The right laptop will see a student through three or four years of college, so it's worth choosing well. Here's what matters for college life — and our picks for different budgets and courses.
What college students actually need
- All-day battery to last lectures without a charger.
- Light and durable enough to carry everywhere.
- 8–16GB RAM and an SSD for smooth multitasking across notes, browser and apps.
- The right software: check whether your course needs specific Windows or Mac programs.
Match the laptop to the course
- General study, arts, business: a mid-range Windows laptop or a Chromebook is plenty.
- Design, media, engineering: more power and RAM — consider a MacBook Air or a higher-spec Windows machine.
- Tight budget: a Chromebook covers web, docs and classwork affordably.
Our picks
- Best all-rounder: the Asus Vivobook (Ryzen 5, 16GB, 512GB) balances price and performance.
- Premium & long-lasting: the MacBook Air M4 for superb battery and build.
- Value: a budget Windows laptop or Chromebook for note-taking and web work.
Final thoughts
Buy for battery, weight and the software your course needs — 16GB RAM and an SSD will keep it fast for the whole degree. Browse laptops and MacBooks online, or ask in any of our 60+ stores.
