As the school curriculum becomes more and more streamlined, students are required to learn more from outside than from the supplied textbooks. A laptop would be the best tool for this purpose.

But which laptop should you give your kid? – We’re here to help.

School students only need to have basic functionalities like the option to browse the internet, prepare presentations with the office suite etc.

Keeping their specific requirements in mind, we bring you the curated list of the eight best laptops in India that we’ve cherry-picked for students.

Without any further delay, let’s dive right into the article!

Note: The price shown are the once when we reviewed the products. However, as the promotional offers changes on the given E-commerce sites, the price may vary. Bettershark is supported by it’s readers and when you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

1. MSI Modern 14

Overall Best Pick

• Powerful Intel i5 10th gen CPU
• Bezel-less FHD display
• Upgradable hardware

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MSI(Micro-Star International) is a Taiwanese computer hardware company manufacturing high-end gaming laptops.

Modern 14 from the MSI is an affordable mid-range powerful laptop priced at Rs.49,990.

Design and Build Quality

The MSI Modern 14 sports a unibody aluminium chassis that gives this laptop a premium look and feel.Not many laptops in the sub. Rs.50,000 price point features a metallic construction. 

MSI has nailed it in terms of aesthetics – the smooth finishing on the lid with an adorning MSI logo on top gives this laptop a clean, professional look.

Weighing at just 1.3Kg, this thin and lightweight machine is very comfortable to carry around anywhere you travel.

The ergo lift mechanism of the hinge on this laptop provides a comfortable typing posture as well as increases the airflow into the inlet ducts, thereby increasing the thermal efficiency.

The hinge mechanism feels smooth and has enough friction to keep the display from wobbling when used under a ceiling fan. 

Connectivity Features:

The MSI Modern 14 comes with the following I/O ports:

• 2 x USB 2.0 ports
• 1 x USB-C port
• 1 x HDMI port
• MicroSD card reader
• 3.5mm combo audio jack

Processor and Performance

Powered by the Intel i5 10th generation quad-core processor the MSI Modern 14 offers one of the best performances under the price of Rs.50,000.

Considering the price, having the i5 10th generation true quad-core processor is a cherry on top.

The 8GB DDR4 RAM onboard can handle day to day tasks without breaking a sweat and you can do casual multitasking without facing any lag or stutter.

The 512GB SSD inside delivers excellent read/write speeds. This SSD storage helps the laptop to boot up instantaneously with minimal app loading times. 

The Intel integrated UHD graphics assists the processor to handle graphic related tasks and does a good job at that.

Display

The MSI Modern 14 sports a 14-inch Full HD IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

This display looks sharp and clean without any pixelation effects whatsoever. It is ideal for both media consumption and productivity tasks such as document editing. 

The slim bezels on the sides make this panel look bigger than its actual size and viewing content on this pixel rich display is a delightful experience.

The visual colours are vivid and punchy and the wider viewing angles helps with the overall viewing experience. 

Miscellaneous

The MSI Modern 14 comes pre-installed with the Windows 10 Home OS.

The C-deck houses a tenkeyless keyboard that has a 1.5mm key travel distance and with the LED backlighting you can work effortlessly at night.

The trackpad located in the center reads the multi-finger gesture accurately. The HD webcam placed at the display top chin provides a good video quality while sitting in a room that has sufficient lighting.

Battery Life

The MSI Modern 14 is powered by a 3-cell 52Wh lithium battery that will provide you with a power backup for up to 6-7 hours on a single charge.

The bundled 65W AC adapter juices up the battery levels from zero to a hundred in 2:30 hours.

Verdict

The MSI Modern 14 is undoubtedly the best laptop in the market for working professionals and students.

It’s thin, lightweight, and durable. Not just that, but for the price of Rs.49,990, it also delivers a solid performance.

2. Asus VivoBook K15

Runner-up Pick

• Marvellous OLED FHD display
• Latest Intel i3 11th Gen processor
• Robust build quality

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Asus is one of the, if not the only brand in the Indian market offering a sub. Rs.50,000 laptop with an OLED display. 

Yes, you heard it right. Let’s see what else the Vivobook K15 has in store for one searching for a budget entry-level laptop!

Design and Build Quality

Asus Vivobook does not look much different from its Ultra series models in terms of the overall design. 

It features a metallic lid and plastic base that has silver colour finishing which provides a refined look to this laptop.

Weighing at 1.8Kg, this 15-inch notebook laptop is slightly hefty compared to the HP 15s laptop but is not like a tank so you will get used to traveling with it in no time.

Talking about the hinge quality, the open-close operation of the display lid is buttery smooth and wobble is also minimal.

The air goes inside the laptop through the bottom vents and exhaust gases exit through the rear side vents.

Connectivity Features:

The Asus Vivobook K15 features the following I/O ports:

• 1 x USB-C port
• 1 x USB 3.2 port
• 2 x USB 2.0 ports
• MicroSD card reader
• 1 x HDMI port
• 3.5mm combo audio jack

Processor and Performance

The processor inside the Asus Vivobook K15 is the latest Intel i3 11th generation dual-core processor with a turbo clock speed of 4.1GHz.

It has 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB of NVMe SSD. The RAM can be expanded up to 12GB but in our opinion, 8GB is fine for casual multitasking and office use.

The 256GB solid-state drive will speed up the process by loading the OS in less than 15 seconds also, the app’s loading time will be minimal.

The Intel integrated UHD graphics assists the processor with the graphics-related tasks but are not capable of running AAA title games.

Display

The display is the main USP of the Asus Vivobook K15.

Till now we tech enthusiasts and you guys are paying more than Rs.75,000 to get a colour accurate display.

Not anymore, because the Asus Vivobook K15 sports a 15.6-inch Full HD OLED IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

This OLED panel comes with 100% of DCI-P3 and has a rich contrast ratio.

To keep it simple, the visuals you will see have true-to-life colours and an excellent contrast ratio with inky deep blacks.

Furthermore, it comes with 400 nits of peak brightness that makes the panel good for indoor as well as outdoor use.

The only issue we noticed is that the panel is glossy so if your laptop screen is facing a light source you will be unable to see the visuals.

This is an IPS panel, so you can view visuals even from an angle.

Miscellaneous

The Asus Vivobook K15 is running the Windows 10 OS right out of the box and the free upgrade to Windows 11 is promised.

The full-size backlit keyboard comes with 1.4mm key travel and it gives a gratifying typing experience.

The trackpad of this machine reads all the gestures input precisely. Inside the trackpad, there is a fingerprint sensor that works flawlessly to aid one-touch secure login. 

The 720p HD webcam at the top chin of the display provides decent quality when sitting in a bright room.

Battery Life

The Asus Vivobook K15 is powered by the 3-cell 42Wh lithium battery that will provide up to 4-5 hours of battery life.

The bundled 65W charger will juice up the battery from 0 – 100% in 2:15 hours.

Verdict

If you are an avid media enthusiast or photo editor, then this laptop with the OLED screen is perfect for you.

For a budget under Rs.50,000, Asus has provided a bang for the buck deal which is irresistible.

3. Lenovo ThinkBook 15

Best Economical Laptop

• Latest generation Intel CPU
• Upgradable hardware
• Colourful FHD display

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Apart from the IdeaPad series, Lenovo also has ThinkPad and ThinBook series which are durable laptops that provide good performance for their asking price.

The Lenovo ThinkBook 15 is priced at Rs. 44,990 and is ideal for students who don’t want to spend a bomb on a laptop for academic use. 

Design and Build Quality

This ThinkBook laptop features the same build quality as the ThinkPad laptops – the top section is aluminium and the base is manufactured from ABS plastic.

The flex in the body is minimal and weighs 1.7Kg, making this machine easy to carry around.

We must admit that the looks of ThinkBook is praiseworthy – you will get to see two different colour schemes on the lid and a loud branding of ThinkBook.

The full-size robust hinge mechanism provides enough friction to move the lid on its axis conveniently.

Lenovo has also taken counter measures for preventing overheating on the laptop’s internal hardware. The single fan inside pushes the heat out from rear side vents.

Connectivity Features:

The Lenovo ThinkBook 15 features the following I/O ports:

• 1 x USB-C port (Regular)
• 1 x USB-C port/Thunderbolt 4
• 2 x USB 3.2 ports
• 1 x HDMI port
• RJ-45 LAN port
• 4-in-1 card reader
• 3.5mm combo audio jack

Processor and Performance

The showrunner of the Lenovo ThinkBook 15 is the latest eleventh-generation Intel i3 dual-core processor with a maximum clock speed of 4.1GHz.

The variant that is listed here comes with the 4GB RAM which is fine for everyday tasks like running online classes applications, MS office and Chrome browser.

If you wish to do more then the laptop comes with the RAM expansion provision of up to 36GB.36GB would be overkill for this machine so adding an extra 8GB is more than enough for effortless multitasking.

In the storage front, this budget student’s laptop has a 256GB SSD that provides ample storage but it improves the laptop performance significantly.

The Intel integrated UHD graphics help the CPU with graphic-intensive tasks.

Display

The Lenovo ThinkBook 15 sports a 15.6-inch Full HD anti-glare IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

This display has a peak brightness of 300 nits which is good for indoor use.

Surprisingly, this panel covers 100% sRGB colour gamut which means the colours you will see on the display are vivid and punchy.

Watching content on this thin-bezel pixel-rich colourful display will be an enjoyable experience.

Not to mention, this display also has an anti-glare coating. It minimises the light reflection and reduces the stress happening to your eyes so you can work effectively for hours.

Miscellaneous

The Lenovo ThinkBook 15 comes pre-installed with the Windows 10 Home OS.

It also includes the MS Office Home and Student 2019 software. It’s a licensed version with lifetime validity – just login with your Microsoft account and you will be able to use it.

The full-sized non-backlit keyboard has nice curved keycaps that feel delightful to type on.

The trackpad is of good quality and it registers the finger-gesture input without fail.

The fingerprint scanner is embedded in the power button which works with the Windows Hello login.

The webcam of this laptop comes with a dedicated physical shutter so while not in use make sure to close the camera shutter to protect your privacy from prying eyes.

Battery Life

The Lenovo ThinkBook 15 is powered by the 45Wh lithium battery inside the laptop that is rated to last up to 4-5 hours on a full charge.

The bundled USB-C 65W power adapter will recharge the battery from zero to full in 2:30 hours.

Verdict

The Lenovo ThinkBook 15 is a perfect entry-level laptop for students, it allows hardware upgradability and offers good performance.

Under the price of Rs.50,000, this Lenovo laptop is an excellent choice for many reasons like colourful display, good quality keyboard, fingerprint sensor and performance.

4. Realme Book

Laptop with Best Display

• High quality 2K vivid display
• Robust aluminum build quality
• Latest CPU and high-speed RAM inside

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Realme is a well-known brand in the smartphone industry and the company has recently extended its portfolio in laptops by launching its first product in the Indian market – Realme Book.

The Realme Book is being touted as a fierce rival to the Redmi Notebook series from Xiaomi. Is it a worthy opponent? Let’s find out!

Design and Build Quality

From top to bottom, the chassis of this laptop is made out of aluminium and it has a grey colour paint job finish which makes it look premium.

Realme has tried to keep the design minimalistic so that the laptop will look simple yet aesthetically pleasing.

Weighing at just 1.38Kg, it’s a pleasure to carry this device around. 

The robust hinge mechanism ensures that the lid won’t wobble when you place the machine under a high-speed ceiling fan.

This machine has dual fans inside that helps to keep the internal temperature under check even under heavier loads. 

Connectivity Features:

The realme Book features the following I/O ports:

• 2 x USB-C ports
• 1 x USB 3.1 port
• 3.5mm combo audio jack

Processor and Performance

The CPU inside the realme Book is the latest Intel i3 11th generation dual-core processor with a turbo clock speed of 4.1GHz.

Usually, laptops under Rs.50,000 have RAM clocked at 3200Mhz or below but this one has 8GB of DDR4 RAM clocked at 3733MHz.

The higher clock frequency of hardware allows it to process the tasks much faster and efficiently and multitasking performance will be a breeze on this one.

The 256GB SSD inside takes less power to operate and delivers better performance. It will provide near-instantaneous system boot up and programs will load at a much faster rate.

The Intel UHD graphics assist the CPU to deal with the resourceful graphical task.

Display

This is where realme book leaves its competitors far behind.

The realme Book sports a 14-inch Quad HD IPS display with a resolution of 2160 x 1440 pixels.No, we are not mistaken it’s the truth that you are getting to experience a 2K display under the price of Rs.50,000.

The quality of visuals is so sharp and one more thing to add, that panel has 100% of sRGB which means the picture and text appears sharp and clean. 

However, the display has a 3:2 aspect ratio so it will be taller and less wide which might not be good for media consumption but your taste might differ.

For work purposes, this is a perfect display. Thanks to the IPS technology, there is no colour shifting when you view the panel from an angle.

Miscellaneous

The realme Book comes pre-installed with the Windows 10 Home OS and the good news is that brand has already announced that in the future, this laptop will get the Windows 11 update for free.

The tenkeyless backlit keyboard has a key travel distance of 1.3mm. It provides soft and silent typing feedback so if you like noise-free typing then this keyboard is just right for you.

The backlit underneath the keyboard will let you do work efficiently in low light environments.

The trackpad is positioned in the center and it registers the multi-finger gestures precisely. The power button doubles up as a fingerprint scanner for one-touch login. 

Battery Life

The realme Book is powered by a 54Wh lithium battery and it will easily provide backup for 

up to 6 hours on a full charge.

The bundled 65W USB-C power adapter supports fast charging technology and it juices up the battery from 0 – 50% in just 30 minutes.

Verdict

The realme Book is just a perfect compact and lightweight notebook laptop for students and working professionals.

It is completely feature-packed and for a price under Rs.45,000, you will not get any better deal than this one.

5. RedmiBook 15 e-learning Edition

Best Student Laptop

• Latest 11th gen Intel processor
• Decent battery life
• FHD panel with anti-glare coating

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RedmiBook series can be considered as an upgrade to the Mi notebook laptops which was one of the first laptops from Xiaomi to launch in the Indian market and the RedmiBook continues the legacy.

The RedmiBook 15 e-Learning Edition is aimed at students and is currently priced at Rs.41,999 for the Indian market.

Design and Build Quality

Like its predecessor model, the RedmiBook 15 e-Learning Edition does not come with a metal chassis, instead, the brand has used polycarbonate materials for the construction.

We’d say the build quality is okay for the price. You will get a smooth brushed metallic finish on the lid and there is also the minimalistic Redmi branding.

The hinge mechanism is of robust quality – you can lift the lid using a single hand, which is quite surprising at this price point.

Weighing at 1.8Kg, this laptop might feel slightly heavy on the shoulders when carrying it inside a backpack.

The grille at the bottom side has a bit larger cut-out compared to what we see on other laptops. It is good as it allows more air to travel at once and the internal components will remain cool.

Connectivity Features:

The RedmiBook 15 e-Learning Edition features the following I/O ports:

• 2 x USB 3.2 ports
• 1 x USB 2.0 port
• 1 x HDMI port
• 1 x RJ-45 LAN port
• SD card reader
• 3.5mm combo audio jack

Processor and Performance

The RedmiBook 15 e-Learning Edition is powered by the Intel i3 11th generation dual-core processor with a turbo clock speed of 4.1GHz.

The 8GB DDR4 RAM clocked at 3200MHz is soldered on the motherboard and is not upgradable but for students, it is more than sufficient to do their everyday tasks and multitasking.

This machine includes a 256GB SATA SSD which is still better than the HDD. It will boot up the system quickly and application loading time will be minimal.

The integrated Intel UHD graphics provides decent performance and you can expect to play some casual games on this machine.

Display

The RedmiBook 15 e-Learning Edition features a 15.6-inch Full HD anti-glare display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

The bezels around the display on this machine are comparatively thicker than the Mi notebook. The top chin is acceptable because now you don’t have to buy an extra webcam but they should have cut out the side bezels a bit more.

This display has decent colour reproduction and you will see that the visuals on this panel are sharp and colourful.

Redmi has taken measures on students’ safety as well. The anti-glare coating will reduce the eye strain and block the light reflection so you can view the display visuals.

Miscellaneous

The RedmiBook 15 e-Learning Edition comes pre-installed with the Windows 10 Home OS and the company has confirmed that you will get the Windows 11 OS update in the future.

The tenkeyless non-backlit scissor-switch keyboard on the deck has 1.5mm of key travel and the response on the keypress is good.

The trackpad is positioned in the center and it supports multi-finger gestures like a champ. Unfortunately, this laptop does not feature a fingerprint scanner which is disappointing.

As we said, you don’t need an extra webcam anymore as there is a 720p webcam on the top chin of the display that offers a decent video quality under good lighting conditions.

Battery Life

The RedmiBook 15 e-Learning Edition is powered by a 46Wh lithium battery and the company has said that it will provide up to 10 hours of backup but that’s not a fact and never will be.

Expect this battery to last up to 5 hours on moderate to heavy use and you can use the 65W bundled power adapter to juice up the battery quite fast.

Verdict

The RedmiBook 15 e-Learning Edition is just perfect for students for the price of Rs.41,999.

The laptop has almost everything a student needs. It can be used for completing projects, class assignments, or for attending an online class.

6. Asus VivoBook Flip 14

Best Touchscreen Laptop

• Amazing FHD touchscreen panel
• Intel i3 11th generation
• Asus Intelligent Performance Technology

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The Vivobook is one of the most successful laptop lineups from Asus ranging from entry-level to gaming laptops. 

The Asus Vivobook Flip 14 is a mid-range convertible laptop ideal for students to attend online classes for a budget under Rs.50,000.

Design and Build Quality

The chassis of the new Vivobook Flip 14 is constructed from aluminium alloy and there is little to no flex on the body.

In terms of aesthetics, Asus has done an incredible job and the machine looks so professional with the matte finish exteriors. 

The logo of Asus Vivobook is stamped on the left-centre which reflects the brand identity.

Thanks to its 14-inch form factor and slim profile, this machine fits comfortably inside regular backpacks and this machine feels lightweight at just 1.5Kg.

The hinge mechanism is robust and allows the lid to travel up to 360-degree so you can use it as a standalone tablet or set it in a tent mode while watching movies.

This laptop comes featuring the “Asus Intelligent Performance Technology” which is an ultra-efficient thermal design and power-saving solution that keeps the laptop cool even under peak loading conditions and helps the CPU to perform 40% better.

Connectivity Features:

The Asus Vivobook Flip 14 comes with the following I/O ports:

• 1 x USB 3.2 port
• 1 x USB 2.0 port
• 1 x USB-C port/Thunderbolt 4 (Display port and Power Delivery)
• 1 x HDMI port
• MicroSD card reader
• 3.5mm combo audio jack

Processor and Performance

What runs the show on Vivobook Flip 14 is the latest 11th generation Intel i3 dual-core processor with a turbo clock frequency of 4.1GHz.

The 8GB LPDDR4x RAM is soldered on the motherboard and it is sufficient enough to handle everyday tasks like browsing, media player, MS office, and more alike.

This laptop has a 256GB SSD which can load applications like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams quickly and you will face no lag or stutter while using them.

This NVMe SSD can boot up the system in seconds and you can copy/paste files from one folder to another swiftly.

Display

The Asus Vivobook Flip 14 features a 14-inch Full HD LED-backlit IPS touch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

Unlike HP, Asus does provide a dedicated stylus for this laptop inside the box which you can use casually or for some creative or productivity purposes. You can even operate the panel with your fingers and the display supports multi-finger input.

The colour reproduction of this panel is good and the side viewing angles are good as well, thanks to the IPS technology. This panel is bright enough for indoor usage even under brightly lit conditions.

Miscellaneous

The Vivobook Flip 14 comes pre-installed with the Windows 10 Home operating system.

There is also a pre-installed MS office home and student 2019 software in which you can access full features of Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

The tenkeyless keyboard on the C-deck has a 1.8mm key travel which gives tactile feedback on typing and thanks to the LED backlighting underneath, you can work effortlessly even in low lit conditions.

The trackpad positioned in the center supports all types of multi-finger gestures and inside it, there is a small fingerprint scanner for quick system access.

The 720p HD webcam provides good video quality in daylight use and gives satisfactory video quality in online classes.

Battery Life

The Vivobook Flip 14 is powered by a 3-cell 41Wh lithium-polymer battery that will last up to 4-5 hours on constant use.

The bundled 65W power brick will juice up the laptop battery from 0 – 100% in 2 to 2:!5 hours.

Verdict

From build to performance, Asus has maintained everything in harmony to deliver the user a fruitful experience for the price of Rs.49,990.

The convertible laptop from Asus is an excellent pick for students and working professionals.

7. Acer Extensa 15

Honourable Mention

• Intel i3 11th Gen processor
• Gorgeous FHD display
• Sturdy build quality

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The Taiwanese hardware company Acer is a popular brand across the globe that manufactures laptops.

You might have heard about the Acer Aspire and Swift series but the one we have is from the Extensa lineup that is not much popular but it’s worth a shot.

Design and Build Quality

Acer Extensa 15 looks decent, the exterior is built using plastic that has a nice finishing which feels good to hand.

If we compare it to the Aspire series, this one stays at No.2, and we believe that Acer needs to improve the design of this one.

Anyway, if looks don’t matter to you then keep on reading.

Weighing at 1.9Kg, this machine does feel heavy on the shoulder. In terms of portability, it fits easily inside a regular backpack so you can take it anywhere you like.

The lid requires the support of both hands to open and the hinge mechanism moves the lid pretty smoothly.

The large grille at the bottom side of the unit is for air intake and the single fan inside pushes the heat out from the system through rear side vents to prevent overheating.

Connectivity Features:

The Acer Extensa 15 features the following I/O ports:

• 2 x USB 3.1 ports
• 1 x USB 2.0 port
• 1 x HDMI port
• RJ-45 LAN port
• 3.5mm combo audio jack

Processor and Performance

The showrunner of this laptop is the latest Intel i3 11th generation dual-core processor with a turbo clock speed of 4.1GHz.

This new generation processor is more power-efficient and capable than ever however, the paired GPU is still the Intel UHD so don’t expect heavy gaming from this portable computer.

The onboard 4GB RAM is sufficient for running day to day tasks like browsing, multimedia, and MS Office.

Talking about its storage, there is a 256GB SSD inside which keeps the overall laptop performance on par and provides quick system boot up and faster app loading.

Display

The Acer Extensa 15 features a 15.6-inch full HD ComfyView display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

The bezels on the sides are fairly thin and it provides a good viewing experience while watching video content.

This high resolution screen produces crisp quality visuals and colour reproduction is said to be decent at best.

The panel has a coating that reduces the glare effect so you can see the displayed visual clearly in any artificial lighting conditions.

Miscellaneous

The Acer Extensa 15 comes pre-installed with the Windows 10 OS and it will get the Windows 11 update for free shortly.

The full-sized non-backlit keyboard provides a good typing experience but work will be limited in a poor lighting environment.

The touchpad accepts the multi-finger gesture input and the response is swift.

There is a webcam as well at the display top chin but the quality is not crystal clear, in good lighting condition you will get a decent video quality.

Battery Life

The Acer Extensa 15 battery is rated to last up to 4-5 hours on a single charge with day to day usage.

The bundled charger will recharge the battery levels fully under 2:15 hours.

Verdict

The Acer Extensa 15 is a good buy for students and casual users.

Under the price of Rs.40,000, the machine packs entry-level hardware that can fulfil the needs of first-time buyers.

With this, we conclude this article for the eight best laptops for school students here.

If you wish to purchase something even more powerful than the products mentioned here, don’t forget to check out our other lists for the best laptops under Rs.40,000 and laptops for college students under Rs.50,000.

If you have any suggestions or queries regarding this article, let us know in the comment section below.

As always, thanks for your time and have a great day!

Laptop Buying Guide For School Students

Times have changed from those days where textbooks from school were the only resource material for learning for most of us. 

Now the students are encouraged to seek knowledge out of the books and the internet offers a treasure trove of information on possibly every topic you can think about.

To access the internet and carry out other academic activities, owning a laptop has become very necessary, especially in this post covid era. 

In this short yet concise buying guide, we will list out a few points that you should cover while making a purchase decision about a students laptop for you or your kids. 

Without any further ado let’s get started!

Performance

We all hate delays, lags and uncertainties right. It’s the same with laptops. We don’t have enough patience to wait for good things to happen. 

Well, the one important piece of hardware that makes good things happen inside a computer is its processor. 

For a student laptop, the power of the processor depends on the amount of money you are willing to spend. 

To perform casual tasks like web browsing, document editing and media consumption, a tenth/eleventh generation i3 processor from Intel or a third-generation Ryzen 3 processor from AMD is enough.

If you go up the budget ladder a bit, there are quad-core processors available from both Intel and AMD which are capable of light multitasking as well. 

When it comes to RAM, 4GB DDR4 RAM is sufficient for casual browsing and entertainment. Some of the laptops also offer RAM expansion slots. The RAM also has its clock frequency(For example 2666MHz, 3200MHz) the higher frequency results in better performance.

Some of the machines are available with 8GB RAM at affordable prices but can not be upgraded which is fine as they offer good day-to-day performance.

Storage – SSD or HDD?

Solid State Drives (SSD) are a relatively newer storage medium that is significantly faster and reliable than conventional hard disk drives. 

While SSDs are more expensive than HDDs, you can expect to see SSDs in students laptops starting from Rs.18,000. 

Having an SSD has multiple advantages such as improved boot times, faster app loading and quicker data transfer rates. 

If you have a lot of offline files to store locally on the laptop, try looking for a machine with hybrid SSD+HDD storage.

Make the mind to purchase an HDD only laptop, only if none of the above two options is available within your reach. 

Display

The quality of the display matters much more than the actual size of the display, to be honest. 

Budget laptops with FHD display are available under Rs.30,000 and vary in size from 14-inch to 15.6-inch.

We prefer 14-inch laptops owing to their sharpness and compact and lightweight form factor.

Going for an IPS display is always good for better viewing angles and colour reproduction.

Speaking of brightness levels, panels with peak brightness values between 220 – 300nits are perfectly okay for indoor usage.

Anti-glare coating is very much desirable if you intend to spend long hours in front of the laptop. 

I/O ports

Most of the recently launched laptops come with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports. Having a Type C port is beneficial for faster data transfer speeds and also because it is fast becoming the de facto USB connectivity standard. 

Common connectivity options like HDMI and 3.5mm combo audio jack are available on most laptops. 

If you wish to use wired internet, make sure that the laptop features an RJ45 LAN port. Most of the laptop manufacturers are seen to not include RJ45 ports these days to make the laptop slim.

Operating System

Windows 10 is the most popular OS among students these days. Most of the software tools you are familiar with will be Windows native applications and purchasing a Windows 10 OS-powered laptop will be the ideal choice for many. 

Apps such as Microsoft Office works well with Windows laptops whereas the Libreoffice suite on Linux might cause you some formatting issues if used without any experience.

If at all Linux is required, it is easier to dual boot Linux on a Windows machine or installs Linux on a virtual machine. 

Keyboard and Trackpad

The keyboard size depends on the laptop form factor. The 14-inch model does not have a numeric pad which is a big bummer while working with an excel sheet. However, the 15-inch model does have this option.

The key travel distance is the vertical distance of a key from the deck, more key travel distance results in tactile feedback and a comfortable typing experience.

Keyboards with backlit functionality illuminated the keys in the dark for effortless nighttime usage. 

Not all laptops come with this feature, but it is very much appreciated if it does. 

When it comes to the trackpad, those with Microsoft precision driver support will have flawless multi-finger gesture control which makes everyday computing a more delightful experience.

Weight

The laptops are divided into three categories – ultrabooks, notebooks, and gaming laptops.

The ultrabooks and notebooks weigh less than gaming machines. Weight is a considerable factor especially when you plan to travel with it.

Lightweight laptops cause less pain on the shoulder. We recommend you choose a laptop weighing anywhere between 1.2Kg – 2Kg so that you can carry the machine in your bags and backpacks without any problems. 

Battery Life

Most of the Windows-powered laptops will last anywhere from 4-7 hours on a single charge. 

Battery life is highly subjective and depends upon various factors such as display brightness, type of applications running etc. 

Having a fast charge supported adapter in the box is ideal for quick refilling once the battery runs out of juice. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1: What are some important factors to be considered while buying a new laptop?

Ans: Before purchasing any laptops, formal research is a must and the basic factors you should consider are a processor, amount of RAM, storage, display and battery life. 

Q.2: Which processors offer better performance?

Ans: For now the eleventh generation Intel and fourth-generation AMD processors are considered as the cutting edge.

Meanwhile opting for a third-generation AMD processor is perfectly fine in the case of a student laptop. 

Q.3: Is Microsoft Home and Office needed for a student?

Ans: Not really. Document preparation and editing are some of the most important academic activities that each one of you would have to face. 

Having a fully licensed version of MS Office pre-installed will save you a ton of money and valuable time. 

Companies such as Google offer Doc and Sheets services online but the caveat is that you should have an active internet connection to access these.

Q.4: How much RAM do I need on my laptop?

Ans: In most cases, 4GB RAM is sufficient for attending online classes, entertainment, and casual browsing. 

However, having 8GB RAM onboard will improve the multitasking performance of your laptop. 

It is preferable to go for a laptop with the provision for hardware expansion so that you can add more RAM in the future if required.