Attending college can be expensive, as it covers various costs such as tuition fees, accommodation, books, and daily expenses like food. A reliable laptop is essential for managing academic tasks and preparing for college. Depending on your field of study, your ideal student laptop could range from a basic Chromebook to a lightweight Windows or MacBook.
It is essential to consider portability, durability, and battery life when selecting a laptop for college. You want a device that is easy to carry around, sturdy enough to withstand daily use, and has enough battery life to support your daily academic activities. Below, we have compiled a list of our top picks for the best college laptops on the market.
Acer Aspire Vero AV15-51-75QQ Laptop
Acer Aspire Vero AV15-51-75QQ Green PC | 15.6″ FHD IPS 100% sRGB Display
The Acer Aspire Vero AV15-51-75QQ Green PC is a laptop with many exciting features. And it’s eco-friendly too! This laptop has a 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED Backlit IPS Display that gives you the best viewing experience possible. It also comes with 16GB DDR4 Memory and 512GB NVMe SSD, so you can easily store all your files.
The ports on the laptop are also exciting. It has one USB 3.2 (Type-C) Gen 1 port (up to 5 Gbps), so you can quickly and easily transfer files to and from your laptop. It also has two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Ports (one with Power-off Charging), so you can quickly charge your devices while using the computer.
Lastly, it has one USB 2.0 Port and an HDMI Port with HDCP support, so you can easily connect your laptop to a TV or other device and watch your favorite shows or movies. And if you need to take your computer with you on the go, don’t worry! It has up to 7.5 hours of battery life.
Apple MacBook Pro M1
Apple 2021 MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro chip with 8‑core CPU and 14‑core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
Apple has finally revealed the new MacBook Pro M1 14 inch. It’s been a long time, but it was worth waiting for. The new machine is designed to meet all your needs, from the most demanding professional tasks to casual everyday use. Apple claims that this redesign of their iconic laptop will make it more potent than ever.
The silver shell and minimalist lines give it a modern look that will turn heads. Under the hood is a powerful 10-core CPU that delivers up to 3.7x faster performance than the previous model. This makes it the perfect choice for pro workflows. The 16-core GPU is up to 13x faster, so you can enjoy even smoother graphics and gameplay.
The new MacBook Pro M1 14-inch also features a 16-core Neural Engine for lightning-fast machine learning performance. Combine that with up to 11 hours of battery life, and you have a machine built for the long haul.
The new MacBook Pro M1 14 inch also features a longer battery life, up to 17 hours. With up to 8TB of SSD storage, you’ll have plenty of space for all your files. The three Thunderbolt ports allow you to connect to various devices, including monitors and external storage drives.
Acer Swift 3 Thin and Light Laptop
Acer Swift 3 Thin & Light Laptop | 14″ Full HD IPS 100% sRGB Display
Acer has come up with a new thin and light laptop. The Acer Swift 3 Thin & Light Laptop is perfect for on-the-go users who need a powerful machine without the extra weight. This laptop comes packed with an AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Octa-Core Processor with Radeon Graphics, 8GB LPDDR4X onboard memory, and a 512GB NVMe solid-state drive.
You can run your most demanding apps quickly, and the 14″ Full HD widescreen LED-backlit 100% sRGB display will make your movies and games look great. The Acer Swift 3 also features 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Dual-Band 2.4GHz and 5GHz, making it one of the most future-proof laptops on the market. Plus, the ports on this laptop are all you could ask for.
LG Gram 16Z90P 16-inch Laptop
LG Gram 16Z90P Laptop 16″ Ultra-Lightweight
The LG Gram 16Z90P Laptop 16″ Ultra-Lightweight device is perfect for on-the-go individuals. The laptop is sleek and stylish, making it easy to carry around. The computer also features a fingerprint reader for added security. The device has a long battery life, making it the perfect option for those who are constantly on the go.
The LG Gram 16Z90P Laptop is powered by an Intel Evo Platform with an 11th-generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor. This powerful processor ensures that you can complete tasks quickly and easily. Additionally, the LG Gram also features 16GB of LPDDR4X 4266mhz RAM.
The LG Gram also features an Alexa Built-in PC. This means that you will be able to control your device with your voice. You can ask Alexa to play music, check the weather, and more. The battery life on the LG Gram is impressive. The laptop can last up to 22 hours on a single charge.
Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-36UT
Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-36UT, 15.6″ Full HD Display
The Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-36UT is an excellent laptop for people looking for an affordable option. This laptop has an 11th-generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 with Turbo Boost Technology, giving you the power to run your high-demand applications.
The 15.6″ Full HD display with 82.58% screen-to-body ratio is excellent for watching movies or working on projects, and the 4GB DDR4 onboard memory will give you plenty of space to store your files and media. You can add more RAM if needed, with one slot available. The ergonomic design of the keyboard will make it easier for you to type for long periods, and the Windows 11 Home (S Mode) has advanced security features built in.
The ports on this laptop are great for connecting all of your accessories, including a USB 3.2 Type-C port, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (1 of which is a Power-off Charging port), a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI 2.0 port with HDCP support, and a headphone and speaker jack. This laptop also has the Acer Aspire Laptop, AC Adapter, and Power Cord.
ASUS VivoBook Pro 14 OLED Slim Laptop
ASUS VivoBook Pro 14 OLED Slim Laptop, 14” WQXGA+ 16:10 OLED Display
The ASUS VivoBook Pro 14 OLED Slim Laptop is a high-end laptop with many features that are sure to impress. One of the most impressive features of the ASUS VivoBook Pro 14 OLED Slim Laptop is its 14″ WQXGA+ (2880 x 1800) 16:10 OLED Screen 400 nits.
This sharp, transparent screen makes it perfect for watching movies or working on projects. The laptop also features the latest AMD Ryzen 7 5800H Processor (16M Cache, up to 4.4GHz) and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics. These powerful components ensure that the laptop can handle any task you might throw at it.
Another impressive feature of the ASUS VivoBook Pro 14 OLED Slim Laptop is its 14-inch NanoEdge 2.8K OLED display. This display is stunning and provides a great viewing experience. The laptop also features Harman Kardon-certified audio, delivering outstanding sound quality no matter what you’re listening to.
The ASUS VivoBook Pro 14 OLED Slim Laptop also comes with a variety of ports and connectors, including USB 3.2 Type C, USB 3.2 Type A, USB 2.0 Type-A, HDMI, 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), and Bluetooth 5.0.
Microsoft Surface Go 2
Microsoft Surface Go 2 – 10.5″ Touch-Screen – Intel Pentium – 8GB Memory – 128GB SSD
Microsoft announced their newest addition to the Surface family, the Surface Go 2. Weighing in at just 1.2 pounds (not including Type Cover), it is perfect for on-the-go tablet use with its smaller 10.5″ touchscreen display and long battery life of up to 10 hours.
The Pentium Gold 4425Y processor and 8GB of RAM make it an excellent choice for productivity, with a configuration that rivals many laptops. The adjustable Kickstand and Signature Type Cover make it equally versatile for use as either a tablet or laptop. And for staying connected, the Surface Go 2 includes a USB-C port and headphone jack.
With its Full HD front- and rear-facing cameras, the Surface Go 2 is excellent for capturing memories or streaming your favorite shows. The high-res touchscreen display is perfect for browsing the web, playing games, or watching Netflix. Plus, when Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade, you’ll have even more to explore on this powerful and portable device.
HP Pavilion x360 14-inch Touchscreen 2-in-1
HP Pavilion x360 14″ FHD WLED Touchscreen 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop
The HP Pavilion x360 is a laptop that comes with a touchscreen display. It also can be converted into a tablet, making it perfect for those always on the go. The 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 mobile processor ensures you can finish your work quickly and easily. At the same time, the 8GB of DDR4 memory will allow you to keep multiple programs open simultaneously.
You can also store your files on the 256GB PCIe SSD or the 16GB Optane Solid State Drive. And if you need to connect to other devices, the laptop has 802.11ac wireless LAN and Bluetooth capabilities. Windows 10 Home 64-bit English is the operating system that comes pre-installed on the device.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 15-inch Touchscreen
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 15” Touch-Screen – AMD Ryzen 7 Surface Edition – 8GB – 512GB Solid State Drive
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 has a sleek design, fast performance, and many other great features. It is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 7 or 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processors. It has up to 70% more speed and multitasking power than the previous model. It also comes with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.
The device also features a touchscreen and stylus support, which makes it easy to take notes or draw on the screen. It also has a front-facing 720p HD camera and dual far-field Studio Mics, so you can easily make calls or record video. The laptop also has built-in USB-C and USB-A ports, so you can easily connect your devices. It also has a Surface Connect charging port and a headphone jack.
The Microsoft Surface is available in 13.5″ and 15″. The 13.5″ size is perfect for on-the-go, while the 15″ is excellent for larger projects. The laptop also comes in various colors, so you can choose the one that best suits your style.
Acer Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6 Creator Laptop
Acer Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6 Creator Laptop
The Acer Swift X SFX14-41G-R1S6 laptop perfectly fits any creative person. This laptop has all the features a high-functioning creative person would need. With a resolution of 1920×1080 and 300 nits of brightness, this display is perfect for viewing any content. Weighing in at only 3.06 pounds, this machine can quickly take you wherever you go. Additionally, the metal design makes this laptop durable and rugged.
Some other features of the Acer laptop include its 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and Windows Hello with Fingerprint Reader. The laptop has a USB Type-C Port that lets you connect to other devices quickly and easily. The DisplayPort over USB Type-C feature enables you to connect an external monitor to the laptop efficiently.
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Laptop for College Students
Major & Course Load
Think about your major, coursework, projects, and other academic demands you anticipate. Students studying engineering, graphic design, computer science, or other intensive programs may require more computing power for programming, 3D modeling, data analysis, and running specialized software.
If your coursework involves extensive writing, presentations, research, and multimedia, prioritize display quality, storage space, a comfortable keyboard, and battery endurance. Analyze your anticipated course load to select a laptop suited for those tasks.
Also, reflect on your extracurricular interests and campus activities. If you intend to join clubs and organizations that involve photography, videography, image/video editing, or gaming, a discrete or dedicated graphics card and enhanced CPU will facilitate these more demanding applications.
Choose an Operating System
Windows
With a vast selection of OEM hardware partners and software ecosystem, Windows laptops are highly diversified. Models span a broad spectrum of capabilities, sizes, and prices suitable for nearly any need.
Windows intrinsically supports an enormous library of compatible productivity software, creative suites, and PC gaming titles.
macOS
MacBooks are known for superior build quality and long-lasting performance compared to budget-friendly Windows laptops. MacOS has built-in support for standard productivity software and offers seamless compatibility with various creative professional applications.
However, the number of compatible software titles is lower than those available for Windows. Furthermore, MacOS does not support mainstream PC games.
Processor
When evaluating laptop specifications, the central processing unit (CPU) or processor is essential in determining the baseline workflow performance potential.
In today’s market, most entry-level machines come equipped with Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 chips, while more capable rigs boast Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 processors.
Generally speaking, AMD Ryzen 5000 and Intel 11th/12th Gen Core processors deliver excellent speed and efficiency, making them well-suited for college students.
RAM
RAM (random access memory) functions as temporary data storage directly accessible by the laptop’s CPU, so higher RAM capacities and faster MHz frequencies bolster workflow performance, system responsiveness, and application efficiency under load by providing more memory resources for the processor to access.
Most college student laptops incorporate 4-32GB RAM.
Storage
Laptops ship either traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) or much faster solid-state drives (SSDs). SSDs have no moving parts, utilize flash memory, deliver far superior speeds, and resist damage from bumps and vibrations much better.
When possible, choose an SSD over HDD for your primary boot drive. Some laptops support both via an SSD paired with an HDD or a less expensive secondary sticklike SSD for extra storage.
Display
Laptop displays feature varying resolutions quantified by vertical pixels multiplied by horizontal, such as 1920 x 1080 (FHD), 2560 x 1600 (QHD+), and 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD). Higher resolutions render sharper details and increase the effectiveness of the workspace area, although graphics performance necessities scale accordingly.
Standard HD and FHD resolutions still suffice for college across average screen sizes, but 4K appeals for creative disciplines and visually intensive tasks.
Optional Features
- Webcam – Now an essential component for remote lectures, video calls, vlogging, and more visual content creation purposes. Ensure your laptop has a built-in 720p or 1080p webcam at minimum to cover basic needs or upgrade to specialty webcams if recording/streaming in higher definition.
- Touch Screen – While unnecessary for traditional laptops, touch functionality provides intuitive operation for convertible 2-in-1 devices that transition between notebook and tablet form factors. Evaluate whether a touch display suits your workflow.
- Stylus Support – For creative disciplines and technical drawing applications, pressure-sensitive active pens augment touchscreens with naturalistic sketching, annotation, and retouching capabilities surpassing fingertip precision.
- Biometrics – Integrated fingerprint readers and facial recognition webcam sensors enable convenient logins, unlocking, and password autofilling while enhancing security versus numeric passcodes alone.
Solomen is the founder of MrHow.io, and he is happiest when working with technology and able to help others. In his free time, he often listens to Baroque music, swims or runs. Feel free to contact him on social media!
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