10+ Best Laptops for Students in 2023 (Oct)

Find the best laptops for students from top-rated to budget-friendly ones. Jump to the category that best suits your needs: 

• Best Laptops for Graphic Design Students
• Best Laptops for College Students
• Best Laptops for School Students

09/27/2023 07:41 pm GMT

Students require laptops to take notes, do project research, read books and occasionally even develop software and designs.

We held a brief conversation with the students themselves to aid your search.

Based on the research we conducted with the students, we discovered that students look for laptops with features that are useful when participating in online classes, such as long battery life, portability, good speakers, webcams, touchscreens, and styluses.

If you are looking for a laptop on a budget check out our blog on the best budget laptops and if you are a graphic designer don’t forget to visit our best laptops for graphic designers .

 

 

What is the Best Laptop for a Student?

Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2022) is our pick for the best laptop for students; however, check out our full list below:

 

Best Laptops for Graphic Design Students

1. Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Editor’s Choice)

Best laptop for students with enhanced graphics performance overall 

Operating System: Mac OS | Processor: 8-core CPU | Graphics: Apple 10-core GPU | Display: 13.3-inches | Memory: 8GB RAM | Storage: 256GB ​​​​​​​SSD

The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is our top recommendation for graphic design students who need a laptop with exceptional performance and battery life.

The M2 chip, which claims a 40% increase in performance over the M1 processor, thrilled us. We also adore the Touch ID button, which makes fingerprint login quick and easy.

Although the MacBook Pro 13-inch’s look is identical to that of its predecessor, there are a few noticeable tweaks that we particularly liked.

You will like this laptop if you are interested in video editing; in fact, the M2 processor has an 8-core CPU with four efficiency and performance cores and a 10-core GPU for optimum speed.

Even after running many programs simultaneously throughout the day, we were astonished by its quiet performance, with the fans hardly ever turning on to maintain a suitable temperature.

Our testing revealed that the laptop is capable of multitasking with several open applications, including Premiere Pro, Photoshop and dozens of browser tabs. Without a doubt, the M2 performed better than both single and multi-core CPUs.

The battery life, which lasts up to 20 hours even with all-day use, is our favorite feature, perfect for graphic artists who have to deal with heavy workloads and carry a laptop everywhere they go.

On the one hand, the lack of redesign is still a major letdown; and we thought the webcam could have been upgraded from 720p to 1080p.

Overall, if you want a high-performance laptop for your graphic editing needs, this is the best choice.

If you are looking for an affordable alternative, check out number 2, MSI Creator Z17 on our list.

What We Liked	What We Didn’t
➕ New M2 Chip	➖ Lacks 1080p webcam
➕ Up to 20 hours of long-lasting battery	➖ Design remains the same
➕ Ongoing performance

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

Apple MacBook Pro Review

Want to have a closer look at this laptop. Check out this Apple MacBook Pro review.

Video Credits: Marques Brownlee / YouTube

 

2. MSI Creator Z17

Best alternative for Apple laptop 

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro | Processor: Intel Core i9 12900H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 | Display: 17-inches QHD | Memory: 32GB DDR5 | Storage: 2TB NVMe SSD

If you are looking for a high-performing laptop, let us introduce you to the MSI Creator Z17 . The laptop is the first 17-inch touch-screen laptop with stylus capabilities.

The fact that this laptop weighs just under 8 pounds and has features like 64 GB of DDR5 RAM, 2TB of storage, an Intel Core i9-12900H, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 left us in wonder.

Unfortunately, the battery drains quickly while using powerful graphic design tools like Adobe. (i.e, 90 WHr). The laptop is excellent for performing everyday work even though its battery life is slightly over 7 hours.

This laptop is exclusively available in the tint Lunar Gray, which is one component of the exquisite design.

From our perspective, this laptop’s touchpad is 50% bigger than the Creative Z16’s while still supporting fluid finger motions.

We could export files more quickly, and the functionality was quick. The MSI pen worked rather rapidly while trying to color.

The absence of keyboard and cooling fan noise is noteworthy, but it has little bearing on how well the speakers sound.

We were disappointed to see that, for the price, a little more attention could have been paid to the audio quality. But these speakers will work if all you need is average volume and clarity.

If you’re searching for an affordable Apple alternative, the MSI Creative Z17 is a strong contender.

What We Liked	What We Didn’t
➕ Brilliant performance	➖ A bit expensive for students
➕ Large 17-inch screen	➖ Poor speakers
➕ Great built quality

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

3. MSI Stealth 17 Studio

Best graphic cards laptop for students

Operating System: Windows 11 Home | Processor: Intel Core i9-13900H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 | Display: 17.3-inches QHD | Memory: 32GB DDR5 | Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD

Prepare to obtain the most recent MSI Stealth 17 Studio, you out there studying graphic design. Choose this laptop if you want a laptop with a top-notch graphics card.

The Nvidia 4000 series GPU in the Stealth 17 Studio gives you a performance boost of 65%.

The laptop has all the processing speed and power needed for gaming, animation, digital art, 3D modeling, and video creation.

The gorgeous yet large 17.3-inch QHD 240Hz display is one of our favorites. The laptop’s inclusion of the newest 13-Gen Intel Core i9-13900H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 astounds us. (one of the most powerful graphics cards available out there).

Also l, the laptop has 1TB of storage and 32GB of RAM, giving you full access to all the tools you need to perpetually produce original ideas.

The MSI Stealth 17 Studi features a USB Type-C port, Thunderbolt connections, USB Type-A ports, combo audio, HDMI connectors, and an SD card reader, so connecting to various devices is not a problem.

You can secure your data with the use of the fingerprint reader and Windows Hello facial recognition program on the laptop.

The laptop also includes a DynaAudio six-speaker audio system with Nahimic EasySurround sound, which improves the experience of watching media and editing videos.

Although the fan doesn’t produce much noise when conducting everyday duties, it should have been quieter given all these amazing features.

Overall putting all the specs together we think is a great choice for those who wish for laptops with powerful graphic cards.

What We Liked	What We Didn’t
➕ Simplistic design	➖ Noisy fan
➕ 6x speakers sound systems
➕ Provides stunning graphics and fast performance

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

4. HP ZBook Fury 17 G8

Best laptop for students with incredible performance

Operating System: Windows 10 Pro | Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11800H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 | Display: 17.3-inches Full HD  | Memory: 16 GB RAM | Storage: 512 GB SSD

Who wouldn’t want a laptop with extraordinary performance? According to our investigation, the HP ZBook Fury 17 G8 laptop satisfies the criteria, and we would like to share what we discovered with you.

When we first saw the price, we were astonished, but if you have the cash, we wholeheartedly recommend the powerful laptop.

The ZBook Fury 17 is a stunning laptop thanks to its sophisticated design, sturdy dark gray chassis, and “Z” emblem on the cover.

The laptop features a smart card reader, three high-speed USB Type-A ports, three high-speed USB Type-A ports, a security lock, an Ethernet port, a full-size HDMI port, a mini-DisplayPort, a power jack, an SD card reader, and two USB Type-C connections that has the ability to drive external displays allowing you to stay connected through any stream.

Additionally, the laptop enables the majority of software to function without any issues, including 3D renders, CAD manipulation, and video editing, so you can experience the performance you paid for.

The 11th Generation Intel Core i7-11800H, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050, 16 GB RAM, and 512 GB of storage power the 17.3-inch display on the ZBook Fury 17 G8. With all these powerful features, we believe it won’t be difficult to create some amazing graphic designs.

According to our analysis, the ZBook Fury 17 G8’s improved heat management allows it to maintain a respectable level of cooling and silence.

The only drawback we regularly saw was that the battery life could have been improved. According to several customers, when using apps other than the web browser and Google Suite, the battery quickly runs out and lasts only up to two hours.

In a nutshell, if portability is not a concern for you, this is a terrific first device.

What We Liked	What We Didn’t
➕ Loaded with incredible performance	➖  Battery lasts only up to 2 hours
➕ Awesome upgrade options
➕ Great design

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

Best Laptops for College Students

5. Lenovo Flex 3

Best affordable Chromebook with great battery life

Operating System: Chrome OS | Processor: Octa-Core MediaTek MT8183 | Graphics: MediaTek | Display: 11.6-inches Full HD  | Memory: 4 GB RAM | Storage: 64GB eMMC

When it comes to portability there is no match for Chromebook and Lenovo Flex 3 is a great example of this.

The Lenovo Flex 3 tablet shares the same Octa-Core MediaTek MT8183 processor, MediaTek GPU, 4 GB of RAM, 64GB of eMMC storage, and Chrome OS as the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet. This guarantees effective and seamless performance.

We were impressed by the build quality, which was beyond our expectations, given the price. The 720p webcam is, in our opinion, capable of handling online classes.

However, there is no lighted option for the keyboard. Its battery life, which lasts up to 13 hours with full basic usage, amazed us. We did not need to worry about any specific barrel adapters because Flex 3 works with practically any USB-C charger.

Students who prefer carrying a lightweight laptop would find the Flex 3 a bit heavy because it weighs 2.64 pounds.

The Flex 3’s lack of an HDMI connector, which makes it impossible for students to create presentations, is a significant flaw that we found. However, all connections for external displays can be made via a USB-C port.

Overall, the Flex 3 is a fantastic option if you’re searching for a cheap laptop with a bright screen. We think you’ll adore the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 if you’re seeking an option.

What We Liked	What We Didn’t
➕ USB-C charging	➖ Heavy
➕ Budget-friendly	➖ Lacks backlit keyboard

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

6. Acer Chromebook Spin 514

Best laptop for students with speakers and webcam

Operating System: Chrome OS | Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 5125C | Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics | Display: 14-inches FHD | Memory: 8GB LPDDR4X RAM | Storage: 128GB eMMC

The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 is a worthwhile option to consider if you’re not a big lover of powerful processors but still want to make some fantastic films for your forthcoming projects.

Because many students aspire to acquire a laptop equipped with a fantastic speaker and webcam, we wanted to include it on our list.

Unsurprisingly, the Chromebook offers practical performance thanks to its AMD Ryzen 3 5125C processor, AMD Radeon graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.

The Spin 514’s battery life, according to us, can last up to 10 hours. We discovered that the battery lasted much longer when used sparingly for tasks like working on Google Docs and watching films at low brightness levels.

We admire it for its durability rather than just the way it looks special and opulent. The inside has a smart silver and black surface contrast, and the display bezels are tiny.

We appreciate its adaptability, which allows you to use it as a tablet by folding the display or supporting the screen with the keyboard.

As a tablet, the Spin 514 worked better for us. We appreciate that the spacious keyboard has an illuminated option, which enables us to easily read the keys even when it is dark outside.

Not to be overlooked is the touchpad, which is incredibly smooth and responsive.

Due to its dual stereo speakers‘ sufficient volume at maximum volume, this laptop is ideal for students who enjoy podcasts and video content.

We also liked its HD 1080p webcam that provides a noticeable increase in crispness. The only downside we felt was that for a 2-in-1 laptop, it is a bit heavy.

What We Liked	What We Didn’t
➕ Speakers and 1080p webcam	➖ Bit heavy
➕ Great design
➕ Excellent keyboard and touchpad

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

7. Lenovo 300e

Best durable 2-in-1 Chromebook with a stylus  

Operating System: Chrome OS | Processor: Intel Celeron N4020 Processor | Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600 | Display: 11.6-inches HD | Memory: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM | Storage: 32GB eMMC

Many students believe it is more pleasant to use a laptop with a stylus. So let us introduce you to the Lenovo 300e , a Chromebook that enables you to express your creativity without having to shell out a lot of money.

Although we haven’t tried it yet, we have done an extensive research to support you. Due to how comfortable it is to handle and operate, the 300e, which has a black shade, has become everyone’s favorite.

The Chromebook 300e’s outstanding typing experience makes it an impressive feature for the price.

Regarding performance, the Chromebook is equipped with a smooth-running Intel Celeron N4020 processor and integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600.

Although heavier users may find the 4GB RAM and 32 GB of storage to be somewhat disappointing.

The laptop’s battery life is excellent, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge, which is more than enough time to finish your college tasks.

Overall, it’s a fantastic option for students who want a stylus-equipped laptop at a reasonable price.

What We Liked	What We Didn’t
➕ Offers great performance at an affordable price	➖ Only 32GB storage
➕ Up to 10 hours of battery life
➕ Great touchpad

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

8. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

Best sleek and light laptop for students

Operating System: Windows 11 Home | Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | Display: 12.4-inches | Memory: 8GB | Storage: 128 GB SSD

Students who travel frequently would benefit most from a svelte and lightweight laptop. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 would be a huge relief for the roving pupils as a result.

The appealing ice-blue color of this laptop caught our attention right away. Due to its portability and small design, the 2.48-pound Surface Go 2 is easy for students to carry around.

The laptop’s 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, along with its 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and Intel HD Graphics 520, have shown to be adequate for handling students’ daily work.

There was no latency at the end of our tests, which included word processing, spreadsheets, web browsing, and even participating in Zoom sessions. Even Photoshop got a try.

It is not as powerful as the laptops for graphic designers mentioned above, but it can still produce some creative work.

Despite having a 720p webcam with a respectable resolution, Windows Hello requires fingerprint authentication because IR facial recognition is still not supported.

We appreciated its connectivity because it has a headphone jack, one USB 3.2 Type-A connector, and one USB Type-C port. Sadly, it was lacking an HDMI port, which is essential for students to do presentations.

According to our investigation, students frequently use Google Docs to complete their projects. So, we made the decision to use the same to test the display.

It has acceptable color quality, and we must commend the Surface Go 2 for its wide, smooth touch support.

It also doesn’t have a backlit keyboard, which is a must for students who study in poorly lit areas.

This Surface Go 2 has about the same advantages and drawbacks as other laptops, making it a respectable option for students on a budget.

What We Liked	What We Didn’t
➕ Light and portable	➖ Lacks HDMI port
➕ Fingerprint power button	➖No keyboard backlit
➕ Touchscreen

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

Best Laptops for School Students

9. HP Chromebook X360 14a

Best Chromebook for students with a touchscreen

Operating System: Chrome OS | Processor: Intel Celeron N4020 Dual-Core Processor | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 600 | Display: 14-inches HD  | Memory: 4GB DDR4 | Storage: 64GB eMMC

Our recommendation for students looking for a laptop to meet their fundamental needs, which include anything from doing research to taking online classes, is the HP Chromebook X360 14a .

We appreciate its strong touchscreen and the fact that because of its long battery life of up to 12 hours, it has the strength to handle a full day’s worth of work.

Its 360-degree hinge allows you to alter the viewing while on a Zoom call, which makes it the perfect option for students who frequently struggle with taking notes when the notes are presented in either portrait or landscape format.

Students will be able to quickly record their points with the help of this function.

We adore the shiny blue color of this laptop, which also has 64GB of eMMC storage and 4GB of RAM.

Even though this laptop only has the barest amount of memory, we think it’s plenty for browser-based jobs.

You can easily do your daily chores with the help of its dual-core Intel Celeron CPU, which has two processing cores and a superb balance of power, speed, and consumption.

Students frequently struggle to connect their computers to wifi when they are far from the router or at a distance from it. However, Google Instant Tethering makes it simple to link the Chromebook with your phone’s data. This makes it an ideal solution for students who are in places where there is no Wifi.

Also included on the Chromebook X360 is Google Assistant. We discovered that the laptop has fantastic stereo speakers and a 720p webcam, offering superb audio and video quality, while running Zoom sessions.

However, we were dismayed to see that it does not have an HDMI port, which is useful for presentations. Additionally, some students might choose to spend their free time playing games on a console without any bother.

Overall, you should give it a try if you’re seeking a laptop that meets your basic needs for documents, browsing, and Zoom calls.

What We Liked	What We Didn’t
➕ Excellent touchscreen	➖ Lacks HDMI port
➕ Stereo speakers
➕ Great design

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

10. Acer Aspire 5

Best portable laptop for students

Operating System: Windows 11 Home | Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U | Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics | Display: 15.6-inch Full HD | Memory: 8GB DDR4 | Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD

For students, money has always been a major barrier. The Acer Aspire 5 is the best option if you’re looking for a laptop that’s affordable and portable.

The laptop is a cost-effective notebook with all the features you need. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U engine and AMD Radeon Graphics are powering this 15.6-inch Full HD laptop, which also boasts 8GB of RAM and 256GB of NVMe SSD storage.

The 3.9-pound laptop is hardly a lightweight device. It doesn’t occupy much room in a backpack or laptop bag, though.

We adore the way the metal and plastic are combined, and the two materials are hard to tell apart due to the finish’s uniformity.

Acer Aspire 5 comes with a backlit keyboard which is important to us since it improves our ability to see and type in dimly lit areas.

The laptop comes equipped with a 720p webcam that is adequate for handling your everyday online classes.

Unfortunately, the laptop doesn’t have a fingerprint reader. Therefore, we must manually type passwords. But is that really a hassle for school children?

Although it appears quite simple, the Acer Aspire 5 is actually quite affordable and suitable for students.

Overall, the Acer Aspire 5 is ideal for routine chores whether used at home, at business, or in school.

What We Liked	What We Didn’t
➕ Affordable	➖ No fingerprint reader
➕ Backlit keyboard
➕ Vast number of ports

 

Latest Price on Amazon:

 

Student Laptop Buying Guide

Weight and Size of the Laptop

The important point you need to consider when buying a laptop for students is whether they are easy to carry from one place to another. Whether you opt for a smaller or larger one, you need to be sure of the size, performance, and power.

You may require only an easy-to-carry laptop that is light and small. If you are not a person aiming to be a computer science professional or are not involved in detailed design work, you may require only an 11-13 inches laptop under 5 pounds.

Battery Life

All students should consider the battery life when choosing a laptop. Most of the batteries last for 11-14 hours, but smaller computers offer a longer battery life and work more efficiently. But if you take higher-performing laptops, they use more RAM power, so they will perform less efficiently while offering shorter battery lives.

Display and Resolution

It is for you to decide whether you need a large display for your education. You might not need a large display when you use your computer, only for web browsing and word processing.

When you look into the resolution of the recent technological changes, the lower-priced laptop models also provide high-feature resolution displays. A resolution equal to 1080 pixels is enough for a student’s laptop. If you want higher resolutions, they also come with higher-priced tags.

RAM

RAM decides how many programs a computer can run at the same time. Most laptops and tablets start at 4GBs of RAM, which might be sufficient for browsing and word processing. When you upgrade to 8GBs, it will let you comfortably run several programs at the same time.

Processor

One of the most important components of a laptop is the processor. A processor handles the major processes of the laptop. For a basic level of work, you require an Intel Core i3 or i5 processor. Students who require graphic design software may want to work with a more capable processor, such as the Intel Core i7 or i9.

Operating System

The Operating System requirements of a laptop can be either Windows or Mac. Both OSs offer a wide range of compatibility and functionality. Windows PCs are the most preferred as they are pocket-friendly and offer easy customization.

Macs can be quite costly and have proprietary software. For basic functionality, the Windows OS will be fine to work with. But if your college projects require the use of design software, the Mac may be an ideal option for you.

Hard Drive and Storage

The digital information created by you is stored in the computer’s hard drive. Computers with solid-state drives run 3-4 times faster and offer stability when compared to standard hard drives.

SSDs are higher in price, but you will need to shell out some money when opting for a better speed and performance. If you can afford it, go with an SSD. If you decide on the regular drive, look for the higher storage device, as some students may require a 250GB or more storage capacity for their usage.

Price

Buying any sort of electronic purchase can widely differ in price and quality. Models that are economical use weak hardware that offers a lesser performance, whereas the more expensive laptops might be good enough to offer faster processors, high-end graphics cards, and larger hard drives.

Most students might require an entry-level laptop to meet their requirements. So, please be careful about the kind of laptops that are required for your purpose.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Best Laptop for Students Summary

If you’re a student seeking to purchase a laptop, you probably want one that is quick, dependable, and reasonably priced.

Students today strongly rely on their laptops for learning and skill development; as a result, they require a laptop that is of excellent quality and offers helpful customer service.

Due to their excellent performance and low price, some of the best laptops on the market have been offered to you.

So students, get ready because it’s time to choose a laptop from this range of excellent options.

If the price is not your concern, then we recommend the Apple MacBook Pro (M2 Chip,2023) which features an excellent display, large storage space, and powerful processors that can match the expectations of students, especially those who are studying graphic design.

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