If you are an IT student, having one of the best college laptops can help you pass your exams and then allow you to relax with your favorite games or movies.
But with so many choices available at various price points, finding a model that works best for you can feel like homework.
There are many things to consider, and knowing which features will benefit you most in school can help you narrow down your options.
I reviewed a lot of potential models to select ten ideal for IT Students. They also work well with professionals, so you won’t need to replace your laptop when your level takes to the next level.
Our Top Pick:
- LG Gram 17Z90N – Best For Overall
- Asus E410 – Best For Budget
- Surface Laptop Go 2 – Best For Value
- Acer Aspire 5 – Best For Design
- iPad Pro 12.9in – Best For Hybrid Model
- ASUS TUF Dash 15 – Best For Gaming
- Razer Blade 15 – Best for Performance
- HP Pavilion 15 – Best for Fast Charging
- Lenovo Thinkpad X1 – Best For Software Professionals
- Asus Vivobook 15 – Best For Versatile
1. LG Gram 17Z90N Laptop 17 – Best For Overall
Key Features
When shopping for the best laptops for IT students, an excellent point to start is the LG Gram 17Z90N, a model with a great overall value.
This model has powerful hardware and a lightweight 17-inch body, including 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage space, and an Intel Core i7 processor.
This laptop also features a few USB ports and a microSD card slot, allowing you to connect it to other devices. Its screen has a 2560 x 1600 resolution, making it great for editing photos and watching videos.
It even has a 1080p webcam and supports Windows Hello face recognition, enabling you to log in without typing your password. In addition, its battery life is also excellent, which can last up to 17 hours on a single charge.
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What I Like
- Long battery life.
- Astonishingly light.
- Ample port selection.
- Improved keyboard layout.
- Vivid 17-inch WQXGA display.
- Roomy 1TB of storage space.
Things to Consider
- Expensive.
- No touch screen.
- Stodgy design.
2. Asus E410 – Best For Budget
Key Features
The Asus E410 is ideal for those who prioritize a budget model that gets the job done but has an affordable price tag.
The Intel Celeron N4020 does not sound great in theory, but it offers solid all-around performance that works well in handling the basics.
Its battery life is excellent at approximately 12 hours, giving it an entire workday within reach. This model weighs only 1.3kg, making it a highly portable model.
This model gives you a solid 14in Full HD+ monitor, although it does not get exceptionally bright. In my opinion, the number pad built into its touchpad is more annoying than helpful, while its unusual rear design is not to everyone’s tastes.
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What I Like
- Amazing battery life.
- Portable and lightweight.
- Responsive for basic tasks.
Things to Consider
- Dim screen.
- NumberPad is annoying.
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 – Best For Value
Key Features
This laptop Go is designed with IT students in mind, and this second generation is an effective compact option.
The resolution of its 12.4in touchscreen is lower than some other laptops, but it does not feel like a compromise once you start using it. Its 11th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU is strong, although you might want to spend more to gain 8GB of RAM.
The keyboard of the laptop Go 2 is one of the best you will find anywhere, while the light (1.16kg) and thin (15.7mm) design make it highly portable.
On the downside, this production is prone to miss backlit keys and to overheating. But it remains a solid selection for IT students.
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What I Like
- Stylish, colorful design.
- Reasonably priced.
- Competitive performance.
- Decent build quality.
- Swappable SSD.
Things to Consider
- No keyboard backlight.
- Middling battery life.
4. Acer Aspire 5 – Best For Design
Key Features
This solid model is an impressive combination of premium design, solid battery life, and powerful internals, making it ideal for IT students and professionals, especially considering its affordable starting price.
The Acer Aspire 5 laptop comes with a Ryzen 3 3350U chipset, which is an improvement over its predecessor. This model offers excellent performance across the board with a 128GB NVMe SSD and 4GB RAM.
The keyboard, a fingerprint scanner, and ports are what I appreciate most about this model. But, apart from its webcam placement, audio is the only thing that is not so good.
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What I Like
- Solid and compact.
- Premium design.
- Improve battery life.
- Decent matte-finish display.
Things to Consider
- Limited connectivity.
5. iPad Pro 12.9in (2021) – Best For Hybrid Model
Key Features
The iPad Pro has long represented the best tablet you can get. The M1 chip of this model even takes already excellent performance to the next level.
Its stunning 12.9-inch, 120Hz display provides an enjoyable viewing experience, while unrivaled battery life can get you through a work day without interruption.
Pair this iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard, and you’ll get a laptop-style device. You can also benefit from the enhanced features of the Apple Pencil.
Products from Apple are always expensive, and this model is no exception. So, it may not be suitable for everyone, especially those on a mid-range budget.
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What I Like
- Fantastic display
- Phenomenal power
- Strong battery life
- Great sound with headphones
Things to Consider
- An almighty price
- 128GB storage feels limited
6. ASUS TUF Dash 15 – Best For Gaming
Key Features
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 is a thin and lightweight model, making it easy to transport. It is also durable and has a five-year warranty, enabling you to rest assured that your device will last you through your program.
The device’s 8 GB of RAM and 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor make it robust enough for any IT students and professionals. It comes with a 512 GB SSD and an additional slot for more storage space if needed.
Its price is a little high, but I think it is worth it thanks to its durability, extended warranty, and power.
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What I Like
- Long battery life
- Plenty of ports
- Super thin and light
- Strong gaming performance
Things to Consider
- No webcam.
- The Keyboard lighting color can’t be changed.
7. Razer Blade 15 – Best for Performance
Key Features
The Razer Blade 15 is one of my favorite laptops as it has provided me with everything I need for work and gaming, such as powerful dedicated graphics and a high refresh display.
Your gaming experience will move to the next level because of its Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 GPU and powerful Intel Core i7 processor that can handle even the most demanding games. The 15-inch 1080p monitor features a 144Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for fast-paced games like Overwatch.
The Razer Blade 15 laptop is not just one gaming model. It is your best bet if you are searching for portability and do not have space in your backpack or on your a for multiple computers.
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What I Like
- Expensive.
- Sleek design.
- Solid battery life.
- Beautiful display.
- Great performance.
Things to Consider
- Limited port selection.
8. HP Pavilion 15 – Best for Fast Charging
Key Features
This model is a decent mix of agility and stamina. As a result, it is one of the best devices for IT students. The HP pavilion 15 offers a premium vibe with an ergonomic and minimalist structure, a 15.6” IPS monitor, and micro-edge tech.
The display’s hallmarks are the detailed visuals, FHD resolution, stunning vibrancy, absolute clarity, and unique 178-degree viewing angles.
This model is powered by the proficient Intel Core i7 11 65G7, which can effectively operate AI software, simulation programs, translators, networking software, etc.
Moreover, the Intel Iris Xe graphics deliver great graphics for various content creators, such as gamers, graphic designers, and video editors.
The laptop can last up to 8 hrs per charge. Thanks to the fast charger from HP, you can charge this device to 50% in 45 minutes.
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What I Like
- Decent design
- Various ports
- Decent touchscreen
- Stunning visuals
- Plenty of processor heft
Things to Consider
- Ventilation problem.
9. Lenovo Thinkpad X1 – Best For A Software Professional
Key Features
Lenovo is famous for its powerful laptops, and the Lenovo Thinkpad is also one of the most powerful devices from this brand.
This model delivers an excellent performance as one of the greatest models for advanced and basic users. For less than $1500, it is easy to get this robust configuration device.
Its appearance is commendable. The lightweight, straightforward, and sleek chassis makes it effortless for you to carry around.
The Thinkpad X1 features a 14” anti-reflective display, offering vivid characteristics and stunning clarity. Its graphics feature an Intel HD 620 GPU, proficient in various graphics-intensive works.
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What I Like
- Healthy storage
- Massive battery
- Speedy performance
- Incredible Display
Things to Consider
- Pricey than its rivals
10. ASUS VivoBook 15 – Best For Versatile
Key Features
If you’re an Asus lover, you won’t want to miss the Vivobook 15, which is famous for its good mobility and decent performance.
This model is an excellent blend of sophistication and delicacy. Its 15.6” anti-reflective screen is encased in thin bezels, delivering ample space for your creative works.
The FHD resolution adds more sharpness and pixel to its display, enhancing its clarity. Plus, its color accuracy is mediocre but sufficient for both IT professionals and students.
Its backlit keyboard delivers a decent typing experience under many lighting conditions. Furthermore, with one touch, it is quick to start this laptop without typing a password, as the fingerprint reader provides you security.
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What I Like
- Affordable
- Extremely light
- Ample port selection
- Full keyboard layout
Things to Consider
- Muffled sound
- Poor battery life
Buying Guide
Display
Most laptops are 13in, which is the sweet spot between portability and size for anyone. But you can get larger or smaller displays depending on your need.
Components
More expensive models will have more powerful processors (maybe Ryzen 7 or Intel Core i7), more SSD storage, and more RAM.
They may even have a dedicated graphics card. All of these will be useful for IT students and professionals when performing more complex tasks.
Ports and drives
You should choose a model that comes with multiple ports, which allow you to connect to other devices as needed. Remember that most laptops don’t have a CD/DVD drive anymore, so if you need one, an external drive is a must.
Storage
If the laptop does not come with additional storage, it will become hard for you to save your work.
So, ensure that the laptop you are getting comes with excellent storage to help you save your work without any difficulty.
Battery life
Everyone wants excellent battery life from a laptop of their choice. It will be an annoyance if your laptop runs out of battery midway, interrupting your work.
Conclusion
I have shared with you the 10 laptops for information technology students & professionals. These 10 models are selected after carefully considering several factors.
All the products on this list are excellent in their own way, but I highly recommend these three models:
- LG Gram 17Z90N – Best For Overall
- Asus E410 – Best For Budget
- Surface Laptop Go 2 – Best For Value
The rest of the models on this list are also worth a try. Let’s experience it!