The world has become a global village because of the advent of technology. Thus, we tend to see our kids do things better than the way we did it in our days.
These days, the young folks, our teenagers do a lot of inventing, discovery, learning, and even playing online with the use of smart devices. Apart from their smartphones, which they use to follow up with social media, they make a lot of things happen with a laptop.
Thus, a laptop to them is a multipurpose machine they use to do their school work, play games, research, and do many other things.
That’s why we created an extensive buying guide to help you to make the right decision when you’re buying the best laptops for teens. We’ll also be showing our top three recommendations.
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Who Should Get This
Because of the nature of teens as they grow, it’s always wise to get them laptops that are sturdy and long-lasting.
The reason is simple. Most of them can’t handle their laptops with care like the way you, the adult would—except they are girls that love to keep their things in order all the time.
Getting a portable and lightweight laptop will also go well with your teens, considering that they will be taking their laptops to school frequently.
Thus, you don’t want to give them a laptop that makes them uncomfortable when they carry it. Also, if you have teen boys, you should know you can’t stop them from playing PC games.
Thus, it’s wise to get laptops like the Dell Inspiron 15 for your teens if you want to save the cost of buying a game console.
Best Laptops for Teens: Our Picks
All of the following models are excellent laptops in their own right and they work perfectly for teenagers.
1. Asus Chromebook Flip
- Best for: Overall
- Key Features: Strong metal body. Large, vibrant screen. Dual-form design and long-lasting battery life.
- Screen Size: 12.5 inches
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
- Memory: 4GB RAM
The Asus Chromebook Flip is a great computer for teenagers because it’s small, easy to use, and multi-functional. You get all of the power and reliability of a laptop, but the sleekness and design of a tablet.
Adding to that system is a bright 12.5-inch screen, HD resolution, and a battery that can stay on for more than 10 hours at a time. That makes it a great choice for teens who want a more mobile device that they can take with them on the go.
The Chrome operating system is not as sharp and clean in tablet mode as it is in traditional mode, and the speakers are lackluster. If you can get over those minor drawbacks, the Flip is a fantastic teenager option.
2. Samsung Chromebook 2
- Best for: Versatility
- Key Features: Crisp audio and video quality. Built-in pen. Lightweight. Sturdy outer material. Bluetooth connectivity.
- Screen Size: 12.2 inches
- Weight: 2.98 pounds
- Memory: 4GB RAM
Teenagers like options, which is why the Samsung Chromebook 2 is such a great fit. As with other Google devices, it has full 2-in-1 functionality that enables the user to switch between tablet and laptop mode. That makes it good for schoolwork, but great for relaxation too.
Though the laptop is strong, it is surprisingly lightweight and easy to manage. The battery life lasts a long time too. The built-in pen, which allows you to write, sketch, and take screenshots, is also worth a mention due to how it increases functionality.
It’s not a perfect device, the color representation could definitely be stronger, but it’s still a sleek, powerful machine that can be used in multiple ways.
3. Dell Inspiron 15 5000
- Best for: Display
- Key Features: Strong graphics card and superior Core i7 processor. Durable build. Wide, vibrant screen. LED backlight.
- Screen Size: 15.6 inches
- Weight: 4.8 pounds
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Outfitted with stunning coloration and exceptional video quality, the 15.6-inch Dell Inspiron 15 5000 is a large laptop for teens who like to go bigger. It’s not only easy to see, but the bright display makes it perfect for those who use their machines to watch movies and shows.
The graphics card is sharp, and the Core i7 processor works well enough to run a lot of games without any issues. Everything can be fully upgraded as well. Add on the strong materials, and you get a durable item with plenty of power.
Of course, anytime you’re dealing with a larger laptop it’s going to be on the heavy side. This is not the most portable device, but it’s a great stand-in for a larger desktop computer.
4. ASUS Vivobook
- Best for: Value
- Key Features: Large screen. Strong processor. Amazing audio quality. Touchscreen capabilities. 1 TB of space.
- Screen Size: 17.3 inches
- Weight: 6 pounds
- Memory: 8GB RAM
The Vivobook is another huge laptop that’s perfect for teenagers who want a functional item that works as a multimedia device. Not only does video look great on the 17.3-inch screen, but everything sounds incredibly sharp as well.
On top of that, the strong Intel Core i7-10510U Processor powers everything a teenager could ever need, from games and movies to word processors and websites. The backlit keyboard feels great on the hands and the Ergolift design helps make schoolwork less uncomfortable.
There’s a lot to like about this device, but the laptop comes with plenty of bloatware that you may need to remove for a more streamlined experience. Once that’s done, it’s a great choice.
5. MacBook Air
- Best for: Portability
- Key Features: Strong battery life. Sharp Retina display and 13.3-inch screen. Lightweight. Sleek appearance.
- Screen Size: 13.3 inches
- Weight: 2.8 pounds
- Memory: 8GB RAM
Teenagers love portability with their devices, and the MacBook Air does a great job of combining a lightweight computer with powerful specs. The Apple M1 chip works beautifully with the 8-Core CPU to bring a lot of strength to such a slim and sleek item.
The 13.3-inch screen looks amazing. Movies, words, photos, and websites all pop off the display in full color. It’s widely compatible with different programs and there are three gorgeous color options so your teen can perfectly match their style.
Unlike many other top teenage laptops, the AirBook is on the expensive side. You get a lot for that price, but be aware it’s not going to be a cheap purchase when figuring out your budget.
6. Acer Predator Helios 300
- Best for: Gaming
- Key Features: Powerful processor and bright display. Excellent audio quality. Ergonomic keyboard and unique color design.
- Screen Size: 15.6 inches
- Weight: 5.51 pounds
- Memory: 16GB RAM
Teens typically need laptops to help with their schoolwork, but there’s nothing wrong with a bit of fun. If your teen is into gaming, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is a solid pick. It has a large screen, a powerful internal core i7 processor, and an incredible sound system.
As its specs are so strong, it can also be used for a more casual or work device when the time comes. It has no trouble running regular programs, and the keyboard has a special design to take pressure off your hands when typing for long periods.
The Helios 300 doesn’t have the best USB port provisions, and it can definitely run hot. As long as you can keep it cool and don’t mind some fan extra noise, it’s a powerhouse for any teen gamer.
Choosing a Laptop for Teenagers: What to Consider
Here are a few to look out for before buying a laptop for teenagers.
Audiovisual
If you don’t want your teenager at home frowning at your innocently chosen laptop gift, it’s wise to search for a laptop that has got an integrated microphone, crisp webcam, and a beautiful set of speakers.
With the above features, your teens can stay connected to their friends. Plus, watching movies and playing games will be fun all through as it keeps them busy when they aren’t doing their school work.
RAM
For your teens to effectively enjoy gaming, especially when it comes to speed, it’s a must for you to look out for RAM size when you’re shopping. Look for laptops that come with upgraded RAM from at least 4GB.
A laptop with a high RAM equally means your teen’s laptop will not drag during critical times.
Processor
Buying a system with a high processor or upgraded one, at that, is crucial if your teen will be using the laptop for heavy-duty tasks like graphics designing or playing heavy-duty games like “Call of Duty.”
If that’s not the case, you can settle for a laptop with a typical processor that can handle regular applications for high school and watch movies.
Size
Teenagers who do a lot of gaming on their laptops will prefer larger screen size, even though laptops with 13 inches screen offers a perfect combination of affordability and portability.
Also, you’ve to be careful about the weight of the laptop you intend to buy. Don’t get a laptop that will cause your teen to be uncomfortable when carrying it—because of its heavy weight.
Moreover, bulkier laptops are prone to get destroyed when they mistakenly fall off from a height or even experience bumps.
The best thing to do is go for laptops that are around 5 pounds and lesser, notwithstanding the screen size. If you want to make things easier, you can go for laptops that are 2 in 1—doubling as tablets as well.
Storage
Most standard laptops come with a hard drive that has got about 128GB – 500GB—which is good enough for your teens to start with unless they need extensive storage capabilities for their school projects.
In such scenarios, you can get an external hard drive of about 1 terabyte or a thumb USB drive for a reasonable price. But if you can’t handle all that, you can go for a laptop that comes with one terabyte of space.
Durability
We can’t call it a day in this section without talking about durability! Because kids will always be kids, teen or no teen, there’s a potential for drops and bumps at some time.
Thus, it’s wise to get a laptop that comes with integrated shock absorbers, which will help to protect the laptop from sudden falls or bumps.
If that’s not enough, you can get some aftermarket accessories that can limit wear and tear, in case of eventualities.
Tips to Maximize Laptop Performance
Remove thumb drives, DVDs, or CDs from your laptop, before you take it out with a backpack. Plus, you should always shut down your system before taking it out—don’t hibernate it or leave it on standby mode.
Extreme temperature swings can affect your laptop. Hence, don’t bring your laptop indoors on a snowy day, without turning it on to warm up.
Don’t touch your laptop screen with pens or pointers—as it causes damage. Don’t place your laptop close to appliances that produce a strong magnetic field like large speakers, high-tech refrigerators, or TV.
Last but not least, keep your laptop lid closed when you’re not using it.
Conclusion
With our comprehensive buying guide, helpful tips, and the top laptops for teens, your decision-making has gotten easier. All you need to opt for a choice that’s relative to your teen’s needs.
Let us know what you think; which of the laptops is your favorite? Do you have other preferences you didn’t see here? We’re looking forward to your feedback and comments.
