Laptops for Information Technology Students in 2026

As an Information Technology (IT) student, your laptop is the centerpiece of your academic and professional life. When you’re coding, managing networks, running simulations, or into data analysis, the right laptop makes all the difference. In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best laptop for your needs. We’ll cover what makes a laptop ideal for IT students, identify the challenges you might face, and offer clear, actionable recommendations for choosing the right machine.

The life of an IT student revolves around technology. From running resource-intensive software like virtual machines to writing code or even troubleshooting networks, your laptop is your primary device for learning and creating. But with so many laptops on the market, how do you know which one fits your needs?

It’s not just about picking something with a sleek design or a big brand name. A laptop’s performance, durability, and specifications play an undeniable role in your ability to handle IT tasks efficiently.

As an IT student, you’re often faced with the following challenges when selecting a laptop:

• Resource-intensive tasks: When you’re running virtual machines, working with large data sets, or simulating network infrastructures, you need a laptop that can handle high processing demands.
• Portability vs. Performance: As an on-the-go student, you’ll want a laptop that balances portability with enough power to tackle all your academic and professional tasks.
• Software compatibility: Different IT disciplines demand specific software, some requiring a Windows machine, others favoring macOS or Linux environments. Finding the right platform is essential.
• Battery life: Long study sessions and coding marathons mean that a laptop with strong battery life is key. You don’t want to be stuck looking for a power outlet every few hours.

When evaluating the best laptops for IT students, we’ll consider the following key factors:

• Processor (CPU): The brain of your laptop, the processor is crucial for running simulations, coding, and multitasking. We’ll recommend laptops with high-performance CPUs that won’t slow down during intensive tasks.
• Memory (RAM): For programming, multitasking, and handling large files, sufficient RAM is essential. We’ll highlight models with a minimum of 16GB of RAM to ensure smooth performance during your most demanding tasks.
• Storage: SSD storage is a must for fast boot times, quick file access, and smooth software performance. We recommend at least 512GB SSDs, but for those working with larger files or running multiple virtual machines, 1TB may be necessary.
• Graphics Card (GPU): If your focus involves gaming, 3D modeling, or intensive data visualization, a dedicated GPU will make a significant difference. We’ll outline the benefits of laptops with powerful GPUs where needed.
• Battery Life: Expect to need a laptop that can last through long study sessions or classes without being tethered to a wall socket. We recommend laptops with 8+ hours of battery life for reliable, all-day performance.
• Display and Portability: Since you’ll likely carry your laptop around, we’ll look at options with durable yet lightweight designs, and screens large enough to give you ample workspace without compromising portability.

Minimum Specifications for IT Tasks

To meet the demands of your studies, a laptop for an IT student should come with at least the following specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core i7 (or AMD Ryzen 7) or better
• RAM: 16GB (upgradeable if possible)
• Storage: 512GB SSD or more (preferably NVMe for speed)
• Graphics: Dedicated GPU (especially for gaming or complex simulations) or integrated GPU for standard tasks
• Battery: 8+ hours of battery life
• Display: 13-inch to 15-inch Full HD (1080p) or higher
• Operating System: Windows 10 or 11 (preferred for most IT applications), macOS or Linux if required by your course

We’re here to make your decision easier, but keep in mind that your laptop should be tailored to your specific IT focus. If you’re focusing on networking, systems administration, or backend development, you might prioritize different specs than someone who is working with machine learning or game development.

Additionally, while we aim to recommend laptops that balance performance with affordability, you should expect that a good IT laptop will often be a significant investment. The right laptop will last you throughout your studies and beyond, supporting you in your future career.

You can also have a look at the best laptop for Computer Science Students in addition to the best laptops for University Students.

Best Laptops for Information Technology Students:

Best Overall Laptops for Information Technology Students

Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15p Gen 1 Ultra X7 358H 32GB 1TB Arc B390 OLED
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CPU	Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz, NPU up to 50 TOPS
GPU	Integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics
Display Size	15.3 inch, 16:10
Display Resolution	15.3 inch 2.8K OLED 2880 × 1800, 30 to 120Hz VRR, 500 nits SDR, up to 1100 nits HDR peak, 100% DCI P3, DisplayHDR True Black 1000
RAM	32GB LPDDR5X 9600MHz soldered
Storage Space	1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11 Pro
Ports	3 × Thunderbolt 4 USB C; USB A 10Gbps; HDMI; SD card reader; 3.5 mm headset combo jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	13.37 × 9.00 × up to 0.70 inches (L × W × H)
Weight	3.31 lb (starting weight)
Pros	Arc B390 graphics; vivid OLED with professional color coverage; good fit for office and creator applications.
Cons	RAM is not upgradeable

Dell XPS 16 Core Ultra X9 388H 32GB 1TB 3.2K OLED Touch 2026
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CPU	Intel Core Ultra X9 388H, 16 cores, up to 5.1 GHz
GPU	Intel integrated graphics
Display Size	16 inch, 16:10 touchscreen
Display Resolution	3.2K 3200 × 2000 OLED touch, 20 to 120Hz, 400 nits, InfinityEdge
RAM	32GB LPDDR5X, onboard
Storage Space	1TB M.2 2230 PCIe Gen 4 ×4 TLC SSD
Operating System	Windows 11 Home, Copilot+ PC
Ports	3 × Thunderbolt 4 USB C ports with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery; universal audio jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	13.88 × 9.35 × 0.58 inches (width × depth × height)
Weight	3.65 lb starting weight
Pros	Highest tier Intel Core Ultra X9 processor option; premium OLED touch display; 32GB RAM and 1TB storage.
Cons	RAM is fixed; the system relies on integrated graphics

Apple MacBook Pro M5 Pro 16.2 inches 3456 x 2234 Pixels, 24GB unified memory, 2TB SSD, Apple M5 Pro 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU
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CPU	Apple M5 Pro, 18-core CPU
GPU	20-core GPU
Display Size	16.2 inches
Display Resolution	3456 x 2234 Pixels; Liquid Retina XDR, mini-LED, ProMotion up to 120Hz
RAM	24GB unified memory
Storage Space	2TB SSD
Operating System	macOS
Ports	3 x Thunderbolt 5 USB-C, HDMI, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches
Weight	4.7 pounds
Pros	High sustained performance; HDR XDR display; ProMotion; Thunderbolt 5; HDMI and SDXC
Cons	heavier than Air

Best Budget Laptops for IT Students

Acer Aspire Lite 14 14 inches 1920 x 1200 Pixels, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel Core Ultra 5 115U, Intel integrated graphics
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CPU	Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
GPU	Intel integrated graphics
Display Size	14 inches
Display Resolution	1920 x 1200 Pixels; WUXGA IPS, matte, 60Hz
RAM	16GB RAM
Storage Space	512GB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, audio combo jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	12.5 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
Weight	3.1 pounds
Pros	Portable everyday laptop; matte screen; SSD storage
Cons	Integrated graphics; standard refresh rate; regional Japan SKU

HP OmniBook 5 16 AMD Ryzen AI 5 H 430 16GB 512GB 2026
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CPU	AMD Ryzen AI 5 H 430, 4 cores, up to 4.5 GHz, NPU 50 TOPS
GPU	Integrated AMD Radeon 840M graphics
Display Size	16 inch, 16:10
Display Resolution	16 inch 2K IPS 1920 × 1200, 300 nits, 62.5% sRGB
RAM	16GB LPDDR5X 8000 MT/s onboard
Storage Space	512GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro
Ports	2 × USB C with USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort 2.1; 2 × USB A; HDMI 2.1; headphone/microphone combo
Dimensions (L x W x H)	35.5 × 24.5 × 1.45 cm at rear (approx. 13.98 × 9.65 × 0.57 inches)
Weight	3.75 lb starting weight
Pros	Affordable current generation AI laptop; large screen; SSD storage for common office and education needs.
Cons	16GB soldered memory; basic 300 nit panel; lower CPU and graphics performance than Ryzen AI 7 and 9 models.

ASUS Vivobook 14 14 inch WUXGA Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 3 2026
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CPU	Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 3
GPU	Up to integrated Intel Graphics
Display Size	14 inch WUXGA 1920 x 1200 IPS level, 60Hz, 300 nits
Display Resolution	Up to 32GB DDR5 (16GB onboard plus 16GB SO DIMM)
RAM	Up to 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
Storage Space	Windows 11 Home or Pro
Operating System	2 USB C with power delivery and DisplayPort; 2 USB A; HDMI; 3.5mm combo audio
Ports	Wi Fi 6; Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (L x W x H)	42Wh or 70Wh, depending on configuration
Weight	3.22 lb (1.46 kg)
Pros	Practical 16:10 display; upgradeable memory slot; good port selection for study and office work.
Cons	60Hz display with limited 45% NTSC gamut; integrated graphics are suited mainly to everyday tasks.

Best Laptops for Programming and Software Development

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Ultra X7 358H 64GB 1TB 2.8K OLED 120Hz
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CPU	Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz, NPU up to 50 TOPS
GPU	Integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics
Display Size	14 inch, 16:10
Display Resolution	2.8K OLED 2880 × 1800, 120Hz VRR, 500 nits, 100% DCI P3, DisplayHDR True Black 500, touchscreen option
RAM	64GB LPDDR5X 9600MHz soldered, not upgradeable
Storage Space	1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD; supports up to 2TB
Operating System	Windows 11 Pro
Ports	3 × Thunderbolt 4 with USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort 2.1; 1 × USB A 5Gbps; HDMI 2.1; 3.5 mm headset combo jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	12.30 × 8.49 × up to 0.66 inches (L × W × H); touchscreen versions up to 0.69 inches
Weight	2.20 lb (starting weight)
Pros	64GB fast memory; high quality 120Hz OLED option; Arc B390 graphics; very portable premium business laptop.
Cons	High cost; memory cannot be upgraded

HP OmniBook X 14 Intel Core Ultra X9 378H 32GB 1TB OLED 2026
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CPU	Intel Core Ultra X9 378H, 16 cores, up to 5.0 GHz, NPU 50 TOPS
GPU	Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics
Display Size	14 inch, 16:10 touchscreen
Display Resolution	14 inch 2.8K OLED touchscreen, 2880 × 1800, up to 120Hz, 500 nits SDR, up to 1100 nits HDR, 100% DCI P3
RAM	32GB LPDDR5X 8533 MT/s onboard
Storage Space	1TB PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro
Ports	USB C Thunderbolt 4 / USB4; USB A; HDMI; headphone/microphone combo.
Dimensions (L x W x H)	Approx. 12.3 × 8.5 × 0.6 inches
Weight	Approx. 3.0 lb
Pros	Portable 14 inch premium chassis; high quality OLED option; modern AI capable processor and fast NVMe storage. 32GB LPDDR5X 8533 MT/s onboard supports heavier multitasking.
Cons

Apple MacBook Pro M5 Pro 14.2 inches 3024 x 1964 Pixels, 48GB unified memory, 4TB SSD, Apple M5 Pro 15-core CPU, 16-core GPU
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CPU	Apple M5 Pro, 15-core CPU
GPU	16-core GPU
Display Size	14.2 inches
Display Resolution	3024 x 1964 Pixels; Liquid Retina XDR, mini-LED, ProMotion up to 120Hz
RAM	48GB unified memory
Storage Space	4TB SSD
Operating System	macOS
Ports	3 x Thunderbolt 5 USB-C, HDMI, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches
Weight	3.5 pounds
Pros	High sustained performance; HDR XDR display; ProMotion; Thunderbolt 5; HDMI and SDXC
Cons	Expensive; memory is not user upgradeable; heavier than Air; higher tier configurations cost substantially more

Best Laptops for Cybersecurity and Virtual Machines

Lenovo LOQ 15AHP11 Ryzen 7 253 RTX 5060 32GB 1TB WQXGA 180Hz
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CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 253, 8 cores, up to 4.9 GHz, NPU up to 16 TOPS
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU, 8GB GDDR7, up to 115W
Display Size	15.3 inch, 16:10
Display Resolution	WQXGA 2560 × 1600 IPS, 180Hz, 400 nits, 100% sRGB, anti glare
RAM	32GB DDR5 5600MHz, 2 × 16GB SO DIMMs
Storage Space	1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD; two M.2 slots
Operating System	Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro
Ports	3 × USB A; USB C USB4 with DisplayPort; HDMI 2.1; Gigabit Ethernet; 3.5 mm audio combo jack; Slim Tip power
Dimensions (L x W x H)	13.58 × 10.03 × 0.82 to 0.92 inches
Weight	4.6 lb (starting weight)
Pros	Higher resolution 180Hz display; RTX 5060 graphics; 32GB memory supports larger games and creative apps; SSD expansion.
Cons	heavy

HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16 AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 475 RTX 48GB 2TB 2026
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CPU	AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 475, 12 cores, up to 5.2 GHz, NPU 60 TOPS
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, 16GB GDDR7
Display Size	16 inch, 16:10
Display Resolution	16 inch 2.5K OLED 2560 × 1600, up to 240Hz, 0.2ms, 500 nits SDR, up to 1100 nits HDR, 100% DCI P3
RAM	48GB DDR5 5600 MT/s, 2 × 24GB
Storage Space	2TB PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro
Ports	2 × USB Type A; 2 × USB Type C with high speed data and DisplayPort; HDMI 2.1; RJ45 Ethernet; headset combo; power connector.
Dimensions (L x W x H)	Approx. 14.1 × 10.5 × 1.0 inches
Weight	Approx. 6.0 lb
Pros	AMD Ryzen AI platform with discrete RTX graphics; high refresh OLED; replaceable DDR5 memory and PCIe SSD options.
Cons	high power draw

Acer Nitro V 16 AI 16 inches 1920 x 1200 Pixels, 32GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, AMD Ryzen AI 9 465, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR7
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CPU	AMD Ryzen AI 9 465
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR7
Display Size	16 inches
Display Resolution	1920 x 1200 Pixels; WUXGA IPS, 165Hz
RAM	32GB DDR5
Storage Space	1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB-C, USB-A, HDMI 2.1, RJ45, audio combo jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.2 x 10.5 x 1.1 inches
Weight	5.7 pounds
Pros	RTX graphics; 32GB RAM; high refresh screen; upgradeable storage
Cons	Heavy; FHD class resolution; battery life limited while gaming

Best Laptops for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

HP HyperX OMEN MAX 16 Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus RTX 32GB 1TB 2026
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CPU	Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, 24 cores, up to 5.5 GHz, NPU 13 TOPS
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, 16GB GDDR7
Display Size	16 inch, 16:10
Display Resolution	16 inch 2.5K OLED 2560 × 1600, up to 240Hz, 0.2ms, 500 nits SDR, up to 1100 nits HDR, 100% DCI P3, VESA True Black HDR 1000
RAM	32GB DDR5 6400 MT/s, 2 × 16GB
Storage Space	1TB PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro
Ports	2 × USB Type A; 2 × USB Type C with high speed data and DisplayPort; HDMI 2.1; RJ45 Ethernet; headset combo; power connector
Dimensions (L x W x H)	Approx. 14.1 × 10.5 × 1.0 inches
Weight	Approx. 6.0 lb
Pros	high refresh display;
Cons

Lenovo Legion 7a 16 Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 RTX 5070 32GB 1TB 240Hz OLED
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CPU	AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, 12 cores, up to 5.2 GHz, NPU up to 55 TOPS
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, 8GB GDDR7
Display Size	16 inch, 16:10
Display Resolution	16 inch WQXGA OLED 2560 × 1600, 240Hz, 100% DCI P3, 500 nits typical, up to 1100 nits HDR peak, DisplayHDR True Black 1000, G SYNC
RAM	32GB LPDDR5X soldered
Storage Space	1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD; two M.2 slots available
Operating System	Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro
Ports	2 × USB A; 2 × USB C USB4 with DisplayPort 2.1; HDMI 2.1; card reader; 3.5 mm audio combo; Slim Tip power
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.23 × 10.01 × 0.61 to 0.67 inches
Weight	3.97 lb (under 1.8 kg)
Pros	High end Ryzen AI processor and RTX 5070; 240Hz OLED gaming display; light for a 16 inch gaming laptop.
Cons	Soldered memory; expensive

HP OmniBook Ultra 16 NVIDIA RTX Spark N1X 18 core CPU 5120 core GPU 64GB 1TB 2026
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CPU	NVIDIA RTX Spark N1X 18 core CPU; 5120 or 6144 core Blackwell GPU platform depending on configuration
GPU	NVIDIA Blackwell RTX 5120 core integrated GPU
Display Size	16 inch, 16:10 touchscreen
Display Resolution	16 inch 3K OLED touchscreen, 2880 × 1800, up to 120Hz, 500 nits SDR, 1100 nits HDR, 100% DCI P3, DisplayHDR True Black 1000
RAM	64GB LPDDR5X 9400 MT/s onboard
Storage Space	1TB PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro
Ports	USB C with USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort; HDMI output; microSD card reader; headphone/microphone combo.
Dimensions (L x W x H)	Approximately 14.1 × 9.6 × 0.7 inches
Weight	Starting weight varies;
Pros	Large 3K OLED touchscreen; high core count NVIDIA Blackwell GPU; very large unified memory options for local AI, development and creative workloads.
Cons	Unified memory is soldered and shared by CPU and GPU; ARM based NVIDIA software compatibility needs checking; high price and limited upgradeability.

Best Portable Laptops for IT Students

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 inch 8th Edition Intel Core Ultra 7 366H (Series 3) Intel Graphics 32GB LPDDR5X 512GB removable Gen 4 SSD
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CPU	Intel Core Ultra 7 366H (Series 3); NPU up to 47 TOPS for Ultra 5 or 50 TOPS for Ultra 7 / X7
GPU	Intel Graphics
Display Size	13.8 inch touchscreen, 3:2 aspect ratio
Display Resolution	PixelSense Flow LCD, 2304 × 1536, up to 120Hz dynamic refresh, 201 PPI, up to 600 nits
RAM	32GB LPDDR5X
Storage Space	512GB removable Gen 4 SSD
Operating System	Windows 11 Pro
Ports	2 × USB C with USB4 / Thunderbolt 4; USB A 3.2; 3.5mm audio jack; Surface Connect; DisplayPort 2.1
Dimensions (L x W x H)	11.85 × 8.67 × 0.69 inches (length × width × height)
Weight	2.97 lb (1.35 kg); privacy screen configuration is 3.00 lb
Pros	120Hz color calibrated touchscreen
Cons

LG gram 14 Ryzen AI 7 450 16GB 1TB WUXGA IPS 2026
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CPU	AMD Ryzen AI 7 450, 8 cores and 16 threads, up to 5.1GHz, NPU up to 50 TOPS
GPU	Integrated AMD Radeon graphics
Display Size	14 inch, 16:10
Display Resolution	WUXGA 1920 × 1200 IPS, 60Hz, 350 nits, 99% DCI P3 typical, anti glare
RAM	16GB LPDDR5X 7500 MT/s onboard
Storage Space	1TB M.2 PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD; second M.2 slot available
Operating System	Windows 11 Home, Copilot+ PC
Ports	2 × USB A 3.2 Gen 1; 2 × USB C 3.2 Gen 2 with DisplayPort and Power Delivery; HDMI 2.1; 3.5mm headset combo jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	13.98 × 8.80 × 0.59 to 0.61 inches
Weight	2.47 lb (1.12 kg)
Pros	Very light 14 inch chassis; 72Wh battery; WUXGA display with wide color coverage; second SSD slot; AI ready processor.
Cons	16GB memory is onboard and not upgradeable

Acer Swift Go 14 AI 14 inches 2880 x 1800 Pixels, 32GB LPDDR5x, 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics
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CPU	Intel Core Ultra X7 358H
GPU	Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics
Display Size	14 inches
Display Resolution	2880 x 1800 Pixels; OLED, 120Hz
RAM	32GB LPDDR5x
Storage Space	1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	2 x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, 2 x USB-A, HDMI, microSD, audio combo jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	12.3 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
Weight	3.0 pounds
Pros	High quality OLED; strong integrated graphics; portable; modern connectivity
Cons	Soldered memory; no dedicated GPU; high resolution OLED may use more power

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