Students account for a massive amount of laptop users in the world right now. Whether it is college assignments, homework, or taking notes, a laptop is necessary for every student learning in the modern era. Likewise, we have chosen the best laptops for students that cater to their needs in every aspect possible.
E-Learning became a popular trend when things started to go sideways in 2020, and many educational institutions have made the technique a formal practice. Yes, you can use a smartphone to learn, but it doesn’t seem like the appropriate device to manage your education and work on projects or homework. Hence, laptops have become an integral part of everyday student’s life.
Best laptops for students in 2023
Note: Laptops mentioned in this list aren’t in any order of preference.
1. Acer Aspire Vero Green PC
First, the Acer Aspire Vero makes it to the list of the best laptops for students. Acer’s Aspire laptop series has always been user-centric and budget-friendly. Hence it’s an ideal laptop to carry around for college or school, and it wouldn’t disappoint you.
Housing a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU, you can get your everyday tasks done in a jiffy without worrying about performance. With 8 GB of memory and 512 GB of high-speed SSD storage, it should be a suitable option for most students. You can rely on this budget laptop if you’re a student.
| Processor & Graphics | Intel 12th Generation Core i5 1235U with Iris Xe graphics |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| SSD | 512 GB |
| HDD | N.A. |
| Display | 15.6-inch 1080p LCD panel display |
| Battery | Up to 6.5 hours (advertised) |
| O.S. | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight | 3.88 pounds (or 1.75 kg) |
2. Samsung Galaxy Book2 360
Samsung’s comeback with the Galaxy Book2 laptops was magnificent for users as they provide great value. Likewise, the Galaxy Book2 360 is among the best laptops for students that check most boxes. This is undoubtedly one of the best choices if you’re willing to spend around $650 for a laptop.
Featuring a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 1235U, it can handle most tasks efficiently, from programming to content creation. Moreover, you get an excellent AMOLED display which most laptops don’t offer in this segment. You can also convert this 2-in-1 machine into a tablet for taking notes while in class.
| Processor & Graphics | Intel 12th Generation Core i5 1235U Evo platform with Iris Xe graphics |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| SSD | 256 GB |
| HDD | N.A. |
| Display | 13.3-inch 1080p AMOLED panel touchscreen convertible display |
| Battery | Up to 18 hours (advertised) |
| O.S. | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight | 2.62 pounds (or 1.18 kg) |
3. Apple MacBook Air M2
You must be wondering why a $1000 laptop is on the list of the best laptops for students. While there is a budget tradeoff, the latest MacBook Air is an excellent laptop for all students, no matter your requirement. It can handle all the workload you can throw and won’t flinch.
Although you’re spending a significant amount and making a hole in your pocket, it’s a valuable investment that will last you several years while delivering the same performance compared to other laptops. You can even get a refurbished/renewed MacBook Air M1 to save a few hundred dollars which still makes for an ideal laptop for students.
| Processor & Graphics | Apple M2 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| SSD | 256 GB |
| HDD | N.A. |
| Display | 13.6-inch 2560 x 1664 Retina Display |
| Battery | Up to 21 hours (advertised) |
| O.S. | macOS Ventura |
| Weight | 2.77 pounds (or 1.22 kg) |
4. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
Chromebooks are great for everyday users and even better for students. If you only require a laptop for browsing and taking notes, a Chromebook is the way to go. Likewise, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 can easily be considered among the best laptops for students.
The upside of Chromebooks is that they’re built for users like students and can get basic tasks done efficiently. Moreover, they are relatively cheaper than other laptops, so you can save money and get something valuable. Overall, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 is an ideal choice for light usage.
You can check out our best Chromebooks for students if you prefer one.
| Processor & Graphics | Intel Celeron 5205U with Intel UHD graphics |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
| HDD | N.A. |
| Display | 13.3-inch 1080p OLED panel display |
| Battery | Up to 13 hours (advertised) |
| O.S. | Chrome OS |
| Weight | 2.71 pounds (or 1.22 kg) |
5. Acer Aspire 5 A515-57
Finally, yet another Acer Aspire laptop makes it to the list of the best laptops for students. The budget-friendly Aspire 5 checks most boxes and is an ideal laptop choice if you’re a student. You get a lot of value for the price, including adequate performance and battery life.
The Aspire 5 houses a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU, which can complete most everyday tasks. Moreover, the large FHD display with an IPS panel will ensure great color accuracy, which is essential to consider when getting a laptop. All in all, you get a solid package for the price, which is excellent for all students.
| Processor & Graphics | Intel 12th Generation Core i5 1235U with Iris Xe graphics |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| SSD | 512 GB |
| HDD | N.A. |
| Display | 15.6-inch 1080p IPS panel display |
| Battery | Up to 5 hours (advertised) |
| O.S. | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight | 3.88 pounds (or 1.75 kg) |
5 Things to remember while buying a laptop for students
The average student cannot shell out a hefty sum out of their pocket when buying a laptop. Hence, there are some aspects that you should prioritize while getting a laptop if you’re a student.
Budget: Most laptop recommendations for students on the internet don’t consider the budget. Not all students have a steady income and can only spend so much on a laptop. Hence, a laptop that can get most things done should cost nearly $500.
Battery: If you carry your laptop to class and need to use it while away from a power outlet, a laptop must ensure a decent battery life so you can get through the day without finding a seat near a wall socket.
Adequate Performance: Sure, you can get many laptops for around $200 today, but the average student requires a laptop that can pull off a certain level of multitasking. Be it programming, writing, or content creation, your laptop should be able to handle the software.
Portability: An ideal laptop suitable for students shouldn’t make your backpacks heavy and ultimately weigh less. The viable weight of a laptop, including its charger, should be well under 2 kg or 4 pounds.
Usability: You don’t really get a lot of choices when it comes to the hardware of laptops on a budget. Hence, an ideal laptop should at least have the performance capability to handle any type of workload, albeit not give out the best performance. If you’re getting a laptop for programming or video editing, an ideal laptop should withstand different usage patterns.
Which one to choose?
While there are a ton of laptops in the market for students, we have only picked the ones most suitable for the majority of students and those that provide the highest value. If you’re looking for an overall excellent budget laptop, we recommend going for the Acer Aspire 5 or the Aspire Vero. If you can spend a little higher, we urge you to get the MacBook Air M2 (or M1) for the best experience.
Like this list? Also, check the best laptops to stream media for under $1000.
