As a venerated member of the noble profession of teaching, one’s laptop is akin to an indispensable companion, an unfailing ally in the inexorable journey of education. From the arduous task of painstakingly planning lessons to the laborious undertaking of rigorously grading assignments, the value of an eminently dependable and efficient laptop cannot be overstated. However, with an overabundance of laptops vying for one’s attention in the market, the onerous task of selecting the most suitable one can prove to be an overwhelming and even paralyzing ordeal. In this article, Medcpu will provide the best laptops for teachers. Help teachers find the most suitable product for them.
Considerations for choosing the best laptop for teachers
CPU
A good CPU is essential. These days, it is easy to find one. Make sure the CPU you choose is up-to-date. The 8th/10th/11th-generation Intel Core or Ryzen processors.
Core i3 or Ryzen 3 processors, Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processors are my top recommendations. Why would you choose weaker processors?
If you are looking to play the most recent AAA game or do engineering on your laptop, you don’t necessarily need super-fast processors. Ryzen processors are my preference for performance and budget, but they are often hard to find.
RAM
- You should have at least 8GB of RAM to ensure you never run out of virtual memory.
- You don’t necessarily need 16GB. If you are looking at Chromebooks/MacBooks, 4GB may be sufficient.
Display
- Full HD + Largest Display You Can Afford (15-17″)
- Multitasking will be much easier with these. It will be easy to multitask with this large amount of space.
Keyboard
If possible, keys should be equipped with a number pad. But more importantly, they must be backlit.
How about the keyboard quality? I want to type quickly on this thing. This is usually found on premium laptops (+700$), but it’s also possible to find them on cheaper laptops if there are certain things you need to be aware of (check the last section).
Ports
While ports are essential for physical classes, they don’t matter if you’re teaching online. All laptops have all ports except MacBooks, and adapters are available for $5.
Wifi Card
This is probably the most important aspect. You want to get the most out of your internet connection. Make sure to get either WiFi AX or WiFi AC, the most recent WiFi protocol.
Storage
Storage space was not an issue in the past. With so many lectures recorded and so many videos to share, it may be worth getting 256GB. If that is too costly, you can get 128GB. An SSD is a must! HDDs are not recommended unless your laptop slows down significantly.
Screen Size
Laptops are important when it comes down to online teaching. There are many sizes available for laptops, from 10-inch screens to 17.3-inch wide. Although a larger laptop may be less portable, a larger screen will still provide the same quality as our peripheral vision and eyes.
This allows websites and documents to be displayed side-by-side, and it gives you a better view of students when taking online classes. The screen size also affects the size and layout of the trackpad and keyboard. A 10-inch screen might make it difficult to type on.
List of 8 Best Laptops for Teachers in 2024
1. ASUS VivoBook 17
The display. A 17-inch laptop with FHD resolution is rare. This makes the screen feel almost as large as a chalkboard.
It will allow you to multitask, and you won’t be able to complain about having too little screen space. This series also has a huge advantage: you get an SSD that is super fast and has a lot of space.
The RAM is a problem with this laptop. 12GB is too large for personal use or teaching. This might be useful if you need to run heavy software. However, that is not the case for me. I have always been happy with 8GB.
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What about the AMD processors, you ask? Aren’t all Intel Chips available?
This is retro 2019, thinking. This laptop is more affordable than other premium laptops because Ryzen chips are as powerful as Intel chips.
A Ryzen 3 chip is sufficient, but you will need a Ryzen 5 if you want to go all out. Ryzen 7 processors are unnecessary. They have too much power, and the battery life will be terrible.
If you have a power cord near your desk, or if you have a power line in your classroom, you may be able to get a Ryzen 7.
Read also:
- Best Cpu Cooler For Ryzen 7 2700X 2023: Recommended For You
- Best AMD Fx Processor 2023: Recommended For You
2. ASUS VivoBook 15″ – Best Budget Laptop For Teachers
This model is completely different, despite sharing the same name as the original laptop. It’s much cheaper than the ASUSVIVO Book 17.
It doesn’t have a 17-inch display. Instead, it has a 15-inch display. However, it still has FHD resolution, so multitasking shouldn’t be too difficult.
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The hardware is still sufficient for teaching purposes, despite it being slightly less powerful. You can solve the storage space problem by installing an SSD later or getting an external USB drive with high storage.
The only problem is…
It is not included with Windows 10. It doesn’t come with Windows 10. If you rely solely on web-based programs or rely on simple Zoom, Paint, and Office programs, you can still find an app in the Windows Store.
3. Acer Aspire E5 – Best Cheap Laptop For Teachers
It’s even cheaper than the other options and has decent hardware. That’s why this laptop has been the most popular on Amazon for several years.
The display is what’s interesting. The display is both FHD and IPS. This means that you will get the best quality display and viewing angles of all the laptops we have reviewed. It’s also less than 400$. However, it does not have a large display. This is a problem at this price.
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The specs are fine, but I am most concerned about the 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD. Although 4GB RAM won’t slow down your computer, it will cause you to be more overwhelmed if you use multiple programs and apps at once.
You won’t experience any lag if you use the Windows 10 S mode that comes with your laptop. If you decide to upgrade to Windows 10 Home, I strongly recommend that you first test it with 4GB RAM to see if you have any issues. Then upgrade to 8GB.
4. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ – Best Lenovo Laptop For Teachers
This IdeaPad is worth the extra money to afford it over the ASUS VivoBook 15 and the Acer Aspire 5. This thing is FHD with 8GB RAM and a larger SSD. This machine runs Windows 10 HOME.
You won’t have to upgrade: there is no Windows 10 update, RAM upgrade, or storage upgrade. There are some cons to be aware of:
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There is no ethernet port. This is fine if your internet connection is always strong. However, ethernet ports are very useful when internet reception drops or when your location is not receiving good internet reception. You will notice that not all laptops have one. You’d need to purchase an adapter.
There is no numerical keypad. I purchased one because I don’t own a 15-17 inch laptop, and I do many numbers crunching. It has an unusual touchpad, but this can be fixed with an external mouse. I don’t believe anyone working fast needs a trackpad anymore.
5. Apple MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro is a solid investment by Apple. The MacBook Pro is light, compact, strong, and well-built. The solid-state drive is more durable than standard disk drives in terms of mechanical wear.
The 16-inch HD retina display is ideal for those who spend a lot of time online and need to look at the screen for extended periods. The six-speaker system includes force-canceling woofers and enhances video and media viewing.
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The best thing about this laptop is the 9th generation Intel core processor and super-fast SSD. It can complete all your tasks quickly. You can also rely on the smooth performance of this laptop, which has 64 GB DDR4 RAM. This allows you to edit large-pixel images and run multiple apps.
Teachers who have a large collection of videos and instructional photos will love the 512 GB and 8TB SSD storage. The battery lasts for eleven hours so that you can continue class without interruptions.
Although this laptop is more expensive than others, its excellent performance and durability are well worth it. This laptop is highly recommended for online teaching.
6. Samsung Galaxy Book Ion
The Galaxy Book Ion is a Samsung model that’s competitive. This 15. This 6. The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion allows you to open multiple windows and run multiple applications without lags, thanks to its 10th generation Intel Core i7 CPU.
Its QLED monitor, which guarantees a nearly 100% color volume and stays vibrant even outdoors, is one of its most outstanding features.
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This laptop is great for online teaching because of its incredible battery life. It can be used for up to 9 hours and still have approximately 50% to 60% of its battery.
It’s also extremely light and well-built, lighter than any MacBook. It does not have a discrete graphics card and only 8GB RAM, which is a drawback for such a high-priced laptop. If you are not a gamer, this should not be an issue. The Intel UHD graphics make it easy to edit Photoshop and video if needed.
The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion will allow you to have a stress-free and smooth online teaching experience. This laptop is the best a teacher could own.
7. HP Spectre x360 – Best value laptop for teachers
The HP Spectre x360 2020 is not only one of the most beautiful laptops on the market, but it’s also among the most stylish. It’s also lightweight and compact, with plenty of power underneath.
It’s also very enjoyable to use. This laptop is a great choice for teachers who want a smooth and enjoyable experience.
The storage options, ports (2 Thunderbolt 3 and 1 USB-A port), and 2-in-1 design will allow for a lot more flexibility. The best thing about the HP Spectre x360 is its price. It’s still one of the most affordable laptops on the market. This is why we give it our best value choice.
8. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a slim, lightweight laptop that offers a tablet’s features. This laptop boasts a powerful Intel Core i5 processor with 8GB DDR4 RAM.
This laptop/tablet hybrid is the best that runs Windows apps efficiently. This laptop is highly recommended for artists and illustrators. The Microsoft Surface Pro is ideal for screencasting or showing illustrations online. It allows you to draw and touch and type naturally.
The 12.3-inch screen has HD resolution. The surface pen is not included with the laptop, and you will need to buy it separately. However, it does come with a kickstand that allows you to switch between tablet, studio, or laptop modes at will. The battery can last for up to 10 and a quarter hours, with a charge time of up to 80% in one hour.
Teachers who are on the move will find this laptop ideal. The overall specs are comparable to most high-end laptops. However, it is not as costly as Apple products. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a great Windows tablet and an excellent laptop for online teaching.
FAQs about Best Laptop For Online Teaching
1. Is a MacBook good for a teacher?
Apple MacBooks are a staple in classrooms due to their durability and power. The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is our top-rated MacBook overall. We have other models to help you select the right one for your needs.
2. Is 4GB enough for online teaching?
Online ESL companies usually state that 4GB RAM is enough to teach classes. If you only use your computer to teach classes online, then 4GB of RAM is sufficient.
3. How much should I spend on a laptop?
You’ll find the most value-for-money laptops in the $800-$1000 range. While it won’t get you everything, this amount can purchase you a laptop that excels in key areas. Gaming laptops are more expensive, so you only need to spend more. We recommend spending at least $1,500 in this case.
4. Is Dell or HP better?
The processors from Dell are faster and more reliable than HP, as well as having better specifications. Most of the processors offered by Dell are from Intel. There can also be a difference in Cores that are provided with laptops.
Conclusion
It’s easy for teachers, especially new teachers, to become overwhelmed when looking for a perfect laptop for teaching online. The best laptop for teachers isn’t a set formula… There are many aspects to think about when making your purchase.
We hope that this has helped calm the anxiety and make you feel overwhelmed in your decision-making process. Remember, check the operating system, screen size, as well as major and minor requirements above, and you should be set!
Video:
Eyal Ephrat serves as the co-founder and CEO of medCPU.com, where technology is making significant strides in the field of medicine. Through his experience in purchasing PC and laptop equipment and various other tech products, Eyal Ephrat contributes valuable insights to medCPU’s mission.
