As a college student, you do not need to have a fancy expensive laptop for college & study-related tasks. Having a laptop with the most basic features & specs for college tasks & online classes is all you need.
College tuition fees, books, accommodation is expensive now that why most college students are searching for a low to mid-budget laptop. Finding the best laptop with a high budget is an easy task, but finding the best laptop at a budget-friendly price is not that easy. That is why we are here to help you find the Best Laptops for College Students.
While searching for a low to mid-budget student laptop you do not need to consider many things. As a college student, you just need to carry your laptop to college very often. That is why a bulky cheap laptop is not something you desire. Also, an old model laptop may hamper your image, so you must choose an affordable but stylish looking laptop.
Another important thing is you must choose a laptop that is running on the latest generation processor. Intel has recently launched their 11th generation processors. But there are very few laptops that include an 11th generation processor. That is why you should choose a laptop that is running by a 10th generation intel processor. If you want to read more to choose the best laptop then check this, Buying Guide for Best Student Laptop.
Considering all the factors we mentioned previously here is the list of our Best Laptops for College Students.
| Image | Name | Display | Weight | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Apple MacBook AIr | 13.3 inches | 2.80 lbs | Check Reviews At Amazon |
 | LG Gram Laptop | 14 inches | 2.20 lbs | Check Reviews At Amazon |
 | HP Chromebook Laptop | 14 inches | 3.20 lbs | Check Reviews At Amazon |
 | Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Touch-Screen Laptop | 12.3 inches | 1.70 lbs | Check Reviews At Amazon |
 | Dell Inspiron 13 2-in-1 7391 4K Touch Laptop | 13.3 inches | 3.20 lbs | Check Reviews At Amazon |
 | Dell XPS 11th Generation Laptop | 13.4 inches | 2.90 lbs | Check Reviews At Amazon |
 | Newest Dell 3189 Convertible Chromebook | 11.6 inches | 3.16 lbs | Check Reviews At Amazon |
 | Microsoft Surface Touch-Screen Laptop 3 | 13.5 inches | 3.0 lbs | Check Reviews At Amazon |
 | ASUS UX534FTC-AS77 ZenBook 15 Laptop | 15.6 inches | 3.60 lbs | Check Reviews At Amazon |
 | ASUS F512JA-AS34 VivoBook 15 Laptop | 15.6 inches | 3.75 lbs | Check Reviews At Amazon |
Below are the details of all student laptops from our list.
01. Apple MacBook Air – Overall Best Laptop for College Students
| Specifications of Apple MacBook Air | |
| Processor | 10th-generation Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 8GB – 16GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X |
| Graphics | Apple M1 chip with 8-core GPU |
| Storage | Apple M1 chip with 8-core GPU |
| Display | 13.3 inches Retina Display |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Battery Life | Up to 11 Hours |
| Weight | 2.80 lbs |
Apple MacBooks are consistently on the highest point of the new age’s choices. Why it would not be, Apple consistently sees how to catch the market with its unique & creative items. The new Apple MacBook Air has become perhaps the most renowned laptop for college students.
Some of you may be disappointed with the design of the new MacBook Air. It is quite similar to the previous MacBook Air. The main change that makes a big difference is what’s inside. The new MacBook Air features the latest 10th generation intel core i5 processor that makes it a powerhouse. The thing that makes Apple products different from other devices is its Bionic Chipset. The new MacBook Air includes an Apple M1 chipset with an 8-core GPU. If you compare its performance with other 10th generation intel core i5 laptops then you will find that it is way too faster & performs better. It comes with 8GB or 16GB RAM variants.
As a college student, the main target for getting a laptop is to keep notes, attend online classes, browse & make an assignment. For this purpose, you do not need much storage. The minimum storage variant is 256 GB SSD which is more than enough. It is also available with 1TB storage just in case you need more. The webcam you will get here is also a decent one to attend online classes. The retina display of this laptop will also impress you by showing true colors.
The design of this laptop is also something that students like for a long time. The new design has fewer bezels & became lightweight compared to the previous generation MacBook Air. It is available in Gold & Space Gray color. Both look great & you can choose the one you need.
As an Apple item, clearly, it will cost somewhat more. On the off chance that you like apple items and can bear the cost of this, at that point it is an incredible choice for you. Else, you can anticipate different laptops from our list.
02. LG Gram – Editors Choice for College Students
| Specifications of LG Gram | |
| Processor | 10th-generation Intel Core i5-1035G7 |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Graphics | Iris Plus graphics |
| Storage | 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD |
| Display | 14 inch Full HD IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Battery Life | Up to 18.5 Hours |
| Weight | 2.20 lbs |
As a college student if you do not like Apple MacBook then here is an equivalent option for you, the new LG Gram Laptop.
You may have used LG products at least once in your lifetime. LG electronics products are very popular all over the world. But you may have not seen LG laptops. LG entered the Laptop market in recent years. Like other electronic products, it has gain popularity all over the world.
The LG Gram is a slim body stylish looking laptop for college students. It has a 14 inches FHD IPS display that shows vibrant colors & deep black. The 10th Gen Core i51035G7 CPU in it along with 8 gigabytes of RAM & intel Iris Plus graphics make it a really capable laptop for college students. You can run most software with it, make projects & assignments & do all homework. The HD cam here also comes in very handy during online classes.
The overall performance & look of this laptop can beat any laptop with the same range. This can be a perfect choice for college students. It has a compact body & a lightweight design. The most attractive feature of this laptop is its battery life. The battery can last all day long. So if you forget to bring your charger to the college & already fully charged it then there is no need to worry.
Though it is a newcomer to the market, with all of these amazing features & an affordable price tag it has become our editor’s choice for the best college student’s laptop.
03. HP Chromebook – Best Budget Student Laptop
| Specifications of HP Chromebook 14a-na0060nr | |
| Processor | Intel Celeron N4000 |
| RAM | 4 GB LPDDR4-2400 SDRAM |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 500 |
| Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
| Display | 14 inch Full HD IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Battery Life | Up to 11 Hours |
| Weight | 3.20 lbs |
Here is a budget-friendly option for all college students. The HP Chromebook 14-inch FHD Laptop is the cheapest on our entire list.
There may be some students who can not afford a high priced laptop or do not want to expense more on a college laptop. In that case, you need to find the best budget-friendly option. You will find many options at a lower price tag. But the problem is those laptops look backdated. That is why our time tried its best to find the best looking latest laptop at a cheaper price & here is the result.
Chromebook means it features google OS which takes the performance of a laptop to the next level. Google has launched this laptop especially for the students out there so that they can get the best performance laptop at an affordable price. It comes with an Intel Celeron N4000 processor along with 4 gigabytes of RAM & Intel HD Graphics 500. This is more than enough to handle your daily tasks like making assignments, attending classes, keep notes & browsing. It comes with 32Gb storage which is enough for those tasks. But if it seems very small to you then there you have the expandable option.
The webcam of this Chromebook performs better for attending online classes.
The most amazing feature of this laptop is its design. Though it comes at a very lower price tag it provides a premium look. You will never feel that you are having a cheap laptop in college if you buy this as it has a nano-bezel stylish design that you will find in high-end laptops. Another thing is that though it is a low budget laptop it offers an FHD display.
Low price tag, stylish design, google os, great display, what else do you need for your next college laptop. Grab this before the stock runs out.
04. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – Best Touch-Screen Laptop
| Specifications of Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | |
| Processor | 10th-generation Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Graphics | Iris Plus graphics |
| Storage | 128GB SSD |
| Display | 12.3″ Touch-Screen Full HD IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Battery Life | Up to 10.5 Hours |
| Weight | 1.70 lbs |
If you want a more flexible laptop for multipurpose use then going for a 2 in 1 touch screen laptop can be the best choice for you.
This is one of the most powerful laptops by Microsoft. It has a very stylish design that will attract anyone. It is more like a tablet. You can detach the keyboard when not needed. You can draw, write & capture your college tasks using this laptop very easily. It has a very lightweight aluminum body design that gives you no issue to carry anywhere you go. The nano bezel FHD display of this laptop is also amazing & provides great viewing angles without any glare.
To power, this laptop includes the latest 10the generation intel core i5 processor. The processor is backed up with 8 gigabytes of DDR4 ram. For graphics here, you have Intel Iris Plus graphics. For the day-to-day task, you will face no issue with this laptop. As it is a Microsoft laptop so that you will also get all the latest updates of windows10.
The battery life of this laptop is average & enough to cover your whole day’s activities most of the time. Charge it once & you are ready for the next 10 hours. If you need to use this for a longer period then there is another good news for you. It takes only 1 hour to reach the battery from 0% to 80%.
This is one of the most selling laptops by Microsoft so far. Most customers for this laptop are students & businessmen. It has a great innovative design, it is a laptop, notebook & tablet as well. With its latest intel processor, it provides great performance, the battery life is also great. And mostly the price tag of this laptop is affordable for most students. If you are looking for 3 in 1 touch screen laptop for your college then buy this one without hesitation.
05. Dell Inspiron 13 2-in-1 7391 – Best 4K Touch-screen Laptop for Students
| Specifications of Dell Inspiron 13 2-in-1 7391 | |
| Processor | 10th-generation Intel Core i7-10510U |
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR4 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD |
| Display | 13.3″ 4K Touchscreen |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 Hours |
| Weight | 3.20 lbs |
This is kind of a premium laptop but at an affordable price range.
We already have discussed our best choice for touchscreen laptops previously. This one is also a touch screen laptop but it comes with a 4K display.
4K displays are trending now. Though there are very few laptops with a 4K display. You will need to pay a huge amount of money if you are willing to buy one. But here the scenario is different. This is not just a regular 4K display, it also is a touch screen display. The three-sided bezel of this display is quite thin & provides almost a full-screen view. The viewing angles are great, the picture quality is saturated & looks really well in the dark. As it is a $K display so that you can enjoy your favorite video & movies as well with a 4K resolution. As a college student, the main benefit is you can see every text, graph & image with maximum details.
The design of this laptop is something that is trending during this year. It has a premium look that you can get from a laptop worth thousands of dollars. It is available in a gray color that suits both girls & boys.
The processor used in this laptop is a 10th generation core i7 processor. It is a very powerful processor that you will find in most Mid-range Gaming Laptops. It is backed up with 16 gigabytes of RAM & Intel UHD Graphics. Overall it really is a powerhouse. Besides your college task, you can also use this laptop for light gaming & graphics designing as well. For storage, the 512 GB SSD is more than enough for a college student. You can keep your important files, pictures & videos here.
There is also a drawback of this particular laptop, its battery life. As it is a 4K display laptop so that it is normal that it will consume much power. With one full charge, you will get battery backup for up to 6 hours.
Can you believe that all those features come at a price tag of less than $1000? Yes, it is true. In fact, this laptop is the most value for money option on our list as well. You are getting a 4K touchscreen display, lightweight aluminum design, gaming processor & huge storage at a very affordable price. What else do you want?
06. Dell XPS – Best 11th Generation Students Laptop
| Specifications of Dell XPS | |
| Processor | 11th-generation Intel Core i7 |
| RAM | 16GB, 4267MHz LPDDR4x |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD |
| Display | 13.4″ FHD+ InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit Display |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 Hours |
| Weight | 2.90 lbs |
This is the laptop for college students who like to keep themselves update with most latest technology. This is the only laptop on our list that comes with an 11th generation Intel processor. Intel 11th generation processors are still new in the market. There are very few laptops that come with an 11th gen processor. Among those few laptops, this can be the best choice for students who are seeking the most latest intel laptop.
The Core i7 processors by intel ate well known for mid-range gaming laptops. Here in this laptop, you will get an 11th gen core i7 processor. The processor is powered with 16 gigabytes of ram Intel Iris Xe Graphics. This spec makes this laptop a real powerhouse. In fact, this is the most powerful laptop on our list that comes with integrated graphics. Besides your college tasks, this laptop can handle light gaming & graphics designing without any issue.
The design of this laptop is also up to the mark. It has a thin body & a lightweight design. The side bezels are very narrow & provide a full-screen viewing experience. The display quality is also great & delivers vibrant color. The laptop is available with a silver variant only. The battery backup is also quite impressive to cover your college day. Here you also have a 512 GB SSD to keep your important files, pictures & videos.
As we mentioned in the beginning, this is the laptop for the students who are seeking for the most latest device. To have an 11th gen laptop you must pay a high price. If you can afford it then you will not regret your buying decision. But it does not mean that the other laptops from our list having a 10th gen intel processor will stay far behind according to their performance compared to this one.
07. Dell 3189 Chromebook – Best Cheap Touch-Screen Laptop for College Students
| Specifications of Dell 3189 | |
| Processor | Intel Celeron N3060 |
| RAM | 4GB of LPDDR3 |
| Graphics | Intel HD graphics |
| Storage | 32GB SSD |
| Display | 11.6 inches HD IPS Touchscreen |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 Hours |
| Weight | 3.16 lbs |
This is the cheapest & maybe the most interesting laptop for college students on our list. Though it has released in 2019, we have seen many students using this laptop for day to day college works for its amazing features at a cheap price tag.
This is a Google Chromebook by Dell. It is a touchscreen 2 in 1 laptop notebook. The design of this laptop will remind you of the previous-generation laptops. It has thick bezels on 4 sides which is why it looks kind of backdated. The display is an HD touch screen display. The viewing angels are moderate. The picture quality is sharp enough for college tasks. You can fold this laptop to a 360-degree angle & use this as a tablet. This feature will come really handy & may be the main selling point of this laptop till now.
Inside this laptop here you have an Intel Celeron N3060 processor backed up with 4 GB of RAM & Intel HD graphics. This much power is enough for all types of college tasks, making assignments, presentations & making notes. At this price range, you should not expect more from this laptop. As it is a Chromebook so that it is run by Google Chrome OS that boosts the performance of this processor. For storage here, you have a 32GB SSD. This is enough for a college student who is willing to use this only for college purposes.
Though the design of this laptop looks a bit backdated it has a lightweight body. That is why you can carry it anywhere you want. But even though it is not a very thin & compact design laptop like others from our list. That is why we recommend this laptop to those students who are searching for the cheapest option on an urgent basis.
08. Microsoft Surface 3 – Best Touch-Screen Laptop for College Students
| Specifications of Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 | |
| Processor | 10th-generation Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Graphics | Iris Plus graphics |
| Storage | 128 GB SSD |
| Display | 13.5″ Touch-Screen Full HD |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Battery Life | Up to 11.5 Hours |
| Weight | 3.00 lbs |
This laptop is similar to the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 we have reviewed earlier in our list. The only difference between these two laptops is screen size & design. It has a bit bigger display compared to the Surface Pro 7. The design is also a bit different. It does not come with a detachable keyboard. You can not use this as a tablet-like you can with the Surface Pro 7. Everything else, the processor, RAM, graphics, Storage are exactly similar.
Between the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 & Surface 3, you can choose anyone you like. Though the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is quite updated. It also will cost more than this Surface 3 laptop. If you are looking for a more flexible user experience then go with the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 by increasing your budget a bit. If you are looking for a decent laptop then go for this one with a lower budget.
09. ASUS UX534FTC-AS77 ZenBook 15 – Best 4K Laptop for Students
| Specifications of ASUS UX534FTC-AS77 | |
| Processor | 10th generation Intel Core i7-10510U |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q discrete graphics |
| Storage | 512GB PCIe SSD |
| Display | 15.6” UHD 4K NanoEdge Display |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Battery Life | Up to 8.5 Hours |
| Weight | 3.60 lbs |
Another premium laptop for college students that comes with a 4K display. In fact, this is the most powerful laptop on our list.
The main attraction of this laptop is its display. It features a 4K UHD nano edge display that provides you the best experience compared to any other laptop display. Though this one is not a touchscreen display like our previous 4K laptop, the viewing angles here are better than the previous one. The colors are punchy, vibrant, black is deep & also delivers the most accurate color. Not just college tasks, if you wish to watch movies or do picture editing with this display you will see the most details.
The spec of this laptop is similar to a low0mid budget gaming laptop. It comes with the latest 10th gen intel core i7 processor-powered by 16 GB of RAM. This is the only laptop on our list that comes with a dedicated graphics card. As GPU here you will have NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB Max-Q discrete graphics card. That is why this laptop is also suitable for gaming, graphics designing, picture/video editing & any other task. For storage here, you will get 512 GB SSD. As an extra feature, you will also get Alexa compatibility here on this laptop.
The design of this laptop follows most latest design laptops with a lightweight thin body aluminum design. It is available in the Icicle Silver variant which looks really great.
As a student, the most amazing feature that you will enjoy about this laptop is its battery life. Though it has a 4K display you can use this laptop for up to 8.5 hours with a single full charge. This amount may be smaller compared to other laptops on our list. But as a 4K laptop, this is quite surprising.
We recommend this laptop for the students who like to play games & do graphics related works besides his/her study. Otherwise expending this much money may not be a wise decision for you.
10. ASUS F512JA-AS34 VivoBook 15 – Best Budget Laptop for College Students
| Specifications of ASUS F512JA-AS34 | |
| Processor | 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics G1 |
| Storage | 128 GB SSD |
| Display | 15.6” FHD Display |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Battery Life | Up to 8.5 Hours |
| Weight | 3.75 lbs |
Packing up our list with another ASUS budget laptop for college students. It is the best laptop for college students under $500 as well.
The laptop has a quite decent design. It is a dark gray laptop with a nano bezel display. The display here is a full HD display with great viewing angles. The keyboard here features a backlight as well.
As a processor here you have the latest 10th generation intel core i3 processor. The processor is backed up with 8 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM & Intel UHD Graphics. It will provide you a modest user experience. For college tasks & day to day uses you will face no issue with this laptop. The 128 GB SSD will also come very useful to keep your valuable files.
The battery backup of this laptop is not very impressive. With one full charge, you will have up to 8.5 hours of use time. This much time is enough for a college student. But compared to others in our list the amount is a bit smaller.
The overall design & performance of this laptop will impress any college student who is seeking a decent laptop. If you are looking for the best laptop within a budget of 500 bucks then go for this one.
You can also check our list for Best Laptops for Engineering Students, Best Laptops for Computer Science Students & Best Laptop for Journalist Students.
