Over the past decade, the traditional classroom setting has undergone a remarkable transformation. The integration of technology into education has given rise to virtual classrooms, online lectures, and interactive learning platforms. This shift, further accelerated by the global pandemic, has made it imperative for students and learners of all ages to adapt to remote learning environments. That is why we are now attending online classes from our homes. For online classes, we need a laptop that can handle basic education stuff without any issues.
When selecting a laptop for online classes, performance is paramount. You’ll want a device that can smoothly run video conferencing applications, web browsers, and other educational software without lag or freezing. That is why we have compiled a list that fulfills the basic demands and many other things, such as price, configurations, camera quality, etc. In this article, we have added some powerful and expensive laptops because some people who belong to rich families can afford them. So, please scroll down to see all of them without further delay.
Buying Guide – How to Choose a Laptop for Online Classes in 2023?
Have a look at our buying guide to elaborate more information on how to choose the right laptop for online classes right now:
Processor and GPU
Both processor and GPU are essential for a laptop or computer to perform a task smoothly. Without them, it becomes impossible to get a smooth and efficient experience. Right now, you will see 13th Gen Intel core chipsets in many laptops because these are the latest and most powerful offerings from Intel. On the other side, you will also see AMD-powered laptops. The main difference between Intel and AMD is that AMD processors can offer high performance at a cheaper price.
So, if you are getting an AMD-powered laptop, you can go for it without any hesitation. While most laptops are powered by integrated graphics cards, AMD chipsets with cores can offer decent performance for regular and daily tasks. But these GPUs are not made to play games. So, you will not get an enjoyable experience. For that, you have to buy a gaming laptop with dedicated graphics cards. Both have their own pros and cons.
RAM & Storage
Speaking about RAM, you will need at least 8GB memory onboard to get a smooth and fast experience. Otherwise, you will see lags and slowdowns after some time. If your laptop comes with more than that, it is an incredible choice and also futureproof. On the other side, storage speed also matters in terms of getting a smooth performance. A single Solid-State drive can give 15 times faster speed than a traditional hard drive. That means if you want quick and smooth performance, your laptop’s operating system should be installed on the SSD drive.
Camera & Keyboard
The camera or webcam is the deciding factor that can significantly impact your buying decision because it is the primary component used for attending online classes. If the camera quality is terrible, it can be problematic to convey your message. I want to clarify that you don’t need extraordinary camera quality; a decently working webcam will work for you. As we know, most of the students have a strict budget so that you can get an acceptable camera quality even at a lower price range. Most of the listed laptops offer decent camera quality, while some premium machines have a high-quality webcam.
The keyboard helps with typing keys on your laptop. So, if you have nicely designed keys, it will help you to improve your productivity. So, if you are doing a lot of writing stuff, you should also focus on keyboard quality. If you aren’t using an external mouse, Trackpad also becomes a crucial part. Some laptops come with a backlit keyboard, an additional option if you tend to work in dark rooms. So, if your budget can afford it, always go with a laptop with a backlit keyboard.
Battery Life
Although battery life doesn’t severely impact the overall performance, you shouldn’t give too much weightage. But a decently working battery is a must-have with at least 5-6 hours of backup in normal tasks. The good thing is that modern laptops deliver long-lasting battery life despite maintaining exceptional portability, at least some high-end laptops. Even if you are selecting a cheaper option, you should expect a decent battery backup. We recommend going with a laptop that promises to deliver 5 hours of battery for online classes.
List of Best Laptops for Online Classes in 2023
Here is our list of the top 10 best laptops for online classes that you can consider buying in 2023:
1Apple MacBook Air M1 (Best Laptop for Online Classes)
The first laptop in this article is from Apple. Many of us like MacBooks because of their built quality, display, and performance. But this time, Apple has used the new M1 chipset, and now this MacBook Air gives a lot more performance than any other and offers excellent battery life. Speaking of the M1 chip, it is an ARM architecture-based octa-core chipset. That means it has four powerful cores and four low-powered cores used for routine tasks. With the help of these cores, it can offer up to 3.1GHz of clock speed.
- Display: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600p QHD+
- Processor: Apple M1
- Graphics: Integrated GPU
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
There is no dedicated graphics card on this MacBook. Therefore, it has an integrated 7-core GPU which can give excellent performance for everyday tasks, including online classes. Besides that, it comes with the latest Wi-Fi 6 for a faster and better internet connection. On the outside, a 13.3-inch diagonal Retina display based on IPS LED technology offers up to 2560 x 1600p resolution. It is paired with very narrow bezels on the sides and has an HD camera on the top for attending online classes and similar tasks. Apart from students, this is an ideal pick for teachers, writers, coders, businesses, Seniors, etc.
In the meantime, this is an excellent display for doing anything as it supports a 100% P3 wide color gamut and 125% sRGB color coverage, making it suitable for video and photo editing. Like every other MacBook, this one also comes with a large trackpad which offers an additional experience in day-to-day life. Apart from that, you will have 8GB RAM and 256GB internal SSD drive onboard to use. There are two USB C ports supporting Thunderbolt 4 and an audio jack. So, the Apple MacBook Air M1 is a perfect and robust machine for online classes as well as for doing other productivity tasks, and it is also not a super expensive laptop.
2Asus Aspire 5 (Runner Up)
ASUS Swift 3 is an affordable laptop and falls in the budget category. Despite that, it is a powerful laptop and packs many powerful specifications. Speaking of that, this laptop uses the Intel Core i7-1355U processor, belonging to the latest 13th-generation Intel series. It is a 7nm architecture-based chipset with 10 cores and 12 threads. This chipset supports turbo boost technology. That means it can offer up to 5.0GHz of clock speed. Meanwhile, this chipset is designed on the Intel 7 design platform, which is a 7nm technology as we mentioned earlier.
- Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1355U
- Graphics: Intel Iris XE
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
Besides, this laptop’s performance is powered by the Intel Iris XE integrated graphics card. It performs well when it comes to all the routine tasks. However, it can also handle some lightweight gaming as well. In the meantime, this laptop packs 16GB LPDDR5 memory and 512GB fast NVMe Solid State drive. So, you will get a lot of storage out of the ox. On the outside, the laptop features a 15.6-inch IPS LED display. This display offers 1920 x 1080p max resolution along with 300 nits of max brightness and anti-glare coating.
Furthermore, it is equipped with 2x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, 1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, 1x HDMI port, and a MicroSD Card Reader. Despite many things, it weighs less than 2.65 pounds and offers a thin and lightweight feeling. Apart from that, you will get a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint scanner for security and privacy. Overall, Acer Aspire 5 is a budget laptop with a powerful Intel processor and fast SSD drive, and this combination will give you a smooth experience for homeschooling.
3HP 15 (Best Value Pick)
HP 15 is an affordable laptop compared to the previous two laptops. You can get this laptop for under $500, but you will get performance and a good display at the same time. The Intel Core i7-1355U processor powers this laptop. Just like the Acer Aspire 5, it is a 10-core processor combined with twelve threads. With these cores, it can get up to 5.0GHz clock speed. Besides that, Intel has used the Intel 7 architecture based on the 7nm process on this processor for better performance and power efficiency. In the meantime, this laptop will be using the Intel Iris XE integrated graphics card.
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD 1920 x 1080p
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1355U
- Graphics: Intel Iris XE
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
It is a powerful enough GPU to handle general takes. That means this laptop will give you a smooth experience for online classes. Meanwhile, it comes with 16GB DDR4 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD drive. This laptop features a 15.6-inch IPS LCD on the front with a 1920 x 1080p resolution. You will enjoy taking online classes on this laptop. Meanwhile, this laptop comes with a front camera as usual, but it offers a built-in camera shutter for privacy. So, you can slide the shutter when you don’t use it.
Besides that, it comes with two USB A and one USB Type C port along with an HDMI 1.4b and an audio jack. Moreover, you will get a full-sized SD card reader as a bonus at this price range. Alongside, it also offers a backlit keyboard and an accurate trackpad for a better experience. Overall, the HP 15 might be a budget and affordable laptop but does not compromise power and features. It gets all the necessary attributes for online classes while spending less money.
4Samsung Galaxy Book3 (Best Mid-Range Laptop for Online Classes)
Samsung Galaxy Book3 is another good laptop you can buy for under $1000. It is a well-built and powerful laptop for online classes. To begin with, you will get a 15.6-inch FHD IPS LED display that offers 1920 x 1080p screen resolution. This is a very good display with smooth visual experience. As we expect a high-quality display from brands like Samsung, it fulfills all the expectations with an excellent panel having balanced color calibration.
- Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p Touch
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1355U
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
Apart from the display, this laptop packs the Intel Core i7-1355U processor inside. It is a 13th-generation processor based on the new Tiger Lake architecture. Inside it has 10 cores along with 12 threads designed on 7nm architecture. Therefore, it can go up to 5.0GHz of clock speed with the help of turbo boost technology. Meanwhile, it is a thin and lightweight laptop, so it does not have any dedicated GPU, which means every graphics related will be handled by the Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics card.
For multitasking, it has 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD drive to store files. Most importantly, you get a very thin & lightweight form factor, which makes it an attractive option at a very affordable price. Apart from that, it supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 for internet usage and wireless connectivity. Besides, you will have all the essential ports for daily life. Another important feature of this laptop is that it supports fast charging technology that can charge 50% within 45 minutes. After all, the Samsung Galaxy Book3 is a great laptop for online classes. It is lightweight as well as powerful, offering a lot of features.
5Dell Inspiron 16 (Budget Laptop for Online Classes)
Dell Inspiron 16 is a popular laptop for under 800 dollars because it offers a lot of features alongside performance. So, you will be able to use it for online classes without having any problems. Under the hood, it uses the Intel Core i7-1360P processor. This is the 13th-generation chipset manufactured by Intel based on the Raptor Lake architecture. Inside, it has 12 cores to use alongside 16 threads which are designed on the 7nm process. That means this laptop can get around 5.0GHz clock speed.
- Display: 16-inch 1920 x 1280p
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1360P
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Along with that, this processor comes with the Intel Iris Xe graphics card, which is an integrated GPU. Despite that, it offers more than enough power to do everyday tasks. Additionally, this laptop provides 16GB LPDDR5 RAM on board in addition to a 1TB Solid State Drive. That means you will have more than enough RAM just for online classes. Besides that, it also supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth version 5.0 for wireless connectivity and other kinds of stuff.
Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 16 features a 16-inch FHD display, which is an IPS display with 1920 x 1200p resolution. With the help of this display, it offers an excellent viewing experience both indoors and outdoors. There is also an HDMI port for external displays along with all the other essential ports. Additionally, this laptop offers a backlit keyboard and a pair of stereo speakers. It also has an HD-quality front camera for online classes. That means the Dell Inspiron 16 is a great laptop to take online courses as it packs powerful performance and all the essential features.
6Microsoft Surface Go 3 (Extremely Portable)
We all know about Microsoft because of the Windows OS, but many don’t know that they also produce laptops. Microsoft laptops are known for their performance and design, and this Surface Go 3 is no different. It comes with a tablet-like form factor but with laptop power inside. On the front, it features a 10.5-inch display that offers 1920 x 1080p resolution, and it is an IPS LCD touchscreen. It supports input through the surface pen or any other digital pen. Besides that, this display can produce excellent colors and brightness.
- Display: 10.5-inch 1920 x 1080p Touch
- Processor: Intel Core i3-10100Y
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 615
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR3
- Storage: 128GB NVMe SSD
Under the hood, this laptop packs the Intel Core i3-10100Y processor. It is a dual-core chipset specially designed for this machine. This chipset has been designed using the 14nm process, based on the Amber Lake architecture. That means it will reach 3.9GHz clock speed while under full power. Meanwhile, this laptop gets the Intel UHD Graphics 615 integrated GPU to handle graphics-related problems. Moreover, you will get 8GB LPDDR3 RAM and a 128GB SSD drive pre-installed. Multiple cameras are installed; a 5MP front-facing camera and another 8MP rear-mounted camera.
These cameras offer HD resolution, making this tablet a perfect choice for online classes, video conferencing, and working from home. Speaking about its design, you will see a kickstand at the back to use as a laptop stand. You can use this laptop without any keyboard, but you should get the Signature Type Cover keyboard for a better experience. It also comes with one USB C and a headphone jack. In contrast, it supports dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a highly lightweight laptop, and it can be used as a giant tablet while taking online classes.
7MSI Thin GF63 (Online Classes + Gaming)
You will get a lot of performance with the MSI Thin GF63, and this laptop costs less than 1000 dollars. It is a compelling laptop that can be used to do everything. Regarding that, it is powered by the Intel Core i7-12650H processor, which is the 12th-generation Intel chipset. It is designed on the 7nm platform along with the Intel 7 technology. This chipset consists of 10 cores and 16 threads with a clock speed up to 4.70GHz. It is also an exceedingly power-efficient chipset as it does not heat that much.
- Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p (144Hz)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-12650H
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4050 6GB VRAM
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
Meanwhile, this laptop comes with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card. It is a newly released GPU with all the latest features and 6GB VRAM. This GPU will handle all the GPU tasks without any problem. In addition to that, it has 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD drive, which offers a 15 times faster speed. To take advantage, this laptop is equipped with a 15.6-inch IPS LED display with 1920 x 1080p resolution. Moreover, it features a 144Hz refresh rate for the best possible experience.
Besides that, this display gives 100% sRGB color accuracy and less than 3ms response time along with support for Dolby Atmos as well as other audio features. Apart from that, it has all the ports, including a USB 3.2 Type C port and a gigabit ethernet port. However, this laptop supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 along with Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity features. There is no doubt that this laptop will handle your homeschooling. So, if you like to play games occasionally, this is a powerful laptop.
8HP Envy x360 (Best Convertible Laptop for Online Classes)
We have seen many traditional-looking laptops in this article. But this HP Envy x360 is different than others because it is a convertible laptop, or you can say that this laptop can be used as a tablet. Under the hood, it comes with the Intel Core i5-1335U processor. This is the 13th-generation powerful quad-core chipset based on Raptor Lake architecture. Intel has also used 7nm technology for more performance and battery life. With the help of this chipset, the HP Pavilion x360 can offer up to 4.60GHz of clock speed.
- Display: 14-inch 1920 x 1080p Touchscreen
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1335U
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB M.2 SSD
On the other side, this laptop comes with the Intel Iris Xe Graphics integrated GPU alongside 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB Solid State drive onboard. That means it is equipped with fast and powerful specifications for online classes. In the meantime, it features a 14-inch IPS LED display that offers 1920 x 1080p resolution. Additionally, this is a touchscreen meaning it supports both fingers and digital pen input. Besides that, it is a bright and color-accurate display for day-to-day life. This mechanism is also suitable for drawing, sketching, artists, etc.
There is an HD front camera on the top of the display for video conferencing, attending online classes, and working from home with quality microphones. You will have two USB Type-A and a super-fast USB Type-C port on the sides. Along with that, this laptop offers a full-sized SD card reader, an HDMI 2.0, and an audio jack. An Internet connection is necessary to do online classes. That is why, it supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 alongside Bluetooth 5. Additionally, it supports fast charging technology to give a better experience. HP Envy x360 comes under 700 dollars, and it is not a very expensive laptop. But at this price, it offers many unique features.
9Asus L510 (Cheapest Windows Laptop)
This is an affordable and good laptop for those who do not have a big budget. ASUS Laptop L510 is a thin and lightweight laptop suitable for online classes. It is powered by the Intel Celeron N4020 processor, with two cores and two additional threads. Intel’s Tiger Lake architecture has designed these two cores using 14nm SuperFin technology. Therefore, it can offer up to 2.8GHz clock speed while maintaining power efficiency. In addition to that, this processor also has the Intel UHD Graphics 600 integrated GPU for graphics.
- Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB eMMC
On the other side, it comes with 4GB DDR4 RAM and a 128GB eMMC storage drive. As we know, the eMMC storage offers a faster speed than the standard hard disk by consuming less energy. Apart from that, this laptop features a 15.6-inch IPS display with 1920 x 1080p resolution for under 300 dollars. This display offers an 84% screen-to-body ratio and can flip 180 degrees to share content with friends and others. Besides that, it comes with decent brightness and color accuracy to use outdoors.
In terms of ports, this laptop comes with one USB Type C and two USB A ports. Along with that, it also has an HDMI and a microSD card reader. Meanwhile, you will have dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 for wireless connections. A backlit keyboard is a must for a student. That is why it also has a backlit keyboard with different brightness levels. Out of the box, it runs on Windows 10 S mode, which is a locked and lightweight version. With a price tag of $300, This is a very affordable laptop, especially for students who need a laptop for online classes and other regular tasks.
10Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 (Best Affordable Chromebook)
Many students buy Chromebooks because they are cheaper and more powerful than low-end Windows laptops. That is why we have added the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5. It is a 13-inch laptop featuring an FHD IPS touchscreen display with 1920 x 1080p resolution and a convertible design. On this display, you will be able to use a digital pen to take notes. Other than that, there are very narrow bezels paired with a bright and vivid display to give you a wonderful experience.
- Display: 13.3-inch 1920 x 1080p Touchscreen
- Processor: Intel Core i3-10110U
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 620
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
This Chromebook uses the Intel Core i3-10110U processor when it comes to performance. This low-powered chipset offers more than enough power for a Chromebook. Inside, it has two cores and four threads with a 4.1GHz clock speed. This chipset is designed on the old 14nm processor and runs on the Comet Lake architecture. Apart from that, this laptop is equipped with the Intel UHD Graphics 620 integrated GPU for a smooth experience while doing online classes.
This laptop has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 support in terms of connectivity. So, you will get high-speed and reliable wireless connections. Meanwhile, this laptop comes with 4GB DDR4 RAM along with a 64GB eMMC Solid State drive. Apart from that, it offers all the essential external ports that you will need every day. Chromebooks provide good performance, and Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is no different. You can get this laptop for below 400 dollars with touchscreen support and powerful performance.
Final Thoughts
There are many laptops available in the market, but the Apple MacBook Air is the best laptop for homeschooling. It has the M1 chipset, an excellent display, and can last more than 10 hours on a single charge. But it does not have a touchscreen. Therefore, we have the HP Envy X360 if you prefer a touchscreen laptop for better accessibility. It is a good-looking and powerful laptop. The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is another great laptop with a touchscreen and excellent portability. Apart from that, there are budget laptops like the Dell Inspiron 16 and the Acer Aspire 5. You will get decent performance from these laptops.
If you are looking for a Chromebook, the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is the best option. It comes with a convertible design and touchscreen. But for the best performance, you should buy the MSI Thin GF63. It comes with a dedicated GPU as well as a mighty Intel processor. You will be able to play any game you want and also for online classes. After all, go and buy the best laptop available right now that comes under your budget. You can also comment down below if you have any doubts.