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Laptops for Students

Laptops that suit school, college and uni: under 1.8 kg, at least 8 GB of memory, and under £800. Gaming laptops are left out.

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86 laptops

Choosing a laptop for school, college or university

A student laptop has to survive a bag, last through lectures and run the software your course needs, without costing a fortune. That’s why this page only includes laptops under 1.8 kg with at least 8 GB of memory, and leaves out heavy gaming laptops.

For essays, research and video calls, any laptop here will do. Battery life and weight matter most, because you’ll carry it all day. If your course uses demanding software (engineering, design, video or data analysis), check the course’s minimum requirements and aim for 16 GB of memory and a faster processor.

Chromebooks are a good choice for younger students and schools that use Google Classroom. University students usually need Windows or macOS for specialist software.

Frequently asked questions

What laptop do I need for university?

Most courses run fine on a laptop with a mid-range processor, 16 GB of memory and 256 to 512 GB of storage. Check your course page for minimum requirements, especially for engineering, architecture, design and computing.

Is a Chromebook good for students?

For school and for courses that use Google Docs and web apps, yes: they're cheap, simple and have long battery life. They can't run Windows software, so check before buying one for university.

How long should a student laptop battery last?

Long enough for a day of lectures without a charger. Look for a maker's claim of 10 hours or more, and compare battery capacity in Wh between similar laptops.

Should students buy a 2-in-1?

A 2-in-1 with a pen is great for handwritten notes and diagrams. If you mostly type, a regular laptop gives you a better keyboard for the money.