Students need a specific type of laptop for their studies. Not only should it be powerful enough to perform well in their chosen major, but it should also be compact and lightweight enough to lug around all day.
Dell XPS 13 (9340)
Inspiron 15 (3535)
Lenovo Yoga 9i
Acer Chromebook Spin 714
MacBook Air 13-inch M3
Best Laptop for Students Overall:Dell XPS 13 (9340)
TheDell XPS 13 9340is a reliable choice for students. It’s a very capable laptop and can handle demanding tasks, such as video editing, multitasking, and even gaming when you’ve finished studying for the day. It may not quite boast the same power and features as thelatest 9345 modelwith its integrated AI and SnapDragon X processor, but the jury is still out on theseCoPilot+ Microsoft laptops.
The 9340’s sleek, lightweight design ensures it’s easy to carry around campus, and the 13.4-inch size slips seamlessly into a backpack. Additionally, the bright, anti-reflective display boasts color accuracy and wide viewing angles. The base model features a Full HD non-touchscreen, but you can opt for a QHD+ (2560x1600) or a 3K OLED touchscreen.
The base configuration starts at 8GB of LPDDR5 memory and 512GB of SSD storage. However, if you need extra performance and space, you can select up to 64GB of LPDDR5X and 2TB of storage before purchase.
The Dell XPS 13 9340 is a reliable choice for students, with a sleek design that’s easy to carry around campus. It offers a bright, color-accurate display and configurable options for increased performance and storage to meet your needs.
Best Budget Laptop for Students:Inspiron 15
Theolder modelof the Inspiron 15 is now available at a much reduced price. At this rock-bottom rate, you can expect the laptop to be suitable for everyday tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and light multitasking.
However, while more expensive, the newInspiron 15 3535model still falls within the budget price range and offers some excellent value specs. Various processors are available, but the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U variation is a good option for students with heavier workloads. It also has 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 1TB SSD storage.
The non-touch display of this model has a Full HD resolution, and the battery life is decent at up to 11 hours. There are other options if you require a touchscreen, such as theolder model of the Inspiron 14. It also offers the versatility of a 2-in-1 design, as well as a 1080p webcam.
The new Inspiron 15 3535 offers excellent value with its strong performance. It’s ideal for students with demanding workloads, providing a clear display and solid battery life, making it a reliable choice for both studying and everyday use.
Best 2-in-1:Lenovo Yoga 9i
With its sleek, premium design and compact build, theLenovo Yoga 9iis ideal for students who seek portability and the versatility of a 2-in-1 design. It features a pleasing 14-inch 2880x1800 OLED touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate that delivers visuals and color ideal for media consumption or for students who need extra detail and color accuracy for their studies.
With 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 512GB SSD, the base configuration of this laptop gives you smooth performance for multitasking and anyone involved in creative projects. For a little extra, students can opt for 32GB and 1TB for even more performance.
Lenovo’s proprietary Slim Pen is the cherry on top, while connectivity options include USB-C/T4 ports and a headphone jack. The laptop has quality Bowers & Wilkins speakers and a 5MP 2.5K webcam, ideal for remote students.
The Lenovo Yoga 9i’s sleek, compact design and versatile 2-in-1 functionality make it perfect for students on the go. Its vibrant OLED touchscreen and high-quality speakers enhance both media consumption and both remote and classroom learning.
Best Chromebook for Students:Acer Chromebook Spin 714
While it’s not the cheapest Chromebook you can find, theAcer Chromebook Spin 714is an excellent midrange option with features that justify the price. It offers students cloud-based studying on a durable 2-in-1 laptop. Additionally, it’s lightweight at just slightly over 3lbs, and a 360-degree hinge means you can seamlessly swap between laptop and tablet modes.
The 14-inch touchscreen has a 1920x1200p resolution, which makes media content good to watch and documents and websites sharp and easy on the eye.
This base design (CP714-2W-56B2 model) features a 13th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. If you need more performance, you’re able to choose theCP714-2WN-74R0 model, with its superior Intel Core i7-1355U processor and higher resolution display.
However, the base design offers enough performance for most students. With up to 10 hours of battery life, a backlit keyboard for dimmed classrooms, a 2K webcam, and excellent connectivity options, it has almost everything a student might need in a Chromebook.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is a superb midrange choice for students, offering a durable and versatile 2-in-1 design that’s perfect for cloud-based studying. Its lightweight build, high-quality display, and useful features like long battery life and a backlit keyboard make it an excellent option for both classroom and remote learning.
Best MacBook for Students:MacBook Air 13-inch M3
Over the years, the go-to MacBook for many students has been theMacBook Air 13-inch. It’s now graced with the M3 chip, which ensures it’s still the best choice with its predecessor-trumping performance. Additionally, it maintains the same streamlined, stylish design, lightweight build, and stunning 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display.
However, for many, the M3 chip offers a minimal performance upgrade. With theMacBook Air 13-inch M2available at a more affordable price now, it may provide better value for students, especially as it was only in 2023 that it received all the plaudits. While we’re at it, theMacBook Air 13-inch M1is still floating around, and it still offers plenty of performance for students at an even more affordable price.
Of course, if the baseline8GB of unified memory isn’t enough, buying directly from the Apple Store offers consumers the opportunity to upgrade the specs before purchase (at more cost, of course). And if students feel 13 inches is too small, there is also a15-inch optionthat is still sleek and lightweight.
The MacBook Air 13-inch with the M3 chip continues to be a top choice for students, combining impressive performance with its signature sleek design and high-quality display.
Q: How can I check and see if there are student laptop discounts?
There are several ways students can get access to discounts. Apple has itsEducation Storewith discounted rates, whileMicrosoftalso has its own dedicated store offering excellent deals to verified students.
Alternatively, you may skip the constant verification processes at individual stores by signing up for a reputable verification site.UNiDAYSdelivers student discounts on a variety of products, including laptops. You register with a personal email, verify your status as a student, and then enjoy 12 months of great deals.Student Beansworks in much the same way and centralizes thousands of student discounts for your convenience.
Q: Is 8GB of RAM enough for a laptop for school?
8GB is enough RAM for most school tasks. For web browsing, word processing, light multitasking, and basic photo editing, it should prove to be sufficient.
However, if you are to multitask heavily, edit videos, use engineering or design software, or run multiple resource-intensive applications at the same time, you should consider at least 16GB.
You may even want to consider 32GB if you will be asking your laptop to perform demanding tasks, such as 3D rendering or running virtual machines. This amount of RAM will also allow for extensive multitasking and using engineering, design, or computer science software.
Q: What is the difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop?
The most significant difference is the operating system. Chromebooks use Google’s ChromeOS, while Windows laptops use the Microsoft Windows OS.
Additionally, Chromebooks rely on web-based and Android apps downloaded from the Play Store. This means that offline functionality is somewhat limited, but security against viruses is more reliable.
Another consideration is that Chromebooks rely more on cloud services, such as Google Drive, while Windows laptops have more physical storage.
There are manyother reasons to considerif you are weighing up your options. However, it’s also worth considering thatit is possible to install Windows on a Chromebook.
Q: Do I need a MacBook for photo and video editing?
You don’t necessarily need a MacBook for photo and video editing. However, many professionals prefer them due to their robust builds, excellent color accuracy, and powerful hardware. The ultimate MacBook luxury, especially for video editing, is theMacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max. However, it does cost a small fortune, and many otherexcellent photo and video editing laptop optionsexist that may or may not be MacBooks.
