Best Laptops For Students

Choosing the best laptop for university can feel a bit like scrolling through Netflix; there are so many options, yet somehow nothing feels quite right. Whether you’re studying engineering, design, or just need something to take lecture notes on, utilise study websites, and stream your shows after class, your laptop is going to be your ultimate uni sidekick. So, let’s help you find the best laptop for students: one that fits your course, your budget, and your lifestyle.

How To Choose The Best Laptop For University

Picking a student laptop isn’t just about finding the flashiest specs or the lowest price tag. It’s about finding a machine that matches how you study, create, and unwind. Before you hit ‘add to basket’, think about how your laptop will fit into your everyday uni life.

What Will You Be Using Your University Laptop For?

Having a laptop is one of the best ways to stay productive as a student. It can hold your notes, organise your events, and so much more. Start by asking yourself: what will your laptop actually do for you? 

If you’re a design student, you’ll need something powerful enough to run Adobe Creative Cloud, AutoCAD, or 3D modelling software, whereas computer science students will want plenty of RAM and a strong processor for coding and multitasking.

But if you’re in humanities or business, the best student laptop for you could actually be something a lot simpler. A lighter laptop with reliable battery life and fast boot-up times will do the job just fine. And if your main concern is essay writing and streaming, a Chromebook is the best affordable laptop for students overall. If you’re really struggling to come to a decision, you could even ask your lecturers what’s commonly used; this will give you a good idea as to what’s standard. 

What To Look For In A Laptop

Here’s what to keep in mind when hunting for the best laptops for students:

• Portability: You’ll be carrying it to lectures, libraries, and cafes, so look for something under 1.6kg.
• Battery life: No one wants to fight for the last charging point in the lecture hall. Aim for 8+ hours for all-day use.
• Performance: An Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB RAM, and SSD storage (at least 256GB) are great starting points.
• Durability: You want something sturdy enough to survive a few inevitable drops or coffee spills!
• Operating system: Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS… Choose what suits your apps and budget best.

What Is The Best Laptop For Students?

Let’s get into the real deal: what’s the best laptop for students in the UK right now? The answer depends on what you study, how much you’re willing to spend, and what features matter most. We’ve broken down the top picks by category to make things simple.

Best Budget Laptops For Students

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a solid student laptop. The best cheap laptops for students balance price and performance, offering everything you need for lectures, essays, and browsing.

Our top picks: 

• Acer Aspire 5: Reliable, affordable, and handles multitasking well.
• Lenovo IdeaPad 3: Lightweight with great keyboard comfort, perfect for essay writing made easy.
• HP Pavilion 14: Stylish design with solid performance under £500.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can even find the best laptop for students UK under £300, like the Lenovo Chromebook Duet. It’s small but mighty – perfect for note-taking, cloud storage, and streaming.

Best Laptop For Design Students

Design students need a powerhouse laptop capable of running heavy software without lag. The best laptop for design students should offer a high-resolution display, excellent colour accuracy, and a strong GPU.

Our top picks:

• Apple MacBook Pro (M3): Stunning Retina display and unbeatable processing for Photoshop, Illustrator, or Premiere Pro.
• Dell XPS 15: Sharp screen, powerful graphics card, and sleek design.
• ASUS ZenBook Pro 14: Excellent colour range, ideal for creative workflows.

While pricier, these are long-term investments that’ll serve you far beyond graduation.

Best Laptop For Computer Science Students

For coding, testing, and compiling, you’ll want speed and plenty of memory. The best laptops for uni students studying computer science need at least 16GB RAM and a super-fast processor.

Our top picks:

• MacBook Air M2: Great for developers, with fast performance and all-day battery.
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Robust, business-grade, and built to last.
• ASUS TUF Gaming A15: A gaming laptop that doubles up brilliantly for heavy coding.

If you’re into machine learning or data-heavy projects, consider a model with an NVIDIA GPU for smooth processing.

Best All-Rounder Laptop For Students

Sometimes, you just want the best all rounder laptop that easily handles lectures, essays, editing, and, most importantly, streaming.

Our top picks:

• HP Envy 13: Sleek, reliable, and ideal for everyday study sessions.
• MacBook Air M2: Light, powerful, and perfectly balanced for most degrees.
• Dell XPS 13: Consistent favourite for portability and battery life.

These are ideal if you need versatility without breaking the bank.

Best Laptop for Battery Life For Students

Long day on campus? The best laptop for battery life will keep you powered through back-to-back lectures.

Our top picks:

• MacBook Air M3: Up to 18 hours of battery life, so no charger is needed all day!
• LG Gram 14: Feather-light and lasts 16+ hours.
• Acer Swift 3: Budget-friendly but surprisingly long-lasting.

Nothing kills productivity faster than a flat battery, so this is one spec worth investing in.

Best 2-in-1 Laptops For Students

Want a laptop that can double as a tablet for note-taking or watching Netflix in bed? The best 2 in 1 laptops for students combine flexibility and function.

Our top picks:

• Microsoft Surface Pro 9: The ultimate hybrid for work and play.
• HP Spectre x360: Premium feel and stunning touchscreen.
• Lenovo Yoga 7i: Great balance of power and portability.

Perfect for creative students or anyone who likes a change of pace, a 2-in-1 is a great idea for studying smarter.

Best MacBook For Students

If you’re a fan of Apple and heading to uni, you’ll already know why the best MacBook for students is a staple on campuses everywhere.

Our top picks:

MacBook Air M2: Super light, silent, and affordable compared to the Pro.

MacBook Pro 14-inch M3: The ultimate multitasker for demanding courses.

With the Apple student discount, you can save a chunk off the retail price, plus get free Apple Music and extra iCloud storage, perfect for keeping your study files safe.

Best Chromebook For Students

Chromebooks are the best affordable laptops for students who mainly use Google Workspace, stream, or browse. They’re fast, secure, and easy to use: great for essay writing and light design work.

Our top picks:

• Acer Chromebook Spin 513: Stylish and durable with a flexible hinge.
• Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5: A detachable keyboard and OLED display under £500.
• ASUS Chromebook Flip: Compact and smooth for everyday uni life.

Best Student Laptop Deals

No student wants to pay full price for tech. Luckily, most major brands offer exclusive student laptop deals and discounts. Here’s where to find the best ones.

Apple Student Discount

Apple’s student discount is legendary. Through Apple Education Pricing, you can save up to 10% on MacBooks and iPads. They also offer freebies like Apple Music and TV+ for students, perfect for study breaks and weekend binges!

Dell Student Discount

The Dell student discount gets you up to 20% off laptops and accessories. Dell’s Inspiron and XPS ranges are ideal for uni, and you can often grab free delivery or warranty upgrades during promo periods.

Lenovo Student Discount

Lenovo’s student discount programme is brilliant for budget-conscious buyers. You can save up to 25% on laptops like the IdeaPad or ThinkPad ranges, which are some of the best student laptops for long-term reliability.

HP Student Discount

HP’s store offers up to 30% off with its student discount. They regularly have deals on the Pavilion and Envy models, which are great for coursework and binge-watching.

Asus Student Discount

With the ASUS student discount, you can save up to 15% on laptops and accessories. Their ZenBook and VivoBook models are known for lightweight builds and great battery life.

Microsoft Student Discount

Microsoft offers up to 10% off Surface devices and accessories with their Microsoft student discount. You can also access Microsoft 365 Education for free, giving you Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote; essentials for uni life.

Acer Student Discount

The Acer student discount is often overlooked but worth checking out. You can find savings up to 15% on models like the Aspire and Swift, both top contenders for the best laptops for students on a budget.

Book Your Student Accommodation with aparto

Once you’ve sorted your best laptop for university, make sure you’ve got the perfect study space to use it in. From modern study areas to cosy social spaces, you’ll have everything you need to focus, connect, and unwind. Plus, our WiFi is lightning fast, so no lag during online lectures or video calls!

Ready to start your student journey? Book your student accommodation with aparto today and enjoy a home where study, fun, and friendships come naturally.