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The best laptop for most programmers is the MacBook Air 13 (M5) ($1,299): 16GB of memory as standard, a Unix-based OS, a full day of battery and no fan noise. If you need Linux, the Framework Laptop 13 Pro is Framework’s first Ubuntu-certified laptop and lets you upgrade memory and storage later. For Windows and the best keyboard, get the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14; for CUDA, machine learning or game development, you need an Nvidia GPU, such as the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i.

Check the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) on Amazon →

How we put this together: this guide is based on manufacturers’ specifications and published reviews (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices are list or launch prices at the time of writing; memory costs have pushed many laptop prices up in 2026. See how we choose products.

Best laptops for programming compared

What matters in a programming laptop

• Memory first: we’d treat 16GB as the minimum. IDEs, browsers full of docs, Docker containers, virtual machines and Android emulators all add up, so choose 32GB if you run containers or VMs daily. On MacBooks memory can’t be upgraded later; on the Framework it can.
• The OS your work targets: macOS is Unix-based and covers web, mobile (including iOS, which needs a Mac) and most backend work. Linux suits server and systems work. Windows with WSL handles most things, and is needed for some .NET and Windows-only tools.
• A GPU only if you need CUDA: Nvidia’s CUDA, used by many machine learning tools, needs an Nvidia graphics card. Otherwise integrated graphics are fine.
• Keyboard, screen and battery: you’ll type and read all day, so a good keyboard, a sharp screen and a battery that lasts a workday matter more than peak benchmark numbers.

The best laptops for programming in 2026

1. Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5): best laptop for most programmers

The M5 MacBook Air now starts with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage, which covers most development work, and it’s silent because it has no fan. Reviews are consistently positive: TechRadar calls it “still the best ultraportable I’ve ever used”, and RTINGS highlights its build, touchpad and battery life. Apple rates it at up to 18 hours of video streaming, and it drives two external displays. It costs $1,299, or $1,199 with education pricing, after Apple’s June 2026 price increase. Our MacBook Air 13 (M5) guide has the full specs.

Good to know: with no fan it slows down under long, heavy loads such as big builds, and memory can’t be upgraded later, so buy 24GB or 32GB if you run containers. Skip the cheaper MacBook Neo for development: its 8GB of memory is fixed (see MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air).

Check the MacBook Air 13 (M5) on Amazon →

2. Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5): best for long builds and heavy workloads

If you compile large projects, run test suites or keep several containers busy, the MacBook Pro’s fan lets the M5 hold its speed where the Air throttles. The base 14-inch model starts at $1,999 with 1TB of storage after Apple’s June 2026 price increase, and adds a brighter XDR display, HDMI and an SD card slot. Memory goes up to 32GB on the M5; for more, the M5 Pro models start at $2,499.

Good to know: it’s $700 more than the Air and heavier. Most web and app developers won’t feel the difference day to day.

Check the MacBook Pro 14 (M5) on Amazon →

3. Framework Laptop 13 Pro: best for Linux and upgradeability

Announced on April 21, 2026, the Framework Laptop 13 Pro is a ground-up redesign with a CNC-machined aluminum chassis, Intel Core Ultra Series 3 or AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors, and a 13.5-inch 3:2 2880×1920 touchscreen at 30–120Hz and up to 700 nits. It’s Framework’s first Ubuntu Certified system, with Ubuntu preinstalled as an option. Memory uses the new LPCAMM2 format, so you can upgrade from 16GB to 32GB or 64GB later, and storage goes up to 8TB. Framework claims over 20 hours of 4K streaming from its 74Wh battery, and it has four Thunderbolt 4 ports and weighs 1.4 kg (Framework).

Good to know: it started at $1,499 pre-built or $1,199 for the DIY Edition, but Framework has raised memory and storage prices during 2026 as memory costs soared (Framework), so check the current price. It’s sold mainly on Framework’s own site.

4. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14: best Windows laptop for programmers

Developers who type all day care about the keyboard, and The Gadgeteer, which gave it an Editor’s Choice award, calls the X1 Carbon’s “the best typing experience in a business laptop right now”. The 2026 redesign weighs 2.15 pounds, runs Intel’s Panther Lake chip at up to 30 W thanks to a bigger fan, and scored 9 out of 10 for repairability at iFixit, with a customer-replaceable battery. There’s an optional 14-inch 2.8K 120Hz OLED.

Good to know: it’s expensive: The Gadgeteer’s Core Ultra 7 / 32GB / OLED review unit was $2,249 at Lenovo. The previous Gen 13 is usually cheaper. More business options are in our best business laptops.

Check the ThinkPad X1 Carbon on Amazon →

5. Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 7 (Intel): best budget laptop for programming

For students and beginners, the ThinkPad E14 gives you the ThinkPad keyboard and TrackPoint, good maintenance access and modern Intel chips for much less. Notebookcheck says the Intel versions are the ones to buy: the Core Ultra 5 model with the upgraded 400-nit, 120Hz screen came to about €750 in Europe.

Good to know: avoid the AMD versions, which Notebookcheck found use older chips and a dim 300-nit screen. Make sure the configuration you buy has at least 16GB of memory.

Check the ThinkPad E14 Gen 7 on Amazon →

6. Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 10: best for CUDA, machine learning and game development

If your work uses CUDA, for training or running machine learning models locally, or you build games in Unreal or Unity, you need an Nvidia GPU. The Legion Pro 5i runs its RTX 5070 at the full 115 W and its RTX 5070 Ti at 140 W, according to Lenovo’s spec sheet, next to an Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX and a 16-inch 2.5K OLED. The RTX 5070 Ti version has 12GB of video memory, which matters for larger models. See our best RTX 5070 laptops and GPU power database for alternatives.

Good to know: gaming laptops are heavy and their batteries don’t last long away from a socket. For serious model training, a desktop GPU or cloud instance will still be faster.

Check the Legion Pro 5i on Amazon →

Our verdict

The MacBook Air 13 (M5) is the best laptop for most programmers. Choose the MacBook Pro 14 for long builds, the Framework Laptop 13 Pro for Linux and upgradeable memory, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 for Windows and the best keyboard, the ThinkPad E14 Gen 7 on a budget, and the Legion Pro 5i if you need CUDA. Whatever you pick, get at least 16GB of memory, and 32GB if you run containers or VMs.

Frequently asked questions

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Short answer: buy the MacBook Neo ($699, or $599 for students) if you mostly browse, write, stream and video-call: it has the same 2.7 lb weight and an almost identical screen to the Air, for $600 less. Buy the MacBook Air 13 (M5) ($1,299, or $1,199 for students) if you edit photos or video, keep lots of apps open, use two external monitors, or want the laptop to last many years: in Tom’s Guide’s tests it was about twice as fast in multi-core work and lasted two hours longer on battery.

How we put this together: this comparison uses Apple’s specifications, Tom’s Guide’s side-by-side lab tests and published reviews (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices are Apple’s US prices after its June 25, 2026 price increase.

MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air: specs compared

Specs from Apple (MacBook Neo, launch details via MacRumors) and our MacBook Air 13 (M5) guide. Battery results from Tom’s Guide.

Price: the Neo saves you $600

Apple raised prices across its Macs on June 25, 2026, citing memory costs: the Neo went from $599 to $699 and the Air from $1,099 to $1,299 (MacRumors). That leaves a $600 gap, or $600 with education pricing too ($599 against $1,199). The Neo’s $799 model doubles the storage to 512GB and adds Touch ID, which still leaves it $500 below the Air.

Performance: the Air is about twice as fast under load

In Tom’s Guide’s tests, the Air scored 4,191 single-core and 17,276 multi-core in Geekbench 6, against 3,535 and 8,920 for the Neo. Exporting a video in Handbrake took the Air 4 minutes 34 seconds and the Neo nearly 10 minutes, and the Air’s SSD was over four times faster (about 6,500 MB/s against 1,500 MB/s).

What that means in practice: for web browsing, Google Docs or Office, Zoom and streaming, the single-core gap is small and the Neo feels quick. The difference shows when you export video, edit large photo libraries, run many apps at once or compile code, and the Neo’s 8GB of memory can’t be upgraded later.

Display: nearly a tie

Tom’s Guide measured both screens at about 452–454 nits in SDR. The Air covered slightly more color (83% of DCI-P3 against 78.6%) and its 13.6-inch panel is a little larger and sharper, but for everyday use you won’t see much difference. The bigger display gap is external: the Neo drives one monitor up to 4K 60Hz, through its USB 3 port only, while the Air drives two.

What the Neo gives up

• No keyboard backlight, which makes typing in the dark harder unless you touch-type.
• No MagSafe: you charge over USB-C, which takes one of its two ports, and the second port runs at slow USB 2 speed.
• No Touch ID on the $699 model; you need the $799 version.
• A simpler camera: 1080p, against the Air’s 12MP Center Stage camera.
• 8GB of memory, fixed for life, and a slower SSD.

Battery life: the Air lasts longer

Apple rates the Neo at 16 hours and the Air at up to 18 hours of video streaming. In Tom’s Guide’s web-surfing test at 150 nits, the Neo lasted 13 hours 28 minutes and the Air 15 hours 37 minutes. Both last a full school or work day; the Air gives you more margin.

Which should you buy?

Buy the MacBook Neo if…

…you’re a student, a first-time Mac buyer, or buying for a child, and you mainly browse, write, stream and video-call. Tom’s Guide recommends it for exactly those people. It’s the cheapest way into macOS, and at $599 for students it competes with good Chromebooks; see our best Chromebooks if you’re weighing the two.

Check the MacBook Neo on Amazon →

Buy the MacBook Air 13 (M5) if…

…you edit photos or video, work with many apps and browser tabs open, connect two monitors, want MagSafe and a backlit keyboard, or plan to keep the laptop for five years or more. Twice the memory and storage, a much faster chip and longer battery life justify the extra $600 for that kind of use. If you edit video regularly, also see our best MacBook for video editing.

Check the MacBook Air 13 (M5) on Amazon →

Black Friday: what to expect

Black Friday 2026 is November 27. Amazon has sold the Neo slightly below Apple’s price before (it was $10 off in April, AppleInsider), and discounted M4 Airs will be common, but compare like for like: the base M4 Air has only 256GB of storage. Our Black Friday laptops guide covers what’s worth waiting for.

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For most kids, a Chromebook such as the Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15 ($469.99) is the best laptop: it handles schoolwork, runs Roblox from the Google Play Store, and Google’s parental controls are built in. If your child wants Fortnite or more demanding PC games, get a Windows gaming laptop such as the Lenovo LOQ 15 with an RTX 5050. For older kids and teens who want a Mac, the MacBook Neo ($699, or $599 with education pricing) runs Roblox, but it falls below Minecraft: Java Edition’s new minimum, so for Minecraft on a Mac look at the MacBook Air (M5).

Check the Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15 on Amazon →

How we put this together: this guide is based on the official system requirements from Roblox, Mojang and Epic Games, manufacturers’ specifications and published reviews (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices are list or launch prices at the time of writing. See how we choose products.

Best laptops for kids compared

What does a laptop need for Roblox, Minecraft and Fortnite?

• Roblox asks for very little: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), macOS 10.13 or later, or a Chromebook with the Google Play Store, plus about 1GB of memory and a 1.6 GHz processor. Almost any current laptop runs it (Roblox).
• Minecraft on a Chromebook needs ChromeOS 114 or later and at least an Intel Celeron N4100 or Core i3-4150-class processor, with 8GB of memory recommended (Minecraft). Not every Chromebook is supported, so check that Minecraft can be installed from the Play Store on the exact model before buying it for that game. On Windows, the PC version includes both Java and Bedrock Editions. Bedrock needs only 4GB of memory, but on July 21, 2026, Mojang raised Java Edition’s requirements: at least 8GB of memory with a graphics card or 12GB with integrated graphics, a Vulkan 1.3 graphics chip, and an Apple M1 or newer on a Mac; 16GB and a 6GB graphics card are recommended (Minecraft).
• Fortnite is the demanding one. Epic’s minimum for Windows is 8GB of memory and Intel HD 4000 or AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics; the recommended spec is 16GB with a GTX 960-class graphics card (Epic Games). A laptop that only meets the minimum will run it at low settings.

Playing Roblox vs building in Roblox Studio

Playing Roblox needs almost nothing: Roblox says a laptop less than three years old with integrated graphics is enough for good performance. But many kids also want to make their own Roblox games, and that’s a different story. Roblox Studio, the free app used to build them, only runs on Windows and Mac. Its minimum is Windows 10 or macOS 10.14 with 3GB of memory, and Roblox recommends Windows 11 or macOS 14 or later, 8GB of memory and a screen of at least 1600×900 (Roblox Creator Hub). Chromebooks and tablets can play Roblox but can’t run Studio.

If your child is likely to start building, skip the Chromebooks and pick a Windows laptop or a Mac with at least 8GB of memory. Also check the screen: many of the cheapest Windows laptops still use 1366×768 panels, below the 1600×900 Roblox recommends for Studio, which makes its many panels cramped. A 1920×1080 screen or sharper is the safe choice.

The best laptops for kids in 2026

1. Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15: best laptop for most kids

Announced at CES 2026, the Chromebook Plus i 15 starts at $469.99 (Notebookcheck). Its Intel Core i3-N355 and 8GB of memory are well above what Roblox needs, the 15.3-inch 1920×1200 screen is big enough for schoolwork, and Lenovo rates the battery at up to 11 hours. It also has a 5MP webcam with a privacy shutter, a fingerprint reader and HDMI. Chromebooks update automatically, and Google Family Link lets you manage apps and screen time.

Good to know: Chromebooks can’t run Windows games, and there’s no Fortnite app for ChromeOS; it can only be streamed through a cloud gaming service such as GeForce NOW. If those matter, skip to the Windows picks.

Check the Chromebook Plus i 15 on Amazon →

2. Acer Chromebook 315: cheapest laptop for school

For Google Docs, Classroom and Roblox, the Chromebook 315 is a sensible low-cost pick: a 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen, an Intel N100, 8GB of memory and up to 12 hours of battery. Trusted Reviews names the 2026 model its best Chromebook for students.

Good to know: versions with only 64GB of storage fill up quickly once games are installed. Check the model year, memory and storage in the listing.

Check the Chromebook 315 on Amazon →

3. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11: best for younger kids

For younger children, a tablet with a keyboard is easier to handle than a laptop. The Duet 11 is a 10.95-inch 2K tablet with a detachable keyboard in the box and a MediaTek Kompanio 838 that Notebookcheck calls a “mobile energy-saving champion”. It launched at about $400 with 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage, and runs Roblox from the Play Store.

Good to know: get the 8GB model; 9to5Google found 4GB isn’t enough. The small keyboard isn’t made for long typing sessions.

Check the Chromebook Duet 11 on Amazon →

4. Acer Aspire Go 15: best cheap Windows laptop for kids

If your child needs Windows, for school software, Roblox, Minecraft: Bedrock Edition or Fortnite at low settings, the Aspire Go 15 gives you an 8-core Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB of memory, a 512GB SSD and a 15.6-inch Full HD screen. That’s double Fortnite’s minimum memory, and plenty of storage for Roblox, Minecraft and schoolwork.

Good to know: its integrated Radeon graphics aren’t made for gaming, so Fortnite will run at low settings at best. Mojang’s new Java Edition minimum names Intel integrated graphics but not AMD’s, so for Java with mods, the LOQ 15 below is the safer choice. At about 1.8 kg (3.9 lb), it’s heavy for a school bag.

Check the Aspire Go 15 on Amazon →

5. Lenovo LOQ 15 (RTX 5050): best for Fortnite and PC gaming

For a kid who’s serious about Fortnite, Minecraft shaders or newer PC games, a real graphics card makes the difference. The RTX 5050 version of the LOQ 15 usually pairs it with an Intel Core i5-13450HX, a 15.6-inch 1080p 144Hz screen, 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD. Its list price has been around $1,129, but Tom’s Guide spotted it at $789 on Lenovo’s site and says it’s good for playing the latest games at medium settings.

Good to know: gaming laptops are heavy and their batteries don’t last long away from a socket. Many Amazon listings are third-party bundles with “upgraded” memory at a markup, so compare with the standard 16GB / 512GB version. More options are in our cheapest gaming laptops guide.

Check the LOQ 15 on Amazon →

6. Apple MacBook Neo: best for older kids who want a Mac

For teens, the MacBook Neo is Apple’s cheapest laptop: $699, or $599 with education pricing, since Apple’s June 2026 price increase. It has an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of memory, 256GB of storage and a 13-inch, 500-nit display in a 2.7 lb body (MacRumors), and it lasted 13.5 hours in TechRadar‘s battery test. Roblox supports macOS. Minecraft: Java Edition runs on Macs, but Mojang’s July 2026 minimum asks for an Apple M1 or newer and 12GB of memory with integrated graphics, so the Neo’s A18 Pro and 8GB fall short on paper: Mojang says the game should still launch below the minimum, but performance isn’t guaranteed (Minecraft). For Minecraft, the MacBook Air (M5) clears the minimum. Screen Time gives parents control over apps and time.

Good to know: Epic’s Fortnite requirements are for Windows, and 8GB of memory can’t be upgraded. See our MacBook Air 13 (M5) guide for how it compares with the Air.

Check the MacBook Neo on Amazon →

Parental controls: set these up first

• Roblox: since June 2026, age-checked players aged 5 to 8 get Roblox Kids accounts with chat turned off by default, and 9 to 15-year-olds get Roblox Select accounts where chat unlocks gradually. Linked parents can change chat settings and allow or block specific games until 16, and set screen-time and spending limits until 13 (Roblox).
• The laptop: use Google Family Link on a Chromebook, Microsoft Family Safety on Windows, or Screen Time on a Mac to manage apps, purchases and time limits.
• Keep it in a shared space for younger kids, and set the account up as a child account rather than an adult one.

Black Friday tips for a kids’ laptop

Black Friday 2026 is November 27. The cheapest laptop listings often cut storage or memory, so check the specs, not just the price. Look for at least 8GB of memory (16GB on Windows), avoid 32GB or 64GB storage if your child will install games, and check the exact model name: a “LOQ 15” can have an RTX 5050 or RTX 5060, and an older Chromebook may not get Minecraft.

Our verdict

For most kids, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15 is the best laptop: it’s fast enough for Roblox and schoolwork, safe and easy to manage. The Acer Chromebook 315 is the cheapest school option, the Chromebook Duet 11 suits younger children, the Acer Aspire Go 15 covers Windows on a budget, the Lenovo LOQ 15 is the pick for Fortnite and PC gaming, and the MacBook Neo is the Mac for older kids.

Frequently asked questions

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The best laptop for most college students is the Apple MacBook Neo: $699, or $599 with Apple’s education pricing, with full macOS and 13.5 hours of battery in TechRadar’s test. Choose the MacBook Air 13 (M5) if you edit photos or video. On Windows, the Dell XPS 13 (2026) is the lightweight pick, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x lasted over 16 hours for well under $500 on sale. For Google Docs and Classroom, get a Chromebook, and if you game, a Lenovo LOQ 15 with an RTX 5060.

Check the Apple MacBook Neo on Amazon →

How we put this together: this guide is based on manufacturers’ specifications and published reviews and lab tests (linked below), as well as facts already checked for our other laptop guides. It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices are list or launch prices at the time of writing and change often. See how we choose products.

Best laptops for college students compared

What college students need in a laptop

• Battery for a full day: aim for 10+ hours of real use so you’re not hunting for outlets between classes. Most picks here clear that in testing or manufacturer ratings; gaming laptops don’t.
• Check your major’s software first: some engineering, architecture and science programs need Windows-only apps; Chromebooks can’t run desktop Windows software, and Arm-based Windows laptops like the IdeaPad Slim 3x may not run some older apps.
• Memory: 8GB is fine for notes, browsing and Office; 16GB is better for heavy multitasking, coding and creative work.
• Weight: you’ll carry it every day, so under about 3 pounds makes a difference.
• Use education pricing: Apple takes $100 off the MacBook Neo and MacBook Air for students, and other brands run student discounts too.

The best laptops for college students in 2026

1. Apple MacBook Neo: best laptop for most college students

Launched in March 2026, the MacBook Neo is Apple’s cheapest laptop ever and the first Mac to use an iPhone chip, the A18 Pro. It has a 13-inch 2408×1506 display at 500 nits, 8GB of memory, 256GB of storage, a 1080p webcam, Wi-Fi 6E, two USB-C ports and a headphone jack, in a 2.7-pound body. It costs $699, or $599 with Apple’s education pricing (MacRumors). TechRadar names it the best student laptop overall: it lasted 13.5 hours in its battery test and handled tabs, Zoom and Word “without a hitch”, with full macOS app compatibility.

Good to know: 8GB is the only memory option, so it’s weaker for creative work and not built for gaming. One of the two USB-C ports runs at slow USB 2 speeds, and Touch ID is only on the $799 model with 512GB. TechRadar also notes it’s thicker than the MacBook Air.

Check the MacBook Neo on Amazon →

2. Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5): best for creative majors

If you’ll edit photos, video or music, or keep a laptop all four years, the MacBook Air is the step up. The M5 model starts with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage, Apple rates it for up to 18 hours of video playback, it weighs 2.7 pounds, and it drives up to two external displays. It costs $1,299, or $1,199 with education pricing, and TechRadar picks it as the best laptop for creative students. See our MacBook Air 13 (M5) guide for full specs and reviews.

Good to know: it has no fan, so it slows down during long heavy exports, and there’s no HDMI or SD card slot.

Check the MacBook Air 13 (M5) on Amazon →

3. Dell XPS 13 (2026): best lightweight Windows laptop

The 2026 XPS 13 weighs about 1 kg (2.2 pounds) and is half an inch thick, and it lasted 16 hours 17 minutes in TechRadar‘s video test, which picks it as the best lightweight student laptop. It goes up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 355 and 32GB of memory, and Tom’s Guide lists the starting price at $699.

Good to know: the base model’s 8GB of memory slowed down with heavy multitasking in TechRadar’s tests, and there are few ports. If you can, step up to 16GB.

Check the Dell XPS 13 (2026) on Amazon →

4. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x: best Windows laptop on a budget

Tom’s Guide ranks the IdeaPad Slim 3x as the best laptop under $500, and it lasted 16 hours 29 minutes in Tom’s Guide’s review. It runs Windows 11 on a Qualcomm Snapdragon X with 16GB of memory and a 15.3-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen, weighing 3.4 pounds. The list price is $749, but it has sold for $449. See our best Lenovo laptops under $500 for more.

Good to know: its Arm chip may not run some older Windows software or specialist course apps, so check your program’s requirements. Reviewers call the screen and speakers underwhelming, and it’s not for gaming. Get the 512GB version if you can.

Check the IdeaPad Slim 3x on Amazon →

5. Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1: best 2-in-1 for taking notes

A 2-in-1 that folds into a tablet is handy for handwritten notes and studying with classmates. TechRadar picks the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 as the best Windows 2-in-1 for students, praising its solid everyday performance, light weight and 15+ hours of battery life. It starts at $649 and goes up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V and 32GB of memory.

Good to know: TechRadar’s reviewer found the 14-inch 1200p touchscreen only “decent enough”, which matters more on a 2-in-1, and it’s not meant for gaming or video editing.

Check the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 on Amazon →

6. Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14: best Chromebook for college

If your classes run on Google Docs, Classroom and the web, a Chromebook is simple, secure and long-lasting. The Chromebook Plus 14 has a 14-inch OLED, a MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910, 12GB or 16GB of memory and an aluminium build for $649, and Tom’s Guide calls it the best Chromebook you can buy. For less, the Chromebook Plus i 15 starts at $469.99. See our best Chromebooks guide, which also covers Google’s new Googlebooks.

Good to know: Chromebooks can’t run Windows software such as full desktop Office or many specialist course apps, so check your program’s requirements first.

Check the Chromebook Plus 14 on Amazon →

7. Lenovo LOQ 15 Gen 10: best for students who game

If you game in your dorm, a gaming laptop doubles as your study machine. The LOQ 15 Gen 10 with an RTX 5060, Ryzen 7 250, 16GB of DDR5 and a 512GB SSD is the best-balanced pick in our best gaming laptops under $1,200 guide, with enough GPU for current games at 1080p.

Good to know: gaming laptops are heavier and have much shorter battery life than the other picks here, so expect to carry the charger. Check the GPU wattage in the listing, or look the model up in our laptop GPU power database. For cheaper options, see our cheapest gaming laptops.

Check the Lenovo LOQ 15 on Amazon →

Mac, Windows or Chromebook for college?

• Mac: the MacBook Neo has made macOS affordable, and Macs run the main apps most majors need (Office, Zoom, browsers, creative tools). Check first if your program requires Windows-only software.
• Windows: the safest choice for engineering, architecture and other programs with Windows-only software, and the only option for most PC games.
• Chromebook: the cheapest and simplest, ideal if your school runs on Google Workspace, but it can’t run desktop Windows or Mac apps.

Our verdict

The MacBook Neo is the best laptop for most college students: full macOS, a full day of battery and a $599 education price. Choose the MacBook Air 13 (M5) for creative work, the Dell XPS 13 (2026) for the lightest Windows laptop, the IdeaPad Slim 3x for a budget Windows laptop, the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 for note-taking, the Chromebook Plus 14 for Google-based classes, and the Lenovo LOQ 15 if you game.

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