Let’s face it, between arranging accommodation and trying to purchase all of the required text books, getting your child ready for university can be quite overwhelming, but if there’s one aspect that needs your attention more so than any other factor, it’s the laptop they’ll rely on day in, day out.
After all, it doesn’t matter if they’re studying English Literature or Automotive Engineering, having a good laptop is essential for staying productive throughout the year, and one that isn’t up to scratch can end up harming their chances of getting a good grade at the end of it all.
AI: the new academic essential
The university experience has always evolved with technology, but the rise of AI is arguably the biggest shift of all. What used to be hours spent trawling library shelves or manually organising notes can now be streamlined with AI tools that summarise research and lecture notes, or even help structure assignments.
Which is why it’s unsurprising that a staggering 92% of students now use AI tools in some form, up from 66% just a year earlier. Universities are embracing this too, with many courses including AI literacy in their teaching and offering guidance on responsible use. Just as digital research skills became a core competency in the last couple of decades, understanding how to use AI effectively is becoming an integral part of the academic toolkit.
An AI PC is a laptop or desktop device that has been optimised with the hardware and software power to run artificial intelligence tools locally. Unlike traditional laptops that rely heavily on cloud connections, these systems are built with specialised processors to handle the demanding workloads of modern AI models. For students, that means the ability to access cutting-edge tools anywhere to support them on their academic journey.
When choosing a laptop for university, it’s worth thinking beyond the here and now. An AI PC isn’t just about keeping up with today’s study needs – it’s built to last. As new AI tools and applications become part of everyday learning, these devices are designed to handle that growth, meaning your child won’t face the expense or hassle of upgrading halfway through their degree. It’s a way to give them a laptop that will support them from their very first lecture to graduation day.
AI capability has become a core consideration when choosing a device, but that doesn’t dismiss the fundamentals of a good university laptop – so what else should you look out for?
Performance
This might seem like an obvious point but solid performance across the board cannot be taken for granted. It doesn’t matter if you’re just typing up a document or diving into some intensive video editing for a group project, you need to make sure that your laptop doesn’t stumble at any hurdle.
This also means getting a laptop with a fairly futureproof processor, like the Snapdragon X, so that its high level of performance doesn’t just last a year – it’s topped up with software updates that keep it firing on all cylinders until graduation and beyond. After all, why waste money on getting multiple laptops throughout their university career when you could get one from the outset that’s meant to go the distance?
Durability
While performance will always be the most important factor when it comes to day to day use, if a laptop isn’t able to withstand being chucked in a bag or frantic late-night revision sessions, then your child is going to feel short changed fairly quickly. It’s essential that the laptop itself is durable.
If a manufacturer doesn’t highlight any major features when it comes to durability, then there’s a good chance that the brand is trying to hope that you’ll overlook this crucial point. The use of sustainable materials is always a good sign as it means that extra thought has been paid to the longevity of the device in question. In the end it could make all the difference between a device that runs smoothly and one that needs repairing just a few months into the first term.
Battery life
Given that students are constantly having to run between their accommodation, lecture halls, the library and any other spots on campus where they like to study, having a battery life that can keep up with it all is essential. There’s nothing worse than a low battery notification mid-study session and then realising that there isn’t a power outlet in sight.
To avoid any battery anxiety, you need to keep an eye out for two things: a large internal battery that’s around 50Wh or higher and can genuinely last through an entire day of use, and a fast charging speed that allows the battery to be topped up quickly.
Screen
Finally, the screen is the cherry on top that can take a laptop’s usability to a whole other level. Given that your child will spend countless hours looking at this display as they go over lecture notes and course materials, it needs to be bright (preferably a few hundred nits) and have a high resolution OLED panel to prevent eye fatigue.
As important as productive studying can be, it’s also essential to get in some downtime and properly relax before the next workload comes in. To that end, the screen should also work well when relaxing with some light gaming or streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus, using eye-catching colours and contrast to really elevate the entertainment at hand.
While there are plenty of options that fit the bill, only one truly stands out in every field and it’s the HP OmniBook 5 AI PC.
With the super powerful Snapdragon X chipset, working in tandem with 16GB RAM and a massive 512GB of storage, the HP OmniBook 5 AI PC can keep up with any workload, and has plenty of room to store important files locally so you don’t have to rely on cloud storage.
The 14-inch 2K OLED screen is a thing of beauty with unparalleled vibrancy, and with a battery life of up to 34-hours, you’ll have more than enough for a day of work and then some.
Plus, with the HP AI companion built-in, it’s like having a tutor at your fingertips, always ready to answer any questions you might have about what’s been covered in a recent lecture, paving the way for a deeper understanding.
All of this is available for just £850, making the HP OmniBook 5 AI PC one of the most competitively priced student laptops on the market. To give yourself (and your child) peace of mind throughout the school year, the HP OmniBook 5 AI PC is the perfect option.
