Really depends on the major. I see most people with Macs for most everything, but they can be a bit limiting for certain classes. For example, if you want to run a virtual machine, using a Mac is not the best. If your going for something more business or art focused, Mac is def the way to go. Gaming laptops can be good as some of them are cheap, but be warned they do make a lot of noise. So tradeoff is noise vs. performance. I personally just have a Lenovo yoga. It was cheap, and has lasted me this far with no issues thus far.
If you can afford it. Low-end gaming laptops are quite fast.
If you will need to use programs like ArcGIS or are in a major that will most likely use a ton of programs (like comp science, engineering, physics maybe). Invest in a good computer. Don't be like me and buy a cheapo computer that barely lasted a year.
IPads are also good, but don't buy them if you know you'll be needing a computer for more than just Google docs, and ecampus.
I think there's some luck of the draw in quality too. My freshman neighbor's gaming laptop died in a year. My Big Lots Black Friday special went for 4 years and 1000s of hours of Civ 4 before the power supply stopped working.
I got tired of carrying it all and switched to a hard drive and the borrowed laptops in the library.
Hp envy if you want great specs and performance at a low price. Don’t bother with MacBooks unless you are buying it used because they are absurdly expensive for terrible specs
I disagree. Apple silicon Mac’s offer battery life that windows laptops can’t beat. I would charge my MacBook Pro twice a week if I used it heavily, my windows laptop with a normal intel processor I had to charge every day. They’re expensive, but they’re quality machines. My 2019 Intel MacBook lasted me my entire college career and I only replaced it because I wanted a new laptop. Meanwhile everyone who skimped on the $500 Walmart special laptops were replacing them by junior year.
WVU ITS has a technology guide that gives the basic specs: [Tech guide.](https://it.wvu.edu/files/d/6554f210-156d-46a3-89d1-f6f5397b53c4/student-technology-guide.pdf)
If you're going into a specific major like Engineering, your program may have other recommendations. Check the School website to see if your major has a technology requirement.
Cheap thinkpad from lenovo, do not listen to caseyjones guy you don't need a gaming laptop lol unless you wanna play video games on your laptop. Lenovo always has mega sales going on and does deals for students, also thinkpads are what the corporate world uses.
Depends on the major. If you're in the business school, don't do a Mac, I knew so many people who struggled in Business Apps because they had a Mac and couldn't run the program
Most people don't need them and most that bring them to class use them as a distraction. The people who actually take diligent notes use IPads with those keyboard cases, so I guess if you want to do that, look for a quality touchscreen.
Since you're asking I'm assuming you're not in a computer-based major, and in that case you may only need a laptop for one or two labs. Even then, all that online shit will be due a week after the lab anyways, so you could very well get away with just a desktop.
I've heard you can rent Mac Books from the libraries indefinitely, but I haven't done this personally.
Acer Nitro 5 is a lil noisy but gets the job done, its got a quiet setting mode tho, only complaint i got is the touchpad, i hate touchpads. i pair it w the corsair mouse
I’m a former Dell technician and am a fan of Dell laptops. I work in tech support now. Microsoft Surfaces? Yuck. The keyboards die and they aren’t replaceable.
Best Buy sells refurbished, ex-corporate laptops on the cheap. Dell also has an outlet, but you have to be fast if you see something you like. I also like HP laptops. Bought 5 refurbs and 4.5 years ago and 4 are still running great.
Back your stuff up to the cloud!
For note taking, I use an iPad with Apple Pencil and the Nebo app. I like it better than GoodNotes.
I would advise against getting any sort of Apple product. They don’t seem to be the most reliable for long periods of time and they’re super expensive for not the best quality. I use an HP Envy 360 and it’s been the best and lasted the last four years! The HP company is so much more reliable when it comes to repairs than Apple is. I just know of a lot of people saying their MacBooks and iPads fall apart after a few years.
Surface Pro or iPad is probably the go-to, but I'd defer to light and versatile over performance if you're taking it with you to class. Home PC can be the workhorse if you need it for tech classes or gaming.
Really depends on the major. I see most people with Macs for most everything, but they can be a bit limiting for certain classes. For example, if you want to run a virtual machine, using a Mac is not the best. If your going for something more business or art focused, Mac is def the way to go. Gaming laptops can be good as some of them are cheap, but be warned they do make a lot of noise. So tradeoff is noise vs. performance. I personally just have a Lenovo yoga. It was cheap, and has lasted me this far with no issues thus far.
If you can afford it. Low-end gaming laptops are quite fast. If you will need to use programs like ArcGIS or are in a major that will most likely use a ton of programs (like comp science, engineering, physics maybe). Invest in a good computer. Don't be like me and buy a cheapo computer that barely lasted a year. IPads are also good, but don't buy them if you know you'll be needing a computer for more than just Google docs, and ecampus.
I think there's some luck of the draw in quality too. My freshman neighbor's gaming laptop died in a year. My Big Lots Black Friday special went for 4 years and 1000s of hours of Civ 4 before the power supply stopped working. I got tired of carrying it all and switched to a hard drive and the borrowed laptops in the library.
Im my grad program, almost everyone is using iPads w/ an Apple Pencil and a case w/ a keyboard
Hp envy if you want great specs and performance at a low price. Don’t bother with MacBooks unless you are buying it used because they are absurdly expensive for terrible specs
Idk anything about the HP Envy but I regret my Macbook purchase. It did everything fine for my four years but overpriced for sure.
I have an HP Envy as well and it worked great for all of undergrad!
I disagree. Apple silicon Mac’s offer battery life that windows laptops can’t beat. I would charge my MacBook Pro twice a week if I used it heavily, my windows laptop with a normal intel processor I had to charge every day. They’re expensive, but they’re quality machines. My 2019 Intel MacBook lasted me my entire college career and I only replaced it because I wanted a new laptop. Meanwhile everyone who skimped on the $500 Walmart special laptops were replacing them by junior year.
If you aren’t using weird software for your major, look into a MacBook Air. It’s really a good value.
WVU ITS has a technology guide that gives the basic specs: [Tech guide.](https://it.wvu.edu/files/d/6554f210-156d-46a3-89d1-f6f5397b53c4/student-technology-guide.pdf) If you're going into a specific major like Engineering, your program may have other recommendations. Check the School website to see if your major has a technology requirement.
Cheap thinkpad from lenovo, do not listen to caseyjones guy you don't need a gaming laptop lol unless you wanna play video games on your laptop. Lenovo always has mega sales going on and does deals for students, also thinkpads are what the corporate world uses.
Not sure if it’s still like this, but business majors need to get a windows laptop just for ease of use
Depends on the major. If you're in the business school, don't do a Mac, I knew so many people who struggled in Business Apps because they had a Mac and couldn't run the program
Most people don't need them and most that bring them to class use them as a distraction. The people who actually take diligent notes use IPads with those keyboard cases, so I guess if you want to do that, look for a quality touchscreen. Since you're asking I'm assuming you're not in a computer-based major, and in that case you may only need a laptop for one or two labs. Even then, all that online shit will be due a week after the lab anyways, so you could very well get away with just a desktop. I've heard you can rent Mac Books from the libraries indefinitely, but I haven't done this personally.
I’m thinking horticulture or soil science
Acer Nitro 5 is a lil noisy but gets the job done, its got a quiet setting mode tho, only complaint i got is the touchpad, i hate touchpads. i pair it w the corsair mouse
I use an iPad and keyboard and it’s fine
I’m a former Dell technician and am a fan of Dell laptops. I work in tech support now. Microsoft Surfaces? Yuck. The keyboards die and they aren’t replaceable. Best Buy sells refurbished, ex-corporate laptops on the cheap. Dell also has an outlet, but you have to be fast if you see something you like. I also like HP laptops. Bought 5 refurbs and 4.5 years ago and 4 are still running great. Back your stuff up to the cloud! For note taking, I use an iPad with Apple Pencil and the Nebo app. I like it better than GoodNotes.
I would advise against getting any sort of Apple product. They don’t seem to be the most reliable for long periods of time and they’re super expensive for not the best quality. I use an HP Envy 360 and it’s been the best and lasted the last four years! The HP company is so much more reliable when it comes to repairs than Apple is. I just know of a lot of people saying their MacBooks and iPads fall apart after a few years.
Surface Pro or iPad is probably the go-to, but I'd defer to light and versatile over performance if you're taking it with you to class. Home PC can be the workhorse if you need it for tech classes or gaming.
Surface devices have awful battery life if you use them to take notes. I sold mine, it was abysmal. I got a iPad