Best Computers for College Students
Best Laptops for College Students to Help Them Study, Exams, and Quizzes
Laptops The best computers for college students to help them speed up their exams
Laptops Why Consider It
The processor
Laptops It is important to choose a laptop that has future-proof hardware features and a modern processor. Depending on the manufacturer and specific model, you should look for an 11th or 12th generation Core CPU in Intel-powered laptops. The latest entry-level Macbooks include Apple’s latest M2 processor.
Graphics
You should invest in a notebook with a powerful graphics card if your school projects require graphic design and other time-consuming work. The latter is usually an NVIDIA GeForce GTX or RTX component for computers; the higher the model number and product series, the better. This will also give you the freedom to play your favorite video games when you’re not spending long hours studying.
a screen
In 2022, a good laptop should have a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) display at a minimum. The higher the resolution, the sharper and more attractive the display.
I'd recommend staying away from a laptop with a 4K display unless you plan to be constantly near a power outlet (3840 x 2160 pixels). Its battery life will undoubtedly suffer from packing in so many pixels.
Another display feature to look for is a fast refresh rate, especially when buying a laptop. The feature will lead to faster interactions and better scrolling. Additionally, it is essential for excellent gaming.
Contact
Only laptops with Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E onboard and Bluetooth 5.0 (or higher) are considered. With the former, you can enjoy latency-free audio by seamlessly pairing the latest wireless headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers with your laptop. When connected to a Wi-Fi 6-enabled network, you’ll have access to fast internet speeds without sacrificing your laptop’s battery life.
Battery life
All of our picks should easily last through a school day without needing to use a power outlet because battery life is just as important. Whatever laptop you choose, I recommend traveling with a battery that is compatible with your laptop to prevent any battery-related stress or accidents.
A great college laptop should not only help you with your assignments, but also keep you entertained after class. Stream content, join your favorite playlists, and play today’s top video games in absolutely top-notch quality thanks to some of our favorite options.
The best laptops for college students are listed here, helping you prepare for life on campus.
Best Laptops for College Students
- Best Overall MacBook Air with M2 Chip Apple $1,199 at B&H PHOTO
Main Specifications
- CPU: Apple M2 chip
- Display: 13.6-inch Retina display (2560 x 1664 pixels)
- Memory: 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- Battery life: up to 18 hours
The all-new M2 CPU in Apple’s completely revamped MacBook Air is the best laptop for college students. Its design and performance make sense given its light weight (under 3 pounds!), timeless style, seamless power, and affordability. The MagSafe-enabled laptop is available in four colors: silver, space gray, midnight, and starlight.
The MacBook Air is more capable than any comparable PC or Chromebook at a comparable price point, thanks to the Apple M2 processor. On the other hand, the 18-hour maximum battery life is exceptional. After using the gadget, my colleague Brandon Kart noted that it “always survived long after my workday while still saving power.”
The MacBook Air also features an improved FaceTime HD camera, a superior keyboard and trackpad, and a stunning Retina display that’s larger than its predecessor. The notebook features a great selection of genuine Apple accessories as well as third-party accessories. Consider the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip if you plan to use the laptop for intensive tasks like graphic design work. Longer battery life, more powerful graphics, and a built-in cooling system are all included.
Best Laptop HP Pavilion Plus 14 Laptop $850 at AMAZON
Main Specifications
- CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i5
- Display: 14-inch IPS display (2240 x 1400 pixels)
- Memory: 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- Battery life: up to 11 hours
The HP Pavilion Plus 14 is a great laptop for college students because it features a modern design, an eco-friendly build made from metal and plastic recycled from the ocean, and future-proof hardware—all at a reasonable price. There’s also the HP Pavilion 15 with a larger screen and a price tag under $1,000.
The all-metal notebook features a powerful Intel processor, a crisp display with slim bezels, long battery life, and fast charging capabilities. A fingerprint scanner, a top-notch webcam, B&O-tuned speakers that deliver great sound, and a great range of wired and wireless connectivity options are included.
For less than $1,000, HP sells the Pavilion Plus 14, which has a brighter, sharper, and more vibrant OLED display. The Pavilion 14 Plus felt much more expensive during testing because its next-level display was among the best in its class.
Best Budget Laptop Aspire 5 Slim PC Acer $450 at AMAZON
Main Specifications
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5500U
- Display: 15.6" IPS display (1920 x 1080 pixels)
- Memory: 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- Battery life: up to 11 hours
Students may benefit greatly from our top pick for budget laptops, the Acer Aspire 5 Slim. The full-size notebook costs $500 and offers a solid design, current hardware specs, reliable performance, and the ability to get through a full school day between battery charges. The Aspire 5 offers a more feature-rich platform than a similarly priced Chromebook thanks to Microsoft Windows 11.
It also has a more premium look and feel due to its aluminum casing and illuminated keyboard. These frequently used components will always make you feel like your money has been well spent. The same goes for the wide range of wired and wireless connectivity features that the gadget offers.
Alternatively, consider the sub-$400 Acer Aspire 5 if you’re on a budget. It makes up for its low memory and entry-level Ryzen processor by including a fingerprint sensor for faster logins.
Best 2-in-1 PC Surface Pro 8 Microsoft $919 at AMAZON
Main Specifications
- CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5
- Display: 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen (2880 x 1920 pixels)
- Memory: 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- Battery life: up to 16 hours
For college students, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is the ultimate 2-in-1 computer. It’s expertly crafted, powerful, and remarkably adaptable. The necessary extra keyboard cover lets you go from tablet to laptop in seconds. Of course, the Pro 8 is also compatible with the latest Surface Slim Pen 2, just like other Surface products.
The Surface Pro 8 has a larger screen with fewer bezels, a faster refresh rate, and longer battery life than its predecessor, which is great. The display improves multitasking and makes the device more suitable for college students. Every interaction I had with it while testing the product was enjoyable.
The Pro 7 is a great choice for video conferencing as it features front and rear Full HD cameras. Microsoft offers the slate in several hardware configurations and in platinum or matte black, so customers can choose one that fits their budget.
Best Premium PC Surface Laptop Studio Microsoft $1,384 at AMAZON
Main Specifications
- CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5
- Display: 14.4-inch detachable touchscreen (2400 x 1600 pixels)
- Memory: 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- Battery life: up to 18 hours
The Microsoft Surface Notebook Studio is the only laptop that offers the same level of quality, power, adaptability, and battery life. It can switch between a laptop, a powerful tablet, and a touch-enabled display platform thanks to its rotating screen. The product is expensive, but if you want an all-in-one computer, it is worth the investment, as is the Microsoft Surface Book 3, which replaces laptops.
Microsoft's Dolby Atmos-ready speakers are built into the Surface Laptop Studio, and their powerful sound belies the device's small size. With an excellent camera and microphones, the Laptop Studio is just as good for video chats as the Surface Pro 8.
The Surface Laptop Studio comes with a wide range of hardware options. You’ll have to pay more for the version of the laptop with integrated NVIDIA RTX graphics because it turns it into a great gaming setup. During my experience, I loved how quickly I could go from work to play on Apple’s laptops.
BEST CHROMEBOOK IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Lenovo $390 at AMAZON
Main Specifications
- CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i3
- Display: 13.3-inch 360-degree touchscreen (1920 x 1080 pixels)
- Memory: 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD
- Battery life: up to 10 hours
Lenovo’s Chromebook Flex 5i is sleek, light, and versatile for college students, thanks to its crisp, 360-degree tilting touchscreen and optional stylus compatibility. The Chrome OS notebook is also reasonably priced without sacrificing modern components and capabilities. It’s a great tool for studying and relaxing after class, since the Chrome OS platform it runs on supports Android apps on laptops.
The Flex 5i was named a top pick by a Wirecutter expert, who praised it for having “fast performance and a great keyboard and trackpad.” These features, along with a good display, are essential for completing papers and other college work quickly on a laptop.
Since the Lenovo Pen is an affordable option, I highly recommend it. Consider the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 tablet with detachable keyboard if you’re looking for a more adaptable Chrome OS device. While it’s not as powerful as the Flex 5i, many people should consider the trade-off for the eye-catching OLED touchscreen.
Best Gaming Laptop Blade 14 Razer Gaming Laptop $2,650 at AMAZON
Main Specifications
- CPU: AMD Ryzen9 6900HX
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
- Display: 14-inch QHD (2560 x 1440 pixels), 144Hz refresh rate
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
- Memory: 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD
The Razer Blade 14 PC is worth its hefty price tag because it does a great job of beating your opponents in today’s top video games and completing school assignments. The 14-inch gaming setup is perfect for on-the-go use because, unlike most other gaming laptops, it has long battery life for regular tasks (including web browsing and productivity). It’s as feature-rich as a laptop while being incredibly light, thin, incredibly stylish, and well-made.
The Razer Blade 14 will deliver amazing gaming for years after you click the “buy” button, as it packs an octa-core AMD processor, desktop-class NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti graphics, and a sharp, high-refresh-rate display. However, keep in mind that the laptop will deliver its best gaming experience when plugged into an outlet.
There's also a more expensive model of the laptop with more powerful NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti graphics. The excellent Razer Blade 15 is a great option to consider if you want a bigger screen and the best gaming laptop.
Laptops with touch screen Windows laptops.