Best Notebook for Students in 2023: 7 Best College Laptops

The wide choice of devices is good, but at the same time, it makes it difficult to select and purchase something. If you aren’t tech-savvy, you are hardly aware of the necessary technical specifications for you. Thus devices such as the best notebook for students may be a hard choice to make.

College students use notebooks to search for information to do research and homework, write papers, take notes, and communicate with peers and professors. When they have some free time, they can watch movies and play games with friends.

Sometimes choosing a laptop is even more difficult than doing homework. But when students face difficulties with homework, they can rely on professional assistance.

Those who study international relations and other branches of political science face some challenges while writing papers, but international relations essay examples can save students from failure. Free economics research paper examples are also popular enough. This is because writing a good research paper is daunting and time-consuming work. 

It’s crucial to devote more attention to choosing the best notebook because modern students often have to study remotely. This form of studying requires all participants of the educational process to have a good Internet connection and up-to-date equipment. Well, now it’s time to present the seven best college notebooks and define what makes them good for students.

Table of Contents

Best notebooks for Students comparison table

Student NotebookBest forSpecificationsCheck it out (Amazon)
Lenovo Chromebook Duet Best budget notebook for StudentsCPU: MediaTek Helio P60T Processor (2.00 GHz, 8 Cores, 8 Threads)
GPU: ARM G72 MP3 800GHz
RAM: 4GB
Display: 10.1 Inches
Size: 9.44 x 6.29 x 0.29 inches
Weight: 0.99 lbs
Battery life: up to 10 hours
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HP Envy 13 Best notebook for studentsCPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7
GPU: Irix Xe (or GeForce MX350)
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 256GB
Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p (touch)
Size: 12.1 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches
Weight: 2.9 pounds
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Acer Swift 3 Best WiFi 6 notebookCPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4700U
GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB
Display Size: 14-inch, 1080p
Size: 12.7 x. 8.6 x 0.6 inches
Weight: 2.7 pounds
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Apple MacBook Air (2020)Best Macbook for studentsCPU: M1; 16-core Neural Engine
GPU: 8-core GPU M1 (Machine learning)
RAM: 8GB
Size: 11.97 x. 8.36 x 0.61 inches
Weight: 3.0 pounds (1.4 kg)
Battery life: Up to 20 hours
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Microsoft Surface Go 2 3-in-one notebookCPU: Intel Pentium Gold Processor 4425Y 8th Gen Intel Core m3 Processor
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 615
RAM: 8GB, 4GB
Size: 0.33 x 9.65 x 6.9 inches
Weight: 1.20 lbs
Battery life: up to 10 hours
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Dell XPS 15 Best for tweaksCPU: 2.6-GHz Intel Core i7-10750H CPU
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU (4 GB of VRAM/Intel UHD Graphics 630 GPU)
RAM/Storage: 32GB/512GB M.2 PCIe SSD
Display Size/Resolution: 15.6/3840×2400
Size: 22.09 x 15.63 x 3.62 inches
Weight: 6.27 pounds
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MSI Bravo 15 Best for high RAMCPU: AMD- ‎2.9 GHz ryzen_7_4800h
GPU: Radeon™ RX
RAM: 16 GB
Display: 15.6 inches
Size: 18.9 x 13.2 x 3.7 inches
Weight: 4.10 lbs
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Which are the best Notebooks for students?

Lenovo Chromebook Duet: Best budget notebook for students

Lenovo Chromebook Duet, 2-in-1, 10.1" WUXGA (1920 x 1200) Display, MediaTek Helio P60T, 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB eMCP SSD, Integrated ARM G72 MP3 Graphics, Chrome OS, ZA6F0031US, Ice Blue + Iron Grey: Affordable notebook for students

It is the best notebook for students limited in funds. Chromebook Duet proves that even affordable laptops can show good performance and are worth spending money on them. If you value portability and mobility, this one is what you should buy because it’s more than just an ordinary laptop it’s 2-in-1.

You just detach a keyboard in a few steps and enjoy using a tablet PC. The average battery life is 10 hours, and it will be enough to use it in college and even do homework after classes. It has a lightweight design with dimensions of H 9.44″ x W 6.29″ x D 0.29″ that allows you to carry it from one place to another.

Comparing Lenovo Chromebook Duet with other student notebooks

Lenovo Chromebook Duet proves to be the best performer because of the design that allows you to use it as a tablet and laptop. Its unique detachable keyboard makes it easy to carry. Within 10 seconds, it boots up and is ready for use, which is not the case with other models that consume a lot of time.

A touch screen keyboard makes it easy to operate. It has high speeds, and the Chromebook OS makes it reliable because of the high speeds. You can operate it with a pen that you buy separately.

How to use the notebook

The model comes with a touch screen design and an external keyboard to do simple operations. You will power the model and then choose the input method before you begin to use it.

Having a durable battery means that you can use it without relying on a source of power. It is compatible with various study apps that you can download and use.

Performance and real-life testing

Our test results show that the laptop has high speeds and is very easy to use. It has great support for learning as you can carry it from one point to another. Students who use it can use the various software with it as it has great compatibility.

What we like

  • The durable design
  • Stylish design
  • Simplicity in use
  • Long-life battery
  • Safety and security

What we don’t like

  • It is slightly bulky in terms of weight

What makes Lenovo Chromebook Duet the best for students

The durable design means that you will use the model for a longer period. Lenovo Chromebook Duet also has the potential to support various learning activities because of its compatibility. A friendly design and multiple use options make it a better choice.

Additional reading: How to Choose Headphones for Studying

HP Envy 13

HP Envy 13 Laptop, Intel Core i7-1165G7, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, 256 GB SSD Storage, 13.3-inch FHD Touchscreen Display, Windows 10 Home with Fingerprint Reader, Camera Kill Switch (13-ba1010nr, 2020 Model)

When you purchase HP laptops, you know you purchase a high-quality device that’ll serve you for many years. It has a large and vivid screen with small frames, that’s why you’ll certainly enjoy playing games and watching movies on this laptop. Powerful Ryzen CPU ensures fast and smooth work.

Even though HP Envy 13 is an ordinary laptop, it has a low weight and is very thin. You can put it into your bag and take it to college whenever it’s necessary. It has the windows ten operating system and dimensions of 12.05 x 8.35 x 0.58 inches and weighs 2.88 lbs.

The memory size of 8GB and a storage of 256GB makes it best for learning because of high speeds. A hard drive of 1TB and battery capacity that runs for 8 hours makes it best for daily use.

Comparing HP Envy 13 with other laptops

HP Envy 13 comes with a different dimension for performance. You will enjoy high speeds because of the 8GB memory. You will store most things because of the large memory. A combination of advanced features such as security features keeps it under the best performance.

An intuitive touch screen and 13.3-inch screen size make it usable and reliable for long time use. It is environmentally friendly and has great quality for the camera and microphone, making lessons easy to follow.

How to use the laptop

This model is a good choice because it has Microsoft software which is quite simple to use. You will charge it until the battery is full and then access the various options for learning.

It is the best notebook for students because it has a high-quality camera and microphone that will allow you to communicate with tutors effectively. Various digital conference rooms will work on the laptop after you download them because they will have adequate space to work on the laptop.

Performance and real-life testing

HP Envy 13 is a nice option because it has the potential to support various learning sessions. It has a very high speed making it a good option for research and various functions. The process of booting is fast, making it reliable for quick sessions.

It stores power for a longer period meaning that your lessons will not cut off. Running out of space is rare because of the large capacity.

What we like

  • The lightweight design
  • Simplicity in use
  • Large capacity and memory
  • Ease of use
  • Reliable and high-quality features

What we don’t like

  • Slightly complicated to operate some features

What makes HP Envy 13 stand out

The speed and the processor of this laptop make it a nice option. It has a lightweight design and a powerful battery that makes it usable for outdoor activities. Its compatibility makes it usable by many devices and software.

Acer Swift 3

Acer Swift 3 Thin & Light Laptop, 14" Full HD IPS, AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Octa-Core with Radeon Graphics, 8GB LPDDR4, 512GB NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Backlit KB, Fingerprint Reader, Alexa Built-in: Best WiFi 6 notebook for students

AMD fully powers this model. CPU is AMD Ryzen 7, and GPU AMD Radeon. Acer Swift 3 can boast 8GB RAM and high-speed 512 GB. And considering all these aspects, the price for such a device is affordable. If you’re looking for a device with outstanding battery life — Swift 3 is a perfect choice.

It is the best WiFi 6 notebook for students. Comparing this device with other WiFi 6 laptops, it is excellent for the size, performance, and speed.

People who bought it note that the keyboard is quiet and very convenient for typing, so you’ll produce stunning essays and papers without interfering with your parents. A backlight keyboard makes it a great model as you will work with it anywhere you want to, even at night.

Comparing Acer Swift 3 with other Notebooks

The best notebook for students makes an ideal choice because of the high-quality graphics. Comparing it with the other laptops marks a big difference because of the large space, high speeds, portability, and compatibility. You have an option to use various inputs and the 14″ display. For around 11.5 hours, the laptop’s battery will give you room to do your studies.

How to use the notebook

The Acer Swift 3 notebook needs to have an adequate charge before you begin to use it. You will connect the accessories you want to work with for the learning sessions and start your work. You will open the various learning platforms such as the digital classrooms and use the camera and other features to enjoy effectiveness in the learning sessions.

Performance and real-life testing

Our performance test results show that our laptop delivers excellence in learning. It has a big battery that allows you to study for long hours. The best notebook for students has fewer interruptions as you will use it even when there is darkness because of the backlight keyboard. It is ultralight, meaning that you can do it without getting tired.

What we like

  • The quality of the screen display
  • User-friendliness
  • High speeds
  • Ultralight design and durable battery

What we don’t like

  • The battery performs poorly with continued use

What makes Acer Swift 3 Laptop stand out

This laptop stands out because of its quality and general performance. It offers a quick solution to what most students will want to have. With the current WiFi technology, WiFi 6, you will be able to conduct your online activities the fastest among your peers.

It has the features you need, such as speed, storage, backlight, and a long-life battery. Learning sessions will remain remarkable since the notebook has Alexa built-in.

Apple MacBook Air (2020)

Apple MacBook Air Laptop: Apple M1 Chip, 13” Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard, FaceTime HD Camera, Touch ID. Works with iPhone/iPad; Space Gray: Best for students

This last year’s model will be relevant for several years because Apple produces it. Those ready to spend more or create an installment plan will never regret the money they’ve spent. Several configurations of this model differ in RAM and storage size, so you can choose the perfect one without overpaying.

If you’ve used Mac devices, you know that they are to be trusted. It has 8GB RAM and a storage of 256GB and uses the MAC OS with the M1chip. The screen size of 13.3 inches and dimensions of 11.97 x 0.63 x 8.36″ make it simple to use and carry. It weighs 2.8 pounds which is very light.

Comparing Apple MacBook Air (2020) with other Students Notebooks

Apple Macbook Air laptop has a high-quality display and other features that make it different from other models. Its keyboard has backlights and has a facetime camera that delivers high quality.

Both iPhones and iPad will work with a laptop. For more than 18 hours, you will use the laptop hence best for doing research.

 How to use the notebook

This best notebook for students charges quickly and stays for longer. You need to ensure that it has adequate power before using it. You will then start the computer and access the various usage options, such as the learning platforms.

If you have any accessories to add, such as an external camera or storage devices, you will conveniently make the connection as it will pick up automatically.  Various settings will allow you to enjoy various experiences.

Performance and real-life testing

Our test results with the laptop prove that the model is ideal for learning. It has various features that you can incorporate to advance the learning experience. If you are attending outdoor lessons, it will offer adequate support. Comparing it to other devices shows that it has superior speeds and performance.

What we like

  • Long-life battery
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Slim design
  • High resolution and quality display
  • Excellent speeds and superior performance

What we don’t like

  • It has incompatible applications

What makes the Notebook the best for students

The MacBook has a reliable performance with the learning activities. It delivers high-quality video and audio. It will also ensure that you can use it for the longest period due to its good battery. Its applications and features make it good for various other tasks apart from learning.

Microsoft Surface Go 2

New Microsoft Surface Go 2 - 10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Pentium - 4GB Memory - 64GB - Wifi - Platinum: Best Notebook or tablet for students

We know that laptops that can be transformed into tablet PCs are extremely popular among students. Microsoft Surface Go 2 is another portable 2-in-1 model. It’s a budget model having a premium design and great performance.

What else does the ordinary student need? You’ll hardly use it to play demanding computer games, but it’ll be your perfect assistant in studying. Tablet PCs will be useful for art students who often need to draw something but consider that a stylus isn’t included. 

The model has a memory of 4GB and a storage of 64GB. The display size of 10.51″ and a resolution of 1920×1280 make you enjoy the best moments. It has a 1.7GHz processor that enhances quick and reliable performance.

Comparing Microsoft Surface Go 2 with other Notebooks

The model serves multiple roles as laptops and tablets, which is not the case with other models. It conveniently writes notes and gives room for doing homework.

Other tablets will offer some basic needs, but this one is safe and secure for doing various tasks. Advanced features help in enhancing safety for your children and other learners.

How to use the tablet

The best notebook for students model comes in two ways of using it. When you add the keyboard, you will use it as a laptop. If it is plain, you use it as a tablet but an advanced model.

You will download the applications that you want to use for learning and then continue with the sessions. It has features such as a high-quality camera and microphone to make learning moments enjoyable.

Performance and real-life testing

Our test results have shown that the tablet has reliable speeds and is good if you use it for learning. You can add various applications that will support learning. If you have external storage, then you will have good learning sessions.

What we like

  • A great performance like that of a laptop
  • It comes with various features
  • It has a great camera
  • Comfortable to use
  • Easy to change between tablet and laptop mode
  • Has an outstanding quality

What we don’t like

  • The speed can be slightly lower

Why Microsoft Surface Go 2 stands out

This model makes a good choice as a basic solution. It serves for around 7 hours before it goes off. Any students who need the best learning device will find this Notebook to be convenient.

Dell XPS 15

Dell XPS 15 - 15 Inch FHD+, Intel Core i7 10th Gen, 16GB Memory, 512GB Solid State Drive, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti 4GB GDDR6, Windows 10 Home (Latest Model) - Silver

Here is another leader of numerous rankings of best laptops for college students. XPS 15 is a kind of workhorse that will easily perform any task you need: to attend an online lecture, open demanding software, surf the Internet, play a new game, and anything else.

Please note that it’s a flagship model, so its price is significantly higher. Of course, the final price will depend on the specification you’ll choose. The last generation CPU, high-quality graphics, and FHD+ screen is everything a student can dream about.

The notebook has an intel core i7 processor,  and also Windows 10 OS. A RAM OF 8GB and 256GB storage make the performance of the model enhanced and reliable.

Comparing Dell XPS 15 with other Notebooks

Dell XPS 15 has a high-quality performance and excellent speeds. A touch screen design makes the operations simple. It has powerful accessories and the potential to pick up when you add other devices. Its size is large compared to other models and delivers high-quality images and displays.

How to use the notebook

The Dell XPS 15 is simple to use as you will connect the accessories you want to use. You will use the various applications to do the various tasks that are related to learning. The ports are clear and can accommodate the various devices you want to use.

Performance and real-life experience

The students recommended notebook has excellent speeds and is powerful. According to our test results,  the model is a good choice because of the quality display and compatibility. Apart from learning, you can do heavy-duty tasks such as gaming.

What we like

  • It has high speeds
  • Reliable for heavy-duty activities
  • Compatible with various products and services
  • Easy to manage accessories

What we don’t like

  • The model may not be very durable

What makes the Notebook the best for students

Dell XPS 15 has high speeds, adequate storage, and great compatibility, making it good for learning. For basic learning, it makes an ideal choice.

MSI Bravo 15

MSI Bravo 15 A4DDR-24715.6" 144Hz Gaming Laptop AMD Ryzen R7-4800H RX5500M 16GB 512GB NVMe SSD Win10: The best notebook for students but at a higher price

It’s not necessary to be a gamer to purchase a gaming notebook. It’s an updated model. MSI decided to install a new AMD Ryzen 5000 CPU in it to achieve even better performance. And the experiments showed that engineers achieved their aim.

It supports the newest WiFi protocol, so you’ll hardly have any lags during online classes and online games. The variety of ports will help you connect many external devices without purchasing the docking station, and it’s a benefit.

It has a RAM of 8GB and storage of 512GB. You have assurance that you will have good speeds for all your studies and gaming. Chances of delays are low as it has features that limit the laptop from becoming hot.

Comparing MSI Bravo 15 with other Notebooks

MSI Bravo 15 stands out from the rest because of its performance. It has excellent speeds and features that make it remain stable even when there is too much pressure. It has high-power AMD processors, which prove to be excellent performers in supporting heavy tasks.

How to use the MSI Bravo 15 laptop

This laptop comes with everything you need for various activities. You will open it to access the applications to use it. If you have something to download, you will quickly do so as it has adequate space for installation.

Performance and real-life testing

Our test results show that this laptop is not only good for learning. It is also good for gaming and other heavy tasks because of its design. The best notebook for students delivers very high speeds. It maintains the performance and does not overheat even when doing heavy activities such as gaming. The image quality and the audio are excellent.

What we like

  • Reliable performance
  • Very high speeds
  • It remains cool even when at the peak
  • Compatible with software and devices
  • Comfortable and lightweight design

What we don’t like

  • The battery drains quickly

Why the notebook stands out

MSI Bravo 15 stands out because it offers more than learning. Gaming students will have maximum enjoyment with this Notebook machine. It can also be used for working as it has a reliable outcome.

Things to consider when getting the best Notebook for students

There are many things you can do when getting your student’s Notebook, but there is also a lot of factors that you should consider before purchasing one. You need to make sure that you pick something of good quality so that your child will be able to use it effectively without having any problems in the future.

We’ve put together a list of things you should consider when looking for one, including price, processor speed, amount of RAM memory, storage, weight, and more! Your laptop should also be able to connect to the WiFi easily. This means a laptop that you can enable 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands for WiFi connection.

Since we’re discussing the notebooks for students, the key requirements are the following:

Affordable price

Students have a lot of expenses to cover when they are in school. Having the best notebook for students should not be one of them.

The problem is that most notebooks available on the market today come at an expensive price tag, which students cannot afford. This makes it difficult for them to get their hands on good notebooks and as such end up using low-quality laptops or tablets instead.

You probably need an affordable product for example you can get a laptop under £600 in the UK. The challenge with such products is that they have compromised quality. However, there is room to get high-quality ones after you assess each product individually. You will bring together products that are within your budget and then pick the best ones.

Long-lasting battery

Students nowadays are always on the move. They have to be able to carry their notebooks with them and still do their work even when they are out of school.

When you want the best for your students, then it is important that you get a notebook that will allow them to take notes on lectures and other activities outside of school.

A long-lasting battery means that the notebook will serve you for a longer period on a single charge. You will need to get models that have quality batteries.

Having a laptop that allows you to work and play for hours without charging is essential if you’re going to be using it frequently. The best way to ensure this is by getting a notebook with all-day battery life. One that serves for more than 5 hours is the bare minimum.

Large hard drive

Students need to have a laptop that will allow them to do their assignments. They also need one that has enough space for all of their files and photos.

The hard drive is responsible for ensuring that you have adequate space. It impacts the performance of the model in terms of speed. You will also store a lot of components in it.

You also want to make sure that it has large storage so that you can save all your work on it without running out of space in between classes or during school breaks.

When picking the best notebook for your students, consider getting one with a large hard drive of at least 500GB or higher so they can store their work easily without running out of space quickly. You can also get them an external hard drive if this isn’t enough storage space on its own.

Outstanding CPU performance (RAM)

The CPU influences how the model performs. If it has an outstanding performance, then the machine will not overheat. It will manage even the heavy tasks without a hassle.

Finding the best notebook for students can be hard, but there are some things you should consider when looking for one. The first thing you should look at is the processor speed of your computer as well as its RAM or memory size. If you are going to edit videos and pictures on your machine then having more than 2GB is recommended.

Size and weight

There are many factors that you should consider before buying your laptop. It is important to note these factors so that you can buy the best one for yourself or your kids.

The other factor that you should look at when purchasing a laptop is its size and weight, make sure it’s not too heavy before going ahead with any purchase. If you get a very heavy laptop, it will be hard to use on the go.

How we test laptops

When you’re shopping for a new laptop, it’s hard to know which one is right for you. You can read reviews, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

We test each aspect of the laptop so we can show you how it performs in real-world situations. This way, when we say our picks are better than others in its class, we mean it!

Most laptop reviews focus only on performance, battery life, and display quality — but there are other important aspects of a laptop that matter just as much. A good speaker system can make all the difference when watching videos or playing games. You also want your laptop to be able to handle heat well so it doesn’t overheat while doing intense tasks like gaming or video editing.

Our comprehensive review process makes sure we take into account every aspect of a computer before recommending them to our audience. Our reviewers test each component individually and then combine their results in order to come up with an overall score for each product they review.

We test the laptops we review against our own criteria to ensure that they meet our standards before adding them to our list of the best laptops available today. Our benchmarking data is unique because we do all of this work in-house rather than relying on 3rd party reviewers who may not use the same methods as us. This way, you can rest assured knowing that any laptop you buy from us will perform well for years to come!

As we do our testing, we rely on a Klein K10 colorimeter to check the brightness and sRGB color gamut of the laptop’s display. In addition, we use Geekbench 4.3 and 5.0 benchmarks as well as 3DMark professional graphics tests to determine how many frames per second (fps) each laptop will get. This is important in popular video games like Overwatch or Fortnite Battle Royal.

Real-life testing of laptops

The best way to test a laptop is in the real world. However, most reviewers use unrealistic workloads and settings that aren’t reflective of how people actually use their laptops.

We’ve developed a set of tests that represent common tasks performed on laptops today like watching videos, converting video files, and running graphics-intensive games. Our results show exactly how each model performs under different conditions so you know what to expect when using your new laptop for work or play.

We test each laptop ourselves. In our lab, we use real-world tests to determine which laptops perform best for different uses like gaming, video editing, or web browsing. This way we’re able to separate the good from the bad and create useful reviews for people who need a new laptop.

The tasks we task each computer to do include:

  • Converting a 4K video to 1080p resolution.
  • Duplicating a 4.97GB multimedia file.

As the laptop is carrying out these tasks, we conduct a heat test. We also play a 15-minute full-screen video to determine the increase in temperature of the laptop.

Finally, we conduct battery life testing. Laptop battery life is a constant source of complaints from users. We all know that the problem here isn’t just that laptops don’t last long, it’s also the fact that manufacturers are not very transparent about their testing methods and results.

We test all new laptops in our lab to give you an idea of how long they can actually run on a single charge as well as what kind of performance you can expect under heavy load. One of our tests includes surfing the internet continuously using Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness. This way, we hope to help you make better buying decisions when shopping for a new laptop.

Conclusion

Picking a good notebook for students is hard because there are so many choices on the market and each has its own pros and cons. You can’t just pick one without considering all of your options.

We did all the hard work for you and came up with a list of notebooks that will give you the best service as students. You can use the buyer’s guide to help you choose between the reviewed laptops.