The Best Back-to-School Laptop Deals for 2022
PCMag
As fall approaches, it may not be a bad idea to start thinking about getting

As fall approaches, it may not be a bad idea to start thinking about getting a new computer or upgrading your current setup for the 2022-2023 school year. New computer processors from Intel are showing up on new laptops and AMD's 6000 series processor-based laptops are hitting shelves. So now is a good time to start looking for deals from major PC makers as they discount older models to make room for new laptops.

The Best Back-to-School Laptop Deals

Before we dive into the meat and potatoes of this what-to-buy stew, let's answer some of your burning questions. If you don't see anything that piques your interest, keep your eyes on PCMag; we’ll be updating this list with deals as we see them.

Is Back-to-School the Best Time to Buy a Laptop?

According to Consumer Reports, July and August rival November and December for the best months to buy a laptop. Retail giants like Dell, Best Buy, Walmart, Lenovo, and HP hold sales specifically for the back-to-school season, which spans from June to September.

Can Students Get Cheaper Laptops?

Yes! College students can cash in on student-specific discounts from retailers like Apple, Walmart, Dell, and Best Buy. And it doesn’t hurt to ask other retailers if you’re shopping for a student.

Which Is Best: Chromebook, Windows, or Mac?

It depends on the use case: Chromebooks are great for those who want a no-frills, easy-to-use laptop experience without the worry of viruses in the ChromeOS operating system. Not to mention rock-bottom prices; many Chromebooks are $300 or less. The downside to ChromeOS is how limiting the experience can be on many models. Our Best Chromebooks roundup is a good place to start if you're not sure which one to buy.

The Windows laptop market, though pretty wide open, offers a lot of perks, starting with their mid-tier prices—usually sitting somewhere in the $1,000 range. Windows-based machines offer access to the widest array of software (including most AAA games) and the most form-factor flexibility (like detachable or folding keyboards and stylus-friendly touch screens). Most midrange ultraportables use Intel's Core i5 or Core i7 CPUs, which offer plenty of power for everyday computing. The biggest downside is choosing the right Windows machine from a growing array of options; get a head start on your hunt with our roundup of the Best Laptops.

Apple's MacBooks are lauded for their superior user experience and easy connectivity with other Apple devices; they're usually laptop of choice for more artistically inclined students. The MacBook Pro and MacBook Air feature similar aesthentics, but come in different screen sizes and levels of processing power. For more on that, check out our M1 vs. M2 comparison. The lineup starts at $999 and only goes up from there; learn more about what each model can do for you here.

For more, check out MacOS vs. Windows: Which OS Really Is the Best?

What Should I Look for in a Laptop?

Your choice of laptop will depend on your scholar’s needs. For instance, if you have a young child who is used to touch-screen devices, a sturdy 2-in-1 convertible laptop with a touch screen might be a smart option. On the other hand, if your college student plans on having multiple research tabs open and music playing in the background while they write a paper, you’ll want to invest in a laptop with more RAM (8GB is pretty standard) and a powerful CPU.

It may sound weird for some, but a gaming laptop might be worth considering for those who want to game and study on the go, or for those who don't want the hassle (and expense) of buying a separate PC or gaming console. Either way, a gaming laptop offers more power than most traditional laptops, which is good for students who might work on more resource-intensive projects like 3D rendering or photo and video editing.

What Are Some Good Budget Laptops?

What’s your budget? For general use, this 17-inch HP Laptop will only set you back $399.99. It’s got a good amount of RAM for those multi-tasking scholars and the Intel i5 processor will be able to handle web surfing and heavily utilized Microsoft programs like Word and PowerPoint.

For something with more oomph, check out this Dell G15. The RTX 3050 Ti graphics card is capable of 1080p gaming for most high-fidelity titles and the 16GB of RAM will be able to handle multiple tabs while doing research for papers. It also comes preloaded with Windows 11, so the most commonly used paper-writing programs are available.

Here are some of our top picks, suitable for a variety of scholars and budgets.

Best Overall Laptop for Back-to-School

Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon Gen 9 X1 Intel i5 14 Laptop

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 will be the perfect schoolyard companion. With 16GB of RAM and an 11th generation Intel Core i5 processor, this device will make quick work of word processing and web surfing tasks with a bit of streaming thrown into the mix. Add to that incredible battery life (up to 19 hours per PCMag’s testing) plus a business grade keyboard designed with productivity in mind, and it’s a steal at over 50% off after applicable codes.

Best for Long Study Sessions

Dell Inspiron 16 5620 Intel i7 512GB SSD FHD+ Laptop

Utilizing a 12th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 is lightning-quick. With 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, it will be able to juggle a variety of tasks without any slowdowns. The 16-inch, 1,920-by-1,200 FHD+ display has a 60Hz refresh rate and will be a real treat on which to view your favorite shows.

On that note: purchases through September net you six months of The Disney Bundle, which includes Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ streaming platforms.

Best for Unwinding After Classes

Alienware x15 Intel i7 RTX 3070 15.6-Inch 360Hz

This will be a head-turner when used in class due to its striking aesthetic. The Alienware x15 offers a ton of power to tackle most resource-intensive school projects and run most AAA games at their highest settings with ease. This might also be a great desktop replacement if you do not have the space for a monitor and desktop. We gave a similar configuration an excellent rating.

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