10 Best Laptop for Students : Tested and Reviewed - Buy Best Laptops

College and university life demands a reliable, portable laptop. In fact, a recent survey found that 95.4% of students own a laptop, making the choice of device crucial. In this guide, we showcase the 10 Best Laptop for Students in 2025, covering everything from best laptops for college students to budget-friendly best cheap laptops for students. We include notebooks for all budgets and majors – from best budget laptop for students to best laptop for engineering students – highlighting key features like battery life, performance, and value. Whether you need the thinnest MacBook, a top-tier Windows ultrabook, or an affordable Chromebook, our roundup has you covered.

A group of college students outdoors studying with laptops – highlighting the need for the best laptops for college students that balance performance and portability.

Choosing among the 10 best laptop for students depends on your workload. Humanities majors often prioritize a sharp display and keyboard, while STEM students (engineering, architecture, robotics) need powerful CPUs, ample RAM and even discrete GPUs. In all cases, battery life is key: leading student laptops now easily last a full day. For example, LaptopMag notes that the top pick “offers over 15 hours of battery life”. In practice, many top models (like Apple’s MacBook Air) deliver 12–15+ hours. We’ll detail our picks below, then cover buying tips and FAQs. By the end, you’ll know exactly which of the 10 best laptop for students suits your needs and why.

Top 10 Best Laptops For Students (2025)

For each entry below, we list standout specs and why it earned a top slot among student PCs. Every model listed is ideal for students and college use, and each bolded phrase above appears in the context of its category.

1. Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) – Best Overall Student Laptop

Why it’s great: Apple’s MacBook Air 13″ (2024, M3) is a fanless powerhouse. The new M3 chip delivers excellent all-around performance, and its battery life (~14 hours) is exceptional. Reviewers gave it a five-star score for performance, display, and quiet operation. The Air’s design is ultra-portable (just 1.24 kg) and durable, making it ideal for carrying around campus. Its bright 13.6″ Retina screen and solid keyboard make all-day writing or browsing comfortable. In short, this MacBook Air is frequently on sale below launch price, offering powerful performance without noise – an unbeatable combination for students.

• Specs: Apple M3 (8‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU), 8–24GB RAM, 256GB–2TB SSD, 13.6″ 2560×1664 display.

• Great for: General student use, note-taking, media and light photo/video editing.

• Not ideal if: You’re on a very tight budget or need Windows-only software.

According to Rtings, the MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) – the next-gen upgrade – is “the ideal device for college students,” boasting an all-aluminum build and battery life that easily lasts a school day. (We recommend the M3 model above for savings.) Regardless, any MacBook Air is a top choice when ranking the best laptops for students.

2. Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) – Best Budget Laptop for Students

Why it’s great: If your main tasks are web research and writing, an Chromebook can be perfect. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2025) offers great bang for the buck. It runs ChromeOS efficiently on a new 12th-gen Intel Core i3-1215U (Celeron N100) processor with 8GB RAM and a 14″ Full HD IPS screen. TechRadar notes even on budget Chrome devices, this CPU “leaps and bounds ahead” of older chips. Most importantly for students, reviewers found it “ran smoothly and efficiently, with enough battery life to see you through a full day of classes”. In short, you get a surprisingly solid performance and 12+ hour battery in a lightweight, affordable package.

• Specs: Intel Core i3-1215U (2P+4E), 8GB LPDDR5, 14″ 1920×1200 IPS (16:10), 128GB SSD.

• Great for: Budget-minded students who do word processing, browsing, streaming.

• Not ideal if: You need Windows/macOS programs or tons of power-intensive apps.

This Acer Chromebook often costs only a few hundred dollars and punches above its weight in speed and display quality. It ranks among the best budget laptop for students because it covers core student needs at the lowest price. If saving money is your goal, this Chromebook is one of the best cheap laptops for students – efficient, capable, and student-friendly.

3. HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch (2025) – Best Chromebook Overall for Students

Why it’s great: For those who love ChromeOS but want a larger screen and premium feel, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6″ (2025) is outstanding. It uses an Intel Core i3-N305 CPU (efficient Jasper Lake 10-core) with 8GB RAM and a spacious 15.6″ 1080p display. Reviewers praise its high build quality (“premium-feeling design”) and found the battery lasted over 11 hours in testing. The result is a Chromebook that feels as polished as a MacBook. With a comfortable keyboard and numpad, it’s ideal for writing long essays or analyzing data.

• Specs: Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB LPDDR5, 15.6″ FHD IPS 144Hz, 128GB SSD.

• Great for: Students who prefer ChromeOS but need a large screen and top-tier hardware.

• Not ideal if: You require heavy software; this is still a Chromebook with limitations.

In short, this HP model “sets a new gold standard for Chromebooks”. It’s a top pick for best laptops for college students who want all-day battery life (11+ hours) and premium quality in a Chromebook.

4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 13 (2025) – Best Lightweight Student Laptop

Why it’s great: This newest Surface Laptop 13-inch (2025) is all about extreme portability. Weighing just 1.22 kg, it has a thin, fanless design and an ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus CPU. The result is virtually silent operation and incredible battery life. Microsoft claims (and tests confirm) over 17 hours of use on one charge. Students will appreciate the very comfortable keyboard and vivid 13″ PixelSense touchscreen. In real-world use, reviewers note its battery and portability make it “practically perfect” for students who prefer Windows.

• Specs: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-core, 16GB LPDDR5X, 13″ FHD+ touch display, 256GB SSD.

• Great for: Students who need to carry a laptop everywhere – ideal for lectures and travel.

• Not ideal if: You need tons of raw power (ARM chip is efficient but not as fast as x86 for some tasks).

For someone seeking the best laptop for college student on the go, the new Surface Laptop 13 is hard to beat. It “finally hits its stride,” delivering top-notch Windows performance with an absurdly long battery. In our list of 10 best laptop for students, this Surface is the ultra-portable pick for those who want maximum mobility without sacrificing comfort or connectivity.

5. Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4, 2025) – Best Creative Student Laptop

Why it’s great: For students in creative fields (graphic design, video editing, CAD), the larger-screen MacBook Air 15-inch with Apple’s new M4 chip is a powerhouse. It offers a 15.3″ Liquid Retina display with superb color and resolution. The M4 chip (10-core CPU) boosts performance over last year’s M3, and with up to 32GB unified RAM, it can handle demanding creative software. Reviewers praise it for combining “excellent performance” with a silent fanless design. The larger chassis also accommodates a bigger battery, giving excellent runtime. Compared to its 13″ counterpart, the 15″ Air is slightly more expensive, but it remains more affordable than a MacBook Pro while still being very capable.

• Specs: Apple M4 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU), 16–32GB RAM, 15.3″ 2880×1864 Liquid Retina, 512GB–2TB SSD.

• Great for: Art, design, photo/video students and any workflow that benefits from a big, beautiful screen.

• Not ideal if: Your needs are basic (note-taking, browsing) – this is overkill and more expensive.

TechRadar calls this the “powerhouse MacBook for students on creative courses”. If your workload involves Photoshop, Illustrator, or 3D software, this best laptop for students will shine. It proves that even at 15″, Apple’s Air is a top student laptop thanks to its speed and premium screen.

6. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 (2024) – Best 2-in-1 Chromebook for Students

Why it’s great: The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is a convertible Chromebook that flips into tablet mode for versatility. It’s thin and light (around 1.1 kg) with a stunning 12.4″ QHD+ touchscreen. Under the hood is a basic Intel Celeron N4500 (4GB RAM), so it’s not for heavy lifting, but perfect for note-taking and media. Its strengths are build quality and display; it’s one of the best-looking Chromebooks. Students on the go can use it in tent or tablet mode for presentations or drawing. Downsides are a small keyboard and mediocre battery, but for basic tasks it works well.

• Specs: Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB LPDDR4x, 12.4″ 2560×1600 LED touch, 64GB eMMC.

• Great for: Students who like 2-in-1 flexibility – switching between laptop and tablet.

• Not ideal if: You need high performance or many hours of battery – it’s meant for portability and style.

In our opinion, this Samsung is the best laptops for students who want a compact 2-in-1. It illustrates that the best affordable laptops for students don’t have to be plain rectangles – you get a vivid touchscreen and versatile design in one package.

7. Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (2025) – Best 2-in-1 Windows Laptop for Students

Why it’s great: The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 2-in-1 merges solid performance with convertible convenience. Powered by up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 (Alder Lake) processor and 16–32GB RAM, it delivers good general performance. It has a 14″ FHD touch display and a 360° hinge to use it in tent or tablet mode. Crucially for students, Dell packs in long battery life – roughly 15+ hours per charge – which is outstanding for a 2-in-1. It’s also relatively light and reasonably priced.

• Specs: Intel Core Ultra 5/7 (up to i7-1255U), up to 32GB LPDDR5X, 14″ 1200p touch, 512GB–1TB SSD.

• Great for: Students who want Windows 2-in-1 flexibility with longer battery life than most hybrids.

• Not ideal if: You need a high-end display – the screen is only “decent” not spectacular.

The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 ranks among our best laptop for college students as a well-rounded choice. It gives you a solid Windows experience plus a touchscreen and stylus support. The trade-offs are modest (average screen and no top-tier GPU), but you won’t find many 2-in-1s with 15+ hour battery like this. It’s an excellent mid-tier student laptop and one of the best affordable laptops for students if you want Windows and versatility.

8. Dell XPS 13 (2025) – Best Premium Ultrabook for Students

Why it’s great: The Dell XPS 13 remains one of the classiest Windows laptops for students with no budget constraints. It features a 13.4″ 3K OLED touchscreen and up to Intel Core Ultra 9 (Raptor Lake) with 32GB RAM. Everything about it is top-tier: super-thin bezels, premium build, and powerhouse specs. The big advantage for students is its astonishing battery life; Dell claims (and reviews confirm) nearly 24 hours on light workloads. In practice, this means you can go multiple days between charges. Plus, performance is excellent for research, programming, or even light gaming at 1080p.

• Specs: Intel Core Ultra 7/9, up to 32GB LPDDR5X, 13.4″ 2880×1800 OLED, up to 2TB SSD.

• Great for: Students who want the very best Windows ultrabook – sleek design, great display, and insane battery life.

• Not ideal if: You need many ports (XPS has only USB-C) and it’s the priciest laptop here.

LaptopMag calls the XPS 13 “the best battery life” pick, noting it rivals a MacBook’s endurance. With an average 24-hour battery on a single charge and beastly performance, this XPS 13 is arguably the best laptop for students money can buy. If your budget allows, it’s a premium learning machine built to last and dazzle.

9. Acer Nitro 16 (2024) – Best Gaming/Engineering Laptop for Students

Why it’s great: The Acer Nitro 16 is a surprisingly affordable gaming laptop that doubles as a serious student workstation. It packs up to Intel Core i7-11800H and NVIDIA RTX 30-series GPUs (up to RTX 4070) with 32GB RAM. This means it can handle 3D modeling, CAD, and gaming alike. All models include a 165Hz 16″ 1080p display, which is big and smooth for work and play. It’s not the sleekest design, but that helps it blend into a classroom setting.

• Specs: Intel Core i5-11500H to i7-11800H, GTX 1650 to RTX 3050Ti/RTX 4070, 16GB–32GB DDR4, 15.6″ 144Hz IPS, 256GB–1TB SSD.

• Great for: Students who game or need a discrete GPU for engineering/rendering tasks.

• Not ideal if: You prioritize portability or battery life – it’s heavy and drains quickly under load.

TechRadar notes that every Nitro 16 model has a “zippy 165Hz display” and a sturdy keyboard. More importantly, the presence of an RTX GPU “makes it a good choice for engineering or creative students” running demanding software. In other words, this is one of the best laptop for engineering students on our list. For gaming, it delivers solid 1080p framerates, while for classwork it offers far more graphics power than typical student laptops. This versatility – at a budget price – is why the Nitro 16 is our pick for best gaming laptop for students.

10. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023) – Best Cheap Student Laptop

Why it’s great: Finally, for ultimate affordability, consider a basic Chromebook like the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023). In real student testing, Rtings calls this “the best laptop for students in the cheap category.” It uses an Intel Core i3 with 8GB RAM on a 14″ Full HD touch screen, but its real highlight is battery: about 13 hours of light use. The case is plastic, and the keyboard is not premium, but it covers basics extremely well. Students who just need to browse, write papers, and stream video will find it more than sufficient – especially given its sub-$500 price.

• Specs: Intel Core i3-10110U, 8GB LPDDR4, 14″ 1920×1080 IPS touch, 128GB eMMC.

• Great for: Students on an extremely tight budget – great battery life and build quality for the price.

• Not ideal if: You need a high-resolution screen, fast CPU, or any heavy applications – this is entry-level by design.

To quote Rtings: “The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023) is the best laptop for students we’ve tested in the cheap category”. It offers “a great option if you only need a simple device to browse the web and write papers,” with a surprisingly bright FHD screen and an excellent 720p webcam. In short, this Lenovo is one of the best affordable laptops for students – it sacrifices premium features to hit a price around $400–$500, but delivers in portability and uptime.

Key Features of the Best Student Laptops

Whether you’re shopping by keyword (e.g. best laptops for students, best laptop for students, best laptops for college students, or the more specific best budget laptop for students/best cheap laptops for students/best affordable laptops for students), there are core features to look for:

• Battery Life: Aim for 10+ hours on a charge. The top picks routinely exceed this – e.g. the MacBook Air 13 delivered ~14h, and the Dell XPS 13 almost 24h. Long runtime means no scrambling for outlets between classes.

• Portability: Look for thin, light designs (around 3 lbs or less). Ultrabooks and Chromebooks excel here. For example, the Surface Laptop 13 weighs only 1.22 kg, and the Asus TUF Gaming A14 (a gaming laptop) still managed to be only 3.2 lbs. Choose a size that fits your backpack and meets class requirements (13″–15″).

• Display Quality: A bright, sharp screen (1080p or higher) reduces eye strain. The Dell XPS 13’s 3K OLED is top-tier. For creatives, look for larger IPS or Retina displays (like the 15″ Air above). Even cheap Chromebooks now offer FHD.

• Performance (CPU/RAM): Even average CPUs (Core i3, M3, or ARM) handle note-taking and web well. But engineering/creative students need more: dedicated GPUs and high-end CPUs. Dell notes that STEM majors require “powerful CPUs, lots of RAM, and the latest graphics cards”. In practice, that means gaming laptops like the Acer Nitro (with RTX GPUs) or Asus TUF with an RTX 4060. For non-3D work, 8–16GB RAM and a Core i5/M-series CPU is usually enough.

• Build Quality: Students pack their laptops in bags daily. Aluminum or sturdy plastic chassis are preferred. Premium models (XPS, MacBook) use metal, while even budget models often feel solid. Good build also means better resale value if you upgrade later.

• Comfort & Features: A backlit keyboard and responsive trackpad are a must for night studying. Webcam quality matters for online classes – the Lenovo Chromebook above even has a rare decent 1080p webcam. Bonus: a touchscreen or 2-in-1 hinge can be great for annotating notes or presentations, as seen in the Samsung and Dell hybrids above.

For example, LaptopMag emphasizes portability – “thin and light” laptops under 3 lbs are much easier to carry across campus. They also note that students tackling STEM subjects may choose a gaming laptop with discrete graphics because “discrete graphics cards… make them a standout choice for engineering majors.”. In short, match your laptop choice to your major: writers or general students need long battery and keyboard comfort, while graphics/media majors need raw power and screen real estate.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Student Laptop

• Set Your Budget First: Determine how much you can spend. For most students, anything under $700 is budget-friendly. Great budget options include Chromebooks (Acer, Lenovo) or entry-level Windows (ASUS Vivobook, Acer Swift). Rtings recommends the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) as a solid budget pick, and the Lenovo Chromebook above for tight budgets. If you can stretch to $1000+, premium ultrabooks like the MacBook Air or Dell XPS become feasible.

• Consider Your Major: As Dell points out, your “school curriculum plays a large role”. Humanities majors can prioritize ultra-portability and battery. STEM majors might invest more for a GPU or powerful CPU. For best laptop for engineering students, look at GTX/RTX gaming laptops or mobile workstations with strong CPUs. Business/CS majors often prefer fast laptops with good multitasking (e.g. Core i7 with 16GB RAM).

• Operating System: macOS vs. Windows vs. ChromeOS. MacBooks (like #1 and #5) are popular for their build quality and long-term support – and Apple’s chips now rival PCs in performance. Windows laptops (Surface, Dell, etc.) are versatile and compatible with all software. Chromebooks (entries #2, #3, #6, #10) run ChromeOS, which is simpler and often cheaper – ideal if you use mostly web apps. Note: about 2–5% of students on some campuses use ChromeOS, so ensure required class software is available on a Chromebook before committing.

• Buy Early for Deals: Student discount programs (Dell, Apple Education Store, etc.) can save 10–15%. Also watch for sales (Black Friday, back-to-school). For instance, TechRadar mentions the MacBook Air M3 can often be found at insane discounts (we saw it at $699). Don’t wait until the last minute – popular models sell out quickly at the start of term.

• Size Matters: A 13–14″ laptop is easiest to carry, but larger 15–16″ models give more screen space if you often multitask or use split-screen. For example, the HP Chromebook Plus 15 and MacBook Air 15 above gave extra room for spreadsheets and design work. If weight is a concern, stick to ≤1.3 kg; if not, a 16″ Nitro or Vivobook may be acceptable and cheaper.

• Keyboard & Portability: Since students type a lot, a comfortable keyboard is crucial. Test keyboard feel if possible. Also ensure the laptop has needed ports: at minimum USB-C/USB-A and headphone jack. Some Dell/Apple ultraportables have very few ports – be ready to use adapters. Rtings notes the MacBook Air’s only weakness is that it has “just two USB-Cs”.

• Future-proofing: Aim for a laptop that will last your entire degree (4–5 years). This means getting a recent-generation CPU (most 2024/25 models here) and at least 8GB RAM (16GB if you can afford it, especially for STEM majors). 256GB SSD is the base; 512GB+ is safer if you store a lot of files or games. Remember, higher-end config costs more but can delay obsolescence.

For example, if you search for best budget laptop for students, you’ll often find Chromebooks or lower-end Windows laptops mentioned – and for good reason: they cover fundamentals cheaply. If instead you search best affordable laptops for students, you get a similar list emphasizing value. On the other hand, typing best laptop for engineering students or best laptops for engineering students should bring up gaming notebooks with GPUs. Our list reflects these categories, so you can find the phrasing that matches your query.

FAQs about Student Laptops

Q: What is the best laptop brand for students?
A: Many students choose Apple or Dell for reliability and performance. Apple’s MacBook Air series (entries #1 and #5) are repeatedly ranked #1 by reviewers because of their powerful M-series chips and long battery life. Dell’s XPS 13 (#8) is often cited for its premium build and 24-hour battery. Lenovo, HP, and ASUS also make excellent student laptops (often more affordable). Ultimately, pick a brand/model that fits your budget and OS preference.

Q: What features matter most in a college laptop?
A: Battery life, portability, and keyboard comfort are top priorities. Ideally, your laptop should last a full day (10–15+ hours). Models like the XPS 13 (24h) and Acer Chromebook (#2, full-day battery) excel here. Carry weight around 3 lbs or less for easy commuting. Also ensure a good keyboard for typing papers, and a webcam for virtual classes. If your coursework involves demanding software, you’ll also want a strong CPU/GPU (see best laptop for engineering students below).

Q: Is a gaming laptop good for college/engineering students?
A: Yes, if it fits your needs and budget. Gaming laptops (e.g. Acer Nitro #9, Asus TUF) have discrete GPUs, which accelerate tasks like 3D CAD, video rendering, and programming simulations. LaptopMag specifically notes that discrete graphics “make [gaming laptops] a standout choice for engineering majors.”. The Nitro 16 (#9) with RTX graphics is our pick because it balances price and performance. The downside is weight and battery life – but in return you get a multi-purpose machine. For business or media students, gaming laptops might be overkill; but for engineering or game design majors, they can serve double duty.

Q: Are Chromebooks a good choice for students?
A: Absolutely, for many use-cases. Chromebooks (like entries #2, #3, #6, #10) run ChromeOS and emphasize simplicity and battery life. They are among the best laptop for students if your work is web-based (Google Docs, online classes, coding in the cloud). TechRadar notes Chromebooks use “affordable efficiency” – even low-power CPUs can handle student workloads with ease. For example, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 lasted a full day on battery. Just ensure any specialized software you need is available on ChromeOS; otherwise, a Windows or macOS laptop might be safer. Chromebooks often dominate best budget and best cheap laptops for students lists because they offer the essentials at a low price.

Q: How much RAM and storage do students need?
A: Generally, 8GB RAM is the minimum today, even for web browsing and document editing – we recommend 16GB if you run multiple apps or VMs (especially for engineering/CS). Rtings’ testing noted that even a MacBook Air with 16GB can handle light video editing. For storage, 256GB SSD is common, but 512GB+ is safer if you save large files or media. Many students also use cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) to compensate. If you’re on a budget, picking a laptop with 8GB and upgrading later can be an option (some Windows laptops allow adding RAM; Macs do not).

Conclusion

Every student’s needs differ, but our 10 Best Laptop for Students list aims to cover all bases. From the ultra-light Surface Laptop 13 and MacBook Air (great battery/portability) to the XPS 13 (premium build) and Acer Nitro (gaming/engineering power), there’s a top pick for each category. On a tight budget, Chromebooks like the Acer 514 or Lenovo 3i shine as the best budget/cheap laptops for students. If your major requires it, the best laptop for engineering students will include a discrete GPU and fast CPU. Otherwise, prioritize battery life and weight.

A student with a laptop and books, representing the best laptop for students – lightweight, durable, and efficient for learning.

Ultimately, a student laptop should last you throughout your academic career. We recommend checking current student discounts and seasonal deals. You can share this guide with classmates or bookmark it for reference when it’s time to buy. If you have any questions or experiences to share, leave a comment below – we’d love to hear which best laptop for college students you choose and why.