The 6 best laptops for college in 2026, tested by experts

The 6 best laptops for college in 2026, tested by experts highlights what schools and reviewers say students should prioritize for the 2026 academic cycle. It notes that six of 10 top-ranking public universities recommend Windows 11 or MacBooks less than two years old, typically with at least 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD storage, and possibly 256GB for some liberal arts students. For engineering, design, or computer science, guidance points to 24GB to 32GB of RAM and 1TB storage, alongside Intel Core or AMD Ryzen 5 minimum, or Ryzen 7/9 for heavier workloads. The piece also stresses potential ARM compatibility limits and budgeting for extended warranties, citing AppleCare+ student costs from $67.99 to $139.99 annually.