5 Best Laptops For Nursing Students (2026 Curriculum)
Before you buy the best laptop for nursing school, let’s talk about how a laptop can make or break your experience:
1. Reports, capstone projects, and exams
- These come up every week.
- You’ll be staring at your screen for hours every day.
Bottom line: Get a laptop with a good display for those long study sessions.
2. Lectures: short but packed with information
- Lectures are packed with information that WILL show up on exams.
- Taking good notes is not optional—it’s absolutely critical.
Bottom line: You need a responsive keyboard for fast, comfortable typing.
3. Bonus: Audio recording
- Let’s be real: you won’t get everything down on paper.
- Recording clear audio and syncing it with your slides can be a game-changer.
Bottom line: Look for a laptop with a good built-in microphone.
4. Clinicals
- These happen in different buildings, often between lectures.
- Translation: you’ll be moving around campus all day.
Bottom line: Get a portable laptop with long battery life.
Now, about the type of laptop you need: If budget is not a problem, it comes down to either a Surface Pro (preferably a Surface Pro 7 or newer) or a MacBook Air (preferably an M1 model or newer). More details later.
So, basically, you’ve got two solid options:
- 2-in-1 device:
- Think iPad Pro-style flexibility, but with Windows 11.
- Use a stylus for handwritten notes—especially useful for diagrams.
- Ultrabook:
- Lightweight, powerful, and usually more affordable than a premium 2-in-1.
Both usually have high-quality displays and are light enough to carry around all day.
BUT…
If those sound too expensive, don’t worry. We’ve also included budget-friendly alternatives that get the job done without draining your wallet.
Best Laptop Specs for Nursing School
Let’s talk about the specs you should look for in a nursing school laptop.
Why? Because if you can’t find one of the models we recommend, either because of your budget or availability in your region, you may have to find something on your own.
If you’re in the US, you’re in luck—these laptops should be easy to find.
Quick Specs Breakdown
Weight: 3 lbs
This is the most important feature. Why? Because you’re going to need your laptop everywhere—clinical rotations, lectures, off-campus study sessions, or even while studying on the go.
- Why 3 lbs?
Anything heavier starts to feel like a brick after carrying it around all day. If you want your laptop to feel as light as a notebook, stick to 3 lbs or less. Going up to 3.5 lbs is okay, but don’t push it much further.
Battery: 8–10 hours
What’s the point of a lightweight laptop if it dies halfway through the day?
For all-day use on a single charge, look for a laptop that delivers at least 8–10 hours of real-world battery life.
- Ultrabooks and 2-in-1 devices usually meet this standard.
- If you’re buying refurbished, battery life may drop to around 6 hours over time, so plan accordingly.
Display: FHD (1920×1080) minimum
It’s not just about screen size—it’s also about resolution. A higher resolution gives you more visible workspace, making it easier to manage multiple windows side by side.
- QHD is ideal and much more common in 2026, but FHD (1920×1080) is still the minimum.
- HD+ resolution (1600×900) is usable if you’re on a very tight budget, but it feels cramped for side-by-side windows.
Refurbished M1 MacBook Airs from 2020 are now the better budget option. They have much better battery life and display quality than the old 11-inch MacBook Air models, which are no longer a good buy in 2026.
CPU: Core i3 or Ryzen 3 minimum
CPU power isn’t a major concern unless you’re buying something very old.
- For note-taking, lecture recording, and even running 3D medical animations, a recent Core i3 or Ryzen 3 will do just fine.
- There’s no need to spend extra on a high-end CPU unless you plan to run unusually demanding software.
RAM: 8GB minimum
This is what keeps your laptop feeling fast while multitasking.
- 8GB is the minimum for acceptable performance on Windows 11, although 16GB is the better long-term choice.
- Windows and background services already use several gigabytes of memory, so you’ll need the remaining RAM for browsers, nursing software, and other apps.
Storage: 256GB SSD
Storage size isn’t a major concern for nursing school, but storage speed is.
- Always choose an SSD (solid-state drive) if you’re buying refurbished or used. If the laptop doesn’t have one, upgrade it as soon as possible.
- 256GB is enough for PDFs, lecture videos, and nursing files. Even 128GB can work if you’re disciplined about managing storage.
Top 5 Best Laptops For Nursing School
Let’s start with two of the most popular devices for nursing students:
- The Surface Pro – a versatile 2-in-1 laptop.
- The MacBook Air – a lightweight ultrabook with excellent battery life.
Both are excellent options, but they’re also expensive.
For those on a tighter budget:
- Laptop #3: The most affordable high-quality ultrabook on the list and a great alternative to the MacBook Air.
- Laptops #4 and #5: Budget-friendly options that trade some portability and display quality for a lower price.
1. Microsoft Surface Pro (2026)
Best 2-in-1 Laptop For Nursing
Snapdragon X2 Elite Processor
16GB RAM
Qualcomm Adreno Graphics
1TB SSD
13” OLED Touchscreen Display
Lightweight
Long battery life
The 2026 Surface Pro is being featured mainly to keep this guide updated and for those who have an unlimited budget. It is NOT your only option. Older Surface Pro models provide the exact same basic note-taking, stylus, detachable keyboard and Windows experience for as little as one-third of the price. We’ll discuss those cheaper options throughout this review.
Design
Not much has changed in the Surface Pro’s overall design—it’s still the ultimate 2-in-1 device, perfect for note-taking, sketching and multitasking. The 2026 Surface Pro continues to refine this formula with a lightweight build, a detachable keyboard and excellent stylus support.
If the 2026 Surface Pro feels out of reach price-wise, the Surface Pro 11, Surface Pro 10 and older models like the Pro 9 and Pro 8 are still amazing options. For taking notes, reading medical PDFs and attending online classes, the basic experience is nearly identical.
What’s New with the 2026 Surface Pro?
The 2026 Surface Pro uses the newer Snapdragon X2 Elite processor. This chip is extremely efficient, offering long battery life and more performance than nursing students need for notes, Office, web browsing, Zoom and other everyday tasks. However, its ARM-based design can still run into software compatibility issues with applications that are not properly optimized for Windows on ARM.
For example:
- Apps like OneNote, Office and Zoom should run without problems.
- Some niche applications, older software, specialized drivers and nursing-specific tools may need emulation or may not work properly.
Should You Get an Older Surface Pro Instead?
If you want the safest compatibility with older Windows software, a Surface Pro with an Intel Core processor, such as the Surface Pro 10, 9 or 8, may be the better choice. These models handle normal nursing tasks without compatibility concerns.
The additional CPU power of the 2026 Surface Pro will not make a meaningful difference when writing notes, reading textbooks, using Office or attending online classes. Unless money is not an issue, an older model is usually the smarter purchase.
Taking Notes: Still the Best in the Game
Writing on the Surface Pro feels like using a physical notebook, thanks to the touchscreen and stylus. Whether you’re sketching diagrams, writing equations or jotting down notes during lectures, it’s seamless.
And yeah, there’s a learning curve—it takes about a week to get used to all the features. But once you do, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without it.
Laptop Mode
The detachable keyboard is still a must-have, so budget for it. Whether you’re typing reports or taking notes in real time, the keyboard transforms the Surface Pro into a full-fledged laptop. Just keep in mind that it can feel slightly wobbly on soft surfaces like your lap.
Display: 13-inch OLED Touchscreen
The 2026 Surface Pro has a 13-inch OLED touchscreen display. It’s sharp, vibrant and perfect for viewing detailed histology images or reading dense medical PDFs.
However, the older PixelSense displays found on the Surface Pro 8, 9, 10 and 11 are also excellent. The OLED panel looks better, but it does not significantly change the basic nursing-school experience.
Surface Pro Prices & Generations
If the 2026 model isn’t your thing, older Surface Pro models are still excellent. Prices constantly change, so the table below focuses on how much you can generally save compared with buying the newest model.
| Model | Processor | Best For | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Pro (2026) | Snapdragon X2 Elite | Unlimited budgets | Full price |
| Surface Pro 11 | Snapdragon X Elite / X Plus | Battery life and portability | Lower than the latest model |
| Surface Pro 10 | Intel Core Ultra | Maximum software compatibility | Around one-half to two-thirds |
| Surface Pro 9 | 12th Gen Intel Core | Best overall value | Around one-half |
| Surface Pro 8 | 11th Gen Intel Core | Cheap note-taking setup | As low as one-third |
| Surface Pro 7 / 7+ | 10th / 11th Gen Intel Core | Lowest-cost basic experience | Around one-third |
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Surface Pro is an excellent device if you want the newest model, the OLED display and the longest possible useful lifespan—and you don’t mind paying full price. Just remember that its ARM processor may still present compatibility problems with older or niche software.
For most nursing students, an older Surface Pro is the better deal. A Surface Pro 8, 9 or 10 gives you the same basic note-taking, tablet and laptop experience for far less money, sometimes as little as one-third of the price.
No matter which model you pick, the Surface Pro lineup is still one of the best choices for nursing students, combining portability, performance and versatility like few other devices.
| Microsoft Surface Pro (2026) | |
| PROS | CONS |
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2. 2026 M5 MacBook Air
Best Mac Laptop for Nursing Students
Apple M5 Chip
16GB Unified Memory
Apple M5 Integrated GPU
512GB SSD
13.6” Liquid Retina Display
2.7 lbs
Up to 18 hours
Wi-Fi 7
Don’t wanna hear about older models?
Just know that hardware power doesn’t matter much here. For nursing school, it’s all about design, portability and ease of use. The M5 chip is much faster than nursing students need, so the superb battery life is the main reason to choose it over an older model.
The MacBook Air’s Design
MacBook Airs have been rocking a clean, portable design for years. While newer models have better battery life and displays, even older Apple Silicon models hold up extremely well. The point is: if you’re on a budget, an M1, M2, M3 or M4 model will still get the job done.
Weight & Thinness
Let’s talk portability. Most MacBook Airs are crazy lightweight, and even the older ones are still slim by today’s standards. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| MacBook Air | Price | Weight (lbs) | Thinness (in) | Display Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $250-$290 | 2.69 | 0.68 | 13” |
| 2017 | $250-$290 | 2.96 | 0.68 | 13” |
| 2018 | $400-$500 | 2.75 | 0.61 | 13” |
| 2019 | $450-$550 | 2.75 | 0.61 | 13” |
| 2020 (M1) | $500-$700 | 2.8 | 0.63 | 13.3” |
| 2022 (M2) | $700+ | 2.7 | 0.44 | 13.6” |
| 2026 (M5) | Latest / full price | 2.7 | 0.44 | 13.6” |
The 2026 M5 MacBook Air is thin as hell. At just 0.44 inches and around 2.7 lbs, it’s perfect for nursing school if you can swing the price tag. However, the M2, M3 and M4 models have nearly the same size and weight.
Display
Screen resolutions vary depending on the model. Older ones are okay, but if you’re dealing with digital pathology or histology images, the Retina displays found on newer models are way better.
| MacBook Air | Size | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 13.3” | 1440 x 900 (HD+) |
| 2017 | 13.3” | 1440 x 900 (HD+) |
| 2018 | 13.3” | 2560 x 1600 (Retina) |
| 2019 | 13.3” | 2560 x 1600 (Retina) |
| 2020 (M1) | 13.3” | 2560 x 1600 (Retina) |
| 2022 (M2) | 13.6” | 2560 x 1664 (Liquid Retina) |
| 2026 (M5) | 13.6” | 2560 x 1664 (Liquid Retina) |
If you can live with a slightly older design, the M1 MacBook Air will save you a ton of cash. The M2, M3 and M4 models give you nearly the same 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display as the M5, so display quality alone is not a good reason to pay full price for the newest model.
Battery Life
Battery life is solid across all models, but this is the one area where choosing the newest MacBook Air makes the most sense. Here’s the rundown:
| MacBook Air | Advertised | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 12 hours | 9–10 hours |
| 2017 | 12 hours | 8–10 hours |
| 2018 | 12 hours | 10–12 hours |
| 2019 | 12 hours | 9–12 hours |
| 2020 (M1) | 18 hours | 14–16 hours |
| 2022 (M2) | 18 hours | 15 hours |
| 2026 (M5) | Up to 18 hours | Excellent all-day battery |
Older models might have reduced battery life because, well, they’re older. If you buy refurbished, check the battery condition because it may not have been replaced.
macOS: Nursing School Software
MacBooks are killer for nursing school, but you might run into a few hiccups with certain software. Most mainstream apps like Microsoft Office, Zoom and Google Chrome are no problem.
The catch? Some nursing-school programs, including exam software and 3D simulations, might not play nicely with macOS. This is the main thing to check when deciding between a MacBook and a Windows laptop for college. But don’t panic:
- Intel MacBooks: Use Boot Camp to install Windows and dual-boot your system.
- M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5 MacBooks: Use Parallels to run Windows in a virtual machine.
Compatibility issues are rare with mainstream software these days, but it’s always a good idea to double-check with your school.
CPU & Hardware
MacBooks have always been stupid fast, especially since Apple introduced its own chips. The M5 chip takes performance even further, but honestly? For nursing school, even an M1 MacBook Air with 8GB RAM will get the job done. You will not notice a meaningful difference between the M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5 when taking notes, browsing the web or running Office.
| 2026 M5 MacBook Air | |
| PROS | CONS |
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3. ASUS ZenBook 14X OLED
Best Windows Laptop For Nursing Students
Intel Core i5-13500H
8GB DDR5 RAM
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
512GB PCIe SSD
14.5” 2.8K OLED 120Hz Touchscreen
3.44 lbs
Around 10 hours
If you’re hunting for a MacBook Air alternative that runs Windows, this ASUS ZenBook 14X is one of the best choices. I’m going back to this slightly older model because it costs around $750 and still gives you the lightweight design, fast performance and 2.8K OLED touchscreen that make the ZenBook series worth buying.
The latest ZenBook models include Core Ultra 7 configurations and expensive dual-screen versions. Although they are faster, that extra CPU power is unnecessary for nursing school. Many newer listings also use lower-resolution FHD+ displays, while this older model keeps the 2.8K resolution that is more useful for medical multitasking, high-resolution videos and detailed images.
Display & Design
The ZenBook lineup has a ton of options, from older $700–$800 models to $1000+ premium versions with Core Ultra 7 processors or dual screens. But let’s not overcomplicate things: stick to this ZenBook 14X unless you have a specific reason to pay more for the newest features.
Older vs. Newer ZenBook Models
| Model | Price | CPU | Display | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZenBook 14X OLED | $750 | Core i5-13500H | 14.5” 2.8K OLED 120Hz | Best value and higher resolution |
| Newer ZenBook Models | $1000+ | Core Ultra 7 | Often FHD+ or model-dependent | Latest features and unlimited budgets |
| ZenBook DUO | $1000+ | Core Ultra CPU | Dual-screen design | Specialized dual-screen workflow |
The ZenBook 14X has a 2.8K display that is sharper than the FHD+ panels found on many newer listings. It also costs around $250 less than a standard $1000 ZenBook.
That higher resolution gives you more room for windows side by side, less scrolling and a clearer view of notes, medical PDFs, videos and detailed images. This is where the difference between QHD and FHD resolutions can actually improve your nursing-school workflow.
The OLED touchscreen also gives you strong contrast, accurate colors and excellent viewing angles. For nursing students, this display is more useful than paying extra for a newer and unnecessarily powerful processor.
Battery Life
The ZenBook 14X gives you about 14 hours during video playback, but for mixed use such as typing, browsing and watching videos, expect around 10 hours. That is still solid for a normal school day.
Need even more battery life? Look for a lightweight ZenBook with a low-voltage Ryzen 5 or Core i5 processor and an FHD display. Those components consume less energy, but you’re trading away the sharper 2.8K screen.
Hardware
| Model | CPU | RAM | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZenBook 14X OLED | Core i5-13500H | 8GB DDR5 | 512GB |
| Newer ZenBook Models | Core Ultra 7 | Usually 16GB or more | Varies by configuration |
CPU Showdown
- The ZenBook 14X has the Core i5-13500H, which is already absolute overkill for nursing school. Unless you’re editing videos or doing 3D modeling on the side, you will not need more CPU power.
- Newer ZenBooks with Core Ultra 7 processors are faster, but the practical difference will not matter when running Office, Zoom, web browsers or nursing-school software. You can read more about how these processors compare in the laptop CPU comparison guide.
RAM & Storage
This model comes with a 512GB SSD, which is plenty for nursing-school files, notes and apps.
The ZenBook 14X has 8GB RAM, which is fine for most nursing students. Newer models commonly include more memory, but you do not need to spend hundreds of dollars more just to run normal nursing-school software.
What’s New in 2026?
- Core Ultra 7 processors are now common in premium ZenBooks, but they are not a game-changer for nursing-school tasks. The older Core i5-13500H is already more than fast enough.
- Dual-screen ZenBooks provide more workspace, but they are considerably more expensive and unnecessary for most students.
- Many newer models do not include the same 2.8K display at this price. For medical multitasking and high-resolution videos or images, the older ZenBook 14X remains the better-value choice.
| ASUS ZenBook 14X OLED | |
| PROS | CONS |
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4. ASUS Vivobook Go 15
Best Budget Laptop for Nursing School
AMD Ryzen 5 7520U
8GB RAM
AMD Radeon 610M Graphics
512GB SSD
15.6” FHD Display
Slim design
Fast charging
Webcam shield
Alright, we’re finally diving into the budget category. These next two laptops are well under $500, and while you’ll have to compromise on some features, the essentials—portability, keyboard quality and RAM—are all intact.
Design
This laptop’s a bit thicker than the ultrabooks we talked about earlier. But honestly? The difference between a slim budget laptop and a premium ultrabook isn’t something you’re going to notice during normal use.
It’s slightly larger than the sleeker 14-inch laptops discussed earlier. But remember—this is a 15.6-inch machine, so you’re getting more screen space while keeping a slim enough design to carry between classes.
What makes this laptop stand out among budget options? It’s portable and functional—rare for something under $500. The webcam shield and military-grade durability are also useful if you plan to carry it between classes every day.
Display: FHD (1920×1080)
Budget laptops often skimp on the display to cram in newer hardware, so FHD resolution is not always guaranteed in this price range. A lot of cheap laptops drop to HD (1366×768) to cut costs, which makes everything look pixelated and cramped. Not here, though. This model sticks with FHD, and that’s a huge win if you plan to use it for extended periods—less scrolling, sharper text and an overall better experience. You can see why this matters in the FHD vs. higher-resolution laptop display comparison.
If you can’t find this exact model, be careful when shopping for others. You might find something cheaper with similar specs, but odds are it’ll come with a subpar display.
Hardware
Here’s the deal: When you’re shopping for laptops under $500, you’re typically looking at Core i3 or Ryzen 3 CPUs. Occasionally, you’ll find a Ryzen 5 model like this one, which gives you a little more multitasking power without pushing the price into premium-laptop territory.
Why Ryzen 5?
- More multitasking power: The Ryzen 5 7520U has enough performance for school tasks, web browsing, video calls and several applications running at once.
- Good efficiency: It is still a low-power laptop processor, so you get extra performance without the heavy power consumption of an H-series CPU.
What’s Under the Hood?
This laptop features a Ryzen 5 7520U, which is an efficient budget processor. With this CPU, you’re getting:
- Good battery efficiency: Lower power consumption compared with higher-performance H-series Ryzen 5 or Core i5 CPUs.
- Smooth multitasking: It’s fast enough for everyday schoolwork, Zoom and even some light creative tasks, such as basic photo edits or presentations.
Battery Life
Thanks to the efficient Ryzen 5 7520U, this laptop is well suited for typical student tasks. Exact battery life will vary depending on brightness and workload, but the fast-charging support makes it easier to top up the battery between classes.
| ASUS Vivobook Go 15 | |
| PROS | CONS |
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5. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15AMN7
Best Cheap Laptop For Nursing Students
AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
8GB RAM
AMD Radeon 610M Graphics
256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
15.6” Display
Portable design
Efficient Ryzen processor
Wi-Fi 6
This is one of the cheapest laptops on the list, and honestly, it’s one of the most affordable renewed laptops you’ll find that can run Windows 11 comfortably without forcing you to settle for 4GB of RAM or a painfully slow processor.
Hardware: CPU, RAM, and Battery
This thing packs a Ryzen 3 7320U and 8GB of RAM at a very low price. That’s still rare among the cheapest Windows laptops. Many machines in this price range use slower processors or include just 4GB of RAM, which barely gets the job done.
Yeah, it comes with Windows 11 Home in S Mode, a restricted version of Windows that only allows apps from the Microsoft Store. Switching to the full version of Windows 11 Home is free and easy. Open the Microsoft Store, find the option to switch out of S Mode and follow the instructions.
Because of the Ryzen 3 processor and 8GB RAM, this laptop will handle the full version of Windows 11 smoothly. The processor is efficient enough for light to moderate use, including web browsing, online classes, Office and nursing-school applications. For a closer look at this performance class, check the Core i3 and Ryzen 3 laptop CPU comparison.
Other Laptops Under $350
Most laptops at this price point only come with 4GB RAM and older CPUs. Sure, those machines technically run Windows, but they’ll crawl once you start opening several browser tabs and applications. The Lenovo IdeaPad 1, on the other hand, is good to go right out of the box for basic nursing-school work.
Just remember that this is a renewed laptop. Check the seller’s return policy, warranty and listed condition before buying. The low price is attractive, but the condition can vary more than it would with a brand-new model.
Display and Design
The 15.6-inch display gives you enough room for documents, browser windows and online classes. However, IdeaPad 1 configurations can use different display panels, so check the exact listing and prioritize an FHD (1920×1080) version whenever possible. Cheap HD displays look more pixelated and cramped, especially when reading long documents or working with multiple windows.
This isn’t a premium ultrabook, but it’s still portable enough for daily school use. The fingerprint reader is also a nice bonus at this price, letting you sign in quickly without typing your password every time.
If you’re okay with buying renewed, this laptop is a solid deal. But if you’re looking for a sharper display, lighter construction or better build quality, save up for an ASUS ZenBook or check out a refurbished MacBook Air.
| Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15AMN7 | |
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How To Choose A Laptop For Nursing School
Use this section to buy a laptop on your own in case all of the models or the alternatives in the preceeding section are no longer available or just not available in your region.
The Nursing Program
It’s always wise to check your department’s website and what they have to say about computers. There could be a windows requirement as some of the software they use only runs on Windows or they may even have a partnership with some laptop brands that can get you discounts for laptops.
Laptop Requirement and Other Devices
There may also be a requirement to bring a handheld device like a tablet because classes will perhaps be tailored for the student participation through the use or tablet or some apps used during lectures may be required too. Clinicals are most likely the place where apps and tablets become almost a requirement as access to records and clinical information is much efficient to use through tablets.
Operating System
This is probably your #1 concern: check IF Windows is a requirement. Fail to do this and you will face compatibility issues with software that may be run during class or even during exams. Now, if you buy a MacBook, the issue can be fixed by installing windows (even the latest macbooks support windows) so its more of an issue for laptops with Windows in S mode & Chrome OS.
Exam software : a good example of this is ExamSoft. Only compatible with Mac OSX and Windows and not Chrome OS. If they use another software and it doesnt run on your laptop , don’t panic they always have extra laptops for this situations.
Review courses: some NCLEX review courses apps and programs only run on Windows too.
Software Used in Nursing School
Some of these are going to be obvious but they are listed here for the sake of completeness.
- Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, Excel, etc)
- Adobe Reader (for lecture notes, homework assignments, etc)
- Flash, Shockwave,Java,QuickTime (To run videos, quick animations, instructional videos,podcasts, etc)
Some obscure apps to you right now (these are examples, alternatives may be used depending on your school):
- Typhon clinical logs (track patients data during Clinicals)
- Lexicomp (a library of medication information)
- Epocrates (all encompassing reference)
Virtually every laptop can not only run all of the software above fast but also let you open all of them at the same time and just as fast any ‘fast’ and ‘expensive’ laptop. In fact, even tablets, can run all of the software above with ZERO issues (if they are compatible with tablets of course, the first three apps can all run on tablets though while the latter three may be accessed through web apps).
Note Taking
Before we go over the computer specs, its important you’re aware WHERE exactly a tablet or a laptop will come in handy:
- Record a lecture
- Take notes on top of the slides (Type it if laptop or writte it if tablet)
- Attach audio clips on top of slides (both laptop and tablets have microphones).
Doing any of the above may sound too extreme but most nursing students do that anyway, after a few weeks you’ll realize how important it is to extract as much information as possible out of a lecture to avoid wasting time reading extra dozens of pages off a textbook. Remember the lecture has been prepared so you can get the most important details, that along with the homework, is what will show up on tests.
Recommended Specs
Since you’re only using this laptop for study purposes , hardware is not an issue. Instead, it is better to focus on ergonomics.
A) Weight
Number one feature to look after and the feature you should spend most of your budget on is weight.
3lbs and under: Laptops with this much weight are SO easy to carry you are likely to bring it EVERYWHERE with you and that’s a good thing in terms of productivity.
These laptops also easily fit in a back because they are very very thing.
Only laptops under 13” will have this much weight. Unfortunately, they are very very expensive to manufacture. You can find them as low as 700 dollars on a good day. Im talking about Windows laptops, chromebooks may be cheaper but they dont support a lot of the software we talked about.
3lb-3.5lb: This is still somewhat portable but it’s still going to be expensive. They’ll be either ultrabooks with too much power or high quality laptops (MacBooks).
3.5lb-4lb: best weight you can hope for a cheap laptop (350-450 dollars). Anything higher than 4lb is too heavy to carry.
Q: Is there a lightweight laptop for less than 300 dollars?
There are two options:
- ChromeBook: the only problem you’ll have is examsoft or software similar to examsoft not being compatible.
- MacBook Air (old): there are no compatibility issues. This would be the best solution. The laptop will be refurbished (pre-2017 models) but it will still last just as long, if not longer, than your average brad new windows laptop.
2. Battery Life
You want a battery life that’s got at least 8 hours, this is enough to last you a full school day with a single charge (assuming you don’t run any heavy apps unrelated to school).
Here’s a few things to know about laptops and their batteries:
- Ultrabooks (3lb thin laptops) can output at least around 10 hours. Ex: MacBook Air, ZenBook, Dell XPS.
- Core i5 and Ryzen 5 laptops (450-600 dollars) will output 7 hours.
- Core i3 and Ryzen 3 laptops (350-450) will output 8 hours.
- Laptops with higher than FHD resolution (QHD) will output 1-2 hours less.
- Laptops with HD or HD+ resolutions will output +1 or 2 extra hours
- Any laptop with a dedicated GPU (gaming) will only output 3 hours tops.
- All Chromebooks will have +10 hours of battery.
- Newest MacBooks will have 13-15 hours
3. Display
You want to get as much screen area as possible out of a display. Why? Well it’s not a MUST but if you have a high budget, it is much better to spend money here rather than on hardware you’ll never put to good use. A bigger screenarea means more stuff you can simultaneously have on your screen (notes, videos…etc) without having to ALT+TAB between applications.
Because getting a bigger display means getting a bigger and heavier laptop that means you don’t want to increase the size of the display to achieve this.
Resolution
What you want to do is increase the resolution. Increasing resolution means having more pixels and when you have more pixels your computer can render more stuff in the screen (think of pixels as if they were buckets of paint).
Thus you want the highest resolution you can afford.
HD+: This is low resolution (900p) you’ll find on this on budget machines mostly 350-450 laptops and also on the old macbook air. It’s not something to avoid though, you can still work with two windows side by side but theres not going to be a lot of space for each.
FHD: This is the ideal resolution to work with two windows next to each other and still have plenty of space on each side. It’s also the ideal resolution for histology questions.
QHD: This resolution is much higher than FHD and only becomes useful if you want to have 3 windows open simultaneously. It’s obviously super useful but can make a laptop very expensive. If you’re doing clinicals it also becomes a little extra you can use for accurate diagnosis is resolution and this is good resolution to get accurate histology diagnosis.
B) Performance
Truth be told, most laptops out there (about 95%) even those around 300 dollars will have all the performance you need and this section becomes pretty much useless if you have a high budget (+400 dollars).
However…
If your budget is under 350 dollars or around that, chances are , you may come across laptops with hardware (mostly RAM) that will not be sufficient to run Windows 11 or Windows 10 Home fast enough for you to be productive (in other words: lag when multitasking). So this is what this section will be about, otherwise you can ignore it and call it a day.
1. CPU
Windows 10 or Windows 11 Home will run fast with modern (Intel Core or Ryzen) CPUs. A good sample list is shown below but it’s not necessarily complete:
| CPU | Base | Turbo | Cores |
| i3 8130U | 2.2 | 3.4 | 2 |
| i3 8145U | 2.1 | 3.9 | 2 |
| i3 10050G1 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 2 |
| i3 10100U | 2.1 | 4.1 | 2 |
| i3-1115G4 | 3 | 4.1 | 2 |
| i3 1215U | 3.3 | 4.4 | 6 |
| i3 1315U | 3.3 | 4.5 | 6 |
| i5 8265U | 1.6 | 4.9 | 4 |
| i5 8250U | 1.6 | 3.4 | 4 |
| i5 1115G4 | 2.4 | 4.2 | 4 |
| i5 8300H | 2.3 | 4 | 4 |
| i7 8550U | 1.8 | 4 | 4 |
| i5 1235U | 3.3 | 4.4 | 10 |
| i7 1165G7 | 2.8 | 4.7 | 4 |
| i5 1240P | 3.3 | 4.4 | 12 |
| i7 1260P | 3.4 | 4.7 | 12 |
| CPU | Base (GHz) | Turbo (GHz) | Cores(#) |
| Ryzen 7 5700U | 1.8 | 4.3 | 8 |
| Ryzen 7 5800U | 1.9 | 4.4 | 8 |
| Ryzen 5 7520U | 2.8 | 4.3 | 4 |
| Ryzen 5 5500U | 2.1 | 4.4 | 6 |
| Ryzen 5 3500U | 2.1 | 3.7 | 4 |
| Ryzen 3 7320U | 3.4 | 4.1 | 4 |
| Ryzen 3 5300U | 2.6 | 3.8 | 8 |
| Ryzen 3 3300U | 2.1 | 3.5 | 4 |
Note that we are in the 13th generation of Intel CPUs & 7th generation of Ryzen CPUs. If you want to know the truth, you’ll see no difference in performance (for school purposes) between the older generations and newest ones.
Which CPU to choose?
You can choose the CPUs above or similar (the numbers may be different) or use the following tips to rule out “slow and outdated” CPUs:
- Intel Celeron & Intel Pentium
- Intel Core with Y or M letters somewhere. Ex: Intel Core m3 8100Y is no good where as Intel Core i3 8100U is good.
- Any AMD CPU that doesn’t have the word Ryzen. Ex: AMD A4-4300M
- Tablet CPUs: MediaTek & Atom CPUs
- Lastly, Intel Core CPUs from the 7th generation and below. Ex: Core i5 10210U is a 10th gen where as Core i5 6100U is 6th gen.
If you discard all CPUs with the rules outlined above, you’ll be left with the list of CPUs I’ve listed in the table above.
Core i7 and Ryzen 7
These are too fast and consume too much energy plus they are too expensive. You don’t want them UNLESS you’ve found a laptop that’s portable and has all the extra cool features at a good price.
The fastest CPUs you should go for are the Core i5 and Ryzen 5 (any generation in the table) or the Core i3 and Ryzen 3 (the latest 11th and 6th).
Chrome OS & Windows in S
Laptops that come with these operating systems can run on pretty much any CPU even those I told you to avoid but again nursing school software (at least one or two) will not run on these laptops due to compatibility issues. If you can find a way to use those software on another machine (perhaps a desktop or borrow a laptop for a few ocassions) why not? All power to you!
2. RAM
This becomes more crucial than CPU. You may make up for the lack of CPU power if you have enough RAM and a few other things in check(we’l talk about it later).
The amount of RAM you need will be correlated to what operating sytem you use and how many apps you run simultaneously.
4GB RAM: If we are talking about Windows 10 or 11 Home or Professional, this is not enough. Those versions of Windows take most of it and that leaves you nothing for any extra stuff to run in the background. This is a good number for Windows in S mode and Mac OSX.
8GB RAM: Bare minimum you want for Windows Home whether it’s 10 o 11.
2GB RAM: Only good for Chrome OS.
Upgrading
If you’re on a budget and can only afford a 4GB RAM laptop like the 300 dollar Acer Aspire 5, don’t panick. This is still a good move because you can upgrade RAM up to 16GB on most laptops ON YOUR OWN. I have a tutorial on how to upgrade RAM here but you can just take it to the IT department of your school and they will do it for you. The only laptops that cannot be upgraded are the following:
- Any thin laptop (ultrabooks, basically those 700-900 dollar laptops that weigh approx 3lbs)
- ChromeBooks (most chromebooks are not upgradeable but you don’t need to upgrade them anyways).
- 11 inch laptops are not upgradeable. That means you can’t install an additional 4GB RAM. I would just stay away from 11 inch laptops unless they’re one of those premium ultrabooks like the Surface Go. Virtually all of them will run Windows 10 slow.
3. Storage
When you have a low budget (less than 250 dollars), you will come across HDDs (Hard Disk Drives). If you’re building a desktop, you’ll also come across HDDs.
To make it short and sweet:
SSD stands for solid state drive and that makes a huge difference in the overall speed of your computer, in other words:
- SSDs will boot up your machine in split seconds
- Launch software in ia flash
- Find particular words throughout the computer (and look inside docs too) instantly
- Slightly longer battery
There are many types of Solid State Drives, usually by the name of PCIe NVMe, SATA III or they may have ‘extra lanes’ (Up to 4) . You can forget about all that confusing stuff, as long as that laptop says SSD (Solid State Drive) you are good.
Size
As for the size, it doesn’t matter, 128GB is plenty for all the textbooks, videos and pdf files you’ll store in a span of 10 years. Most laptops have twice that : 256GB!
4. GPU (Graphics Card)
You don’t need to worry about graphics card for whatever task you have in mind.
X-ray images or any high resolution image out of CD or USB drive or during an exam will be crystal clear regardless of what graphics card you have.
All laptops have graphics cards by default.
The one most laptops have by default is integrated and this is fine for pretty much everything even 3D gaming. Just ignore this piece of hardware.
C) Tablets & 2 in 1 Laptops
This is an important topic because 2 in 1 laptops , iPads and tablets are replacing tradditional laptops for nursing and the medical industry. I’ll just leave the details to the video down below. Watch all of it , if you’re really serious about 2 in 1 devices (those you take notes through a touch pen) and if you have the budget (they are at least 800 dollars!).
Q: Do you recommend one?
Of course, they’re ultra portable cheap and can replace pretty much all of your school supplies. They’re also ideal to record lectures and write notes on top of slides and on top of that you can organize ALL of your documents nicely as if it were your own personal wiki. Read my review on the Surface Pro 9 above for more details.
But I still think you should also get a laptop….
Because. truth is when you’re writing reports , you can’t be nearly as productive with tablets as you would with a real computer that has a much bigger screen or that has a much better keyboard. NCLEX software doesn’t run on tablets either but it will run on 2-1 Laptops or any device that has Windows Home.
Comments?
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Author Profile
- I am physicist and electrical engineer. My knowledge in computer software and hardware stems for my years spent doing research in optics and photonics devices and running simulations through various programming languages. My goal was to work for the quantum computing research team at IBM but Im now working with Astrophysical Simulations through Python. Most of the science related posts are written by me, the rest have different authors but I edited the final versions to fit the site's format.
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