Whether you want a tablet or a laptop, these picks are great for schoolwork and some fun on the side. Here are four of CNET’s top picks for your student.
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Lenovo ThinkPad 13
Product Review: http://www.cnet.com/products/lenovo-thinkpad-13/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: The thin-and-light Lenovo ThinkPad 13 offers a lot for a little, including a great keyboard, a matte 1080p screen, a useful assortment of ports, a fair number of upgrade options and lightweight but rugged build quality.
The bad: The touchpad can be a little jumpy and the track point can be hard to find without looking. The keyboard isn’t backlit.
The cost: $710.10
The bottom line: A travel-friendly, tough business laptop, the Lenovo ThinkPad 13 delivers essentials for work or school.
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Samsung Galaxy TabPro S
Product Review: http://www.cnet.com/products/samsung-galaxy-tabpro-s-review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: Samsung wisely includes a keyboard cover in the box. Battery life is excellent, and the AMOLED (active matrix organic light emitting diode) display is better than the screens in much more expensive systems.
The bad: The single configuration is stuck with a sluggish Core M processor, and the keyboard cover allows only two screen angles, neither of which may be right for you.
The cost: $699.99 to $747.99
The bottom line: Samsung builds a lot of value into the Galaxy TabPro S, including a keyboard cover and advanced display in a very slim Windows tablet.
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HP Spectre
Product Review: http://www.cnet.com/products/hp-spectre-review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The HP Spectre is remarkably thin while still managing to fit in Core i5 and Core i7 processors. The keyboard is excellent for such a slim body, and the bold design stands out in a sea of thin ultra-portables.
The bad: The lack of a touchscreen is a big omission for a premium Windows laptop, and the limited ports may force you to carry extra dongles and accessories.
The cost: $1,169.99 to $1,380.97
The bottom line: If you can work with USB-C ports and a non-touch display, the HP Spectre offers a great design and excellent performance in the world’s thinnest full-power laptop body, so you won’t get weighed down on the way to class. It also has one of the best ultrathin-laptop keyboards.
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Apple MacBook (2016)
Product Review: http://www.cnet.com/products/apple-macbook-review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The 12-inch MacBook gets a decent boost to performance and battery life, while keeping the same slim, light premium body. The high-res display and responsive trackpad remain the gold standard. Color options add a fun bit of personalization.
The bad: The single USB-C port will continue to be an inconvenience for many. The shallow keyboard isn’t ideal for long-form typing. Other super-slim laptops manage to fit in more-powerful processors.
The cost: $1,224.99 to $1,299
The bottom line: We’re seeing this amazingly slim 12-inch laptop more and more frequently on college campuses. The recent second-gen upgrade adds both power and battery life, and the higher-res screen looks amazing.
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Section Editor Dan Ackerman, Senior Editor Joshua Goldman and Senior Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
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