Choosing the right laptop is crucial for students in 2024. Whether you’re in high school, university, or graduate school, having a reliable laptop can significantly boost productivity and enhance your academic experience. With a wide range of options on the market, it can be challenging to pick the right one. To make the process easier, we’ve rounded up the best laptops for students in 2024, offering a combination of performance, portability, battery life, and affordability.
1. Apple MacBook Air M2 (2024)
For students looking for a premium, ultra-portable laptop that offers impressive performance, the Apple MacBook Air M2 is a top choice. With the new M2 chip, it provides powerful performance for everyday tasks, such as word processing, research, and multimedia consumption. The 13.6-inch Retina display offers crisp visuals, and its slim, lightweight design makes it easy to carry between classes or on a commute. Additionally, with up to 18 hours of battery life, the MacBook Air M2 ensures you stay productive throughout the day.
Key Features:
- Apple M2 chip for fast performance
- 13.6-inch Retina display
- Up to 24GB RAM and 2TB SSD
- 18-hour battery life
- Weighs 2.7 pounds
2. Dell XPS 13 (2024)
The Dell XPS 13 offers a perfect blend of style, power, and portability. Weighing only 2.6 pounds, this lightweight laptop features an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and a 13.4-inch Full HD+ display, providing an excellent viewing experience for watching videos or completing assignments. The XPS 13 is also known for its durable build quality, making it a long-lasting option for students who need a reliable machine for academic work.
Key Features:
- Intel Core i7-1365U processor
- 13.4-inch Full HD+ InfinityEdge display
- Up to 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- Up to 12 hours battery life
- Lightweight and compact (2.6 lbs)
3. HP Spectre x360 14
The HP Spectre x360 14 is a versatile convertible laptop that can easily switch between laptop and tablet modes, making it perfect for students who need flexibility. Weighing only 2.9 pounds, the 13.5-inch OLED display delivers vibrant colors and sharp details, making it a great choice for students in creative fields. With Intel Core i7 processors and up to 16GB RAM, this laptop can handle multitasking with ease, whether you’re working on a research paper, attending online classes, or watching a lecture video.
Key Features:
- Intel Core i7-1365G7 processor
- 13.5-inch OLED touch display
- Up to 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- Up to 10 hours battery life
- Convertible design (2.9 lbs)
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is a sleek, ultra-portable option for students who need a combination of power and style. Weighing just 2.7 pounds, it offers a 13.5-inch PixelSense display with excellent color accuracy, perfect for presentations and creative work. Powered by Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, this laptop can handle academic tasks and creative projects without difficulty. With up to 17 hours of battery life, it can easily last through long study sessions and class hours.
Key Features:
- Intel Core i5 or i7 processors
- 13.5-inch PixelSense display
- Up to 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- Up to 17 hours battery life
- Lightweight design (2.7 lbs)
5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
For students in business or technical fields, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 is an excellent option. Weighing just 2.5 pounds, this 14-inch laptop is built to withstand rigorous use, making it ideal for students who need a durable, high-performance machine. The Intel Core i7 processors and Intel Iris Xe graphics provide smooth performance for everyday academic tasks and light creative work. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon also features an impressive 4K display for clear visuals, perfect for presentations or video editing.
Key Features:
- Intel Core i7-1365U processor
- 14-inch 4K UHD display
- Up to 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- Up to 15 hours battery life
- Durable build (2.5 lbs)
6. Acer Swift 5
For students looking for a budget-friendly yet high-performance laptop, the Acer Swift 5 is an excellent choice. Weighing just 2.2 pounds, the 14-inch Full HD display offers a sharp and bright viewing experience, while the Intel Core i7 processors ensure fast and smooth performance. The Swift 5 is perfect for students who need a reliable machine for day-to-day tasks like note-taking, web browsing, and watching lectures.
Key Features:
- Intel Core i7-1365G7 processor
- 14-inch Full HD display
- Up to 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- Up to 15 hours battery life
- Very lightweight (2.2 lbs)
7. Google Pixelbook Go
The Google Pixelbook Go is a lightweight and affordable laptop that’s perfect for students who use cloud-based applications or prefer Chrome OS. Weighing only 2.3 pounds, this laptop offers a 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen and runs on Intel Core i5 or i7 processors. With up to 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD, it is ideal for web browsing, word processing, and watching videos. The Pixelbook Go is great for students who prefer a simple, streamlined laptop for everyday tasks.
Key Features:
- Intel Core i5 or i7 processors
- 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen display
- Up to 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD
- Up to 12 hours battery life
- Lightweight design (2.3 lbs)
8. ASUS ZenBook 14
The ASUS ZenBook 14 is an affordable option that doesn’t compromise on performance. Weighing just 2.58 pounds, it features a 14-inch Full HD display and is powered by Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, making it suitable for multitasking and academic work. With up to 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD, this laptop can handle everything from research and writing papers to creating presentations and videos.
Key Features:
- Intel Core i5 or i7 processors
- 14-inch Full HD display
- Up to 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- Up to 14 hours battery life
- Lightweight (2.58 lbs)
Conclusion
Choosing the best laptop for students in 2024 depends on your budget, performance needs, and portability preferences. Whether you need a lightweight, budget-friendly option like the Google Pixelbook Go, or a premium, powerful machine like the Apple MacBook Air M2, there is a laptop out there that fits your academic needs. These laptops combine speed, long battery life, and portability, ensuring that students can stay productive, whether they are in the classroom, at the library, or on the go.