Last Updated on August 31, 2023
Embarking on a nursing journey involves clinical skills and a seamless blend of technology and academics. In today's fast-paced learning environment, having a reliable laptop is indispensable for nursing students. The tasks are endless, from running demanding medical software to researching clinical protocols and writing papers. However, budget constraints often add another challenge to finding that perfect device. That's why we have put together this comprehensive guide on the best affordable laptops for nursing students.
Comparison Table Chart for Best Affordable Laptops For Nursing Students
Find the quick list of the 10 best affordable laptops for nursing students. Perfect balance between performance, features, and cost.
| No | Product | Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop | 9.4 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | HP Chromebook 14 Laptop | 9.2 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 3 | HP Stream 14-Inch Laptop | 9.2 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 4 | Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14 Laptop | 9 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 5 | MOSISO USB Port Laptop Tote Bag for Women | 9 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 6 | ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop | 8.8 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 7 | H&P Notebook - Medical History and Physical Notebook | 8.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 8 | Lenovo Laptop Backpack B210 | 8.4 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 9 | Bookshelf | 8.4 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 10 | Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-36UT Slim Laptop - 15.6" Full HD Display - 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor - 4GB DDR4 - 128GB NVMe SSD - WiFi 6 - Amazon Alexa - Windows 10 Home (S mode) | 8.2 | Check Price on Amazon |
What to Look For in a Laptop as a Nursing Student
Hardware Specifications
- Processor: Opt for at least an Intel Core i5 or equivalent AMD Ryzen 5 processor.
- RAM: A minimum of 8GB RAM is recommended.
- Storage: SSD is preferable over HDD for quicker data retrieval.
- Battery Life: Aim for a laptop that offers at least 8 hours of battery life.
Software Requirements
- Operating System: Windows or macOS, depending on your program requirements.
- Medical Software Compatibility: Check if the laptop is compatible with software like EPIC, SimChart, and other EHR systems.
Durability and Portability
- Weight: A lightweight laptop would be more portable.
- Build: Opt for sturdy materials like aluminum over plastic.
- Warranty: Ensure it comes with a decent warranty period.
Top 10 Affordable Laptops For Nursing Students Reviews and Pick
1. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Dual Core Processor (Up to 3.5GHz); 4GB DDR4 Memory; 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- 6 inches full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED backlit IPS display; AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics.
- 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports & 1 HDMI port with HDCP support
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Backlit Keyboard; Up to 7.5 hours battery life
- Windows 10 in S mode. Maximum power supply wattage: 65 Watts
2. HP Chromebook 14 Laptop
- FOR HOME, WORK, & SCHOOL – With this laptop’s Intel processor, 14-inch display, stereo speakers tuned by the audio experts at B&O, and long battery life, you can knock out any assignment or binge-watch your favorite shows.
- HD DISPLAY, PORTABLE DESIGN – See every bit of detail on this 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) micro-edge display (1); easily take this thin and light laptop PC from room to room or on the road.
- ALL-DAY PERFORMANCE – Tackle your busiest days with the dual-core, Intel Celeron N4020—the perfect processor for performance, power consumption, and value (2).
- 4K READY – Smoothly stream 4K content and play your favorite next-gen games with Intel UHD Graphics 600 (3) (4).
- MEMORY AND STORAGE – Enjoy a boost to your system’s performance with 4 GB of RAM while saving more of your favorite memories with 32 GB of reliable flash-based eMMC storage (5).
- DESIGNED TO KEEP UP WITH YOU – Get everything on your to-do list done with up to 13 hours and 30 minutes of battery life (6); plus, HP Fast Charge technology charges your laptop computer from 0 to 50% in approximately 45 minutes, so you never miss a beat (7).
- CHROME OS AND WARRANTY – Redefine how you work and play with the always secure and up-to-date Chrome browser, giving you access to a huge selection of android apps in the Google Play Store (8).
- ROCK SOLID CONNECTIVITY – Experience powerful connectivity with the Wi-Fi 5 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.
- MULTI-TOUCH TOUCHPAD – Your device’s keyboard features a true multi-touch touchpad that supports four-finger gestures and lets you scroll, zoom, and navigate with a simple touch.
- SUSTAINABLE DESIGN – HP is committed to global citizenship and environmental responsibility—that’s why this Chromebook is ENERGY STAR certified (11) and EPEAT Silver registered (12).
3. HP Stream 14-Inch Laptop
- Laptop for work, school and play: With office 365 and 1 TB of cloud storage, this device combines functionality, connectivity, style, and value.
- Essential productivity: This nimble laptop delivers the essential productivity and entertainment you want for school or home, without slowing you down.
- Office 365 for one year: Get full access to Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access, and 1 TB of One Drive storage for 1 year.
- Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) N4000 processor, dual-core, 1.
- Display: 14-inch diagonal HD SVA bright view WLED-backlit display (1366 x 768)
- Memory: 4 GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM (not upgradable)
- Storage: 64 GB eMMC
- Battery life: Up to 14 hours and 15 minutes (video playback), up to 11 hours and 30 minutes (wireless streaming).
- Thin and light (unpackaged): 13.27 inches (W) x 8.90 inches (D) x 0.70 inch (H); 3.17 pounds
- Operating system and warranty: Windows 10 Home in S mode and 1-year limited hardware warranty
4. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14 Laptop
- This everyday laptop is powered by an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM, and 64 GB M.
- Enjoy videos or browse online on a 14″ HD display panel, framed by narrow bezels
- Dolby Audio delivers crystal-clear sound through the built-in dual stereo speakers
- Light and slim, this Windows 10 laptop computer (S mode) weighs just over 3 lbs and is less than 1 inch thick.
- WiFi 802.
5. MOSISO USB Port Laptop Tote Bag for Women
- Internal Dimensions: 18.
- Roomy enough with 2 compartments for all your daily stuff.
- Perfect for daily use, casual use and professional use too, convenient and comfortable.
- Durable sturdy flat PU handle with detachable wrapped pad for long time comfortably carrying.
- Compatible with HP 2019 Probook 470 G5 17.
6. ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop
- 15.6 inch Full HD (1920×1080) 4-way NanoEdge bezel display with a stunning 88% screen-to-body ratio
- Compatible with Google Classroom; run Google Classroom on Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer 11
- Latest 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 CPU (4M Cache, up to 3.4 GHz)
- 8 GB DDR4 RAM and 128 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- Ergonomic backlit keyboard with fingerprint sensor activated via Windows Hello
- Exclusive Ergolift design for an improved typing position
- Comprehensive connections including USB 3.
- Windows 10 in S mode exclusively runs apps from the Microsoft Store.
7. H&P Notebook – Medical History and Physical Notebook
- 100 complete H&P templates – Designed for medical students, by medical students.
- 2 Page View – Each template includes 2 pages that are oriented side by side for a convenient 2 page view.
- Quality Materials – Durable plastic cover, perforated pages and premium non-spiral wire bound
- Compact – Notebook measures 8.
- SAVE when you Buy in Bulk – Need more than one? Save money when you buy the 2 or 3 pack.
8. Lenovo Laptop Backpack B210
- Durable design: Laptop backpack features a durable, water-repellent snow yarn polyester fabric and streamlined design with a padded interior to protect your laptop, notebook and other important stuff.
- Comfortable fit: This compact backpack has a quilted back panel and fully adjustable shoulder straps making it comfortable for all day use, plus a quick access front zippered pocket for extra storage.
- Laptop backpack: Perfect for daily commuters, college students and all types of travelers; accommodates laptops up to 15.
- Convenient storage: In addition to the laptop compartment, there are separate pockets for mobile devices, business cards, and other daily tools in quick-access compartments.
9. Bookshelf
- Online or offline access to your textbooks
- Simple, user-friendly navigation offers learners the tools and flexibility to maximize the reading experience.
- Search across content, figures, and the workbook with our intuitive global search
- Edit, annotate, study, and review key concepts in the workbook.
- Best-in-class accessibility.
10. Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-36UT Slim Laptop - 15.6″ Full HD Display - 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor - 4GB DDR4 - 128GB NVMe SSD - WiFi 6 - Amazon Alexa - Windows 10 Home (S mode)
- Powerful Productivity: 11th Generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor delivers unmatched speed and intelligence, enabling impressive creating, productivity, and gaming experiences.
- Visibly Stunning: Experience sharp details and crisp colors on the 15.
- Ergonomic Typing: Ergonomically-designed hinge lifts the keyboard for comfortable typing, improved cooling, and a better sound experience.
- Internal Specifications: 4GB DDR4 on-board memory (1 slot available); 128GB NVMe solid-state drive storage (1 hard drive bay available) to store your files and media.
- Acer’s Purified.
- Using Alexa on your PC is as easy as asking a question.
- Secure Operating System: Windows 10 Home (S mode) comes with advanced security features built right in, like protections against phishing and malicious software so you don’t have to think twice when navigating to a new webpage or downloading an app.
- Ports For All Your Accessories: USB 3.
- What’s In the Box: Acer Aspire Laptop, AC Adapter, Power Cord
How Software Requirements Affect Your Laptop Choice
Medical Software Compatibility
When choosing a laptop, you must ensure that the software you'll be required to use in your coursework or clinicals is compatible with your machine. Programs like electronic health records (EHRs), diagnostic software, and simulation tools should run smoothly.
Virtual Learning
Due to the ongoing reliance on online classes and seminars, it's crucial to have a laptop that can handle video conferencing software like Zoom or Microsoft Teams without any hiccups.
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Importance of Screen Quality and Resolution
Screen Size and Resolution
A larger screen may offer a better viewing experience, especially for reviewing medical images or anatomy diagrams. However, this can also increase the laptop's weight. A full HD screen is generally recommended for clearer images and less strain on your eyes.
Screen Type
Anti-glare screens can reduce eye strain during long hours of study or work. Additionally, a touchscreen may add a layer of convenience for navigating through documents and applications.
Connectivity Options
Ports and Connectivity
A good laptop should have multiple USB ports, an HDMI port for presentations, and ideally a card reader. A robust Wi-Fi card is essential for a stable internet connection, and Bluetooth can help in connecting additional peripherals like a mouse or headphones.
Online Collaboration
For group studies and project collaboration, easy cloud storage access and multi-user software compatibility are key features to look for.
Battery Life and Why It's Crucial
Long Clinical Hours
Nursing students often have long clinical shifts. In these instances, you'd want a laptop with at least 8 to 10 hours of battery life to last through the day without recharging.
The Importance of Quick Charging
Some modern laptops offer quick charging features, enabling you to get several hours of usage from a short charge. It can be particularly beneficial during busy days.
Security Features to Consider
Biometric Security
Fingerprint or facial recognition adds an extra layer of security, which is essential when you're handling sensitive patient information.
Encryption
Ensure your laptop has the capability to encrypt files and data. This is crucial for protecting patient confidentiality and meeting healthcare data protection standards. For more information, you can read about file encryption.
Extended Warranties and Customer Support
The Value of an Extended Warranty
The initial cost might be high, but an extended warranty can protect against unforeseen malfunctions and repairs, offering peace of mind.
Quality Customer Support
Reliable, readily available customer support can save you time and hassle, especially when facing technical issues that need immediate resolution.
Extra Accessories to Consider
Laptop Sleeves or Bags
Protect your investment with a high-quality laptop sleeve or bag, especially if you'll be commuting to school or clinical.
External Hard Drives
For extra storage, consider getting an external hard drive. This can be useful for backups and for storing large medical databases.
Cooling Pads
Laptops can heat up during extended use. A cooling pad can help regulate temperature and improve performance.
Choosing a cost-effective laptop for nursing education necessitates a thorough evaluation considering various elements. Your specific needs and study setting will dictate the aspects you focus on, ranging from the software and display quality to the battery longevity, security measures, and additional guarantees. Considering these factors, you can opt for a laptop that comprehensively caters to your nursing learning needs.