It’s not just about an attractive price to be the top laptop for students. While cost is a major aspect for students who are struggling, however, you should ensure that the laptop you choose to purchase is able to handle the most demanding portions of your schedule. If not, you’ll be having to fight with the laptop that isn’t able to handle what you’re asking it to, or worse, having to pay more for a replacement.
For instance, film students and engineers of the future will require a laptop that is powerful and a powerful GPU to run engineering and video editing software. Many students will benefit from the top 2-in-1 laptops’ capability to convert into tablets and a laptop, especially graphic design students as well as students who study reading.
With the number of models available there, it’s difficult to choose which one is best for your needs. For your convenience, we’ve tried many laptops. We also know a bit about what makes the top models for students, as certain of us are parents and others are students themselves.
We’ve compiled our top picks of the top laptops for students right here. If you’re on a budget, we’ve listed some of the top laptops that cost less than $500. We’ve also included the top Chromebooks for those who require a device to boost their daily work. There are also some strong options for those in need of some extra computing power like a laptop designed for engineers.
No matter what you’re searching for There are plenty of the best laptops for students’ bargains here, thanks to our pricing tool. If you’re still struggling to determine what you want from the laptop you’re using for school take a look at some of the most important features you’ll find in your laptop.
The top laptops for students in 2022 – selected by our experts
1. MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
It’s still the best laptop for students overall
SPECIFICATIONS
The best option for students is who have a larger financial budget
The CPU is an Apple M1 chip with 8 cores of CPU
Graphics: Integrated 7-core – 8-core GPU
RAM 8GB – 16GB of unified memory
Screensize: 13.3-inch 25,6060 x 1200 Retina screen
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
REASONS TO BUY
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macOS Big Sur is fast and responsive.
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Battery life is excellent.
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Silent in use
REASONS TO AVOID
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Design that is fanless could have an impact on performance
When Apple introduced its line of M1-powered devices in the year 2020 it created a massive buzz. As the first laptop to be equipped with Apple’s proprietary chip-based system, the thinnest and lightest MacBook Air has become an extremely anticipated Apple laptop of recent times. Thanks to the M1 MacBook Air, this MacBook Air is better than ever before, boasting remarkable performance.
We tested it and the performance was comparable to that of the M1-equipped 13-inch MacBook Pro. Although its fanless design could cause thermal throttling, in comparison to the Pro we were able to run intense tasks without experiencing significant issues with throttled performance.
However, its battery life is incredible and beats most of its competition. It does this without increasing the price so that it remains (fairly) affordable. It’s certainly not the most affordable choice for college students however, for those with more money it’s the perfect student laptop you can buy.
2. Acer Chromebook Spin 311
The most affordable laptop for students
SPECIFICATIONS
Ideal for: Students with a budget who don’t require a lot of power
CPU: Intel Celeron N4000 – Intel Celeron N4020
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600
RAM: 4GB – 8GB
Screen: 11.6-inch HD 1366 x 768 IPS
Storage: 32GB – 64GB Flash Memory
REASONS TO BUY
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Fantastic design and is built to last.
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Beautiful size
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Fantastic touch screen and flip mechanism.
REASONS TO AVOID
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Dim screen
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Massive bezels dramatically reduce the size of screens
If versatility is your important factor you should consider this model: Acer Chromebook Spin 311. This all-purpose model comes with all the features of an ideal laptop for students including its excellent battery life durable design and solid functionality.
But it’s the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 takes it to the next level by offering impressive capabilities. It is equipped with more than enough ports, particularly given its size. Its two-in-one design is ideal for people who need a laptop as well as a tablet but don’t have money to buy one. We loved using its touchscreen display, though it’s a bit dim for our taste.
It’s a tiny machine at 11 inches and is also extremely mobile. Although it’s a bit small it doesn’t impact the keyboard or touchpad which are both user-friendly and enjoyable as we’ve experienced it. It could use an extra power source since it can stumble at times when you need to perform more demanding tasks.
For those students in need of an ultra-compact laptop that can be used for a variety of tasks and isn’t spending a lot of money, it is the Spin 311 is an ideal computer partner.
3. MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
A slim yet powerful laptop that can handle the most demanding workload
SPECIFICATIONS
Ideal for: Photography Design, film, and design students
CPU Apple M2 chip 8 cores of CPU
Graphics: Integrated 8-core – 10-core GPU
RAM: 8GB – 24GB
Screen: 13.6-inch 2560 x 1664 Liquid Retina display
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
REASONS TO BUY
+
Lighter and thinner
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Brighter and larger screen
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Impressive M2 Chip
REASONS TO AVOID
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Costs more expensive than M1 model.
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Has divisive notch
The Apple tax might make a significant portion of its portables out of the reach of students, but the most recent MacBook Air available is being offered for pre-order now and is expected to begin shipping in the next few months if it is still accessible.
The updated version of Apple’s simplest laptop incorporates everything that makes the M1 M1 model such a leap over Intel models and takes it to the next level. Its performance is lightning fast even when we needed editing in 4K.
The screen is larger at 13.6 inches and 100 nits brighter than the typical 13.3-inch dimensions of earlier models. Although we’re not a big fan of the notch added to the upper edge of the display. Even with the slightly larger screen, the new Air is thinner and lighter physically.
Apple has also added Magsafe charging and has added some additional colors, although they’re not as vibrant compared to what we’d hoped for. If you’re looking to spend more money the laptop should serve your needs well, and possibly after the time of college.
4. Google Pixelbook Go
The most suitable Chromebook for students
SPECIFICATIONS
Ideal for: Elementary and high school those who don’t require an OS with all the features.
CPU: Intel Core m3 – i7
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 615 (300MHz)
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Screen: Full HD Display – 4K Ultra HD Molecular Display
Storage: 64GB – 256GB
REASONS TO BUY
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Amazing battery life
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Incredible ‘Hush’ keyboard
REASONS TO AVOID
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There is no biometric login
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Iffy prices at mid-to-high-end
With Google unveiling its Pixelbook Go, your wait is now over. It’s finally an affordable alternative if the cost of Google’s Google Pixelbook is out of your budget. It’s not the luxury gadget you’ve been imagining even though some of the more advanced models are priced as one. However, we can assure you that you’ll love this Chromebook like we have enjoyed our time using it.
We are so in love with it that it was awarded our highly coveted “Editor’s Choice” award in the Chromebook category in our review. It’s got a remarkable battery life, which gave us more than 11 hours of tests, an impressive keyboard, which is one of our favorites, and a webcam with 1080p resolution which isn’t seen often in budget laptops of 2022. It’s surprisingly powerful, with a good amount of power in the back ideal for researchers and multitaskers who prefer to open 20 tabs at a time.
5. Surface Laptop Go 2
The most portable and capable student laptop
SPECIFICATIONS
The best choice for students who are adamant about portability and power.
CPU: 11th-gen Intel Core i5-1135G7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 4GB – 8GB
Screen: : 12.4-inch 1536 x 1024 PixelSense Touch Display
Storage: 128GB, 256GB
REASONS TO BUY
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Excellent build quality
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Amazing display
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Comfy keyboard
REASONS TO AVOID
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No backlit keyboard
A high-end laptop doesn’t have to be accompanied by a premium cost, and the Surface Laptop Go 2 is affordable, even in its best fully-equipped configuration. However, it has more to offer than looks great and has a modest cost.
It’s a sturdy machine, with a mostly aluminum shell – with the bottom made of plastic, and it appears to be capable of handling its fair share of wear and wear and tear.
The keyboard and trackpad are as good as they come and it’s not even got backlighting. There’s gotta be some compromise for the cost since it’s a laptop.
Despite its lower resolution, however, the display is impressive. We didn’t even think it was fully HD until we read the specs. The 3:2 aspect ratio provided us with an extra bit of vertical space, which was a bonus even with its small 12.4-inch screen. It’s not going to be awarded any prizes, however, we were able to perform a variety of tasks during our day-to-day tasks. Another thing that makes this an excellent companion for students on the move is its long battery life. When we tested it with a movie loop it lasted time of 8 hours and 35 minutes.
6. Acer Aspire 5 (2022)
A laptop at a reasonable price that is strong enough to handle the demands of casual gaming
SPECIFICATIONS
Ideal for: Students with a tight budget who require more power
CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 – AMD Ryzen 7, 11th Gen Intel Core i5 – 12th Gen Intel Core i7
Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics, Intel UHD Graphics – Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Screen: 14-inch 1920 x 1080 Display – 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 Display
Storage: 128GB – 1TB SSD
REASONS TO BUY
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Price competitive
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Solid construction and decent portability
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A decent battery life, especially for the cost.
REASONS TO AVOID
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Modest performance
What’s included in the “Acer Aspire5” “Acer Aspire 5” category could be several models of a different brand. Therefore, choosing the most suitable model for you isn’t easy. You can not only get it with a wide variety of processors from AMD and Intel but, you can also get it in three sizes.
But, you’ll be able to find some very powerful processors and plenty of rams to run some moderate gaming. Even with a standard 14-inch model, we were able to achieve decent results during our performance testing. It also provided us with a respectable six-and-a-quarter hour battery life, which will keep you going for the entire day, as long as you’re not performing any heavy tasks.
It may not be less slim than some of the other models on this list, but it’s still not too heavy with a weight of fewer than 4 pounds on the fourteen-inch version. What makes this worthwhile is the price. Whichever model you’re considering you’ll get a lot of value from a full-featured non-Chromebook laptop.
7. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 OLED Chromebook
Student laptop that has the best battery life
SPECIFICATIONS
The best for students who have numerous after-school activities
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180
Graphics include integrated graphics
RAM: 4GB
Screen: 13.3-inch 1920 x 1080p OLED Touchscreen Display
Storage: 256GB eMMC
REASONS TO BUY
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Gorgeous display
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The battery’s life is awe-inspiring
REASONS TO AVOID
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A flimsy keyboard
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Difficult kickstand
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 OLED Chromebook isn’t only among the top laptops for students. It’s one of the top Chromebooks available. It’s impressive in terms of performance and the battery’s life span, but it is extremely compact in size. This amazing combination of endurance as well as portability makes it perfect for carrying around campus, attending student council meetings, or unwinding after schoolwork.
The battery’s life is amazing that it ran for more than 16 hours in our loop test. Of course, the brand-new OLED display is worthy of a mention too. It may sound like a feature that is suited to students, but with the price of this Chromebook, it’s a good idea to splash the cash on it. In addition, the keyboard that is detachable is still quite flimsy thanks to its design that is removable it is now more spacious according to our experience. It’s more comfortable to write school papers. Everyone from high school through college will be enthralled by this notebook.
8. MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020)
Premium Apple laptop that is more powerful.
SPECIFICATIONS
Ideal for: College students who require a great deal of power
Processor: Apple M1 chip with 8 cores of CPU
Graphics: Integrated 8-core GPU
RAM 8GB – 16GB of unified memory
Screensize: 13.3-inch 25,6060 x 1,600 pixels LED-backlit Retina display
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Dimensions (H x W x D): 30.41 x 21.24 x 1.56 cm
REASONS TO BUY
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Excellent performance
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Astonishingly long battery life
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Magic Keyboard feels great
REASONS TO AVOID
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The design is the same
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Port selection is limited.
Don’t try to clone this MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020)’s integrated graphics card. It may not be an actual GPU, but it certainly surpasses lower-end and budget mobile GPUs when it comes to graphics. With Apple’s revolutionary M1 chipset, the latest MacBook Pro 13-inch delivers an excellent performance as well as a long-lasting battery.
Its performance is so amazing that it is able to handle 4K and 8K video this is fantastic news for students of film. It’s also not just one small boost in performance when compared to what it replaces. We tested it and the model blew its predecessor’s Intel-powered predecessor out of the water, with almost 70% improvement in our multi-core tests. It also ran 5 hours longer during our battery tests too.
However, performance isn’t the only thing. It’s also a very comfortable notebook to work on. The keyboard is fantastic as well, which was a problem that had to be fixed on all other than the most modern MacBook Pro it replaced. Similar to the other less compact MacBook Pros, it’s extremely mobile. If you’re looking for a high-performance laptop that remains light and small it’s the top student laptop that you can purchase.
9. Dell XPS 15 (2021)
The perfect laptop for engineering students.
SPECIFICATIONS
The best choice for engineering students with a high graphic demand
CPU: 11the Gen Intel Core i7
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
RAM: 16GB – 64GB
Screen: 15.6-inch 3.5K 3456 x 2160 OLED Touch Display
Storage: 512GB – 4TB SSD
REASONS TO BUY
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The 3.5K OLED is a fantasy
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Fantastic trackpad and keyboard
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It is lighter than its predecessor.
REASONS TO AVOID
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Expensive
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Battery life is shockingly small
The OLED display option means that the Dell XPS 15 is more advanced than ever before. It’s definitely more suited for professionals because of its price tag. But it also has its place college world, especially in engineering school in which students require stronger internals to handle their day-to-day academic tasks.
Its high-end chips with discrete graphic cards – not forgetting 64GB of memory is more than adequate and are worth saving for. We found that this laptop can excel in CPU-intensive applications and certain graphics-intensive ones. It even has an OLED display one that we discovered to be a totally stunning display, but also offers 100% DCI-P3 coverage… it is, you are aware that if you are interested in cinematography, is worth the extra cost. Keep in mind that you’ll not be able to get a full day in battery power, therefore make certain to keep your charger in your bag.
10. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
The most powerful gaming laptop for students.
SPECIFICATIONS
The best for students who are also avid gamers.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 – AMD Ryzen 9
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 1650 – Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, AMD Radeon RX 6800S
RAM: 8GB – 32GB
Screen: 14 inches of display with 1920 x1080 pixels. 2560 x1440 screen
Storage: 512GB – 1TB SSD
REASONS TO BUY
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Fantastic performance
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Fantastic battery life for a gaming laptop
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Light and thin
REASONS TO AVOID
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Expensive
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There is no webcam
Gaming laptops aren’t expensive which is why they aren’t cheap and the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is not an exception. In its most basic configuration, it’ll cost you the same as 13 inches MacBook Pro while giving you the gaming experience even at 1080p and has some compromises to settings. Even using an RTX 2060 Max-Q model We were able to enjoy decent frame rates of AAA games such as Metro Exodus on Ultra settings.
However, what is what makes it stand out? What makes the Zephyrus G14 stand out, particularly when you consider that there are less expensive options for gamers who need a fix, is its shape factor and battery lifespan. It’s a 14-inch portable, and with an estimated weight of fewer than 4 pounds, it’s more mobile than other gaming laptops on the market. It’s easy to slide into a backpack to carry for gaming (and school work) and won’t burden you as a lot of the competitors will.
It also defies the trend of low battery life that is prevalent on gaming laptops. It’s not going to give you anything close to what top Chromebooks or Ultrabooks can, however, we were able to get a full eight hours of use during our testing, way above the five or so hours we’d like to see from gaming laptops. You’ll need an outlet to start Cyberpunk 2077.
How do you choose the right student laptop for you?
There are other options that the top laptops for students should look at, aside from being able to take on all the requirements of the course. One of the most important aspects to think about when selecting a laptop for your student is the battery life. You require a laptop that can last throughout the day while you are in class and also have plenty of juice left for studying late into the night in the library.
Laptops for students must be lightweight and versatile as you’ll need something that is able to multitask the applications you’ll need, and not be a burden to transport around campus. The ability to be versatile is essential with laptops for students, especially for majors that require students to switch back and forth between their published work and the essay that they’re trying to complete on time.
Budget is also an important factor when choosing the ideal student laptop to complete your university experience. Many people aren’t able to shell out an enormous amount of money for the best laptop for students. We know that. Therefore, it is essential you choose a laptop that meets all your needs but without going overboard with your budget. It’s not difficult to find a decent student laptop in the price range you want to purchase and, even more so, when you come across a sale and find a bargain on it.
How do we test laptops for students?
We all know that purchasing an expensive laptop is an investment of a lifetime. Particularly with laptops designed for college students. This is why we do our job with a lot of passion and test every laptop on this list thoroughly.
This procedure is based on making use of them in our daily lives to determine the length of time they can last and how durable they are. College students are busy for sure as well as how stylish they are under stress. We also take a look at their style, which includes the style they have and if they’re thin and easy to carry and they feel comfortable to use. Because the microphone and webcam in laptops are extremely important, particularly these days, we spend the time to test these out also.
In the case of performance, we utilize an array of real-world tests as well as synthetic benchmarks to determine the power (or not) of the laptops we test. This involves that we use Windows 10 (or Chrome OS on Chromebooks and macOS on MacBooks) and using various apps and testing the speed at which they load while noting any issues.
The battery life is also crucial and we’ll be aware of the length of time we can run the laptop without having to recharge. For precise figures, we use our own battery life benchmark, which plays a looped 1080p video until the battery is dead as well as the PC Mark 10 battery life benchmark that replicates actual-world scenarios, like web browsing and the creation of documents. These tests provide us with an idea of how long a laptop’s batteries last.
When everything is completed, we will then review everything we’ve learned from the laptop and then compare it with its cost to determine if it is the most valuable for students.