Laptop Picks for Back to School

Whether it’s time for an update or you’re making the move to Monarch online curriculum this year, purchasing a new computer can be an overwhelming task with the plethora of options available. Though any computer at the store should work well with Monarch, check out four laptop picks from our technology team to help you choose a laptop that meets your needs and budget for back to school and beyond.

ASUS Chromebook C300 – Starting at $199
A budget-friendly option, the ASUS Chromebook C300 starts up fast and is great for surfing the web.

Pros
Small/light
User-friendly

Cons
Limited software options
Slower performance

Dell Latitude 3480 – Starting at $449
Although marketed as a business-class computer, this versatile laptop would also serve homeschoolers well with Windows compatibility at an affordable price.

Pros
14-inch display
Up to 13.5 hours of battery life

Cons
Lower-end processor
Traditional hard drive

Microsoft Surface Pro – Starting at $799
This mid-priced laptop doubles as a tablet. It also includes a solid state drive (SSD), which provides better performance and reliability.

Pros
Fast startup
Up to 13.5 hours of battery life

Cons
Additional memory and more powerful processors increase costs quickly
Cover and pen sold separately

MacBook Pro – Starting at $1,299
These high-end, ultra-thin notebooks now feature a touch bar that replaces the top row of function keys with a screen that changes automatically based on what you’re doing.

Pros
User-friendly
High-level performance

Cons
Lower battery life (up to 10 hours)
Expensive

The content of this article is for informational purposes only. Alpha Omega Publications makes no claim of affiliation with any product or company listed in this article. Prices are subject to change at any time. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Alpha Omega Publications.