Do I need a chromebook or laptop?

[Bigblackandreddog]

Starting university as a mature student and I need something to do work on. Can anyone explain the difference between a chrome book and a laptop please?

Can I get Microsoft word on a chrome book?

I don’t have a huge budget but I really need something that’s quick and will allow me to write essays and be simple to use for someone totally useless with tech.

Thanks in advance!

Depends exactly what you want to do on it. I know you said writng essays but what else, what about streaming movies or music or storage for photos etc etc, maybe zoom ? Be realistic of everything you want and work from that, including speed (for movies).

Then type in Google "chrombook versus laptop" for loads of useful links eg
www.cnet.com/tech/computing/chromebook-vs-laptop-whats-the-difference/

Thank you @Pixiedust1234

It would be used for essay writing, excel, watching YouTube videos probably, zoom lectures and maybe the odd game if my DC get their way!

Ideally I only wanted to spend £300 ish although that’s probably unrealistic!

I work in IT. I would recommend getting a decent budget laptop (Lenovo do a good range) and a personal MS365 subscription, which gives you access to the entire 365 productivity suite, cloud updates etc for about £50 a year.

Chromebooks are a bit of a triumph of style over substance.

[Recently retired University lecturer in Law]

Most students have either a Windows or Mac laptop. There are a few with IPad Pros but very few Chromebooks. While you won't have the needs of a student doing IT or a maths-heavy science, my rather limited experience of Chromebooks is that they aren't that good, particularly at the lower end. My Y13 daughter has one from school which she rarely touches, much preferring a low-powered Windows machine.

I don't think there's anything a Chromebook can do that a Windows or Mac machine can't, but the Windows and Mac ones can do much more. It is also possible to set up a Windows 10 or 11 machine so that it pretty much behaves as a quasi-Chromebook, though the process is a little technical.

You can often get good second-hand ex-corporate laptops on eBay etc, though prices have been rising recently.

I wouldn't invest in a personal Microsoft Office 365 subscription just yet as a lot of universities issue enterprise-class subscriptions to their students for 'free' as part of the package.

Personally I think (from my own research for DD collegework) chromebooks are only good for written things eg essays, emails, social media type stuff. Anything requiring a bit of umph such as streaming films or running a game a laptop is better.

Next step is to work out the RAM which is the working speed (think 1l versus a 5litre in cars, there's a happy medium of somewhere in middle). 4gb is adequate, 8gb is better but costs more.

Then work out storage. 1tb is amazing but thats more for ppl who store a lot of movies and photos. Look to see if you can still use external storage such as another hard drive or USB sticks as that will determine room for growth. 128gb or even 64gb is fine if you can add external. Its like phones, some you can add a ssd card, others can't.

Did you need it fully portable, ie take it out out of the home? If so that might determine screen size. 14" is what you image a normal laptop size. If its going to be left on a table like a desktop computer and you have eyesight issues then 17" screen is better, but these are a lot heavier so if moving from table to bed consider having a board underneath to prevent flexing (I have large wooden chopping boards under mine).

Argos have some great laptops for sale within your budget and they have a good aftersales policy if anything goes wrong imo.

Definitely a laptop.

@TalbotAMan

I wouldn't invest in a personal Microsoft Office 365 subscription just yet as a lot of universities issue enterprise-class subscriptions to their students for 'free' as part of the package.

Gosh, yes, you're right - I had forgotten about this! Great advice.

Thankyou all for the brilliant advice!

I’ve just picked up a laptop from Argos. It’s not flashy but should do the job! Let’s hope I can manage the course now!

If you don't mind me asking, what laptop did you end up buying?

@OvaryActions I got a HP 17’ one. It’s certainly fast enough for Microsoft and came with 12 months of office. It was £300.

The graphics aren’t as good as say my iPad but I won’t be watching videos etc, just work really!