College life comes with significant expenses — tuition, housing, textbooks, and even daily essentials like food. That’s why students need reliable laptops that can handle years of note-taking, writing papers, and creating group project slides without slowing down. But finding the right one isn’t easy. With so many options, picking a laptop can feel more challenging than writing an essay on Proust. That’s where we step in. We test dozens of college laptops every year to identify the best laptops for students that strike the perfect balance between performance, portability, and price.
Our best laptops 2025 list focuses on real student needs — long battery life, lightweight builds, and comfortable keyboards for all-day use. The top picks deliver an excellent price-to-performance ratio, making them ideal for both college and high school students. If you want a premium, portable Laptop for students, there are excellent choices for you. And if you’re on a tighter budget, we’ve included affordable student laptops and laptops under budget that still offer solid performance.
For students in creative fields, our guide also highlights the best laptops for photo editing, video editing, and even laptops for gaming. Whether you’re studying, attending online classes, or working on group assignments, this best student laptop guide helps you choose durable laptops for college, laptops for remote learning, and reliable laptops for studying that are built to last — and made to perform.
The best Laptop for most students
Apple MacBook Air 13 (2025, M4): The Perfect Student Laptop
The Apple MacBook Air 13 (2025, M4) is one of the best laptops for students this year. Unless you’re studying something that demands heavy graphics rendering or video editing, this Laptop is more than enough for every college task. It’s fast, reliable, and built to last through all your student years.
The MacBook Air 2025 offers the ideal mix of performance, build quality, and battery life. It’s sleek, powerful, and can even handle moderate content creation projects. With all-day battery life, you can attend classes, take notes, and work on papers without needing to recharge. The trackpad remains unmatched — smooth, responsive, and comfortable for long hours of use.
The only downside? You can’t upgrade its storage or memory after purchase. But with 16GB RAM now standard, the base 13-inch model at $999 still feels like a great deal, though its 256GB storage might feel limited.
If you want more space, go for the 512GB version at $1,199. Or, for the same price, get the larger MacBook Air 15-inch — perfect for students who prefer a bigger display and better speakers. Either way, it’s a lightweight MacBook for students that delivers unbeatable value, design, and durability.
The best student laptop for serious content creation
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2024, M4): Power Meets Performance
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2024, M4) continues to be a favorite among college students—especially those in creative fields like design, film, or photography. It’s one of the best laptops Apple has released in years. With the same M4 chip as the Air, this MacBook Pro 2024 delivers more power, better visuals, and greater flexibility.
Starting at $1,599, it’s pricier than the MacBook Air, but the upgrades are worth every penny. You get improved MacBook Pro performance, more ports, and a stunning Mini LED display. The screen offers higher resolution and a faster refresh rate—perfect for photo editing, video editing, and other content creation tasks. It includes an SD card reader, an HDMI 2.1 port, and starts with 512GB of storage, giving students more room for projects. Plus, its battery life easily lasts through long classes or work sessions.
The Pro’s cooling fan is another major win. It helps maintain performance while running heavy apps like Adobe Creative Cloud, something the MacBook Air struggles with during extended use.
Apple also offers two higher-end models — the MacBook Pro 14-inch and MacBook Pro 16-inch with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. These versions bring Thunderbolt 5 ports and unmatched power but come at a higher cost of $1,999 and $3,199.
Suppose you’re a student who needs reliability, durability, and top-tier performance. In that case, this Apple student laptop is the perfect balance of power and practicality — built for studying, creativity, and the future.
The best modular laptops you can upgrade yourself
Framework Laptop 13 (2025, AMD Ryzen AI 7 350)
The Framework Laptop 13 (2025, AMD Ryzen AI 7 350) stands out as one of the best laptops of 2025 for anyone who values flexibility, performance, and long-term usability. Designed to grow with you, this machine lets you easily upgrade or replace components like RAM, storage, ports, and even the mainboard — giving it an edge over traditional laptops. The optional DIY edition adds a fun, hands-on experience that helps users understand their device better, making it perfect for tech students, engineers, or anyone who loves tinkering.
What really makes the Framework Laptop 13 special is its modular port system. You can go all USB-C for a sleek look like a MacBook Air, or mix and match ports like USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, SD/microSD card readers, and Ethernet. This level of customization is rare, making it one of the most upgradeable laptops available today.
Although it costs a bit more than similarly specced competitors, its repairability, durability, and sustainability make it a wise long-term investment. The smaller Framework Laptop 12, with its convertible 2-in-1 design and shock-resistant chassis, is excellent for kids and students who need portability. Overall, if you’re looking for a reliable, customizable, and future-proof laptop, the Framework Laptop 13 (2025) truly earns its spot among the best laptops of 2025.
A Windows laptop or tablet with a fantastic battery
Microsoft Surface Laptop, 13-inch
The latest Microsoft Surface laptops are sleek, reliable, and built for real-world use. These affordable laptops, 2025 models, deliver excellent battery life, smooth performance, and impressive standby time when asleep. Powered by ARM-based processors, they stay efficient for hours, though a few app compatibility issues can appear. Still, most popular programs work fine — either natively or through emulation. Always check software requirements before buying, especially for class-specific tools.
The Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 13 are standout choices among Windows laptops in 2025. The Pro starts at $799.99, while the Laptop begins at $899.99. Both are lightweight laptops with solid construction, making them perfect portable laptops for students and professionals. Despite being budget-friendly laptops, they don’t feel cheap — except for a few quirks, like the lack of face unlock in the Laptop model.
When choosing, think about your workflow. Want a convertible laptop? Go for the Surface Pro 2025 with its detachable keyboard. Prefer a traditional setup? The Surface Laptop 2025 is a better buy. Just remember, the Pro’s keyboard cover adds about $150, pushing its real starting price to around $850. Both models easily earn their spot among the best laptops 2025 for students and everyday use.
The hands-down best Chromebook
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14
The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is one of the best Chromebooks of 2025 for students who prefer a classic clamshell laptop. It’s ideal for older students, college learners, or anyone who needs a no-fuss, everyday computer. For just $750, you get a vibrant OLED touchscreen, deep contrast, vivid colors, and a fantastic keyboard. Add to that a fanless, silent design and long battery life, and you’ve got a winner for school and study sessions.
Powered by an ARM-based MediaTek processor, this Lenovo Chromebook 2025 delivers quick performance and efficiency. It easily lasts into a second day of use. While it may face minor Linux compatibility issues, most students won’t notice. It’s perfect for remote learning, note-taking, and writing papers.
The Chromebook Plus 14 isn’t flawless. Its USB ports max out at 5Gbps, and the trackpad is just okay. But for the price, you get exceptional value. A 14-inch OLED display this sharp and bright is rare under $800. For students, writers, or everyday users, it’s a lightweight, reliable, and affordable Chromebook that just makes sense.
The Best 2-in-1 Convertible Chromebook
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (2024)
If you’re looking for flexibility and power in one device, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (2024) easily earns a spot among the best laptops of 2025. It’s a premium 2-in-1 Chromebook that seamlessly switches between laptop and tablet mode, making it ideal for students, professionals, and creatives.
Powered by an Intel processor, it delivers fast performance and excellent battery life. With Thunderbolt 4 ports and support for Linux apps, the Spin 714 offers both versatility and productivity for everyday tasks or coding projects.
Since it’s been on the market for a while, you can often find it for $200 off, making it an even better deal. For anyone looking for a durable, fast, and convertible Chromebook that fits perfectly in the best laptops 2025 category, the Spin 714 remains a top choice.
The Best Chromebook Under $400
Chromebook Plus CX34
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 proves that you don’t need to spend big to get excellent performance. It’s one of the most affordable Chromebook Plus devices — and also one of the best laptops 2025 for students and everyday users on a budget.
Its 1920×1080 display, long battery life, and spill-resistant keyboard make it ideal for school, travel, or remote work. The Asus CX34 isn’t just about affordability — it offers reliable performance, solid build quality, and smooth multitasking for daily use.
If you’re searching for a budget-friendly Chromebook that delivers consistent performance and long-term value, the Asus CX34 deserves a place on your best laptops 2025 list.
A Great Higher-End Windows Laptop with a Big Screen
Asus Zenbook S 16
Sometimes, bigger really is better. The Asus Zenbook S 16 proves that perfectly. This thin-and-light Windows laptop blends style, performance, and portability in one powerful package. With its AMD Strix Point processors, it handles everything — from heavy multitasking to light gaming — effortlessly, making it one of the best laptops 2025 for students and professionals alike.
The highlight is its 16-inch OLED touchscreen with a 2880 x 1800 resolution and a super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Whether you’re working on projects, watching movies, or designing graphics, this OLED display laptop delivers incredible clarity and color.
While the Zenbook S 16 carries a premium tag of $1,799.99, it often goes on sale for up to $500 off. It’s an excellent choice for college students and professionals who want a big-screen laptop without losing portability. Despite being a 16-inch laptop, it’s impressively slim, making it easy to carry around.
The only drawback? Battery life. The Zenbook’s powerful chip and thin frame mean it won’t last as long as some competitors. Still, it can easily handle a full day of classes or meetings before needing a quick charge. There’s also a 14-inch version expected to offer similar performance in a more compact form.
The Best Gaming Laptop for Students
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)
When it comes to gaming and productivity, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) stands tall among the best laptops of 2025. It’s sleek, powerful, and designed for students who want both performance and style.
Unlike many gaming laptops, the G14 doesn’t scream “gamer.” Its subtle ROG branding keeps things professional while packing serious power under the hood. The AMD Ryzen 9 270 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 GPU deliver fast performance for both classes and games. You can efficiently run demanding titles and complete assignments without a hitch.
The G14 also surprises with its long battery life, letting you go through classes before plugging in for evening gaming sessions. Its 14-inch OLED display offers 2880 x 1800 resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate, producing crisp, vibrant visuals. Plus, it has a premium keyboard, responsive trackpad, and excellent thermals for quiet performance.
If you’re looking for a lightweight laptop that can handle both work and play, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a perfect match. It’s one of the best Asus laptops 2025, ideal for students, gamers, and multitaskers who need a robust, reliable, and stylish device.
Summary
In short, choosing the right laptop can make a huge difference in your student’s productivity and learning experience. Whether it’s a lightweight Chromebook for school, a powerful Windows laptop for college, or a versatile 2-in-1 for creativity, there’s an option for every need and budget. Each of these picks balances performance, battery life, and durability, ensuring your student is ready for success. These are truly some of the best laptops 2025 for students — built to learn, create, and achieve more.