Would You like a feature Interview?
All Interviews are 100% FREE of Charge
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by an editorial team independent of the parent company. Some stories contain affiliate links. When you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publication.
Whether you’re heading to a physical campus, taking classes online, or a combination of both, your laptop will definitely become your learning control center. Getting a new machine will help you manage your schedule and handle ferocious multitasking with dozens of tabs dedicated to research while you write your essay. Given what you’re dealing with, you might be worried about price hikes and stock availability. We put together this guide to help you choose the best laptop for college.
what to expect
Little has changed since Apple introduced the M1-powered MacBook and Windows 11 last year. Apple has announced a new M2 system-on-chip (SoC) and his two laptops with it, including the redesigned MacBook Air. Meanwhile, new PCs continue to be announced, with this year’s models typically featuring 12th Gen Intel processors or the latest AMD Ryzen chips.
While the move to ARM-based systems has been a success for Apple, the PC industry still lags behind, and Windows on ARM remains difficult to recommend. Snapdragon laptops look and feel sleek, offer great battery life and built-in cellular radio, but are usually quite expensive, especially considering their limited app compatibility.
Speaking of which, these days most laptops with top-of-the-line specs will cost around $1,800 to $2,000. However, for most college students, a mid-range machine may suffice. If you need to run specialized software for design or programming, consider upgrading to a more powerful system with more memory. On the other hand, if you do most of your teaching online or in the browser, getting a Chromebook can save you a lot of money.
You should also pay attention to the weight of the device. The 13-inch category is full of premium he ultraportables around $1,000 with chips like Intel’s Core i3 and i5. If that’s too expensive, there are decent options in the $600 to $800 range, but they’re heavier and likely use older, slower processors. We’ve included our favorite budget laptops in this college roundup, but we also have a complete guide to more affordable laptops.
Related item:
Some laptop makers have decided to do away with headphone jacks this year, so it’s important to check the specs list when buying a new machine. If you don’t have wireless headphones or use a device that connects to a 3.5 mm jack, you should avoid devices like Dell’s new XPS 13 Plus.
Finally, while most laptops in 2022 will offer WiFi 6 or 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 or higher, compatible routers or other devices that enable those fast connections are still not very prevalent. Getting a system with the latest standards is not important, as campus Wi-Fi may still be stuck with outdated settings. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with getting a future-proof laptop, but among all the things you have to watch out for, know that WiFi 6E shouldn’t be the decision-breaker in your decision-making process. Put it down please.
Best Apple: MacBook Air
If you want a powerful college machine that doesn’t weigh you down, look no further than Apple’s MacBook Air. In fact, this year he has two good choices. MacBook Air with M2 and the Macbook Air M1The M2 laptop scored a score of 96 for its impressive performance, gorgeous 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, and sleek design that’s even thinner than its predecessor, the M1 machine. The biggest gripe with this laptop is its price tag: The M2 MacBook Air costs $200 more than the M1, so if you want the latest and greatest from Apple, you’ll be spending at least $1,199. .
However, even if older Apple M1 MacBook Air It’s a solid machine that outperforms many PCs while maintaining a fanless design. You still get a great keyboard, long battery life, and a great Retina display. Of course, it uses a 720p webcam, but the new model has a sharper 1080p setup housed in a notch. There’s also a MagSafe port that lets you keep charging while accessing the -C port. You may find that you are better.
Best Windows: Dell XPS 13 Plus
The best PCs have long been Dell’s well-rounded XPS 13 series, and I still recommend them to anyone who doesn’t need a Mac.yes New XPS 13 Plus does not have a headphone jack and does not yet have a jack for testing. But the XPS 13 is a well-rounded machine and a reliable workhorse that can get you through classes and late-night writing sessions without breaking a sweat.
Like its predecessor, the XPS 13 Plus has a beautiful OLED screen and surprisingly thin bezels, along with a spacious and comfortable keyboard. It also features a new minimalist design that looks more modern. I’m not sure about the row of capacitive keys at the top instead of the traditional function keys, but from the time I used the early samples, it at least worked.
If you don’t like the changes Dell made to the XPS 13, or if you absolutely need a headphone jack, the older generation is still a solid option. A web camera is mounted on a thin and light frame. I also like Microsoft’s Surface Laptop. The latest edition offers great performance and battery life, albeit with an outdated design.
Best for Gaming: Razer Blade 15
Just because a laptop is mostly for school or work doesn’t mean you can’t use it for fun. Those looking to game on their machine should prioritize a responsive screen and plenty of ports for their favorite accessories that will most help them defeat virtual opponents. If you’re looking for a gaming-first machine for school, check out our gaming laptop buying guide. It details various CPUs and GPUs, minimum specs, and more.our favorite gaming laptop razor blade 15It has an Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA RTX 3070 graphics for $2,500.
It’s the most expensive item on this list, but it also comes with a 15-inch quad HD screen that refreshes at 240Hz. different configurations Full HD 360Hz and 4K 144Hz versions are available depending on your preference. The Blade series is one of the most sophisticated gaming laptops and Razer is constantly updating it with the latest processors, graphics and other hardware advancements.If you really want to do it, new razor blade 16 Anything with an RTX 4060 or 4070 GPU from NVIDIA.
Students and gamers looking for something cheaper and more portable should consider the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, which was our favorite model last year. It’s still a solid gaming laptop with a great display, spacious trackpad, and plenty of ports despite its low profile.
Best Chromebook: Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook
If you can do most of your schoolwork with web-based apps, a Chromebook is worth considering for your college laptop. Sure, they generally don’t look flashy or have high-end specs. But they’re often more affordable and come with longer battery life.Our favorite Chromebook is Lenovo’s Flex 5 ChromebookEngadget resident Chrome OS enthusiast Nathan Ingraham describes it as “tremendous value.”
This laptop has basic features with a 13-inch Full HD touchscreen, a great keyboard, and a 10th Gen Intel Core i3 processor. 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage may sound like a small amount, but in our testing the Flex 5 held up despite this limitation. We also see one USB-A and two USB-C ports, eight hours of battery life, and a 360-degree hinge that makes it easy to use the Flex 5 as a tablet. It’s a bonus, especially now that Chrome OS supports Android apps.
The Flex 5 is almost two years old now, but it’s a solid device at around $400. In fact, it retails for just $300, making it a great option for students looking for a basic browser-based machine on a tight budget.
Best Budget: HP Pavilion Aero 13
If you’re looking for a rugged student laptop under $800, HP Pavilion Aero 13For an affordable price, you get a Full HD 16:10 aspect ratio screen with incredibly thin bezels, a comfortable keyboard and a spacious touchpad. Importantly, the Aero 13 uses AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors and Radeon graphics to offer a relatively strong component compared to others in this price range. Plus, it has a generous array of ports and plenty of juice to keep you working all day, or longer.
Best Convertible: Microsoft Surface Pro 9
For those who occasionally need to use their laptop as a tablet, the Surface Pro series is a no-brainer. Compared to notebooks with swivel hinges and his 2-in-1 laptops, tablets with kickstands are often much slimmer and lighter.of surface pro 9 is the latest model and features Microsoft’s sleek design, with a thinner profile and minimal bezels. The Pro 9 also has a 120 Hz display, which makes scrolling through long documents and spreadsheets feel much faster. And if you want to save battery life, you can lower the refresh rate down to 60Hz.
We also like Microsoft’s Type Cover and Surface Pen, but be aware that you’ll have to pay extra for both if you want them. Unless you intend to stick to Apple’s ecosystem, iPad Pro The Surface Pro 9 is arguably the best convertible laptop.