Laptop buying guide for students

How much RAM do you need? Is a Mac worth it? Everything students should know before buying a laptop.

By TechPicks Team · 22 October 2026

Our picks

  1. Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) - from ₹92,990 on Vijay Sales
  2. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 - from ₹66,990 on Amazon
  3. ASUS Vivobook 16 - from ₹51,990 on Flipkart

A laptop is one of the biggest purchases for any student. Buy the right one and it will last your whole course.

The essentials

  • RAM: 16 GB is the new sweet spot.
  • Storage: pick an SSD of at least 512 GB.
  • Battery: aim for 8+ hours of real use.
  • Weight: under 1.5 kg if you carry it daily.

Our recommendations

The MacBook Air (M4) is the best overall, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 offers a premium experience for less, and the ASUS Vivobook 16 is the budget-friendly big-screen choice.