Best Student Laptops 2020 - MacBook Air Dell Inspiron HP ENVY Lenovo V15
Category: Computers > Laptops

Best Laptops for Students 2020 – Swift Comparisons

In the following article I outline a few laptop computer options suitable for students. Whether you’re about to attend college or university, or maybe you’re just looking for a decent laptop, I hope the following 2020 laptop comparisons proves useful in your buying decisions.

Whilst the following laptops aren’t the cheapest on the market they are all from respected manufacturers with excellent build quality and reliability! If you’re planning on spending money on a new laptop computer that has got to your number one priority!

Option 1:
Apple MacBook Air (2020 model) Laptop

For those who have a decent budget, want a premium display, value lightness and performance plus the ever seductive MacOS ecosphere.

Apple MacBook Air
Apple MacBook Air 2020

The Swift Summary

Pros

Cons

  • Lightweight and compact
  • Fast processor and SSD storage combo
  • Ultra high resolution display
  • Exceptional build quality
  • Easy to use operating system
  • Limited external ports
  • Pricey

Specification and Features (Apple MacBook Air 2020)

  • 13.3 inch retina display (2560 x 1600 pixels)
  • 1.1GHz dual-core 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor
  • 8GB RAM
  • 256GB or 512GB SSD Storage
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 3 ports (compatible with USB-C), 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 11 hour battery life
  • Operating System: MacOS
  • Weight: 1.27kg

Swift Scores

Design
100%
Performance
95%
Battery Life
90%
Build Quality
100%
Functionality
90%
Price
60%

Find It

The Apple MacBook Air (2020 model) is available in three different colours: gold, silver and space grey.

Apple MacBook Air Laptop Computer 2020 Model - Colour Gold
Apple MacBook Air (2020; 1.1Ghz i3; Gold)
Apple MacBook Air Laptop Computer 2020 Model - Colour Silver
Apple MacBook Air (2020; 1.1Ghz i3; Silver)
Apple MacBook Air Laptop Computer 2020 Model - Colour Space Grey
Apple MacBook Air (2020; 1.1Ghz i3; Space Grey)

Option 2:
HP Chromebook 15 Laptop

For those who want simplicity, value for money, a long lasting battery and don’t need high-end performance.

HP Chromebook 15 Laptop Intel Core i3 Processor
HP Chromebook 15

The Swift Summary

Pros

Cons

  • Large 15 inch display
  • Long battery life
  • 100GB free Cloud storage
  • eMMC storage isn’t as fast as SSD counterparts (data transfer)

Specification and Features (HP Chromebook 15)

  • 15.6 inch HD display (1920 x 1080 pixels)
  • 2.3GHz Intel Pentium Gold or 2.2Ghz Intel Dual Core i3 processor
  • 4Gb or 8Gb RAM
  • 64Gb or 128Gb eMMC Storage
  • 2 x USB-C ports, 1 x USB 3.0 port, microSD slot, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 13 hour battery life
  • Operating System: Chrome OS
  • Weight: 1.58kg

Swift Scores

Design
95%
Performance
80%
Battery Life
95%
Build Quality
95%
Functionality
90%
Price
80%

Find It

The HP Chromebook 15 is available in one colour: silver.

HP Chromebook 15 Laptop Intel Pentium Gold Processor
HP Chromebook 15 Laptop (Intel Pentium; Silver)
HP Chromebook 15 Laptop Intel Core i3 Processor
HP Chromebook 15 Laptop (Intel i3; Silver)

Option 3:
Dell Inspiron 14 (Touchscreen 2-in-1) Laptop

For those who want the flexibility of a tablet and laptop all in one, plus the extra performance combination of a fast processor and SSD storage.

Dell Inspiron 14 5000 Series 2-in-1 Laptop
Dell Inspiron 14

The Swift Summary

Pros

Cons

  • 2-in-1 Touchscreen Tablet and Laptop
  • Very powerful processor and memory
  • Great build quality
  • Lots of ports for convenience
  • Battery life
  • Heavier than competitors

Specification and Features (Dell Inspiron 14)

  • 14 inch HD display (1920 x 1080 pixels)
  • 4.4GHz 10th Gen Intel Quad Core i5 processor
  • 8Gb RAM
  • 256Gb SSD Storage
  • 1 x USB-C 3.2, 2 x USB 3.2 port, SD card slot, HDMI 1.4b, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 6 hour battery life
  • Operating System: Windows 10
  • Weight: 2.1kg

Swift Scores

Design
90%
Performance
95%
Battery Life
75%
Build Quality
90%
Functionality
85%
Price
70%

Find It

The Dell Inspiron 14 laptop computer is available in one colour: silver.

Dell Inspiron 14 5000 Series 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop
Dell Inspiron 14

Option 4:
HP ENVY x360 13″ Convertible Laptop

For those with a heathy budget who want it all: a slick design, a touchscreen tablet/laptop combination, extra performance plus a long lasting battery.

HP ENVY x360 13-ay0008na Convertible Laptop
HP ENVY x360 (13″)

The Swift Summary

Pros

Cons

  • 2-in-1 Touchscreen Tablet and Laptop with 360° hinge
  • Lightweight
  • Very powerful processor and memory
  • Fingerprint Reader
  • Lots of ports for convenience
  • Pricey

Specification and Features (HP ENVY x360 13″)

  • 13.3 inch HD display (1920 x 1080 pixels)
  • 2.3GHz AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor (Intel Core i5 and i7 processors also available)
  • 8Gb RAM
  • 256Gb SSD Storage
  • 1 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A port, SD card slot, HDMI 1.4b, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 12 hour battery life
  • Operating System: Windows 10
  • Weight: 1.27kg

Swift Scores

Design
95%
Performance
95%
Battery Life
90%
Build Quality
95%
Functionality
95%
Price
65%

Find It

The HP ENVY x360 laptop computer is available in two colours: Nightfall Black and Natural Silver.

HP ENVY x360 13 Laptop
HP ENVY x360 (13″ Nightfall Black – AMD Ryzen 5)
HP ENVY x360 (13″ Silver – Intel i5)

Option 5:
Lenovo V15 Laptop

For those who just need a decent laptop with generous storage space that offers great value for money.

Lenovo V15 IWL Intel i5 Laptop
Lenovo V15 IWL

The Swift Summary

Pros

Cons

  • Large HD display
  • Powerful processor (if you go with the Core i5)
  • Large SSD storage
  • Battery life
  • No USB-C ports

Specification and Features (Lenovo V15)

  • 15.6 inch HD display (1920 x 1080 pixels)
  • 2.6GHz Ryzen 3 or 1.6GHz Intel i5 processor
  • 8Gb RAM
  • 512Gb SSD Storage
  • 2 x USB-A 3.0 Gen 1 ports, 1 x USB 2.0 port, HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 6 hour battery life
  • Operating System: Windows 10
  • Weight: 2.1kg

Swift Scores

Design
85%
Performance
85%
Battery Life
75%
Build Quality
85%
Functionality
85%
Price
90%

Find It

The Lenovo V15 laptop is available in one colour: Iron Grey.

Lenovo V15 ADA Ryzen 3 Laptop
Lenovo V15 ADA (Ryzen 3)
Lenovo V15 IWL Intel i5 Laptop
Lenovo V15 IWL (Intel Core i5)