Frequently asked, gently answered
What new students ask first
No question is too basic. We have been asked all of these at least a hundred times, usually in August, usually in a mild panic.
How much should I spend on a student laptop?
Most students are well served by £450–£800. Below about £400 something always gives: the screen, the storage or the keyboard. Above £1,000 you are paying for creative or engineering power, or for a premium build. See our budget guide.
Is 8GB of RAM enough for university?
For essays, browser tabs, video calls and PDFs, yes, especially on a recent MacBook Air. On Windows, 16GB gives breathing room. If you code, edit video or run design software, treat 16GB as the minimum.
Should I get a Mac, a Windows laptop or a Chromebook?
A MacBook Air is hard to beat for battery life and longevity. Windows is safer for Windows-only software such as SolidWorks or Revit. A Chromebook suits browser-based work, but check your course software list first with our course table.
Do I need a gaming laptop for uni?
Rarely. Gaming laptops are heavy, loud in a quiet library and run flat quickly away from the plug. Unless you study games development or 3D, a slim laptop plus a console or cloud gaming service is a happier mix.
How much storage do I need?
256GB is the floor and 512GB is comfortable. Always choose an SSD, and keep coursework in your university cloud storage as well, so one dropped laptop does not take your dissertation with it.
Should I buy before term starts or wait?
Check your course's recommendations first, then watch for back-to-school offers from July to September and education discounts. Buying a week before you leave leaves no time to return a dud.
Is a refurbished laptop a safe choice?
Yes, from a seller who gives at least a 12-month warranty and a clear returns policy. Check the battery health figure before you commit.
How long should a student laptop last?
Aim for four years, so it covers a three-year degree plus a placement year or dissertation panic. That is why RAM, an SSD and a solid keyboard are worth a little extra.
Is a touchscreen or 2-in-1 worth it?
Only if you plan to handwrite notes with a stylus. Convertibles add weight and cost. Many students prefer a light laptop plus a cheap tablet or paper notebook. See our lightweight guide for carry tips.
How do I protect my laptop?
Check your home contents cover, turn on Find My or Find My Device, back up weekly and use a padded sleeve. A Kensington-style lock helps in shared spaces. More in our accessories guide.
Still stuck? Tell us your course and budget and we will reply with a sensible suggestion.