What should I look for in a college laptop?

My parents are having me pick out a laptop for college as a graduation present. What should I be looking for feature-wise to make sure it'll last me through my college years? I want something that can handle school work, and maybe some casual gaming too.

Selecting the right laptop for college is an important consideration as it will be your primary tool for coursework, research, writing and even entertainment. Here are some key points to keep in mind while choosing:

1) Performance: Make sure to consider the processor and memory (RAM) of your potential laptop. A good starting standard for college tasks and multi-tasking is an Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor and at least 8GB of RAM. For heavier usage such as occasional gaming, an Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor, and 16GB of RAM can be more appropriate.

2) Storage: Most new laptops come with Solid State Drives (SSDs) which are quicker and more reliable than the older-Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). A 256GB SSD is usually enough for most college students, but if you intend to store games or lots of multimedia, you might want to look at 512GB or even 1TB.

3) Portability: As you'll likely be carrying your laptop to classes, the library, study groups, etc., you should ideally look for a balance between screen size and weight. A 13-inch to 15-inch laptop that weighs around 3-4 lbs is often a good balance.

4) Battery life: One of the key factors to consider is battery life. You would not want your laptop dying in the middle of a lecture or while working on an assignment. Look for a laptop with at least 10 hours of battery life, and make sure to bring your charger along for days you're on campus for a few hours.

5) Durability: Make sure to research the build quality of your laptop as it will be subjected to daily use and possibly some travel too. Many higher-end laptops use more durable materials like aluminum.

6) Graphics Card: If you are looking to engage in casual gaming, consider a laptop with a dedicated graphics card, like the Nvidia's GeForce GTX series.

Finally, don't forget about software considerations. Make sure your chosen laptop can run the software related to your course of study. Some majors (graphical, architectural, etc) may need advanced software which could require more powerful specs.

Before making a purchase, it's recommended you read user reviews or search online for professional reviews for the model you're considering. This can give you a somewhat realistic expectation of what it's like to use the laptop on a day-to-day basis. Also, the prices for laptops can significantly vary, so setting a realistic budget will help narrow down your options. Good luck with your search!