Best laptop

The Best Laptops We’ve Tested for College Students in 2025

Posted by author-avatar
On December 6, 2025
0 comments
The Best Laptops We’ve Tested for College Students in 2025

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

EDITORS’ NOTE

November 25, 2025: With this update, we added the Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (2025, M4) as the Best MacBook for Most College Students, replacing the Apple MacBook Air (M1, Late 2020). We also added the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 10 Aura Edition as the Best 2-in-1 Convertible for College, and the MSI Katana 15 HX as the Best Budget Gaming Laptop for College. Our remaining picks have been vetted for currency and availability. Since our last update, we have tested and evaluated 23 new laptops for inclusion in this roundup and other laptop roundups. We are currently testing more than a dozen laptops, including models from Asus, Dell, and HP.

  • Excellent battery life
  • Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
  • Good speakers and webcam
  • Premium metal construction
  • Practical port selection
  • Half a pound overweight
  • Screen could be brighter

Leaving the Inspiron name behind, the Dell 14 Plus is an impressive Copilot+ laptop that any college student would find helpful. With a tested 20 hours of battery life, it should last a full day of classes and study sessions without needing a charge. This laptop makes finishing assignments easier, thanks to a comfortable keyboard and a practical selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, making it easy to connect to various accessories and peripherals. Additionally, the vibrant display is ideal for a wide range of applications, from watching lectures to streaming movies. The best part? This all-metal design and high-end feature set is often on sale for as little as $699.

College students in mainstream fields of study: This laptop is the leading choice for college students in low-impact fields of study such as the humanities, communications, and basic business curricula. The Dell 14 Plus (DB14250) delivers a combination of excellent battery life and a comfortable keyboard and touchpad, making it ideal for students whose primary tasks are note-taking, research, and writing papers. It’s also ready to withstand being carried between classes, dorms, and study locations.

Undergrads in dire need of a bargain: This is the college laptop to buy for students who need to save as much as possible while sacrificing as little as possible. The 14 Plus’ premium metal chassis, peppy performance, and comprehensive feature set, at a midrange (sometimes approaching budget) price, will appeal to students who want quality without paying for a top-tier flagship. The laptop also grants students access to the latest AI tools in Windows, a steal at this laptop’s sale price.

Class

Ultraportable

Processor

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V

RAM (as Tested)

16 GB

Boot Drive Type

SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)

1 TB

Screen Size

14 inches

Native Display Resolution

2560 by 1600

Panel Technology

IPS

Variable Refresh Support

None

Screen Refresh Rate

90 Hz

Graphics Processor

Intel Arc Graphics 140V

Wireless Networking

Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 7

Dimensions (HWD)

0.67 by 12.4 by 8.9 inches

Weight

3.42 lbs

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)

20:06

Learn More

Dell 14 Plus (DB14250) Review

  • Lower starting price and cheaper configurations than M3 version
  • 16GB is now the baseline memory capacity
  • Improved Center Stage camera
  • Quiet, fanless design
  • M4 processor, while faster than M3, loses ground to some PC chips
  • Battery life tops M3 model’s, but trails rival Windows ultraportables
  • Display is due for an upgrade
  • Too few ports for its size

It’s time for Mac-loving students to see what a bigger screen is all about, and now it’s possible without sacrificing that “Air” feel. Balancing performance and portability, the Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (2025, M4) won us over with a lower starting price than previous models, making it the most affordable big-screen option from Apple. Despite that price drop, the baseline memory is now 16GB. Plus, the new M4 processor delivers amped-up CPU performance, and the fanless design ensures silent operation, making it suitable for libraries and quiet study spaces. And did we mention the 18-plus hours of battery life? This MacBook goes all day despite its bigger display.

Mainstream college-bound Mac fans: This is the MacBook to beat for college students in most general fields of study, stretching to content creation, media production, and even light software development. Now with a lower starting price that often falls to less than $1,000, the Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (2025, M4) is the most accessible large-screen Mac laptop for students. It also operates silently, which is ideal for libraries, lecture halls, or shared study spaces.

Students studying STEM or creative fields: This MacBook works particularly well for students specializing in one of the STEM categories or content creation. The M4 chip’s potent graphics performance and AI throughput make it well-suited for students involved in computational work, basic content creation, and leveraging on-device AI tools. Apple’s upgraded starting memory also boosts the laptop’s base multitasking capacity, and its 15-inch display is ideal for coding, split-screen work, or digital design.

Class

Desktop Replacement

Processor

Apple M4

RAM (as Tested)

16 GB

Boot Drive Type

SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)

256 GB

Screen Size

15.3 inches

Native Display Resolution

2880 by 1864

Panel Technology

LED

Variable Refresh Support

None

Screen Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Graphics Processor

Apple M4 (10-core)

Wireless Networking

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Dimensions (HWD)

0.45 by 13.4 by 9.4 inches

Weight

3.3 lbs

Operating System

Apple macOS Sequoia

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)

18:31

Learn More

Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (2025, M4) Review

  • On-point productivity performance
  • Gorgeous, sturdy 2-in-1 build
  • Spectacular OLED display
  • Excellent battery life
  • Click-button touchpad
  • A little expensive for the component mix

The Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 10 Aura Edition is an elegant and well-designed 360-degree convertible, featuring a spectacular OLED display with dynamic colors, inky blacks, impressive HDR performance, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. However, it’s more than just looks, as this 2-in-1 features an Intel AI-ready “Lunar Lake” processor with a fast neural processing unit (NPU) on board, sipping the battery for nearly 22 hours in our rundown test. Additionally, a bonus for hands-on learners: It includes a stylus, which enhances the touch screen’s utility for note-taking and creativity.

Creative students and visual learners: This laptop is an excellent choice for college students in creative fields of study and those who prefer to write out their notes. The Yoga’s spectacular OLED display and included stylus are perfect for graphic design, art, video editing, or taking detailed, colorful notes directly on the screen.

Students seeking a work laptop and a movie machine: This is an ideal laptop for students who need a reliable device for completing assignments but also want a quality movie player. The Yoga’s high-end CPU and NPU make it an ace for schoolwork, with super-long battery life too. Meanwhile, its dazzling, fast OLED screen and high-quality 360-degree sound system are tailor-made for watching videos and listening to music.

Class

Convertible 2-in-1

Processor

Intel Core Ultra 7 258V

RAM (as Tested)

32 GB

Boot Drive Type

SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)

1 TB

Screen Size

14 inches

Native Display Resolution

2880 by 1800

Panel Technology

OLED

Variable Refresh Support

None

Screen Refresh Rate

120 Hz

Graphics Processor

Intel Arc Graphics 140V

Wireless Networking

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Dimensions (HWD)

0.63 by 12.4 by 8.7 inches

Weight

2.91 lbs

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)

21:56

Learn More

Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 10 Aura Edition Review

  • Bright, easily legible matte display
  • Potent performance for the price
  • Ample ports, including USB4
  • Sturdy, lightweight design
  • A bit of bloatware
  • Keyboard takes some familiarization
  • Unsatisfying speakers

Ultraportables are the perfect laptops for campus, and the best option for students right now is this Acer Swift Go 14 model. The slim, 2.76-pound design is easy to carry in a backpack or under an arm, lighter than any other on this list. Plus, with nearly 16 hours of battery life, you’ll still have power after hours of class. Its connections are plentiful, its design is sturdy, and its affordable price makes this thin-and-light laptop a compelling value.

Highly mobile students and commuters: The Acer Swift Go 14 features a sturdy, ultra-lightweight design that makes it ideal for students who frequently move between the library, dorm, and lecture halls—or for those who commute to school from off-campus.

Students who need high performance at a low price: This laptop is ideal for students who prioritize performance over superlative features and design. The powerful AMD Ryzen 7 HS-class processor delivers sufficient speed for demanding academic tasks, such as coding or data analysis, for an amazing price. In this case, the light frame is icing on the cake.

Class

Ultraportable

Processor

AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS

RAM (as Tested)

16 GB

Boot Drive Type

SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)

1 TB

Screen Size

14 inches

Native Display Resolution

1920 by 1200

Panel Technology

IPS

Variable Refresh Support

None

Screen Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Graphics Processor

AMD Radeon 780M Graphics

Wireless Networking

802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.3

Dimensions (HWD)

0.59 by 12.3 by 8.6 inches

Weight

2.76 lbs

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)

15:40

Learn More

Acer Swift Go 14 (2024, AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS) Review

  • Unbeatably lightweight, surprisingly durable
  • Large, high-quality display
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Copilot+ PC with additional AI from LG
  • Peak performance limited by lightweight design
  • Pricey

The LG Gram 17 is incredibly light for a 17-inch laptop, making it easy to carry around campus despite its large screen. That generous QHD+ (2,560-by-1,600-pixel) IPS display provides a sharp, vibrant, and immersive viewing experience for both classroom notes and end-of-day Netflix binges. Other essentials include a full-size, backlit keyboard with a number pad, as well as the full suite of Copilot+ AI features. The laptop also features a magnesium alloy chassis that makes it both light and sturdy, a rare combination.

Students who need a large screen (and need to carry it around): This is the ideal laptop for college students who need a massive screen but still need to tote it around campus. These include general multitaskers and visual learners who require ample screen space for viewing multiple sources of content simultaneously or working on multifaceted projects.

Accounting, computing, and finance majors: This laptop is an excellent fit for students studying fields such as finance and computer science. The Gram’s full-size keyboard with an integrated number pad is perfect for students who frequently work with spreadsheets, data entry, and calculation-heavy assignments. And, of course, its large screen can display more data at once than any other laptop in its weight class.

Class

Ultraportable, Desktop Replacement

Processor

Intel Core Ultra 7 258V

RAM (as Tested)

32 GB

Boot Drive Type

SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)

1 TB

Screen Size

17 inches

Native Display Resolution

2560 by 1600

Panel Technology

IPS

Screen Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Graphics Processor

Intel Arc Graphics 140V

Wireless Networking

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3

Dimensions (HWD)

0.74 by 14.9 by 10.2 inches

Weight

3.1 pounds

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)

19:01

Learn More

LG Gram 17 (2025) Review

  • Gorgeous OLED touch screen
  • Kickstand cover and above-average keyboard included
  • Dual high-quality cameras
  • SD card slot
  • Affordable price
  • Pen not included
  • Scanty port selection and no headphone jack
  • Arm software compatibility concerns
  • No WWAN option

If you prefer to take handwritten notes in class, consider the 2-in-1 Asus ProArt PZ13, which features a stunning OLED touch screen that enhances the note-taking experience with exceptional clarity. It includes a kickstand cover and an above-average keyboard, providing versatility and comfort for typing. With more than 17 hours of battery life, it will carry you through a full day of lectures and labs with battery to spare. Our only beef with this detachable 2-in-1? The pen is sold separately.

Value-conscious students: This is the ideal detachable 2-in-1 device for students focused on value, affordable compared with competitors despite features like an OLED screen. The Asus ProArt PZ13 is also a long-lasting device that operates off the outlet, and comes complete with an included keyboard cover, truly a value multiplier.

Digital note-takers and content creators: This 2-in-1 is tough to beat when it comes to note-taking and content creation. Although the pen is not included, you’ll want to buy one quickly: The tablet-first form factor, with an included keyboard and kickstand, makes it an excellent digital canvas when paired with a stylus.

Students seeking a Surface Pro alternative: This is the first 2-in-1 detachable to consider when looking for a Surface Pro tablet alternative. It is our top choice for students who prefer the Windows 11 operating system and the flexibility of a detachable tablet design but don’t want to pay Microsoft’s prices for so-called “optional” accessories. (Its stylus and keyboard covers cost extra, too.)

Class

Detachable 2-in-1

Processor

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100)

RAM (as Tested)

16 GB

Boot Drive Type

SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)

1 TB

Screen Size

13.3 inches

Native Display Resolution

2880 by 1800

Panel Technology

OLED

Variable Refresh Support

None

Screen Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Graphics Processor

Qualcomm Adreno GPU

Wireless Networking

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Dimensions (HWD)

0.35 by 11.7 by 8 inches

Weight

1.87 lbs

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)

17:47

Learn More

Asus ProArt PZ13 Review

  • Lightweight, durable chassis
  • Speedy CPU and GPU
  • Beautiful OLED display
  • Useful AI-assisted features
  • High-end audio quality
  • Runs hot with big workloads
  • Fans get loud under load
  • Basic refresh rate

It’s tough to beat the Asus ProArt P16 (H7606) desktop replacement for content creation, an Editors’ Choice winner that’s powered by an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. Perfect for high-performance applications and media work, it features a captivating 4K OLED display for stunning visuals, AI-assisted features, and the virtual Asus DialPad for finer edits and quicker access to shortcuts. If your course load includes projects like photo and video editing, graphic design, and even movie scoring, this is the laptop to get.

Media-production and visual-arts students: This is the leading desktop replacement laptop for students, especially those studying media asset production and other graphics-focused fields. The Asus ProArt P16 (H7606) has a beautiful 4K OLED display, a powerful GPU, and dedicated AI processing, making it ideal for demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, and 3D rendering.

Engineering and CAD students: This is also an ideal big-screen laptop for students studying software or electrical engineering, as well as architecture and other computer-aided-design (CAD) fields. The speedy CPU and GPU are capable of running intensive applications and simulations, including AI models, making it suitable for CAD and other 3D modeling applications, such as film visuals.

Students needing performance: This laptop is well-suited for students who require top-tier performance and a large screen, disregarding its creator-specific features. The ProArt’s lightweight and durable chassis allows users who require desktop-level performance to easily transport their powerful machine between home and campus. Plus, the laptop’s powerful speakers, high-quality display, and potent GPU make it an ace for gaming and movie watching.

Class

Workstation

Processor

AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370

RAM (as Tested)

32 GB

Boot Drive Type

SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)

2 TB

Screen Size

16 inches

Native Display Resolution

3840 by 2400

Panel Technology

OLED

Variable Refresh Support

None

Screen Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Graphics Processor

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU

Graphics Memory

8 GB

Wireless Networking

802.11be, Bluetooth 5.4

Dimensions (HWD)

0.68 by 13.9 by 9.7 inches

Weight

4.08 lbs

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)

12:59

Learn More

Asus ProArt P16 (H7606) Review

  • Capable everyday productivity performance
  • RTX 5050 stands up to demanding games with DLSS 4
  • Comfortable keyboard with RGB lighting
  • Varied connectivity
  • Just 512GB storage is tight for modern gaming
  • Dim display
  • Chunky for a 15-inch laptop

Our favorite gaming laptop for college students is the MSI Katana 15 HX, which combines budget-friendly pricing with the power needed for coursework and projects, as well as the games you want to play when the work is done. Nvidia’s entry-level GeForce RTX 5050 GPU delivers smooth 60fps gaming in demanding titles, thanks to DLSS 4 resolution scaling and multi-frame generation boosting performance. An Intel Core i7-14650HX processor delivers impressive speed for its price class, making it suitable for both academic work and general use.

Student gamers on a budget: This is the gaming laptop to buy for students who are on a tight budget but still want to play after hours. The MSI Katana 15 HX serves up effective gaming performance at an accessible starting price, minimizing financial strain without compromising speed, buoyed by DLSS 4 to bridge the performance gap and run the latest PC games. When it’s time for schoolwork, the Intel HX processor takes over to handle assignments, while the GPU also assists with tasks such as content creation and AI calculations.

Students in content creation and visual arts: This laptop also works well for students studying fields like graphic design or media production, looking to maximize value. The Katana has all of the parts that students want when working with apps in Adobe’s Creative Suite, DaVinci Resolve, and other visual media tools. That the GPU inside is ready to game is an added bonus.

Class

Gaming

Processor

Intel Core i7-14650HX

RAM (as Tested)

16 GB

Boot Drive Type

SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)

512 GB

Screen Size

15.6 inches

Native Display Resolution

1920 by 1080

Panel Technology

IPS

Variable Refresh Support

None

Screen Refresh Rate

144 Hz

Graphics Processor

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPU

Graphics Memory

8 GB

Wireless Networking

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth

Dimensions (HWD)

1 by 14.1 by 10.3 inches

Weight

5.29 lbs

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)

8:11

Learn More

MSI Katana 15 HX Review

  • New AI features supercharge ChromeOS
  • 12 months free Google One with Gemini Advanced
  • Versatile, durable 2-in-1 design
  • Intel Core Ultra processing and on-device AI
  • Excellent battery life
  • Clear, colorful touch screen
  • Pen not included
  • ChromeOS still has quirks

Although not as affordable as some Chromebooks, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is the most advanced and capable ChromeOS-powered laptop, particularly for running Android apps and gaming. It packs a capable convertible design, a powerful Intel Core Ultra processor, and two fistfuls of AI-powered upgrades, including a 12-month trial of Google’s Gemini Advanced. We already loved the Spin 714’s elegant design and high-quality construction, but the latest model ups the ante with the most intelligent version of ChromeOS we’ve ever seen. If Chromebooks are enough for your course load, this is the one to get.

Undeclared students or those studying the humanities: This is a suitable laptop to buy for students who have yet to declare a major or those pursuing academic fields such as literature and history. (If you’ll need to run content creation apps locally or work with large data sets, you’ll likely want a Windows or macOS machine instead.) The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 delivers sufficient performance for general studies and offers the versatility to help undecided students transition into their chosen field of study. And the nearly 15 hours of battery life will suit anyone in any discipline.

Students who already use Google products: This laptop is a fine choice for students who are already familiar with Chromebooks or who regularly use Google’s software and services. The Spin 714 redefines the capabilities of a Chromebook, providing more power and features than previously available for fans of the Google ecosystem.

Class

Chromebook, Convertible 2-in-1

Processor

Intel Core Ultra 5 115U

RAM (as Tested)

8 GB

Boot Drive Type

SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)

256 GB

Screen Size

14 inches

Native Display Resolution

1920 by 1200

Panel Technology

IPS

Variable Refresh Support

None

Screen Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Graphics Processor

Intel Graphics

Wireless Networking

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

Dimensions (HWD)

0.71 by 12.4 by 8.8 inches

Weight

3.21 lbs

Operating System

Chrome OS

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)

14:46

Learn More

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 Review

  • Among the least expensive convertible laptops on the market
  • Sharp touch screen
  • Tablet portion has a high-quality build for its price
  • Headphone jack is back
  • Test model includes stylus pen
  • All models include bundled keyboard
  • Middling performance and battery life
  • Keyboard has squishy keys, is designed for smaller hands

If you’re a college student on a tight budget (the chances of that are high, these days), the Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 is a superb tablet to pick up for a song. One of the least expensive convertible laptops on the market, this Chromebook detachable 2-in-1 is just capable enough for online workflows. The tablet comes with a bundled keyboard and a stylus pen, adding value for note-taking and creativity. The Duet’s sharp touch screen is compact yet usable, and its high-quality build is far more durable than the price might suggest.

Students on a tight budget: This is a fantastic Chromebook option for students with limited financial resources. The Duet’s status as one of the most affordable convertible laptops makes it ideal for students who need a functional 2-in-1 without a significant investment. It even includes a stylus and keyboard cover in the box.

Hyper-mobile Google fans: This Chromebook is a great fit for Google fans who require a lightweight device. The Duet serves as a capable, inexpensive detachable option for students whose academic work is based entirely on Google’s cloud-based productivity tools.

Digital note-takers: This is the budget Chromebook to buy for digital-pen aficionados. Lenovo’s included stylus (in the tested model) and the Duet’s tablet form factor benefit users who prefer handwritten digital notes in class.

Class

Chromebook, Detachable 2-in-1

Processor

MediaTek Kompanio 838

RAM (as Tested)

8 GB

Boot Drive Type

eMMC Flash Memory

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)

128 GB

Screen Size

10.95 inches

Native Display Resolution

1920 by 1200

Panel Technology

IPS

Variable Refresh Support

None

Screen Refresh Rate

60 Hz

Graphics Processor

ARM Mali-G57 MC3

Wireless Networking

802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth

Dimensions (HWD)

0.30 by 10.1 by 6.6 inches

Weight

1.12 lbs

Operating System

Chrome OS

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)

6:01

Learn More

Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 Review

The Best Laptops for College Students in 2025
Compare Specs

Buying Guide: The Best Laptops for College Students in 2025

How do you narrow down this list, let alone other systems not mentioned here, to find the right one to be your college colleague? Some questions will apply to all college laptop shoppers, whether families with kids or corporate executives; others are specific to higher education. Let’s run down what you need to know.

Do College Students Get Laptop Discounts? First, Check With the School

The first and most important thing to do is to check with your school for specific system requirements and negotiated discounts. The college may have hard-and-fast hardware recommendations from vendors available at special prices.

Some colleges and universities want their students equipped with Windows-based laptops to reduce software incompatibility issues or to concentrate tech support on one platform. Others don’t care which operating system you use, whether Windows, macOS, or even Linux, if you’re a hard-core type. Some institutions have on-site repair centers that service only laptops purchased from the university or an affiliated computer store on campus. Using one of these facilities, the turnaround time will be much quicker than sending a laptop back to the original manufacturer.

Most schools do offer price breaks for particular vendors and provide extensive software bundles, which can shave a good amount off your purchase. So you might want to look into the campus store as a first shopping destination before you hit your local superstore or favorite online seller.

How Heavy Should a College Laptop Be?

Not every student will agree, but depending on how far you haul it daily, a big-screen notebook may not be such a bright idea.

Sure, it’s nice to have a mini home theater in your dorm room or play the latest games in big-screen glory, but a five-pound-plus laptop with a 15-to-18-inch screen will be a chore to haul across campus when you’re running from class to class. You’re better off with something lighter, so if screen size matters less to you than convenience, a super-thin ultraportable might be the way to go.

Acer Swift Go 14 (2024, AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS) display

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

A roughly three-pound, 13- or 14-inch laptop is ideal for most students, as it will make room for other items in your backpack while minimizing the weight burden. Depending on your tolerance level, a smaller display works as long as you understand that full web pages and productivity applications will involve more scrolling, and fonts will appear smaller than they do on larger screens, assuming the same resolution and zoom level.

Essays, research papers, and chatting online with your classmates will take up most of your computing time, so a full-size keyboard and comfortable touchpad are crucial. Also know: When you venture smaller than a 13-inch-class laptop for college, you risk a compromised typing experience. The easiest way to ensure that you have the best keyboard is to stop by a brick-and-mortar store and spend some time typing on prospective choices of different sizes.

If you do decide to buy a smaller, less expensive laptop for college, it’s probably worth investing in a standalone keyboard you can keep in the dorm or at home for when you need to type a lot. A desktop monitor you attach via HDMI or USB-C could be a nice complement, too.

What Processor to Get in a College Laptop?

Laptops for college come with a wide selection of processors across both budgets and usage cases—you can choose one that maximizes performance or one that favors battery life. Or you can select one that plays to both strengths: Intel’s Core CPUs confer power and battery efficiency benefits. AMD’s Ryzen mobile chips are less common but have also emerged as viable picks for ultraportable laptops. Of late, more options have emerged from each of these chipmakers, plus a new face on the scene.

For Windows laptops, the latest are Intel’s Core Ultra and Core Ultra 2, and AMD’s Ryzen 8000-series and Ryzen AI 300 processors. These CPU families come equipped with on-chip neural-engine silicon to run AI tasks locally. Qualcomm also re-entered the Windows laptop market—its most significant push ever—with efficient, performant Arm-based Snapdragon X processors, which are meant for the type of portable and lightweight laptops college students are looking for. All three of the chip lines emphasize low-power operation, and select models can deliver better battery life than previous-generation ones with earlier Core and Ryzen CPUs.

If you desire all-day battery life and spend almost all of your time in a web browser, you might want to consider using a Chromebook. These typically run on low-powered Intel Core (no Ultra) or N-series processors that suffice for the kinds of workaday online tasks at which Chromebooks excel. (More about Chromebooks in a bit.)

Conversely, if performance ranks high on your list, a MacBook with Apple’s “M” series chips (M4 is the latest generation) or a Windows laptop with at least an Intel Core Ultra 5 or an AMD Ryzen 5 8000 begins to give the oomph you’ll need. AMD and Intel’s 7-series processors handle even more demanding workloads; some college courses may require more than others. (If you want to dig deeper, our guide to laptop processors gets into much more detail on understanding laptop CPUs. There’s a lot to it.) For most college users, though, a mid-level processor from the last two generations should suffice for most tasks outside of engineering or computation-heavy curricula such as graphic design or video production.

MSI Katana 15 HX

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

If you like playing games in your downtime, you might want to splurge on a more expensive gaming laptop for college. Most general-purpose notebooks, especially at under-$800 prices, won’t have the discrete graphics processing unit (GPU) necessary to make the hottest game titles look good and play smoothly. But if you hunt around a little, you can find gaming laptops these days starting at $700 to $900 with a decent Nvidia GeForce RTX or (much less common) AMD Radeon RX GPU for playing games at 1080p resolution and moderate or better image-quality settings. (See our guide to the best cheap gaming laptops for lots more about budget GPUs and how to buy just enough of a gaming machine for your needs.) A powerful GPU can also help in specific high-end and scientific applications, but, like a high-powered processor, it also drains battery life.

The good news is that in most other cases (unless you’re an architecture major with a heavy reliance on computer-aided-design, or CAD, software), modern processors’ integrated graphics silicon should suffice for the day-to-day tasks you’ll face. Today, that usually means some form of Intel integrated graphics under the Intel Xe or Arc brands. Our reviews will detail their comparative performance levels, but none can match even a moderate dedicated GPU. (Read more about gaming limits on integrated graphics processors in mainstream laptops.)

How Much Storage to Get in a Laptop for College?

With the increasing prevalence of cloud storage and web applications, having plentiful local storage space is somewhat less vital than it used to be, but you should still make sure that your laptop for college meets your needs. If you plan to install many programs or want to hang on to lots of large media files, you’ll need at least half a terabyte (512GB) or more. If you don’t foresee needing all that local storage or are content with leaving much of your work online, you can get by with a laptop with a 256GB drive.

Dell 14 Plus (DB14250)

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Whichever way you go, remember that storage affects speed, too. A few generations-old, remaindered budget laptops may use old-fashioned hard drives, which provide more storage for less money but are noticeably slow compared with the snappy solid-state drives (SSDs) most common today. We strongly recommend SSDs for laptops that are carried around campus a lot, since these drives (if not the laptops themselves) shrug off drop damage, and they deliver much peppier performance. Any reasonably modern laptop at this point will have an SSD.

The good news is that you can add more space whenever needed by plugging an external hard drive or SSD into one of your laptop’s USB ports. Although you probably won’t have to do this unless you’re an aspiring videographer or filmmaker, it’s a good option to have.

Acer Swift Go 14 (2024, AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS)

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Gamers may want to take an altogether different view. With many AAA game installations topping 40GB or 50GB apiece, a small SSD fills up fast. You’ll want to think about that before you buy a machine with, say, just a 256GB SSD, or at least be prepared to swap games on and off the drive as you complete them. You really need to insist on at least a 512GB drive in a gaming laptop, with 1TB much better.

What Kind of Battery Life to Expect From a College Laptop?

A sizable battery can be your biggest ally on a day filled with classes and extracurricular activities. A few college laptops come with multiple battery options at the time of purchase. Most, though, have only one—and it’s not swappable or removable.

In this case, figure out where battery life ranks in the grand scheme of things. If removable batteries are an option (which is very rare nowadays), it might be a good idea to get a second one, or a larger “extended” one if available, at the time of purchase. The more cells a battery contains within a given model line, the longer its life, all else being equal.

LG Gram 17 (2025)

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

A big battery means more heft, but the weight gain is well worth it if it means working longer without an AC outlet. This is where our reviews come in especially handy; we test every laptop that passes through our labs with a nonstop video rundown so you can get a good idea of relative endurance between models. Most of our picks last for more than 10 hours at a minimum these days, while those with longer-lasting batteries ran for around 15 hours on our rundown test. Apple’s MacBooks and laptops with Intel Core Ultra or Qualcomm Snapdragon processors frequently achieve more than 20 hours.

An important caveat: Remember that our video rundown is a best-case-scenario test. Using the laptop for heavy multitasking off the battery, with the screen brightness cranked up and Wi-Fi on, will deliver shorter runtimes. Look at our battery-rundown times as measures of relative potential, not absolutes.

Are Chromebooks Good for College?

In the past several years, we’ve seen a strong push by Chromebooks—relatively low-cost laptops based on Google’s ChromeOS—into the education market. Chromebooks are still mostly web-centric, likely to rely on online instead of locally installed versions of Microsoft 365 or Google Docs, but they have relatively complete feature sets. If your school puts its coursework in the cloud, a Chromebook can offer you much of the functionality of a regular laptop and may deliver longer battery life.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714

(Credit: Brian Westover)

It will also likely cost you much less than other notebooks. Prices for basic Chromebook models typically run between $200 and $400 (although higher-end models can go for $1,000 or more). Just be sure you have ready access to reliable, stable Wi-Fi, as these systems have scant local storage, and you must plan to use them effectively offline.

Serious PC gamers, of course, won’t find much use for one of these laptops. Unless you want to stream games through a service like GeForce Now, Chromebooks only run ChromeOS and Android apps from the Google Play Store. But a Chromebook can also be a good, inexpensive second college laptop you carry around campus to take notes, while your beastly gaming rig (or desktop gaming PC, for that matter) hangs back at the dorm or home. (In the market for a ChromeOS laptop? We’ve rounded up today’s best Chromebooks.)

Are 2-in-1 Laptops Worth It for College?

Hybrids, also known as 2-in-1 notebooks, can function as traditional clamshell-style laptops when needed but transform into tablets when sketching, scribbling, or marking up a document is your main task. Some (generally called convertibles) sport a folding design that flips the keyboard out of the way by rotating around its hinge so the screen and keyboard are back-to-back.

Others (dubbed detachables) let you dock a tablet (the screen portion) with an accessory keyboard when you want laptop-like functionality. While these devices are tablets first, some provide the level of performance you’d expect from a laptop, though most are more comfortable to use on a desk than in your lap. What they do better than any laptop is let you take handwritten notes just as you would with pen and paper, making them ideal for many types of study. Microsoft’s Surface Pro slates are at the forefront of power and design for detachables, and they have recently gone all-in on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Arm processors. These are the best versions of Windows on Arm chips yet, but they’re not immune to the platform’s app compatibility struggles.

Asus ProArt PZ13

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

A budget 2-in-1 might be just what you need to fill several roles. One thing to be mindful of: If you’re considering a detachable design, ensure the keyboard cover, base, and stylus pen are included in the price. Some manufacturers (notably, Microsoft) charge extra for these accessories, hiking your total cost considerably.

How Long a Warranty to Get for a College Laptop?

Almost every laptop you buy today, for college or otherwise, is backed by at least a one-year parts and labor warranty. Extended warranties are also available, but whether they’re worth it depends on who you are as a user.

For starters, know that standard warranties don’t cover breakdowns that stem from a spilled drink or a drop onto a sidewalk. Most manufacturers sell accident coverage as a separate plan atop their extended warranties, so spending close to $300 for three years of coverage is not uncommon. Apple offers a maximum extended warranty of three years, while some makers of Windows laptops offer up to four years.

Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (2025, M4) keyboard

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

In our opinion, if a warranty costs more than 15% of the total laptop price, you’re better off spending the money on backup drives or cloud services that minimize downtime if something goes awry. Of course, you can’t put a price on peace of mind. In rare instances, the logic board or the display—the most expensive pieces of a laptop—can fail, with repairs costing half or more of what a new laptop would. Faulty inner components (except the battery) usually break down during the first year; however, any glitches after that are probably more about regular wear and tear.

Again, though, your college or university may be a pleasantly surprising X factor. Some schools have special arrangements with specific vendors for on-site laptop service, so it could pay to check with the campus bookstore or computer store to see if any such exceptional circumstances apply. For example, getting parts and repairs for your Lenovo ThinkPad overnight is possible.

So, Ready to Buy the Right Laptop for College?

We trust that our guide has helped! True, you’ll see more choices on the market today than ever, and slogging through them can be daunting. No worries, though: We’ve done the work for you in our list and our detailed spec comparison chart. If you (or the student you’re shopping for) are closer to graduation than orientation, also check out our guide to the best laptop for each type of graduate, which offers career-specific options. And for more general factors to look for when shopping, check out our top laptop picks and our favorite budget notebooks.

Newer Best laptops in 2025: My top 10 based on testing and reviews
Back to list
Older The world’s first 8K 360 drone is here

Related Posts

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *