The Best Laptops for College Students Of 2023
If you're going to college, you'll need a laptop that can handle your school workload. Depending on your program, you can go with a simple Chromebook, an ultraportable Windows laptop or MacBook, or a powerful mobile workstation. Ideally, you want a portable, well-built device that has enough battery life to last you a day. As you will be doing a lot of work on the laptop, you should also look for a device that contributes to a good user experience, such as a sharp and bright display, a comfortable keyboard, and a responsive touchpad. Port selection is also important to consider if you use multiple peripherals or external displays. Review Our Top 5 Laptop For Freelance 2023
1. Apple MacBook Pro 14
The best laptop for college we've tested is the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021). This premium model features a sleek, compact design, sturdy build and a battery that lasts all day. You can specify it with either the M1 Pro or the M1 Max SoC (system on a chip), both of which can handle almost any type of workload, making it an excellent choice for students in fields like graphic design, architecture, or engineering becomes. It gets a little warm when under load, but the fans never get too loud, so you don't have to worry about making too much noise in a quiet classroom.
Apart from its incredible performance, the MacBook Pro 14 offers a great user experience. It features a sharp Mini LED display with full DCI P3 coverage, a comfortable keyboard, and a spacious, easy-to-use haptic touchpad. If screen real estate is more important than portability, you can get the larger Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021). It's essentially the same device but with slightly better-sounding speakers and longer battery life. Its only drawback is its high price.
The last thing to know about MacBook Pros is that Apple has released new M2 versions. These new models are essentially the same as their predecessors, just with a faster processor, HDMI 2.1, and increased memory support (up to 96GB). At this point, it's best to go with the M2 model unless you can find the M1 at a heavily discounted price from a third-party seller, the Marketplace, or even through Apple's refurbished section.
2. Apple MacBook Air 13
If your school workload only involves light tasks like text processing, web browsing, and video playback, get the Apple MacBook Air 13 (2022) instead, which is the successor to the very popular Apple MacBook Air 13 (M1, 2020). It's got a gorgeous display that gets bright enough to use outside in daylight, a comfortable keyboard you can type on all day, and a spacious and responsive haptic touchpad. Its M2 SoC is fast enough for general productivity tasks like text processing and web browsing and can handle some light video editing as well. The downside is that it only has two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports.
While the M2 MacBook Air is a great device that we wholeheartedly recommend, it's still an expensive laptop, more so than the older M1 model. The good news is that Apple still sells the M1 MacBook Air alongside the new model. Of course, there are some tradeoffs, like its older design, slightly dimmer display, and the less powerful but still very capable M1 SoC. These compromises are fairly minor, so it's up to you whether it's worth paying more for the M2 model.
On the Windows side, we recommend the LG Gram 14 (2023). It's also a high-end ultraportable laptop, and as its name suggests, it's incredibly light, even lighter than the MacBook Air 13". It offers a decent user experience with a sharp display, a comfortable keyboard, and good thermal and noise handling. Its wide port selection includes two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4s, which lets you connect up to two 4k displays at 60Hz with a single cable. Build-wise, though it feels sturdy, its lightweight magnesium alloy chassis doesn't feel as rigid as the MacBook Air. It also has a smaller touchpad and a dimmer display.
3. Acer Chromebook Spin 714
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2022) is our pick for the best laptops for students in the mid-range category. This 2-in-1 Chromebook has a nice 14-inch display, which gives you enough screen real estate for multitasking, and it supports pen input so you can take notes with a stylus. The stylus comes with the device, and there's a charging slot into which you can dock it for transport. The keyboard feels spacious and tactile but can get tiring after an extended period of time. As for the touchpad, it's on the smaller side and can be a bit jittery when performing certain gestures, but overall, it's tolerable.
There are various Intel 12th generation CPUs in this laptop ranging from Core i3-1215U to i7-1260P. However, you may have problems finding the exact configuration due to availability. The Core i5 model with 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage is the easiest to find in stock, and it's more than adequate for students with light workloads. Battery life is great; You can easily spend a whole day spending a lot of extravagance. One last thing: Make sure you can do your schoolwork through the Chrome browser or Android app because Chrome OS doesn't support x86 Windows apps.
For Windows users, we have two suggestions. If you want to stick with 2-in-1 convertibles, go with the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2022). If you want a clamshell laptop, then the Acer Swift 3 14 (2020) is also a good option. Both laptops feel well-built and are easy to carry around. The IdeaPad Flex 5i has a better keyboard and touchpad and is available with faster Intel 12th gen. CPU; However, its battery doesn't last nearly as long as the Swift 3.
4. Lenovo Chromebook C340 15
If you're shopping on a limited budget, the best budget laptop for students we've tested is the Lenovo Chromebook C340 15 (2020), a 2-in-1 convertible with 360-degree hinges. You can configure it with an Intel Core i3 or Pentium Gold CPU, both of which are powerful enough to provide a smooth experience on Chrome OS. However, you can only get a maximum of 4GB of memory, which means it can stutter if you have too many apps or Chrome tabs open.
Its battery life is excellent at around 12 hours of light use, more than enough to last a day. Of course, since it's a cheaper model, there are some compromises as well. Firstly, the display doesn't get very bright; It's fine for most indoor settings but not well-lit environments or outdoors. Second, keyboard backlighting is only available on the model with an Intel Core i3 and 64GB of storage (model 81T90002UX). If you're new to Chrome OS, know that it has limits on the types of apps or programs you can install, so you need to make sure it fits your needs.
5. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
If you want a device that you can play even during downtime, get the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022). It has a decent 120Hz QHD display with support for a variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing while gaming. It gets bright enough for use outside in daylight and has full DCI P3 coverage, which means you can use it for your color-critical work. Its AMD Ryzen CPU and dedicated GPU are powerful enough to provide a smooth gaming experience, and they can handle other demanding tasks as well, making the laptop suitable for students in technical fields like 3D graphics. The battery lasts about 10 hours of light use; However, if you do more intensive stuff that requires a dedicated GPU, you can expect it to be closer to an hour and a half.
FAQ
What specifications should I look for in a laptop for college?
When choosing a laptop for college, consider the following specifications:
- Processor: Look for Intel Core i5 or i7, or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processors. These provide decent performance for most college tasks.
- RAM: Aim for at least 8GB of RAM to ensure smooth multitasking. If you plan to run demanding applications or work with large files, consider 16GB or more.
- Storage: Choose a laptop with SSD (Solid State Drive) instead of HDD (Hard Disk Drive). An SSD provides faster boot times and improves overall performance.
- Display: A 13- or 14-inch display size is generally portable and suitable for most college work. Watch in Full HD (1920x1080) resolution or higher for clear visuals.
- Battery Life: Consider a laptop with at least 8 hours of battery life to ensure it can last a day of classes without recharging.
Is it better to choose windows laptop or macbook for college?
The choice between a Windows laptop and a MacBook depends on personal preference and specific requirements. Here are some points to consider:
- Operating System: Windows laptops offer a wide range of software options, compatibility with different programs, and more customization. MacBooks run macOS, which has a streamlined user interface and excellent integration with other Apple devices.
- Design and Build: MacBooks are known for their sleek design and premium build quality. Windows laptops come in a variety of designs and price ranges, allowing you to choose based on your preferences and budget.
- Software and Compatibility: If your course requires specific software that is only available on one platform, choose a laptop that supports that platform.
- Budget: MacBooks are more expensive than Windows laptops. If your budget is tight, Windows laptops often offer a more affordable option.
How much should I budget for a laptop for college?
The price range of laptops can vary greatly depending on the brand, specifications and features. For a reliable and capable laptop for college, you can expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $1500 or more. Consider your budget along with the specifications required to find the best option within your price range.
Are Chromebooks Suitable for College Students?
Chromebooks may be suitable for some college students depending on their needs. Chromebooks are affordable, lightweight, and have long battery life. However, they are primarily designed for online use and rely on web-based applications. If your course work requires specific software that isn't web-based or if you need high-performance applications, a Chromebook might not be the best choice.