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Best laptops for college students

A college laptop should last a full day of classes on battery, carry easily and handle documents, research and video calls. 8 GB of memory is the minimum and 16 GB keeps it quick for years; a 13 to 14 inch screen is the easiest to carry.

Top 10 of 99 that qualify, from 114 laptops compared. Ranked by how often independent reviewers recommend them.

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  1. Dell XPS 13 (2026)

    Top pick

    Dell XPS 13 (2026)

    13.4″ 2.5K 120 Hz touch laptop

    • Plenty for browsing, documents and video
    Screen
    13.4″
    Memory
    8 GB
    Storage
    512 GB
    System
    Windows
    Processor
    Intel Core 5 320
    Graphics
    Integrated
    PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
  2. ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (touch)

    ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (touch)

    14″ touch Chromebook Plus, 8 GB RAM

    • Plenty for browsing, documents and video
    Screen
    14″
    Memory
    8 GB
    Storage
    128 GB
    System
    ChromeOS
    Processor
    Intel Core i3-1315U
    Graphics
    Integrated
    PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
  3. Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra

    Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra

    16″ AMOLED RTX 5060 laptop, 32 GB, 1 TB

    • Plenty for browsing, documents and video
    Screen
    16″
    Memory
    32 GB
    Storage
    1 TB
    System
    Windows
    Processor
    Intel Core Ultra 7
    Graphics
    Mid gaming (RTX 4060 class)
    PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
  4. ASUS Chromebook CX15

    Budget pick

    ASUS Chromebook CX15

    15.6″ FHD Chromebook, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB

    • Plenty for browsing, documents and video
    Screen
    15.6″
    Memory
    8 GB
    Storage
    128 GB
    System
    ChromeOS
    Processor
    Intel N50
    Graphics
    Integrated
    PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
  5. Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714

    Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714

    14″ 2-in-1 touch Chromebook, 8 GB, 256 GB

    • Plenty for browsing, documents and video
    Screen
    14″
    Memory
    8 GB
    Storage
    256 GB
    System
    ChromeOS
    Processor
    Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
    Graphics
    Integrated
    PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
  6. Acer Chromebook Plus 515

    Acer Chromebook Plus 515

    15.6″ touch Chromebook Plus, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB

    • Plenty for browsing, documents and video
    Screen
    15.6″
    Memory
    8 GB
    Storage
    256 GB
    System
    ChromeOS
    Processor
    Intel Core i3-1305U
    Graphics
    Integrated
    PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
  7. Acer Chromebook Plus 516

    Acer Chromebook Plus 516

    16″ WUXGA Chromebook Plus, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB

    • Plenty for browsing, documents and video
    Screen
    16″
    Memory
    8 GB
    Storage
    128 GB
    System
    ChromeOS
    Processor
    Intel Core i3-1315U
    Graphics
    Integrated
    PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
  8. Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5)

    Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5)

    15.3″ MacBook Air, 16 GB memory, 512 GB SSD

    • Plenty for browsing, documents and video
    Screen
    15.3″
    Memory
    16 GB
    Storage
    512 GB
    System
    macOS
    Processor
    Apple M5
    Graphics
    Integrated
    PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
  9. ASUS Zenbook A14

    ASUS Zenbook A14

    14″ OLED Snapdragon X Plus laptop, 16 GB, 512 GB

    • Plenty for browsing, documents and video
    Screen
    14″
    Memory
    16 GB
    Storage
    512 GB
    System
    Windows
    Processor
    Snapdragon X Plus
    Graphics
    Integrated
    PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
  10. LG gram 17 (2025)

    LG gram 17 (2025)

    17″ 2.5K touch laptop, 32 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD

    • Plenty for browsing, documents and video
    Screen
    17″
    Memory
    32 GB
    Storage
    2 TB
    System
    Windows
    Processor
    Intel Core Ultra 7
    Graphics
    Integrated
    PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

How we picked

We compared 114 laptops with real Amazon listings and kept the 99 that meet all of this:

Every pick fits, so the order is about what to look at first. Models that independent reviewers recommend come first, the most often recommended at the top. The rest follow, best known and best liked first, with the newest model of a line ahead of older ones. No brand pays to be listed or placed higher. Prices change daily, so we never print one; Amazon shows today's price.

Reviews we drew on

We don't test products ourselves. These published roundups recommend picks on this list:

  1. techradar.com The best student laptops in 2026: our top tested picks for college and school
  2. theverge.com A RAMageddon guide to back-to-school laptop shopping
  3. tomsguide.com The best Windows laptop in 2026: Lab tested and rated
  4. pcworld.com Best Chromebooks 2026: Top picks for work, school, and ...
  5. engadget.com The best laptops for college students
  6. tomsguide.com Best Chromebook 2026: Top picks for work, students and more
  7. wired.com Best Chromebooks (2026): Most Are Bad, but These Aren't
  8. theverge.com The best laptops that I recommend to just about anyone
  9. uk.pcmag.com The Best Large-Screen Laptops for 2026
  10. tomsguide.com Don’t overpay: Here's the best laptops for students I'd buy right now for back to school

Questions

What are the best laptops for college students?

Our top three are the Dell XPS 13 (2026), ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (touch) and Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra. Each one meets everything this guide asks for.

What should laptops for college students have?

Plenty for browsing, documents and video. Every pick on this list does.

Are these links sponsored?

Links to Amazon may earn Build Your Setup a commission. It does not change what you pay, and no brand pays to be listed or placed higher.