Whether for lectures, group projects or writing term papers – a good laptop is indispensable at university and school. But with so many models to choose from, the decision can quickly become overwhelming. Should it be a lightweight laptop for quick transportation, a powerful all-rounder for multimedia applications or a device with a long battery life for long days? In this article, we show you the best laptops that are perfectly suited to the requirements of modern student and school life. These are the best laptops for university & school.
The best laptops for university & school in the test
The best laptops for university and school are lightweight, mobile, powerful and equipped with a battery that ideally lasts a whole day or longer. Not all laptops are suitable for this, so here are our recommendations.
MacBook Air
The MacBook Air is perhaps THE most powerful compact laptop around. Depending on the configuration, the fanless notebook delivers enough power to master even the most demanding image and video editing tasks – but the Air is not really suitable for gaming, as games are few and far between in the Apple ecosystem.
Powered by the Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, it supports up to 16 GB shared memory and 256 GB SSD storage. Other features include a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a MagSafe 3 charging port and two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. The device supports up to two external displays (when the laptop is closed) and has a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and a Force Touch trackpad.
With a battery life of up to 18 hours when watching movies via the Apple TV app and up to 15 hours when surfing the Internet wirelessly, the MacBook Air is ideal for mobile use. The 52.6 watt-hour lithium-polymer battery can be charged via the included 30W USB-C power adapter.
The MacBook Air is available in Midnight, Polar Star, Space Gray and Silver and is priced from €1,299.00. It offers a combination of performance, mobility and style that makes it an attractive choice for users who value sleek design and high functionality.
Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 impresses with its slim and lightweight design that combines mobility and style. With dimensions of 295.30 mm x 199.10 mm x 15.30 mm and a weight of around 1.21 kg, it is extremely portable and therefore ideal for use on the go. The high-quality casing with rounded edges gives the Ultrabook a modern and appealing look.
Inside is an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor with 16 cores and a clock speed of up to 4.8 GHz, supported by 32 GB DDR5 RAM and a 512 GB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The 13.4-inch Full HD+ display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz ensures clear and smooth images. An integrated Intel Arc iGPU is responsible for the graphics performance. The device also has modern connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
The battery life of the Dell XPS 13 9340 is impressive and supports mobile use over longer periods of time. However, users will have to accept some compromises in terms of performance and comfort, as the device is primarily designed for mobility. With a price of around €1,910.02, it is aimed at users who value a compact and stylish notebook and are prepared to accept a slight loss of performance for the high level of mobility.
Microsoft Surface Laptop
The 7th generation Microsoft Surface Laptop presents itself as an elegant and powerful companion for the modern user. With an ultra-thin body and a choice of a 13.8-inch or 15-inch HDR touchscreen, it offers an impressive visual experience. The optimized screen area with reduced bezel maximizes the display, while the low weight supports mobility.
Powered by the latest Snapdragon® X Elite and Plus processors, the Surface Laptop delivers lightning-fast performance for demanding applications. Built-in AI with 45 trillion operations per second boosts productivity and creativity by integrating smart features directly into the workflow.
With an impressive battery life of up to 20 hours of video playback, the Surface Laptop enables all-day work and entertainment without interruption. This makes it an ideal choice for anyone who values performance, mobility and smart features.
Huawei MateBook 14
The HUAWEI MateBook 14 (2024) impresses with its slim and lightweight design weighing just 1.31 kg and a thickness of 14.5 mm. The robust aluminum housing in a fresh green color gives the notebook a classy look. The 14.2-inch OLED touchscreen with a resolution of 2880 x 1920 pixels and a dynamic refresh rate of 120 Hz ensures brilliant colors and razor-sharp images.
The MateBook 14 (2024) is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor of the current 14th generation, supported by 16 GB LPDDR5x RAM and a 1 TB PCIe SSD. The integrated Intel Arc iGPU offers solid graphics performance for everyday applications. The notebook also has a good range of connections, including USB-C, USB-A and HDMI, but without Thunderbolt 4.
With a battery life of up to 19 hours with local 1080p video playback, the MateBook 14 (2024) is ideally suited for mobile use. The combination of powerful hardware, high-quality display and long battery life makes it an attractive choice for users who value mobility and performance.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x Gen 9 (14″ Snapdragon) is an ultra-thin and lightweight notebook designed specifically for creative users. With its high-quality design and a 14-inch PureSight OLED display, it offers impressive visual experiences and a first-class feel.
Equipped with the powerful Snapdragon X Elite processor and the Lenovo AI Core chip, the Yoga Slim 7x delivers outstanding performance for demanding applications. The integration of AI functions enables intelligent adaptation to the user’s needs, which increases productivity.
A special feature of this notebook is the impressive battery life, which allows you to work for several days without recharging. This makes the Yoga Slim 7x an ideal companion for anyone who values mobility and endurance without compromising on performance.
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360
The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 is a versatile 2-in-1 convertible that impresses with its ultra-thin design and high-quality workmanship. With a robust aluminum casing in Moonstone Gray and a height of just 13 mm, it offers an impressive combination of elegance and mobility.
Equipped with a 16-inch OLED touchscreen that offers a resolution of 2,800 x 1,800 pixels and a dynamic refresh rate of 120 Hz, the Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 delivers brilliant and fluid visuals. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor with 16 cores, supported by 16 GB LPDDR5x RAM and a 512 GB PCIe 4.0 SSD, it ensures strong performance for demanding applications.
With a battery life of up to 20 hours of video playback, the Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 is ideal for mobile use. The combination of powerful hardware, high-quality display and long battery life makes it an attractive choice for users who value flexibility and performance.
Price tip: Acer Aspire Go
The Acer Aspire Go is a versatile notebook characterized by its slim design and ease of use. Available in a range of screen sizes, it offers razor-sharp displays with up to WUXGA resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The Acer BlueLightShield technology also ensures eye-friendly working, even during prolonged use.
Powered by 12th generation Intel Core processors or the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, the Aspire Go masters a variety of tasks effortlessly. It has a variety of ports, including two fully functional USB Type-C ports that allow seamless connection and charging of devices. Connectivity is further enhanced with Wi-Fi 6 and HDMI 2.1 for a faster and smoother digital experience.
With its user-friendly design and multiple color options, the Aspire Go is aimed at users who value simplicity and functionality. It is the ideal choice for everyday use, whether for work, study or entertainment, offering the performance and flexibility to meet the demands of modern life.
Chromebook tip: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is a versatile 2-in-1 device that impresses with its slim design and flexibility. With a detachable keyboard and a 13.3-inch Full HD OLED touchscreen, it offers brilliant colors and impressive image quality. The lightweight body and the ability to switch between laptop and tablet mode make it an ideal companion on the go.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 Compute Platform, the Duet 5 Chromebook offers solid performance for everyday tasks. Equipped with up to 8 GB RAM and 256 GB eMMC storage, it enables smooth multitasking and ample storage space for documents and media. The device runs on Chrome OS, which enables quick access to Google services and apps from the Play Store.
A standout feature of the IdeaPad Duet 5 is its impressive battery life of up to 15 hours, which enables all-day working or streaming without interruption. It also has four speakers with Smart Amplifier technology for clear sound and two microphones for high-quality voice recording. The combination of long battery life, high-quality display and flexible use makes it an attractive choice for users who value mobility and productivity
The best laptops for university & school: what you should look out for when buying
A laptop is an indispensable tool for students and pupils. Whether you’re taking notes, creating presentations or using sophisticated software – your laptop should be powerful, reliable and tailored to your needs. But what really matters when buying one? In this article, you will find out which criteria are decisive and we will provide you with helpful tips to help you find the perfect device for university or school.
Requirements for a laptop for university & school
The ideal choice depends heavily on how you want to use your laptop. A budding engineer has different requirements than someone who mainly does paperwork. Nevertheless, there are some basic features you should look out for:
- Portability: a lightweight and compact design is important if you need to transport your laptop on a daily basis. Devices with a screen of 13 to 14 inches offer a good compromise between mobility and ease of use.
- Performance: A mid-range processor (e.g. Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5) is sufficient for common applications such as word processing and internet research. However, if you use graphic design or CAD software, you should look for a more powerful processor and a dedicated graphics card.
- Battery life: A laptop for school or university should last at least 8-10 hours so that you don’t have to constantly search for a power outlet.
- Memory: For most users, 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD memory are sufficient. For data-intensive tasks or large projects, 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage can be useful.
- Display: A matt or anti-glare display is easy on the eyes during long work sessions. Full HD resolution is now standard and offers sufficient sharpness.
Additional features that make everyday life easier
In addition to the basic specifications for the best laptops for university and school, there are other functions that can make everyday life much more pleasant:
- Keyboard: a backlit keyboard is ideal for working in poorly lit spaces, such as libraries.
- Connections: USB-C, HDMI and an SD card reader are useful extras that offer flexibility when connecting accessories.
- Operating system: Windows and macOS dominate the market, but Chromebooks with ChromeOS are also an affordable alternative for simple tasks.
The best laptops for university & school: Conclusion
The right laptop can make your everyday school or university life much easier. Before buying, think carefully about your requirements and pay attention to important criteria such as portability, performance and battery life. With a well-thought-out purchase, you will find the perfect device that will reliably accompany you through your everyday life.
