
See our full Apple MacBook Air M2 review. See our full Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) review. The MacBook Pro is a strong option as well, it appears later on this page, but considering all of the factors for a college laptop, the MacBook Air is going to be the better choice for most macOS fans looking for their perfect college laptop.

And, of course, Apple's least expensive 13.3-inch model is the most portable, coming in at only 0.6 inches thick and 2.8 pounds. Why buy the MacBook Air instead of the Pro? While the Pro has better sustained performance, the MacBook Air is cheaper and is pin-drop silent because it doesn't have a fan. That affordable pricing mixed with its outstanding performance along with 14 hours and 41 minutes of battery life make it hard to beat for college students that are looking to get the most bang for their buck. While the MacBook Air M2 is now available, many users will still be perfectly happy with the MacBook Air M1, which comes in under $1,000 and can is available for $899 to students even when it's not on sale. If you prefer macOS to Windows 11, then go with the Apple MacBook Air. Then there's the MacBook Air, which is powered by Apple's M1 processor for solid performance with otherworldly battery life, it may be the most affordable MacBook, but it's also easily one of the best Apple laptops. The Envy also delivers fast performance from 11th Gen Intel CPUs, it has a great screen and is portable enough to carry around campus. The Envy 13 might be a mid-range notebook but it looks and feels like a more premium machine. Not everyone is on a budget, but most folks will want to save as much money as possible so they can pay off student loans. If that's you and you are on the lookout for the best laptop deals, the Envy 13 and MacBook Air strike an excellent balance with premium specs and features at a reasonable, sub-$1,000 price. We feel strongly about the HP Envy 13 and MacBook Air (M1, 2020) as the best laptops for college students. Whichever laptop you get, you'll also want to pick up a few extras, such as a comfortable mouse, a well-appointed backpack, and perhaps a printer. Without further ado, here are the best college laptops, including some budget picks for those dreading tuition payments. If you are just starting the search then check back in regularly for the latest and great laptops for students as we are always working on new reviews. And if you prefer to take notes by hand, buy one of the best 2-in-1 laptops for a blended laptop and tablet experience. We've also ranked the best gaming laptops for those who like to unwind after the coursework is wrapped up.

You can find a lot of these units on our main best laptops page too, which gives you a wide selection of the top notebooks to choose from. When you're buying a laptop for school, make sure it has long battery life and fast CPU performance.
