Best Laptops for College Students Updated May 2025

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Best Laptops for College Students
2025 Buyer's GuideUpdated May 2025
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10.0

1

10.0

HP 2025 Pavilion 15.6" Touchscreen Laptop Computer, 10-Core Intel Core i5-1235U, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Fast Wi-Fi 6, Long Battery ...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 32GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD
Processor: Intel Core i5-1235U 20-core
Graphics Processor: Intel Iris Xe
Touchscreen: Yes
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
Operating System: Windows 11
Weight: 3.52 lbs
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Picked by 779 people today!
Picked by 779 people today!

10.0

1
HP 2025 Pavilion 15.6" Touchscreen Laptop Computer, 10-Core Intel Core i5-1235U, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Fast Wi-Fi 6, Long Battery ...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 32GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD
Processor: Intel Core i5-1235U 20-core
Graphics Processor: Intel Iris Xe
Touchscreen: Yes
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
Operating System: Windows 11
Weight: 3.52 lbs

9.9

2

9.9

HP Pavilion 15.6" HD Touchscreen Anti-Glare Laptop, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD Storage, Intel Core Processor up to 4.1GHz, Up to 11 Hour...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: ‎1TB SSD
Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4 2-core
Graphics Processor: ‎Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: Yes
Battery Life: Up to 11 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.75 lbs
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9.9

2
HP Pavilion 15.6" HD Touchscreen Anti-Glare Laptop, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD Storage, Intel Core Processor up to 4.1GHz, Up to 11 Hour...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: ‎1TB SSD
Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4 2-core
Graphics Processor: ‎Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: Yes
Battery Life: Up to 11 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.75 lbs

9.3

3

9.3

Lenovo 2022 Ideapad 3 Laptop, 15.6" HD Touchscreen, 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD,...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 256GB
Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4 2-Core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: Yes
Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.6 lbs
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9.3

3
Lenovo 2022 Ideapad 3 Laptop, 15.6" HD Touchscreen, 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD,...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 256GB
Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4 2-Core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: Yes
Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.6 lbs

9.2

4

9.2

HP 255 G10 Laptop for Home or Work, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 15.6" Full HD, Ryzen 3 7330U (Beat Intel i5-1135G7), HDMI, USB-C, Window...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD
Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 7330U 4-core
Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Weight: 3.3 lbs

9.2

4
HP 255 G10 Laptop for Home or Work, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 15.6" Full HD, Ryzen 3 7330U (Beat Intel i5-1135G7), HDMI, USB-C, Window...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD
Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 7330U 4-core
Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Weight: 3.3 lbs

9.1

5

9.1

HP Stream 14" HD BrightView Laptop, Intel Celeron N4120, 16GB RAM, 288GB Storage (128GB eMMC + 160GB Docking Station Set), Inte...
Display Size: 14"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD
Processor: Intel Celeron N4120 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: 8 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home S
Weight: 3.24 lbs

9.1

5
HP Stream 14" HD BrightView Laptop, Intel Celeron N4120, 16GB RAM, 288GB Storage (128GB eMMC + 160GB Docking Station Set), Inte...
Display Size: 14"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD
Processor: Intel Celeron N4120 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: 8 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home S
Weight: 3.24 lbs

8.9

6

8.9

Early 2020 Apple MacBook Air with 1.1GHz Intel Core i3 (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) (QWERTY English) Gold (Renewed)
Display Size: 13.3"
Resolution: 2560 x 1600
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD
Processor: Intel Core i3 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel Iris Plus
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: 11 hours
Operating System: Mac OS
Weight: 4.42 lbs
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Compare

8.9

6
Early 2020 Apple MacBook Air with 1.1GHz Intel Core i3 (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) (QWERTY English) Gold (Renewed)
Display Size: 13.3"
Resolution: 2560 x 1600
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD
Processor: Intel Core i3 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel Iris Plus
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: 11 hours
Operating System: Mac OS
Weight: 4.42 lbs

8.7

7

8.7

Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Student Laptop, 15.6" FHD Display, Intel Dual Core Processor, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD + 128GB eMMC, 1 Year Office ...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 12GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD +128GB eMMC
Processor: Intel Celeron N4500 2-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: 9 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.42 lbs

8.7

7
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Student Laptop, 15.6" FHD Display, Intel Dual Core Processor, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD + 128GB eMMC, 1 Year Office ...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 12GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD +128GB eMMC
Processor: Intel Celeron N4500 2-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: 9 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.42 lbs

8.6

8

8.6

HP Portable Laptop (Include 1 Year Microsoft 365), 14’’ HD Display, 8GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, Intel Quad-Core N4120, Student and Busi...
Display Size: 14"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 64GB SSD
Processor: Intel Celeron N4120 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics 600
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.24 lbs
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Compare

8.6

8
HP Portable Laptop (Include 1 Year Microsoft 365), 14’’ HD Display, 8GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, Intel Quad-Core N4120, Student and Busi...
Display Size: 14"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 64GB SSD
Processor: Intel Celeron N4120 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics 600
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.24 lbs

8.5

9

8.5

LENOVO IdeaPad 1 Laptop, 15.6” FHD Display, Intel Celeron N4500 Processor, 20GB RAM, 1TB SSD, SD Card Reader, Numeric Keypad, H...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 20GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD
Processor: Intel Celeron N4500 2-core
Graphics Processor: ‎Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.48 lbs

8.5

9
LENOVO IdeaPad 1 Laptop, 15.6” FHD Display, Intel Celeron N4500 Processor, 20GB RAM, 1TB SSD, SD Card Reader, Numeric Keypad, H...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 20GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD
Processor: Intel Celeron N4500 2-core
Graphics Processor: ‎Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.48 lbs

8.3

10

8.3

HP 14" Ultral Light Laptop for Students and Business, Intel Quad-Core, 8GB RAM, 192GB Storage(64GB eMMC+128GB Ghost Manta SD Ca...
Display Size: 14"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 64GB eMMC + 128GB Micro SD
Processor: Intel Celeron N4120 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics 600
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 11 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.24 lbs
Compare
Compare

8.3

10
HP 14" Ultral Light Laptop for Students and Business, Intel Quad-Core, 8GB RAM, 192GB Storage(64GB eMMC+128GB Ghost Manta SD Ca...
Display Size: 14"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 64GB eMMC + 128GB Micro SD
Processor: Intel Celeron N4120 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics 600
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 11 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.24 lbs

Our Top Choice

10.0

1

10.0

HP 2025 Pavilion 15.6" Touchscreen Laptop Computer, 10-Core Intel Core i5-1235U, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Fast Wi-Fi 6, Long Battery ...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 32GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD
Processor: Intel Core i5-1235U 20-core
Graphics Processor: Intel Iris Xe
Touchscreen: Yes
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
Operating System: Windows 11
Weight: 3.52 lbs
Compare
Picked by 779 people today!
Picked by 779 people today!

10.0

1
HP 2025 Pavilion 15.6" Touchscreen Laptop Computer, 10-Core Intel Core i5-1235U, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Fast Wi-Fi 6, Long Battery ...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 32GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD
Processor: Intel Core i5-1235U 20-core
Graphics Processor: Intel Iris Xe
Touchscreen: Yes
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
Operating System: Windows 11
Weight: 3.52 lbs

Compare Features

Graphics Processor
Best Overall
1. HP Pavilion 15.6" Touchscreen Laptop
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HP
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2. HP Pavilion 15" Laptop
HP Preview HP Preview
HP
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3. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15" Laptop
LENOVO Preview LENOVO Preview
LENOVO
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4. HP Newest 255 G10 Laptop
HP Preview HP Preview
HP
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5. HP Stream 14" BrightView HD Laptop
HP Preview HP Preview
HP
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Popular
6. Apple 2020 MacBook Air 13 Inch Laptop (Renewed)
APPLE Preview APPLE Preview
APPLE
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7. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15.6" Laptop
LENOVO Preview LENOVO Preview
LENOVO
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Best Value
8. HP 14" Laptop
HP Preview HP Preview
HP
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9. LENOVO IdeaPad 1 Laptop
LENOVO Preview LENOVO Preview
LENOVO
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10. HP Ultralight 14" Laptop
HP Preview HP Preview
HP
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Deal
Save 25% + $50 Coupon Save 26% Save 6% Save 10% Save 5% Save 15%
Deal Save 25% + $50 Coupon Save 26% Save 6% Save 10% Save 5% Save 15%
Display Size
15.6" 15.6" 15.6" 15.6" 14" 13.3" 15.6" 14" 15.6" 14"
Display Size
15.6" 15.6" 15.6" 15.6" 14" 13.3" 15.6" 14" 15.6" 14"
Resolution
1366 x 768 1366 x 768 1366 x 768 1920 x 1080 1366 x 768 2560 x 1600 1920 x 1080 1366 x 768 1920 x 1080 1366 x 768
Resolution
1366 x 768 1366 x 768 1366 x 768 1920 x 1080 1366 x 768 2560 x 1600 1920 x 1080 1366 x 768 1920 x 1080 1366 x 768
Memory
32GB RAM 16GB RAM 8GB RAM 16GB RAM 16GB RAM 8GB RAM 12GB RAM 8GB RAM 20GB RAM 8GB RAM
Memory
32GB RAM 16GB RAM 8GB RAM 16GB RAM 16GB RAM 8GB RAM 12GB RAM 8GB RAM 20GB RAM 8GB RAM
Storage
1TB SSD ‎1TB SSD 256GB 1TB SSD 256GB SSD 256GB SSD 512GB SSD +128GB eMMC 64GB SSD 1TB SSD 64GB eMMC + 128GB Micro SD
Storage
1TB SSD ‎1TB SSD 256GB 1TB SSD 256GB SSD 256GB SSD 512GB SSD +128GB eMMC 64GB SSD 1TB SSD 64GB eMMC + 128GB Micro SD
Processor
Intel Core i5-1235U 20-core Intel Core i3-1115G4 2-core Intel Core i3-1115G4 2-Core AMD Ryzen 3 7330U 4-core Intel Celeron N4120 4-core Intel Core i3 4-core Intel Celeron N4500 2-core Intel Celeron N4120 4-core Intel Celeron N4500 2-core Intel Celeron N4120 4-core
Processor
Intel Core i5-1235U 20-core Intel Core i3-1115G4 2-core Intel Core i3-1115G4 2-Core AMD Ryzen 3 7330U 4-core Intel Celeron N4120 4-core Intel Core i3 4-core Intel Celeron N4500 2-core Intel Celeron N4120 4-core Intel Celeron N4500 2-core Intel Celeron N4120 4-core
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe ‎Intel UHD Graphics Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon Graphics Intel UHD Graphics Intel Iris Plus Intel UHD Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 600 ‎Intel UHD Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 600
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe ‎Intel UHD Graphics Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon Graphics Intel UHD Graphics Intel Iris Plus Intel UHD Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 600 ‎Intel UHD Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 600
Touchscreen
Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No
Touchscreen
Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No
Battery Life
Up to 10 hours Up to 11 hours Up to 7 hours Up to 8 hours 8 hours 11 hours 9 hours Up to 8 hours Up to 10 hours Up to 11 hours
Battery Life
Up to 10 hours Up to 11 hours Up to 7 hours Up to 8 hours 8 hours 11 hours 9 hours Up to 8 hours Up to 10 hours Up to 11 hours
Operating System
Windows 11 Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Home S Mac OS Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home
Operating System
Windows 11 Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Home S Mac OS Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home
Weight
3.52 lbs 3.75 lbs 3.6 lbs 3.3 lbs 3.24 lbs 4.42 lbs 3.42 lbs 3.24 lbs 3.48 lbs 3.24 lbs
Weight
3.52 lbs 3.75 lbs 3.6 lbs 3.3 lbs 3.24 lbs 4.42 lbs 3.42 lbs 3.24 lbs 3.48 lbs 3.24 lbs

Laptop for College Student Buyer's Guide



Navigating the many choices for every purchase can be challenging. Our team spends hours doing research on every product under the sun, and we summarize that information in clear, precise comparisons. Our top pick is based on the factors that are important to our readers, the most popular products in each category, and our data-driven analysis of all the options. We do our best to give you all the information you need to make the right purchase in one place.


Trusting Our Top Pick



26
Models
Evaluated

3
Topics
Considered

26
Hours of
Research

898
Purchases
Analyzed



Our recommendations are based on expert comparisons between available products in each category. We choose the topics that we think matter most to our readers, and provide concise, clear comparisons of the features that matter. Our rankings change day-to-day based on new data and shopping trends, so we can identify top-performing products and tailor our recommendations to exactly what our readers are looking for.