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10 Best Laptops For College Students 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.7 score

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Midnight

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with the M4 chip is an impressive option for college students. It boasts a powerful M4 chip that ensures smooth performance whether you're multitasking with apps, editing videos, or even playing games. The 16GB of unified memory and 256GB SSD storage provide ample space and speed for most student needs.

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,411
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Operating System

Most important from
713 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip shows a significant improvement over earlier models.
RAM
Regretting not opting for the larger memory spec, but everything else is excellent.
Operating System
Switching from Windows to iOS has been quite an interesting experience.
#2
9.4 score

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Midnight

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch with the M4 chip is a strong choice for college students who want a sleek, lightweight laptop that delivers solid performance for everyday tasks and creative work. Its powerful M4 processor with 10 CPU cores and 16GB of unified memory means it handles multitasking, video editing, and even some gaming smoothly. The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display offers vibrant colors and sharp text, which is great for watching lectures or working on projects. Portability is excellent, as it weighs just over 3 pounds and has a slim design, making it easy to carry around campus.

Rating
9.4
Processor (CPU)
Operating System
Display

Most important from
319 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The new M4 MacBook Air delivers significantly faster performance and improved value compared to its predecessor, making it a refined leader in its class.
Operating System
Navigating the MacBook Air is intuitive even for first-time Mac users, making it ideal for students adapting to new technology.
Display
Its clear, vibrant display and lightweight build enhance both productivity and comfort when carrying it around campus.
Portability
The laptop's screen size strikes a perfect balance—large enough for comfortable viewing yet maintaining a lightweight and portable design.
Battery Life
Battery life is exceptional, lasting throughout long study sessions and daily use without needing frequent recharging.
#3
9.2 score

Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop, 15.6" Business & Student Laptop Computer, Windows 11 Pro Laptop 32GB RAM 1TB SSD, Intel i5-1155G7 Processor, Full HD IPS Display, Numeric Keypad, HDMI, Carbon Black

The Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop is a solid choice for college students who want a reliable and powerful machine for studies and everyday tasks. It comes with a capable Intel Core i5 processor that handles multitasking smoothly, supported by a generous 32GB of RAM which is more than enough for running multiple apps, online classes, and light creative work without slowing down. Storage is also strong, featuring a 1TB SSD that offers plenty of space for documents, projects, and media, while ensuring the laptop boots up and loads files quickly.

Rating
9.2
Processor (CPU)
Battery Life
Portability

Most important from
527 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The laptop delivers impressive speed and performance, making multitasking seamless and efficient.
Battery Life
Battery life stands out as excellent, supporting long hours of study and work.
Portability
Its lightweight design and slim profile make it highly portable and easy to carry around campus.
Display
The 15.6-inch touchscreen offers a perfect balance of size and clarity, enhancing both productivity and media consumption.

Top 10 Best Laptops For College Students 2025 in the United States

HP 255 G10 Laptop for Home or Work, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 15.6" Full HD, Ryzen 3 7330U (Beat Intel i5-1135G7), HDMI, USB-C, Windows 11 Pro, Business and Fun Ready

Portability: 60 pounds, 15.78 x 10.15 x 0.78
Performance: AMD Ryzen 3 7330U, 16GB RAM
Display Quality: 15.6-inch Full HD, 1920x1080
Keyboard and Touchpad: Standard, Numeric Keypad
Connectivity: HDMI, USB-C, WiFi 6
Build Quality and Durability: Durable, Silver finish

HP Pavilion 15.6" HD Touchscreen Anti-Glare Laptop, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD Storage, Intel Core Processor up to 4.1GHz, Up to 11 Hours Long Battery Life, Type-C, HDMI, Windows 11 Home, Silver

Portability: 3.74 pounds
Battery Life: up to 11 hours
Performance: Intel Core i3, 16GB RAM
Display Quality: 15.6" HD, 1366 x 768 pixels
Keyboard and Touchpad: reliable, comfortable typing
Connectivity: multiple USB ports, HDMI, Type-C
Build Quality and Durability: decent, sleek silver finish

HP 14" Ultral Light Laptop for Students and Business, Intel Quad-Core, 8GB RAM, 192GB Storage(64GB eMMC+128GB Ghost Manta SD Card), 1 Year Office 365, USB C, Win 11 S

Portability: 3.24 pounds
Battery Life: 11 hours
Performance: Intel Celeron N4120, 8GB RAM
Display Quality: 14-inch, 1366x768 pixels
Keyboard and Touchpad: Functional, no backlighting
Connectivity: USB, HDMI, headphone/microphone, microSD
Build Quality and Durability: Plastic body, reasonably sturdy
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Buying Guide for the Best Laptops For College Students

Choosing the right laptop for college can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, you can find a model that fits your needs perfectly. As a college student, you'll need a laptop that can handle your coursework, research, and possibly some entertainment. It's important to consider factors like performance, portability, battery life, and storage. Here's a breakdown of key specifications to help you make an informed decision.
Processor (CPU)The processor is the brain of your laptop and determines how fast and efficiently it can run programs. For college students, a mid-range processor like Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is usually sufficient for most tasks, including web browsing, word processing, and streaming videos. If you're studying a field that requires more intensive computing, such as engineering or graphic design, you might need a higher-end processor like Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7.
RAMRAM (Random Access Memory) affects how smoothly your laptop can run multiple applications at once. For general use, 8GB of RAM is typically enough for college students. If you plan to run more demanding software or multitask heavily, consider upgrading to 16GB. More RAM allows for better performance and faster access to data, which is crucial for tasks like video editing or running virtual machines.
StorageStorage determines how much data you can keep on your laptop. There are two main types: HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive). SSDs are faster and more reliable but tend to be more expensive. For most students, a 256GB SSD should be sufficient for storing documents, applications, and some media files. If you need more space for large files like videos or software, consider a 512GB SSD or a combination of SSD and HDD.
Battery LifeBattery life is crucial for students who need to use their laptops throughout the day without frequent charging. Look for laptops that offer at least 8 hours of battery life to ensure you can get through classes, study sessions, and extracurricular activities. If you're often on the go or have long days, prioritize models with longer battery life.
PortabilityPortability is important for students who need to carry their laptops between classes, libraries, and dorms. Consider the weight and size of the laptop. Ultrabooks and lightweight models are ideal for portability, typically weighing around 2-3 pounds. A 13-14 inch screen size strikes a good balance between usability and portability.
DisplayThe display quality affects your viewing experience. A Full HD (1920x1080) resolution is generally sufficient for most tasks and provides clear and sharp visuals. If you're into graphic design, video editing, or gaming, you might want a higher resolution or better color accuracy. Consider the screen size as well; a 13-15 inch display is usually a good choice for balancing portability and usability.
Operating SystemThe operating system (OS) is the software that manages your laptop's hardware and software. The most common options are Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS. Windows is versatile and compatible with most software, making it a good choice for general use. macOS is preferred by students in creative fields due to its robust multimedia capabilities. Chrome OS is lightweight and ideal for web-based tasks but may not support all software needed for certain courses.
ConnectivityConnectivity options like USB ports, HDMI, and Wi-Fi are essential for connecting peripherals and accessing the internet. Ensure the laptop has enough USB ports for your needs, including USB-C for faster data transfer and charging. HDMI is useful for connecting to external displays. Good Wi-Fi capabilities ensure reliable internet access, which is crucial for online research and assignments.

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