4If you’ve just signed up for the online health informatics degree program through the University of Cincinnati then you are probably wrapped up in excitement. Once that wears off though, it will be time to get down to business. As a student enrolled in an online degree program, the most important piece of equipment you’ll need is a computer or laptop. If you’re in the market for a new laptop, we’ve got the stand-outs for 2017 listed in order to help narrow down your search.
Dell XPS 13
Dell is one of those companies that continue to dominate the laptop world year after year with affordable options for students, and everyone really. The Dell XPS 13 features an Intel Core i3-i7, 128GB-512GB of storage, a 13.3″ FHD screen, a long-lasting battery, and superior speed. Obviously, storage may be an issue for some, but if you’re just looking to store basic word files and photos, then this is more than enough.
Battery power is always an issue with laptops, which is exactly why this device’s seven hours plus battery time is so important. To keep things interesting there is a Rose Gold option available.
Samsung Notebook 9
Here’s one that is all about offering a budget-friendly option without having to make sacrifices on quality. Where this one excels is that it offers a Core i5 Skylake processor despite the fact it is an Ultrabook. The display is flashy and gorgeous with an LED anti-reflective coating, there is 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM. The one drawback with this device is that its battery isn’t particularly long-lasting.
MacBook Pro 13-Inch (2016 edition)
Of course, the list wouldn’t be complete without an offering from Apple, so the MacBook Pro 13-inch (2016 edition) is one worth checking out. This laptop is extremely thin and lightweight, making it easy to carry around, its battery life is more than 12 hours on a single charge, it features 6th Generation Core i5, and it performs exceptionally well. This one is a bit pricier, but the long battery time may convince you it’s worth it.
Lenovo ThinkPad T470
If you’re looking for something really new and straight off the lines, then you will need to wait until February when the new Lenovo ThinkPad T470 will be available. This one follows up the T460 and can take you past your schooling, and right into your career/business needs. Stand-out features include the 7th Generation Core processor, a dual-battery system, one of the best keyboards in the industry, and a Thunderbolt 3 port which will allow users to charge and even connect to other monitors using one cable.
Making the Investment
A laptop should be seen as an investment towards earing your online master in health informatics degree, so you want to be sure you take the time and energy to do your research and pick the best model for your needs. The great news is that there are such a wide variety of laptops nowadays, in all different price points, you’re bound to find the perfect device.
