Today, having access to technology is becoming increasingly important for academic performance. The days of spiral notebooks, bulky textbooks, and paper and pencils are long gone. Instead, students use computers to finish projects, conduct research, and follow along in class. These days, cloud storage, online tests, and digital books are commonplace.
A computer or laptop is necessary for all college students, but it’s especially important for those who attend classes online, as the number of students enrolled in online courses increases annually, so it is essential that there are online colleges that provide laptops. An estimated one-third of all college students took at least one online course, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Additionally, according to the NCES, one in six college students studies solely online rather than the traditional way.
Enrollment is obviously difficult for a potential online student who does not have access to a laptop or computer that satisfies basic tech requirements. Nonetheless, the average price of a student laptop nowadays is around $1,000, with the lowest price being $199 and the highest being $1,799. This could be a barrier that causes many kids to delay or withdraw their intentions to attend college. Thankfully, a growing number of educational institutions are working to eliminate this obstacle.
There are increasingly more programs offering free computers or affordable ways to finance a laptop. Some online colleges provide laptops at particularly discounted rates or rent equipment. Making portable computers accessible and assisting college students in coping with the high expense of utilizing such equipment is the common objective of all these educational initiatives.
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Online colleges that provide laptops
Today’s college students must have access to technology. However, a 2021 report from the Midwestern Higher Education Compact states that about 19% of college students cite technological obstacles, such as poor computer hardware or internet connectivity, that hinder online learning.
A powerful computer is necessary for online learners to engage in virtual education. If this is you, numerous online colleges provide laptops as an incentive for students to join.
Which Laptops Are Ideal for College?
Ensure the laptop you choose for college meets all the hardware requirements of your program. To determine the precise details, such as the recommended hard drive capacity, CPU speed, and software compatibility, you should contact your school.
For example, if you’re a computer science major, you’ll likely require a specific gadget to support your computing curriculum. The best laptop for you may also depend on your own budget.
We’ve compiled our list of the top laptops for college students.
- The Apple MacBook Air M1 is ideal for students who want a long battery life and a lightweight design.
- The Acer Swift 3 is a powerful, portable laptop that excels at multitasking.
- The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is a multipurpose gadget with a touch screen and a long battery life.
- The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is the best Chromebook for students looking for a dependable and long-lasting choice.
- Apple MacBook Pro M1 Chip is a high-end Apple choice for students in need of a robust and long-lasting notebook.
- Dell XPS 13 is a high-end Windows laptop designed for students who require excellent speed and graphics.
- The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is the best option for students looking for a powerful laptop on a tight budget.
5 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Laptop
When purchasing a laptop for college, or when an online college provides laptops for students, there are some things that need to be examined. The basic would be to begin by determining how you intend to use the device, check with prospective schools about the programs and applications you may need, as technological requirements differ by major. Some other factors to consider include:
1. Price:
Laptop prices often vary based on performance specifications and capabilities. Brand name awareness can also be important, particularly for tech companies that have actively cultivated a premium image.
There’s typically more to the story than the retail price. For example, some manufacturers provide more comprehensive, inclusive, and hassle-free warranty programs than others. Consider this while you conduct price research.
2. Processor and RAM:
Random access memory (RAM) manages the data that your computer needs to operate applications, stream media, browse the internet, and do other active tasks. More RAM is normally preferred; PCs with a lot of RAM are usually more expensive.
Intel recommends that online learners use machines with 8-16 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. Because you’ll need a computer for several years of school, selecting a high-performance device will allow you to keep up with changing and improving learning technology.
3. Storage:
ASUS, a renowned laptop manufacturer, recommends that college students buy machines with at least 512 GB of storage. If you intend to store your data just on your computer rather than in the cloud, 1 terabyte of storage may be a better alternative.
Depending on your program or major, you may need additional storage. If your field of study requires media-rich formats such as videos or interactive content, select a laptop with a larger storage capacity or one that allows for future storage expansions.
4. Battery Lifespan:
Laptops normally last between three and ten hours on a single full charge, according to Asurion. However, because some apps drain your power more quickly than others, determining battery life can be challenging. The size, weight, and performance settings of the device all have an impact on how long a battery lasts.
5. Size:
The ability to learn from any location with a laptop is one of the main benefits of online education. Your laptop will be more portable if it is lighter and smaller. Typically, laptop screens are between 11 and 17 inches in size. Students may discover that larger screens facilitate a more fluid learning experience, while screen size ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Can You Rent a Laptop for College?
Indeed, there are a lot of online colleges that provide laptops, and also, as an alternative, have a technology borrowing program via their library. Maintaining good grades and making timely tuition payments are typical prerequisites for eligibility. Even if you want to enroll in classes the next semester, you still have to return the laptop at the conclusion of the term.
You agree to cover any damage, whether deliberate or unintentional, when you check out a laptop. What constitutes damage and the potential repayment amount should be included in the loan agreement you sign.
Visit the library as soon as you enroll because most college and university libraries lend out computers on a first-come, first-served basis. If laptops are no longer available at your library, talk to a librarian about your choices.
- State-funded technology subsidies for college students
- Discounts on technology offered by hardware manufacturers
- Institutional technology grants for low-income students.
Four Ways to Get a Free or Discounted Laptop for College
If you need a laptop or computer for college, there are several options available. Whether you win a scholarship, get one for an online colleges that provide laptops, receive one from a family member, or attend a school that offers one.
1. Select a school that offers a laptop program:
Rather than handing students laptops, several online colleges that provide laptops lease them out. For example, Santa Ana College’s Digital Dons program allows students to borrow a laptop for a single term.
2. Utilize grant, loan, or scholarship funds:
Some grants and scholarships have simpler requirements, while others are limited to tuition and fees. Certain financial assistance programs allow you to spend funds to purchase necessary equipment, such as a laptop or tablet, as well as books and materials.
3. Buy from Businesses That Provide Student Discounts:
Companies that sell laptops might be able to provide you a direct education discount. For instance, Lenovo gives teachers and students who use ID.me to verify their identity a 5% discount. Additionally, Apple and Dell discount some of their laptops for educational purposes.
4. Search for Refurbished and Used Technology:
Purchasing a used laptop is another option to save money. Sellers can offer new or used goods, including laptops, in their local market on websites like Craigslist, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp. Use caution, though, as third-party merchants might not always be trustworthy.
How Do Online College Student Technology Policies Operate?
Since the majority of online programs require a computer and a fast internet connection, technology is crucial. There are a few rules to be aware of if you intend to use a free or leased laptop program from any online colleges that provide laptops.
1. Purchasing a Laptop:
Before classes start, some reputable online colleges that provide laptops send out technology bundles. Usually, laptops and necessary software licenses are included in these packages. When you get to campus, in-person programs could give you free or borrowed laptops. After a student earns a particular number of credits, some schools give them permanent laptop ownership.
2. Updates for Hardware and Software:
You are not permitted to download media on your loaned laptop in many authorized colleges that provide laptop loaner programs. Additionally, you typically need to collaborate with the campus information technology department to update the hardware or software.
3. Theft and Damage:
Warranties or insurance for gadgets provided by the school are part of several college tech perk programs. IT support for hardware or software issues is usually one of these safeguards. While some schools offer theft and damage protection, others demand payment from students who misplace or damage their gadgets.
4. Status as a Student:
Only first-year students are eligible for technology packages at several recognized online colleges that provide laptops. Although it is less common, transfer students may potentially be eligible for free college laptop programs, depending on the university.
Best Online Colleges That Provide Laptops to Students
1. Santa Ana College:
Santa Ana College’s Digital Dons program is a top online colleges that provide laptops to qualifying students for the entire academic term to help them with their studies. To qualify, students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or above and enroll in a minimum of 9 units (or 3 units for summer). Eligible students can request a laptop through the Student Help Desk. There are additional qualifying requirements for students with disabilities and noncredit students.
2. Dakota State University:
Dakota State University (DSU) is part of the online colleges that provide laptops to all full-time freshmen through its Wireless Mobile Computing Initiative (WMCI). The program is required for all entering freshmen, transfer students, and continuing students and provides them with a specifically designed laptop for the duration of their studies, with the option to purchase the device after graduation.
The exact models change over time, but recent assignments have included Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 2-in-1 models. Students do not own the laptop entirely and must return it when they leave the university. The institution offers on-campus support, such as repairs, warranties, and assistance with lost or stolen devices.
3. Full Sail University:
Full Sail University offers Project LaunchBox™, a technology package that includes a laptop as part of its tuition. It is also part of the online colleges that provide laptops, but not for “free,” but rather an institutional cost that supplies students with the required technology and software for their specific degree program, with components that vary by major. Some equipment is delivered later in the program, while others are downloaded.
Your degree determines what you will receive. For example, Game Art students may receive art tools, whilst Computer Science students may be given a separate set of equipment. Depending on your program, you may receive an Apple MacBook or an MSI laptop; however, you can opt out of the laptop component if your present computer fits the program’s requirements. If you opt out, the laptop cost is deducted from your tuition, and you will be charged for the software instead.
4. Moravian University:
Moravian University is part of the online colleges that provide laptops for free as well as iPads and Apple Watches to full-time undergraduate students. This initiative, which is part of a larger technological commitment to promote students’ academic progress, is accessible to students enrolled in classes on campus.
IT personnel assist students in configuring these gadgets. A preinstalled app on the MacBook enables users to download software such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office 365 and access university resources. Hardware and software problems are covered by AppleCare+ guarantees, unintentional damage is not.
5. Ohio State University:
Through its Student Technology Loan Program (STLP), Ohio State University is also one of the online colleges that provide laptops (loaner laptops), including Surface and iPad models, to students who fulfill specific eligibility requirements and have identified financial needs. The institution offers programs like the STLP and the previous Digital Flagship initiative, which provided technology kits to entering undergraduates between 2018 and 2022, even though not all students receive free laptops.
You can apply by checking if you have access to the STLP request form by logging into ScholarshipUniverse. To request an exception, send an email to [email protected] if you are an international student or are experiencing a crisis. Depending on availability, the loans can be extended at the conclusion of each semester for either short-term or long-term use.
6. Piedmont Community College:
Piedmont Community College’s Free PCC Laptop initiative provides Lenovo IdeaPads with Windows 11 to the first 300 qualified students who register. Only new students are eligible, and they must enroll in at least nine credits between the fall and spring semesters.
While students may keep the computers after graduation, they must return them and pay $350 to PCC if they become ineligible or fail to meet the requirements of the agreement.
7. University of Arkansas Grantham:
All qualified students at the University of Arkansas Grantham will receive a new Lenovo laptop with Windows 11 when they begin their programs. The school is one of the online colleges that provides laptops to students who complete their first semester and enroll in a second semester, while students on full scholarships may not be eligible.
UA Grantham mails the computers to students and lets them retain them after they have completed two semesters, and also provides resources to the student like a website where they can get free college textbooks for the programs. If students do not comply with the agreement requirements, they must return the laptops or pay an estimated $450.
8. Normandale Community College:
Normandale Community College’s Free Laptop Program is one of the online colleges that provides laptops for free to chosen students. To qualify, students must complete at least one Normandale course and demonstrate financial need. Due to limited supplies, not all qualified students will receive a laptop.
The program offers Lenovo computers with a two-year warranty, and students can keep the computers once they have finished their programs. The institution also provides in-library laptops for use in the library and a public computer lab on the second floor of the institution’s Services building (C2190).
9. Bowdoin College:
Through the Digital Excellence Commitment (DExC) initiative, Bowdoin College is one of the online colleges that provides laptops to all students for free. Each student receives a 13-inch MacBook Pro, an iPad mini, and an Apple Pencil to use for coursework and to keep after graduation. Regardless of background, this program guarantees digital equity for every learner.
The objective is to establish a shared learning platform for all students, providing them with the resources required for a 21st-century education and enabling them to retain the devices once they graduate.
FAQ’s
Why is a laptop necessary for college?
A lot of college courses have assignments that need to be finished or turned in utilizing computer software. For example, students may need Microsoft Office to finish a PowerPoint presentation or write a paper, as such online colleges that provide laptops are highly sought after.
Can you use financial aid to purchase a laptop?
You can buy new laptops and other educational gear with federal grants and loans. There may be limitations on other institutional, private, or public help, limiting funds to be used exclusively for tuition and fees.
Conclusion
The uncertainty of selecting the appropriate technology is eliminated by online colleges that provide laptops. Feel confident about heading to school with a laptop that you can use both during and after school.
