Education is no longer the game of physical interaction and hardcover books. Lessons are now taking place on the internet. So, as a teacher, what are the best laptops for online teaching?
Well, like all other fields, there isn’t a single laptop that is primarily meant for teachers. All the same, you need to get a device that will serve your needs as an educationist.
With the rapid development in technology, learning has gradually been moving away from the traditional ways of doing things. It started with the introduction of softcopy books, and now, you can conduct lessons while you are miles away from your students.
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Best Laptops for Zoom and Skype Lessons Reviews
While there are so many laptops out there, not all of them are ideal for conducting online classes. In that respect, let’s look at some samples of the best laptops for teachers.
Apple 13” MacBook Air Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM
Are you among those who swear by the Apple brand? Well, this device is for you.
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Features
For the best laptop for an online job, consider going for this device from Apple. First, it has a medium size screen that has a resolution of 1440 by 900 that supports millions of colors. The 13” display is neither too big nor too small, which makes this device less bulky.
In addition, it runs on a dual-core i5 processor that reaches a clock speed of up to 2.96 GHz. The Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah happens to be one of the most user-friendly operating systems.
The device features a 128GB SSD for fast storage and also comes with 8GB RAM.
On connectivity, the laptop has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless connection. It also features two USB 3 ports, an SDXC slot, and a Thunderbolt 2 port.
For the smooth running of lessons, this laptop gives you up to 12 hours of battery life. Also, the device only weighs 2.96 pounds, which saves you the burden of lugging heavy loads when on the move.
Pros
- The device is light in weight
- Works well with most teaching software
- 12 hours of battery life
- Excellent camera and microphone
Cons
- Lacks HDMI port
ASUS Chromebook C202 Laptop- 11.6”
Are you after a sleek device that you easily carry in your bag as you move around? Do you want a laptop that will enable you to conduct lessons online with limited use of 3rd party programs? Then you need to consider this ASUS Chromebook.
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Features
It runs on Chrome OS, an operating system by Google that enables you to access all apps and services by google and its associates with ease.
The Intel Celeron N3060 processor, which reaches a clocking speed of 2.48GHz, gives the device a snappy fast performance.
Notably, it comes with an 11.6 inches HD anti-glare display. The screen has a 180-degree hinge that facilitates easy viewing.
Despite its rugged finish, the laptop has rubber reinforced and comfortable grip handles. In addition, the device is spill-resistant, which makes it safe to work with on study desks.
This Chromebook has 4GB RAM and 16 GB flash storage. Also, you will get 100GB on your Google One account.
The device only weighs 2.2 pounds, and its battery can last up to 10 hours. Therefore, the laptop gives you enough time to finish all your lessons, even when working off the grid.
Pros
- It is light in weight
- The device has a superfast processor
- Features Intel HD Graphics Coprocessors
- Ten hours of battery life
Cons
- It may not be compatible with some learning software
Acer Aspire E 15, 15.6” Full HD, 8th Gen Intel Core i3
Are you looking for a laptop that will give you ample storage space without compromising on the other aspects? Well, you need to go for this one.
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Features
With the 8th generation Intel Core i3 8130U processor that has a clocking speed that goes up to 3.2GHz, this device happens to be one of the fastest laptops for online zoom teaching.
Notably, the device has 6GB dual-channel RAM and a whopping 1000GB of storage. The laptop also has 8x DVD-RW.
In the same breath, with this laptop, you get a 15.6” Full HD display that makes this device one of the best laptops for teachers. Windows 10, on which this device runs, is one of the latest operating systems and is quite user-friendly.
For connection with other devices, the machine features USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB type C.
On another note, the over 13 hours of battery props this device as one of the best laptops for online teachers.
Pros
- Has an FHD widescreen display
- The battery can go up to 13hour
- Comes with 1TB HDD storage
- Features an HD camera
Cons
- It is a bit heavy to carry around
Please read on to understand how to get the best laptop for online classes.
Why you need the Best Laptop for Zoom Teaching
As the adage goes, change is inevitable. The education sector, just like other businesses and professions, has taken to the internet. Therefore as a teacher, you need to change with time or else, you will slowly slide into professional oblivion.
Since technology has converted the world into a global village, we have learners from far countries taking lessons on the internet. If you don’t have a good laptop, then you will miss that opportunity.
Unlike a desktop, the best laptop for online classes is portable and doesn’t need a lot of connections to conduct a successful lesson. Therefore, if you are of the kind that likes traveling, you can still attend to your clients and have fun at the same time.
Also, you don’t have to buy accessories such as cameras and microphones. A laptop comes as a compact unit.
Buying Guide – Features of an Ideal Online Teaching Laptop
While online teaching is becoming more popular, it still relies on a few things you can’t get without an internet connection. That’s why it’s important to have a laptop that can function as an extension of your class.
Whether you need a Windows laptop or an Apple MacBook, there are a few things you should look for in any machine you buy.
Once you get to the market, the products available might end up overwhelming or even confusing. To make sure you get the best laptop for Zoom teaching, let’s look at some of the basic features you should consider.
Display
Generally, most laptops come with a Full HD display. This allows you to have the best presentation of your work. All the same, the screens vary in size. Mainly, there are some as small as 11” while the big ones can be 17” or more.
When choosing the best laptop for online classes, you need to consider what size will work best for you. The most advisable thing is to avoid extremes. A 13” or 15” should serve you well whether you are traveling or at home.
Processor
Unfortunately, most buyers know so little when it comes to choosing the correct CPU. With time, more efficient processors have changed how people shop for laptops.
Therefore, you need to go for a mid-range CPU that will be fast in data processing and power efficient. The quad-core processors like i3U, i5U, or i7U (with the U symbol) are the best since they are fast and consume “Ultra-Low Power”.
All the same, i7 being among the latest, it could work better for most industries.
Battery Life
Although you might have a wall socket to plug in your laptop, a battery with a good life is invaluable. Actually, if you are likely to conduct your lessons outdoors or while traveling, a good battery is a must-have.
Therefore the best laptops for online classes should hold for at least 6 hours. Some laptops can actually do up to 12 hours, but that is on the extreme.
A power-efficient processor and a quality battery will help you achieve long battery life.
Memory
Your laptop’s memory (RAM) is like a human’s short-term memory. It determines how much you can handle at a time. The higher the RAM, the more programs you run simultaneously with ease. It also allows you to open several tabs without the system freezing.
So, for you to conduct your online lessons with ease, you need to have at least 8GB of RAM. All the same, if you can afford a device with 16 GB RAM, go for it.
Storage
HDD had been the default storage in laptops a few years ago. Actually, it is still in use. On the other hand, the recent SSD storage technology happens to be more stable and has faster processing speeds compared to its predecessor.
Most importantly, ensure you have at least 128GB of storage either in the form of HDD or SSD. This will be enough to store most of your materials, but if you can afford a device with more digital storage space, the better for you.
Operating System
Although this is mostly a personal choice of preference, the best laptop for teachers should have an operating system that is easily compatible with 3rd party teaching software.
Notably, the two main operating systems are Windows and macOS, but there are others like Chrome OS and Linux.
Unfortunately, most of the software used for teaching online is only for use with Mac or Windows. That means the other operating systems may not be as effective as these two. All the same, Chrome uses Google apps that could prove useful as an alternative.
Camera and Microphone
Definitely, you need to take good videos and be audibly clear. Therefore, the best laptop for Zoom teaching should at least have an HD camera and a high-quality integrated microphone. Also, good inbuilt speakers are a plus for enhanced back and forth communication with your students.
Wrapping Up
Looking for the best laptops for zoom teaching should not be a hard task. All the same, it isn’t an easy task either in a market that is full of all types of laptops with varying specifications.
Most importantly, you need to consider the features that will make your online teaching some kind of fun activity.
First, don’t go for too small or too big gadgets; they might leave you feeling cheated. Also, if possible, consider going for a laptop that uses the most popular operating system with your students, or one that your institution recommends. Don’t pick one that will limit you during crucial times.
Also, go for a laptop that has an HD camera with a high-quality built-in microphone. Don’t forget to check how long the battery can last on a single charge.