Some key characteristics that define a good college laptop are portability, battery life, reliability, and price. While there definitely cannot be a one-size-fits-all pick, here we have some of the best laptops for college students under $1000. All the laptops we have picked here are under $1000, but
Here are some more affordable laptops under $700 for Students. Check out these 4 Best Laptops with Touchscreen if you’re looking for versatile work machines.
Choosing the Best Laptop For College
Ultimately what makes for the best laptop for college students under $1000 depends on what the user wants out of it. If you already have Apple devices, investing in a MacBook will make your life much easier. If you don’t need Windows apps, a Chromebook could give you a great experience at a decent price. Further, the type-C ports support fast charging and can also connect this Chromebook to external displays. This Chromebook can eke out about 10 hours of battery life, making it a reliable full-day machine. However, many students need Windows software for their studies, and Chromebooks, sadly, can’t run any Windows app or software. Instead, they can run Android apps and anything that works in a web browser, like Office 365 and Google Sheets. If your work doesn’t involve any Windows-specific apps, this is one of the best computers for college students. Like most Windows laptops in this price range, this one comes with a screen not bright enough for outdoor usage. You’ll also have to make peace with its plastic build, although that’s not a big shortcoming in real-life usage. For its starting price of less than $600, it’s no wonder many reviewers call it one of the best cheap laptops for college students. The backlit keyboard and large touchpad add to the experience. One thing that might be a problem is the screen’s maximum brightness. At under 300 nits, it’s more than enough for indoor usage, but outdoor usage is a strict no-no. If you’re not going to use the touchscreen, you might be able to get better performance at a similar price. What sets it apart from the competition is its gorgeous 2.8K OLED display. It offers punchy colors and unmatched contrast levels, making this one of the best laptops under $1000 for multimedia viewing. Plus, the screen supports a 90Hz refresh rate, meaning day-to-day operations and scrolling will feel much smoother. There’s 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for storage, enabling it to juggle multiple applications easily. There’s no dedicated graphics card on board, so don’t expect it to run the latest games. Although occasional video editing and less graphics-intensive games like Fall Guys and FIFA should be fine. Further, the battery life here is just about enough for a day’s usage, and the touchpad experience isn’t the best either. But the OLED display and the latest processor make this a good laptop for college. If you already own an iPhone or any other Apple product, you’ll be blown away by how seamlessly the Air M1 fits in. MacBooks are known to offer the best webcams and mics, so remote classes and zoom calls won’t be a problem. However, Apple’s walled garden approach might be a hassle for anyone not already using Apple products or an iPhone. Android phones don’t gel well with MacBooks, and you won’t be able to run Windows software on this machine. Besides, it only comes with 2 type-C ports, so you’ll have to purchase an adapter for HDMI or USB-A connections. Alternatively, you can opt for the more expensive MacBook Air M2, which offers improved performance, better display and design, and much better I/O ports. Like most gaming laptops, this also comes with an RGB backlit keyboard and a plethora of ports. You get two USB-A ports, two USB Type-C ports, a headphone jack, an HDMI port, and even a LAN port. Although, this laptop is significantly heavier than traditional notebooks and might not be the most comfortable to carry around. Also, the screen here doesn’t get too bright, and the in-built fans can sometimes be a bit too loud. But for those looking for pure performance, this is one of the best gaming laptops under $1000. Further, Windows laptops offer the most versatility, but you must be careful about the model you choose. Many budget laptop models available on the market are 3+ years old, offering outdated specs and some other hidden disadvantages. Understanding how you will use your laptop will help you pick out the best laptop for college.
