Asus Vivobook 16 (2024)
Kyle KucharskiLooking for a laptop for college but don't know where to start? Don't worry -- you're not the first one to be overwhelmed by all the different kinds, and nonsensical computer jargon. The good thing is that depending on what you're going to school for, you can narrow down your choices, and we can help make some suggestions along the way.
Also: The best laptops for college you can buy: Expert tested
We've tested dozens of laptops this year alone at , and have a pretty solid understanding of which laptops are good for college since, well, we were students once, too!
Here are the big things to consider when picking out a laptop for college, and some recommended models that might help you narrow down your choices. Let's run through it.
Microsoft Surface Pro: deconstructed
Kyle KucharskiDifferent areas of study can have vastly different requirements for your laptop. If you're in a field such as media, design, or production and working with high-end graphics, you'll need to consider machines that can adequately handle those tasks. And the reality is that often (but not always!) means spending a little more money.
Also: How we test laptops at in 2024
Trust me, the worst thing you could do is settle for a lower-end machine that struggles to keep up with an intense workload; it's just going to hold you back during crunch time or finals week, and dealing with tech issues is a huge bummer when it gets in the way of assignments.
It's also important to consider your degree program or area of study while selecting a laptop. Many institutions may list recommended laptop and hardware options, so be sure to check your university's online resources, connect with a department chair, or talk with other students in your area of study too. More often than not, specific programs like engineering or mathematics suggest Windows PCs over MacBooks due to the particular software and programming. At the same time, the laptop selection will matter less for other degrees. Regardless of which category you fall into, you'll still want to purchase a top-notch laptop equipped to get you through the next four years (and beyond).
Alienware m18 R2
Kyle KucharskiOnce you've figured out the primary tasks you'll be doing with your new laptop, you should look at what you'd like to spend. Spending more on a computer typically means getting access to higher-tier hardware, more memory, faster processing speeds, and better displays. But of course, this is different across the board. Some machines punch above their price point, and others are overpriced for what they offer.
Here's what kind of laptop you're likely to get based on its price:
LG Gram Pro 16 2 in 1
Kyle KucharskiLet's face it: college students (or their parents) aren't exactly made of cash. But that shouldn't stop you from nabbing the laptop you want. You don't have to drop big money to get a good laptop for college because often, students can qualify for discounts on new laptops from almost all big-brand laptop companies. Here are the links to student discount signups for several major manufacturers.
Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1
Kyle KucharskiHardware aside, your personal preferences in what you want in a laptop matter. When it comes to the physical form factor of your ideal laptop, do you value portability above all else, or are you unbothered by a heavier laptop if that means a more prominent, better display?
Also: The best 15-inch laptops of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed
Would you like to be able to switch your laptop to a tablet? If so, you'll want to look at a 2-in-1 convertible laptop, of which there has been an explosion of really nice machines this year. We'll break down some of the most common personal preferences and give some suggestions along the way. And whatever your preferences are, the picks below are our three favorite laptops for college overall.
If you're looking for a laptop that is above all else, light and easy to carry around, there are some great options out there that are defined by their portability.
Also: The best lightweight laptops of 2024: Expert tested
However, ultraportability does come with tradeoffs. In terms of design, the constraints on manufacturers to squeeze value out of every square inch of space means that certain elements may be smaller, lighter, or in non-conventional locations. This especially refers to the battery, display, or the laptop's keyboard. I've tested several great lightweight laptops, and these three are my top choices for college students.
If you're looking for a machine with a marathon battery that can last all day on campus and then some, we've got you covered.
Some of the best battery life on the market right now can be found on the brand new Microsoft Copilot+ PCs. Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X Elite chips use AI to manage battery life in a hyper-efficient way, lowering battery consumption to a trickle when the machine is not in use. The new HP Omnibook and Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x are two examples of these computers with outstanding battery life extending into multiple days.
Also: The work laptop I recommend to most people is not made by Apple or Lenovo
The battery life of a laptop is measured in its watt-hour (Wh) capacity, which refers to how much electricity (measured in hours) it can store. The higher this number, the more it can store. But how you use your laptop ultimately determines how long it lasts.
Some common tips to extend the life of your battery include:
There are lots of benefits to having a convertible laptop in college. Being able to swap from tablet to laptop mode can be invaluable if you're studying a field where you need to make sketches or mockups on the fly. Alternatively, popping the machine into tent mode can be great for watching presentations, seminars, or virtual meetings.
Also: This Lenovo 2-in-1 is one of the most versatile business laptops I've tested
We've gone hands-on with a number of great 2-in-1 laptops this year alone, including the LG Gram Pro 16 2-in-1, which is incredibly lightweight and has a gorgeous display, and the HP Envy x360 2-in-1, which is super well-rounded and high-performing for the price.
Different students will have different performance needs, and it's important to consider what exactly will be required in your courses before selecting a laptop. Students in media, design, animation, and production will likely need to opt for machines with higher hardware performance, while other students who will mainly be using their laptops for research and productivity apps may not need high-end GPUs or extensive memory.
These are some additional factors that you might want to consider when shopping for a laptop for college:
We use a combination of methods to test laptops here at . First, we acquire data from benchmarking software to analyze a system's metrics under the hood, and compare those to advertised numbers. Then, we spend an extended amount of time with the laptop (usually a week or two) using it the same way a regular consumer would, in order to analyze its portability, form factor, and how well the battery actually holds up, among others. For an extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive laptop testing methodology.
The graphics processor (GPU): Whether it's integrated into the CPU or a dedicated graphics card, how well the machine handles graphics is a key factor when it comes to demanding visual tasks like video editing, rendering, and of course, gaming. We test the GPU with a combination of benchmarking software, gaming, and media playback.
Physical form factor: Finally, the laptop's overall appearance and physical form factor encompasses its weight, thickness, how the keyboard and trackpad feel, and whether or not it has a display that can be folded back to form a tablet. We carry the laptop around for at least a week and note how well it commutes.
Ultimately, our goal is to break down the capabilities of each and every laptop we test into digestible terms that real people can find useful. There is a lot of noise and confusion when it comes to navigating the laptop and computer consumer market, so we hope to bring an intuitive element to the whole process by leveraging our team's decades of experience.