With the new academic year just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about laptops for school or Uni. Whether you’re a student searching for a reliable device or a parent gearing up your child with the tech essentials for their studies, navigating the sea of available options can be challenging.
A key consideration for both students and parents is finding a laptop that strikes the right balance between affordability and quality. Opting for the cheapest machine might save money upfront, but it’s unlikely to be a worthwhile investment in the long run.
Fortunately, here at TechRadar, we’ve reviewed a wide range of laptops, giving us unique insight into which models offer genuine value for money – especially when it comes to features and specs that truly matter for student life.
With that in mind, we’ve put together our top recommendations for the best value student laptops. No matter your budget or requirements, we’ve got a laptop to suit your study needs (and your wallet).
Don't forget to take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions section at the end of the article, where we delve into school requirements, education discounts, how to pick the right laptop and more.
The quick list
Best Windows laptop
While it doesn't come cheap, it's hard to beat the XPS 13 for powerful, portable computing that's well suited to student use.
Best Mac for students
If you're already familiar with Mac OS, or you want a device that'll last all day without the need to charge then the 2024 MacBook Air is a great choice for students.
Best Snapdragon laptop
The Yoga Slim 7x is one of the best Snapdragon laptops available, with amazing battery life, a great OLED screen, plus loads of performance.
Best Chromebook
While Chromebooks are not suitable for all schools, they can offer great value for money for those who use the Google classroom ecosystem.
Best 2-in-1
Need a laptop that can double as a tablet? One of the best new options available is the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14.
Best Apple laptop for creatives
Need more oomph than the MacBook Air can provide? It's time to step up to the MacBook Pro.
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Best ultraportable
This laptop has plenty of performance for everyday use, but is slim, affordable and weighs in at under 1kg.
Best tablet laptop
Want a machine that can double as a tablet? None do it better than the Surface Pro.
Best all-rounder laptop
The ThinkBook line-up has a wide range of options that are built tough, yet are surprisingly affordable.
Best dual screen laptop
Need a more versatile option? The Asus Zenbook Duo offers a unique form factor that makes on desk dual screen easy.
The best Windows laptop
The Dell XPS 13 is available in a wide variety of configurations, but we recommend the version powered by the new Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPUs. Keep an eye out for older, last-generation Intel Ultra chips, as they don’t deliver the same impressive battery life as the newer options. Alternatively, you can choose the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, which are slightly more affordable and offer marginally better battery performance.
The XPS 13 also provides a selection of display options, ranging from basic 1920 x 1200 non-touch screens to stunning 2880 x 1800 OLED touchscreens. The laptop supports up to 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of storage, catering to a wide range of needs.
As a premium device, the XPS 13 doesn’t come cheap. However, if you’re looking for one of the best Windows laptops on the market, it’s hard to go wrong. For more details, check out our full XPS 13 review below – though keep in mind it's for the Snapdragon variant, while our review of the Ultra Series 2 configuration is still in progress.
Read the full Dell XPS 13 (2024) review
The best Mac for students
MacBooks aren't for everyone, but they are supported by almost all schools, and are an excellent option for students. Apple laptops tend to be on the more expensive side, but offer high-end build quality and some of the best battery life going.
The M3 powered Air launched last year, and is still the most current option. Apple finally moved to 16GB of RAM for the base spec, and the Air is a powerful machine for normal classroom use. That said, be aware that it is a fanless design, so won't hold up if you need to do video editing or other intensive tasks. It also only supports a single external monitor, so might not be a good choice for students taking subjects that need a more capable machine. The Air is also available with a 15-inch screen, but this is larger than recommended by most schools.
The MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) starts at AU$1,799, though if upgrading the RAM to 24GB and the SSD to 2TB, the AU$1,799 price becomes a rather high AU$3,299. For a more affordable option, the 2022 M2 model is now sold by Apple for AU$1,599. Meaning if you want extra value for money, it's well worth taking a read of our M2 Macbook Air review.
Read the full review: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)
The best Snapdragon laptop
Lenovo presents this laptop as a top choice for creatives, but its slim profile and durable aluminum build also make it a compelling option for students seeking a sleek, lightweight, yet powerful Windows laptop.
Powered by Snapdragon X Elite, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x combines portability, speed, endurance, and a brilliant OLED screen in one impressive package. It’s an excellent choice for those who want high performance without breaking the bank – a perfect balance of value and functionality.
The laptop’s 14.5-inch OLED display (2,944 x 1,840 resolution) is a standout feature. With a smooth 90Hz refresh rate and vibrant visuals, it delivers a stunning viewing experience – colors pop vividly, and contrast is deep and rich. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides ample vertical space for browsing, and the touchscreen adds an extra layer of versatility for enhanced productivity.
Although the Yoga Slim 7x doesn’t claim the title of longest-lasting Snapdragon X Elite laptop in our tests, its battery life still outshines that of most premium Windows laptops.
The full TechRadar review still in progress, but in the meantime, check out the 4.5 star love from our friends at Tom's Guide.
The best Chromebook for students
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is one of a new wave of laptops created in collaboration with Google, aimed at competing with entry-level Windows machines by leveraging x86 CPUs from Intel and AMD.
Under the hood, the CX34 comes equipped with an Intel Core i3-1215U or i5-1235U processor, 8GB of DDR5 memory, and storage options including 128GB or 256GB of UFS storage, or a 512GB M.2 SSD. It features a 14-inch 1080p non-touch display – comparable to the specs of affordable Windows laptops but a solid upgrade compared to budget Chromebooks.
A major strength of the Chromebook lies in its seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem. Essential apps like Docs, Sheets, and Slides are built directly into the operating system, allowing them to function offline without an internet connection. Google Drive synchronization is also smooth and intuitive. Additionally, Google has included useful extras, such as OS-level webcam enhancements like background blurring and noise cancellation, which work natively across all video conferencing platforms.
Although some schools may favor Microsoft 365 over Google Docs or suggest students steer clear of Chromebooks entirely, these devices can still be an excellent choice in the right context. They deliver a snappier and more streamlined experience compared to many Windows machines. While the Chromebook Plus models come at a higher price point, they are frequently discounted, and can be a great buy.
Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
The best 2-in-1 laptop
HP has reworked its popular Spectre x360 into the OmniBook Flip Ultra, a premium 2-in-1 laptop that is a good choice for students who need a versatile touchscreen 2-in-1. Equipped with the latest Intel Ultra Series 2 CPUs and up to 32GB of RAM, it offers a solid mix of performance and efficiency. The new processor delivers reliable power for most tasks and excellent battery life, lasting up to 12 hours – enough to handle a full day of classes.
The OmniBook Flip Ultra features a sturdy metal chassis with a fold-over hinge for easy conversion between laptop and tablet modes. The 2880 x 1800 OLED touchscreen is sharp and vibrant, offering excellent visuals and stylus compatibility for creative work or note-taking. It also includes extras such as a facial recognition webcam and Thunderbolt 3 ports that can drive an external monitor when used at home. Overall, the Flip competes well with other similarly priced laptops and, for example, outperforms the fanless MacBook Air in sustained workloads.
As a high-end device, the Flip Ultra can be expensive at full price, but it often goes on sale, making it a better deal at 20% off (or better). For those looking for a more affordable or powerful option, the HP OmniBook Ultra Laptop is a very similar machine - just without the 2-in-1 functionality, and featuring the capable Ryzen AI 9 CPU.
Our TechRadar review is still in progress, but in the meantime, take a look at the 4 star review from our friends over at Tom’s Hardware.
The best Apple for creatives
The latest 2024 models of the MacBook Pro 14 and 16-inch laptops come with new M4, M4 Pro or M4 Max processors, but the increasingly hard to find 2023 MacBook Pro M3 can be the better buy when on sale.
The MacBook Pro range offers serious performance in an ultra portable package, with more than enough battery life to make it through a school day. While there is a 16-inch variant, most schools recommend a 14-inch laptop (or smaller) to avoid taking up too much desk space.
The entry level 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at a reasonable AU$2,499, but the price quickly ramps up if you need more RAM or storage. Still, for those already in the Apple ecosystem, and who need a powerful machine for specific classes, the MacBook Pro is well worth the price.
Read the full review: Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2024) and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
The best ultraportable
Our review is still in progress for the latest HP Pavilion Aero, but it’s already one of our favourite laptops. It’s a great option for students as it’s very lightweight, and won’t weigh down a bag. It also has plenty of performance for school use, as it comes equipped with a powerful Ryzen 5 or 7 CPU, plus 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.
The Aero can handle 10 hours of use unplugged, which is plenty for getting through a school day. It also has a great 2560 x 1600 resolution screen with 100% sRGB colour, which is sharp and vibrant in the 13.3-inch form factor. The Aero can also often be found a little cheaper with an also excellent 1920 x 1200 panel. You also get premium features like backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6, and an IR facial recognition webcam.
If buying direct from HP, our favourite Aero model has an eye watering AU$2,799 price tag. But like many manufacturers these days, HP uses inflated RRPs and rolling discounts that mean the laptop is often available for AU$1,500, or less. While the HP website often has some decent ‘sale’ prices, the official HP eBay store often has the same models even cheaper. For example, at the time of writing, the HP Pavilion Aero (13-bg0067AU) is AU$2,799 from HP, but just AU$1,361 from the HP eBay store. HP also has some decent deals on refurbished models, but keep in mind they use the previous generation CPU.
The Pavilion Aero is a great choice for students, but keep in mind it’s only worth buying when close to 50% off.
The best tablet laptop
Microsoft’s latest Surface Pro is powered by the impressive Snapdragon X Elite, which brings loads of performance, yet still offers impressive battery life. While some schools recommend avoiding Snapdragon based laptops for compatibility reasons, the Surface Pro will run just about any Windows software without issue. Most classwork is via web browser anyway, but if in doubt double check with your school before buying.
Aimed at those who need (or want) a touchscreen tablet experience, the Surface Pro 11 retains the familiar Windows tablet aesthetic, but it now offers a choice between an LCD or OLED display. For students doing creative work, the OLED option is the better pick, offering deep blacks and vibrant color contrast for stunning visuals. It’s well worth getting the latest keyboard, which can be detached and used wirelessly, and has a storage and recharge slot for the new slim pen.
Thanks to the efficient new Snapdragon CPUs, the Surface Pro can easily handle 10+ hours of schoolwork unplugged, which is more than enough to get through the day. It’s also very portable – the Surface Pro weighs just 0.895 kg by itself and 1.24 kg with the keyboard attached.
The Surface Pro doesn’t come cheap by the time you get the full package with keyboard and pen, and so far the discounts haven’t been huge. Expect to pay at least AU$2,500 (depending on accessories), or as little as $2,000 when on sale. Want a similar machine but prefer a traditional laptop? It’s also worth checking out the excellent Surface Laptop (7th generation).
Read our full Microsoft Surface Pro 11 review
The best all rounder
Need a robust but affordable laptop for school or Uni? The Lenovo ThinkBook range is aimed at business users, but is also one of our favourite options for students. It's built tough, has the performance and spec needed, and is great value for money.
Currently, our favourite ThinkBook 14 is the latest Gen 7 AMD model, which is equipped with either a Ryzen 5 7535HS or Ryzen & 7735HS CPU. Both of these CPUs offer excellent performance and are a better option than the Intel variants of the ThinkBook. The laptop comes with 16GB of RAM and the screen is a competent 1920 x 1200 IPS panel – though only 45% NTSC colour so not suited to creative work. If purchasing, make sure to select the 60WH battery (for an extra AU$20), to ensure it can make it through a full day unplugged.
The exact price depends on what options are chosen, but set up for school use, the ThinkBook starts from around AU$1,250. It doesn't typically get big sale price reductions, but often a small amount can be saved especially if you sign up to the Lenovo Education store. The older Gen 6 ThinkBooks (with Intel or AMD CPUs) are often a little cheaper, but make sure to get the 60Wh battery.
While we don't yet have a review for this specific Lenovo ThinkBook 14, it's worth taking a look at our review of the very similar ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 model, though be aware the version tested uses an Intel CPU.
The best dual screen laptop
Most students don’t need more than a single screen for school or university, but at higher grades and in certain classes, having a second screen can be a significant advantage. Carrying around a portable second screen is cumbersome, and a dual-screen laptop is a better option.
Among the limited dual screen laptops available, the ASUS ZenBook Duo (2024, UX8406) stands out as our top pick for boosting productivity. It features two OLED touchscreens (one located where the keyboard normally is) and a magnetically attachable wireless keyboard that can sit on top. This versatile design allows you to use it like a traditional single-screen laptop or detach the keyboard, prop it up with the built-in stand, and enjoy the benefits of both screens without taking up additional desk space. The screens also support the included stylus, making the Duo an excellent choice for drawing or taking notes.
The laptop is powered by an Intel Ultra 9 or 7 CPU, paired with 16GB or 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. While the slightly limited cooling doesn’t fully utilize the CPU’s potential, the performance is plenty for most student needs. Battery life is solid as well — even with both screens active, it lasts up to 8 hours on a single charge. Though slightly thicker and heavier than standard laptops, it’s still compact enough to fold up and slip into a bag for easy transport between classes.
That said, the ZenBook Duo comes with a steep price tag and is rarely discounted. While it has been spotted as low as AU$3,200, you’ll likely pay closer to its AU$3,999 RRP.
Read our full ASUS ZenBook Duo review
Frequently asked questions
Want to know more about choosing the best laptop for student use? Read on to find out more about school requirements, education discounts, how to pick the right laptop and more.
School requirements
You can typically find a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy on your school's website that will detail what’s needed. Generally speaking, most schools recommend a 13-inch or 14-inch laptop (larger than 11 inches and not over 15 inches), with at least 6 hours of actual real-world usage battery life. Most of the time, schools don’t want students charging laptops during the day, as the cords can be a trip hazard. Laptops must have a webcam and microphone.
Most schoolwork is web-based or uses software such as Microsoft’s 365 suite of apps. Chromebooks are not commonly recommended for high school or university but are more often used in primary school. Laptops need at least 8GB of RAM, but 16GB is recommended. Generally speaking most schools will support both MacBooks and Windows laptops, but some will have a preference for one or the other.
Ideally, look for laptops that advertise at least 10 hours of battery life, as it will decrease over time as the battery wears from use. For high school students, expect to upgrade to a new laptop at least once. Higher grades and certain classes may have special requirements for laptop specifications and performance. If in doubt, check with your school or Uni.
Best Education deals
Some retailers and brands offer discounts for students, teachers and often even parents. Most discounts require signing up an account using a .edu email address, but others just need a code from your school.
Apple Education Store
Once verified as a student or educator, Apple offers a range of small but handy discounts. Read the full terms and conditions to find out how to qualify.
JB Hi-Fi Education portal
In collaboration with schools, JB Hi-Fi offers a range of products (including laptops) with education discounts. Always make sure to double check the prices, as while the prices can be good, you may get a better deal elsewhere. Participating schools should have a login code available in their BYOD policy, otherwise use BYOD2025 to see what is available.
Lenovo Education Store
Sign up with a .edu email to get access to discounted prices on a wide range of Lenovo products. While the discounts are often better than on the normal Lenovo store, it pays to double check as something the student deals are not as good.
HP Back to school sale
While not a specific program with student discounts, HP currently has a back to school sale running with up to 40% off.
StudentBeans
Sign up an account using a .edu email address, and get access to discounts that can be used at many retailers.
UniDays
Sign up using your student email to get access to discounts on a range of tech.
TechRadar Coupons
Have a specific laptop in mind? Make sure to check our coupon page and see if there is a discount code available.
How to choose the best student laptop
The best student laptop is going to give you the right balance between sufficient performance for productivity tasks, affordability for a student's budget, and durability to handle the kind of wear-and-tear that a student can put their laptops through – and having it look good never hurts.
But that can be a hard thing for students and families to balance, especially if they aren't as familiar with computer hardware as they'd like to be. Fortunately, there are some general guidelines that you can follow to get the right student laptop for your needs and budget.
What makes for a good student laptop?
There are a few other boxes that the best student laptops should check besides being able to handle the demands of your coursework. One of the biggest considerations you should have when choosing a student laptop is battery life - you need something that will last all day during your classes and still have juice leftover for late nights studying at the library.
Student laptops should also ideally be both versatile and lightweight because you’ll want something that can multitask all the programs you’ll need without being a drag to carry around campus. Versatility is crucial with a student laptop, especially with majors that will have you flipping back and forth between a published paper and the essay you’re trying to finish in time.
Budget is also a major consideration in choosing the best student laptop for your university experience. Not everyone can shell out a ton of money for a student laptop - we absolutely understand that - so you need to be sure to pick something that meets all your criteria without going overboard on your budget. It’s easy to find a great student laptop within your price range these days, and even better when you find a sale and get a good deal on it.
Is a MacBook a good laptop for students?
This is a slightly loaded question, because ultimately the best operating system for students (whether that's Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS) will always come down to which OS the student in question prefers to use. Some of us are married to the effective functionality of Windows; others might prefer the aesthetically pleasing UI of Apple devices, or the Android-esque, streamlined user experience Chromebook provide.
If you're already comfortable using a specific operating system, making the leap can be tricky. ChromeOS is arguably the easiest to pick up and use, but changing to MacOS after a decade spend familiarizing yourself with Windows might lead to confusion. Take this into consideration when choosing a new laptop for school or college.
On the hardware side, we're pleased to say that MacBooks are more competitive than ever. Apple's fantastic M3 and M4 chips are much more capable of running demanding tasks than processors with integrated graphics, making Apple laptops excellent all-rounders for the busy student. However, if you need to run highly intensive software, it's worth considering a Windows laptop with a dedicated GPU - ideally an Nvidia RTX one - since this will give you a lot more grunt in GPU-accelerated programs.
Which is better for students: a laptop or a desktop?
Simply put, most high school and Uni students will need a laptop for their studies at this stage. While having a computer of some kind is practically a necessity at this point - with the rise of remote learning and content creation among university students - a laptop can be thrown into a rucksack and taken along to lectures and workshops, unlike a desktop PC.
Yes, a desktop will typically offer more processing power and the advantage of a bigger screen, but you might end up spending more (especially once you factor in the need for peripherals) and then still find yourself needing a portable device for note-taking and working on the go. If you've already got a small tablet or laptop that you can take out and about, you might want to consider buying one of the best desktop computers, but otherwise, we recommend you get a more capable laptop and use that in lieu of a desktop.
How we tested these student laptops
We know that buying a new laptop can be a huge investment. Even more so with laptops for college students. That’s why we take our jobs seriously, and test every laptop we recommend on this list extensively.
That process involves using them in our day-to-day lives to see how long their battery lasts, how robust they are – kids have hectic lives, after all – and how cool they stay under pressure. We also look at their design, including how stylish they are, if they are thin and light enough to carry around with, and how comfortable they are to work on. Because the webcam and microphone in a laptop are also incredibly important, especially these days, we take time to test those out as well.
When it comes to performance, we use a mix of real-world tests and synthetic benchmarks to see how powerful (or not) these laptops are. This means using Windows 11 (or Chrome OS on Chromebooks and macOS on MacBooks) and running various apps and seeing how fast they load, noting down any problems.
Battery lives are also important, so we’ll keep track of how long we can use the laptop without needing to charge it. To get specific numbers, we also run our own battery life benchmark that plays a looped 1080p movie until the battery dies and the PC Mark 10 battery life benchmark, which replicates real-world usage, such as web browsing and document creation. These tests give us an excellent idea of how long the batteries in these laptops last.
When all is said and done, we then take everything we’ve learned about the laptop and compare it to its price, to see if it offers the best value to students.
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Latest Updates
Jan 08, 2025
Updated with the best laptops for the 2025 school year
