Best Laptop for a Law Student | Top 5 in 2025

As a law student, your laptop is one of the most important tools for research, note taking, and writing legal documents. Whether you’re attending virtual lectures, writing long essays, or reading case law, you need a device that is reliable, fast, and easy to carry around. With so many options on the market, choosing the best laptop for a law student can be overwhelming.

The Apple MacBook Air M2 is the best laptop for law students, offering great performance, long battery life, and a lightweight design. Windows users can go for the Dell XPS 13, while budget-friendly options include the Acer Aspire 5. For digital note-taking, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is ideal, and the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook is perfect for cloud-based work.

In this article, we explore the essential features you should look for and recommend the best laptops for law students in 2025.

Minimum Requirements for a Law Student’s Laptop

Before diving into specific models, let’s discuss the key features you need in a laptop for law school.

Processor and RAM

A law student’s workload doesn’t require high-end gaming specs, but you still need a fast processor to run multiple applications smoothly.

• Processor: Intel Core i5/i7 or Apple M1/M2/M3 (or AMD equivalent)
• RAM: At least 8GB RAM (16GB recommended for multitasking)

Storage and Battery Life

• Storage: Minimum 256GB SSD (512GB recommended)
• Battery Life: At least 8-10 hours to last through classes and study sessions

Display and Keyboard

• Screen Size: 13 to 15 inches (ideal balance of portability and readability)
• Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080) or higher
• Keyboard: Comfortable and backlit for typing in dim environments

Portability and Weight

Law students carry their laptops around campus all day, so weight matters.

• Ideal weight: Under 3.5 lbs (1.5 kg)

Best Laptops for Law Students | Top 5 in 2025

Choosing the right laptop for law school is crucial since you’ll rely on it for research, writing, and note-taking. Below, we break down the top five recommended laptops for law students, explaining their features, pros, and cons.

Here are the top 5 laptops based on performance, affordability, and usability.

• 1. Best Overall: Apple MacBook Air M2
• 2. Best Windows Laptop: Dell XPS 13
• 3. Best Budget Option: Acer Aspire 5
• 4. Best 2-in-1 Laptop: Microsoft Surface Pro 9
• 5. Best Chromebook: Lenovo Flex 5

1. Best Overall: Apple MacBook Air M2

Why it’s the best: The Apple MacBook Air M2 stands out due to its incredible performance, lightweight design, and long-lasting battery, making it the perfect companion for law students who need reliability and portability.

Key Features

✅ Powerful M2 Chip for Smooth Performance
The MacBook Air M2 is powered by Apple’s M2 chip, offering faster processing speeds, improved energy efficiency, and smooth multitasking capabilities. Whether you’re running multiple tabs on Safari, using Microsoft Word, or working on legal research databases like LexisNexis, the MacBook Air handles it effortlessly.

✅ Lightweight (2.7 lbs) and Long Battery Life (Up to 18 Hours)
At just 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg), the MacBook Air is ultra-light, making it easy to carry between classes. It boasts a battery life of up to 18 hours, ensuring you can go a full day without needing to charge, which is perfect for long study sessions.

✅ Retina Display for Clear Text and Comfort
The 13.6-inch Retina display with True Tone technology provides sharp text and vibrant colors, reducing eye strain during long reading sessions. The high resolution ensures legal documents and case law PDFs are easy to read.

❌ Expensive
One downside is the higher price compared to Windows alternatives. However, its longevity and reliability often justify the investment.

2. Best Windows Laptop: Dell XPS 13

Why it’s great: If you prefer Windows over macOS, the Dell XPS 13 is the best option for law students, offering a sleek design, excellent performance, and a top-tier display.

Key Features

✅ Compact Design with Excellent Display
The 13.4-inch InfinityEdge display provides ultra-thin bezels, making it one of the most compact and visually appealing laptops. It features a Full HD+ or 4K option, ideal for reading legal texts and online research.

✅ Great Keyboard and Trackpad
Law students spend a lot of time typing. The backlit keyboard on the XPS 13 is tactile and comfortable, ensuring a smooth typing experience. The precision trackpad is responsive, making navigation seamless.

✅ Solid Battery Life (~12 Hours)
With up to 12 hours of battery life, the XPS 13 ensures you can attend lectures, take notes, and conduct research without constantly searching for a power outlet.

❌ More Expensive than Other Windows Options
While it’s one of the best Windows laptops, its premium price can be a drawback for students on a tight budget.

3. Best Budget Option: Acer Aspire 5

Why it’s great: If you need an affordable laptop that still offers decent performance for law school tasks, the Acer Aspire 5 is a solid choice.

Key Features

✅ Affordable with Decent Performance
For students who don’t want to spend over $1,000 on a laptop, the Acer Aspire 5 offers excellent value. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 processor with 8GB RAM, which is sufficient for legal research, writing, and video conferencing.

✅ Solid Battery Life (~10 Hours)
Despite being a budget laptop, the Acer Aspire 5 offers up to 10 hours of battery life, enough to get through a full day of classes.

✅ Good Selection of Ports
Unlike premium laptops that limit ports, this laptop includes USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and an Ethernet port, providing great connectivity options.

❌ Not the Most Premium Build Quality
The plastic build and slightly bulkier design make it feel less premium compared to the MacBook Air or Dell XPS 13, but it’s a trade-off for affordability.

4. Best 2-in-1 Laptop: Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Why it’s great: The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is ideal for students who prefer a touchscreen laptop and enjoy digital note-taking.

Key Features

✅ Touchscreen with Detachable Keyboard
Unlike traditional laptops, the Surface Pro 9 can be used as a tablet with a stylus, making it perfect for annotating legal documents and taking handwritten notes.

✅ Ultra-Portable and Lightweight
Weighing just under 2 lbs, this 2-in-1 device is easy to carry and fits into any backpack.

✅ Ideal for Digital Note-Taking
With the Surface Pen (sold separately), students can take handwritten notes directly on the screen, making it a great alternative to paper notebooks.

❌ Keyboard Sold Separately
The biggest drawback is that the keyboard and stylus are not included, increasing the overall cost.

5. Best Chromebook: Lenovo Flex 5

Why it’s great: If you rely mostly on cloud-based apps like Google Docs, Gmail, and Google Drive, then the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook is an affordable, lightweight choice.

Key Features

✅ Affordable and Lightweight
This Chromebook is budget-friendly, making it an excellent option for law students who don’t need Windows or macOS features. Weighing around 3 lbs, it’s easy to carry.

✅ Good Battery Life (~10 Hours)
Expect up to 10 hours of battery life, ensuring all-day usage without worrying about charging.

✅ Perfect for Online Research
Since most legal research and writing can be done using cloud-based tools, the Flex 5 is a great choice for students who work online.

❌ Limited Offline Functionality
The biggest downside is that Chromebooks rely heavily on internet connectivity. If your law school requires specific Windows or macOS software, a Chromebook might not be the best fit.

Best Operating System: Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS?

Each OS has its own strengths, and the choice depends on personal preference.

Windows (Best for Versatility)

✅ Supports most law school software
✅ Wide variety of laptop choices
❌ Some models have shorter battery life

macOS (Best for Stability and Security)

✅ Long-lasting battery and premium build
✅ Excellent for research and writing
❌ Expensive and limited software compatibility

ChromeOS (Best for Budget Buyers)

✅ Affordable and fast
✅ Great for online research and cloud storage
❌ Limited offline functionality

Verdict: Most law students prefer Windows or macOS for their software compatibility and reliability.

What Software Do Law Students Need?

Your laptop should support essential software like:

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Adobe Acrobat (for PDFs and legal documents)
• Evernote or OneNote (for organizing notes)
• LexisNexis or Westlaw (legal research tools)

Battery Life: A Crucial Factor for Law Students

Battery life is essential for long study sessions without worrying about charging.
Here are the top performers:

• MacBook Air M2 – 18 hours
• Dell XPS 13 – 12 hours
• Microsoft Surface Pro 9 – 13 hours

Portability and Build Quality

• MacBook Air M2 (Best for portability – 2.7 lbs)
• Surface Pro 9 (Ultra-light 2-in-1 design)
• Dell XPS 13 (Premium build and lightweight)

Conclusion

The best laptop for a law student depends on budget, performance needs, and personal preference.

• Best Overall: Apple MacBook Air M2
• Best Windows Option: Dell XPS 13
• Best Budget Choice: Acer Aspire 5

Choose wisely and invest in a laptop that will support you through law school!

FAQs

1. Do I need a high-end laptop for law school?

No, but a fast processor, good battery life, and a reliable keyboard are essential.

2. Is a MacBook good for law students?

Yes! MacBooks are reliable, have long battery life, and work well for research and writing.

3. Should I buy a 2-in-1 laptop for law school?

If you prefer taking digital notes, a 2-in-1 like the Surface Pro 9 is a great choice.

4. How much storage do I need?

At least 256GB SSD, but 512GB is better for long-term use.

5. What’s the best budget laptop for law students?

The Acer Aspire 5 offers great value for under $600.