As a business student, having the right laptop is crucial for academic and professional success. With heavy workloads, late nights studying complex models and theories, and lots of group projects, you need a fast, portable machine that can keep up.
I‘ve reviewed the top options to fit business students‘ unique needs in 2024 across all budgets. Key factors I evaluated included battery life, storage space, portability, ability to run key software, and overall value.
Below are my picks for the 4 best laptops for business students this upcoming school year:
Top Picks
1. Best Overall: Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch
The recently updated 16-inch MacBook Pro tops the list thanks to its potent blend of performance, portability and usability.
Key Features:
- 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with slim bezels
- M2 Pro or M2 Max chip options (up to 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU)
- Up to 22 hours battery life
- Just 4.7 lbs and 0.66 inches thick
- 1080p webcam, 6-speaker sound system
With incredible processing power packed into a slim and sturdy chassis, the 16-inch MacBook Pro can handle everything a demanding business program throws at it. The Liquid Retina XDR display is perfect for data visualizations and presentations. And the all-day battery means no scrambling for an outlet between classes.
The integrated 1080p webcam ensures you‘ll come through clearly on video calls and virtual group meetings. Apple‘s refined macOS also offers excellent productivity features while maintaining a user-friendly interface.
For business students who want cutting edge performance with Apple‘s trademark refinement, the 16-inch MacBook Pro is hard to beat. Just be prepared to pay a premium for it.
2. Best Budget Pick: Acer Chromebook Spin 713
If saving money is important (and for most students it is), the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 gets my vote as the best budget option.
Key specs and attributes:
- 13.5 inch 2K VertiView touch display
- Intel 12th Gen Core i5 and i7 configurations
- Up to 10 hours battery life
- 2-in-1 convertible design
- Just 2.95 lbs weight
Thanks to the Intel 12th Gen Core i5 or i7 processor options, the Spin 713 is far faster and responsive than your average Chromebook. The bright 2K resolution touch display gives you ample screen real estate in a portable chassis.
It runs ChromeOS, Google‘s lightweight operating system designed for web and cloud apps. For most business students, the productivity and collaboration suite of Google Workspace will cover your needs just fine.
All in all, the Spin 713 brings unexpected premium features and performance to the Chromebook space at an affordable price point.
3. Best 2-in-1: Microsoft Surface Pro 9
For business students who prefer the flexibility of a tablet that can pull double duty as a laptop when needed, the recently updated Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a compelling choice.
Noteworthy aspects:
- Detachable 13" touch display with 2880 x 1920 resolution
- Up to 15.5 hours battery life
- Weighs just 1.95 lbs as a tablet
- New Intel 12th Gen Core i5 and i7 processors
- Updated design with more ports
The Surface Pro line has always offered excellent build quality and usability. With the latest Intel silicon inside and improved connectivity, the Surface Pro 9 steps up as an even more capable 2-in-1 device.
It gives business students a versatile machine – slim and light enough to carry everywhere, yet powerful enough to handle intensive business software when connected to the keyboard. Note taking and marking up PDFs is easy with native pen support too.
Just keep in mind, you‘ll need to purchase the keyboard cover separately. But if you like the idea of consolidating a laptop and tablet, the Surface Pro 9 warrants strong consideration.
4. Best with Touchscreen: HP Spectre x360 16
Boasting Intel‘s latest 12th-generation Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, a vibrant OLED display with touch, and formidable 2-in-1 design, the HP Spectre x360 16 is a top contender for business students needing a premium Windows laptop with touch.
Key details:
- 16-inch 4K OLED touch display
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H
- 16 GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB SSD storage
- Preinstalled with Windows 11 Home
- Up to 10 hours battery life
This is one speedy, future-proofed machine – perfect for everything from building complex financial models to giving interactive presentations. The Spectre feels sturdy, looks sleek, and provides a sensational viewing experience with the 4K OLED touchscreen.
My only real knocks are slightly worse battery life compared to rivals and no stylus included. But overall, the Spectre x360 16 brings tremendous performance and a great screen to users wanting a premium Windows laptop optimized for touch.
Buying Considerations for Business Students
Beyond the top picks above, keep the following factors in mind when shopping for a new laptop for b-school:
Software Requirements
At minimum, any new Windows or MacOS laptop will run essential Office apps like Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint just fine. But some business programs require more advanced statistical programming languages like R and Python.
Spec out the recommended system requirements for any software you absolutely need so you pick a laptop well equipped to handle them. An Intel Core i5 or equivalent AMD processor should suffice for most purposes though.
Battery Life
Sprinting between classes, meetings, interviews and other commitments will be common during business school. So prioritize laptops promising at least 8+ hours of real-world battery life. For maximum flexibility, consider those able to last 10+ hours on a full charge.
Portability & Durability
Lugging around a heavy computer gets old fast. Save your shoulders and back by targeting more portable options weighing less than 4 pounds. For durability, carbon fiber or metal alloy chassis tend to provide better protection than plastic shells.
Storage Space
Between presentations, financial models, research data sets and other hefty files, your storage needs will pile up faster than you expect. Seek out solid-state drives (SSDs) with a minimum of 256GB capacity. But 512GB or higher is ideal if you can afford it.
Operating System
This decision often comes down to personal preference. For most business applications, Windows and MacOS laptops both work perfectly well. Just ensure whichever OS you choose meets any proprietary software requirements your program may have.
Financial Help Buying a Laptop
Don‘t drain your bank account to buy a laptop for business school. Many financial assistance options exist!
School Laptop Grants
Many universities and external providers offer grant programs specifically to help students purchase laptops, tablets and other tech gear essential for their education. This database can help you locate options.
Employer Tuition Assistance
If you‘re attending business school part-time while working, check if your employer provides tuition or technology assistance. Some even offer student loan repayment programs.
Buy Refurbished
Consider purchasing manufacturer certified refurbished laptop models when possible. They‘ve been thoroughly inspected and restored to like-new working order for hundreds less than brand new.
Use Your Old Device
If you already own a functioning laptop or tablet, even if it‘s 4-5 years old, consider keeping it through business school. Installing an SSD and extra RAM can give older devices a helpful breath of life.
FAQs
What‘s the best business laptop brand?
No single brand universally comes out on top across all criteria. But for their combination of quality components, strong product support and good value relative to competitors, Dell, HP and Lenovo make excellent Windows laptops for business students while Apple leads the way for MacOS.
Can I use my business school laptop for personal use?
Of course! Just be sure to keep your files well organized between school assignments and personal activity. Setting up separate user accounts on Windows for work and home can help maintain boundaries.
How much RAM and storage do I need?
At minimum, most business students should look for a laptop with an Intel Core i5 or equivalent AMD processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD storage. But 16GB RAM and 512GB+ storage provides welcome headroom if you can afford it.
Do business students need touchscreen laptops?
Not universally. Touchscreens offer nice convenience for activities like taking handwritten notes and marking up documents. But they aren‘t fundamentally necessary for most traditional business applications. Prioritize your other needs first before worrying about a touch display.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right laptop for business school goes a long way in setting yourself up for success over the next few years of rigorous coursework. Hopefully the options and guidance above help you identify a great match! Look for machines emphasizing solid battery life, ample storage space, portability and access to key productivity software that aligns with your budget.
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