Best Laptops for College Updated February 2026

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Best Laptops for College
2026 Buyer's GuideUpdated February 2026
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1

9.9

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6" Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Mem...
Display Size: 13.6"
Resolution: 2560 x 1664
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD
Processor: Apple M4 10-core
Graphics Processor: Apple M4 10-core
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
Operating System: Mac OS
Weight: 2.73 lbs

9.9

1
Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6" Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Mem...
Display Size: 13.6"
Resolution: 2560 x 1664
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD
Processor: Apple M4 10-core
Graphics Processor: Apple M4 10-core
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
Operating System: Mac OS
Weight: 2.73 lbs
2

9.8

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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9.8

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
3

9.5

HP 17.3 inch Laptop, HD+ Display, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, AMD Radeon Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Natural Silve...
Display Size: 17.3"
Resolution: 1600 x 900
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U 4-core
Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 4.58 lbs

9.5

3
HP 17.3 inch Laptop, HD+ Display, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, AMD Radeon Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Natural Silve...
Display Size: 17.3"
Resolution: 1600 x 900
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U 4-core
Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 4.58 lbs
4

9.4

KAIGERR 18.5 inch Laptop, 2026 Laptop, 16GB RAM 512GB SATA SSD, Ιntel N150 Processor(Up to 3.6GHz), Laptop Computer, 1080 FHD D...
Display Size: 18.5"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD
Processor: Intel Twin Lake N150 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: 6 hours
Operating System: Windows 11
Weight: 5.8 lbs

9.4

4
KAIGERR 18.5 inch Laptop, 2026 Laptop, 16GB RAM 512GB SATA SSD, Ιntel N150 Processor(Up to 3.6GHz), Laptop Computer, 1080 FHD D...
Display Size: 18.5"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD
Processor: Intel Twin Lake N150 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: 6 hours
Operating System: Windows 11
Weight: 5.8 lbs
5

9.3

HP 15.6 inch Laptop, HD Touchscreen Display, AMD Ryzen 3 7320U, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, AMD Radeon Graphics, Windows 11 Home in S...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 128GB SSD
Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U 4-core
Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.52 lbs
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9.3

5
HP 15.6 inch Laptop, HD Touchscreen Display, AMD Ryzen 3 7320U, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, AMD Radeon Graphics, Windows 11 Home in S...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 128GB SSD
Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U 4-core
Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.52 lbs
6

9.2

HP 14 Laptop Student Business 2025 Flagship Computer, AI Copilot, 4-Core 13th Gen Intel CPU, 16GB RAM 628GB Storage (128GB UFS+...
Display Size: 14"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 128GB UFS+500GB external
Processor: Intel N150 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 9 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 0.65 lbs
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9.2

6
HP 14 Laptop Student Business 2025 Flagship Computer, AI Copilot, 4-Core 13th Gen Intel CPU, 16GB RAM 628GB Storage (128GB UFS+...
Display Size: 14"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 128GB UFS+500GB external
Processor: Intel N150 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 9 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 0.65 lbs
Compare
7

9.0

Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD (1920x1080) 120Hz Display, Intel Core i5-1334U Processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel ...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD
Processor: Intel Core i5-1334U 10-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.6 lbs

9.0

7
Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD (1920x1080) 120Hz Display, Intel Core i5-1334U Processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel ...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD
Processor: Intel Core i5-1334U 10-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.6 lbs
8

8.9

Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD 120Hz Display, Intel Core 3 Processor 100U, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, W...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD
Processor: Intel Core 3-100U 6-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 4.19 lbs
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8.9

8
Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD 120Hz Display, Intel Core 3 Processor 100U, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, W...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 8GB RAM
Storage: 512GB SSD
Processor: Intel Core 3-100U 6-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 4.19 lbs
9

8.8

HP Portable Laptop, Student and Business, 14" HD Display, Intel Quad-Core N4120, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 64GB eMMC, 1 Year Office 365, W...
Display Size: 14"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 64GB eMMC
Processor: Intel Celeron N4120 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 11 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.24 lbs
Compare

8.8

9
HP Portable Laptop, Student and Business, 14" HD Display, Intel Quad-Core N4120, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 64GB eMMC, 1 Year Office 365, W...
Display Size: 14"
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 64GB eMMC
Processor: Intel Celeron N4120 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 11 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Weight: 3.24 lbs
10

8.6

Auusda Business Laptop Computer for Work, Notebook PC for College Students, 15.6" FHD Display, 4-Core Processor, Backlit Keyboa...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD
Processor: Intel Celeron N95 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: 4 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Weight: 3.53 lbs

8.6

10
Auusda Business Laptop Computer for Work, Notebook PC for College Students, 15.6" FHD Display, 4-Core Processor, Backlit Keyboa...
Display Size: 15.6"
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 1TB SSD
Processor: Intel Celeron N95 4-core
Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: 4 hours
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Weight: 3.53 lbs

Our Top Choice

1

9.9

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6" Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Mem...
Display Size: 13.6"
Resolution: 2560 x 1664
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD
Processor: Apple M4 10-core
Graphics Processor: Apple M4 10-core
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
Operating System: Mac OS
Weight: 2.73 lbs

9.9

1
Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6" Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Mem...
Display Size: 13.6"
Resolution: 2560 x 1664
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD
Processor: Apple M4 10-core
Graphics Processor: Apple M4 10-core
Touchscreen: No
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
Operating System: Mac OS
Weight: 2.73 lbs

Compare Features

Graphics Processor
Premium Pick
1. Apple 2025 MacBook Air Midnight Laptop
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Best Laptop
2. HP Pavilion 15" Laptop
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HP
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3. HP 17-cp2199nr Laptop
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HP
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4. KAIGERR 18.5-Inch Laptop
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5. 15-fc0099nr Silver Laptop
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HP
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6. HP 14 Laptop Student Business 2025 Flagship Laptop
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HP
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7. Dell 15 Laptop DC15250
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8. Dell 15 Laptop DC15250
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Best Value
9. HP Windows 11 Home 14" Computer Laptop
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10. Auusda T152A 15.6" Gaming Laptop
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Deal
Save 15% Save 12% Save 10% Save 12% Save 13%
Deal Save 15% Save 12% Save 10% Save 12% Save 13%
Display Size
13.6" 15.6" 17.3" 18.5" 15.6" 14" 15.6" 15.6" 14" 15.6"
Display Size
13.6" 15.6" 17.3" 18.5" 15.6" 14" 15.6" 15.6" 14" 15.6"
Resolution
2560 x 1664 1366 x 768 1600 x 900 1920 x 1080 1366 x 768 1366 x 768 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 1366 x 768 1920 x 1080
Resolution
2560 x 1664 1366 x 768 1600 x 900 1920 x 1080 1366 x 768 1366 x 768 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 1366 x 768 1920 x 1080
Memory
16GB RAM 16GB RAM 16GB RAM 16GB RAM 8GB RAM 16GB RAM 16GB RAM 8GB RAM 16GB RAM 16GB RAM
Memory
16GB RAM 16GB RAM 16GB RAM 16GB RAM 8GB RAM 16GB RAM 16GB RAM 8GB RAM 16GB RAM 16GB RAM
Storage
256GB SSD ‎1TB SSD 512GB SSD 512GB SSD 128GB SSD 128GB UFS+500GB external 512GB SSD 512GB SSD 64GB eMMC 1TB SSD
Storage
256GB SSD ‎1TB SSD 512GB SSD 512GB SSD 128GB SSD 128GB UFS+500GB external 512GB SSD 512GB SSD 64GB eMMC 1TB SSD
Processor
Apple M4 10-core Intel Core i3-1115G4 2-core AMD Ryzen 5 7520U 4-core Intel Twin Lake N150 4-core AMD Ryzen 3 7320U 4-core Intel N150 4-core Intel Core i5-1334U 10-core Intel Core 3-100U 6-core Intel Celeron N4120 4-core Intel Celeron N95 4-core
Processor
Apple M4 10-core Intel Core i3-1115G4 2-core AMD Ryzen 5 7520U 4-core Intel Twin Lake N150 4-core AMD Ryzen 3 7320U 4-core Intel N150 4-core Intel Core i5-1334U 10-core Intel Core 3-100U 6-core Intel Celeron N4120 4-core Intel Celeron N95 4-core
Graphics Processor
Apple M4 10-core ‎Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon Graphics Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon Graphics Intel Graphics Intel UHD Graphics Intel UHD Graphics Intel UHD Graphics Intel UHD Graphics
Graphics Processor
Apple M4 10-core ‎Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon Graphics Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon Graphics Intel Graphics Intel UHD Graphics Intel UHD Graphics Intel UHD Graphics Intel UHD Graphics
Touchscreen
No Yes No No No No No No No No
Touchscreen
No Yes No No No No No No No No
Battery Life
Up to 18 hours Up to 11 hours Up to 7 hours 6 hours Up to 12 hours Up to 9 hours Up to 6 hours Up to 7 hours Up to 11 hours 4 hours
Battery Life
Up to 18 hours Up to 11 hours Up to 7 hours 6 hours Up to 12 hours Up to 9 hours Up to 6 hours Up to 7 hours Up to 11 hours 4 hours
Operating System
Mac OS Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro
Operating System
Mac OS Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro
Weight
2.73 lbs 3.75 lbs 4.58 lbs 5.8 lbs 3.52 lbs 0.65 lbs 3.6 lbs 4.19 lbs 3.24 lbs 3.53 lbs
Weight
2.73 lbs 3.75 lbs 4.58 lbs 5.8 lbs 3.52 lbs 0.65 lbs 3.6 lbs 4.19 lbs 3.24 lbs 3.53 lbs

Laptop 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



212
Models
Evaluated

24
Topics
Considered

53
Hours of
Research

561
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.