11 Best Laptops for College Students, Including Tablets and 2-in-1 (2025)

All guidelines for Laptop selection It also applies to university devices, such as assessing display and chassis quality, ensuring that the laptop is fast enough for work. Get something with at least 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage and you’ll be happy.

There are some important things that are inherent to the university. Portability and battery life are paramount. No matter your budget, you need something that lasts throughout the day and won’t put you under pressure while carrying from class to class. Anything over 4 pounds will begin to feel like it is prominent in your backpack.

Overall dimensions are also important. Bringing a 16-inch laptop into class can make you feel insensitive considering the size of the desk in your college room. The same can be said for those who plan to take their laptop to a busy coffee shop or library. Therefore, a 13-inch or 14-inch laptop is recommended. That being said, if you’re a gamer or you need a separate GPU for your coursework, you may need to bite a bullet and buy something a little bigger.

Other specifications to consider are:

Processor

• Windows: If you’re getting a Windows machine, the main options for the processor are Intel and AMD, but Qualcomm has become a viable alternative Using Copilot+ PCS. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. For a more complete guide to differences, see our complete guide I’m buying a laptop.
• Chromebooks: These browser-based machines use half a dozen different processors, most of which have probably never heard of them. There’s a reason for that. These processors are slow. My recommendations when purchasing a Chromebook Chromebook Plus Machine. This is a new standard Google created to ensure a certain level of performance and polish using a Chromebook.
• macs: Apple has been manufacturing its own processors for several years, like the latest M4 chips found in the MacBook Air, which are shown below. More powerful models like the MacBook Pro feature M4 Pro and M4 Max chips with GPUs comparable to discrete GPUs found on Windows laptops. Ours MacBook Purchase Guide I can help.

Ram and Storage

Regardless of the OS you choose, the minimum amount of RAM required on your laptop is 8 GB. It’s enough memory to keep your computer feeling neat, even if it’s running under load. However, these days, 16 GB has become the new standard, with plenty of around $800 laptops that come with 16 GB. So it could be 16 GB or 32 GB, especially if you plan to edit photos or videos as part of your coursework.

The new default for storage is 256 GB, which you do if you’re trying to save money. If you need to add it, you can always use external storage. However, if possible, 512 GB or terabytes of spring.

screen

The screen will vary widely, but don’t settle for less than 1080p (or 1200p on a display with a 16:10 aspect ratio). For a 13-inch laptop, 1080p is sharp enough. Using a larger laptop will improve the viewing experience even on a 2.5K or 4K screen. If you are trying to play the game, get something with a higher refresh rate –120 Hz or 144 Hz It will be more than satisfying.

Weight and battery

Don’t forget you’re doing this. It may be pulling your back for more than 8 hours. One pound may not seem like that much, but at the end of a long day’s walk, you’ll notice the difference between a 3-pound laptop and a 4-pound laptop. Trust me. Also, maybe Choose a great bag To carry a computer.

Similarly, battery life is very important when it is (potentially) away from the wall outlet for a long period of time. In the end, anything can last at least 8 hours in real use. It involves browsing the web, editing documents, writing emails, and taking notes. Still, you might want to Consider a portable battery charger.