Last Updated on February 7, 2025 by LaptopResearcher
Key Considerations for Nursing School
When selecting the best laptop for nursing school, it’s essential to focus on features that will enhance your educational experience. As a nursing student, you will often find yourself in situations where having a reliable, portable, and powerful laptop is crucial. Here are some additional considerations:
Portability and Design
Nursing students are always on the move, whether it’s attending classes, clinical rotations, or study groups. A lightweight laptop is an absolute necessity. Aim for a model that is easy to carry, ideally weighing less than 3 pounds, so it won’t add unnecessary load to your backpack.
Battery Life
Long battery life is one of the most important things to consider. You should look for a laptop that can last at least 8-10 hours on a single charge. This ensures that you can take notes, read digital textbooks, and work on assignments throughout the day without needing to constantly find a power outlet.
Performance and Speed
A good laptop for nursing students should have a fast processor and ample memory to handle demanding applications. An Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor, coupled with at least 8GB of RAM, will provide the necessary power and speed for multitasking between various programs and applications.
Storage and Security
A Solid State Drive (SSD) is recommended for faster boot times and better overall performance. A minimum of 256GB storage is advisable to store all your digital textbooks, course materials, and other essential files. Additionally, ensure the laptop has security features like fingerprint readers or facial recognition to protect sensitive data.
Display and Resolution
A clear and vibrant display is beneficial for reading and reviewing medical charts and digital textbooks. A screen size of 13-15 inches with full HD resolution (1920×1080) should suffice for most nursing students. This will make it easier to view detailed content and enhance your overall learning experience.
Durability and Build Quality
Nursing students need a laptop that can withstand the rigors of daily use. Look for laptops with a sturdy build and good durability ratings. Features like spill-resistant keyboards and shock-proof designs can be particularly beneficial.
Connectivity and Accessories
Ensure that the laptop has multiple USB ports, HDMI, and an SD card reader for easy connectivity with other devices and accessories. Additionally, investing in a quality webcam and headset can be crucial for online classes and virtual meetings.
Top Laptops for Nursing Students
When choosing the best laptop for nursing students, it’s essential to consider a range of options that cater to different preferences and needs. Here are some top picks that stand out for their performance, portability, and features tailored to the demands of nursing school:
Dell XPS 13
- Super long battery life, when streaming on the Netflix app for Windows 11 offers up to 18 hours. Razor thin body, just 0.60"; It weighs 2.6 pounds, Lightweight design; Recharge in less than an hour with Express Charge.
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Processor (E-Core Max 3.8 GHz, P-Core Max 4.8 GHz with Turbo Boost, 16 Cores, 22 Threads, 24 MB Cache); 32GB LPDDR5x 7467 MT/s RAM, 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD.
- 13.4", FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 120Hz, Non-Touch, 16:10, Anti-Glare, 500 nit Display; Integrated Intel Arc Graphics, Excellent performance powered by Graphics; Expandable to 2 monitors via Thunderbolt 4. Max resolution of the External Monitors: 4K (3840*2160) @60Hz
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery); Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4; Backlit Keyboard; Fingerprint Reader; 1080p at 30 fps FHD RGB camera.
- Disclosure: Brand New Computer has been resealed to upgrade the SSD. Three-year WRT from Issaquah Highlands Tech on upgraded SSD. One-year WRT from Dell on remaining components. Windows 11 Professional 64-bit, with AI-powered Copilot, offers intelligent assistance for a variety of tasks. Ideal for School Education, Designers, Professionals, Small Business, Programmers, Casual Gaming, Streaming, Online Class, Remote Learning, Zoom Meeting, Video Conference, etc.
Dell XPS 13 is a popular choice among nursing students due to its impressive combination of power, portability, and style. With its sleek design and lightweight build, it is easy to carry around campus or during clinical rotations. The laptop is equipped with a high-performance Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, ensuring it can handle demanding applications and multitasking with ease. Additionally, its long battery life means you can rely on it throughout your busy day without constantly searching for a power outlet.
The XPS 13 also features a stunning 13.4-inch InfinityEdge display with a high resolution, perfect for reviewing digital textbooks and medical charts in detail. Its robust security features, including a fingerprint reader, provide peace of mind when handling sensitive data. Overall, the Dell XPS 13 is a reliable and powerful choice for nursing students who need a high-quality laptop that can keep up with their rigorous academic and clinical demands.
MacBook Air M3
- LEAN. MEAN. M3 MACHINE — With a powerful 8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU, the blazing-fast MacBook Air with M3 chip is a superportable laptop that sails through work and play.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
- PORTABLE DESIGN — Lightweight and under half an inch thin, so you can take MacBook Air anywhere you go.
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Amazing, all-day battery life so you can leave the power adapter at home.
- MORE ROOM FOR WHAT YOU LOVE — The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display supports 1 billion colors.
The MacBook Air M3 stands out as a top choice for nursing students who prioritize a blend of style, performance, and portability. This new laptop is powered by Apple’s M3 chip, ensuring swift and efficient performance for most applications. Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry around, which is essential for students frequently moving between classes and clinical settings.
The MacBook Air M3 boasts a long battery life, allowing you to take notes, access digital textbooks, and handle demanding applications without worrying about constant recharges. Furthermore, its Retina display offers vibrant colors and sharp details, making it ideal for reading digital textbooks and reviewing medical content. With robust security features like Touch ID, it ensures sensitive data remains protected. Overall, the MacBook Air M3 is a good laptop that suits the needs of nursing students, combining power, portability, and security in one sleek package.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
- New AI era with Copilot+ PCs: Powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processor, delivering 45 Trillion Operations Per Second of NPU performance. Transform ideas into artwork, search effortlessly across time with Recall, and understand new languages instantly with Live Captions
- Immerse in Stunning Visuals: 13" virtually edge-to-edge PixelSense Flow display, featuring a 2880 x 1920 resolution, 1200:1 contrast ratio, and a smooth, dynamic refresh rate up to 120Hz for vibrant color and sharp detail
- AI-Enhanced Surface Studio Camera: The ultra-wide front-facing camera, combined with AI-powered Studio effects like automatic framing, ensures that you stay perfectly in focus, even as you move around the room
- All-day battery life: With up to 14 hours of power, no matter where your day takes you. Stay productive and connected from morning to night
- Versatile Functionality: Each of the tablet comes with two USB-C 4 ports, enabling fast charging, rapid data transfer, and support for up to three 4K monitors at 60Hz—perfect for a powerful desktop setup
The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is an excellent choice for nursing students who need the versatility of a tablet and the power of a laptop. Its detachable keyboard and lightweight design make it highly portable, perfect for students who are constantly on the move between classes, labs, and clinical rotations. The Surface Pro 11 is equipped with a powerful processor and ample RAM, ensuring smooth performance for most applications, including those that are demanding in nature.
Its high-resolution PixelSense display provides crisp and clear visuals, ideal for reading digital textbooks and reviewing medical charts. Additionally, the Surface Pro 11 offers long battery life, allowing you to continue working on assignments and taking notes without interruption. The device also includes robust security features to protect sensitive data, making it a reliable and secure option for nursing students. Overall, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 combines flexibility, performance, and portability, making it a top contender for those in nursing school.
ASUS VivoBook 15
- Powerful Intel Ultra 7 processor 155H 16-Core (Base Clock 2.5GHz, Up to 4.8 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 24 MB Intel Smart cache, 16 cores, 6 Performance-Cores, 10 Efficient-Cores, 22 threads)
- [[ Customization ]] Upgraded to 40GB DDR5 SDRAM 5600 MHz | 1TB NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive | Windows 11 Home
- Brilliant 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) 400 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, Glossy display, 70% less harmful blue light, 60Hz, Thin Bezel LCD Display. Powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB GDDR6, 5.0M Camera with Privacy Shutter and integrated digital microphone
- Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.3; 10/100/1000Mbps LAN. 1x USB Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps Type-C support Data Transfer / Power Delivery / DisplayPort through USB Type-C, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support Data Transfer / Power Delivery / DisplayPort, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x HDMI v2.1, 1x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack; 1x RJ-45 LAN, 1x Memory Card, 1x Coaxial plug Power Jack
- Fullsize Backlit Keyboard with Numpad; Speakers 2Wx2; 75Whr 4-cell lithium-ion battery (up to 8 hours non-gaming battery life); 14.00 x 9.26 x 0.78 inches, 4.19 lbs; Earl Gray / Grey Color; 200W AC Adapter, free ONT 32GB USB Drive
The ASUS VivoBook 15 is a versatile option for nursing students who require a balance of performance and affordability. This laptop is equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, providing adequate power for multitasking through various nursing programs and applications. With a 15.6-inch Full HD display, it offers a larger screen size, which is beneficial for reading digital textbooks, reviewing medical charts, and watching educational videos.
The VivoBook 15 also features a robust build quality, ensuring durability for daily use in different environments, from classrooms to clinical settings. One of its standout features is the ergonomic backlit keyboard, which enhances typing comfort during long study sessions. Additionally, the laptop includes multiple connectivity options, such as USB Type-C and HDMI ports, allowing easy access to external devices and accessories. With a battery life that supports extended use, the ASUS VivoBook 15 ensures nursing students can continue their work without frequent interruptions. Its affordability, combined with solid performance and essential features, makes the ASUS VivoBook 15 a good laptop choice for nursing students aiming to maximize their budget while obtaining a reliable device for their studies.