Need a new computer for the new school year? We’ve got suggestions from models we've recently tested that will suit students of all types, whether you’re in search of a great value, a portable powerhouse, or a fully loaded, family-friendly desktop.
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The bargain
Most students are looking for deals. For a laptop that combines a budget price with portability, check out the Vizio 14-inch CT14-A4 Ultrabook. It costs just around $665, but it was among the fastest laptops we tested.
The CT14-A4 was also thin, and light at 3.5 pounds so most students will be fairly comfortable carrying it around. Battery life was decent at 6 hours, and the display looks great. The 128GB solid-state drive keeps the weight down, but it provides less storage than a regular hard drive.
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The combo
Some students want it all—a tablet and laptop rolled into one. That's what the Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro XE700T1C-A01US (around $990) offers. Use it as a touchscreen laptop when it’s in the keyboard dock, or pull the 11.6-inch screen out and carry just the tablet with you.
The ATIV Smart PC Pro is a great performer, because it’s got an Intel Core i5 processor built in. As a laptop, battery life was 7.25 hours (it’s about an hour shorter as a tablet). The tradeoff: At 2 pounds, it weighs about twice as much as a regular tablet. With the dock, it weighs 3.5 pounds, which is heavy for its size.
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The featherweight
Portability is key for most students, especially those in high school and college. Weighing in at just 2.3 pounds, the 13-inch Sony VAIO Pro SVP13213CXS Ultrabook ($1,250) is the lightest laptop we’ve seen yet. It’s built of carbon fiber, and it’s also thin. But you don’t sacrifice performance—it’s speedy, with great battery life of 10 hours.
Like the Vizio below, this Sony VAIO has a 128GB hard drive. It’s also got a touch screen and NFC technology that lets you transfer data from your phone to your computer by touching one device to the other.
Want more recommendations? Read Best electronics gear for college students.
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The big rig
If you’re looking for a desktop that does it all, look no further. The Dell XPS 27 Touch (around $1,600) has a huge 27-inch display that was excellent, so when you're not studying, it's perfect for watching movies.
The speakers were better than is typical on all-in-ones (though for optimal sound, you’ll want a set of external speakers or headphones). And the display is also a touch screen. The XPS 27 Touch is powerful enough for work, play, and anything in between.
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The desktop replacement
A 17-inch laptop with plenty of power is a great choice for a dorm room. It doesn’t take up a lot of space, but packs plenty of punch for everything from writing papers to playing games (hey, we all need a break!).
To that end, take a look at the Dell Inspiron i17R-1316SLV (around $600). It’s a very good performer, capable of playing demanding video games. It’s got a large 1TB hard drive (huge for a laptop) where you can store music, videos, photos, and more. And it’s able to charge other devices, including your smart phone.
—Donna Tapellini
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