Here are the top 10 best laptops for school in 2022. The rating of the best laptops for study is compiled according to the criterion: price – quality. The selection includes the most reliable and high-quality laptops according to experts and user reviews.
Given today’s “notebook prices”, it hardly makes sense to focus on the class of gaming solutions. If you do not know which product to choose for a schoolchild or a student, pay attention to the following characteristics of different types of laptops for study:
- Ultrabooks are light (up to 1.5-2 kg) and have good battery life. The screen diagonal in such devices starts from 13 inches and above. It is important that the device has an SSD (memory is faster than HD). These laptops do not have a hard drive.
- Station wagon: they can have different dimensions (a 15.6-inch display is considered the “gold standard”) and technical parameters. If you are looking for an inexpensive solution, choose models with up to 4 cores and up to 4 GB of RAM.
- Business laptops are designed for young designers or photographers, so they have good specs and are therefore more expensive. Here you can’t do without a 4-core processor, but rather an 8-thread one. Good graphics, screen and RAM are also important.
Good and inexpensive laptops for study
Haier A1400ED
Top 10 laptops for research opens the model Haier A1400ED, equipped with a 14.1-inch screen with a resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels. Considering modern realities, this indicator can hardly be called relevant. In addition, a TN-matrix is implemented, which is clearly inferior to IPS in terms of color reproduction. The design weighs about 1.2 kg, which is an undeniable advantage for a compact computer. The performance is sufficient for office applications, as well as for working with heavy documents, since the Intel Celeron N3350 dual-core system with a frequency of up to 1.1 GHz is used. The amount of RAM is 4 gigabytes of LPDDR4 type with a maximum frequency of up to 1.6 GHz. An Intel HD Graphics 500 video card is implemented as integrated graphics. It should be emphasized that this model is intended exclusively for basic programs, since there is practically no amount of memory, as well as power .
Advantages:
- number of ports;
- good performance;
- there is USB 3.0 Type A;
- battery capacity 5000mAh.
Flaws:
- DOS operating system;
- memory size.
Acer ASPIRE 1 A114-32-C5QD
This model can hardly be called an ideal option, since a TN matrix is implemented, an inexpensive processor is used, and a 64 GB eMMC drive is used. However, many users choose this configuration for word processing and web browsing due to brand trust. In fact, for heavy software, this is clearly not an ideal laptop. Of the pleasant moments, we can note the Windows 10 Home operating system and a 4810 mAh battery. Given the characteristics of a 14-inch screen with a resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels, there is no doubt about self-employment. 4 GB DDR4 RAM is integrated into the 2-core processor with a frequency of 1.1 GHz. There is a USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A port, HDMI, a headphone output and two USB 2.0 Type A interfaces.
Advantages:
- Windows 10 Home;
- reliable manufacturer;
- stable work;
- optimal set of doors.
Flaws:
- memory size;
- cheap video card.
Haier U1500EM
In the segment of cheap but good laptops to explore, I would like to note the Haier U1500EM model, which has an excellent screen for this price range – it uses a 15.6-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. At the same time, the screen is built on an IPS matrix, which clearly surpasses TN in terms of brightness, color saturation and viewing angle. The Intel Celeron N4000 chip, based on two cores with a clock speed of 1.1 GHz, is responsible for the performance in this laptop configuration. The obvious “cant” in the ROM, the volume of which is 64GB eMMC. There is no doubt about the quality of the assembly and the convenience of the keyboard with the touchpad. It supports Windows 10 Home operating system and a large 5000mAh battery. The device weighs about 1.5 kilograms, and this is a good indicator, if you pay attention to the battery and a good power reserve.
Advantages:
- number of interfaces;
- good resolution;
- battery capacity;
- 4 gigabytes of RAM.
Flaws:
HP Laptop 14s-fq0097ur 
Continuing our review of good inexpensive laptops for simple tasks, including work with office programs or technical documentation, I would like to mention the HP Laptop 14s-fq0097ur. This is a compact solution based on a 14-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, which implies a fairly detailed image. The small ultrabook is equipped with an AMD Athlon Silver 3050U processor. The chip has 2 cores with a frequency of 2.3 GHz and is complemented by 4 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM with a maximum clock speed of 2.4 GHz, in general, the performance is enough for both studying and working with simple software. It is worth noting the support for the finished Windows 10 Home OS, which had almost no effect on the price. In this case, self-employment reaches 8 hours. For the indicated cost, it is not easy to get an ultrabook with such technical parameters. In addition, there is a fast USB 3.0 Type-C port and 128 GB of SSD storage.
Advantages:
- solid state drive;
- Windows 10 Home by default;
- not the worst result;
- screen resolution.
Flaws:
ASUS X415MA-EK052
The best low-cost studio laptop of 2021 in our opinion is the ASUS X415MA-EK052, which features a 14-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Yes, it has a TN-matrix with a refresh rate of 60 Hz, but the response is excellent, as is the contrast level. Another advantage is the Intel Pentium Silver N5030 chip, which has 4 cores at 1.1 GHz, which is “one level higher” than its peers. The amount of RAM is 4 gigabytes. There is a full set of ports, but no default OS, which explains the price. At the same time, the battery capacity corresponds to the standard 37 Wh, which corresponds to the average for this price. Stylish ultrabook weighs up to 1.5 kilograms.
Advantages:
- compact model;
- build quality;
- image resolution;
- powerful chip for the price;
- the price of money.
Flaws:
- there is no ready-to-use operating system.
The best laptops for school and work
Acer ASPIRE 3
The assessment of laptops for study has been replenished with a universal model in a budget configuration, the efficiency of which is enough for watching videos, browsing the Internet and working with office programs. For graphics-intensive games or integrated graphics software, the Intel UHD Graphics 605 is clearly not enough. In fact, the processor in the proposed assembly is also weak. The Pentium Silver N5000 chip was introduced 4 years ago. Here, 4 cores at 1.1 GHz show much worse performance compared to Core Y. This is slightly offset by 4 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM and a 256 GB SSD. Satisfied with a fairly large 17.3-inch screen, but with a resolution of 1600 by 900 pixels. Independent work with the declared components 7 hours. The model works on the basis of the Windows 10 Home series.
Advantages:
- there is USB 3.1 Type A;
- Combined headphone and microphone port;
- convenient touchpad;
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac module;
- big screen.
Flaws:
- only for office applications.
Dell Inspiron 3501
If you do not know which laptop to choose for studying and working with modern programs, you should definitely pay attention to the DELL Inspiron 3501 model in combination with the Intel Core i3 1005G1 processor. This configuration attracted us with its excellent price / quality ratio. At the same time, do not underestimate the declared chip due to 2 cores. They belong to the Ice Lake family. The processor was introduced two years earlier at Computex and immediately attracted the attention of the target audience because it is based on the Sunnycove architecture. The processor can process up to 4 threads at the same time. Intel UHD Graphics is used as a video card, and this is clearly not enough for professional designers, but there is a lot of work capacity for students with the assigned tasks. 8 gigabytes of RAM are integrated into the hardware component, which indicates performance and stability when working with demanding software. The volume of the SSD is 512 gigabytes. The main disadvantage of this model is the battery life, because this ultrabook lasts less than 5 hours from the battery. This is partly due to the support for a bright, well-detailed (15.6-inch) screen (1920 x 1080 pixels).
Advantages:
- good detail;
- compact size;
- the amount of RAM – 8 gigabytes;
- 512 GB SSD;
- Windows 10 Home.
Flaws:
- self-employment.
ASUS VivoBook 15 X512JP-BQ296T
The list of good laptops for study and work is replenished with ASUS VivoBook 15, the performance of which is enough for computer science students. Processor – Intel Core i5-1035G1 with 4 cores from the Ice Lake-U family and support for 8 threads. In combination with 8 gigabytes of RAM, good performance is achieved for various software. Another nice bonus is the entry-level discrete graphics card Nvidia GeForce MX330, which supports slightly higher clock speeds and 2 GB of video memory. Ultrabook weighs about 1.5 kilograms. The SSD capacity is 256 gigabytes, which is enough for applications. For games, of course, not enough. Benefits include a crisp 15.6-inch IPS display with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Advantages:
- smooth image;
- good power;
- amount of RAM;
- light;
- objective price.
Flaws:
- The battery does not last the advertised 7 hours.
DELL Vostro 3501
Continuing the review of stable ultrabooks for study and work, this time I want to draw your attention to the DELL Vostro 3501 model, which attracts with its low noise level, good backlit keyboard, build quality and compact size. This lightweight laptop runs on Lunix, which may explain the lower price compared to Windows. The TN display is a bit bloated, though with a good resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The problem with this matrix is less brightness and fading compared to IPS screens. The power of the Intel Core i3 1005G1 processor is enough to watch Full HD videos and use office programs. We have already spoken about this chip in our assessment. Performance is complemented by 8 gigabytes of RAM. The integrated graphics are Intel UHD Graphics. Self-employment, according to customer reviews, is 7 hours and this is largely due to the use of a simple display matrix.
Advantages:
- self-employment;
- backlit keyboard;
- convenient touchpad;
- build quality;
- quiet work.
Flaws:
- screen technology.
Apple MacBook Air 13 Late
The best laptop for study and work in 2021 is the Apple MacBook Air 13 Late, which belongs to the premium segment not only for the brand price, but also for real power. The ultrabook runs on the proprietary Apple M1 processor, built on the basis of the American company’s ARM architecture. The chip is complemented by integrated 7-core Apple graphics. The amount of RAM is 8 gigabytes. Combined with an 8-core 3.2GHz chip, this is enough for any application, including graphics. It is worth noting the support for capacious batteries and good energy efficiency of the processor, which can explain the autonomy at the level of 15-18 hours. The sleek laptop weighs less than 1.5 kg and runs the proprietary macOS operating system. The benefits also include support for Thunderbolt and a large number of USB devices.
Advantages:
- modern communications;
- resolution 2560 x 1600 pixels;
- there is Thunderbolt 4;
- powerful processor;
- proprietary operating system.
Flaws:
How to choose a good laptop for study?
If you do not know which laptop to choose for studying or working with software, then you probably need to understand not only the classes of this technology, but also the current standards in order not to make a mistake with the purchase. Let’s take a quick look at the following features:
- Screen options;
- The amount of RAM and ROM;
- Body and mounting material;
- Processor performance;
- Operating system.
We do not cover hardware in the form of ports, communications, touchpads, and other chassis components, as many aspects are subjective and each user experiences their own feelings, such as using the same keyboard.
Screen Options
- Screen resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels is enough for studying or watching videos, but more is required for photo processing, rendering and vector graphics. If you’re looking for a laptop for design students, go for 2K (2560 x 1440 pixels) or higher.
- Matrix types: you need to choose between TN and IPS. The former is good for gaming due to its fast response, and we’ve reviewed a lot of good gaming laptops based on this technology, but IPS monitors are better for learning, watching content, and working. These displays are characterized by a wider viewing angle, high brightness levels and better color reproduction.
- Diagonal: More and more users prefer models from 10 to 14 inches, because ultrabooks are lighter and more convenient to carry. However, to view content, play games or present, it is more rational to choose a model from 15 to 17 inches.
Processor selection
When choosing a processor for a laptop designed for study or work, it is necessary to clearly identify the tasks. Entry-level AMD is only enough for office tasks. Intel remains cooler in terms of logic, but costs more. For graphics work, you should pay due attention to the latest generations of AMD with at least 8 cores and 8-16 threads.
Memory size
Obviously, given today’s standards, I wouldn’t want to offer less than 4 GB of RAM, because mobile solutions also have 16 GB of RAM and more. Even more important is the type of persistent storage of information. An SSD is faster than an HD and 256GB to 1000GB is sufficient for training. We don’t recommend skimping on media type, but if you need to save money, you can take up less memory and increase the capacity in the future.
Comparison of the best laptop builds of 2022
As part of our comparison of the best budget laptops for research, we have provided the main technical specifications, a full explanation of which you can find in our ranking:
| Sample | CPU | video card | RAM | Memory size | Screen |
| Haier A1400ED | Intel Celeron N3350 | Intel HD Graphics 500 | 4 GB LPDDR4 | eMMC 64 GB | 14.1″ TN (1366×768) |
| Notebook HP 14s-fq0097ur | AMD Athlon Silver 3050U | AMD Radeon Graphics | 4 GB DDR4 | 128GB SSD | 14″ IPS (1920×1080) |
| ASUS X415MA-EK052 | Intel Pentium Silver N5030 | Intel UHD Graphics | 4 GB DDR4 | 128GB SSD | 14″ TN, (1920×1080) |
| Acer ASPIRE 1 A114-32-C5QD | Intel Celeron N4000 | Intel UHD Graphics 600 | 4 GB DDR4 | eMMC 64 GB | 14″ TN, (1366×768) |
| Haier U1500EM | Intel Celeron N4000 | Intel UHD Graphics 600 | 4 GB LPDDR4 | eMMC 64 GB | 15.6 inches, IPS, (1920×1080) |
Now we offer to compare the characteristics of the best laptop configurations for study and work, according to the editors:
| Sample | CPU | video card | RAM | Memory size | Screen |
| Acer ASPIRE 3 | Intel Pentium N5000 | Intel UHD Graphics 605 | 4GB | 256GB SSD | 17.3 inches, IPS, (1600 × 900) |
| Dell Inspiron 3501 | Intel Core i3 1005G1 | Intel UHD Graphics | 8 GB | 512 GB Solid State Drive | 15.6 inches, IPS, (1920×1080) |
| ASUS VivoBook 15 X512JP-BQ296T | Intel Core i5-1035G1 | Nvidia GeForce MX330 | 8 GB | 256GB SSD | 15.6 inches, IPS, (1920×1080) |
| DELL Vostro 3501 | Intel Core i3 1005G1 | Intel UHD Graphics | 8 GB | 256GB SSD | 15.6″, TN, (1920×1080) |
| Apple MacBook Air 13 falls behind | Apple M1 | 7-core Apple graphics | 8 GB | 256GB SSD | 13.3 inches, IPS, (2560×1600) |