Choosing the best laptop for students can be a daunting task, given the overwhelming number of choices in the market. Whether you’re a high school student on a budget, a college student juggling different tasks, or a graduate student with specific computing needs, this guide will help you find the right laptop in 2024. We’ve researched and curated a list of 20 of the best laptops based on performance, price, design, battery life, and features tailored for students. Let’s dive into our top picks!
1. Apple MacBook Air M2 (2024)
Best Overall Laptop for Students
The 2024 MacBook Air is a near-perfect laptop for students. Powered by Apple’s M2 chip, it offers excellent performance, an all-day battery life, and a sleek design. It’s light, portable, and its Retina display is crisp and vibrant. For students who need a powerful yet portable laptop, the MacBook Air M2 delivers, making it ideal for everyday tasks, creative projects, or running complex software.
- Processor: Apple M2
- Display: 13.6-inch Retina
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
- Weight: 2.7 pounds
- Price: Starting at $999
Pros:
- Outstanding battery life
- Super lightweight and thin
- High-resolution Retina display
Cons:
- Limited ports
- Can be pricey for students on a budget
2. Dell XPS 13 (2024)
Best Windows Laptop for Students
The Dell XPS 13 continues to impress in 2024 with its premium build quality, nearly bezel-less display, and top-notch performance. This is an excellent choice for Windows fans looking for a balance between power and portability. Its 11th-gen Intel processors ensure smooth multitasking and handling of resource-intensive applications.
- Processor: Intel Core i7 (13th-gen)
- Display: 13.4-inch FHD+
- Battery Life: Up to 14 hours
- Weight: 2.8 pounds
- Price: Starting at $1,099
Pros:
- Beautiful InfinityEdge display
- Premium build quality
- Fast performance
Cons:
- Expensive for some students
- Limited port selection
3. Acer Swift 3
Best Budget Laptop for Students
The Acer Swift 3 is an excellent budget-friendly option for students who need reliable performance without breaking the bank. It’s lightweight and compact, yet powerful enough for everyday use, thanks to its AMD Ryzen 7 processor. Its long battery life and solid build make it ideal for students who are always on the move.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
- Display: 14-inch FHD
- Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
- Price: Starting at $649
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Solid performance for the price
- Thin and lightweight design
Cons:
- Display could be brighter
- Average speakers
4. HP Envy x360 (2024)
Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Students
For students who need flexibility, the HP Envy x360 is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop. It comes with a responsive touchscreen that can rotate 360 degrees, making it perfect for taking notes, drawing, or presenting projects. Powered by the latest AMD Ryzen or Intel processors, this device handles multitasking with ease.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7530U / Intel Core i5
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD touch
- Battery Life: Up to 13 hours
- Weight: 4.4 pounds
- Price: Starting at $849
Pros:
- Excellent performance and battery life
- Convertible design
- Great value for a 2-in-1
Cons:
- Heavier than other ultrabooks
- No 4K display option
5. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
Best Laptop for Design Students
The Surface Laptop 5 is a great choice for design students who need a beautiful display and touch capabilities. The high-resolution PixelSense display is perfect for creative work, and it pairs well with the Surface Pen (sold separately). Its sleek and minimalist design makes it look and feel premium.
- Processor: Intel Core i7 (12th-gen)
- Display: 13.5-inch PixelSense
- Battery Life: Up to 15 hours
- Weight: 2.76 pounds
- Price: Starting at $999
Pros:
- Stunning PixelSense display
- Excellent build quality
- Solid performance
Cons:
- Surface Pen sold separately
- More expensive than some competitors
6. Asus ZenBook 14
Best Lightweight Laptop for Students
The Asus ZenBook 14 is an ultralight laptop with a focus on portability. It features a beautiful OLED display and strong performance thanks to its AMD Ryzen or Intel processors. Students who prioritize battery life and portability without sacrificing performance will find this a great choice.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7730U / Intel Core i7
- Display: 14-inch OLED FHD
- Battery Life: Up to 13 hours
- Weight: 2.58 pounds
- Price: Starting at $849
Pros:
- Stunning OLED display
- Thin and lightweight
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Limited port selection
- Integrated graphics only
7. Lenovo Yoga 9i
Best Premium 2-in-1 Laptop for Students
The Lenovo Yoga 9i is a luxury 2-in-1 laptop that stands out with its beautiful design and powerful performance. Featuring Intel’s latest 13th-gen processors, it’s perfect for students who want a stylish and functional laptop for schoolwork, creative projects, and multimedia use. The 360-degree hinge and responsive touchscreen make it a versatile tool.
- Processor: Intel Core i7 (13th-gen)
- Display: 14-inch OLED 4K touch
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
- Weight: 3.02 pounds
- Price: Starting at $1,299
Pros:
- 4K OLED touchscreen
- Premium build quality
- Great for multitasking
Cons:
- Pricey
- Slightly heavy for a 2-in-1
8. Google Pixelbook Go
Best Chromebook for Students
For students who primarily work with cloud-based apps and need a Chromebook, the Google Pixelbook Go is the best option. It’s sleek, lightweight, and offers an impressive battery life, making it ideal for students who value simplicity and efficiency. It runs Chrome OS, so it’s best suited for users who don’t need to run heavy desktop applications.
- Processor: Intel Core i5 / i7
- Display: 13.3-inch FHD touch
- Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
- Weight: 2.33 pounds
- Price: Starting at $649
Pros:
- Excellent battery life
- Lightweight and portable
- Responsive touchscreen
Cons:
- Limited app compatibility
- Chrome OS may not suit all users
9. Acer Chromebook Spin 714
Best Convertible Chromebook for Students
For students who want the flexibility of a 2-in-1 Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is an excellent option. With its Intel Core i5 processor and long battery life, it offers solid performance for Chrome OS users. The touchscreen is responsive, and the build quality is sturdy, making it perfect for students on the go.
- Processor: Intel Core i5
- Display: 14-inch FHD touch
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
- Weight: 3.09 pounds
- Price: Starting at $799
Pros:
- Great build quality
- Convertible design
- Fast performance for a Chromebook
Cons:
- Heavier than other Chromebooks
- Pricey for a Chromebook
10. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3, 2024)
Best for Power Users
For students studying engineering, video editing, or coding, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the new M3 chip is a powerhouse. Its performance is unmatched in its class, and the mini-LED display is perfect for creative professionals. While it’s pricier, its performance and battery life justify the cost for students who need serious computing power.
- Processor: Apple M3
- Display: 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR
- Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
- Price: Starting at $1,999
Pros:
- Exceptional performance
- Mini-LED display is stunning
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Expensive
- Overkill for casual users
11. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
Best Business Laptop for Students
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 is a premium business laptop that’s also great for students. It’s durable, reliable, and offers a great keyboard, which makes it perfect for students who spend hours typing up papers. With excellent battery life and performance, it’s an ideal option for students who need a solid, no-nonsense laptop.
- Processor: Intel Core i7 (13th-gen)
- Display: 14-inch FHD+
- Battery Life: Up to 15 hours
- Weight: 2.49 pounds
- Price: Starting at $1,399
Pros:
- Fantastic keyboard and build quality
- Great battery life
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- Expensive for some students
- Lacks a dedicated GPU
12. HP Pavilion 15
Best Mid-Range Laptop for Students
The HP Pavilion 15 is a solid mid-range laptop that offers excellent value for the money. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, ample storage, and a sharp display, making it perfect for students who want more power than an entry-level laptop but don’t want to break the bank.
- Processor: Intel Core i7 (13th-gen)
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
- Weight: 4.08 pounds
- Price: Starting at $749
Pros:
- Affordable with good specs
- Solid performance for its price range
- Full-size keyboard with number pad
Cons:
- Heavier than other options
- Average battery life
13. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)
Best Gaming Laptop for Students
If you’re a student who enjoys gaming or needs a powerful machine for graphic-heavy tasks like video editing, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is an excellent choice. Despite its gaming pedigree, it’s portable enough for classroom use and packs plenty of power with its AMD Ryzen 9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS
- Display: 14-inch QHD
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
- Weight: 3.64 pounds
- Price: Starting at $1,599
Pros:
- Excellent gaming performance
- Portable for a gaming laptop
- High refresh rate display
Cons:
- Pricey
- Below-average battery life compared to ultrabooks
14. Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360
Best Laptop for Media Consumption
For students who like to unwind with Netflix or YouTube after studying, the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 offers a gorgeous AMOLED display and fantastic sound quality. It’s also a powerful 2-in-1 laptop, making it ideal for students who need to sketch or take notes on the touchscreen.
- Processor: Intel Core i7 (13th-gen)
- Display: 16-inch AMOLED touch
- Battery Life: Up to 14 hours
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
- Price: Starting at $1,199
Pros:
- Stunning AMOLED display
- Great for multimedia use
- Solid performance and battery life
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavier than traditional laptops
15. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5
Best Affordable 2-in-1 Laptop for Students
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is an affordable 2-in-1 laptop that offers solid performance, a responsive touchscreen, and the flexibility to switch between laptop and tablet modes. It’s ideal for students who need a versatile device for taking notes, streaming, and light productivity work.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- Display: 14-inch FHD touch
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
- Weight: 3.63 pounds
- Price: Starting at $599
Pros:
- Affordable 2-in-1
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Flexible design
Cons:
- Average display brightness
- Middling battery life
16. Dell G15 Gaming Laptop
Best Budget Gaming Laptop for Students
For students on a budget who still want to game, the Dell G15 is one of the best budget gaming laptops available. While it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of more expensive gaming laptops, it still packs a punch with its AMD Ryzen 7 processor and NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 6800H
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD
- Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
- Weight: 5.55 pounds
- Price: Starting at $899
Pros:
- Great price for a gaming laptop
- Good performance for its category
- Full-sized keyboard with RGB lighting
Cons:
- Heavy and bulky
- Battery life is mediocre
17. Microsoft Surface Go 4
Best Compact Laptop for Students
For students who need an ultra-portable, compact laptop, the Surface Go 4 is an affordable and lightweight option. While it’s not as powerful as other laptops on this list, it’s great for students who primarily need a laptop for note-taking, web browsing, and streaming.
- Processor: Intel Pentium Gold
- Display: 10.5-inch PixelSense
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
- Weight: 1.2 pounds
- Price: Starting at $549
Pros:
- Ultra-portable and lightweight
- Good display for its size
- Affordable
Cons:
- Limited performance for heavy tasks
- Small screen might not suit everyone
18. HP Spectre x360 14
Best High-End Convertible Laptop for Students
The HP Spectre x360 14 is a premium convertible laptop with an elegant design and robust performance. It features a stunning OLED display, long battery life, and a responsive touch interface, making it a great choice for students who value both aesthetics and functionality.
- Processor: Intel Core i7 (13th-gen)
- Display: 13.5-inch OLED touch
- Battery Life: Up to 15 hours
- Weight: 3.01 pounds
- Price: Starting at $1,299
Pros:
- Gorgeous OLED display
- Sleek and premium design
- Great performance
Cons:
- Expensive
- Slightly heavier than other ultrabooks
19. Acer Aspire 5
Best Value Laptop for Students
The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best value-for-money laptops for students. It offers decent performance, a full HD display, and a budget-friendly price, making it a good option for students who need a reliable laptop for schoolwork and light multitasking.
- Processor: Intel Core i5 (13th-gen)
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
- Weight: 3.64 pounds
- Price: Starting at $549
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Good build quality for its price
- Decent performance
Cons:
- Mediocre battery life
- Not the most portable option
20. Razer Blade 14 (2024)
Best Premium Gaming Laptop for Students
For students who want the best of both worlds—a powerful gaming laptop that’s still portable—the Razer Blade 14 is a top choice. It features a sleek design, powerful AMD Ryzen 9 processor, and NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPU, making it one of the most powerful gaming laptops in a relatively thin chassis.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX
- Display: 14-inch QHD 165Hz
- Battery Life: Up to 9 hours
- Weight: 3.92 pounds
- Price: Starting at $2,399
Pros:
- Powerful gaming performance
- Thin and lightweight for a gaming laptop
- Stunning QHD display
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Battery life could be better for its price
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Laptop for Students in 2024
With so many options available, the best laptop for students in 2024 depends on individual needs and budgets. Whether you’re a student who needs an affordable, reliable machine or one who requires serious power for creative or technical work, there’s a laptop on this list that fits the bill.
For students looking for premium quality, the Apple MacBook Air M2 and Dell XPS 13 are fantastic choices. Those who prefer more flexibility will love the HP Envy x360 and Lenovo Yoga 9i, while gamers and power users might gravitate toward the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 or Razer Blade 14.
For students on a budget, the Acer Swift 3 and Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 offer a great balance between affordability and performance, ensuring you don’t have to compromise too much for a reliable, everyday laptop.
Ultimately, each student’s needs are different, so it’s important to consider factors like budget, portability, battery life, and specific use cases when selecting the perfect laptop.
