• When summer comes to an end, you often have to equip or re-equip yourself with a computer to go to work.

  • College, university, teleworking… to each his own machine more or less efficient and more or less economical.

  • From the Acer Spin 513 sold for just over $ 300 to the state-of-the-art MacBook Air at $ 1,129, "20 Minutes" has selected four computers designed to work well.

The period called by computer manufacturers “Back to school” is aptly named.

It is generally the one where we equip or re-equip in IT.

In this new school year, Chromebooks, PCs and Macs want to be the first in the class to settle on the benches of college, university or at home by teleworking.

From basic machines meeting simple productivity needs, to devices with doped processors and memory to also push the multimedia experience to its peak, there is something for all tastes and all budgets.

To help you in your choice, but especially to work well 

20 Minutes

has selected four machines that will not disappoint you.

The economical Chromebook: Acer Spin 513

Ready to go without Windows 10 and be satisfied with Google software? The Acer Spin 513 is a beautiful ultraportable with an anodized aluminum frame, light (1.29 kg) and thin (15.5 mm). On the knees, it does not heat up very much. Distinguished by its swiveling touch screen, the machine is a good investment for a limited budget.

Be careful, however: with only 4 GB of Ram, its performance should be reserved for office automation, a task for which the machine will meet all needs.

Not muscular enough for the game, this Chromebook can nevertheless be personalized with Android applications from the Google Play Store, including Netflix, Prime video, Disney + or the essential TikTok.

Up to Full HD, these video functions will be particularly appreciable in "tent" mode, the screen being able to rotate up to 360 °.

Beware of its limited storage space (64 GB) which may eventually require the purchase of an external hard drive.

13.3 '' (1920 x 1080);

Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 processor;

4GB ;

storage: 64 GB;

announced autonomy: up to 14 hours.

329 euros at Boulanger.

The featherweight just for the job: Microsoft Surface Laptop Go

The configuration offered by this PC from the Microsoft Surface family is ideal for studying or working from home.

Go anywhere with its small 12.4 '' screen and particularly low weight (1.1 kg), the Surface Laptop Go is extremely mobile (278 x 206 x 15.6 mm) and will not leave you .

At ease for work, it is however less so for multimedia where it is content almost with the minimum.

In addition to a surprisingly narrow screen definition and below Full HD, we will avoid having this PC if we are a gamer.

Indeed, it does not have a dedicated graphics card.

And other small regrets: a rather poor connection, with a USB-A port, a USB-C port and a mini-jack, and a keyboard that is not backlit.

But for the job, he knows how to do it very well.

12.4 '' (1536 x 1024);

Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor;

8 GB;

storage: 128 GB;

announced autonomy: up to 13 hours.

From 679 euros.

The versatile big screen: Huawei Matebook D16

Huawei's recurring problems in the world of smartphones are pushing the manufacturer to diversify.

Among other workhorses, PCs, a universe in which the Chinese manufacturer stands out nicely.

Comfortable at home for family use, or on the go despite its weight of 1.7 kg, this compact Matebook D16 is a wise choice if you need a large screen (41 cm).

A little disappointing in gaming (the machine does not have a dedicated graphics card), the D16 is however recommended for office automation, watching videos, or even editing.

Strangely, the (retractable) webcam is placed here at the top of the keyboard, imposing a low-angle framing of the user, which is not very rewarding for lessons and other video meetings.

16.1 '' (1920 x 1080 pixels);

AMD Ryzen 5 4600H processor;

16 GB. Storage: 512 GB;

announced autonomy: up to 10 hours.

From 799 euros.

The Power Monster: Apple MacBook Air M1 8GB / 256GB

Launched barely a year ago, Apple's new MacBook Air (13 inches) has among other virtues that of a monster house processor, the M1.

Particularly fast and not very greedy, this chip offers to the machine a power hitherto reserved for high-end laptops.

What is more, the MacBook Air will be versatile: office automation, of course, but also multimedia… up to 8K video editing which does not pose any difficulties!

Another advantage: a fingerprint sensor to unlock the device.

This sensor is also practical to overcome its access codes on the Internet.

Little more: consuming only little energy, the computer does not have a fan.

It is therefore silent and heats very little.

With only two USB-C ports, its connectivity remains unfortunately limited, but will suffice for mobility.

13 '' (2560 x 1600 pixels);

Apple M1 processor;

8 GB. Storage: from 256 GB to 2 TB;

autonomy announced up to 15 hours.

From 1129 euros.

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