This guide was updated in April 2024.
The best laptops for teachers offer a powerful tool that can be used in the classroom while still being portable enough to go from room to room and even beyond the school. This can be ideal as a way to keep teaching planning material in one place for easy access. These are especially powerful when combined with the best interactive boardseither document cameras.
From taking a quiz to hosting an augmented reality experience, the right laptop has huge potential. But of course, it can also simply mean an affordable way to stay connected to your cloud-based work, in the case of Chromebooks.
From Windows and Chrome to Mac, there are many options, prices, and powerful features to consider. One of the most important is battery life, for example, where you could have a unit last all day without needing to carry a charger. Or maybe you don't care because you already have one of the The best laptop sleeves for teachers..
So what are the best laptops for teachers? We've selected some of the best, each listed by special features, to help you choose the ideal laptop for your educational needs.
The best laptops for teachers.
1. Dell XPS 13: Overall best laptop for teachers
The Dell XPS 13 is one of the best laptops for teachers thanks to a well-balanced combination of portability, power, design, and price. It's like the portable version of Microsoft Windows on a Mac, which also helps you save money.
It's possible to customize this laptop based on the performance you need, and even the most basic and affordable version offers plenty of power for tasks like video editing.
The laptop features a wonderfully slim and lightweight metal frame that makes it very portable and robust, ideal for moving between classes.
You can choose between two screen resolution options, with the top-end offering crisp 4K resolution on the 13.4-inch touchscreen. So, for watching movies, editing videos, and even gaming, this laptop can do it all without costing too much.
Some educators may benefit from more ports, but the plus side helps keep the design minimal and portability perfect.
2. Acer Swift 5: Best laptop for teachers on a budget
The Acer Aspire 5 is a relatively affordable option that offers plenty of laptop power, making it ideal for educators on a budget. Excellent build quality means this device is durable enough to withstand a day of carrying between classes, but is also lightweight thanks to its chassis.
There are higher priced options available in this range if you want more power and don't mind paying a little more, perhaps for video editing. This laptop includes a battery that lasts a good 6.5 hours on a charge and the screen is an easy-on-the-eyes 14 inches.
The laptop comes with Windows, so anyone with a school of Microsoft setup will be well served with this laptop option.
3. Google Pixelbook Go: The best powerful Chromebook
The Google Pixelbook Go is a powerful Chromebook that may not be the cheapest, but it offers a lot for the price. It offers a gorgeous design with durable build quality. But what's worth highlighting is the Hush keyboard, as it offers a near-silent typing experience, ideal for teachers working while the class is busy with an assignment.
The Pixelbook Go's battery life is excellent, easily lasting 12 hours, longer than a full school day! – without the need for a charge. Teachers can carry this 13.3-inch Full HD display laptop all day without having to carry the extra weight of a charger.
If your school already uses the Google G Suite for Education system, then a Chromebook makes sense and this is one of the best you can buy right now.
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3: Best laptop for teachers using Windows
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is a very attractive laptop that is as great on the inside as its appearance suggests. This results in plenty of power for any task, whether it's simply using Word, video editing, or gaming. This is the ideal model if you are a Windows user, as it is essentially on par in terms of quality with the MacBook Pro, only designed to be compatible with Microsoft.
The aluminum casing makes it a sturdy device designed to move around classrooms. Despite that high-quality build, it manages to remain competitively cheaper than equivalent Apple models, making it relatively affordable for what you get.
While the battery life could be better, it will give you a full day of use in almost all cases, and with that 13.5-inch screen it's easy on the eyes even when reading smaller type work.
You can now also buy the Surface Laptop 5; However, due to the price increase, we are left with this as ideal to satisfy the needs of teachers at the right price.
5. Apple MacBook Air M2: Best laptop for graphics and video students
The Apple MacBook Air M2 is one of the best laptops you can buy right now, but that means the price reflects it. If you can put in the effort, you'll get a super portable laptop with excellent battery life that also has enough power to keep up with most tasks, including video editing.
Build quality is as premium as you'd expect from Apple, with a metal frame that can withstand daily use. However, it's thin and light enough to slip into a bag without being too noticeable, even when you're walking around school with it. Battery life is good for a day, so you won't need to carry a charger with you.
The screen is super clear thanks to the high resolution and intense colors that allow you to watch movies on it, while the webcam and multiple microphones allow you to record yourself in high quality, ideal for video calls. Plus, you have access to some of the best apps in the world thanks to the macOS operating system that runs the program.
6. Acer Chromebook 314: Best affordable Chromebook
The Acer Chromebook 314 is another great brand at a low price. It features the Chromebook moniker, so it has an operating system that gives it long battery life and has a lightweight and portable form factor. The fact that it also looks like a MacBook Air is just a bonus.
The screen is bright, clear and sharp, and also large enough at 14 inches. Lots of power allows you to easily perform all the tasks that Chrome OS offers. Plus, it's well built with an impressive keyboard, trackpad, and a selection of ports, including two USB-A, two USB-C, and a MicroSD card slot.
7. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6: Best for screen interactions
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 is a fantastic option for teachers who don't mind spending a little more. The result is a very powerful device that also doubles as a tablet and even comes with a stylus for the touch screen. And that screen is a big part of the appeal, thanks to a 16:10 aspect ratio and a super-rich finish that makes including lots of windows while multitasking a viable option, even when mobile.
Switching to mobile should be easy thanks to fantastic battery life that can last all day without needing to carry a power adapter. It also has excellent connectivity with WiFi, Bluetooth, two USB Type-A ports along with two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C and one HDMI 2.0. Apart from the lack of a card slot, it is well equipped.
