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If you’re a student, then going back-to-school means getting new school supplies to get the most out of the new school year. This year is going to be different. You’re going to do better, work smarter and get your homework and school projects over and done with quickly. But first, you’ll need a new laptop to help you accomplish all of your classroom goals.
For 2025, we rounded up the best laptops from top computer manufacturers, including Apple, ASUS, MSI, Razer and others, from across the internet to help you just get the job done in the classroom.
These notebook computers are great for productivity, like work processing and research, while they can also balance your school life and dorm life — such as watching videos, listening to music and even playing a few video games here and there — without skipping a beat.
Meanwhile, if you’re not a student going back-to-school, then these laptops are also suited for office workers and freelancers looking to get all of their daily tasks finished. These laptops are great for just about any writer, editor, photographer, or videographer looking to meet their deadlines for on-going projects. And after you pick up your new laptop, you may also want to consider a new laptop backpack to get the new machine from your home to school or office in one piece.
Scroll down and check out our recommendations for the best laptops for back-to-school, or going to the office.
Apple
Editors’ Pick
Apple MacBook Air
The latest Apple MacBook Air is the apex of laptops in 2025. It’s speedy, thanks to the tech company’s M4 chip, and it’s buttery smooth for most tasks, productivity and entertainment, thanks to macOS Sequoia. If you’re looking for a new laptop, start here.
MSI
Best Windows 11 Laptop
MSI Vector 16 HX AI
The MSI Vector 16 HX AI is one of the smoothest and most powerful Windows 11 laptops you can buy in 2025. It has everything you’d want in a Windows laptop, including a sharp 16-inch display, a high-octane Intel Core Ultra 7-255HX processor, NVIDIA Geforce RTX 5070Ti graphics card and sleek design to accomplish just about any tasks, like schoolwork, creative projects, gaming and streaming, quickly and efficiently.
ASUS
Best Display
ASUS Zenbook A14
The ASUS Zenbook A14 is known an ultra-portable and super-fast laptop that’s lightweight, yet powerful. It soars with its sharp 14-inch OLED display, speedy and efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series processor that’s designed for Windows 11 and Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC A.I. for streamlining schoolwork and entertainment with up to 32 hours of battery life per charge. The ASUS Zenbook A14 is one of the best laptops you can buy in 2025.
Lenovo
Best Chromebook
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
If you’re looking for a laptop to get you online as soon as possible, then the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is our pick. It’s designed for the internet with a wide range of web apps from the Chrome Web Store, as well as Android apps from the Google Play Store. If your school and work life are in Google’s cloud of apps and services, like Gmail and Google Docs, then going with a Chromebook is best.
Acer
Best Wallet-Friendly
Acer Aspire 5
The Acer Aspire 5 is a speedy and smooth laptop that won’t break the bank. It runs Windows 11 for productivity and entertainment, while it’s powerful enough to get your school work finished without any hiccups or stales in performance.
Razer
Best for Gaming
Razer Blade 16
If you’re a gamer, then look no further then the Razer Blade 16 for high performance gaming. This laptop will make short work out of just about any big game, including “World of Warcraft” and “Diablo IV,” or anything found on the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cloud gaming service. And since it’s a Windows 11 laptop, it’s also great for school work — when you find time between long gaming sessions.
Apple
Best for Photo & Video Editing
Apple MacBook Pro
Armed with Apple’s M4 Max processor, the latest Apple MacBook Pro is ideal for any photo and video editing on-the-go, while its brilliant 14.2-inch display is large enough to see your work as true to life as possible. It’s also lightweight enough to take with you on any classroom projects that involves shooting footage in the field. The Apple MacBook Pro is a beast!
Looking for more? Check out our picks for the best back-to-school gear here. In the meantime, shop the best laptops for school or work on Amazon, below: