Best laptops for students 2026: top picks for school and university

sIn our guide to the best laptops for students, we explain what you need to know if you're buying one for university, college or school. Plus, we recommend the best student laptops depending on your course and what you need your machine to do.

We've also got expert advice on how to make your money go further and get the best model for your budget, where to look for student laptop and software deals, and the models to avoid as they're a waste of money.

See our top picks of the best laptops for all budgets and needs

Best laptops for students

Here we feature the best student laptops, including Apple, Windows and Chromebooks, that we think will suit most students. We include models at various prices, so you can pick the right one for your budget.

Many courses predominantly involve using word processing software for writing essays, presentation software and maybe spreadsheets, as well as email and web browsing. This means you won't need a really powerful laptop: an all-rounder, rather than an ultra-high-spec machine, will do the job. 

If your course requires more specialised, resource-hungry software, such as for media courses or design and engineering, keep scrolling to see our recommendations for more powerful laptops.

Logged-in Which? members will see our pick of the best student laptops for various prices, so you can get the right model for your budget. 

Not yet a Which? member? You can join Which? to get instant access to our expert recommendations, plus all our online reviews – including laptops, antivirus software and phones. 

• Looking for something else? We've tested more than 200 laptops, so you're sure to find a model that suits you. See our laptop reviews to compare.
• Need more advice on deciding what to buy? See all our expert advice on laptops.

Best ultra-lightweight laptops for students

Small laptops weighing less than 1.5kg are known as ultrabooks – choose one with a good battery life and you'll have a truly portable device that you can easily take out and about. 

Below, we've gone a step further by selecting laptops weighing less than 1.3kg (equivalent to around eight medium-sized apples), so you won't feel the strain if you're carrying it with you all day.

Powerful and light laptops can be expensive, though. So if an ultrabook isn't necessary for you, look elsewhere and save money. If you're buying a MacBook, you don't necessarily need to look for the word 'Air' in the name; the cheaper MacBook Neo is almost exactly the same weight as the 13.6-inch MacBook Air M5.

Best student laptops for essay writing and research

If your work will predominantly involve taking notes and writing essays, you won't need a powerful laptop, which means you can spend less.

However, research often involves having multiple documents and browser tabs open at once. If you're buying a Windows laptop, it's worth avoiding the very cheapest budget models and choosing one with enough power to handle multitasking smoothly. We'd recommend 16GB of Ram rather than 8GB, if your budget allows.

Some models that have 8GB as standard are also available with 16GB, and most brands don't charge much more for this. Apple is the exception, although since 2025, its MacBook Airs now include 16GB as standard. The much cheaper MacBook Neo has 8GB, which will be fine for essay writing and research, but not for really intensive work like video editing.

Best laptops for creative and engineering students

If your course involves editing multimedia or 3D work – such as media production, audio production, architecture, engineering software or fashion design – you’ll benefit from picking a pricier laptop.

These have higher-end specs that can handle whatever you need them to, whether that's editing in Photoshop or using modelling software. The other benefit of these laptops is that you can use them for gaming (particularly if they have a dedicated graphics card) – perfect for a bit of downtime. 

A dedicated graphics card can help 3D modelling and gaming to run as smoothly as possible. Our reviews will say if a laptop has one. Some of the models mentioned below may be available in a higher specification that includes a dedicated graphics card.

AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core 5 (or i5) processors are the bare minimum for a smooth experience editing multimedia projects – consider an AMD Ryzen 7, Intel Core 7/i7 or Snapdragon X.

If you're considering Apple macOS, the MacBook Neo's 8GB Ram won't be enough for you. The MacBook Air might be fine, but the MacBook Pro is really the model designed for intensive software beyond photo editing or less-complex video editing.

Best budget laptops for students

Be careful when choosing a laptop for less than £500. Many might seem fine at first, but once you start opening multiple browser tabs and programs, some models will become painfully slow and distract you from your studies. 

Below, we've selected models that focus on what matters. They're not the fastest, and some (especially the Chromebooks) will have less storage space. They might look and feel a bit plasticky, too. That said, they will work for you if you mainly use Office-style programs, send emails and do light web browsing. They're not suitable for more demanding tasks, such as photo editing or opening lots of apps or browser tabs at the same time. 

If you want to spend less than £300, we'd strongly recommend considering a Chromebook. ChromeOS is designed to run well on less powerful hardware, so budget Chromebooks often provide a smoother experience than similarly priced Windows laptops. Check that the apps you need are supported, though, as some software required for your course may not be compatible.

New Apple MacBooks aren't available at this price – check out our guide to refurbished laptops to find out how you can get one for a lot less.

Laptops for students by price

• Laptops under £300
• Laptops under £500
• Laptops under £800
• Laptops under £1,000
• Laptops over £1,000

Got your heart set on a MacBook? Find out which is the best MacBook for your needs and budget, plus which retailers have the cheapest prices

Laptops to avoid

Not all laptops are created equal. Here are some models that don't score well in our tests and aren’t worth your money.

What type of laptop is good for students?

Consider exactly how you will use your laptop, and focus on what's most important for your needs. That way, you can save money by knowing where to compromise.

1. What's the battery life? If you’re going to be out at classes all day, and you can’t guarantee you’ll have access to a plug socket, you’ll want a laptop with at least eight hours of battery life. Use the results of our realistic tests, which mimic normal use, to make sure you pick one that's up to the job.
2. Does it need to be light? If you need to commute with your laptop, pick one that weighs less than 1.5kg so it's not a burden to carry. Very lightweight laptops can have fewer ports and a plasticky look and feel to keep the weight down. So if you don't need an ultra-light one, you can get more for your money.
3. What screen size is right for me? If you don’t plan on taking your laptop out and about, go for a bigger screen size – from 15.6 to 17.3 inches.
4. How much speed do I really need? Don’t overspend on a laptop that’s too powerful for your needs. If you only need your laptop to write essays and take notes, you don’t need to splash out £1,000 on an ultra-premium, high-performance model. Similarly, you don’t want to underspend on a laptop that doesn't have the power you need if you’re going to be editing videos. 
5. Which laptop brand is best for students? Knowing how long a laptop will last, which brands develop the most faults, and when you can expect to see problems will help you choose a brand you can rely on. Your laptop will need to keep up with you and last the duration of your course (and then some). We know which brands fit the bill, as we asked almost 10,000 laptop owners to tell us about their devices. See the best laptop brands. 

Want a lightweight tablet to take to lectures? We can help – see our pick of the best tablets

Which operating system is best for students?

For many, the operating system you want will simply be the one you're used to. But here are some pros and cons to keep in mind.

• macOS A popular choice in academic settings, particularly with creative courses. It might take some getting used to if you've previously had Windows. Most popular Windows software will have macOS versions (including Microsoft Office), although Windows is the platform of choice for many gamers. See our Apple MacBook reviews.
• Windows Plenty of software and no major downsides, other than not being part of the Apple ecosystem – a bonus if you have other Apple products, such as an iPhone. If you're on a very tight budget, you won't find many good Windows 11 laptops for less than £400. See all our Windows laptop reviews.
• ChromeOS A more limited operating system. You use online apps to do your work, although many popular apps, such as Microsoft Office, are available. It's the platform of choice for many budget buyers because Chrome OS doesn't require powerful hardware. However, it won't be for everyone: some courses may require software that isn't available for Chromebooks. Plus, the fact that Chromebooks are online-focused means you're expected to pay a subscription for cloud storage – many models aren't generous with the amount of built-in storage they offer. See our Chromebook reviews.

How to get a student discount on a laptop

Apple and Microsoft both offer student discounts. Their laptop ranges tend to sit at the premium end of the market and can be a good choice for demanding tasks such as photo editing, video editing or software development.

Apple student discounts

Apple offers education pricing on selected Macs, iPads and accessories to university students, parents buying on their behalf and teachers and education staff. Depending on the time of year, Apple may also run promotions offering incentives such as gift cards or discounted AppleCare+. 

Visit Apple's Education Store for current offers.

Microsoft student discounts

Microsoft offers students and parents up to 10% off selected laptops and accessories through its education store. You can find discounts on eligible models in the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro ranges, although they might not be available alongside other promotions. Find out if this range is right for you with the help of our expert Microsoft Surface laptop reviews.

Students at eligible institutions can also access Office 365 Education (Microsoft 365 Education) for free – explore Microsoft's student deals for more details.

Many other laptop brands also offer student discounts when you buy directly from their websites, so it's worth checking before you buy. These manufacturers often have a wider range of budget and mid-priced models than Apple and Microsoft.

What to watch out for

Don't assume a student discount guarantees the best price. Some brands regularly advertise discounts against a high RRP, even though the product rarely sells at that price. Read our tips below on getting the best deal on a new laptop, or see our expert pick of the best laptop deals currently available.

While buying direct from a laptop brand can offer useful savings, other retailers may have lower prices or be running their own student discounts and promotions.

You could also save money by considering a second-hand or refurbished laptop. Manufacturers often refresh their ranges every year, but models that did well in our tests can remain excellent choices for several years after launch. See our guide to the best refurbished laptops.

Backpack gone missing with your coursework inside? Know what to do if your laptop gets stolen

How much should you spend on a student laptop?

Generally speaking, these are the prices you can expect to pay when buying a new laptop. This should help you to avoid spending more than you need to, or underpaying for a laptop that won't meet your needs. The last thing you need when you're trying to study is a laptop that's too slow and impacts your productivity. 

• Basic note-taking and occasional documents: £200-£400 should be enough for a Chromebook, or £400-£500 for a Windows 11 laptop. Look out for Intel Core 3/i3-powered Windows 11 laptops and Chromebooks (or AMD Ryzen 3). 
• Heavy web browsing, documents: £400-600 can get you an Intel Core i5/Core 5/AMD Ryzen 5 laptop with 16GB DDR5 Ram. This will also help to futureproof your laptop, so it doesn't slow down too much over time.
• Editing photos, videos: Beyond £600, you'll find plenty of laptops with Intel Core 5/i5/Ultra 5 and AMD Ryzen 5/AI 5 that can edit photos and videos without much lag. If you'll be doing this intensively on your course, consider an Intel Core 7/i7/Ultra 7, AMD Ryzen 7/AI 7 or Snapdragon X model – these tend to cost from around £800.
• Gaming: A good gaming laptop will set you back at least £600, or more for models with dedicated graphics cards (such as Nvidia graphics). The more you spend, the better graphics settings you can run your games with, and the longer the laptop will keep up with the latest games before you need to upgrade.

What features should I look for in a laptop for students?

• Operating system Look for Windows 11 or macOS. Be careful with budget Chromebooks running ChromeOS, as some courses may require software that isn't supported, or may not offer instructions for ChromeOS users. Don't be tempted by second-hand Windows 10 laptops that can't run Windows 11, as Windows 10 is reaching the end of its life and, over time, could become vulnerable to security threats during your studies. 
• Portability vs screen size You'll want a laptop that's not bulky to take out and about. Aim for less than 1.5kg for a 13-inch laptop, or less than 1.8kg for a larger 16-inch laptop. Larger-screen laptops make complex tasks easier (such as split-screen mode for research) but are more cumbersome to carry around.
• Ram We'd recommend at least 8GB on Windows 11 (preferably 16GB, especially for media or engineering students or those who open lots of browser tabs or programs at the same time). You should also choose DDR5 Ram (launched from 2020) over DDR4 (from 2014) if possible, as DDR5 launch speeds are nearly double the bandwidth of DDR4. For ChromeOS, 4GB is fine as it's a less resource-intensive operating system.
• Storage We'd recommend at least 256GB on Windows 11 or macOS (more than half of that will be taken up by the operating system itself), or preferably 512GB. For ChromeOS, you can get away with as little as 64GB, provided you're willing to subscribe to a cloud service provider such as Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive to store your files, as this is how ChromeOS is intended to be used.
• Processor AMD Ryzen 3 or Intel Core 3/i3 is our recommended bare minimum for a student laptop on Windows 11 (all Apple MacBooks have powerful processors). Even better, consider an AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core 5/i5. For photo or video editing, or for running engineering software, you should go for a higher-end AMD Ryzen 7, Intel Core 7/i7 or Snapdragon X processor. Microsoft brands some of these higher-end laptops 'Copilot+', which also gives you access to some on-laptop AI features – although most AI tools are cloud-based, so available to everyone.
• Build quality If you tend to give your tech a bit of a beating, consider an all-metal frame, as it should be more durable. Also check our laptop reviews, as we often criticise 'floppy' hinges on laptops, which don't live up to the quality you might expect.

Video: 5 things you should never do to your laptop

A laptop should last far longer than the length of your course, so make sure you take care of it. Here are five of the most common mistakes you can make that will affect your laptop's performance and lifespan.  

We test laptops more thoroughly than anyone else

Which? laptop tests go further than those carried out by other organisations. Our dedicated lab technicians assess around 100 laptops a year, meaning they know better than anyone else how to sort the diamonds from the duds — and not leaving any stone unturned. 

Plus, Which? is independent and doesn't accept freebies, so you can trust our reviews to give you the full, honest and impartial truth about a product. We won't shy away from criticising an awful product, as we don't rely on brands sending us samples to test (we buy all the laptops we test, unlike other websites).

When testing laptops in the Which? test lab, we monitor, measure and test against more than 260 criteria to ensure we have every base covered. This includes everything from battery life and screen brightness to button dimensions and USB data transfer rate. You might not have thought of it, but our lab will make sure everything's in order for you.

Whether you're a student who has to submit essays, video-editing projects or graphic design assignments, we've comprehensively tested the laptop to suit you. See our expert laptop reviews.