Looking for the perfect laptop to support your studies? Discover our top picks for every budget in our guide to the best laptops for students.
Apple MacBook Air
The Apple MacBook Air is a perennial favorite among students for its sleek design, lightweight portability, and long battery life. Powered by Apple’s own M1 or M2 chips, the MacBook Air delivers impressive performance for everyday tasks like note-taking, web browsing, and light photo and video editing.
Pros:
- Stunning Retina display
- Excellent battery life (up to 18 hours)
- Lightweight and portable design
- Powerful M1 or M2 chip options
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices
Cons:
- Limited port selection
- Can be more expensive than some Windows laptops
The MacBook Air is a great option for students who value portability, performance, and a user-friendly operating system. Its long battery life ensures you can power through a full day of classes and studying without needing to find an outlet.
Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 consistently ranks among the top laptops for students due to its powerful performance, stunning display, and sleek design. Here’s why it stands out:
- Exceptional Performance: Equipped with the latest Intel Core processors and fast SSD storage, the XPS 13 effortlessly handles demanding tasks like coding, video editing, and multitasking.
- Brilliant Display: The virtually borderless InfinityEdge display offers a stunning visual experience, perfect for note-taking, research, and entertainment. Available in both FHD+ and 4K+ resolutions, you can choose the option that best suits your needs.
- Portable and Durable: With its compact size, lightweight design, and long battery life, the XPS 13 is ideal for students on the go. The durable aluminum chassis ensures it can withstand the rigors of daily use.
HP Spectre x360
The HP Spectre x360 is a perennial favorite for a reason. This premium 2-in-1 laptop offers a blend of style, performance, and versatility that’s hard to beat, making it an excellent choice for students who demand the best and are willing to invest a bit more.
What Makes the HP Spectre x360 Great for Students:
- Stunning Design and Build: The Spectre x360 is undeniably sleek and stylish, crafted from a CNC-machined aluminum chassis that exudes premium quality. Its slim profile and lightweight design make it easy to carry around campus.
- Versatile 2-in-1 Functionality: Seamlessly transition from laptop to tablet mode thanks to the 360-degree hinge. Take notes directly on the screen with the included HP Tilt Pen, sketch diagrams, or simply enjoy a more immersive entertainment experience.
- Brilliant Display: The Spectre x360 boasts a gorgeous OLED display with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp details, making it ideal for note-taking, content creation, and multimedia consumption.
- Powerful Performance: Equipped with powerful Intel Core processors and ample RAM, the Spectre x360 can effortlessly handle demanding tasks, from research and writing papers to light video editing and graphic design.
- Long Battery Life: Power through your school day and beyond with the impressive battery life of the Spectre x360. Stay productive without constantly hunting for an outlet.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a premium laptop that consistently ranks high among the best laptops for students and professionals alike. Here’s why:
Pros:
- Lightweight and Portable: With a weight starting at just 2.49 pounds, the X1 Carbon is incredibly easy to carry around campus all day.
- Durable Build: Built to military-grade durability standards, the X1 Carbon can withstand the bumps and knocks of student life.
- Long Battery Life: Get through a full day of classes and studying with up to 15 hours of battery life.
- Excellent Keyboard: The renowned ThinkPad keyboard offers a comfortable and responsive typing experience, perfect for taking notes and writing essays.
- Stunning Display: The X1 Carbon boasts a vibrant and sharp display with optional touch and HDR support.
Cons:
- Pricey: The premium features of the X1 Carbon come at a higher price compared to budget-friendly options.
- Not ideal for gaming: While capable of handling some light gaming, the integrated graphics are not suitable for demanding games.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a fantastic choice for students who prioritize portability, durability, and a top-notch typing experience, and who have a larger budget.
Asus ZenBook 14
The Asus ZenBook 14 consistently ranks high in “best laptop” roundups, and for good reason. This laptop line is known for its sleek design, portability, and powerful performance, making it a fantastic option for students.
What Makes the Asus ZenBook 14 Great for Students?
- Portability: The ZenBook 14 lives up to its name with a slim profile and lightweight design, making it easy to carry between classes and study spots.
- Performance: Don’t let the sleek exterior fool you; the ZenBook 14 packs a punch with its powerful processors and ample RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking for research, writing, and even light entertainment.
- Display: The vibrant display offers crisp visuals for note-taking, presentations, and enjoying streaming content.
- Battery Life: Long battery life ensures you can power through a full day of classes and studying without needing to constantly search for an outlet.
- Value: The ZenBook 14 offers a competitive blend of features and performance at its price point, making it an excellent value for budget-conscious students.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is a premium option that’s ideal for students who value a sleek design and a top-notch user experience. It seamlessly blends performance and portability, making it an excellent choice for both academic work and entertainment.
Key Features:
- Powerful Performance: Choose between 11th Gen Intel Core processors or AMD Ryzen Mobile processors for fast and efficient performance.
- Stunning Display: The 13.5-inch or 15-inch PixelSense touchscreen display offers vibrant colors and sharp details, perfect for note-taking, presentations, and streaming.
- Lightweight and Portable: With a slim profile and lightweight design, the Surface Laptop 4 is easy to carry around campus.
- Long Battery Life: Power through a full day of classes and studying with a battery life that lasts up to 19 hours.
- Premium Build Quality: The Surface Laptop 4 boasts a durable aluminum body and a comfortable Alcantara fabric keyboard, ensuring a premium look and feel.
Pros:
- Excellent performance for demanding tasks
- Beautiful and responsive touchscreen display
- Lightweight and portable design
- Impressive battery life
- Premium build quality with a comfortable keyboard
Cons:
- Can be more expensive than some competitors
- Limited port selection
Acer Swift 3
The Acer Swift 3 consistently ranks high in “best laptop” lists for students, and for good reason. This model strikes an excellent balance between affordability, performance, and portability.
Here’s what makes it great for students:
- Solid Performance: Powered by AMD Ryzen processors, the Swift 3 handles everyday tasks like note-taking, web browsing, and light photo editing without breaking a sweat.
- Lightweight and Portable: With a slim design and weighing in at under 3 pounds, the Swift 3 is easy to carry between classes and around campus.
- Long Battery Life: You can expect around 8-10 hours of battery life on a single charge, enough to get you through a full day of classes.
- Affordable Price Point: The Acer Swift 3 offers excellent value for its price, making it a budget-friendly choice for students.
Overall, the Acer Swift 3 is a versatile and reliable laptop that caters to the needs of most students.
Google Pixelbook Go
The Google Pixelbook Go is a fantastic Chromebook option for students who prioritize portability and a great typing experience. Here’s why it stands out:
- Lightweight and Durable: Weighing in at just over 2 pounds, the Pixelbook Go is incredibly easy to carry around campus. Its magnesium alloy construction also makes it surprisingly durable.
- Exceptional Keyboard: The Pixelbook Go is known for its comfortable and quiet “Hush Keys” keyboard, making it ideal for taking notes in class or working on assignments in the library.
- Long Battery Life: With up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, the Pixelbook Go can easily last through a full day of classes and studying.
- Chrome OS Simplicity: Chrome OS is fast, secure, and easy to use, making it a great choice for students who want a hassle-free computing experience. It also seamlessly integrates with Google services like Google Drive, Docs, and Gmail.
Razer Blade Stealth 13
The Razer Blade Stealth 13 is a premium ultrabook that offers a compelling blend of portability, power, and style, making it an excellent choice for students who demand the best.
Here’s what makes it great for students:
- Powerful Performance: Equipped with the latest Intel Core processors and optional NVIDIA GeForce graphics, the Blade Stealth 13 can handle demanding tasks like video editing, programming, and even light gaming.
- Stunning Display: The sharp and vibrant display comes in Full HD or 4K resolution options, both with excellent color accuracy and sharpness, perfect for note-taking, content creation, and entertainment.
- Ultra-Portable Design: Weighing in at just over 3 pounds and boasting a slim profile, the Blade Stealth 13 is easy to carry around campus, to the library, or home.
- Long Battery Life: Students can enjoy extended productivity without worrying about constantly searching for an outlet, thanks to the impressive battery life that lasts through most of a school day.
- Premium Build Quality: Crafted with a durable aluminum chassis, the Blade Stealth 13 exudes a premium look and feel, reflecting its high-end performance.
However, students should also consider these factors:
- Price: The premium features and performance of the Razer Blade Stealth 13 come at a higher price point compared to other student laptops on the market.
- Gaming Focus: While capable of handling demanding tasks, the Blade Stealth 13’s focus on gaming aesthetics might not appeal to all students.
LG Gram 14
The LG Gram 14 consistently ranks highly for students due to its remarkable combination of portability and performance. As its name suggests, this laptop is incredibly lightweight, making it easy to carry between classes and lectures without weighing you down.
Here’s a closer look at what makes the LG Gram 14 stand out:
- Ultra-Lightweight: At just 2.2 pounds, the LG Gram 14 is one of the lightest laptops on the market.
- Long Battery Life: Power through a full day of classes and studying without worrying about finding an outlet, thanks to its impressive battery life.
- Durable Design: The Gram 14 is built to withstand the bumps and scrapes of student life, with a durable magnesium-alloy chassis.
- Solid Performance: Equipped with powerful Intel processors and ample RAM, the LG Gram 14 can handle demanding tasks like multitasking between research tabs, document editing, and creative projects.
Who should consider the LG Gram 14? Students who prioritize portability and need a laptop that can keep up with their academic workload without feeling like a burden to carry.
Conclusion
Choosing the best laptop for students involves considering performance, portability, and price. These top picks cater to various budgets, ensuring students can find the perfect device to support their academic endeavors.
