Choosing the right and best laptop for college can be a daunting task with the myriad of options available in the market today. As a college student, your laptop is not just a device; it’s your ultimate companion for research, assignments, projects, and even entertainment.
For students, a laptop is just as important as textbooks and a school ID. It’s not just for taking notes and writing papers. You also need it for other things like watching movies, listening to music, staying connected on social media, posting photos, gaming, and video chatting with your family. Since many colleges now have a mix of on-campus and online classes, you need a laptop that you can use anywhere.
Your college laptop should be affordable and last throughout your time in undergrad and maybe even a year or two of grad school. Luckily, we’ve gathered a list of our favorite laptops that meet these requirements and are mostly priced under $1,000. This way, you won’t have to worry about spending too much money on a laptop instead of on tuition. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve curated a list of the top 10 laptops that cater to the diverse needs of college students, considering specifications, price, pros, and cons.
Here is the list of the 10 Best Laptop for College Students
1. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Specification:
- Processor: Apple M1 Chip
- RAM: 8GB – 16GB
- Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch Retina display
- Price: Starts from $999
Pros:
- Exceptional battery life
- Lightweight and portable design
- Fast performance with the M1 chip
- High-quality Retina display
Cons:
- Limited port selection
- Higher price point compared to some competitors
2. Dell XPS 13 (2021)
Specification:
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i3 – i7
- RAM: 8GB – 32GB
- Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
- Display: 13.4-inch FHD+ or 4K UHD+ display
- Price: Starts from $999.99
Pros:
- Stunning design with InfinityEdge display
- Powerful performance
- Excellent build quality
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Pricey configurations with high-end specs
- Webcam placement might not be ideal for everyone
3. HP Envy x360 13 (2021)
Specification:
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U – Ryzen 7 5700U
- RAM: 8GB – 16GB
- Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch FHD touchscreen
- Price: Starts from $749.99
Pros:
- Versatile 2-in-1 design
- Solid performance with AMD Ryzen processors
- Bright and vibrant display
- Good value for the features offered
Cons:
- Average battery life
- Build quality could be better in some areas
4. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 9)
Specification:
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7
- RAM: 8GB – 32GB
- Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
- Display: 14-inch FHD or 4K UHD display
- Price: Starts from $1,399.99
Pros:
- Premium build quality
- Lightweight and durable design
- Impressive keyboard and trackpad
- Excellent performance and battery life
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Limited port selection
5. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
Specification:
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 – 7
- RAM: 8GB – 32GB
- Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
- Display: 13.5-inch or 15-inch PixelSense touchscreen display
- Price: Starts from $999.99
Pros:
- Sleek and stylish design
- High-resolution touchscreen display
- Long battery life
- Wide range of configuration options
Cons:
- Lacks USB-C port
- Expensive compared to similar options in the market
6. Asus ZenBook 13 (UX325EA)
Specification:
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7
- RAM: 8GB – 16GB
- Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch FHD display
- Price: Starts from $899.99
Pros:
- Ultra-portable and sleek design
- Long battery life
- Crisp and vibrant display
- Competitive pricing
Cons:
- Limited configuration options
- Average webcam quality
7. Acer Swift 3 (2021)
Specification:
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U – Ryzen 7 4700U
- RAM: 8GB – 16GB
- Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD
- Display: 14-inch FHD IPS display
- Price: Starts from $649.99
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Solid performance with Ryzen processors
- Lightweight and portable design
- Decent battery life
Cons:
- Mediocre build quality
- Display could be brighter
8. HP Spectre x360 (2021)
Specification:
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7
- RAM: 8GB – 16GB
- Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch FHD or 4K UHD touchscreen display
- Price: Starts from $1,249.99
Pros:
- Premium and elegant design
- Excellent build quality
- Versatile 2-in-1 form factor
- Impressive battery life
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Some users may find the fan noise noticeable under heavy load
9. Google Pixelbook Go
Specification:
- Processor: Intel Core m3 – i7
- RAM: 8GB – 16GB
- Storage: 64GB – 256GB SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch FHD or 4K Ultra HD Molecular Display
- Price: Starts from $649
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable design
- Excellent keyboard and trackpad
- Long battery life
- Chrome OS provides seamless integration with Google services
Cons:
- Limited storage options
- Higher configurations can be expensive
10. Razer Blade Stealth 13 (Late 2020)
Specification:
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7
- RAM: 16GB – 32GB
- Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch FHD or 4K UHD touchscreen display
- Price: Starts from $1,799.99
Pros:
- Sleek and premium design
- Powerful performance for gaming and productivity tasks
- Vibrant and high-resolution display
- Thunderbolt 4 support for versatile connectivity
Cons:
- Pricey compared to similar ultrabooks
- Average battery life, especially under heavy usage
Conclusion
Selecting the best laptop for college is a personal decision that depends on your specific needs, budget, and preferences. Whether you prioritize portability, performance, battery life, or versatility, there’s a laptop on this list to suit your requirements. Consider the specifications, pros, and cons outlined for each model to make an informed choice that will be your trusted companion throughout your college journey.