Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
May 12, 2025: We swapped in the 2024 Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9 as our new Best 2-in-1 Convertible for College (in place of a cheaper 2023 Lenovo model), and replaced the 2024 Microsoft Surface Pro with the newer, Editors’ Choice-award-winning Asus ProArt PZ13 as our Best 2-in-1 Tablet for College Note-Taking. We also added the Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 as the Best 2-in-1 Chromebook for College. Since our last update, we reviewed and evaluated 22 new laptops for possible inclusion in this roundup.
- Peppy performance
- High value
- Long battery life
- Lots of ports for its size
- Just a 1200p display
- No WWAN option or SD card slot
- Face login only—no fingerprint reader
The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) is one of the best laptop deals a college student can get. Our latest top pick comes in at less than $1,000 for a gorgeous 14-inch OLED touch screen with pro-grade color coverage and a sleek, durable shell. This model features MIL-STD 810H military-grade durability, ideal for students commuting or traveling back home often. The laptop also lasted nearly 20 hours on our battery-rundown test, plenty for classes and Netflix sessions after hours. Despite its trim chassis, the laptop’s broad port selection lets you leave the adapters at home, and it’s a speedy machine with an AI-ready AMD chip inside.
For just $800 at some retailers, this is the best ultraportable for today’s college or university students, delivering speed, efficiency, durability, and luxury you will be hard-pressed to find south of $1,000. The super-thin-and-light design is ideal for traversing campus without sacrificing necessary performance to churn on basic coursework. (It’s important to note that this is not a Copilot+ PC laptop, so its local-AI features are comparatively limited.)
Class
Ultraportable
Processor
AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
AMD Radeon 780M Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.59 by 12.3 by 8.7 inches
Weight
2.82 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
19:56
Learn More
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) Review
- Striking OLED touch screen
- Snappy performance
- Lengthy battery life
- Svelte design with remarkable soundbar hinge
- USB-A and USB-C ports
- Slightly pricey
- No HDMI port or SD/microSD card slot
- No mobile broadband option
- Can’t cap the stylus pen
The flagship consumer convertible from the company that invented the modern 2-in-1, Lenovo’s Yoga 9i Gen 9 is our top pick for students (and plenty of other folks, to boot), thanks to its superb 14-inch OLED touch display with pen support. It looks brilliant, and it’s a super pick for taking notes, too.
Leading performance bolsters this laptop’s claim for a top spot, as well: The Yoga 9i showcases the power of Intel’s Core Ultra silicon, providing fantastic battery life and punchy performance. Including the pen and carrying case makes it a smart choice if you prioritize handwritten notes and on-screen sketching. With its all-metal chassis, the Yoga 9i exudes elegance while maintaining a slim profile. Most majors, from the sciences to the arts, will find something to love here.
This premium, swivel-hinge 2-in-1 is perfect for anyone needing touch input, handwriting, and drawing features but not wanting to compromise the laptop experience. The dazzling OLED display and symphonic sound are matched by the most refined version of Lenovo’s famous flip-and-fold design yet. If you’re looking for a machine with a leading-edge chip to get you through four undergrad years of classes, presentations, doodles, and collaborations, this Yoga model is a solid bet.
Class
Convertible 2-in-1
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
RAM (as Tested)
16 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
Manual
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.64 by 12.4 by 8.6 inches
Weight
2.98 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
17:52
Learn More
Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9 (2024) Review
- Good value, especially for a MacBook
- Much-improved performance, thanks to Apple’s new M1 processor
- Exceptional battery life
- Sleek, portable metal design
- High-quality keyboard, touchpad, and display
- Multiple color options
- Port selection limited to two USB Type-C connections
- Still no touch-screen option
A 2020 laptop is still relevant, really? To be sure, this version of the Apple MacBook Air isn’t new, but it received a new lease on life in mid-2024 as Apple’s most affordable laptop. Apple partnered with Walmart to sell the M1-powered Air for under $700, a fantastic value for what was once one of our top college laptops. Whether you’re already an Apple user or just want a premium ultraportable with all-day battery life on the cheap, the newly affordable Air is the best deal among Mac laptops if you’re budget-strapped. You can even get it in different colors for that low price.
If you want a thin-and-light laptop to carry across campus easily, the 2020 Apple MacBook Air with M1 chip is the cheapest Apple laptop you can buy new. For less than $700, this lightweight gives you a premium design and excellent system that could last for your entire undergrad or graduate experience.
Class
Ultraportable
Processor
Apple M1
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
256 GB
Screen Size
13.3 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Apple M1
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.63 by 11.97 by 8.36 inches
Weight
2.8 lbs
Operating System
Apple macOS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
29:01
Learn More
Apple MacBook Air (M1, Late 2020) 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 laptop 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, and 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.
This is more than an affordable, reliable laptop for students. The Acer Swift Go 14 is an AMD-powered performer with a super portable design. We recommend this budget-friendly college ultraportable if you need portability without compromising performance.
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
- 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 like handwritten notes, you’ll want to look at the 2-in-1 Asus ProArt PZ13, which features a gorgeous OLED touch screen that enhances the note-taking experience with fantastic 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 problem with this detachable 2-in-1? The pen is sold separately.
Whether you’re a creator who needs to draw or a student jotting down quotes and references in class, you’ll likely appreciate the Asus ProArt PZ13, our favorite detachable Windows 2-in-1. This versatile laptop is ideal for creative college students who want a touch screen for scrawling notes or sketches backed by a computer that can digest them into work-ready materials.
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 and media work, it has 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.
Whether you’re a creative pro or just studying to be one, the Asus ProArt P16 (H7606) is our favorite laptop for photo editors, video editors, and graphic designers seeking a high-performance Windows laptop. It’s a portable, powerful, high-end desktop replacement for college or professional use.
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
- Remarkably light for a 17-inch laptop
- Big, beautiful 16:10 display with variable refresh
- Long battery life
- GeForce GPU suitable for light gaming
- Flexible bordering on flimsy
- Awkward top-row keys
- Poor audio
The LG Gram Pro 17 is a singular product among big-screen laptops, delivering a big 16:10 aspect ratio display in a thin and light package that’s just 3.2 pounds. That’s no heavier than laptops with screens three inches smaller, making it a cinch to carry across campus, and the ultralight Gram backs its screen with a capable Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU. With plenty of oomph for media creation (and even light gaming) and a battery that stretches almost 18 hours, it’s the best 17-inch laptop for college students.
For college students who want a bigger screen, or need a little more performance for media work or gaming without going the full gaming-laptop route, the LG Gram Pro 17 is your best bet. For covering so many types of college-grade use cases, this is our favorite large-screen desktop replacement for college students.
Class
Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core i7-1360P
RAM (as Tested)
16 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
Variable Refresh Support
Manual
Screen Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
Graphics Memory
4 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.7 by 14.9 by 10.2 inches
Weight
3.2 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
17:55
Learn More
LG Gram Pro 17 (2023) Review
- Attractive price
- Suffices for 1080p gaming
- Wide selection of ports
- Lengthy battery life
- Lagging processor performance
- Limited 512GB SSD
University students often need powerful laptops for their coursework and projects, but let’s be honest: When the homework is done, you want something that will let you have some fun. The Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT) offers lengthy battery life and a wide selection of ports that make it a versatile productivity machine during the day, but it also gives you surprisingly smooth 1080p gaming performance for well under $1,000, making it a killer option for budget gaming.
Whether you’re a cash-strapped student or a parent trying to buy your freshman a machine to carry them through their college career, the Acer Nitro V 15 is one of the best budget gaming machines around. It’s powerful enough for whatever campus life throws at you, and you might have enough money left over to buy a game or two.
Class
Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i5-13420H
RAM (as Tested)
8 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 4050 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
6 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
1.06 by 14.3 by 9.4 inches
Weight
4.66 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
9:51
Learn More
Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT) 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
Though not as affordable as some Chromebooks, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is the most advanced and capable ChromeOS-powered laptop, especially for 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 courseload, this is the one to get.
This one is for anyone who wants the best ChromeOS with Android support has to offer. Whether you’re in the lecture hall, the library, or just chilling in your dorm, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is as close to perfect as Chromebooks get.
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 budget (chances 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 but usable, and its high-quality build is far more durable than the price might suggest.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 is ideal for budget-conscious buyers looking for a low-cost 2-in-1 option for schoolwork, especially for college students and younger users who need a reliable device for accessing essential apps and functions. If you want a ChromeOS tablet for basic tasks at a base-level price, this is the detachable 2-in-1 Chromebook to buy.
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
Google ChromeOS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
6:01
Learn More
Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 Review
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The Best Laptops for College Students in 2025
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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 check with your school for specific system requirements and negotiated discounts. They may have hard-and-fast hardware recommendations available at special prices from vendors—or not.
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 off a good amount from your college laptop 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 good 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.
(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. But of late, more options have emerged from each of these chipmakers, plus a new face on the scene.
For Windows laptops, the new hotness is Intel’s Core Ultra and Core Ultra 2, and AMD’s Ryzen 8000-series and Ryzen AI 300, processors. These recent 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 workday 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.
(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 matches even a moderate dedicated GPU. (Read more about gaming limits on the 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.
(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.
(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.
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 Chromebook makers—relatively low-cost laptops based on Google’s ChromeOS—into the education market. Chromebooks are still mostly web-centric, likely to rely on the online instead of locally installed versions of Microsoft 365 or Google Docs, but have relatively complete feature sets. If the school you’re attending 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.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
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, they 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 regarding power and design for detachables.
(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, for college or otherwise, you buy today 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.
(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 pleasant surprise 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 done overnight is possible.
So, Ready to Buy the Right Laptop for College?
We hope 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, 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.
