The number one thing I was worried about heading into college was getting a reliable computer. One that would be able to support all the classes necessary for what I’m studying. As a student, your computer quickly becomes everything. With so many options, figuring out which one to get can be nerve-wracking. This is especially true if you don’t know much about technology. At colleges like App State, they’ll tell you the standards and specifications you need to look for in a computer to meet the rigors of the curriculum. I recently reviewed the Dell 14 2 in 1 to see if it not only met those rigors but my expectations as well.
Workhorse from the Start
In researching prices and models, I noticed the Dell Inspiron 14 (often referred to simply as the Dell 14) pairs the best in size and power. Specifically, here’s what stands out:
- Portability: At 14 inches, it’s literally the perfect size for college. It’s small enough to fit in almost any backpack, however the screen is big enough to fit multiple tabs on different sides of the screen so you can read notes and type at the same time.
- Performance: Newer models pack Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, the dell 14 has intel core i9 which can definitely compete with the newer models, 8GB–16GB of RAM, and SSD storage, the Dell 14 easily handles multitasking, video conferencing, research, and even light design or programming tasks insanely smoothly.
- Battery Life: It offers incredible battery life, I know I’ve gone at least two days without charging it and I still had enough juice for my last class of the day.
- Affordability: Compared to some high-end alternatives, the Dell 14 is budget-friendly without compromising essential performance.
Is Dell the Best Laptop for Every College Student?
While the Dell 14 has been a great fit for me, the “best” laptop depends on your specific needs. Here are a few things you might want to consider. First of all, your major; if you are an engineer, video production or design, or some sort of graphic major, you might need a more powerful machine. However, if you’re studying business, history, humanities, or any social sciences in general, a laptop like the Dell 14 is more than enough.
The other area to consider is your budget. The Dell 14 has a very good price for its performance, however if you’re on a budget that needs to be a little tighter, it may be too expensive. I recommend you look for student discounts, or re-used/refurbished models since the power of the unit is worth it.
>This laptop has a lot of positives; from its touch screen to its flexible body that can let you turn it into an ipad, to its amazing battery life that seems to go on average over two days before I need to charge it. It’s perfect for taking notes, watching videos, and typing papers.
I only have a few issues relating to the Dell 14 and they all have to do with the touchpad. It’s not the fact that it doesn’t work well, it’s the fact that it works too well. Every touch, slide, glide, and motion is detected on this touchpad and I love that it makes it a lot easier to move my mouse, however, this also means that the touch pad is extremely sensitive. One example I can think of where I recount this being a problem is when I was trying to drag a file into my trash and it just would constantly highlight and drop the file then drag the file to where I wanted it. However, this is literally the only negative thing I can say about the Dell 14 so keep that in mind.
Putting it Together
Getting a laptop for college can be scary, it brings the fact that you’re going to college and you’re going to be on your own exploring your life into reality. At least that’s how I felt when I was purchasing my laptop for college. You don’t have to figure out everything on your own when looking for a laptop if you don’t know what to get. Start by checking your school’s recommended specs for your major, then just find one that meets those specs and feels right to you. Something that you know will fit your academic needs, budget, and ultimately your lifestyle. For me, what felt right was the Dell Inspiron 14.
