Best Laptop for Homeschooling – Reviews for 2022 School Year

With the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, more families than ever have embraced homeschooling their children. Choosing the right curriculum is difficult, but there are many resources to help you out. However, one supply that all these kids need is the right computer to complete their homeschool assignments.

Even families who are still attending brick and mortar schools may have more virtual learning days as the pandemic persists, and having the best laptop for homeschooling can definitely make this an easier situation.

So….Windows or Chromebook? How many gigs of RAM? Intel or AMD processor? Read on to see our suggestions…

Features to Look Out for When Choosing The Best Laptop For Homeschooling

Here’s the good news for any parent: many laptops are good enough for homeschooling and they don’t cost more than $300 to $400. You just have to check for the specs to make sure it can keep up with your child’s homeschooling needs, whether in video conferences or watching educational videos. So before we proceed with our list of the best laptop for homeschooling, let’s first look into the key features and specifications you need to look out for.

Specification	Minimum Requirement	Recommended Requirement
Operating System	Chrome OS	Windows OS
CPU	Intel Celeron	Intel Core i3, Core i5 or higher
RAM	4GB	8GB
Storage	32GB SSD	256GB SSD or 1TB HDD
Screen	Size: 11.6-inch Resolution: 1366 X 768	Size: 15-inchResolution: 1920 X 1080

Key Features and what to consider

1. Operating System

One of the most important decisions to make when buying a laptop is choosing an operating system (OS) as this will determine how easy it is to use and how your child will interact with the programs or apps for homeschooling. 

Currently, there are three choices for OS: Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS. Laptops that run on macOS are usually the most expensive. On the other hand, laptops that run on Chrome OS (known as Chromebooks), are generally the most affordable. Here is a quick guide to which OS your child needs:

Chromebooks are perfect for elementary age kids who do basic tasks for school. Using google docs, Zoom meetings with class, and researching on the web are all easily accomplished with a Chromebook.

Windows laptops are a good idea for middle-school and high-school kids who may need to use special software that only runs on a more powerful computer. Examples of this would be things like Adobe, Minecraft Education Edition, and video editing software.

Mac laptops are great if your family is already immersed in the Apple ecosystem. If mom and dad already have a Mac, and the entire family has iPhones, then go ahead and get your kid a Mac laptop for school. It will make sharing software licenses, app store purchases, photos, and music easier with the entire family.

2. CPU / Processor

A laptop’s processor is its brain. So the better it is, the better its performance. When choosing a laptop for homeschooling, it has to be fast enough to keep up with the programs that the school will require. 

The minimum processor requirement to run the programs we mentioned is an Intel Celeron. This will be enough for surfing the web and light document editing. If you can, an Intel Core i3, Core i5, or anything higher will be better. For laptops with AMD chips, look for A, E, or FX series. 

3. RAM

Here’s another important feature you should consider as it will determine how much the laptop can handle at once. In choosing a laptop for homeschooling, you can choose one with a decent amount of RAM. It doesn’t have to be too big. However, make sure that it isn’t too small either. A laptop’s RAM is important because it makes sure that switching apps and programs are quick and easy. It also provides a smooth performance when your child needs to browse the internet, run applications, or attend virtual classes.

As a guide, the minimum RAM you need is 4GB. This is enough to perform daily tasks such as Microsoft Office and web browsing. But for better performance and easier experience in multitasking, 8GB+ RAM is better. 

4. Storage

For homeschooling, there isn’t a need for too much storage space since most programs and documents are lightweight. You can even get away with 32GB SSD storage with Chromebooks. However, for better results, we suggest a 256GB SSD or even 1TB HDD if your child does any video editing.

5. Screen Size

While a bigger screen is great for making images and texts look bigger, they are more expensive and lso less portable. So for usability and portability, consider choosing a screen size between 11.6 inches to 15 inches. For display resolution we suggest going with an FHD screen with 1920 X 1080 resolution.

Some monitors can double as a touchscreen, and serve as a 2 in 1 device, but again, they can cost more. Also, while having a touch screen device can be handy, they are not necessary and many times parents find they are rarely used.

6. Battery Life

Battery life is important depending on how mobile your student is. A laptop with 4 to 5 hours of battery life is sufficient for students at home since they can always plug it in when it’s battery low. However, if your student likes to do school on the go, while in the car, or even just go outdoors, then they will definitely appreciate a laptop with longer battery life. As a general rule of thumb, Chromebooks have the best battery life.

7. Graphics Chip Capability

Since you’re choosing a laptop for kids and homeschool, you don’t have to go with the latest and most powerful graphics chip. You can go with an integrated graphics chip or one that is shared with the laptop’s system memory. This should still allow you to use the basic tools and applications your child needs for his or her homeschooling journey.

8. Ports

Which ports are necessary can be a source of confusion for many parents choosing a device. Here is a quick cheat sheet:

• USB A-Type Ports – are a necessity, at least one
• USB Type C Ports – are a nice to have
• HDMI Port – is becoming uncommon on most laptops
• SD Card Reader – is a nice to have if your child needs to transfer pictures or videos from a camera or GoPro
• Headphone Port – are standard and a great necessity as most kids like to use headphones during classes

9. Brand

The truth is that many brands make good quality laptops. It is not necessarily true that a premium brand or pricier computer is “better” than a cheaper model. Use the specifications we’ve laid out here to pick your laptop and you can’t really go wrong. Of course, check out the warranty and support options before making a purchase.

6. Price

Here’s the last key feature to consider – the price. The best laptop for homeschooling can only cost you around $250. This can be either a Chromebook or a low-end Windows laptop with slower processors and smaller storage but is enough for your child’s minimal activities and tasks online. 

However, for a higher quality system and better build that’s fit for older students with more programs and applications to run, you may want to allot more budget. You can get decent specs for well under $400. 

Now, to guide you on which laptops to get, here’s our list of the best laptops for homeschooling based on the qualities and key features we’ve mentioned. 

Top 6 Laptops for Homeschooling

1. Acer Aspire 5 A515-43-R19L – Best Overall

Features	Specifications
Operating System	Windows 10 S
CPU / Processor	AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Dual Core Processor
RAM	4GB DDR4
Storage	128GB SSD
Screen	15.6 inches FHD 1920 X 1080
Battery Life	Up to 7.5 Hours
Size (L X W X H); Weight	14.31 x 9.74 x 0.71 inches; 3.97 lbs
Graphics Chip	AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics
Ports	1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Port; 2 x USB 2.0 Ports; 1 x HDMI Port with HDCP support
Price	Below $350

The Acer Aspire 5 is a great laptop for homeschooling as well as for parents. Its processor, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U, directly competes with Intel Core i3 and Core i5. Thus, giving you enough speed and value for your money. While 4GB is a bit small for the RAM, it does meet the minimum requirements. Furthermore, in terms of storage, the 128GB SSD is decent enough. 

If your child will play videos or attend online conferences, this laptop can certainly keep up and will allow them to watch high-quality videos and take down notes efficiently. It has a great display, graphics chip, and resolution. Plus, its 15.6-inch screen size is perfect too. On top of that, it runs in Windows 10 S so it’s easy to use. For some, however, the S Mode can be limiting. But considering that this is a laptop for a kid, it’s ideal. This is because the Windows S Mode guarantees safety and stability. This means it’s more protected from viruses and malware. But if you want, you can always scrap the S Mode and switch to Home Edition.

For those people who’d like to know more about securing their Windows 10 computers against threats, you should check out this guide, Windows 10 Security and Privacy Guide.

Overall, it is powerful enough to run software and administration tasks your child might need for homeschool. While this isn’t the best laptop around, it is certainly one of the most perfect budget machines for elementary to high schoolers.

2. ASUS VivoBook L203MA Laptop – Best for Elementary Students

Features	Specifications
Operating System	Windows 10 S
CPU / Processor	Intel Celeron N4000 Processor
RAM	4GB LPDDR4
Storage	64GB eMMC Flash Storage
Screen	11.6 inches HD 1366 x 768
Battery Life	Up to 10 Hours
Size (L X W X H); Weight	11.30  x 7.60 x 0.67 inches; 2.20 lbs
Graphics Chip	Intel UHD Graphics 600
Ports	USB 3.1 Type C; USB 3.2 Type A; HDMI Port; MicroSD card reader
Price	Just above $250

Chromebooks are great for elementary students since their activities and programs don’t require that much power. This is why the ASUS VivoBook L203MA is a great choice. For its specs and features, it offers great value for your money.

This is a great little laptop that meets all the minimum requirements we stated above. Thus, it is capable of providing your child’s homeschooling needs. It is also compatible with Google Classroom and works well with Zoom. It offers full compatibility with a variety of software. Plus, it comes with 1-year of Microsoft Office 365 so your child can fully accomplish tasks on Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and others. 

Overall, this is a very basic laptop that is perfect for light users such as elementary students. It is inexpensive, user-friendly, and compact. It has an amazing battery life too. Guaranteed, your child can easily handle and take it wherever he/she goes. 

If the storage is an issue, you can insert a mini SD card for saving documents. You can also upgrade it to Windows 10 Home. 

3. HP Pavilion 14-Inch Laptop – Best for Middle Schoolers

Features	Specifications
Operating System	Windows 10 S
CPU / Processor	AMD Athlon Silver 3050U Processor
RAM	4 GB DDR4
Storage	128 GB SSD
Screen	14 inches HD 1366 x 768
Battery Life	Up to 6 hours
Size (L X W X H); Weight	12.8 x 8.90 x 0.8 inches; 3.24 lbs
Graphics Chip	Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
Ports	2 x USB 3.0 Type A Ports, 1 x USB 3.0 Type C Ports, 1 x HDMI
Price	Above $400

For middle schoolers, a laptop is a great tool for them to explore new hobbies and work on their school projects comfortably. Aside from schoolwork, they might also want to use it for some of their games. But it should be within your budget as well. This is what makes the HP Pavilion 14-inch laptop a great choice. 

This is a laptop that will allow your middle schooler to comfortably enjoy his homeschool tasks. With its processor, RAM, and graphics chip, your child can browse the internet, edit photos, and even play some casual games. It also has a 128GB SSD storage, allowing your child to quickly save files and store more data. 

While the HP Pavilion is a little above the $400 price range, for what it can do, it’s well worth the money. It even comes with a bonus 32GB Snow Bell USB Card for extra storage space.  

4. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 – Best for High Schoolers

Features	Specifications
Operating System	Windows 10
CPU / Processor	AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor
RAM	8 GB DDR4
Storage	256GB SSD
Screen	14 inches FHD 1920 x 1080
Battery Life	Up to 6 hours
Size (L X W X H); Weight	12.88  x 9.49 x 0.78 inches; 3.30 lbs
Graphics Chip	AMD Radeon Vega 8
Ports	3 x USB Ports; 1 x HDMI
Price	Above $500

When you’re looking for a laptop for a high schooler, you may want to consider something that he/she can use in college too. Or it should at least last long enough until graduation. Thus, you may need to look for better specs.

A high schooler’s laptop needs to have the power, size, and battery life. More importantly, it has to keep up with the student’s workload and maybe some light gaming. So we recommend adjusting your budget by a little.

The best laptop for high schoolers is the Lenovo IdeaPad 3. While it’s pricier than the other laptops we’ve stated here, it is great for students who have more needs. Besides, with an 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, and AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor, this is an incredible deal. 

With this laptop and its AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics Chip, your child can explore his/her creativity with bigger and more demanding programs such as photoshop and video editing software. It holds up well with some games too. Additionally, it can provide your child with smooth multitasking performance. Overall, this is the perfect laptop for high schoolers as it helps get the work done and it offers more convenience and power. 

5.  HP Stream 11-Inch HD Laptop – Most Affordable

Features	Specifications
Operating System	Windows 10 S
CPU / Processor	Intel Celeron N4000 Processor
RAM	4GB
Storage	32GB eMMC
Screen	11.6 inches HD 1366 x 768
Battery Life	Up to 12 hours
Size (L X W X H); Weight	11.08 x 7.59 x 0.66 inches; 2.37 lbs
Graphics Chip	Intel UHD Graphics 600 (Integrated)
Ports	Media card reader; 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C; 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1; 1x HDMI Port
Price	Just above $250

If you’re a parent who is looking for a cheap laptop that will do the job for your kid’s homeschooling, then the HP Stream 11 is a great choice. It has decent specs with an Intel Celeron N4000 processor, 4GB RAM, and 32 GB eMMC storage. It also comes with a free 1-year Microsoft Office 365 package so your child can access Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and more. 

The HP Stream 11 is great for homeschooling as it meets all the minimum requirements for streaming, video conferences, and online learning. It also has a wonderful design and portable feature, making it durable against accidental drops and easy for your child to handle.  

6. Samsung Chromebook 3 – Best for Starters

Features	Specifications
Operating System	Chrome OS
CPU / Processor	Intel atom x5-E8000 4 core processor
RAM	4 GB DDR4
Storage	32 GB eMMC
Screen	11.6 inches HD 1366 x 768
Battery Life	Up to 11 hours
Size (L X W X H); Weight	3.3 x 19 x 12 inches; 2.9 lbs
Graphics Chip	Integrated Intel Graphics Chips
Ports	2 x USB 2.0 Ports; 2 x USB 3.0 Ports
Price	Below $300

If you’re looking for a starter Chromebook for your child to enjoy his/her homeschooling, the Samsung Chromebook 3 is a great choice. It’s simple, fast, no-frills, and it gets the work done. This is an ideal device if your child’s activities and programs are G-Suite heavy.

You can think of this Chromebook as a tablet with a keyboard. It’s easy to use, easy to understand, and it’s safe from viruses and malware. It also gets free updates automatically. Thus, making it a good starter laptop for a kid. 

Must-Have Accessories

While the laptop in itself can already provide your child with a smooth homeschooling experience, adding some accessories can make it even better. Some accessories can help make the laptop last longer too. Here are some of the accessories you may want to look into:

• Headphones: A pair of headphones is a must-have accessory if your child will attend online classes. It will allow your child to hear what others are saying. Ideally, look for a unit with a microphone so the class can hear him/her as well. If you’re interested to buy one, we recommend the Mpow CH6S Kids Headphones. 

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• Keyboard covers: Kids can be messy and clumsy, which can be bad news when they’re near an electronic device. Can you just imagine what will happen if your child accidentally spills his/her juice over the keyboard? It will be a disaster. So to protect the laptop, consider buying a keyboard cover. 

When choosing a cover, make sure that it’s compatible with the laptop’s model so you won’t waste time and money ordering the wrong one. 

• Wireless mouse: For some kids, especially the younger ones, controlling the laptop through the touchpad is a bit difficult. To make this easier, you can purchase a wireless mouse too. The Coolerplus FC112 is a great choice as it is simple and compatible with Windows PC, laptops, and notebooks. 

• Laptop case: When the laptop is not in use, you can keep it in a case for safety. Similar to the keyboard cover, you need to purchase one that is compatible with your laptop’s model.
• Webcam: Another accessory that you may want to invest in is a webcam. While every laptop has built-in webcams, they aren’t great. So if you want your child to appear bright and clear during online classes, best buy one too. If you’re looking for an affordable webcam, you can check out the 1080P Webcam from EDJO. 

And that’s it! We hope that our list of the best laptop for homeschooling can help you avoid wasting money on units that can’t keep up with your child’s classes and activities. With this list, you can also steer clear from expensive laptops that your child doesn’t need.