Top 5 Best Laptops for Nursing Students 2021 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Being a nursing student requires more than hard work to finish. You need the right materials and equipment.

One of the things that you need to think about is what laptop to use. This will play a big part in your learning experience. 

This stated, it is just right that you choose the right laptop for your course. In the next sections, we will talk about the top five brands that you should consider—the best laptops for a nursing student. 

Things to Look for in a Laptop as a Nursing Student

Before we go to the specifics, you should first know what to look for in a laptop. See the list below:

• Portability (Size and Weight)
• Large Storage
• High Speed and Performance
• Long Battery Life

These factors will make your school life easier for you. Simply, you should look for something that you can easily carry anywhere.

At the same time, you should be able to multitask without experiencing any issues. 

Lastly, you already have a lot to pay for in your course. This means that it should be both affordable and long-lasting.

Best Laptops for Nursing Students

1. Apple Macbook Air

 

For the first laptop, we will focus on the Apple Macbook Air. This first became popular as it is an Apple product. 

However, its features, design, and specs also contributed to its reputation. This model’s main asset is its weight.

You can expect this to feel like “air” once you carry it around from its name. 

Here are the specifications of the Macbook Air:

• Size & Weight: 12 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches, 2.75lbs 
• ROM: 256GB SSD
• RAM: 8GB
• Processor: Intel Core i5
• OS: Mac OS X
• Display: 13.3-Inch LCD Screen
• Graphics Card: Intel UHD Graphics 617
• Battery Life: Can range from 8 to 18 hours depending on usage

There is nothing too eye-catching design-wise. Like other Macbook models, this keeps a minimalist feel. 

This is also made out of aluminum so you don’t have to worry about storing this along with your books. 

The quality of its keyboard is also worth taking note of. Its responsiveness and ease of typing are very popular with writers.

Thus, this is ideal if your classes usually give writing-related homework.

A con that you should know is that this does not come with a DVD/CD Drive. If you need one, you have to buy it separately.

Note that you have to buy the one specifically designed for Macbook Air for best compatibility. 

This is pricy, but this will give you your money’s worth. In addition, this can already last for a long time. 

2. Microsoft Surface Pro 7

 

Next up, we have the Microsoft Surface Pro 7. This is the best choice if you’re aiming for mobility. This took attention for being a convertible model.

Meaning, you can easily switch in between a laptop and a tablet through this. This is also equipped with a touchscreen interface. 

Below are the features that you can expect from the Microsoft Surface Pro 7:

• Size & Weight: 12.8 x 2.68 x 9.21 inches, 1.10lbs 
• ROM: 128GB SSD/256GB SSD
• RAM: 8GB
• Processor: Intel Core i5, 10th Generation
• OS: Windows 10
• Display: 12.3-Inch LCD Touchscreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Iris Plus Graphics/Intel UHD Graphics
• Battery Life: Maximum of 10.5 hours

In terms of design, you may find this a little different from others. The screen is detachable from the keyboard.

In addition, it already comes with a stand for when you are in tablet mode.

You should consider this model if you like the essence of taking real-time notes. You don’t necessarily have to type them in.

Instead, you can use the tablet and write manually. This will also make it easier for you if you have graphics-related work. 

Compared to the Macbook Air, this is lighter and more flexible. The issue lies in its price as it is a tad costly. 

3. ASUS ZenBook 15

 

The ASUS ZenBook 15 is another good candidate for nursing students. This is probably the most hi-tech on our list because of its screen pad. 

The screen pad is the replacement for a regular mouse pad. Instead of serving as a navigator, it becomes another screen for tasks. This makes it possible to monitor multiple activities at a time. Thus, if you value productivity, this will be the best choice.

For the specifications, refer to the following list:

• Size & Weight: 13.9 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches, 3.6lbs 
• ROM: 512GB SSD
• RAM: 16GB
• Processor: Intel Core i7
• OS: Windows 10
• Display: 15.6-Inch Wide-View Screen
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
• Battery Life: Maximum of 9 hours

This performs best in aspects like the display, memory, and speed. It also has decent battery life. To top it off, this already comes with a number pad. This is, however, heavier and bigger than the former models.

As you can see, this is also on the expensive side. Still, this has a better value compared to the Microsoft Surface Pro 7.

4. HP Flagship 15

 

If you came here for a budget-entry laptop, then this may be the one for you. The HP Flagship 15 does not have any distinct features. This, however, has everything that you will need throughout your nursing course. 

The specs are not as hi-tech as the ones above, but you can still expect a good performance.

In particular, here are the specifications that the HP Flagship 15 can provide you with:

• Size & Weight: 14.1 x 9.5 x 0.7 inches, 3.83lbs 
• ROM: 128GB SSD
• RAM: 16GB
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3250U
• OS: Windows 10
• Display: 15.6-Inch HD Screen
• Graphics Card: AMD Radeon Vega 3
• Battery Life: Maximum of 7 hours

All in all, this is a decent model that you should consider if you are tight on a budget. HP is also known for bringing durable laptops into life so you can rest assured that this is long-lasting. Similar to the previous brand, this can also be quite lacking in portability.

As you can see, this is significantly more affordable than all the brands on this list.

5. Google Pixel Book Go

 

Our last discussion will revolve around Google Pixel Book Go. This is another lightweight laptop that promotes mobility. This, however, stands out in terms of its display. 

This comes with a 1080p screen resolution. This makes it beneficial for those who need to watch medical videos as a part of their training.

Below are the specs that you need to know:

• Size & Weight: 12.25 x 8.12 x 0.57 inches, 2.33lbs 
• ROM: 128GB SSD
• RAM: 8GB
• Processor: Intel Core i5
• OS: Chrome OS
• Display: 12-Inch Full HD Screen
• Graphics Card: Intel UHD Graphics
• Battery Life: Maximum of 12 hours

If we base off of portability, storage, and display, then this is already a good choice. Some, however, have issues with the mousepad’s responsiveness. This is not a general case, but this is still worth taking note of.

This has a little difference with the HP Flagship 15. It is best if you take the time to compare the two models if you want a high-quality and budget-friendly laptop.

Summary: Best Laptops for Nursing Students

To summarize, here are the best brands that can support your nursing student needs:

• Apple Macbook Air
• Microsoft Surface Pro 7
• ASUS ZenBook 15
• HP Flagship 15
• Google Pixel Book Go

As a nursing student, a laptop can make or break your education. This will affect your average study hours, your course videos’ quality, and likes. This is a big investment considering that high-quality laptops are not cheap.

If you are looking for cheaper alternatives, try looking for a tablet instead. This won’t be as flexible, but it can fit your budget better depending on the brand.

How To Buy A Laptop For Nursing Students

The Nursing Program

Looking for the right laptop can be a daunting task, which is why you should consult your department to find out what type of laptops they recommend. They can also guide you in the process of getting the right laptop that will help you excel as an aspiring nurse.

Laptop Requirement and Other Devices

In some nursing schools, you might need to buy a laptop and a handheld device. This is because the curriculum in nursing school integrates tablets and similar devices for classrooms and clinicals since these are the most portable and fastest way to access medical records and clinical information.

Operating System

Which operating system should you choose, Mac or Microsoft? It really depends on your preference. One thing is true, there are more programs available for Windows than OS X because it’s used by a much larger audience. If compatibility isn’t an issue then go with what feels right to you.

Software Requirements

You need a laptop that can handle the type of software you’ll be using in nursing school. This is easy to find with laptops nowadays since most have enough power and performance for just about any task.

Weight

If you’re on a tight budget, don’t worry about performance when buying your laptop. Get the cheapest and lightest that meets your needs even if it’s refurbished.

If you want something easy to carry around campus, make sure it’s not too heavy. There are many great options for laptops that weigh less than 3 pounds.

Battery Life

As a future nurse, the most important thing you want to do is maximize your time. The worst feeling in the world would be when there’s an exam coming up and suddenly all of those hours disappeared because you couldn’t find one outlet.

To make sure this doesn’t happen, invest in a laptop with extended battery life.

A long battery life laptop is one of the most important aspects to consider. Nursing school can be a lot, but you want your equipment to back up that busy schedule and make sure it doesn’t cut into any time for studying.

Display & Resolution

While considering a laptop for your nursing major, you must consider the display. A laptop monitor is measured in inches diagonally, and some models come with features such as a stylus or touchscreen capabilities.

Having a good screen will help protect eyesight and make it easier to read files on-screen because you’ll be looking at case photos, videos, diagrams, and charts. The minimum requirement is 13 inches with full HD resolution.

15-inch and 17-inch laptops are often too big for your backpack. 11” models may be a good option if you can’t afford anything bigger, but they won’t have the same resolution as larger ones.

RAM

You should never buy a laptop with less than 8GB of RAM. It is important to have high-quality memory for the best performance and downloading/saving files in no time at all.

For example, if you are looking for an ideal nursing laptop that can allow multitasking or window switching seamlessly then 4 GB will not be suitable since it cannot handle large file sizes daily.

Storage

If you want to buy a laptop for nursing then the storage must be large enough so that you can store your files and documents. This will make studying much easier, as well as guarantee the quick performance of the laptop when needed.

If you’re not on a tight budget, it might be worth considering buying one with an SSD drive. These drives are more expensive than HDD’s but they’re much faster and will give your computer great performance

Graphics Card

If you are a nursing student, don’t fret about what graphics card to get. Flash animations and interactive videos from textbooks will run just fine on any laptop.

CPU

With the intense workload at nursing school, it is extremely important to invest in a laptop with plenty of power. The more cores a processor has, the quicker it can execute tasks.

When shopping for laptops with multi-tasking capabilities, consider Core i3 or Core i5 processors from the 6th to 8th generation.

WiFi Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6GHz is the latest protocol that will provide a faster and more reliable connection to your laptop. Laptops with this capability will be able to transfer data faster and more efficiently when surrounded by other devices on a busy network.

Price

Nursing students are always on the lookout for a laptop that will last them through their academic journey. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, many times $500 can be enough to make it work well with just some minor setbacks in performance here and there.

Integrated Webcam

The integrated webcam is an important addition to any laptop for today’s online workers, as it enables you to participate in live events. Nurses are a perfect example of people who would need this functionality the most. They can use their laptops during clinical rounds and lectures with ease thanks to these cameras that come built into them.

FAQ

Do Nursing Students Need Laptops?

Most nursing schools will require you to have a laptop for your coursework and clinical. You should check with the school before buying a new computer because many of them offer minimum requirements.

How much RAM do you need for nursing school?

It is important to consider the RAM of your laptop when buying one as it impacts how efficiently you can work. 8GB of RAM is perfect for nursing students who want to multitask.

It’ll help you get through your files quickly while doing multiple tasks seamlessly.

Is the MacBook air good for nursing students?

The MacBook Air is a great laptop for nursing students because it’s light, powerful, and does everything a student needs. At just 3 pounds, this 13-inch device will make your life a lot easier for carrying around campus while providing enough performance power to complete most tasks.

Which laptop design is perfect for nursing students and professionals?

A nursing student needs to have a laptop that is versatile and can be used easily in different situations. The best option for this type of user would be the 2-in-1 laptop with a 14-inch display, which can be used as a tablet or laptop. 

But if you’re intending to complete your degree with only one device, we recommend getting considering some of the models from our list above.

Can I use an iPad Pro for nursing school?

The Apple iPad Pro is the perfect tablet for both style and functionality. It’s a great choice to take with you into nursing school if you already have an iPhone, Mac computer, or Apple Watch because it will seamlessly sync up all of your devices.

The one downside may be that this option can get pricey, so keep in mind there are other less expensive options available as well such as the iPad Air which might suit your needs just fine.

Is Chromebooks Useful For Nursing Students?

Chromebooks are arguably one of the best laptops for nursing students. They’re inexpensive and lightweight, which is perfect for when you have to lug it around campus all day while still being able to get your work done on time.

Chromebooks run smoothly even though they lack in specs because Chrome OS is lighter than Windows 10.