Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Getting a laptop for studying requires a few minimum characteristics, such as a fitting size to carry around, good hardware to be long lasting, and the most important: reliability.
In this article, we will talk about the popular Lenovo ThinkPads and let you know whether they are any good to buy as laptops for college or school.
Are ThinkPad laptops good for school/college?
Yes, they certainly are.
ThinkPad is a Lenovo series comprising laptops with hardware good enough to perform most tasks a student needs.
Even though they are described as being designed for businesses, they are good for studying nonetheless.
There are different ThinkPad laptops, some of them with better integrated graphics, others with keyboards that feel a bit better for typing, etc.
Also check Acer Chromebook For Students.
Why is the Lenovo ThinkPad so popular?
ThinkPads are very durable. These laptops are made to be used every day, in different places and circumstances, and so they present a tough build to endure all the usage.
Not only that, but Lenovo gives extended warranty for ThinkPad users. The minimum warranty given by Lenovo ranges between 1 and 3 years, while the maximum goes up to 5 years (you need to purchase this warranty, but it is cheaper than buying a new laptop).
What is the difference between a ThinkPad and an IdeaPad?
In terms of intention, the ThinkPad is designed towards business professionals, while also being largely used by students.
The IdeaPad, on the other hand, is intended for general consumers, which can also make it a good laptop for studying.
ThinkPads are more expensive than IdeaPads due to their more resilient build and powerful hardware.
You can easily spot the difference between a ThinkPad and an IdeaPad right from the visuals: ThinkPads are not very appealing visually, while IdeaPads have a slim, modern look.
Which is better, ThinkPad or MacBook for students?
It depends on what each student needs. Students that only require writing tools will find themselves well suited with a MacBook Air, for example.
On the other hand, students that want are looking for a great cost-benefit laptop to handle heavier applications will find ThinkPad to be a great option. Even the cheapest ThinkPad already delivers great raw power.
4 Best Lenovo ThinkPad For Students
Lenovo ThinkPad E15
Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 laptop is a computer focused on the business sector. It can brag about its military-grade certificate that gives users assurance about the lasting life of the laptop.
It employs a 15.6-inch screen that works at a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) and an IPS panel that achieves a wonderful image quality. That facilitates working with editing programs, design, or multimedia content.
This laptop sports a keyboard with a numeric keypad and fingerprint sensor. Also included are a microphone, two speakers, and an HD webcam with a physical cover to keep your privacy.
The E15 brings the 10th generation Intel Core i5-10210U processor (4 cores and 8 threads) that works well with office programs, video editing, photo editing, and production.
The processor is accompanied by a RAM of 8 GB DDR4 (or 16GB, depending on your budget) at a speed of 2666 MHz that will be sufficient for the aforementioned tasks, as well as keeping several tabs open at the same time.
You have to know that this laptop does not have a dedicated graphics card so it makes use of the integrated GPU Intel UHD, which is enough for most tasks that students need.
However, students who had planned to play video games or work with programs that use high graphic loads might consider getting a laptop with a dedicated GPU, since an integrated option will not deliver optimal performance.
Pros
- Quality materials
- Full HD screen and IPS panel
- Fast with office and editing programs
- 8/16 GB of RAM
- Fingerprint reader
- Physical cover for the webcam
Cons
- Not as visually pleasant as other modern laptops
Lenovo ThinkPad E14
Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 is a premium computer. It sports an all-metal chassis with an approximate weight of 1.69 kg, a backlit keyboard covering all keys, a fingerprint sensor for users to log in, and a touchpad with a pointer that allows controlling all applications without the need for a mouse.
However, that is only part of what the laptop offers. Its screen has thin bezels and is anti-reflective, so you don’t see as many annoying reflections as with other laptops.
It has a Full HD resolution in an IPS panel with 250 nits of brightness. This is one of its pitfalls, as 250 nits of brightness is not too much for a laptop you will use all the time.
If you are not planning to use this model for graphic work, then that doesn’t matter much. Now, if you are a student that requires a more vivid display, check other ThinkPad models.
ThinkPad E14 features the latest in cameras by having a ThinkShutter physical privacy cover to increase your security along with an independent TPM 2.0 (don’t know what this is? Check here).
As for listening and chatting, this laptop counts with perfect sound delivered by Dolby Audio in its two 2W Harman Kardon speakers, and a microphone that is certified by Skype. This is way beyond what most of the laptops in the market offer.
Where this model surprises many users (in addition to all that’s already been said!) is in its ports. It features an Ethernet port that is not usually seen in 14-inch laptops.
Moreover, you will find four USB ports, three of them type A and one type C, along with an HDMI port.
That amount of USB ports is very uncommon for laptops, so you know ThinkPads are truly something else.
As for processing power, you can find versions of this laptop with Ryzen 5 or 7, as well as others with Intel Core i5. Whatever the processor, it is always accompanied by a minimum of 8GB of RAM (and 16GB RAM if you want to spend a bit more).
For storage, you can count on up to 512GB of SSD.
Pros
- High-quality materials and slim display
- Backlit keyboard and fingerprint sensor
- ThinkShutter Privacy Cap Camera
- Connectivity through Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi
- Battery with an autonomy of up to 12.8 hours
Cons
- It does not have a microSD card reader
Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga
Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Starting with its exterior, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 1 catches everyone’s attention with premium chassis (certified with military-grade durability), a 360-degree hinge, and an ultra-lightweight 1.25kg.
This laptop features a 13.3-inch screen with 10-point multi-touch, adequately reacting to your fingers, and with Full HD resolution in a 300-nit IPS panel. It achieves excellent image for any program that requires precision for editing.
This is a very complete model, for it comes with a backlit keyboard with ergonomics that favors writing, an infrared HD camera compatible with Windows Hello facial recognition, dual microphones, and two speakers with Dolby Audio technology.
Ports are not left behind in impressiveness, with two first-generation Type-A USB ports, two Type-C ports (one of which is Thunderbolt 3), a microSD card reader, and an HDMI.
On the connectivity side, it comes with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
In regards to processing power, this model goes a bit beyond the others already presented, with an Intel Core i7 aligned with 16GB RAM.
Pros
- Ultra-light design and highly durable materials
- Quality 360-degree hinge and touch screen
- 300 nit IPS panel display
- Backlit keyboard, infrared camera, and fingerprint sensor
- Connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 and LTE 4G
- Many ports and microSD card reader
Cons
- Only 256GB of SSD
ThinkPad L13
Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
We already talked about how the other models are safe and durable. It is no different with the ThinkPad L13.
Following in the footsteps of the other models, this one also has many ports. It includes two USB type A 3.2 (first-generation) ports, a USB type C 3.2 (first-generation), and a USB type C with Thunderbolt 4.
For video output, it has HDMI 2.0, and it also features a microSD reader if you need it.
For connectivity, Bluetooth 5.1 and Wi-Fi 6 are present. Unfortunately, this model doesn’t have an Ethernet port.
For processing, you can count on the Intel Core i5 allied with 8GB of RAM. Storage is a bit short with only 256GB SDD, which is enough for many students and businessmen but might feel like too little for other people.
This model is one of the “budget” options you can get from the ThinkPad series. It doesn’t have dedicated graphics and not even the Iris Xe series, only the Intel UHD Graphics. Still, it is a great option if you want a durable laptop to study.
Pros
- Quality Materials and Galvanized Bezel Display
- Full HD resolution and IPS panel with 250 nits of brightness
- Intel Core processor
- Connectivity through WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1
- Privacy cover on HD webcam
- Kensington lock slot
- Fingerprint reader and rugged keyboard
Cons
- 256GB may be tight for some users
- Other competing models have 16GB of RAM
Final Thoughts
The ThinkPad series offers great durability laptops for everyone that just needs reliability for their job or student life.
You can choose among many models, but if you are only going to study and require little of the hardware, we recommend the ThinkPad L13 as it has only very basic features.
In case you need a larger screen and even better hardware, then you can choose among the varieties of the ThinkPad E15.
