It’s that time of year again, folks. Whether you’re a freshman heading off to college for the first time or a returning student, you’re going to need a reliable laptop that can carry you through your school years and maybe even beyond. But finding the right laptop for your needs can be like searching for a needle in a haystack–daunting. What screen size should you choose? Do you really need a high-powered processor just for research and web browsing? It can be overwhelming, but that’s where I come in. In addition to overseeing PCWorld’s laptop reviews, I also manage our top-pick roundups, including best laptops and best laptops for college students. Notebooks are my specialty, so I know exactly what to look for in a great college laptop. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t sweat it—I’ll walk you through the process step by step. 6 must-have features in any college laptop Battery life The number one must-have feature when it comes to college laptops? Good battery life, hands-down. You don’t want your laptop to suddenly turn off when you’re in the middle of taking notes for an upcoming exam. I’ve been there and it sucks. So, what’s a good number to hit for battery life? This laptop has insane battery life Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition Read our review I’d recommend a laptop with 10-15 hours of battery life, but we’ve tested a few laptops with Qualcomm processors that last 20+ hours on a single charge while watching video, which is absolutely bonkers. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge lasted 21 hours while the Asus ZenBook A14 lasted 24! The Galaxy Book4 Edge is especially impressive considering it’s a 16-inch laptop with an OLED display and, if you know anything about OLED, you probably know they tend to use more power. While laptops with Qualcomm processors are great for everyday tasks, they don’t always play nicely with specialized PC software that some courses may require. So if you’re in the market for a laptop with an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processor, both of which offer full software compatibility, we’ve reviewed plenty of those, too. Two standout options: the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (15 hours!) and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (almost 25 hours!), both of which offer exceptional battery life. Enough power for writing papers and general web browsing You don’t need a ton of power for basic tasks like writing papers, research, general web browsing, and so on. You can easily get by with an Intel Core i3, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. That said, more RAM and storage will improve the speed of the laptop, so you’ll notice a smoother web browsing experience as well as better multitasking performance like being able to simultaneously run multiple applications. If you can afford it, I’d recommend bumping up your configuration to 16GB of RAM and either 512GB or 1TB of SSD storage, especially if you’ve got a big backlog of games in your library. check out our favorite windows laptop for college students Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Read our review A good screen that won’t hurt your eyes Having dealt with eye strain and tension headaches for years, I know how important it is to invest in a laptop with a good screen and you should, too. Whether it’s tuning in to a remote lecture or writing a compare and contrast essay late into the night, you’re going to be staring at the screen a heck of a lot. The minimum resolution I’d recommend is 1920×1080–it’s sharp enough for writing essays, watching Netflix, answering e-mails, scrolling through your synopsis, and so on. Anything lower than 1080p and you’ll find yourself leaning in to squint at the ants, I mean words on your screen. If you’re looking for a laptop with a truly stunning screen, you should definitely check out the Asus ProArt P16, which earned the top spot in PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops for video editing. Its 4K OLED display is simply to die for. OLED displays are also known for delivering deeper blacks and richer colors than IPS panels, making this laptop a good choice for graphic design majors. A lightweight form factor Nobody wants to be lugging a heavy laptop from class-to-class. If you’ve got a jam-packed schedule this year, then you’ll really need to take a laptop’s weight into consideration. Gaming laptops, for example, tend to be heavier machines often weighing six pounds or more. That’s because they house bigger and more powerful hardware inside. There are a few lightweight gaming options out there in the universe, but if it’s raw power you’re after, chances are you’ll end up with a bulkier one. Anything under four pounds is considered “portable” in the laptop world. That said, folks with weak arms and shoulders (hi, it’s me) may opt for something even lighter. If that’s you, then you’ll want to pick up the Microsoft Surface Pro (2025). It weighs just 1.51 pounds and it’s powerful enough to handle emails and Zoom calls. A superior ultraportable laptop for students Microsoft Surface Pro 2025 Read our review Best Prices Today: Not Available at Amazon The right operating system for your needs When it comes to operating systems, it’s like comparing apples to oranges. Windows, ChromeOS, macOS. They all offer different things, so it really boils down to your specific needs. Are you studying photo or video editing this semester? Then go with Windows, as it offers wider access to applications and browsers you can’t run on ChromeOS. Does simplicity and security matter to you? Chromebooks, which exclusively run ChromeOS, are less vulnerable to attacks because of automatic updates. Chromebooks also tend to be more affordable and don’t require as much maintenance as a Windows laptop. macOS, which you’ll find on Apple laptops like the MacBook Air (M3), integrates really well with other Apple products like the iPhone. Setting up a MacBook is also pretty easy and the whole process feels really polished. check out our best chromebook for students Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 Read our review Best Prices Today: $529.99 at Amazon A comfortable keyboard Whether it’s plugging numbers into a spreadsheet or producing a short story for your fiction class, whatever you’re majoring in, you’re going to be typing a lot in college. That’s why it’s important to buy a laptop with a comfortable keyboard. Let’s talk about key travel for a second. Key travel is the distance the key requires to fully depress and send a command to the computer’s CPU. This distance is measured in millimeters. My rule of thumb? A keyboard with a longer key travel is going to provide a more comfortable typing experience. Anything beyond 1.4 mm of travel is ideal. The most common type of laptop keyboard is a membrane keyboard, which has rubber or silicone underneath each key. Membrane keyboards are quieter and more affordable than the mechanical variety–making them a more suitable option for a classroom environment. Read...

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The Smart Bird Feeder from TT Nature is ideal whether you want to connect with nature or inspire a new hobby. It supports the backyard birdwatching experience with up-to-date technology, such as solar power, Wi-Fi-supported real-time notifications, and AI bird recognition that identifies over 10,000 species. Built to Last, Designed to Share Staring at an empty bird feeder, hoping for a bird visit? No need to wait, this smart bird feeder will notify you when a bird arrives. The HD camera provides clear footage, allowing you to marvel at the bright patterns on the wings of a cardinal or the delicate colors of a goldfinch. The AI bird recognition feature helps to accurately identify the bird that is visiting the feeder. The TT Nature bird feeder can serve as your personal bird identification guide, identifying species including cardinal, downy woodpecker, rare migratory birds, and more. Additionally, with Wi-Fi, it supports video recording and sharing. The bird feeder supports up to 20 users at once, making it ideal for large families or birdwatching communities. TT Nature Long battery life means you won’t miss a bird. This feeder is equipped with a solar panel for long operation time. The 1.5-liter capacity reduces the frequency of water refilling, making it suitable for people with a busy life. Setting it up is simple. It offers a video tutorial to guide you through each step. Even if you’re new to bird feeders, you can start using it right away with confidence. Birdwatching Brings Nature Closer Already thinking about gifts this Christmas, and looking for a meaningful gift for your bird-loving loved one? The TT Nature Smart Feeder is more than just a gadget, it’s a ticket to tranquility, curiosity, and link-building with mother nature. With a customer rating of 4.96 out of 5, this product has been recognized by the market. Feeding birds is more than just a hobby. As Paul Baicich, co-author of Feeding America’s Wild Birds, says: “It introduces people to nature — in their backyard. It’s the intermediate step between sitting around the house and actually going out to a national wildlife refuge,” according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Feeding both native and migratory birds has ecological benefits. Studies have found that populations of species like northern cardinals have expanded their range due to the support of reliable backyard feeders during harsh winters. TT Nature Be a Responsible Feeder Backyard bird feeding should be approached with care and responsibility, not just as a casual hobby. Experts warn that three main risks of irresponsible bird feeding are: disease, predation, and collision. Dirty feeders and unclean food can lead to the growth of bacteria. Moldy seeds and bird feces build the growing environment for salmonella and E. coli. Once a bird is infected, the droppings can eventually spread the disease to other local birds. It is best to clean feeders every two weeks. More frequent cleaning is also recommended during the rainy season. TT Nature That’s why maintenance matters. TT Nature recommends cleaning your feeder every few weeks, and always washing your hands after handling it. The feeder’s easy-to-clean design makes this part of bird-loving life just as seamless. How to Clean Your Bird Feeder A smart feeder can make birdwatching and recording easy. Keeping it clean ensures local birds stay healthy. Here are some simple cleaning tips to guide you on cleaning your bird feeder. You should completely disassemble your bird feeder before cleaning it. You can simply soak it in boiling water and hand wash it with soap when it cools down. For a deeper clean, you can also soak it in a diluted bleach solution for 10 minutes. After cleaning, rinse the bird feeder thoroughly and allow it to dry completely before assembling the feeder. Clean up trash and droppings around the bird feeder. The accumulation of bird droppings can attract rodents and even pose a threat to outdoor pets. If you wish to see your visitors more often, keeping the space clean and comfortable is the trick. TT Nature Birdwatching isn’t just about the birds. It’s about slowing down and reconnecting. For lifelong enthusiasts or just the newbies, the TT Nature Smart Bird Feeder with Camera invites you to witness the wonders within your own backyard. TT Nature believes “Nature always has something to say if we are willing to listen.” Rather than just building bird feeders, TT Nature is blending modern tech with a scientific understanding of birding and building bridges between humans and the natural world. This holiday season, give a gift that takes your recipient back to mother nature: get this bird feeder with camera for just $129.99 on the TT Nature website. Read...

Choosing a thicker mouse pad can significantly improve ergonomics and ease wrist pressure. In contrast, thinner pads often become uncomfortable during long workdays or gaming sessions, as they leave the wrist resting more or less directly on the hard tabletop. A padded base provides soft cushioning that reduces pressure. Large models in particular, which serve as desk mats, increase comfort and often make a separate wrist rest superfluous. A thick mouse pad offers many advantages over the thinner variety–from protecting the wrist to cushioning the keystroke. IDG One more benefit is improved stability. Thinner mouse pad models tend to shift or lift off at the corners, which is particularly annoying during fast mouse movements. Thicker versions, with a non-slip underside, ensure a secure hold and level out any unevenness in the table surface. This enables even and precise tracking, which is particularly advantageous for gaming mice with a low lift-off distance. Razer Gigantus V2 thick mousepad for $9.99 on Amazon In addition, a thick mouse pad extends the service life of the work surface. The additional layer of material slows down wear on the underside of the mat. It therefore lasts longer than thin versions. High-quality models can often withstand thousands of hours of use without noticeable wear and tear. Thinner underlays lose stability over time or can become cracked. The keyboard can sit on an oversized mouse mat (like this Corsair one) alongside the mouse, helping absorb unwanted background noise.”Corsair Another benefit is the sound insulation: thick pads absorb shocks and keyboard vibrations, which reduces the noise of keystrokes. This promotes a quieter working environment, especially in open-plan offices or for users who prefer a low-noise setup. Felt pads in particular help to further dampen ambient noise and improve working comfort. Anyone who has ever felt the difference in the material thickness of mouse pads is unlikely to want to switch back to a thinner alternative. Read...

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The PSA says the “squeezing” of funding at DOC puts New Zealand’s environment at risk. Read...