Initiating college life entails making a multitude of tough decisions: picking a dorm, selecting a major, deciding when to stay up all night, and figuring out how many parties to attend on weekends. Nevertheless, choosing the right laptop for academics shouldn’t rank among those challenging choices.

At Mashable, we meticulously evaluate laptops through an extensive in-house method that combines practical usage with performance testing. Equipped with this knowledge, I sought to pinpoint which of our highest-rated laptops are best for college students this semester, concentrating on portability and value.

I also looked into the hardware recommendations from leading universities to ascertain the required processors, RAM, storage, and software compatibility. (Further details can be found in the “What to look for in a college laptop” section.)

I have selected five top contenders across different price points, all of which should endure through graduation and beyond. I am confident that they will perform admirably, fit conveniently in a backpack, and endure long campus days.

Which laptop is the finest for college students?

To determine this, you must first choose: Windows or Mac?

The new M4 MacBook Air stands out as the premier MacBook for college. It delivers quiet performance, a sleek, portable design, an excellent webcam, and all-day battery longevity at a remarkable price. Power users in fields that demand intensive specialty software (such as graphic design, engineering, and computer science) should consider upgrading to a MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip. We have tested and appreciated the 16-inch model, an impressive powerhouse, but there’s also a more budget-friendly 14-inch option available with nearly identical specifications.

For Windows users, the Acer Swift X 14 (2024) emerges as an outstanding selection, featuring a 14-inch clamshell design with substantial power, including a dedicated GPU for demanding studies, a good range of ports, and a vibrant OLED screen. If you are inclined towards a Chromebook for note-taking and basic tasks, the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is the superior model we’ve evaluated. In one of the best back-to-school laptop offers noted so far, a lesser variant is available for under $400 at Best Buy.

What to consider when selecting a college laptop

Among the top 20 public institutions whose recommendations I analyzed, half advise students to purchase lightweight Windows 11 laptops or MacBooks released within the last two years. (Some suggest older models, but I wouldn’t recommend this for future-proofing.) Most colleges suggest laptops featuring a minimum of 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, though more is preferable if your finances allow. Approach processor choices in a similar manner. For Windows devices, begin with a mid-range choice like an Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 chip and consider an upgrade if feasible. For MacBooks, I advocate for the M4 chip for good value, though more details are given in each product breakdown.

Students in humanities fields might manage with just 256GB of storage, but I recommend complementing it with an external hard drive. Conversely, those pursuing engineering, graphic design, animation, or computer science should aim for high-end configurations with at least 24GB or 32GB of memory and 1TB of storage to accommodate heavier workloads. Some institutions also recommend adding a dedicated GPU (e.g., Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics) for such studies.

A few colleges noted that ARM-based Windows laptops utilizing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors may not be compatible with certain software and peripherals students require, including AutoCAD, a popular 2D and 3D design application. While we appreciate many Snapdragon-powered laptops for their performance and battery life, I have excluded them from my recommendations to help students sidestep compatibility challenges. Anything powered by Intel or AMD CPUs is advised.

Additionally, some colleges discourage buying Chromebooks, which are web-based laptops with lower specifications and costs. I’ve included one remarkable Chromebook for those seeking a less expensive option for note-taking and emails, but it shouldn’t be your main computer and may not work with specific specialty software.

Regardless of which laptop you decide on, allocate a budget for an extended warranty that includes accidental damage protection, as advised by half of my research sources. For reference, AppleCare+ for Mac ranges from $69.99 to $149.99 annually (or slightly less with educational pricing), depending on the MacBook model.

Lastly, do not purchase a college laptop without verifying if your major or program has specific hardware requirements, as these may differ from your institution’s broader recommendations. For instance, Purdue University allows MacBooks for its general student base but advises certain engineering majors to steer clear of them.