If you’re a college student looking for the best laptops for note taking, you’re in luck. In 2024, several laptops have emerged as the top choices for students who need reliable, versatile devices to help streamline their academic workloads. Whether you prefer traditional typing or digital writing with a stylus, the right laptop available on Amazon can enhance your note-taking experience significantly. This article reviews the top 10 products for note-taking in college, ensuring you can find the perfect fit for your needs.
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BookFactory Universal Note Taking System (Cornell Notes) / NoteTaking Notebook - 120 Pages, 8 1/2" x... | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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Five Star Spiral Notebook + Study App, 5 Subject, College Ruled Paper, Fights Ink Bleed, Water... | $6.98 | Buy on Amazon | |
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Oxford Innovative Steno Project Ruled Notebook (TOPS), 90222, White | $7.79 | Buy on Amazon | |
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Sticky Notes Set, Post Self-Stick Notes Pads for Journaling Notebook Planner Study, Office Supplies... | $5.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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cornell notebook paper: College Ruled Composition Notebook, 110 Cornell note paper pages, 8.5" x 11"... | $6.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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Ophayapen Smart Pen+Notebook+Writing Board, SmartPen Real-time Sync for Digitizing, Storing, and... | $92.95 | Buy on Amazon | |
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Spiral Notebook, Hardcover Leather Journal for Women Men, 300 Page Thick Notebooks College Ruled for... | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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Oxford FocusNotes Note Taking System 1-Subject Notebook, 11 x 9 Inches, White, 100 Sheets (90223) -... | $8.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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HP Newest 14" Ultral Light Laptop for Students and Business, Intel Quad-Core N4120, 8GB RAM, 192GB... | $249.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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Mead Spiral Notebooks, 6 Pack, 1 Subject, College Ruled Paper, 7-1/2" x 10-1/2", 70 Sheets per... | $7.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Contents
Buying Guide for the Best Laptops for Note Taking in College
When searching for the best laptops for note-taking college, there are a few essential factors to consider:
1. Portability
Your laptop needs to be lightweight and compact so you can easily carry it around campus. Look for options that weigh under 3 pounds with a battery life that lasts at least 8-10 hours.
2. Keyboard Quality
A comfortable and responsive keyboard is crucial for efficient note-taking. Consider laptops with backlit keys and key travel distance that optimizes typing speed and comfort.
3. Display Quality
Opt for a full HD display (1920×1080) for clear text and images. A touchscreen can also be beneficial for handwritten notes if you decide to use a stylus.
4. Performance
Modern processors (Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5) and at least 8GB of RAM are recommended to ensure seamless multitasking and smooth performance during lectures and assignments.
5. Storage
Having ample storage (at least 256GB SSD) will enable you to save class notes, projects, and software without worrying about running out of space.
6. Battery Life
Depending on your class schedule, a laptop with long battery life will help you avoid the hassle of finding outlets between classes.
7. Price
While you want a laptop that meets your needs, it’s also essential to find one that fits your budget. You’ll find great options at various price points, so make sure to compare their features.
Top 10 Laptops for Note Taking in College
1. Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
The Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022) is one of the best laptops for note-taking college students. With its lightweight design and impressive battery life of up to 18 hours, this MacBook is perfect for on-the-go students. The M2 chip offers fantastic performance for multitasking, and its 13.6-inch Retina display provides crisp visuals for reading and writing notes. The keyboard is a joy to type on, enabling a comfortable and efficient experience.
With storage options starting at 256GB, students can easily store their important files, while the sleek design and durability further make it a stylish choice. Although it comes at a premium price point, the performance and ecosystem integration are hard to beat.
- STRIKINGLY THIN DESIGN — The redesigned MacBook Air is more portable than ever and weighs just 2.7 pounds. It’s the incredibly capable laptop that lets you work, play or create just about anything — anywhere.
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 — Get more done faster with a next-generation 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU and up to 24GB of unified memory.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. It draws on your personal context while setting a brand-new standard for privacy in AI. Coming in beta this fall.
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day and into the night, thanks to the power-efficient performance of the Apple M2 chip.
- BIG, BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY — The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display features over 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color and support for 1 billion colors for vibrant images and incredible detail.
2. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is an attractive option for students who prefer a versatile and portable device. Featuring a beautiful 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen display, it’s an excellent choice for those who enjoy both typing and using a stylus for handwritten notes. With its Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, this laptop can effortlessly handle multitasking essential for a busy college lifestyle.
The Surface Laptop 5 also boasts an impressive battery life of up to 15 hours, making it perfect for long days on campus. The spacious keyboard with a glass trackpad ensures comfortable navigation through your notes and assignments. Though the laptop comes with a heftier price tag than some competitors, its performance and design justify the investment.
- With 16 GB of memory, runs as many programs as you want without losing the execution
- The 13.5" 2256 x 1504 screen provides a great movie watching experience
- 512 GB SSD is enough to store your essential documents and files, favorite songs, movies and pictures
- 18 Hours battery run time helps you stay unwired and work longer non-stop
3. Dell XPS 13 (2023)
The Dell XPS 13 (2023) is known for its sleek design and high-performance specifications. With a stunning 13.4-inch InfinityEdge display, you get a near-borderless screen that enhances your overall writing experience. The laptop features the latest Intel Core processors and options for up to 32GB of RAM, providing ample power for multitasking and running resource-intensive applications.
Its compact design, weighing around 2.8 pounds, makes it easy to carry around. With a battery life of up to 12 hours, it’s built to keep up with your daily college routine. The XPS 13 also features a comfortable backlit keyboard that students will love using during lectures. Overall, it’s a fantastic option with impressive aesthetics and performance.
- Dell XPS 13 9315 (Latest 2023 Model) 13.4" Laptop | Certified Refurbished from Dell Including 1 Year Dell Factory Warranty
- Intel 12th Generation Core i7-1250U (10-Core, Up to 4.70Ghz) | 512GB PCIe SSD | 16GB LPDDR5 5200Mhz
- 13.4" FHD+ (1920x1200) 500-Nit IPS Non-Touch Anti-Glare InfinityEdge Display with IR Camera and 720P HD Webcam | Backlit Keyboard with Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- 3-Cell 51Whr Battery | 45W USB-C Adapter | Only 2.59lbs | Sky Aluminum Chassis
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery) | Windows 11 Professional
4. Lenovo Yoga 9i (2023)
The Lenovo Yoga 9i (2023) is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that adapts to your needs. Its 14-inch AMOLED display produces vibrant colors and sharp images, making it a fantastic choice for both note-taking and media consumption. The standout feature of this laptop is its amazing 360-degree hinge, allowing you to use it in tablet mode, tent mode, or traditional laptop mode.
Powered by the 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, this laptop can handle multitasking with ease. With 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage, you have plenty of space for your files. Its battery life also reaches up to 15 hours, so you can rely on it throughout the day. A responsive stylus is included, which is perfect for taking handwritten notes.
- 16GB RAM | 2TB SSD
- Equipped With The Powerful and Fast 13th Gen Intel 12-Core i7-1360P Processor
- 14" 2.8K (2880x1800) OLED Touch (Glossy, 100% DCI-P3, 90Hz, Dolby Vision, DisplayHDR 500), Intel Iris Xe Graphic eligible
- 2 x Thunderbolt4 / USB4 40Gbps, 1 x USB-C 3.2, 1 x USB-A 3.2
- Windows 11 Home, Fingerprint Reader, Backlit Keyboard, Dolby Atmos, AMP, FHD+IR Privacy Camera, Rapid Charge, Lenovo Pen
5. HP Envy x360
The HP Envy x360 is one of the best laptops for note-taking, especially for students on a budget. This 2-in-1 device features a 15.6-inch touchscreen display, perfect for viewing lectures and taking notes. The AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB of RAM provide enough power for your daily tasks, while its flexibility to rotate into tablet mode is excellent for handwritten notes.
With a sleek aluminum chassis and backlit keyboard, it shows that durability doesn’t come at the cost of aesthetics. Its battery life reaches around 12 hours, ensuring it can comfortably last through long days. Overall, the HP Envy x360 is a versatile laptop that doesn’t break the bank, making it a popular choice among students.
- 【14'' FHD IPS Touchscreen Display】Navigate, create, and write naturally with utmost precision on this responsive touchscreen. Elevate your digital encounters and immerse yourself in a captivating virtual world like never before. 【2-in-1 Design 】Convert to a tablet with the flip of a screen around a 360° hinge.
- 【13 Gen Intel Core i7-1355U Processor】Effortlessly accelerate your creativity while powering through new levels of productivity in this blazing fast 10-core processor. Embrace highly efficient multitasking, powering through new levels of productivity and unleashing your full potential in a boundless journey.
- 【16GB DDR4 RAM】Experience abundant high-bandwidth performance that seamlessly tackles resource-intensive tasks. Smoothly run multiple applications simultaneously and deliver lightning-fast responsiveness that keeps you in the flow. 【1TB PCIe SSD】Delivers lightning-fast boot-up speed, enhanced storage capabilities, and support for high-definition video playback. Effortlessly store an extensive digital library and access your virtual world with ease.
- 【Backlit Keyboard】Enjoy comfortable and accurate typing, even in dim light. 【HP Wide Vision 5MP IR Camera】Video chat with your entire team in stunning details thanks to the 88-degree wide-angle field of view. Infrared sensor assists safe log-in through face recognition. 【Intel Iris Xe Graphics】Designed to enhance your visual experience, Intel Iris Xe Graphics delivers vibrant colors, sharp details, and fluid animations, empowering you to achieve professional success with amplified productivity.
- 【Windows 11 Home】Family, friends, passions, music, creations, games – Windows 11 is the one place for it all. 【Fingerprint Reader】Enhance laptop security with seamless fingerprint authentication, ensuring convenient access while protecting your data and personal information. 【Ports & Accessories】2 x USB-A 3.0, 1 x USB-C 3.2, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1x Headphone Jack, 1x Micro SD card reader. Dual speakers by Bang & Olufsen. Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth. 3.35 lbs. Natural Silver.
6. ASUS ZenBook 13
The ASUS ZenBook 13 is another exceptional choice for students seeking portability and performance. With its lightweight body and a battery life of up to 14 hours, it’s designed for students who are always on the go. The 13.3-inch Full HD display offers vibrant colors and sharp images, providing an excellent viewing experience for digital notes and presentations.
Powered by Intel’s latest processors and equipped with 16GB of RAM, this laptop handles multitasking’s demands with aplomb. The backlit keyboard ensures you can type comfortably in low-light environments, making it ideal for late-night study sessions. Its sleek design and competitive price make the ZenBook 13 a great overall choice.
- The world's thinnest ultraportable OLED laptop — 2.2 lb and 0.46”
- New AI-powered Intel Core Ultra series — Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 155U 1.7 GHz (12MB Cache, up to 4.8 GHz, 12 cores, 14 Threads) and Intel Graphics. With 1TB SSD storage and 32GB LPDDR5x RAM, explore with more speed, more seamlessly.
- Circular design — Thoughtfully made with up to 90% PIR, PCR, ocean-bound recycled materials and fortified with our revolutionary Plasma Ceramic Aluminum matte finish. Certified EPEAT Gold with Climate+.
- Windows Copilot AI key — Meet Copilot in Windows – your AI-powered assistant for quick answers, creative inspiration, and focused tasks. Boost productivity with fast answers, image generation, and more.
- ASUS Lumina OLED display — Immerse yourself in unparalleled visuals with the Zenbook S 13's 16:10 touch displays boasting a 2880 x 1800 resolution, vibrant 400-nit HDR peak brightness, smooth 60Hz refresh rate, and Pantone validated 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy.
7. Acer Swift 3
The Acer Swift 3 is an excellent budget-friendly option for students looking for a reliable note-taking laptop. With a 14-inch Full HD display and a compact design, it’s highly portable while still providing a great visual experience for reading and writing. The laptop is powered by the latest Intel Core i5 processor and has 8GB of RAM, ensuring it can handle your coursework easily.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Swift 3 is its battery life, which can last around 12 hours, keeping you powered throughout your college day. The backlit keyboard is both comfortable and responsive, making it easy to take lengthy notes. Its affordable price without compromising on performance makes the Acer Swift 3 an appealing choice for students.
- Get high performance, responsiveness and long battery life with the Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor - up to 4.7GHz, 4 cores, 8 threads, 12MB Intel Smart Cache
- 14" Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS Widescreen LED-backlit 100% sRGB Display | Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 8GB Onboard LPDDR4X Memory and 256GB NVMe SSD
- 1 - USB Type-C Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps) DisplayPort over USB Type-C, Thunderbolt 4 & USB Charging | 1 - USB 3.2 Gen 1 port (featuring power-off charging) | 1 - USB 2.0 port | 1 - HDMI port
- Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 | Acer Bio-Protection Fingerprint Solution | Up to 16 Hours Battery Life
8. Razer Blade Stealth 13
The Razer Blade Stealth 13 isn’t just a gaming laptop; it’s also an outstanding choice for students who want to tackle note-taking and attending classes in style. The 13.3-inch Full HD display offers stunning visuals and color accuracy, ideal for creative students. With a powerful Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, it is more than capable of handling multitasking needs.
Its sleek design is complemented by a fantastic backlit keyboard that provides a satisfying typing experience. The battery life lasts up to 11 hours, which is respectable considering its powerful hardware. The Razer Blade Stealth 13 merges performance with portability, making it a worthy investment for any student.
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- Designed for mobility: Ultra-thin, light and incredibly durable with a cnc unibody aluminum frame and long battery life.
- 120hz full HD thin bezel display: Super-fast 120hz full HD display that enables smooth visuals in games, with 100% sRGB color space.
- Razer chroma keyboard and precision touchpad: keyboard featuring single-zone rgb lighting with 16.8 million color options, and a precision glass touchpad.
- Complete connectivity — Includes thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, wireless AX, HD webcam utilizing windows hello, and 4-array mics.
9. Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360
For students looking for a top-notch convertible laptop, the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 is hard to beat. With a stunning AMOLED display that measures 13.3 inches, you’ll enjoy crisp visuals for your lecture notes and presentations. The laptop is equipped with Intel’s latest processors and includes 16GB of RAM, making multitasking a breeze.
The included S Pen allows for seamless note-taking in tablet mode, ideal for students who prefer handwritten notes. With around 20 hours of battery life, you’ll rarely need to worry about charging during the day. Its lightweight design adds to its allure, making it an excellent choice for campus life.
- The Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 2-in-1 laptop allows Flex 'Laptop' mode for everyday computing, 'Yoga' mode for sharing things, 'Flip' mode for binge-watching, or 'Tablet' mode Spin for more intuitive interaction. Super long Battery Life, up to 19 hours, easily meet the needs for full-day work.
- 13th Generation Intel Core i7-1360P Processor (2.20 GHz, up to 5 GHz, 12 Cores, 16 Threads, 18MB L3 Cache); 16GB LPDDR5 RAM(Soldered), 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD; Comes with an active electrostatic pen for finer details and more precision, the stylus pen is great for testing, drawing, taking notes and delineating details.
- 16" WQXGA+ (2880 x 1800) AMOLED, 120 Hz, 400 nits, 16:10, Touchscreen Display; Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics - Expandable to 2 monitors via Thunderbolt 4 or HDMI. Max resolution of the External Monitors: 4K @60Hz; 1080p FHD Webcam.
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 (Supports DisplayPort and Power Delivery), USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI, MicroSD Multi-media Card Reader, Headphone out/Mic-in Combo; English French bilingual Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint Reader; Wi-Fi 6E (Gig+) + Bluetooth 5.1
- Disclosure: Brand New Computer has been resealed to upgrade the SSD. Three-year warranty from Issaquah Highlands Tech on upgraded SSD. One-year warranty from manufacturer on remaining components. Windows 11 Pro 64-bit, with AI-powered Copilot, offers intelligent assistance for a variety of tasks; Ideal for School Education, Designers, Professionals, Small Business, Programmers, Casual Gaming, Video Streaming, Online Class, College Students, Zoom Meeting, etc.
10. Google Pixelbook Go
The Google Pixelbook Go stands out as an excellent option for students who primarily rely on web-based applications like Google Docs for note-taking. With a compact 13.3-inch Full HD display, it’s lightweight and perfect for portability. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor and comes with 8GB of RAM, providing solid performance while multitasking.
Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 12 hours on a single charge. Its quiet and comfortable keyboard is ideal for typing long notes during lectures. With a price point that is often lower than other high-performance laptops, the Pixelbook Go offers outstanding value for students focused on efficient note-taking.
- Meet google pixel book, the high performance chromebook; it’s the first laptop with the google assistant built in; press the google assistant key on your keyboard or say "Ok google" to get started; the google assistant is always ready to help
- Features 7th gen intel core i5 processor, 8gb ram and 128gb for storage; the long lasting battery delivers up to 10 hours of use and it’s fast charging so you can get 2 hours of use in 15 minutes
- The 4 in 1 design adapts to whatever you’re doing with laptop, tablet, tent and entertainment modes; ACcess to favorite apps including google drive, Gmail, YouTube, Evernote, slACk, infinite painter, light room, rob lox and many more
- Pixel book's super thin and lightweight design measures 10.3 millimeter and weighs 2.45 pounds; features a 12.3 inch 360 degree touchscreen display, a sleek aluminum body, corning gorilla glass and a bACk lit keyboard
- Powered by chrome os with automatic software updates so you’ll always have the latest virus protection; it starts up in less than 10 secs, stays fast throughout the day, and won’t slow down over time
Conclusion
Choosing the best laptop for note-taking in college is crucial for your academic experience. Consider the factors discussed in this article and explore the top 10 laptops listed to find the perfect device that fits your needs and preferences. Each of these laptops provides excellent performance, reliability, and flexibility suitable for any student’s requirements in 2024.
Investing in one of these best laptops for note-taking college will undoubtedly enhance your educational journey, making your time in college more productive and enjoyable.
Last update on 2024-09-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API | votechriscarrillo.com is a participant in the Amazon Associate program and will earn from qualifying purchases.