The Best Laptops for College in 2021

Best MacBook for Students
Apple MacBook Air M1

Our Takeaway

Apple produces some of the best laptops for college students interested in photo editing and graphic design. The company's intuitive software also makes multitasking a cinch. With far better performance than previous models, the latest version of the MacBook Air — with its durable aluminum unibody — closely rivals its powerful counterpart, the MacBook Pro.

Best Traditional Windows Laptop for Students
Acer Swift 3

Our Takeaway

The Acer Swift 3 is one of the best laptops for students looking for a highly portable laptop with a powerful processor. While the newly released Acer Swift 5 model has a few worthy features, the price jump makes it hard to recommend to students on a college budget. The Acer Swift 3 may appeal to students who need a portable laptop with a minimal design and a powerful mix of hardware and software components.

Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Students
Microsoft Surface Pro 7

Our Takeaway

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 features numerous hardware upgrades and boasts a longer battery life than the Microsoft Surface Go. Users also report a much sharper screen and a better viewing angle than other, less expensive Microsoft products. College students should consider getting a Microsoft Surface Pro 7 if they prefer to take notes with a stylus and desire a powerful 2-in-1 laptop with sizable RAM.

Best Chromebook for Students
Acer Chromebook Spin 713

Our Takeaway

This relatively affordable, premium Chromebook boasts a sturdy design and stand-out performance. This 2-in-1 option is the first Chromebook to receive Evo verification — the laptop meets rigorous standards for battery life, performance, and responsiveness.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 also benefits from serious durability due to its Corning Gorilla Glass touchscreen and sturdy aluminum body. These features protect the laptop from short falls, more extreme temperatures, and humidity.

Best Premium MacBook for Students
Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch

Our Takeaway

Students who prefer Apple products and can afford to spend more than $1,000 on a laptop should consider getting an Apple MacBook Pro. The laptop includes a Touch Bar, which is a slim OLED touchscreen that changes functionality depending on the application. This unique feature makes it easy for students to multitask between assignments and use smart keys to boost productivity.

As one of the most powerful laptops on the market, the MacBook Pro can handle an array of activities, including note-taking, entertainment, and light gaming.

Best Premium Traditional Windows Laptop for Students
Dell XPS 13

Our Takeaway

An upgrade from Dell's successful 2019 XPS 13, the 2020 update features a large display and comfortable touchpad and keyboard. This laptop provides up to 14 hours of battery life while boasting the performance of Intel's 11th Gen Core i7 processor. While this laptop comes with a relatively steep price tag, students who require exceptional performance in a sleek package should consider this computer alongside other options.

Best Premium 2-in-1 Laptop for Students
HP Envy x360

Our Takeaway

One of the best laptops for college, the HP Envy x360 is a versatile 2-in-1 device with impressive graphics and top-notch performance. Its large screen and keyboard make typing easy, and the webcam killswitch and fingerprint reader provide extra security.

The Envy is a bit uncomfortable to use as a tablet due to its size, and the price point may be out of reach for many students. However, for learners who want a powerful laptop/tablet combo, HP's 2-in-1 is tough to beat.

Best Premium Chromebook for Students
Google Pixelbook Go

Our Takeaway

One of the best laptops for college, this premium option comes in different models. The Google Pixelbook Go ranges from $650-$1,400 depending on the version you choose, making this a great option for most budgets. The laptop stands out due to its long battery life, sleek design, and 1080p webcam. This Chromebook also shines due to its colorful display and solid performance.

While this laptop does not have the best speakers and lacks some port options, this top performer is a great option for students looking for a reliable, lightweight computer.

Best Traditional Windows Laptop for Students on a Budget
Dell Inspiron 3000 (2021)

Our Takeaway

For students looking for a practical, inexpensive laptop designed to handle day-to-day academic requirements, Dell's Inspiron 3000 may be a great option. Starting at around $500, this budget-friendly laptop offers a comfortable keyboard, decent speakers, and a fairly long battery life.

While this laptop lacks a high-quality HD screen and isn't as powerful as other options, the Inspiron 3000 does allow for various customizable configurations. Students requiring high performance for graphic design or music production may want to look elsewhere.

Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Students on a Budget
Microsoft Surface Go 2

Our Takeaway

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is one of the best laptops for college students thanks to its compact and lightweight design. The fully detachable Surface Pro Type Cover allows students to shed excess weight if they plan to take notes using the included stylus rather than the keyboard. Those looking for a reliable device to use mainly for light productivity work, web surfing, and multimedia streaming should consider getting a Surface Go 2.

Best Chromebook for Students on a Budget
Lenovo Chromebook Duet

Our Takeaway

For budget-conscious students who don't need a high-performing computer, Lenovo's Chromebook Duet is an affordable option. This 2-in-1 Chromebook offers quality battery life in a slim package, and it comes with a detachable keyboard and cover. While users may notice the Chromebook's cramped keyboard and lack of ports, the low price and functional performance make this an incredibly accessible choice for students.