No matter if you are a student from primary or secondary schools or college, it is essential to get a laptop. Youd need one that provides sufficient power for handling most computing tasks such as Microsoft Office and web browsing.
No doubt there are a few types of laptops with a varying price range available in the market such as traditional clamshell varieties, 2-in-1 convertibles.
Then theres you popular machines with different operating systems [OS] such as Chromebooks, Pixelbooks and MacBooks. Certain brands, for instance, such as Lenovo Yoga and Microsoft Surface models are also known for their reliabilities in terms of specs and features.
So, whether you are looking for a student-friendly laptop that is as powerful as the latest Intels 11th-generation processor or the more affordable AMD Ryzen version, we got them all covered below.
Best Laptops for students in Singapore
The popular Acer Swift 3 doesnt just get a nifty upgrade with a speedy 11th-gen Intel Core processor, but it also comes with a reasonable price tag for all!
Features:
Some highlights to this laptop is that it only weighs 1.2 kg, making it quite portable enough to carry around in a backpack. The 14 Full HD display, however, isnt exactly colour accurate [according to a test result, it only scores at 65% on the sRGB spectrum].
Performance:
The combination of Intels 11th-gen i5 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD is reportedly fast enough for multitasking purposes. Its processing power handles tasks really well such as from creating documents to handling graphic design/photo-editing software and web browsing. Moreover, the island-style keyboard feels good to the touch with well-spaced keys, coupled with a backlit function.
In the mean time, the decently-sized trackpad is usable enough even if you do not connect a mouse to your laptop. Moreover, battery life is impressive as well, as it is capable of lasting up to 7-8 hours on a single charge. And finally, built-in speakers are subpar in quality.
More: Have less burden on your pocket as a student when you purchase a Dell laptop here.
Looking for a value-for-money student laptop minus the hefty price tag? Well, we have one for you: the HP Pavilion 14.
Features:
Looking good in a sleek, silver-white aluminium design, the laptop only weighs as light as 1.41 kg. Its build quality feels sturdy, with a prominent 14-inch Full HD display thatll give crisp images. The display also has an IPS panel for better viewing angles, with the thin bezels mean you can enjoy more screen-to-body ratio.
Performance:
It comes equipped with the latest 11th gen. Intel i5 processor while the 16GB RAM + 1TB SSD combo is more than enough for handling various computing tasks. And given its specs, this laptop is also good for running design software such as Photoshop without much hiccups.
Another nice feature is that the battery capacity is top-notch, being able to last around 8 hours. Additionally, the built-in dual speaker system is surprisingly better than expected, with crystal-clear audio all around. And last but not least; the chiclet keyboard has all its keys evenly spaced while maintaining nice click-y feedback and that its comfortable to type on.
More:8 Sweet Laptops You Can Get for Work and Play
If your idea is to have a laptop primarily for basic and undemanding computing tasks, you should able to get one at a budget-friendly price range. And among the laptops that you can buy in that category is the Acer Chromebook 311.
Features:
Sporting an 11.6-inch HD display, the screen resolution is adequate enough for what it is and, surprisingly, has better-than-expected viewing angles. It also happens to be light enough at around 1.1 kg in weight. And despite its cheap price, the overall chassis feels quite sturdy.
Performance:
Dont expect much of a powerhouse from this machine, given its entry-level Intel Celeron N4100 which is generally decent for everyday tasks like word-processing on Microsoft Office software and some web browsing. It also only comes with 4GB of RAM and storage space of 32GB eMMC drive. Amongst the list of features, however, is this piece of good news; you can expand your storage using the microSD card reader.
The keyboard isnt the best of its class but that its sufficient enough for generic typing purposes. Its reported to be rather comfortable, especially with a touchpad that is equally responsive for such a budget laptop. Then, theres the battery life capable of lasting up to 7-12 hours max.
More:Keep Your Lappy Cool with the 6 Best Laptop Cooling Pads
True to its name, the Lenovo Yoga 7i is designed with flexibility in mind. And by flexibility, we mean you can either use it as a traditional laptop or as a tablet.
Features:
Other than the aforementioned 2-in-1 mode, you can also flip the laptop into a shape resembling a tent. This shape comes in handy, say for a Powerpoint presentation for a school project. In terms of portability, the Lenovo Yoga 7i is quite lightweight at just 1.35 kg.
The laptop also sports a 14-inch FHD display but the brightness level is rather average at below 300 nits.
Performance:
Blessed with Intels 11th-generation i5 processor, the laptop is good for multitasking since it comes equipped with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD. The only downside in this area is the RAM itself which happens to be a soldered type, so no upgrades are available for it.
On the keyboard; its a mixed result. While the keys are fairly large, it feels somewhat mushy when it comes to typing. Battery life is also superb at around 8-9 hours whereas the built-in speakers offer a loud and full-bodied sound profile; ideal for those who like to listen to rock music.
More than just your typical laptop, the touchscreen-based Lenovo Yoga Duet 7 happens to be a convertible type that allows you to flip it into a tent or a tablet mode.
Features:
Sporting a stunning 13 WQHD display with an exceptional brightness level, you can use either your finger or the Lenovo active digitiser pen for the touchscreen. The touchscreen itself is said to be responsive and nice to use. Not to mention, the laptop is amazingly lightweight at only 1.17 kg.
Performance:
Armed with an Intel Core i5-10210U processor, the 8GB RAM + 512GB SSD combo is good enough for most computing tasks such as editing documents, web browsing and streaming videos.
As for the battery life, it can last around 8 hours on a single charge. And on the Bluetooth keyboard, the ability to detach means more flexibility for you when it comes to a convenient typing experience or using it as a tablet. The keyboard also has a backlit function, so you dont have to worry about typing poorly even in a dimly-lit environment.
More:
- PS - Check out Lenovo SG's "Back To School" sale here!
- Register for Razer's Education Purchase Programme and enjoy exclusive student discounts!
- 14 Gaming Laptops for Endless Fun Anytime, Anywhere
For engineering students who need a laptop to handle the likes of CAD software, one of the best recommended laptops would be the Asus Zephyrus G14. Even though it was primarily designed as a gaming laptop, it has all the bells and whistles to work as a reliable workhorse.
Features:
Despite being a gaming laptop, it is more lightweight than many clamshell laptops, being 1.6 kg in weight. The 14 FHD display is sharp as well and produces good colour reproduction. Moreover, the screens 120Hz refresh rate ensures smoother-looking motion for visuals, which is also particularly useful for gaming sessions as well.
Performance:
Under the hood, we have a powerful AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS with 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD. With this setup, its just enough to handle heavy-duty computing tasks without any noticeable lag. The NVidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q, in the meantime, hits the sweet spot in terms of being a graphics horsepower.
Additionally, the chiclet keyboard is comfortable for most uses too, thanks to its well-spaced keys. Meanwhile, the battery life suffices with a battery life of 5-8 hours per charge, depending on how you use it.
Are you an architecture student looking for a laptop thats capable of handling intensive software such as ArchiCAD and AutoCAD? Then, you might want to look at the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4.
Features:
Designed with convenience in mind, the laptop is only 1.27 kg light so you will not have any problem carrying it in your backpack. Whats nice about the laptop is also its 13.5-inch display which is razor-sharp and should look good to most users in terms of contrast and colour reproduction.
Performance:
With an optional i5, i7 or Ryzen 7 processor as well as up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD combo, this laptop is set to be solid enough for both everyday and demanding tasks. The keyboards tactile feel is both click-y and comfortable too. Not forgetting, but the battery life is great too, being able to last up to 11 hours on a single charge.
More: Enjoy BestDenki's "Back 2 School" promos on Apple products here
For nursing students who want to maximise their productivities with a laptop might want to check out the Lenovo IdeaPad 3. It is quite affordably priced below the SGD1,000 range, yet packs a punch in terms of processing power.
Features:
The laptops 1920 x 1080 resolution on a 14-inch display is generally okay for what it is, given its price range. Just dont expect the best brightness level in the class out there. In terms of viewing experiences, the bezels are noticeably thicker so you wont get an edge-screen view. And the 1.8 kg weight on this laptop is admittedly bulky, but should still feel alright for most users.
Performance:
Equipped with an Intel i5-1035G1 processor, you have the option of 4GB or 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Since the RAM is soldered, its best to get the 8GB version when you need power to handle most computing task types.
The keyboard feels good to the touch too, with the well-spaced keys reducing the chances of you hitting the wrong alphabet[s]. However, battery life is rather mediocre at around 5 hours so its best to bring along your power cord if you are working mobile.
Heres an all-rounded laptop from Asus, where the Vivobook S15 model does not only come with an affordable price but is also capable of handling most essential computing tasks.
Features:
You get to enjoy a large 15.6-inch display in all of the Vivobook S15s vivid Full HD glory, complemented with reasonably thin bezels that offer around 88% screen-to-body ratio. This means more screen viewing which helps with maximising your productivity. However, the 1.75 kg weight is slightly heavy than most contemporary options.
Performance:
The combination of AMD Ryzen 5 5500U with 8GB of RAM and 512GB should be good enough to cover most tasks such as word processing, web browsing and streaming videos as well as light games. Moreover, the keyboard is well-spaced and comfortable to type on even for long hours.
To add, the built-in speakers, courtesy of Harman Kardon, has an audio profile that sounds crisp and punchy, even if you crank it up to high volumes. And finally, the battery life is great, too, being able to sustain 7-8 hours on a single charge.
There are many reasons to buy a laptop. But we shall answer the most important question of all:
Why you should buy a laptop specifically for school?
Today, laptops are essential to completing your assignments and digesting lessons more efficiently. With the right laptop, projects are done much better, neater, faster and more accurately especially for certain fields like budding graphic designers and videographers.
For example, some laptops come with a better screen to ensure accurate colour grading or high RAM for those who need to run heavy software on the daily. Of course, these laptops can cost a bomb, so always buy a computer that's appropriate for your level and field. If you only need a computer to write down notes, opting for a thousand-dollar machine is just overkill. Always go for what benefits you the most.
Now that you're clear on that, here's to know...
Where to buy a laptop?
Laptops can be pretty expensive in Singapore. Lucky for you, there are many stores out there that offers good deals to students at budget-friendly prices. Here's a few of them that you should focus on:
Online
- Lazada.sg - If there's a merchant that's well known for branded tech and home appliances, it's got to be Lazada. You can shop from local to international sets here.
- Amazon.sg - Looking for an international set instead? Amazon is where you should go. Get products here that even Singapore local stores may not have. A word of advice; remember to check for warranty cover, because chances are it's only applicable in America.
- Courts.sg - Log onto here and check out their 14,000 offerings for whatever tech that you're seeking. This also makes it easier for you to set the benchmark when it comes to pricing.
- Best Denki - Come here for your electronic goods for all home goods and tech gadgets. They also frequently offer deals that are too good to be missed.
- HarveyNorman - This electronic store has almost any kind of electronics good that you need, whether it's a refrigerator or a laptop. Their physical stores are also available nationwide in case you want to do some price-checking or inspection.
Offline
- Courts Megastore, Tampines - We understand if you prefer to shop in a physical store. So, do drop by at the biggest Courts in Singapore that's just beside Ikea Tampines.
- Challenger, Bugis Junction - This store is definitely a budget-friendly price galore, offering everything at an exclusive deal. If you can't make it for their flagship store in Bugis Junction, don't worry as they have over 40 outlets for you to make your purchase.
- Mustafa Centre, Syed Alwi Road - In Singapore's only 24-hour shopping mall, are many shops that offer full-ranged electronics including laptops at unbeatable prices. With so many varieties of goods in-stock, shopping at this hypermarket lets you compare prices easily.
- Funan Mall, North Bridge Road - Be amazed at what this one-stop mall has to offer. Not only does it have over 30 electronics and technology store available, but it also houses some of the world's first concept stores including Samsung Smart Home retail and Google Experience Zone.
- Parasilk, Holland Village - Try your luck at Parasilk, the OG store that offers "legendary" prices rivalling even online merchants. They sell almost any electronic product that you're looking for.
When to buy
Tech goods can be very expensive in Singapore, and we understand that! If you can wait, make sure to buy whatever you fancy during these special periods:
IT Show, COMEX, The PC Show, SITEX
Throughout the year, there are a couple of tech expos such as these to catch a product at a great discount and promotion. You don't only get to learn more about new tech products available in Singapore, but also get the chance to seal in exclusive deals that throws in gifts.
Great Singapore Sales - [June to July]
If all you want is just a good deal regardless of online or offline purchase, best buy them during the nation's sale period. You are sure to not miss it, as many physical stalls and banks offer huge discounts as well as deals respectively.
11.11 - [Single's Day, 11th November]
To celebrate the idea of being single [aka 11.11], catch an irresistible deal no matter which website you go to on this day. [Don't worry, everyone is free to participate! Not only do you get to enjoy sales on Singaporean websites, but also China and the rest of the region.
Besides Alibaba, drop by shops like Lazada, Shopee or Qoo10. Do check out our reviews and comparison of products in order to secure the best buy possible!
More: Hey Singles, Its Time to Shine This 11.11 Shopping Festival
Black Friday & Cyber Monday - [The next Friday & Monday after Thanksgiving]
If you're eyeing on something from America, wait for Black Friday & CyberMonday. The former generally focuses on offering the best deals for electronics whereas the latter on tech. But no matter which day you choose, websites these days would usually just host it as one, same shopping festive. You should still, check the promotional page or here on ProductNation to see special deals that may only occur at a certain time of the sales period.
More: 30 Black Friday Deals You Shouldn't Miss on Amazon Singapore
Being a student is tough. You either rely on your parents for your financial needs or on your part-time job. We understand that it's going to be expensive no matter how you look at it. Nevertheless, your budget shouldn't be the only reason for your purchase decision. You're getting a laptop to make your university days smoother and easier.
So, here are considerations on how to buy a laptop for study:
Battery Life
How long your laptop lives is vital. You don't want to bring a machine where you have to sit next to an outlet just to charge it. Instead, you'll want a laptop that can be used anywhere at any given time, especially during classes where you need to execute or take note of something. Each student is different, and some require a laptop on almost all subjects while some on just a few.
Consider how many hours do you actually need your machine to function for you. Understanding a student's life, we recommend anything that gets you 8 hours minimum on a single charge.
Portability
If you're studying in a huge university, and you have to transfer rooms here and there every now and then, getting a more compact laptop might be your optimal choice - although it can be pricier [such as ultrabooks].
Generally, laptops are commonly between 1.5-2kg. But, if you can take on more than that, then any machine shouldn't be a problem [we recommend avoiding gaming laptops because they're really heavy]. However, if you think that's too much as you do carry books with you, consider a notebook that's just around 1.2 to 1.5kg.
Performance
Some students only need a laptop for their projects and to make studying easier. However, some rely on it to run more complex programs. If you're the latter, best invest in a machine that has superb specs. Yes, it will cost more, but it's not going to add more headaches as it can run every program you throw at it.
Warranty
This is something many may overlook. The importance of having a warranty is to save money for when your device needs it especially when it's new. Often, new releases would benefit the warranty most as you don't know what bugs and technical problems it may face. Therefore, ensure that you have at least 1 year of warranty.
Additionally, check if it has either nationwide or international warranty. If your product is from Amazon.sg [or anywhere outside of Singapore], the ideal choice is, of course, international warranty. To note, a couple of brands provide full international warranty support, namely Lenovo, Dell and Asus.
Brand
Yes, brands do matter! Today, different brands are known for a certain range or quality. For example, Asus is loved for its customer service and reasonably good valued products whereas Lenovo offers many budget options as well as IBM [business] laptops. Apple MacBooks may not be cheap, but they excel at seamless execution, and Dell provides premium quality laptop but can be quite pricey for some.
By doing some background check on a brand, you'll be able to get an idea of their product quality.
Price
Thankfully, there are lots of brands that offer many budget options. As mentioned, Lenovo and Asus are known for offering laptops at a great value. But be aware that the built quality may not be the best, so you'll have to leverage the expected durability of the product. If you do have more cash to spare, you can consider laptops that may be on the higher end but are said to offer longer-lasting use.
Display
Another feature that's often overlooked; you do NOT want to miss out this fast. The size and display is important as it will play a role in how often, when and where you use your laptop. We recommend these specs to meet the minimum satisfaction for comfort and various use:
- Brightness level - 250nits and above to meet most settings.
- Resolution - At least 1920 x 1080p so you can have clearer/more detailed visuals.
- Screen type - IPS offers the least reflective viewing angles whereas OLED [fairly new in laptops] offers vivid colours.
- Refresh rate - How often the screen refreshes to update itself. Most laptops come with 60Hz. But if you want to game, go for something higher!
- Response rate - How long the screen takes to respond in changing colours. Games will benefit anything under 5ms.
Storage
Gone are the days when HDD [hard disk drive] is the norm. Although they are pricier, we'd recommend SSDs [Solid State Drive] for your new laptop. This is because HDDs uses an actual disk [hardware] to run and store your files, which can take time to load your files. Meanwhile, SSDs uses flash memory, which lets you access files much quicker than HDDs. With a faster SSD, you wouldn't need to worry too much about having the biggest RAM space.
The only downside is that SSDs are generally pricier, but that's something to pay for the amount of time you'll save from loading files. As a student, you should be getting at least 200+ GB worth of storage. More so if you plan to have your laptop store everything from day one.
RAM
To simply put, Random Access Memory [RAM] is where you store and access applications that are already loaded and opened right away. With apps stored in your RAM, you do not need to pull them out of your storage drive and take time to re-load them again. With a higher RAM, means you can leave more apps open without completely closing them.
Today, it's best to have 8GB of RAM for general use. You can get away with 8GB for those who casually game. But do consider 16GB if you load many heavy games and apps such as for photo and video editing.
Software
There are two things to think about here: what software bundle comes with the laptop and what software your laptop is capable of running.
Tying back all the factors previously mentioned, different laptops with different specifications can run different programs better. For example, Macbooks are touted to run Adobe apps smoothly whereas Windows laptops can run games much better than Macs.
Moreover, some sellers do offer a set of software for productivity use. Depending on the type of laptop and its brand, you may or may not need this set of software. For example, if you need to write often, Microsoft Word is a must for Windows laptops whereas you can get by with Pages which is readily-installed in a Macbook.
The difference between these two is that Pages is free [on the app store] whereas Microsoft Word isn't. Lucky you, there are many free alternatives out there for you to try, whereas apps, in general, are more limited for Apple products. Not to worry, both laptops are supported by many applications on the internet.
Operating System Platform
There's no OS that's better than the other. They are simply based on your preferences. The 3 most popular ones are Windows, MacOS & Linux.
When it comes to flexibility, Windows offer it best. They are also probably the first OS that you'll use in computer class, is widely available across several devices and they can support almost any app. Meanwhile, MacOS is always known for its simplicity, security and seamlessness especially when you execute hand/mouse gestures.
Meanwhile, Linux is a family of open-sourced OS that offers a much better interface for those working on building websites. There are many to choose from such as Elementary OS, Ubuntu, CentOS and more. Although open-sourced, Linux OSes are also generally faster and offer more security compared to Windows.
We suggest trying each OS types before you make a purchase unless you're confident in learning new platforms and being flexible enough.
Buying a laptop shouldn't be as confusing as it seems. As long as you follow our recommended specs, you can roughly narrow down to a laptop that suits your needs.
Here are some additional tips that you may not be aware of when buying a laptop:
"Size matters"
You may or may not be aware of this, but the size of your laptop plays a role in determining how powerful the machine is. Generally, a 15-inch laptop offers the best of both moderate power and portability. 13-inch typically offers less power [unless you can pay for pricey ultrabooks] whereas 17-inch laptops are more powerful yet least-portable.
The size of your laptop will greatly affect its portability and viewing comfort as well. Therefore, choose wisely on which feature you'd want to prioritise on.
Buying a 2-in-1
You want a laptop that can also double as a tablet for portability purposes. There's nothing wrong with that, but it needs to be thought of carefully. First and foremost, 2-in-1 laptops are not going to be the best main powerhouse for you. Compared to general 13-inch laptops, 2-in-1s will always be inferior in terms of power. If you're looking for a secondary device to your main computer, then a 2-in-1 is a great choice. But we wouldn't recommend it as the main driver.
"Fancy" features
You're ready to choose a laptop that has all the whistles and bells. But do you really need them? Often, we get swayed by a product's cool features which you'll likely be paying a high price tag for. Only to realise that you don't utilise them as much as you'd thought.
Take the time to review what you're paying for in a laptop will help you greatly in determining the right valued laptop. Instead of wanting touch-screen [which can drain battery], consider if you're better off paying for a laptop that gives you either more power or storage - both of which are highly useful for your education journey.
Conclusion
Laptops are not made equal, and that's actually better as it gives you options that will best suit your needs. Never buy a computer just to impress people. If you only need a computer to write down notes, opting for a thousand-dollar machine is just overkill. Always go for what benefits you the most.
Disclaimer: The pricing shown is just a good indication of how much these products are worth. The prices could change based on the e-commerce promotions that are going on. If some of the products are not available, do email us at [emailprotected] Thank you!