The Best Back to School Laptops - 2024 Edition

Back-to-school season is right around the corner, so I thought it would be a great time to share some of my top picks for laptops, especially for students who are ready to embark on a new, productive journey. We have some awesome creators chiming in with their picks as well. But before we dive in, a few housekeeping rules: Number one, avoid laptops with 8GB or less of RAM, as this often falls short of the demands of modern applications and multitasking needs. Also, opting for at least 512GB of storage is recommended, since 256GB can quickly become insufficient, especially with a resource-heavy operating system like Windows 11. To find the best deals, make sure to use resources like CamelCamelCamel, which can help track price changes on Amazon.

Now, my golden rule when it comes to shopping for a laptop within a budget is looking for at least 16GB of RAM and a decent screen, preferably with a 16:10 aspect ratio because that extra vertical screen real estate can come in clutch for productivity. I also look for a CPU that won't struggle with current and upcoming workloads, which is why you should definitely stay away from Celeron and N-series CPUs, and even certain AMD Ryzen 7000 U-series processors. For example, take the Ryzen 5 7520U processor. At first glance, it might seem like a bargain, but if you pay close attention to the last two digits, that "20" indicates it's rocking Zen 2 architecture, which is about 5 years old. So, please stay away from that. Anything with a "4" in it is a pretty good buy since it's based on Zen 4, which is still very capable. Intel's nomenclature can be confusing, but for example, a Core i5-1200U is an extremely low-powered CPU running at 15 watts, offering 30% less performance compared to something like the Ultra 5 125H. These are our recommended options from both Intel and AMD if you're looking for a really strong CPU. Apple has been relatively quiet with their processors this year, but the M2 and M3 are solid options. Qualcomm has also recently entered the arena, but I wouldn't recommend them right now due to compatibility issues. If you're a student, you don't want to gamble on this platform because the last thing you need is difficulty installing an application for your particular course that isn't natively supported for ARM, so just be aware of that.

Here's another tip if you're shopping for a laptop: I would look for devices with a USB-C port that supports power delivery, or PD. This feature allows you to charge your laptop with either a battery bank or any USB-C adapter, which can be incredibly useful if you're running out of power during class or if you're just on the go. I feel like this feature is super capable, especially if you have a smartphone that takes USB-C. It's just one cable that can charge all of your devices, and I think it's a great thing to have.

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Now, I went on a mission to find laptops priced between $500 and $1,200, and maybe just a little bit more. Trust me, this process wasn't easy because sales happen frequently. If I share something right now that's on sale for $599 and it shoots up to $999 in two days, I don't want you guys to leave this video disappointed. So, use the criteria I mentioned earlier as a rubric and shop responsibly. Most of the laptops that I have listed here are at their MSRP, but at the time I'm making this video, some of them are on sale. My first pick is the Dell Inspiron 16. The Inspiron series has always had a special place in my heart; I remember using one when I was in school, and honestly, for the price, it's a lot of laptops. So, for $550 MSRP, you're getting a 16-inch laptop with a massive 16:10 1200p display, albeit a very dim panel at just 250 nits, so outdoor visibility is going to be very challenging. The design is clean and comes with a full-size keyboard with a numpad, which I'm sure students getting into business programs would appreciate. You also get a lot of ports, including full-size HDMI 1.4, Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, Type-A ports, and a full-size SD card reader. You can choose either Intel or AMD processors, but I would lean towards the Ryzen option since you're most likely going to get better battery life, considering this one has a very small 54Wh battery. They're also a bit on the heavier side, but not too bad for a 16-inch laptop at 4.12 lbs, and it's about 0.75 inches or 19mm thin.

Next up is the Lenovo Slim 7i. Honestly, you can't go wrong with the Slim series from Lenovo. These things are built really well, they come with a beautiful and bright 16:10 display, and the keyboards are some of the best you can find for a Windows laptop. Overall, from a form factor standpoint, it's just super ideal for students since it's only 14 inches, weighs about 3 lbs, and is 0.6 inches or 15mm thin. You also get a generous number of ports, including HDMI 2.1, two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, a Type-A port, and a headphone jack. This particular SKU comes with Intel's Meteor Lake Ultra 5 125H, and when you pair that with a 65Wh battery, you can expect pretty good battery life.

This next laptop caught my attention solely because of its price, and I thought it would be cool to share. It's the ASUS VivoBook 16, particularly the M1605 SKU. For $600, you're getting a Ryzen 7 CPU based on Zen 3, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD paired with a decent 16:10 1200p display. Obviously, build quality isn't going to be the greatest, but you do get a lot of ports, and the performance of the 8-core, 16-thread processor is more than capable enough for basic tasks. Although I wouldn't push it too hard since it's capped at 15 watts.

Next up, we have the ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED. There are a lot of things I like about this laptop. First and foremost, it is incredibly thin, coming in at 0.6 inches and weighing around 2.8 lbs. The design is super simple and very minimal. The power efficiency of the Ryzen 840 series CPUs is just unbelievable; it gives some of Qualcomm's X Elite CPUs a run for their money because we got roughly 11 to 14 hours of runtime on our sample. This is just an ideal machine for students on the go. It's also got a lot of ports, including Type-C with PD, Type-A, and HDMI, and that OLED display at 400 nits is just unbeatable for the price. If you can justify the $999 price point, this is a bargain in my opinion.

Now, I obviously have to talk about Apple's MacBook Air. If you're comfortable pushing your budget past $1,000, I think this is a solid option for school because it's ultra-portable, the build quality is solid, it features a really nice, bright, beautiful display, the keyboard is excellent, the trackpad is awesome, and the performance of the M3 processors is really good. They actually hold up well against some of the newer chips available in the market. But the bad news is that Apple is still selling these laptops with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which is not enough. So, I would recommend upgrading to 16GB of RAM and a half-terabyte of storage, but that's obviously going to drive up the cost. If you're looking to save a few bucks, I would recommend exploring Apple's certified refurbished program and also taking advantage of their student pricing because you can actually save a few hundred that way.

Alright, enough from me. Let's hear from some friendly faces and see what they have to say. So, what about the best gaming laptop for under $1,200? If you're buying a gaming laptop for school use, then it's worth prioritizing battery life and portability. It can be challenging to have enough battery charge to last throughout the day. It's no secret that gaming laptops are power-hungry and usually bigger too. Trust me, as someone who went to school with a heavier 17-inch laptop for three years, mistakes were made. For the best battery life, you'll probably want to look at something with an AMD Ryzen processor, as those usually last longer compared to Intel options. A 14-inch laptop is ideal for portability. With this combination in mind, my top picks are ASUS's Zephyrus G14 and Lenovo's Legion Slim 5, both of which have recently gone on sale for under $1,100. I could spend 20 minutes talking about them, but ultimately, they're both super portable 14-inch gaming laptops with beautiful OLED screens, amazing battery life, great build quality, and with AMD Ryzen processors and NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics. So, you get a nice combination of performance, battery life, and portability. They both have a cleaner, stealthier design compared to others that scream "gaming laptop," and sometimes you just have to keep it low-key or your parents might start asking if you're doing more gaming than schoolwork. I get it.

Now, Eber asked me to find the best 17-inch laptop under $1,200, and I was like, "Okay, that's a little tough, especially given the budget." But after looking through a lot of different options, I narrowed it down to two picks. The MSI Katana 17 is probably the best you can get for the money. You get an RTX 4060 paired with Intel's Core i7-13620H, which gives you excellent performance for the money, along with a 1080p 144Hz screen, a big 1TB SSD, and 16GB of RAM. If you prefer to stay in the AMD camp, then the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is a pretty strong contender. It's got the Ryzen 7 7745HX CPU paired with an RTX 4050 GPU, which means you still get amazing performance for the money. On top of that, this one is also military-certified, meaning it can take a few bumps and bruises.

But if gaming isn't your thing and you're just looking for a really good 17-inch laptop under $1,200, then I would recommend the Lenovo Legion Slim 7. This is the Intel-based model with the Core i7-13700H, which is an extremely powerful 45-watt CPU paired with 16GB of RAM and a massive 1TB SSD. The 1600p screen on this is beautiful to look at, plus it's one of the brightest we've seen. The laptop is a bit on the thicker side, but it only weighs about 4.5 lbs and is 20 mm thick, which is still pretty slim considering what you get with this laptop.

When it comes to ultrabooks, there are a few things to consider: weight, thinness, build quality, keyboard quality, and display, as well as battery life and performance. This is especially important if you're constantly on the go, taking your laptop with you everywhere you go, and not carrying a charger all day. The good news is that we have some amazing options that can do all of that while coming in under the $1,200 mark. So let's start with the Dell XPS 13 Plus. While this laptop is priced a bit over $1,200, we've seen it drop below this threshold during promotions, making it worth considering. The XPS 13 Plus is a futuristic-looking laptop with an excellent display, offering solid performance with a 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processor. The keyboard is great for typing, and the trackpad is one of the best on the market. However, the unique touch-sensitive function row may take some getting used to.

Another fantastic option is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano. ThinkPads are known for their exceptional keyboards, and the X1 Nano is no exception. It's incredibly lightweight, making it ideal for students who need to carry their laptops around all day. The display is crisp and vibrant, and the performance is solid with an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor. Battery life is impressive, so you won't need to worry about finding an outlet during the day. Plus, it's a ThinkPad, so you know it's built to last.

The ASUS ZenBook S13 OLED is another ultrabook that should be on your radar. It features a stunning OLED display, which is perfect for content consumption and creative work. The laptop is incredibly thin and light, making it easy to carry around. With an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, you get a nice balance of performance and battery life. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, and the trackpad is responsive. At around $1,200, this laptop offers a premium experience without breaking the bank.

Lastly, if you're into Apple's ecosystem, the MacBook Air M1 is still a great ultrabook, especially now that it's more affordable. The M1 chip delivers excellent performance while being incredibly power-efficient, giving you all-day battery life. The build quality is top-notch, and the display is bright and sharp. The keyboard and trackpad are also excellent, making it a joy to use. While the M2 MacBook Air is out, the M1 version still holds up very well for students and is often available for under $1,000.

In conclusion, choosing the right laptop involves balancing your needs and budget. Whether you prioritize performance, portability, or battery life, there's an option out there for you. Be sure to check for student discounts and promotions, especially during back-to-school season, to get the best deal possible.