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The best laptops for students, from MacBooks to Dell, plus the best student discounts
If your child is off to university, college, or entering their final years at secondary school, the best laptops for students can cater to classwork, general tasks and some vital play in between lectures and lessons.
Whether it’s for coursework, day-to-day admin, or subject-specific programs and apps, it’s important to know how to pick the best laptop from the wide range on offer across the likes of Apple, HP, Acer and Lenovo. Especially when you can spend anything from £400 to £2,500. You’ll want to consider the size and weight of the machine, how smoothly it runs and the quality of the display. You should also look for a laptop with a battery that can last all day on a single charge.
I’ve provided answers to frequently asked questions at the end, and this article is also regularly checked and updated. If you’re in a hurry, though, here’s a quick look at my top five:
The best laptops for students: At a glance
How to choose the best laptop for students
Understanding what a student needs to use their laptop for is vital when choosing which model to buy. Graphically intense tasks like 3D modelling will be smoother with a powerful graphics card (often referred to as a GPU), while creative subjects like photography will also benefit from a colour-accurate display, which you’ll find with OLED screens.
A good battery life is essential for students taking laptops with them between lectures and the library, especially when plug sockets become hot property. It’s also worth considering the software and apps required for different courses to ensure you pick one with a compatible operating system (Windows or macOS). If your child needs a laptop for specific course-related work, such as coding, rather than general tasks like writing essays, then it’s worth checking with the college or university what operating system is best.
Many brands have student-specific discount schemes that are worth looking at, too. HP has a Student Store, as does Apple, Acer, Lenovo, Asus and Microsoft. Discounts can also be found elsewhere in places like the Unidays student perks website. As always, it pays to shop around.
If nothing in my guide below ticks all your boxes, you can look through my recommendations for the best laptops and best gaming laptops, too.
