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Are you leaving for college? You’ll require the necessities. No, we’re not simply referring to flip-flops and shower caddies; we’re talking about laptops. Your PC is currently just as significant as your student ID. Uncertain about where to begin? It all depends on what you require. But we’ve already done the challenging work of identifying the top laptops for students, regardless of your area of study.

Do you need a laptop that you can sketch on if you’re a design student? The Surface Pro 4 from Microsoft fits perfectly. Looking for a gaming computer for weekend frag fests? Perfect is the Dell Inspiron 7000 Gaming version. Just need something to stream Netflix and write papers on? For casual use, the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA excels.

It’s critical to shop wisely because attending college already comes at a steep cost. We have something for everyone, regardless of your financial situation (whether you have a limited budget or some disposable income). The top laptops for students range from stylish ultraportables to classic clamshell models.

Spectre X360 HP

For the appropriate customer, the 2017 HP Spectre X360 is an almost flawless laptop. It is incredibly thin, strong, and has a long battery life. Additionally, people will ogle it because of how stunning it looks. The 2017 model now comes with a pen, allowing you to take notes or create diagrams directly on the screen by just flipping the device around.

We strongly advise going with the spotless Microsoft Signature Edition edition with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, even if it is more expensive than some of the value-oriented choices on this list. That will cost you just over $1,000, which is still far less than the 13-inch MacBook Pro, its closest rival.

The Spectre x360 offers significantly more value for your money than the Pro, and its 2-in-1 design, built-in stylus, and touchscreen compatibility make it the perfect laptop for students of all majors.

Places to Buy:

Microsoft costs $1,199.99.

Chromebook Flip C302CA from Asus

With its 4GB RAM and 64GB of eMMC flash storage, the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA is a solid productivity device. Most chores, including browsing the web and viewing Netflix, can be completed quickly enough. The Flip runs just web-based programs and is remarkably quick for a Chromebook.

It actually has a solid feel about it. Although the aluminum body is thin and light, it won’t buckle under stress. It is simpler to share information in a classroom setting thanks to the convertible hinge design, which also allows you to rotate the lid completely around and use it like a tablet.

Although more expensive than the average Chromebook, this is the best option if you want a stylish computer to complete your schoolwork. It has the appearance and feels of a high-end device without the high price tag; we were so impressed that we named it the best Chromebook of 2017.

Places to Buy:

470 dollars on Amazon

470 dollars at Walmart

Chromebook 11 N7 from Acer

The Acer Chromebook 11 N7 is the less expensive option to the Flip if you’re content with a Chromebook’s constrained functionality. Although not the most attractive machine, it is durable and reasonably priced. It should be able to withstand falls of up to 48 inches because it is intended for use in school settings. If you were to spill a can of Coke on the keyboard or trackpad—which are also water-resistant against minor spills—the gutter system would remove it.

It supports Android apps as well, although only in the beta channel. Given that it’s not yet stable, only experienced users might wish to deal with that. However, Acer’s touchscreen provides you with a little bit more control over the apps.

In dimly lit areas, the 1366 x 768 display appears OK, however, in bright settings, it is washed out. At the very least, the hues are sufficient. It’s not a terrible machine for the price, despite the poor display. The Flip looks more streamlined, but the Acer still accomplishes the same task.

Places to Buy:

@ Amazon, $279.99

@ Best Buy, $279

Walmart: $289.24

Aspire E 15 by Acer

The Acer Aspire E 15 is without a doubt the least expensive laptop we’ve ever reviewed with the most features. A 15.6-inch 1080p screen, a 7th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, a DVD burner, and 4GB of RAM are all included for under $350.

The storage and memory are both easily upgradeable, despite the slower (but still enormous) 1TB hard drive. All it takes is removing a few screws to upgrade to 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for only $200.

It’s a $350 gadget that performs better even without upgrades than laptops that cost twice as much. The problem? Not much is there to look at. The screen is poor, it’s bulky, and it’s made primarily of plastic. But if you require a reliable all-purpose laptop that is essentially starting at a discount, this is it.

Places to Buy:

at Amazon, $349.99

at Walmart, $399.99