It’s time for school and college again, which means many of us are probably looking for the best laptops for students. Our guide has been compiled to take the stress and excitement out of getting a great system – this is a list of the best student laptops to meet just about every need and budget imaginable. Online sellers are very interested in giving laptops to students, especially during the “back to school” season. They usually offer a variety of tempting offers and discounts so you can save your money.
These offers are designed to attract students, so keep your eyes open for the best student discount on laptops while you shop. You may end up paying less than you thought you should. So whether you’re going to college, picking up your studies at home, or something in between, use our guide to the generally best student laptop to find a device that’s perfect for you – one with all the features you need at a price that suits you. When you return to school (or university), you want to be sure that you are well-equipped.
Best Laptops For Students
When you buy a laptop for students, make sure it has a long battery life and fast overall performance. And if you prefer to write notes by hand, buy one of the best 2-in-1 laptops.
1. HP Envy 13
HP Envy 13.3" 4K Ultra HD Touch-Screen Laptop 10th Gen Intel i7-1065G7...
HP has a long history of developing laptops you can rely on, and the Envy 13 is no different – it’s one of the best options you’ll find in the mid-range laptop market. We include it here because of its excellent value for money. This is a laptop that will give you pleasure for a long time. The 13.3-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (1080p) is at the forefront here – bright and sharp and ideal for streaming video, surfing the web, and working on documents.
While creative professionals may want a little more in the screen landscape, the smaller display makes this a portable laptop, and its solid build quality means you don’t feel you have to be extra careful with it. With a selection of Intel’s core processors inside and some compelling combinations of RAM and internal memory also available, this is a laptop ready to handle all but the most demanding tasks (don’t try to bet on it). Special mention should be made of the audio, developed in collaboration with Bang and Olufsen, which sounds great.
2. MacBook Air 2020
Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) - Space Gray...
- Stunning 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology
- Backlit Magic Keyboard and Touch ID
- Tenth-generation Intel Core i3 processor
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Fast SSD storage
- Stunning 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology
- Backlit Magic Keyboard and Touch ID
- Tenth-generation Intel Core i3 processor
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Fast SSD storage
- 8GB of memory
- Stereo speakers with wider stereo sound
- Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
- Up to 11 hours of battery life
- Force Touch trackpad
It’s incredible what a difference the right keyboard can make. Since 1999, MacBook Air 2020 features the improved Magic Keyboard, which replaces the butterfly switch with a scissors-action mechanism that makes typing much more comfortable. Apple has also upgraded the Air to the 10th generation Intel Core processors (8th generation and later). This is a Y series chip (which is not as powerful as the U series CPUs), but it turned out to be sufficient for everyday use and basic multitasking.
Apple not only lowered the price by $100 but also doubled the standard memory of MacBook Air from a 128GB SSD to a 256GB drive, which still offers lightning-fast read speeds. MacBook Air also has great endurance, with a battery that lasts all day. In our web surfing test, it took 9 hours and 31 minutes (nearly 50 minutes longer than the regular system) to fully charge MacBook Air. Add to that Apple’s relatively bright and colorful Retina display and surprisingly powerful speakers, and you have one of the best laptops for students.
3. Dell XPS 13 2020
Dell XPS 13 9300 13.4-inch FHD InfinityEdge Touchscreen Laptop (Silver), Intel Core...
- Precision cut from a block of aluminum in two pieces so there is no variability in construction.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 6 is tough, damage resistant, durable, elegant and allows for no flex in its display.
- Precision cut from a block of aluminum in two pieces so there is no variability in construction.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 6 is tough, damage resistant, durable, elegant and allows for no flex in its display.
- Dual fans separated to spread heat over a larger area, to dual heat pipes to hidden exhaust venting through the hinge,
- The power button lets you log on with just a touch
- A 2.25mm high quality HD webcam gives you the best camera experience.
It’s hard to improve near perfection, but the XPS 13 2020 manages to make the best laptop even better – and it’s so good that the Dell XPS 13 won our title for the best laptop. Dell’s latest flagship PC is equipped with Intel’s latest 10th generation processors that make multitasking between applications and even some light games a breeze. The laptop’s Infinity Edge screen now has a 91.5% screen share without getting in the way of your favorite movies and TV shows.
Some minor improvements make the XPS 13 2020 better than its predecessors. The laptop’s comfortable keyboard is now rimless and the touchpad is 17% larger, making it much easier to work with documents over long periods of time without getting cramped. With a few minor material changes, the beautiful aluminum design is even more attractive in handling and handling, and the Dell XPS 13 2020 quickly catches the eye as the top model in its class. Overall, this is one of the best laptops for students.
4. Acer Spin 5
Acer Spin 5 Convertible Laptop, 13.5" 2K 2256 x 1504 IPS Touch,...
- Aspect Ratio: 3:2
- 10th Generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor (Up to 3. 9GHz) 16GB LPDDR4X Memory 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- 13.5" Acer VertiView 2K 2256 x 1504 Widescreen IPS LED-backlit Touch Display (3:2 aspect ratio) Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Aspect Ratio: 3:2
- 10th Generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor (Up to 3. 9GHz) 16GB LPDDR4X Memory 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- 13.5" Acer VertiView 2K 2256 x 1504 Widescreen IPS LED-backlit Touch Display (3:2 aspect ratio) Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX201 802. 11ax Backlit Keyboard fingerprint reader up to 15 hours battery life
- 2 - USB 3. 1 Type C port supporting USB 3. 1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps), DisplayPort over USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, USB Charging, DC-in, 2 - USB 3. 2 Gen 1 port (one featuring power-off charging) & 1 - HDMI 2. 0 port
- Co-Engineered for Mobile Performance by Intel and Acer Rechargeable Acer Active Stylus with Wacom AES 1. 0
A great feature set certainly offers great value, and if you’re looking for the best 2-in-1 laptops for students, that’s one thing to keep in mind. Together with affordability, this makes the Acer Spin 5 (2020) a great candidate. This 2-in-1 laptop is versatile not only because of its form factors and excellent battery life. It’s also equipped with a 3:2 display and a feature-rich stylus, which together represent the additional advantage for students and professionals over its competitors: a simple and seamless note-taking experience. If you’re one of those people who despise typing notes in class, this old-fashioned approach could seal the deal.
5. HP Spectre x360
HP Spectre X360 2020 GEM Cut 13.3" FHD Touch Laptop, Intel i7-1065G7,...
- Newly Launched HP Spectre x360 13T Cutting Edge GEM CUT Design - 10TH GENERATION QUAD CORE CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 (1.3 GHz, up to 3.9 GHz, 8 MB cache, 4 cores) four-way processing 1.30 GHz to 3.9 GHz with 8 MB SmartCache, high-efficiency performance with Intel Turbo Boost Technology WINDOWS 10 HOME 64 BIT PRE INSTALLED BY HP, NEW Features - Web Cam Kill Switch, Mic Mute Key, Fingerprint reader
- Newly Launched HP Spectre x360 13T Cutting Edge GEM CUT Design - 10TH GENERATION QUAD CORE CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 (1.3 GHz, up to 3.9 GHz, 8 MB cache, 4 cores) four-way processing 1.30 GHz to 3.9 GHz with 8 MB SmartCache, high-efficiency performance with Intel Turbo Boost Technology WINDOWS 10 HOME 64 BIT PRE INSTALLED BY HP, NEW Features - Web Cam Kill Switch, Mic Mute Key, Fingerprint reader
- UNMATCHED AUDIO PERFORMANCE with QUAD Bang & Olufsen speakers: The partnership between Bang & Olufsen and HP brings premium sound to your personal computing device. With HP Quad Speakers, HP Audio Boost, and custom tuning by the experts at Bang & Olufsen, entertainment comes to life with sound you can feel.
- SUPERIOR SPEED and NETWORKING: Fast Data Access with 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5 Combo. Security management Mic Mute key; Webcam kill switch, 1 headphone/microphone combo; 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A (HP Sleep and Charge); 2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C with Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb/s signaling rate, Power Delivery 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4, HP Sleep and Charge)
- IMPRESSIVE HD PANEL with HD Active Stylus Pen and Thunderbolt Support: Experience exceptional colors and clarity with 13.3" Full HD touch screen (Resolution: 1920 x 1080) for hands-on control and IPS technology for wide viewing angles. 13.3" diagonal FHD IPS micro-edge WLED-backlit touch screen with NBT, HP Active Stylus Pen, USB-C port, Thunderbolt support & SD card reader, HD IR Webcam
- 16GB SDRAM(ONBAORD), Bang & Olufsen Quad Speakers, HP Audio Boost, Fingerprint Reader, ALSO includes a Super Sleek, Super cool, 64GB ULTRA SLIM Tech Warehouse LLC USB Flash drive. A speedy little performer with a great look! Please see picture illustrations for more information
The HP Spectre x360 13 is the best 2-in-1 laptop ever. Updated with a 10th generation CPU and a more modern design, the Spectre x360 13 has improved in almost every way over its award-winning predecessor. Highlights of this laptop include a beautiful design with faceted edges and beveled corners. These precisely cut details make the Spectre look more like a jewel than a gadget.
Add to this the impressive design with a clear 1080p display, an epic battery life of over 13 hours, and fast overall performance. There’s almost nothing the Spectre x360 13 doesn’t do well, even if the speakers do require some tuning. We compared the Spectre x360 13 to some of our other preferred 2-in-1 laptops, including the XPS 13 2-in-1 and the Yoga C940, but none of these big rivals could dethrone the HP. Overall, this is one of the best laptops for students.
6. Acer Chromebook Spin 713
Acer Chromebook Spin 713 2-in-1 13.5" 2K VertiView 3:2 Touch - Intel...
- 13.5" Acer VertiView 2K 2256 x 1504 Widescreen IPS LED-backlit Touch Display (3:2 aspect ratio) | Intel Iris Plus Graphics, 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-10210U quad-core processor with up to 4.2GHz speed and 6MB cache memory
- 13.5" Acer VertiView 2K 2256 x 1504 Widescreen IPS LED-backlit Touch Display (3:2 aspect ratio) | Intel Iris Plus Graphics, 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-10210U quad-core processor with up to 4.2GHz speed and 6MB cache memory
- 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD, 8GB LPDDR4X Memory
- Backlit Keyboard | Fingerprint Reader, Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX201 802.11ax
- 2 - USB 3.1 Type C port supporting USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps), DisplayPort over USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, USB Charging, DC-in, 2 - USB 3.2 Gen 1 port (one featuring power-off charging) & 1 - HDMI 2.0 port, Up to 15 Hours Battery Life
- 360° flip-and-fold design, Rechargeable Acer Active Stylus with Wacom AES 1.0, Chrome OS
If you don’t have the best impression of the Acer laptops, let Chromebook Spin 713 change that for you. This ChromebookSpin 713 has almost everything you could wish for in an inexpensive laptop. You get a bright and colorful 13.5-inch touch display, an exceptional battery life of nearly 12 hours, and fast performance thanks to the Core i5 processor. Plus, the design is aluminum and 2-in-1, so you can flip the screen over and turn it into a tablet.
With a thickness of 0.7 inches and a weight of 3 pounds, the Spin 713 can be easily carried in a backpack on the way to class or work. Yes, the keyboard is a bit flat, and the speaker is perhaps better, but if you want a convertible Chromebook at a low price, you won’t do better than the Acer Chromebook Spin 713. All in all, this is one of the best student laptops you can buy right now.
7. Acer Aspire 5
Acer Aspire 5 A515-55G-57H8, 15.6" Full HD IPS Display, 10th Gen Intel...
- 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor (Up to 3.6GHz)| 8GB DDR4 Memory | 512GB NVMe SSD
- 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED backlit IPS Display | NVIDIA GeForce MX350 with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM
- 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor (Up to 3.6GHz)| 8GB DDR4 Memory | 512GB NVMe SSD
- 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED backlit IPS Display | NVIDIA GeForce MX350 with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM
- Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX201 802.11ax | Backlit Keyboard | HD Webcam | Up to 8 Hours Battery Life
- 1 - USB 3.1 (Type-C) Gen 1 port (up to 5 Gbps), 2 - USB 3.1 Gen 1 Port (one with Power-off Charging), 1 - USB 2.0 Port & 1 - HDMI Port with HDCP Support
- Windows 10 Home
The Acer Aspire 5 proves that you don’t have to spend much to get a great laptop. This laptop has a Full HD screen that is quite bright, making it perfect for surfing the web, editing photos quickly, and watching videos on Netflix, YouTube, or Disney Plus. And thanks to a 10th-generation Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD, it has all the power you need for everyday tasks and multitasking. It’s all packed into a pretty light 3.8-pound case.
The most pleasant surprise of the Aspire 5 is the battery life. This laptop lasted almost 9 hours on our web surf battery test, which is very good for a 15-inch system. There are a few things we don’t like about this inexpensive laptop; while the lid is made of high-quality aluminum, the rest of the unit is plastic. You should also not expect to play the latest games. But all in all, the Aspire 5 is one of the best student laptops you can buy right now.
8. Asus ZenBook 14
ASUS ZenBook 14 Ultra-Slim Laptop 14” Full HD NanoEdge Bezel, Intel Core...
- 14 inch 400nits Full HD (1920x1080), Anti-Glare IPS level NanoEdge bezel display
- Latest 10th generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 Core Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.9GHz) with Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Fast storage and memory featuring 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM
- 14 inch 400nits Full HD (1920x1080), Anti-Glare IPS level NanoEdge bezel display
- Latest 10th generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 Core Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.9GHz) with Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Fast storage and memory featuring 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM
- Built-in IR camera for facial recognition sign in with Windows Hello
- ErgoLift hinge, NumberPad, and backlit keyboard
This is simply a beautiful laptop from Asus, which we like to have in our list of the best laptops; if you want the perfect combination of performance and style, this could be the case, and as a bonus, you get a trackpad that can also be used as a handy second display. If you take a look at the specifications, you’ll see that this is a laptop that is more than suitable for any task you want to perform, even video editing and low-resolution gaming (note the Nvidia GeForce option).
Despite all this raw power, the price is not too high. And then there’s the design: this is one of the best-looking laptops we’ve ever seen, and even the display hinge is a work of art. It turns everything you need with aplomb, and it looks the way you do it – what more do you need?
9. MacBook Pro 13-inch
Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Magic Keyboard) -...
- Eighth-generation quad-core Intel Core i5 processor
- Brilliant Retina display with True Tone technology
- Backlit Magic Keyboard
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645
- Eighth-generation quad-core Intel Core i5 processor
- Brilliant Retina display with True Tone technology
- Backlit Magic Keyboard
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645
- Ultrafast SSD
- Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi
- Force Touch trackpad
The MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 solves the biggest problem of Apple’s other outstanding 13-inch laptop: the keyboard. By eliminating the flat keys of the older butterfly keyboard in favor of the fabulous Magic Keyboard, the latest MacBook Pro 13-inch offers the comfortable and responsive typing experience we’ve been hoping for from Apple’s flagship laptop. But a great new keyboard isn’t all that the new MacBook 2020 has to offer.
The new 13-inch model gets a nice performance boost from a 10th-generation Core i7 processor that, combined with the available 3733MHz memory, lightning-fast SSD, and Intel Iris Plus graphics delivers reliable performance for multitasking and photo and video editing. The MacBook Pro’s 2560-by-1600 format is still as beautiful as ever, and the laptop lasts nearly 11 hours. Apple has doubled the price of memory on the entry-level model, and you pay for 10th-generation performance, but overall, the latest 13-inch MacBook Pro is a great laptop.
10. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Bundle: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G4, 8GB RAM,...
Surface Pro 7 is an excellent laptop for last year’s Surface Pro 6 and gives it a performance boost. While the battery life is a hit, the new 10th generation CPU delivers outstanding performance. The design has not changed at all, but the Surface Pro 7 now has a USB-C port for charging and connecting peripherals. Microsoft continues to sell the comfortable Alcantara cover and the super-sensitive Surface Pen, which makes drawing and writing easier on the tablet’s vibrant and bright 12.3-inch display. Overall, this is currently one of the best laptops for students.
