Best Laptops for College 2022 Under $500-$1000

In this comprehensive article, we have consolidated the best laptops for college students in 2022 that have them in them to serve your academic pursuits without breaking into a sweat.

College students are among the most ardent users of laptops, for they need their laptops for everything, from taking notes in the classroom to working on assignments and projects, from watching movies with friends to creating path-breaking multimedia content.

But this audience does not only demand a laptop that caters to these requirements; the need of the hour is for a laptop that does it all in style.

It would help if you considered the overall package when you’re out hunting for a laptop for college. While the specifications and the features offered will be necessary, so will the build and design.

Also See The Best Laptops Under $300

Typically, it would help if you had a laptop you could lug around comfortably without feeling burdened; it also needs to be resilient enough to sustain shocks and frantic use (read public transport and last-minute submissions).

These laptops are also versatile enough to suit a variety of majors and courses. However, we have made your job easier by identifying their core purpose. So, let us get started with finding you the perfect college buddy, shall we?

Laptop or Tablet for College: What to Choose?

Campus life can be demanding, involving late nights working on assignments and long lectures filled with note-taking. Picking a dependable computing companion is necessary for smooth college life and overall productivity. So, should you choose a laptop or a tablet?

Well, a tablet can be a smart choice for contemporary students who need to frequently use the browser, access apps on Google Play Store, read e-books, and engage in abundant wireless streaming. Tablets are hyper-mobile and lightweight, making them easy to carry around from class to class without fear of damage.

However, getting a laptop also comes with some intrinsic advantages. It is the closest to getting a full-purpose desktop, meaning you will need it to run demanding applications or work on multiple browser tabs simultaneously.

No matter how performance-oriented a tablet is, it can rarely match a laptop in activities like multimedia editing, building spreadsheets, or gaming (yes, gaming is undoubtedly a critical college activity!).

Additionally, suppose you need to print out much stuff or hop on to a LAN network. In that case, a laptop will serve you infinitely better than a tablet.

Here are some more considerations that will help you make this crucial decision:

• Battery life: Get a tablet if battery backup is paramount to you. These nifty little devices have the knack of combining ultra-light build with massive unplugged usage. However, some computer manufacturers like Razer and HP have now launched laptops that can give many tablets a run for their money regarding battery backup. For example, the HP Spectre x360 can last for about 22 hours on one charge. The LG Gram laptop can run unplugged for almost 18 hours.

• Touch display: The scales automatically veer towards tablets if you need a touchscreen. These come with responsive pens and support doodling, handwriting, etc. However, a laptop will be a better choice if you are doing a massive amount of typing. It can be painful to fiddle about with touchscreens after a point!

• Screen size: For students who wish to have a comprehensive viewing experience, laptops offer much better real estate. That makes them good fits for those pursuing creative majors and anyone who anticipates gaming and movie marathons as crucial components of their days.

• Resale: From a resale-value perspective, laptops offer a profitable deal. Since technology is getting more advanced even as you read this, it can be tempting or even necessary to invest in a new computing device in a year or so. The returns you can expect from a laptop are significantly higher than those from a tablet, making it a more intelligent choice financially.

• Connectivity: Get a laptop if you need to connect to multiple USB ports, HDMI, display ports, etc., to plug into external devices and peripherals like keyboards and mice.

Our Picks: Best Laptops for College 2022

Are you gearing up to start college this year? Or looking to gift an excellent, hyper-functional laptop to someone who is?

In either case, you need a device that has its finger on the pulse of the contemporary college crowd. Check out the 10 best laptops for college 2022.

Also See The Laptops for Data Science and Data Analysis

   College Laptops Recommended Specs

HP Specter x360 13.5 2-in-1 Best Laptops for College

With a tagline of “stunning design meets powerful performance,” the Specter x360 is hands down one of the best convertible laptops for students. This powerful device is built on the Intel Evo platform, featuring a flexible 360-degree hinge with a redefined design and dynamic camera design.

Powered with up to Intel core i7-1255U processor with up to 4.7GHz Turbo Boost technology, the device performs efficiently and without any glitches. It comes with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. This portable device is perfect for content creation and tackling all assignments without delay.

Available in three color variants, the 13.5″ model comes with a backlit keyboard with a responsive HP image with multi-touch gesture support. Users can amplify their performance with up to 2TB SSD storage and 32GB RAM for the ultimate multitasking experience.

The 13.5″ WUXGA+ diagonal multi-touch enabled display works like a charm with 400 nits brightness and 1280p screen resolution. It comes with an optional OLED display configuration as well. Also, the 66Wh li-ion polymer battery for prolonged usage and productivity. The device runs on the Windows 11 OS.

Reasons to buy

• Latest Intel processor
• Touchscreen display
• Optimal storage and RAM configuration

Reasons to avoid

• Touchpad responsiveness is average
• Fans get noisy with extensive performance

Dell XPS 13 9315 Best Laptop for College Under $1000

The XPS 13 9315 is probably the brand’s thinnest and lightest 13″ XPS model, ideally designed for college students on the go. Offering comfort and portability, the device also comes with a long battery life of up to 12 hours, making it a worthy option for students and creators alike.

With a price point of just under $1000, this laptop is powered by the latest 12th Gen. Intel Core i5 processor for 1.5x improved performance with a customized user experience. What stands out in the model is the availability of four different modes to choose from – Quiet, Ultra-Performance, Cool or Optimized.

As for the build, the XPS 13 is constructed with CNC aluminum and is available in two attractive color options – Sky and Umber. Besides the optimal port selection, Dell has outdone their 13.4″ FHD InfinityEdge non-touch display with 500 nits brightness and 1200p screen resolution for the ultimate visual experience.

Furthermore, the 512GB SSD storage with 8GB RAM supports the raging productivity that a college student is continually looking for. It runs on the Windows 11 OS.

Reasons to buy

• Latest responsive processors
• Faster PCIe 4.0 SSD storage
• Optimal port selection

Reasons to avoid

• Lacks an OLED display option
• Lacks 3.5 mm port

HP Pavilion Aero Budget Laptop for College 

Undoubtedly, students are on a budget, and the last thing they want to do is purchase an item beyond their limited budget. The HP Pavilion Aero is a mid-range, high-performing laptop perfect for students and business professionals.

Powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors and Radeon graphics, the model offers a refreshed performance that streamlines your workflow and enables users to live through every move and change. Dell has also prioritized sustainability with this model since its built with ocean-bound plastic.

Regarding visuals, the Pavilion Aero is equipped with a compact 13.3″ WUXGA IPS display panel with 1200p screen resolution and 400 nits brightness for the ultimate visuals. It is integrated with a 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM, which makes multitasking a walk in the park.

Another standout feature is the fast-charging support, wherein the laptop charged up to 50% within 30 minutes. Users can protect their privacy with the fingerprint reader as well. Lastly, it is pre-integrated with Windows 11 OS.

Reasons to buy

• Responsive processors
• Fast charging support
• Sustainably designed

Reasons to avoid

• Lacks Thunderbolt port
• Speakers aren’t that great

Apple MacBook Air M2 Laptop for College Students

The latest MacBook Air with the M2 chip is already a fan favorite among multiple users. However, is it a necessity for college students? It is a subjective choice but with the blazing new features and fast performance, this laptop works like a dream.

Available in four different colors, the MacBook Air M2 is powered by Apple’s exclusively made M2 chip with the 8-core CPU and GPU configuration for the ultimate performance. The model’s compact design is further facilitated by the 13.6″ Liquid Retina display with IPS technology, 1664p screen resolution, and 500 nits brightness.

Students can further amplify their productivity with up to 18 hours of battery life and the combination of up to 2TB SSD and up to 24GB RAM configuration. The backlit Magic keyboard further adds to the credibility of the design. Paired with a 1080p Facetime camera for a seamless video conferencing experience too.

Reasons to buy

• Smaller and compact design
• Performance boost with the M2 chip
• Responsive 1080p webcam

Reasons to avoid

• Quite pricey
• Compatible with a single external monitor

Also See The Best Laptops For Adobe Photoshop

Dell XPS 15 9520 High-Performance Laptop for College

College students studying for specific degrees need a high-performance laptop to support their data processing, intensive applications, and hefty assignments. The Dell XPS 15 9520 lives up to those expectations.

Powered by the 12th Generation Intel Core i7-12700H CPU with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, performance will never be a roadblock with this model. It is much faster than most competitors in a similar price range.

What stands out in this model is the 15.6″ FHD display panel with a 1200p screen resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. No longer will you have to compromise with the rough and glitching display in the future. Also, the 512GB SSD storage supports faster boot-up of the applications, so there are no interruptions.

The laptop is built with CNC machined aluminum with carbon fiber, contributing to the model’s durability. Lastly, the 86Wh battery integrated into the model is perfect for college students who are on the go.

Reasons to buy

• Modern and sleek design
• Superior and responsive display
• Long-lasting battery

Reasons to avoid

• A little overpriced
• GPU configuration isn’t that great

Lenovo Flex 5 Cheap Laptop for College Students

When talking about cheaper laptops for college students, the Lenovo Flex 5 is a perfect fit, especially with its less than $600 price range. The performance of this laptop is streamlined with the latest AMD Ryzen 5 5500U mobile processor and Radeon graphics for the ultimate responsiveness like no other.

What makes the laptop so unique despite its affordable price point is the 360-degree flexible hinge that allows you to keep your ideas going. It can be interchanged into four different modes per the user’s requirements.

Coming to the display, the Flex 5 is equipped with a compact 14″ FHD display with four-sided narrow bezels and 1080p screen resolution. Lenovo has also integrated the model with a physical webcam shutter to support users’ privacy further.

It comes with a combination of 256GB SSD storage and 16GB RAM that offers streamlined performance and multitasking without interruptions. The port selection in the model is quite decent, too but misses out on a few important ones.

Reasons to buy

• Affordable price
• Unique design and build
• Responsive performance

Reasons to avoid

• Lacks Thunderbolt port
• Storage configuration could be better

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022) Gaming Laptop for College

Keeping aside the price point of this laptop, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022) is a multipurpose and versatile laptop. From assignments to intensive gameplay, the laptop supports it all. But, the latest processors for the ultimate productivity stand out in this model.

The Strix Scar 15 is powered by the latest 12th Gen. Intel Core i9 processor with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU that supports a variety of multitasking performances without any delays and lags in the process. Programmed with the MUX switch, the feature builds direct communication between the GPU and display for effortless performance and reduced latency.

ASUS hasn’t compromised on the display as well. The model has a 15.6″ FHD display panel with 1440p screen resolution and a 300Hz refresh rate for butter-smooth visuals. The ROG Intelligent Cooling prevents overheating with the liquid metal flow and arc metal fans.

The overall performance is further streamlined with the 1TB SSD storage and 16GB DDR5 RAM configuration that renders multitasking a piece of cake.

Reasons to buy

• Bold and stunning design
• Smoother visual experience
• Responsive thermal solutions

Reasons to avoid

• Lacks webcam
• Battery life is average

Also See The Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500

Acer Swift 3 Intel Evo Thin & Light Laptop

College students are consistently looking for lightweight, high-performance laptops that are easy to travel with. The Acer Swift 3 ticks all the boxes and renders the best performance without any delays or downsides.

Built on the Intel Evo platform, the model has a compact 14″ QHD display panel with 100% sRGB support. As far as performance goes, the Swift 3 is powered by the Intel Core i7-1260P with Intel Iris Xe graphics for ultimate productivity with maximized multitasking potential.

Since it targets students and professionals, the model is equipped with a combination of 1TB SSD for storage and 16GB RAM for superior and faster data processing speed. No longer will you have to compromise on the responsiveness of the model.

Acer has been outdone with the wireless connectivity with the latest Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675. The device runs on the Windows 11 OS.

Reasons to buy

• Sleek and portable design
• Superior and unparalleled performance
• Battery life is impressive

Reasons to avoid

• Display is average
• Lacks a few essential ports

ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 OLED 4K Laptop for College

Ideally designed for creative professionals, content creators, and artists, the ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 OLED 4K is a dream to work with. The model is a little expensive, but the individual features and unparalleled performance justify what you pay.

Powered by the latest Intel core i7-12700H processor and NVIDIA Geforce RTX 3060 with 6GB VRAM configuration for the seamless rendering of all the creative workflow without compromise. The model is RTX Studio ready and comes with 3-months of Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for free.

As for the display, the StudioBook 16 has a 16″ OLED 4K display panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio and 400 nits brightness to keep the users onboard board with their creativity. It is a Pantone-validated display, so the color reproduction is impressive too.

The model features fast storage and memory configuration with 1TB SSD storage and 32GB RAM that streamlines the multitasking experience of the users. It is integrated with Windows 11 OS and designed per the US MIL-STD 810H military-grade standard for optimal durability.

Reasons to buy

• Gorgeous OLED display
• Optimal durability
• Comes with faster storage and memory configuration

Reasons to avoid

• Keyboard efficiency is average
• Battery life is a little disappointing

Surface Laptop 4 Premium Build

With customized features like long battery backup (19 hours) and multiple connectivity options, the 15″ Surface Laptop 4 is an excellent pick for college students.

Fueled by an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, this laptop is adept at daily computing pursuits like taking notes, checking e-mail, and streaming multimedia content.

The quick-charging battery powers up to 80% in one hour, upping the portability quotient of this 2.76lbs laptop.

The elegant look and feel is a particularly appealing triumph for this computer, due in part to the premium Alcantara material.

Various color options—sandstone, matte-black, ice-blue, platinum—add further customization to the mix.

Best Laptop Screen Size for College Students

In the present laptop marketplace, you will find several form factors, starting at 11 inches and going up to 17. Which screen size would be ideally suited to college life? To answer this question, you need to ask yourself another: how do you imagine you will use your laptop? What computing requirements will your major and course have?

• 11-inch model: 

This is THE best option if portability is your top priority. Most 11-inch laptops are super light, mobile, and inexpensive. You can use them from most outdoor settings and pick them up with zero effort. Remember: these laptops are suitable mainly for standard requirements like working on documents and browsing the internet.

• 13-inch model: 

 These are super-light, too, and incredibly portable. But they offer a little more real estate than their 11-inch counterparts.

• 14-inch model:

 You will be hard-pressed to find too many 14-inch laptops on the market. They offer an in-between package, the best offering of which is a large screen and long battery life. But they can be expensive–even more so than 15″ laptops—and have not yet become incredibly popular.

• 15-inch model:

 This balanced choice offers high performance and portability. Many 15″ devices weigh 4–5lbs and are equipped with valuable features for students, such as numerous USB drives, consistent internet connectivity, and decent battery life.

• 17-inch model:

If your college significant needs you to work extensively on multimedia content, heavy-duty programming, or 3D modeling, you should get a 17-inch laptop. It might be heavy, but it packs the performance and screen size required for majors such as architecture, graphic design, or art. These laptops make ideal desktop replacements.

Quick Checklist for the Ideal College Laptop

You have now established the various parameters to consider while selecting a laptop for your college major and course. However, when you go out to pick your dream machine, be prepared to be overwhelmed by a market bursting at the seams. Choices abound aplenty, with every brand vying with the other for market share.

Keep this checklist with you to zero down on the perfect match and stop this critical purchase decision from becoming as arduous as the final exam.

How to Choose the Best Laptop for College

We recommend a straightforward action plan for this potentially life-altering decision—it has only four question-oriented steps.

Step 1: How will you use your laptop in college?

If you need to use CPU-intensive applications like Adobe Premiere Pro, run complicated programming interfaces or play video games, get a laptop with a top-of-the-line CPU, i.e., Intel Core i5 or above. You’ll also require 8–16GB RAM and high-speed SSD memory (128GB and above).

Else, you can get by with a cheaper CPU with a lower RAM and memory provision.

Step 2: How important is portability to you?

If your college days are sure to involve considerable travel, get a laptop that:

• It is lightweight with a reliable build:

Look for a 2-in-1. You can get a convertible that adapts to various modes like a tablet and tent or a detachable one with an unpluggable keyboard.

• Has a long battery life: 

Scout for ultra-portable laptops that offer 10+ unplugged hours.

• Has adequate connectivity: 

Hunt for laptops with USB Type-C ports, HDMI, SD card readers, webcams, and Ethernet ports.

However, suppose you foresee college life as stationary. In that case, you can choose the standard clamshell design (laptops with open-and-close lids). Many conventional, mid-sized laptops offer 4–6 hours of battery backup.

Step 3: What kind of keyboard and touchpad will you need?

Is your college major related to creative writing, graphic design, or computer programming? Choose a machine that has an ergonomic, precise, and backlit keyboard. The touchpad should be large, comfortable, and support multi-touch gestures.

Step 4: Do you need your laptop to deliver stutter-free graphics in complete detail?

It will be crucial if your major involves multimedia content production, engineering, graphic design, architecture, or computer programming. While you can get a laptop with integrated graphics, opt for one with a dedicated graphics processor (GPU) if your budget allows it.

Time to Head to College

At the risk of echoing a cliché, we will say this: your college days will be life-changing.

To accompany you on this momentous journey, you need a computer that can fit into several shoes:

• Understand the requirements of your introductory course.
• Follow you around as you trudge along the day.
• Become your friend and accomplice for allied as well as unrelated campus pursuits.

It can be daunting to acquire a laptop to meet such a tall order, but the options on this list are good places to start.

While laptop-shopping for college, consider your major’s considerations first, ensuring that the gadget can run any applications, programs, and software you may need.

Also, double-check that the battery life, screen size, processing configuration, storage space, and graphics offered are in tandem with your requirements.

Once you have zeroed down on laptops attuned to your college course, you can employ aesthetics, budget, and brand lookouts to seal the deal.

One final rule of thumb: seek to purchase a college laptop that employs future-compatible, advanced technology in both design and functionality. You will be in college for a while, and the tech world changes gears sooner than you can say, Jack Robinson.

You would want a machine that can adapt to the changes and serve you well throughout your time on campus.

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