Top 5 best computer for students 2025

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It might be just as difficult to find the ideal student computer as it is to study for exams. Since every student has unique requirements and financial constraints, my team and I have compiled a list of some of our top PCs from our reviews, spanning a variety of price points.

We can assist you in finding the ideal computer, whether you’re looking for a Mac, Windows 11 PC, a sleek all-in-one, or a large, powerful gaming PC. The Apple iMac M4 is normally my recommendation for the finest student computer because it has enough power for the most of academics and looks and sounds fantastic.

Consider the MacBook Air M3 if you would prefer a portable computer for school because of its unrivaled combination of portability, performance, and pricing. I suggest the Microsoft Surface notebook 7 to everyone who prefers a Windows notebook because it comes with everything you need for just $999.

Don’t forget to look through our guides to the top MacBooks and Chromebooks for college students for an even wider selection. Having said that, let’s examine the top student computers currently available for purchase.

Table of Contents

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1. Apple iMac M4

The M4 CPU, which Apple just gave the iMac, has improved its performance and cemented its position as the best student computer available on the market.

Because it has a stunning 24-inch 4,5K display, a fantastic 12-megapixel webcam that supports Center Stage and Desk View (so it can follow you as you move in front of it or send a separate video feed of what’s on your desk in front of you when FaceTiming), and an amazing six-speaker built-in sound system, I suggest this Mac to families and students. Additionally, this is the first model to provide an optional nano-texture coating on the glass, which, for an additional cost, increases the glass’s resistance to glare.

It’s not a flawless computer, of course. Extremely tall or short people may have to clumsily rearrange their workstation in order to have the display seated in a comfortable position because there is no way to change the display’s height or order it with a VESA mount. Additionally, that gorgeous 24-inch 4.5K display is hampered by the lack of HDR capability and the inability to purchase it with a touchscreen or an OLED/mini-LED panel.

However, for the majority of people on the market, it is still the greatest student computer despite all of those shortcomings.

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2. Dell XPS 8950

One of the greatest Windows PCs for students is the Dell XPS 8950, a reliable entry-level device that is compact, quiet, reasonably priced, and loaded with components strong enough to handle any school assignment or play the newest games steadily.

Because the XPS 8950 fits those potent components inside a subtle, inconspicuous shell that won’t look out of place in a dorm or workplace setting, it’s a great purchase for students. Even if the inside is a little small, there is still enough of space to modify and upgrade as your needs evolve. Additionally, opening the chassis only requires removing a side panel and two thumb screws, so no tools are needed.

With a starting price of $749, the Dell XPS 8950 demonstrates that a gaming PC doesn’t have to be flashy to be worthwhile. Similar to its predecessor, the Dell XPS 8940, this desktop computer appears to be better suited for an office environment than a home gaming space. The XPS 8950 has the power to run the finest PC games, despite its unimpressive design.

For this desktop, Dell provides a wide range of upgrade options, including as more RAM and storage, a liquid-cooled CPU, and an Nvidia RTX 3090 GPU. Additionally, because this setup is so adaptable, you may add any parts you may currently have. However, it will have a potent 12th generation Intel Core CPU regardless of the configuration you choose.

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3. MacBook Air M3

Throughout numerous classes, breaks, and all-nighters, the MacBook Air M3 will maintain its charge. Additionally, it offers exceptional speed in a remarkably portable design, making it the top MacBook that I suggest to students.

It’s fantastic since the 15-inch model lasted an even more remarkable 15:13 on the Tom’s Guide battery test, while the 13-inch model lasted 14 hours and 33 minutes. Additionally, it performs noticeably better than the previous MacBook Airs. The MacBook Air’s M3 CPU, which gives it ample of power for your studies, making it a surprisingly good system in many ways.

Additionally, because the MacBook Air’s M3 processor is comparable to the A-series iPhone and iPad processors, you can run iOS and iPadOS apps on it. Living the life of remote learning? Signal processing in the M3 makes the MacBook Air webcam better than before, so you’ll appear crisper and more accurate than before. You may type comfortably for hours on end with its Magic Keyboard. Additionally, the 13-inch model is currently the most reasonably priced MacBook available, retailing for $999.

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4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

All things considered, Microsoft made a mistake with the most recent iteration of the Surface Laptop 7. You can ignore the AI capabilities and still get one of the best-performing laptops available, even though they aren’t very helpful right now. You can easily work and play for the entire day thanks to the battery life. You’ll be proud to bring this gadget with you everywhere if you add in its stylish design and tasteful color selections.

We have no trouble recommending this laptop to Windows 11 users, whether they choose for the standard model or choose to spend a little more for a larger screen, better performance, or both.

For Microsoft and hardware enthusiasts, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 ($999 to start) is significant since it is the first Surface Laptop to come with a Qualcomm CPU. Microsoft has discovered a serious rival to the MacBook Air.

This laptop has very impressive specs, especially if you decide to upgrade to the Snapdragon X Elite chip. It is also known as Microsoft’s longer Surface Laptop 7th Generation. The fast NPU of Qualcomm’s most recent CPU makes it one of the original Microsoft Copilot+ PCs. This gives the Surface Laptop 7 access to a number of AI capabilities that were previously exclusive to Windows devices. Additionally, the chips promise on-device AI for an extra degree of privacy and protection.

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5. Alienware Aurora R16

Although you would not immediately recognize this setup as a gaming computer, the Alienware Aurora R16 ($1,749 to start) is the newest in the company’s line of Aurora gaming PCs.

With its ultra-futuristic appearance that shouts “gaming PC,” the Alienware Aurora R16’s Legend 3.0 design is distinctly more muted than that of its predecessor, the Aurora R15. Aside from a few minor adornments, this Alienware desktop would be quite acceptable in an office setting.

Despite its understated appearance, this setup has power where it counts because it can be configured with the newest Intel CPUs and Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs. And because of its sophisticated cooling technology, which keeps the PC cool and silent, the Aurora R16 won’t melt under all that power.

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We conduct a number of standardized tests as we assess and examine various computer models, including the best gaming PCs, best all-in-one computers, and best tiny PCs. These tests measure the performance of each machine, the applications for which it is most appropriate, and the kind of capabilities you receive for the price.

Generalized performance benchmark tests such as Geekbench 4 and 5 (for processor performance), 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra (for graphics), and a custom file transfer test (for hard drive performance) are examples of these common tests.

Gaming-focused benchmarks measure the frame rates that each desktop computer can achieve in popular titles like Tomb Raider, Far Cry: New Dawn, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Middle Earth: Shadow of War. To assess how well-suited each game is to the particular requirements of virtual reality, we’ll also conduct performance testing for the SteamVR and individual games.

Above all, we use our desktop computers for daily tasks for a great deal of time. To get a better idea of which ones are worth your money, we play games, work, watch movies, and turn up the music.

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