An English major with long reading lists and many papers to write might do better with an iPad and a nice accessory keyboard. The laptop that's best for your college experience depends on what you're doing at college. The important thing to remember is that there is no single correct choice here. Specs: 13.5-inch 2K screen (3:2 ratio), Intel i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage. If you want a less expensive Chromebook, the Acer Spin 514 ( $420, Best Buy) is a solid mid-range pick. My only complaint with this otherwise great machine is that the speakers are disappointing. This is also one of the few Chromebooks on the market with Thunderbolt 4 support in its two USB-C ports. In real-world use, I regularly got over 12 hours from the battery while browsing the web, editing documents, watching videos, and doing other typical Chromebook tasks. You won't need to worry about battery life with this one. The Intel i5 chips offers plenty of power (you can also upgrade to an i7), and the 2-in-1 design makes this a good choice for both the classroom (laptop mode) and dorm room (stand mode). That's a nicer shape for getting work done, since it gives documents and web pages some extra vertical space. The 2K screen has an unusually tall 3:2 aspect ratio. If you think Chromebooks are low-end machines, the Spin 713 will change your mind. The Acer Spin 713 Chromebook is a good choice for students who are all-in on Google services.
