Best Laptops For Students In Australia 2025

Finding the best laptop for students in Australia can be tricky when every model looks great on paper. At Phonebot, we’ve tested and refurbished hundreds of devices to discover what truly performs for real student life, from BYOD laptops to powerful university notebooks.
Whether you’re searching for the best laptop for university students, the best budget laptop for students, or a reliable school laptop for kids, we’ve hand-picked models that balance performance, portability, and price.
Best Student Laptops in Australia — 2025 Picks & Prices
Here’s our curated list of top student laptops available at Phonebot, all quality-checked and backed by warranty.
- Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go LTE — Start from A$229
- Microsoft Surface Pro 5 12.3 inch i5 — Start from A$319
- Microsoft Surface Pro 6 i5 — Start from A$369
- Microsoft Surface Book 3 13.5-inch i5 — Start from A$449
- Apple MacBook Air Retina 13-inch 2019 — Start from A$449
- Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5-inch i7 — Start from A$649
- Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 i5 — Start from A$649
- Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 M1 Chip — Start from A$849
- Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 16-inch i5 — Start from A$1,199
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3 Chip — Start from A$1,249
- Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch 2022 M2 Chip — Start from A$1,349
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 2021 M1 Pro Chip — Start from A$1,449
Each model passes our 72-point refurbishment process and includes a 12-month warranty, giving you dependable tech at up to 50 % off retail.
Top 6 Student Laptops for Every Budget
Laptop Model | Price | Battery Life | Weight | Processor / RAM | Storage | Best For |
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go LTE | A$229 | ~12 hrs | 1.48 kg | Mediatek / 4GB | 32GB | Kids, Budget buyers |
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (i5) | A$369 | ~13.5 hrs | 0.77 kg | Intel i5 / 8GB | 256GB | All-day classes, lightweight |
Apple MacBook Air 13" (2019) | A$449 | ~12 hrs | 1.25 kg | Intel i5 / 8GB | 256GB | Essays, general coursework |
Microsoft Surface Book 2 (i7) | A$649 | ~13.5 hrs | 1.64 kg | Intel i7 / 16GB | 256GB | Coding, design, IT students |
Apple MacBook Pro 13" (2020, M1) | A$849 | ~17 hrs | 1.29 kg | Apple M1 / 8GB | 256GB | All-day use, creative work |
Apple MacBook Air 13" (M3) - BEST OVERALL | A$1,249 | ~18 hrs | 1.24 kg | Apple M3 / 8GB | 256GB | Everything, best all-rounder |
What is the Best Laptop for Students in Australia (2025)?
If we had to choose one, the Apple MacBook Air M3 stands out as the best laptop for students overall. It’s light, powerful, and lasts a full study day on a single charge.
Still, the right pick depends on your workload. IT, design, and engineering students need different specs than high-school or arts majors. That’s why we group our recommendations by brand and study type.
Apple Laptops for University Students
Apple’s MacBook range is built for longevity, making it one of the best laptops for university students who want consistent performance and durability.
- MacBook Air M3 – Ideal for coursework, note-taking, and multitasking.
- MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 (i5) – Great for essays, presentations, and online classes.
- MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 – Perfect for creative students using Adobe Suite or Final Cut.
- MacBook Pro 14-inch M1 Pro – Best for engineering or coding majors who need serious processing power.
If you’re after Apple quality without the retail markup, our Best refurbished Laptop range delivers flagship performance at student prices.
Samsung Notebooks for Creative Students
Samsung notebooks offer Windows flexibility with sleek design and vivid displays. They’re excellent choices for multimedia or visual-arts courses.
- Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 – A 2-in-1 device for drawing, editing, or presentations; one of the great laptops for students who multitask.
- Chromebook Go LTE – Lightweight and reliable, a top kids' laptop or starter school laptop for everyday tasks.
If you prefer Windows and portability, a Refurbished Samsung Notebook offers premium hardware at a lower price.
Microsoft Surface Laptops for IT Students
The Surface lineup combines tablet flexibility with laptop strength, making it the best laptop for IT students and tech majors who run demanding software.
- Surface Pro 5 – Great for handwritten notes and quick sketches.
- Surface Pro 6 – Compact and long-lasting for all-day classes.
- Surface Book 2 (i7) – Handles coding, emulators, and design tools effortlessly.
- Surface Book 3 – A balanced option for students juggling study and creative projects.
Every Refurbished Microsoft Surface Laptop is performance-tested for speed, storage, and battery health before reaching your desk.
How to Choose the Right Student Laptop
When choosing the best laptop for students, focus on how you'll actually use it—not on flashy specs. Use our Top 6 comparison table above to find your perfect match:
- For daily study and general coursework: The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 with 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and 13.5-hour battery gets you through a full day of classes without hunting for a power outlet.
- For design or creative work: The Apple MacBook Pro 13" M1 with its powerful processor and 17-hour battery is perfect for running Premiere, Photoshop, and Final Cut smoothly.
- For IT or coding students: The Microsoft Surface Book 2 i7 with 16GB RAM handles development tools, emulators, and coding IDEs effortlessly.
- For maximum portability: The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (0.77kg) and Apple MacBook Air M3 (1.24kg) are both under 1.5kg—easy to carry between classes.
- For the best all-around value: The Apple MacBook Pro M1 delivers pro-level performance with an incredible 17-hour battery life—it will last you through your entire degree.
All our devices are verified Refurbished Laptops, ensuring excellent performance and BYOD compatibility across Australian schools and universities.
Final Thoughts
Every student’s workflow is different; the best laptops for uni students depend on what you study and where you use them. Apple offers sleek endurance, Samsung adds flexibility, and Microsoft delivers power for technical majors.
At Phonebot, every Refurbished MacBook, Refurbished Microsoft Surface Laptop, and Refurbished Samsung Notebook is tested, graded, and backed by a 12-month warranty plus a 30-day return policy. Whatever your course or budget, we have the best laptop for students right here in Australia.
Posted by Liam Harris
Liam Harris
I’m Liam Harris, a tech writer at Phonebot with a passion for technology. I provide trusted insights on refurbished phones, tablets, and accessories, focusing on quality, sustainability, and affordability. With a solid understanding of the refurbished market, I offer practical tips, product comparisons, and the latest tech updates to help you make informed decisions. My goal is to connect you with high-quality devices that fit your budget and lifestyle. Stay tuned for more on the best in refurbished tech here at Phonebot.
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