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What’s the one thing that can help you write papers (and print), take online classes, and stream movies while chilling in your dorm room? A laptop. From late-night studying to catching up with friends and family over a webcam — the best laptop for college students will help make life all around easier, which is why it’s important to find the right one.
If you’re headed back to school and want to upgrade or purchase a new laptop, let us help you find the right pick. We’ve scoured through numerous customer reviews, ratings, and more to find the best ones because every student knows how essential a laptop is.
Out list includes a variety of options, if you enjoy playing video games, you’ll benefit from a laptop with a good GPU, high resolution, and fast speed. If you're going to be shooting and video editing for class projects, you’ll most likely need something that has a long battery life, is lightweight to carry around in your backpack, and comes with a great display.
With so many software options, processors, and other features to consider, weighing the pros and cons of each is definitely worth your while. There’s no avoiding the fact that laptops are the more pricer kind of school supplies, but it’s absolutely a great investment item that can last you for a very long time. (I’ve had my Macbook Pro for 10+ years and it still works great!).
Ahead, check out Teen Vogue’s picks for the best laptops for college students for the upcoming semester, complete with accessible explanations and pros and cons for each.
Apple Macbook Air M2
The MacBook Air is easily one of the most sought-after laptops for college students all over the country. The brand's latest release is an absolute dream. If you’re looking for something lightweight and slim (as a tester, I can confirm it feels like a small notebook), this is going to be your best bet. It has a next-generation M2 chip, which means it no longer needs a fan, so your laptop will stay completely silent no matter how many videos you’re editing (no more sounding like an airplane about to take off). Plus, it’s made from 100% recycled aluminum — we love technology that is also sustainable.
The other amazing qualities include a beautiful liquid retina display, up to 18 hours of battery life, advanced camera and audio features, and a 10-core GPU. All students get a $150 Apple gift card and 20% off AppleCare+ with a laptop purchase.
Pros: 10-core GPU, Excellent battery life, Touch ID
Cons: Expensive
HP Envy 17
This big-screen laptop delivers a full-HD display. Plus, it features a powerful intel core processor with 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD for maximum storage space. It operates with Windows 11 Home and comes with one multi-format SD media card reader, a wide vision HD camera, and dual HP audio boost speakers. You can upgrade to higher-end models to get even more storage space and features, but if you don't want a higher model, the entry-level Envy is still a great pick for students. And you can save some coins using the student discount schoolHP10.
Pros: Fast, Fingerprint Reader, Privacy Camera Shutter Key
Cons: Slightly bulky design, Student Discount
Acer Chromebook 314
This laptop sells out all the time, and it’s no wonder why: the Acer Chromebook 314 gives you access to a state-of-the-art computer for just under $300. That’s a steal for a laptop with a 14-inch HD screen, Intel Celeron N4000 processor, built-in virus protection, and an automatic update system. It comes with 4GB of device memory, which may not seem like much, but since it’s a Chromebook, you’ll also receive an additional 100GB of Google Drive space to store and back up as many files as you want. Some Amazon reviewers have mentioned that it’s prone to physical damage, but as long as you take care of it, you shouldn’t have any real issues.
Pros: Affordable, Google Drive storage, Automatic Updates
Cons: Fragile
Dell XPS 13 Touch Laptop
One of Dell’s most innovative laptops is the XPS 13 Touch Laptop which has an 11th Generation Intel Core i5 processor, along with 8GB of internal memory and 512GB of drive storage. Though the laptop includes an SD card reader, a headphones jack, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, some reviewers expressed frustration over the fact that it only features one USB port, which is a USB-C. Be sure to check out Dell University, which offers a price match guarantee and exclusive discounts for students.
Pros: Touch screen, Fingerprint Reader, Student Discount
Cons: Expensive, Limited USB Port Access
Galaxy Chromebook 2 360
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Starting at just $99.99, you can score this 2-in-1 pick that is great for college students always on the go. It can easily transform from a tablet to a laptop in seconds! You can also use it completely as a touchscreen when needed. It’s also designed with students in the mind and features a super durable alloy frame material and spill-resistant keyboard (a life savor).
Pros: Affordable, 10-hour Battery Life, Fast Charger
Cons: Small Screen (12.4 inches)
HP Chromebook
The HP Chromebook is the budget-friendly laptop to buy for fall. Beyond its rave reviews, it features 4GB of random access memory, or storage directly within the device, along with 32GB of storage in its drive. Equipped with user-friendly Google Chrome OS and Intel Celeron N3350 processor, its 11.6-inch width may seem small, but it doesn’t sacrifice the screen’s quality HD resolution. Not to mention the fact that its size makes it one of the most portable laptops you can buy.
Pros: Affordable, Compact, Free Security Software
Cons: Small Screen, Low Memory
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Microsoft’s Surface laptops are a fan favorite among Amazon customers. The Surface Pro 7+ has an efficient 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. At 12.4 inches wide, the Surface Pro comes with a full-size keyboard with a large precision trackpad that lets you navigate, scroll, and click with ease. If the total price of all that sounds steep, you’ll be happy to learn that the device qualifies for a student discount when purchased from Microsoft’s site. With a high-resolution screen, studio mics, built-in HD camera, and a battery that lasts all day, it’s the ultimate back-to-school companion for a largely digital semester.
Pros: Touch Screen, Student Discount, Preloaded Microsoft 365 Apps
Cons: Some Users Note the Touchscreen Is Sometimes Unreliable
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 Intel
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Amazon customers can't stop raving about this pick, giving it a 4.6-star overall rating. It comes with a top-of-the-line Intel Core i5 processor and an audio system so clear that it’ll make a Zoom meeting feel IRL. It also comes equipped with two USB-C ports, a micro-SD card slot, and a USB 3.1 port. The best part? You won’t ever have to worry about wifi connection, thanks to its speedy wifi six feature. All ThinkPad laptops are also made military-grade tough, according to the brand. From spills to drops, you can trust that this laptop will be able to withstand major accidents.
Pros: Touch screen, Large Screen, Several Ports
Cons: May Not Function Well as Tablet
Apple MacBook Pro, 13-Inch
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The 13-inch MacBook Pro is by far the most popular laptop on this list, but Apple’s student discount program makes it cheaper for a full $100 less. Every MacBook comes with the obvious perk of connecting to all of your other Apple devices, but beyond that, the Pro can be customized to suit your unique needs. Looking for the most efficient processing possible? Tack on the next generation Apple M2 chip which provides a big boost in graphics and performance. Thinking you’ll need more than the default 8GB of storage? Upgrade to a full 16GB of RAM. No matter what features you choose to add on, it’s guaranteed to come with built-in Thunderbolt 3 ports, keyboard touch bar, and Touch ID fingerprint reader.
Pros: Compatible With Apple Devices, Fingerprint Reader, Student Discount
Cons: Expensive, Minimal Ports
Asus Chromebook
Don't let the bargain price point fool you—this is one of the best Chromebooks for students, especially if you're looking for an affordable pick that's ultraportable (hello, 2.6 pounds). It has a 14" screen and a respectable 8-hour battery life. "We got three of these for our kids since the school district is using the Chromebooks and they work perfectly for classes, Google meets and homework," reports one happy reviewer on Amazon.
Pros: Lightweight, Inexpensive, Better CPU Speed Than Most Budget laptops at This Price Point
Cons: Screen Resolution Is Just Okay
Google Pixelbook Go
This high-end laptop has all the bells and whistles: a full HD display with 1920x1080 pixels, a 128GB solid-state drive (SSD), a backlit keyboard, hush keys, and a touch screen. Speaking of screens, this one is 13.3 inches. You can get lost in homework (or Pinterest) for hours and hours (up to 12 hours, in fact) on a single charge. Notably, you can get two hours of battery life in just 20 minutes of charging. Storage starts at 64GB. The Google Pixelbook Go meets sustainability standards and has been certified as climate pledge friendly. Go Google!
Pros: Excellent Speakers, Impressive Battery Life, Bright Screen
Cons: On the Expensive Side (but it's worth it)
Acer Swift 3
The Acer Swift is a solid, reliable laptop. It's actually “Amazon's Choice” among all the Acer laptops, thanks to its consistently positive reviews and fair price point. It's got an ultra-thin profile and weighs in at a scant 2.65 pounds. It's got dual-band Wi-Fi, which ultimately results in higher internet speeds—which we are all about. We love that it has a backlit keyboard (perfect for those late-night study sessions when you're cramming in bed with the lights off). The screen itself is a vivid wonder with .21" narrow bezels and a competitive 82.73% screen-to-body ratio (meaning your screen has more screen and less border). Choose this laptop and you can also say goodbye to a laptop password because this high-tech pick has a fingerprint reader.
Pros: Fast, Snappy Processor, Impressive 512GB SSD
Cons: Computer Fans Can Get Noisy and Computer Can Run Hot