apps open simultaneously without a slow down of the computer. You get AMD’s Radeon integrated graphics, so while it could theoretically handle a little light gaming, don’t expect to be playing any AAA games at the highest settings.
While the Lenovo Yoga 6 starts moving us halfway to our $1,000 budget limit, it sits at a nice spot between budget computers and mid-tier computers, giving you just enough specs for an overall enjoyable experience without increasing the cost exorbitantly. So if you want something that works just as well for studying as it does for general use, this is likely the best bang for your buck.
Why Buy
The Asus ZenBook lineup of laptops includes some of the best in the industry and often rank highly among our own favorites, so it’s not surprising that the Flip 15 is an excellent overall 2-in-1, and if you’re able to splurge a little, this is the laptop to get.
Power is one of the biggest highlights of the Asus ZenBook Flip, being incredibly powerful for a 2-in-1, making this a great day-to-day companion at school and uni without worrying about falling behind in the performance department. Even though it’s a convertible laptop sporting a 15-inch fold-flat touchscreen with barely any bezels, it’s also great to type on, with good action on the keys and a good layout that doesn’t make you feel constantly cramped as something smaller would. Equally important is the FHD screen and discrete GPU in the form of an Nvidia GeForce 1650 Max-Q, which isn’t super-important in this case, but is always nice to have.
Internal specs include an Intel i7 CPU which should be able to handle most applications. Internal storage comes courtesy of a 512GB SSD, and the 16GB of RAM should be more than enough for most use cases unless you’re an extreme power user. Also, battery life is pretty impressive, and it comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so you have future-proof connectivity, at least until Wi-Fi 7 arrives and becomes widely available. While this 2-in-1 is a little bit on the pricier side, it’s a premium option for students who want a compact ultrabook with great performance and you get a lot of hardware for your money here. Plus, it looks really gorgeous, and good aesthetics are always welcome.
Why Buy
The M1 Apple Macbook Air hardly requires any introduction, although this year’s entry into the interval releases and updates is a rather large one, and that’s due to the inclusion of the M1. In fact, this is the first version of the Macbook Air that drops Intel CPUs altogether in favor of Apple’s M1 chip, adding the sort of detail and integration that only a company with complete control over the design could.
One of the first things you’ll notice with the new Macbook Air is that it makes hardly any noise at all, which is impressive given the performance of the M1, which can sometimes equal or even beat Intel’s Tiger Lake architecture. Pair that with the 8GB of RAM, and you get a laptop that is enjoyable to use and that can handle most productivity software handily, and the 256GB internal storage is also nice to have although slightly on the smaller side, so grabbing one of our external hard drive deals is probably warranted.
Another big change is the new Big Sur OS, which brings some interesting UI changes and overall flow to using the computer, which works well with the updated internals to provide overall excellent performance. As for the screen, it’s a 13.3-inch Retina Display and should be no surprise that it’s gorgeous, as is expected for displays that come from Apple, and even better, it can connect up to one external monitor for that extra screen space when you’re at a desk.
Overall, the Apple Macbook Air is an excellent little laptop for students already using Apple and want a great Apple computer without spending well over $1,000 for one of the premium options. Also, much like the XPS 13 touch, it’s gorgeous and thin, which is always a plus.
This can be a complex question to answer, depending on what sort of laptop you want to get and what brand you’re going for. The obvious answer is to wait for one of the big three sales periods, with the biggest one in the summer being Prime Day, which typically lands in July. You’ll likely see a lot of great deals during then, although maybe not for Apple laptops since those sorts of deals tend to be few and far between, and they tend to happen around Apple’s release events. The next one of those will be in October, so you might see a few good Apple discounts then.
Beyond that, there’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which happen on the 25th and 28th of November respectively. You’ll also likely see some great laptop sales during those periods, especially Cyber Monday, although the caveat is that a lot of these are limited stock deals. That means that you really have to be on top of the sales for both days, and you can still miss out on a good discount if you wait too long to decide. It’s a big risk, but it might be worth checking what sort of stuff went for sale last year in your favorite shops and plan accordingly.
Of course, there are also a ton of sales throughout the year, which we like to keep on top of through our best laptop deals and best gaming laptop deals articles. Since we know that a lot of students are probably on tight budgets, we also like regularly update our best refurbished laptops deals for those who need to save money, and we even maintain some great Chromebook deals and tablet deals, both of which can sometimes be cheaper than a full-on laptop. Also, keep in mind that many retailers tend to have great sales around when school semesters start, so you might find some good back-to-school deals if you keep an eye out.
Ultimately, if the savings are minimal, it’s better to bite the bullet and get the product you want now. You never know when the discount might happen again or if it’s as steep as you expect it to be, so if it’s even $50 or $100 worth of savings, it might be a good idea to consider buying it outright. Even if the product you want does have a better deal down the road, you shouldn’t feel bad for something you couldn’t possibly know. So the guidance here is to buy what you like if you need it and can afford it and not worry too much about waiting for the potentially best deal possible.
The public notice issued recently by the Central Groundwater Authority (CGWA), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, rattled groundwater users. It essentially says that all the users of groundwater for drinking and domestic use — residential apartments/group housing societies/government water supply agencies in urban areas, bulk water suppliers, industrial/infrastructure/mining projects, swimming pool whether existing or new — are required to take permission for groundwater drawal from the CGWA latest by June 30, 2022.
All the existing users are given a one-time opportunity to register their groundwater drawal by June 30, by paying a registration fee of ₹10,000; the completed application must be submitted before September 30. It further says that strict action shall be initiated against users who continue to draw groundwater without seeking a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the CGWA, and such groundwater drawal will be considered illegal.
Is the fee for using groundwater justified? How did we reach this situation?
Groundwater use for various purposes has increased tremendously over time. India’s annual groundwater draft is the largest in the world. Estimated at 245 billion cubic meter (bcm), it is about 64 per cent of the total groundwater potential (398 bcm) in 2020. States like UP, Punjab, MP, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat together accounted for about 144 bcm (59 per cent) in the total draft of groundwater (see Table).
About 89 per cent of groundwater is used for irrigation alone. Along with the increased exploitation, the net irrigated area using groundwater also increased from 7.30 million hectares (mha) in 1960-61 to about 48 mha in 2018-19.
While the benefits of groundwater are huge, its continuous exploitation has brought many negative externalities, particularly to farmers. A study by NASA (2009) showed that the groundwater level had been declining about one meter every three years in States like Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. Shockingly, between 2002 and 2008, about 109 cubic km of groundwater reportedly vanished from these regions due to continuous exploitation.
With increasing groundwater drawal every year, not only has the quality of water deteriorated but the number of overexploited blocks has also increased. CGWB data show that the number of blocks classified as other than safe has increased from 1,645 (28.74 per cent) in 2004 to 2,538 (36.44 per cent) in 2020.
Most of these over-exploited blocks are located in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The total number of blocks categorised as saline water also increased from 30 to 100 during this period. Importantly, a World Bank (2010) study, ‘Deep wells and prudence: Towards pragmatic action for addressing groundwater exploitation in India’, cautioned that about 60 per cent of India’s aquifers will reach a critical stage by 2032. Can these unprecedented changes be ignored?
Groundwater exploitation has been rising since the introduction of Green Revolution. But faulty electricity pricing followed by successive governments is one of the key reasons for the overexploitation of groundwater. The provision of heavily subsidised or free electricity often encourages users (not only farmers) to exploit more groundwater as the marginal cost of lifting water from aquifers is close to zero.
This is evident from the level of groundwater exploitation in States such as Punjab, Haryana and Tamil Nadu, where electricity is supplied free for irrigation for many years now. The average stage of groundwater development (that is, the ratio of annual groundwater draft and net annual groundwater availability) in the three States was as high as 127 per cent in 2020; these States have fewer number of safe blocks as well. If preventive actions are not taken to control the reckless exploitation of water, will it not affect the agricultural sector?
Besides increasing the subsidy burden of the States, free electricity does more harm than good, particularly to farmers having shallow tube-wells. As deep bore-wells exploit more groundwater, the water in shallow wells gets depleted and then they become defunct. The depleting water level shortens the life of the wells, which has a huge impact on resource-poor farmers who cannot install deep bore-wells with larger HP pump-sets.
According to the 5th Minor Irrigation Census (2017), a total of 4.14 lakh open wells in India became defunct between 2006-07 and 2013-14.
Now, considering the ever-increasing exploitation of groundwater, the government has introduced a registration fee for using groundwater. Will this be enough to control the over-exploitation of groundwater? The answer is ‘no’, because this nominal fee will not have any impact on the large users.
Instead of having a uniform fee for all users, a discriminated fee can be fixed for agriculture, industry and domestic users keeping in view the ability-to-pay principle. For non-agricultural purposes, the fee can be fixed based on the level of exploitation of water, depth of the well and HP of the pump-set. For agriculture, the fee can be fixed by farm size or HP of the pump-set or based on the consumption of electricity. In any case, the fee alone will not be sufficient to control the over-exploitation of groundwater.
Groundwater exploitation and electricity pricing policies are intertwined. Most States that provide electricity free or at a low unit cost for irrigation are experiencing over-exploitation of groundwater. Therefore, there is a need to revisit the electricity pricing policies. While free electricity may be provided for marginal farmers having pump-set capacity of less than 5 HP capacity, progressive pro-rata (kWh-based tariff) pricing may be fixed for all other farmers. This may also discourage the farmers from cultivating water-intensive crops, which is the root cause for the increased exploitation of groundwater.
Wherever free electricity is supplied, judicious rationing has to be followed in its supply. Studies show that solar-powered irrigation pumps help reduce the exploitation of groundwater besides saving huge subsidies on electricity. An ambitious scheme, PM-KUSUM, was introduced in 2019 with a budget of ₹34,422 crore, and with a huge subsidy component, for the installation of solar pumps. The benefits of solar-powered pumps need to be communicated to all the stakeholders.
Any measure introduced to control the reckless exploitation of groundwater will hugely benefit the farmer and the government.
The writer is former full-time Member (Official), Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, New Delhi. The views are personal
Published on July 21, 2022
The best student Chromebooks are one of the smartest choices for going back to school, college or university. Not only are they incredibly affordable but they're also geared towards online use, which is where the vast majority of studying takes place.
As we note in our best Chromebooks (opens in new tab) guide, these laptops are ideal for learners, studiers and even school kids. Student Chromebooks are very portable and tend to have great battery lives, making them ideal for days where students are taking classes and seminars on campus, or for those visits to the library for an all-day study session.
Our choices for the best Chromebooks for students differ to our recommendations for most people, in the sense that we're looking for value for money and affordability over everything else. Many students don't have lots of money to drop during their studying years. As such, we've kept our recommendations to Chromebooks that we feel have affordable or budget price points. Keep memorizing for the best student Chromebooks, perfect for all studying needs and budgets.
If you're headed back to school, college or university, you're going to need a laptop or other computing device to take lecture notes, attend virtual seminars, study during exam season and keep in touch with friends and family.
Before you head to the checkout, we think it's important to note that any prospective buyer should consider if one of the best student Chromebooks is a good fit for them. For many students they'll be perfect, but remember that these systems run ChromeOS and, in general, are not as powerful as, say, one of the best laptops (opens in new tab), best 2-in-1 laptops (opens in new tab) or best lightweight laptops (opens in new tab).
If you're going to spend the majority of your student years writing essays in Google Docs, a Chromebook is the obvious choice, as they come with all Google apps, including Google Drive, Dropbox and Google Sheets. Chromebooks also have access to Microsoft 365 apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote. Chromebooks are also ideal for attending Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet online classes.
However, if you're on a course where serious computing is needed (such as video editing, 3D modelling, heavy image editing, rendering or number crunching), you're probably best plumping for a laptop running Windows or macOS. That's where our recommendations for the best laptops for engineering students (opens in new tab) come in.
The best student Chromebook for most people? That's the Acer Chromebook Spin 713.
(Image credit: Acer)
Of all the Chromebooks on the market today we think Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is the best all-round choice for students. This is because it delivers a strong all-round combination of robust build, stylish design, good screen and powerful internal hardware – everything you need for going back to school or college.
The Spin 713's screen, for example, is a lovely 13.5-inch panel with crisp resolution of 2265 x 1504 pixels, while its core internal hardware spec includes up to an Intel Core i5-10210U processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage. That's the sort of spec you'll find on most laptops, and that means that as well as crushing every application in the Google Workspace and Android app store, it's also got plenty of grunt for photo and video editing.
The Spin 713 also ticks other boxes we're looking for on a student Chromebook, including impressive connectivity options (it actually comes with a HDMI out port, which is not something a lot of Chromebooks have, and is perfect for when you want to hook the system up to a TV or monitor), a 3:2 aspect ratio on the display, which means you can fit much more on the screen vertically compared with a 16:9 or even a 16:10 aspect ratio display, and the ability to rotate the screen into a tabletop viewing mode, which is ideal for watching movies and TV shows.
Overall, this is a really strong all-round Chromebook, and we consider it our number one choice for students.
The HP c640 Chromebook delivers a top-shelf computing experience.
(Image credit: HP)
This is the one system in our list of student Chromebooks that costs a decent chunk of change, but that's because it really does make a great case for why, if you can afford it, you'd be well rewarded for doing so. That's because the HP Pro c640 comes with a hardware sheet which, at max spec, rivals many full-blown laptops and delivers an incredibly speedy performance across the board.
What we like especially, though, is that this premium student Chromebook can be picked up in a wide range of configurations, meaning you can tailor what it delivers directly to your college's course needs. If you're on a technical or creative course where you need plenty of processing power, then you can slot a 10th-gen Intel Core i7-10610U along with 16GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD in, for example, but equally you could spec more of an entry level system in the same chassis that is equipped, say, with an Intel Core i3 CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 32GB storage drive.
Regardless of the spec you choose, the HP Pro c640 Chromebook's screen is another reason to consider dropping the extra cash on it. That's because it is a 14-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel display that is bright and sharp, and the construction of this laptop impresses, too. The screen can't fold right over, but it can lay flat if you need it to, and its size is greater than what a lot of Chromebooks deliver.
You also get a good webcam built-in to the top of the display, a battery that is good for all-day use away from a power socket, and a full full-sized HDMI port as well that you can use to connect up an external display. Overall, a very strong portable computer that we feel is the best premium student Chromebook on the market today.
To save on your order, make sure you check our HP discount codes page.
For those shopping on a budget, the Asus C523 is well worth checking out.
(Image credit: Asus)
If you want to keep the costs of your student Chromebook purchase down but still want as much as you can get in the way of power and features, then the Asus C523 is a great choice. It's got basic specs but providing you don't need to do much in terms of heavy duty processing or editing work, then it'll do everything that you need a Chromebook to do, without costing you much at all.
There's another great reason to pick this Chromebook if you're a student, too – it comes with a large (for a Chromebook) 15.6-inch screen. As such, if you're going to want to stream movies and TV shows from places like Netflix and Disney Plus between study sessions then the Asus C523 provides the screen real estate for a genuinely immersive experience.
In terms of other specs nothing is standout and beaten easily by other systems in this guide, with an Intel Celeron N3350 processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage completing the core package, but it's enough for what this system is designed to do, which is run Android apps and Google's suite of applications and software well.
The matte grey finish is professional looking, too, and the equipped keyboard and a trackpad is not unlike something Apple might put out. Connectivity is also stong with four USB ports, a headphone jack and an SD card reader to make use of.
Overall, a strong budget student Chromebook buy. To learn more about this system be sure to check out T3's should I buy the ASUS Chromebook C523? guide.
If you need 2-in-1 functionality from your student Chromebook then definitely consider the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet.
(Image credit: Lenovo)
Value for money is important for everyone, but especially for students, and that's why 2-in-1 systems make perfect sense – they bag you a laptop and a tablet in one device. Naturally there a few 2-in-1 student Chromebooks of note, but our pick of these is the very capable Lenovo IdeaPad Duet.
The Duet is primarily a tablet running Chrome OS, but you can snap on the included in the price keyboard and it's a great laptop, too, delivering a system loaded with a 10.1-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel display, MediaTek P60T processor, 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage. Yes, those specs aren't top tier or anything to write home about, but they're still more than enough to run Chrome OS, Google's suite of applications as well as any Android app you can think of.
Oh, and the Duet also delivers excellent battery life – we're talking multiple days of normal usage without having to recharge. That flexibility is fantastic on campus as you can go from taking notes in class, to writing up an essay in the library, to chilling out in the common room while browsing the internet, and onto watching your favourite shows or listening to music in your dorm room, all on one very light and portable device.
Overall a really strong (and affordable) 2-in-1 Chromebook experience, and our number one choice of hybrid Chromebook for students going back to college or university.
If money is really tight then the HP Chromebook 11 should be right up there on your systems to scope out.
(Image credit: HP)
The HP Chromebook 11 is the best student Chromebook on the market today for a seriously low price point. We're talking about a system that retails for under $200/£200, which here at T3 we feel every student can afford. From a value for money perspective it is therefore right up there.
And, while you absolutely don't get a beastly powerhouse of a system for that spend, what you do get is a very capable Chromebook that will be more than enough for many students going to college or school today. The Intel Celeron N3060, 4GB of RAM and 16GB storage drive don't sound impressive, but they're more than capable of running ChromeOS well, as well as Google's applications and Android apps.
The screen is only 11 inches, mind, so you really don't get much screen real estate, and the screen's bezels are large, too. But if those things aren't deal breakers for you then this is super portable Chromebook that makes studying on a super tight budget not just possible but a good experience.
As we mentioned in this guide's introduction, the first thing you should ask yourself when thinking about buying a Chromebook for study is just why are you considering a Chromebook and not a laptop running Windows or macOS. If the answer to that is due to budget then that makes sense but with some caveats, while if it is because you just need a simple, online-focussed system to read and write essays then that makes total sense regardless.
First off, there are affordable laptops that run Windows and, in the second hand market, macOS, so if you've got a decent budget and feel you need the full functionality that those operating systems deliver (as well as their, in general, better specs) then you should consider those first and foremost for sure.
Secondly, though, if you've already identified that a Chromebook is a right fit for your needs then you need to consider exactly what they are, as that will determine how much you spend on a student Chromebook and if you need anything specific like 2-in-1 functionality.
As a rule we'd say only students who are going to be expected to need serious computing or processing power (such as those involved in engineering, for example) should spend big on a Chromebook, as even the most basic spec Chromebooks all run ChromeOS and Google's suite of apps like Google Docs perfectly. You'd just end up wasting money. Remember, for example, that a lot of Google's apps are cloud based, so you don't even need much storage space for files or images. So, yes, don't overspend on a student Chromebook.
The other thing we'd suggest is weighing up how much entertainment you're expecting to get out of your student laptop. If you need a system to stream movies and play games on then, then we'd suggest opting for a Chromebook with a decent size screen (14-inch or higher), or with 2-in-1 functionality, so you can unwind with the system in tablet mode in the evening when the day's study in laptop mode has been completed.
Although, it is important to remember, too, that Chromebooks can easily be hooked up to an external monitor. So while buying one does increase spend, you may be best buying a cheap, portable Chromebook with a modest screen size (like 13.3-inch), and then adding in a 27-inch monitor to your shopping basket, rather than spending a lot more money on a 15 or 17-inch Chromebook.
If all good things must come to an end then the same can certainly be said for things that never truly fulfill their potential as well. That’s largely been the story for the Nissan Leaf since its introduction in 2010 and now a new report says that winter is coming for the pioneering EV. Despite major growth in the EV segment, the Leaf has never really grown deep roots in the mind of consumers.
The Leaf was the first affordable, mass-market electric automobile available to the public but not long after its debut in 2010, it was swiftly overtaken. The Tesla Model S proved to be so groundbreaking that the little Nissan with its 73 miles of range in an oddish-looking package just wasn’t cool enough to keep up.
According to a new report in Automotive News, multiple sources have confirmed that Nissan has decided that the current generation of the Leaf will also be the last. A new model “more tuned to the needs of the modern EV buyer” will replace it. Whether that vehicle will continue on with the Leaf name or not is yet unknown but it seems unlikely at this point.
Read More: 2023 Nissan Leaf Gets A Facelift And A $400 Price Hike
Nissan has not confirmed the report but is clearly in the process of shifting its focus to other electric vehicles like the Ariya. Last year, it hinted at a more SUV-shaped vehicle called the Chill-Out which could see some form of production once the Leaf is out the door.
The switchover could’ve potentially been avoided but the Leaf has continued to fall below Nissan’s hopes for the model. Despite building out a production facility in Smyrna, Tennessee that has a production capacity of 150,000 cars per year, total sales for the Leaf number less than 175,000 over its entire lifespan at this point.
Last year it rebounded from selling less than 10,000 units in 2020 to 14,239. So far it seems that the Leaf is on track to come in at about the same pace. Data suggests that about 7,500 new Leafs have found a home in consumer garages in 2022. Will you be sad to see the Leaf go or are you more excited for whatever might replace it? Let us know in the comments below!
Bad boys, bad boys whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you in the new Chevrolet Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV)?
That’s a question criminals and speeders will soon have to ask themselves as Chevrolet announced a new police vehicle based on the Blazer EV SS. The civilian model accelerates from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in less than four seconds, thanks to its dual-motor all-wheel drive system that produces up to 557 hp (415 kW / 565 PS) and 648 lb-ft (878 Nm) of torque.
Chevrolet didn’t say much about the electric crossover, but noted it will be “pursuit-rated” and feature the largest Ultium battery in the Blazer lineup. Rear- and all-wheel drive variants will be available and the PPV will come equipped with Brembo front brakes as well as a unique interior, designed specifically for police use. The company didn’t elaborate much, but promised officers will find “ample room to accommodate emergency equipment and gear.”
Also Read: 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Offers FWD, RWD, And AWD As Well As A Blazingly Fast 557 HP SS
The Blazer EV PPV is slated to arrive in early 2024 and GM Fleet Vice President Ed Peper said, “The possibilities for the Blazer EV’s commercial and law enforcement applications are almost endless.” He went on to note that besides being zero emissions, the police crossover will reduce the “number and frequency of certain maintenance requirements typically associated with fleet vehicles.”
The introduction of the Blazer EV PPV is an interesting development as Ford has been toying around with the idea of a Mustang Mach-E police vehicle. As part of that effort, a test vehicle was subjected to the Michigan State Police evaluation process which examined its acceleration, top speed, braking, and high-speed pursuit characteristics.
Thus far, Ford hasn’t announced plans for a Mach-E based Police Interceptor Utility but that hasn’t stopped police departments from buying them. Last December, New York City announced plans to purchase 184 Mustang Mach-Es for law enforcement and emergency response use. They’ll be used by several offices and departments including the New York Police Department, the New York City Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Postpartum Depression (adapted from Appendix B of Kennedy HP, Beck CT, Driscoll JW. A light in the fog: Caring for women with postpartum depression. J Midwifery Womens Health 2002;47:330.)
Depression After Delivery (DAD)
91 East Somerset Street
Raritan, NJ 08869
800-944-4773 (Information Request Line)
www.depressionafterdelivery.comPostpartum Support International
805-967-7636
www.postpartum.netClient Handout on Postpartum Depression:
J Midwifery Womens Health, Sept/Oct 2002;47:391-2
ACNM Web site for Resources and Bibliography on Postpartum Depression: www.midwife.orgSichel D, Driscoll JW. Women's moods: What every woman should know about hormones, the brain, and emotional health. New York (NY): William Morrow & Company, Inc., 1999.
Videos:
Fragile Beginnings, Diapers and Delirium. J. W. Driscoll
Postpartum: A Bittersweet Experience. J. W. Driscoll
Complementary and Alternative Medicine:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
NCCAM, National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov
www.nccam.nih.gov"Selecting a Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Practitioner"
www.nccam.nih.gov/health/practitioner/index.htmNational Integrative Medicine Council
5151 East Broadway Suite 1095
Tucson, AZ 85711
520-571-1110
www.nimc.org
Massage:
McClure VS. Infant massage: A handbook for loving parents. New York (NY): Bantam Books, 1989.
Touch Research Institutes
University of Miami School of Medicine
P.O. Box 016820
Miami FL, 33101
305-243-6781
www.miami.edu/touch-research
Aromatherapy:
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy
4509 Interlake Ave N., #233
Seattle, WA 98103
888-ASK-NAHA
www.naha.org
Homeopathy:
National Center for Homeopathy
801 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 306
Alexandria, VA 22314
877-624-0613
www.homeopathic.org
St. John's Wort:
Bloomfield H, McWilliams P. Hypericum & depression. Los Angeles (CA): Prelude Press, 1996.
Web site: www.hypericum.com
Herbal and Dietary Supplements:
American Botanical Council
6200 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78723
512-926-4900
www.herbalgram.orgU.S. Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
888-463-6332
www.fda.govFrom the NCCAM Web site:
"Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too"
www.nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety"St. John's Wort and the Treatment of Depression"
www.nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/index.com"What's in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements"
www.nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):
Western product lines of TCM herbal formulations (these companies maintain that their products are free of chemical contaminants):
K'an Herbals: https://spanda.com/herbs/kan.html
Formulated by Ted Kaptchuck, OMD, of Harvard University, author of The Web That Has No Weaver:
Kaptchuk TJ. The web that has no weaver: Understanding Chinese medicine, 2nd ed. New York (NY): McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books, 2000.The Three Treasures and Women's Treasure: www.three-treasures.com
Developed by Giovanni Maciocia, author of the leading Western text on Chinese medicine:
Maciocia G. The foundations of Chinese medicine: A comprehensive text for acupuncturists and herbalists. New York (NY): Churchill Livingstone, 1989.Health Concerns: www.healthconcerns.com
Developed in consultation with Andrew Gaeddert, whose article is referenced in this paper. Also, author of the following book:
Gaeddert A. Chinese herbs in the western clinic: A guide to prepared herbal formulas indexed by western disorders & supported by case studies. Berkeley (CA): North Atlantic Books, 1998.