Nearly half of the 49.6 million public school students in the United States will go back to school from Aug. 14 to 25 according to the Pew Research Center. Additionally, there are millions more headed off to college.
While it’s a fun and nostalgic time for many that kicks off a new year of making memories, friends and learning, it’s also a significant retail event as many head to the stores to buy the latest clothes and tech to make their year a success with many stores holding back-to-school sales. As students prepare for the new school year, it’s essential to have the right tools to support their learning journey.
PCs are an essential learning tool. From accessing online resources, staying connected to classmates for team projects or turning in homework, technology plays an important part in education. As education has moved from only in the classroom to a more hybrid approach that includes turning in homework online, watching lectures, and online quizzes, Windows 11 PCs with Windows 11 for Education help students in their learning journey, providing powerful tools to learn, collaborate and create in a secure environment. Microsoft 365 Education is inclusively designed, with accessibility checks and learning tools built into our suite of products, for a learning environment that considers students, parents and teachers of all abilities. Our Help Me Choose tool makes selecting the right Windows 11 PC for your student easier than ever. Choose how they will use it, and we’ll do the rest.
Great PCs for K-12 students: Reliable and durable choices
If your student is in K-12, the following Windows 11 PCs will likely provide the amount of performance and battery life suitable for school-aged students as well durable and affordable designs. Here are a few Windows 11 PCs, which have the right combination of hardware, software and silicon to empower students to be more productive:
The Acer TravelMate B3 11, with Windows 11 Pro Education and an Intel N100 processor, is a great option for younger students thanks to its durability and performance. A military-grade build with a spill-resistant keyboard and shock-absorbent bumper ensures it can withstand classroom mishaps. The laptop’s long battery life of up to 9.5[1] hours keeps students powered through the school day. Additionally, its Screen Distance Reminder helps protect young eyes by notifying students if they’re too close to the screen. With efficient performance and robust connectivity, it’s an ideal companion for learning.
The ASUS Vivobook S14 with Windows 11 and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX combines performance and portability. Its thin, lightweight design of under 3 pounds makes it easy to carry. The customizable RGB backlit keyboard includes the new Copilot key making it easy for students to launch AI capabilities which can be viewed on the fast 120Hz 14-inch Full HD OLED display, offering a clear and vibrant viewing experience for both schoolwork and entertainment. The laptop’s battery life ensures it can last through a full school day.
The Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1, available with either an AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processor, is an excellent choice for students, combining performance and practicality. Its 14-inch Full HD display and 360-degree hinge provide flexibility, allowing students to use it as a tablet, tent, stand or laptop. This versatility is perfect for various learning environments and activities. Additionally, the optional active pen enhances the experience by enabling notetaking and journaling directly on the screen, making it a valuable tool for both classroom and homework tasks.
The HP Pavilion 16-inch Laptop PC features an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and HP Smart Sense to deliver optimized performance for every workflow. The laptop is ENERGY STAR Certified and incorporates recycled materials to support a more sustainable future. Boost productivity with a larger touchpad, an expanded port lineup and expertly tuned Poly Studio audio. Additionally, the 16-inch WUXGA anti-glare screen with 300 nits of brightness ensures clear and comfortable viewing, even in bright conditions.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 is perfect for students, featuring a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS processor that ensures smooth multitasking and performance. Its long battery life of over 9[1] hours keeps students productive through the school day. The 14-inch touchscreen display with a 360-degree hinge offers versatile use, whether for taking notes, drawing or presenting. Additionally, its lightweight and durable design makes it easy to carry between classes, making it an ideal companion for students.
Great PCs for higher education: Power-packed performance
If your student is in higher education, the following Windows 11 PCs will likely provide the amount of performance, AI experiences and battery life suitable for carrying across campus and the needs of college students. Here are a couple Windows 11 PCs which have the right combination of hardware, software and silicon to empower students to be more productive:
The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge Copilot+ PC is an ideal choice for higher education students, offering power-packed performance with its advanced NPU and Snapdragon X Elite processor. Its 14-inch or 16-inch 3K Dynamic AMOLED 2x touchscreen ensures vibrant visuals and easy navigation. The long-lasting battery provides up to 22 hours[2] of video playback, perfect for an on-the-go student. With multi-touch gestures, Windows Studio Effects for video calls and a range of ports including HDMI and Thunderbolt 4, this laptop is designed to enhance productivity and connectivity for students.
Surface Copilot+ PC
Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition
The newest Surface Pro, powered by Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors, provides ultra-fast performance and all-day battery life to keep up with students throughout the school day. The 2-in-1 design combined with Surface Slim Pen (sold separately) enable true-to-life note taking, inking and drawing for any subject. The Surface Pro 11th Edition is ultra-thin and ultra-light, at under 2 pounds – the portability alongside optional 5G connectivity empowers students to learn and complete schoolwork from where they choose. The new Surface Pro Flex Keyboard (sold separately) makes typing on the go (and in cramped lecture halls) a breeze with the ability to type both attached and detached from the device.
Between the choices above or the Help Me Choose feature on our website, we hope this helps you find the right Windows 11 PC for your student and that you have a successful and memorable school year.
[1] Battery life varies based on settings, usage and other factors.
[2] Edge 16 inch: 22 hours. Edge 14 inch: 20 hours. Based on local, 1080p resolution video playback, default video player (full screen), 150 nit brightness, default earbud volume, Wi-Fi and mobile network off, keyboard backlight off. Results vary with settings, usage and other factors.
