Looking for a PC for students? No problem, these laptops and mini PCs are suitable for digital lessons. These computers are suitable for homeschooling
PC for students: These computers are suitable for homeschooling
Looking for a PC for students? No problem, these laptops and mini PCs are suitable for digital lessons.
Many children need many computers during lockdown because they want to be able to attend classes at the same time. However, not every family has several computers at home. When the big sister is studying for her Abitur, the little ones can only follow the lessons on their smartphones. It's hard to learn on the tiny screen, though.
A problem that the state cannot solve and that is left to the parents (here you will find practical tips for homeschooling ). The good news first: You don't need a high-performance gaming computer to do your homework. But what do parents have to watch out for if they want to set up a digital school desk for their children?
PC for students: The inventory
Basically, you need a webcam, a microphone, a screen, a mouse and keyboard and of course a computer to take part in the lessons. This opens up several options when choosing a PC for students: If you want everything in one, opt for a laptop, a Chromebook or an all-in-one PC. The devices offer a webcam, microphone, screen, keyboard - in other words, everything that children need for lessons.
However, they are usually more expensive to buy than a mini PC, which can also cope with schoolwork. If you or friends in the basement still have a monitor with HDMI connection, USB mouse and keyboard and a webcam flying around, you can quickly set up a workstation with the mini PCs.
1. Laptops for school: Windows laptops
Asus F515JA-EJ721T
- USB 3.0 port (Type A and Type C)
- OS: Windows 10
- Ethernet port
- WiFi dual-band and Bluetooth 4.1
- Storage space: 512GB
- Camera: Integrated
- Microphone: Integrated
- Speakers: Integrated
The eight gigabytes of RAM work together with an Intel Core i3-1005G1 processor. The processor cannot handle demanding games, but it is definitely sufficient for work. Windows 10 Home is already installed on the computer.
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 11IGL05
- One USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports
- OS: Windows 10
- Ethernet port
- WiFi dual-band and Bluetooth 4.1
- Storage space: 128GB
- Camera: Integrated
- Microphone: Integrated
- Speakers: Integrated
Good for your child too, go with that The laptop features an Intel Celeron N4020 processor. However, its display only has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It measures 29.46 centimetres diagonally. Windows 10 is preinstalled on the computer. A total of 128 gigabytes of data can be stored on the internal memory. Lenovo has given its laptop 4 gigabytes of RAM. The laptop processes Word and Excel documents without any problems. Nice: All Windows laptops offer a webcam and speakers. You don't have to buy any additional hardware for your child to be able to participate in class.
2. PC for students: Chromebooks as a Windows alternative
It doesn't always have to be Windows. Students complete most of the tasks via the browser. Find out how your child works. If it is dependent on Office programs from Microsoft, there is no getting around a Windows computer, because Word, Excel & Co. only run in a slimmed-down browser version on Chromebooks.Why? The devices run on the Google ChromeOS operating system and Microsoft has not yet programmed its office programs for this. Chromebooks also have another shortcoming: the devices usually lack Ethernet and HMDI ports. Your children are dependent on stable WiFi. What Windows laptops and Chromebooks have in common is the integrated webcam, microphone and speakers. There are no additional costs for additional hardware.
Acer Chromebook Spin 513 (CP513-1H-S72Y)
- 1x USB-A 3.2 (5 Gbit/s), 2x USB-C 3.2 (5 Gbit/s)
- Operating system: ChromeOS
- Ethernet port: Not available
- WiFi dual-band and Bluetooth 5.0
- Storage space: 64GB
- Camera: Integrated
- Microphone: Integrated
- Speakers: Integrated
A representative of the Chromebooks is that Its display extends over a diagonal of 33.80 centimetres and has a Full HD resolution. Acer has given the Chromebook a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7180c Lite processor whose eight cores clock at 2.4 gigahertz in boost mode. Students save their work materials on 64 gigabytes of memory. Four gigabytes of RAM assist the processor in its calculations.
HP Chromebook 14b-nb0060ng
- 2x USB-A 3.2 (5 Gbit/s), 2x USB-C 3.2 (5 Gbit/s)
- Operating system: ChromeOS
- Ethernet port: Not available
- WiFi dual band (Wi-Fi 6) and Bluetooth 5.0
- Storage space: 256GB
- Camera: Integrated
- Microphone: Integrated
- Speakers: Integrated
A Windows alternative worth considering is also behind the Compared to the Acer Chromebook, HP relies on the Intel Core i5-1135G7 for the processor. It is also suitable for more computationally intensive tasks, although it offers four fewer cores than the processor in the Acer Chromebook. Nice: The internal memory is decent at 256 gigabytes and is more than enough for school work. The display measures 35.6 centimetres diagonally, but unfortunately only has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
3. The all in one PC for students
- 2x USB-A 2.0, 2x USB-A 3.2 (5 Gbit/s)
- Windows 10 Home
- Ethernet port
- WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2
- Storage space: 256GB
- Camera: Integrated
- Microphone: Integrated
- Speakers: Integrated
All-in-One computers are calculators that offer everything in one. The most famous representatives of this genus are the iMacs from Apple. Word, Excel & Co. also run on computers from other manufacturers, for example, the computer stores a maximum of 256 gigabytes of work materials on its SSD. That's enough for a lot of school work.
Its display has a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) and extends over a screen diagonally of 54.61 centimetres (21.58 inches). So your child needs a free desk to work on the computer. HP installs the AMD Athlon 3050U as the processor. It is a dual-core for everyday use. He manages surfing, video conferences, Word and Excel, but that's all he can do. However, the latest games do not run on the processor. Windows 10 Home is installed on the computer. The keyboard and mouse are included.
4. Not nail mini PC
If you have a mouse, keyboard, monitor and webcam lying around, it's worth looking at mini PCs. The tiny computers can handle office tasks, save space, are easy to transport and are therefore well suited for students. Before you buy, however, make sure that the computers have enough USB sockets for a mouse, keyboard, headset and webcam.
Most of the small computers only offer two or three USB sockets. Pupils then have problems connecting the headset, keyboard and mouse to the computer. Mini-computers are therefore only considered as an emergency solution for students. In addition, many manufacturers sell small computers without an operating system or with Linux, such as the MiniX NEO-Z83-4U, which comes with Ubuntu. This means that students can take part in lessons without any problems - but getting used to it is frustrating.
Intel Nuc Mini
- 3x USB-A 3.2 (10 Gbit/s), 2x USB-C 3.2 (10 Gbit/s), 1x Thunderbolt 3
- Operating system: none
- Ethernet port
- WiFi dual-band and Bluetooth 5.0
- Storage space: SSD and RAM must be purchased separately!
- Connections: HDMI
- Camera: Not integrated
- Microphone: Not integrated
- Speakers: Not integrated
A premium model among the small office computers for students is the A quad-core processor works in it with the Intel Core i5-10210U. Because it is a so-called "barebones" computer, you will look in vain for the main memory and hard drive in the PC. You still have to buy both and install them yourself! Of course, you also have to buy a license for Windows.
Otherwise, the mini PC for students offers everything that its big brothers can do: it has a total of five USB sockets, three of them in USB-A format and two in USB-C format. There is also a Thunderbolt 3 socket, a Gigabit Ethernet port, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. A mouse and keyboard are not included with the computer. Connect the PC to the monitor via HDMI.
5. Monitor, mouse and keyboard, webcam
If you still have an older laptop or computer but lack a webcam, mouse, screen or keyboard, the same applies to computers: you don't need gaming hardware to do schoolwork. Wired sets consisting of mouse and keyboard are available from Amazon for 15 dollars. If USB slots are limited, you can stick to Bluetooth sets change. Most include a Bluetooth dongle, such as the Jelly Comb keyboard and mouse set.
A webcam with an integrated microphone is available from the same manufacturer. Alternatively, there is also potential for savings here, namely on the software side: free apps such as " Epoccam " convert the smartphone into a webcam. To do this, you must install the associated app on your computer and smartphone and connect your mobile phone to the computer using a USB cable. Alternatively, your child can of course also take part in video calls on their smartphone and then complete the tasks on the computer.
New office monitors, on the other hand, are slightly more expensive. The Dell SE2216H is about 100 dollars and is sufficient for homeschooling. However, the monitor lacks nice features such as an integrated USB hub. If the slots on the mini PC are few and far between, you will want to buy a USB hub.
