Ranking: Best laptops for students and school-age kids

Parents who want more control over their child's laptop use can easily configure a Chromebook to enforce screen-time limits and block inappropriate web content. Chromebooks are available at many performance and price levels, from entry-level models costing less than 200 euros to professional devices priced well above 1,000 euros.

At the beginning of the year, we tested two extremely affordable Chromebooks powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 520. Both the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 CB 14M868 and the Asus Chromebook CM14 offer good value at under 250 euros. Each provides a well-built chassis, an acceptable TN panel and long battery life. During sales events such as Prime Day, we have seen both devices priced between 100 and 150 euros. The Lenovo model performed slightly better in our tests. Expectations should be realistic at this price, but the author offers this personal assessment:

A Chromebook like the IdeaPad Slim 3 CB is well suited for the first grades. The performance of the MediaTek processor is sufficient for surfing and streaming, the screen is fine and, above all, the possibility of parental control over websites that can be visited calms the nerves. The inexpensive device also makes it easier to leave the child in charge of the device.

Setting up a Chromebook for a child is much easier than configuring comparable parental controls on a Windows laptop. This fanless model consumes very little power and can even run from a phone charger if its battery runs out after about twelve hours. The build quality of the IdeaPad Slim 3 exceeds our expectations for the price. The IdeaPad Slim 3 CB currently costs around 235 euros on Amazon.

Despite its 15.6-inch screen, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge 15 is surprisingly portable. Its slim, lightweight aluminum chassis adds little bulk to a school bag or backpack while providing the sturdiness needed for everyday travel. The efficient Snapdragon X Plus processor delivers excellent battery life, making it easier to leave the power adapter at home. At its current price of just €500 on Amazon, the laptop offers excellent value for money, along with modern features such as Wi-Fi 7 and a fast microSD card reader.

Software compatibility is an important consideration before buying. Because this laptop uses an Arm-based Snapdragon processor, some Windows programs may not run or may have limitations. Typical office applications, web browsers and media playback work smoothly, but compatibility issues can arise with specialized school or university software, including certain programming tools, older simulation software and CAD programs, as well as more demanding games.

With the MacBook Neo, Apple is targeting the budget laptop market. Priced at around €600 to €700 (currently €605 at Amazon), this compact 13-inch laptop offers the familiar premium MacBook feel at a lower price than the Air models. Its A18 Pro processor, best known from Apple's smartphones, delivers surprisingly strong performance for everyday school and university tasks. Completely silent operation is a major advantage in quiet environments such as libraries. For students shopping in this price range, the laptop offers a compelling combination of high build quality, smooth everyday performance and excellent portability.

The Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 14 2025 impressed in our tests and is well suited to school and university work. Priced at just under €1,100, this compact aluminum laptop is available through Chinese retailers such as TradingShenzhen. A particular highlight is the matte 14-inch display, which combines a 120 Hz refresh rate, high brightness of 500 nits and very accurate color reproduction. Battery life of over 16 hours when browsing the web makes it well suited to long days away from a power outlet. It is also a good fit for quiet environments such as lecture halls and libraries, as the fans usually remain silent during everyday tasks. The cooling system becomes clearly audible only under heavy load. The mediocre 1080p webcam is a minor drawback for online seminars. Those with a tighter budget can also consider the regular RedmiBook 14 2025, which appears in this list but requires some compromises in performance and display quality.

The ThinkPad E16 Gen 3 is a capable laptop for everyday study. Its 16-inch screen provides plenty of workspace, though it also means a larger footprint. The ThinkPad E14 is an alternative for those who prefer a more compact device. Current prices are well below 1,000 euros, even for well-equipped configurations. The all-aluminum chassis is thinner and lighter in this third generation. For a small surcharge, an optional matte WQHD display offers a 120 Hz refresh rate, a sharp, flicker-free image and brightness above 400 cd/m². With the 64 Wh battery, the laptop achieves almost 13 hours in our Wi-Fi test—enough for a long day on campus. Check the configuration carefully, however: a smaller 48 Wh battery is also available and noticeably reduces runtime. The Intel Arrow Lake processor provides sufficient performance for everyday tasks. Two RAM slots and two SSD slots offer good upgrade options and help extend the laptop's useful life.

The base MacBook Air 13" is a powerful laptop that is often discounted to well below 1,000 euros. Its fast M4 chip runs silently thanks to passive cooling. The IPS display delivers excellent image quality and full coverage of the Display P3 color space. However, its reflective surface and 60 Hz refresh rate may not suit everyone, and it consumes considerable power at maximum brightness.

The keyboard and touchpad are good, as expected. Battery life varies considerably with screen brightness: an impressive 16 hours is possible with the screen dimmed, but runtime falls to around seven hours at maximum brightness. The base model's limited 256 GB SSD is another drawback. Higher-capacity configurations are expensive, and users cannot upgrade the storage themselves.

Connectivity is limited to two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt support. There is no card reader, and wireless connectivity is limited to Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7. The included 30 W power adapter is also somewhat underpowered.

Despite these compromises, the M4-powered MacBook Air 13" is an excellent, highly portable laptop for everyday use.

The ThinkPad E14 Gen 7 is a more compact alternative to the E16 and comes in two versions: one with Intel Lunar Lake and another with an Arrow Lake processor. Both offer a sturdy chassis, an extremely comfortable keyboard and modern connectivity such as Thunderbolt 4. A major strength is the optional high-resolution 120 Hz IPS display, which provides vibrant colors and full sRGB coverage for a small surcharge, although bright areas can appear slightly grainy. The Lunar Lake version stands out for its efficiency, achieving an excellent 14.5 hours in our Wi-Fi battery test—around two and a half hours longer than the Arrow Lake model. However, that extra endurance comes with slightly lower CPU performance and much more limited upgrade options: the RAM is soldered, and there is no second SSD slot. The better choice therefore depends on whether you prioritize battery life or flexibility for future upgrades.

The regular RedmiBook 14 also offers a high-quality aluminum chassis and pleasantly quiet operation, making it a good choice for libraries and lecture halls. Its matte IPS display delivers a sharp image, a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate and very accurate colors, including full sRGB coverage.

There are significant compromises compared with the Pro model, however. Battery life is more modest at ten hours, and the integrated graphics quickly reach their limits in demanding tasks. Thunderbolt connectivity is absent, and the RAM is soldered, although a free M.2 slot allows an additional SSD to be installed. Like the Pro model, this laptop is sold as an import with an international keyboard layout. If these limitations are acceptable, it is a well-rounded, reliable option for everyday use.

The Asus ZenBook 14 OLED is an excellent compact laptop for everyday campus use, with a high-quality, lightweight chassis. Its OLED screen delivers accurate colors and excellent contrast, although the refresh rate is limited to 60 Hz. This AMD version also runs pleasantly quietly, with its fans remaining off longer than those of the Intel version. Battery life is strong, reaching almost 13 hours in our Wi-Fi web browsing test and more than 15 hours during video playback. Processor performance is slightly lower than that of its predecessor, but remains more than sufficient for typical office and research tasks. The main drawbacks are the lack of Thunderbolt and an SD card reader, soldered RAM, a chassis that attracts fingerprints and mediocre webcam quality for online seminars. For those who prioritize long battery life, low weight, quiet operation and an excellent display, it is a strong choice.

The HP OmniBook X Flip 16 is a versatile 16-inch convertible with a high-quality metal chassis reminiscent of much more expensive flagship models. The entry-level configuration, with an Intel Lunar Lake processor and a 512 GB SSD, is expensive at around 1,250 euros, but offers excellent features. The standout is its OLED touchscreen, which combines an 1800p resolution, a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate and P3 color space coverage. The efficient processor also helps deliver long battery life, an important benefit for days on campus. There are some compromises, however: the keyboard feels slightly spongy and takes time to get used to, and there is no integrated SD card reader. CPU performance has not improved significantly over previous generations and drops further on battery power, but remains more than adequate for everyday study tasks.

At an affordable price, Ninkear's lightweight 14-inch laptop offers a solid configuration for everyday school and university work. It combines an AMD Ryzen 5 processor with 16 GB of fast RAM and a generous 1 TB SSD. A highlight in this price range is the high-resolution 2K IPS display, which delivers a sharp image and pleasingly accurate colors.

The low price does involve some compromises. Battery life of around 9.5 hours is shorter than that of some competitors, which may be a limitation during long days on campus without access to a power outlet. The laptop is also available only with an international QWERTY keyboard layout. Other drawbacks include weak Wi-Fi performance, soldered RAM and mediocre webcam and speaker quality. Graphics performance is also insufficient for demanding current games. For budget-conscious buyers seeking a lightweight work laptop with a good screen, however, it is a straightforward option worth considering.