When we were searching for the best laptop for nursing students, we found that this was one of the few college majors that specifically stated that laptops, ultrabooks (smaller, lighter laptops) and even tablets, would work. While this wasn’t stated by all of the nursing programs that we reviewed, the configuration for many of the schools was found in these more compact notebooks and tablets as well as in the 
laptops for college nursing students.
In undertaking our review, we examined over 50 colleges and universities in the US. We examined what were the requirements, recommendations and configurations that the schools were outlining. Based on these requirements we’ve listed the best laptop for nursing students like you to consider.
Both PC’s and Apple product options were listed by many of the schools that we reviewed making it easier if you already have a laptop or notebook that you want to bring. However, more of the schools seemed to focus on or recommend PC based products due to course requirements as well as more of the schools seemed better able to support PC products and provide tech support as well. If you already have an Apple product and want to use it, then check with your school and it’s likely that it will be acceptable. If you are considering a new purchase to start college with, then a PC product might be the smarter and cheaper option.
Check Out Award Winning Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook – Best Laptop Under 1000 for Nursing Students!
Check Out Best Selling Microsoft Surface Pro (Under $500) for Nursing Students!
College Nursing Students – Laptop for College
Requirements:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
| Processor | Intel Core i3 | Intel Core i5 or i7 |
| Storage | 120 GB storage with 30 GB free | 250 GB+ storage with 30 GB free |
| Memory | 4GB | 8GB or more |
| Resolution | 1366×768 | 1080p |
| OS | Apple D Mac OS X 10.8.5 or newer OR Windows 7, 8x Professional & Windows 10 64Bit | Apple D Mac OS X 10.8.5 or newer OR Windows 7, 8x Professional & Windows 10 64Bit |
| HDD Speed | 5,400 RPM | 7,200 RPM |
Best Laptop for Nursing Students
We’ve come up with five top rated and reviewed laptops that we’re putting on our list of the Best Laptop for College Nursing Students 2017. Each of these options met the criteria set by schools as well as our interest in finding a selection of pricing that would meet most people’s budgets.
Dell XPS13 Ultrabook – Best Laptop Under 1000
If you’re looking to buy a laptop for the long run and don’t mind splurging a bit, then the Dell XPS13 Ultrabook is exactly what you need. It’s currently priced under $1000. As far as being the best laptop for college nursing students goes, the Dell XPS13 Ultrabook is unbeatable in terms of performance. The Dell XPS13 offers a true HD 1080p display that has sharp colors and great picture quality. The Dell XPS13 has a strong design and stylish body that will definitely make heads turn on campus. Due to its solid build, it can easily handle college life without being taken in for repairs every other month.
It has a 13-inch display that’s crammed into an 11-inch body which only further adds to its appeal. It’s available in 3 different models with Intel i3, i5, & i7 processors which you can choose from based on your budget. It Intel HD Graphics 620 which is one of the better graphic chips provided by Intel. It has a super-fast 128GB SSD capacity and 4 GB DDR3 Ram which is more than enough for university and college use. It’s also an award winning machine, racking up a ton of awards for looks, style and performance.
Lenovo ThinkPad E560 – Best Laptops Under $700
If you are looking for a laptop under 700 price point, then check this one out – Lenovo has been making its laptops more affordable and targeting them at students and the student market. One could even say that the Lenovo ThinkPad series was made to rival the Dell Latitude series which means more competition and frequently, better prices. The Lenovo ThinkPad E560 is a budget friendly laptop that meets all our nursing student specs and will help you get through any late night work that you might have over the next few years!
The Lenovo ThinkPad E560 is powered by 6th generation Intel Core i5 Processor with 4 GB of DDR4 Ram. It comes equipped with Intel HD Graphics 520 to support HD playback and makes online streaming as seamless as possible. Overall, the Lenovo ThinkPad E560 and Dell Latitude E7470 have identical specs with the main difference being Lenovo ThinkPad E560’s 1366 x 768 Screen Resolution. Though it doesn’t have all of Dell’s 1080p resolution, when you consider the difference in price, it’s rather reasonable.
Acer Aspire E5 – Best Laptop Under 700
The Acer Aspire E 15 is one of the best laptop for nursing students due to its affordable price and comparatively high specs. The Acer Aspire E5 has all the features and specs that a nursing or medical student will need during their college or university years. It has a 6th generation Core i5 processor and a full HD display making it ideal for almost all kinds of activities. It has a NVIDIA GeForce 940MX along with 8GB Ram and a super-fast 256GB SSD.
This laptop was made for student use in mind and due to its 12-hour long battery life will easily get you through every lecture. Considering you, like many other college students – including myself – will probably do your assignments the night before they’re due, the backlit keyboard will make things just a bit easier.
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 – Best Laptop Under 500
If you’re looking for a powerful yet affordable tablet that can easily last you through university or college then the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is your best option. There are quite a few versions of the Microsoft Surface Pro available but the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 meets all our requirements without going over any college or university student’s budget.
There are a variety of tablets on the market but only a few can live up to their name and the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is one of them. Powered by a 4th generation Intel i5 processor and 8 GB RAM along with 256 GB Storage Capacity, this tablet is the perfect companion for any medical or nursing student. It comes with a 36W Power Supply and Surface Pen included, as well as having the option for an attachable keyboard which you need to purchase separately.
Other Best Laptops for College Reviews: By Major or Field
Asus Chromebook Flip
For anyone looking for an affordable Chromebook, the Asus Chromebook Flip is the best option you can consider! We especially love the fact that is hits our search for laptops under $500 as well. The Asus Chromebook Flip fits all of our criteria, having the specifications that most schools are looking for as well as being extremely affordable. Add all of that into how awesome it looks and you have a winner!
Considering you’ll be using any laptop that you choose while in university or college for at least 2 – 4 years, choosing a laptop that looks just as good as it performs can really benefit you in the long run. The Asus Chromebook Flip is powered by a 6th generation Intel Pentium – Core m7 with 8GB ram and Intel HD Graphics 515 that will make sure that everything is working smoothly and efficiently. In addition, the Flip has a pair of USB Type-C ports, a high quality screen and a design that imitates the Macbook Pro’s. It has a 64GB storage and a battery that can easily last up to 10 hours making it ideal for college use.
There are simply hundreds of possible options to consider on the list of the Best Laptops for Nursing Students! However, it was narrowed down substantially when we factored in durability, costs and what college and universities were looking for their students to come prepared with. Each of the options that made our list are affordable, effective and will definitely help you over the years ahead!
Have a great time in nursing school!