In this blog post, I will show you Guide: Purchasing UK Used Quality Laptops For Teachers.
You can spend anywhere from hundred thousand to two hundred thousand on a computer, and come to realise your decisions on specs like storage capacity, battery life, and other problems you never even knew you had to worry about.
What does it all mean, and how do you sift through it all?
We’re about to go in-depth into all the different considerations you should take into account when figuring out the best laptops for teachers, why they matter, and what all those numbers mean.
I know that I always feel totally bewildered when I walk into the electronics store because I’m about to drop a ton of cash and I don’t know what anything means.
So I created this super simple list of laptop specs so you know what to look for in a computer and what questions to ask.
Armed with this, you’ll never feel lost in the electronics aisle again!
If you are looking for computers, especially for teaching online, read this guide.
Display Size
When shopping laptops, you can mainly choose between various display sizes. This table helps you to make a decision:
- Below 13″: Ultra-Portable
- 13″ to 16″: Common size
- 17″: (Too) Large
Display Resolution
When deciding for a display size, you should always have the screen resolution in mind. The resolution is not only about image quality; how much fits onto your screen absolutely depends on the screen resolution.
When two differently sized screens have the same resolution, they offer the exact same space — only on the larger screen, all objects are bigger.
There’s an easy rule: Cheaper laptop = lower resolution.
Common screen resolutions of 13″ to 15″ laptop displays:
- 1,366 x 768 pixels (low-res)
- 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (high-res)
Resolution of the 13″ MacBook retina display:
- 2,560 x 1,600 pixels
That means, for example, a 13″ MacBook screen will probably provide more space than a 15″ or even a 17“ display of a budget laptop.
Thus, it can totally make sense to invest a few hundred dollars more in the inner values of your laptop.
Performance
Your laptop’s performance is determined by its CPU (central processing unit), RAM, and general makeup. RAM, or random access memory, is basically your computer’s working memory: it saves what you’re working on currently and continuously so you don’t have to constantly be reloading pages and waiting around while your computer thinks.
Generally, you get what you pay for: more expensive computers almost always perform better than their cheaper counterparts.
See the chart below for more information about what kind of performance you should expect from a given processor:
- If you’re using your computer mainly to do basic tasks like surfing the web, working in Microsoft, or making Skype calls, then you don’t need a really high-performance machine. Any average laptop with 4GB of RAM or more should serve you perfectly well.
- If you use your computer for more advanced purposes like graphic design or video editing, however, or if you’re the kind of person who uses your laptop for 8 hours at a time, opens a gazillion applications, and expects everything to run super fast all the time, you’ll want a computer with higher performance–think at least 8GB of RAM and an Intel i5 CPU or above.
Battery Life
If you’re a classroom teacher, your computer’s battery life is extra important.
If you teach at a public school you may have to move to different classrooms throughout the day, and you may not always be guaranteed a convenient outlet.
You want a computer that can stay alive for more than a few hours while it’s being used so your PPT and entire lesson don’t go out the window in the middle of a class.
If you’re teaching online from your living room or in a training center or private school, battery life might not matter as much.
Just make sure you know what you’re getting into when you choose a computer and look at reviews about how the computer’s battery life is when it’s being used to play videos or show presentations.
Storage Type and Size
Almost any new laptop models are equipped with an SSD (solid-state drive) hard drive, with a capacity of 128 GB up to 1 TB (1,024 GB).
The operating system and the basic software will already eat up 20 to 30 GB from your hard drive.
If you only want to store documents and images, and not many other media files, 128 GB could be sufficient,
However, you will need to clean up your hard drive from time to time to free up some space again. Or you can use an external hard drive or cloud storage (like Google Drive).
With 256 GB, you are on the safe side. This option should suffice the needs of most teachers. It provides enough space for movies, music, and other “hungry storage eaters”.
512 GB or 1 TB are oversized in my opinion, for office work. You only need them if you, for example, do things like video editing and have to save large amounts of raw material.
Ports and Connectors
When you buy your computer, you don’t want to get blindsided if you get home and realize that it only has one Thunderbolt port, you can’t charge your phone and your computer at the same time, and you’ll need to buy a dongle if you want to connect a USB or anything else for that matter.
The new MacBooks only have two USB-C ports. That means they’ll fit your computer charger, but you’ll need to buy a dongle to connect other USB-types, HDMI cords, Ethernet cords, and more.
An Apple brand dongle is costly, but you can find cheap off-brand ones, and buying a dongle (seriously, what a ridiculous name) will totally solve all your problems.
However, if you want to avoid dealing with one more cost addition or just another part to lug around, go for a computer with more built-in ports. Not every printer, document camera or microphone works wireless. So, it is more convenient to have enough ports when it comes to connecting to these devices
Good Keyboard
A good keyboard is, to put it simply, a joy. If you have a good keyboard you probably won’t even notice it, but you’ll subtly enjoy the weight of the keys, their little clicks, the ease with which you type when you’re paying attention.
A bad keyboard, on the other hand, is a different story. You have to gnash the keys too hard to type, you make clicking sounds heard across the room, and you’re generally too annoyed to focus.
Of course, what kind of keyboard you like best (and how much it matters) are up to you. Just be sure to try out typing on the keyboard in the store to make sure you like it.
You can, of course, buy an external keyboard if you’ll be in one place all the time and you really want a computer with a keyboard you don’t like, but it’s generally much easier to just find a computer with a keyboard you like from the start.
Camera and Mic
A good built-in camera and microphone are super beneficial when you’re online tutoring, but neither is necessary. You can buy good external microphones and cameras, but it’s definitely more convenient when your computer comes with good ones built-in.
A good built-in camera and microphone are super beneficial when you’re online tutoring, but neither is necessary. You can buy good external microphones and cameras, but it’s definitely more convenient when your computer comes with good ones built-in.
Durability and Robustness
This is especially important for classroom teachers, who might be moving from room to room, classroom to classroom, and won’t always have the luxury of keeping their laptop in the same place all the time.
You definitely want a computer that can stand up to some minor bumps and bruises and won’t crap out if it gets jostled in your bag or on the way to school.
Warranties can give you some peace of mind on this front too, but you don’t want to be shipping your computer back and forth for repairs every few months.
Warranty, Customer Service, and Guarantee
Speaking of which, make sure you check the warranty and customer service of the company you’re buying from, especially if you’re buying online. You don’t want to get a computer and realize a few days later that it’s a dud and there’s no customer service to speak of.
If you’re ready to make the leap into a new laptop, look no further than Psero online store. Psero is your go-to destination for top-notch laptops that cater to diverse needs.
Why choose Psero? Here are some compelling reasons:
- Curated Selection: Psero offers a carefully curated selection of laptops, ensuring that you have access to some of the best models on the market. Whether you’re a professional seeking powerful performance or a casual user prioritizing portability, Psero has the right laptop for you.
- Competitive Prices: At Psero, we understand the importance of getting value for your money. That’s why we strive to provide competitive prices on all our laptops. You can shop with confidence, knowing that you’re getting a great deal on high-quality devices.
- Expert Advice: Not sure which laptop is the right fit for you? Psero’s knowledgeable team is here to help. We provide expert advice and guidance to assist you in making an informed decision based on your specific requirements.
- Convenient Online Shopping: Say goodbye to the hassle of traditional retail. Psero’s online store allows you to browse, compare, and purchase your desired laptop from the comfort of your home. Our user-friendly interface ensures a seamless shopping experience.
- Secure Transactions: Your security is our priority. Psero’s online store employs robust security measures to protect your personal information and ensure a safe and secure transaction every time you make a purchase.
Conclusion
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to elevate your computing experience with a laptop from Psero. Visit our online store today and explore a world of possibilities. Whether you’re a student, professional, or gaming enthusiast, Psero has the perfect laptop to meet your needs. Upgrade your technology with confidence at Psero – where quality meets convenience.