New Laptop!

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi Everyone!

I'm starting a BSN program in August, and my currently laptop is not up to my school's standards in terms of memory, speed, etc. I know this question has probably been asked before in previous years, but I figured I'd like an updated version of the suggestions people gave in years previous. SO! What laptops would you all recommend for a BSN student? I'd really like something that is lightweight and won't break on me in a year.

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I don't personally have a Surface, but a lot of my friends do and love it. The fact that you can use it as both a tablet and laptop is really neat, and it is very light. You can also get a discount on it for being a student!

I will say however that if you do not necessarily want a new laptop you might not need one. I know my school had requirements for what would be best and my computer was way below that (still using one from 2007!). Just food for thought that you could always see how your computer does if you don't currently have issues with it to save some money.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
my currently laptop is not up to my school's standards in terms of memory, speed, etc.
It will be immensely difficult to provide a recommendation without knowing your school's preferred standards regarding laptop memory and speed.
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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

What's your budget? I'd definitely go with a MacBook Air if you can afford it

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I've had a MacBook Air for 4 years and it still runs beautifully but I wanted a new one for school because I'm not sure when this one will bite the dust. Bought a refurbished 2015 Air that meets my school's requirements along with Apple Care for 3 years for $1200, and then dropped $70 on the Office suite for Mac.

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Specializes in CCU, CVICU, CVRU, Cardiac Cath Lab, RRT.

I would recommend getting an Apple (either MacBook Air or MacBook Pro) with the student discount. A lot of my classmates have had their MacBook Airs for years and love them because they are so lightweight and small. Personally, I like something larger such as the MacBookPro because there are times when I am writing a paper/working on a care plan or something and have a lot of windows open.

One thing to consider is whether your school uses online ebooks for the nursing program or has you buy hardcopies. At my school, we are forced to buy a bundle that includes the ebooks and then get the hardbound from Amazon if we want it (at an additional costs to the student, totally optional). It is really nice to have a tablet for reading the ebooks as hours upon hours of being glued to your desk to read an ebook on your laptop gets tiresome and uncomfortable. Also, a tablet can be used for researching things so that you aren't opening everything on your already crowded laptop screen.

Budget wise, if you have to go the ebook rout and don't like reading thousands of pages on your laptop, then get a smaller laptop that cost less (such as the MacBook Air) and then get an iPad Mini or small tablet for reading the ebook(s). The iPad Mini would cost a lot less than the costs of all of the hardbound textbooks or the difference between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Just a thought. Best wishes to you as you start nursing school.

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I recently purchased the Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 14 and I love it so far. I was debating between that and a MacBook Air but the Lenovo was a little cheaper and came with more storage space. I also love that I can fold it any way I want so it can be used flat like a tablet or folded like a tent. It's also a touchscreen which I think is great as well. Totally depends on your preferences and what you like but I would reccomend the thinkpad!

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