The 14 best student laptops brands

  • 14 brands ranked
  • Ranked by brand visibility

Lenovo, HP and Dell lead our ranking of 14 student laptops brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.

Student Laptops brands, ranked

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  1. 1

    Lenovo

    IdeaPad models cover budget Chromebooks and Celeron machines, while ThinkPad sits at the sturdier business end of the range.

    Top products: IdeaPad 5 2-in-1· IdeaPad 1· ThinkPad E14 Gen 2

    Popularity 10.0/10

  2. 2

    HP

    Pavilion and EliteBook ranges run from Celeron budget laptops to Ryzen PRO business machines with fingerprint readers.

    Top products: EliteBook 840 G8· 14-dq3000dx· EliteBook 4 G1a

    Popularity 9.9/10

  3. 3

    Dell

    Inspiron budget models pair Intel Core chips with 15.6-inch screens, while XPS slims down premium ultrabooks with edge-to-edge displays.

    Top products: Latitude 3190· Latitude 3410· Latitude 7480

    Popularity 7.6/10

  4. 4

    Acer

    TravelMate and Aspire Go models are light, affordable options with long battery life for daily campus use.

    Top products: TravelMate B3 B311-31· Aspire Go 15.6

    Popularity 4.5/10

  5. 5

    ASUS

    Compact 11-inch Windows machines suit note-taking and web work rather than heavy software or gaming.

    Top products: L210M

    Popularity 3.3/10

  6. 6

    Microsoft

    Surface laptops are its own hardware, and Microsoft 365 bundling appears on many budget Windows machines.

    Popularity 2.4/10

  7. 7

    Samsung

    Two-in-one Galaxy Book models add S Pen support for handwritten notes in lectures.

    Popularity 1.9/10

  8. 8

    Gateway

    Since 1997, organizations have relied on Gateway as a reliable supplier of managed services, data centers, cloud computing, and IT infrastructure solutions. They concentrate on their clients' business objectives and collaborate closely with them to support their aims. Network monitoring and management, disaster recovery, server administration and virtualization, security services, and cloud computing are all included in their fully managed service solutions. They give their clients unmatched IT managed services, allowing them to concentrate on their core businesses while taking care of the technological infrastructure.

    Popularity 1.4/10

  9. 9

    CTL

    Education Chromebooks built for classroom wear, with rugged cases and simple school-friendly management.

    Popularity 1.0/10

  10. 10

    Panasonic

    Toughbook rugged laptops survive drops and spills, a durable pick for fieldwork and harsh conditions.

    Popularity 0.8/10

  11. 11

    Fujitsu

    Lifebook laptops are long-lived business machines, sold mainly in Japan and Europe with solid keyboards.

    Popularity 0.8/10

  12. 12

    LG

    Gram ultralight laptops weigh under a kilo at 14 to 17 inches, favouring portability over raw power.

    Popularity 0.6/10

  13. 13

    Toshiba

    Toshiba makes hard disk drives, SATA hard drives, RAM modules and other computer parts. Its products cover storage and electronics for both personal computers and business systems.

    Popularity 0.6/10

  14. 14

    Razer

    Blade gaming laptops are thin aluminium machines, pricier than student models but strong for creative work.

    Popularity 0.6/10

Student Laptops Buying Guide

Choosing a laptop is a crucial decision for any student. Whether you are entering college or going back to school, you need a laptop that can keep up with your academic demands. This buying guide will help you pick the right laptop for your needs.

What to Look for in a Student Laptop

When shopping for a laptop, you need to consider several factors, including:

  • Performance: You need a laptop with enough power to handle your schoolwork, such as writing papers, creating presentations, and running software programs.
  • Portability: As a student, you will be carrying your laptop around campus, so you need a laptop that is lightweight and easy to transport.
  • Battery Life: A laptop with a long battery life is important, so you can work without needing to plug in all the time.
  • Screen Size and Resolution: The screen size and resolution will determine the quality of your viewing experience. Consider what you will be using your laptop for, and choose the appropriate size and resolution.
  • Storage: Make sure your laptop has enough storage for your files and documents. You can choose between a hard drive or a solid-state drive (SSD), with SSDs being faster and more efficient.
  • Price: It's important to stay within your budget, but don't compromise on quality to save a few bucks. Invest in a laptop that will last you throughout your academic years.

Types of Laptops

There are several types of laptops, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages:

1. Traditional Laptops

Traditional laptops are the most common type of laptop. They are ideal for everyday use, and they offer a good balance of performance and portability. They usually come with a 15-inch screen, and they are easy to use for typing and browsing the web.

2. Ultrabooks

Ultrabooks are thin and light laptops that are designed for portability. They are ideal for students who need to carry their laptops around campus. They are also powerful, with long battery life and a fast performance.

3. 2-in-1 Laptops

2-in-1 laptops are hybrid devices that can be used as both a laptop and a tablet. They are ideal for students who need the versatility of a tablet but also need the power and performance of a laptop. They usually come with a detachable screen or a 360-degree hinge that allows you to fold the screen back.

Operating Systems

When choosing a laptop, you also need to consider the operating system. There are three main operating systems:

1. Windows

Windows is the most popular operating system for laptops. It's user-friendly and compatible with most software programs.

2. Mac OS

Mac OS is the operating system used by Apple computers. It's known for its sleek design and user-friendly interface. Macs are popular among students in creative fields like art, design, and music.

3. Chrome OS

Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system developed by Google. It's designed for use with web-based applications and is ideal for students who only need online access for their schoolwork.

Recommended Laptops for Students

After considering your needs and budget, here are some top-rated laptops for students:

1. Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 is a powerful and lightweight laptop that is ideal for students. It has a 13-inch display, a fast performance, and a long battery life.

2. Macbook Air

The Macbook Air is a sleek and powerful laptop that is ideal for students in creative fields. It has a 13-inch display, a long battery life, and a user-friendly interface.

3. Microsoft Surface Go

The Microsoft Surface Go is a 2-in-1 laptop that is perfect for students who need a device that is both a laptop and a tablet. It has a 10-inch display, a lightweight design, and a long battery life.

4. HP Pavilion x360

The HP Pavilion x360 is another 2-in-1 laptop that is ideal for students. It has a 14-inch touchscreen display, a sleek design, and a long battery life.

5. Acer Aspire 5

The Acer Aspire 5 is an affordable laptop that offers good performance and a long battery life. It has a 15.6-inch display, a fast processor, and enough storage for your files and documents.

Conclusion

Choosing the right laptop for your needs is an important decision. You need a laptop that is powerful, portable, and within your budget. Consider your academic demands, lifestyle, and personal preferences when selecting a laptop, and make sure you choose a device that will help you succeed.