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The Best Laptops for Students of 2024

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Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)

Fantastic performance

Gorgeous OLED screen

12-hour battery life

Soldered on memory

Fewer graphics card configurations than previous years

HP Pavilion Plus 16 (2023)

Great performance and battery life

Bright and clear display

Slim design

So-so keyboard

No simple GPU toggle

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i (2023)

Good performance for the price

Responsive touchscreen

Higher-end look than the price suggests

Screen isn’t the brightest or most colorful

Apple MacBook Air 13 M3 (2024)

Thin, lightweight body

Excellent audio

Bright display

Slow SSD performance

Marginal upgrade over last gen

Acer Swift 3 OLED (2022)

Speedy Intel H processor

Gorgeous OLED display

Design quirks

So-so battery life

Updated June 10, 2024

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 proves that a gaming laptop can beat productivity laptops at their own game.

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor (8 cores, 16 threads at 4GHz (up to 5.2 GHz))
• Graphics: Nvidia RTX 4060 mobile (discrete), AMD Radeon 780M integrated graphics
• Memory: 16GB DDR5 at 6400MHz (non-replaceable)
• Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
• Display: 14-inch, 2880 x 1800 at 120Hz OLED panel, 500 nits (rated), 410 nits (measured), 100% DCI-P3, 0.2ms response time, Nvidia G-Sync compatible, supports Dolby Vision HDR
• Battery life: 12 hours

Students using CAD engineering software will get a lot of mileage out of the ROG Zephyrus G14’s discrete graphics and powerful processor. It’s also a great laptop for other content creators—the 120Hz OLED panel can handle HDR content with full P3 color coverage and excellent response time.

On the other hand, you might not need a laptop with excellent graphics performance or a beefy processor. If you’re going to spend most of your time in Google Docs and Netflix, the Lenovo Yoga 9i, the MacBook Air M3, or the HP Pavilion Plus 16 will still deliver a great experience.

While this 14-inch laptop can’t outperform behemoths like the Asus Rog Strix G18 or Lenovo Legion 5i, it’s fast enough to run graphically intense games at 2K resolution without dipping below 60fps.

The HP Pavilion 16t provides incredible performance for its price, and it's almost as polished as the more expensive HP Envy.

• Processor: Intel Core i5-13500H
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe (integrated), Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (discrete)
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5x 5200MHz
• Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 with TLC
• Display: 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 400 nits max (rated); 458.1 nits max (measured), variable refresh rate enabled (48-120Hz), IPS anti-glare
• Battery life: 13+ hours

For a general purpose laptop you can take with you all day, the HP Pavilion Plus 16 is fantastic. Its 13-hour battery life, strong performance, and ample memory and storage make it a no-brainer for those after the best performance per dollar—it frequently goes on sale for under $800.

The Pavilion Plus 16 is powerful enough to handle content creation and gaming, but more intense games like Cyberpunk 2077 may struggle at maxed out graphics settings. It’s also hard to deny that the Pavilion Plus 16 is not as robust as a more premium laptop. The variable refresh rate screen sounds like an awesome feature until you realize the panel lags every time it tries to auto-adjust the framerate. If you’re a frequent flyer, the 16-inch size will cramp your seat. There are also some nitpicks: you can’t choose a default graphics processor, and the keyboard has some awkward key placement around the arrow keys.

That said, the HP Pavilion Plus 16 is still a great laptop for commuting and for staying on campus from sunrise to sunset. The sturdy chassis and light weight are boons for people who prefer 16-inch laptops to their smaller counterparts.

• Processor: Intel Core i5-1335U
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR4 4267MHz
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 14-inch, 1920 × 1200, 60Hz, IPS LED-backlit touchscreen with stylus support
• Battery: 7.5+ hours

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is a solid and reliable 2-in-1 laptop that starts at $650, a much more affordable price point for students looking to purchase a new laptop compared to others on this list. The model we reviewed cost $800, and that’s still a steal of a price for the performance, reliability, and versatility it offers.

Its processor keeps up with Intel’s 12th-gen Core i7 H-series chips, it has every type of port you could ever realistically need, and it also looks more expensive than it actually is. We were most impressed with the responsive touchscreen, a crucial aspect of any 2-in-1 laptop. The display brightness was lower than we would have liked to see, but that only starts to cause glare problems if you use the laptop outside on a super sunny day.

The MacBook Air M3 is sleek and powerful, striking a great balance between value and quality.

• Processor: Apple M3 (8-core, 4 performance, 4 efficient)
• Graphics: Apple M3 10-core (integrated)
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5x, unified
• Storage size: 512GB SSD
• Display: 13.6-inch, 2560 x 1644 resolution, 500 nits max (rated), 518 nits max (measured), 100% DCI-P3, LED display
• Battery life: 10+ hours

Apple’s MacBook Air 13 M3 is a master of all trades. It’s fast, extremely portable, packs an awesome display in a slim profile, and can reach over 10 hours of battery life—all while being one of Apple’s cheapest laptops.

It outperforms most Windows productivity laptops in its price range thanks to its M3 processor, and its HDR-compatible 2K display looks as gorgeous as the best OLED screens from the competition.

The one downside to the Apple MacBook Air 13’s M3 processor is its graphics performance, which is fine for day-to-day productivity and light creative content, but it lags behind the integrated graphics aboard Intel and AMD’s latest processors.

Even so, more powerful laptops tend to be larger, have worse battery life, or both when compared to the MacBook Air 13 M3. It’s one of the best laptops you can get, and it has nothing to envy from the more expensive MacBook Pro lineup.

Other Laptops for Students We Tested

• Processor: Intel Core i7-12700H
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe (integrated)
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, 16:10 OLED
• Battery: 5.5+ hours

The Acer Swift 3 OLED has a beautiful display that any student would appreciate. Other laptops are more aesthetically pleasing, have a better key feel, and are thinner and lighter than the Swift 3 OLED, but they usually don’t come with an OLED display.

During testing, we measured a max brightness of 421 nits, more than what most people need from a laptop. The Swift 3’s OLED display covers 99.1% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, as well as 100% of the sRGB gamut and 97.4% of the Adobe RGB gamut.

The Swift 3 OLED also features an H-series Intel processor, which is more commonly found in gaming laptops, while most other mid-tier laptops use one of Intel’s slower P-series processors. While it’s not as fast as Apple’s M3 chips or the latest-gen Intel and AMD chips, it keeps up with newer processors like the Intel Core i7-1360P.

• Processor : Apple M2 Pro (10-core)
• Graphics : Integrated (16-core)
• Memory : 8GB to 96GB
• Storage : 256GB to 8TB SSD
• Display : 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR (3024 x 1964)
• Battery : 24+ hours

Apple’s MacBook Pro 14 M2 Pro is a master of all trades. It’s fast, extremely portable, packs an awesome display in a slim profile—and can reach an incredible 24 hours of battery life, the longest of any laptop we’ve tested.

Its performance keeps up with Intel and AMD’s current-gen midrange processors like the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H. The screen reaches 1,000 nits of brightness in HDR content thanks to Apple’s mini-LED, Liquid Retina XDR display, and even offers more hardware upgrades than most Windows laptops of similar size.

Windows alternatives like the Dell XPS 13 and HP Spectre x360 are compelling alternatives, but they can’t beat Apple in battery life.

Class-leading battery life

Excellent processor performance

Superb HDR display

Unimpressive game performance

Keyboard needs an update

Not the best value for money

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 8GB (Discrete); AMD Radeon 780M (integrated)
• Memory: 32GB LPDDR5X 6400MHz
• Storage: 512GB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD; 1 empty M.2 2280 slot
• Display: 14.5-inch, 2880 x 1800, 120Hz OLED, glossy
• Battery life: 8+ hours

If you want a powerhouse but you don’t want to pony up for the ROG Zephyrus G14, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 is awesome. It’s a slim, lightweight 14.5-inch gaming laptop with over 8 hours of battery life that’s easy to sling in your bag and take to the lecture hall without worrying whether you’re seated next to a power outlet.

This laptop regularly comes in at about $1,000 on sale, and it has a lovely 2K OLED panel that feels like it belongs on a much pricier machine. Content creation and gaming are both a feast for the eyes on this display. The Legion Slim 5’s processor and discrete graphics are no different—this is a fast, powerful machine for just about any task.

Excellent design

Performance and efficiency

Gorgeous display

The CPU can run hot

No upgradeable memory

• Processor: Apple M1
• Graphics: Integrated
• Memory: 16GB
• Storage: 256GB
• Display: 13-inch 2560 x 1440p Liquid Retina
• Battery: 11.5+ hours

Even though the Apple MacBook Air M1 is two generations old, this popular laptop still performs well enough to handle most productivity tasks with ease. For just $700, you get a laptop that has a bright, vibrant display, a sleek aluminum chassis, and almost 12 hours of battery life. Because you can't upgrade the M1 MacBooks after purchase, we recommend splurging on a model with at least 512GB of storage.

Jaw-dropping battery life

Incredible performance

Iconic build quality

Poor port selection

• Processor : Intel Core i5-1240P
• Graphics : Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Memory : 8GB LPDDR4X
• Storage : 256GB SSD
• Display : 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 120Hz LED
• Battery life : 7+ hours

Students who need a Chromebook will appreciate the versatility of the Acer Chromebook 516 GE. It’s one of the fastest, well designed Chromebooks on the market. The 2K display and strong performance will still feel snappy in five years.

ChromeOS isn’t as versatile as Windows 11 or MacOS, but the Chromebook 516 GE’s 120Hz display and midrange processor are great for remote streaming from either a desktop PC or a cloud gaming service. Native ChromeOS apps run quickly and efficiently, and the 8GB of included memory give enough bandwidth to multitask without lag. In addition to being one of the fastest Chromebooks we’ve ever tested, it boasts Wi-Fi 6E and an Ethernet port for rock-solid Internet connectivity.

The build quality on the Chromebook 516 GE is impressive. Tossing it in a backpack won’t leave a dent, and the sturdy chassis and anti-ghosting RGB keyboard share more in common with a good gaming laptop than with a typical Chromebook. But unlike most gaming laptops, the Chromebook 516 GE’s price regularly hovers around $500 on sale.

120Hz display makes everything smoother

Plenty connectivity options

No Thunderbolt 4 connectivity

Speakers don’t sound great

• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 16 cores, 22 threads, boost clock up to 4.8GHz
• Graphics: Intel Arc integrated graphics
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5X 7467 MHz
• Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 solid state drive
• Display: Dual displays, 2x 14-inch 1,920 x 1,200 OLED 60Hz, both support touch
• Battery life: 14.5 hours

If you’re off at college, you might not have the luxury of sparing some desk space for a second monitor. That’s where the Asus Zenbook Duo comes in. This laptop has two 14-inch displays that can be used together for 28 inches of screen real estate. You can hold it horizontally like a book, stack it vertically, or hide a display under the included standalone keyboard for a traditional laptop setup. The Zenbook Duo also comes with a stylus, so you don’t have to haggle with touch inputs when you need a stylus’s precision for art assignments.

When it’s time to write an essay, don’t worry. When you plop the keyboard onto the bottom display, the Zenbook Duo works like a regular clamshell laptop. And despite all the twinkling OLED lights on double the displays, you can count on the laptop to last over 14 hours before needing a recharge.

The Zenbook Duo may be cheaper than the comparable Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, but it is more expensive than many other laptops on this list. Its Intel Core 7 Ultra processor is powerful enough for casual video editing, and the integrated graphics are good enough to play esports at 60fps. However, you can get more powerful laptops for less money.

Dual-screen concept works well

Can also pass as a “normal” laptop

Touchscreens don’t make it a tablet

Performance is modest for the price

Bluetooth keyboard can be finicky

• Processor : Intel Core i7-13700H
• Graphics : Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, Intel Iris Xe (integrated)
• Memory : 16GB LPDDR5 6400MHz
• Storage : 1TB SSD
• Display : 14.5-inch, 2880 x 1800, 120Hz OLED
• Battery life : ~7.5 hours

The Acer Swift X 14’s discrete graphics and high end processor offer impressive performance that can handle any content creation task you throw at it. Add in almost 8 hours of battery life and a 2K OLED display, and the Swift X 14 is a fantastic laptop for students and teachers alike.

You can often find the Acer Swift X 14 for less money than the ROG Zephyrus G14 or Lenovo Legion Slim 5, but it isn’t quite as powerful. The graphics performance is enough to comfortably play multiplayer games or edit cumbersome Premiere video projects, but don’t expect it to blast through rendering intricate 3D scenes in Blender (modeling them is fine). The touchpad isn’t as refined as what you’ll find on the MacBook Air 13 M3, either.

Despite the shortcomings, the Swift X 14 is still a very good laptop. Besides, it’s one of the rare laptops with several types of ports if you need to give presentations on the projector.

Impressive GPU performance

OLED display with vivid colors

Great selection of ports

Disappointing battery life

Oversized touchpad

Underwhelming screen brightness

• Graphics : Iris Xe Graphics
• Display : 16-inch, 3200 × 2000, 120Hz OLED
• Battery : ~7.4 hours

The Acer Swift Go 16 is faster than our top pick in almost every way—but it’s usually the more expensive of the two, and its graphics power can’t match the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus, making it a less versatile machine. But if one of your must-haves is an Intel 13th-gen processor and an OLED screen, take a look at the Swift Go 16.

It chews through large Excel spreadsheets with complex formulas and data, its processor keeps pace with Apple’s MacBook Pro 14 M2 Pro (or beats it, depending on the test), and its integrated graphics performance is sufficient for “light” gaming if you catch yourself focusing on too much work and not enough playtime.

Great productivity performance

Solid, yet lightweight chassis

Great touchpad, decent keyboard

OLED screen doesn’t get very bright

Can run warm

• Processor: Intel Core i7-1360P
• Memory: 16GB DDR5 4800MHz
• Display: 14-inch, 3840 x 2400, OLED
• Battery life: 8.5+ hours

Artists and note takers should check out the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8, a fantastic 2-in-1 laptop with a 4K OLED touch display and a pressure sensitive stylus out of the box. With almost 9 hours of battery life, it’s a great companion for long library sessions or afternoons on the quad.

The laptop’s Intel Core i7-1360P processor is not as powerful as other processors on this list, but productivity tasks and some heavy work in Photoshop won’t pose any problems. If you’re not pushing your PC to the limit every time you tackle a homework assignment, you’ll be fine.

In exchange, the Lenovo Yoga 9i provides a top-grade user experience. This laptop has some of the best speakers of any laptop we’ve tested, the trackpad works flawlessly, it has one of our favorite laptop keyboards to date, and it’s a beautiful, sturdy machine. Even with daily use and heavy commutes to and from school, the 2-in-1’s hinge feels like it could survive for years.

It’s the perfect travel buddy for students to keep their digital notes in order and read them later at night in tablet form before popping open YouTube to go to sleep. The laptop used to be $1,400, but these days it’s often on sale for under $1,000.

Phenomenal touchscreen display

Dynamic audio

Included stylus and case

Slightly underpowered

Short battery life

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
• Memory: 16GB DDR5 6400MHz
• Storage: 512GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe
• Display: 14.5-inch, 2560 x 1600, 90Hz, IPS touchscreen
• Battery: 9.5+ hours

If you need something with enough power for light video or audio work, with a battery that lasts longer than you do through an entire day of classes, then the Lenovo Slim Pro 7 is another great laptop to look into.

The Silm Pro 7's AMD processor is much faster than the last-generation AMD Ryzen chip in our Best 2-in-1 pick, the HP Envy x360. The entire laptop is configured to offer the most performance possible in such a slim profile for $1,200, but that of course raises the price.

That puts this mid-range laptop on the same shelf as the MSI Prestige 13 Evo, Acer Swift Go 16, and even the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus—but its processor isn’t nearly as fast. The battery life is nothing to ignore, though, so if you happen to find the Silm Pro for under $1,000, then you’ll be getting a great deal.

Solid performance

Sturdy, tactile keyboard feel

Minimalist, professional look

Just okay screen brightness

Loaded with bloatware

• Processor: Intel Core i7-13700H
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5 6400MHz
• Display: 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, 120Hz, OLED
• Battery life: 7.5+ hours

Don’t be fooled by the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED’s tiny footprint. It isn’t especially fancy, but nails the basics and then some. Film students will especially appreciate the lovely 2K display and the surprisingly rich audio in this tiny laptop.

The Zenbook 14X doesn’t have a discrete graphics card, but its Intel Core i7-13700H processor is mighty powerful on its own. CPU-heavy tasks will be a breeze on the Zenbook 14X, and you won’t have to worry about Chrome crashing when you open the 200th tab.

While you would expect a 14-inch laptop to include at most 2 USB-C ports and a headphone jack, the Zenbook 14X squeezes some USB-A ports and an HDMI port in its sides, too. The stylish metal chassis is also sturdy enough to handle getting trotted from classroom to classroom. Battery life is a bit short at 7.5 hours, but the great processor and refined body are worth the tradeoff.

Stays cool on your lap

Touchpad with built-in Numpad

Pleasing sound

Middling performance

All ports are on the right side

Lacks a built-in card reader

How to Choose a Laptop for Students

Operating system.

Which operating system is the best? The answer to that question depends on the student. Some will be more familiar and comfortable with MacOS, while others may prefer Windows or Android. How a laptop is going to be used is another factor in choosing an operating system.

If you’re going to need certain software for school or to play games, you may want to stick with Windows. Apple has complete control over how Macs are built, so its auto-update system does an excellent job of keeping the laptop operating system up to date. Unlike macOS and Windows, ChromeOS isn’t a full-fledged operating system. With ChromeOS, you’ll be spending most of your time in a Chrome browser using web-based tools.

If you run more intense workloads—whether that’s photo and video editing or playing the latest PC games—you’ll want a bit more “oomph.” Intel’s higher-end i7 processors will make those video encodes run noticeably faster, and a dedicated graphics card will ensure your games run smoothly. For browsing the web and using office software, lower-power chips like Intel’s i3 and i5 are fine.

Battery Life

A long battery life is imperative in laptops for students. No one wants their computer to die while taking notes in class, working on a project in the library, and especially during late-night gaming sessions with friends.

That’s why we tested battery life when evaluating student laptops. We had each laptop cycle through various websites until it ran out of power to estimate how much work it could get done on a single charge. Our recommended laptops range in battery life from about five hours up to more than 17 hours.

Screen Size

When it comes to screen size, it’s important to balance portability against the space available to work. Picking a general size range can help narrow the field. Our recommendations for student laptops range from 13 inches up to 14 inches.

Laptops with displays that are about 13 inches are easy to carry around campus and great for light work like writing papers and browsing the web. Mid-sized laptop screens are a bit less portable and may not work in constrained spaces, but the larger display is useful for photo editing and watching videos.

Large laptops, computers with screens of 17 inches or larger, are only recommended for students who need video-editing abilities or other intensive work that requires a lot of screen real estate.

We recommend that you err on the side of more storage. While 4GB of RAM is usable in a Chromebook, even web browsing can eat up RAM. We wouldn’t advise 4GB for most Windows users. If you tend to open lots of tabs, use lots of browser extensions, or want to be future-proof, at least 8GB is the way to go.

People often underestimate how much space they’ll fill with their music, photos, and videos. Storage can be expensive, though. If you can’t afford a large solid-state drive, consider a laptop with an SD card slot and using a high-capacity card for expandable storage.

A computer can be looked at as an investment in the future of a student, especially with a laptop for college. However, laptops can be pricey. When looking for the best student laptop, we suggest looking at value, so you know that the price matches the performance and features that you’re getting from a laptop.

How We Test Laptops for Students

More articles you might enjoy.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Meet the testers

Adrien Ramirez

Staff Writer

Adrien is the PC staff writer for Reviewed with over 4 years of experience covering laptops, desktops, software, games, and more.

Joanna Nelius

Former Senior Editor, Tech

Joanna specializes in anything and everything gaming-related and loves nerding out over graphics cards, processors, and chip architecture. Previously she was a staff writer for Gizmodo, PC Gamer, and Maximum PC.

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• Buying Guide

What’s the best student laptop? We asked students

The best laptops for students, from kindergarten through college.

By Monica Chin , a senior reviewer covering laptops and other gadgets. Monica was a writer for Tom's Guide and Business Insider before joining The Verge in 2020.

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If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Shopping for a laptop can be stressful — doubly stressful if you or your children will be learning online for the first time. Kids of different ages have a range of different laptop use cases and different needs. And as the choices for best laptop and best Chromebook evolve, so do students’ needs. So I spoke to some experts on the subject: students themselves. 

• The best laptop you can buy
• The best Chromebooks to buy

My recommendations here are meant to accommodate a variety of preferences and price ranges. But they’re a jumping-off point rather than an exhaustive list: every student is different. Before making a decision, you’ll want to make sure you read reviews and try out devices yourself if you can. I’ll do my best to keep this article up to date with items that are in stock. 

The best laptop for elementary school

For younger students, a touchscreen device is easier to use than a keyboard and touchpad, says Michelle Glogovac. Glogovac’s five-year-old son uses an iPad for Webex meetings with his kindergarten class. He’s gotten the hang of it; Glogovac says he’s already learned how to mute and unmute himself, “a skill that many adults aren’t familiar with.” 

That said, it may be worth investing in a keyboard case if you go the tablet route. Glogovac has to type her son’s meeting codes and passwords for him, which can be cumbersome on the iPad’s flat screen. 

As kids get older, their best laptop choice will vary depending on their needs. As a parent, it’s important that you and your child are in sync about how they intend to use it and the size of the programs they want. 

Kristin Wallace purchased a budget HP laptop for her daughter, Bella, but didn’t realize how quickly the nine-year-old would fill up 32GB of storage. “It is really slow and has no space for games. I need a computer with more storage space,” said Bella, who uses the laptop to Zoom with friends and take virtual guitar lessons and math enrichment classes. Wallace plans to buy Bella a better device in the next few weeks. 

Audio quality is an important consideration for kids’ laptops. Lisa Mitchell, an elementary library media specialist, says her students use their devices to watch YouTube videos in addition to their online classes. Battery life is also a plus, even for distance learners who may not be far from a wall outlet. Bella likes to use her laptop all around the house and doesn’t want to bring the cord with her.

Durability is also worth paying for, according to Mitchell. If you’re using a tablet, get a protective case. “If a reasonably-priced insurance or replacement policy is available, it’s usually worth the extra expense.”

Check out :

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Editio n ($139.99): a colorful, fast tablet with kid-friendly content
• Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 ($379): a tiny 11-inch Chromebook with a detachable keyboard
• Apple 10.2-inch iPad ($329): a great budget tablet that supports the Apple Pencil
• Microsoft Surface Go 3 ($439.99): a solid Windows tablet with a built-in kickstand
• Google Pixelbook Go ($649): a sturdy touchscreen Chromebook

The best laptop for middle school

The middle school students I spoke to don’t use their laptops for much more than web-based schoolwork and browsing. Don’t be too concerned about power — prioritize a machine that’s comfortable and easy for your child to use. 

“We just got the most basic Chromebook and it is totally perfect,” says Gabrielle Hartley, an attorney and mother of three children. “The most basic Chromebook serves all the needs of the basic middle schooler.”

Hartley’s son Max, who is in eighth grade, agrees. “I would really like a gaming PC or gaming laptop that can plug into a monitor and run video games with 120fps, but I really don’t need that,” Max says. “Most eighth graders aren’t going to be running any video games on their laptops or any software that requires a lot of power.”

Max mostly uses his laptop for Google Classroom applications, including Gmail, Slides, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. They’re very easy to use on his device, which he describes as “a run-of-the-mill Samsung Chromebook.” That said, if your child is starting middle school this year, it could be worth checking with their teachers to see what operating system is most compatible with their workflow. Caspian Fischer Odén, a ninth grader from Sweden, told me he has trouble with his Chromebook because his school has blocked downloading apps from the Google Play Store. 

Even kids with more demanding hobbies think a budget device can get the job done. Sam Hickman, an eighth grader from the UK who uses his laptop for photo and video editing, says, “For most middle schoolers, any processor developed within the last two years will be able to handle any tasks they can throw at it.” 

So, what is worth paying for? A comfortable keyboard, several students told me. Many middle school kids aren’t used to typing for long periods of time. You should also look for a device that’s compact and easy for them to carry around, particularly if they’re preparing for in-person school. Shoot for an 11- to 13-inch model — certainly nothing larger than 15 inches. 

• HP Chromebook x360 ($239.99): an affordable Chromebook with great battery life
• Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook ($299.99): a small but sturdy laptop made for students
• Lenovo 300e ($419.99): a durable 2-in-1 with a stylus and LTE
• Acer Aspire 5 ($679.99): a portable option for kids who need a 15-inch screen
• Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 ($573.99): an attractive, light Windows laptop

The best laptop for high school

High schoolers’ laptop needs can vary based on their interests, but most don’t need powerful machines with lots of bells and whistles — especially if they come with glitches or serious downsides that could interfere with schoolwork. Miles Riehle, a student at Laguna Beach High School, has a high-end Surface Pro 7 but finds it overwhelming. “There is so much other stuff that I don’t use very often,” he said. “Something simpler might be a little more straightforward.”

The best operating system may depend on what your child is used to. Aryan Nambiar, a student at Barrington High School in Illinois, has an iMac at home and enjoys using an iPad for his schoolwork. Riehle says he would prefer a Chromebook because he has an Android phone and often uses Google services. 

But almost every student I spoke to agreed that the most important feature of a high school laptop is portability. Kids attending in-person classes may be carrying their device around for much of the day with a stack of other books. Look for a 13- or 14-inch screen, or a lighter 15- to 17-inch model. 

Students also recommend something sturdy. “Most high schoolers I’ve seen will throw their laptop in their bag without too much care,” says Moses Buckwalter, a student at Penn Manor High School. Backpacks can be jostled in the hallway as well. Kids can also run into trouble at home. “Anything can happen,” says Aadit Agrawal, a high school student from India. “My own brother scratched my laptop with his nails.”

Battery life is another key feature. “It can be a real struggle to find a place to charge while in class,” says Cas Heemskerk, a sophomore from the Netherlands. Unlike college students, many high schoolers don’t have frequent breaks to juice up their devices, so try to find something that can last a full day. 

Many students recommend a touchscreen with stylus support. Nambiar uses the feature for his biology class, where he does a lot of visual modeling. “The touchscreen is always a bonus for drawing diagrams, whereas if you’re using a laptop it’d be a whole process to submit a diagram you drew,” Nambiar says. Riehle uses a Surface Pen to fill out school forms and annotate PDFs. Agrawal finds it useful to take notes on the same screen as his online lessons.

Depending on the broadband situation in your area, you may also want a laptop with multiple connectivity options. Agrawal’s online classes are sometimes interrupted by powercuts, so he recommends an LTE model. Matej Plavevski, a junior at Yahya Kemal College in North Macedonia, recommends looking for an Ethernet port in case slower connections disrupt meetings. That’s hard to find on smaller laptops, but there’s a slew of affordable dongles and docks to consider. 

• Acer Chromebook Spin 514 ($699.99): a convertible Chromebook with all-day battery
• Apple iPad Air ($599): a powerful tablet with a great screen
• Acer Chromebook Spin 714 ($699.99): a fantastic Chromebook that’s not too pricey
• Dell XPS 13 ($599): a solid clamshell Windows laptop
• Surface Laptop 5 ($899.99): an excellent, light laptop that’s comfortable to use

The best laptop for college

College kids are justified in spending a bit more money than other age groups. Some (especially in STEM courses) can expect to do some fairly demanding work. Assad Abid, an electrical engineering undergrad from Pakistan, needs to run simulation software for his assignments. Aakash Chandra, a student at New Horizon College of Engineering in India, does a lot of coding, in addition to creative work in Premiere Pro and Photoshop, and gaming. Students also noted that it’s worthwhile to pay for a laptop that will last for a few years after graduation. That means you won’t have to worry about finding and financing your next device until you’re (hopefully) settled into a job.

But among high-end, capable devices there’s still a wide range of options. Students stressed that a college laptop should be light. Expect to bring it between classes, meals, meetings, the library, and other locations on campus. “It’s a boon that I can carry my laptop as well as some notebooks without feeling like I’m carrying too much for six hours a day,” says Haseeb Waseem, a senior at Villanova University. 

Another universally-lauded feature: battery life. Waseem, who uses an HP Spectre, says the all-day juice gives him “the flexibility to study in a bunch of different locations, and even outside.” 

Speakers and webcams are often overlooked, even in top-end devices. But students say it’s worth looking for good ones if you’re starting college this year. Though many college students are now back to in-person classes, some will still be meeting with clubs and attending events online. Waseem isn’t satisfied with his laptop’s audio and picture quality, which he says has made it difficult to pay attention in class and to engage with other students.  

Many students will need to invest more in areas tailored to their interests and schoolwork needs. Chandra’s dream laptop would include a stylus and touchscreen for his creative work as well as a high-end GPU. Waseem, who uses his laptop for a hodgepodge of activities, including streaming, coding, social media, video chatting, and Microsoft Office work, would prefer to prioritize a large screen to keep track of his multitasking. 

• Acer Swift 3 ($849.99): a super light laptop that performs well
• HP Envy x360 ($1099.99): a fast and stylish 2-in-1
• HP Spectre x360 13.5 ($1,399.99): a premium convertible with standout battery life

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The Best Laptops and Tablets for College Students

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best Windows Laptop Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Read more

Best Budget Laptop Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Read more

Best Mac for College Apple MacBook Air (13 and 15 Inch) Read more

Best Linux Laptop Framework Laptop 13 (2023) Read more

The perfect college laptop may not exist. But somewhere between performance, size, weight, and price, there's a machine that will make you (and your parents) happy. We test dozens of laptops and tablets every year. The choices below are our favorite picks for students headed back to school this year. Whether you're attending classes in person or online—or doing some of both—there's something here for every student and every budget.

Be sure to check out our other back-to-school guides, including the Best Laptops , Best Tablets , Best Laptop Bags , Best Student Email Discounts , and Best Dorm and College Gear .

Updated August 2023: We've revamped all our picks to include the latest models with the most up-to-date specs.

Best Windows Laptop

The Asus Zenbook 14 is a unique combination of performance, great battery life, and an OLED display—all for $700 ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ). The model we like uses an AMD Ryzen 5 7530U CPU, with 8 GB of RAM and a 256-GB SSD. That may not sound like much, but we were impressed with the performance, especially given the price. That said, if you're heading to film school or plan to spend your nights gaming this is not the laptop you want (see our gaming pick below). Battery life is outstanding though, clocking in at 12.5 hours (measured looping a YouTube video at full brightness), which is helpful for the long days on campus.

This is a small, portable machine too (3.1 pounds and 19 mm thick), and it manages to pack in plenty of ports despite the slim form. There are two USB-C ports (one of which is needed for charging), one full-size USB 3.2 port, a full-size HDMI output, and a microSD card reader. If you want something just a little more powerful, you can bump the specs to 16 GB of RAM and a 512-GB SSD for not much more money.

Specs to look for: AMD Ryzen 5 7000 series, 8 GB RAM, 256-GB SSD

Best Budget Laptop

Lenovo's AMD-based IdeaPad 5, which comes with a Ryzen 5 processor, is a great laptop for students. There's plenty of power, a very nice 14-inch IPS display, 16 GB of RAM, and a 256-GB SSD. The 360-degree hinge converts it to tablet mode or stand mode for watching movies in your dorm. To take full advantage of the 2-in-1 design, be sure to grab the digital pen ($40) . Another reason we like the IdeaPad is the plethora of ports: You get two USB-A ports, an HDMI, an SD card reader, one USB-C, a headphone jack, and a charging port (though you can use the USB-C to recharge the laptop too). If you're a computer science major or plan to do some video editing, the more powerful Ryzen 7 version can be had for just a little more .

Specs to look for: AMD Ryzen 5, 16 GB of RAM, 256-GB SSD

Best Mac for College

Apple's M2-powered MacBook Air ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends ) comes with a ton of upgrades on both the inside and out. It's boxier than the old version and comes in a couple of new colors—midnight and starlight—in addition to the traditional space gray and silver options. The display is bigger (you can choose between a 13-inch and 15-inch model ) and the webcam is a little better. There are still only two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, but at least you can charge it without using one of them via the MagSafe charger.

Apple’s M2 chip offers decent performance on typical college workloads, running apps like Slack, Spotify, Telegram, and Pages alongside a browser, though we did experience some slowdowns with a lot of tabs open. If you can, upgrade the unified memory to 16 gigs for a smoother experience. Also, Remember, you can take $100 off if you use an education email and buy the MacBook through Apple's Education store . If you want a cheaper MacBook the M1-powered Air is still a good choice for less than $800 .

Specs to look for: Apple M2 processor, 8+ GB of RAM, 256-GB SSD

Best Linux Laptop

Framework's 13-inch laptop is a good choice for budding programmers and sysadmins. The 13-inch model ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is available with either Windows or Linux, but I much prefer it with Linux—a DIY laptop needs a DIY OS. The hallmark of this laptop is how you can repair and replace components down the road, making it more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Right now you can get an Intel Core 13th-gen series system with 32 GB of RAM, a 2-TB SSD, and whichever mix of ports suits your needs for around $1,400. That will ship with no operating system. When it arrives you can install Linux yourself (or opt to ship it with Windows if you need to dual boot). See our Best Linux Laptops guide for more options.

Specs to look for: Intel Core i5, 16+ GB of RAM, 250-GB SSD

The Best Chromebook

The Asus Chromebook CX5 is a good choice for students who are all-in on Google services. It strikes a great balance between price, power, and features, with a 2-in-1 design that lets you seamlessly switch between laptop mode for homework and stand mode for late-night binges. The keyboard is excellent. Typing is often the first to get trashed when manufacturers seek to save money, but Asus has clearly focused on this area—there's a ton of travel and a satisfying click.

The 16 GB of RAM and 11th-Gen Intel Core i5 chip is possibly overkill for a Chromebook, but if you're going to have hundreds of tabs open doing research, this won't let you down. The display is 1080p and gets bright enough for most typical conditions, though there's nothing special about it. The port selection is better, there are two USB-Cs, a USB-A, a headphone jack, a microSD, and even an HDMI. See our Best Chromebooks guide for more.

Specs to look for: Intel Core i5, 16 GB of RAM, 128-GB SSD

Do you really need a laptop? Really really? Only you can answer that, but if your requirements revolve around taking notes, doing research, reading textbooks, and other knowledge-related tasks, then you might be able to get by with a much lighter tablet like the iPad Air ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ). The Apple Pencil ($129) is a must-have. Using it on the iPad's screen feels close to dragging a real pencil across a piece of paper. You'll also want a Bluetooth keyboard for typing those papers and emails. We like the Logitech Folio Touch or Apple’s own Magic Keyboard ($299) , both of which add trackpads to the mix for a more computer-like feel. Check out our Best iPad Accessories guide for more options.

That said, it's not as easy to multitask on an iPad as it is on a laptop, and by the time you get a keyboard, pencil, and whatever else you need, it can become just as expensive as a laptop.

Specs to look for: M1 processor, Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi+cellular, 64 GB of storage

★ An Android alternative: If you don't want to buy into Apple's ecosystem, the OnePlus Pad ($479) ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is a great alternative. You need to add the $149 magnetic keyboard cover to make it a productivity machine (OnePlus sometimes has an offer that bundles it for free), but you can use split-screen mode to run apps side by side and have a third app floating on the side for easy access.

A Windows Tablet

If you want a tablet but aren't sure if Apple's iPadOS or Android can do everything you need, then the Surface Pro 9 is your next-best bet. Its lightweight tablet design is easy to carry, and the 13-inch 120-Hz hi-res touchscreen with a document-friendly 3:2 aspect ratio makes it nice to stare at and use. With 12th-gen Intel chips, you get pretty great performance too. It also runs Windows, which nets you access to all the desktop-class software you're likely to need. For college use, you definitely want the Type Cover keyboard. This accessory is essential, but it adds an extra $140 .

The most affordable, smallest member of the Surface lineup is the 10.5-inch Surface Go 3 ( 8/10, WIRED Review ). If your needs are minimal, or you prefer tiny computers, this is what you should buy. Despite its slower Intel chips, it's more than capable of handling most college-related tasks.

Specs to look for: Intel Core i5, 8 GB of RAM, 256-GB SSD

The Acer Nitro 5 is a stealth gaming machine, the kind of boring-looking laptop you might convince your parents to buy. This isn't a top-of-the-line gaming rig , but it's a solid, powerful-enough machine. The display won’t blow you away, but at 15.6 inches (Full HD) and with a fast 144-Hz refresh rate , it is a great choice for gamers. The standout keyboard has a surprising amount of travel and feedback for such a low-cost device.

The base model is the cheap one, but you can get up to 16 GB of RAM, a 1-TB SSD, a Ryzen 7 chip, and an RTX 3070 GPU. If you've got the cash for a high-end gaming rig, check out our Best Gaming Laptops guide.

Specs to look for: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor or Intel Core i5, Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card, 16 GB of RAM, 512-GB SSD, 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 144-Hz refresh rate

It's not a laptop or tablet, but the Raspberry Pi 4 has education written all over it. This hackable, programmable micro PC is a great option for anyone—computer science major or otherwise—who wants to tinker and experiment with software or hardware. They're also just fun to build projects with. You can automate your dorm coffee maker , make a beetbox , or create a network-wide content filter . If the Raspberry Pi doesn't grab you, have a look at our guide to some alternative small board options .

How to Choose the Right Laptop for College

The important thing to remember is that there is no single correct choice here. The laptop that's best for your college experience depends on what you're doing at college. An English major with long reading lists and many papers to write might do better with an iPad and a nice accessory keyboard. A computer science major who needs to compile software or run Linux will need a laptop they can tinker away on. That said, here are some basic metrics to keep in mind for laptops:

• Windows : If you're getting a Windows machine, your main options for the processor are Intel and AMD. Both will work, but each has its strengths and weaknesses. For a more complete guide to the differences, see our full guide to buying a laptop .
• Chromebooks : These browser-based machines use half a dozen different processors, most of which you've probably never heard of. There's a reason for that: Those processors are slow. My recommendation when buying a Chromebook is to go with a more powerful processor if you can afford it. The Core m3 chip is the best choice for most students. If you want a more powerful, future-proof machine, get a Core i3 or i5 chip. There are also ARM-based Chromebooks, like the Lenovo Duet . They aren't quite as speedy as the Intel Core chips, but in most cases, they're just fine for college workloads.
• MacOS : Apple is making its own processors now, notably the M2 chip found inside the MacBook Air showcased above. More powerful models like the MacBook Pros feature the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. Our MacBook buying guide can help.

Regardless of which OS you choose, the minimum amount of RAM you want in your laptop is 8 GB. That's enough memory to keep your computer feeling snappy even if it's running under load. That much RAM will also keep the machine feeling spry longer into its lifespan. If you can afford it—especially if you plan to edit photos or videos as part of your coursework—go for 16 GB.

Screens vary tremendously but don't settle for anything less than 1080p. For a 13-inch laptop, 1080p is sharp enough. If you're going with a bigger laptop, 2.5K or even 4K screens will really improve the viewing experience. If you're trying to play games as well, be sure to get something with a higher refresh rate— 120 Hz or 144 Hz will more than satisfy.

Weight and Battery

Don't forget you'll be lugging this thing around campus. It may well be tugging on your back for eight hours or more. One pound may not seem like much, but at the end of a long day of walking, you will notice the difference between a 3-pound laptop and a 4-pound laptop. Trust me. Also, maybe pick out a nice bag to carry your computer.

Similarly, battery life is very important when you're (potentially) away from a wall outlet for extended periods. Whatever you end up getting, make sure it's capable of lasting at least eight hours under real-world use—browsing the web, editing documents, writing emails, and taking notes. Even then, you might want to consider a portable battery charger .

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Best student laptops 2024: top laptops for school, college and university

The top 10 student laptops for going back to school, heading to college or university, with options to suit all budgets

The best student laptops not only help you study and create a good work setup, but they're also the perfect university companion for streaming, gaming and video-calling with friends and family. 

People may joke about students being lazy but it's not all noon starts and parties. Being a student can be hard. You can’t go off to college or uni without having a decent laptop to support your studies and also help you chill out. Everyone loves a good movie night!

But decent doesn't necessarily mean 'most expensive'. Lord knows students need a bargain. There's a whole host of best laptop options for students, whether best Chromebook , best MacBook , or one of Windows' best laptops – each of the three types running a different operating system.

That said, student laptops typically need to deliver on a tight budget, so we’ve rounded up some of the best options on the market that aren't going to annihilate your bank balance (or loan, or indeed overdraft), considering features and price against value for money. Just make sure you spend some money on food too ok? Your parents worry. 

What are the best student laptops 2024? Top 3

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

The best student laptop is the Apple MacBook Air (2022, M2) . The macOS option is different to the two below, being the most powerful, delivering a premium look and feel too. It's not cheap but if you can afford it or see a great deal, it's well worth grabbing.

The best student laptop for most people is the HP Pavilion 14 . This Windows laptop has everything you need to get your work done day to day, whether that be writing and researching an essay, or completing an online exam. It's cost-effective too.

The best student laptop for portability is the Google PixelBook Go . This Chrome OS laptop is like a tablet with a stand, but you can add accessories to make it into a laptop replacement.

1. Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

If you’re an Apple devotee, then the Apple MacBook Air is a great choice of laptop, especially for creatives such as graphic designers or movie-makers. That's because there's more power on board, thanks to Apple's M2 processor. This laptop is one of Apple’s slimmest and lightest, making it super easy to carry around in your bag. 

This laptop uses Apple’s M2 silicon, which boosts performance compared to what you'd normally get for this price. As it's a generation older than the latest M3 model it's a little cheaper, too, making it the ideal selection for students. There's also a 15-inch model if you're feeling extra flush with cash. 

Want to know more? Read our full MacBook Air M2 review for the full pros and cons of this student laptop option

2. HP Pavilion 14

Yes, the HP Pavilion 14 is more a mid-range laptop, but the price reflects that, which is a huge part of its appeal. But we think the vast majority of students will find this Windows machine more than ample for their day-to-day needs. 

It features strong all-round specs, a simple yet stylish design, a sharp screen, and you get dedicated HDMI, USB Type-C and networking ports, too, meaning that hooking the machine up in the dorm or in class is easy. Battery life sits at up to 11 hours, and the machine comes pre-installed with a fresh copy of Windows 10 Home.

Does this affordable Windows machine sound like the right option for you? Read our full HP Pavilion 14 review for more info

3. Google Pixelbook Go

Although it's a little pricier than other Chromebooks, and actually a little older now, Google's Pixelbook Go brings premium looks and build quality for a fraction of what you'd pay for a similarly impressive PC or Mac. The touchscreen is superb, the webcam makes you look great, and the battery life is stellar. 

If you've previously looked at Chromebooks but felt they weren't powerful enough then we think the Pixelbook Go may change your mind: although the processor is relatively low-powered compared to, say, Apple's silicon, the Chrome OS operating system has been designed to be as lightweight as possible and doesn't need the same amount of horsepower as rival operating systems do.

Described as "the best Chromebook ever", read our full Google PixelBook Go review to see if you agree

Best laptops for students 2024: The best of the rest

4. LG Gram 16 (2022)

The LG Gram 16 is one of the best combinations of a large screen and a lightweight chassis – it's almost perfect if that's what you're looking for in a Windows laptop, especially if the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro options on macOS don't appeal to you. 

No, it's not the cheapest going, which might make it out the reach of some students, but it's the big screen real-estate that really helps sell this laptop. It's not miles away from the critical four-figure sales mark, which for a screen of this size and quality isn't too shabby at all.

Has this big-screen laptop sparked your interest? Read more about it in our full LG Gram 16 review . 

5. Dell XPS 13 (9310)

The Dell XPS 13 series has consistently wowed us here at T3. This 13-inch laptop is powerful, supremely well-built, and compact too – so just about everything you could possibly want in your search for the best Windows student laptop around during back-to-school season.

This is the '9310' model, so slightly older hardware than the '9320' replacement, but that means you should get it for a better price. Besides, with 11th Gen Intel processors and up to 16GB of RAM, this is a portable computer is no slouch when it comes to power. From late-night Netflix to early-morning essay writing, you'll find the Dell XPS 13 a capable and competent laptop.

The Dell's display has really tiny bezels and can, if desired, be ramped up to a 4K resolution, although we think for most people Full HD is just fine (and a cost-saver). The colour reproduction and detailing are superb anyway. 

Does this sound like the top-end Windows laptop for your studies? Read our full Dell XPS 13 review to find out more about this quality laptop

6. Apple MacBook Pro (M2 Pro/Max, 2023)

It's true that you need a substantial chunk of money to get one of Apple's more powerful laptops, but if you need real extra power for your studies' demands then you can't really do any better – these laptops will cope with everything that you can throw at them and then some.

The M2 Pro and M2 Max processor options that Apple has fitted offer a leap forward in terms of performance, with up to an absurd 96GB unified memory (RAM, effectively) so you can load gigantic projects no problems. It runs quietly and lasts amazingly well on battery life too, so is ideal for on-the-go student life. 

The main consideration is, of course, that the price is higher than anything else on this list by quite a margin. So you might need to take out a loan to afford one. And on top of your student loans that'll seem a bit daunting no doubt. So only consider buying if you truly need one. 

Like the ideal of a super-powerful Mac and need one for your studies? Read our full MacBook Pro 2023 (M2 Pro) review to learn more (about the 16-inch model; there's also the 14-inch variant)

7. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon

If you need a laptop that you'll easily be able to slip in your bag to carry between home and your classes then you should definitely consider the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon. It's no bigger than a notepad and weighs less than a kilo, so it's super portable, and an ideal option if you're looking for one of the best lightweight laptops .

Being so small doesn't mean that you won't get decent specs though, as it packs in decent Intel Core i processor options, which makes it a great choice for getting productive, although we wouldn't rely on it for lots of photo and video editing. Its solid performance is paired with a crisp, detailed screen as well as a sleek, stylish design and a keyboard that feels satisfying and reliable to type on. 

Fancy a lightweight laptop to aid your studies (and save your back)? Read our full Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon review to see if it's the right fit for your needs

8. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1

Up to this point nothing else on this list has featured a convertible format, i.e. a hinge that can rotate through 360-degrees and provide both 'tablet' and 'laptop' forms (even an upright 'tent' mode if it's of use to you). That's where the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 comes in.

With its stylus input option, this is a great solution if you're after a Windows laptop that can cater for drawing, note-taking, annotation and such like. It's powerful enough, although not super-powered, but also silent thanks to passive cooling technology. 

If this convertible sounds like a good fit, and you're keen for the stylus input, then take a look at our full Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 review for more info

9. Acer Swift 3

We've always been fans of the Acer Swift series, because it's a great sensibly-priced entry point into buying a laptop, and this Swift 3 has done nothing to change our minds. You get a 14-inch Full HD screen for staring at those essays and video streaming services, while under the hood everything is powered by Intel Core i5 or i7 chips.

The closer you look, the better the Acer Swift 3 gets – it supports the Wi-Fi 6 standards, for example, and has a decent selection of ports too (2x USB-A, 1x USB-C, and 1x HDMI). At the top-end of the configuration options, you can even have an Nvidia GeForce MX350 graphics card installed if you think you're going to need it (and can afford it).

In the market for a sensibly-priced Windows laptop to help you get the best when back at school? Read our full Acer Swift 3 review to see if it fits the bill

10. HP Envy x360 13

Not feeling the Dell XPS 2-in-1? Then HP has a great alternative 2-in-1 option in the HP Envy x360 13. It manages to marry some decent specs with some very decent looks at a price that's not quite as exorbitant as you might expect, looking at it.

This is a laptop that's going to handle most of the tasks you throw at it, thanks to decent-powered innards, but it's not going to handle intensive gaming and video editing. Still, it's perfect for writing up essays, or doing some research on the web, or putting together a budget spreadsheet to work out where all your money is going. 

Especially as this is a 2-in-1, so when the working day is over you can flip the HP Envy x360 into 'tent mode' and enjoy some Netflix or YouTube on the bright, crisp 13.3-inch screen.

Does this convertible laptop sound like your dream study companion? Read our full HP Envy x360 review to learn more about its potential

What's important to consider with student laptops

Laptops for students are not just for writing essays and note taking but now also for taking part in those critical online sessions, so you need one that can handle video calls as well as documents. And with so many online classes, video meetings and virtual collaborations, students are spending more time on their laptops than ever before and to work optimally you don't want to scrimp on an underpowered model.

We're now in the pre-new academic year summer months, and that is good news for student laptop shoppers as plenty of retailers are currently discounting some great systems that are perfect for school and college starters and returning students alike. 

If you're wondering what separates the best college laptops from the best laptops overall or specialist systems like gaming laptops and 2-in-1 laptops , it's that they have to satisfy two very different criteria: they need to be excellent all-rounders, and they need to be excellent value, too. That means they can't cut any crucial corners but they need to be keenly priced.

The arrival of the best Chromebooks has given the market quite a kick. Google's mobile-focused laptops have encouraged PC firms to up their game, as have Apple's iPads – and in fact we think you should check out T3's best tablets guide too, because many of today's tablets are perfectly capable laptops too. All you need is a keyboard. If you prefer Dells to Apples and laptops to tablets, though, check out our guide to the best Dell laptops .

And if you're in the market for some external storage, particularly for Apple laptops, check out our best external hard drives for Mac guide as well as this one.

So how do you choose the best student laptop? Price is important, of course, but it shouldn't be your sole criteria. That's why our guide covers so many options, manufacturers and operating systems: every student is different and that means their requirements will differ.

We don’t quite know what this academic year holds – after the last few years anything could happen and we'd believe it – but we do know that whether your learning is fully remote, in-person or a mix of the two these laptops will be the perfect companions for studying, for movie nights with roommates, for staying in touch with friends and family and for creativity, too.

Laptops are also great for serious processing and rendering nowadays, so if you're a budding engineer and need some recommendations, then be sure to check out T3's best laptops for engineering students guide. This guide is filled with systems that won't let you down when using resource-heavy software like AutoCAD, MATLAB and Solid Works.

Oh, and lastly, if you're looking to build a better home or dormitory office for study, we think it's well worth checking out our best office chairs guide, as it will mean you can work for long hours in comfort. A good work environment is essential to produce good work. Plus, our best webcams guide is worth considering if you want to look good in video meetings.

How to choose the best student laptop for you

We hope our student laptop guide proves invaluable for anyone out there shopping for a system that's capable, decent value, and a boon to your productivity. We're constantly updating this list too with newer models and updated information, so be sure to keep checking back regularly, and we've also included some clutch buying advice to help you narrow down the ideal learning tool for going back to school.

Today's computers need to be able to do much more than the primitive number-crunchers of old. They need to support a huge range of software, given that several courses have special requirements, as well as the standard office packages.

When it comes to software, Microsoft 's Office 365 suite is free for students, and there are also Google's Chromebooks and the associated Google Docs suite to consider as well, with the latter also free to use.

These laptops need to be able to run HD video lectures without juddering of course, while a set of good speakers always comes in handy when listening to teachers/ pumping out music. These machines have to be affordable too, given the increased cost of schooling all round the world.

Integrated webcams are important as well, for web lectures and broadcast media-related courses, but these are now included as standard on every laptop. You'd be hard pushed to find a model without one.

How we test student laptops

Laptops are very versatile and powerful tools, which means that there is a lot to consider when buying one. As such, we approach testing student laptops with this in mind, parsing down the process according to what a buyer would consider in store.

Firstly, we evaluate the build quality and design of the system. Here we're looking for signs of robustness and quality, as well as overall fit and finish. It is at this stage that we also evaluate the student laptop's screen, judging its colour balance, fidelity and features, such as anti-glare coatings or tiny bezels.

Next up we evaluate the student laptop purely from a hardware point of view, both on paper and in practice. So we check out its core specifications, such as processor, RAM, storage capacity and graphics chip, before benchmarking the overall package with a brace of benchmarking tools.

We then move onto the more experiential side of the reviewing process, which encompasses what the laptop's operating system and software are like to use, as well as how it performs in the real world – such as, how is the student laptop to carry round, or how well does it perform in a coffee shop.

Lastly, we take a look at any of the system's noteworthy features, such as RGB lighting systems, mechanical keyboards, built-in webcams, touchscreens, rotating screens, stylus support, biometric sign-in options and more. We also provide a rough, real-world take on the system's battery life at this point, too.

Only after these stages are complete do we officially score the student laptop, with a 5-star system (1 being the worst, and 5 being the best) used. If the student laptop scores highly, it is then considered for T3's best student laptop buying guide, which is designed to showcase the very best systems on the market.

See T3's How We Test page for full information on how we test all our products for review. 

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Mike is the Tech Editor at T3.com. He's been writing about consumer technology for 15 years and, as a phones expert, has seen hundreds of handsets over the years – swathes of Android devices, a smattering of iPhones, and a batch of Windows Phone too (remember those?). But that's not all, as a tech and audio aficionado his beat at T3 also covers tablets, laptops, gaming, home cinema, TVs, speakers and more – there's barely a tech stone unturned he's not had a hand on. Previously the Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint for 10 years, he's also provided work for publications such as Wired, The Guardian, Metro, and more. In addition to his tech knowledge, Mike is also a flights and travel expert, having travelled the globe extensively. You'll likely find him setting up a new mobile phone, critiquing the next MacBook, all while planning his next getaway... or cycling somewhere.

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The 7 Best Laptops For Students No Matter Their Age Or Grade

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The humble laptop remains one of the most important tools for a student, despite kids’ access to an amazing range of technology. Giving them one of the best laptops for students is a great way to make sure they are prepared for a new school year.

No matter the age of your learner, the best laptops for students can help keep them organized at ... [+] school.

Just because these laptops are the best, doesn't mean they need to cost the earth, though. Our favorite, the Asus ZenBook S 13 OLED , has midrange laptop pricing despite its incredible display and fantastic keyboard. Sure, the MacBook Pro M2 has a premium price tag for its premium design, but for MacOS fans, it's well worth it.

Even little kids’ schoolwork can benefit from a great laptop. That's why we recommend the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook for elementary school students. But there are plenty of other great options out there. Here are some of the best laptops for students of every grade level. After reading this story, you may want to see our favorite Chromebooks for students or peruse the top laptops for college students .

• Best Laptops For Students Overall: Asus ZenBook S 13 OLED
• Best Value Laptop For Students: HP Envy x360
• Best Premium Laptop For Students: MacBook Pro M2
• Best Laptop For Students In Elementary School: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
• Best Laptop For Students In Middle School: Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
• Best Laptop For Students In High School: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i
• Best Laptop For Students In College: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

Best Laptop For Students Overall

Next-gen performance in an ultralight chassis, asus zenbook s 13 oled.

Memory: 32GB | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 13.3-inch OLED | Resolution: 2,880 x 1,800 | Battery: Up to 14 hours | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Ports: USB Type-A, Thunderbolt 4

The Asus ZenBook S 13 OLED is a powerful laptop with excellent build quality and a gorgeous OLED screen. It has plenty of performance for demanding schoolwork—letting students play around with video and audio editing, or 3D design work with ease. The battery life is impressive at up to 14 hours of mixed use despite the high brightness and resolution display.

The super-lightweight design makes it a great laptop for carrying around all day, and its compact size makes it easy to slip into a backpack or laptop sleeve. It has a 13th-generation Intel processor, and it comes standard with a boatload of memory—32GB of fast DDR5 RAM—making it perfect for heavy multitasking and having as many browser tabs open as you want. To top it all off, this laptop has a 2.8K OLED screen, so images look ultra crisp with inky blacks and vibrant colors. It doesn't fold out into a tablet mode, but it does support touch inputs, so if you want to interact with on-screen elements with the touchpad, a mouse, your finger or a stylus, it's incredibly versatile.

What the experts say : This range of interactivity is an important element of a modern laptop for students, according to Jeremy Rambarran , a professor at the Touro University Graduate School of Technology. "This enables students to reference the system to review their course materials [the way they want] without having to rely on paper copies of various resources, such as lecture materials,” he says. “So they can study on-the-go [letting them] study longer and as a result, better understand new content while educators can use the instructor's version of the application to grade assignments."

Best Value Laptop For Students

Lots of power for not a lot of money, hp envy x360 2-in-1.

Memory: 8GB |  Graphics: Intel Xe | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display:  14-inch touchscreen | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Battery: Up to 13 hours | Weight: 3.4 pounds | Ports: USB Type-A, USB Type-C, HDMI, headphone jack, MicroSD card reader

The HP Envy x360 is among the best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy in 2023, making it one of the best laptops for students since it gives them access to both a capable laptop and tablet in a single device. It's lightweight and portable, and with extensive battery life, students needn't fear straying far from a power socket. That lets them work on a commute in to college too, and with the bright 14-inch touchscreen, they can use it outside, though it's best to stick to shaded areas for the best clarity. It has a 13th-generation Intel Core i5 processor and a 512GB SSD, making it impressively snappy in day to day operation—and it boots up (from off or sleep) very quickly.

The onboard graphics are capable enough for very casual gaming, but don't expect to play much outside of older esports and indie games. The touchscreen display has a 360-degree hinge that you can fold back to use this laptop in other positions. That makes it viable for use as a tablet, in tent mode for watching a movie or listening to recorded lectures, and it's great for drawing or handwriting notes at a comfortable angle.

What the experts say: “A convertible 2-in-1 laptop, where the display swivels around into tablet mode, provides a traditional clamshell experience while serving as a digital writing and drawing platform for taking notes during class,” says Mark Coppock , a veteran technology writer. “The HP Envy x360 is one of the best available, providing premium quality and performance at a midrange price.”

Best Premium Laptop For Students

Fast apple processor and a high-resolution display, apple macbook pro 14-inch m2.

Memory:  16GB |  Graphics:  Apple M2 Pro GPU |  Storage: 512GB SSD |  Display:  14 inch |  Resolution:  3,024 x 1,964 |  Battery:  Up to 21 hours |  Weight:  3.5 pounds |  Ports:  Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, headphone jack, Micro SDXC

For the perfect blend of build quality, powerful hardware, a gorgeous display and extensive battery life, the Apple MacBook Pro M2 ticks every box. It has cutting edge hardware that makes it exceptionally powerful for even demanding applications, offers enough battery life to handle multiple days of school or college without needing a recharge, and it has cutting-edge connectivity, so you can use the fastest of external drives and other accessories. It doesn't have any traditional USB Type-A ports, so you'll need an adapter or two if you want to attach external mice, keyboards, and other accessories, but there are plenty of options there.

Apple devices also offer better security than their Windows counterparts, with more robust security features, and less malware made for MacOS in general. They also give students access to some of the most lauded creative applications, like Final Cut Pro. At 3.5 pounds, this laptop is also plenty portable for day to day use, although you can also get the 13.3-inch version if you want something even more compact and transport-friendly.

What the experts say: “The MacBook Pro offers long-lasting stamina as well, so that you can run more programs for longer on battery alone, with no slowdown or warming up enough to invoke the fan,” noted Forbes Vetted contributor, David Phelan, in his review of the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M2 Pro ). “These models hold performance boosts for all of us, and not just the most Pro of users. That said, creators can get the most out of the improved performance, particularly for video workflows.”

Best Laptop For Students In Elementary School

Our favorite chromebook for students weighs barely 2 pounds, lenovo ideapad duet 5 chromebook.

Memory: 8GB |  Storage: 128GB eMMC | Display:  13.3-inch touchscreen OLED | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Battery: Up to 12 hours | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Ports: USB Type-C

Young children need a device that's lightweight, portable, simple to use and ideally, relatively durable. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook fulfills all those needs and more, with an OLED display that is bright and colorful to help keep children engaged with what's on screen. At just 2.2 pounds, it is perfectly comfortable enough to carry around all day—even for younger children—and it gets even lighter when you detach the keyboard to turn it into a tablet.

The touchscreen is responsive and snappy, and Chrome OS is streamlined, helping kids to focus. It's also super secure, as there's very limited malware that targets Chrome OS. The fact that it's locked down to the Google Play Store and native Chrome OS apps makes it much harder for younger kids to get into trouble with sites or apps that they shouldn't be using. Parental controls on Chrome OS include Family Link, which lets parents remotely manage what their kids can access and look over their digital shoulder to see what they've been doing.

What the experts say: Coppock told us that, “The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is an excellent choice for a student, with a comfortable keyboard that works great as a traditional laptop while its tablet mode provides a solid media consumption and gaming experience. The bright display with its wide colors and deep contrast makes work and play a lot more fun.”

Best Laptop For Students In Middle School

A more grown-up laptop for bigger kids, microsoft surface laptop go 2.

Memory: 8GB |  Storage: 128GB SSD | Display:  12.4-inch touchscreen | Resolution: 1,536 x 1,024 touchscreen | Battery: Up to 13.5 hours | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Ports: USB Type-A, USB Type-C, headphone jack

Older kids need more powerful hardware to handle the more demanding needs they have. This Surface Laptop Go 2 from Microsoft gives them the full Windows 11 experience (though you can switch it to S Mode if you want more control over what they can do) which unlocks some truly powerful applications, like photo and video editors, as well as the full suite of Microsoft Office apps. Its hardware isn't cutting edge, but it's powerful enough to drive these sorts of programs and ensure good performance even when heavy web browsing. The onboard graphics can handle some very casual gaming, but this is not a gaming machine at heart.

What is it, though, is very portable. At just 2.5 pounds, it weighs almost nothing and is compact enough to fit into any backpack. The screen is bright, but relatively low-resolution making this not the best machine for watching movies and TV shows on. However, it's perfectly usable for school work and scrolling social media, and its battery life is extensive, lasting well beyond a standard school day.

What the experts say: Professor Rambarran is a big fan of Surface laptops like this one, citing their portability and ease of integration with school resources as particular standout features. “They can help students with stress-free note-taking in the classroom, or even if they’d prefer to record and then transcribe their lectures at a later time," he told Forbes. “Through using USB-C ports on these devices, charging and tethering various mobile devices including iPads, Android and iPhones is pain free. Additionally, educators can leverage the Bluetooth feature on a Surface device to wirelessly project key course material."

Best Laptop For Students In High School

Slim design, sharp display, lenovo slim 7i.

Memory: 16GB |  Graphics: Intel Iris Xe | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display:  14-inch touchscreen | Resolution: 2,880 x 1,800 | Battery: Up to 10 hours | Weight: 2.9 pounds | Ports: USB Type-A, USB Type-C, HDMI, headphone jack

The Lenovo Slim 7i combines excellent build quality with high-end performance from its latest-generation CPU and memory, making it a potent laptop for high school students who need a little more grunt for the demanding work they're handling. Despite its heavier performance profile, it still remains lightweight and portable, with a good selection of ports for connecting all your most important accessories. Its high-resolution display has a tall aspect ratio, making it great for reading back longer documents of course notes, or working on longer essays.

The Intel Iris Xe graphics are strong enough for some older casual gaming, though this isn't a laptop that is able to play the latest games with ease—it's primarily a work machine. This configuration includes a 512GB SSD for storing all your essays and documents, though you can upgrade it to 1TB for students needing to handle a lot of big files.

What the experts say: I love the bright and vibrant display, and the touch input is a real nice-to-have feature, even on a laptop that isn't designed with a tablet-mode in mind. Honestly, I find the Lenovo Slim 7i is one of the best touchscreen laptops in the world, with a fantastic mix of performance and portability. It’s a little fancy for my young children, but when they are responsible enough to handle a machine of this quality, it's exactly the kind of laptop I'd be looking to give a high school student.

Best Laptop For College Students

All the power they need for work and play, asus rog zephyrus g14.

Memory: 16GB |  Graphics: Nvidia RTX 4060 | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display:  14 inch | Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 | Battery: Up to 10 hours | Weight: 3.6 pounds | Ports: USB Type-A, USB Type-C, HDMI, headphone jack

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is the latest in a long line of fantastic do-it-all laptops. It has a great looking display, a lightweight chassis, amazing general compute performance with AMD's latest high-end mobile processor, and some serious gaming power with the Nvidia RTX 4060. Yes, college work is more important than play, but it's great to have a single device that can work all day taking course notes and writing essays, and then when the work is done, use it to socialize and play with friends and family—no matter how far away they are. That graphical power is also super handy for 3D design work, so this is a great laptop for a student interested in the creative arts.

Despite the high-powered hardware, the Zephyrus G14 has great battery life at up to 10 hours of mixed use (less if you're gaming) and a robust selection of ports for attaching all your important external accessories. It supports Wi-Fi 6 for fast connectivity on campus Wi-Fi, and its half terabyte of fast storage is enough for just about anyone. There are options if you need more, though, and more powerful graphics chips available.

What the experts say : “Many students like to play games as well as do their coursework, and a gaming laptop like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 can offer a compelling option to accomplish both,” says Coppock. “It's small and light enough to take to class for taking notes, while still being powerful enough for modern games at 1080p.”

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The 6 best patio umbrellas for your backyard, based on months of testing, why trust forbes vetted.

The Forbes Vetted team is well-versed in all things technology and gear for students of all ages. We have dozens of reviews and analyses of the best laptops , as well as other technology for kids, such as tablets and phones . We consider quality, functionality, value and overall utility of each item as it relates to the user, which in this case is potentially a child.

Jon Martindale, the writer of this story, is a regular Forbes Vetted tech contributor who has bylines in digital publications including Digital Trends and PCGamer, and formerly ran his own PC hardware review website. Needless to say, we’ve collectively conducted extensive research and testing on the best laptops for students.

We interviewed a number of experts for this article, including Mark Coppock, a professional technology journalist with over three decades of experience in the space. We also spoke to Touro University Graduate School of Technology Professor Jeremy Rambarran, and technology editor and mother of two, Suzanne Sutherland . Together they offered valuable insight into the best laptops for students.

This story is regularly reviewed for accuracy and was most recently updated in August 2023.

How We Chose The Best Laptops For Students

To find the best laptops for students, we combined our extensive firsthand knowledge of some of the world's best laptops, with in-depth research from every angle. We consulted experts—some of whom are quoted in this list—talked to manufacturers, pored over reviews from third-parties and considered user reviews. We also consulted parents and educators on their preferred picks and features when selecting laptops for students.

Combining all that together, we put together a list of the absolute best laptops for students while considering function, price and the features most important to students.

Which Type of Laptop Is Best For Students?

Students of different ages have different wants and needs—that's why you'll note a big difference between the models we recommend for various age ranges. However, there are some features worth considering for students of all ages.

A touchscreen is handy for handwriting, sketching or just working with touchscreen apps, and it’s also possibly more intuitive to young kids growing up with touchscreen tech. That can make getting a 2-in-1 laptop a good idea, as it can work as both a tablet and laptop, although traditional clamshell laptops with touchscreens are great too.

You also want to consider portability. If they're carrying it around all day at school, keeping it under 3.5 pounds is a good way to make sure it doesn't weigh them down. Additionally, make sure it's small enough to fit into their backpack and has enough battery for at least a full school day.

Any students wanting to use their laptop for graphics or 3D design work need to make sure it has a dedicated graphics chip, too, ideally from AMD or Nvidia.

What Should I Consider When Buying A Laptop For A Student?

Fast processor.

Performance is still incredibly important when it comes to student laptops, so buying one with a recent-generation processor (Intel 11th, 12th or 13th generation, or AMD Ryzen 5000, 6000 or 7000) is ideal. You also want at least 8GB of RAM, and preferably at least 256GB of SSD storage space. If you want it to be good for gaming or 3D design work, you need a dedicated graphics chip, preferably from AMD or Nvidia.

Touchscreen, Display And More

But that's not everything. Student laptops also really benefit from a touchscreen. They're great for taking notes, sketching or for interacting with touchscreen apps. Good Wi-Fi and even cellular connection support helps the student stay connected to all remote learning resources and to easily download any class materials they need.

A big, bright display goes a long way to making a laptop more functional on brighter days, too. A strong battery never goes amiss either. The last thing you want is a student not having their laptop for something important, because it's run out of battery.

Lightweight

A low carry weight can be a real boon, too. Look out for laptops that weigh less than 3.5 pounds for a system that's truly portable. Especially if they're 14-inches or less and can easily fit inside a backpack.

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The Best Laptops for College Students

By Kimber Streams

Kimber Streams is a writer who has been covering laptops and other tech at Wirecutter for more than a decade. They once built a fort out of keyboards.

College is expensive—including tuition, housing, and textbooks, not to mention food and other miscellaneous costs. So students need a reliable laptop that’ll last for years of taking notes, writing papers at 3 in the morning, and editing slides for a group project. But choosing the right laptop can be more challenging than writing a thousand words on Proust.

We test dozens of laptops every year, and for this guide we’ve rounded up the picks from our other guides that are the best for students. A laptop’s price-to-performance ratio is the most important factor, followed by its battery life, its size and weight, and its keyboard and trackpad. Our top pick offers the best balance of all those factors for high school and college students, whether they’re attending classes remotely or schlepping it to a physical classroom.

We also have more-portable picks, if you’re able to spend more. And for anyone on a tighter budget, we have less expensive options that are also well suited for younger kids. To achieve their more-affordable price tags, these cheaper options all make serious trade-offs—in shorter battery life, bulkier size, or more-limited functionality—and they’re not likely to last as long as our picks. If you’re a film or photography student and you need a laptop for photo and video editing , or if you want a laptop that can also play games , we have picks for you, too.

The research

Our pick: asus zenbook 14 oled, mac options: macbook air, budget chromebook pick: lenovo ideapad flex 5i chromebook plus, budget windows pick: acer aspire 3 spin 14 (a3sp14-31pt), budget tablet pick: apple ipad.

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (UM3406HA-WS74T)

The best ultrabook.

The Zenbook 14 offers excellent battery life, a vivid touchscreen, and a reliable keyboard and trackpad, all in a thin and light body. It’s comparatively inexpensive, too.

Buying Options

Recommended configuration

Who these are for: Budget ultrabooks—thin and light laptops with good performance and long battery life and a price tag in the $700 to $800 range—are ideal for high school and college students because they provide the best value. These cheaper ultrabooks tend to make minor trade-offs compared with ultrabooks over $1,000: They may be a bit larger and heavier, may not last quite as long on a charge, may feel less sturdy or solid, or may lack convenient features such as a fingerprint reader or USB-C charging. But even with those drawbacks, budget ultrabooks still provide far better performance and overall quality compared with $500 laptops.

Why we like this one: Most high school or college students shopping for a laptop to last through graduation should get the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED, either the UM3406HA-WS74T or UM3406HA-PS76T model. It’s powerful and portable enough for a full day of classes, and it has a vivid screen and a solid keyboard and trackpad. At 14 hours, the Zenbook 14 OLED has the longest battery life of all the Windows laptops we’ve tested so far in 2024. Unlike most cheap ultrabooks, the Zenbook 14 is sturdy and comes with a USB-C charger, which you can use to charge more devices and is generally cheaper to replace than specialty non–USB-C chargers.

You can read more about the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED and our other picks in our guide to Windows ultrabooks .

Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Performance for a great price.

The M1 MacBook Air has a comfortable keyboard, good performance, and a reasonable amount of storage—things that haven’t always been true of previous MacBook Airs.

Upgrade pick

Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022, 13-inch)

A sleek design and a nice webcam.

The 2022 M2 MacBook Air offers an updated design, a brighter screen, and a better webcam, and it restores the fan-favorite MagSafe port.

Who these are for: If you prefer macOS or need exceptional tech support , a MacBook is a safe bet; the 13-inch models usually offer the best combination of size, weight, and speed. They’re great for most types of schoolwork, including writing, researching, and basic video and photo editing and coding. Once you factor in Apple’s education discount , you can get one with good enough specs and storage to last three to four years for less than $1,000. MacBooks are usually more expensive than Windows ultrabooks, especially if you want to upgrade the memory or storage; Apple’s SSD upgrade prices are so high that we usually recommend looking into cloud storage or an external SSD instead.

Why we like this one: The 13-inch MacBook Air (M1, 2020) costs just $700 at Walmart, the lowest price we’ve seen for a MacBook. If you have a higher budget, we recommend the newer MacBook Air (M2, 2022, 13″) , which has a brighter screen, a superior webcam, and a MagSafe charging port. Both models are more than fast enough for web browsing, working on documents, and light photo and video editing, plus they can even handle professional work like 3D rendering or compiling code. They also have great keyboards and trackpads, as well as all-day battery life. Like Apple’s other laptops, the Air has only USB-C ports; you may need a USB-C hub for certain peripherals. But the Air’s light weight, solid construction, and industry-leading support make it a great laptop, especially if you also own an iPhone or other Apple devices.

For more details on our Mac picks, take a look at our full guide to MacBook models .

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

The best chromebook.

Reliable performance, a spacious touch display, and long-enough battery life for a full workday make the Flex 5i the best Chromebook for the price. But it is a bit heavy.

You save $150 (30%)

Who these are for: Chromebooks are ideal for students who don’t need Windows or macOS for specific programs. A good Chromebook can do  almost anything a regular laptop can do , including document work, video calls, and streaming video—as long as it’s possible in a web browser or via Android apps. And $500 Chromebooks tend to be faster, lighter, and sleeker than similarly priced Windows laptops. Plus, Chromebooks are secure and easy to maintain . But Chromebooks may have trouble connecting to campus printers, and they can’t play Windows games. And they’re not good for people who need access to Mac or Windows apps for photo, video, or audio editing, or other specialized software.

Why we like this one: If you can complete all of your coursework on a Chromebook, we recommend the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus because it has the best combination of features and price of all the models we tested. It has fast performance, a reliable keyboard and trackpad, a tall touchscreen, surprisingly good speakers, and enough battery life to last a full day of classes. But we wish it were lighter—at 3.6 pounds, it’s heavy for a 14-inch laptop.

For more options, you can read our full guide to Chromebooks .

Budget pick

Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 (A3SP14-31PT)

The best windows laptop under $500.

Unlike most cheap Windows laptops, the Aspire 3 Spin 14 is fast, compact, and light, and it has a decent 1080p touchscreen and good battery life.

Who these are for: If you need a Windows laptop for school and you can’t afford to spend a lot, you can find a decent one for less than $500, but you have to make some compromises. These models are best suited for grade-school or middle-school students, because most budget Windows laptops that are fast enough for school work tend to be bulky, heavy, and stuck with battery life that won’t last a full day of classes. You have to be extra-vigilant when shopping for a laptop in this price range to avoid slow or old processors, not enough memory, sluggish storage, and terrible, low-resolution displays.

Why we like this one: The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 (A3SP14-31PT) in any of our recommended configurations ( 37NV , 38YA , or 32M6 ) is the best Windows laptop you can find for the price. But we strongly recommend saving up for our top pick if you can—it’s better in nearly every way.

The Aspire 3 Spin 14 is fast enough to meet most people’s computing needs, and its keyboard and trackpad are reliable. It also has a decent-looking 14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen with a tall aspect ratio, as well as a 360-degree hinge that allows you to use the device as a tablet to take handwritten notes (if you have a stylus). Compared with most bulky Windows laptops in this price range, the Aspire 3 Spin 14 is also more compact, and it has long enough battery life to last a full day of classes.

The Aspire 3 Spin 14 ships with Windows 11 S mode, which allows only apps from the Microsoft Store and limits you to Microsoft Edge for web browsing. But you can switch it to Windows 11 Home for free to install any program you need. It also comes with a ton of bloatware; we recommend following these steps to get rid of it.

Choosing a budget laptop is tricky, because you can find hundreds of variations, their prices fluctuate constantly, and companies release and discontinue models with no warning. If our pick isn’t available, check our full guide for other available options and advice on how to shop for a budget laptop.

For additional details, you can read our full guide to budget laptops .

Apple iPad (10th generation)

The best ipad for most people.

The cheapest iPad that Apple sells has a large screen, fast performance, a USB-C port, and plenty of color options to suit the needs of most people.

Who these are for: Windows laptops and Chromebooks that cost around $300 are almost uniformly unpleasant to use—washed-out screens and crappy performance are the two biggest problems. A tablet isn’t good at all the things a laptop is good at, and if you’re taking programming classes or learning how to do high-end photo and video editing with apps such as Photoshop or Premiere, a tablet probably wouldn’t work for you. But if you mainly need to browse the internet, write papers, stream videos, draw, and take handwritten notes, an iPad can be a workable, inexpensive substitute for a traditional laptop. iPads feel faster than cheap laptops, they run the App Store’s huge selection of games (in addition to productivity apps), and their light weight makes them more convenient to use in bed or on a couch when your homework is done and you want to unwind.

Why we like this one: The 10.9-inch Apple iPad (10th generation) is responsive and pleasant to use, its larger screen is bright and colorful, it has good battery life, and the Apple Pencil is great for drawing or taking notes. And Apple has made big strides forward in keyboard and mouse support, which makes the iPad feel a lot more like a traditional laptop when you put it in a case and pair it to a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse (or one of Apple’s Magic Trackpads ). If you can afford it, and especially if your iPad will be your only computer, consider the 256 GB version instead of the 64 GB version; with that version, you’ll need to rely on cloud storage less, and you’ll have more space for apps and other files.

Head to our reviews of the best tablets and pro tablets to read more about our picks.

Meet your guide

Kimber Streams

Kimber Streams is a senior staff writer and has been covering laptops, gaming gear, keyboards, storage, and more for Wirecutter since 2014. In that time they’ve tested hundreds of laptops and thousands of peripherals, and built way too many mechanical keyboards for their personal collection.

Further reading

The Best Laptops

by Kimber Streams and Dave Gershgorn

From budget-friendly options to thin-and-light ultrabooks to powerful gaming laptops, we’ve spent hundreds of hours finding the best laptops for most people.

The Best Backpacks for College and High School Students

by Zoe Vanderweide

Our top backpack picks for the 2023-2024 school year include a sporty-looking ergonomic pack, a bag that’s nostalgic and timeless, and a polished workhorse.

The Best College Dorm Essentials

by Wirecutter Staff

Our favorite durable-but-not-too-expensive bedding, accessories, kitchen gear, and tools for your dorm room.

Which Computer Should You Buy for Your Kid?

by Kimber Streams

We have a range of computer buying advice for parents facing a variety of schooling and budget situations, from used to new, and from laptop to desktop.

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Best Student Laptop 2024: 7 portable PCs for uni and school

• Back to School

A student without a laptop is like a fireman without a hose – you’re not going to pass any exams without some kind of PC to work on. However, finding the best student laptop can be difficult given the range of options and steep price points. 

This is where we come in. We review a large number of laptops every year, so we’ve been able to determine which are the best picks for your studies. We also know that every university/college course is different, so we’ve made sure to select a variety, from simple portables for bashing out essays, to more powerful options for the creatives out there. 

We’ve also tried to keep budgets as low as possible to ensure you’ve got enough money in the bank for as many Pot Noodles as possible. There are a few pricey laptops here for those who want them, but also some budget buys for those happy to sacrifice performance or make use of ChromeOS instead of Windows and macOS. 

Our team of experts have fully reviewed every single laptop on this list, so you can feel rest assured that you’re getting a high-quality PC that’s been thoroughly tested. 

Can’t find a laptop that takes your fancy? Then make sure to check out our other guides, including best budget laptops , best laptops for video editing and the best laptops overall. Otherise, keep scrolling down to find the best student laptop for your studies. 

Best student laptops at a glance

• Best overall student laptop: Apple MacBook Air M3 13-inch – check price
• Best Windows student laptop: Asus Zenbook 14 OLED – check price
• Best budget student laptop: Asus Vivobook Go 15 OLED – check price
• Best student Chromebook: Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 – check price
• Best student laptop for content creation: Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i – check price
• Best big-screen student laptop: Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 – check price
• Best gaming student laptop: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) – check price

How we test

Every laptop we review goes through a series of uniform checks designed to gauge key things including build quality, performance, screen quality and battery life.  These include formal synthetic benchmarks and scripted tests, plus a series of real world checks, such as how well it runs the most frequently used apps.  We also make sure to use every laptop we review as our primary device for at least a week to ensure our review is as accurate as possible.

• Great keyboard and port selection
• Nippy performance
• Solid endurance
• Cheap-feeling construction
• Basic speakers

• Bright Mini LED touch-enabled 165Hz IPS display
• Powerful sound system
• Easy to add more storage
• Strong creative and gaming performance
• Poor battery life
• Only one USB-C port

• Great performance in mainstream apps
• Good gaming performance by iGPU standards
• Fantastic OLED screen
• No compromises on the connectivity or ergonomics
• GPU speeds constrained by slimline form factor

• Good price for OLED
• Strong battery life
• Respectable entry-level performance
• Basic typing experience with no backlight
• Memory and storage can’t be upgraded

• Incredibly portable for a gaming laptop
• Extremely powerful
• Optional Mini LED screen looks fantastic
• Personalisation via LED lights on lid
• Relatively expensive
• Lacks per-key RGB lighting
• Main chassis can get very hot

• Fantastic performance for the size and weight
• Standout keyboard and trackpad
• Great battery life
• 8GB base memory option
• Expensive upgrade prices
• An OLED screen would have been the icing on the cake

• Stunning 3K AMOLED screen
• Exceedingly long battery life
• Solid productivity performance
• Good set of ports and S Pen
• Slower than rivals
• Disappointing speakers

Apple MacBook Air (M3)

Best overall student laptop.

Few laptops, if any, have been the quintessential “student laptop” purchase as often as the MacBook Air, and it is no different in 2024 with the MacBook Air M3 13-inch .

The new model doesn’t switch much up when compared with the previous M2 model, beyond the chip itself. But, it offers a solid jump up in performance across the board if you want the cutting edge of fanless MacBook power.

What you get is whisper-quiet power in a chassis that can tackle serious productivity with ease along with plenty of light to middleweight editing workloads. It’s a package that is a delight to use with a bright LCD display, top-notch keyboard along with a big and responsive trackpad. Now, with MagSafe added last year, you get that and a handy set of Thunderbolt ports as well

Despite its thin, light and luxurious design that’s tremendously portable, you still get a stunning amount of battery life for those long study sessions. With up to 15 hours of battery life in our testing.

Reviewer: Max Parker Full review: Apple MacBook Air M3 13-inch review

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED

Best windows student laptop.

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is one of the best laptops we’ve reviewed in recent months. Costing just above £1000/$1000, it’s an expensive option for students, but offers such a well-rounded package that it’s worth stumping up the cash if your budget can stretch so far. 

Thanks to the inclusion of the Intel Core Ultra processor, it offers one of the faster performance available at this price point. In fact, it aced our benchmark tests, surpassing the vast majority of Windows ultrabooks from 2023. 

Despite its powerful performance, the laptop only weighs 1.29kg, making it portable enough to lug between lecture halls without back strain. It’s got a gorgeous OLED screen too, which will come handy when watching movies/TV shows during your downtime. Even battery life is impressive, lasting just shy of 13 hours during our tests. 

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is such a well rounded laptop that it’s hard to look past it unless you prefer macOS or need extra graphics power if you’re on a creative course. And if the price is too high, it’s worth checking out the Asus Vivobook Go 15 OLED further down this list. 

Reviewer: Stuart Andrews Full review: Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Review

Asus Vivobook Go 15 OLED

Best budget student laptop.

When opting for a budget laptop for your studies, roughly around the £500/$500 mark, you’ll be forced into making numerous compromises – but not so with the Asus Vivobook Go 15 OLED . 

This laptop has a well-built plastic design that’s light enough to carry around on the regular, and to our great surprise, a lovely OLED screen that makes movie marathons an absolute delight. The large 15-inch should also make it easier to fit more text on your screen, which should be helpful for both essay typing and scanning documents. 

The biggest issue with this laptop is that it’s not very powerful, falling behind the likes of the Surface Laptop Go 3 in our tests. But during our time with the laptop, we found it perfectly adequate for browsing the web, writing up essays and watching videos. As long as you’re not going to push it too hard – such as photo/video editing – the performance should be fine. 

So if you’re looking for a supremely cheap Windows laptop with a top-notch screen, you’ll struggle to do better than the Asus Vivobook Go 15 OLED. The Surface Laptop Go 2 is another great cheap Windows laptop worth considering, but Microsoft is sadly phasing it out of stores, so you may only be able to pick it up second-hand in the coming months. 

Reviewer: Josh Brown  Full review: Asus Vivobook Go 15 OLED review

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34

Best student chromebook.

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is an evolution of the ChromeOS formula. Not only does it represent a device that students can be safe in the knowledge that will help them get their essays written, but it now wields added creative chops and specs too.

Chromebook Plus launched last month as Google’s new initiative for products using its ChromeOS. The standard requires a minimum specs and Asus was quickly on the bandwagon. The Chromebook Plus CX34 we tested simply met that minimum spec, nothing more and nothing less. That means 8GB RAM and an Intel Core i3 processor. The latter part of that may scare you but, with the 8GB RAM and lightweight ChromeOS, the CX34 performed in a breezy fashion. This is a great device for essay writing, web browsing and media consumption.

But, the creative capabilities that a Chromebook Plus device brings with it means that this Asus is capable of running Adobe Photoshop for the web and wielding the power of Google’s Magic Eraser to swiftly tidy up your photos.

Outside of the performance and software, the Chromebook Plus CX34 helps with essays by having a keyboard that’s a joy to type on while helping you get easily connected to whatever peripherals you need for your course, due to the pleasing range of ports. Battery life won’t hold you back either, with this device managing over one day’s work.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey Full review: Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16

Best student laptop for content creation.

Few powerhouse laptops can stand toe-to-toe with the 16-inch MacBook Pro in all areas, but the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 is that device. It’s an all-rounder that shines as a high-end creative device but can comfortably reside in the gaming arena too.

The raw power of this laptop is provided by an Intel Core i9-13905H chip and an RTX 4070 GPU alongside 64GB RAM. That’s a mammoth trio which will comfortably deal with intensive 4K editing workloads. It provides the colour accuracy you’ll need as well, with a Mini LED panel that scored highly in our colour gamut coverage benchmarking. The rest of the display specifications come in at 16 inches, 3.2K resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. All of that adds up to a screen that offers plenty of real estate, bags of detail and a smooth speed that’ll serve you well for gaming. You won’t have to worry about using this device in awkward lighting either, with up to 594nits SDR brightness and 1048nits HDR.

The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i keeps pace with its Apple rival in an area in which many don’t, and that’s with its speakers. Many typically fall foul but the Lenovo provides a six-speaker system that gets immensely loud while offering up broad, crisp and balanced sound.

In terms of design, the Yoga Pro 9i is a bit of a looker too. It feels high-quality with an all-aluminium unibody that is just 18.2mm thin. It is ever so slightly heavier than the MacBook Pro 16-inch , at 2.23kg, but remains thinner. Despite its thinness, creatives will be pleased by the range of ports Lenovo has managed to squeeze in, including a Thunderbolt 4, two USB-A, HDMI 1.4, a headphone jack and an SD card slot.

Reviewer: Alun Taylor Full review: Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 review

Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360

Best big-screen student laptop.

If you’re a student that needs a laptop with a big display that will go all day and beyond, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 is the answer.

We tested the 16-inch model and it managed to pack in a stunning stamina of around 15 hours of maximum battery life. Even under intensive productivity, it got comfortably beyond a working day.

But, one of the key highlights is the well-sized display, which offers up a high 3K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and uses AMOLED technology. The size means it’s great for multitasking with multiple windows, while offering a large screen experience when it comes to watching movies and the like. The strong colour accuracy means this big screen is great for creative work too, and you get the excellent S Pen for all your drawing work.

For power, it’s got Intel’s latest Core Ultra chips. These offer solid productivity performance along with enabling the odd dabble in creative work.

Reviewer: Adam Speight Full review: Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 review

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023)

Best gaming student laptop.

Being both a gamer and a student can be a pricey affair, as you’ll likely need a console, laptop and TV to survive the semester. So how about combining all of those devices together to save on money? The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) is the perfect remedy, capable of doubling up as both your gaming rig and workstation with very few compromises. 

Firstly, the G14 is shockingly lightweight for a gaming laptop, hitting the scales at just 1.7kg. Most gaming laptops are significantly heavier, making them unideal for porting around university. The optional Mini LED screen ensures fantastic picture quality too, which is important for watching movies and playing games. 

Performance is plenty powerful enough to play all of the latest games. The intense graphics power here also opens up the opportunity for more creative pursuits such as editing video/photos and graphics design. The biggest issue here is battery life, with our tests seeing a result of just 3 hours and 20 minutes for productivity work. That could be a big issue if you’re working on the go away from a power mains. 

Nevertheless, if you fancy the idea of owning a laptop that can fulfil the duties of both gaming and student work, then we strongly recommend the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023). Or if you want something cheaper, make sure to check out our Asus TUF Gaming A15 (2023) review as an alternative option. 

Reviewer: Ryan Jones Full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) review

We also considered…

No longer the best option for students on a budget

An intriguing yet imperfect device

How does the M1 MacBook fare two years after release?

We’ve reviewed

A good keyboard, long battery life and snappy performance are all key things to consider when purchasing a student laptop. You’ll also want to make sure it isn’t too heavy, with 1.3kg and under being an ideal heft. Screen quality is worth thinking about if you plan on using the laptop for Netflix and YouTube.

A dedicated GPU is only worth considering if you’re a creative/design student who will be doing lots of video editing, 3D modelling or animation. Gamers will also benefit from a powerful GPU. But be warned, a GPU will crank up the price, make the laptop heavier and shorten the battery life, so only get a laptop with one if it’s essential.

Honestly, most people will be fine with 8GB RAM, but it may be worth investing in 16GB of RAM or beyond for heavier workloads such as content creation and gaming.

You might like…

Best Laptop 2024: The top laptops we’ve reviewed

Best Gaming Laptop 2024: Top picks for gamers

Best Budget Laptop 2024: The top 5 cheap picks around

Specs compared, trusted reviews test data.

Adam is the Computing Editor of Trusted Reviews. He joined as a staff writer in 2019 after graduating from Newcastle University with an MA in Multimedia Journalism. After spending two years at WIRED,…

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Best laptops for college students in 2024 — tested and rated

The best laptops for college student attending school in person or remotely

• Best overall
• Best for creatives
• Best 2-in-1
• Best for DIYers
• Best Chrome 2-in-1
• Battery life results
• How to choose
• How we test

The list in brief 1. Best overall 2. Best value 3. Best for creatives 4. Best 2-in-1 5. Best for DIYers 6. Best Chrome 2-in-1 Battery life chart How to choose How we test

Preparing for college can be stressful, especially when it comes to deciding which laptop best suits your needs. You’ll likely want a notebook that’s light, fast and can last you through a full day of classes on a single charge—whether you're going to school in person or online.

We're here to help you shop stress-free. My team and I review dozens and dozens of laptops every year, and we also test them in our performance testing lab. That means every laptop on this list has been personally tested and reviewed by someone I know, and I can vouch for their experience and expertise when it comes to laptops.

When deciding what to recommend as the best laptops for college students we look for sturdy, well-made notebooks with comfy keyboards and excellent battery life, which is crucial if you'll be running between classes all day.

Each of these laptops also has at least enough power to handle web browsing and typing, which is all you need to handle many assignments. Many are powerful enough to run demanding school projects (key if you're studying things like game development or 3D design) and all have been tested and reviewed by someone we trust. That means every one of these recommendations is backed up by one of our reviews, which include thorough lab testing (with stats and graphs!) as well as weeks of hands-on use.

Based on that experience, here's what we recommend as the best laptops for college students!

The quick list

In a hurry? Here's a brief overview of the laptops on this list, along with quick links that let you jump down the page directly to a review of whichever laptop catches your eye.

The best laptop for most students

The MacBook Air M2 is what we most often recommend to students. You get fantastic performance from the new M2 chip, a bright display and more than 14 hours of battery life in an ultraportable package that's easy to tote to class.

Read more below

Best for students on a budget

The Acer Aspire 5 (2022) is a solid Windows 11 laptop that can be yours for under $500. Sure, the webcam and speakers suck, but you'll get decent performance in apps like Word, a responsive keyboard and 8 hours of tested battery life, which is just enough to get you through a day of class.

The best laptop for creatives The MacBook Pro M3 is the best laptop for college students that do creative work like video editing or graphic design. The new M3 chip is faster and more powerful but you also get a bright display and 17 hours of battery life based on our tests. The MacBook Pro M3 even comes in a new Space Black finish. 

The best 2-in-1 for most students The Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 is a great 2-in-1 for students because it's light, capable and comes with a stylus at no charge. The 15.6-inch AMOLED touchscreen is a gorgeous canvas on which to take notes, doodle or watch movies. We recommend this model because it has better battery life than its successor.

The best laptop for DIY types and accident-prone

The Framework Laptop is a truly unique Windows ultraportable that's more repairable and upgradeable than any other. It's designed to be easy to upgrade and repair, making it a great investment for tech-friendly (or accident-prone) students.

Load the next one laptop

The best Chrome 2-in-1 for students

Lenovo's Chromebook Duet 3 is a well-built sub-$500 Chrome tablet that offers a nice screen and enough power to get work done. It's suited to browsing the web or remote learning, and the included keyboard cover is good enough for writing emails or short assignments. 

Read more below 

The best college laptops you can buy right now

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

The best overall

1. Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022)

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The MacBook Air M2 is arguably the best laptop for most students. The previous MacBook Air M1  is still decent even now, but if you want something that's going to last you through 4+ years of school you're better off buying the latest Air.

The latest lives up to its name by shrinking down the design 20% by volume and measuring just 0.44 inches thick. And it's quite light at 2.7 pounds. And yet the M2 chip isa multitasking champ with plenty of speed for basic coursework and homework.

We also really like the bright display on the new MacBook Air M2, which rivals the MacBook Pro M2, and it's now bigger at 13.6 inches with slimmer bezels. Other highlights include a sharp 1080p webcam, MagSafe charging and four color options. And since it lasted 14+ hours in our web surfing battery test, the MacBook Air M2 should last you through a day of classes and then some on a single charge. 

Read our full Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022) review . 

The best budget value

2. Acer Aspire 5

The Acer Aspire 5 is a full Windows 11 laptop for under $500, and it's exactly what you'd expect for a budget laptop: Nothing outstanding, but good enough to get you through a day browsing the web, doing homework or watching videos.

It’s not the sleekest or most stylish laptop on the market, nor will the entry-level model’s Intel Core i3 processor blow anyone away with power. And the 8-hour battery life (in our testing, at least) is just barely enough to get you through an average school day, so make sure not to forget your charger. But you'd have a hard time finding a better Windows laptop for this price.

Read our full Acer Aspire 5 review .

The best for creatives

3. MacBook Pro 14-inch M3

Want a lot of power in a small form factor? Then you may be looking for the new 14-inch MacBook Pro which sports Apple's new M3 chip that delivers excellent performance, surprisingly robust graphics and fantastic battery life. This model features a 14-inch, mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display and in our lab tests, we saw that it's display is even brighter than its predecessor. The new MacBook Pro 14-inch still has a notch but its 120Hz refresh rate makes for a smoother overall experience.

One change that most people probably won't prefer though is that the MacBook Pro M3 only has  two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports on its left side compared to three available with the MacBook Pro M3 Pro. On the right side, you'll find an SD card slot which creative pros will certainly appreciate along with an HDMI port. The MacBook Pro M3's keyboard remains basically unchanged and its power button continues to integrate a Touch ID button for easy logins. 

Read our full MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3, 2023) review .

The best 2-in-1

4. Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360

We like to recommend the Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 to students because it's comparatively thin, light and well-priced for what you get. The 15.6-inch AMOLED touchscreen is bright and vivid, and the fact that you get a stylus included at no extra charge makes this is an ideal notebook for doodlers and note-takers.

While the webcam isn't amazing and a lot of the included Samsung software will be of no value to you if you don't own other Samsung devices, what you get is still a great laptop. We recommend you go with the older Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 over its successor because the newer model lasted significantly less time in our battery rundown tests.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 review .

The best for DIYers

5. Framework Laptop

We like to recommend the Framework Laptop to students because it's the anti-MacBook, a modular laptop that promises to let you customize, repair, and upgrade it to an unprecedented degree, all while remaining affordable and ultraportable. Each laptop Framework ships comes with a screwdriver so you can crack open the case and swap out parts yourself, and everything from the memory to the screen bezel to the mainboard is user-replaceable.

It's not for everyone, but if you're the DIY type and love the idea of being able to tinker with your laptop's innards this is the best laptop for you. The Framework laptop is currently only available for purchase from the Framework  website , and the price tag starts at around $1k — though you can pay even less for the DIY Edition if you're willing to assemble your laptop yourself and provide your own memory, storage, operating system, and Wi-Fi card. It's a great ultraportable that doubles as a learning device you can take apart and fix or upgrade yourself, and for some students it's perfect.

Read our full Framework Laptop review .

The best Chrome 2-in-1

6. Lenovo Duet 3

If your schoolwork can be handled with a Chromebook, the Lenovo Duet 3 (or Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3, depending on where you buy it) is a great Chrome tablet that can be yours for as low as $359.

The Duet 3 is great for browsing the web, emails and light writing work thanks to its bright 11-inch display and the power of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip. It's one of the best Chrome tablets you can buy, and the fact that Lenovo includes the keyboard cover at no extra cost helps it double as a surprisingly effective 2-in-1 Chromebook.

While you should get a full laptop if you expect to be doing a lot of writing, the Duet 3 is ideal for students who need something cheaper that's primarily going to be used for research, emails, video calls and R&R.

Read our full Lenovo Duet 3 Chromebook review .

7. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

If you want a Chromebook with a clamshell design and thus a sturdier keyboard, we recommend Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook 2 despite its age because its good enough and looks great.

Plus, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 pumps out a ton of volume for such a small laptop. Admittedly, we weren't as happy with the poor quality of its webcam and by now its going to feel pretty slow compared to modern Chromebooks . But you don't need much power to use ChromeOS effectively college students will find a lot of value in a Chromebook that looks this good — its Fiesta Red color option will stand out in your lecture halls. 

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 review .

Battery benchmarks: comparison

How to choose the best laptop for you

Performance: If you're going to be spending years studying engineering, you're going to need a computer with enough power to handle anything your teachers throw at you. We recommend at least a new mid-range CPU (Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5) and at least 8 GB of RAM, though if you can afford to spend more on on a laptop with better specs it will pay off in the long run.

Graphics and gaming: Most gaming laptops come with discrete graphics cards so they can run the latest games well, but the same card can be equally vital to engineering students who will be using CAD (computer-assisted design) and 3D analysis programs. These kinds of applications really benefit from the power of a good GPU, so if you're expecting to do any graphics or 3D work it's a good idea to invest in a laptop with a discrete Nvidia or AMD graphics card.

Operating system: Laptops typically come in three flavors: Windows (most mainstream PCs), macOS (MacBooks) and Chrome OS (Chromebooks). Chrome OS isn't good for much besides web surfing, file management, and light computing, so a Chromebook isn't a great choice for serious schoolwork. However, a crafty student could install Linux on a high-powered Chromebook to turn it into a decent laptop for engineering work.

Many engineering students spend a lot of time working with specialized or self-developed software, so Windows is often preferable over macOS because it throws up fewer roadblocks when using such tools. However, even Windows can sometimes get in the way of serious engineering work, which is why many engineering students get Windows laptops and install Linux on them so they can dual-boot into either operating system.

As mentioned above, when making your buying decision be sure to consult your teachers and/or the engineering department at your school for more specific advice on what you'll need for your studies. Whichever system you decide on, it's a good idea to pair it with the best mouse for your particular work situation.

How we tested these laptops

How we test the best laptops for students.

To find the best laptops we run every machine through a rigorous suite of benchmarks and real-world tests to gauge how it will perform during everyday use. 

We measure the average brightness and color quality of each laptop's display using our in-house light meter and colorimeter. For general performance, we run our machines through tests that include Geekbench 5 (CPU performance), as well as various 3DMark tests to measure graphics capabilities. We also run a file transfer test to measure how fast a machine's hard drive is, and a custom battery test that has the machine browse the internet over Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

Plus, we run the graphics benchmark test in Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm to get a sense of how well a laptop can handle basic games. When testing dedicated gaming laptops, we run benchmarks for a number of games such as Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Far Cry: New Dawn.

Alex Wawro is a lifelong journalist who's spent over a decade covering tech, games and entertainment. He oversees the computing department at Tom's Guide, which includes managing laptop coverage and reviewing many himself every year.

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Alex Wawro is a lifelong tech and games enthusiast with more than a decade of experience covering both for outlets like Game Developer, Black Hat, and PC World magazine. A lifelong PC builder, he currently serves as a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering all things computing, from laptops and desktops to keyboards and mice. 

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The best student laptops 2024

A laptop is arguably the most essential piece of tech for any student. It allows you to work from just about anywhere, whether that’s your bedroom, lecture theatre, library, coffee shop or otherwise. 

Choosing the right one to see you through university or college is a tricky task but we are here to help. There are many many different brands, models and types of laptop but we’ve picked out 10 options that will be perfect for different students. 

Whether you’re looking for something as cheap as possible or powerful enough to run demanding software, we have you covered. Typically, a good student laptop will be highly portable, offer solid battery life and run daily tasks well but everyone’s needs will differ depending on what you’re studying. 

Not sure what to look for in a student laptop? Read our FAQ buying guide at the bottom of the article and click through to our full in-depth reviews for more information on a laptop you like the look of. 

We also have dedicated lists of the best best budget laptops , best 2-in-1 laptops , best Chromebooks or best laptops overall if you have a clearer idea of the type of laptop you need. 

Best student laptop 2024

1. samsung galaxy book 3 360 – best overall.

• Thin and light design
• Impressive OLED display
• Premium build
• Good battery life
• Performance not the best
• Annoying bloatware

Adding convertible functionality to a thin and light laptop often results in a high price tag, but that’s not the case with the Galaxy Book 3 360. For around $1,000/£1,000, you can get an excellent all-rounder that just happens to have a 360° hinge.

However, the highlight is undoubtedly its 13.3in OLED display, which delivers an excellent, detailed viewing experience and touch support. A 61.1Wh battery doesn’t sound like anything special, but should comfortably last you a full day away from the charger. Intel’s 13th-gen CPUs ensure performance is decent, although it lags behind some rivals with similar processors.

You’ll also have to contend with a lot of extra apps and tools, which may become annoying if you don’t own other Galaxy devices.

But overall, this is a great option for students, even if you’ll find better value for money elsewhere. For something even more premium, consider the Galaxy Book 3 Pro .

2. Acer Aspire 3 (2022) – Best Budget Option

• Impressive keyboard
• Good webcam
• Solid performance
• Decent battery life
• Only 128GB SSD
• Not the most detailed display

The Aspire 3 is currently the best budget laptop around, and running Windows 11 rather than ChromeOS makes it a better buy for students.

Performance from AMD’s Ryzen 7320U is great for everything except gaming, while the keyboard is one of the best you’ll find on any affordable laptop. The webcam is only 720p, but it’s surprisingly good for a built in sensor. You even get solid battery life.

Compromises are inevitable at this price point, and only 128GB of internal SSD storage means you’ll need to store most of your big files in the cloud. The 15.6in LCD display is also only 1080p, but neither of these should be dealbreakers for most students.

Considering everything you’re getting here, the Aspire 3 is a great option for students. You may also be interested in the Intel version with a 12th-gen CPU.

If you’d like something slightly more premium, go for the Aspire 5 instead.

3. Acer Swift Go 14 – Best Webcam

• Great performance
• Premium design
• Impressive display
• Excellent webcam
• Underwhelming battery life

If you’re a student, you’ll probably want a laptop that you can take almost everywhere with you. That’s certainly true of the Swift Go 14, which comes in at just 15mm thick and 1.25kg in weight.

But crucially, there are no big sacrifices in order to make it this portable. Performance from Intel’s 13th-gen CPUs is impressive, while the OLED display is among the best you’ll find on any 14in laptop.

However, the 1440p webcam is a real highlight, making high-quality video calling easy. There are also plenty of ports, all within a slick and premium design.

Battery life is the main reason not to buy it, although a full day is still possible with light workloads. The fans can also get annoying, but you’ll soon get used to them.

If you’re willing to put up with these shortcomings, the Swift Go 14 is definitely worth considering.

4. Apple MacBook Air 15in (2023) – Best Mac

• Stellar battery life
• Only USB-C ports
• Display could be brighter

The 15in MacBook Air is a new size for Apple’s thin and light laptop, but this extra screen area makes a lot of sense for students.

Performance from the company’s own M2 chip is excellent, even if you need to run demanding apps. But it also helps deliver superb battery life – this device should last you a full day with plenty of charge to spare.

Add in Apple’s wide range of free software, including the iWork office apps and GarageBand, and it’s easy to understand why the 15in Air is great for both studying and free time.

However, that display isn’t touchscreen and could be brighter, while the notch will take some getting used to if you haven’t tried it before. With only USB-C ports on the device itself, you may also need an adapter or hub.

Despite this, the 15in Air is the best Mac for students right now. It’s still worth considering the cheaper 13in M1 version from 2020 , though.

5. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 – Best Keyboard

• Lightweight & attractive
• Touchscreen
• Excellent keyboard
• Limited ports
• Middling performance

The Surface Laptop Go 3 is once again a solid all-rounder laptop and will be a great buy for many students.

It offers premium design at an affordable price point, although not quite as low as its predecessor . This laptop isn’t about flashy features or insane performance but about getting the main things right.

As well as the very portable design, you get high build quality, an excellent touchscreen, one of the best keyboards you’ll find on any laptop and though ports are limited overall, Microsoft does offers USB-A alongside USB-C which will be a boon for many students.

If you’re not doing any overly demanding tasks then this is an excellent value choice. If you do have more to spend then the Surface Laptop 5 is a great option.

6. Asus TUF Gaming A15 (2023) – Best Performance

• Excellent performance
• Impressive battery life
• Lots of ports
• Good value for money
• No fingerprint or face unlock

The TUF Gaming A15 is the best cheap gaming laptop you can buy, so it makes sense to be included here.

While gaming isn’t a priority for students, it’s certainly a nice option for free time. And the superb performance from the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU is impressive regardless of the situation.

Crucially, all this power doesn’t come at the cost of battery life – the 90Wh cell will last all day if you avoid gaming. Alongside an understated yet durable and great selection of ports, there’s a lot to like here for students.

But like most gaming laptops, it’s not thin or light at 25mm and 2.2kg. The 15.6in Full HD display is quite dim and there’s no alternative to unlocking with a PIN or password, but these are easy to overlook when you look at everything you’re getting here.

7. iPad Pro 12.9in (2022) – Best 2-in-1

• Incredible M2 performance
• Stunning display
• Great accessories
• Limited by iPadOS
• Very expensive
• Accessories sold separately

The iPad Pro has long represented the finest best tablet money can buy, and the M2 chip takes already-excellent performance to the next level. Incredibly, this makes the iPad Pro more powerful than many of Apple’s MacBooks.

When paired with the stunning 12.9in, 120Hz display, it’s a real treat. Despite its size and quality, you can still expect solid battery life too.

Pairing the tablet with the Magic Keyboard really does turn the iPad Pro into a laptop-style device – with trackpad and all – plus you might also benefit from the advanced features available with the Apple Pencil.

However, these are both expensive accessories, meaning you can easily pay high-end laptop prices. That could be a sticking point, especially when iPadOS still lacks Mac-level apps.

Nonetheless, it’s an amazing all-in-one setup if you can afford it.

Read our full  iPad Pro 12.9in (2022) review

8. Acer Swift X 14 (2023) – Great all-rounder

• Excellent OLED display
• Good port selection
• Impressive keyboard and trackpad
• Plain design

Despite a relatively unassuming design, the Swift X 14 packs in plenty of features that will appeal to students.

That includes plenty of power, with Intel’s Core i7-13700H combining with the Nvidia RTX 4050 (on the model reviewed) for excellent performance. It can handle almost every app a student might need, and even deliver solid gaming at 1080p.

And with a high-quality, 14.5in OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, everything looks excellent. The full-size keyboard and large touchpad also impress, while the range of ports is better than on most laptops.

However, you will have to put up with underwhelming battery life, despite a decent 76Wh capacity. You’re looking at around four hours of usage on a single charge, so make sure you don’t stray too far away from a power source.

But if you can put up with that and the price, there’s very little to dislike here.

9. LG Gram 16 (2022) – Best 16in

• Stunning thin and light design
• Gorgeous matte display
• Great battery life
• Impressively durable
• Not the most powerful
• Display only 60Hz

If you’re looking for a big display but don’t want to compromise on design, the Gram 16 is a great option.

The highlight here is a stunning 16in 2560×1600 display, with tiny bezels making for an immersive viewing experience. While the display is only 60Hz rather than something more fluid and slick, it’s not a big issue.

Everyday performance is also excellent, thanks to Intel’s 12th-gen processors and 8 or 16GB of RAM. There’s a healthy port selection, too, alongside an 80Wh battery and fingerprint sensor built into the power button, all within a device that weighs less than 1.2kg.

If you’re a student with cash to splash, it’s a stunning bit of kit. But for a more affordable 16in option, consider the Huawei MateBook D 16 .

There is also now a 2023 version , but aside from new Intel processors, it’s more of the same.

10. Asus E410 – Best for the Basics

• Lightweight and portable
• Fast and responsive
• Cheap build
• Dim display
• Annoying NumberPad

If you’re looking for a budget laptop that will still get the job done, Asus’ E410 is a great option. 

The Intel Celeron N4020 doesn’t sound great on paper, but it delivers solid all-round performance that’s capable of handling the basics. There’s also excellent battery life, with Asus’ 12-hour claims holding up well in real-world usage – a full working day is well within reach. At just 1.3kg, it’s also extremely portable. 

You also get solid 14in Full HD+ display, although it doesn’t get particularly bright. The numberpad built into the touchpad is more annoying than useful, while the unusual rear design isn’t to everyone’s tastes. 

Still, these compromises are more than acceptable when you consider its affordable price.

Do all students really need a laptop?

Not necessarily, but it’ll probably make things more difficult if you don’t have one. Most colleges, universities and libraries have computers you can borrow, though you probably don’t want to rely on them all the time.

Also, if you ever want to get work done at home or take notes during lectures, a laptop is your best option. You may prefer a tablet or 2-in-1 device for extra versatility, but a physical keyboard will be important for most people. These are sometimes sold separately.

How much do I need to spend on a student laptop?

Once you’ve decided you need a laptop, this is the first thing to consider.

Do you really need something that costs $1,000/£1,000 or more? Will it get broken, or worse, stolen? While more expensive laptops will get you better performance, this may not be necessary if you’re focusing on coursework and exams.

But powerful devices could be required if you’re studying a course that requires complex software – think animation or video editing. In these scenarios, you don’t want to be waiting around for things to render when you have a deadline.

However, those who simply just need to write word documents and browse the internet can spend a lot less and still find a laptop that’s perfectly good.

What display is best for a student laptop?

A classic 13in laptop remains the sweet spot between size and portability for most people. However, you can get smaller or larger displays depending on what you need.

Bear in mind that cheaper laptops tend to have a lower quality display, which is likely to be on the dim side and lacking some detail. It might be a compromise worth making, but for tasks such as photo editing, it’s worth spending a bit more.

For most people, an IPS LCD screen that’s at least 1980×1080 resolution is good to aim. You don’t need to worry about a refresh rate higher than the standard 60Hz unless you’re gaming.

What processor and graphics do I need in a student laptop?

You get what you pay for when it comes to laptops, so a model closer to $1,000/£1,000 is going to have a more powerful processor (likely Intel Core i7 or Ryzen 7), more RAM and plenty of SSD storage.

It might even have a dedicated graphics card from a company such as Nvidia, which will come in handy for more complex tasks.

Cheaper options tend to feature more basic chips (such as Intel Pentium). They also tend to have a lot less RAM and may not include fast SSD storage, so will be much slower. If you are looking at budget laptops , make sure it’ll do what you need it for and last a while.

How important are the keyboard and trackpad on a student laptop?

Very, but you can easily make do with average ones. MacBook trackpads are generally considered best in class, but you pay for the privilege. Meanwhile, the best keyboard usually comes down to personal preference.

Do you want a lot of travel on your keys, or something flatter and slim? Do you need a full-size keyboard with a separate number pad? Making compromises to either will allow for a more compact design that’s easier to take everywhere with you.

What ports do I need on a student laptop?

It might not seem important now, but think carefully about ports. Many modern laptops come with hardly any ports – often only USB-C.

This means you can’t just plug in an old-school USB flash drive or HDMI cable without getting an adapter (or dongle). Since cheaper laptops are chunkier, they typically have more space for full-size ports, something this could be a real benefit.

Also, remember that laptops don’t come with a CD/DVD drive anymore. If you need one, an external drive is a must.

Which operating system is best for a student laptop?

This will depend on a few different factors, including what you’re familiar with and the other devices you already own.

Windows 11 has now been out for a few months, and you’ll probably have been prompted to upgrade if you have a Windows 10 device. But it’s not necessary yet, with the older OS still supported until 2025.

However, Windows is by no means your only choice when it comes to software. You may prefer macOS, especially if you have an iPhone or iPad, and MacBooks come with lots of great free software. ChromeOS devices are extremely easy to use, but aren’t compatible with the same range of software.

If you’re not sure which will best suit your requirements, it’s worth seeing if the specific apps you need are compatible and if it feels intuitive. Try a friend’s or test out a few devices in a physical store if you need to.

Author: Chris Martin , Reviews Editor, Tech Advisor

Chris got his break as a reporter at infamous site The Inquirer and has been at Tech Advisor for more than 12 years. With a BA degree in Music Technology, audio is his specialism, but over the years he has reviewed all kinds of gadgets, from smartwatches to mesh Wi-Fi to coffee machines.

Recent stories by Chris Martin:

• The best Chromebooks 2024
• Best Microsoft Surface 2024
• Best cheap gaming laptop 2024

Best laptops for college in 2024: Student laptops for every budget and major

The best college laptops we've tested, from under $500 to full workstations

Best overall

Best under $1,000, best under $500.

• Best battery life

Best 2-in-1

Best 17-inch, best for engineering students, recent reviews, how to choose the best college laptop, how we test college laptops, why trust laptop mag.

1. The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best under $1,000 4. Best under $500 5. Best battery life 6. Best 2-in-1 7. Best 17-inch 8. Best for engineering students 9. Recent reviews 10. How to pick the best college laptop 11. How we test college laptops 12. Why trust Laptop Mag

Picking the best laptop for college is arguably the most important choice a student will make after their school and major; it is the most vital tool for these years. No matter your college major, a laptop can help you ace your exams and classwork, and it can even let you unwind by watching streaming content or playing some games. Not every course of study is the same, so your exact needs will differ depending on your major, but even after narrowing that down, finding the best college laptop can feel like extra homework. 

Well, good news: Here at Laptop Mag, our major is laptops, and we do the homework for you year-round by testing and reviewing over one hundred laptops from every major brand. Our continuously updated list of the best laptops for college in 2024 is the result of all that hard work, so when you are ready to buy, you know you are getting the most up-to-date recommendations.

What are the key things to look for when buying a college laptop? Make sure it has a long battery life and fast CPU performance. A thin-and-light won't cut it for every major, but even if you need a more powerful laptop, we'll try to avoid weighing you down too much. And if you prefer to take notes by hand, a 2-in-1 laptop gives a blended laptop and tablet experience.

Without further ado, here are the best laptops for college available right now.

Sean Riley has covered a wide variety of tech over his 13 years as a journalist but found his home at Laptop Mag in 2020. As the managing editor, he participates in every laptop review published on Laptop , whether as a reviewer or editor. 

The Quick List

Have you got to get to class? Here's a quick rundown of our picks for the best college laptops. Follow the links to the full review if you want to know more about one.

The best overall

The MacBook Air M3 is the best laptop for college for most people. For just over $1,000, it offers over 15 hours of battery life, excellent performance, and a bright display.

Read more below

The best under $1,000

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED crushes almost every critical feature for a college laptop with nearly 16 hours of battery life, a gorgeous OLED display, and a powerful Intel Core Ultra CPU.

The best under $500

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is an outstanding value, as it often dips below $400. It offers a versatile 2-in-1 form factor, nearly 10 hours of battery life, and an excellent keyboard.

The best long-lasting

The MacBook Pro M3 has a fresh MacBook Pro design and ports, but it doesn't sacrifice battery life, with 17 hours and 16 minutes in our testing. If you must go that long without plugging in, well, your professors are cruel.

Best 2-in-1 laptop

Lenovo crushed it with the Yoga 9i Gen 8 this year. It offers strong performance, an amazingly vibrant 14-inch touchscreen, and over 10 hours of battery life for under $1,500.

A gorgeous 17-inch display in a 3.2-pound laptop with excellent performance and long-lasting battery life? This is the best big-screen laptop for college.

Load the next laptop

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is an excellent pick for engineering students. Its powerful RTX 4070 GPU and AMD CPU tick the boxes for most engineering programs. The gorgeous display, sturdy build, and exceptional keyboard round it out nicely.

1. MacBook Air 13 M3

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The MacBook Air M3 is the best choice for most students in 2024. Starting at $1,099 ($999 for education), you get an outstanding keyboard, excellent performance, and remarkable endurance, which ticks all the boxes for college laptop shoppers.

The MacBook Air M3 lasted 15 hours and 21 minutes in our battery life test. With Apple's excellent build quality and strong support, this is a great choice for almost any college student.

Why buy the MacBook Air instead of the Pro? If you need more sustained performance or longer battery life, then by all means, the MacBook Pro 14 M3 is an excellent option that you'll spot a little further down this list. The main tradeoffs are weight and, of course, the higher starting price, around $1,500.

As long as macOS isn't a dealbreaker for you, college students will appreciate everything the MacBook Air M3 offers. If you need to save a little money, the MacBook Air 13 M2 remains a solid laptop available at $899 for education and sometimes less on sale. If you need a little more screen real estate, you can always check out the MacBook Air 15 M3 , which is just $200 more. It has the same benefits as the Air 13 but a 15.3-inch display.

See our full Apple MacBook Air M3 review .

• ­Back to the top ⤴

2. Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Q425)

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Q425) was a hotly anticipated laptop this year, and it delivered on all fronts. The Intel Core Ultra CPU gives it outstanding performance, but the efficiency is even more impressive, with almost 16 hours of battery life!

For all of the details, you can check out our full review , but here's a look at a couple of critical benchmarks. In the multi-core Geekbench 6.2 test, the Zenbook managed to beat the MacBook Air M3 (12,707 vs. 12,087). And if you happen to need to create videos for school or as a part-time gig, in the Handbrake 1.6 test, the Zenbook converted a 4K video to 1080p in 6 minutes and 36 seconds, over a minute faster than the Air M3's 7:54. 

The 1080p OLED display makes any content look fantastic, whether you're toiling away at schoolwork or taking a break to watch some streaming content. At 3 pounds, the Zenbook 14 OLED also won't overload your laptop bag, which you'll appreciate as you haul it around campus.

If you aren't a MacOS fan, this is easily the best laptop for college under $1,000. If you are an engineering student or creating content, this laptop may come up a little short on power, but if some presentations and papers are the heaviest lifting your laptop will do in college, this has you covered.

See our full Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Q425) review .

3. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

The best college laptop won't do you much good if you can't pay for tuition, so if you're a bachelor of arts student who needs to keep things affordable, look no further than the sub-$500 Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. While memorizing that long name may feel like an assignment, you'll appreciate everything it offers for typically less than $400.

As long as you don't need any specific Windows software for your major, Chrome OS will handle everything you need to do without a problem. While you may remember underpowered Chromebooks from grade school or middle school, times have changed, and the Flex 5i benefits from an AI-infused Intel Core i3-1315U chipset that will keep your productivity tasks running smoothly.

As the name suggests, the Flex 5i is a 2-in-1 laptop, which makes it perfect for streaming content in tent or presentation mode, whether it's lectures or Netflix. The 14-inch OLED touchscreen display could be brighter, but our reviewer found binge-watching content a great experience.

In our testing, we found the keyboard to be "clicky, super responsive, with excellent bounciness." While you can, of course, fall back on the touchscreen, the touchpad is spacious and accurate as well. Speaking of that touchscreen, you can also run Android apps if there's something that Chrome OS can't handle natively.

For around $400, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is an easy recommendation for budget-conscious college students.

See our full Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review .

Best long-lasting

4. apple macbook pro (14-inch, m3, 2023).

The MacBook Pro 14 M3 finally brings the updated Apple design to the most affordable "Pro" MacBook, starting at $1,599. That antiquated design was the one thing holding back a recommendation for the MacBook Pro 13 in 2023. Now you get all the outstanding performance and battery life without sacrificing those new ports and superior display.

The MacBook Pro 14 M3 is powerful enough to handle virtually any course load, including software engineering and other computing-intensive majors. Best of all, returning to the specific category we are talking about here, despite all that power, it still crushes it when it comes to battery life, with an incredible 17 hours and 16 minutes on our battery test, which simulates real-world usage.

If you have any remote courses, the upgraded 1080p webcam is vastly superior to the 720p camera in its predecessor. The icing on the cake is the comfy keyboard and gaming performance for one of the first times on a MacBook.

The MacBook Pro 14 M3 finally gives us a better entry point into the modern MacBook Pro design at a more palatable price. If the MacBook Air M2 just can't quite cut it for you, this is the clear upgrade option and one of the longest-lasting laptops on the market. If you need to "Max" things out, the MacBook Pro 16 (M3 Max, 2023) does outlast the Pro 14 by about 40 minutes, but at $3,499, it's Ivy League pricing that you can skip unless you need the added performance too.

See our MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3, 2023) review

5. Lenovo Yoga 9i (Gen 8)

The Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 is back with a vengeance, delivering one of the best 2-in-1 laptops we've had the pleasure of using and unquestionably one of the most mesmerizing displays. Those would be strong qualifications already, but on top of that, it gives you excellent performance, otherworldly SSD speeds, and over 10 hours of battery life. Lenovo earned an "A" for this one.

Lenovo's consistently outstanding keyboard design is present and will ensure that you can comfortably write or research on this laptop for hours at a time. While you won't want to crank up its speakers everywhere, when you do it offers one of the better audio experiences our reviewer has encountered. 

While it won't be able to keep pace with engineering or some computer science majors, the vast majority of college students would love to tote this little 3.1-pound powerhouse around campus. At around $1,500, it isn't exactly cheap, but it's worth the price of admission.

See our full Lenovo Yoga 9i (Gen 8) review . 

6. LG Gram 17 (2023)

The LG Gram 17 earned our Editors' Choice badge and 4.5 out of 5 stars. Our reviewer was particularly impressed by its lightweight design, excellent battery life, and gorgeous 17-inch display.

For college students who value color accuracy, whether they are doing graphic design, illustration, photo editing, or video editing, the LG Gram 17 is an outstanding choice. Even if your course of study doesn't need it, you will still love the big, accurate display and the rich speakers, and if you are a casual gamer, the RTX 3050 inside will let you dip your toe into anything but the most intense AAA titles.

If a big screen is essential to you, then there is no better laptop for college than the LG Gram 17. It ticks that big screen box without making you regret it every time you have to carry your laptop in your bag, thanks to its 3.2-pound weight.

See our LG Gram 17 2023 review

7. Lenovo Legion 5 Pro

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is among our best gaming laptops of 2024 , and the features that made it stand out make it a fine choice for engineering students. The affordable price is a welcome start, as a laptop with a dedicated GPU can climb north of $2,000 to $3,000 quickly, but the Legion 5 Pro is available for under $1,500.

Inside, the Legion 5 Pro should tick the boxes for most engineering programs, with an AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX CPU and an Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU. Are these the bleeding edge of performance? No, but they are plenty fast enough to handle any software or tasks that come your way. 

Sometimes, affordable gaming laptops are cheap out on other aspects of the laptop. Still, the Legion 5 Pro crushed more than the internal specs with an outstanding keyboard that our reviewer called her keyboard soulmate . It didn't skimp on the display, reaching 82.4 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 319 nits of brightness. Those are unheard-of marks for a gaming laptop at this price.

There are more powerful systems if you want to spend more or are close to graduation and looking to step up to something more professional. Still, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro will complete the job for most engineering students and let you have fun gaming in your downtime.

See our full Lenovo Legion 5 Pro review .

We review dozens of laptops every year that aren't admitted into the prestigious best laptops for college page. While some simply didn't have what it takes, others are still strong options. Here are some of our most recently reviewed laptops that didn't make the cut. 

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 Gen 9 | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | Nvidia RTX 4050 | 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Score: ★★★★ ½

Pros: Beautiful display; bouncy keyboard; strong overall performance; discrete graphics; decent battery life

Cons: No RTX 4060 with Intel Core Ultra 7 configuration; touchpad too resistant; awful audio

See our full Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 Gen 9 review .

MSI Vector 16 HX A14VHG | Intel i9-14900HX | Nvidia RTX 4080 | 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Superb processing power; high RTX 4080 fps; beautiful display; decent battery life; solid audio

Cons: Flimsy trackpad; loud fans; SSD could be faster

See our full MSI Vector 16 HX A14VHG review .

Acer Nitro 17| AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS | Nvidia RTX 4060 | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Score: ★★★★

Pros: Huge display; great audio quality; smooth gaming performance; budget-friendly price

Cons: Bulky; plastic chassis; no right-hand control key; grainy webcam

See our full Acer Nitro 17 review .

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16| Intel Core i9-14900HX | Nvidia RTX 4060 | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Leading productivity power; solid RTX 4060 fps; bright and colorful panel; sturdy chassis; tons of ports

Cons: Piercing speakers; sluggish trackpad; dreadful battery life

See our full Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 review .

HP Spectre x360 16 (2024) | Intel Core Ultra 155H | Nvidia RTX 4050 Graphics | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Large, vibrant display; great performance; incredible speakers; huge touchpad; sleek design

Cons: Limited ports; battery life could be better

See our full HP Spectre x360 16 (2024) review .

Alienware x16 R2 | Intel Core Ultra 185H | Nvidia RTX 4080 Graphics | 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Thin design; excellent keyboard & touchpad; strong performance and graphics; solid battery life

Cons: Price-to-performance ratio is rough; display isn't the best for a $3K+ gaming laptop; messy audio

See our full Alienware x16 R2 review .

Razer Blade 16 | Intel i9-14900HX | Nvidia RTX 4070 Graphics | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Score: ★★★★½

Pros: Powerful, reliable performance; vivid OLED display; loud, powerful speakers; comfortable, snappy keyboard

Cons: Worse battery life than the previous generation at under five hours; base model starts at $2,999

See our full Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) review .

Lenovo Yoga 7i Gen 9 | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U | Intel Integrated Graphics | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD

Pros: Good battery life; roomy touchpad; loud top-firing speakers; flexible 2-in-1 design; ample ports

Cons: Underwhelming display, sluggish gaming performance, grainy webcam; heavy for a 2-in-1.

See our full Lenovo Yoga 7i Gen 9 review .

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Arc Graphics | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Quick, responsive performance; over 15 hours of battery life; powerful speakers; comfortable keyboard

Cons: Display could be brighter; one USB-C port; blurry webcam

See our full Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (7044) review .

Asus Zephyrus G14 | Ryzen 9 8945HS | Nvidia RTX 4060 | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Stunning OLED display in a sleek, compact chassis. Springy keyboard is a joy to type on, has strong CPU performance for gaming/productivity, and has a long battery life.

Cons: Middling graphics; runs hot

See our full Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) review .

Lenovo Slim 7i Gen 9 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Arc Graphics | 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Bright, vivid OLED display; speedy performance; snappy keyboard, loud speakers; compact chassis

Cons: Mushy touchpad; disappointing webcam

See our full Lenovo Slim 7i Gen 9 review .

There are several factors students should consider before buying a laptop for college. 

The first is portability, which goes hand in hand with screen size. Thirteen- and 14-inch laptops are popular among college students because they balance screen real estate and portability well. Ideally, you'll stay below 3 pounds as well, although budget or more powerful systems may have you go higher.

Battery life is another critical component of any good college laptop. If you plan to take the notebook to class or the library, don't count on there being an outlet! Choose a laptop with at least 9 hours of battery life, which should be enough to get you through a couple of classes with enough juice to hit the library, too.

Regarding specs, we recommend buying a laptop with an Intel 13th Gen Core i5 CPU, AMD Ryzen 7000 series, or Apple M2. You should also look for at least 8GB of RAM (16GB if you can afford it) and a minimum of 256GB of storage. 

Don't be afraid to go with a Chromebook if you want to keep things affordable and don't have specific Windows or macOS software requirements. Chrome OS can handle typical tasks for university students, and Chromebooks tend to be cheaper and require less support.

Other things that will help you punch up a successful report or research complex topics include a comfy keyboard and a sensitive touchpad. And when it's time to relax, get a laptop with a vivid and bright display.

We put each laptop through extensive benchmark testing — both synthetic and real-world—before we send it to our reviewers. We evaluate each aspect of the laptop, including its performance, battery life, display, speakers, and heat management.

In our benchmark testing, we use a Klein K10 colorimeter to detect the brightness and the sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamut of the laptop's display. For performance testing, we run the laptop through a gauntlet of benchmarks, including Geekbench 5.4 and 3DMark professional graphics tests. 

To determine real-world performance, we task the laptop with converting a 4K video to 1080p resolution and duplicate a 4.97GB multimedia file. Our real-world graphics test is Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm benchmark with medium settings at 1080p and 4K resolution. 

We also run heat tests by playing a 15-minute full-screen video and measuring temperatures in different areas of the laptop. Last but not least, our battery test consists of continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness. For MacBooks and premium Windows 10 or Windows 11 laptops, a runtime of over 9 hours is considered a good result, whereas gaming laptops and workstations that can stay powered longer than 5 hours deserve praise. 

These tests are complemented with extensive hands-on testing from our reviewers who critique everything from the laptop's materials to the feel of its touchpad. 

Laptop Mag reviews over a hundred laptops yearly, from paperweight ultralights to everyday workhorses to lumbering gaming notebooks that scorch the frame rates of even the hottest AAA games. We're not just experts in the laptop field, as we go one step further by meticulously testing smartphones, tablets, headphones, PC accessories, software, and even the latest in gaming. 

We are 100 percent independent and have decades of experience to help you buy with confidence. Laptop Mag has been testing and reviewing products for three decades and continues to deliver trustworthy reviews you can rely on. 

Our experienced team of writers and editors scour the available information about the laptop and put it through its paces to determine which is best for you. But before they start, the testing team subjects each system to a rigorous regimen of synthetic and real-world tests to see how a system handles the type of work and games you’re most likely to throw at it. 

Future Publishing , one of the world's largest technology publishers, enforces our editorial trustworthiness. As a company, we have unrivaled experience across every tech sector — and we're the group's specialist for all things mobile tech.

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Sean Riley has been covering tech professionally for over a decade now. Most of that time was as a freelancer covering varied topics including phones, wearables, tablets, smart home devices, laptops, AR, VR, mobile payments, fintech, and more.  Sean is the resident mobile expert at Laptop Mag, specializing in phones and wearables, you'll find plenty of news, reviews, how-to, and opinion pieces on these subjects from him here. But Laptop Mag has also proven a perfect fit for that broad range of interests with reviews and news on the latest laptops, VR games, and computer accessories along with coverage on everything from NFTs to cybersecurity and more. 

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6 Best Laptops for Kids and Students of All Ages

Kid-friendly, parent approved.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Depending on how young your children are, two of the most important things to consider when shopping for your new computer are the durability and price range. The parenting and tech experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have spent years reviewing all the best tech items to help make you and your kids' lives easier, including laptops. While researching and reviewing, our experts consider things like battery life, durability, price range, processing speed, display size, webcam quality, software type and more. To pick our favorites, we did hours of research, reading through five-star reviews, considering reputable brands and laptop models and testing our favorites in-Lab. Whether you're looking for something to slip into their laptop bag on the way to school, or need a less-intense pick for your middle-schooler's first computer, here are the best laptops for kids in 2023 :

Our top picks:

Best Laptop for Elementary School Students

Tanoshi scholar.

Best Laptop for Middle School Students

Lenovo ideapad duet 5 chromebook.

Best Laptop for High School Students

Microsoft surface laptop go 2.

Keep reading to see our favorite picks for the best laptops for kids, and head to the end of this guide to learn more about how we test, what to consider when picking out the right laptop for your family and why you can trust our experts.

Looking for your kid's first laptop but not interested in spending a ton or passing over a computer that they'll immediately break? This budget pick is ideal for younger students due to its lower price point and sturdy build. Our experts appreciate that this 2-in-1 option functions as both a tablet and a laptop once you attach the ergonomic keyboard. Plus, because it comes pre-loaded with a variety of kid-friendly games and educational content including coding apps and math games, your little ones can stay entertained whether they have Wi-Fi access or not.

Perfect for kids ages 6 to 12, our pros also like that this machine is extra rugged and durable, boasting a splash-proof keyboard, built-in rubber siding and a tempered glass screen protector . It also features a webcam privacy cover so you can physically cover your webcam when not in use, and is compatible with everything your kid needs for play and schoolwork, including video conferencing like Zoom, Google Docs and Sheets, Gmail and more.

Chromebooks like this one from Lenovo are a good option for those that plan to spend most of their time online and don't need quite as powerful of a machine for doing more advanced tasks and running complex programs. While we haven't gotten our hands on the Duet 5, when looking at the since discontinued original Lenovo Chromebook Duet, our pros found this budget PC to be a great option that doesn't look or feel low budget. We appreciate that it's lightweight (starting at 1.5 pounds before adding the accessories) but still has a fairly good sized display (13.3 inches).

Like a few of our other picks, you can use this a stand-alone tablet or laptop thanks to the detachable keyboard and touch screen. It also has a crystal clear 5MP front-facing camera for those Zoom lessons or video calling Grandma, and four speakers for clean audio. Just like other Chromebooks, we like that you log in to this model with your Google account to make it simple to access Google Drive, Gmail, Google Docs, Google Play and more .

With up to 13.5 hours of battery life, according to the brand, and weighing less than 2.5 pounds, this laptop is a great option for the high school student on the go. Not only will it be light enough to slide into their backpack every day without giving them a back ache, but its Intel Core i5 processor has enough power to get through their many school tasks while still being a fraction of the price of some higher end options.

While our Lab tests found that the battery life was closer to 10 hours, it still exceeded some other options out there on the market and can easily function throughout the entire school day. We like that this model features a 12.4-inch interactive touchscreen and we found the full-sized keyboard was comfortable to use. It also has a 720HD camera, perfect for logging in to online classes, and comes in four different colors so kids can personalize to their liking.

Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1

Featuring an easy start up, quick charge and a backlit keyboard for those late night work sessions , this laptop by Lenovo is a great college present for hard-working students. Our experts liked how nice and soft the keypad felt while testing, and appreciated how simple it was to use this laptop and boot it up. It has a large 16-inch OLED display, a 1080p webcam and unique facial-recognition login (alongside the fingerprint login), making it a great option for Windows lovers. We also liked the long charger that makes it easy to plug in from far away, and smooth trackpad and extra tracking ball in the middle of the keyboard.

The electronic shutter can make sure your camera stays off when not in use while a low blue-light display helps reduce eye strain. Overall this laptop has a good amount of power, some unique special features and easy usability to improve the experience of older students who need something a bit more advanced. While the battery life is up to 20.5 hours according to the brand, our experts found the battery to be not quite as long-lasting as some other options on this list while testing, lasting only 1 hour when running a powerful program at full brightness. But don't worry, it will still likely last a whole day at school as long as kids aren't using too taxing of programs (like playing video games all day).

Apple 2020 MacBook Air with M1 Chip

As one of the best MacBooks we tested, this 2020 MacBook Air with a M1 chip is the perfect high school graduation gift or choice for older students. The M1 chip makes this laptop fast and efficient, and it will have no trouble processing all of the new schoolwork your kid has at the beginning of the year, or streaming their favorite shows to relax after a hard day at class. With a 7-core GPU, fingerprint touch ID, up to 2TB of storage space and up to 18 hours of battery life (among other great features) , this small but mighty machine can cut through hours of work without so much as a peep, thanks to its fanless design. It also features True Tone technology to ensure that your screen will change color temperature depending on your environment so you'll have the most comfortable viewing experience at all times. It's slim, lightweight and has a crystal clear retina display that's almost too good to be true.

If you're looking for the best MacBook for older kids, this pick is more budget-friendly than some of their other models while not sacrificing on power or efficiency.

ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5

This high-powered Chromebook may be a bit on the pricey side, but is one of the best Chromebooks on the market. While testing, our experts appreciated that the keyboard felt comfortable to use and liked the backlight as well as the special button specifically for capturing a screenshot . Like other Chromebooks, this laptop works well with your Google Account and Google Drive, so it's an especially good choice for users who often find themselves working in Google Docs, Gmail or Sheets. While it won't run more complicated programs that you may need a more powerful machine for, it is great for surfing the web, getting some homework done or streaming their favorite shows. Plus, it flips around to function as a tablet as well, but is still sturdier than some other 2-in-1 options with detachable keyboards. We particularly like that it features so many ports to attach all your externals at the same time.

If you're interested in an ASUS Chromebook but shopping for younger kids and not quite ready to spring for something at this price, the cheaper ASUS Chromebook 202 is another great option that won't break the bank, is rugged (and water-resistant) enough to stand up to usage by younger kids and can still get the job done.

How we test the best laptops for kids

The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have reviewed all types of laptops, including those that would be best for kids. When assessing these machines, our pros test the CPU and GPU capabilities, program start and turn off times, file transfer speeds, running temperature and more. We also consider things like display size, durability, battery life and how comfortable each laptop feels while using. We also assess audio quality and volume-to-screen and weight-to-screen ratios in our Lab as well as viewing angles for each laptop. When it comes to picking our favorite laptops for kids, we especially value durability and price range since these laptops may not need as much power as those for adults, but should be sturdy enough to last quite a few years in the hands of little ones.

What to consider when shopping for a laptop for your kids

✔️ Operating system (OS): Depending on which applications and software your children will need, different operating systems may be a better fit for your family. Also, it's best to keep in mind the operating systems your existing devices are on, since iPhones or iPads will be able to interact well with other Apple products, while other operating systems may work better with each other.

• Apple's iOS is great for those invested in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, etc.). If you already have a few Apple products, they'll be able to connect with each other and pass information easier.
• Windows is a great option for those who frequently need the Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Chromebooks are wonderful for those that are predominantly doing web-based tasks (streaming, using Google Docs, etc.). While not able to run some advanced apps, they tend to be more affordable and are a great first option for kids who don't need as advanced of a model.

✔️ Purpose: Kids of different ages will need different laptops, and how powerful your laptop needs to be depends on what tasks they plan to use it for. Older students with more intense tasks like those attending college or high school may want a computer with more power, while younger ones won't need such pricey models to get through all of their homework.

✔️ Age: Five-year-olds and 18-year-olds likely won't need the same laptop models to excel in classes and complete daily tasks. For younger children, it's best to prioritize durability, while older ones may want something more powerful and able to connect to their other existing devices.

✔️ Webcam: Students who spend a lot of time Zooming into class will appreciate a quality built-in webcam. Look for a camera that features at least 720p video capture, though 1080p is preferable — and a 4k webcam offers even better resolution.

✔️ Battery life: If kids are bringing their laptop to school, you'll want a model that can hopefully complete an entire day of classes on one charge. While you can use the company's claims as a guide, many claims are tested under specific conditions so you might not get quite as long of a life if you run many (or more powerful) programs at the same time .

✔️ Speed: Younger kids might not need quite as fast of a model as older ones, but having a swift computer means you'll be able to multitask easily and not wait too long while your model is processing. Our experts recommend finding a model with at least two core processors for your machine to run efficiently and quickly (four or more is even better if you can afford it). With more cores, your computer will be able to do more work at the same time and get its job done faster. While not as necessary for little kids who won't be doing too much multitasking, this can be an important thing to consider for students.

✔️ Connectivity: Make sure the computer can connect over Wi-Fi for those busy school days and has at least one USB-C port and a 3.5 mm jack for headphones so your kids can stay connected no matter where they are.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

The Good Housekeeping Institute Media & Tech Lab tests electronics of all sorts, including laptops. We provide expert reviews and advice on all things tech from tablets to gaming consoles .

Rachel Rothman is the chief technologist and head engineer at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has worked for 14 years. She has tested a variety of tech items, including laptops. She has a B.S.E. in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics with a mathematics minor from the University of Pennsylvania.

In his role as test engineer, Alec Scherma uses his mechanical engineering knowledge to rigorously test a variety of new products. To write this guide, GH Institute analyst Jamie Spain worked with Alec and Rachel to research and vet the best laptops for kids.

Jamie (she/her) is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People , covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.

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The best laptop for kids in 2024: our favorite kid-friendly picks

These are our best laptop for kids picks on the market right now

• How we test

The best laptop for kids needs to fulfill a few important criteria. It should be easy to use, with a solid battery life, good portability, and tough enough to stand up to a few hard knocks here and there. In addition, the best laptops need to offer decent performance when it comes to web browsing, homework, and media streaming. 

For a great overall performance, we recommend the Acer Chromebook Spin 311. As with many other best Chromebooks , this is a 2-in-1 model that can be used in laptop or tablet modes, making it versatile and adaptable to your child’s way of working. It’s compact, portable, and sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of the daily school or college commute. 

Elsewhere, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is an ideal laptop for kids, if you happen to be shopping with a smaller budget. It may not win any prizes in the style stakes, but it has a solid performance, a decent battery life, and a robust build quality. Plus, it also offers 2-in-1 functionality.     

Of course, the practical applications aren’t the only factors to consider with the best laptops for kids. As with the best student laptops , they represent more than just a work tool. For younger kids, they can be a means to stay in contact with friends and family (under supervision, of course), a gaming device, or a way to enjoy their favorite TV shows and movies. 

We’ve sifted through the best laptop models that fit the needs of kids, and our list below has been carefully curated to cover every base, so you can make an informed choice from these reliable options.

The best laptops for kids: our top picks

The best laptops for kids in 2024.

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

1. Acer Chromebook Spin 311

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 opts for an AMD APU, which utilizes the well-known Radeon graphics technology for better 3D capabilities - if you have time out of your studies to play some games from the Google Play Store! The dual-core AMD processor does offer Intel -Celeron-beating abilities, by a little at least, and so Chrome OS is going to remain more responsive.

More importantly, the Acer Spin 311 feels durable and well-made, meaning it can handle being dropped in a school backpack or thrown onto the back seat of your car. It’s highly portable and, although the screen disappoints a little by being a touch dull, perfectly usable. At just over eight hours the battery is good though not spectacular for a Chromebook, but balancing that against the great price makes this a strong choice. 

Read our full Acer Chromebook Spin 311 review  

2. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook

If you're on the hunt for something super-affordable, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Flex Chromebook is an excellent choice. You can pick this model up for a little over $200 in the US now, and it's similarly cheap in most other territories. Even at its original launch price of $339, we still gave it four stars.

No, it's not going to measure up to more expensive laptops when it comes to performance, but the sturdy chassis, long battery life, and touchscreen with a 360-degree hinge for swapping into tablet mode make this the perfect first laptop for a younger child. It should survive whatever your kid throws at it - and thanks to Chrome OS's parent mode, you can rest assured that your child's digital safety is secure.

Read the full Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 review

3. Google Pixelbook Go

Google might've sadly shuttered its own laptop division so we won't be getting a new model, but you can still pick up a Pixelbook Go for a reasonable price - and it's basically the best Chromebook ever made.

When we tested it, we marveled at the super-long battery life and excellent 'Hush' keyboard, with the entire construction of the laptop feeling sturdy yet sleek. It's got a sharp 1080p webcam - perfect for virtual classes or video calls with friends - and naturally runs Chrome OS smooth as butter; the perfect union of Google's hardware and software.

Bear in mind that it's at the premium end when it comes to Chromebook pricing, so if you're on a budget, you might be better served elsewhere. That's just about our only real criticism, though: you get a lot for your money here, and Google is committed to ensuring Chrome OS remains a stable, secure, and child-friendly virtual environment for years to come.

Read our full Google Pixelbook Go review

4. Acer Aspire 5 (2022)

Chromebooks can be super-cheap, but the downside of Chrome OS is that it lacks the versatility and widespread support of Windows. If you're looking for a more conventional laptop without a high price tag, the Acer Aspire 5 is the way to go.

The Intel Core i5 processor will smoke the majority of Chromebooks around the same price point, even if it's nothing particularly impressive for a Windows laptop. With the Aspire 5's aggressive pricing though, it's great value - and you're getting plenty more, too.

The battery life is solid, and the full HD display is good for both homework and watching videos after school. There's a 720p webcam for video calls and distance learning too, and the whole design is pleasingly robust without being incredibly heavy. There aren't quite as many ports as we'd like (only one USB-C is a shame) but at this price point, it's honestly hard to argue.

Read our full Acer Aspire 5 review

5. Acer Chromebook 516 GE

If your kid wants a machine for both schoolwork and gaming, you may want to consider a gaming Chromebook. The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is our current favorite of this rare breed of laptops, providing great performance in a sleek and sturdy chassis with a truly excellent screen. You'll pay a bit more than some of the cheapest laptops on this list, but the build quality justifies the price tag - this is a machine for a slightly older kid.

Bear in mind that these 'gaming Chromebooks' still use Chrome OS, so they can't directly run games from platforms such as Steam or the Epic Games Store. Instead, you can download and play games from the Google Play Store, and use cloud gaming services such as Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now. These require a subscription and a good internet connection, but grant you access to a wide library of games to stream on-demand - great for indecisive kids who are always looking to play something new!

Read our full Acer Chromebook 516 GE review

6. MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Although it might've been replaced by the faster, sleeker M2 MacBook Air (2022) , the 2020 model - equipped with Apple's first-generation M1 chip - is still no slouch. A powerhouse productivity machine, the M1 MacBook Air is perfect for students no matter what level of education they're at.

Not only is it still capable of going toe-to-toe with many newer laptops in terms of performance, but the M1 model offers phenomenal battery life and the passive cooling design means that you'll never have to listen to noisy laptop fans. Back when we reviewed it, we praised the speedy performance, bright display, and comfortable keyboard - all things that hold true to this day. Oh, and it's quite a bit cheaper than the newer M2 model, too!

Read our full MacBook Air (M1, 2020) review

7. HP Pavilion 15

It's hardly the most exciting laptop around, but the HP Pavilion 15 is a reliable workhorse - and that's what makes it one of the best laptops for kids. It touts impressive specs (the kind you might expect from a pricier laptop) and an optional touchscreen display model, potentially a boon for kids who prefer a more tactile laptop experience.

HP Fast Charge is also a nifty inclusion, and a valuable one since in our review we did note that the battery life was a bit unimpressive. There wasn't much else to complain about though, and there's a variety of configurations available to suit your budget, though, so you won't have to spend the world to pick one of these up.

Read our full HP Pavilion 15 review

8. Asus TUF Dash F15 (2022)

If your kid is a die-hard gamer but also needs a laptop for work as well as play, the Asus TUF Dash F15 is a sound pick. Unlike many gaming laptops, the Dash F15 doesn't bring with it an ostentatious design covered in gaudy LED lighting; just solid performance, good battery life (for a gaming laptop, anyway - it's not going to beat a MacBook), and a robust, straightforward chassis.

We only found minor niggles with it in our review, noting that the bundled Asus software was a bit finicky and that some of the ports were awkwardly positioned. It's surprisingly lightweight as gaming laptops go, not the huge powerhouse clunkers we've become accustomed to. It's also relatively affordable for the performance you're getting - though if you're hunting for something extra-cheap, you could check out the 2021 Asus TUF Dash F15 too.

Read our full Asus TUF Dash F15 (2022) review

The best laptop for kids: FAQs

What is a good first laptop for kids.

There’s a wealth of choices when it comes to laptops for kids, with some great options from manufacturers like Dell, Lenovo, and Acer. And although there’s no definitive answer here, we were impressed by the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 .  

This 2-in-1 Chromebook is versatile, lightweight, portable, and has a reasonable battery life. It’s not too expensive and is powerful enough to comfortably cover any kind of junior homework assignment. Plus, if the worst comes to the worst and it gets unceremoniously dropped, it’s durable enough that it shouldn’t cause any lasting damage.    

What is a good laptop for an 8-year-old?

As with the above, a suitable laptop for an eight-year-old should cover the same bases, while offering reliable security measures to protect your child while they’re web browsing. 

Before buying, it’s worth checking whether your child needs access to certain software for their school work, as this will determine what type of laptop might be suitable (e.g. some software that runs on Windows won’t be supported by a laptop that runs on Chrome OS). 

Beyond this, it’s a good idea to stick to more household brands that you know can be trusted, and pick a laptop capable of providing what your child needs it to do. 

Should I get a Chromebook for my kid?

Chromebooks are great - they run on the super-lightweight operating system Chrome OS, which isn't as demanding on your hardware and can be set up in child safety mode to give you more control over your kid's browsing, perfect for younger users.

Chrome OS supports Android apps from the Google Play Store too, which means that if you get a Chromebook with a touchscreen it can be effectively used like a large phone or tablet.

However, it's important to note that Chromebooks aren't really for gaming (unless you get a game-streaming subscription) and Chrome OS doesn't support a lot of software that runs on Windows - of particular note here is that if your kid needs to use specific software for school, it's vital to check what operating systems it can run on.

How we test the best laptops for kids

Here at TechRadar, we believe in rigorously testing every piece of hardware that passes through our hands. If it fails to impress during testing, we'll always let you know; we won't recommend you buy any product that falls short of the performance median for its price range.

Our testing process varies from product to product, but we're always sure to run the most appropriate tests considering the target purpose of whatever we're reviewing. This means we're always sure to run plenty of gaming tests on a gaming laptop, or editing benchmarks for a desktop workstation PC. We also always examine the build quality of a product to see whether it aligns with the attached price tag.

If you want to know more about how we test and rate the computers in this guide, check out our explainer on how we test laptops and desktops to learn more.

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Christian is TechRadar’s UK-based Computing Editor. He came to us from Maximum PC magazine, where he fell in love with computer hardware and building PCs. He was a regular fixture amongst our freelance review team before making the jump to TechRadar, and can usually be found drooling over the latest high-end graphics card or gaming laptop before looking at his bank account balance and crying.

Christian is a keen campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights and the owner of a charming rescue dog named Lucy, having adopted her after he beat cancer in 2021. She keeps him fit and healthy through a combination of face-licking and long walks, and only occasionally barks at him to demand treats when he’s trying to work from home.

• Rob Webb Contributing Writer

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The Unique Burial of a Child of Early Scythian Time at the Cemetery of Saryg-Bulun (Tuva)

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In 1988, the Tuvan Archaeological Expedition (led by M. E. Kilunovskaya and V. A. Semenov) discovered a unique burial of the early Iron Age at Saryg-Bulun in Central Tuva. There are two burial mounds of the Aldy-Bel culture dated by 7th century BC. Within the barrows, which adjoined one another, forming a figure-of-eight, there were discovered 7 burials, from which a representative collection of artifacts was recovered. Burial 5 was the most unique, it was found in a coffin made of a larch trunk, with a tightly closed lid. Due to the preservative properties of larch and lack of air access, the coffin contained a well-preserved mummy of a child with an accompanying set of grave goods. The interred individual retained the skin on his face and had a leather headdress painted with red pigment and a coat, sewn from jerboa fur. The coat was belted with a leather belt with bronze ornaments and buckles. Besides that, a leather quiver with arrows with the shafts decorated with painted ornaments, fully preserved battle pick and a bow were buried in the coffin. Unexpectedly, the full-genomic analysis, showed that the individual was female. This fact opens a new aspect in the study of the social history of the Scythian society and perhaps brings us back to the myth of the Amazons, discussed by Herodotus. Of course, this discovery is unique in its preservation for the Scythian culture of Tuva and requires careful study and conservation.

Keywords: Tuva, Early Iron Age, early Scythian period, Aldy-Bel culture, barrow, burial in the coffin, mummy, full genome sequencing, aDNA

Information about authors: Marina Kilunovskaya (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Vladimir Semenov (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Varvara Busova  (Moscow, Russian Federation).  (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences.  Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Kharis Mustafin  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Technical Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Irina Alborova  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Biological Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Alina Matzvai  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected]

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