How a Laptop Can Help Your Student
In the early 2000s, back-to-school shopping for high school or college students meant stocking up on three-ring binders, college-ruled paper and lots of writing materials (i.e pens, mechanical pencils, highlighters, etc).
Oh, what a difference a decade can make. Nowadays, parents might need to include something a little pricier on their list of essential school supplies: a laptop.
The Tangible Benefits of Laptops
Gone are the days when high school and college students could do all their note-taking, reading and research with the help of old-fashioned pens, paper and textbooks. A portable laptop is now a crucial tool for students to have, especially when it comes to doing research for projects and papers. In addition, many students prefer to take notes on a laptop. Also, for high school and college students who typically have to dash from building to building for their classes, it is much easier to carry a laptop than a giant pile of heavy textbooks and binders.
In order to help their student be ready to work on the laptop at all times, parents can sync up the device with one of the cheapest wireless Internet plans, which will allow their student to tackle homework projects and do research from wherever they may be at the time — be it their dorm room, the library or a local coffee shop.
Using the laptop in class may also help students perform better on assignments and tests. As a study that was conducted by Indiana University Law School students concluded, those who often used their laptops to take notes and conduct needed research typically got better grades. In addition, the laptop-toting students were found more likely to participate in class, and they were also able to recall and use the information they learned.
Although parents and professors may be concerned laptops could be distracting and tempt students to surf the Internet during class rather than pay attention, an article from U.S. News and World Report concluded: having a laptop may boost a student’s interest in the subject and ability to learn.
So Many Choices — Which Ones are Best?
The following four laptops have been rated as being especially helpful for high school and college students:
- Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch. According to a review on the CNET website, the 2013 version of this laptop has a terrific amount of battery life. Prices typically range from around $1,044 to $1,099.
- Sony Vaio Pro 11. The CNET review also had high praise for this ultra-think model, which they list as the “best ultra-portable” on the market. The price is usually around $1,149.
- Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 Pro. The 64 GB model made CNET’s list of the Best Windows 8 Tablet. Easy to use, it’s priced around $799.
- Acer C7 Chromebook C710-2055. PC Magazine praised this laptop for its long battery life and outstanding performance. The review noted this model is especially fast. Price is around $830.
