<ul data-eligibleForWebStory="false">The best laptop for college students doesn’t have to be expensive, but should be thin, lightweight, and have good battery life.Consider your major and tasks you need the laptop for, such as writing papers or video editing, when choosing a laptop for college.Key factors to consider include screen size, resolution, RAM, storage, and budget when selecting a laptop for college.Ultrabooks range from $1,000 to $1,400, while budget Windows laptops and Chromebooks can be alternatives for college students on a budget.