No matter how you prefer to crush that term paper or immerse yourself in research, these computers will help you excel. Below are some of our favorite machines we’ve reviewed this year.
1. Dell XPS 13 (2018)
The winner of countless “Best of Year” laptop awards for three years running, the Dell XPS 13 remains one of our favorites. While we can point to any one of its unique features—and we’d be remiss in not mentioning its practically bezel-free edge-to-edge display—its compact design and long-lasting battery make this Dell stellar for students.
2. Microsoft Surface Go
Microsoft’s latest Surface tablet is adorable and ready to hit the books. Starting at $399, don’t forget to add the optional $129 Type Cover keyboard to make it into an itty-bitty laptop. Whether you’re taking notes with the compatible Surface Pen, watching Netflix in bed, or hunkered down in the reference section for hours on end, Surface Go is an ideal portable PC.
3. Dell G7 15 Gaming
Some students need all the power they can get. This 15-inch Dell G7 gaming laptop might be harder to get parental approval for, but if your field of study involves complex computation, you’ll love it. It has a mediocre screen, but what counts is on the inside—hexacore Intel chips and Nvidia graphics will speed up video editing and supercharge CAD modeling … and they’ll naturally fuel your extracurricular PUBG habit. Plus, it’s easy to upgrade, so buy what you can afford now and add more RAM or storage later.