Top 11 Best Laptops for Nursing Students

Nursing school is hectic. No sugarcoating here!

Expect writing tons of academic research papers, completing laboratory outputs, and handling SAAS software modules. But don’t worry, reliable and portable laptops can make life a lot easier.

Quick Overview: Top 11 Best Laptops for Nursing Students

I have researched and reviewed the modern laptops out in the market. And I have to say, many of them are highly suitable for a nursing school student. Here are my top 10 picks:

These are all impressive laptops. But I suggest reading through the in-depth review in the next heading to find the best one for you.

Thorough Reviews: Best Laptops for a Nursing Student

Here, I’ll discuss the specifications, benefits, drawbacks, and my overall thoughts on these laptops. Out of these latest units, I’m sure you’ll find the most suitable one for you by the end of this article.

Best Overall: Lenovo Yoga 9i

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When choosing the best laptop overall, I always take into account the functionality and reasonable pricing. Don’t get me wrong, the new Yoga 9i from Lenovo isn’t exactly cheap – but it’s justifiable!

Specifications and Features

These are some of the Yoga 9i’s impressive specs:

• Processor: 11th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-1195G7 Processor
• Operating System: Supports Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Pro
• Graphics: Integrated Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
• Display: 14.0″ Intel UHD graphics support (3840 x 2160) IPS, touchscreen laptop, HDR 400, 500 nits
• Memory and Storage: 16 GB LPDDR4x 4267MHz; 1 TB SSD
• Dimensions and Weight: 319.4mm x 216.4mm x 14.6 – 15.7mm / 12.57″ x 8.51″ x 0.57 – 0.61″; 3.02 lbs.
• Battery Life: 10-15 hours
• Ports: USB type-C ports 4.0 (3x); USB A (4x); headphone/mic combo (2x)
• Inclusions: AC adapter; Internal battery; Quick start guide; Pen

Benefits Worth Mentioning

The Lenovo Yoga 9i has these pros:

• It’s like a laptop and tablet in one with a full HD display.
• It has long battery life.
• It’s a lightweight laptop; good for portability.
• It has a lot of functional ports!
• The system memory is not bad.

Drawbacks to Consider

But as great as it is, the device garnered some complaints:

• There are reviews about a faulty fingerprint scanner.
• Some units are defective – but customer support is quick to respond.
• It’s a little pricey.

My Overall Thoughts

Nursing students need laptops with powerful processors, gadget mobility, and multiple functions.

I think this one from Lenovo ticks most boxes. Its duality as a laptop and its ability to turn into tablet mode (with the pen) are great with heavy outputs and note-taking.

The laptop screen is also commendable. Most nursing students will likely agree that great graphics and a large screen make studying a lot better.

However, while the laptop has powerful features, some users have encountered defective units with crashing software.

But on the flip side, Lenovo’s customer service is swift and offers replacements conveniently.

Though this isn’t exactly a review of the laptop in itself, I think it’s an important factor to throw in. But overall, we all agree that the Lenovo Yoga 9i is a powerful nursing laptop.

Best Value: Microsoft Surface Pro 8

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Microsoft rarely misses with their Surface Pro series. And their newest Surface Pro 8 doesn’t disappoint either.

Specifications and Features

I won’t lie; from this entire list, the features of the new Surface Pro 8 impressed me the most.

• Processor: Quad-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 or Intel Core i7-1185G7 Processor;
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Home
• Graphics: Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics (intel core i5, i7)
• Display: Screen: 13” PixelSense™ Flow Display; touch screen; Resolution: 2880 x 1920 (267 PPI)
• Memory and Storage: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB (LPDDR4x RAM); Removable solid-state drive (SSD) options: 128GB or 256GB; 512GB or 1TB
• Dimensions and Weight: 11.3 in x 8.2 in x 0.37 in; 1.96 lbs.
• Ports: 2 x USB-C® with USB 4.0/Thunderbolt™ 4; 3.5mm headphone jack; 1 x Surface Connect port; Surface Type Cover port

Benefits Worth Mentioning

• It’s one of the most powerful laptops for nursing (and other fields).
• It’s a massive upgrade from the old Surface series.
• It’s can also turn into a gaming console and screen!
• It’s ultra-lightweight (the device itself is barely 2 lbs.)
• It can serve as a tablet and laptop in one device.
• The new security features are also a plus.

Drawbacks to Consider

• It’s undeniably expensive.
• Accessories (pen and keyboard) are sold separately on top of the high base price.

My Overall Thoughts

Laptops for nursing should be powerful enough to handle simultaneous programs running such as Microsoft Office and nursing software.

The Surface Pro 8 is powered by the latest Intel Core advanced processor, so rest assured that it can handle your tasks without trouble.

I also love the tablet design with excellent touch screen responses, and the pen also works well. Think of it as your digital notebook and laptop packed in one lightweight Windows laptop.

But we have to admit that it’s on the expensive side, starting at a thousand bucks.

That doesn’t include the crucial accessories yet – like the recommended keyboard and pen. It is more painful to risk if ever you receive a defective device.

But if you have to budget and willingness to splurge on a good laptop for nursing students, I’d say give it a shot. Anyway, there are guaranteed warranty programs available to you should problems arise.

Best Budget: ASUS Chromebook C223

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Who says budget laptops can’t deliver high-performance? The ASUS Chromebook C223, our best affordable laptop winner, begs to disagree!

Specifications and Features

• Processor: Intel® Celeron® Dual-Core N3350 Processor, 1.1 GHz
• Operating System: Chrome OS
• Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics
• Display: 11.6″ (16:9) LED-backlit HD (1366×768) 60Hz Anti-Glare Panel with 45% NTSC
• Memory and Storage: 4 GB Onboard system memory, Dual-channel
• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of web browsing
• Dimensions and Weight: 286 x 199 x 17.25 mm (WxDxH) (w/ 2-Cell Battery); 999g
• Ports: 1 x COMBO audio jack; 2 x Type-C USB 3.0 (USB 3.1 Gen 1) with display and power delivery support; 1 x Type-A USB 3.0 (USB 3.1 Gen 1); 1 x micro SD card

Benefits Worth Mentioning

• It’s truly one of the best affordable laptops (we’re talking about the $170-$200 range).
• It’s lightweight and straightforward to use.
• Enjoy Chrome-exclusive security features like the Titan C chip.
• The screen features an anti-glare component.
• If you work a lot with Google apps and Chrome software, this is a great choice.
• Instant tethering functionality is available between Google phones and Chromebooks.

Drawbacks to Consider

• Expect more limited features than other Windows laptops.
• It’s not the most powerful laptop, but it’s not bad at all considering the price.
• The memory storage is not a lot. It might be insufficient for some nursing program software.

My Overall Thoughts

If you notice, there is a “step back” in features especially comparing it with our first two best laptops.

That’s undeniable. But then, consider the price points; you’ll also notice a huge difference.

For the price, it’s already one of the best laptops for work. You can expect SMOOTH processing throughout, from nursing applications to online document handling apps.

I’d say this Chromebook is best for on-the-go nursing students who need a portable device or as a backup for a desktop PC.

You may also opt to purchase extra accessories (i.e., hard drive) instead.

To add, if you work with Google Suites (Docs, Sheets, Slides), the convenience the Chromebook brings will be unbeatable.

You also get FREE STORAGE of 100 GB! In case you don’t know, Google powers the Chromebooks.

Apple Macbook Air M1

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If you’re an Apple laptop fan, you’ll love the new M1 chip of the newest 2020 Macbook Air. I sure do.

Specifications and Features

• Processor: Apple M1 chip; 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores; 16-core Neural Engine
• Operating System: Mac OS
• Graphics: Up to Apple 8-core GPU
• Display: 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors
• Memory and Storage: 256GB or 512GB SSD
• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of web browsing
• Dimensions and Weight: 11.97 x 0.63 x 8.36 inches; 2.8 Pounds
• Ports: Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with support for: Charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40 Gbps), USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps)

Benefits Worth Mentioning

• The new M1 chip is excellent, fast, and efficient.
• You can’t deny the top-notch security of Apple laptops.
• The large trackpad is helpful.
• It has an amazing display and a wider screen compared to old Macbooks.
• It also has cloud storage support (iCloud for Apple).
• The battery life is surprisingly long.

Drawbacks to Consider

• Apple is known to be strict, so expect limited software compatibilities.
• It’s also on the expensive side.
• There are limited ports. You might want to invest in an extension hub.

My Overall Thoughts

Most people have a love-hate relationship with Macbooks. But you can’t deny that they release powerful laptops despite some limitations. And the 2020 Macbook Air isn’t an exemption.

Apple’s switch from the intel core to the M1 chip is innovative. As someone who uses the Macbook Air M1, I can attest that the speed and battery life are impressive.

The Macbook Air is also a lot CHEAPER than the new Macbook Pro. If that’s your point of comparison, I’d say go for the MBA M1 unless you expect to work with 4K graphics all the time.

Nursing school students will surely find working with the new Macbook Air delightful.

I have to say that this MBA has good and loud audio even without an expensive top-firing acoustic setup!

But be forewarned that Apple tends to be strict with external apps and software. It’s best to prepare for workarounds or look for Mac-compatible versions.

Microsoft Surface Book 3

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Don’t confuse this with the Microsoft Surface Pro series. It’s different but similarly powerful nonetheless!

Specifications and Features

• Processor: 13.5” Quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core i7 and intel core i5
• Operating System: Windows 10 Home
• Graphics: 13.5” Intel Iris Plus Graphics (intel core i5) NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (i7). 15” NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti.
• Display: 13.5″ or 15″ Touchscreen with pen input
• Memory and Storage: 32GB, 16GB, 8GB (13.5” only); 2TB SSD (15” only), 1TB SSD, 512GB SSD, 256GB SSD
• Battery Life: 13.5” Up to 15.5 hours 15” Up to 17.5 hours
• Dimensions and Weight: 12.3 x 0.91 x 9.14 inches; 6.4 lbs.
• Ports: 3 USB 3.0 ports

Benefits Worth Mentioning

• More battery life works well for nursing students.
• It’s a 2-in-1 laptop. You can detach the screen to make it a tablet device.
• The touch screen feature is suitable for annotations. Nursing students will appreciate this.

Drawbacks to Consider

• It’s also on the expensive side.
• There are complaints of buggy programs. But Microsoft is quick to respond and upgrade.

My Overall Thoughts

If you’re looking for 2-in-1 devices, our best overall and best value winners might be a better choice.

But I know there are quite a few who enjoyed the past Surface series from Microsoft, so I’m throwing this in here.

You’ll enjoy the Surface Book 3.

Overall, if we’re only looking at specs and features, it’s a solid laptop.

The extended battery backup, display, and Microsoft Office compatibility make it suitable for a nursing program.

It’s just that there seem to be some defective units released in the previous year, which Microsoft has been quick to update.

I suggest maximizing the customer support and warranty to ensure smooth transactions.

HP Envy 15

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When it comes to ports and portability, the HP Envy 15 will check all of your boxes!

Specifications and Features

• Processor: Intel® Core™ i9 processors
• Operating System: Available for Windows 11
• Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2060 with Max-Q design graphics
• Display: 4K OLED Display that supports 100% DCI-P3 wide color gamut
• Memory and Storage: 32GB DDR4 memory and up to 1TB PCIe SSD and RAID 0 (2xSSD)
• Battery Life: 18:15 hours on FHD display
• Ports: SuperSpeed USB Type-A; Audio combo jacks; Adapter plug; SuperSpeed USB Type-A; HMDI 2.0a; SuperSpeed USB Type-C®; SD Card Reader

Benefits Worth Mentioning

• There are lots of functional ports. They’re helpful for on-the-go nursing students.
• The privacy settings are top-notch. You can turn off the built-in mic and camera!
• It’s powered by the latest intel core processor.
• It has true tone technology for graphics and displays – showing accurate colors.

Drawbacks to Consider

• Once again, it’s on the pricier side.

My Overall Thoughts

Nursing students who conduct presentations or deal with many media materials such as videos will consider this an amazing laptop.

If you were amazed by the intel core i7 and intel core i5, you’ll appreciate the newest i9 processor on this one.

And one thing that got me excited about the HP Envy 15 is the multiple ports available. Due to their sizes, most portable laptops have limited features, and users have to buy an additional extension.

But HP was generous!

Acer Swift 3

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Here’s another one for those who are always on the move. If you’ve been waiting for an Acer contender, this is a terrific laptop for nursing students.

Specifications and Features

• Processor: 11th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors
• Operating System: Windows 10 (now with a free Windows 11 upgrade)
• Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® MX350 Graphics; Intel® Iris® Xe graphics.
• Display: 13.5” 3:2 2256×1504 IPS VertiView Display or 14” 16:9 FHD IPS screen; Acer Color Intelligence™ and ExaColor™
• Battery Life: Up to 17 hours
• Memory and Storage: Maximum of 1TB PCIe Gen 3×4 SSD, and up to 16GB LPDDR4X RAM.
• Weight: 1.19 kg
• Ports: USB 4.0 / Thunderbolt 4; USB 3.2 Gen 2 and a display port

Benefits Worth Mentioning

• It has AI-enhanced noise suppression and Wi-Fi 6.
• It has good battery life.
• It’s priced in a more reasonable range.
• It’s thin and lightweight. We’re talking about 15.95mm thin.
• There’s an Antimicrobial Solution coating for sanitation purposes.
• The screen adjusts when you watch a film (sharper) and view a document.
• There’s an embedded fingerprint scanner and Windows Hello. Goodbye passwords!

Drawbacks to Consider

• There’s no built-in memory card reader.
• The RAM isn’t easily upgradeable.

My Overall Thoughts

Impressively, the Acer Swift 3 is at par with the more expensive laptops. It has all of the advanced features you need for a swift workflow – as the name suggests.

You don’t always need over-the-top nursing laptops. What matters is that they can handle the heavy workload, and they must be efficient with good battery life. And this one meets all those requirements.

I’m also happy with the Smart Access innovation of Acer.

The Windows Hello, which includes a fingerprint scanner and facial recognition security, is an advanced move crucial for safety purposes.

ASUS Zenbook Duo 15

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When I first saw the design of the Zenbook Duo 15, I wanted to get one for myself. It’s so sleek and “cool.” But I know a nursing student doesn’t need cool; it must be functional.

Well, it is, too.

Specifications and Features

• Processor: Intel® Core™ i9 eight-core processor
• Operating System: Windows 10 (awaiting a free Windows 11 upgrade 2021-2022)
• Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 GPU
• Display: 4K OLED HDR touchscreen; ASUS ScreenPad™ Plus secondary 4K display with a brand-new tilting design
• Memory and Storage: 32GB DDR4 on board, Memory Max Up to:16GB; 1TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 3.0 Performance SSD
• Keyboard: Backlit keyboard; 1.4mm Key-travel; Support NumberPad
• Dimensions and Weight: 35.98 x 24.92 x 2.15 ~ 2.15 cm; 5.16 lbs
• Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A; 2x Thunderbolt™ 3 supports display; 1x HDMI 2.1; 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack; 1x DC-in

Benefits Worth Mentioning

• It features a Chiclet backlit keyboard and number pads. More features for easier typing!
• It can substitute a PC desktop with its turbo boost technology.
• It’s an award-winning laptop. So you know it’s a worthy laptop for nursing students.
• The purchase includes a sleeve, stand, stylus, and palm rest.
• It has an HDMI port!

Drawbacks to Consider

• It’s the most expensive on this list. Yes, more expensive than our best value winner.
• It’s heavy; not exactly the best for portability.

My Overall Thoughts

Not to shock you or anything, but this Zenbook Duo is around $3,000. Do I think it’s expensive? Yes.

But do I think it’s worth it? Well, if you have the budget, I have to admit that it has some undeniably awesome features.

With its weight, dedicated graphic processor, and advanced specs, I’d say this Windows laptop isn’t for on-the-go nursing school students. It’s more suitable as a desktop PC alternative!

HP Pavilion x360

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Image Credit: HP.com

Another one from HP, let’s welcome the laptop that can fold and bend!

Specifications and Features

• Processor: Intel® Core™ i5, i3, i7 processors
• OS: Windows 10 (awaiting a free Windows 11 upgrade 2021-2022)
• Graphics: Intel® Iris® Xe graphics
• Display: 15.6 in. diagonal screen
• Memory and Storage: Up to 512 GB SSD
• Dimensions and Weight: 327.41 x 223.50 x 22.61; 1.71 kg
• Battery Life: Up to 9:45 hours of HD streaming.
• Ports: Micro SD card reader; SuperSpeed USB Type-A; SuperSpeed USB Type-A; Power adaptor

Benefits Worth Mentioning

• Enjoy fast connections with this laptop’s Wi-Fi 6.
• It’s also an excellent 2-in-1 tablet-laptop contender.
• HP has won awards for utilizing recyclable and sustainable materials.
• The audio is designed by B&O.
• The starting price is reasonable.

Drawbacks to Consider

• The screen display isn’t the best.
• With additional configurations, it can reach thousands of bucks too.

My Overall Thoughts

If Microsoft has their Surface Pro series, HP has the Pavillion. One thing I love about the x360 unit is how it folds like a literal notebook.

If you’re the type of nursing student who prefers to write down notes instead of typing them, you’ll appreciate the tablet transformation of this one.

But other than that, I think the rest of the features are satisfactory. They’re not as shocking and advanced as the expensive ones, but it still deserves a spot on the best laptops for nursing students list.

Acer Aspire 5

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If your criteria for the best laptop is a large screen-to-body ratio, you will thank me for introducing the Acer Aspire 5.

Specifications and Features

• Processor: Intel® or AMD processors
• OS: Windows 10
• Graphics: NVIDIA® or AMD graphics
• Display: 81.61% screen-to-body ratio
• Memory and Storage: Up to 1TB of fast-loading M.2 PCIe SSD and up to 2TB HDD
• Weight: slim 17.95mm; 3.64 lbs
• Ports: 1 USB 2.0 port and an HDMI 2.0 port, and two SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps Type-A ports – one of which can be used for offline charging.

Benefits Worth Mentioning

• The price is in the affordable range.
• It is powered by Wi-Fi 6.
• It has a larger screen.

Drawbacks to Consider

• It’s only an “okay” laptop, but sufficient features fit nursing schools.
• The older Acer Aspire series is said to be better.
• It has poor battery life.

My Overall Thoughts

For nursing school students who are not looking for extravagant laptops, going for the Acer Aspire 5 is a good deal.

Overall, this newest model is a slight step down from the Acer Aspire laptops (specifically, Acer Aspire 3).

But although it doesn’t have the advanced specs of the others, it does a great job as a nursing school companion.

Lenovo Ideapad 5

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Last but not least, here’s another affordable but high-performing laptop for nursing students.

Specifications and Features

• Processor: Up to 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processing
• OS: Windows 10-11 Home
• Display: 15.6” FHD anti-glare touchscreen with narrow border provides a significant viewing area
• Audio: Crisp Dolby Audio™ speakers
• Memory and Storage: Up to 16 GB DDR4 3200MHz (Soldered)
• Battery Life: Up to 11 hours, with Quick Charge 2.0, 15 minutes plugged in for 3 hours
• Weight: slim 17.95mm; 3.64 lbs
• Ports: USB-A 3.2; Gen 14USB-A 3.2; Gen 1 (always on); USB-C Gen 1 (power delivery + display port); HDMI 1.4b8Headphone / mic combo; 2 SD Card readers

Benefits Worth Mentioning

• The security features are well-thought-out. You can block your webcam to avoid hackers!
• Enjoy 90% active area ratio – widescreen for a better working experience.
• There’s a built-in Amazon Alexa (kind of like Siri, but for Windows laptops).
• There are A LOT of ports! Nursing students will surely appreciate that.
• It starts at an affordable base price.

Drawbacks to Consider

• Be wary of defective units.
• Accessories (stylus, mouse) are sold separately.

My Overall Thoughts

I hate to contribute to the notion that affordable is equal to lower-quality. I think we’ve seen enough good products to disagree on that.

But allow me to say this verdict honestly. The Lenovo Ideapad 5 is not bad as a laptop.

Its price and quality fit for a practicing nursing student who no longer has to rely on laptops too much.

If you compare this laptop to others for nursing students, it can be considered an underperforming unit, especially if you get faulty units.

Best Nursing Laptops: What to Look For?

So, what exactly should you consider when choosing the best laptops for nursing students?

Performance

Of course, the best laptops are always the performers.

And it doesn’t have to be the most expensive specifications; it just has to have good quality.

Nursing students will be busy from nursing school application season to examinations and laboratory activities, so the last thing you want is a laptop breaking down on you amidst your deadlines.

So far, all of the best laptops for nursing schools on this list run on hi-tech processors. Intel Core i5 and above are excellent processors, and they will handle your workload without fuss.

Price

The budgets of nursing students vary. Some are willing to splurge on the best laptop they can lay their hands on, while some will have other nursing school expenses to consider.

Don’t get me wrong; none of these define your performance as a nursing student.

It’s only a matter of how you want to allocate your money on laptops.

I can’t deny that expensive laptops have more advanced features, better graphics, or bigger memory storage. But it doesn’t mean that affordable ones can’t deliver similar functions.

Nursing school expenses are no joke.

The best laptop for you is the one that fits your circumstances without having to sacrifice important aspects of your education.

Portability

Nursing students are more frequently on the go, and some are already doing their internships. For these instances, you’d surely appreciate a lightweight laptop.

That’s why most suggestions for the best laptops for nursing students are those that are small, compact, and thin.

Trust me! It will make traveling and moving a lot easier.

Battery Life

Nursing student or not, long battery life is always ideal.

It’s a huge hassle to keep charging your device while panicking over deadlines!

Nursing school will require a lot of papers, video lectures, and for the online setup, video calls. You would need STRONG BATTERY LIFE to lessen the stress.

And as a bonus, some laptops for nursing students have quick charging components.

That’s a big help too.

Multifunctional Purpose

I don’t want to be biased with the 2-in-1 laptops for nursing students we’ve mentioned.

But having experienced being a student myself, I know how much that tablet feature helps with note-taking.

Since there are a lot of readings in nursing school, the touch screen and pen features make annotations more convenient. You can easily write and highlight as if it’s pen and paper.

Compatibility

I can’t speak for all, but I know laboratory classes in nursing school will require specific software programs at some point.

This is my only concern for the Macbook Air that isn’t a problem for Windows. You’ll most likely need a Mac OS version or do some workarounds for an Apple-compatible version.

Of course, a laptop that’s highly compatible with almost anything would be the most ideal.

Memory and Storage

I keep mentioning how nursing school requires papers and software programs. This means a lot of memory space too.

The best laptop for nursing students SHOULD store all the necessary files without problems. Some would buy an extra hard drive, which works fine too.

But won’t it be a lot more convenient if you can store everything on your laptop from the get-go?

For reference, an 8 GB RAM with 256GB SSD storage is the MINIMUM requirement. It works well. However, it would be better to upgrade and go for 16 GB RAM with 512 SSD storage.

Expect it to be more expensive, but it will make nursing school life more manageable.

Best Laptops for Nursing Students: Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs] [Q&A]

To help you further, I will quickly address some of the FAQs I commonly see online.

Can I Use an Apple iPad PRO for Nursing School?

Apple’s latest iPad has been a crowd favorite because it has powerful functions that are at par with laptop PCs. I didn’t include it in this list, though, because it’s technically not a laptop.

But if you’re planning to go for an iPad, that’s a great idea. But note that you have to purchase the magic keyboard and Apple Pencil separately.

Is a Laptop Necessary for Nursing Schools?

I think this question is more apt for the program administrators. Some will say that a laptop won’t be necessary for nursing students.

Some campuses provide facilities where you can finish work there.

But definitely, it will make your student life a lot SMOOTHER to have a personal laptop where you can freely work at your own pace, with your resources.

If budget is the problem, laptops with low prices work well. A good example would be our best budget winner, the Chromebook.

Which is Better for Nursing Students? A Laptop or a Tablet?

It depends on what you’ll use it for.

If you need a device for encoding, researching, and documentation, I’d say a laptop with an actual keyboard still works best. It’s easier to navigate a laptop for heavier types of tasks.

But if you’re looking for a device that’s best for keynote presentations, reading, or writing, then a tablet would be the wiser choice.

That’s why I enjoyed the dual-purpose devices because you can easily convert them into whichever type you need without purchasing two separate gadgets.

What Kinds of Computer Software Do Nursing Students Need?

Some of the most common programs include but are not limited to:

• PEPID Professional Nursing Suite
• Skyscape Nursing Constellation
• Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary

Don’t take my exact words for it, though.

I’m here to review laptops, so I’m more confident in that arena. But I’m throwing these in here so you can prepare your laptops upon entering nursing school!

Do Nurses Use Computers in Duties?

This is a funny but common one! I don’t know why people think nurses don’t use computers at work.

Yes, most of their work is probably with patients or medical matters, but you also have to send emails, set staff schedules, note down minutes of the meeting, document health records, etc.

On the other hand, a nursing student writes tons of research papers, reads many books, performs laboratory outputs, and so on.

So yes, the field of nursing uses laptops and computers quite often.

Best Laptops for Nursing Students: Summary of Winners

For the record, all 11 laptops I’ve reviewed will be beneficial for nursing students. They come with pros and cons, but they’re generally functional and well-performing.

But out of the 11 models, three (3) stood out: the best overall, the best value, and the best budget.

Best Overall: Lenovo Yoga 9i

I chose the Lenovo Yoga 9i as the best laptop overall because it strikes a balance between high-quality and affordability. Some laptops have high prices, which may not be practical for all.

I also love its tablet-laptop combination, so you get two functions for one device. Plus, it already comes with a pen!

The pen or stylus isn’t even included with other more expensive brands.

Best Value: Microsoft Surface Pro 8

But if I need to choose an expensive device, I’d go with the newest Microsoft Surface Pro 8. So far, they haven’t disappointed us with their Surface series.

Though I have to admit that this is more of a tablet than a laptop, it works like one. Maybe even comparable to an iPad PRO.

It’s in the pricey range with no accessories included, but the specs are highly advanced. You can also choose up to 1 TB of storage, which is a big plus for a portable laptop.

Best Budget: ASUS Chromebook C223

The price of the ASUS Chromebook C223 is literally around 10% of our best value laptop. That’s right! I was amazed too. $1,000 vs. $170.

But certainly, expect more limitations. Chromebooks also focus on Google platforms more. If you use GSuite software programs, you will find this one a delight to use.

Other Laptops Best for a Nursing Student

For our other bets that didn’t make it to the top three, we’ll also summarize them here for a TL;DR.

• Apple Macbook Air M1
• Microsoft Surface Book 3
• HP Envy 15
• Acer Swift 3
• ASUS Zenbook Duo 15
• HP Pavilion x360
• Acer Aspire 5
• Lenovo Ideapad 5

Rest assured, all of these will help you survive nursing school without a sweat (or maybe only a few)!

Conclusion

Nursing school can and will be challenging. But you’re in one of the best fields there is.

You owe it to yourself to have a handy and trustworthy laptop that can accompany you through sleepless nights and stressful days. We hope our list helped you narrow down your options.

Let me end the article by reminding you that everything will be worth it. Good luck!