Consider these tips when buying a laptop for college

If you’re a parent preparing to send your child off to college, or you’re a student yourself and in need of a new laptop, the decision can feel daunting. Laptops are one of the most expensive purchases you can make. Data from the National Retail Federation estimate that on average, electronics is the top-spending category for college spending. The NRF data says that college students and their families are expected to spend an average of $1,364.75 for the upcoming school year. With laptops being a hefty part of that cost, looking for the right laptop for your needs is of the utmost importance, while also trying to save as much as you can. We’re here to help. Below, we’ve compiled a list of tips for you with help from our Hearst Magazine partners at Good Housekeeping and Popular Mechanics. Bargain laptop means you’re giving up featuresPopular Mechanics said that if you’re on a budget, be aware that buying a “cheaper” laptop means there are more weak spots. They urge shoppers to watch out for how the keyboard, trackpad and display features are. “Manufacturers may skimp on these items hoping that potential buyers will focus more on processor speed,” said Sascha Brodsky, a science and technology journalist, in his piece for Popular Mechanics. “For starters, even if your funds are limited, look for a screen with at least Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution.” Brodsky says look for laptops with backlit keyboards and a full-size layout. Choose the right sizeSizing matters with your laptop. Consumer Reports has this guide to know what size laptop is right for you.Small: These are 10- to 13-inch laptops. Consumer Reports says they are great for people on the move and who want a compact and light option. You might have to compromise speed, but battery life is still pretty strong. Medium: These are 14- to 16-inch laptops. They give you performance, portability, and price, according to Consumer Reports. These models tend to have generous battery life and higher-end specs. Large: These are 17- to 18-inch laptops. They’re not the most portable given their size and weight, so they’re typically docked to a desk, and known as “desktop replacements.” But what they give up in portability they make up in performance, especially with how much display you have to work with. Also, make sure whatever laptop you get is compatible with your backpack. You don’t want to buy a backpack that can’t fit an 18-inch laptop, and you also don’t want a backpack that doesn’t have a laptop compartment or sleeve as part of its features. These three letters are important: RAMRAM is the computer’s short-term memory, and it stores data on apps and files. Good Housekeeping says the higher the RAM, the faster it will feel like the laptop is running. “Most college students probably won’t need more than 16GB,” wrote Jessica Dukes for Good Housekeeping. “This is plenty of power for general use, plus gaming and editing video.”If you’re looking for speed, Good Housekeeping says look for laptops that have a solid-state drive, or SSD. The cost will be more expensive, but you’ll have the best-optimized speed. “For college students, I’d personally recommend anything SSD over HDD, it will be incomparably faster,” says Good Housekeeping test engineer Alec Sherma. If saving is critical, consider refurbishedShoppers on a strict budget should keep in mind when searching for a laptop for college that there are cheaper alternatives that don’t skimp on the features–they’re just not brand new. Many online retailers have refurbished programs where they offer like-new computers at a fraction of the price of a new laptop. Here are some of the refurbished sections we found online for you to use in your own shopping journey:Apple Certified Refurbished: Products include a one-year warranty, full functional testing and savings of up to 15%. Amazon Renewed: Products sold on Amazon Renewed have been inspected and tested to work as expected. If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can return it for a replacement or refund within 90 days. Amazon Resale: This section offers deals on quality used, pre-owned or open box products. For example, if an item is listed as “Used – Like New” it means it’s an item in “perfect working condition.” Walmart Restored: The program offers high-quality refurbished items and similar to Amazon Resale has a tiered program of available conditions. If you’re not satisfied, you can return your item within 90 days to be replaced or for a full refund. Lenovo Outlet: Each refurbished device comes with a standard warranty of one-year.Battery life is most criticalCollege students will need a laptop that has a good battery life, but that battery life will depend on a few things. First, if you’re using your laptop to take notes during classes or look up files in a database, the battery will run longer, as opposed to if you’re streaming a movie or playing video games. So how you use your laptop will determine how much battery life your laptop will truly have. Second, if you see an estimate made on battery life for a laptop, Good Housekeeping warns to not take the company’s word for it. “Typically, when a company provides the battery life, it’s under its minimum use conditions, so the battery life is heavily inflated,” Sherma said. If you need a number to work off of, Popular Mechanics recommends to look for battery life of at least 10 hours. Third, your laptop will maintain a good battery life based on how well you take care of it. Popular Mechanics says keeping the laptop clean, cool, updated with the latest software and having files backed up will make the most of your laptop’s lifespan. So what laptops do experts recommend?The below picks are from our partners at Good Housekeeping and Popular Mechanics.