What are the Best Laptops for College Students in 2021?
These days, college students rely on their laptops more than ever before. Not only are they needed to write essays and study, but an increasing number of students are taking online courses from home. This means that all their lectures and coursework takes place on their laptop.
When buying a laptop for college, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting the best value for your money. In this article, we’ll break down the best laptops for college students.

Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
---|---|---|---|---|
Apple MacBook Pro with Intel Processor (13-inch, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD Storage) – Space Gray | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
New Apple MacBook Air with Apple M1 Chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) – Gold (Latest Model) | Prime | Buy Now | ||
HP Envy 13” Thin Laptop W/ Fingerprint Reader, FHD Touchscreen, 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10510U, 8GB SDRAM, 256GB Solid State Drive, Windows 10 Home (13-aq1010nr, Natural Silver) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
HP – 11.6″ Chromebook – Intel Celeron – 4GB Memory – 32GB eMMC Flash Memory – Ash Gray | Prime | Buy Now | ||
Dell New XPS 13 9300 13.4-inch FHD InfinityEdge Touchscreen Laptop (Silver), Intel Core i7-1065G7 10th Gen, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Windows 10 Pro (XPS9300-7909SLV-PUS) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop, 15.6 inches Full HD IPS Display, AMD Ryzen 3 3200U, Vega 3 Graphics, 4GB DDR4, 128GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 10 in S Mode, A515-43-R19L, Silver | Prime | Buy Now | ||
Dell Touchscreen 2-in-1 Inspiron 5000 Backlit Keyboard 13.3 inch Full HD Laptop PC, Intel Core i7-8550U Quad-Core, 8GB DDR4, 256GB SSD, WIFI, Media Card Reader, Windows 10 | Prime | Buy Now |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
The Best Laptops for College Students
Everyone has their preferences and needs when it comes to laptops. Some students may need to install certain programs depending on their major or electives. Additionally, some schools have preferences regarding what kind of operating system their students have, especially when it comes to specific courses.
Thankfully, there are several laptops on the market today that fit the needs of college students, no matter what those may be.
MacBook Pro 13”
- Apple-designed M1 chip for a giant leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance
- Get more done with up to 20 hours of battery life, the longest ever in a Mac
- 8-core CPU delivers up to 2.8x faster performance to fly through workflows quicker than ever
- 8-core GPU with up to 5x faster graphics for graphics-intensive apps and games
- 16-core Neural Engine for advanced machine learning
- 8GB of unified memory so everything you do is fast and fluid
- Superfast SSD storage launches apps and opens files in an instant
- Active cooling system sustains incredible performance
- 13.3-inch Retina display with 500 nits of brightness for vibrant colors and incredible image detail
- FaceTime HD camera with advanced image signal processor for clearer, sharper video calls
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If you’re studying a creative major, then a MacBook Pro is your best bet. This is because MacBooks perform especially well in video and photo editing, as well as with music production.
The MacBook Pro is bigger than the Air, weighing almost half a pound more. However, it may be worth the extra weight if you need a powerful laptop that can handle video editing or running heavy programs.
The base MacBook brings a 1.4GHz Core i5 processor, more than enough to tackle your daily assignments. If that’s not enough, you can kick it up a notch with a 1.7GHz Core i7 processor, which means your computer will run smoothly no matter what creative tasks you have to tackle.
MacBook Air
- MacBook Air 13.3 with Retina Display (Space Gray) – 30W USB Type-C Power Adapter – USB Type-C Charging Cable (6.56 / 2m) – Apple 1 Year Limited Warranty
- Retina display with True Tone
- 1.1GHz quad-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
- 16GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory
- 256GB SSD stor
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The MacBook Air released by Apple in 2020 is great for college students because it has the longest battery life of any Mac. This means that you don’t have to worry about plugging in when you go to the library or your favorite coffee shop.
Additionally, it weighs only 2.8lbs, making it easy to pack in your bag and carry with you throughout your busy day. Its high-resolution screen will make you want to watch movies on your study breaks since it has over four million pixels!
Another great thing about the MacBook is that it syncs up with your other Apple devices automatically. This can make coordinating your busy schedule, including assignments and group projects, much easier so you’ll never forget a deadline again!
HP Envy 13
- Cutting-edge security: state-of-the-art security Features include webcam kill switch and integrated fingerprint reader
- Distinctive design: high-quality, durable, all-metal case Built to last, with premium design features including a brilliant backlit keyboard and geometric pattern speaker grill
- Fast boot up with SSD: Boot up in seconds, transfer files without waiting hours, and enjoy a snappier experience with the internal solid-state drive
- Bios recovery and protection: automatically checks the health of your PC, protects against unauthorized access, secures local storage and recovers itself from boot-up issues
- Super Fast Processor: 10th Generation intel(r) core(tm) i7-10510u, Quad Core, 1.8 GHz Base frequency up to 4.9 GHz Base with Intels) Turbo Boost Technology
- Full HD display: 13.3-Inch diagonal FHD IPS bright View micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch-enabled edge-to-edge glass with anti-reflection Corning Gorilla Glass NBT Display (1920 x 1080)
- Memory and storage: 8 GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM (not upgradable), 256 GB pcie(r) nvme(tm) M.2 Solid State Drive
- Battery life: up to 16 hours and 45 minutes (mixed usage), up to 13 hours and 15 minutes (video playback), up to 9 hours and 45 minutes (wireless streaming); 0 to 50% charge in 45 minutes with HP Fast charge
- Thin and light (unpackaged): 12.86 in (H) x 8.87 in (W) x 0.70 in (L); 3.53 pounds
- Operating System and warrant: Windows 10 Home and 1-Year Limited hardware warranty with 24-hour, 7 days a week Web support when shipped from and sold by Amazon.Com and not a third party sel
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If you want a well-rounded laptop that can do just about anything, the HP Envy is for you. It combines a powerful processor with extra-long battery life. On a single charge, it can last over 11 hours!
It also has a fingerprint sensor and a webcam shutoff feature. This ensures that no one is spying on you, something that will put both you and your parents at ease.
With its sleek design, quality display, and impressive security features, there’s no wonder that Envy is one of the best laptops for students.
HP 11.6” Chromebook
- 【11.6 HD display】Typical 1366 x 768 HD resolution. Energy-efficient WLED backlight. Intel HD Graphics 500. On-processor graphics with shared video memory provide everyday image quality for Internet use, basic photo editing and casual gaming.
- 【Intel Celeron processor N3350】Enjoy a computer with an Intel Celeron processor. Experience Intel performance with entertainment features and fast connectivity. The Intel Celeron processor delivers performance in a new computer that fits your lifestyle and budget.
- 【4GB system memory for basic multitasking】Adequate high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once.
- 【32GB eMMC flash memory】This ultracompact memory system is ideal for mobile devices and applications, providing enhanced storage capabilities, streamlined data management, quick boot-up times and support for high-definition video playback.
- 【Google Chrome OS】Chromebook is a computer for the way the modern world works, with thousands of apps, built-in virus protection and cloud backups. It is secure, fast, up-to-date, versatile and simp
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Being a college student, you may need to carry lots of things (all the more so if you need to carry a laptop)! This lightweight Chromebook will lighten your load.
In addition to being as light as a feather, the HP Chromebook costs less than $200, making it a great option if you have a tight budget. It can complete all the basic tasks that you may need to perform, including writing essays, attending Zoom meetings, and performing research for your assignments.
Having a Google OS, you will have access to all of the apps from the Google Play Store, including Microsoft Office, a very important tool as a student.
Dell XPS 13
- Precision cut from a block of aluminum in two pieces so there is no variability in construction.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 6 is tough, damage resistant, durable, elegant and allows for no flex in its display.
- Dual fans separated to spread heat over a larger area, to dual heat pipes to hidden exhaust venting through the hinge,
- The power button lets you log on with just a touch
- A 2.25mm high quality HD webcam gives you the best camera experien
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The Dell XPS 13 is all around a great laptop capable of performing as a gaming laptop. With 16 GB of RAM, it especially appeals to engineering and programming students looking to invest in a laptop that will get them through college and the start of their career.
It’s also a great choice for students that need a practical and portable laptop but want a computer that can support the latest games since it packs 16GB DDR4 RAM, more than enough to play the latest games in the market.
Acer Aspire 5
- AMD Ryzen 5 3550H Quad-Core Processor (Up to 3.7GHz)
- AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics
- 15.6 Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display
- 8GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory & 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Backlit Keyboard | Wireless: 802. 11ac Wi-Fi featuring 2×2 MU-MIMO technology (Dual-Band 2. 4GHz and 5GHz) | LAN: 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 po
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If you don’t want to spend a fortune on a laptop, the Acer Aspire is a great choice. If you are looking for a laptop that will be able to carry out daily tasks such as write word documents and browse the web, the Acer Aspire 5 will certainly do the job!
It also has an HDMI port, meaning that you can connect it to a TV or even a gaming console!
One of the perks of the Acer Aspire 5 is its large storage capacity. With 1 TB, you can store up to 500 hours of HD video or 250,000 photos taken with a 12MP camera. Even better, this laptop can be purchased for less than $500.
Dell Inspiron 13 700 2-in-1
- 13.3 in Full HD IPS TrueLife LED-backlit touchscreen (1920 x 1080), 10-finger multi-touch support, Intel UHD Graphics 620 with shared graphics memory
- Intel Core i7-8550U Quad-Core processor, can up to 4 GHz, 8GB DDR4 2400 MHz, 256GB SSD
- 2 x USB 3.1 (1 with PowerCharge), 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Headphone output/Microphone input combo, LAN (10/100/1000)
- 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1, Webcam, Backlit keyboard, 3-in-1 media card reader (SD/SDHC/SDXC), Waves MaxxAudio Pro
- Windows 10 Home, 0.77 Thin, 3.72lbs Weight, Battery: 3-cell lithium-ion, Color: G
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Tired of carrying around a tablet and a laptop? Well, now you don’t have to! This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 gives you the best of both worlds. It’s portable and sleek, has a full keyboard, and about the same storage space that a convention laptop would have.
Also, you can pair your iOS and Android devices with Dell Mobile Connect, meaning that you won’t have to look away from your laptop to stay up to date with everything happening in your world. If you want a tablet with the capabilities of a laptop, this 2-in-1 is your best bet!
Conclusion
Make Your Pick
As you can see, in today’s laptop market, you can choose from a wide variety of laptops that adapt to your needs as a student. Now that you know the best laptops for college students, all you need to decide is which one best fits your needs!
If you still have questions about which laptop to buy for college, contact us with your inquiries! We will be glad to help you make a choice based on your circumstances.
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