Laptop Shopping 101: Finding the Best Laptop for Your Student Needs
May 1, 2023
8 min read
Slow processing speeds, short battery life, and limited storage can make it difficult for students to complete assignments, research topics, and communicate with classmates and professors. In addition, a poorly designed laptop can be cumbersome, making it difficult to transport between classes and study sessions.
Consider processing power, battery life, storage capacity, portability, and durability. Investing in a high-quality laptop can save time and reduce stress in the long run, allowing students to focus on their studies and achieve their academic goals.
Best Laptops for Students in 2023
Best Budget Laptops
1. Lenovo IdeaPad 3
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is an excellent choice for students seeking a budget-friendly laptop in 2023. It is powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 processor, 4GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD, ensuring reliable performance for everyday tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and video streaming.
In addition, the 14-inch Full HD display delivers crisp visuals, while it's compact design and lightweight build make it easy to carry. The IdeaPad 3 also offers decent battery life, lasting up to 7 hours on a single charge, making it a practical option for students on the go.
2. Acer Chromebook 311
The Acer Chromebook 311 is an affordable option for students who need a device primarily for web-based tasks. Running on Chrome OS offers quick boot times, automatic updates, and built-in virus protection. Equipped with an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, 4GB RAM, and 32GB eMMC storage, it can handle light multitasking and document editing.
The 11.6-inch HD display is adequate for basic use, and the 10-hour battery life ensures all-day productivity. In addition, with access to the Google Play Store, students can download numerous educational apps to enhance their learning experience.
3. HP Stream 11
The HP Stream 11 is an excellent budget laptop for students, with a compact 11.6-inch HD display and lightweight design. Powered by an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB eMMC storage, it delivers satisfactory performance for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing.
Running Windows 10 in S mode, it offers enhanced security and performance. Its long battery life of up to 13 hours and attractive design make it a popular choice among students. Including a one-year Microsoft 365 subscription adds value to this budget-friendly option.
Best Laptops for General Use
1. MacBook Air M2
The MacBook Air M2, released in 2023, is an excellent option for students seeking a portable laptop. The M2 chip provides impressive performance and efficiency, making it suitable for various tasks, from web browsing to video editing. The 13.3-inch Retina display offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals, while its sleek design and lightweight build ensure easy portability.
With up to 18 hours of battery life, students can work throughout the day without worrying about charging. In addition, the macOS ecosystem offers a range of productivity apps, making the MacBook Air M2 an ideal choice for general use.
2. Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 remains a top choice for students in 2023, offering a perfect balance of power, portability, and build quality. Powered by the 11th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, up to 16GB RAM, and up to 1TB SSD, it delivers excellent performance for various tasks.
The 13.4-inch InfinityEdge display provides stunning visuals, and its slim, lightweight design makes it easy to carry around. With up to 14 hours of battery life, it ensures all-day productivity. The XPS 13 also features a comfortable keyboard and a responsive touchpad, making it a pleasure to use.
3. HP Spectre x360
The HP Spectre x360 is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop with high performance and premium design. Equipped with an 11th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, up to 16GB RAM, and up to 1TB SSD, it can easily handle a wide range of tasks. The 13.3-inch Full HD touch display provides vibrant visuals, while its 360-degree hinge allows for seamless transitions between laptop, tablet, and tent modes.
The Spectre x360 has an elegant design with a lightweight, durable aluminum chassis, making it perfect for students on the go. With up to 15 hours of battery life, it can last a full day of classes and study. Including a stylus and Windows 11 enhances the overall experience, making the HP Spectre x360 an excellent choice for general use.
Best Laptops for Creative Students
1. MacBook Pro M1
The MacBook Pro M1 is an outstanding choice for creative students, offering unparalleled performance with Apple's M1 chip. This processor allows for seamless multitasking and smooth handling of resource-intensive applications such as video editing and graphic design.
The 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology provides accurate colors and sharp visuals, perfect for creative work. With up to 20 hours of battery life, the MacBook Pro M1 ensures uninterrupted productivity. Its sleek design and macOS ecosystem make it a top choice for students in design, media, and other creative fields.
2. Microsoft Surface Book 3
The Microsoft Surface Book 3 is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that caters to creative students with its good performance and high-resolution display. Available in 13.5-inch or 15-inch models, it features a detachable PixelSense touchscreen display with up to 3240x2160 resolution, offering stunning visuals and color accuracy.
Powered by 10th-generation Intel Core processors, up to 32GB RAM, and up to 2TB SSD, it can easily handle demanding creative tasks. The Surface Book 3 also has a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GPU, making it suitable for graphic-intensive work. In addition, the included Surface Pen offers precise input for drawing and editing, making it an ideal choice for artists and designers.
3. Razer Blade Pro
The Razer Blade Pro is a high-performance laptop designed for creative students who need a machine for intensive tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, and gaming. It features a 15.6-inch Full HD or 4K touch display with up to 100% Adobe RGB color accuracy, ensuring vibrant and detailed visuals.
Powered by the latest Intel Core i7 or i9 processors, up to 32GB RAM, and up to 1TB SSD, the Razer Blade Pro delivers top-notch performance. It's dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPU allows smooth rendering and real-time ray tracing. In addition, the sleek, lightweight aluminum design and customizable Chroma RGB keyboard make it an attractive choice for creative professionals and students alike.
Recommended Laptop Accessories for Students
Laptop Backpack
A laptop backpack is essential for students, providing protection and easy transport for their devices. Look for a backpack with a dedicated, padded laptop compartment, comfortable straps, and multiple pockets for organization. In addition, water-resistant materials and a sleek design are desirable for durability and style.
External Hard Drive
An external hard drive is a practical accessory for students to expand storage and backup crucial files. It ensures data safety, enables easy file sharing, and reduces dependency on cloud storage. Choose a portable, durable hard drive with ample capacity and fast transfer speeds for efficient use.
Mouse
A comfortable and responsive mouse benefits students who spend long hours on their laptops. Wired or wireless, a quality mouse can enhance precision and reduce wrist strain. When selecting the ideal mouse, consider ergonomic design, battery life, and sensitivity settings.
Laptop Stand
A laptop stand is an excellent accessory to promote proper posture and reduce neck and back strain. Adjustable stands allow optimal screen height and angle customization, improving comfort and productivity. Additionally, some stand offer ventilation features to prevent laptop overheating during extended use.
Headphones
Headphones are indispensable for students, whether for online classes, studying, or entertainment. Noise-canceling options can provide an immersive and distraction-free experience. Comfortable fit, sound quality, and durability are key factors to consider.
Wireless models offer flexibility and convenience, while wired headphones may have a better sound quality and no need for charging.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Laptop for Students
Budget
Financial constraints are a major factor for students when choosing a laptop. Therefore, it is essential to find a balance between cost and performance. Consider the laptop's specifications and features relative to its price, and select one that meets your needs without exceeding your budget.
Processor
The processor is a crucial factor as it determines the laptop's performance. Students should opt for a device with at least an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor for general tasks. For more demanding workloads, such as video editing or 3D modeling, a higher-end processor like Intel Core i5 or i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 is recommended.
Battery Life
Look for laptops with at least 6-8 hours of battery life to ensure you can work without changing frequently. However, battery life may vary depending on usage and power settings.
Display
A laptop's display impacts visual comfort and productivity. Consider factors such as screen size, resolution, and panel type. A 1080p resolution is recommended for crisp visuals, while IPS panels offer better viewing angles and color accuracy. Should choose screen size based on personal preference and portability requirements.
Graphics
Integrated graphics suit most student tasks, such as web browsing and document editing. However, a dedicated GPU is necessary for smooth performance if you're into gaming, video editing, or graphic design. Look for laptops with NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon graphics cards for enhanced visual capabilities.
Storage and Memory
Adequate storage and memory are essential for smooth multitasking and data management. A minimum of 8GB RAM is recommended for most students, with higher capacities for demanding tasks. In addition, consider a solid-state drive (SSD) for faster boot times and data access, with at least 256GB storage for documents and media files.
Portability
A lightweight and compact laptop is vital for students constantly moving between classes. Aim for a laptop weighing around 3-4 pounds and having a slim profile. Remember that smaller laptops may compromise on performance or features, so find a balance that suits your needs.
Operating System
The choice of OS depends on personal preference, software compatibility, and budget. Windows offers a wide range of software support and is compatible with most applications, while macOS is popular for its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with other Apple devices. Chrome OS is a budget-friendly option for basic computing needs.
Brand Reliability
Students should research a laptop brand's reputation for reliability, build quality, and customer support. Brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, and Asus have established reputations for producing durable and reliable laptops. Reading user reviews and consulting expert opinions can help identify a laptop brand with long-term reliability and value.
