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I tried 5 college laptops — here’s how it went

July 14, 2024

Choosing the right laptop for college can feel like a huge task, especially with so many options out there. Whether you're a gamer, a budget-savvy student, or someone who needs a powerhouse for multimedia tasks, there's a laptop that fits your needs. In this guide, we'll check out some of the best college laptops on the market, each with its own unique perks. From sleek designs and high-refresh-rate displays to sturdy build quality and long battery life, these laptops are built to meet the diverse needs of college students. Ready to dive in? Let's get started!

First up, let's talk about the Lenovo Legion 7i. If you're a gamer who wants a stylish, lightweight, and high-performing laptop, this one's for you. Our experts love the Lenovo Legion 7i for its sleek design, lightweight build, and solid performance. It sports a brushed aluminum finish, a white keyboard deck with RGB lighting, and a high-refresh-rate IPS display. However, it doesn't have an OLED display and isn't packing the most powerful CPU.

Lenovo Legion 7i

The Lenovo Legion 7i is a beast for gaming and multimedia tasks. It has a 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600 pixels) display with a 165Hz refresh rate, making your gaming experience super smooth. Powered by Intel 14th Gen Core i9 or Core i7 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 or RTX 4060 graphics, this laptop can handle pretty much anything you throw at it. With up to 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD, you've got plenty of storage and memory. Plus, its Coldfront 4.0 tech keeps it cool, and the per-key RGB backlighting adds a nice touch of style. Despite all these features, it’s lightweight at just 5 lbs without the charger. Overall, it's a powerful and well-built gaming laptop that offers excellent performance and customization options.

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Next, let's check out the Asus Vivobook S14. If you're on a budget but still want a good balance of performance and features, this laptop is a great pick. Our experts chose the Asus Vivobook S14 for its 14-inch OLED display, lightweight aluminum build, and impressive battery life. It's affordable and offers a good mix of performance and features, though it’s not the most powerful option out there.

Asus Vivobook S14

The Asus Vivobook S14 is perfect for both productivity and entertainment. It has a 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) NanoEdge display with a 90% screen-to-body ratio, giving you a vivid and immersive viewing experience. Powered by up to a 10th Generation Intel Core i7 processor and configurable with up to 16GB of RAM and NVIDIA MX250 discrete graphics, it offers solid performance for its price. With up to 1TB PCIe SSD storage and up to 16GB of RAM, you’ve got plenty of space and memory. It also comes with two Thunderbolt ports, Wi-Fi 6, and a full-size backlit keyboard. Other cool features include a Harman Kardon-certified sound system, NumberPad 2.0, ClearVoice Mic, and a built-in fingerprint sensor. Available in four distinct colors, the Asus Vivobook S14 is a stylish and powerful laptop that boosts productivity and entertainment.

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If battery life and a premium design are your top priorities, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 is a fantastic choice. Our experts picked this laptop for its haptic touchpad, beautiful design, and long battery life. It's a bit pricey, but if you’re willing to invest, it’s worth it.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 15

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 is designed for business users who need high performance. It features a 15-inch PixelSense™ Display with an anti-reflective touchscreen, offering a clear and vibrant viewing experience. Powered by Intel Core Ultra 5 processor 135H or Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 165H, it handles demanding tasks with ease. With up to 64GB RAM and storage options of 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB solid-state drive (Gen 4 SSD), you’ve got plenty of memory and storage. The laptop boasts up to 18.5 hours of battery life, so you can work all day without needing to recharge. Additional features include AI-powered productivity with Microsoft Copilot, world-class security with Windows 11 Pro, and more replaceable components than Surface Laptop 5. Available in Platinum or Black colors, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 is designed to enhance productivity and creativity with its powerful processors, ample memory, and long battery life.

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For those who want a high-performance gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 16 is a top pick. Our experts chose this laptop for its QHD+ 240Hz OLED display and high-end CPU and GPU. It’s a premium gaming laptop with a gorgeous OLED display, but it comes with a hefty price tag.

Razer Blade 16

The Razer Blade 16 is a powerhouse with top-tier specs, including an Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series GPU. It features a 16-inch QHD+ OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate, providing a stunning visual experience for gaming and content creation. The laptop’s performance is exceptional, with its powerful hardware enabling smooth gaming and efficient multitasking. However, the battery life could be better, and the fans can get pretty loud under heavy load. Despite these minor issues, the Razer Blade 16 is a fantastic choice for gamers looking for a portable yet powerful gaming solution, offering premium build quality and a visually impressive display. The OLED display provides natural and vibrant colors, high contrast, and a fast refresh rate, making it an excellent choice for those prioritizing the best visual experience in their gaming setup.

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Lastly, let's talk about the Acer Chromebook Spin 514. If you want a versatile and powerful 2-in-1 Chromebook, this one’s for you. Our experts picked this Chromebook for its powerful components, great user accessibility, and strong versatility. It’s a bit pricier for a Chromebook, but it’s worth it for the premium features.

Acer Chromebook Spin 514

The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 is designed for both business and personal use. It features a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) touchscreen display with a 78% screen-to-body ratio, providing a good viewing experience. Powered by AMD Ryzen 5 5625C or AMD Ryzen 3 3250C processors, it offers solid performance for demanding applications. With up to 128GB of eMMC storage and up to 8GB of RAM, you’ve got plenty of space and memory. It’s equipped with multiple USB ports, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.0 for seamless connectivity. Additional features include a backlit keyboard, dual stereo speakers, and a built-in webcam with a microphone. The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 is also MIL-STD 810H certified, ensuring durability and resistance to environmental factors. With a battery life of up to 13 hours, it’s perfect for extended use without needing to recharge.

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Conclusion

So, there you have it! Choosing the right laptop for college really depends on what you need and your budget. Whether you’re after a high-performance gaming laptop like the Lenovo Legion 7i or Razer Blade 16, a budget-friendly option like the Asus Vivobook S14, a premium design with long battery life like the Microsoft Surface Laptop 15, or a versatile 2-in-1 Chromebook like the Acer Chromebook Spin 514, there’s something out there for you. Each of these laptops has its own unique features and strengths, making them suitable for different types of users. By weighing the pros and cons of each option, you can make an informed decision and find the perfect laptop to support your college journey. Happy shopping!

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