These 5 laptops for students are computing powerhouses, making them the best fit for hardcore coding, video editing and more.

AI and machine learning are the Swiss army knives for people. Learning statistics and calculus, and then progressing in a career in Artificial Intelligence, promises a compelling future ahead. However, you need the right toolset for the job, such as learning to train LLMs, managing data, writing code, and compiling code. Although coding specifically isn’t required to an extent, it is more applicable in setting up an automation environment, etc. That said, here are the 5 best laptops for students, also suitable for casual usage, such as Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and more.
Note: Pricing is accurate as of June 24, 2025, and is subject to change based on your location, stock availability, and other factors. Prices are sourced from Amazon, Best Buy, HP, Lenovo, and Asus.
1. MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo ($1700 – $1800)

This iteration of the Prestige offers Arrowlake Powered Core Ultra 7 258V, and the model specified here is highly specced. You can upgrade to a 1TB SSD if required, but be assured, the Ultra 7 258V is a potent mobile processor. Additionally, the integrated Arc 140V GPU can also be used for esports-style gaming. After college, you can also enjoy gaming on it. As for the battery, the laptop is quite promising too.
Specs:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
- Display: 13.2″ 2.8K OLED
- RAM/Storage: 32 GB DDR5, 1 TB SSD
- Battery: 75 WHr (all-day use)
2. HP Spectre x360 ($1,689.89 – $1,799.99)

This iteration of the Spectre x360 offers a 13-inch screen and last-gen hardware, but comes with a new design and a touchscreen. It’s ideal for students seeking a tablet-like laptop that provides portability. The RAM is sufficient, and the built-in GPU will suffice for basic tasks. It’s not as powerful as Arrowlake. Then again, the price point is also attractive, considering it’s a two-in-one and has a touchscreen.
Specs:
- CPU: 13th-Gen Intel Core i7-13700H
- Display: 13.0″ 3072×1920 IPS touchscreen
- RAM/Storage: 16 GB DDR5, 1 TB SSD
- Battery: 83 Wh (up to 10 hours real use)
3. Dell XPS 13 ($1249 – $1399)

The XPS 13 is best suited for students pursuing a career in video editing. It features an Arrow Lake-powered GPU and CPU, allowing you to enjoy all the latest codecs played natively on your device. Additionally, it’s lightweight; learning to edit videos on the fly is also an option. The Arrow Lakes battery backup performs well in this process. All together, it’s a decent package. The included Thunderbolt 4 connectivity allows you to add an external GPU as needed.
Specs:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Display: 13.4″ FHD+
- RAM/Storage: 16 GB DDR5, 512 GB SSD
- Battery: 55 Wh
4. Asus Zenbook S 14 OLED (~$1,550)

Zenbook is a very popular choice for content creation interns, data science students, and gamers on the go. This iteration is configurable up to a Core Ultra 9, meaning you get the new Integrated Intel GPU, which is quite capable as well. The laptop features a Pantone-validated OLED display and can charge its 72 Wh battery in just 4 hours and 30 minutes. That said, the ARC 140V GPU inside should suffice for casual gaming and day-to-day tasks,
Specs:
- CPU: Up to Intel Core Ultra 9
- Display: 14″ 2.8K OLED (Pantone-validated)
- RAM/Storage: 16 GB DDR5, 1 TB SSD
- Battery: 72 Wh (fast charge: 4 hours in 30 minutes)
5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 ($1999 – $2199)

ThinkPad has always been a favorite among business-class professionals in laptops. This one features the Ultra 7 line of processors, 16GB of DDR5 memory, a 1TB SSD, and offers good battery life. What makes it unique is its rugged build quality, fingerprint reader, quick charge, and more. For Students, a good build quality and fingerprint can be very beneficial in protecting the data from physical and cyber damage.
Specs:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7
- Display: 14″ FHD+
- RAM/Storage: 16 GB DDR5, 1 TB SSD
- Battery: 57 Wh (quick charge, long run times)
Verdict
All of the laptops mentioned here meet the Intel EVO standard; in short, these are competent devices and suit students who need a robust and reliable device. According to your budget, choose one option, but ensure that whatever you select adheres to the EVO standard. This means a good display that won’t strain your eyes, good build quality, and overall a balanced device that lasts for adequate working hours.
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