A laptop is your constant companion throughout your lengthy school life. Whether you are working on assignments, joining online discussions, or simply taking a break between classes, you will always need a laptop by your side.
The best part of a laptop is that it’s a gizmo for both work and entertainment. You would want an ideal laptop that has a reliable and powerful performance to handle your basic computing tasks and more professional software while allowing you to run the most popular games and binge-watch your favourite Netflix shows.
With a mass of laptops available in the market comes their confusing specifications, and we won’t be surprised if you get a headache when it comes to choosing the right one. Thankfully, we are here to recommend the best laptop that suits your major, whether you are an engineering, accounting, or medical student. Of course, we do take the pricing into account as well.
However, if none of our recommendations grabs your interest, you can always refer to our quick tips below on how to choose a good laptop for studying.
10 Best Laptops for Students in Malaysia 2023
Table of Contents
Overview:
Powered by the latest and greatest 12th-generation Intel Alder Lake processor, the MSI Modern 14 has significantly better performance and power consumption compared to its predecessor. It is thin, lightweight, and convenient to carry by hand or backpack.
The MSI laptop features a 14-inch FHD screen, two 2w speakers and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. The keyboard is comfortable and responsive with a large travel distance between keys.
MSI Modern 14 Specs
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1235U
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14" FHD (1920*1080), 60 Hz 45%NTSC IPS-Level
- Weight: 1.3 kg
- Ports: 2x Type-A USB2.0, 1x Micro SD Card Reader, 1x (4K @ 30 Hz) HDMI, 1x Type-A USB3.2 Gen 2, 1x Type-C USB3.2 Gen 2 with PD charging
- Dimensions : 319.0 (W) x 220.2 (D) x 16.9 (H) mm
Who is this for?
The MSI Modern 14 is an all-rounder laptop that can satisfy most students’ needs. Its compact and lightweight design minimizes the burden on students when moving to different classrooms. It equips a 10-core Intel processor with an integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics Card to tackle your school assignments. Multitasking and loading apps are seamless with 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD.
Overview
From the outside, the HONOR MagicBook 15 utilizes high-quality aluminium materials to ensure lightweight aesthetics. Comparable to the size of a Chromebook, the MagicBook is only 16.9mm thin and 1.56kg ultralight. HONOR has conducted various rigorous tests such as the hinge endurance test, power button test, and trackpad reliability test on its laptops to comply with quality standards.
The HONOR MagicBook 15 comes with a 15.6-inch IPS screen designed with thin bezels at 5.3mm. The special eye comfort mode reduces digital eye strain by limiting the blue light emission and helps to keep your eyes comfortable even after long hours of usage.
HONOR MagicBook 15 Specifications:
- Year: 2021
- CPU: 11th-generation Intel Core i5
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 1920x1080 pixels (FHD), IPS with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light and Flicker Free Certification
- Weight: 1.56kg
- Ports: 1x USB-C, 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm stereo jack
- Dimensions: 357.3 (W) x 229.5 (D) x 16.95 (H) mm
Who is it for?
Powered by an 11th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, the HONOR MagicBook 15 is one of the best laptops to get for programming students. With a light, compact form factor and 16GB of RAM for multitasking and gaming, the HONOR MagicBook 15 delivers quality performance at an affordable price.
Overview
One thing to highlight is that Apple is both a software developer and a hardware designer. This dual role allows the company to optimize the macOS based on the hardware specifications of the MacBook Air. Powered by Apple's M1 chip, the MacBook Air can take on intensive tasks from professional-quality editing to action-packed gaming.
Developed to unlock the M1 chip’s potential, the macOS makes the entire system snappier and can handle everyday jobs for nursing students at ease. You can keep your MacBook Air up to date as Apple always releases software updates now and then.
Apple MacBook Air (M1) Specifications:
- Year: 2021
- CPU: Apple M1 Chip
- GPU: Apple M1 Chip
- RAM: 8-16GB
- Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch, Retina display with True Tone, Touch ID
- Weight: 1.29kg
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt (USB-C), 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
- Dimensions: 304.1 (W) x 212.4 (D) x 4.1 - 16.1(H) mm
Who is it for?
In a dilemma when it comes to choosing your next laptop? The Apple MacBook Air 13” is a better choice for those who prefer a laptop with a simpler and more streamlined user interface. Especially when you are a hectic nursing student, you will appreciate the straightforward and uncomplicated GUI offered by the MacBook.
Overview
The brain of the ASUS TUF Dash 15 is an Intel Core i5-11300H processor. This quad-core processor offers good gaming performance while being able to crush your everyday tasks. Graphics are fast and fluid with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, allowing you to enjoy most modern games comfortably on high graphics settings at any supported resolution. It comes with 8GB of RAM, upgradeable to a maximum of 32GB, so you can multitask seamlessly. Load times across apps and games are also super-fast with 512GB of SSD.
To provide a better gaming experience, the Dash F15 display comes with ASUS’s Adaptive Sync. It improves the sluggish response time of IPS panels by dynamically adjusting the display's refresh rate to synchronize with the graphic card’s frame rate. This, in turn, minimizes input lag and stuttering. Visual tearing can be eliminated to ensure ultra-smooth and immersive gameplay.
On the display, the super-narrow bezels maximize screen space with minimal distraction, allowing you to see more from its large 15.6-inch FHD display without the hassle of zooming in. In addition, the antiglare display allows you to use it in bright light settings without a noticeable reflection. Then there’s the design which is superslim at 19.9mm thin, allowing it to slip easily into your backpack. Its solid body structure is also capable of withstanding accidental bumps and knocks while on the move.
ASUS TUF Dash F15 (FX516P-CHN013T) Specifications
- Year: 2021
- CPU: Intel Core i5-11300H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 1920x1080 pixels (FHD), IPS with anti-glare
- Weight: 2.00kg
- Ports: 1x Thunderbolt 4, 3x USB 3.2, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x RJ45 LAN port, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack
- Dimensions: 360.0 (W) x 252.0 (D) x 19.9 (H) mm
Who is it for?
No doubt, playing video games is one of the most common ways for the majority of students to relax. And so we are bringing in a gaming laptop with excellent performance for your assignment at a student-friendly price point. The ASUS TUF Dash F15 checks all the points of a student gaming laptop as it is fast, powerful, long-lasting, portable, and most importantly, more budget-friendly compared to other gaming laptops.
Overview
Aside from its good graphics card, this is just an ordinary laptop, so you won’t find a ton of bells and whistles on this device. There are a few professional and privacy features like a webcam cover as well as a fingerprint reader, but beyond that, there’s not a lot to say.
The port selection is impressive, to say the least, with support for VGA, HDMI, USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, ethernet, and headphone jack, as well as three USB-A ports and even an SD card reader. This does contribute to its admittedly thicker size though.
Acer Travelmate P2 Specifications
- Year: 2021
- Processor (CPU): Ryzen 5 5650U
- Display: 15.6” IPS 1080p
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Ports: 3x USB-A, 1x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, Ethernet, VGA, HDMI, SD card, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Weight: 3.97 lb
- Dimensions: 0.78”x14.3”x10”
Who is it for?
Acer Travelmate P2 is your best option if you’re more budget-conscious and do not want to spend RM 4000 on a laptop. It allows you to do the basics needed in a laptop for school or university and is also great for watching your favourite content. Whether its document work or spreadsheets, the laptop is more than capable of running these basic tasks, while also making web tasks a breeze.
Overview:
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i features an 11th-generation Intel Core i3 processor which is rare for laptops below RM2,000. Multitasking and app loading are fast and seamless as this laptop packs both large RAM and storage space.
This budget laptop also includes a USB-C port for ultra-fast data transfer, as well as other essential I/O ports. Its integrated graphic card can handle casual gaming at reasonable fps.
Lenovo Ideapad 3i Specs
- CPU: Intel Core i3-1115G4
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 15.6”, FHD (1920 x 1080), TN, 250 nits, Anti-glare
- Weight: 1.65 kg
- Ports: 1x USB2.0, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x card reader, 1x headphone/microphone combo jack (3.5 mm)
- Dimensions: 359.2 (W) x 236.5 (D) x 19.9 (H) mm
Who is this for?
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is the top choice for students who are tight on budget. You get to enjoy a stable and responsive system running on the Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor with 8GB of RAM. With narrow bezels on all four sides, the large 15.6-inch FHD display makes working on a split-screen easy and comfortable.
Overview
Housing an Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, the Acer Aspire 5 A514-54-77N7 is powerful and fast in handling some light word processing and professional software for video editing and rendering jobs. 4GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD are offered to maintain a smooth workflow even when you open and switch between multiple apps simultaneously.
The Aspire 5 is a laptop for both work and entertainment. In addition, the Intel Iris Xe Graphics’ gaming performance is comparable to some entry-level discrete graphics cards such as the NVIDIA GeForce MX350. This means that it is especially good for multiplayer gaming like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. And of course, it works wonders in supporting more graphics-heavy programs. On the other hand, its battery life is pretty impressive, at a record of up to 10 hours.
Acer Aspire 5 Specifications:
- Year: 2020
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 512B SSD
- Display: 14.0-inch, 1920x1080 pixels (FHD) IPS, Acer ComfyView
- Weight: 1.45kg
- Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen port 1, 1x HDMI port, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet LAN port
- Dimensions: 328.0 (W) x 223.0 (D) x 17.95 (H) mm
Who is it for?
We recommend the Acer Aspire 5 A514-54-77N7 for nursing students with tight schedules because you can’t go wrong with this laptop. It has solid hardware specifications, a lightweight design, and a long-lasting battery. In any case, its stable yet powerful performance allows you to work with peace of mind. You’ll also appreciate the bright, vivid display and its super light at 1.45kg, slim design.
Overview
One thing to highlight is that Apple is both a software developer and a hardware designer. This dual role allows the company to optimize the macOS based on the hardware specifications of the MacBook Air. Powered by Apple's M1 chip, the MacBook Air can take on intensive tasks from professional-quality editing to action-packed gaming.
Developed to unlock the M1 chip’s potential, the macOS makes the entire system snappier and can handle everyday jobs for nursing students at ease. You can keep your MacBook Air up to date as Apple always releases software updates now and then.
Apple MacBook Air (M1) Specifications:
- Year: 2021
- CPU: Apple M1 Chip
- GPU: Apple M1 Chip
- RAM: 8-16GB
- Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch, Retina display with True Tone, Touch ID
- Weight: 1.29kg
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt (USB-C), 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
- Dimensions: 304.1 (W) x 212.4 (D) x 4.1 - 16.1(H) mm
Who is it for?
In a dilemma when it comes to choosing your next laptop? The Apple MacBook Air 13” is a better choice for those who prefer a laptop with a simpler and more streamlined user interface. Especially when you are a hectic nursing student, you will appreciate the straightforward and uncomplicated GUI offered by the MacBook.
Overview
Engineering and architecture students often need to open up 3D rendering of their work, something that relies heavily on your computer’s graphical prowess. As such, it's a good idea to invest in a gaming laptop that has a decent graphics card as well as a powerful processor, such as the Lenovo Legion 5 with its Ryzen 5650U and RTX3060 card. While it might be a mid-range graphics card for gaming, it should be more than capable of running the kinds of programs students need to run.
The Ryzen CPU can also handle its fair share of intensive workload, although admittedly at the cost of the CPU fan going berserk. All in all, the Lenovo Legion 5 works great as both a gaming laptop and an engineering/architecture student’s workstation. \
Lenovo Legion 5 Specifications:
- Year: 2021
- Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5-11400H
- Graphics (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB
- Display: 15.6" IPS WQHD 165hz
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Ports: 4x USB-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, 3.5mm headphone jack, power port
- Weight: 2.4 kg
- Dimensions: 362.56 x 260.61 x 22.5-25.75 mm
Who is it for?
Although the Lenovo Legion 5 was clearly designed as a gaming laptop, it has the capability to be a great workstation for engineering and architecture students. The HDMI 2.1 port allows it to connect to top-of-the-line monitors at high resolution and frame rates, while the abundance of USB ports means that you never have to carry around a dock. Aside from that, its processor, graphics and other features make it great for intense work which would be common as an engineering and architecture student.
Overview
A compact, convertible 2-in-1 laptop, the Yoga Duet 7i packs a lot in this tiny unassuming package. With a top-of-the-line 11th gen Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, everything from web browsing to more intensive work like video editing. Just don’t count on it to do well in gaming, especially due to the lack of a dedicated graphics card.
Additionally, it comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports which open up a world of possibilities when it comes to connectivity. Whether it's for external displays or even eGPUs, you can be sure that the Lenovo Yoga Duet 7i can be improved even further.
Lenovo Yoga Duet 7i Specification
- Year: 2021
- Processor (CPU): Intel Core i7-1165G7
- Graphics (GPU): Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Display: 13” IPS WQHD
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Ports: 2x USB-C, 1x Thunderbolt 4, microSD card reader, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Weight: 802g
- Dimensions: 297.4 x 207.4 x 9.19 mm
Who is it for?
Whether you’re an art student looking for a drawing tablet or just someone who doesn’t wanna carry around a heavy, bulky laptop, you might want to consider the Lenovo Yoga Duet 7i. Since it’s a 2-in-1 laptop, you can enjoy the best of both worlds, that being a tablet and a laptop. Besides, with its stylishly slim design, it will perfectly fit your backpack without adding too much weight.
Overview
Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 7i Pro offers ultra-responsive and extraordinary performance thanks to its 11th-generation Intel Core i5 processor and Intel Iris Xe Graphics. However, being entry-level for both processor and graphics card, don’t expect the laptop to run power-hungry software and games. If your budget allows, you may opt to upgrade the integrated graphics card to the NVIDIA GeForce MX450 graphics.
For memory and storage, the Yoga Slim 7i Pro comes with 8GB of RAM upgradeable to 16GB, and 512GB of SSD upgradeable to 1TB. Its Flip-to-Boot feature automatically powers up your device when you open the lid, and no more login password is needed as the facial recognition technology securely logs you in instantly.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro (14) Specifications:
- Year: 2021
- CPU: 11th-generation Intel Core i5
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14.0-inch, 2.8K (2880x1800) IPS, Dolby Vision, Glass
- Weight: 1.3kg
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 3.2, 1x headphone/mic jack
- Dimensions: 312.4 (W) x 221.4 (D) x 14.6 - 16.9 (H) mm
Who is it for?
We think that the sleek and professional look of the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro best fits the image of business students. Other than its aesthetic, the Yoga series does give a surprisingly good performance along with its other bells and whistles.
Tips On Choosing a Laptop for Studying
Tip 1: Decide on Your Budget
Laptop companies are coming out with different line-ups of laptops, ranging from high-end to medium, and budget models. Of course, laptops with top-notch specifications will usually cost more. But that doesn’t mean that affordable laptops can’t give excellent output.
With a budget in mind, do your homework and survey around. Look for models that you can afford without burning a hole in your pocket. Dig deep enough for laptops that come with the best possible specifications and features.
Tip 2: Consider the curriculum
When it comes to computing, students from different fields have different needs. Eventually, it comes to your primary usage when owning a laptop. Depending on the degree programs, some might just need an inexpensive and simple system to run basics like word processing, web browsing, and email. While for those in professional fields, they do need their laptops to handle heavier tasks and more demanding software.
For engineering and architecture students, laptops with fast processors and decent graphics cards are a must. This is because of the need to constantly work on professional software for programming, designing, and editing. A pair of large RAM and SSD are equally important.
Business students might appreciate features such as touchscreen and convertible form factor. With these features, they can navigate simpler and faster while doing presentations. Laptops with lightweight and slim designs are more favourable among business students.
Tip 3: Laptop Design
A good laptop design should consider everything on the chassis, from the body, screen, keyboard, trackpad down to the ventilation system. It’s a bonus point if the laptop has a stunning appearance. However, always remember that a laptop’s aesthetic should not be a deal-breaker.
Given that the display size has a direct impact on your productivity, it’s important to pick the right size for your usage. A larger screen size minimizes eye strain, giving you better viewing pleasure. If you constantly need to work in split-screen, we recommend you to get at least a 15.6-inch screen size. Also bear in mind that a bigger screen means it’s heavier and space-consuming, making it less portable.
Ports are essential for device connection and file transfer. If possible, always get a laptop with at least three USB ports. You don’t want to run out of ports during file transfer or connecting devices. Do look for one that comes with a Micro SD slot if your assignment or work frequently involves transferring photos or content from a camera.
With these three tips in mind, we hope that you can find the best laptop that suits your preference and fits your budget.
The Important Specs That Students Should Look Into
Processor:
No doubt, the processor, also known as the CPU, is the main component that contributes the most to your laptop performance. Thus, we highly recommend you invest more in the processor instead of other insignificant hardware or features.
- Always go for the latest generation processor no matter you’re choosing an Intel or an AMD processor.
- For starters, we suggest getting an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 as these processors are good for most basic computing tasks.
- If you require more processing power, you can upgrade to the Intel Core i5 and AMD Ryzen 5 or even more powerful processor depending on how deep is your pocket.
Memory and Storage:
When it comes to laptop memory and storage, it’s always the more the better. The “memory” is the component that allows short-term data access.
Activities such as loading an application, editing a document, and surfing the internet access data stored in your laptop's short-term memory. You can look for DRAM on the laptop specifications when you want to know its memory.
Meanwhile, storage is the ability to store and access data on a long-term basis.
- Nowadays, storage comes in the form of SSD which is faster and more efficient compared to the previous generation hard drive.
- Do ensure you get the SSD storage laptop as it is faster than the HDD.
- This is because it also affects the time required to boot up your system, load, and access whatever documents or apps you’ve saved. Essentially, they greatly depend on your laptop storage.
Graphics Card:
Frankly speaking, a graphics card (GPU) is the least important specs among this list.
The reason is straightforward. You won’t be utilising the graphics processing power most of the time if all you do is just word processing, streaming educational videos, or attending online classes.
- GPUs like the entry-level Intel Iris Xe Graphics and the AMD Radeon can suffice all your basic needs. Rest assured you can run some lighter versions of professional software and even older AAA titles during your free time.
- For those who enjoy gaming, we recommend you to go for a discrete GPU such as the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650.