Best Laptops for College Students in 2026: Top Picks for Portability, Battery Life & Performance

Heading back to college or starting fresh? The right laptop can make or break your semester. In 2025, students need machines that are lightweight for backpack hauling, offer stellar battery life for lectures and libraries, and handle multitasking from essays to Zoom calls without breaking the bank. We've scoured the latest releases, prioritizing portability (under 4 lbs where possible), at least 10 hours of battery, and solid performance for student workloads like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Adobe apps, and casual coding.

Our selections span budgets from under $500 to premium $1,500+ options, including Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS for diverse needs. Criteria included real-world testing for thermals, keyboard quality, display vibrancy, and upgradeability. Whether you're a freshman on a tight budget, a gamer squeezing in Fortnite, or an art major needing color accuracy, there's a pick here.

Expect variety: Apple reliability, Windows versatility, ARM efficiency for insane battery, and value-packed alternatives. We focused on 2025-available models with current Intel Core Ultra, AMD Ryzen AI, Qualcomm Snapdragon X, and Apple M-series chips.