Best Laptops for Students

Laptops under $1,000 with at least 8 GB of memory, weighing under 4 lb (1.8 kg), with gaming laptops left out: easy to carry to class and quick enough for schoolwork.

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45 models

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Apple Everyday laptop 2 configurations

Apple MacBook Neo

Processor: Apple A18 Pro
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Screen: 13"

Matching configuration: Apple A18 Pro · Built-in · 8 GB · 256 GB · 13" 2K IPS

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Specs and configurations

Dell Everyday laptop 2 configurations

Dell 15 (DC15250)

Processor: Intel Core 3 100U
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: Intel Core 3 100U · Built-in · 8 GB · 512 GB · 15.6" Full HD

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Specs and configurations

ASUS Chromebook

ASUS Chromebook Flip CX1 (CX1400)

Processor: Intel Celeron N4500
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: Intel Celeron N4500 · Built-in · 8 GB · 128 GB · 14" Full HD

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Dell 2-in-1

Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 (7445)

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14" Full HD+

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Lenovo Chromebook

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 (14ITN10)

Processor: Intel Core 3 N355
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: Intel Core 3 N355 · Built-in · 8 GB · 256 GB · 14" Full HD+ IPS

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Lenovo Everyday laptop

Lenovo V15 (G2 ALC)

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 15.6" Full HD

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Acer Everyday laptop 2 configurations

Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-52M)

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14" Full HD+ IPS

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Specs and configurations

HP Everyday laptop

HP 15 (15-fc)

Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U · Built-in · 8 GB · 256 GB · 15.6" HD

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HP 2-in-1 5 configurations

HP OmniBook 7 Flip 16 (16-au)

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 16"

Matching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+ IPS 120Hz

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Specs and configurations

Lenovo Everyday laptop

Lenovo V15 (G4 IRU)

Processor: Intel Core i5-13420H
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: Intel Core i5-13420H · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 15.6" Full HD

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Dell 2-in-1

Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 (7440)

Processor: Intel Core 5 120U
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: Intel Core 5 120U · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 14" Full HD+ IPS

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Lenovo Everyday laptop

Lenovo V15 (G4 ABP)

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5825U
Memory: 24 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: AMD Ryzen 7 5825U · Built-in · 24 GB · 1 TB · 15.6" Full HD

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Acer Chromebook

Acer Chromebook 315 (CB315-7HT)

Processor: Intel Celeron N50
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: Intel Celeron N50 · Built-in · 8 GB · 128 GB · 15.6" Full HD

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HP Everyday laptop

HP Stream 14

Processor: Intel Celeron N4120
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: Intel Celeron N4120 · Built-in · 16 GB · 128 GB · 14" HD

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HP Everyday laptop

HP OmniBook 3 14 (14-hz)

Processor: Snapdragon X
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: Snapdragon X · Built-in · 8 GB · 256 GB · 14" Full HD+ OLED

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Acer Chromebook 2 configurations

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (CP714-1H)

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 5 115U · Built-in · 8 GB · 256 GB · 14" Full HD+ IPS

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Specs and configurations

MSI 2-in-1

MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo (A13MT)

Processor: Intel Core i7-1360P
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Screen: 13.4"

Matching configuration: Intel Core i7-1360P · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 13.4" Full HD+ 120Hz

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HP Chromebook

HP Chromebook 15

Processor: Intel N200
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 64 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: Intel N200 · Built-in · 8 GB · 64 GB · 15.6" HD

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Dell Everyday laptop 3 configurations

Dell Inspiron 15 (3530)

Processor: Intel Core i5-1334U
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: Intel Core i5-1334U · Built-in · 8 GB · 512 GB · 15.6" Full HD IPS 120Hz

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Specs and configurations

Acer Everyday laptop

Acer Aspire 3 15 (A315-24P)

Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U · Built-in · 8 GB · 128 GB · 15.6" Full HD IPS

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Acer Everyday laptop

Acer Aspire Go 15 (AG15-42P)

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: AMD Ryzen 7 7730U · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 15.6" Full HD IPS

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HP Everyday laptop

HP ProBook 4 G1a

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 230
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 16"

Matching configuration: AMD Ryzen 5 230 · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+

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Microsoft 2-in-1

Microsoft Surface Pro 7

Processor: Intel Core i5-1035G4
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Screen: 12.3"

Matching configuration: Intel Core i5-1035G4 · Built-in · 8 GB · 128 GB · 12.3" 2.5K

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Dell Everyday laptop 3 configurations

Dell Latitude 5420

Processor: Intel Core i5-1145G7
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: Intel Core i5-1145G7 · Built-in · 16 GB · 256 GB · 14" Full HD

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Specs and configurations

Microsoft Thin and light laptop

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

Processor: Intel Core i7-1265U
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 13.5"

Matching configuration: Intel Core i7-1265U · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 13.5" 2K

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Lenovo 2-in-1

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga (Gen 2)

Processor: Intel Core i7-1185G7
Memory: 32 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 13.3"

Matching configuration: Intel Core i7-1185G7 · Built-in · 32 GB · 512 GB · 13.3" Full HD+ IPS

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Dell 2-in-1

Dell Latitude 5330 2-in-1

Processor: Intel Core i7-1265U
Memory: 32 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 13.3"

Matching configuration: Intel Core i7-1265U · Built-in · 32 GB · 512 GB · 13.3" Full HD

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Dell 2-in-1

Dell Latitude 5300 2-in-1

Processor: Intel Core i5-8365U
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Screen: 13.3"

Matching configuration: Intel Core i5-8365U · Built-in · 16 GB · 256 GB · 13.3" Full HD

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Acer Everyday laptop

Acer Aspire 3 15 (A315-24PT)

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 15.6" Full HD IPS

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Dell Everyday laptop

Dell Latitude 7420

Processor: Intel Core i7-1165G7
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: Intel Core i7-1165G7 · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 14" Full HD

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Acer Everyday laptop

Acer Aspire 16 AI (A16-11MT)

Processor: Snapdragon X
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 16"

Matching configuration: Snapdragon X · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+ 120Hz

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Acer Everyday laptop

Acer Aspire Go 15 (AG15-32P)

Processor: Intel Core 3 N355
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: Intel Core 3 N355 · Built-in · 8 GB · 128 GB · 15.6" Full HD IPS

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Acer Chromebook 2 configurations

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (CB514-5HT)

Processor: Intel Core 3 N355
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: Intel Core 3 N355 · Built-in · 8 GB · 512 GB · 14" Full HD+ IPS

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Specs and configurations

Acer Chromebook

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 (CB516-1H)

Processor: Intel Core i3-1315U
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Screen: 16"

Matching configuration: Intel Core i3-1315U · Built-in · 8 GB · 128 GB · 16" Full HD+ IPS

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ASUS Chromebook

ASUS Chromebook CX15 (CX1505)

Processor: Intel Celeron N50
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: Intel Celeron N50 · Built-in · 8 GB · 128 GB · 15.6" Full HD

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ASUS Chromebook

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (CX3402)

Processor: Intel Core i3-1215U
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: Intel Core i3-1215U · Built-in · 8 GB · 128 GB · 14" Full HD IPS

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ASUS Everyday laptop

ASUS Vivobook 16 (X1607QA)

Processor: Snapdragon X
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 16"

Matching configuration: Snapdragon X · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+ IPS

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ASUS Everyday laptop 2 configurations

ASUS Vivobook Go 15 (E1504FA)

Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U · Built-in · 8 GB · 128 GB · 15.6" Full HD

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Specs and configurations

Dell Everyday laptop

Dell 15 (D15260)

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 255U
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 7 255U · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 15.6" Full HD

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HP Chromebook 2 configurations

HP Chromebook 14a (14a-nf)

Processor: Intel N100
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Screen: 14"

Matching configuration: Intel N100 · Built-in · 8 GB · 128 GB · 14" HD

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Specs and configurations

HP Everyday laptop

HP OmniBook 5 16 (16-fb)

Processor: Snapdragon X
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 16"

Matching configuration: Snapdragon X · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+ OLED

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Lenovo Chromebook

Lenovo Chromebook M 15

Processor: MediaTek Kompanio 540
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Screen: 15.3"

Matching configuration: MediaTek Kompanio 540 · Built-in · 8 GB · 128 GB · 15.3" Full HD+ IPS

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Lenovo Chromebook 2 configurations

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 15 (15ITN10)

Processor: Intel Core 3 N355
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Screen: 15.3"

Matching configuration: Intel Core 3 N355 · Built-in · 8 GB · 256 GB · 15.3" Full HD+ IPS

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Specs and configurations

Lenovo Chromebook 3 configurations

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook 15 (15IJL6)

Processor: Intel Celeron N4500
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 64 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: Intel Celeron N4500 · Built-in · 8 GB · 64 GB · 15.6" Full HD TN

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Specs and configurations

Lenovo Everyday laptop

Lenovo V15 (G6, AMD)

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 170
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Screen: 15.6"

Matching configuration: AMD Ryzen 7 170 · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 15.6" Full HD

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How to choose a laptop for school

A student laptop lives a hard life. It goes in a backpack every day, gets opened in class, on the bus and in the library, and has to keep working for three or four years. So the best picks aren’t the fastest laptops; they’re the ones that are easy to carry, last on battery and run what your classes need.

Everything on this page costs under $1,000, has at least 8 GB of memory and weighs under 4 lb (1.8 kg). Gaming laptops are left out because they’re heavy and drain their batteries quickly. What’s left ranges from simple Chromebooks to the Apple MacBook Neo and Air, Windows laptops like the IdeaPad Slim 3 and 2-in-1s with a touchscreen for handwritten notes.

Start with the software. If your school runs on Google Classroom, a Chromebook is all you need. Many college courses expect Windows or macOS for Office, coding tools or specialist apps, so check the requirements for your program before you choose.

Then think about size and battery. A 13 or 14-inch laptop is easiest to carry around campus, while a 15-inch screen is nicer for long essays at a desk. Long battery life means you’re not hunting for an outlet in every lecture.

There’s a page for each stage: laptops for high school, laptops for college students and pages for specific majors such as engineering, nursing and computer science.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best laptop for a student?

One that runs the software your school uses, weighs little enough to carry every day and lasts a full day on battery. For most students that means 8 to 16 GB of memory, a 13 to 15-inch screen and a weight under 4 lb.

Chromebook, Windows laptop or MacBook for school?

Chromebooks are cheap and simple if your school runs on Google Classroom and Docs. Windows laptops run the widest range of software. MacBooks last for years and pair well with an iPhone. Check whether your school or course requires a particular system first.

How much should a student spend on a laptop?

Every laptop here is under $1,000. High schoolers can do well under $500, and most college students are well served under $1,000 unless their major needs heavy software.

Is 8 GB of RAM enough for a student?

For a Chromebook, yes. On Windows or a Mac, 8 GB handles notes, browsing and essays, but 16 GB stays fast for longer and handles more tabs and apps at once.