Whether you're starting college or wrapping up your last year of high school, the right laptop can make all the difference in your academic life. Students need laptops that are affordable, lightweight, powerful, and capable of handling everything from writing essays to participating in virtual lectures. In this guide, I'll take you through the best laptops for students in 2024, covering all the essentials like performance, portability, battery life, and budget options.
Best Laptops For Students
If you’re in a hurry, check out our top 10 picks for the best best laptops for students of 2024.
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | NIMO 15.6 FHD Student Laptop, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint, Intel Pentium Quad-Core N100 (Beat to i3-1115G4, Up to 3.4GHz), 2 Years Warranty, Type C 65W Charger, WiFi 6, Win 11 | SEE IT |
 | HP Newest 14" Ultral Light Laptop for Students and Business, Intel Quad-Core N4120, 8GB RAM, 192GB Storage(64GB eMMC+128GB Micro SD), 1 Year Office 365, Webcam, HDMI, WiFi, USB-A&C, Win 11 S | SEE IT |
 | HP Chromebook 14" HD Laptop for Business & Students, Intel Celeron N4120, 4GB LPDDR4, 224GB Storage(64GB eMMC+160GB Docking Station), UHD Graphics, Webcam, Long Battery Life, Chrome OS, Modern Gray | SEE IT |
 | HP Portable Laptop (Include 1 Year Microsoft 365), 14’’ HD Display, 16GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, Intel Quad-Core N4120, Student and Business, Webcam, HDMI, Wi-Fi, RJ-45, Windows 11 Home, Pink | SEE IT |
 | HP 2024 Newest 14" Laptop Student Business, with Office Lifetime License & Windows 11 Pro, Intel Dual-Core N4120, 16GB RAM, 384GB Storage(128GB eMMC+256GB Micro SD), Ultra Light, Webcam, WiFi, HDMI | SEE IT |
 | Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Student Laptop, Intel Dual Core Processor, 20GB RAM, 1TB SSD + 128GB eMMC, 15.6" FHD Display, 1 Year Office 365, Windows 11 Home, Wi-Fi 6, Webcam, Bluetooth, SD Card Reader, Grey | SEE IT |
 | HP 14" HD Stream Laptop Computer for Students and Business, Quad-Core Intel Celeron N Processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB Storage(128GB eMMC+128GB TP SD Card), 1 Year Office 365, HDMI,WiFi,USB-A&C, Win 11 | SEE IT |
 | Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Student Laptop, 14" HD Display Intel Celeron N4020, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC,Long Battery Life-Up to 11 Hours, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Home Business Laptop | SEE IT |
 | 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 | SEE IT |
 | HP Stream 14-inch Laptop for Student and Business - Intel Quad-Core Processor, 16GB RAM, 320GB Storage (64GB eMMC + 256GB Card), 1-Year Office 365, Webcam, 11H Long Battery Life, Wi-Fi, Win11 H in S | SEE IT |
Why Do You Need the Right Laptop as a Student?
Having the right laptop isn't just about flashy tech. It's your lifeline for getting things done—whether it's typing up papers, joining online classes, or even relaxing with a bit of gaming or Netflix. Let’s face it, you’ll likely carry your laptop everywhere, so it needs to be light, durable, and powerful enough to handle multitasking.
What Features Matter Most?
Before we dive into the laptop recommendations, let’s talk about the features that matter for students:
- Portability: Laptops need to be light enough to toss in a backpack.
- Battery Life: You don’t want to be tethered to an outlet during long study sessions.
- Performance: Look for enough RAM and processing power to run multiple tabs and programs without freezing up.
- Storage: Having enough space for assignments, videos, and applications is key.
- Budget: Let’s be real—no one wants to break the bank!
Top 9 Laptops for Students in 2024
1. HP Newest 14" Ultralight Laptop for Students and Business
- Best For: Everyday use, lightweight needs, and office tasks.
- Key Features:
- Display: 14" HD, micro-edge, perfect for multi-monitor setups.
- Performance: Intel Celeron N4120 Quad-Core processor with Intel UHD Graphics 600.
- RAM & Storage: 8GB RAM with 192GB total storage (64GB eMMC + 128GB MicroSD).
- Battery Life: Decent for daily schoolwork.
- Why It’s Great: Affordable, light, and includes a one-year Office 365 subscription, making it a great choice for students handling basic tasks like word processing and web browsing.
2. HP Chromebook 14" HD Laptop for Business & Students
- Best For: Those who live in Google’s ecosystem.
- Key Features:
- Display: 14" HD with anti-glare, ideal for long study sessions.
- Performance: Intel Celeron N4120 and 4GB RAM.
- Storage: 224GB (64GB eMMC + 160GB via docking station).
- Battery Life: Long enough for a full day of classes.
- Why It’s Great: Chrome OS is fast and secure, perfect for students who don’t need Windows and prefer Google Docs and Drive for their work.
3. HP Portable Laptop with 16GB RAM and 1 Year Office 365
- Best For: Multitasking and media projects.
- Key Features:
- RAM & Storage: 16GB RAM and 64GB eMMC for speedy data transfer.
- Performance: Intel Celeron N4120 for smooth multitasking.
- Battery Life: More than enough for a full day on campus.
- Why It’s Great: The 16GB of RAM is impressive at this price point, making it suitable for students who need a bit more power for things like video editing or running multiple programs.
4. HP 2024 Newest 14" Laptop for Students with Office Lifetime License
- Best For: Students who need Office apps long-term.
- Key Features:
- Display: 14" HD screen with ultra-wide viewing angles.
- Performance: Intel Celeron N4120 Quad-Core with 16GB RAM.
- Storage: 384GB (128GB eMMC + 256GB MicroSD).
- Why It’s Great: Lifetime Office license means no monthly fees, and the storage options are ideal for students juggling large files or creative projects.
5. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Student Laptop
- Best For: Students who need a budget-friendly powerhouse.
- Key Features:
- Display: 15.6" FHD display with anti-glare.
- Performance: Intel Celeron N4500 and 20GB RAM for multitasking.
- Storage: 1TB SSD + 128GB eMMC for tons of storage space.
- Why It’s Great: This laptop offers a ton of value with its impressive specs, particularly for those who need a big screen and a lot of storage space.
6. HP 14" HD Stream Laptop Computer
- Best For: Casual users who need a reliable, portable machine.
- Key Features:
- Display: 14" HD, bright and vibrant for everyday use.
- Performance: Intel Celeron N4120 with 16GB RAM.
- Storage: 256GB total storage (128GB eMMC + 128GB SD).
- Why It’s Great: The long battery life and lightweight design make it a great option for students always on the move.
7. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 with 14" HD Display
- Best For: Budget-conscious students who need a compact device.
- Key Features:
- Display: 14" HD screen, perfect for studying and streaming.
- Performance: Intel Celeron N4020 with 4GB RAM.
- Storage: 128GB eMMC.
- Why It’s Great: This laptop balances power and portability, offering great performance for its price.
8. Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop
- Best For: Performance-hungry students.
- Key Features:
- Display: 15.6" Full HD IPS screen with narrow bezels.
- Performance: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core with Radeon graphics.
- Storage: 128GB NVMe SSD.
- Why It’s Great: The Full HD screen and powerful processor make this an excellent option for students who need strong performance, especially for media-heavy projects.
9. HP Stream 14-inch Laptop
- Best For: Budget-friendly needs with solid performance.
- Key Features:
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4120, 16GB RAM.
- Storage: 320GB (64GB eMMC + 256GB card).
- Battery Life: 11 hours, enough to last all day.
- Why It’s Great: Great for students looking for a dependable machine that can handle multitasking and provide enough storage for all their files.
Choosing the Right Laptop: What Should You Consider?
1. Operating System: Windows, Chrome, or Mac?
- Windows: Most versatile, works well with nearly any software.
- Chrome OS: Simple, secure, and perfect for students using Google’s ecosystem.
- Mac: Great for creative students, though pricier.
2. Screen Size
- Small and light is great for portability, but don’t sacrifice too much screen real estate if you need to work on detailed projects.
3. RAM and Storage
- At least 8GB of RAM is ideal for students, but if you’re on a tight budget, 4GB can still get the job done. Storage matters too—SSD is faster but often pricier than HDD.
4. Battery Life
- No one wants to be searching for an outlet in the middle of a study session. Aim for 8+ hours of battery life.
FAQs About Student Laptops
1. What is the best laptop for college students on a budget?
If you’re looking to save some cash, the HP Chromebook 14 or Lenovo IdeaPad 1 are excellent options. They’re both affordable without compromising on the essentials.
2. Can I run heavy programs on these laptops?
Most student laptops are optimized for everyday tasks, but some options like the HP 2024 Laptop or Acer Aspire 3 can handle more intensive software.
3. Are Chromebooks good for students?
Yes, Chromebooks are great for students who use Google’s apps and don’t need advanced software like Adobe Creative Suite or video editing tools.
4. How much RAM do I need as a student?
8GB is ideal for most students, but if you plan to run heavy programs or multitask a lot, 16GB is a solid upgrade.
5. Should I buy a refurbished laptop?
Refurbished laptops can be a great way to save money, but make sure to buy from a reputable seller to avoid any issues with the hardware or software.
The best laptop for students really depends on your individual needs. Whether you're focused on budget, performance, or portability, this list has you covered!