Whether you're attending a virtual university, participating in online courses, or simply need a reliable device for remote learning, choosing the right laptop is crucial. The ideal laptop for online classes should offer a combination of performance, portability, and durability, along with features that enhance the virtual learning experience. In this article, we explore the best laptops for online classes, highlighting their key features and why they stand out in the market.
With an unbeatable mix of power and portability, the Dell XPS 13 will be many people's first choice for online classes. It's an ultra-slim laptop that uses a near bezel-less InfinityEdge display, which means maximum screen real estate while keeping compact and light. This premium, well-built device, with its aluminum chassis and carbon fiber palm rest, makes it quite strong and comfortable for typing.
Equipped with the latest range of Intel Core processors, this Dell XPS 13 packs quite a punch to run as many windows as possible, attend video conferencing, and keep up with nearly all other pieces of educational software currently in use. Its 13.3-inch display sports options from Full HD to 4K, making it suitable for online lectures, reading e-books, or even working on your presentations.
One of the most interesting features of the Dell XPS 13 is that its battery life is pretty long. With one able to spend up to 12 hours after a single charge, students would find no problem going through classes. Also found in this laptop is a comfortable keyboard and a responsive trackpad that would make it easy for taking notes and going through coursework. What is more, the webcam on this XPS 13 is placed on the bottom bezel, and it turns in quite decent video quality for virtual meetings.
The MacBook Air M1 is a game-changer in the laptop market, powering Apple's custom-designed M1 chip. It provides a unique mix of power, efficiency, and fluidity, what's needed for taking classes online in a really good laptop. With its M1 chip, outstanding performance can be attained by running loads of applications simultaneously in the background, like video conferencing tools such as Zoom, to resource-hungry apps like Adobe Creative Cloud.
Another high point of the MacBook Air is its 13.3-inch Retina display, which features clear visuals and brilliant colors with very sharp text. This can make it an excellent choice for students majoring in graphic design, video editing, or any other coursework involving many graphics. It has a lightweight and slim design, making the laptop easy to carry for the student from one place to another while studying.
Some of the features that make it perfect for students are battery life—it can run for up to 18 hours from a single charge. With this, students will have no problem studying in class, finishing homework, and engaging in extracurricular activities without running out of power. Students get with MacBook Air a comfortable Magic Keyboard, a spacious trackpad, and a high-quality webcam perfect for flawless virtual learning.
For any student seeking durability and professional looks, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a wonderful option. It is known for its robust build quality and legendary keyboard to offer a business-class experience tailored for demanding academic work. Lightweight in its carbon fiber chassis and slim, it becomes easy to carry. This laptop is MIL-STD 810G certified to ensure that it can stand up against the daily wear and tear.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon features a 14-inch display with options for Full HD and 4K resolution. Besides, it has an antiglare coating and a high level of brightness to make the display adequate for every kind of light, providing comfort while attending online classes. On the performance front, these have been fitted out with the latest Intel Core processors that are quite suitable for reliable performance in multitasking, research, and other academic tasks.
Another one of the major features with this ThinkPad X1 Carbon is its class-leading keyboard. The typing experience is comfortable, with overall good key travel and feedback to make it great for note-taking, essay writing, and coding. In addition, it comes with a precision trackpad and a TrackPoint for usage needs of those who like alternative navigation methods. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon also features a variety of ports with very good connectivity for peripherals and external displays, which comes in support of Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C.
The HP Spectre x360 is one of the more versatile 2-in-1 laptops, offering tablet flexibility and traditional laptop power in one package for the ideal online class vehicle. Sleekly designed with a gem-cut chassis and enhanced with premium materials evoking luxury, its 360-degree hinge allows multiple usage modes: laptop, tent, stand, and tablet.
This will provide students with super-deep blacks and rich colors, making visuals really pop. The Spectre x360 has a 13.3- or 15.6-inch OLED display that is excellent for working on multimedia content. It is also good at watching educational videos or attending virtual lectures; users can even create projects on it. Together with its touchscreen and its support for the HP Active Pen, this laptop is quite ideal for taking handwritten notes, making diagrams, or annotating documents directly on the screen.
Under the hood, the HP Spectre x360 runs with Intel Core processors, matched with a bundle of RAM to ensure that everyday tasks and some more demanding applications go as smoothly as possible. In addition, the notebook happens to be outstanding in terms of battery life: usage can stretch up to 13 hours, sufficient to see a student through a whole day of classes and studying. The Spectre x360 also includes a comfortable keyboard, responsive trackpad, and a high-quality webcam with a privacy shutter that makes this a well-rounded option for remote learning.
As a student, you will be provided an excellent hassle-free Windows experience with the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4. The Surface Laptop 4 strikes just the right note between style and utility. Coming in both 13.5- and 15-inch versions, this beauty caters to many users' needs by its sleek design, vibrant display, and solid performance.
It has a high-resolution PixelSense Display with excellent color accuracy, and it also supports touch, making it suitable for creative tasks and presentations, and taking notes. Thin and light, carrying it around is not a burden, and it can be effortlessly stylish in its Alcantara or metal finish. With a processing dimension powered by either an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processor, it provides robust performance when it comes to multitasking or running varied education-oriented software.
Noticeable among the features of the Surface Laptop 4 is a rather comfortable keyboard. It has made a name for itself with very nice key travel and a pretty silent typing experience. Also, it hosts a huge, precise trackpad for scrolling up and down documents and websites. Another major feature of the Surface Laptop 4 is its battery life, which goes up to 19 hours on a single charge, so no problem will be created for the student attending classes or finishing assignments.
The ASUS ZenBook 14 is a compact and affordable laptop that offers great value for students. Its slim and lightweight design, combined with powerful hardware, makes it an excellent choice for online classes. The ZenBook 14 features a 14-inch Full HD display with thin bezels, providing an immersive viewing experience for online lectures, videos, and reading.
The laptop is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processors, offering solid performance for everyday tasks and light multitasking. The ZenBook 14 also includes an ErgoLift hinge, which raises the keyboard slightly when the laptop is open, providing a more comfortable typing experience. The backlit keyboard and responsive trackpad further enhance usability, making it easy to take notes and navigate through coursework.
One of the key features of the ASUS ZenBook 14 is its long battery life, lasting up to 14 hours on a single charge. This ensures that students can get through a full day of classes without needing to recharge. The laptop also includes a good selection of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and a microSD card reader, providing ample connectivity options for peripherals and external devices.
For students on a tight budget, the Acer Swift 3 offers a great combination of performance and affordability. This laptop features a simple and lightweight design, making it easy to carry to and from study sessions. The Swift 3's 14-inch Full HD display provides clear and vibrant visuals, suitable for attending online classes, watching videos, and reading e-books.
The Acer Swift 3 is powered by AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processors, delivering sufficient performance for everyday tasks and basic multitasking. The laptop's keyboard is comfortable to type on, with a backlit design that makes it easy to use in low-light conditions. The Swift 3 also includes a responsive trackpad and a fingerprint reader for added security.
One of the standout features of the Acer Swift 3 is its impressive battery life, offering up to 11 hours of usage on a single charge. This makes it a reliable choice for students who need a laptop that can last through long study sessions and classes. The laptop also includes a good selection of ports, including USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI, providing versatile connectivity options.
When choosing the best laptop for online classes, it's essential to consider factors such as performance, portability, display quality, and battery life. Each of the laptops mentioned above offers a unique set of features that cater to different student needs and preferences.
The Dell XPS 13 and MacBook Air (M1) are excellent choices for students who prioritize performance and design, while the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon offers a durable and professional experience. The HP Spectre x360 provides versatility with its 2-in-1 design, making it ideal for creative tasks. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 offers a seamless Windows experience with excellent battery life, while the ASUS ZenBook 14 and Acer Swift 3 provide budget-friendly options without compromising on essential features.
Ultimately, the best laptop for online classes will depend on your specific needs and budget. Whether you're looking for a powerful machine for demanding coursework or a simple and affordable option for everyday tasks, there is a laptop out there that will meet your requirements. By carefully considering your options and prioritizing the features that matter most to you, you can find the perfect laptop to enhance your online learning experience.