Find the best laptop for students in 2026
The most important features of a good laptop for student are:
- Connectivity - you will be connecting this device to monitors, projectors, external storage and devices you haven't seen before
- RAM - during the education you will need to install lots of different software, some of which may be demanding. Also, don't be surprised having 70+ browser tabs open while writing an essay.
- Portability - you will be carrying it with you often
- Reliability - nothing is worse than having a dead laptop and due date the next day
Best Laptops under $500 for students and school
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 IdeaPad Slim 3 15 grey 2026
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Apple iPad Air 11" MC9W4LL/A Space Gray 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Driven by the Apple M3 chip and an 11-inch Liquid Retina display with P3 wide color and ultralow reflectivity, it delivers smooth performance for creative tasks and multitasking. The ultralight build and Apple Pencil Pro support, alongside iPadOS’s Stage Manager, create a flexible on-the-go workstation with desktop-class app multitasking. This tablet is ideal for students and mobile professionals needing a portable, all-day device for note-taking, document scanning, and 4K video calls.
Dell Latitude 14" 5400 Black
Why we recommend this ▼
With 32GB RAM, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and Thunderbolt connectivity, this refurbished Dell provides robust multitasking and storage at a value-focused price, while a thorough refurbishment process ensures near-new functionality. Its 14-inch FHD display and 1.48kg weight make it a portable workhorse with a full array of ports including HDMI, Ethernet, and four USB-A slots. It's best for office workers or students who need to run memory-intensive spreadsheets and archive large project files without spending new-laptop money.
ASUS Vivobook 16" M1605YA-ES74 Indie Black 2023
Why we recommend this ▼
The AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor with 16GB DDR4 RAM delivers smooth multitasking on a 16-inch 1920x1200 anti-glare display, though its 300-nit brightness limits outdoor use. A 1TB NVMe SSD and Thunderbolt connectivity add practical value, while the backlit keyboard and 0.78-inch thin chassis enhance daily usability. This laptop is best for students and office workers needing a large-screen productivity machine for documents, web browsing, and light multitasking.
Apple iPad 11" A16 Yellow 2025
NIMO 15.6" N152 Gray
MSI Cyborg 15.6" A13VE-218US Black 2023
Why we recommend this ▼
The Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU with 6GB VRAM and a 144Hz IPS display deliver smooth 1080p gaming with DLSS 3 frame generation. It packs 16GB of dual-channel DDR5-5200MHz memory, a Core i7-13620H processor, and a 1.98 kg weight, making it a practical carry for campus or LAN parties. This notebook is best for gamers chasing high frame rates in esports titles and students who need a reliable machine for coding and light creative work.
Lenovo V15 15.6" V15 Black 2026
Lenovo Yoga 16" 7 2-in-1 Laptop 16“ 2K Touchscreen
Why we recommend this ▼
The AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 processor with integrated Radeon 840M graphics and 16GB of LPDDR5X memory delivers capable performance for everyday creative tasks on a 16-inch 1920x1200 touchscreen. The 2-in-1 design with a backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader offers flexible usage modes and solid build quality for a device weighing 1.80kg. This laptop is best for students or home users who need a large-screen convertible for note-taking, media consumption, and light content creation.
Dell 15.6" Touchscreen i7 Black 2025
HP Stream 14" Stream Pale Rose Gold
Lenovo V14 G5 IRL 14" V14 G5 IRL
HP ZBook Firefly 14 G7 Dark Gray 2020
Lenovo IdeaPad 1i 15.6" 83B40008US Cloud Grey 2025
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15.6" 82vg00tyus Abyss Blue
HP EliteBook 14" 840 G9 Silver 2022
Best Laptops under $1,000 for students and school
Apple MacBook Air 13.6" M4 Silver 2025
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Lenovo Yoga 14" 83JR0001US Seashell 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
The AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 with Radeon 860M graphics drives a 14-inch OLED touchscreen (600 nits, 100% DCI-P3) and a 50 TOPS NPU for AI tasks, delivering 13.5 hours of video playback. The 360° hinge, 1.40kg weight, and Copilot+ AI tools like Recall make it a portable convertible, while the optional Yoga Pen with tilt detection enhances creative precision. Best for students and multimedia creators needing a bright, color-accurate touchscreen for sketching, note-taking, and all-day media consumption.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8" ZGM-00001 Platinum 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Powered by a Snapdragon X Plus 10-core chip and Adreno GPU, this 1.34kg laptop delivers efficient, quiet performance in a premium aluminum build. Its 13.8-inch 2304x1536 touchscreen with 120Hz refresh and 600 nits brightness ensures sharp, smooth visuals for productivity and media consumption. This device is ideal for students and business travelers who prioritize portability and all-day battery life over gaming capability.
ASUS Zenbook 14" UX3407QA-X1P512 Zabriskie Beige 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
The Snapdragon X Plus processor with a 45 TOPS NPU and up to 32-hour battery life in a 1.09kg Ceraluminum chassis sets this laptop apart for AI-driven tasks and all-day portability. Its 14-inch 1920x1200 OLED display delivers 600 nits peak brightness and Pantone-validated colors, while the fanless design remains silent under light loads. This is best for students and business travelers who need a lightweight, long-lasting Windows laptop with integrated AI features for productivity on the go.
Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 G1 Thunder Grey
Why we recommend this ▼
Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V with integrated NPU and 15.63-hour battery life, it efficiently handles AI tasks on a vivid 14-inch OLED display. Weighing just 1.21kg, it combines ThinkPad durability, HDMI 2.1, and Windows 11 Pro with Copilot for on-device productivity. It suits mobile professionals and students who need all-day battery, a sharp 400-nit screen, and AI-powered assistance rather than gaming performance.
HP OmniBook X Flip 14" 14-fk0033dx Meteor Silver 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
The AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with 50 TOPS NPU and up to 19.5-hour battery life drive all-day AI productivity in a convertible flip design. Its 1.41kg chassis packs a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 touchscreen with AMD FreeSync and 24GB of RAM, striking a balance between durability and responsiveness. Best for mobile professionals and students who rely on Copilot+ AI tools and a versatile 2-in-1 form factor for presentations and handwritten notes.
MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo 13.4" A13MT-243US Black 2024
Why we recommend this ▼
The 13.4-inch 120Hz IPS touchscreen with 100% sRGB coverage and a 12-core Intel Core i7-1360P processor enable smooth visuals and responsive multitasking in a 1.35kg convertible chassis. Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, and a 70Wh battery offer fast data transfers and all-day portability, while the sleek ink black design adds a professional aesthetic. It’s best suited for mobile creators and business users needing a color-accurate display for design work and presentations, not for gaming.
ASUS Zenbook A14 14" UX3407QA-DS52-CA Zabriskie Beige
Lenovo Yoga Slim Series 14.5" Yoga Slim 7x Cosmic Blue 2024
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x 14.5" 83ED0001US Cosmic Blue 2024
Why we recommend this ▼
The Snapdragon X Elite processor with Lenovo AI Core enables up to 90% faster performance when unplugged, driving a 14.5-inch 3K OLED touchscreen that reaches 1000 nits peak brightness at a 90Hz refresh rate. Its 2.82-pound MIL-STD 810H durable chassis, Wi-Fi 7, and dedicated Copilot+ AI features like Recall and Click to Do enhance on-the-go productivity. This laptop best suits mobile content creators and business travelers who need a vivid HDR display and all-day AI-assisted efficiency.
ASUS Vivobook S 14 14" M5406WA-DS76 Neutral Black 2024
Lenovo IdeaPad 14" IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 14AHP9 2026
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 7 Arctic Grey 2024
Why we recommend this ▼
The AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS octa-core CPU and integrated Radeon 680M graphics drive a 1.38kg chassis with a 14-inch 1920x1200 touchscreen. Despite a 45Wh battery, the laptop includes Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, and Windows 11 Pro for business-ready connectivity. It’s ideal for students and mobile professionals who need a light, touch-enabled Windows device for productivity, not gaming.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition 15.3" 83HM0000US Luna Gray 2024
Why we recommend this ▼
Its Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 processor and 15.3-inch 3K 120Hz IPS touchscreen (500 nits, 100% DCI-P3) power up to 13 hours of battery life within a 0.60-inch, 3.3-pound chassis. The factory-calibrated Delta E<1 color accuracy and TÜV eye comfort certification pair with Intel Evo co-engineering and Windows Copilot+ AI tools for smooth multitasking. Best for remote workers and students who require a vivid, high-refresh display for streaming, document editing, and AI-assisted productivity throughout the day.
HP EliteBook 845 G11 14" Touchscreen
Why we recommend this ▼
Pairing an AMD Ryzen 7 8840U 8-core chip with 64GB of DDR5 memory, this 1.42kg laptop handles heavy multitasking with ease. It stands out further with enterprise-grade HP Wolf Security, a sharp 5MP conferencing camera, and a touch-enabled anti-glare display. It's ideally suited for developers running multiple VMs and business users who need portable, secure productivity.
Dell Pro 14 14" PC14250 Magnetite 2025
Best Laptops under $2,000 for students and school
Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M5 Silver 2025
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Lenovo ThinkPad 14" T14s Gen 6 Black 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
The Snapdragon X Elite’s 12-core chip and 45 TOPS NPU power the laptop with 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, all in a 1.24kg build. A 400-nit, 100% sRGB 14-inch display and Wi-Fi 7 add to its productivity strengths, along with Thunderbolt and HDMI 2.1. This is ideal for business travelers and developers needing constant connectivity and AI-driven tasks, though gaming is off the table due to integrated graphics and a 60Hz panel.
ASUS ProArt 13.3" PX13 Nano Black 2024
Why we recommend this ▼
With an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor (50 TOPS NPU), discrete RTX 4050 graphics, and a 13.3-inch 2880x1800 OLED touchscreen, this 1.39kg laptop delivers AI-powered creative performance in a compact chassis. Exclusive features like the ASUS DialPad and AI tools such as MuseTree differentiate it, while the 1.39kg build remains light enough for mobile creators. It's best for mobile content creators and media enthusiasts who want AI-enhanced productivity and a brilliant OLED display in a travel-friendly design.
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 14" NP940XHA-KG3US Gray 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Its Intel Core Ultra 7 (Series 2) processor with a 47 TOPS NPU drives AI tasks on a 14-inch 2880x1800 OLED 120Hz touchscreen, sustained by 21-hour battery life. Weighing just 1.23 kg, the anti-reflective AMOLED display and seamless Samsung phone notification mirroring create a portable cross-device workflow. This Copilot+ PC is best for business travelers and media enthusiasts who need effortless sync with their Galaxy phone for uninterrupted on-the-go multitasking.
Apple MacBook Air 13.6" M4 Sky Blue 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
The fanless Apple M4 chip with a 10-core CPU/GPU, 24GB RAM, and 1TB SSD drives up to 18 hours of battery life in a 1.24kg aluminum chassis under half an inch thin. Its 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with 500 nits brightness and a 12MP Center Stage camera paired with Spatial Audio delivers clear, immersive video calls. This machine is best for students and mobile professionals who need a lightweight, all-day workhorse for productivity, photo editing, and seamless multitasking.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 14" Gen 12 Black 2024
Why we recommend this ▼
At just 2.41 pounds, this MIL-STD 810H-tested ultraportable packs an Intel Core Ultra 7 165U, 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD with a 14-inch 1920x1200 display. The redesigned keyboard adds tactile markers for touch typists, paired with a larger 120mm glass touchpad, while dual Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, and HDMI 2.1 ports eliminate dongle dependency. It's ideal for business travelers needing a lightweight, rugged notebook with all-day typing comfort.
Lenovo Yoga 9i 14" 83LC0001US Cosmic Blue 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 14-inch 2.8K OLED touchscreen hits 1100 nits and covers 100% P3, backed by an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, Intel Arc graphics, and 32GB RAM. A 360° hinge and included pressure-sensitive Yoga Pen, combined with quad speakers and an AI-enhanced 5MP camera, make it versatile for creative work and video calls. Best for graphic designers working with color-critical projects and frequent travelers needing a vibrant, portable 1.32kg canvas with AI-powered productivity features.
ASUS ZenBook Duo 14" UX8406CA-PS99T Gray 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Dual 14-inch 2880x1800 OLED 120Hz touchscreens with 500 nits peak brightness and 100% DCI-P3 color expand to a 19.8-inch workspace, powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor and 32GB RAM. Its 0.57-inch thin, 3.64-pound chassis integrates a detachable Bluetooth keyboard, built-in kickstand, and military-grade durability for flexible multi-screen use and effortless portability. Best for multitasking students and professionals needing a portable dual-display setup with up to 16 hours of battery life for productivity and media consumption.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8" 7th Edition Platinum 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V with 32GB LPDDR5x RAM and an AI Boost NPU delivers 48 TOPS for on-device AI tasks, paired with a 13.8-inch 120Hz PixelSense Flow touchscreen at 600 nits. Its 1.35kg weight and Wi-Fi 7 ensure effortless portability and fast connectivity. This laptop is tailored for business professionals who rely on Microsoft Copilot and AI-enhanced workflows, not for gaming.
MSI Prestige 13.3" PRE13EVOA2088 Stellar Gray 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Weighing just 0.99kg, this 13.3-inch 2880x1800 OLED laptop combines an Intel Core Ultra 7-258V processor and integrated Intel Arc graphics for crisp visuals and responsive AI-driven workflows. The individually numbered Ukiyoe Edition and Copilot+ AI features like Recall and Live Captions add a distinctive, practical layer beyond the raw spec sheet. It’s best for students and frequent travelers needing an ultraportable with a brilliant display for entertainment and light creative work, not gaming.
ASUS Zenbook S 14" UX5406SA-S14.U732G1T Zumaia Gray 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Combining a 47 TOPS Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 NPU with a 14-inch 2880x1800 OLED 120Hz touchscreen, the 1.20kg CNC-milled chassis produces Pantone-validated colors at 500 nits. It pairs 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD with Thunderbolt, HDMI 2.1, and Wi-Fi 7, maintaining comprehensive I/O in an ultraportable form. Best for students, frequent travelers, and AI early adopters who rely on the OLED touchscreen for media consumption and on-device Copilot+ features like Recall.
Lenovo Slim 7i Aura Edition 14" Slim 7i Aura Edition Luna Grey 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V with a 47 TOPS NPU and integrated Arc Graphics, this 1.28kg laptop delivers 17-hour battery life and a 600-nit 14-inch OLED touchscreen for AI-accelerated tasks. MIL-STD-810H durability, Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, and a 5MP IR webcam provide secure, versatile connectivity in a travel-ready chassis. Best for business travelers and students who rely on offline AI tools like real-time translation, though its integrated graphics exclude serious gaming.
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 7 14" E14 Gen 7 Eclipse Black 2024
Lenovo Slim 7 14" 83MC0001US Luna Grey
Why we recommend this ▼
The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V chip with integrated Arc 140V graphics drives a 14-inch 1920x1200 OLED display at 600 nits and 100% DCI-P3 color coverage. At just 1.28kg with a 70Wh battery, quiet thermal design, and ports like Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1, it balances portability with strong connectivity. This laptop suits students and mobile professionals needing a vibrant screen for media and productivity, though its integrated graphics make it unsuitable for gaming.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14" 83CX0005US Tidal Teal 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
The 14-inch 4K OLED display with 120Hz refresh and 750 nits peak brightness, powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and 32GB of RAM, delivers sharp, fluid visuals and AI-enhanced productivity. Its camera-under-display design achieves a 98% screen-to-body ratio, and the 1.25kg weight makes it exceptionally portable for a 4K laptop. This laptop is best for entertainment enthusiasts and mobile professionals who need a vivid display and AI features in an ultraportable form factor.
Dell Pro 13 Plus 13.3" PB13250 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Intel Core Ultra 7 266V vPro processor with a dedicated NPU delivers AI-accelerated tasks and 18.5-hour battery life in a 1.23kg frame. vPro ensures enterprise security and remote manageability, while Thunderbolt, HDMI 2.1, and Wi-Fi 7 provide robust connectivity. Business travelers and field workers who need all-day uptime and IT control will find its portability ideal.