If you are (or thinking of) pursuing a career in nursing, one of the key things you need to do is invest in a good laptop. This will give you an opportunity to interact with personalized nursing-related software, office apps as well as information-rich websites. However, you will need to determine which machine performs best for your intended purpose since there are no specific ones built for this demanding career. So, which is the best laptop for a career in healthcare? In this article, we’ll give you a detailed review of top 6 best laptops for nursing students.
Note: Each one of these machines scores high marks in terms of storage capacity, processor speed, and overall functionality. We’d, therefore, recommend taking a closer look at whatever options are in store for you so you can make an informed choice.
Contents
| Laptop Model | Weight | Storage | Screen Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Air | 2.5 lbs | 128 GB | 13.3 inches | |
| LG gram Thin and Light | 2.1 lbs | 256 GB | 13.3 inches | |
| ASUS ZenBook | 2.6 lbs | 256 GB | 13.3 inches | |
| Apple MacBook Pro | 4.02 lbs | 512 GB | 15.4 inches | |
| Lenovo Chromebook | 2.48 lbs | 16 GB | 14.2 inches | |
| HP Spectre x360 | 2.8 lbs | 512 GB | 13.3 inches |
1. Apple 13.3-Inch MacBook Air
If you are a die-hard Apple fan and looking for a laptop that does not comprise on performance, speed, and quality, the MacBook Air is an all-around machine worth banking on. Equipped with an i5 Dual-core Intel processor with a turbo boost of up to 2.9GHz, the device is pretty fast and quiet making it ideal for multi-tasking. Therefore, you won’t have any issues when dealing with demanding applications and software.
In addition, it boasts up to 10 hours of battery life – just enough to get you through a busy day at the nursing school. As if that’s not enough, the MacBook Air is outfitted with a 13.3-inch screen display with a resolution of 1440×900 for enhanced image quality. Above all, it contains two 3.0 USB ports, a Thunderbolt 2.0 port, and Bluetooth 4.0 support to allow for faster data transmission.
What’s more? It features 8GB RAM which is adequate to run just about any nursing program. On top of that, it utilizes a 128GB SSD storage capacity along with an SD card slot to ensure you have enough room to store all your documents and files while on the move. Thanks to its solid-state drive storage (SSD), the Mac is very fast and boots up quickly.
Pros
- Comes with lots of extras including a stylus pen, cleaning cloth, case and cleaning kit
- Backed by one-year limited warranty and three months of free phone support
- Relatively inexpensive
- Easy to set up and use for any nursing student
- Lightweight and extremely portable
Cons
- Does not have Retina display and a DSL port
- Warranty does not cover against accidental spills on the laptop
2. LG gram Thin and Light 13.3-Inch
Featuring 13.3 inches display while weighing slightly over 2lbs, the LG gram 13Z980-U.AAW5U1 offers top performance for nursing students looking for a portable laptop option. The PC packs exciting features such as a 72Wh Lithium-Ion battery that lasts up to 22 hours on full charge. This makes it a great option for medical students who are always busy carrying out research. On top of that, it features a backlit keyboard that’s superb for handling late-night assignments as well without disturbing roommates.
Additionally, the device operates on an 8th Gen i5 Intel Core processor and 8GB DDR4 RAM for faster and uncompromising performance. In addition, it is equipped with a 256GB storage capacity in solid state drive format so you can enjoy increased speeds and faster startup time. Also, the LG gram 13Z980-U.AAW5U1 boasts tons of connectivity options such as USB Type-C 3.0 and HDMI. As such, the machine supports high-speed data transfer, high-power charging, and high-definition displays.
But here is the best part; the LG gram is more than ready for all the rigors of real-world use. Made of high-quality nano-carbon magnesium, it delivers military-grade durability while remaining remarkably lightweight. Most importantly, it operates on Windows 10 operating system which as you know is fantastic for multitasking.
Pros
- Incredibly compact and light so you can take it with you almost anywhere
- Full HD screen display for excellent picture quality
- Mid-range price
- Made of durable and premium metal alloy construction
- Excellent battery life
- Reliable processor to ensure blazing speeds
Cons
- Does not support Thunderbolt 3
- The battery is built-in so it cannot be replaced
3. ASUS Zenbook 13.3”
The ASUS Zenbook UX330UA-AH55 is one of the best laptops for nursing students due to its comparatively high specs and affordable price. It is made from a sturdy aluminum alloy which besides being strong tends to be super light. It’s, therefore, not surprising to see that the UX330UA-AH55 weighs a paltry 2.6 lbs ( a big plus for portability especially in a lecture-room or lab settings). Additionally, it features an Anti-glare FHD screen display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels for stunning clarity. Its display also provides a wide viewing angle of up to 170 degrees to ensure incredible contrast and accurate color representation.
What’s more? The PC is equipped with a Type C USB 3.1 port, micro HDMI 1.4, and two 3.0 USB ports that are reported to deliver approximately 10X faster data transfer speed. But probably the best part is the fact that one USB port boasts USB Charger+ feature. On top of that, it comes with a full-size backlit keyboard featuring a rubber palm rest, 1.5mm key travel and extra wide touchpad to ensure optimal typing comfort hours on end.
As if that’s not enough, the device runs on a 1.6GHz 8th Gen i5 Intel-core processor for outstanding performance. Thanks to its 8GB of RAM memory and 256GB SSD storage, the machine starts up in a flash and loads faster even as you open demanding programs. And with a metal finish, the ASUS Zenbook is not only durable but also has an ultra-sleek and elegant design.
Pros
- Includes inbuilt fingerprint sensor for faster and ease of login
- Boasts fast storage and memory
- Packs latest processor for unmatched power and responsiveness
- Comes pre-installed with Windows 10 OS
- Offers superior sound experience thanks to its SonicMaster technology
Cons
- Has an average battery life
- Fan sometimes makes some noise and gets heated up fast
4. Apple 13-Inch MacBook Pro
A little on the pricier side, the Apple MacBook Pro offers the perfect combination of power and performance that any nursing student needs from a laptop. When it comes to keeping up with very demanding tasks, this powerhouse does not disappoint thanks to its 7th Gen i5 Intel-core processor. In addition, it is equipped with an 8GB LPDDR3 of memory and 128GB SSD storage capacity with a 256GB option available. Consequently, launching multiple applications, booting up and even importing huge files is easy and fast.
Moving on, it incorporates two Thunderbolt 3 ports designed to allow faster charging, data transfer, and video output. On top of that, the device spots built in Intel Iris graphics 640 for seamless video streaming and visual quality. In addition to this, it includes premium innovations throughout that efficiently allow maximum airflow when performing heavy tasks like transferring huge files. And with a battery that lasts up to 10 hours, you can keep working on your projects from wherever you are.
The powerhouse is also fitted with a very responsive keyboard featuring LED backlighting and a spacious touchpad to allow for adequate space for your fingers to gesture and click. Similarly, the keyboard utilizes Apple’s second-generation butterfly technology to ensure up to four times better key stability along with optimal comfort. Moreover, its display incorporates large pixel aperture, high contrast ratio and wide color options for truer to life images
Pros
- High-speed and power efficient memory
- Has a sleek and glossy design
- Includes high-performance processor and cutting-edge graphics
- Blazing fast SSD storage for ease of multitasking
- Light in weight for ease of maneuverability
Cons
- No disc drive but the external drive is available
- Does not come with an HDMI port so you will need an adapter to plug it into a TV
5. Lenovo 14-Inch IdeaPad Chromebook N42-20
This is the cheapest viable option if you need a laptop that can deliver reliable performance without going over your budget. While it is extremely inexpensive, it boasts a solid hardware underneath. Besides, it comes ready to use right out of the box. All you need is to sign in with your Google account and you will have access to everything you might have backed up with Google. In addition to this, the Chromebook operates on a 3-cell Lithium Polymer battery that lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge.
At 2.48lbs and with a slim design, the PC is so light for ease of carrying in your backpack to and from nursing school lectures without compromising on quality. On top of that, it features a rugged design and is reinforced with hinges for superior durability. But what really makes it stand out is its water-resistant keyboard and anti-peel keys. This together with its rugged look makes it highly resistant to wear and tear. Also, the machine employs a fanless design along with a sealed touchpad.
Additionally, the Lenovo 14-Inch IdeaPad runs on a Dual-Core Intel N3060 processor with a speed of 1.6GHz for more powerful and faster performance. Another feature that makes it an excellent option for any medical student is its built-in 4GB DDR3 of memory and 16GB SSD of storage option. This makes multitasking and accessing different files or programs a breeze. Besides, should you need extra storage space, you can always connect to other external storage devices via its USB ports.
Pros
- Has Intel HD graphics 400 on board for enhanced viewing
- Fast internet browsing thanks to its built-in 802.11ac wireless connection
- Comes with Bluetooth 4.1 support technology
- Integrated with SD card reader, webcam, and audio in/out jack
- HD LED backlit screen display with stunning clarity
Cons
- Limited storage option and memory
- Its case feels flimsy
6. HP Spectre x360- 13t Touch Laptop
While there are a variety of great laptops for nursing students on the market, only a few can live to their name and the HP Spectre x360 is one of them. Bundled with 8th Gen Quad-core i7-8550U processor and a speed of 1.8GHz, the device offers class-leading performance at its price. But for unmatched performance, the processor speed can be boosted up to 4.00GHz. Further, it has a super-fast 512GB SSD storage capacity and 16GB DDR3 RAM which is more than sufficient for nursing school use.
What’s more? The HP Spectre utilizes a full HD IPS touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels for seamless hands-on control. Similarly, its IPS technology allows for enhanced viewing experience of web pages, documents, slides or movies from different angles. Its keyboard, on the other hand, features LED backlit that you will appreciate especially when working on a project long into the night. With a 64-bit operating system and Windows 10 Pro onboard, the PC is efficient and more powerful. As such, you can get a lot more done with ease and professionalism.
Like the rest of the laptops in this review, this particular model features a variety of connectivity options including Thunderbolt 3 support and USB-C port. On top of that, it supports a microSD card reader for faster data transfers. At 2.8 pounds, the device is also extremely portable making it an ideal option for students pursuing a career as a nurse. As if that’s not enough, it operates on one Lithium-ion battery that is reported to last up to 7 hours on a single charge. While it is decent, it is definitely not the best for such a powerful machine but can get you through most of the day.
Pros
- Built-in Bang and Olufsen speakers for superior sound quality
- 2-in-1 design that allows you to use it as a big tablet or regular laptop
- Has a blazing fast processor for ease of multi-tasking
- Free access to McAfee internet security antivirus for three years
- Screen quality is top notch and showcases content with vivid colors
Cons
- A little expensive but the PC is a great bang for your buck
Final Words
With any of these six laptops from our list, you are sure to have nothing short of the best machine to work within the nursing school. However, if you want a mid-range priced and high-performing PC, you should go for the Apple 13.3-inch MacBook Air. For a laptop that features all the bells and whistles and at a very affordable price, the ASUS Zenbook 13.3” is the ideal option. But if you don’t mind splurging once in a while, then the HP Spectre x360- 13t Touch is exactly what you need. It has quite a number of powerful and reliable features thereby ensuring you enjoy unmatched levels of performance.
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