Choosing the right laptop for school is pretty daunting. The right laptop will make all the difference whether you are shopping for an elementary student or a college goer. Our job is to test and curate our lists of the best laptops for students in 2025 to help you choose. Everyone is covered by Chromebooks and gaming PCs alike.
Why Trust Us?
Laptops have been on review for 30 years at ScentsNova. We test each device thoroughly for its performance, battery life, and usability. We focus on real-world scenarios so that our recommendations match the needs of students.
Top Laptop Picks for Students
Dell Inspiron Plus 14 – Best Overall for Students
Price: $999.99
Pros:
- Fantastic performance
- Exceptional battery life (17 hours)
- Great typing experience
Cons:
- CPU throttles under heavy loads
- No user upgrades
Why We Like It:
A laptop with a 14-inch 1400p display can be a well-rounded laptop for people doing office work and static image work. It can be the Dell Inspiron Plus 14. With its lightweight, durability, and great value for money, it is a good piece of kit.
Who Should Buy It:
It is a long-lasting, reliable laptop for students who need one for classes, assignments, and multitasking.
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED – Best Runner-Up
Price: $899.99
Pros:
- Stunning OLED touchscreen
- Amazing battery life (16 hours)
- Robust build quality
Cons:
- Mediocre connectivity
- The keyboard lacks key travel
Why We Like It:
The OLED display is vibrant, and there is a lot of power to boot, whether you’re watching media or getting stuff done.
Who Should Buy It:
Those who require a premium display and long battery life while not spending a premium.
Best Budget Laptop: Acer Aspire Go 15
Price: $349.99
Pros:
- Affordable
- Decent battery life (12 hours)
- Good display visibility
Cons:
- Bulky design
- Limited performance
Why We Like It:
Students on a tight budget will like the Acer Aspire Go 15. It will handle basic tasks like web browsing, writing papers, and streaming without stress.
Who Should Buy It:
It is an affordable, no-frills laptop that anyone requires, an affordable basic laptop for everyday use.
Lenovo Flex 5i – Best Chromebook for Students
Price: $499.99
Pros:
- Vibrant touchscreen display
- Fast performance for a Chromebook
- Great build quality
Cons:
- Stylus not included
- Average battery life (9 hours)
Why We Like It:
It is a nice convertible Chromebook with a 360-degree hinge and touchscreen, so it is best for both work and play.
Who Should Buy It:
A lightweight and versatile device that students preferring Google’s ecosystem would want.
MacBook Air (M3) – Best MacBook for Students
Price: $1,299
Pros:
- Excellent battery life (19 hours)
- Lightweight and portable
- Great performance
Cons:
- Expensive memory upgrades
- Limited external display support
Why We Like It:
The MacBook Air (M3) is a powerhouse if students prefer macOS. It’s lightweight, has a stunning Retina display, and has perfect battery life.
Who Should Buy It:
This was intended for students invested in the Apple ecosystem who need a reliable, high-performance laptop.
Acer Nitro V 16 – Best Gaming Laptop for Students
Price: $999.99
Pros:
- Solid gaming performance
- Affordable for a gaming laptop
- Fast 165Hz display
Cons:
- Poor battery life (4 hours)
- Fully plastic build
Why We Like It:
This laptop provides excellent value for gamers on a budget. It sports an RTX 4060 GPU and a high-resolution display.
Who Should Buy It:
This is for students who want to use it for gaming and school assignments.
How We Tested
We evaluate laptops in terms of:
- Performance: Benchmarks like PCMark 10 and Cinebench.
- Battery Life: Video rundown tests simulating real word usage.
- Display Quality: Brightness, color accuracy, and Resolutions.
- Build Quality: Durability, keyboard feel, and port selection are some things they should attempt to build better.
What to Look for in a Student Laptop
- Budget: Determine what you are willing to spend from the budget. They are great for affordable Chromebooks, but for versatility, get the 2-in-1s.
- Battery Life: Try using the planner for 7-10 hours for the entire day.
- Performance: An Intel Core i3 or i5 is usually sufficient for most students. The i7 or i9 might be necessary if the gamer or the creative really needs it.
- Portability: Consider weight and size if you carry it from place to place.
- Long Study Sessions: A comfortable keyboard and a clear, bright display are essential when studying long.
FAQs
What is the best laptop size for students?
13-14 inches: Ideal for portability.
15-17 inches: Better for gaming or multitasking.
How long should a laptop battery survive?
Aim for 7 to 10 hours for use all day. Gamebooks generally don’t have long battery lives.
Do I require a powerful processor?
For most students, an Intel Core i3 or i5 is sufficient. Gamers or creatives may need an i7 or i9.
Ethan Cole is a tech aficionado dedicated to exploring the latest innovations and gadgets, providing reviews and insights to keep you updated in the tech world.
