As 2024 arrives, college students are on the lookout for the best laptops that can accompany them through their academic journeys. With a myriad of options available on Amazon, finding the best laptops for college can seem overwhelming. This article offers a detailed review of the top 10 laptops that are not only budget-friendly but also feature-rich, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of college students. From powerful performance to portability, these laptops can enhance your studying experience and take on your coursework effectively.
Buying Guide for Best Laptops for College
Choosing the right laptop for college is essential for both academic success and convenience. Here are some key factors to consider when purchasing a laptop:
1. Performance
You need a laptop that can handle applications for word processing, research, and, depending on your major, potentially more demanding software like graphic design tools or programming applications. Look for at least an Intel i5 CPU or AMD Ryzen 5 with a minimum of 8GB RAM for smooth multitasking.
2. Portability
Since you will be carrying it to classes, choose a lightweight laptop with a slim profile. A battery life of at least 8 hours is also crucial for those long days on campus.
3. Display
Ensure the laptop has a high-resolution display; ideally, a Full HD (1920×1080) screen enhances your experience, especially for watching videos or making presentations.
4. Storage
An SSD (Solid State Drive) is preferable for speed and performance, with at least 256GB of storage. However, if you require more storage, consider laptops that offer expandability or additional external storage options.
5. Budget
Finally, set a budget. There are excellent laptops available in various price ranges. Prioritize essential features without overspending on unnecessary extras.
Top 10 Best Laptops for College in 2024
1. Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
The MacBook Air has long been a favorite among college students, and its 2022 version with the M2 chip takes performance to a new level. With a lightweight design, bright Retina display, and long battery life of around 18 hours, it is a stellar choice for anyone needing reliable performance.
Equipped with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, this laptop is capable of handling multitasking remarkably well, whether for essays or running creative applications. The MacBook also boasts a robust ecosystem of software and apps tailored for students.
Overall, the MacBook Air combines elegance with efficiency, making it one of the best laptops for college.
- STRIKINGLY THIN DESIGN — The redesigned MacBook Air is more portable than ever and weighs just 2.7 pounds. It’s the incredibly capable laptop that lets you work, play or create just about anything — anywhere.
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 — Get more done faster with a next-generation 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU and up to 24GB of unified memory.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day and into the night, thanks to the power-efficient performance of the Apple M2 chip.
- BIG, BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY — The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display features over 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color and support for 1 billion colors for vibrant images and incredible detail.
2. Dell XPS 13 (2023)
The Dell XPS 13 is another premium laptop that shouldn’t be overlooked. Its stunning InfinityEdge display maximizes screen space and minimizes distractions, ideal for students who want to stay focused.
With Intel’s latest i7 processor and 16GB RAM, the XPS 13 handles heavy multitasking with ease. The laptop’s aluminum chassis and carbon fiber keyboard provide durability while ensuring a sleek and modern look that makes it perfect for college. The battery life can last up to 12 hours, so students can work through the day without any concerns.
Dell also includes fantastic additional features like a full-sized keyboard and a good selection of ports, enhancing overall user experience.
- 13.4" LED Display Wide UXGA (1920x1200) 120Hz Display; 802.11be, Bluetooth 5.4, Integrated Webcam, Fingerprint Security System, Backlit Standard Keyboard
- 【Powerful Performance with Ultra 7-155H 】 14th Gen Ultra 7-155H 1.40GHz Processor (upto 4.8 GHz, 24MB Cache, 16-Cores, 22-Threads, 6 Performance-cores); Intel Arc Integrated Graphics
- 【High Speed and Multitasking】 16GB OnBoard RAM; 60W Power Supply Type-C Power-In, 3-Cell 55 WHr Battery; Graphite Black Color
- 【Enormous Storage】 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD; 2 Thunderbolt 4 (Type-C), No Optical Drive
- Windows 11 Pro-64,
3. HP Pavilion 15
The HP Pavilion 15 is a perfect budget-friendly choice for students. Featuring a sharp 15.6-inch Full HD display and powered by AMD Ryzen 5, this laptop is ideal for note-taking and streaming during breaks.
With 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, it provides sufficient storage for assignments and projects. The HP Pavilion’s sleek design along with solid performance specifications ensures it meets standard college needs while remaining affordable.
Battery life holds up to 8 hours, enough for a day of classes, and it often comes at a fraction of the cost of some competing models.
- 【Processor】 Intel Core i3-1115G4 (up to 4.1 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 6 MB L3 cache, 2 cores, 4 threads)
- 【Display】 15.6" diagonal, HD (1366 x 768), touch, micro-edge, BrightView, 220 nits, 45% NTSC, Touch Screen, enjoy your photos, movies, and games with the crisp quality.
- 【RAM and Storage】RAM is upgraded to 16GB high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; Hard Drive is upgraded to 1TB PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive allows to fast bootup and data transfer.
- 【Ports】1 SuperSpeed USB Type-C 5Gbps signaling rate; 2 SuperSpeed USB Type-A 5Gbps signaling rate; 1 HDMI 1.4b; 1 AC smart pin; 1 headphone/microphone combo
- 【Operating System】Windows 11 Home Operation System
4. Lenovo IdeaPad 3
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a versatile laptop that offers great value for students on a budget. With a 14-inch Full HD display and AMD Ryzen 5, this laptop is perfect for handling everyday tasks including studying, streaming, and web browsing.
Equipped with 8GB RAM and up to 512GB SSD storage, the IdeaPad 3 is adept at multitasking. Lenovo also considers user comfort with a decent keyboard and a touchpad that enhances navigation, making it user-friendly for long periods of studying.
The IdeaPad’s compact design means it’s easy to carry around campus, and battery life hovers around 7-8 hours on mixed usage.
- 【Memory & Storage】Memory is 12GB high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once. Hard Drive is 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive which allows to fast bootup and data transfer
- 【Processor】 Intel Core i3-1115G4 3.00 GHz 2 Cores Processor (6MB Cache, up to 4.10 GHz), Intel UHD Graphics
- 【Screen】15.6" HD TouchScreen (1366 x 768) Display
- 【Ports】2 x SuperSpeed USB Type-A 3.2, 1 x SuperSpeed USB Type-A, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Headphone/Microphone Combo, 1 x SD Card Reader, Wireless-AC (Wi-Fi 5) and Bluetooth Combo
- 【Operating System】Windows 11 Home, 64 bit
5. ASUS ZenBook 14
The ASUS ZenBook 14 offers a premium experience at a mid-range price. This lightweight laptop gets a powerful boost from the Intel i7 processor and Intel Iris Xe graphics, making it suitable for students pursuing creative majors.
With a 14-inch spectacular NanoEdge display, it is perfect for multimedia tasks. The laptop comes with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, making it robust enough to run demanding applications smoothly.
The battery life is impressive, lasting almost 12 hours, allowing students to work without being tethered to a power source. Its sleek design and solid build quality is a plus for mobility.
- Go the extra mile with the remarkably sleek Zenbook 14 OLED. Seize every moment using the enhanced extended-life battery, amplify your efficiency with the top-tier Intel Core Ultra Processor Series.
- Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 125H 1.2 GHz (18MB Cache, up to 4.5 GHz, 14 cores, 18 Threads); 8GB Soldered LPDDR5 Memory, 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD.
- Display: 14" WUXGA (1920x1200) OLED, 16:10, 500nit, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, Eye Care, touch, Glossy; Integrated Intel Graphics - Support to expandable with 2 monitors via HDMI & Thunderbolt 4 Ports. Maximum supported resolution of 4k (3840x2160) @60Hz.
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2 x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1 TMDS, Combo Audio Jack; Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.3; Backlit Keyboard; US MIL-STD 810H military-grade standard; FHD IR Webcam with Privacy Shutter.
- Brand New Computer has been resealed to upgrade Windows, One-year WRT from ASUS. Windows 11 Professional 64-bit, with AI-powered Copilot, offers intelligent assistance for a variety of tasks. It's ideal for School Education, Designers, Professionals.
6. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 features a premium build and seamless performance, making it an excellent choice for students who prefer a minimalist design. The 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen display provides stunning visuals and is great for writing or drawing with the Surface Pen.
Powered by Intel’s 12th Gen processor with up to 16GB RAM and choices of either 256GB or 512GB SSD, the Surface Laptop is both responsive and versatile for any academic workload.
Battery life is rated at up to 15 hours, perfect for taking to class all day. The Windows OS and available apps also appeal to students of all disciplines.
- With 16 GB of memory, users can run many programs without losing execution
- The 13.5" 2256 x 1504 screen provides a great movie watching experience
- 512 GB total SSD capacity is enough to store your essential documents and files, favorite songs, movies and pictures
- 18 Hours battery run time helps you stay unwired and work longer non-stop
7. Acer Swift 3
For budget-conscious students, the Acer Swift 3 delivers solid performance. This laptop comes with a 14-inch Full HD IPS display and features an Intel i5 processor, which makes it adept for regular multitasking.
Rounding out its specifications, the Swift 3 has 8GB RAM and SSD options up to 512GB, which allows for swift boot times and quick access to files. Its aluminum chassis adds durability while keeping it lightweight, making it an attractive portable option for students.
With a battery life of up to 12-13 hours, it can comfortably last through classes and library sessions.
- Get high performance, responsiveness and long battery life with the Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor - up to 4.7GHz, 4 cores, 8 threads, 12MB Intel Smart Cache
- 14" Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS Widescreen LED-backlit 100% sRGB Display | Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 8GB Onboard LPDDR4X Memory and 256GB NVMe SSD
- 1 - USB Type-C Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps) DisplayPort over USB Type-C, Thunderbolt 4 & USB Charging | 1 - USB 3.2 Gen 1 port (featuring power-off charging) | 1 - USB 2.0 port | 1 - HDMI port
- Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 | Acer Bio-Protection Fingerprint Solution | Up to 16 Hours Battery Life
8. Razer Blade Stealth 13
The Razer Blade Stealth 13 caters to gamers and creators alike. Housing a powerful Intel i7 processor with NVIDIA GTX 1650 Ti graphics, it is built to handle gaming and design work efficiently.
Featuring a 13.3-inch Full HD display and a sleek design, this laptop is both beautiful and powerful. The 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD make multitasking a breeze, distinguishing it as one of the best laptops for college students who value performance.
With a premium feel and a battery life of up to 10 hours, it covers professional and gaming needs seamlessly.
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- Designed for mobility: Ultra-thin, light and incredibly durable with a cnc unibody aluminum frame and long battery life.
- 120hz full HD thin bezel display: Super-fast 120hz full HD display that enables smooth visuals in games, with 100% sRGB color space.
- Razer chroma keyboard and precision touchpad: keyboard featuring single-zone rgb lighting with 16.8 million color options, and a precision glass touchpad.
- Complete connectivity — Includes thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, wireless AX, HD webcam utilizing windows hello, and 4-array mics.
9. Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360
The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 stands out with its convertible design, allowing you to use it as both a laptop and a tablet. The 13.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen displays vibrant colors, ideal for design work or video consumption.
Under the hood is an Intel i5 processor, complemented by 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD, offering a solid performance for everyday tasks. The 360-degree hinge and S Pen functionality enrich the user experience, making it versatile for students in creative fields.
Additionally, this laptop boasts an excellent battery life of around 10 hours, suitable for long days on campus.
- The Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 2-in-1 laptop allows Flex 'Laptop' mode for everyday computing, 'Yoga' mode for sharing things, 'Flip' mode for binge-watching, or 'Tablet' mode Spin for more intuitive interaction. Super long Battery Life, up to 19 hours, easily meet the needs for full-day work.
- 13th Generation Intel Core i7-1360P Processor (2.20 GHz, up to 5 GHz, 12 Cores, 16 Threads, 18MB L3 Cache); 16GB LPDDR5 RAM(Soldered), 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD; Comes with an active electrostatic pen for finer details and more precision, the stylus pen is great for testing, drawing, taking notes and delineating details.
- 16" WQXGA+ (2880 x 1800) AMOLED, 120 Hz, 400 nits, 16:10, Touchscreen Display; Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics - Expandable to 2 monitors via Thunderbolt 4 or HDMI. Max resolution of the External Monitors: 4K @60Hz; 1080p FHD Webcam.
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 (Supports DisplayPort and Power Delivery), USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI, MicroSD Multi-media Card Reader, Headphone out/Mic-in Combo; English French bilingual Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint Reader; Wi-Fi 6E (Gig+) + Bluetooth 5.1
- Disclosure: Brand New Computer has been resealed to upgrade the SSD. Three-year warranty from Issaquah Highlands Tech on upgraded SSD. One-year warranty from manufacturer on remaining components. Windows 11 Pro 64-bit, with AI-powered Copilot, offers intelligent assistance for a variety of tasks; Ideal for School Education, Designers, Professionals, Small Business, Programmers, Casual Gaming, Video Streaming, Online Class, College Students, Zoom Meeting, etc.
10. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
For those seeking a high-performance and durable business laptop, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is a premium option. Known for its legendary keyboard and robust build quality, this laptop is a joy to type on during lengthy assignments.
Featuring an Intel i7 processor and up to 16GB RAM with various SSD options, it’s equipped to handle intensive workloads and multitasking efficiently.
The 14-inch 2K display enhances the visual experience, and battery performance can go over 15 hours, making it ideal for students who need reliability and performance in one package.
- Lenovo’s 11th generation (2023 version) of the flagship ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a powerhouse of performance boosting features in an ultrathin and ultralight form factor.
- Unopened retail packaging, sold as configured by Lenovo. One Year Onsite Lenovo Limited Warranty Included. Add up to 5 years of Lenovo premium coverage when you register your computer with Lenovo.
- Known for its Class-leading keyboard, the Lenovo ThinkPad series is regarded by many as the standard-setter for business notebooks, with the X1 Carbon at the pinnacle.
- A full HD webcam, quad-mic 360 degree far-field array, and four speakers allow for easy video conferencing while working on the go. With a range of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2, and HDMI ports, connect multiple peripherals.
- Built on the Intel Evo platform for lightweight power, it delivers superior and swifter computing experience while working on heavy duty applications or complex data and files.
Conclusion
As you prepare for college in 2024, having the best laptop could make all the difference in your academic success and overall experience. The laptops listed above are some of the top contenders available on Amazon, offering a mix of performance, portability, and value that cater to various student needs. Whether you’re writing essays, engaging in multimedia projects, or participating in online classes, these laptops provide the performance and features essential for thriving in your college journey.
Research and consider your specific requirements before making a purchase. In conjunction with budget considerations, ensure you get a laptop that aligns with your educational needs while staying portable and durable.
Happy studying!