The 10 Best Laptops for Students in 2025 Under $1500

Choosing a laptop for students is all about balancing. Yes, we can all spend thousands of dollars on the best laptops on the market; however, as students, most of us are running on a budget. Think of it as an investment, you want something that can last 4 years and keep up with ever‑advancing technology. For this article, we will give you the best 10 laptops for college, and we have chosen a budget of $1500 USD. These laptops won’t break the bank and will give you the best performance you will need for university. If you’re searching for the best laptop for students, read on.

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1. Apple MacBook Air (2024)

Apple’s latest MacBook Air combines a sleek, lightweight design with impressive performance and battery life. It’s fanless and silent in operation, yet the Apple Silicon chip (M4) provides superior performance. This laptop features 16 GB RAM on the base model. Combine that with the M4 chip, a beautiful Liquid Retina display, 15 hours of battery, and you have a machine that will outperform any Windows laptop in this price range. If you don’t need specific software that requires a Windows operating system, then the MacBook Air is your best bet.

• Price: Starts around $999.
• CPU & Performance: Apple M4 chip, fast and efficient.
• RAM & Storage: 16 GB unified memory base, 256 GB SSD base.
• Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, crisp and bright.
• Battery Life: Often surpasses 15 hours in real use

2. Dell XPS 13

Known for its near-borderless display and premium build, the Dell XPS 13 is a favorite among Windows users. One fallback is that it can be pricey if you want higher-end specs, but it’s still a contender for the best laptop for students who prefer Windows.

• Price: Around $1,299–$1,499.
• CPU & Performance: Intel 14th-gen or Snapdragon X Elite, both strong.
• RAM & Storage: Typically 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD.
• Display: 13.4-inch InfinityEdge, Full HD+ or higher.
• Battery Life: Up to 17–20 hours depending on CPU choice

3. Asus Zenbook 14 OLED

Asus Zenbook 14 offers an OLED screen at a student-friendly price, plus solid performance for multitasking. The drawback is that dedicated GPU options are limited if you need heavier graphics power. However, many still consider it a best laptop for students in terms of cost-to-value ratio.

• Price: Generally $850–$999.
• CPU & Performance: AMD Ryzen 7 or Intel 12th/13th Gen, both peppy.
• RAM & Storage: 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD typical.
• Display: 14-inch OLED with vivid colors.
• Battery Life: Around 15–16 hours, impressive for an OLED

4. HP Spectre x360 14

HP Spectre x360 14 is a 2-in-1 convertible perfect for note-taking in tablet mode, it also has a stylish design. The fallback is that its sleek build can lead to fewer ports for accessories. Still, it’s a strong pick for the best laptop for students seeking flexibility.

• Price: Around $1,200–$1,400.
• CPU & Performance: Intel Core Ultra 7, smooth for daily tasks.
• RAM & Storage: 16 GB LPDDR5, 512 GB SSD in mid-range.
• Display: 13.5–14-inch OLED with bright, rich visuals.
• Battery Life: About 9–10 hours, decent for a convertible

5. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 has one of the longest battery runs among Windows laptops, with an ARM-based chip for efficiency. A possible issue is software compatibility if you rely on specialized x86 apps, but it still stands out as a best laptop for students needing extended battery life.

• Price: Starts around $999.
• CPU & Performance: Microsoft SQ3/Snapdragon X Elite, very efficient.
• RAM & Storage: 16 GB RAM, 256 or 512 GB SSD base.
• Display: 13.5-inch or 15-inch PixelSense, 3:2 ratio.
• Battery Life: Can reach 17–18 hours in typical usage

6. Dell Inspiron 14 Plus

The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus brings strong performance and huge battery capacity at a moderate price. A minor downside is it’s slightly heavier than some ultraportables due to robust internals. Even so, it can be the best laptop for students who need extra power.

• Price: Approx. $999–$1,099.
• CPU & Performance: Intel Core i7-13700H, speedy for multitasking.
• RAM & Storage: 16 GB DDR5, 512 GB–1 TB SSD.
• Display: 14-inch 2.2K or 2.5K, clear and bright.
• Battery Life: Up to 17 hours, great for long days

7. Acer Swift Go 14

Acer Swift Go 14 is a budget-friendly pick that still feels premium, offering portability and powerful internals. One fallback is slightly shorter battery life on the OLED model compared to IPS, but it can still serve as a best laptop for students on a tight budget.

• Price: $800–$900 in most configurations.
• CPU & Performance: Intel Core Ultra 7 (Meteor Lake), smooth for everyday tasks.
• RAM & Storage: 16 GB LPDDR5, 512 GB SSD standard.
• Display: 14-inch IPS or optional OLED, both bright.
• Battery Life: Around 11–12 hours on the IPS version

8. Lenovo Yoga 7i 14

Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 stands out with a 360° hinge and an integrated rotating soundbar for strong audio in any mode. However, it can be slightly heavier than clamshell laptops of similar size. Despite that, it’s often considered a best laptop for students who like versatility.

• Price: $1,299–$1,399 for typical specs.
• CPU & Performance: Intel Core i7-1360P or 1370P, great for multitasking.
• RAM & Storage: 16 GB LPDDR5, 512 GB SSD.
• Display: 14-inch OLED or IPS touchscreen.
• Battery Life: About 9–10 hours for the OLED model

9. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

Renowned for its durable chassis and excellent keyboard, it’s a favorite among productivity-focused users. The fallback is that gaming performance isn’t strong with integrated graphics, but many view it as a best laptop for students who prioritize typing comfort and reliability.

• Price: Often $1,200–$1,400 base, more for advanced configs.
• CPU & Performance: Intel 12th/13th Gen U-series, efficient for office tasks.
• RAM & Storage: 16 GB LPDDR5, 512 GB SSD typical.
• Display: 14-inch FHD+ or optional higher-res or OLED.
• Battery Life: Around 13–14 hours, fitting a full day of classes

10. LG Gram 16

A big-screen laptop that stays ultra-light, perfect if you want more display space without the bulk. One drawback is its magnesium alloy build can feel less rigid than thicker metal laptops, but many see this as a best laptop for students needing a larger screen.

• Price: $1,199–$1,399 in mid-tier setups.
• CPU & Performance: Intel Core i7-1360P, sufficient for multitasking.
• RAM & Storage: 16 GB LPDDR5, 512 GB SSD.
• Display: 16-inch IPS (2560×1600), large and sharp.
• Battery Life: 13–15 hours, strong for a 16-inch device

Think of it as an investment

Whether you need maximum battery life, robust performance, or ultra-light portability, these laptops each bring something unique to the table. By weighing your personal study habits and preferences, along with your budget, you can find the best laptop for students that matches your style.