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10 Best Student Laptops 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 by1,248
Processor (CPU)
Battery Life
Display

Most important from
3759 reviews

Processor (CPU)
This laptop is snappy with a great screen and all-day battery life, making it perfect for attending lectures and meetings without hassle.
Battery Life
This laptop is snappy with a great screen and all-day battery life, making it perfect for attending lectures and meetings without hassle.
Display
This laptop is snappy with a great screen and all-day battery life, making it perfect for attending lectures and meetings without hassle.
Weight and Portability
Its portability and lightweight design make it ideal for students constantly on the move, seamlessly blending style with function.
Operating System
MacOS integration with other Apple devices simplifies tasks like message syncing and screen mirroring, enriching the user experience.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the new M4 chip is a strong choice for students who need a reliable, portable laptop for everyday tasks and creative work. Its 10-core CPU and 8-core GPU deliver fast performance for multitasking, document editing, and even light video editing or graphic work. The 16GB of unified memory helps keep apps running smoothly without slowdowns, while the 256GB SSD gives decent storage, though students with large media files might want extra external storage. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display offers sharp, vibrant visuals with excellent color accuracy, making it ideal for studying, streaming, and content creation. The laptop is lightweight at just 2.73 pounds, making it easy to carry between classes or libraries. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours of video streaming, so it can easily get through a full day of classes without charging.

macOS provides a smooth user experience and integrates well with iPhones and other Apple devices, which is great if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem. Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, MagSafe charging, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, covering all essential needs but with limited port variety compared to some Windows laptops. The 12MP Center Stage camera and quality microphones are a bonus for video calls and online classes.

The 256GB storage might feel limited for some, and the price is usually higher than comparable Windows laptops. Additionally, macOS might require some adjustment if you're used to other operating systems. This MacBook Air is well suited for students seeking a sleek, fast, and long-lasting laptop, especially those who value portability and Apple’s seamless device integration.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,248
Processor (CPU)
Battery Life
Display

Most important from
3759 reviews

Processor (CPU)
This laptop is snappy with a great screen and all-day battery life, making it perfect for attending lectures and meetings without hassle.
Battery Life
This laptop is snappy with a great screen and all-day battery life, making it perfect for attending lectures and meetings without hassle.
Display
This laptop is snappy with a great screen and all-day battery life, making it perfect for attending lectures and meetings without hassle.
Weight and Portability
Its portability and lightweight design make it ideal for students constantly on the move, seamlessly blending style with function.
Operating System
MacOS integration with other Apple devices simplifies tasks like message syncing and screen mirroring, enriching the user experience.
#2

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Silver

Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
1395 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers lightning-fast performance that handles demanding tasks with ease.
Display
The 15.3-inch display is stunningly clear and vibrant, making every visual experience beautiful.
Battery Life
Battery life is exceptional, lasting through long sessions without needing a recharge.
Weight and Portability
Lightweight design makes it easy to carry around campus without strain.
Operating System
Smooth macOS experience with impressive integration across Apple devices enhances productivity.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch with the M4 chip is a strong contender for students looking for a lightweight yet powerful laptop. Its 10-core CPU and 16GB of unified memory ensure smooth multitasking and efficient handling of demanding apps like video editors or office suites. The 512GB SSD offers decent space for documents, projects, and media, though some students with larger storage needs might want to add external drives.

The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display delivers sharp and vibrant visuals, great for reading, watching lectures, or creative work, with true-to-life colors and good brightness. At 3.32 pounds, it remains portable enough to carry around campus without much strain. Battery life is impressive—up to 18 hours of video streaming—which means it can easily last a full day of classes and study sessions without needing a charge.

Running macOS, the laptop integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices, allowing handy features like iPhone mirroring and easy file sharing, which could be a real plus for students already invested in the Apple ecosystem. The two Thunderbolt 4 ports provide fast connectivity and charging options, along with support for up to two external monitors if needed. On the downside, the MacBook Air’s price might be steep for budget-conscious students, and macOS may have compatibility limits with some school software that runs better on Windows. Also, the absence of more ports or an SD card reader means you might need additional adapters for various accessories. This MacBook Air suits students who value a sleek, high-performance laptop with excellent battery life and display quality, especially if they use Apple devices. However, those needing extensive storage or broader software compatibility might want to explore other options.

Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
1395 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers lightning-fast performance that handles demanding tasks with ease.
Display
The 15.3-inch display is stunningly clear and vibrant, making every visual experience beautiful.
Battery Life
Battery life is exceptional, lasting through long sessions without needing a recharge.
Weight and Portability
Lightweight design makes it easy to carry around campus without strain.
Operating System
Smooth macOS experience with impressive integration across Apple devices enhances productivity.
#3

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; Starlight

Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
1395 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers exceptionally fast and smooth performance, making multitasking and media editing effortless.
Display
The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display offers vibrant colors and crystal-clear visuals, enhancing graphic design and photo editing experiences.
Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, easily lasting through a full day without needing frequent recharging.
Weight and Portability
The build quality feels premium and durable, with lightweight portability perfect for carrying around campus.
Storage
Despite a modest SSD size, the overall performance and quality justify the investment for students who can afford it.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch is a strong choice for students seeking a blend of power and portability. Featuring the new M4 chip with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, it delivers fast and smooth performance, making multitasking and media editing easy. The 16GB of unified memory helps keep several apps running without lag, which is great for study sessions or creative projects. While the 256GB SSD storage is somewhat modest, students with lots of files might need extra external storage or cloud options. The battery life is impressive, offering up to 18 hours, allowing you to get through a full day of classes or work without frequent recharging.

The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display shows vibrant colors and sharp text, making reading, writing, and watching videos comfortable and enjoyable. Weighing just over 3 pounds and less than half an inch thick, it’s fairly portable for carrying around campus, though it’s a bit larger than typical 13-inch laptops. Running macOS, it integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices, which is handy if you own an iPhone or iPad. Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, MagSafe charging, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, supporting fast data transfer and reliable connections. The built-in 12MP camera and quality audio setup are ideal for video calls or online classes.

The laptop has limited ports compared to some others, and the price may be on the higher side for budget-conscious students. This MacBook Air is best suited for students who want a powerful, lightweight laptop with excellent battery life and display quality, especially if they are already in the Apple ecosystem.

Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
1395 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The M4 chip delivers exceptionally fast and smooth performance, making multitasking and media editing effortless.
Display
The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display offers vibrant colors and crystal-clear visuals, enhancing graphic design and photo editing experiences.
Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, easily lasting through a full day without needing frequent recharging.
Weight and Portability
The build quality feels premium and durable, with lightweight portability perfect for carrying around campus.
Storage
Despite a modest SSD size, the overall performance and quality justify the investment for students who can afford it.

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.

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