my macbook has seemingly reached the end of its life (about 4 years old) and i don’t have the money to get a brand new one. the cost of repairs is about as much as it takes just to get a new laptop from a different brand.

i’ve heard varying opinions on which brands are better, but i’m no tech genius so if anyone could help point me in the right direction?

I'm entering college this year(Undergrad) and I really need to get a new one. My main requirements are:

good battery life( 9-10hrs) Durability ( should last 5 years atleast) Decent performance

The only processing heavy task that I do is playing roblox occasionally. I'll mostly be using the laptop for college work and watching videos. I am open towards MacBook, but I think windows might be better for me :)

Reddit please help me out here 🙏

I'm about to go to college in the fall as a biology major and I'm looking to buy a laptop but I'm not sure which one would be best. I would like it to have a good battery life, last me at least all 4 years if not more, and also around the ~$1000 range or less. I really don't know much about tech but something that has those qualities and can meet my basic needs like assignments, notes, tests, presentations, and watching shows is all I really need.

Had a MacBook Air intel for around 3 yrs until it stopped working bc of a hardware issue. Never going back to that again. So I want a laptop that’s kind of overall good at everything while still being around the 400-700 range. I know that’s a lot to expect for but I’m tight on money and I need one that can last me throughout college. Ifanyone knows any laptops that are great for doing school tasks, won’t degrade because of some games (ex: roblox) and works fine for every other functionality including battery, please let me know! (I’m also a stem major)

I'd like something not too bulky but not a piece of crap laptop. I want to be able to download apps if I needed to. Something thin like a Mac (idk if Mac’s are good though)

I am planning on majoring in physics. Touch screen would be nice (not a must have), and a headphone jack.

Unsure on budget right now idk much about laptops. Nothing too pricey tho

My major is accounting.

Total budget: around $900 to $1000 usd

Are you open to refurbs: No

How would you prioritize form factor (build quality, performance and battery life) I think I would like a long battery life along with speed and reliability as I’d like it to last hopefully 4 years.

How important is weight and thinness to you? I’d say very important as I’d like it to be light and portable when carrying around.

Do you have a preferred screen size? Yes I’d say 13-14 inches

Are you doing any video editing/gaming? I would prefer if it could handle some light gaming (sims, stardew valley, and paralives when it comes out) but if not it’s not a deal breaker

Additional info: Major is pharmaceutical sciences. I know that some programs aren’t compatible with Mac which is the main reason why I’m contemplating getting a windows. I’ve only used windows before but I’m open to trying out a Mac since I already hse other devices in the same ecosystem. I am between these Microsoft surface laptops or a Mac with the base storage (not sure if that’s enough) but I don’t know which to get.

LAPTOP QUESTIONNAIRE

• ⁠Total budget (in local currency) and country of purchase. Please do not use USD unless purchasing in the US:

About $1.3k max. Doesn’t have to go up to 1.3k, it can be something cheaper if it’s good for the price! (And I would probably prefer not to spend that much if it isn’t needed.)

• ⁠Are you open to refurbs/used?

Yes, I don’t mind.

• ⁠How would you prioritize form factor (ultrabook, 2-in-1, etc.), build quality, performance, and battery life?

1. Performance 2. Build Quality 3. Battery Life 4. Form Factor (2 and 3 are interchangeable)

• ⁠How important is weight and thinness to you?

Not very important but prefer it to not be too heavy, but if need be I could use a heavier laptop.

• ⁠Do you have a preferred screen size? If indifferent, put N/A.

I prefer it to be right in the middle, not too big and not too small. But if need be, I could take on a smaller or bigger laptop if it fits my previous priorities better.

• ⁠Are you doing any CAD/video editing/photo editing/gaming? List which programs/games you desire to run.

No. Mostly Excel.

• ⁠If you're gaming, do you have certain games you want to play? At what settings and FPS do you want?

N/A. Would probably only run a game or two on steam, if any.

• ⁠Any specific requirements such as good keyboard, reliable build quality, touch-screen, finger-print reader, optical drive or good input devices (keyboard/touchpad)?

Reliable build quality, touch screen, good battery. Don’t mind a good keyboard or fingerprint reader but not as needed.

• ⁠Leave any finishing thoughts here that you may feel are necessary and beneficial to the discussion.

I need a good laptop for college. I’m majoring in finance as of now although not 100% sure but I’m leaning pretty heavily towards it. I want to make sure the laptop can run everything I need correctly and efficiently. I want to ensure it has a good battery life as well. I’ve done some research and have heard that a dell xps, lenovo thinkpad, or MacBook m4 might be good, but I need more help. Also I have heard the MacBooks aren’t great at running certain programs so I want some more guidance. One more thing is that I’m 90% sure on Finance, but my second option is engineering. So if you could, please recommend a laptop thati would be good for just finance and a laptop that would be good at both if I switched over. Thank you!

It's been a year since my previous post and I've changed my mind on a lot of things. The computer you want to get depends a lot on your major and what kind of classes you're going to be taking. but before I get into specifics, I want to say:

Don't be in a rush to buy a computer (be budget-concious)

Look at different options from different websites. For example, say you want to buy the Dell Inspiron 14. Look at it on the Dell website, then check for the laptop again on BestBuy and on Amazon. Make budget-conscious decisions. Use your .edu email to get deals/discounts. Just search up (whatever website/manufacturer) student deals on google and sign up.

Now here's where the new info is

My previous post was very windows-centric but I've learned that the landscape is much richer. I'm going to go from the cheapest options to the more beefy options

A lot of students don't even need a laptop for college. iPads and Tablets are great, cheap options. For art, graphic design and fashion majors, they are the only option I recommend. If your major doesn't involve a lot of typing, you can always do your typing on a school computer (in the library) or get a magic keyboard. Here's a great iPad to use in place of a laptop: Buy iPad Pro - Apple

For most people, a Chromebook will be more than enough. Much of what a person needs to do can now be done in the browser. Including typing documents, emails, doing homework, watching lectures and doing research. The Chromebook is great

1. if you're a STEM major that's non-Tech and non-Engineer like BioChem or Physics or Math.

2. If you're a humanities or social science major like philosophy or literature.

Macs are the best option for almost every college student. The M1s are like magic; fast, easy to use, great for multitasking, long-lasting battery, no overheating. I doubt I can ever go back to windows. If you're doing film, this is the only option I recommend. A great combination for those with a little extra cash is to get an iPad to go with your mac. Here's a good, affordable M1 mac: 13-inch MacBook Air

Windows computers have the most range here and are the best option for mechanical and civil engineering majors. There are so many different manufacturers so what really matters here is the

1. Storage size and Type: Only buy a computer with SSD. 128GB is more than enough if you're only going to use the computer for school stuff. if you're going to be downloading and storing other things, try to get 256

2. The processor: read what I wrote under Intel or AMD in this post.

3. RAM: 8GB is good.

4. Weight: anything over 6lbs is too heavy

Don't buy a 2-in-1 unless you really need to

2-in-1 computers are like 2-in-1 conditioner/shampoo. Tries to do two things and does them both badly, for a more expensive cost. If you really need a touchscreen on your laptop and can't afford to get a tablet, just get a regular touchscreen laptop.

More tips:

• Buy at least 3-4 weeks before you start college. So you have time to test and return it

• Don't buy the laptop if it's not SSD storage

• Unless you're on a budget, I advice you to keep your gaming computer separate from your college laptop

• Total budget (in local currency) and country of purchase. Please do not use USD unless purchasing in the US:

I would like it to be $500 or under, but I have a slightly flexible budget.

• Are you open to refurbs/used?

No.

• How would you prioritize form factor (ultrabook, 2-in-1, etc.), build quality, performance, and battery life?

I would prioritize build quality and performance the most. I want something that will last. I want something with decent memory, or at least an SD card slot.

• How important is weight and thinness to you?

Not very.

• Do you have a preferred screen size? If indifferent, put N/A.

N/A

• Are you doing any CAD/video editing/photo editing/gaming? List which programs/games you desire to run.

Very light photo editing. I'm a History Major so I'll need to download and edit some maps and some small graphics. Nothing that GIMP can't handle and only every once in a while.

• If you're gaming, do you have certain games you want to play? At what settings and FPS do you want?

Sometimes some Minecraft and solitaire.

• Any specific requirements such as good keyboard, reliable build quality, touch-screen, finger-print reader, optical drive or good input devices (keyboard/touchpad)?

No Chromebooks. Reliable build. Touch-screen would be nice, but not a deal breaker. I need the ability to at least hook up a mouse, but not a million devices.

• Leave any finishing thoughts here that you may feel are necessary and beneficial to the discussion.

I've only ever had year old when they were bought laptops, so I don't really know what constitutes a 'good' laptop. I just want something that I can use for school and won't need to be refreshed every ten seconds because they wifi doesn't work. I don't need a gaming computer or anything, just something you would recommend for a college freshman who uses it a lot but for very light things, mainly research and writing.

I'm a surgical registrar. My current laptop (Dell XPS 13 2019) is on its way out. I was thinking about jumping ships from Windows to Mac (possibly the Mac Book Pro).

Just wanted to see what everyone is using for their study, research and day to day life.

Any wise pearls of advice? Any pros or cons moving from windows to Mac?

I want to get my son a new laptop for college for Christmas. He is going into business and needs a business laptop. I have looked around and not sure which is the best to get. Also I don’t want to spend a lot of money. We can get another one for his graduation.

Edit: first thank you for all the comments and recommendations. I failed to mention that he can’t have a MacBook Air. And I don’t want to spend over $800 really.

haler, incoming college ako this 2024, i'm going to pursue architecture and pinaplano ko na ang mga needs ko for college. i'm planning to buy a laptop pero idk what brand or type should i choose, hindi rin ako masyadong knowledgeable sa mga specs and stuff and ayoko naman pagsisihan yung bibilihin ko.

Hi, I'm looking for a new laptop as I am going into college this coming fall. My budget is around $1000. I just want a good all around laptop that can get the job done. I have looked into the Asus Zenbook 14, but have heard that the battery life is mediocre. I need something that can hopefully get me through the day without needing to charge. If you have any suggestions that would be helpful. Thank you!

I’m going to college this year and need a laptop. I’m going into engineering electrical/(mechanical maybe) so I know I need a strong computer. This is my front runner right now, is it good? Better suggestions?

I am starting college soon and I get a 100$ financial help from the government of my country. I am willing to use that money and more of my own if needed. I don’t know if I should get a windows or macbook, and what model to buy. I need it to be fast, lightweight, multitask and affordable (but take into account those 100$). People around me recommend to get an ipad, but honestly I think a laptop would be more useful. What should I get?

edit: I am doing a literature degree so I don’t need anything amazing, but I need it to be functional

Getting ready for college or senior year in high school, moving out or just moving on, reluctant students are getting their study gear in order. The only thing missing in their semester checklist—laundry is still Mom’s job—is a new laptop. It’ll need to be fast, capable of running the latest applications. A MacBook would be ideal, loaded with style and prestige, but the best laptop for student workloads could easily be a Windows PC, don’t you know.

Straight up, the best option, used to work on school assignments and college projects, doesn’t need to cost an Apple-y fortune, not when there are affordable PCs with plenty of performance overhead that don’t require students to get a weekend job to cover the costs. Parents will be happy at this thought, so will the student, and so will the Mac-clueless professors and teachers who’ve grown up playing Solitaire on an aging Windows OS.

1. Best Laptops for Students – Our recommendations

• Dell XPS 13 Laptop

• HP Envy x360

• Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022)

• Microsoft Surface

• Acer Swift 14 AI

• Asus Creator Q

• Apple MacBook Air M3 (2023)

2. How We Chose the Best Laptops for Students

It’s a circus balancing act, finding the best laptop for students. It should feature decent performance, so students can keep up with a rapid-fire lecture and not fall behind. That’s not to say it needs to be a gaming beast, equipped with loud fans and a high-end GPU. If anything, the opposite is true. A quiet period in a study hall shouldn’t be interrupted by racing cooling fans and an occasional shout of ‘die, you alien fiend.’ Like we said, balance is the key.

Performance matters: Performance of a good student laptop means opting for fast storage and plenty of memory. This way the machine won’t lock up during a crucial moment during an important class.

Financial limitations: Budget, the machine doesn’t need to pack the latest bells and whistles, like a 4K display and a dedicated GPU. Integrated graphics have come a long way in recent years, and most budget laptops offer adequate 1080p screens.

Backpacking Laptops: Portability is obviously a matter that’ll be discussed between parents and students. Young backs shouldn’t be burdened by large 17” laptops, especially when modern backpack inner sleeves are designed to accommodate 15” and 16” screens.

And the rest: There are a few more, and they are borderline important. Touchscreens can be handy but aren’t exactly classroom essential features. Premium build materials might make it onto the shopping list, though, as students do live a rough-and-tumble life, both socially and academically.

Putting ourselves in the place of students, minus the cool hoodie and backpack full of existential dread, we weighed performance, budget, portability, and durability. The result? A laptop list that says, “I can handle your essays and lectures—but please, no Fortnite marathons in the library!

Having said all that, not too lightheartedly we hope, here’s our roundup of top laptops for leveling up a students’ digital lifestyle. Some will stray across sensible budget limits, of course, but this is only because we really don’t want to leave out those who have the wherewithal to spend extra, such as students who have part-time off-campus jobs.

3. The Final Verdict

All of the laptops in the review, apart from the two MacBooks, arrive with Windows 11 preinstalled. The Microsoft OS is going through an AI focused makeover. The result is Microsoft Copilot, a digital companion who can help you with your studies. Our MacBook fans shouldn’t feel left out, however, not when Apple Intelligence has popped up in Sequoia onwards to aid struggling students. Some of the systems on our list have NPU (Neural Processing Units) and CPUs with deep learning incorporated. That means buying a newer, more expensive computer to access the full power of AI.

We didn’t miss the NPU; Copilot installs well enough on most Windows machines, regardless of its AI hardware. In fact, the slightly older Asus Creator Q—it has no AI hardware whatsoever—runs Microsoft Copilot natively. We can only assume that future versions of Windows will take advantage of NPU power. As for the best laptop for students debate, it’s a good idea to test out these mobile notebooks in a store, take the keyboard for a spin, try out the trackpad, let junior play with it for a few minutes. Then have a family meeting to discuss a shortlist of possible purchases. A wireless mouse is also a good accessory to add to the shopping list. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Something like the Logitech M185 will work perfectly well.

Finally, what laptop should interested high schoolers or undergrads opt for, based on our review? The Dell XPS 13 won the hearts of our reviewers. It’s a premium sub $1k laptop with a solid chassis and enough power for everyday schoolwork. If money isn’t tight, an upgrade to their 15” system, equipped with a 13^th gen Intel i7 processor and Arc A370M graphics, is advised. The Microsoft Surface laptop is also a tempting product line, as are the two Apple MacBook Air machines. They both feature unique stylings, and there’ll be a slight learning curve if you’re transitioning from a Mac OS to Windows, or vice-versa.

Then again, Macs have the edge in terms of battery life. PCs tend to be a touch more affordable. We could go on all day like this, ping-ponging back and forth. Truth be told, every model on this list has something to offer a computer-deprived student. It really all comes down to personal needs, the eternal Mac VS PC struggle, budget and performance-driven capabilities, and the best fit for your lifestyle.

I am hella confused what to buy. Just wanna do casual gaming, video editing, coding and watch some Content. And i just want a laptop with best battery backup and with a dedicated graphics card underr 1lakh. Any suggestions?

Hi, at the end of this year I’m going to uni, I will be studying public administration which would not warrant te highest level of software but I’m in a bit of a pickle.

I don’t ever spend a large sum of money on things. I need this laptop to last until at least 2031.

But I also need a lot of battery life, I’m lifting quite far from campus, so it has to be able to work without electricity for some time.

Right now I have an iPhone and an iPad, so Mac would be a good choice, but I’ve heard that some colleges really prefer windows.

• I have a hobby of film making which may need more power, but if this isn’t in my budget i can let it go.

My max max is around 1300, but ofcourse lower would be better.