10 Best Laptops For Students 2025 in the United States

The 2025 Apple MacBook Air with the M4 chip is a strong choice for students who want a lightweight, powerful laptop. Its M4 processor with 10 CPU cores and 8-core GPU handles multitasking and media quickly, which is great for school projects, video editing, or even casual gaming. The 16GB of memory is generous, allowing smooth performance even with many apps open. Storage at 256GB SSD is on the modest side, so students who store lots of files or large media might need to use external drives or cloud storage.

Battery life stands out here — up to 18 hours means you can work or study all day without hunting for a charger. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and sharp with rich colors, ideal for reading, writing, and watching videos. Portability is a plus too, as the laptop is slim and weighs about 2.7 pounds, making it easy to carry around campus. macOS is user-friendly and integrates well with other Apple devices, which is a big plus if you already use an iPhone or iPad. Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, supporting fast data transfer and wireless connections. However, it has limited USB ports, so you may need adapters for some peripherals.

The 12MP camera and quality speakers make video calls clear, important for online classes or group meetings. On the downside, the higher price typical of Apple products might be a consideration for budget-conscious students, and the storage could feel tight for some. This MacBook Air is an excellent, stylish, and reliable option for students prioritizing performance, battery life, and portability over maximum storage.

The HP 14 Laptop is designed with students in mind, boasting a lightweight and portable design that makes it easy to carry around campus. Weighing just 3.24 pounds and measuring only 0.71 inches in thickness, it's a great choice for those who need a laptop that won't weigh them down. The 14-inch HD display, while not the highest resolution at 1366 x 768 pixels, offers a decent visual experience for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and working on assignments.

Performance-wise, it features an Intel Celeron N4020 processor paired with 4 GB of RAM. This combination is suitable for basic tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and video playback, but heavy multitasking or demanding applications may lead to sluggish performance. The 64 GB of storage is on the low side, meaning students will need to manage their files carefully or rely on cloud storage solutions.

Battery life is a strong point, with up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge, allowing students to go through a full day of classes without needing to recharge. The laptop is also equipped with multiple USB ports and wireless connectivity options, ensuring that you can connect to various devices and networks easily. The integrated graphics may not meet the needs of students who are into gaming or graphic-intensive applications, and the lack of an optical drive might be a drawback for those who still use CDs or DVDs. The HP 14 Laptop serves well for students looking for a lightweight, portable option for basic tasks and good battery life, but those requiring more power or storage may want to consider alternatives.

The Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop stands out as a strong choice for students who need a dependable and fast machine for schoolwork and multitasking. It comes with a solid Intel i5-1155G7 quad-core processor that handles everyday tasks and some light multitasking smoothly. The 32GB of RAM is more than enough for running multiple apps or browser tabs without slowing down, giving a good boost to productivity. Storage is generous with a 1TB SSD, offering plenty of space for documents, projects, and media, while also ensuring quick boot times and file access. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS touch display is vibrant and clear, with anti-glare features that help reduce eye strain during long study sessions; however, its brightness at 220 nits might feel a bit low in very bright rooms or outdoor environments.

Portability is reasonable with a weight of about 3.65 pounds and a slim profile, making it manageable to carry in a backpack. The laptop runs Windows 11 Pro, which supports a wide range of educational software and online resources, plus offers features useful for productivity and security. Battery life is around 7 hours, enough for a typical school day but might require charging for longer use. Connectivity options include multiple USB ports, HDMI, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth, covering most needs for peripherals and internet access, though Wi-Fi 6 would be a more future-proof standard. The inclusion of a numeric keypad can be handy for students dealing with numbers or spreadsheets.

This laptop serves as a versatile pick for students seeking performance, ample memory, and good storage with a touchscreen for added convenience. Those needing ultra-bright displays or the latest wireless technology might want to explore other options.