If you’re a college student, then you’re going to need a great laptop. Whether it’s for taking notes in class, acing your online exams, studying, or just staying connected with mom and dad, a laptop is definitely going to be an essential purchase. Just like finding a good place to buy textbooks, such as eCampus, finding the right computer to purchase is vital.
With so many different options and features to choose from, though, which computer should you get? Should you take the one that’s the fastest, slimmest, or just plain cheapest?
In this post, we’ll give you our top picks of the best computers for college students without any compromising.
Best All-Around Computer For College Students
Let’s not mess around and just get right to it! If you’re looking for a computer that’s going to give you a little something of every kind of feature you’ll want, then you need to check out these great models.
Our Top Pick: HP Pavilion 14
CPU: Intel Core i5-7200U Processor up to 3.10 GHz + RAM: 8GB DDR4 + Storage: 1TB + Display: 14.0-inch, 768p + Size: 13.2 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches + Weight: 4.8 pounds
The HP Pavillion 14 is honestly a superb choice when it comes to all-around features. Not only does it look great, this laptop is easy to use, compact, fairly lightweight, and not at all shy on storage. It has a battery life 7.75 hours which is more than enough to cover a day’s worth of classes. You won’t find anything cheap or flimsy about this laptop!
List Price: $598
Runner-Up: Microsoft Surface Pro 6
CPU: Intel Core i5 + RAM: 8GB + Storage: 128GB + Display: 12.3” PixelSense + Size: 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches + Weight: 3.5 pounds
List Price: $899
Best Budget Computer For College Students
College is already expensive enough as it is. If you’re looking for a great computer that won’t strain your budget any more than it has been already, then check out these great models.
Our Top Pick: Acer Aspire 5
CPU: Intel Core i3-8145U + RAM: 4GB + Storage: 128GB + Display: 15.6-inch, 1080p + Size: 14.3 x 9.9 x 0.7 inches + Weight: 3.8 pounds
Outside of buying a Chromebook, you’re not going to find this many awesome features bundled together for such a low price anywerehe else.
First of all, this laptop looks just as nice as one that costs twice as much with its thin, sleek, aluminum design. After a simple setup, you’ll notice right away that the speedy SSD hard drive really delivers.
With a 15.6 inch full HD, IPS display with Acer Color, you’ll enjoy watching Netflix on this laptop just as much as using it for class. The Wi-Fi 6 and backlit keyboard are a great bonus too!
List Price: $399
Runner-Up: Acer Chromebook 15
CPU: Intel Celeron N3350 + RAM: 4GB LPDDR4 + Storage: 32GB eMMC + Display: 15.6″ Full HD Touch + Size: 15.14 x 10.09 x 0.79 inches + Weight: 5.84 pounds
List Price: $289
Best Battery Life Computers For College Students
The last thing you need in the middle of class or when you’re taking an online exam is for your laptop to die. Here are a few great models that have batteries that will be sure to impress.
Our Top Pick: HP Spectre x360
CPU: Intel Core i7 + RAM: 16 GB + Storage: 512 GB + Display: 13.3-inch, 1920 x 1080 + Size: 9.84 x 14.20 x 0.80 inches + Weight: 2.7 pounds
If there’s one thing to be said about the HP Spectre, its that the battery seems to last forever! Some tests have shown it to work for over 13 hours. That means you could use it multiple times without ever having to charge it.
Though this laptop might cost a little more than the competition, you’ll definitely feel like you’re getting your money’s worth out of the Spectre. It’s got a top of the line processor, 4K display, fingerprint reader, facial recognition, backlit keyboard with multiple brightness settings, and premium audio speakers. Combine that with the fact that the Spectre is a super light 2.7 pounds and only 0.8 inches thick, this won’t be a purchase you’ll ever regret.
List Price: $1,499
Runner-Up: Asus ZenBook UX333FA
CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core I5-8265U + RAM: 8GB LPDDR3 + Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD + Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p + Size: 11.9 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches + Weight: 2.7 pounds
List Price: $768
Lightest Weight Computers For College Students
When you’ve only got 10 minutes to make it from one side of campus to the other, there’s nothing worse than carrying around a laptop that feels like a giant ball and chain. Check out these laptops if you want to make your backpack feel like its carrying nothing at all.
Our Pick: HP Envy 13
CPU: Intel Core i7-8565U + RAM: 16GB SDRAM + Storage: 512GB SSD + Display: 13.3-inch, 3840 x 2160 + Size: 13.3 x 8.9 x 0.9 inches + Weight: 2.6 pounds
With its slim aluminum, all-metal case, you might think a laptop like this would be heavier and have a lot of flex to it. But you won’t find to be the case at all!
For being so small, the HP Envy is a powerhouse of performance with its i7 processor and SSD. The screen is absolutely crisp with sharp HD color. And you won’t mind listening to Spotify with some of the best speakers you can find in a laptop.
List Price: $1,259
Runner-Up: Acer Swift 5
CPU: Intel Pentium N5000 + RAM: 4GB + Storage: 64GB eMMC + Display: 14-inch, 1920 x 1080 + Size: 12.70 x 9.00 x 0.59 inches + Weight: 2.87 pounds
List Price: $499
Best Performance Computers For College Students
Maybe you’ve got some serious work to do editing video, audio, or graphics. Or maybe you just want a super-fast laptop that can keep up with the pace of you! Whatever your reason, here are our picks for the best performing laptops you can buy on a student’s budget.
Our Pick: Apple MacBook Air
CPU: Intel Core i3 + RAM: 8GB + Storage: 256GB + Display: 13.3-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel + Size: 11.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches + Weight: 2.8 pounds
Don’t be fooled by the fact that the MacBook Air is one of the lowest-priced Apple laptops available. With its quad-core processor and superfast SSD, you’ll be getting a product that leaves the competition in the dust when it comes to performance.
If that’s not enough, its sleek design, optimal size, and beautiful screen are something that the other manufacturers can only hope to offer.
List Price: $969
Runner-Up: Lenovo Yoga 730
CPU: Intel Core i5 + RAM: 12GB + Storage: 256GB SSD + Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080-pixel + Size: 20.12 x 13.7 x 4.29 inches + Weight: 4.2 pounds
List Price: $829
Final Thoughts: Best Computer For College Students
Finding the best computer for your college studies can be tricky, with so many options available. Consider what’s important to you in a computer; whether that be price, battery life, weight, or performance.
Make use of this guide on the best computer for college students and see which one fits your desires. Find the computer that will help you be successful and get through college!
