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10 Best Student Laptops 2026 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Silver

Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Silver

Apple

10.0 score

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The Apple 2026 MacBook Air with M5 chip is a strong choice for students who want a lightweight and powerful laptop. Its 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display offers sharp, vibrant visuals that make reading and multimedia enjoyable. With 16GB of unified memory, multitasking and running demanding apps feel smooth, while the fast 1TB SSD storage gives plenty of space for files and quick access to them.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,112
Processor (CPU)
Battery Life
Display

Most important from
108 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Handles demanding tasks like photo and video editing with smooth, fast performance.
Battery Life
Incredibly long battery life easily supports a full day of classes or work without recharging.
Display
Features the best screen quality available on a 13-inch device, enhancing every visual experience.
Weight and Portability
Delivers excellent design and top-notch technical specs, perfectly balancing performance and portability.
Connectivity
Limited port selection means investing in a USB hub is necessary to connect older peripherals.
#2
9.7 score

Apple 2026 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 24GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight

Apple 2026 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 24GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight

Apple

9.7 score

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The Apple 2026 MacBook Air 15-inch with the new M5 chip is a strong choice for students who want a powerful yet portable laptop. Its 10-core CPU combined with 24GB of unified memory ensures smooth multitasking and fast performance for schoolwork, creative projects, and even AI-related tasks thanks to its advanced Neural Engine. The 1TB SSD provides plenty of fast storage for files and apps. The Liquid Retina 15.3-inch display is bright and sharp, making text and images clear and vibrant—great for reading, video calls, and multimedia use. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 18 hours, which means it can last through a full day of classes without needing a charge.

Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
158 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Performance is exceptionally fast and smooth, with multitasking feeling effortless even when handling demanding creative and productivity tasks.
RAM
With 24GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD, it offers ample space and power for heavy multitasking and storage-intensive projects.
Storage
With 24GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD, it offers ample space and power for heavy multitasking and storage-intensive projects.
Battery Life
Battery life is outstanding, easily lasting through a full day of classes or work without needing a recharge.
Display
The balance between a large 15.3-inch display and impressive portability makes this laptop feel slim, light, and easy to carry despite its size.
Weight and Portability
The balance between a large 15.3-inch display and impressive portability makes this laptop feel slim, light, and easy to carry despite its size.
Operating System
The laptop feels calm, responsive, and cohesive thanks to macOS integration, making it well-suited for productivity, creative work, and everyday use.
Connectivity
Connectivity options like two Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, MagSafe charging, and Touch ID add modern convenience and versatility.
#3
9.1 score

Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight

Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight

Apple

9.1 score

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The Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch with the new M5 chip is a powerful and sleek choice for students who need a reliable, portable laptop. Its M5 chip offers fast performance and strong AI features, making multitasking and creative work smooth. With 16GB of unified memory and 512GB SSD storage, it provides enough speed and space for most student tasks, from writing papers to managing large files. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display delivers sharp, vibrant visuals, ideal for reading, video calls, and media consumption. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours, which means you can easily get through a full day of classes without recharging. Weighing only about 2.7 pounds, this MacBook Air is very portable and easy to carry around campus.

Rating
9.1
Processor (CPU)
Connectivity
Battery Life

Most important from
826 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The new M5 chip delivers impressive speed and efficiency, making multitasking and daily tasks seamless.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 7 connectivity provides near-plan speed wireless internet, significantly faster than previous models.
Battery Life
Battery life easily lasts through a full day of classes, outperforming many Windows laptops.
Weight and Portability
The lightweight and thin design makes it extremely portable and comfortable to carry around campus.
Operating System
macOS offers a user-friendly experience with all essential tools included right out of the box.
Display
The vibrant Liquid Retina display enhances reading, video calls, and media consumption with sharp, vivid visuals.

Top 10 Best Student Laptops 2026 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0  score
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Apple

Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Silver

Processor (CPU): M5 chip
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
Battery Life: up to 18 hours
Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina
Weight and Portability: lightweight and portable
Operating System: macOS
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 2 Thunderbolt 4

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Chosen by 1112 this week

#2
9.7  score
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Apple

Apple 2026 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 24GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight

Processor (CPU): Apple M5 10-core CPU, 4+6 cores
RAM: 24 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
Display: 15.3-inch Retina, 2880x1864, 500 nits
Weight and Portability: 3.3 pounds (1.51 kg)
Operating System: macOS
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 2x Thunderbolt 4

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#3
9.1  score
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Apple

Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight

Processor (CPU): Apple M5 10-core CPU, 4+6 cores
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours streaming
Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2880x1864
Weight and Portability: 2.7 pounds
Operating System: macOS
Connectivity: 2 Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, Wi-Fi 7

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#4
9.1  score
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Apple

Apple 2025 MacBook Pro Laptop with Apple M5 chip with 10‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU: Built for AI, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 24GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage; Space Black

Processor (CPU): Apple M4, 10-core CPU, 4+6 cores
RAM: 24 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Battery Life: Up to 24h video, 16h web
Display: 14.2" Liquid Retina XDR, 3024x1964
Weight and Portability: 3.41 pounds
Operating System: Mac OS
Connectivity: 3x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC, Wi-Fi 6E

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7% OFF
#5
9.1  score
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Apple

Apple 2026 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight

Processor (CPU): Apple M5 10-core CPU, 4+6 cores
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours streaming
Display: 15.3-inch Liquid Retina, 500 nits
Weight and Portability: 3.3 pounds (1.51 kg)
Operating System: macOS
Connectivity: 2 Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, Wi-Fi 7

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#6
8.8  score
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Apple

Apple 2025 MacBook Pro Laptop with Apple M5 chip with 10‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU: Built for AI, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage; Space Black

Processor (CPU): Apple M5 10-core CPU, 4+6 cores
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Battery Life: Up to 24h video, 16h web
Display: 14.2" Liquid Retina XDR, 3024x1964
Weight and Portability: 3.41 pounds
Operating System: Mac OS
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI, SDXC

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8% OFF
#7
8.5  score
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Apple

Apple 2026 MacBook Neo 13-inch Laptop with A18 Pro chip: Built for AI and Apple Intelligence, Liquid Retina Display, 8GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, 1080p FaceTime HD Camera, Touch ID; Indigo

Processor (CPU): Apple A18 Pro 6-core CPU
RAM: 8 GB
Storage: 512 GB SSD
Battery Life: Up to 16 hours streaming
Display: 13-inch Liquid Retina 2408x1506
Weight and Portability: 2.7 pounds (1.23 kg)
Operating System: macOS
Connectivity: USB-C ports, headphone jack

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#8
8.5  score
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Apple

Apple 2026 MacBook Neo 13-inch Laptop with A18 Pro chip: Built for AI and Apple Intelligence, Liquid Retina Display, 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 1080p FaceTime HD Camera; Citrus

Processor (CPU): Apple A18 Pro 6-core CPU
RAM: 8 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Battery Life: Up to 16 hours video streaming
Display: 13-inch Liquid Retina 2408x1506 resolution
Weight and Portability: 2.7 pounds (1.23 kg)
Operating System: macOS
Connectivity: Two USB-C ports, headphone jack

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#9
7.3  score
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Apple

2023 Apple MacBook Air with Apple M2 Chip with 8-Core CPU/10-Core GPU (15-inch, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD Storage) (QWERTY English) Midnight (Renewed)

Processor (CPU): Apple M2, 8-core, 3.49 GHz
RAM: 8 GB LPDDR4
Storage: 1 TB SSD
Battery Life: Lasts full day, 80% capacity
Display: 15.4" LED, 2880x1864 pixels
Weight and Portability: 0.45 inches thick, 3.5 pounds
Operating System: macOS Sonoma
Connectivity: Two USB-C ports

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#10
7.0  score
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HP

HP OmniBook 3 17.3 inch Laptop PC, FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 3 30, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, AMD Radeon 610M Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Mica Silver, 17-dp0199nr

Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 3 30, 4 cores, 8 threads
RAM: 8 GB LPDDR5-5500 MT/s
Storage: 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Battery Life: up to 14 hours 15 minutes
Display: 17.3-inch Full HD IPS, 300 nits
Weight and Portability: 4.4 Pounds, 0.65 inch thick
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, USB, HDMI

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16% OFF
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Buying Guide for the Best Student Laptops

Choosing the right laptop as a student can significantly impact your academic performance and overall experience. It's important to consider what you'll be using the laptop for, such as taking notes, writing papers, conducting research, or running specific software for your courses. By understanding the key specifications and how they align with your needs, you can make an informed decision and find the best fit for you.
Processor (CPU)The processor, or CPU, is the brain of your laptop. It determines how fast and efficiently your laptop can run applications and perform tasks. For basic tasks like browsing the web, taking notes, and streaming videos, an entry-level processor like an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 will suffice. For more demanding tasks such as programming, video editing, or running complex software, a mid-range processor like an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is recommended. High-end processors like Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 are suitable for very intensive tasks but may be overkill for most students.
RAMRAM (Random Access Memory) is crucial for multitasking and running multiple applications smoothly. For general use, 8GB of RAM is typically sufficient, allowing you to run several applications at once without slowing down. If you plan to use more demanding software or keep many tabs open in your browser, consider 16GB of RAM. More than 16GB is usually unnecessary for most students unless you are working with very large datasets or high-end software.
StorageStorage determines how much data you can keep on your laptop, including documents, applications, and media files. Solid State Drives (SSDs) are faster and more reliable than traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). A 256GB SSD is a good starting point for most students, providing a balance between speed and capacity. If you need more space for large files or software, consider a 512GB SSD or even a combination of an SSD for speed and an HDD for additional storage. Cloud storage can also supplement your needs.
Battery LifeBattery life is essential for students who need to use their laptops throughout the day without access to a power outlet. Look for a laptop that offers at least 8 hours of battery life to ensure it lasts through classes, study sessions, and other activities. If you have long days on campus or travel frequently, a laptop with 10-12 hours of battery life or more will be beneficial.
DisplayThe display quality affects your viewing experience, especially if you spend long hours on your laptop. A Full HD (1920x1080) resolution is generally sufficient for clear and sharp visuals. If you work with graphics or media, a higher resolution display (such as 4K) might be worth considering. Additionally, screen size matters; a 13-14 inch display offers a good balance between portability and usability, while a 15-inch or larger screen provides more workspace but can be bulkier.
Weight and PortabilityAs a student, you'll likely be carrying your laptop around campus, so weight and portability are important factors. Laptops weighing around 3 pounds (1.4 kg) or less are considered lightweight and easy to carry. If you need a larger screen or more powerful components, be prepared for a slightly heavier device. Consider how often you'll be transporting your laptop and choose a weight that won't be a burden.
Operating SystemThe operating system (OS) is the software that manages your laptop's hardware and software resources. The most common options are Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS. Windows is versatile and compatible with a wide range of software, making it a good choice for most students. macOS, found on Apple laptops, is known for its smooth performance and integration with other Apple devices, ideal for students in creative fields. Chrome OS is lightweight and secure, suitable for basic tasks and web-based applications, but may not support all software required for certain courses.
ConnectivityConnectivity options, such as USB ports, HDMI, and Wi-Fi, are important for connecting peripherals and accessing the internet. Ensure the laptop has enough USB ports for your needs, including USB-C if you use modern accessories. An HDMI port is useful for connecting to external displays or projectors. Additionally, look for laptops with the latest Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6) for faster and more reliable internet connections.

FAQ