Laptops for students

Windows, 16GB, 512GB Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15Q8X10 16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 · 15.3" · 1.55 kg $529.95 Ebay USA

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.

MacBook Air, 16GB Apple MacBook Air M3 16 GB RAM · 256 GB SSD · Apple M3 (8-core CPU) · 13.6" · 1.24 kg $1,049.00 Ebay USA

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.

Under 1.4 kg, 16GB, 512GB HP ProBook 440 G11 16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · Intel Core Ultra 5 125U · 14" · 1.39 kg $779.99 Amazon USA

Light laptops are often suggested for carrying between classes all day, and many reviews suggest one that lasts a full day without the charger.

2-in-1, 16GB, 512GB HP OmniBook X Flip kc0000 16 GB RAM · 512 GB SSD · AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 · 14" · 1.4 kg $749.99 Best Buy

Often suggested for handwritten notes and annotating slides, as the screen folds into a tablet. Check that it supports a pen.

Engineering MSI Cyborg 15 B2RW 32 GB RAM · 1 TB SSD · Intel Core 7 240H · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 8GB · 15.6" · 1.95 kg $1,439.97 Ebay USA

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.