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If you’re a student, back to school means you need to get some new supplies to make the most of the new school year. This year will be different. You’ll perform better, work smarter, and get your homework and school projects done faster. But first, you need a new laptop to help you achieve all your goals in the classroom.
We’ve rounded up the best laptops from leading computer manufacturers across the internet, including Apple, Asus, Lenovo, Razer, and more, to help you get your classroom work done with ease.
These devices are great for productivity, such as work processing and research, while also allowing you to seamlessly balance school and dorm life, such as watching videos, listening to music, and even playing the occasional video game.
If you’re not a student just going back to school, these laptops are also great for office workers and freelancers who want to get all their daily tasks done. These laptops are great for just about any writer, editor, photographer, or videographer who wants to meet their deadlines on ongoing projects. And after you pick up your new laptop, you may also want to consider a new laptop backpack to help you get the new machine from home to school or the office in one piece.
Scroll down to see our recommendations for the best laptops for back to school or returning to the office.
Apple
The editors recommend
Apple MacBook Air
The latest Apple MacBook Air is the pinnacle of laptops in 2024. It’s fast thanks to the tech company’s M3 chip, and thanks to macOS Sonoma, it runs buttery smooth for most tasks, productivity, and entertainment. If you’re looking for a new laptop, start here.
Lenovo
Best Chromebook
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
If you’re looking for a laptop that can get you online as quickly as possible, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is our pick. It’s designed for the web and offers a wide selection of web apps from the Chrome Web Store, as well as Android apps from the Google Play Store. If you’re into Google’s cloud of apps and services like Gmail and Google Docs for school and work, a Chromebook is your best bet.
Asus
Best display
Asus Zenbook Flip 13
The Asus Zenbook Duo’s display is so sharp, there are actually two of them. The Zenbook Duo is a Windows 11 laptop with a detachable display for more screen real estate, which means greater productivity. You can use it as a fast traditional laptop, or detach the display to use it as a dual screen or tablet. It’s all up to you.
Acer
Best suited for your wallet
Acer Aspire 3
Available for $416 (down from $499.99), the Acer Aspire 3 is a fast and smooth laptop that won’t break the bank. It runs Windows 11 for productivity and entertainment, while being powerful enough to get your schoolwork done without lag or performance degradation.
MSI
Best Windows 11 laptop
MSI Prestige AI Evo
The MSI Prestige AI Evo is one of the smoothest and most powerful Windows 11 laptops you can buy in 2024. It has everything you want in a Windows laptop, including a sharp 16-inch OLED Ultra HD display, a powerful Intel Core Ultra 7-155H processor, and a sleek design to handle virtually any task quickly and efficiently.
Razor
Best for Gaming
Razer Blade 16
If you’re a gamer, then the Razer Blade 16 is for you for high-performance gaming. This laptop makes short work of virtually any major game, including World of Warcraft and Diablo IV, or anything you’ll find on the cloud gaming service Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. And since it’s a Windows 11 laptop, it’s also great for school workâif you can find the time between long gaming sessions.
Apple
Best for photo/video editing
Apple MacBook Pro
Equipped with Apple’s M3 Max processor, the latest Apple MacBook Pro is ideal for photo and video editing on the go, while its brilliant 16-inch display is large enough to show off your work as realistically as possible. It’s also light enough to take along to any class projects that require on-location shooting. The Apple MacBook Pro is a beast!
Looking for more? Check out our picks for the best back-to-school gear here. In the meantime, shop the best laptops for school or work on Amazon below:
