It’s almost impossible to imagine going to school without a laptop these days. A few years of pandemic learning made digital devices a core part of the educational process, and that hasn’t changed now that we’re back in the classroom.

But here’s a hot tip: Even if you’re not a student, the late summer months are prime time to get a new laptop computer. That’s because retailers and manufacturers are expecting back-to-school volumes and get competitive with discounts to make as many sales as they can. Here’s a rundown on the best deals, plus spotlights on five different models that you can save big cash on—over $500 in some cases.

Not all laptops are created equal. Some pack peerless processing power for lightning-quick file opening, high-end graphics and gaming, or media creation. Others cut down on features to lower the price and the weight, so you’re not hauling around a beastly brick of a computer from class to class. It’s important to select a laptop that fits your needs and your budget. These sales will help for the second part, and these five laptops will hit different student sweet spots.

Best Overall Back-to-School Laptop

Dell XPS 13 9315

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

Dell XPS 13 9315 Intel i7 1TB SSD 32GB RAM FHD+ Laptop

If you’re looking for a model that performs capably but doesn’t cost a ton or weigh a ton, Dell’s XPS 13 9315 laptop is our pick. In our review, we extolled its “sharp edge-to-edge 13.4-inch display” that pairs with the new Intel Alder Lake processor to deliver clear, bright visuals. Weighing in at just 2.59 pounds, it’s easy to carry around and durable enough to get you through to your degree. This configuration comes with 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and Windows 11 Home.

Best for Productive Study Sessions

13.3" Apple MacBook Air M1 Chip 256GB SSD

(Credit: PCMag)

13.3″ Apple MacBook Air M1 Chip 256GB SSD

Apple’s shift away from Intel chips to in-house silicon marked a major sea change in how its laptops and desktops performed, and that was clear from the first time we booted up the MacBook Air M1. In our review, we gave it an Outstanding rating and an Editors’ Choice award, proclaiming that it’s “the best value among macOS laptops.” This one is great for focusing because of its epic battery life, solid performance, and all-metal construction. Taking 25% off the 256GB SSD model is a sizable discount. This configuration comes with 8GB of RAM and macOS Big Sur (the macOS Sonoma upgrade drops in the fall).

Best Option for Designers and Content Creators

Dell XPS 15 9530

(Credit: Molly Flores)

Dell XPS 15 9530 Intel i7 RTX 4050 1TB SSD 16GB RAM Laptop

Sporting the new 40-series RTX GPUS and a 13th Gen Intel Core processor, this Dell XPS 15 9530  is a workhorse capable of graphic design, AutoCAD—you name it. We give it an “outstanding” rating in our review, praising it for its premium quality build and long battery life. Its 16GB of high-bandwidth memory makes for easy multitasking as well as running resource-hungry programs, and the 1TB SSD can safely store all your files and projects.

Best Touch Screen Option

Lenovo Slim Pro 7

(Credit: Molly Flores)

Lenovo Slim Pro 7 Ryzen 7 RTX 3050 512GB SSD 16GB RAM 14″ 2.5K Touch Laptop

The Lenovo Slim Pro 7 is an ultraportable touch-screen workstation made with productivity in mind. The 14-inch display has a 2.5K resolution and 90Hz refresh rate for the best possible image quality and the RTX 3050 GPU will give you an edge when editing photos and videos or running design software. 16GB of RAM is sufficient for resource-intensive programs, though since there’s no SD or microSD, you may need to invest in a portable SSD if you want to back up your files or expand the 512GB drive size.

Best for Unwinding After Classes

Asus TUF Gaming A16

(Credit: Best Buy)

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Ryzen 7 RX 7600S 512GB SSD 16″ Laptop

The Asus TUF line was built to last, with a durable chassis that meets MIL-STD 810H US military-grade standards. But that doesn’t mean it sacrifices portability. Weighing only 4.85 pounds and measuring .87 inches, you can toss this laptop into your backpack without worrying about it. And it can easily handle your 1080p gaming needs. The 16-inch, 1080p screen is a good size for gaming on the go, and the 165Hz refresh rate keeps all on-screen action clear and smooth.

Best for Budget Buyers

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Intel i5 512GB SSD 15.6″ Touch Laptop

While this budget configuration won’t be suitable for working on your design projects between classes or rendering 3D models, it can do a serviceable job of note-taking and web surfing. Measuring just 0.78in thin and weighing 3.74 pounds, You can easily carry this laptop in your backpack. This configuration includes a generous 15.6-inch touch display, a 512GB SSD, and 8GB of RAM.

FAQ

Is Back-to-School the Best Time to Buy a Laptop?

July and August rival November and December for the best months to buy a laptop. Retail giants like Dell, Best Buy, Walmart, Lenovo, and HP hold sales specifically for the back-to-school season, which spans from June to September.

Can Students Get Cheaper Laptops?

Yes! College students can cash in on student-specific discounts.

Where Can Students Get Cheaper Laptops?

We thought you might ask. Check out these laptop retailers:

Dell – Join Dell University membership for exclusive discounts and Dell rewards.

Apple – Education pricing available to students of all ages—plus their parents—and educators.

Lenovo – Exclusive discounts after verifying through ID.me.

Acer – Extra 10% student discount and free shipping after verifying your student status with Student Beans.

HP – Sign into the Education store to see exclusive discount pricing.

Which Is Best: Chromebook, Windows, or Mac?

It depends on the use case: Chromebooks are great for those who want a no-frills, easy-to-use laptop experience without the worry of viruses in the ChromeOS operating system. Not to mention rock-bottom prices; many Chromebooks are $300 or less. The downside to ChromeOS is the limited experience on many models. Our Best Chromebooks roundup is a good place to start if you’re not sure which one to buy.

The Windows laptop market, though pretty wide open, offers a lot of perks, starting with their mid-tier prices—usually sitting somewhere in the $1,000 range. Windows-based machines offer access to the widest array of software (including most AAA games) and the most form-factor flexibility (like detachable or folding keyboards and stylus-friendly touch screens). Most midrange ultraportables use Intel’s Core i5 or Core i7 CPUs, which offer plenty of power for everyday computing. The biggest downside is choosing the right Windows machine from a growing array of options; get a head start on your hunt with our roundup of the Best Laptops.

Apple’s MacBooks are lauded for their superior user experience and easy connectivity with other Apple devices; they’re usually laptop of choice for more artistically inclined students. The MacBook Pro and MacBook Air feature similar aesthetics, but come in different screen sizes and levels of processing power. For more on that, check out our M1 vs. M2 comparison. The lineup starts at $999 and only goes up from there; learn more about what each model can do for you here.

For more, check out MacOS vs. Windows: Which OS Really Is the Best?

What Should I Look for in a Laptop?

Your choice of laptop will depend on your scholar’s needs. For instance, if you have a young child who is used to touch-screen devices, a sturdy 2-in-1 convertible laptop with a touch screen might be a smart option. On the other hand, if your college student plans on having multiple research tabs open and music playing in the background while they write a paper, you’ll want to invest in a laptop with more RAM (8GB is pretty standard) and a powerful CPU.

It may sound weird for some, but a gaming laptop might be worth considering for those who want to game and study on the go, or for those who don’t want the hassle (and expense) of buying a separate PC or gaming console. Either way, a gaming laptop offers more power than most traditional laptops, which is good for students who might work on more resource-intensive projects like 3D rendering or photo and video editing.

What Are Some Good Budget Laptops? 

We have a full roundup of top budget laptops. Our current favorites include the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, Acer Aspire 5, and HP Laptop 17.

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“Tech Bargains Galore: Where Innovation Meets Affordability!”

 

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