Best Laptops for Summer 2023 for students

As a student, your laptop is likely your most important tool for productivity, studying, and entertainment. Choosing the right laptop for the next school year is crucial in ensuring a trouble-free summer and smooth start to the semester.

In this article, we cover the best laptops for students in summer 2023 based on different types and budgets. We look at portable lightweight laptops, 2-in-1 convertibles, gaming laptops as well as budget options under $500. Additional factors to consider when purchasing a student laptop are also discussed.

Lightweight and portable laptops

Macbook Air: Apple's Macbook Air continues to be the gold standard for portable student laptops thanks to its lightweight design, good keyboard and trackpad, long battery life and powerful M2 chip. It starts at $999.

Dell XPS 13: The Dell XPS 13 is a solid Windows alternative with a compact design, razor-thin bezels and InfinityEdge display. It offers 11th gen Intel processors, SSD storage and over 15 hours of battery life. Prices start at $1000.

HP Spectre x360: The HP Spectre x360 offers 2-in-1 versatility in a sleek, portable design weighing under 3 pounds. It has excellent performance thanks to 11th gen Intel Core processors and 512GB SSD storage. Pricing starts at $1099.

2-in-1 convertible laptops

Microsoft Surface Pro: The Surface Pro 7+ remains a popular 2-in-1 convertible choice for students thanks to its powerful performance and versatility. It features a tablet and laptop mode along with an attachable keyboard cover. It starts at $749 for the Core i3 model.

Lenovo Yoga: Lenovo Yoga laptops offer 360 degree hinges that fold back into a tablet. Models like the Yoga C740 and Yoga C940 offer 11th gen Intel processors, fast SSD storage and premium full HD or 4K touch displays. Prices start at around $800.

Gaming laptops for students

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14: The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 remains a favorite compact gaming laptop that's also great for everyday student tasks. It has excellent performance from AMD Ryzen 4000 processors and NVIDIA GeForce GPUs. Pricing starts at $1100.

Lenovo Legion 5: The Lenovo Legion 5 offers strong performance and features for both gaming and productivity. Models with GTX 1650 Ti or RTX 2060 graphics are capable light gaming laptops. Prices start around $900.

Budget laptops under $500

Acer Aspire 5: The Acer Aspire 5 offers good value for students on a tight budget, starting around $400. It has the latest 10th gen Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD storage.

Lenovo Ideapad 3: The Lenovo Ideapad 3 delivers capable performance and essential features at an affordable price point starting at just $379. Configuration options include Core i3, 8/12GB RAM and 256GB SSD.

Additional factors to consider when buying a student laptop

Screen size and resolution: 13 to 15 inch displays with full HD (1080p) resolution are ideal for students.

Battery life: At least 8 hours of average use is important for all-day productivity away from power outlets.

Keyboard and trackpad quality: Ergonomic keyboards and large responsive trackpads are essential for comfort during extended use.

Ports and connectivity: WiFi 6, USB Type-C ports, SD card readers and HDMI outputs are useful connectivity options.

Weight and design: Anything under 3-4 pounds is lightweight enough for carrying in a backpack all day. Durable designs withstand student life.

Conclusion

Hopefully this breakdown of the best laptops for students in summer 2023 has provided you with some great options based on your budget and needs. Choosing the right laptop will ensure you have a productive summer and a device that can handle your studies for years to come. Consider your priorities and do your research to find the perfect match.