Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
Choosing the right laptop can feel overwhelming -- even for someone like me who's lived and breathed laptops for years. You get all these options, configurations, and feature lists that it's impossible not to know up from down. So, to make things easier for you, I'll be breaking down laptops and their essentials using three broad usage categories: school, work, and gaming.
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Most laptops fall into one of these buckets, and while there is some crossover regarding hardware, each type is designed with a specific purpose in mind. Below, I walk through what defines each category, highlighting key features to look out for and providing example products along the way.
Keep in mind, this advice is based on my own experience and expertise. Ultimately, the best laptop is the one that fits your needs best.
How to pick a laptop for school
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
When choosing a school laptop, you'll want to focus on two things: battery life and durability. Students should get something that can last through a full day of classes and afternoon study sessions. Ideally, look for laptops capable of running for 12 hours or more. I also recommend a sturdy 13- or 14-inch laptop that's lightweight but tough enough to handle the occasional bump or drop.
Also: The Dell laptop I recommend to most college students is $350 off at Best Buy
Performance is secondary, especially if you're going to be using it for writing papers and browsing the web. They're not built for heavy tasks like 3D rendering or gaming (although lightweight titles like "League of Legends" after class will run on almost anything).
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