It’s the New Year and you want to kick it off right. This means new tech that doesn’t break the bank, but will see you through many New Years to come. Countless hours of research and stress is so last year, so we’ve done the hard work for you. Here is a list of the top nine laptops for college students going into 2022.
The Best for Classwork: Acer Swift 3 (2021)
For your everyday, all-around school laptop needs.
(Image: © Future)
Highlights: Running the Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, the Acer Swift 3 accomplishes all of your tasks with ease. This laptop has every port you could possibly need. On the right, there’s one 3.5 combo audio port, a USB-Type A Port and a Kensington lock slot; and on the left, another USB-Type A port, an HDMI port, a Gen 3.2 USB-Type C Thunderbolt 4 port, and a power adapter port. The display is good, as is the sound quality.
Lowlights: There really aren’t any.
- Price: $999.99 (starting at $729.99)
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
- Display: 14nch, FHD IPS Touchscreen (1920 x 1080)
- Battery: 10:14
- Size: 12.7 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
Warranties and student discounts: One-year limited warranty. 10% discount + free shipping for students.
The Best Price: HP Envy 13 (2021)
This amount of computing power at this price point is incredible.
(Image: © Laptop Mag)
Highlights: This laptop runs Intel Core i5-1135G7, meaning that for under $1000, you get exceptionally fast performance. The look of the HP Envy 13 is very sleek with aluminum elements and a 1080p display, but HP did not sacrifice function for design as this laptop includes both USB Type-A and Type-C ports. And for those looking for a traditionally clicky keyboard, this is the laptop for you.
Lowlights: The plastic touchpad feels cheap and due to a lack of concave front edges, the device is a bit harder to open than other models.
- Price: $749
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- GPU: Iris Xe
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p touchscreen
- Battery: 11:15
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5
- Size: 12.1 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches
- Weight: 2.9 pounds
Warranties and student discounts: All consumer PCs and printers come with a standard one-year warranty. Care packs provide an enhanced level of support and/or an extended period of coverage for your HP hardware. Exclusive discounts for students and teachers.
The Second-Best Price: HP Envy x360 13 (2020)
For only $800, you get a lot of bang for your buck.
(Image: © Laptop Mag)
Highlights: The HP Envy x360 13 has a convenient and responsive touchscreen, setting it apart from other laptops. It’s also got AMD’s new 4000-series CPUs, allowing for outstanding performance at a reasonable price. It also includes several useful ports– two USB 3.1 Type-A inputs, a microSD card slot, a USB Type-C port, and a headphone/mic jack. The HP Envy x360 13 also folds into a tablet which could prove to be useful.
Lowlights: This laptop is a bit heavier than others, which may impact portability. It also does not come with a stylus.
- Price: $799
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
- GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p
- Battery: 11:52 (old Edge); 10:45 (new Edge)
- Size: 12.1 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches
- Weight: 2.9 pounds
Warranties and student discounts: All consumer PCs and printers come with a standard one-year warranty. Care packs provide an enhanced level of support and/or an extended period of coverage for your HP hardware. Exclusive discounts for students and teachers.
The Best Specs: MacBook Air with M1 (2020)
Speedy performance and a display that will wow you.
(Image: © Future)
Highlights: While skeptics may argue that this MacBook is just like its predecessors, the new M1 chip brings this laptop to the next level with all-day battery life and high computing power that can accomplish tasks like 4k video editing. The MacBook Air with M1 is also fan-less, meaning that it can multitask without making a sound. It also includes the comfortable and satisfying magic keyboard, and a crisp display with a resolution higher than HD. The speakers and webcam are also some of the best quality you can find in a laptop.
Lowlights: This laptop has very few ports.
- Price: $999 (starting)
- CPU: Apple M1
- GPU: Apple M1 GPU
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB
- Display: 13.3-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel
- Battery: 14:41
- Size: 12 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds
Warranties and student discounts: AppleCare warranty. Students, parents, teachers, and staff receive education pricing.
The Best Look: Dell XPS 13 (2020)
A computer that will convince you that all that glitters is gold.
(Image: © Future)
Highlights: Dell’s commitment to innovation is ever apparent in their decision to consider bezels a thing of the past– This laptop is 100% screen and 100% luxurious. Sporting a large, 1080p display, a comfortable keyboard and smooth touchpad, Intel’s new 11th Gen Tiger Lake processors, and a compact frame, the Dell XPS 13 (2020) is wicked fast, convenient, and gorgeous. At a little over 12 hours, the Dell XPS 13’s battery life surpasses Intel’s new Evo standards by two hours.
Lowlights: This laptop costs a pretty penny.
- Price: $1,749
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7
- GPU: Intel Iris Plus
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD
- Display: 13.4-inch, 1080p
- Battery: 12:39
- Size: 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches
- Weight: 2.8 pounds
Warranties and student discounts: Most Dell products, including computers, laptops, and computer accessories come with a standard one-year warranty. Extra $200 off with code: STUDENT200.
The Best 2-in-1: iPad Air 4th Generation (2020)
Peak performance, picturesque, and portable; but not pricey.
(Image: © Laptop Mag)
Highlights: While the iPad Air is a tablet, the level of productivity you can achieve with this device rivals that of an actual computer. It is the fastest tablet out there, can handle running several programs at once, and when paired with the Magic Keyboard functions like a laptop. The Apple Pencil Generation 2 glides beautifully along with the fully laminated screen, which makes this a great option for creatives and those who wish to take notes by hand. The iPad Air is also magnetized, allowing the Apple Pencil to attach to the top.
Lowlights: The accessories, the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard are sold separately for $129 and $299, respectively.
- Price: $749 (starting at $599)
- Storage: 64GB, 256GB
- CPU: A14 Bionic
- Display: 10.9-inch, 2360 x 1640-pixels
- Cameras: 12MP f/1.8 (rear); 7MP f/2.2 (front)
- Video: 4K at 60 fps (1080p at 240 fps Slo-mo)
- Battery life: 10:29
- Size: 9.7 x 7 x 0.24 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
Warranties and student discounts: AppleCare warranty. Students, parents, teachers, and staff receive education pricing.
The Best Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
Exceeds expectations with flying, high-resolution colors.
(Image credit: LaptopMag)
Highlights: For those mostly looking for a tablet that can accomplish some laptop tasks, the Tab S7 is a perfect option. With a 120Hz display, the Tab S7 has the best display of any tablet on the market. Unlike other devices, you’re able to expand the memory to up to 1TB with a microSD card. Another bonus is that the compatible stylus (S Pen) is included with the device.
Lowlights: The Tab S7 isn’t as fast as the iPad, cannot run as many programs at once, and many of the apps available in the Google Play Store are not optimized for tablets.
- Price: $729 (starting at $649)
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
- Storage: 256GB
- RAM: 8GB
- Display: 11 inches (LTPS IPS LCD), 2560 x 1600-pixel
- Battery: 13:08
- Size: 10 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches
- Weight: 1.1 pounds
Warranties and student discounts: 2 year Samsung tablet warranty. Students, parents and educators can save an extra 15% for a total of up to 30% off laptops, smartphones, tablets and more.
Best Battery Life: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 9)
For all-nighters AND classes the next day.
(Image: © Phillip Tracy/Laptop Mag)
Highlights: This device has the best battery life money can buy, but that’s not all. With a slim, lightweight and durable design, Lenovo did not increase computing power at the expense of portability. The legendary ThinkPad keyboard still reigns supreme with its clicky switches, ergonomic concave keys, and rewarding feedback with every press. The dual speakers underneath coupled with the ones on either side of the keyboard deliver clear audio.
Lowlights: The webcam is only 720p, the touchpad is relatively small, and there’s no card slot. It also doesn’t handle lengthy, graphics-heavy tasks with ease.
- Price: $1,965 (starting at $1,393)
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPU: Iris Xe
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
- Display: 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel 16:10
- Battery: 15:39
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
- Size: 12.4 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
Warranties and student discounts: Warranties vary depending on device purchased, but can be from 1 to 3 years. Students receive 5% off.
Best for Study Breaks: Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
This one’s for you, gamers.
(Image credit: Laptop Mag)
Highlights: Not many laptops designed for schoolwork can also support gaming software, and that’s what sets the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro apart from the rest. “Armed with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800 CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics, the Legion 5 Pro gives gamers the power they need to run the latest AAA titles at Ultra graphics settings” (Latop Mag). The keyboard provides a satisfying typing experience, and the computer comes with USB 3.2 Type-C ports, a headphone/mic jack, an RJ-45 Ethernet jack, three additional USB 3.2 Type-A inputs, an HDMI 2.1, and Lenovo’s power input.
Lowlights: Very heavy, only four-zone RGB, and runs warm.
- Price: $1,529
- CPU: Ryzen 7 5800H CPU
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 16-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel
- Battery: 6:16
- Size: 14 x 10.4 x 1.1 inches
- Weight: 5.4 pounds
Warranties and student discounts: Warranties vary depending on device purchased, but can be from 1 to 3 years. Students receive 5% off.