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10 Best Laptops For Students 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

HP 14 Laptop, Intel Celeron N4020, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB Storage, 14-inch Micro-edge HD Display, Windows 11 Home, Thin & Portable, 4K Graphics, One Year of Microsoft 365 (14-dq0040nr, Snowflake White)

The HP 14 Laptop is designed with students in mind, boasting a lightweight and portable design that makes it easy to carry around campus. Weighing just 3.24 pounds and measuring only 0.71 inches in thickness, it's a great choice for those who need a laptop that won't weigh them down. The 14-inch HD display, while not the highest resolution at 1366 x 768 pixels, offers a decent visual experience for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and working on assignments.

Performance-wise, it features an Intel Celeron N4020 processor paired with 4 GB of RAM. This combination is suitable for basic tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and video playback, but heavy multitasking or demanding applications may lead to sluggish performance. The 64 GB of storage is on the low side, meaning students will need to manage their files carefully or rely on cloud storage solutions.

Battery life is a strong point, with up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge, allowing students to go through a full day of classes without needing to recharge. The laptop is also equipped with multiple USB ports and wireless connectivity options, ensuring that you can connect to various devices and networks easily. The integrated graphics may not meet the needs of students who are into gaming or graphic-intensive applications, and the lack of an optical drive might be a drawback for those who still use CDs or DVDs. The HP 14 Laptop serves well for students looking for a lightweight, portable option for basic tasks and good battery life, but those requiring more power or storage may want to consider alternatives.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Battery Life
The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 6.5 hours on a single charge.
Performance (Processor and RAM)
While the laptop is generally good, the 4GB of RAM can limit multitasking capabilities.
Storage
64GB of storage may be insufficient for some users, requiring careful file management or reliance on cloud storage.
Display Quality
The screen is a bit dim and not suitable for outdoor use.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard is comfortable and spacious, making typing a pleasant experience.
Connectivity
The inclusion of an SD card slot and HDMI port is a big plus for a laptop in this price range.
#2

Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop | 15.6" Full HD IPS Display | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core Processor | AMD Radeon Graphics | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB NVMe SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Windows 11 Home in S Mode

The Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH is a solid choice for students who need a reliable and portable laptop. Weighing just under 4 pounds and featuring a slim design, it's easy to carry around campus or between classes. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display offers clear and vibrant visuals, which is great for both studying and streaming content. However, the lack of a backlit keyboard might be a downside for those who work in low-light environments.

The AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core Processor and 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM ensure smooth performance for everyday tasks and multitasking. Though it comes with only 128GB of NVMe SSD storage, it might be limited for those with extensive media libraries or large software needs. Battery life is impressive, with up to 11 hours on a full charge, making it suitable for a full day of classes without needing to recharge.

Connectivity options are abundant with Wi-Fi 6 for fast wireless internet, multiple USB ports including a USB Type-C, and an HDMI port for connecting to external displays. The laptop's build quality is decent for the price, although it doesn't have any premium finishes. For students looking for a budget-friendly, efficient, and portable device, this Acer Aspire model ticks most of the right boxes.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Portability
Sleek design and lightweight build make it easy to carry around campus.
Battery Life
Battery life is reliable, lasting through a full day of classes without needing to recharge.
Performance (Processor and RAM)
Surprisingly fast performance for its price, handling coding and assignments efficiently.
Display Quality
The screen brightness and quality are impressive, offering clear and vibrant visuals.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Keyboard is comfortable and quiet, enhancing the typing experience.
Build Quality and Durability
Build quality feels solid, though the screen portion is somewhat bendable and should be handled with care.
#3

HP 14" Ultral Light Laptop for Students and Business, Intel Quad-Core, 8GB RAM, 192GB Storage(64GB eMMC+128GB Ghost Manta SD Card), 1 Year Office 365, USB C, Win 11 S

The HP 14" Ultralight Laptop is well-suited for students thanks to its compact and lightweight design, making it easy to carry around campus. Weighing just 3.24 pounds and with dimensions of 8.86 x 12.76 x 0.71 inches, this laptop is highly portable. The battery life is impressive, offering up to 11 hours of use, which is ideal for long study sessions without needing to recharge frequently.

The performance, driven by an Intel Celeron N4120 processor and 8GB of RAM, is adequate for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and light multitasking but may struggle with more demanding applications or heavy multitasking. Storage is split between a 64GB eMMC and an additional 128GB SD card, which provides some flexibility but might be insufficient for those who require more space for large files or applications.

The 14-inch HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels is decent for general use but lacks the sharpness and color accuracy of higher resolution screens, which might be a downside for students needing to work with detailed graphics or media. The keyboard and touchpad are functional, though not exceptional, which should be adequate for typing notes and browsing. Connectivity options are robust, with USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone/microphone combo jack, ensuring compatibility with various peripherals. The build quality is decent for the price, featuring a sleek Snowflake White design, but primarily plastic construction may not withstand heavy wear and tear. This laptop is best suited for students who need a reliable, portable device for everyday tasks but might not be ideal for those requiring high performance or substantial storage.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Portability
This laptop is easy to use and just the right size, making it easy to carry and see the screen without squinting.
Performance (Processor and RAM)
The Intel Quad-Core N4120 processor ensures smooth and quick performance for both work and play.
Storage
The combination of 8GB of RAM and 192GB of storage provides ample space for files, photos, and videos.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Some keys are quite sensitive to touch, requiring careful typing.
Connectivity
The included webcam is great for virtual meetings, and the various ports make it easy to connect to external devices.
Build Quality and Durability
Issues like screen flashing and failure to power up make the laptop unreliable for basic tasks.

Buying Guide for the Best Laptops For Students

Choosing the right laptop for students involves considering several factors that will ensure the device meets their academic needs and personal preferences. Students typically require a laptop that is portable, reliable, and capable of handling various tasks such as writing papers, conducting research, and participating in online classes. It's important to balance performance, battery life, and ease of use to find the best fit.
Processor (CPU)The processor is the brain of the laptop and determines how fast and efficiently it can run applications. For students, a mid-range processor like Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is usually sufficient, as it can handle everyday tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and streaming videos. If you are studying a field that requires more intensive computing, such as engineering or graphic design, you might need a higher-end processor like Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7.
RAMRAM (Random Access Memory) affects how smoothly your laptop can run multiple applications at once. For most students, 8GB of RAM is adequate for general use, including running office applications and browsing the internet. If you plan to run more demanding software or multitask heavily, consider opting for 16GB of RAM to ensure better performance.
StorageStorage determines how much data you can save on your laptop. Solid State Drives (SSD) are faster and more reliable than traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDD). For students, a 256GB SSD is typically enough for storing documents, applications, and some media files. If you need more space for large files or software, consider a 512GB SSD or higher.
Battery LifeBattery life is crucial for students who need to use their laptops throughout the day without frequent recharging. Look for laptops that offer at least 8 hours of battery life to ensure it can last through classes, study sessions, and extracurricular activities. If you are often on the go, prioritize models with longer battery life.
DisplayThe display quality affects your viewing experience. A Full HD (1920x1080) resolution is generally sufficient for most students, providing clear and sharp visuals for reading, writing, and watching videos. If you are studying fields like graphic design or video production, you might benefit from a higher resolution display or better color accuracy.
PortabilityPortability is important for students who need to carry their laptops to classes, libraries, and other locations. Look for laptops that are lightweight (under 4 pounds) and have a slim design. A screen size of 13 to 14 inches strikes a good balance between usability and portability.
Operating SystemThe operating system (OS) determines the software environment of your laptop. Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS are the most common options. Windows is versatile and compatible with a wide range of software, making it a good choice for most students. macOS is preferred by those who are already in the Apple ecosystem or need specific software available only on Macs. Chrome OS is lightweight and ideal for basic tasks and web-based applications, suitable for students who primarily use Google services.
ConnectivityConnectivity options like USB ports, HDMI, and Wi-Fi are essential for connecting peripherals and accessing the internet. Ensure the laptop has enough USB ports for your needs, and consider models with USB-C for faster data transfer and charging. HDMI ports are useful for connecting to external displays, and reliable Wi-Fi is crucial for online learning.

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