10 Best Laptops for Students

Wally Nowinski
editor

Our experts used the PerfectRec decision engine to comb through our laptop database and find the best laptops for students available in 2024. Here are our top picks.

Our criteria for the best laptops for students:

  • Usage: We focused on laptops for general use.
  • Portability: We placed some emphasis on portability because students tend to move often with their laptops.
  • Battery: We placed some emphasis on battery because students are often on the go with their laptops.
  • Budget: We set a budget of upto $1,000
To consider others factors, try the PerfectRec decision engine to get your personalized laptop recommendation
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10 Best Laptops for Students

1
HP 15.6”

Envy x360 15"

BEST RATING
Operating Noise:
4.6
General: A-
Size: 15.6"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Med. thick, med. heavy
Battery: Very Good




Expert Summary
The HP Envy x360 15" is a versatile laptop with a convertible 2-in-1 design, which allows it to be used as both a laptop and a tablet. It has a lower midrange price and offers an OLED touchscreen with a standard resolution, suitable for general use and media consumption. The AMD Ryzen 7 processor coupled with ample RAM makes it a good candidate for everyday tasks and can handle some more demanding applications. Its portability is considered good, given its reasonable weight and battery life, which supports typical usage for a decent duration. Additionally, this laptop features a backlit keyboard and a number of USB-C ports, enhancing its functionality and ease of use. However, it may not be the best option for intensive gaming or heavy engineering tasks, as it lacks dedicated high-performance graphics capabilities. Overall, the HP Envy x360 15" could be a good fit for users seeking a combination of performance in everyday tasks with the flexibility of a tablet.
Pros
  • Convertible design for laptop and tablet use
  • Touchscreen with good color coverage
  • Backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader for convenience
  • Solid build and heat management
  • Good general performance for everyday tasks
Cons
  • Mediocre performance for 3D tasks and engineering
  • Limited port selection with no Thunderbolt
  • Average battery life
  • Heavier than some comparable models
2
BEST RATING
Build Quality:
5.0
General: B+
Size: 16"
Overall Performance: Good
Portability: Thin, med. heavy
Battery: Very Good




Pros
  • High-resolution screen
  • Strong build quality
  • Good heat management
  • Long battery life
  • Backlit keyboard with fingerprint reader
Cons
  • No touchscreen
  • Heavier than some laptops
  • Limited upgradeability
  • Not ideal for fast motion use
3
Dell 15.6”

XPS 15

BEST RATING
Operating Noise:
4.8
General: A-
Size: 15.6"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Med. thick, med. heavy
Battery: Very Good




Expert Summary
The Dell XPS 15 is positioned at a midrange price level, offering a substantial balance between performance and cost. For storage, it comes with a decent size, accompanied by a sizeable amount of RAM for multitasking. It is powered by a modern Intel processor, alongside an Intel Arc GPU which makes it suitable for general usage and some more intensive tasks like light engineering work, but it might struggle with very demanding 3D or machine learning tasks. You'll find the battery life suited for a full day's work. Its 15.6-inch display is an IPS type with a good resolution, although it's not a touchscreen. Portability is good, not too heavy nor too bulky, making it a solid choice if you need to move around with your laptop. There are multiple USB-C ports, including Thunderbolt 4, enhancing connectivity and data transfer speed. The laptop has a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader for extra convenience and security, an excellent build quality, and manages heat well. Overall, the Dell XPS 15 is versatile and well-rounded, fitting for general use, professional work, and some creative tasks, yet not the ultimate choice for high-end gaming or very demanding computational tasks.
Pros
  • Premium build quality
  • Excellent keyboard
  • Good general performance
  • Reliable heat management
  • High-resolution display
Cons
  • Average battery life
  • Limited gaming performance
  • No touchscreen option
  • Moderate portability
4
Apple 13.6”

MacBook Air (2022)

BEST RATING
Build Quality:
5.0
General: A-
Size: 13.6"
Overall Performance: Good
Portability: Very thin, very light
Battery: Excellent




Pros
  • Excellent battery life
  • Best-in-class build quality
  • Silent operation with fanless design
  • High-resolution, bright screen
  • Portable and lightweight
Cons
  • No touchscreen or high refresh rate
  • Only USB-C/Thunderbolt ports available
  • Limited performance for 3D/machine learning
  • Expensive compared to rivals
5
HP 16”

Spectre x360

BEST RATING
Battery Life:
4.6
General: A-
Size: 16"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Med. thick, med. heavy
Battery: Very Good




Expert Summary
The HP Spectre x360, a 2-in-1 convertible, can serve as both a laptop and tablet and sits at an upper midrange price. It has a solid combination of a large screen, significant storage, and ample RAM, paired with an Intel i7 processor and integrated graphics, making it capable for general use and multitasking. Its higher battery capacity should offer long hours of typical usage, but the weight is a consideration for portability. Its assortment of ports, including USB-C and Thunderbolt, adds versatility for connecting peripherals. The build quality and display are noted for being high-quality, with a bright screen that supports touchscreen interaction. Its performance is sufficient for general work and some engineering applications, though dedicated gaming or intensive 3D rendering may be limited due to the absence of a discrete GPU. The keyboard and speakers are highly regarded, ensuring a comfortable typing experience and good sound quality.
Pros
  • Convertible laptop-tablet design
  • High-resolution touchscreen
  • Good battery life
  • Backlit keyboard with fingerprint reader
  • Multiple Thunderbolt ports
Cons
  • No dedicated number pad
  • Limited engineering performance
  • No hardware ray tracing support
  • Heavier than ultra-portables
6
BEST RATING
Operating Noise:
5.0
General: A-
Size: 16"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Thin, med. heavy
Battery: Good




Pros
  • Good portability for its size
  • High-quality backlit keyboard
  • Silent fanless operation
  • Full HD+ display with accurate colors
  • Solid build quality and heat management
Cons
  • Limited battery life
  • Limited high-performance capabilities
  • No hardware ray tracing or DLSS
  • No available RAM slots for upgrade
7
Samsung 15.6”

Galaxy Book3 360

BEST RATING
Operating Noise:
4.9
General: B+
Size: 15.6"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Very thin, very light
Battery: Very Good




Expert Summary
The Samsung Galaxy Book3 360, priced in the midrange, comes with a generous amount of storage and RAM. It has an Intel i7 CPU and integrated graphics, which should provide good performance for general use and light engineering tasks but may struggle with intensive 3D or machine learning workflows. The 61.1Wh battery paired with a 15.6-inch OLED touchscreen provides a balance between battery life and display quality. It's portable at a little over 3 pounds, and being a 2-in-1 convertible, it can double as a tablet, adding flexibility to its use. It lacks a discrete GPU, so it's not ideal for heavy gaming, although it can handle less demanding games.
Pros
  • Convertible 2-in-1 laptop and tablet
  • Touchscreen with 1080p resolution
  • Backlit keyboard with fingerprint reader
  • USB-C charging with Thunderbolt ports
  • Lightweight at 3.22 pounds
Cons
  • Only 60Hz refresh rate
  • No dedicated graphics card
  • Limited storage expansion options
  • Highest brightness at 350 nits
8
BEST RATING
Operating Noise:
5.0
General: A-
Size: 16"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Med. thick, med. heavy
Battery: Good




Expert Summary
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635, priced in the lower midrange, comes with a sizable 16-inch display, offering a high-resolution screen great for productivity and media consumption. It runs on an AMD Ryzen 7 processor with integrated Vega graphics, providing good performance for general use and casual gaming, though not ideal for high-end gaming or intensive engineering tasks. With a weight of around 4.19 pounds, it's somewhat portable but there are lighter options if mobility is a priority. Battery life is fair, making it suitable for use on the go. Plus, it operates silently. It includes useful features like a backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader for added convenience and security, while its white color gives it a distinct look. If you're seeking a reasonably priced laptop for everyday use with a large screen and decent performance, the Inspiron 16 5635 is a solid choice.
Pros
  • Silent fanless operation
  • Good performance for general use
  • Excellent heat management
  • Backlit keyboard with fingerprint reader
  • Supports USB-C charging
Cons
  • Modest battery life
  • Limited gaming and engineering performance
  • Mediocre screen color accuracy
  • No Thunderbolt support
9
Acer 14”

Swift Go 14

BEST RATING
Portability:
4.7
General: A-
Size: 14"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Thin, very light
Battery: Good




Expert Summary
The Acer Swift Go 14 offers robust performance with its Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics, suited for general use and capable of handling some engineering and creative tasks. The OLED display is of high quality, boasting a high resolution and color accuracy, which is great for visual work but not touch-enabled. This laptop is lightweight and thin, enhancing its portability, but the tradeoff comes in battery life, which is moderate. There are ample ports, including Thunderbolt, for connectivity, and features such as a backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader are present for convenience. It's described as having a lower midrange price, indicating a balance between affordability and features. Overall, it's a versatile choice for everyday use, with some capacity for more demanding applications.
Pros
  • High-resolution screen
  • Good for general use
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Good color coverage
  • Efficient heat management
Cons
  • Moderate battery life
  • Average 3D/Machine Learning performance
  • Limited port variety
  • No hardware ray tracing
10
BEST RATING
Battery Life:
4.7
General: B+
Size: 14"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Med. thick, light
Battery: Very Good




Expert Summary
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 is a budget-friendly option with decent computing power, courtesy of the AMD Ryzen 7 processor, making it suitable for everyday tasks and some more demanding applications. It offers a satisfactory amount of storage and memory, with options for expansion. The integrated Vega 8 graphics can handle light gaming and graphical tasks, but may not be ideal for intensive gaming or high-end graphic design. With a weight that balances portability and build, it's a good fit for on-the-go use while maintaining a 14-inch display, which has a resolution favouring productivity and content consumption. Battery life is adequate for a day's work, and the laptop has a backlit keyboard, which is helpful in low-light conditions. Keep in mind, though, that while it's versatile enough for general use, professionals needing advanced computational or graphical capabilities may find it limited.
Pros
  • Affordable midrange price
  • Decent performance with Ryzen 7
  • Good display resolution
  • Solid battery life
  • Compact and lightweight
Cons
  • No dedicated graphics
  • Limited port selection
  • Build quality is average
  • Average speaker quality