Top-rated College Laptops for Students in 2024

Choosing the right laptop for college is essential for academic success. A high-performance, reliable laptop helps students manage their workload, conduct research, and handle personal activities with ease.  

In 2024, with a variety of student discount laptops available, students can find the perfect balance of quality, performance, and affordability. Whether you need a device for writing essays, editing videos, or attending virtual classes, this guide will help you discover the top student laptops 2024 to enhance your college experience. 

This article focuses on the best college laptops, selected for their outstanding performance, portability, and value for money. All featured laptops are available from trusted retailers like Box, offering a broad range of options tailored for students. 

Why Students Need the Right Laptop 

Students face unique demands when it comes to laptops. Whether it’s portability for on-the-go learning or enough power to handle complex software, the right laptop can make all the difference. Most students need laptops with long battery life, ample storage, and fast performance for juggling academic tasks like research, note-taking, and online learning. 

If you're a university student looking for highly versatile and powerful laptops, check out our top picks for the best laptops for university students in 2024/2025.

Affordability is another key factor, as students often seek cheap laptops for students that don’t compromise on performance. Brands like Lenovo, known for delivering quality at reasonable prices, provide excellent options for laptops for study. 

Top-rated College Laptops for Students 

Below is a curated list of student laptops that are perfect for various academic needs. These laptops combine performance, durability, and portability, making them ideal for both personal and academic tasks. 

Apple MacBook Air M2 

The Apple MacBook Air M2 is a top-tier choice for students due to its balance of performance and portability. Powered by the Apple M2 chip, it provides an optimal mix of speed and efficiency, supporting everything from basic tasks to more resource-intensive activities like video editing. The M2 processor boosts both CPU and GPU performance, enabling students to switch between applications without lag. 

Its 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display delivers crisp visuals, ensuring a top-quality viewing experience whether you're reading e-books, attending virtual lectures, or streaming educational videos. The vibrant colour accuracy and sharp details make it ideal for graphic design and content creation students. 

The laptop is remarkably lightweight at 1.24 kg, making it one of the most portable options in the market, ideal for students moving between classes. The build is sturdy yet elegant, thanks to Apple's signature sleek aluminium design. 

Battery life is another standout feature, lasting up to 18 hours on a single charge, meaning it can easily last through an entire day of classes and study sessions without needing a recharge. 

FAQ: 

Q: Does the MacBook Air M2 support external displays?  

A: Yes, the MacBook Air M2 can support one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz. 

Dell XPS 13 

The Dell XPS 13 is a powerful yet lightweight laptop that caters perfectly to students who need versatility and performance. The 13.4-inch Full HD InfinityEdge display offers an immersive experience, with incredibly thin bezels that maximise screen space, making it great for multitasking, studying, and entertainment. 

Equipped with an Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, this laptop is designed to handle demanding tasks such as programming, data analysis, or content creation. The 512GB SSD ensures fast boot-up times and plenty of storage for coursework, research, and media files. 

The build quality of the XPS 13 is also impressive, with its carbon fibre and aluminium body offering durability without being heavy. Weighing just 1.2 kg, it’s highly portable and fits comfortably in any student’s bag. 

Battery life on the Dell XPS 13 is commendable, lasting around 14 hours on mixed usage, which makes it ideal for students attending long lecture days or those who need to study at the library for extended periods. 

FAQ: 

Q: Does the Dell XPS 13 have a touchscreen option?  

A: Yes, certain models of the Dell XPS 13 are available with a touchscreen. 

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is a versatile choice for students who value both performance and aesthetics. Its Intel Core i5 or i7 processors ensure smooth multitasking, whether you're writing essays, browsing multiple tabs, or attending virtual lectures. Combined with 8GB or 16GB of RAM, this laptop can handle a wide range of academic tasks effortlessly. 

The 13.5-inch PixelSense display stands out with its touch capability and sharp resolution. This makes it a particularly useful feature for design students or those who prefer using a stylus for note-taking. The display also provides excellent clarity and brightness, making it easier to work under different lighting conditions. 

The laptop's build quality is premium, featuring a sleek aluminium chassis that’s both sturdy and light. Weighing just 1.27 kg, it's easy to carry between classrooms or study spots. 

In terms of battery life, the Surface Laptop 5 can last up to 15 hours on a single charge, making it reliable for students who need their laptops to last throughout the day. 

FAQ: 

Q: Does the Surface Laptop 5 come with a stylus?  

A: The Surface Laptop 5 supports a stylus, but it is sold separately. 

HP Spectre x360 

The HP Spectre x360 is a 2-in-1 convertible laptop, making it a versatile tool for students who want both a laptop and tablet experience. The 13.5-inch OLED touchscreen is one of its standout features, offering rich, vibrant colours and deep blacks that enhance the viewing experience whether you're streaming lectures or working on creative projects. 

Powered by the Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, the Spectre x360 is equipped to handle demanding academic tasks, from heavy research and multitasking to running advanced software for design, engineering, or data analysis. The 512GB SSD offers ample storage for coursework, files, and media, while ensuring quick load times. 

The 2-in-1 functionality allows students to switch between laptop mode and tablet mode easily, using the touchscreen and included stylus for sketching, note-taking, or annotating documents. 

The laptop is both slim and lightweight, weighing around 1.3 kg, and is easy to carry. Its design is sleek, with a gem-cut finish and thin bezels around the display, giving it a premium look and feel. 

With a battery life of up to 16 hours, the HP Spectre x360 is designed to last through a full day of classes and study sessions, with enough power left over for leisure activities. 

FAQ: 

Q: Is the HP Spectre x360 suitable for graphic design?  

A: Yes, the HP Spectre x360’s OLED touchscreen and powerful hardware make it an excellent option for graphic design tasks. 

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (AMD Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) 

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 offers an impressive combination of power and affordability, making it a solid choice for students who need to balance performance with a tight budget. The AMD Ryzen 7 Octa-Core processor delivers excellent multitasking capabilities, allowing students to run multiple applications simultaneously without lag. 

Its 16GB RAM further ensures smooth performance, whether you're working on large documents, spreadsheets, or using resource-heavy applications like Photoshop. The 512GB SSD provides ample storage space for saving assignments, projects, and multimedia, with fast load times. 

The 15.6-inch Full HD display is ideal for students who prefer larger screens for working on research papers, watching educational videos, or collaborating on group projects. The colours are sharp, and the anti-glare technology makes it easier to work for longer periods without straining your eyes. 

Despite its larger display, the IdeaPad 3 is relatively lightweight, making it convenient to carry between classes. Its solid build and durable keyboard also make it a reliable option for long-term use. 

With a battery life of up to 12 hours, the IdeaPad 3 can comfortably last through a full school day, ensuring that students won’t be tethered to a charger. 

FAQ: 

Q: Does the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 support an external GPU?  

A: No, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 does not support an external GPU. 

Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (AMD Ryzen 7, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD) 

The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is a budget-friendly laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance, thanks to its AMD Ryzen 7 processor. It is an excellent option for students who need plenty of storage, with a 1TB SSD providing ample space for files, coursework, and media. This allows students to work on large projects without worrying about running out of space. 

The 8GB RAM ensures smooth performance for basic multitasking, making it a good choice for students managing everyday academic tasks such as browsing, research, and document editing. 

The 15.6-inch Full HD display provides clear and vibrant visuals, making it ideal for watching lectures, writing papers, or even streaming educational content. The anti-glare coating also helps reduce eye strain during long study sessions. 

Weighing around 1.6 kg, it’s not the lightest laptop, but it is still portable enough for daily student life. The build quality is robust, offering a comfortable typing experience and a durable chassis. 

Battery life on the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is solid, offering up to 10 hours of use, ensuring that students can get through most of their day without needing to recharge. 

FAQ: 

Q: Can the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 run heavy applications like Adobe Photoshop?  

A: Yes, with the AMD Ryzen 7 processor and 8GB RAM, the IdeaPad 1 can handle moderately heavy applications like Photoshop, though it's better suited for basic use. 

Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Chromebook (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) 

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Chromebook is tailored for students who prefer a lightweight and simple operating system. Running on Chrome OS, it is designed for students who rely heavily on web-based tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and educational apps. Powered by an Intel Core i5 processor, this Chromebook provides reliable performance for basic academic tasks such as writing papers, browsing the web, and attending virtual classes. 

With 8GB RAM, it can handle moderate multitasking, and the 512GB SSD ensures enough storage for offline files and fast system boot times. The 14-inch Full HD IPS display is perfect for those who want a compact yet crisp screen for watching lectures, reading, or note-taking. 

The build quality is light, weighing just 1.4 kg, making it highly portable for students who move frequently between classrooms, libraries, and home. 

The battery life is particularly impressive, lasting up to 15 hours, meaning students won’t need to worry about charging throughout the day. 

FAQ: 

Q: Can I run Windows applications on this Chromebook?  

A: While Chromebooks primarily run Chrome OS, some models support Android apps. However, running full-fledged Windows applications is not possible on a Chromebook. 

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 (AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) 

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a sleek and efficient laptop for students who need solid performance in a slim design. Powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB RAM, it is capable of handling most academic tasks with ease, including web browsing, document editing, and even light programming or design work. 

The 512GB SSD ensures fast boot times and plenty of storage for academic materials, media, and software. Its 16-inch WUXGA IPS display offers crisp visuals and wide viewing angles, making it perfect for both work and entertainment. 

Weighing around 1.6 kg, the laptop is still portable enough for daily student activities. Its slim profile ensures it can easily fit into backpacks without adding much bulk. 

Battery life is also notable, offering up to 12 hours of use on a single charge, making it perfect for long study sessions without needing to plug in frequently. 

FAQ: 

Q: Is this laptop suitable for gaming?  

A: While the AMD Ryzen 5 processor can handle some light gaming, it is not specifically designed for high-end gaming. For demanding games, you might need a laptop with a dedicated graphics card 

Key Features to Consider in a Student Laptop 

While the laptops mentioned above are among the top student laptops 2024, it’s important to consider a few key factors when selecting the perfect laptop for your needs: 

Portability: A lightweight, compact laptop is ideal for students who are frequently moving between classes, the library, and their dorm. You want a laptop that’s easy to carry but still has a decent screen size. 

Battery Life: Students often need a laptop that can last through a full day of classes and study sessions without needing a recharge. Look for models with a battery life of at least 8-10 hours. 

Performance: Depending on your area of study, you may need a laptop with specific performance capabilities. For example, arts and humanities students can opt for standard specifications, while engineering or design students might need higher-end processors and more RAM to handle demanding software. 

Affordability: While high-performance laptops can be expensive, there are plenty of cheap laptops for students that offer great value for money. Always look for student discount laptops and other promotions that can make premium laptops more affordable. 

Durability: College life can be tough on tech. Laptops that are sturdy and built to last are essential, particularly for students who travel frequently or have a busy schedule. 

For younger students preparing for higher education, our guide to the best laptops for secondary school students offers budget-friendly and durable recommendations.

Why Choose Lenovo Laptops for Students? 

When it comes to reliable and affordable laptops, Lenovo laptops for students are often the top choice. Lenovo offers a wide range of laptops designed to meet various academic needs, from lightweight models perfect for notetaking to high-performance machines for students in more demanding fields. 

For everyday use, Lenovo IdeaPad models are a great choice, offering the right balance between portability and performance. For students who need more powerful specs, the Lenovo Legion series offers top-tier performance for both work and gaming. Lenovo’s reputation for durability and performance ensures their laptops will last throughout your college years. 

Explore the full range of college laptops at Box to find the perfect fit for your study needs. 

Conclusion 

Choosing the best laptop for students in 2024 requires balancing performance, portability, and budget. By opting for one of the top student laptops mentioned above, you’re sure to find a device that supports your academic success while fitting your lifestyle and budget.
 
For students pursuing creative fields like graphic design, you’ll want a laptop with top-notch performance and display quality. Explore our recommendations for the best laptops for graphic design students.

Whether you’re looking for an affordable everyday laptop or a powerful machine for running demanding software, these options will keep you prepared for any academic challenge. Make sure to check out the wide range of college laptops available at Box and take advantage of student discounts to get the best deal possible. 

A reliable laptop is an essential tool for modern education, and with the right choice, you’ll be set for years of productive study and even some well-earned entertainment in between.