The best laptops to buy for college students will allow you to complete all of your school assignments, while still allowing you to be portable and have enough power to last a whole day. The right laptop will make a difference whether you are attending classes in person or remotely.
All of our best college laptops share some common characteristics. These laptops have a long battery life which is important when you are running from class to class on campus. Many of these laptops are affordable. Some models are under $1,000, and others are under $500. We’ve also included some high-priced laptops which are excellent investments.
These laptops are powerful enough to run demanding school projects (key if you’re studying things like game development or 3D design). Some are powerful enough for demanding school projects, which is important if you study things like 3D design or game development. All have been reviewed and tested by our team.You can also discuss with laptop repair dubai expert.
This means that every single one of these reviews is backed by a thorough laboratory test (with statistics and graphs!) As well as hands-on experience for weeks.
These are the laptops we recommend for college students based on our experience.
Written byWritten by
Alex Wawro
Senior Editor
Alex Wawro has been a journalist for over a decade, covering technology, games and entertainment. He is the head of the computing department for Tom’s Guide. This includes overseeing laptop coverage, and he reviews many every year.
Quick list
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Best for all
Best laptops for students
We recommend the MacBook Air M2 to students most of the time. The new M2 processor delivers fantastic performance, bright screen and a battery life of more than 14-hours in a lightweight package.
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Best budget pick
The best for students on a Budget
Acer Aspire 5-2022 is a Windows 11 laptop you can get for less than $500. The webcam and speakers are a bit of a letdown, but the laptop offers decent performances in apps such as Word. It also has a responsive keyboard, and an 8-hour battery life. This is enough for a full day of classes.
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Upgrade your pick
The best laptops for students
The Dell XPS 15 ultraportable is a great Windows 11 machine. If you upgrade it to include an OLED screen and a discrete Nvidia GPU laptop, it becomes a premium machine that can handle serious projects or gaming and has a screen which makes all your work look better.
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Best 2-in-1
4. Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360
Best 2-in-1 for the majority of students
The Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 makes a great 2-in-1 device for students, as it is light and capable. It also comes with a free stylus. The stunning 15.6-inch touchscreen with AMOLED technology is the perfect canvas for taking notes, drawing or watching movies. This model is recommended because its battery life is better than that of its predecessor.
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Best repairable/upgradable
The best laptops for DIYers and those who are prone to accidents
The Framework Laptop is an ultraportable Windows laptop that’s unlike any other. It can be repaired and upgraded more than others. It is designed to be easily upgradeable and repairable, making it an excellent investment for students who are tech-savvy (or accident prone).
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Best Chrome 2-in-1
6. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
Chrome 2-in-1: The best choice for students
Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 3 Chrome tablet is well-built and priced under $500. It has a good screen, enough power for work, and a decent build quality. The Chromebook Duet 3 is a well-built Chrome tablet that offers a nice screen and enough power to get work done.
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Best laptops for college Students
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Best all-round for most students
Specifications
Display: 13.6 inches; 2560×1664
Apple M2 CPU
GPU: 8-core and 10-core GPU
RAM: 8GB-24GB
Storage: 256GB-2TB Solid State Drive
Weight: 2.7 pounds
Why you should buy+
Fast M2 performance
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Brighter and larger display
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1080p Webcam
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Long battery life
Avoiding certain situations
Notch distracting
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Supports one monitor
The MacBook Air M2 may be the best laptop available for students. If you want a laptop that will last for 4+ years, you should buy the new MacBook Air M2.
It is a true testament to the name of this latest design, as it has been reduced by 20% in volume. The thickness measures just 0.44 inch. It’s also quite light, weighing only 2.7 pounds. The M2 chip can do it all, and is fast enough to handle basic homework and coursework.
The new MacBook Air M2 has a brighter display, which is comparable to the MacBook Pro M2, but it’s bigger (13.6 inches) and with thinner bezels. MagSafe charging, a 1080p HD webcam and four different color options are also highlights. The MacBook Air M2 is a great choice for students, as it can last a full day on a single battery charge.
Check out our complete Apple MacBook Air 2022 review.
Budget Value at its Best
Best budget laptops for students
Specifications
Display: 14-inch FHD (1.920 x 1.080 pixels)
CPU: Intel Core i3-1115G4
Intel UHD Graphics
RAM: 8GB RAM
Storage: 256GB Solid State Drive
Weight: 3.2 pounds
Battery life test: 8:02
Why you should buy?
Decent performance
+
Responsive keyboard
Avoiding certain situations
Speaker placement is a problem
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Can run very warm
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Poor webcam quality
The Acer Aspire 5 laptop is a Windows 11 laptop that costs under $500. It’s not a great laptop, but it’s good enough for browsing the internet, doing homework, or watching videos.
The entry-level model of the Intel Core i3 processor is not the most powerful or stylish laptop available, and it’s certainly not the sleekest. The 8-hour battery (in our tests, at least), is barely enough to last you through a typical school day. So don’t forget to charge your laptop. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Windows laptop that is better at this price.
Acer Aspire 5, read our complete review.
Upgrade to the best!
(Image credit: Future)
Upgrade your student accommodation with the best option available
Specifications
Display: Display with 15.6-inch OLED touchscreen (3.456 x 2.160 pixels).
CPU: Intel Core i7-13700H
Nvidia GeForce GTX 4060
RAM: 32 GB
Storage: 1TB Solid State Drive
Weight: 4.23 pounds
Why you should buy a+
Beautiful 3.5K OLED Display
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Impressive performance
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Sleek, elegant design
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Comfortable keyboard
Avoiding certain situations
Sub-par 720p camera
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Battery life is poor
This elegant laptop can be upgraded with the latest Intel processors, a stunning 3.5K OLED screen, and a Nvidia GeForce laptop graphic card.
You can use the first to make everything look better, from movies and schoolwork on your laptop. The second gives you more power for graphics work after hours or gaming.
The laptop is a great machine for its power and portability.
Check out our complete Dell XPS 15 2023 review.
Best 2-in-1
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Best 2-in-1 for Students
Specifications
Display: 13- or 15-inch Super AMOLED 1080p
CPU: Intel Core i7
RAM: 8-16GB
Storage: 256GB – 1TB
Weight: 3.11 pounds
Size: 13.97 by 8.98 by 0.47 inches
Why you should buy+
Beautiful 15.6-inch AMOLED screen
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Fetching ultra thin design
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Portable
+
Fast performance
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A keyboard with a responsive touchpad
Avoiding certain situations
Samsung apps can be bloatware
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1080p max resolution disappoints
The Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 is a great choice for students, as it’s thin, light, and reasonably priced. This notebook is perfect for note-takers and doodlers because the AMOLED screen is vibrant and bright.
The laptop is great, even though the webcam and some of the Samsung software included aren’t the best. If you don’t have other Samsung products, you’ll be wasting your money. The older Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 is recommended over the successor, as the newer model performed significantly worse in our battery tests.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 review.
Best DIY Tools for Homeowners
(Image credit: Future)
Best laptop for DIYers and those who prize upgradability/repairability
Specifications
Display: 13.5 inch 3:2 (2 256 x 1.504 pixels).
CPU: 13th Generation Intel Core i5-i7 OR AMD 7400 series
Intel Iris Xe integrated graphic or AMD
RAM: 8GB – 64GB
Storage: 256GB to 4TB SSD
Weight: 2.8 pounds
Why you should buy+
Upgrade/repair your vehicle with unmatched ease
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Useful Expansion Card port system
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Great Keyboard
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Fast performance
Avoiding certain situations
Loud fans on load
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The webcam is not very good
The Framework Laptop is a great option for students, as it’s an anti-MacBook. It’s a modular laptop, which allows you to customize, upgrade, and repair it in an unprecedented way, while still remaining affordable and portable. The Framework laptop comes with a screwdriver, so you can open it and replace parts. Everything from the memory to screen bezels to the mainboard are user-replaceable.
This laptop is not for everyone. But if you love DIY and the idea of being in charge of your own laptop, this could be the laptop for you. The Framework laptop can only be purchased from Framework’s website and costs around $1k. However, you can get it for even less if you are willing to build your own laptop and supply your own storage, memory, operating system and Wi-Fi cards. This is a fantastic ultraportable laptop that can also be used as a learning tool. You can disassemble it and upgrade or repair it yourself.
Framework Laptop Review: Read the full review.
Chrome 2-in-1: The Best Choice!
(Image credit: Future)
The best Chrome 2-in-1 device for students
Specifications
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2
RAM: 4-8GB
Storage: 64-128GB E-MMC
Display: 11 inch, 2,000 x 1200 pixels
Dimensions: 10.16 by 6.48 by 0.31 inches
Weight: 1.2/2.1 pounds (tablet alone/tablet plus cover)
Battery life test: 10:30
Why you should buy+
Bright, sharp display
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Battery life of 10 hours or more
+
The keyboard cover that is packed in the keyboard is a decent choice.
+
Surprisingly loud sound for a chrome tablet
Avoiding certain situations
There is still no headphone jack
–
Lackluster cameras
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The keyboard cover is uncomfortable to use for prolonged typing
The Lenovo Duet 3 is a great Chromebook tablet for only $359 (depending on where you purchase it).
Duet 3’s bright display of 11 inches and Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Generation 2 processor make it ideal for web browsing, emailing and light writing. Lenovo’s Duet 3 is one of the most powerful Chrome tablets available, and its keyboard cover comes at no additional cost. It can also be used as a 2-in-1 Chromebook.
The Duet 3 is a great option for students looking for something more affordable that will be used primarily for research, email, video calls, and R&R.
Check out our complete Lenovo Duet 3 Chromebook Review.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The best Chromebooks for College Students
Specifications
Core i3 processors
RAM: 4GB, 8GB
Storage: 64GB, 128GB
Display: 13.3″ QLED (1080p).
Dimensions: 12x8x0.6 inches
Weight: 2.7 pounds
Why you should buy?
Beautiful design
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Beautiful QLED display
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Battery life is improved
Avoiding certain situations
Travelling by Key could be improved
–
The touch screen input can be inconsistent
Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook 2 is a great Chromebook that has a clamshell keyboard and a sturdy design. It looks good and works well.
The Galaxy Chromebook 2 is a powerful laptop. We weren’t happy with its poor webcam quality and it will feel slow by comparison to the modern Chromebooks. ChromeOS doesn’t require much power, but college students will appreciate a Chromebook with a stylish design. The Fiesta Red option will make it stand out.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 review.
Battery benchmarks: comparisonSwipe to scroll horizontallyLaptopBattery life (tested)Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) 9:51Dell XPS 15 OLED8:58Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio10:30MSI Cyborg 155:05Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra10:01Alienware m184:33Asus Zenbook 13 OLED15:00MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022)18:20MacBook Air 15-inch M214:59M1 MacBook Air14:41MacBook Pro 2021 (14-inch)14:09Framework Laptop10:17How to choose the best laptop for youHow to choose the best laptop for you
Performance: You’ll need a powerful computer to keep up with your engineering teachers. At least a mid-range processor (Intel Core i5/ AMD Ryzen 5) with 8 GB RAM is recommended.
Graphics and gaming. Most gaming laptops have discrete graphics cards, which are essential for running the latest games. However, the same card is also vital for engineering students using 3D analysis and CAD programs. This kind of application really benefits from the power of an excellent GPU. If you plan to do any 3D or graphics work, it is a great idea to buy a laptop that has a discrete Nvidia graphics card.
Operating system: Laptops are available in three different flavors: Windows (most PCs), macOS(MacBooks) or Chrome OS (Chromebooks). Chrome OS is only good for web browsing, file management and light computing. A Chromebook, therefore, is not a great option for serious schoolwork. A student with a lot of skill could install Linux onto a powerful Chromebook and turn it into an engineering laptop.
Windows is preferred over macOS by many engineering students who spend a great deal of time using specialized software or their own self-developed tools. It presents fewer obstacles when working with such tools. Even Windows can be a hindrance to serious engineering work. This is why many students choose Windows laptops with Linux installed on them.
Consult your teachers or the engineering department of your school before making a purchase decision. They can give you more detailed advice about what you will need to complete your studies. It’s important to choose the right mouse for your work environment.
How we tested the laptops
In order to find the best laptops, we put each machine through a series of rigorous benchmarks and real world tests in order to determine how well it will perform when used every day.
Our in-house colorimeter and light meter are used to measure the brightness and color quality. We run Geekbench 5 tests (CPU performance) and various 3DMark graphics tests on our machines to test their general performance. A file transfer test is also used to determine how fast the hard drive of a machine is. We also perform a battery test, which involves browsing the internet via Wi-Fi.
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We also run the graphics benchmark in Sid Meier’s Civilization VI Gathering Storm, to see how well a computer can handle simple games. We run benchmarks on a variety of games, including Shadow of the Tomb Raider or Far Cry: New Dawn, when testing gaming laptops.
