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10 Best Laptops For College 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

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

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,235
Processor (CPU)
RAM (Memory)
Weight and Portability

Most important from
376 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The leap in speed with the M4 chip is clearly noticeable compared to previous models, making multitasking and creative work smoother than ever.
RAM (Memory)
While the base model performs well, opting for higher memory would better support demanding tasks and future-proof usage.
Weight and Portability
Lightweight and portable, this MacBook Air is ideal for carrying around campus without feeling cumbersome.
Operating System
Switching from Windows to macOS has been an interesting and positive experience, especially for first-time Mac users.
Build Quality and Durability
The sky blue color edition adds a fresh, standout look to an already premium and sleek design.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip is a strong choice for college students who want a light, fast, and portable laptop. Its 10-core M4 processor and 16GB of unified memory allow it to handle multitasking, video editing, and even some gaming smoothly, making it powerful enough for most school projects and creative work. The 256GB SSD, while fast, might feel a bit limited if you store lots of files or large media, so external storage or cloud use could be necessary.

Battery life is impressive, offering up to 18 hours of video streaming, which should easily last through a full day of classes and study sessions without needing a charge. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and sharp, great for reading, watching videos, or editing photos, and the True Tone technology helps reduce eye strain. Weighing under 3 pounds and with its slim design, it’s very portable for carrying around campus.

Running macOS, it integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices, which is a plus if you already use an iPhone or iPad. The build quality is premium, typical of Apple products, and the Magic Keyboard and Touch ID provide comfort and security. The laptop has only two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which might require adapters if you need more connectivity options. While the price might be higher than some Windows alternatives, the MacBook Air offers ease of use, reliability, and excellent battery life, making it a great pick for students who value performance and portability in a stylish package.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,235
Processor (CPU)
RAM (Memory)
Weight and Portability

Most important from
376 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The leap in speed with the M4 chip is clearly noticeable compared to previous models, making multitasking and creative work smoother than ever.
RAM (Memory)
While the base model performs well, opting for higher memory would better support demanding tasks and future-proof usage.
Weight and Portability
Lightweight and portable, this MacBook Air is ideal for carrying around campus without feeling cumbersome.
Operating System
Switching from Windows to macOS has been an interesting and positive experience, especially for first-time Mac users.
Build Quality and Durability
The sky blue color edition adds a fresh, standout look to an already premium and sleek design.
#2

ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop, 165Hz Display, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060, Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11, G614JV-AS74

Rating
9.8
Processor (CPU)
Battery Life
Display Size and Quality

Most important from
1896 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The Intel Core i7-13650HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combo is a beast, running games smoothly at high settings and handling multitasking with ease.
Battery Life
The battery life is surprisingly efficient during non-gaming tasks, making it a versatile option for various uses.
Display Size and Quality
The 16-inch FHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate offers buttery smooth, vibrant, and crisp visuals, perfect for fast-paced games and media consumption.
Weight and Portability
Despite being a gaming laptop, it strikes a great balance between performance and portability, being lightweight enough to carry around.

The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is a robust gaming laptop that also serves well for college students who may need a powerful machine for multitasking, gaming, or graphic-intensive courses. It features a high-performance Intel Core i7-13650HX processor and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, which means it can handle demanding applications and games without breaking a sweat. The laptop comes with 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM and a spacious 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, ensuring quick load times and ample storage for projects and media.

The 16-inch FHD 165Hz display offers vibrant colors and smooth visuals, making it ideal for both gaming and watching lectures or streaming content. ASUS has also equipped the Strix G16 with excellent cooling technology, allowing for performance during extended gaming or study sessions without overheating.

Considerations include its weight of 5.51 pounds, which is on the heavier side for a laptop, potentially making it less portable for students who need to carry it around campus. Battery life could also be a concern, particularly during intensive tasks, as gaming laptops typically consume more power. While the laptop runs Windows 11, which is great for productivity, the gaming features may be more than some students need, leading to unnecessary complexity.

Rating
9.8
Processor (CPU)
Battery Life
Display Size and Quality

Most important from
1896 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The Intel Core i7-13650HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combo is a beast, running games smoothly at high settings and handling multitasking with ease.
Battery Life
The battery life is surprisingly efficient during non-gaming tasks, making it a versatile option for various uses.
Display Size and Quality
The 16-inch FHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate offers buttery smooth, vibrant, and crisp visuals, perfect for fast-paced games and media consumption.
Weight and Portability
Despite being a gaming laptop, it strikes a great balance between performance and portability, being lightweight enough to carry around.
#3

Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop | 15.6" Full HD IPS Display | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core Processor | AMD Radeon Graphics | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB NVMe SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Windows 11 Home in S Mode

Rating
9.6
Processor (CPU)
Storage
Battery Life

Most important from
3509 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Surprisingly fast performance for its price range.
Storage
Booted quickly and was easy to set up and transfer files.
Battery Life
Battery life is reliable, never have to worry about it dying during class.
Display Size and Quality
Screen brightness and quality are great.
Weight and Portability
Large but not cumbersome, easy to carry around campus.

The Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop is a solid choice for college students, offering a good balance of performance and portability. It features an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core Processor and 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, which should handle everyday tasks like web browsing, word processing, and light multitasking with ease. The 128GB NVMe SSD provides fast storage, although some students might find the capacity a bit limited for extensive file storage or large software installations. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display delivers sharp and vibrant visuals, perfect for studying, streaming, or occasional media consumption.

However, its larger screen size and weight of 3.92 pounds might make it slightly less portable than smaller alternatives. Battery life is commendable, with up to 11 hours on a single charge, offering a full day of use without needing to recharge frequently. Connectivity is robust with Wi-Fi 6, multiple USB ports, and HDMI 2.1, ensuring compatibility with various peripherals and fast internet connections. One downside is the absence of a backlit keyboard, which could be a minor inconvenience for those who work late at night. Additionally, it runs on Windows 11 Home in S Mode, which may restrict app installations to those from the Microsoft Store unless switched out of S Mode.

The laptop's thin, sleek design makes it aesthetically pleasing and easy to carry around campus. With a decent built-in camera and noise-reducing microphone technology, it supports clear online communication for virtual classes or group projects. While the internal storage could be a limitation for some, the performance, display quality, and long battery life make the Acer Aspire 3 a reliable and practical option for college students.

Rating
9.6
Processor (CPU)
Storage
Battery Life

Most important from
3509 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Surprisingly fast performance for its price range.
Storage
Booted quickly and was easy to set up and transfer files.
Battery Life
Battery life is reliable, never have to worry about it dying during class.
Display Size and Quality
Screen brightness and quality are great.
Weight and Portability
Large but not cumbersome, easy to carry around campus.

Buying Guide for the Best Laptops For College

Choosing the right laptop for college is crucial as it will be your primary tool for studying, completing assignments, and possibly even entertainment. When selecting a laptop, consider your specific needs, such as the type of coursework you'll be doing, your mobility requirements, and any additional features that might enhance your college experience. Here are some key specifications to consider and how to navigate them to find the best fit for you.
Processor (CPU)The processor is the brain of your laptop, determining how fast and efficiently it can run programs. For general use, a mid-range processor like an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is usually sufficient. If you're studying a field that requires heavy computing power, such as engineering or computer science, you might need a higher-end processor like an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7. For basic tasks like note-taking and browsing, an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 will do the job.
RAM (Memory)RAM is where your laptop stores data that is actively being used, which affects how many applications you can run simultaneously without slowing down. For most college students, 8GB of RAM is a good starting point, allowing for smooth multitasking and handling of standard applications. If you plan to run more demanding software or keep many tabs open at once, consider 16GB of RAM. For very light use, such as word processing and web browsing, 4GB might be sufficient, but it's less future-proof.
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 balance for most students, providing enough space for essential files and software with quick access speeds. If you need more space for large files like videos or extensive software, consider a 512GB SSD or even a combination of an SSD for speed and an HDD for capacity.
Battery LifeBattery life is crucial for students who need to use their laptops throughout the day without frequent recharging. Look for a laptop that offers at least 8 hours of battery life to get through a full day of classes and study sessions. If you often work in places without easy access to power outlets, prioritize models with longer battery life, such as those offering 10-12 hours or more.
Display Size and QualityThe display size affects both portability and usability. A 13-14 inch screen is a good compromise, offering enough screen real estate for comfortable viewing while remaining portable. If you need more screen space for tasks like graphic design or video editing, a 15-16 inch display might be better. Additionally, consider the resolution; Full HD (1920x1080) is standard and provides clear, sharp images. Higher resolutions like 4K are great for detailed work but can drain the battery faster.
Weight and PortabilitySince you'll be carrying your laptop around campus, weight and portability are important factors. Laptops weighing around 3 pounds or less are ideal for easy transport. If you need a larger screen or more powerful components, you might have to compromise on weight, but try to stay under 5 pounds to avoid strain.
Operating SystemThe operating system (OS) determines the software ecosystem and user experience. Windows is versatile and widely used, making it compatible with most software. macOS, found on Apple laptops, is known for its smooth user experience and is popular in creative fields. Chrome OS, used in Chromebooks, is lightweight and great for web-based tasks but may not support all software needed for specific courses. Choose the OS that best aligns with your software requirements and personal preference.
Build Quality and DurabilityA laptop's build quality affects its longevity and ability to withstand daily wear and tear. Look for laptops with sturdy construction, such as those made from aluminum or magnesium alloy. Features like spill-resistant keyboards and reinforced hinges can add to durability. If you plan to carry your laptop everywhere, investing in a well-built model can save you from potential damage and repairs.

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