Best Laptops for Medical School | The Ultimate Guide

The advancement in technology has made hard books, hand-written notes, and longhand assignments go obsolete. Instead of carrying a set of notebooks, textbooks, and journals in your backpack why not get a laptop that carries them all? Isn’t it more convenient and practical? It sure is, which is why, popular universities like Harvard, Oxford, and UT Houston are promoting its use.

Medical students, in most cases, do not require a high-end laptop usually because their usage does not involve complex GPU and CPU processing. However, it is changing as some universities have started employing VR to teach complex procedures and pathologies.

So, for VR to work appropriately, you would need a laptop with a decent GPU and CPU. Therefore, in this article, we would include both basic and high-end laptops in our list of best laptops for medical school.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right into it.

Key Features – Best Laptops For Medical School

The table below contains some of the key features of each laptop mentioned in our list. In the forthcoming section, you would be presented with detailed and comprehensive reviews of each laptop.

LAPTOP	PROCESSOR	RAM/STORAGE (GB)	PRICE
Dell XPS 9360-5203SLV 13.3"	Core i5	8/128	Check Price
Acer Swift 3	AMD Ryzen 7	8/256	Check Price
Huawei MateBook X Pro	Intel 8th Gen i7	16/512	Check Price
Apple’s MacBook Air	Intel Core i5	8/128	Check Price
Microsoft Surface Pro 7	Intel Core i7	16/256	Check Price
Acer Aspire 5	AMD Ryzen 3	4/128	Check Price
ASUS VivoBook	Ryzen 5	8/256	Check Price
ASUS ZenBook	Intel 8th Gen i5	8/512	Check Price
Dell Inspiron	Intel 7th Gen i7	8/256	Check Price
LG Gram	Intel Core i7	16/1TB	Check Price

The laptop we have at hand is an 8th generation machine from the XPS, one the most popular lineup of Dell. The device is more or less a basic one and does not have bells and whistles attached to it. Plus, the design of the unit is fairly simple which looks elegant nonetheless. It is light, compact, and very thin that making it a decent device to be carried around.

The laptop has a processor count of 4 and uses Intel’s Core i5 processor coupled with the ram of 8GB for processing and short-term memory storage. The combination of both makes the device fast and efficient and ensures a lag-free performance. You would not encounter any problem or whatsoever while switching between different books, running multiple software simultaneously, or lagging in typing.

Moving on, Dell has used an SSD hard drive for storage which undoubtedly is one of the fastest and reboots the windows in a matter of seconds. However, the shortcoming is, the capacity is too low for the storage of lectures, books, and other study-related material. Fortunately, the SD card slot is available, which can be used to increase its storage capacity. Plus, you can use external hard drives as well, so it should not be a deal-breaker.

Contrary to what many opine, I find its keyboard quite comfortable and fun to type on. The keys are very quiet and provide a really nice feel when pressed. Plus, it has backlights to make it easier to type in the dark. I am using this device for quite a while now for a job that involves a whole lot of writing and by now it has never disappointed me.

For medical students, graphics and image quality are two of the most important aspects of a device. The textbooks are vibrant and these need to be shown as such when one opens them on a laptop. Fortunately, this device is able to display those vibrant photos with great accuracy. It uses Ultra-Sharp FHD resolution that would not disappoint you in any regard.

Last but not the least, the thing that I found most useful and enjoyable is its battery life which is about 11 hours. So, even if you fail to find a plug nearby, it would not be a problem.

Specifications:

Processor	Intel Core i5-8250U
Ram	8GB
Storage	128GB (SSD)
Display	13.3-inch FHD
Average Battery Life	11 Hours

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The second device, Acer Swift 3, is a machine that is intended for those students who need VR for their studies. This is a lowkey gaming device that can run VR setups like Oculus Rift at recommended specifications. The lags and glitches are practically non-existent in the combination of both these machines.

The plus point of this device is, it is a lowkey gaming setup and can run most of the modern games at medium graphics. The average FPS you get on the modern game is around 30-35 which is good enough. Therefore, it can provide a great escape when the studies tire you up.

Moving on, the machine uses AMD Ryzen 7 processor which is a decent one, especially, for the purpose we are using it for. I know, AMD does not have a good reputation if we compare it with Intel. However, one must also understand that the same setup in Intel would cost at least 300-400$ more. So, what you are getting at the price is very reasonable and provides a good value for money.

Plus, as a medical student, you do not run highly demanding software anyway. So, instead of spending those extra bucks on Intel, why not get some eBooks for the studies? I hope you get my point.

If we talk about storage, the device uses 256GB of SSD which is a decent storage capacity. Furthermore, the SSD also cuts down the time the laptop needs to reboot. Though 256GB would be good enough for the storage of study-related material, in case it is not, you can extend it via an SD card. The slot for the card is available on the right side of the device.

Lastly, the laptop weighs around four and a half pounds which is not too light but not heavier either. You should not have a problem with carrying it around in your backpack. 

Specifications

Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 2700U Quad-Core
Ram	8GB
Storage	256GB SSD
Graphics	RX 540 2GB VRAM
Display	15.6inches HD
Average Battery Life	9 hours

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Well, if you are looking for a thin and bezel-less display device, prepare to be amazed, because this device will blow your mind. The Matebook X Pro is Huawei’s flagship device that checks all the right boxes. Be it the processing, graphics, or ease of use, the device stands out in every aspect and makes itself worthy of the flagship title.

First thing first, the design of the device is simply amazing and surely catches some eyes. It is extremely thin and weighs just about 3 pounds which makes it convenient to carry around. Open the device and it is when the real class of the device gets deployed. The bezel-less display, well-crafted, and well-placed keys, and quality trackpad make it one of the most beautiful devices on the market.

On top of it, the device has jaw-dropping hardware as well. It uses intel’s 8th generation i7 processor which speaks for itself. The 16GB RAM and 512GB of SSD storage take the reading, writing, and processing speed to a whole nother level. MX150 by GeForce serves as icing on the cake. I know it is not a high-end graphics card but it will get the job that you need it for.

The display of the device is what impressed me the most. The 91% screen-to-body ratio almost makes it a bezel-less display. Furthermore, it provides a viewing angle of about 178 degrees, so despite a major change in your sitting position, you would not have to bend or turn the laptop around. Although it is touch-screen, I personally find it a mere gimmickry since the laptop is not completely foldable.

On the negative side, the company has paid much attention to the arrangement of ports in the device. The device only has two ports and both of them are placed on a single side which makes their use quite tricky. I wish they had placed one on either side or have given us a third port instead. Anyways, it is what it is but should not be seen as a deal-breaker since there are plenty of gears available that can help your work around it.

Specifications

Processor	Intel’s 8th Gen i7
Ram	16 GB
Storage	512GB SSD
Graphics	MX 150

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Apple’s MacBook Air was released back in 2017 and even to this date, it is tough to beat. It is products like this that are improving the credibility and reliability of Apple and making it a go-to brand for many people. Apple’s MacBook Air is one of Amazon’s choices and for the right reasons.

It features Intel’s Core i5 processor that has a 1.8GHz dual-core clock speed that can be boosted up to 2.9GHz with shared caches. It is coupled with an 8GB Ram which results in very efficient and fast processing, reading, and writing speeds.

For the data storage, it uses a 128GB SSD which makes it a fast unit when it comes to rebooting. However, data storage does not have a decent capacity and would require an external hard drive. It also has an SD card port, in case you want to extend the memory via an SD card.

For Graphics it uses Intel HD Graphic 6000 which is an ordinary unit but good enough to serve your purpose. Along with 13.3inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display and 1440*at 900 resolution, it provides a great display. The images on the eBooks would be shown exactly as they are on the hard-books and this is why it is the best laptop for med students.

The area where it outperforms most brands is the compactness and the thickness of the device. The laptop has a thickness of just about 1.7cm and weighs around 3 pounds only. The machine is as compact as a notebook and can be carried around everywhere with ease.

Moving on, the laptop has two USB 3 ports that can read and write the data fast and efficiently. It might be the fastest port that is available but the arrangement of these ports is not of my liking. I personally like the ports to be on either side instead of two ports on a single side. However, it is a subjective matter and should be treated as such rather than a deal-breaker.

Even if you align yourself with my opinion, there is a lot of gear available in the market that can be used to work around the problem.

Specification

Processor	Intel Core i5 Processor
Ram	8GB
Storage	128GB SSD
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 6000

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While looking for a laptop for medical students the first thing one needs to consider is how convenient it is to carry around. The laptop should not weigh the student down and should not take too much space in the backpack. Luckily, the next device in our list is exactly as such and a proud production of Microsoft.

The device is an actual tablet that uses Windows 10 as an operating system but it can be converted into a laptop. The type cover, that you would have to purchase separately, gets connected with it and makes it a laptop. This setup might seem a bit expensive but for the versatility it provides, those extra bucks are justified.

The best thing about using this laptop is the ease of carrying it. You can carry it pretty much everywhere within or outside your backpack. It almost feels like carrying a thin notebook in your hands. The point is, you would find it hard to get a more compact device than this machine.

Moving on, the specifications of the device are pretty decent for all the activities a student has to use it. It uses Intel’s 10th Generation i7 processor and 16GB of Ram. Although you can get the specifications up to and down, I personally find this one quite balanced for a medical student. This setup would run all the software a medical student needs, swiftly and without any glitch or whatsoever.

Furthermore, you can get a pen to write the stuff on the laptop, thanks to its touch-screen display. Although it might increase the overall price of the setup, imagine how good and improved your PowerPoint presentations will be, with the use of this pen. Especially, while drawing the diagrams of human anatomy and histology, this device will come in handy. And that makes it the best laptop for PowerPoint.

The battery is another stand-out feature of this device that lasts about 9-10 hours when fully charged. Plus, it takes just one hour to charge the device to 80%. The point is, the battery would no never slow you down or affect your activities. 

Specifications

Processor	Intel Core i7
Ram	16GB
Storage	256GB SSD
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 615

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Medical Schools are not cheap, a lot of money goes into becoming a medical graduate. It might not be a problem for some, but, most students have it in another way. So, for these financially burdened students, we have Acer Aspire 5, an affordable and quite efficient device.

The device comes at well under 400$. I bet now I have your attention. Do I not? On the top, it covers almost every aspect a medical student needs to consider while buying a laptop. Compactness? Check, Light-Weight? Check, Efficient processing?. Does not get any better or does it?

The machine uses an AMD Ryzen 3 processor which is decent enough for students. I know it does not compare to Intel’s processor but you get what you pay for. Plus, it is not like the machine would lag or anything, it is just that some of the highly demanding software would present a few problems. However, as a medical student, you rarely have to use that software, so it should not be that big of a problem.

Furthermore, the device has RAM of 4GB which provides a decent reading and writing speed. It is coupled with the 128GB of SSD hard drive which sort of makeup for all the shortcomings. It might not be enough for storage but it has an amazing impact on the overall performance of the machine. Plus, you can always get it extended or use an external device when the storage runs out.

The device has three USB ports, one of which is 3.1 while the other two are 2.0. You can use 3.1 for transferring the data as it provides a better speed while the other two ports can be used to attach additional accessories. The standard HDMI port should also present no problem with the connectivity of projectors or other display devices. 

Specifications

Processor	AMD Ryzen 3
Ram	4GB
Storage	128GB SSD
Graphics	Vega 3 Graphics

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ASUS has always come up with affordable devices for people that are running low on budget and students often are. For the price it comes at, it provides quite efficient performance which makes it the best computer for medical school.

It uses the Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB of DDR4 which is a decent combination to get the best out of the device. The Ryzen Series does not compare well with Intel’s processor but comes at a much lower cost. And to make up for that, ASUS has used RAM of 8GB, which will serve the students well. 

Plus, it has an AMD Radeon graphic card which is an ordinary one but considering the price it is really amazing. Most devices that come within the same price bracket do not even have decent display units let alone graphic cards. For this very reason, the device stands out.

Moving on, the machine has 256GB of SSD storage which is a reasonable capacity. Moreover, it can be extended via an external hard drive or the use of an SD card. In case, you want to jump straight to 512GB, it is also available, but costs a bit more than this particular machine.

The keyboard of the machine is also a decent one. It is not noisy and provides a decent feel when typed on. You would not experience any discomfort while penning down the notes on the device because of the keyboard.

Screen or Display is another area where this device shines. It has an 88% screen-to-body ratio which is probably the most in this price range, almost making it bezel-less. Plus, it provides decent viewing angles, and thanks to the AMD Radeon, you would get a splendid view of whatever you are watching or reading.

The machine has three USB ports two on one side and one on the other. One of these USB ports is 3.0 while the other two are 2.0. You can use the former one for transferring the data and the other two for connecting the accessories.

Lastly, the battery of the device lasts about 6 hours on average which is a decent time. You might have seen some laptop that comes over a grand but does not provide even 4 hours of battery time. 

Overall, it is a decent package and the students who are running a bit low on the budget would find it hard to get a better option than this.

Specifications

Processor	Ryzen 5
Ram	8GB
Storage	AMD Radeon Vega
Graphics	256GB SSD

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While we are on the topic of budget-friendliness and affordability here is another mid-range device that might interest you. ASUS ZenBook is a sleek and slim device that weighs just about two and a half pounds. On the top, it has an aluminum body that gives it a flashy and glossy look.

It uses Intel’s 8th Generation core i5 processor and 8GB RAM for processing, reading, and writing information. The combination of both is good enough to run all sorts of software a medical student needs. Medical students, who are into Survey Based Research, would be happy to know that this device does not lag or glitch while using software like SPSS.

Furthermore, it comes with 512GB of the SSD Hard drive which is good enough for students. The benefit of using an SSD is that it reboots in a matter of seconds and improves the overall speed of the device.

Moving on, the keyboard of the device is carefully crafted and has a decent space between each key. I personally find writing on it quite fun. The keys provide a really nice feel which is something most students look for in a laptop. Trust me, penning down the notes on OneNote would be fun on this device.

If we talk about the ports, the company has provided two USB ports on either side. This is the design that I personally dig for. It is relatively easy to insert and remove the USB from this particular type of setting.

The trackpad is also highly responsive and can be cleaned up easily in case you drop some fluid on it. Plus, even if the fluid is not completely wiped off, the responsiveness of the pad remains the same, which is something that I find very appealing.

Lastly, the average battery life of this device is around 10-11 hours which is a decent time. Plus, in case you drain it completely, all you need is around hours to charge it again to 60%.

Specification

Processor	Intel’s 8th Gen i5
Storage	512GB SSD
RAM	8GB
Display	13inches FHD

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The next entry to our list is yet again by Dell with a device of Inspiron series. The machine features a traditional Inspiron design which might seem quite bulky but it is not. The machine is, in fact, very compact and weighs only around 3.5lbs. Yes, it would be a bit difficult to carry around in bare hands but should feel pretty lightweight in a backpack. The point is, it would not weigh you down.

The processor featured in this device is Intel’s 7th Generation core i7 and is also available in core i5. However, the price difference between the two is not that much so I would recommend you opt for i7 instead.

Moving on, it uses 8GB RAM, and coupled with Intel’s highly performing processor, the device performs efficiently. It would not present any error, glitch on lag on whatever software you intend to use. In fact, even video editing software like Filmora also runs swiftly on this device.

For storage, an SSD of 256GB is available which is a mid-range hard drive. For most people, it would be enough but for those who want to extend it, an SD card slot is available. Not to mention the external HDD, which can always be connected with the machine. The USB ports are 3.0, so, one should not encounter any issue with reading or writing.

The device is pretty versatile and as well and can be bent to produce different shapes. It can be converted into a tablet as well and thanks to its touch screen, it comes in quite handy.

If we talk about the display, it has a 13.3inch FHD LED screen which provides excellent viewing angles. The colors of the display are also decent and while reading the eBook provides exactly the same color as the hard book.

Lastly, for the power, it uses 1 Lithium Polymer battery which is the major shortcoming in this device. It lasts only about 3-4 hours which is quite disappointing for the price bracket manufacturer has placed it in. Anyways, it charges quickly which sort of makes up for it but it should have been better.

Specifications

Processor	Intel’s 7th Gen core i7
Storage	256GB SSD
RAM	8GB
Display	13.3 inches FHD Screen

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The last but not the least device to make it to our list is by LG, an under-rated but excellent brand. Their devices are known for their compactness and light-weightiness and it stands true in the case of this laptop as well.  

The device is super light weighing and weighs just about 2.5 lbs. You would not have a problem with carrying this ultralight laptop about anywhere. The body is elegant, compact, and thin.

What I like the most about this device is it has a fingerprint scanner located right above the power button, which will surely help in privacy protection. In addition, the scanner is pretty fast as well. It unlocks the device in a matter of microseconds.

The shortcoming I noticed in it was with the mouse pad as it is not located beneath the space bar which is a standard placement. It has been moved a bit toward the right. Although it would present any problem to righties it will be a bit tricky for a lefty to get hold of.

The processor used in it is Intel i7 – 8565U. This processor’s base clock speed is 1.8 GHz but it can be boosted up to 4.6 GHz. It runs software like Adobe Premiere and Adobe photoshop smoothly. The integrated GPU is intel HD 620 which has a Max speed of 1150 MHz.

Besides providing excellent speed for processing, reading, and writing it can run some of the famous games like Fortnite and GTA as well. So, in the time off, you can have a bit of fun with your laptop.

Moving on, the laptop has 1 TB SSD storage with 2 X 512GB SSD chips. SSD is considered to be 5-20 times faster than the standard Hard drives which help windows to boot faster and open software quickly. It also has an SD card slot in case you need one.

It has an FHD display which helps medical students to see details that many laptops may not provide. Image quality is also great too. Lastly, it has a 72Wh battery which provides a battery backup of almost 18 and a half hours which means you can take it everywhere without even worrying about the battery.

Specifications

Processor	Intel Core i7 – 8565U
Storage	1 Tb SSD (2X 512Gb)
RAM	16 GB DDR4
Display	15.6 FHD IPS Touch screen
Average Battery Life	Up to 18.5 hours

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Buyer’s guide for selecting the best laptop for medical School

Laptops are expensive devices and having spent huge sums of money on them, it is natural to have certain expectations. However, those expectations are not always met and people often regret their purchase. Therefore, in this section, we will let you know some of the things you need to look for, while making the purchase, so, you do not end up regretting it.

Let’s start without any further ado.

Ideal specification for the best laptop for medical students

Specifications of the laptop are and should be the first and foremost priority of the users. It is the set of specifications that defines the performance of the laptop. However, for each user, the required specifications are different.

A graphic designer might need a laptop with a bigger display. Similarly, a gamer needs a laptop that has a high-end graphic processing unit incorporated in it. The point is, every individual has separate requirements that need to be met. 

So, the question is what would be the ideal specifications for a medical student? 

The answer is fairly simple. Since the medical students do not have to run highly demanding software they do not require hardcore specifications. For a medical student, a laptop can run an eBook, Adobe Acrobat, and data entry software like SPSS without a glitch is good enough. So, at which specifications the laptop would be able to run software like these swiftly? I will explain it.

Any laptop that has Intel’s 6th Generation i5 processor or equivalent with RAM 6GB or more is good enough for medical students. However, in case, you need a laptop that can support you also need to look for GPU as well. A laptop that has NVIDIA GTX 1060/AMD RX 480 or higher would be good enough for this job.

Thickness and compactness of the device

Once you have chosen the right specification, make sure the device has a compact and thin design. As a medical student, you have to carry your laptop around with you pretty much all the time. It has your notes, books, assignments, presentations, basically everything. So, if the device is thick or bulky it would make it hard to carry around.

Ideally, laptops for medical students should not weigh more than two and a half pounds. Especially if you have to carry it around without a backpack. However, in case, you carry it in your backpack, the weight can go up to three and a half pounds.

Quality of keyboard

As a student, you have to do everything on your laptop. From your lectures to assignments, everything has to be typed on the laptop. This is why the quality of the keyboard is very important. An ordinary keyboard not only tires you out but also hurts your finger if you use it for a long time.

Therefore, it is important to get a laptop that has a decent keyboard that has a decent gap between the keys and buttons is not too hard either.

Another point you must consider is the backlights of the keyboard. There are times when you have to switch off the bulb and lower your brightness. In those times, you would find it hard to type in case there is no light behind the keys.

The point is, the keyboard is as important as anything while looking for a laptop. Make sure the laptop has a quality keyboard or you would end up regretting it.

Display of laptop

Medical science is a complex field and has textbooks filled up with colors. Take histology for example, if you fail to differentiate between two colors, chances are, you would get the concept wrong. Similarly, while watching some footage of surgery, you need a laptop that can differentiate the colors of different muscles.

Therefore, it is important to get a laptop that has decent display quality and size. FHD screens are quite popular and they are good too, in differentiating colors, so go for them if it is possible.

FAQs- Best Laptop for Medical Students

1. Is a laptop necessary for a medical student?

Yes, in modern times it has become necessary for a medical student to own a laptop

2. Which laptop brand is best?

Plenty of brands are available and each has its own area of expertise. Some of the top names are Dell, HP, Apple, and Acer.

3. Is LG a good laptop Brand?

Yes, LG’s laptops are light-weight and compact which makes it a good brand for medical students

4. MacBook vs Windows, which one is better?

It depends on your use and the other devices you own. For a person who owns Apple’s accessories, a MacBook would be a better option and vice versa.

Conclusion – Best Laptop for Students

Well, there you have it, everything that we had on the best laptop for med students. I have tried to cover a wide range of students in this article. The compilation included both high-end and affordable laptops. Now, it is up to you to decide which one would make your best studying partner.

I hope this article has helped you in the selection of a laptop or at least has narrowed down your options. If there is anything you want to add or ask on the Best laptop for medical students, let us know in the given section. We would love to respond. Thank you for stopping by.

You can also check out or other Laptop related posts below.

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