Hey everyone! My boyfriend and I are about to graduate, and our parents are generously buying us laptops for college. The catch is, my boyfriend's parents are willing to spend a lot more than mine. I have a budget of about $700-800, while he can go all out. He's looking for a gaming laptop that has great storage, graphics, and long battery life, so he can also handle some college tasks. On the other hand, I'm not too keen on a gaming rig. I'm more interested in running basic art applications and might play a game or two, so I don't need as high-end of specs. Any advice or laptop recommendations would be super helpful!
5 Answers
I'd be cautious with thin laptops due to heating issues. Gaming laptops typically have better cooling systems, which is important, especially if you plan on using it for a while. I see plenty of thin laptops die early because they can’t cool efficiently. If you want to go with a gaming laptop, lower-priced models like Asus TUF could work well and last longer. Just something to keep in mind!
I think gaming laptops aren't always the best move, honestly. The performance they offer means you’ll need to keep them plugged in most of the time. For college purposes, he should focus on a laptop that has a decent battery and storage. A modern i5 or any latest AMD processor paired with an SSD and at least 16 GB of RAM would work just fine unless he's into serious 3D or video rendering. Given that it's for college, maybe suggest he look into building a desktop for gaming later?
If it were me, I’d go for a high-spec ThinkPad for you. They’re reliable! Just a heads up, gaming laptops tend to struggle with battery life, especially during gaming sessions – they usually need to be plugged in. If your boyfriend is set on gaming, maybe suggest the ROG Zephyrus; it's powerful but still somewhat portable.
I’d recommend sticking to a solid "corporate" laptop within your budget. Brands like Dell Pro, HP EliteBook, and Lenovo ThinkPad usually offer great build quality. If you can find a used one, make sure it has at least an 8th Gen Intel processor, so you can run Windows 11 since the new software won't work with older models. These types of laptops often come with better support from the manufacturers, which is a plus!
Here are some great options based on your criteria: Acer and HP have some nice models out now! You can find a mix of 15.6" and 17.3" laptops; some are even touchscreen and convertible! I recently helped my dad shop, and he got a fantastic HP 17" for around $550, which he loves. For your budget, check out the Dell Inspiron or the HP Newest 17t, which offer good specs without breaking the bank. Just make sure to choose a screen size you like!
Right? The overheating risks in thin laptops can be significant. Many modern CPUs do have safeguards against extreme heat, but it’s still worth considering cooling when making a choice.