A rock-solid laptop is a must-have for any teacher, but how do you find the best? Teachers’ notebook computers often need to have very specific functionality. They also call for various features that may not be as important to non-teachers.
At the same time, being a teacher can also be highly advantageous when it comes to buying a new laptop. Several popular manufacturers now offer significant discounts to those working within education. With all of this in mind, here’s how to find the best notebook laptops for teachers.
Must-Have Laptop Requirements for Teachers
Before delving into the dizzying array of laptops currently on sale for teachers, it’s essential to identify any must-have requirements. These requirements may include specific features, particular functionality, and things like a certain operating system.
In fact, a laptop’s operating system is a perfect case in point. In a school where Apple’s iMacs are the norm, choosing a notebook that runs macOS is almost a no-brainer. The same goes for schools that are predominantly Windows-based. A growing number are also turning to Chrome OS-based devices for students. In this case, one of Google’s
increasingly impressive Chromebooks would be a sensible choice.
Beyond that, one or more security features will also be a priority for many teachers. A fingerprint scanner, for example, is an ideal way to keep prying eyes off of sensitive information if a computer is left unattended.
Additional consideration surrounding processing power, connectivity options, and durability will all further help to ensure that a laptop is suitably equipped for life in the classroom.
Laptop Discounts for Teachers
Various laptop manufacturers offer special discounts to teachers and others working in the education sector. Apple, in particular, is known for being especially generous in this regard. HP, too, routinely grants special discounts to teachers.
Elsewhere, Lenovo offers set discounts for educators on its ThinkPad and IdeaPad ranges. Furthermore, Dell grants public school teachers five percent off any laptop if they’re signed up as a state or local government employee.
Regardless of the manufacturer, Amazon’s Business for Educators scheme can also help teachers to save on the cost of a new notebook. Staples and Overstock have similar programs. Both companies give teachers five percent off when signed up to the appropriate initiative.
Three Best Laptops for Teachers
Having taken all of the above into account, three laptops stand out as among the very best for teachers. These are Apple’s latest MacBook Air, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9, and HP’s popular Spectre x360.
Apple MacBook Air
More powerful than ever,
Apple’s latest MacBook Air is great for most teachers – especially those working in schools with an existing Apple ecosystem in place. In the event that more processing power is required, the costlier MacBook Pro is another alternative.
However, for the majority of applications, the highly portable and ultimately extremely capable
MacBook Air is ideal. It’s also surprisingly affordable, particularly after applying Apple’s
Education Pricing discount.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9
Lenovo’s latest ThinkPad,
the X1 Carbon Gen 9, is another standout choice for almost any teacher. Marrying premium performance and portability, it also offers best-in-class connectivity and rapid charging technology. Once charged, it boasts up to 19.5 hours of battery life, meaning that there’s no need to worry about running out of power between classes – even the next day!
Advanced security options are another benefit for those working in education. Better yet are Lenovo’s generous provisions for teachers in terms of special discounts not available to anyone else.
HP Spectre x360
Finally, and a slightly more costly proposition, is the 15.6-inch
HP Spectre x360 convertible laptop. It’s a serious laptop tailored toward professionals, including teachers, that runs Windows 11. Offering fantastic versatility in the classroom, it’s not as portable as the two Apple and Lenovo notebooks listed above.
Yet, it excels in almost every other regard, from its jaw-dropping high definition display to its array of built-in security features, each designed for complete peace of mind. Also, remember to check for the latest special discounts granted by HP to teachers and other educators, and a significant saving on a new Spectre x360 could be a possibility.
Laptop Warranty for Teachers
With a new laptop chosen, it’s important to protect it with an extended warranty. A comprehensive warranty covers:
- Accidents
- Manufacturer defects
- Faults with screens, graphics cards, motherboards
- Chip malfunctions
- Fan failure
- Other failure
Upsie‘s
laptop computer warranty packages offer all of this and more. Best of all, Upsie is proud to offer discounts of up to 70 percent on the cost of extended warranties to teachers and other consumers alike. Cutting out the middleman and passing on the savings, notebook warranty solutions from Upsie are routinely two-thirds or more cheaper than those sold by manufacturers and retailers.
Upsie offers comparable or superior coverage. Protection for accidents is included at no extra cost, too. Especially useful for teachers, additional coverage here safeguards against drops, liquid spills, and a whole host of other potential mishaps.
If damaged occurs, Upsie customers can make a claim and work with a certified local repair shop for speedy repairs. MacBook owners can also request to get their computers repaired by Apple. If a laptop can’t be repaired, Upsie will make arrangements to promptly replace it. This means that there’s as little interruption as possible in getting back to work, either at school or elsewhere.
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