10 Best Laptops for College Students 鈥 2024

July 12, 2024

best laptops for college students

Best Laptops for College Students 鈥 Buying a laptop can be a big decision. And, of course, you want to find the best laptop for college. Most likely, you will be completing a large portion of your coursework on the computer and carrying it with you from class to class. Plus, laptops are convent options for on-the-go studying and allow you to work in the privacy of your own space. In this case, you鈥檒l want to find a laptop that not only fits your specific needs but also will, ideally, last for several years.

No matter your area of study, you will want to find a durable, high-performing device capable of sustaining your workload. We鈥檙e here to help narrow the field as you begin your search for the perfect student laptop.

NOTE: the purchasing links are not affiliate marketing; we are not in a financial relationship with any retailer. We encourage you to purchase these items form any vendor offering the best price. Further, these opinions regarding the best laptops are 100% our own genuine recommendations. We don’t receive anything from the manufacturers either.听

Qualities of Best Laptops for College Students

At the beginning of your search, you will probably want to make a list of important features you鈥檇 like your laptop to have. Overall performance and processing capabilities are critical for an ideal laptop. But there are more factors to consider.

Of course, while some majors require special programming software, most students will look for laptops with similar features. Across the board, these are important qualities that will help you make an informed decision.

So, what qualities should you look for before purchasing your laptop?

  • Long Battery Life

Students can be on their laptops all day. As they move from class to class, it鈥檚 important to make sure they can get right to work without needing to search for an outlet.

Ideally, the best laptop for college should have the battery capability of at least 9 hours on a single charge. To help increase your laptop鈥檚 battery life, you should look for one without 4K display. That is, unless, your major requires it.

Additionally, most laptops should have battery-saving options while in use. This can include lowering the brightness of your screen display or preventing large updates while not plugged in.

Best Laptops for College Students 鈥 2024 (Continued)

  • Lightweight and Portable

Think about it. Do you really want to add several extra pounds to an already heavy backpack? While laptops are generally portable not all of them are lightweight. The best laptop for college is easy to carry. For example, gaming laptops, like Alienware, are much heavier than ones used on a daily basis.

In general, if you鈥檙e looking for a highly portable device, then you鈥檒l want to make sure your laptop is around 3-4 pounds.

  • Screen Size

One factor that contributes to the weight of the laptop is the screen size. Not only will this factor contribute to the laptop鈥檚 weight, it will also affect the price.

Laptop screens that are 13-15 inches tend to be lighter without sacrificing on usability. On average, laptop screens generally range from 11-17 inches.

On one hand, if you only plan to use your computer for basic processes, like word processing and email, then a smaller screen isn鈥檛 a bad option. However, if you prioritize a high-performing computer鈥攕omething more comparable to a desktop鈥攁 laptop with a larger screen is a better bet.

Best Laptops for College Students 鈥 2024 (Continued)

  • Extra Features

The best laptops for college are increasingly innovated to allow for more specialized uses. For example, students can have touch screens, utilize a stylus for drawing and handwriting, and even detach their screen from the keyboard to use as a tablet. For you, the best laptop for college may be multipurpose.

Students who will benefit from the flexibility a tablet can offer will want to consider these options. Especially since it means that students may not have to buy 2 separate devices for their schoolwork, a laptop/tablet combination can be a handy option.

What are the Best Laptops for College?

With these qualities in mind, let鈥檚 take a look at some examples of the best laptops for college students.

This list is arranged by price, from least expensive to most expensive, so that you can also determine what works best for you by price range.

1)听

  • Price: $349

This laptop is perfect for students on a budget whose majors do not require heavy applications and editing software. Highly portable with a 12.2-inch screen display, this device boasts a good battery life with excellent value. However, this device has low storage capabilities. If you need to download and store large files, this device may not be the right choice for you. For example, this laptop would be ideal for notetaking, Internet research, and daily emailing.

This laptop is best for:

  • Basic streaming
  • Web browsing
  • Small files
  • High portability

2)听

  • Price: $449

With up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge, this laptop earns high marks for battery life. Plus, the screen folds back, allowing for a tent-like capability. Its tablet capability is perfect for students who enjoy notetaking on tablets but also want the convenience of a keyboard. This laptop utilizes an LED display for high color contrast and superior brightness. Additionally, because of its 12.4-inch screen size, it is highly portable. If you are looking for a laptop that works well for general tasks, then this would be a good device for you.

This laptop is best for:

  • Basic gaming
  • Basic streaming
  • Internet browsing
  • Working with small files

Best Laptops for College Students 鈥 2024 (Continued)

听3)听

  • Price: $499

With touchscreen and tablet capabilities, this laptop is highly portable and sleek. Sporting a 13.3-inch screen, this device is lightweight and easy to transport from class to class. With 8 gigabytes of storage, this laptop allows for some advanced photo and video editing capabilities with mid-range gaming processing. Additionally, this laptop offers Full HD resolution, which makes it ideal for viewing movies and games clearly.

This laptop is best for:

  • Basic programs
  • General tasks
  • Casual gamers
  • Working with small files

4)听

  • Price: $559

With an entry-level processor, this laptop is great for handling everyday tasks, playing basic music and videos, and for word processing. Boasting a 14-inch screen size, this laptop is portable without sacrificing on power. With its 360-degree hinge, you can also work on your device as a laptop or tablet. Plus, the battery life lasts all day! This device is ideal for those who need a laptop for general tasks and will not be using powerful applications and large downloads.

This laptop is best for:

  • Small files
  • Basic programming
  • Mid-range gaming
  • Some advanced photo and video editing

Best Laptops for College Students 鈥 2024 (Continued)

5)听

  • Price: $999

The MacBook Air comes in various models, with screen sizes ranging from 13-16.2 inches. This particular model, at 13.6-inch screen display, provides the best of best worlds. With a mid-grade processor, this laptop multitasks well while still being relatively budget-friendly. Plus, this model is highly portable, provides clear and sharp images, and allows for some photo and video editing. However, the graphics core is entry-level, allowing for only basic gaming capabilities.

This laptop is best for:

  • Multitasking
  • General tasks
  • Casual gamers
  • Viewing movies

6)

  • Price: $999.99

Emphasis on high-resolution graphics is a big selling point for this laptop. With Full HD screen resolution, images are clear and sharp. Plus, with 1,000 gigabytes of storage, downloading large files is no problem for this laptop. However, this is a bigger device. With a 15.6-inch screen, it is not quite as portable as a smaller model and will likely be heavier to transport. Additionally, the battery life may not be as long lasting due to the fast processing at high resolution.

This laptop is best for:

  • Multitasking
  • Multimedia creation
  • High performance and advanced gaming capabilities
  • High-resolution video and movies

Best Laptops for College Students 鈥 2024 (Continued)

7)听

  • Price: $1,299

This is one of the best laptops for college students who are in engineering programs or otherwise need a laptop with top processing capabilities. Plus, the laptop is lightweight at 4.2 pounds but does not sacrifice on power. At 15.6-inch screen size, this laptop utilities an OLED display. The display produces blur-free, clear resolution, and high color accuracy, which will be beneficial for certain programmers.

One of the potential downsides of this laptop is that its battery life lasts about 8 hours. So, if you are looking for something to last all day, it might need to charge while you work. Plus, it might not be as portable.

This laptop is best for:

  • Multitasking
  • Gameplay at max settings
  • Handling multiple heavy apps simultaneously
  • Photo and video editing

8)听

  • Price: $1,599

With a mid-grade processor and 8 gigabytes of storage, this laptop multitasks well and allows for some mid-range gaming. At 14.2-inch screen size, this model is highly portable yet powerful. For students who need to run Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft 365, this laptop is fully compatible with most professional applications.

While this model is not ideal for high-resolution video, it does offer Full HD screen resolution. Images are sharp and clear, which makes it great for streaming movies. Additionally, this laptop is also ideal for completing general tasks and some mid-range gaming. Plus, with over 20 hours of battery life on a single charge, you won鈥檛 have to worry about powering up in the middle of the day.

This laptop is best for:

  • Some photo/video editing
  • Multitasking
  • Casual gamers
  • Portability

Best Laptops for College Students 鈥 2024 (Continued)

9)听

  • Price: $1,599

This is one of the best laptops for college students who are gamers and for those who need to download and run large files on a regular basis. With an extremely high processing model and high-end graphics, this is the laptop of choice for those who are looking for a powerful and efficient device. With an OLED display, this laptop offers high color accuracy and contrast, along with wide viewing angles. Possessing a 14-inch screen size, this laptop is also generally portable without sacrificing on power.

This laptop is best for:

  • Multitasking
  • Multimedia creation
  • Gameplay at max settings
  • Professional level performance
  • Demanding applications

10)

  • Price: $2,399

On the higher end of the budget, you would expect this laptop to come equipped with all the high-end features. This model is also one of the best laptops for college students who are in engineering or application-heavy programs and are looking for a 2-in-1 (laptop + tablet) deal.

The 14.4-inch screen display makes the laptop powerful yet portable. A high-processing model makes it ideal for those who need to download and utilize demanding applications. The laptop operates at a professional level and allows for advanced gaming at max settings. Interestingly, the laptop also earns high marks for battery life, with up to 19 hours on a single charge!

This laptop is best for:

  • Multimedia creation
  • Downloading applications
  • Gaming enthusiasts
  • Professional level performance

Best Laptops for College 鈥 In Review

When it comes to finding the best laptop for college, the decision is mostly determined by how the student intends to use the device. Ultimately, their workload will determine the best laptop for their needs.

For example, if they only need a laptop for basic, everyday tasks, then they most likely don鈥檛 need a computer with high-end processing and large storage capability. In this instance, a less expensive but still efficient laptop should suffice.

However, students who are in majors that require certain software and processing capabilities should look for laptops that are equipped to handle that increased workload. For example, high-end graphics are likely a must, as curated 3D models, images, and charts should read clearly and be in high definition.

The best laptops for college students are the ones that best fit their lifestyles, majors, and interests. With so many options to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect student laptop for your specific requirements.

10 Best Laptops for College Students 鈥 Additional Resources