When your child starts high school, it is an exciting time. For you and for them.
As a parent, you are likely rushing through a mental list of what is needed, from new school clothes to a maths set. And while it is easy to get carried away here, there is one key item that you may have overlooked. A laptop.
Even if your child already has a laptop or computer, you may be looking to upgrade it.
But what exactly do you look for when it comes to a laptop for high school? Does it differ from one for college? Read on to learn more about what you should look for in a laptop for a high school student.
Table Of Contents
Power
You will want a machine that is suited to what your child is going to use it for.
The power of the laptop equates to what it is capable of doing. Laptops for high school students are rarely specialized. So, it is worth asking questions about the machine’s central processing unit or CPU. The faster the CPU, the more you may need to spend. But the more your child will get from the laptop. Think of a faster CPU as comparing a regular car to a sports car. Sports cars are more expensive because they are faster!
Durability
The days are long gone of you needing to worry about your child accidentally dropping things. But that does not mean you should overlook the durability of any laptop you are intending to buy.
As a high school student, your child may want to take their laptop to school, which means it will be bumped around in their school bag. The laptop is going to need to be able to withstand more than a simple typing session. It can be worth also investing in a carry case, which can offer some protection for the exterior.
Weight and portable aspects
You don’t want to give your child a laptop that they cannot comfortably carry.
And depending on the type you buy, the weights can range drastically. Many laptops can weigh anywhere between 2 and 17 lbs! So, you will need to consider how much pressure that will be putting on your child when they are carrying it about.
Generally, aim for a laptop with a smaller screen. There is a direct correlation between the size of a laptop screen and the overall weight. Do not purchase a device designed for gaming for schoolwork, even if your child loves computer games and begs! These tend to be chunkier to allow for better ventilation and cooling. But they should not be carried around due to their weight.
Ease of use
Most laptops are designed with ease of use in mind. Many now come in 2 parts, allowing the user to detach the screen into a makeshift tablet.
Consider how computer literate your child is. Will they be able to navigate a more complicated machine? If not, then aim to look for a simpler device that can offer the basics of what they need, such as internet access, word documents, and email access.