Hybrids, also known as 2-in-1 notebooks, can function as traditional clamshell-style laptops when needed but transform into tablets when sketching, scribbling, or marking up a document is your main task. Some (generally called convertibles) sport a folding design that flips the keyboard out of the way by rotating around its hinge so the screen and keyboard are back-to-back.

Others (dubbed detachables) let you dock a tablet (the screen portion) with an accessory keyboard when you want laptop-like functionality. While these devices are tablets first, some provide the level of performance you'd expect from a laptop, though most are more comfortable to use on a desk than in your lap. What they do better than any laptop is let you take handwritten notes just as you would with pen and paper, making them ideal for many types of study. Microsoft's Surface Pro slates are at the forefront of power and design for detachables, and they have recently gone all-in on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Arm processors. These are the best versions of Windows on Arm chips yet, but they're not immune to the platform's app compatibility struggles.

A budget 2-in-1 might be just what you need to fill several roles. One thing to be mindful of: If you're considering a detachable design, ensure the keyboard cover, base, and stylus pen are included in the price. Some manufacturers (notably, Microsoft) charge extra for these accessories, hiking your total cost considerably.

Laptops for college come with a wide selection of processors across both budgets and usage cases—you can choose one that maximizes performance or one that favors battery life. Or you can select one that plays to both strengths: Intel's Core CPUs confer power and battery efficiency benefits. AMD's Ryzen mobile chips are less common but have also emerged as viable picks for ultraportable laptops. Of late, more options have emerged from each of these chipmakers, plus a new face on the scene.

For Windows laptops, the latest are Intel's Core Ultra and Core Ultra 2, and AMD's Ryzen 8000-series and Ryzen AI 300 processors. These CPU families come equipped with on-chip neural-engine silicon to run AI tasks locally. Qualcomm also re-entered the Windows laptop market—its most significant push ever—with efficient, performant Arm-based Snapdragon X processors, which are meant for the type of portable and lightweight laptops college students are looking for. All three of the chip lines emphasize low-power operation, and select models can deliver better battery life than previous-generation ones with earlier Core and Ryzen CPUs.

If you desire all-day battery life and spend almost all of your time in a web browser, you might want to consider using a Chromebook. These typically run on low-powered Intel Core (no Ultra) or N-series processors that suffice for the kinds of workaday online tasks at which Chromebooks excel. (More about Chromebooks in a bit.)

Conversely, if performance ranks high on your list, a MacBook with Apple's "M" series chips (M4 is the latest generation) or a Windows laptop with at least an Intel Core Ultra 5 or an AMD Ryzen 5 8000 begins to give the oomph you'll need. AMD and Intel's 7-series processors handle even more demanding workloads; some college courses may require more than others. (If you want to dig deeper, our guide to laptop processors gets into much more detail on understanding laptop CPUs. There's a lot to it.) For most college users, though, a mid-level processor from the last two generations should suffice for most tasks outside of engineering or computation-heavy curricula such as graphic design or video production.

If you like playing games in your downtime, you might want to splurge on a more expensive gaming laptop for college. Most general-purpose notebooks, especially at under-$800 prices, won't have the discrete graphics processing unit (GPU) necessary to make the hottest game titles look good and play smoothly. But if you hunt around a little, you can find gaming laptops these days starting at $700 to $900 with a decent Nvidia GeForce RTX or (much less common) AMD Radeon RX GPU for playing games at 1080p resolution and moderate or better image-quality settings. (See our guide to the best cheap gaming laptops for lots more about budget GPUs and how to buy just enough of a gaming machine for your needs.) A powerful GPU can also help in specific high-end and scientific applications, but, like a high-powered processor, it also drains battery life.

The good news is that in most other cases (unless you're an architecture major with a heavy reliance on computer-aided-design, or CAD, software), modern processors' integrated graphics silicon should suffice for the day-to-day tasks you'll face. Today, that usually means some form of Intel integrated graphics under the Intel Xe or Arc brands. Our reviews will detail their comparative performance levels, but none can match even a moderate dedicated GPU. (Read more about gaming limits on integrated graphics processors in mainstream laptops.)

Not every student will agree, but depending on how far you haul it daily, a big-screen notebook may not be such a bright idea.

Sure, it's nice to have a mini home theater in your dorm room or play the latest games in big-screen glory, but a five-pound-plus laptop with a 15-to-18-inch screen will be a chore to haul across campus when you're running from class to class. You're better off with something lighter, so if screen size matters less to you than convenience, a super-thin ultraportable might be the way to go.

A roughly three-pound, 13- or 14-inch laptop is ideal for most students, as it will make room for other items in your backpack while minimizing the weight burden. Depending on your tolerance level, a smaller display works as long as you understand that full web pages and productivity applications will involve more scrolling, and fonts will appear smaller than they do on larger screens, assuming the same resolution and zoom level.

Essays, research papers, and chatting online with your classmates will take up most of your computing time, so a full-size keyboard and comfortable touchpad are crucial. Also know: When you venture smaller than a 13-inch-class laptop for college, you risk a compromised typing experience. The easiest way to ensure that you have the best keyboard is to stop by a brick-and-mortar store and spend some time typing on prospective choices of different sizes.

If you do decide to buy a smaller, less expensive laptop for college, it's probably worth investing in a standalone keyboard you can keep in the dorm or at home for when you need to type a lot. A desktop monitor you attach via HDMI or USB-C could be a nice complement, too.