Using computers in the classroom has changed a bit since playing Oregon Trail on an Apple IIe. Now they are integrated into the educational experience, with students opening Chromebooks as early as kindergarten to take tests and do their math homework. As children get older and progress from grade to grade, they’ll need laptops to research and compose papers, write code, and, yes, stream videos and play Minecraft.
But not just any device will do everything your kid needs or be as easy to use as they’d like. We compiled this list of some of the best laptops for your kids so they can excel at learning and you can get the most for your money.
HP Pavilion Laptop 14
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1235U
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Display: 14-inch, 1920 by 1080
- Dimensions: 12.8 x 0.67 x 8.53 inches
- Weight: 3.11 pounds
Your student might not like how they look on the Pavillion’s non-upgradable 720p webcam, but if they’re looking for a lightweight affordable laptop that gets the job done, this is the one. Its features, which include an HD screen that rivals its competitors and a solid Intel Core i5 CPU, make it much more versatile than its pricer contemporaries (and there’s usually a discount available). The laptop can be easily connected to a monitor, and its memory, speed, and graphics processors are upgradable. Just make sure they bring a charger, as battery life is a sticking point for some users.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2
- GPU: Qualcomm Adreno GPU
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Display: 10.95-inch, 2000 by 1200, touch-enabled
- Dimensions: 10.2 x 0.31 x 6.5 inches
- Weight: 2.09 pounds
This two-in-one device can easily fit into a bag or backpack, which makes it perfect for getting that assignment done at your local Starbucks the night before—and if you spill your latte on the table, the portable keyboard is waterproof. Your student probably won’t mind that this laptop has no headphone jack if they have a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones. If your family is on a budget, this laptop is perfect for the basics; just don’t expect it to do any heavy lifting.
Tanoshi Scholar
- CPU: Quad Core Processor
- GPU: N/A
- RAM: 2GB
- Storage: 32GB
- Display: 10.1-inch, 1280 by 800, touch enabled
- Dimensions: 10.2 x 0.9 x 7.2 inches
- Weight: 2.45 pounds
If you’re a regular viewer of Shark Tank, you might be familiar with the company behind this laptop. It’s a sturdily built hybrid device affordable enough for elementary-aged students curious about the internet or participating in long-distance learning. It includes a detachable keyboard and the ability to use some of its features offline. It also has plenty of parental controls so children don’t stumble upon something inappropriate.
Google Pixelbook Go
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8200Y
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 615
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Display: 13.3-inch, 1920 by 1080, touch-enabled
- Dimensions: 12.2 x 0.5 x 8.1 inches
- Weight: 2.3 pounds
Light, good-looking, and well-built, this laptop will last the whole day on a single charge, which makes it perfect for cramming at the last minute. It also boasts a stunning webcam for long-distance study sessions with sturdy speakers to ensure lectures (or, let’s be honest, music) can be clearly heard. But the USB-C ports and Chrome operating system can limit what users can do, which means students might be in the computer lab more than they’d like.
Dell Chromebook 3110
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 16GB
- Display: 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768
- Dimensions: 11.96 x 0.82 x 8.19 inches
- Weight: 2.85 pounds
My youngest son occasionally plays games on an iPad protected by five inches of foam, but seeing how he handles it, I know deep down in my soul he will eventually find some way to break the thing. This two-in-one device seems to withstand anything my kid can dish out, though, from the rubber bumpers on its chassis to its spill-resistant keyboard. It’s also affordable, so it won’t break the bank if the inevitable happens.
Acer Chromebook Spin 311
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4000
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 32GB
- Display: 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768
- Dimensions: 11.7 x 0.82 x 8.1 inches
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
It looks like a MacBook, but the similarities will end soon as you open up this 11.6-inch device. However, what this two-in-one lacks in display and battery life is more than made up for in value, especially if you’re looking for a product for your elementary or middle-school-age student. It also only offers a little in the storage department, but thanks to a good number of USB-A and USB-C ports, your student can solve that problem with an external drive.
Microsoft Surface Go 3
- CPU: Intel Core i3-10100Y
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 615
- RAM: 8GB, 16GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Display: 10.5-inch, 1920 by 1280, touch-enabled
- Dimensions: 9. x 0.33 x 6.9 inches
- Weight: 1.2 pounds
Reviewers have been unkind to the latest edition of this laptop/tablet, but if you have a litter of students, Windows 11 can support multiple users. And since it utilizes an operating system and software that everyone has used in various iterations since the ‘80s, you know it will be easy to use. The most significant advantage for parents is the short battery life, which will keep your student confined to a power source.
Apple MacBook Air
- CPU: Apple M1 (8-core processor)
- GPU: Apple M1 (7 or 8-core GPU)
- RAM: 8GB, 16GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Display: 13.3-inch IPS, 2560 x 1600, 60Hz
- Dimensions: 11.97 x 0.63 x 8.36 inches
- Weight: 2.8 pounds
Every laptop has flaws, but if you’re going to nitpick the MacBook’s number of USB ports or preloaded software, you’re only trying to talk yourself out of one of the best investments you’ll make for your student, especially if they’re an iPhone user, as many apps work seamlessly from CPU to smartphone. And more importantly, these computers will last even if your student decides to try the seven-year college education plan. Take advantage of Apple’s education pricing and pick one up.
