Back to school 2026: which laptop should you choose for your studies?

Introduction

The 2026 school year is slowly but surely approaching. The time has come to start thinking about the purchases you'll need for the year ahead. Do you need to replace your laptop or buy one for the first time? Not sure which model to choose? To help you make your decision, here's a selection of three laptops suited for students.

MacBook Air M1: a lightweight and powerful model

Launched in 2020, the MacBook Air M1 remains an interesting option for many students. Its Apple M1 chip delivers solid performance for office work, online research, video conferencing, programming and some light photo editing or video editing tasks.

Its 13.3-inch Retina display offers sharp visuals, while its weight of 1.29 kg makes it easy to carry between home, classes and the library. Its fanless operation also makes it silent. In terms of battery life, Apple claimed up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing or up to 18 hours of video playback. In practice, this depends on usage and battery condition.

To reduce costs a bit, you can opt for a refurbished MacBook Air M1 rather than a new one. Before purchasing, however, check the memory, storage and battery condition, which can vary widely depending on the product. Choose the offer that best suits your needs.

MacBook Neo: a good compromise for studies

Introduced in 2026, the MacBook Neo was designed for everyday use. It's suitable for note-taking, document writing, presentations, browsing and video conference classes. It features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display and an A18 Pro chip, sufficient for most student tasks.

Its more accessible positioning already makes it an interesting option for tight budgets, but it's also possible to choose a refurbished MacBook Neo to further reduce the cost compared to a new one.

Its compact weight makes it easy to carry around daily. Its 1080p camera is also suitable for online meetings and remote group work. The base version includes 8 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage. This configuration can work for standard use, but may be limited if you keep many files or use multiple demanding applications.

However, this model remains less complete than a MacBook Air for intensive use. Its connectivity is simpler and its upgrade options are limited. It's therefore mainly aimed at students looking for a lightweight laptop for office work and everyday tasks.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5: a versatile Windows PC with great value for money

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 is a versatile option for students who prefer Windows. The range comes in several formats and configurations, with Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processors depending on the version. Some models also offer an OLED screen, which is interesting for better contrast and more accurate colors.

For general student use, a configuration with 16 GB of memory and a 512 GB SSD offers a good level of comfort. It allows you to work on multiple documents, keep your course files and use the main software without significant slowdowns.

Its connectivity is generally more complete than MacBooks, with multiple USB ports and HDMI output depending on the model. This makes it easier to connect a monitor, USB drive or other accessories. However, you need to carefully compare models, as screen quality, weight, battery life and components can vary from one IdeaPad Slim 5 to another.

Where to find a laptop at the best price?

To reduce your budget, refurbished devices can be an interesting solution. They allow you to access recent and powerful laptops at a lower price than equivalent new models. A great way to save money without sacrificing quality.

Back Market, the marketplace specializing in verified refurbished tech, offers MacBooks and Windows laptops refurbished by professional refurbishers. Devices come with a 12-month commercial warranty, free returns within 30 days and free standard shipping. Also note that for back to school, a discount is offered to students.