The academic year is starting at the University of Ioannina, and for many students, and their parents, the first question is the same: which laptop should I get? The answer is not the most expensive one in the shop window. It is the one that survives your degree for four to six years, fits in your bag for the lecture hall and does not let you down a week before exams.
At ZarrasTech, in central Ioannina, every September and October we see students who bought the wrong machine: too weak for their course, or too heavy and expensive for what they actually need. This guide helps you avoid paying for the wrong one.
What each school needs
The right computer depends on the software you will run, not on the brand.
- Humanities and social sciences (Philosophy, Law, Education, Economics): Word, PDFs, a browser, video calls, library searches. A light laptop with an SSD and 8 GB RAM is enough. Battery life and weight matter more than the processor.
- Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology): Excel with large files, MATLAB, Python, R, statistics packages. Aim for 16 GB RAM and an i5 / Ryzen 5 or better.
- Computer Science, Telecommunications, Engineering: programming, virtual machines, CAD, simulations. 16 GB RAM, at least a 512 GB SSD and a processor with real cores. For CAD or 3D work, ask your department whether a dedicated graphics card is needed before you buy.
- Medicine and Nursing: lots of PDFs, slides and e-textbooks. Light, with a good screen and a battery that lasts a full day on campus.
- Fine Arts, Architecture, Communication & Media: photo and video editing. Here the screen, RAM and graphics card really count. It is the one category where it is worth spending seriously more.
If you do not yet know what later years will need, a laptop with an SSD and upgradable RAM keeps your options open without paying now for power you may never use.
Three non-negotiable rules
- SSD, never a mechanical hard drive. A laptop with an HDD in 2026 is slow from day one. In everyday use the difference reaches up to 10Χ — see how to speed up your computer.
- At least 8 GB RAM. 4 GB cannot cope with a browser full of tabs, Teams and Word at the same time.
- Windows 11 compatible. An older computer on Windows 10 has an expiry date on its security updates — see what applies to Windows 10.
After that, look at weight (under 1.6 kg if you carry it to University every day), battery and a Full HD screen.
New or refurbished?
For most students, a business-grade refurbished laptop is the most sensible buy. Models such as ThinkPad, Latitude or EliteBook were built for offices: a sturdy chassis, a good keyboard and easy RAM and drive upgrades. For the price of a cheap new laptop you usually get better build quality.
In ZarrasTech sales, refurbished office laptops with an i5, 8–16 GB RAM and an SSD start from €99, while premium ThinkPad / EliteBook models range €220–450. Every machine is checked, cleaned and comes with a working-order warranty.
New is worth it when your course needs a strong graphics card, when you want a specific model with a manufacturer warranty, or when the battery must be at 100% of its original capacity.
Wherever you buy refurbished, check the battery, screen, drive and warranty before paying. The checklist is in our guide what to check on a refurbished laptop.
Already have a laptop? An upgrade may be enough
Many students arrive with their school laptop, slow and running hot. Before buying a new one, a free check is worth it. If the machine is healthy, an SSD upgrade, more RAM and a proper clean often cost far less than a new computer and give it years more life.
Rental for a semester or for exams
Not ready to buy yet? Or did your laptop break a week before a deadline? Laptop rental in Ioannina covers anything from one day to months. As a guide it starts from €12 per day, with three-day and weekly packages. It suits Erasmus students, anyone waiting to see what their course requires before buying, or anyone whose own computer is in for repair.
What to watch for when buying online
- What “128 GB laptop” really means. With Windows and updates it fills up within the first year.
- RAM soldered to the motherboard. Many cheap, thin laptops can never be upgraded. What you buy is what you keep.
- Celeron, Pentium, Athlon processors. Cheap to buy, but slow for your whole degree.
- Keyboard without Greek characters. If you will be writing assignments every day, check the layout before buying.
- Where repairs will happen. If something breaks, a computer that can be repaired in Ioannina saves you from shipping it to Athens the week before exams.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum a student needs?
An SSD of at least 256 GB, 8 GB RAM and Windows 11 compatibility. For sciences and Computer Science, go up to 16 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD.
Is a MacBook worth it for a student?
Yes, if you like macOS and your course does not require Windows-only software. Check your department's software list first. On many MacBooks the RAM and storage cannot be upgraded after purchase, so choose correctly from the start.
Will a refurbished laptop last my whole degree?
A business-grade refurbished laptop with an SSD and 8–16 GB RAM usually will. The battery is the first part to wear, and it can be replaced without changing the machine.
Can I rent a laptop just for exams?
Yes. Rental runs from one day up to months, subject to availability.
Does upgrading my old laptop make sense instead of buying new?
Often yes, if the machine is healthy and accepts an SSD and RAM. The check is free and we tell you whether it is worth it before you pay.
A student or parent in Ioannina? Visit the shop at Yossef Eliya 18B to see refurbished laptops in person, or let us check your old one for free. See sales and laptop rental, or call +30 697 448 4324.