Key Points
- Our pick for the #1 best overall laptop for business students is the 16.2-inch Apple MacBook Pro thanks to its high performance, as well as its lightweight and sturdy frame.
- Laptops for business students require sufficient battery life and storage space to keep important files safe, so most laptops will be sufficient. But some will be better than others.
- You can still use your business student laptop for personal use; just ensure you organize everything efficiently.
- There are grants available for business students who need a new laptop, and your school’s staff will be happy to help you find the right one for you!
- Some options are more affordable than others, so it’s critical to consider your budget before making a significant purchase.
- The laptop you use for business school can be used in your career if you take proper care of it. So, getting one that is durable will help you avoid big expenses down the road.
Business students have a lot of work to complete each school year. Their intensive curriculum requires an acute sense of focus to finish tasks. The laptop they choose should be durable enough to withstand the year, lightweight enough to carry around campus, and powerful enough to handle any programs for homework or exams.
There are several different options available for students across a variety of price points. You can also expect many markdowns from retailers, such as Amazon and Best Buy, before the fall semester begins.
You might want to talk to your school about financing options; grants may be available for school supplies you are unaware of, and your school’s staff will be happy to help you find a match. Remember: they all want to help you achieve your goals!
History Computer’s Top Picks for the Best Laptops for Business Students
While any laptop can be used for business school, you want one that will last through long nights of studying and hectic days in class. But with so many choices, it is easy to get overwhelmed. So, to lighten the load, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks.
- #1 Best Overall: Apple 16.2-inch MacBook Pro
- Best Budget-Friendly Option: HP Chromebook 15.6-inch (2023)
- Best 2-in-1 Option: Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022)
- Best Touchscreen Laptop: HP Pavilion 17 (2022)
#1 Best Overall Business Student Laptop: Apple 16.2-inch MacBook Pro
- 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
- M2 Pro chip (12 CPU cores, 19 GPU cores, and up to 32GB unified memory)
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera, three-mic array, and a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio
- Up to 22 hours of battery life
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
The Apple 16.2-inch MacBook Pro is our top pick for business students because of its impressive performance and durability. It’s no secret that Apple laptops are a favorite among college students, regardless of their chosen major. These powerful computers are pricey but reliable, making them a viable investment while you pursue your degree.
The MacBook Pro line is the most expensive of them all. However, their features make it well worth the extra cash. If you have financial aid by your side, it’s a no-brainer. This laptop will make your time in school much more manageable, so you to complete your goals efficiently.
Its large screen is easy on the eyes, which is crucial for business students who must spend long hours finishing homework. The MacBook Pro also includes more ports than the Air, which is a huge help if you need to connect your computer for situations like slideshow presentations.
Apple’s M2 processor is an improved version of previous models, in more ways than one. You get increased energy efficiency, coupled with a boost in performance.
The internal hardware, updated macOS, improved battery life, and giant screen are all key selling points for the newest MacBook Pro, even if you’re hesitant to shell out that much cash!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The MacBook Pro lineup consists of some very reliable models. | This is one of the most expensive options for students, which is difficult if you pay out of pocket without any financial aid assistance. |
| Its battery life is superb, improving upon previous models with some battery issues. | It’s a bit heavier than other models, especially the MacBook Air. |
| Apple Support is easy to reach, typically resolving issues within a few hours or days. | You may have to upgrade your OS when you unbox your laptop. |
Check out the Apple 16.2-inch MacBook Pro on Amazon.
Best Budget-Friendly Option: HP Chromebook 15.6-inch (2023)
- 15.6-inch display
- 64 GB hard disk size
- Intel Pentium Silver N6000 Processor
- HP True Vision 720p HD camera with integrated digital microphone
Unsurprisingly, HP’s newest Chromebook HP Chromebook 15.6-inch (2023) is our favorite budget-friendly laptop for business students. You’d be amazed by the treasures you can find under $500.
HP’s Chromebook line has been getting students through their degree programs for years, earning a reputation as one of the best budget-friendly brands on the market.
The 2023 model is the newest edition, proving that you can get tons of bang for your buck, even if you want the latest and greatest. Its screen is only a little smaller than the MacBook Pro we listed, giving you all the perks of a large, vibrant screen without breaking the bank.
With a solid webcam and up to 12 hours of battery life, it checks the most important boxes for many business students. You can attend class online and take your laptop to the library to study while leaving your charger behind.
The only issue is that Chromebooks don’t run Windows — something to keep in mind if you need to install Microsoft-specific applications. Thankfully, that’s one of the only downsides to this impressive, inexpensive beast.
Still, you can enjoy most of the same functionality, and this is one of the best laptops for business students who don’t want to break the bank or sacrifice quality.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is one of the best budget-friendly laptops on the market. | More advanced students may need to purchase external hard drives to maximize storage potential. |
| The lightweight laptop makes it easy to carry across campus in your backpack. | The trackpad is occasionally unreliable, so you may need to purchase an external mouse. |
| Google’s OS makes for an engaging, unique user experience vs. a more traditional Windows OS. | There is no touchscreen, which may be confusing since the main layout looks similar to a tablet. |
Check out the HP Chromebook 15.6-inch (2023) on Amazon.
Best 2-in-1 Option: Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022)
- i5-2450M CPU model
- Up to 15.5 hours of battery life
- 13” PixelSense touchscreen
- Virtually edge-to-edge 13” PixelSense touchscreen
- Surface Slim Pen 2
A 2-in-1 laptop/ tablet combination provides a more unique and versatile approach for business students, with Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022) being the most impressive option on the market right now. Many students have laptops and tablets, switching between the two for various tasks but combining them into one device adds convenience to the table.
As a busy college student, you don’t need to focus your time on many different devices just to get through your day. Sure, tablets make great planners; a traditional laptop is more practical for homework programs that your school requires.
The most logical solution to this issue is to combine the strengths of the two devices into a tiny powerhouse. Microsoft is the best brand to tackle this cause; they have been creating state-of-the-art innovative products for decades, establishing the brand as an industry leader.
Their Surface Pro line takes this expertise one step further for the modern age. This 2-for-1 deal allows you to simultaneously experience all the perks of a powerful Microsoft laptop and tablet.
You won’t have to purchase a separate keyboard for your tablet because it already has one. This is a unique option for business students with impressive battery life (up to 15.5 hours fully charged), Thunderbolt 4 ports, and many colors.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Combining two devices into one unit reduces the technology you must keep up with. | It is expensive, costing the same as traditional laptops on our list. |
| Microsoft’s newest Surface Pro has focused on improving many qualities that were lacking in previous ones. | The newest keyboard is slightly different from previous Surface Pro models. |
| You have multiple options of colors to choose from to suit your personal tastes. | There are some camera issues, but these are common among most webcam-enabled devices. |
Check out the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022) on Amazon.
Best Touchscreen Laptop for Business Students: HP Pavilion 17 (2022)
- AMD Ryzen 3 3250U
- 17.3" HD+ touch display
- 256 GB hard disk size
- Windows 10
Some of the best laptops for business students are touchscreen models. If you need a touchscreen laptop to take to business school that costs under $1,000, the newest model of the HP Pavilion 17 (2022) is the best bet. This laptop features a large touch screen with HD+ Touch Display, 16 GB of RAM storage and 256 GB SSD, Windows 10, and one year of Office 365.
As you are studying entrepreneurship and business, it’s essential to have a reliable machine that can do it all. The HP Pavilion checks all of your boxes, and it even comes with a few perks, such as impressive stereo speakers and a free year of Office 365.
Its operating speed is impressively fast, so you don’t need to waste precious time waiting for it to load. The ample storage space helps organize all your critical files, and as a business student, you certainly accumulate many important files each semester.
If you are paying for all your school supplies, finding a budget-friendly option that doesn’t sacrifice quality is necessary. HP has achieved this goal by giving users touchscreen capabilities, more than enough storage, and a large screen with a clear display at under $1,000.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The touchscreen is reliable; you shouldn’t have many issues using it, even if you use it frequently. | The webcam might lag on Zoom, causing complications for online or hybrid business students. |
| HP has exceeded expectations with storage space, providing way more than enough for most users’ needs. | The laptop’s battery life could be better, and you may need to keep it plugged in for much of your use. |
| This is one of the fastest-operating laptops on our list, showcasing impressive loading times compared to its more expensive competitors. | No manual is included in the box, which might cause a learning curve for new users. |
Check out the HP Pavilion 17 (2022) on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best Laptop for Business Students in 2023: Step by Step
The best laptops for business students will meet all the demands of a rigorous schooling program. From running specific applications, to meeting your financial criteria, you want to ensure that your laptop checks all the boxes. These include:
- Software requirements
- Your budget and financial aid
- Your class schedule
Let’s discuss these factors in more detail.
Software Requirements
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If you’re heading off to business school, you’ll probably be working with a wide range of office and communication apps. Fortunately, most of these programs have very light requirements. But you want to make sure that your laptop meets them.
The most common application you will encounter is Microsoft Office. If you’re like most business students, you’ll spend a great deal of time working with spreadsheets in Excel or typing up documents in Word.
Luckily, you’ll only need around 4GB of RAM and 20GB of storage space to meet the minimum requirements for the latest version of Office.
More advanced programs, like the Harvard Business School, might throw more demanding programs at you. You may use research apps like Julia, Jupyter Notebooks, and even machine learning frameworks. Look at your course curriculum and determine if you need to install any particularly heavy software.
Your Budget
The way students experience college is changing drastically. More students are embracing remote or hybrid learning methods, transforming laptops from helpful tools that enhance their education to a full-blown necessity. This is helpful overall but a bit concerning for students on a tight budget.
Thankfully, plenty of budget-friendly options are available for students paying entirely out-of-pocket. Don’t be afraid to search for laptops that cost under $1,000. Many great laptops will only set you back around $300, and you may be pleasantly surprised by how long they last.
Most colleges and universities offer financial aid for their students. The amount you receive will vary based on several factors. Still, most students can get assistance from their school to cover expenses like laptops, especially if they need to complete online classes.
Your school’s staff is knowledgeable, and they would love to help you connect to appropriate grant options. Sometimes, it takes some time for these funds to hit your account. However, it’s well worth the wait; some grants will cover the entire amount for your supplies!
Your Class Schedule
Just like laptops are a necessity in our modern business environment, at the same time, they are not always needed. Instead, depending on your schedule, you might sometimes find your laptop gathering dust.
Think critically about the required classes you are taking each semester. Your workload will vary by class, and you should pick a laptop based on how much you use it. For example, if you are taking predominantly hybrid classes, you may need to spend more on a laptop because you use it more often.
Take inventory of your projected workload, and use this data to analyze your laptop options. From there, you can take time to make an educated decision, mainly because a laptop can be considered a “major purchase.” You want to get the right one to improve your productivity (and grades)!
What to Know Before Buying a Laptop for a Business Student in 2023
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The market for laptops has changed drastically within the past decade. Previously, only a few models were available, and the options were either poor quality or too expensive for most consumers to consider.
You can create your own criteria for what makes a “great laptop” since many deciding elements are solely based on personal preference. For example, some people are dedicated to specific brands.
However, you don’t need to be if you’re focused on completing a degree. Instead, keep your decisions based on what needs to get done during the semester.
Using Laptops as a Business Student: What’s It Like?
Any college student will benefit from owning a laptop, but business students have unique needs compared to their peers. They are learning how to navigate a career path that is changing at an alarming rate.
Therefore, there is additional pressure to get the “latest and greatest,” even if your budget doesn’t necessarily agree with that desire. If you already own a primarily functional laptop, you may be able to use it for business school.
However, if you can purchase something new or refurbished, you may seriously benefit from upgraded technology due to the rapid pace of growth in entrepreneurship as a career. Besides, most business schools are 4-year programs, and you don’t want to lug around an old clunker the whole time.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©CrispyPork/Shutterstock.com.
