Now that you have successfully completed the application, smashed the interviews and have been accepted into nursing school, you should be preparing for the obstacles ahead.
From loaded lectures to last minute reports, you are going to need the right equipment to get you through.
You are going to need a laptop that has enough battery to get you throughout your day, is quick loading for when you need to take quick fire notes, and that won’t just break when you have too many tabs open.
I have 5 of the best laptops for nursing students. They are lightweight, portable, and extremely long lasting.
You don’t want to be almost finished with an assignment at 3am and all of a sudden your work is lost because you didn’t have enough charge.
Take a look below to find the right laptop for you to ensure you never have to worry throughout your time as a nursing student.
1. Microsoft Surface Pro 8
When it comes to note taking, some prefer writing free-hand rather than typing. However, you still want all of your notes in one place while remaining organized and easy to find. The Microsoft Surface 8 Pro is at the top of this list for a reason.
Once you try out the stylus you will notice how similar it feels to writing on an actual notebook. It has the ability to recognise your hand movements and keep your writing as authentic as possible.
Then you can store it in a neat folder for when you need it in the future.
This sleek, lightweight laptop has a Surface Signature Keyboard that performs like your typical laptop keyboard but can also be removed to use the appliance as a tablet.
Not to mention the built-in kickstand makes the Surface Pro 8 great for streaming, report writing, and screen sharing. With a battery life of 10 hours, you can watch your favorite TV shows and finish that report all on one charge.
The only downside to this magnificent piece of technology is its price tag. If you are working within a students strict budget then the Surface Pro 8 may not be viable. However, there are payment plans available.
Pros
- Surface Slim Pen 2. This rechargeable stylus makes writing on the Surface Pro 8 easy and efficient.
- Detachable Keyboard. Turn your laptop into a tablet by removing the Surface Signature Keyboard.
- Battery Life. You can have 10 hours of fun on one charge making it easy to take your tablet elsewhere.
- Lightweight. Weighing less than 2 pounds you can easily slip your laptop into your bag and carry it to class.
Cons
- Price. This laptop is rather expensive and may not be within everyone’s budget.
2. MacBook Air
It is of no secret that MacBook Airs are one of the most reliable, valuable, laptops on the market. Whether you buy the latest model, or save yourself some cash and go for an older model, they will still work wonders throughout your school career.
The latest model of the MacBook Air has been designed with a 15 hour battery, 13.3 inch Retina Display and a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.
You can rely on the MacBook Air to meet all of your needs from editing video footage to action packed gaming.
Store all of your notes, assignments, and powerpoints with the 8GB of memory. The super fast memory means that it can allow memory-intensive multi tab surfing and rapid and simple opening of large graphic files.
Not to mention its profession, sleek design makes you feel like a qualified nurse already.
Pros
- Battery Life. With up to 15 hours battery life you won’t have to worry about bringing your charge along with you.
- Storage. With 8GB of memory storage you can keep all of your files in one place without worrying about needing to make room.
- Design. Sleek, professional and modern this laptop will make you feel like a pro.
Cons
- Price. With newer models being brought out often, the price continues to rise and it can be difficult to budget.
3. ASUS ZenBook 13 OLED
If you’re wanting a laptop that will get the job done without costing you an arm and a leg, the ASUS ZenBook 13 is the perfect choice.
Fitted with the SSD (Solid State Drive), the Core i5 CPUs and an 8GB RAM, this laptop is designed to go the extra mile.
Weighing only 2.5 lbs and 13.9 mm, this laptop is perfect for those who are constantly on the go.
While it is thinner and lighter than other models this laptop still comes with a HDMI, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, and a microSD card reader. In other words, you can do everything you need to in one place.
You may have to keep the charging wire in your bag if it is being used for the entire day but that’s a small price to pay for such an incredible appliance.
Pros
- Design. This laptop is super light weight and thin to ensure portability is simple.
- Ports. Fitted with HDMI, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, and a microSD card reader so that you can do everything on the one device.
- Storage. Designed with the SSD and a 8GB RAM you have all of the storage you will ever need to get you through school.
Cons
- Battery Life. While the battery life is up to 13 hours, constant use means that it will drain quickly.
4. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
Acer is known for producing high quality, affordable laptops, making them an ideal choice for students. The Acer Aspire 5 Slim is the perfect laptop for those who are wanting to have a reliable device without spending their lives savings.
With Acers Turbo Boost Technology you can get up to 4.1 GHz for your high-demand applications. That’s powerful for those of us that don’t understand tech language.
The ergonomically designed hinge helps to lift the keyboard to a more comfortable angle for typing. You will also notice your keyboard rarely overheats and you have a better sound experience.
The biggest downfall is the storage. With only 4GB RAM storage you may have to source someone who is able to access another 4GB of storage. Or purchase a microSD card to hold more files.
The Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is an incredible piece of hardware that is perfect for nursing students.
Whether you are typing up a report, doing extensive research, or taking notes in class, the Acer Aspire 5 is there to get you through.
Pros
- Turbo Boost Technology. With 4.1GHz you can stream, download, edit, and game to your hearts content.
- Keyboard. The ergonomically designed hinge lifts the keyboard to provide a more comfortable angle for typing. It also helps keep the inside of your laptop cool and provides a better sound system.
- Price. A high-quality device for an affordable price.
Cons
- Storage. With only 4BG RAM you may have to use a separate microSD card to keep all of your files safe.
5. ASUS Chromebook C223
If you prefer to work with Google apps and software then you will love the ASUS Chromebook C223. This compact laptop will keep everything connected. Download and log in to all of your favorite apps to have all of your information in sync.
As a nursing student you will find yourself staring at a laptop screen more often than not. It can be extremely damaging to your eyes and cause headaches.
That’s where the brilliant Anti-Glare Display Technology comes in. Meaning you can work for longer without tiring out your eyes.
The 180 degree hinge allows you to find the best working angle for you without straining your neck or back.
Not to mention the spill-resistant keyboards come in handy during those exhausting, coffee fueled nights at the library.
The ASUS Chromebook C223 has been designed with students in mind. Durable, reliable, fast, this laptop will serve you well during your time as a student nurse and into your career.
Pros
- Anti Glare Display. No longer will your retinas burn from the bright light of your laptop screen with the Anti Glare Display Technology,
- 180 Degree Hinge. Rotate your screen to find the perfect angle for you without straining your neck and back.
- Spill-Resistant Keyboard. Water, coffee, and soda resistant this laptop is perfect for surviving the trials of college study nights.
- Price. Super affordable while still remaining high quality.
Cons
- Storage. With only 4GB RAM there may not be enough storage space for all of your files.
Buyers Guide
Before you go off and purchase your laptop that you want to last until you at last make it out of college as a qualified nurse, there are a few factors you must consider.
Below is a simple buyer’s guide that includes everything you need to consider when purchasing a laptop for nursing school.
Weight
When traveling to and from classes, clinicals, exams and the everyday life of being a student nurse, you will need to have your laptop in your bag.
You don’t want to be carrying a laptop that is big and bulky. That will just take up unnecessary room and cause unnecessary pain on your back and shoulders.
Your laptop should be no more than 3.5lbs. However, there are many options on the market that are below 2lbs. Making it easy to slip into your bag and carry around from day to day.
You want your laptop to be slim, lightweight and compact enough that it will fit in your tote bag, backpack or purse to carry to class.
Display
You want a laptop with a minimum of a 13″ screen with FHD resolution. You will have adequate workspace thanks to these two characteristics to run many windows side by side at once.
This guarantees that you have ample room to read, compose, and take several notes without having to constantly scroll down.
While there is nothing wrong with hand writing your notes with a traditional pen and paper, it is important to note that your lecture slides will be provided digitally.
You want to be able to have your slides and your note taking document open.
Otherwise you may miss vital information that could cost you marks in your finals.
Storage & RAM
When it comes to storage, capacity is not an issue. Especially if you are only using your laptop for assignments and streaming. However, gamers may need some more storage.
You want to ensure that your laptop is fitted with an SSD which if it has been produced after 2015, that should not be an issue. But it is better to always double check as SSD makes all of the difference when it comes to speed and loading times.
In terms of RAM, you are going to need at least 8GB. If you buy 4GB, you’ll only have less than 1GB of memory for apps to load and run because Windows 10 requires about 3.1GB.
8GB RAM is the most suitable amount of RAM once you account for the multiple web browsing tabs you are going to need open when studying.
Operating System
You may think that whatever operating system your laptop comes with will work fine throughout your school career. This is not the case.
As a nursing student you will have to use varying software, including ExamSoft. This software may not be compatible with the operating system and cause you to run into more issues throughout the years.
While there is the saving grace that if your laptop does not support the required software then you will be provided another, no one wants to take an important exam on a different laptop.
You will find that Chromebooks have more issues when it comes to compatibility with software as Chrome OS can only support its own operating system. Whereas MacBooks can support both OSX and Windows.
Ensure your laptop’s operating system can support the software you will need throughout your degree.
Battery
One of the most important aspects of a laptop is the battery life. Whether you are a nursing student or simply need a laptop, you don’t want to have to have it constantly on charge.
Ensure your laptop has at least 10 hours of battery life. This will ensure if you spend the day studying at a cafe, the library or you simply forget your charging wire, you don’t have to worry about your laptop dying.
Many laptops now come with a fast charge wiring that will provide you with 60% of charge within 50 minutes of charging. Perfect if you are out and about and need a quick boost to finish off an assignment.
Additional Features
While a laptop that completes the most basic of features may be enough to get you through college, additional features never hurt.
Recently the surge of 2 in 1 laptops has taken over the market. These are laptops that can provide similar functions to a tablet.
For example, a stylus for sketching and writing notes. Detachable keyboards are also a popular feature which is great for when you want to use your laptop as a tablet.
Another incredible feature is the touch screen where you can opt to either use the mousepad provided or touch the screen to scroll, click buttons and adjust your screen size.
This is perfect for those who want to be more hands on with their device and have more control over the mouse.
Some laptops also have a 180-360 degrees hinge. This allows you to rotate the screen to a more comfortable position.
With 360 degree hinges you can completely rotate the screen to give a more tablet look or use it as a stand when streaming your favorite movies and TV shows.
Frequently Asked Questions
With so many options when it comes to a laptop for a nursing student, it can be difficult to differentiate between needs and wants.
We have answered some of the most commonly asked questions to ensure you select the right laptop for you.
Is A Laptop Necessary For Nursing Students?
While there is nothing wrong with doing things in a more traditional way, all of your assignments, lecture slides, exams and other materials will all be given to you digitally. This makes a laptop a necessity for nursing students.
How Much Storage Does A Nursing Student Need?
The bare minimum a student should think about is 8GB. 1TB standard drive or at least a 256 GB HD (SSD strongly recommended).
The storage requirements of Windows and Mac OS are roughly 40GB, and it has been discovered that students amass 50–100GB of course-related materials.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a freshman entering their first year of nursing school or are entering your senior year, a decent laptop that can work with you is a must.
Above are 5 of the best laptops for nursing students for you to choose from. Simply have a look, ensure it meets your needs and purchase!
Perfect for note taking and late night study sessions, your laptop is there to make your time as a nursing student simple.