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
ASUS - Vivobook 14 14" FHD+ Laptop - Copilot+ PC - Snapdragon X with 16GB Memory - 512GB SSD - Quiet Blue
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Apple MacBook Air MVFK2LLA, 13 Inches 1.6GHz
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is the sharp 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology, paired with a dual-core 8th-Gen Intel Core i5 processor and fast SSD storage. The laptop's 1.25kg weight and Touch ID security make it highly portable and convenient for on-the-go use. This MacBook Air is best for business travelers and students who prioritize a lightweight design, excellent screen quality, and seamless macOS integration over high-performance gaming or intensive creative tasks.
HP EliteBook 830 G7 13.3" Full HD Touchscreen
Why we recommend this ▼
With its 32GB of RAM and Intel Core i7-10610U processor, it's built for multitasking in a durable, 13.3-inch touchscreen chassis. The inclusion of Windows 11 Pro and WiFi 6 makes it a well-equipped, portable business machine. This laptop is best for students or professionals who need a compact, reliable device for office applications and web-based work, not for demanding creative tasks.
Dell - 14" Refurbished 1920 x 1080 FHD - Intel 8th Gen Core i7-8665U with 32GB RAM - Intel UHD Graphics 620 - 512GB SSD - Black
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD provide ample power for multitasking and storage in a compact 1.45kg chassis with a touchscreen. The durable build and Windows 11 Pro make it a reliable, secure choice for business environments. This laptop is best for students or professionals who need a highly portable, well-equipped machine for office applications and light productivity tasks.
Best Laptops under $1,000 for students and school
Apple 13" MacBook Air (M4, Sky Blue)
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ASUS - Zenbook A14 14" FHD+ OLED Laptop - Copilot+
Why we recommend this ▼
Its Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus processor delivers strong AI performance with a 45 TOPS NPU, housed in a 1.09kg chassis with a 14-inch OLED display. The laptop's standout feature is its Copilot+ AI suite, including the Recall preview for locating past content, which enhances productivity beyond raw specs. This makes it best for students and mobile professionals who prioritize long battery life, AI-assisted workflows, and a vibrant, portable screen over gaming performance.
HP - OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 - Copilot+ PC - 14" 2K Touch-Screen Laptop - AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 2025 - 24GB Memory - 1TB SSD - Meteor Silver
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with a 50 TOPS NPU, enabling powerful on-device AI tasks for a Copilot+ PC. The 2-in-1 design with a 14-inch 2K touchscreen and Corning Gorilla Glass offers versatile, durable input for creative work. This laptop is best for business professionals and students who need a portable AI-capable machine for productivity apps and light content creation.
MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo A13MT-243US 13.4" Full HD+
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 12-core Intel 1360P processor and 120Hz touchscreen provide snappy performance in a versatile 2-in-1 form factor. The 1.35kg chassis is highly portable and includes practical ports like Thunderbolt and HDMI 2.1 for connectivity. This laptop is best for students and business travelers who need a compact, responsive device for note-taking and presentations, not for gaming.
Best Laptops under $2,000 for students and school
Apple 13" MacBook Air (M4, Midnight)
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These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Lenovo ThinkPad 14.0" Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 47-core Intel 258V CPU and 16GB integrated Arc graphics provide exceptional multi-threaded performance for a sub-1kg ultraportable. The 14-inch 120Hz OLED display offers vibrant visuals ideal for media consumption and detailed creative work. This laptop is best for business travelers and content creators who prioritize extreme portability and a premium screen for presentations and video editing on the go.
ASUS - ProArt PX13 13" 3K OLED Touch Screen Laptop - Copilot+ PC - AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 - 32GB Memory - RTX 4050 - 1TB SSD - Nano Black
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 13.3-inch 3K OLED Lumina touchscreen and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor with 50 TOPS NPU power make it a standout for on-the-go AI tasks and creative work. The inclusion of a dedicated NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU and the exclusive ASUS DialPad offers tangible benefits for precise control in applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro. This laptop is best for mobile digital artists and content creators who prioritize a premium, color-accurate display and AI-accelerated workflows in a compact 1.39kg chassis.
Microsoft 13.8" Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC (7th
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout 12-core Qualcomm X1E chip and integrated X1 GPU deliver exceptional AI performance and over 21-hour battery life in a sleek, 1.34kg chassis. The 13.8" 120Hz PixelSense touchscreen offers vibrant colors and smooth interaction, complemented by a premium, all-aluminum build. This laptop is best for students and business professionals who prioritize all-day portability, responsive touch input, and seamless integration with Windows 11's new AI features.