The best laptops for college students in 2024

Read Mashable's full review of the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3).

Who it's for:

The MacBook Pro (M3) is a great choice for students who need a laptop that can handle processor-heavy projects like video and photo editing. Its long battery life and crystal-clear speakers also make it a solid pick for anyone who likes to hunker down for extended study sessions. Finally, you may want this device simply because you're already ingrained in the Apple ecosystem, and that's okay, too.

Why we picked this:

Apple's M3-chip-equipped MacBook Pro is a powerhouse of a laptop that can handle all of your college-centric needs, from basic note-taking to demanding Adobe Suite projects. The new 14-inch screen feels just right compared to the usual 13-and-16-inch models and boasts a Liquid Retina XDR display that looks absolutely stunning. Mashable Tech Editor, Kimberly Gedeon, also praised the device's audio output, saying that the MacBook Pro "arguably has the best set of speakers on the laptop market." So, if you like to listen to music while you study, you're in for a treat.

On top of the Pro's sheer speed and power, it also has an incredibly long battery life, clocking in at around 17 hours on a single charge. Unfortunately, it's not your cheapest option — the model our reviewer tested starts at $1,999. On top of expensive tuition payments, that might not be feasible for a lot of students (don't worry, we have a more affordable MacBook coming up).

Who it's for:

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is best for students who prioritize versatility above all. If you need a device that can do a little bit of everything, and do it well, look no further. It's a laptop, it's a tablet, and it's a powerful productivity machine. The note-taking features also make it indispensable in the classroom.

The base configuration can be hard to find in stock, so if you're looking for more 2-in-1s or MacBook alternatives, be sure to check out our guide to the best Windows laptops.

Why we picked this:

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a powerful device in its own right, but the name of the game here is versatility. As a 2-in-1 laptop, the Surface Pro 9 is extremely impressive. It's a breeze to switch from laptop to tablet mode, and with the help of the computer's 12th Gen Intel Core processor, you'll get fast and smooth performance whether you're in the lecture hall, posted up at the school cafeteria, or back in your dorm room. The Pro 9 is also the first Surface to offer 5G support.

The Slim Pen 2 is included with this laptop and tablet combo, and it makes taking notes an enjoyable activity rather than a chore. The ability to handwrite messages and convert them to computer text feels like magic, and pulling up your go-to note-taking app by clicking the pen's tip is a neat trick. Art students will especially love the Slim-Pen-2-Adobe-Suite synergy. The kickstand is also improved and feels much more balanced in tabletop mode than any of its predecessors, but we still don't recommend using it on your lap (it's too unstable).

While we really loved the feel of the Pro 9's detachable keyboard, it was a little bit flimsy, so you may want to pick up a carrying case to ensure its safety throughout the semesters to come. We also don't love the angle that the laptop sits at while in tabletop mode for video calls. It makes you look downright awkward on the other end of the camera feed, so if you attend school virtually, keep that in mind (the camera quality is really good, though). Lastly, it doesn't have a headphone jack (bummer), so make sure you have a pair of Bluetooth headphones or a 3.5mm-to-USB-C dongle handy.

Who it's for:

Students who have hobbies outside of schoolwork (which is most of you, we hope) will appreciate the Acer Chromebook 516 GE's equally great gaming and general-use features. It comes in at a budget-friendly price and goes on sale often, so if your budget is tapped out after purchasing your textbooks, this may be your best bet. You'll save even more money once you redeem the membership perks we discuss below.

Why we picked this:

All work and no play makes college an absolute slog, and we've consistently named this the best Chromebook for gaming. You'll have to take a break from studying at some point, and the Acer Chromebook 516 GE has cloud gaming features that can scratch that itch without making you empty your bank account. This affordable gaming laptop promises its users a fantastic cloud-based PC gaming experience and the ability to stay on top of schoolwork. After taking it for a spin, we can say that it definitely delivers.

At this price point, great gaming laptops are hard to come by, but the Chromebook 516 GE breaks that mold by offering top-notch performance during gaming and general use, a beautiful display, and killer perks for just $649 (we've even seen it on sale for only $499). During our testing, every game we booted up ran smoothly, save for a slight loss in fidelity, which is extremely common with cloud gaming. We experienced zero input lag or stuttering.

While we used Xbox Game Pass to test out the cloud gaming features, that's not your only option. Along with your purchase, you can redeem three free months of NVIDIA GeForce Now at the Priority level, which grants you access to NVIDIA's high-end cloud servers with enhanced resolution and frame rate. You get other perks too, including three months of YouTube Premium, a year's worth of Google One cloud storage, and a month of access to Boosteroid.

The Acer Chromebook 516GE is also a solid general-use laptop that'll serve you well throughout your college career. The build quality feels durable and sturdy and features a nice RGB keyboard with anti-ghosting tech that's ideal for taking notes, editing documents, and performing everyday tasks. You'll also get a bevy of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and Ethernet. But the real showstopper is the laptop's display. The 16-inch, 1600p screen looks fantastic and boasts clear, bright, and vibrant colors, and it supports a 120Hz refresh rate.

The only knock we have against the device? The battery life. It lasted around six hours for us (while using it heavily for gaming, so your mileage may vary).

Who it's for:

We told you we'd be back with a more budget-friendly MacBook. And if you want to be in the Apple ecosystem but don't want to shell out for the M3 MacBook Pro, the new M3 Air is for you. Both models have the same M3 chip for elite processing speeds and graphics, but the MacBook Air comes at half the price. It's thin, so it won't take up space in your backpack — we know how packed it can get with a day of classes — and it's lightweight, too. At 2.7 pounds, it won't weigh you down when you're running across the quad.

It's a great choice for creatives, too. Its starting RAM is lacking at 8GB, but the stunning visuals make it optimal for light graphic design or photo editing.

Why we picked this:

Our original pick here was the legendary Apple M1 MacBook Air, which debuted in 2020 and remained one of the best laptops for college students for four years running. However, it's no longer available for sale now that it's been surpassed by two newer models. And in 2024, the best budget MacBook is the latest MacBook Air with the M3 chip. While the M2 Air is still available for about $100 less, you're going to want to spend a little extra to get the latest tech. Apple's technology moves fast, and by the time you graduate, we'll probably be at the M5 chip. You don't want to fall too far behind.

The MacBook Air has always been Apple's lightweight and portable laptop, and the M3 version is no different, making it ideal for the fast-moving college student going from class to class. The Air is technically a pared down version of the MacBook Pro, but it has all the processing power for your school needs. You can bounce between your web browser, music streaming, and word processor flawlessly. It's even capable of basic photo and video editing.

We also love the quiet, fanless design, all-day battery life, and impressive build quality, something Apple users have gotten used to over the many MacBook generations. If you need to take Zoom class or meetings, the webcam has also seen some nice improvements from previous generations.

While it starts at $1,099, it's often on sale at Amazon for under $1,000. Plus students (and teachers) can take advantage of Apple's education pricing.