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Laptops these days have become a necessity and not a luxury. With the pressure of online classes, notes, and assignments, you must choose one of the best laptops for college.
With such a variety of choices available in the market, it might be baffling to select the perfect one. More so, you need to also choose the best cheap laptop for college. So, look no further and read our blog!
We have made the list of best laptops for college that suits your requirement and serve your purpose well. Keep scrolling down to check out the best laptops for college below!
Best Laptops for College
When you plan to buy a new laptop for college, it becomes essential to look for the right features. The essential characteristic is if the laptop has a good battery life and a super-fast CPU performance. There are many more factors that you need to consider, but these are the foremost.
So, let us check out the best laptop options for college below:
HP Envy 13 (2019)
Features of HP Envy 13:
CPU: Intel Core i7/Core i5
GPU: Nvidia GeForce MX250/Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM: 16GB/8GB
Storage: 1TB/512GB/256GB
Display: 4K/1080p/13.3-inch
Size: 12.1 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
Weight: 2.8 pounds
The HP Envy 13 is refreshed with new features. It has efficient security features, potent speakers, and new designs. The laptop has a long battery life that can last more than 11 hours.
If you get the recent version of this laptop, you can enjoy the webcam switch kill that will not let people snoop on you. It also comes with a fingerprint sensor. Some of the Envy 13 features are the 8th Generation Core i7 and Core i5 with a 1080p display that can have a brightness of 4K. So, now you know why you can consider the Envy 13 as one of the best laptops for college.
MacBook Air (M1, Late 2020)
Features of MacBook Air (M1, Late 2020)
CPU: M1
GPU: M1 (integrated)
RAM: 16GB/8GB
Storage: 2TB/1TB/512GB/256GB
Display: 2560 x 1600 pixel, 13.3-inch
Size: 0.6 x 8.4 x 11.9
Weight: 2.8 pounds
If you have an inclination towards Windows 10, then surely the MacBook Air by Apple should be your ideal choice. In 2020, they made the model with a new M1 chip that gives it a marvelous battery life and outstanding performance power. Both these features present in the 2020 versions make the laptop the best pick for college students.
Apple has kept the MacBook Air price reasonable. It will only put a $999 pinch on your pocket and yet deliver the best performance. The battery life of the MacBook Air lasts for more than 14 hours. You can compare this performance only to Windows 10.
Why should you purchase the MacBook Air and not the Pro? You should have all the answers to your questions and have valid reasons why you need to settle for the MacBook Air. Although the Pro has a sustainable performance, it isn’t as silent as the MacBook Air. You can swear on the MacBook Air and be sure to concentrate on your work as it makes no sound because the laptop lacks a fan. More so, it is portable and comes in a 13.3-inch model. The weight of the laptop is only 2.8 pounds and 0.6 inches thick.
The webcam is 720p with a comfortable keyboard and comes with two USB-C ports. The Retina display is 2560 x 1600-pixel and has a P3 color coverage. So, this improvement has made the panel more vibrant than its previous version.
Dell XPS 13 (Late 2020)
Features of Dell XPS 13 (Late 2020)
CPU: Intel Core i7/Core i5/Core i3 (11th Gen)
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 16GB/8GB
Storage: 2TB/1TB/512GB/256GB
Display: 1920 x 1200 or 4K,13.4-inch, or 4K
Size: 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches
Weight: 2.8 pounds
If you are looking for the best laptop for online classes and offline, then the Dell XPS 13 is a great choice. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor of the 11th Generation. The Core i7 processor contains the Intel Iris Xe graphics that have a notebook you can use for play and work.
The battery can last up to a minimum of 11 hours; that’s enough for you to carry to college and take your whole day’s notes. The Dell XPS 13 has systems that can compete with many other systems.
More so, its handy size makes it easier for you to carry to college. Although the size is small, the keyboard and trackpad are large and convenient for you to use. Additionally, you are getting a bezel-less display screen of 13.4 inches. The new transformations made in the Dell XPS 13 are the first to make such a change in the entire world.
The company has made tiny changes in improving its notebook, making the Dell XPS 13 one of the best laptops for college students.
HP Envy x360 13 (2020)
Features of HP Envy x360 13 (2020):
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB
Display: 1080p, 13.3-inch
Size: 0.7 x 7.7 x 12.1
Weight: 2.9 pounds
One of the best hp laptop for college students can be the Envy x360 13. You can consider this one among the best cheap laptop for college students too. The pinch in your pockets will be less than $1000 and is considered as one of the best Ultrabooks available in the market.
Even though the Envy x360 13 does not have a stylus, it possesses a 2 in 1 feature. You can flexibly use the laptop in a tablet or tent mode. The laptop comes with the Herculian AMD Ryzen processors and has a lovely aluminum design.
Many laptop testers saw that the Ryzen 5 4500U CPU present in the Envy x360 13 could surmount several laptops with the 10th Generation Intel chips.
More so, the price of this serviceable laptop costs less than $900. And it can compete well with any laptops that are more than $1000. The display of this laptop is 13.3 inches that are bright and comes with a convenient keyboard.
The only thing missing from this laptop is the IR camera and the Thunderbolt 3 port. But if you are ready to miss out on these two tiny features, the Envy is going to be your best pick.
Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
Features of Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020:
CPU: M1
GPU: M1 (integrated)
RAM: 16GB/ 8GB/16GB
Storage: 2TB/1 TB/ 512 GB/256GB
Display: 2560 x 1600, 13.3-inch
Size: 0.6 x 8.4 x 12
Weight: 3.1 pounds
Apple has come with the new M1 chip that is the first Apple’s custom SoC specially made for laptops. So, this powerful M1 chip has capably taken the MacBook Pro’s battery performance to the next level.
Apple has made the MacBook Pro so powerful and potent that it can overpower any PC or workstations available in the market. You will find the laptop to have a sleek and slim chassis. But even though it is ultra-thin, the battery can last for more than 16 hours that is a stimulating performance in the entire world.
The webcam remains 720p, but it can work much better than its previous versions. That happens because the webcam works on Apple’s ARM-based architecture, iPhone, and iPad apps present on Mac. So, if you can spare yourself some time from your college studies, playing IOS games can be a great option.
HP Spectre x360 (Late 2019)
Features of HP Spectre x360 (Late 2019):
CPU: Core i7/Core i5
GPU: Intel Iris Plus
RAM: 16GB/8GB
Storage: 1TB/512GB/256GB
Display: 4K or 1080p, 13.3-inch
Size: 12.1 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches
Weight: 2.7 pounds
If you are a college student and wish to own a 2-in-1 laptop without wanting to spare $1000, Spectre x360 13 is your ideal choice. It has a modern design with the 10th Generation CPU. HP keeps upgrading itself, and the latest version is greater than its precursor.
The laptop is of high caliber, but its low price makes people wonder if it is potent. You can take this laptop to your college or sit for your online class and later your games and be sure not to recharge it before 13 hours. More so, the CPU performance is high, making it apt to take down notes and submit assignments effortlessly. Another captivating factor about the Spectre x360 13 is that you keep away from people to snoop over you for its webcam kill switch facility. And if you have long and tiring tasks to type, the keyboard is super-comfortable. Though it comes at a reasonable price, you can count this one among the best laptops for college.
Acer Swift 3 (2020, AMD Ryzen)
Features of Acer Swift 3 (2020, AMD Ryzen):
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4700U
GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB
Display Size: 1080p, 14-inch
Size: 0.6 x 8.6 x 12.7 inches
Weight: 2.7 pounds
The features of the Acer Swift 3 can take the Dell XPS 13 and MacBook Pro a toll. More so, it only comes for only $649. The only difference is because of the Ryzen 7 4700U CPU presence in the laptop.
If you need to take loads of notes, the Swift 3 is super comfortable to type on. It has a springy effect that makes it easier for students to type fast and takedown quick notes. The fingerprint reader present on the deck makes it easy for you to log in. You will find the chassis to be made out of magnesium and aluminum. It is not made out of plastic making it eco-friendly too.
If you have a problem with a vibrant and bright screen, the Acer Swift 3 is an ideal choice. That is because it has a dull and dim display that many people do not like. More so, the price makes it affordable for college students and will serve the purpose well too.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (10th Gen)
Features of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (10th Gen):
CPU: 10th Generation Intel Core i7/Core i5
GPU: Intel UHD
RAM: 16GB/8GB
Storage: 1TB/512GB/256GB
Display: 4K or 1080p, 14-inch
Size: 0.6 x 8.5 x 12.7 inches
Weight: 2.4 pounds
The recent release of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon has the 10th Intel Generation. It has a super-fast performance, and you can have the battery life for long hours. It has 4K and 1080p options that make the display absolutely gorgeous. The chassis is lightweight, and you can easily carry it to your college.
The new version of the ThinkPad still has all those classic features present in it. It has red/black stealthy aesthetics, a great keyboard, and a durable design that comes with MIL-STD-810G strength.
However, if you can work well without an SD card, it can be a great choice for college students. Overall, the machine works excellently and will serve your purpose well.
Final Thoughts
There are several features and factors that a college student needs to consider before investing in purchasing a laptop.
Apart from a super-fast CPU performance and long battery back-up, there are some more things you need to keep in mind. One of them is the screen-size! If you get yourself a 13-inch screen, it will balance portability and screen real estate.
Also, try considering the weight of the laptop. That is because no one likes to deck up well for college and carry a load on their backs.
Plus, don’t forget to check out the keyboards and see if they are springy yet super-comfy.
All the choices mentioned above fall under the category of the best cheap laptop for college students too. So, if you are short of money, all these laptops are reasonable and have an outstanding performance.
As we come to the end of our best laptops for college students list, we hope it helps you tremendously. Once you finish purchasing one, don’t forget to let us know which one you bought for college!
