The Best Laptops for College Students in 2024 (According to Experts)

College students have a lot on their plates. They’re trying to balance classes, extracurricular activities, and a social life. And they need a laptop that can keep up.

The best laptops for college students are affordable, portable, and powerful enough to handle everything from writing papers to editing videos. They also need to have a long battery life so that students can stay productive all day long.

That’s why I’m here. I’ve done the research and tested the best laptops for college students in 2024. I’ve found the laptops that will suit your needs, your budget, and your style.

Whether you’re a budget-minded student or you’re looking for a high-performance machine, I’ve got you covered. I’ll also talk about some of the factors you should consider when choosing a laptop for college, such as your major, your personal preferences, and your budget.

Whether you need a laptop that can handle heavy-duty tasks like video editing or gaming, or you just want a laptop that’s reliable and easy to use, I’ve got you covered. I’ll also give you some tips on how to choose a laptop based on your major, your preferences, and your goals.

So let’s get started!

What is the best laptops for college students?

The ?Best Laptops for College Students in 2024 will vary depending on their individual needs and budget. The first thing you need to consider is your major. Different majors have different requirements for laptops.

For example, if you’re studying engineering, you might need a laptop with a powerful processor, a lot of memory, and a dedicated graphics card. If you’re studying art, you might need a laptop with a high-resolution screen, a touchpad, and a stylus. If you’re studying business, you might need a laptop with a long battery life, a keyboard, and a webcam.

Best laptops for different majors college students

Best laptops for college students of engineering

Dell XPS 15: This laptop has an Intel Core i9 processor, 32 GB of RAM, 1 TB of SSD storage, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card. It also has a 15.6-inch 4K OLED display, a fingerprint reader, and a backlit keyboard. It’s perfect for running complex software like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks1.

Approximate Value

The Dell XPS 15 starts at $1,899 and goes up to $4,499 depending on the configuration.

Specifications

• Display: 15.6-inch InfinityEdge display with FHD+, UHD+, or UHD+ OLED options
• Processor: Intel Core i5-1250H or Intel Core i7-12700H
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe or Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
• Memory: 16GB or 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM
• Storage: 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage
• Battery: 86Wh battery
• Operating system: Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro

Reasons to Buy

• Stunning display with thin bezels
• Excellent performance from Intel Core i5 or i7 processors
• Long battery life
• Comfortable keyboard and trackpad
• Premium design and build quality
• Wide range of ports, including Thunderbolt 4 and SD card reader

Reasons to Avoid

• Expensive
• Heavy and bulky
• Webcam is still located below the display
• No dedicated number pad

Best laptops for college students of art

Microsoft Surface Book 3: This laptop has an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of SSD storage, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. It also has a 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen display that can detach from the keyboard and become a tablet. It comes with a Surface Pen that lets you draw and sketch on the screen2.

Approximate Value

• 13.5-inch: $1,259 – $2,299
• 15-inch: $1,899 – $3,899

Specifications

• Display: 13.5-inch or 15-inch PixelSense display with 267 ppi
• Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7
• Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
• Memory: 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of LPDDR4x RAM
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of PCIe Gen 3 SSD storage
• Battery: Up to 17.5 hours of video playback
• Operating system: Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro

Reasons to Buy

• Unique detachable design
• Powerful performance for creative professionals
• Long battery life
• Beautiful PixelSense display
• Premium build quality
• Wide range of ports, including Thunderbolt 3 and Surface Connect

Reasons to Avoid

• Expensive
• Heavy and bulky
• Detachable design can be finicky
• No dedicated number pad

Best laptops for college students of business

Apple MacBook Air: This laptop has an Apple M1 chip, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of SSD storage, and an integrated GPU. It also has a 13.3-inch Retina display, a Touch ID sensor, and a Magic Keyboard. It’s lightweight, sleek, and fast. It has a long battery life of up to 18 hours3.

Approximate Value

• $999 – $1,999

Specifications

• Display: 13.3-inch Retina display with 2560 x 1600 resolution
• Processor: Apple M2 chip
• Graphics: 8-core GPU
• Memory: 8GB or 16GB of unified memory
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of SSD storage
• Battery: Up to 18 hours of video playback
• Operating system: macOS Monterey

Reasons to Buy

• Thin and light design
• Excellent performance from the M2 chip
• Long battery life
• Beautiful Retina display
• Premium build quality
• Wide range of software available

Reasons to Avoid

• Expensive
• Limited port selection (two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and a headphone jack)
• No touchscreen display
• No dedicated number pad

Laptops for different preferences

The second thing you need to consider is your preference. Different people have different preferences for laptops. For example, some people prefer Windows over Mac OS or vice versa. Some people prefer larger screens over smaller ones or vice versa. Some people prefer more ports over fewer ones or vice versa. Best laptops for college students also depended on this factor.

Best windows laptops college students

HP Spectre x360: This laptop has an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of SSD storage, and an Intel Iris Xe graphics card. It also has a 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen display that can flip and fold into different modes. It has a fingerprint reader, a webcam kill switch, and a stylus4.

Approximate Value

• $1,299 – $2,199

Specifications

• Display: 13.5-inch or 14-inch OLED or OLED+ display with 3K2K resolution
• Processor: Intel Core i5-1235U or Intel Core i7-1255U
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe or Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
• Memory: 8GB or 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage
• Battery: Up to 16.5 hours of video playback
• Operating system: Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro

Reasons to Buy

• Stunning OLED display with thin bezels
• Excellent performance from Intel Core i5 or i7 processors
• Long battery life
• Comfortable keyboard and trackpad
• Premium design and build quality
• Wide range of ports, including Thunderbolt 4 and SD card reader

Reasons to Avoid

• Expensive
• Heavy and bulky
• Webcam is still located below the display
• No dedicated number pad

Best Mac OS laptop for college students

Apple MacBook Pro: This laptop has an Apple M1 chip, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of SSD storage, and an integrated GPU. It also has a 13-inch Retina display with True Tone technology, a Touch Bar with Touch ID sensor, and a Magic Keyboard with Touchpad5.

Approximate Value

• $1,999 – $6,999

Specifications

• Display: 13.3-inch, 14.2-inch, or 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
• Processor: Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max chip
• Graphics: 10-core GPU or 32-core GPU
• Memory: 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of unified memory
• Storage: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB of SSD storage
• Battery: Up to 24 hours of video playback
• Operating system: macOS Monterey

Reasons to Buy

• Excellent performance from the M1 Pro or M1 Max chip
• Long battery life
• Beautiful Liquid Retina XDR display
• Premium build quality
• Wide range of software available

Reasons to Avoid

• Expensive
• Limited port selection (Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, HDMI port, headphone jack, and MagSafe 3 port)
• No touchscreen display
• No dedicated number pad

Best large screen laptop for college students

LG Gram 17: This laptop has an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, 1 TB of SSD storage, and an Intel Iris Xe graphics card. It also has a 17-inch WQXGA IPS display with thin bezels and a high resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. It’s surprisingly light at only 2.98 pounds6.

Approximate Value

• $1,699 – $1,999

Specifications

• Display: 17-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS display with 60Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Intel Core i5-12500H or Intel Core i7-12700H
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe or Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
• Memory: 16GB or 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM
• Storage: 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage
• Battery: 80Wh battery
• Operating system: Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro

Reasons to Buy

• Incredibly lightweight for a 17-inch laptop (just 2.98 pounds)
• Long battery life (up to 22 hours on a single charge)
• Excellent performance from Intel Core i5 or i7 processors
• Comfortable keyboard and trackpad
• Premium design and build quality
• Wide range of ports, including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI

Reasons to Avoid

• Expensive
• No dedicated number pad
• Display is not as bright as some other 17-inch laptops
• Webcam is still located below the display

Laptop with small screen for college students

Asus ZenBook 14: This laptop has an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of SSD storage, and an AMD Radeon graphics card. It also has a 14-inch Full HD NanoEdge display with a high screen-to-body ratio of 90%. It’s compact and portable at only 2.65 pounds7.

Approximate Value

• $699 – $1,399

Specifications

• Display: 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) or OLED (2880 x 1800) display with 60Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Intel Core i5-12500H or Intel Core i7-12700H
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe or Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
• Memory: 16GB or 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM
• Storage: 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage
• Battery: 75Wh battery
• Operating system: Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro

Reasons to Buy

• Thin and light design (just 2.8 pounds)
• Long battery life (up to 19 hours on a single charge)
• Excellent performance from Intel Core i5 or i7 processors
• Comfortable keyboard and trackpad
• Premium design and build quality
• Wide range of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, and HDMI

Reasons to Avoid

• No dedicated number pad
• Webcam is still located below the display
• OLED display can be expensive

Best laptops for different goals

The third thing you need to consider is your goal. Different goals have different implications for laptops. For example, if your goal is to have fun, you might want a laptop that can play games, stream videos, or listen to music. If your goal is to be productive, you might want a laptop that can multitask, run multiple apps, or work offline. If your goal is to be creative, you might want a laptop that can edit photos, make videos, or write music.

The best laptops for college students also depended on this fact.

Best laptop for gamming

Acer Predator Helios 300: This laptop has an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of SSD storage, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card. It also has a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a high refresh rate of 144 Hz and a backlit keyboard with RGB lighting. It’s ideal for playing games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, or Cyberpunk 2077.

Approximate Value

• $999 – $1,999

Specifications

• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display with 144Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Intel Core i5-12500H or Intel Core i7-12700H
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti or Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
• Memory: 16GB or 32GB of DDR4 RAM
• Storage: 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage
• Battery: 86Wh battery
• Operating system: Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro

Reasons to Buy

• Excellent performance from Intel Core i5 or i7 processors and Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti or RTX 3060 graphics
• Fast 144Hz refresh rate display for smooth gaming
• Long battery life for a gaming laptop
• Comfortable keyboard and trackpad
• Affordable price tag

Reasons to Avoid

• Heavy and bulky design
• Webcam is still located below the display
• No dedicated number pad

Best laptop for productive work

Google Pixelbook Go: This laptop has an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of SSD storage, and an integrated GPU. It also has a 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen display with a webcam and a microphone. It runs on Chrome OS, which is fast, secure, and easy to use. It has access to Google apps like Gmail, Docs, and Drive.

Approximate Value

• $649 – $1,399

Specifications

• Display: 13.3-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display with 60Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Intel Core i3-8130U, Intel Core i5-8250U, or Intel Core i7-8550U
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
• Memory: 8GB or 16GB of LPDDR4 RAM
• Storage: 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of eMMC storage
• Battery: Up to 12 hours of battery life
• Operating system: Chrome OS

Reasons to Buy

• Lightweight and portable design (just 2.3 pounds)
• Long battery life (up to 12 hours on a single charge)
• Fast performance from Intel Core processors
• Comfortable keyboard and trackpad
• Premium design and build quality
• Affordable price tag

Reasons to Avoid

• Limited storage options
• No touchscreen display
• No dedicated number pad
• Chrome OS may not be for everyone

best laptop for creative work 

Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1: This laptop has an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of SSD storage, and an Intel Iris Xe graphics card. It also has a 14-inch Full HD touchscreen display that can rotate 360 degrees and become a tablet. It comes with a Dell Active Pen that lets you draw and write on the screen.

Approximate Value: $599 – $1,199

Specifications

• Display: 14-inch Full HD (1920×1200) touchscreen IPS display with 60Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Up to 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Memory: Up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM
• Storage: Up to 512GB of SSD storage
• Battery: Up to 14 hours of battery life
• Operating system: Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro

Reasons to Buy

• Versatile 2-in-1 design
• Excellent performance from Intel Core processors
• Long battery life
• Comfortable keyboard and trackpad
• Affordable price tag

Reasons to Avoid

• No dedicated number pad
• Webcam is still located below the display

Are there alternative laptops for collage students worth considering?

In our search, we also found these fantastic options for the best laptops for collage students in 2024.

1. HP 14 Laptop for College Students

This is a great budget laptop for college students in 2024. It’s lightweight and portable, so you can easily take it to class or the library. It also has enough power to handle basic tasks like browsing the web, writing papers, and streaming videos.

Approximate value: $300 – $500

Specifications

• Intel Celeron N4120 processor
• 8GB RAM
• 192GB storage (64GB eMMC + 128GB SD Card)
• Windows 11
• 14-inch HD display
• Webcam
• HDMI port
• WiFi

Reasons to Buy

• Affordable
• Lightweight and portable
• Long battery life
• Good for basic tasks

Reasons to Avoid

• Not as powerful as some other laptops
• Storage space can be limited

2. Lenovo IdeaPad Laptop for College Students

This is a good all-around laptop for college students. It’s not the most powerful laptop on the market, but it has enough power to handle most tasks. It’s also lightweight and portable, so you can easily take it to class or the library.

Approximate value: $400 – $600

Specifications

• AMD Athlon Silver 3050U processor
• 20GB RAM
• 1TB SSD
• 128GB eMMC
• Windows 11 Home
• 15.6-inch HD display
• Webcam
• HDMI port
• WiFi 6
• USB Type-C

Reasons to Buy

• Good value for money
• Lightweight and portable
• Long battery life
• Good for basic tasks and light gaming

Reasons to Avoid

• Not as powerful as some other laptops
• Storage space can be limited

3. Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N Slim Laptop

This is a great option for college students who want a powerful laptop without breaking the bank. It has an Intel i3 processor and 8GB of RAM, which is enough to handle most tasks. It also has a large 15.6-inch display, which is great for watching videos or working on projects.

Approximate value: $500 – $700

Specification

• Intel i3-1115G4 processor
• 8GB RAM
• 128GB NVMe SSD
• WiFi 6
• Amazon Alexa
• Windows 11 Home in S Mode
• 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display
• Webcam
• HDMI port
• USB Type-C

Reasons to Buy

• Powerful performance
• Large display
• Good value for money
• Long battery life

Reasons to Avoid

• Storage space can be limited
• Not as portable as some other laptops

ASUS Chromebook Flip C433TA 2-in-1 Laptop

This is a great option for college students who want a versatile laptop. It’s a 2-in-1 laptop, which means it can be used as a laptop or a tablet. It’s also a Chromebook, which means it runs on Chrome OS, a lightweight operating system that’s perfect for students.

Approximate value: $400 – $600

Specifications

• Intel Core m3-8100Y processor
• 8GB RAM
• 64GB eMMC
• Chrome OS
• 14-inch Touchscreen display
• Webcam
• HDMI port
• USB Type-C

Reasons to Buy

• Versatile 2-in-1 design
• Runs on Chrome OS, a lightweight operating system
• Long battery life
• Affordable

Reasons to Avoid

• Not as powerful as some other laptops
• Storage space can be limited

HP Envy x360 13-inch Laptop

It is a powerful and versatile laptop that is perfect for a college student. It is thin and lightweight, so it is easy to carry around campus. It also has a long battery life, so you can use it all day without having to worry about running out of power.

Approximate value: The HP Envy x360 13-inch Laptop typically costs around $800.

Specifications

• AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor
• 8GB RAM
• 512GB SSD storage
• 13.3-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels
• Backlit keyboard
• Fingerprint scanner
• Long battery life

Reasons to Buy

• Powerful performance
• Versatile 2-in-1 design
• Long battery life
• Backlit keyboard
• Fingerprint scanner
• Touchscreen display

Reasons to Avoid

• Pricey
• Touchscreen can be a bit finicky
• Not as durable as some other laptops

Apple MacBook Air Laptop with M2 chip

This is a great option for college students who want a powerful and portable laptop. It’s powered by the new M2 chip, which offers a significant performance boost over the previous generation. It’s also very thin and light, making it easy to carry around campus.

Approximate value: $1,199 – $1,499

Specifications

• M2 chip
• 8GB Unified Memory
• 256GB SSD Storage
• macOS Monterey
• 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display
• Webcam
• Touch ID
• Thunderbolt 4 ports

Reasons to Buy

• Powerful performance
• Long battery life
• Portable design
• Beautiful display

Reasons to Avoid

• Expensive
• Not as customizable as some other laptops

Dell XPS 13 Laptop for College Students

This is a great option for college students who want a premium laptop. It has a sleek and stylish design, a powerful processor, and a long-lasting battery.

Approximate value: $999 – $1,499

Specifications

• 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor
• 8GB RAM
• 512GB SSD Storage
• Windows 11 Home
• 13.3-inch InfinityEdge Display
• Webcam
• Touch ID
• Thunderbolt 4 ports

Reasons to Buy

• Premium design
• Powerful performance
• Long battery life
• Beautiful display

Reasons to Avoid

• Expensive
• Not as customizable as some other laptops

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Laptop

This is a great option for college students who need a durable and reliable laptop. It’s built to withstand the rigors of everyday use, and it has a long battery life.

Approximate value: $1,699 – $2,499

Specifications

• 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1145G7 processor
• 16GB RAM
• 512GB SSD Storage
• Windows 11 Pro
• 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Display
• Webcam
• Touch ID
• Thunderbolt 4 ports

Reasons to Buy

• Durable and reliable design
• Long battery life
• Powerful performance

Reasons to Avoid:

• Expensive
• Not as portable as some other laptops

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

This is a great option for college students who want a stylish and affordable laptop. It’s powered by the latest Intel Core i5 processor and has a long-lasting battery.

Approximate value: $699 – $999

Specifications

• Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor
• 8GB RAM
• 128GB SSD Storage
• Windows 11 Home
• 12.4-inch PixelSense Display
• Webcam
• Touch ID
• USB-C port

Reasons to Buy

• Stylish design
• Affordable
• Long battery life

Reasons to Avoid

• Not as powerful as some other laptops
• Storage space can be limited

Samsung Galaxy Book Flex2 Alpha Laptop

This is a great option for college students who want a powerful and versatile laptop. It’s a 2-in-1 laptop, which means it can be used as a laptop or a tablet. It also has an AMOLED display, which offers stunning visuals.

Approximate value:  $799 – $1,299

Specifications

• 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor
• 8GB RAM
• 512GB SSD Storage
• Windows 11 Home
• 13.3-inch AMOLED Display
• Webcam
• Touch ID
• Thunderbolt 4 ports

Reasons to Buy

• Powerful performance
• Versatile 2-in-1 design
• Stunning AMOLED display

Reasons to Avoid

• Not as portable as some other laptops

FAQ

What is the best laptop for college students on a budget?

The best laptop for college students on a budget is the Acer Chromebook Spin 713. It is a lightweight and affordable Chromebook that runs on Chrome OS. Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system that’s perfect for students who need a laptop for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and email. The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 also has a long battery life, so you can use it all day without having to worry about running out of power. 

What is the best laptop for college students who need a powerful laptop?

The best laptop for college students who need a powerful laptop is the Apple MacBook Pro. It offers powerful performance, a stunning display, and a long battery life.

What is the best laptop for college students who need a 2-in-1 laptop?

The best laptop for college students who need a 2-in-1 laptop is the HP Spectre x360. It can be used as a laptop or a tablet, making it a versatile option for students.

How do I choose the right laptop for college?

Here are some tips for choosing the right laptop for college:

• Consider your budget. Laptop prices can range from a few hundred dollars to over $2,000. It’s important to set a budget before you start shopping so that you don’t overspend.
• Think about your needs. What will you be using your laptop for? If you’re just using it for basic tasks like word processing and web browsing, you can get away with a less expensive laptop. However, if you’re planning on doing any gaming or video editing, you’ll need a more powerful laptop.
• Read reviews. Before you buy a laptop, read reviews from other users. This will help you get a better idea of what to expect from the laptop.
• Compare prices. Don’t just buy the first laptop you see. Compare prices from different retailers to find the best deal.

Conclusion

So there you have it. The best laptops for college students in 2024.

But remember: The best laptop for you is the one that meets your needs, your preferences, and your goals. Don’t let the fear of choosing the wrong laptop stop you from making a decision. Don’t let the fear of missing out on the latest features or the lowest prices stop you from taking action.

Choose a laptop that will make you proud.

The laptops mentioned in this article offer a wide range of options for college students, from budget-friendly models to high-performance machines. Each laptop has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it is important to carefully consider your needs before making a decision to get ideal laptop for a college student in 2024.