Choosing the Right Laptop for College: Key Specs and Considerations

Yes. Or, at the very least, some kind of computing device you're comfortable using. A laptop is still the preferred recommendation, but alternatively, you can use a desktop in your dorm room paired with an iPad or a note-taking device in class.

The mobile form factor of a laptop makes it extremely easy to take your work with you between classes, studying in coffee shops, or typing notes in lecture. Additionally, a laptop makes it easy to save space in cramped dorm rooms.

But as seen in our recommendations above, devices like the iPad Air or Surface Pro 12 could also be good solutions, as long as you pair them with their respective keyboard accessories.

All our guidelines for choosing a laptop also apply to a college laptops, including evaluating the quality of the display and chassis, along with ensuring that the device is fast enough for your work. Get something with at least 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.

There are a couple of important things to consider specific to college. Portability and battery life are paramount. Regardless of your budget, you want something that will last throughout the day and won't weigh you down while carrying it from class to class. Anything over four pounds will start to feel noticeable in your backpack.

Overall dimensions are important too. Bringing a 16-inch laptop to class can feel obtuse given the size of small desks. The same is true if you plan on bringing your laptop to a crowded coffee shop or library. That's why 13-inch or 14-inch laptops are preferred. There are even 14-inch gaming laptops, such as the Razer Blade 14, that provide the discrete GPU performance you need without sacrificing portability.

Here are some other specs to consider:

Processor

Windows: If you're getting a Windows machine, your main options for the processor are Intel and AMD, though Qualcomm is now a viable alternative with Copilot+ PCs. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. For a more complete guide to the differences, see our full guide to buying a laptop.

Chromebooks: These browser-based machines use half a dozen different processors, most of which you've probably never heard of. There's a reason for that: Those processors are slow. My recommendation when buying a Chromebook is to stick with a Chromebook Plus machine. This is a new standard Google created to ensure a certain level of performance and polish.

MacOS: Apple has been making its own processors for a few years, like the latest M5 chip found inside the MacBook Pro right now. These more powerful MacBooks Pros feature integrated GPUs that seek to be comparable to the discrete GPUs you find in Windows laptops. Our MacBook buying guide can help further.

RAM and Storage

Regardless of which OS you choose, the minimum amount of RAM you want in your laptop is 8 GB. That's enough memory to keep your computer feeling snappy even if it's running under load. But these days, 16 GB has become the new standard, and you'll find lots of laptops around $800 or less that come with 16 GB. So, if you can afford it—especially if you plan to edit photos or videos as part of your coursework—go for 16 GB or even 32 GB.

The new default for storage is 256 GB, and it'll do if you're trying to save money. You can always use external storage if you need to add on. Spring for 512 GB or a terabyte if you can, though.

Screen

Screens vary tremendously, but don't settle for anything less than 1080p (or 1200p for 16:10 aspect ratio displays). For a 13-inch laptop, 1080p is sharp enough. If you're going with a bigger laptop, 2.5K or even 4K screens will improve the viewing experience. If you're trying to play games as well, be sure to get something with a higher refresh rate—120 Hz or 144 Hz will more than satisfy.

Weight and Battery

Don't forget you'll be lugging this thing around. It may be tugging on your back for eight hours or more. One pound may not seem like much, but at the end of a long day of walking, you will notice the difference between a three-pound laptop and a four-pound machine. Trust me. Also, maybe pick out a nice bag to carry your computer.

Similarly, battery life is very important when you're (potentially) away from a wall outlet for extended periods. Whatever you end up getting, make sure it's capable of lasting at least eight hours under real-world use—browsing the web, editing documents, writing emails, and taking notes. Even then, you might want to consider a portable battery charger.