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The 7 Best Laptops For College in 2024

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The 7 Best Laptops For College in 2024

School supply shopping gets a lot more fun when you get to college. From dorm decor to new textbooks, from degree-specific requirements to the best laptop for college, there’s a lot to gather before you start your first year. The last is the laptop, which is often the most challenging decision. How can you know which is best for you?

When choosing a laptop for college, you might be surprised to discover many more options than just Mac or PC. Apple, Windows, Chromebook, 2-in-1 laptops… the list goes on, making your decision even harder than it seemed to begin with.

After reviewing the options, here are our top picks for the best laptops for college:

Best Overall: HP Envy 13

Best Premium Laptop
HP ENVY 13 Laptop
$767.00
  • Touch Screen Type : Adaptive
  • Intel Core i7-1165G7
  • 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD storage
  • 13.3" FHD touchscreen display
  • Windows 10 Home with Fingerprint Reader
  • Camera Kill Switch
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03/12/2024 07:29 pm GMT

A vibrant and colorful display, sleek and lightweight design, a fast Core i5 CPU, and a long battery life of more than 11 hours make the HP Envy 13 a favorite of many college students. This particular model comes with a 13.3-inch, 1080p display. With 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage with space for an external hard drive to be attached, the HP Envy 13 is seemingly designed with the college student in mind.

It checks all the boxes of what a college student might need without breaking the bank. Best of all, it isn’t packed with advanced features that might not be useful to an average student. Check out the HP Envy 13 on Amazon.

Best Value: Acer Swift 5

Acer Swift 5 Laptop


  • 14" Full HD widescreen with Multi-Touch Display
  • 8GB LPDDR3 memory and 256GB SSD storage
  • Sleek casing with magnesium-lithium alloy chassis
  • Windows 10 Home comes pre-installed
  • Up to 8 hours of battery life per charge


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For students, the laptop with the best price is the Acer Swift 5 Laptop. Intelligently designed with high-speed performance, the Swift 5 has an Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and over 1 TB of SSD storage. Moreover, it features a 14-inch 2560 x 1600 display and weighs less than three pounds.

While its price tag is not necessarily in the budget class, its design, features, and specs make it worth purchasing. Check out the Acer Swift 5 on Amazon.

(Please note: As of July 23, 2023, this product is out of stock on Amazon. Please check back later.)

Best Under $500: Acer Aspire 5

Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
$478.00
  • Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, and 256 GB storage (SSD)
  • Robust build and decent performance
  • Multiple ports for charging, data transfer, and mirroring
  • Alluring 15.6" display
  • Up to 9,5 hours of battery life per charge
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03/12/2024 03:23 pm GMT

While the Acer Aspire 5 might sound similar to the Acer Swift 5, the Aspire is the less expensive model. Coming in under $500, it’s remarkably more affordable. However, Acer doesn’t sacrifice performance despite its much lower price point. Equipped with the latest Intel chips and a comfortable keyboard and touchpad, the Acer Aspire 5’s specs far exceed its shockingly low price of under $500. Its battery might not last as long as the competition’s (or even as long as other Acer models).

You won’t also get the same performance you’ll see in laptops that cost two or three times Acer Aspire 5’s price, but for students on a budget, this laptop can perform everyday tasks like emailing and word processing. Check out the Acer Aspire 5 on Amazon.

Best for Apple Users: Macbook Air

Best Battery Life
Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop (M1 Chip)
$698.65
  • Can handle professional photo and video editing
  • Long-lasting battery for routine work (18 hours)
  • Powerful M1 chip with an 8-core CPU for faster performance and 8GB of RAM
  • Stunning 13.3-inch Retina display with sharp visuals and vibrant colors
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03/11/2024 11:52 pm GMT

If you’re an Apple fan and a college student in search of a laptop, then the Macbook Air is the choice for you. Its performance capabilities, incredible battery, shockingly slim and lightweight design, and ability to integrate with other Apple products like your Watch, iPhone, iPad, and AirPods make it an unbeatable choice (especially if you’re already a fan of the brand).

The Pro is just as good of a choice. Unless you’re performing high-performance tasks such as video editing, you should be okay with an Air. Check out the MacBook Air on Amazon.

Best for Windows Users: Dell XPS 13

Best Overall
Dell XPS 13 (9310) – Platinum Silver with Black Palmrest
$1,799.99
  • Screen: 13.4 inches (1920 x 1200 pixel resolution)
  • CPU: Intel's 11th gen i7
  • Storage: 512GB SSD, RAM: 16GB LPDDR4X
  • Includes Intel's Iris Xe integrated graphics
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03/10/2024 03:42 pm GMT

For students who would prefer a PC over a Mac, there are notable Windows laptops worth exploring, with the Dell XPS 13 being the best. Offered with Intel Core i3, i5, or i7, depending on the model, the Dell XPS 13 is like the PC answer to the MacBook.

It also comes with different RAM, storage, and display options ranging from 8-16GB of RAM, 256GB-2 TB of storage, and a 2K-4K 13-inch display. All these features make it a highly customizable choice for various college students with different needs. Check out the Dell XPS 13 on Amazon.

Best Chromebook: Acer Chromebook Spin 713

Best 2-in-1 Laptop
Acer Chromebook Spin 713
$697.62
  • Sleek, LED-backlit 13.5" touch display
  • 128GB SSD storage and 8GB Memory
  • Fingerprint Reader, Wi-Fi 6, Backlit Keyboard, and more
  • Multiple USB ports ( USB 3.1 Type C, USB 3.1, USB Charging, HDMI 2.0


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03/10/2024 11:47 pm GMT

If you’re considering getting a Chromebook instead of a PC or a Mac, look no further than the Acer Chromebook Spin 713. Chromebooks are known for being more affordable than either of its two competitors without sacrificing much on performance, battery, or display, and the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is the best of its kind.

With an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB of storage, and a 13.5-inch 2K display, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a dependably worthy option for college students searching for a good Chromebook. Its battery lasts 10 hours or more, meaning you won’t have to worry about rushing to the nearest wall outlet in the middle of class. Check out the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 on Amazon.

Best 2-in-1: Microsoft Surface Pro 8

Best Detachable Option
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
$718.03
  • 13” touchscreen (2880 x 1920 resolution)
  • Windows 11
  • Intel Evo platform
  • Rechargeable Surface Slim Pen 2
  • Surface Signature Keyboard
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03/11/2024 10:27 pm GMT

If you can’t make up your mind between a laptop and a tablet, consider a 2-in-1: specifically, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8. A growing trend in college classrooms and lecture halls the world over, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is a good option for those searching for the best of all 2-in-1 laptops. Capable of functioning as both a laptop and a tablet, the Surface Pro 8 gives college students the large display, the high performance, and the versatile compatibility they need to succeed.

While it might come at a higher price than your average tablet, it still comes at a lower price than many top-of-the-line laptops. It’s truly the best of both worlds. Check out the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 on Amazon.

How to Pick the Best Laptops for College: Step by Step

Choosing one of the best laptops for college requires much more than just weighing the pros and cons of your favorite models. It would help if you considered these four factors that matter to laptop users:

  • Syllabus Requirements
  • Performance
  • Portability
  • Price

Syllabus Requirements

Start by looking at what your degree or specific courses require of you. If you’re studying a subject that isn’t necessarily computer-heavy, you go for some of the cheaper, more lightweight laptops. If your degree field requires heavy computer use, pick a more robust and reliable laptop that can handle demanding tasks. Of course, if you aren’t sure what your syllabus will require, ask a fellow student or reach out to your advisor for help. You can even ask the employees at your school store if need be. 

Performance

Another crucial thing to consider is performance. How long will your daily lectures be? How much homework do you expect to have? What kind of classwork are you going to be doing on your laptop? Ask around for answers if you’re not sure. Battery life, hard disk storage, and RAM are performance specs worth considering.

Portability

Just as vital as performance is portability. Will you be trekking across campus, or are all your classes based in the same building? Will you have long days and packed weeks, or will you only have one or two classes every few days? The weight of your laptop can make or break you if you aren’t careful. A lightweight laptop might be a better option for students who’re always on the move. Those who don’t walk far or have many classes can get by with a slightly heavier laptop.

Price

Last but not least is the price. Ranging anywhere from under $500 to well over $2,000, the cost of a laptop can vary dramatically. Set a budget, then go from there. Other considerations will have to fit within that budget. You might have to make some sacrifices. A good rule of thumb is to buy a laptop you can afford.

What to Know Before Buying One of the Best Laptops For College

Before buying a laptop for college, consider some of the many student deals available. Some online retailers like Amazon or Walmart might have great deals at various times of the year, while other retailers like Apple or your school store might offer discounts based on your student status. Before you make that purchase you need to make, you should do some searching around to make sure you’re getting the best deal on the market. You might be able to shave off $100 or $200 from that price tag you’re looking at.

Using One of the Best Laptops For College: What It’s Like

As with any new product, you can always expect a period of adjustment as you get accustomed to your new purchase. This is especially true if you’re a Mac loyalist switching to PC or vice versa. If you find yourself metaphorically lost at sea with your new laptop, there are always plenty of helpful online tutorials. These videos and guides can help you get the most out of your new laptop so that you’ll be ready and able to succeed by the time your first lecture begins or your first assignment is due.

Next Up…

Frequently Asked Questions

Which laptop brand is best for college students?

Acer might not be the first brand you think of, but its name comes up again and again for college students. They’ve proven to be the best brand for students consistently in terms of performance and price.

What is the most popular laptop for college students?

The most popular laptop for college students has to be either the Dell XPS 13 or the MacBook Air. Both brands have an enormous following in their own right.

Which laptop is best for students on a budget?

For students on a budget, the best laptop has to be the Acer Aspire 5.

How do I choose a laptop for college?

When choosing a laptop for college, consider your syllabus requirements, desired performance specs, portability, and ideal price point.

What features do I need on a laptop for college?

Laptops for college need the latest operating system, a dependable processor, a large enough RAM, and enough storage. Additionally, your laptop should be light enough to carry from class to class and have a battery that lasts.

Is an Apple or Microsoft laptop best for college?

There’s a variety of laptop brands that would suit any student setting off to college. However, Apple and Microsoft are known for their dependability, durability, and features. Laptops for both of these brands can come with higher price tags, but if you’re on a budget (which most students are) there are plenty of great choices from other brands like HP, Acer, and Dell.

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