Back-to-School Laptop Buying Guide: What to Look for Before You Purchase!

With the school season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to invest in a reliable laptop for your academic needs. Whether you're heading to college or starting a new school year, choosing the right laptop can make a huge difference in how efficiently you study, complete assignments, and even relax during breaks. Here’s a detailed guide on what to consider when buying a laptop for school. 

When looking for a good laptop, it’s important to check the basic specs that match your needs. A reliable processor, enough memory (RAM), and plenty of storage will help your laptop run smoothly for schoolwork or everyday use. A good display, decent battery life, and a comfortable keyboard also make a big difference—especially if you’ll be using it for long hours. A good mix of features ensures your laptop can handle daily tasks, schoolwork, or personal use with ease. 

What to Look For: 
The first thing to consider when buying a back-to-school laptop is what you’ll be using it for. 

• Basic Use: If you need a laptop for simple tasks like browsing, note-taking, and video calls, you can get away with an entry-level laptop. 
• Intermediate Use: For more demanding tasks like photo editing, running office applications, or streaming videos, a mid-range laptop with decent specs should suffice. 
• Advanced Use: For gaming, video editing, or other high-performance tasks, a powerful laptop with a dedicated graphics card, fast processor, and more RAM is recommended. 

What Buyers Should Consider: 
Think about your needs before diving into laptop specs. Choose a machine that’s powerful enough for school-related tasks but doesn’t overextend your budget on unnecessary features. 

What to Look For: 
The processor (CPU) is one of the most important components that affects the laptop’s performance. 

• Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3: Best for basic tasks like word processing, browsing, and streaming. 
• Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5: A great balance for students who need to multitask and run more demanding applications, such as spreadsheets, video conferencing, or moderate photo editing. 
• Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7: Best for more intensive tasks like gaming, video editing, or 3D modeling. 

What Buyers Should Consider: 
If you’re a student focused on productivity and occasional entertainment, a laptop with an Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processor will likely provide the best value for money. 

What to Look For: 
RAM allows your laptop to handle multiple tasks at once. Here’s what to keep in mind: 

• 4GB RAM: Ideal for very basic tasks but may struggle with multiple apps running simultaneously. 
• 8GB RAM: The sweet spot for most students. This is enough for multitasking, running office programs, browsing, and even some light video editing. 
• 16GB RAM: Recommended for heavy multitasking, gaming, or video editing. This amount of RAM ensures smooth performance for demanding applications. 

What Buyers Should Consider: 
For school purposes, 8GB of RAM is usually sufficient for most tasks. If you plan on using resource-heavy software or doing video editing, consider getting a laptop with 16GB of RAM. 

What to Look For: 
Storage is where your files, apps, and programs live. You’ll find two types of storage options: 

• HDD (Hard Disk Drive): More affordable, but slower. Typically offers more storage for the price. 
• SSD (Solid State Drive): Faster and more reliable. Ideal for quick boot times and faster file transfers. SSDs typically range from 256GB to 1TB. 

What Buyers Should Consider: 
If you’re looking for speed and performance, go for a laptop with an SSD. 256GB SSD is a good starting point for most students, but if you plan to store large files (like videos or games), 512GB or more may be necessary. 

What to Look For: 
As a student, you’ll want a laptop that can last through long hours of classes and study sessions without needing a charge. 

• 4-6 hours of battery life: Ideal for short study sessions and use in between classes. 
• 8+ hours of battery life: Perfect for all-day use, especially if you’re going to be in lectures or libraries without access to a charger. 

What Buyers Should Consider: 
If you’re often on the go or need a laptop that can last through long days of classes, aim for a laptop that offers 8+ hours of battery life. 

What to Look For: 
The display affects how comfortably you can study, work, and watch content. 

• 13-14 inches: Best for portability and light use. Perfect for carrying between classes and using in tight spaces. 
• 15-16 inches: Larger screens are great for multitasking, more comfortable typing, and video editing, but they can be heavier. 
• Display Quality: Choose a screen with at least 1080p resolution (Full HD) for a clear, crisp display. If you’re working with graphics or videos, you may also want to consider a laptop with IPS or OLED technology for better color accuracy. 

What Buyers Should Consider: 
If you plan on carrying your laptop around a lot, opt for a 13 or 14-inch model for portability. For those who want a larger display for editing or presentations, go for a 15 or 16-inch screen. 

What to Look For: 
The graphics card (GPU) is essential if you plan on gaming, video editing, or working with design software. 

• Integrated Graphics: Suitable for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and productivity. Found in most budget to mid-range laptops. 
• Dedicated Graphics: Ideal for gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering. Look for laptops with NVIDIA or AMD Radeon graphics. 

What Buyers Should Consider: 
If you’re a student focused on productivity and note-taking, integrated graphics should be enough. If you’re into gaming or creative work, consider investing in a laptop with a dedicated GPU. 

What to Look For: 
Laptops come in a variety of price ranges, so setting a budget will help narrow down your options. 

• Entry-Level: Laptops with basic features, perfect for simple tasks like browsing and note-taking, typically cost between ₱20,000 to ₱30,000. 
• Mid-Range: These laptops offer better performance and features like higher RAM, better displays, and faster processors, typically priced between ₱30,000 to ₱50,000. 
• High-End: For those needing more power for gaming, video editing, or high-performance tasks, expect to spend ₱50,000 and up. 

What Buyers Should Consider: 
Set a realistic budget and prioritize essential features for your academic needs. You don’t have to overspend—there are great laptops available at each price range that will serve you well for school tasks. 

What to Look For: 
Portability is crucial, especially if you need to carry your laptop between classes or study sessions. 

• Weight: Lighter laptops (around 1-1.5kg) are more portable but may have fewer ports and slightly lower performance. 
• Size: Compact laptops (13-14 inches) are typically lighter and easier to carry around. 

What Buyers Should Consider: 
If you’ll be commuting or traveling a lot, choose a lightweight, portable laptop that’s easy to carry in your bag. 

Here are some top laptop brands and what they excel at: 

• Apple: Known for sleek, high-quality design and excellent performance. Great for creative professionals (video editing, design, etc.) with models like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. 
• Dell: Offers a wide range of reliable laptops. Their XPS and Inspiron series are perfect for students who need a good balance of power and portability. 
• HP: Known for offering a variety of laptops at different price points. The HP Envy series is great for students who need performance without the high price tag. 
• Lenovo: Best known for durable and business-class laptops. The Lenovo ThinkPad series is ideal for students who need a reliable laptop for work and study. 
• Acer: Offers budget-friendly options with good performance. The Acer Aspire series is great for everyday use and school tasks. 
• ASUS: Known for powerful laptops with great display quality, perfect for gaming, multimedia, and study tasks. Their ZenBook and VivoBook series are solid choices for students. 
• MSI: Offers high-performance laptops that are great for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks. The MSI GF Series is great for students into gaming or media editing. 

Not all laptops are built the same—and that’s especially true when your course has specific tech demands. In this section, we break down the ideal specs and features for your course, making it easier to find the right device without overwhelming tech. 

Let’s explore the best laptops for IT, engineering, and architecture students—so you can focus more on learning and less on lag. 

If you're taking up IT, Computer Science, or anything tech-related, your laptop needs to keep up with your coding marathons and late-night debugging sessions. Here’s a simple guide to help you find the best laptop for IT students! 

🔍 What to look for in an IT Student Laptop: 

• Fast processor (at least Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5): This helps your laptop run multiple tabs and heavy apps without lag. Essential for programming! 
• At least 8GB of RAM: The more RAM, the better it handles multitasking—perfect for when you're coding and researching at the same time. 
• SSD storage (256GB or more): It loads your files and programs quickly. Say goodbye to long loading times! 
• Long battery life: Great for students always on the move or stuck in back-to-back classes. 

💡 Best for: 

• Those looking for a reliable laptop for programming classes and hands-on lab work 
• Students who need a laptop for coding in Python, Java, C++, etc. 

Engineering isn’t just about solving problems—it’s also about running some pretty demanding software. If you're diving into CAD, simulations, or design projects, choosing the right laptop is a game-changer. Here’s what to keep in mind when shopping for engineering laptops: 

🔍 What to look for in an Engineering Laptop: 

• Powerful processor (Intel Core i7 or Ryzen 7 and above): Needed for smooth performance when running complex software like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks. 
• At least 16GB of RAM: Engineering programs can be heavy on memory—more RAM means faster and smoother performance. 
• Dedicated graphics card (NVIDIA or AMD): A must for 3D modeling, simulations, and rendering. This makes all the difference in speed and visual quality. 
• Larger screen (15” or more) with Full HD resolution: More space and clarity for design work and multitasking. 

💡 Best for: 

• Students who need engineering laptops that can handle heavy applications 
• Those working with 3D modeling, simulations, and design tools 

If you’re an architecture student, your laptop needs to do more than just open Word docs—it should handle rendering, 3D modeling, and design software without crashing. Choosing the right architecture student laptop means less lag and more time bringing your ideas to life. 

🔍 What to look for in an Architecture Laptop: 

• High-performance processor (Intel Core i7 or Ryzen 7 and above): This ensures smooth rendering and multitasking across apps like AutoCAD, Revit, or SketchUp. 
• 16GB RAM or higher: More memory helps when you’re juggling large design files and multiple programs. 
• Powerful graphics card (like NVIDIA RTX series): A must-have for visual-heavy tasks like 3D modeling and real-time rendering. 
• Large, high-resolution display (at least 15” Full HD or higher): For detailed design work and accurate visuals. 
• Big storage (512GB SSD or more): Design files take up space—SSD storage helps with both speed and capacity. 

💡 Best for: 

• Students who need an architecture student laptop that can handle demanding design software 
• Future architects looking for powerful and reliable architecture laptops 

Looking for a top-notch laptop without blowing through your budget? You're in luck—many brands roll out sweet student discounts just when school kicks off. In this section, we’ll walk you through the best promos for students, how to snag them, and tips to stretch your dollars even further 

Looking to score a sleek MacBook or iPad with some savings? Apple’s got your back with their Apple Education perks. Here's everything you need to know to get the Apple student discount: 

• What is the Apple Education discount? It’s a special offer Apple provides through the Apple Education Store, exclusively for students, teachers, and school staff—helping you save on laptops, tablets, and accessories. 
• How much is the Apple student discount? Discounts typically range from ₱2,000–₱7,000 in the Philippines, depending on the product—so you can get a decent chunk off a MacBook or iPad. 
• Eligibility – Who qualifies as an Apple student? Anyone enrolled in college/university (or K–12 teachers and parents buying for their student)—all you need is a valid school email or ID to verify. 
• How to access Apple education pricing - Just visit the Apple Education Store online, log in with your school credentials, and you'll see the Apple education pricing automatically applied to eligible items. 
• Apple Education Discount Philippines – What’s available locally? In the Philippines, Apple’s education deals include student pricing on MacBook Air/Pro, select iPads, and sometimes free or discounted AppleCare when purchased with a device. 
• Why it’s worth it? Investing in Apple gear can be pricey, but with Apple student pricing, you get the performance of macOS and Apple’s ecosystem—plus those savings! 

Looking to score a solid Lenovo laptop without blowing your budget? Lenovo’s got a sweet Lenovo student discount program that’s perfect for students in the Philippines—and beyond. Here’s everything you need to know: 

• What’s the discount? In the Philippines, the Lenovo Education Store offers a ₱4,000 welcome discount when you register as a student or educator—and you'll keep enjoying student pricing all year round. 
• How much is student discount at Lenovo? Beyond the initial ₱4,000, verified college students get around 5% extra off on eligible products. Depending on your purchase, total savings can climb even higher. 
• Who qualifies? Current college/university students (and educators) in the Philippines can access the discount. 
• Perks & warnings: 

- The ₱4,000 discount kicks in once you register, no minimum spend required. 

- You’ll also unlock consistent savings throughout the year, including up to 5% extra verified discounts. 

- Not every product qualifies—some high-end hardware or bundles may be excluded. 

Looking to score a solid Lenovo laptop without blowing your budget? Lenovo’s got a sweet Lenovo student discount program that’s perfect for students in the Philippines—and beyond. Here’s everything you need to know: 

What’s the discount? 
 In the Philippines, the Lenovo Education Store offers a ₱4,000 welcome discount when you register as a student or educator—and you'll keep enjoying student pricing all year round. 

How much is student discount at Lenovo? 
Beyond the initial ₱4,000, verified college students get around 5% extra off on eligible products. Depending on your purchase, total savings can climb even higher. 

Who qualifies: 
 Current college/university students (and educators) in the Philippines can access the discount. 

Perks & warnings: 

The ₱4,000 discount kicks in once you register, no minimum spend required. 

You’ll also unlock consistent savings throughout the year, including up to 5% extra verified discounts. 

Not every product qualifies—some high-end hardware or bundles may be excluded. 

📌 Remember: Choosing the right laptop for school depends on your personal needs and budget. Whether you need a machine for basic tasks or something powerful for gaming or creative work, there’s a laptop out there for you. 

💡 Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to factor in accessories like a laptop bag, mouse, and possibly a portable charger for convenience! 

By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect back-to-school laptop that fits your academic and personal needs. Happy shopping! 

Investing in the right laptop means more productivity and better performance throughout your school year. With Shopping Mall, upgrading your back-to-school gear has never been this easy and affordable. Browse through our wide selection of laptops, compare models, and find the perfect one that suits your academic needs and budget. 

So why wait? Shop now and enjoy hassle-free installment plans with Shopping Mall!