Laptops for students
These are the laptops suggested most often for university students in Reddit discussions, reviews and YouTube buying guides, as of October 2026, with current prices in Australia.
The usual suggestion is a Windows laptop with 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD, or a MacBook Air with 16GB, after checking that your course's software runs on it.
Prices are for in-stock laptops, excluding Chromebooks, released in 2023 or later. Updated
- 16GB, 512GB models in stock
- 409
- Lowest price
- $898
- Median price
- $2,299
- Lowest MacBook Air
- $1,849
Suggested laptops
The lowest-priced laptop in stock of each type.
Often suggested as the best value for most courses. 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD is the usual suggestion, as 8GB can feel slow within a few years and many laptops cannot be upgraded later.
Apple MacBook Air M5 16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Apple M5 (10-core CPU) · 13.6" · 1.23 kg $1,849.00 Ebay AU The usual pick for students who can afford it, for its long battery life, light weight and build quality. Check that your course's software runs on macOS.
MSI Modern 14S AI+ G3M 16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core Ultra 5 322 · 14" · 1.38 kg $1,099.00 Centre Com Light laptops are often suggested for carrying between classes all day, and many reviews suggest one that lasts a full day without the charger.
Acer TravelMate P4 Spin P414RN-54 16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core Ultra 5 125U · 14" · 1.49 kg $930.05 Ebay AU Often suggested for handwritten notes and annotating slides, as the screen folds into a tablet. Check that it supports a pen.
Acer Nitro 16S AI AN16S-61 32 GB RAM · 1 TB SSD · AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 8GB · 16" · 2.18 kg $2,597.00 Officeworks 32GB of memory and a dedicated graphics card with 6GB or more. Often suggested for engineering and CAD courses, as software such as SolidWorks runs only on Windows and needs a dedicated graphics card for larger models.
Lowest-priced laptops with 16GB and 512GB
The 20 lowest-priced of 409 models, each at its lowest-priced configuration. See all in the laptop table.
| Laptop | Weight | Battery | Price | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15ABR816 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · AMD Ryzen 5 5625U · 15.6" | 1.62 kg | 47 Wh | $898.00 | Harvey Norman |
| MSI Modern 14 F13M16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core i5-1334U · 14" | 1.5 kg | 46.8 Wh | $899.00 | Umart/MSY |
| Acer TravelMate P4 Spin P414RN-5416 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core Ultra 5 125U · 14" | 1.49 kg | 65 Wh | $930.05 | Ebay AU |
| MSI Modern A14 AI F2HM16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · AMD Ryzen 5 220 · 14" | 1.4 kg | 46.8 Wh | $932.00 | Ebay AU |
| MSI Modern 14 F1M16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core 5 120U · 14" | 1.5 kg | 46.8 Wh | $949.00 | Ebay AU |
| MSI Modern 14 H1M16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core 5 120U · 14" | 1.5 kg | 58 Wh | $949.00 | Amazon AU |
| ASUS Vivobook Go 15 E1504F16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · AMD Ryzen 5 7520U · 15.6" | 1.63 kg | 42 Wh | $949.00 | Computer Alliance |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Gen 1116 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core Ultra 5 322 · 14" | 1.43 kg | 60 Wh | $997.00 | Officeworks |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x Gen 916 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 · 14" | 1.48 kg | 57 Wh | $998.00 | Harvey Norman |
| ASUS ExpertBook P1 PM140316 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · AMD Ryzen 5 150 · 14" | 1.4 kg | 50 Wh | $999.00 | Umart/MSY |
| Acer Extensa 14 EXO14-7116 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core Ultra 5 115U · 14" | 1.47 kg | 54.8 Wh | $999.00 | Umart/MSY |
| HP OmniBook 3 hz000016 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 · 14" | 1.42 kg | 60 Wh | $999.00 | JB Hi-Fi |
| HP Laptop 15 fd100016 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core 5 120U · 15.6" | 1.65 kg | 41 Wh | $1,008.00 | Harvey Norman |
| ASUS Vivobook 16 M1607KA16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 · 16" | 1.88 kg | 42 Wh | $1,049.00 | Umart/MSY |
| HP Laptop 15 fc000016 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · AMD Ryzen 5 7520U · 15.6" | Unknown | 41 Wh | $1,068.00 | Harvey Norman |
| ASUS Vivobook 15 D1502YA16 GB RAM · 1 TB SSD · AMD Ryzen 7 7730U · 15.6" | 1.7 kg | 42 Wh | $1,089.00 | Amazon AU |
| MSI Modern 14 C13M16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core i7-1355U · 14" | 1.4 kg | Unknown | $1,089.00 | Amazon AU |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14ABR816 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · AMD Ryzen 5 5625U · 14" | 1.55 kg | 52.5 Wh | $1,098.00 | Ebay AU |
| MSI Modern 14S AI+ G3M16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core Ultra 5 322 · 14" | 1.38 kg | 60 Wh | $1,099.00 | Centre Com |
| LG gram Book 15UB50T16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core i5-1334U · 15.6" | 1.69 kg | 51 Wh | $1,099.00 | Centre Com |
Questions
How much memory and storage does a student laptop need?
16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD is the usual suggestion. 8GB is enough for writing and browsing, but is often said to feel slow within a few years, and many laptops cannot be upgraded later.
Should a student get a Mac or Windows laptop?
Either works for most courses. Check your course's software first: engineering and CAD software such as SolidWorks runs only on Windows. Windows laptops usually cost less for the same memory and storage. The lowest-priced MacBook Air with 16GB in Australia is $1,849.
Can I use a Chromebook or iPad for university?
They are usually suggested as a second device rather than the only one, as some course software and online exams need Windows or macOS.
How long should a student laptop battery last?
A full day of classes without the charger is the usual suggestion. Runtime depends on the laptop and its use; this guide lists battery capacity in watt-hours. The median for the 16GB, 512GB models here is 63 Wh.
Is a gaming laptop a good student laptop?
Usually only for courses that need a dedicated graphics card, or for gaming. Gaming laptops are often heavier and have shorter battery life.