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10 Best Laptops For Students 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; Starlight

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,374
Processor (CPU)
Battery Life
Display

Most important from
4210 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers fast, quiet performance with apps opening instantly and seamless multitasking thanks to 16GB unified memory.
Battery Life
Battery life easily lasts through a full day, supporting long study sessions or work without needing to recharge.
Display
The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display offers stunning visuals with sharp, vibrant colors that enhance every task from reading to video editing.
Portability
This MacBook Air is impressively lightweight and portable while still feeling solid and well constructed.
Connectivity
Connectivity via Thunderbolt 4 supports high-resolution external monitors, extending its usability as a desktop replacement.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the new M4 chip is a strong choice for students who want a lightweight, powerful laptop that lasts all day. Its M4 processor, with 10 CPU cores and 8 GPU cores, handles multitasking, video editing, and even some graphics-heavy tasks smoothly. The 16GB of unified memory helps keep multiple apps running without slowing down, while the 256GB SSD storage is fast but might feel a bit tight if you store many large files like videos or extensive projects. The battery life is excellent, offering up to 18 hours of usage, which is great for long study sessions without needing a charger.

The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display produces sharp, colorful images, making reading, writing, and watching videos a pleasant experience. At just under 3 pounds, it’s easy to carry around campus or between classes. Running macOS, this laptop integrates very well with iPhones and other Apple devices, which is handy if you already use Apple products. Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, MagSafe charging, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, covering most needs but does lack more traditional ports like USB-A.

The 12MP Center Stage camera and quality microphones are excellent for online classes or video calls. While the 256GB storage might require external drives or cloud services for students with lots of files, and the price is generally higher compared to Windows alternatives, this MacBook Air offers great portability, long battery life, and seamless Apple ecosystem integration, making it a solid student laptop.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,374
Processor (CPU)
Battery Life
Display

Most important from
4210 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers fast, quiet performance with apps opening instantly and seamless multitasking thanks to 16GB unified memory.
Battery Life
Battery life easily lasts through a full day, supporting long study sessions or work without needing to recharge.
Display
The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display offers stunning visuals with sharp, vibrant colors that enhance every task from reading to video editing.
Portability
This MacBook Air is impressively lightweight and portable while still feeling solid and well constructed.
Connectivity
Connectivity via Thunderbolt 4 supports high-resolution external monitors, extending its usability as a desktop replacement.
#2

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

Rating
8.8
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Battery Life

Most important from
43 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The 10-core CPU and GPU deliver lightning-fast performance for video editing, multitasking, and large media projects.
RAM
Generous memory and storage ensure smooth multitasking without worrying about lag or running out of space.
Battery Life
Battery life lives up to expectations, supporting all-day productivity without frequent charging.
Display
The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display offers vibrant, crisp visuals that truly enhance creative work and streaming.
Portability
The sleek Space Black (Midnight) finish combines a modern look with a premium feel.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Pro with the M5 chip is a powerful and sleek laptop that suits students who need strong performance for creative projects, multitasking, and demanding apps. Its 10-core CPU and GPU, combined with 16GB of memory and a fast 1TB SSD, ensure smooth handling of most tasks, including video editing or programming. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display offers bright, sharp visuals with excellent color quality, great for design work or streaming lectures.

Portability is good, with a lightweight design around 3.4 pounds and a battery that can last all day, helping students stay productive without frequent charging. Connectivity options are versatile, including three Thunderbolt ports, HDMI, and an SD card slot, allowing easy connection to various devices and external screens. MacOS provides a user-friendly experience, especially for those who already use iPhones or other Apple products, thanks to seamless integration.

This MacBook Pro might be more than what casual users need, as its advanced features come with a higher price. The 16GB RAM and 1TB storage are generous but could be more than necessary for basic note-taking or web browsing. Also, the lack of a touchscreen and the macOS environment might not suit everyone. This laptop is an excellent choice for students needing high performance, great display, and long battery life, especially in creative or technical fields, but it could be too advanced and costly for those with simpler needs.

Rating
8.8
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Battery Life

Most important from
43 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The 10-core CPU and GPU deliver lightning-fast performance for video editing, multitasking, and large media projects.
RAM
Generous memory and storage ensure smooth multitasking without worrying about lag or running out of space.
Battery Life
Battery life lives up to expectations, supporting all-day productivity without frequent charging.
Display
The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display offers vibrant, crisp visuals that truly enhance creative work and streaming.
Portability
The sleek Space Black (Midnight) finish combines a modern look with a premium feel.
#3

Samsung 16” Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 Copilot+ PC, AI Computer, Intel Core 7 Ultra Processor, 3K AMOLED (2880x1800) Touchscreen, S Pen,120Hz, Dolby Atmos, Student Laptop, Lightweight, All-Day Battery Life

Rating
8.5
Processor (CPU)
Portability
Operating System

Most important from
190 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Delivers outstanding performance that handles multitasking and demanding applications with ease.
Portability
Stands out as an excellent choice combining power, portability, and creative features.
Operating System
Impresses with its seamless integration and smooth operation, making it ideal for students.

The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is a great choice for students who want a powerful and versatile laptop that supports creativity and productivity on the go. It has a strong Intel Core Ultra 7 processor along with 16GB of DDR5 RAM, which means it can handle multitasking and demanding apps smoothly. The 1TB storage gives plenty of space for documents, projects, and media without needing external drives. One standout feature is its 16-inch 3K AMOLED touchscreen with a crisp 2880x1800 resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and fluid visuals that are excellent for note-taking, drawing, or watching lectures. The included S Pen adds extra convenience for students who like to write or sketch directly on the screen.

Portability is well-addressed with a lightweight design at just under 4 pounds, making it easy to carry across campus. Battery life is impressive, promising up to 25 hours, which should cover a full day of classes and study sessions without frequent charging. It runs Windows 11 Home, providing compatibility with most student software and apps. Connectivity options are broad, featuring USB-A, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and a microSD slot, making it easy to connect to various devices and displays. The laptop also supports handy features like seamless phone integration and quick file sharing within the Samsung ecosystem.

The integrated Intel Arc 140V graphics card is decent but not suited for heavy gaming or advanced video editing. The premium features and build quality might make it pricier than simpler student laptops. This model is best for students who want a premium, all-round laptop that excels at creativity, productivity, and portability rather than budget-friendly basic use.

Rating
8.5
Processor (CPU)
Portability
Operating System

Most important from
190 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Delivers outstanding performance that handles multitasking and demanding applications with ease.
Portability
Stands out as an excellent choice combining power, portability, and creative features.
Operating System
Impresses with its seamless integration and smooth operation, making it ideal for students.

Buying Guide for the Best Laptops For Students

Choosing the right laptop for students involves considering several factors that will ensure the device meets their academic needs and personal preferences. Students typically require a laptop that is portable, reliable, and capable of handling various tasks such as writing papers, conducting research, and participating in online classes. It's important to balance performance, battery life, and ease of use to find the best fit.
Processor (CPU)The processor is the brain of the laptop and determines how fast and efficiently it can run applications. For students, a mid-range processor like Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is usually sufficient, as it can handle everyday tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and streaming videos. If you are 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 most students, 8GB of RAM is adequate for general use, including running office applications and browsing the internet. If you plan to run more demanding software or multitask heavily, consider opting for 16GB of RAM to ensure better performance.
StorageStorage determines how much data you can save on your laptop. Solid State Drives (SSD) are faster and more reliable than traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDD). For students, a 256GB SSD is typically enough for storing documents, applications, and some media files. If you need more space for large files or software, consider a 512GB SSD or higher.
Battery LifeBattery life is crucial for students who need to use their laptops throughout the day without frequent recharging. Look for laptops that offer at least 8 hours of battery life to ensure it can last through classes, study sessions, and extracurricular activities. If you are often on the go, prioritize models with longer battery life.
DisplayThe display quality affects your viewing experience. A Full HD (1920x1080) resolution is generally sufficient for most students, providing clear and sharp visuals for reading, writing, and watching videos. If you are studying fields like graphic design or video production, you might benefit from a higher resolution display or better color accuracy.
PortabilityPortability is important for students who need to carry their laptops to classes, libraries, and other locations. Look for laptops that are lightweight (under 4 pounds) and have a slim design. A screen size of 13 to 14 inches strikes a good balance between usability and portability.
Operating SystemThe operating system (OS) determines the software environment of your laptop. Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS are the most common options. Windows is versatile and compatible with a wide range of software, making it a good choice for most students. macOS is preferred by those who are already in the Apple ecosystem or need specific software available only on Macs. Chrome OS is lightweight and ideal for basic tasks and web-based applications, suitable for students who primarily use Google services.
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, and consider models with USB-C for faster data transfer and charging. HDMI ports are useful for connecting to external displays, and reliable Wi-Fi is crucial for online learning.

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