Discover affordable yet functional laptops for any type of student.

Choosing the right laptop for college students is a challenging task, as you need a device that is powerful, has long battery life, high display resolution, enough memory to store all the projects and essays, and has good speakers and webcam for remote learning (aka the “new normal”). We did the homework for you and listed some of the best laptop options for students below. If you’re looking for the best business laptops instead, you can read our article on that topic.

HP Envy 13 (2019)

With the base model currently starting at just $700 with discounts, this super-slim device is an ideal laptop for college students. The lower-end option comes with a 13-inch full-HD display, an 8th-generation Intel Core i7-8565U processor, an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 core, and 8GB of RAM. You can easily find a higher-end option with more advanced configurations or upgrade directly on HP’s shopping page. 

Acer Swift 3 (2020)

This model is one of the most budget-friendly on our list, with the base model starting at $499 (4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD and an AMD Radeon Vega 8 GPU) and $799 for a more advanced version (8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and Intel Iris Plus graphics). At just 2.7 pounds, Acer Swift 3 is a refined and lightweight laptop for college students who can easily carry it between lecture halls (or between a bedroom and a living room, as of late). The webcam features a super high dynamic range that delivers a true-to-life effect for video calls and meetings.

Google Pixelbook Go

When looking for the best laptop for college students, one of the most important factors to look at is battery life, and the Pixelbook Go is one of the best laptops when it comes to that, with a battery lasting up to 12 hours. It is also reasonably priced, with the base model starting at $649 (8GB RAM and 64GB of storage). The keyboard features the latest Hush Keys, providing a soft and quiet typing experience, and also contains a touch-free capability. This computer runs on Chrome OS and features an impressive 1080p webcam.

MacBook Air (2020)

Don’t let the word “air” fool you – this light and thin laptop is nothing short of mighty. This laptop is a bit pricey (though cheaper than MacBook Pro models), but comes with a lot of storage space (double compared to previous Air models!), famous Apple design, build quality, decent battery life, new Magic keyboard, and a portable lightweight size. The 2020 model also features Apple’s very own M1 chip, making MacBook Air incredibly fast. Bonus: Apple gives discounts on its products for registered students. All in all, this is a great laptop for college students, with proven longevity and efficiency. 

Asus Chromebook Flip

The design of this laptop allows it to be used as both a laptop or a tablet, which many college students will find useful. The device features a bright 14-inch display, superfast 10th-gen Intel core i3 processor, and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility that delivers excellent connectivity and speed. Add sleek design and portability to the list and you’ve got yourself a perfect laptop for college students. Prices for the 2020 model start at $799. 

Dell XPS 13

This sturdy machine strikes the perfect balance between efficiency, power, portability, and design and is certainly one of the best options for college students. The base model starts at $1000 and features Intel Core i3 CPU, a 13.3-inch 1080p screen, and 4GB RAM. This laptop is slightly less budget-friendly than others, but has enough resources to help students get through college and even graduate school. To top it all off, Dell XPS 13 features a brilliant 4K display with 3840×2160 pixels that’s ideal for both the creative coursework and post-work Netflix marathons.

Conclusion

Picking the perfect laptop for college students is not easy and the right computer should tick off several boxes, such as good battery life, portability and weight, reliable performance (imagine if it constantly crashes in the middle of the project!), and decent webcam and audio capabilities. Hopefully, our list will make your choice slightly easier. If you’re ready to laptop trade in your old device to get some cash for the new one, get started with Gadget Salvation.