Laptop Guide for 2024-2025 Year

When purchasing a laptop for college, it can be challenging to know what you'll need. There are reasons why laptops may cost a variety a prices and it's important to know what you're exactly buying, but more importantly buying what's necessary for your studies/major. Listed down below will provide some specifications about what to mainly look for when looking to purchase a laptop for the 2024-2025 year. There may be some laptops that may/may not have the specific suggested specs, but it is highly recommended to get most things. 

QUICK NOTES:

(Gaming Laptops should be fine by today's standards, it's just sometimes they can be loud.)

(Tablet devices aren't recommended but can still be used.)

(2-3 year warranty of laptop is highly suggested.)


Suggested Specifications:

  • Processors

Windows

Intel i5 11/12/13th Gen (Average Use)

Intel i7 11/12/13th Gen (Advanced Use)

or

Ryzen5 7000/8000 series (Average Use)

Ryzen7 7000/8000 series (Advanced use)

 

macOS (Apple):

M1/M2 Chip (Average Use)

M3 Chip (Advanced Use)


  • RAM

16GB of DDR4/DDR5 RAM - (RAM makes functioning the laptop easier/faster.)

(If possible, ask if there is 2 sticks of 8GB of RAM rather than 1 due to a thing called "dual channel", which is makes functioning faster than 1 stick of 16GB of RAM.) 


  • Storage

512GB SSD or NVMe - (SSD or NVME makes downloaded applications and data transfer faster.)


  • Ports

 

Ethernet Port - (Wired connection is faster than wireless connection.)

 

 

 Ethernet Adapter - (ONLY IF YOUR LAPTOP HAS NO ETHERNET PORT)

 

 

10'in Ethernet Cord - (Cord that allows you to use wired connection).


Optional Peripherals:  

  • Wired/Wireless Headphones/Earbuds
  • Wired/Wireless Mouse
  • Wire/Wireless Keyboard
  • Laptop Sleeve (Protection for the laptop.)
  • USB Hub (Some laptops may have a few usb ports and more may be needed.)
  • 16/32GB USB Flash Drive
  • 256GB Portable Hard Drive
  • 24inch Monitor w/HDMI Cable (Able to project a 2nd screen for multi tasking.)

NOT Required:

Office 365 - (Lakeland University provides all students Office 365).


If there is any questions regarding this article or anything else, please feel free to contacts us!
Phone: 920.565.1143
Email: Helpdesk@lakeland.edu

Print Article

Details

Article ID: 20250
Created
Wed 7/10/24 4:00 PM
Modified
Wed 7/17/24 3:44 PM