The 6 Best Laptops for Homeschooling in 2023 - History Tools (2024)

Homeschooling your kids? While traditional textbooks still have their place, you‘ll likely want to incorporate some online or computer-based learning as well. That‘s why having the right laptop is key to setting up an effective at-home "classroom" environment.

In this buyer‘s guide, we’ll recommend the top laptops for homeschooling families based on factors like budget, portability, durability, and performance. We break down the key specs and features to consider so you can find the best fit for your needs.

How to Choose the Right Homeschool Laptop

With so many options out there, it can be tricky evaluating which laptop is best for your homeschooling needs. Here are some key considerations:

Operating System – Most homeschool platforms and apps run on either Windows or ChromeOS. Macs work too but may have less software compatibility.

Portability – Look for thinner, lighter laptops if your student will be moving around a lot. Battery life is also key.

Durability – Accidents happen! So if buying for younger kids, look for laptops made of ABS plastic or metal, which resist dents and scratches better.

Performance – You don’t need top specs for homeschooling, but 4GB+ RAM and a Core i3 or equivalent processor should cover most activities.

Connectivity – Make sure the laptop has all the ports/connections you’ll need, like USB, HDMI, SD card slots and headphone jacks.

Display – Bigger is usually better! Aim for at least a 13” screen and 1080p resolution for crisp text and images. Touchscreens can also be nice for interactive learning.

Peripherals – If not included, you may want to budget for items like a mouse, stylus, headphones, or external storage.

Ready to start shopping? Here are our picks for the best laptops to homeschool your kids with…

1. Acer Aspire 5 – Best Budget Homeschool Laptop

Pricing: $379

If you need a quality homeschool laptop but don’t want to spend a fortune, check out the Acer Aspire 5. For well under $400 you get ample performance and portability.

Some key specs of this Windows 11 laptop include:

• 15.6” 1080p IPS display
• 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Dual Core Processor
• 4GB DDR4 RAM
• 128GB SSD storage
• Weighs just 3.97 lbs. with over 7 hours battery life

The Aspire 5 has everything you need for most homeschooling activities – browsing online curriculum, creating documents and presentations, researching topics, joining video calls etc.

The larger 15.6” screen makes it comfortable for your child’s eyes while giving them enough room to have multiple windows open. It‘s portable enough to carry around the house and has decent battery life. While the storage space is on the lower side, you can always add an SD card for additional capacity.

At this very wallet-friendly price point, just don’t expect to run intensive software or games. But for essential homeschooling tasks, the Aspire 5 gets top marks as a budget-friendly choice!

Pros

• Great value
• Sufficient performance
• Lightweight and portable

Cons

• Lower storage capacity
• No touchscreen option

Shop Now: Acer Store, Amazon

2. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 – Best Mid-Range

Pricing: $599

Step things up a notch with the newest edition of Microsoft’s petite (yet powerful!) Surface Laptop Go. Updated for 2022, this handy home laptop balances portability, premium build quality and strong performance.

Some specs of the Surface Laptop Go 2 to highlight:

• 12.4” PixelSense touch display
• Quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor
• 8GB LPDDR4x RAM
• 256GB SSD storage
• Ultra-light 2.48 lbs weight

This mid-range laptop brings some excellent value given its sturdy, sleek design, vibrant touchscreen, and ample power for home learning activities. The battery lasts over 13 hours on a full charge so no need to be constantly plugged in.

Another perk of this Microsoft device is the built-in HD webcam – great for virtual classes or video calls with teachers. There’s also a fingerprint reader for quick, secure logins. While the 12.4” screen is smaller than some options, it keeps the Surface Laptop Go ultra-portable.

For homeschool parents seeking quality and performance in a compact package, the new Surface Laptop Go 2 elegantly checks those boxes.

Pros

• Premium portable design
• Sharp touchscreen display
• Excellent battery life

Cons

• Screen on the smaller side
• Not many ports (1 USB-C, 1 USB-A, headphone jack)

Shop Now: Microsoft, Amazon

3. Acer Chromebook Spin 713 – Best Chromebook

Pricing: $629

If your preferred homeschool tools include Google Classroom, Docs/Sheets and other GSuite apps, then a Chromebook could be the perfect fit. And one of the best-rated ChromeOS options right now is Acer’s Spin 713.

This versatile 2-in-1 device works as both a laptop and tablet, thanks to a 360-degree hinge and touchscreen. But the Spin 713 stands out more for its performance punch – pretty unique among most Chromebooks.

Highlights include:

• 13.5” 2K VertiView touch display
• Intel Core i5-10210U processor
• 8GB LPDDR3 RAM
• 128GB SSD storage
• Weighs just 3.02 lbs.

That Core i5 processor gives you way more speed and multitasking capabilities than the lower-powered chips found on many Chromebook models. And combine that with a bright 2K resolution touchscreen, 8GB RAM, Wi-Fi 6, and solid port selection…it’s a mighty compelling Chrome-based laptop option for homeschoolers.

The battery lasts about 10 hours on a single full charge – not best-in-class but solid. And the aluminum chassis gives it a premium feel despite its reasonable price point. All told, a leading choice if you want a well-built, high-performing Chromebook.

Pros

• Excellent performance for a Chromebook
• Bright, vibrant touchscreen display
• Versatile 2-in-1 design

Cons

• Battery life just okay
• Costs more than most Chromebook models

Shop Now: Acer Store, Amazon

4. Apple MacBook Air M2 Chip – Best for Apple Users

Pricing: $1,199

While pricier than other picks, Apple’s latest MacBook Air brings exceptional performance and polish to homeschoolers immersed in the Apple ecosystem.

The M2 silicon chip gives the new Air a big speed boost over previous models. Paired with a stunning 13.6” Liquid Retina display, up to 24GB RAM, and 2TB storage option – this ultra-portable macOS laptop packs serious power.

Some key details:

• 13.6” Liquid Retina display (2560x1664p)
• New 8-core CPU / 10-core GPU Apple M2 chip
• 8GB / 16GB / 24GB unified RAM options
• Up to 2TB SSD storage
• Weighs 2.7 lbs / Up to 18 hours battery

If you use iPads or iPhones around the house, the new Air seamlessly integrates for calls, messages and airdropping files back and forth. The battery holds enough juice to handle lengthy projects or learning sessions without any outlet required. And that brilliant Retina display powered by the advanced Apple chip makes visuals pop.

Consider the latest MacBook Air a superb – though premium-priced – choice if you want incredible speed, visuals and OS integration for Apple-centric homeschoolers. Just expect to pay more than Windows alternatives with similar specs. But for many loyal Mac fans, it’s worth it!

Pros

• Blazing new M2 performance
• Stunning Retina display
• Seamless Apple ecosystem integration

Cons

• Very expensive
• Limited compatibility with Windows/Android apps

Shop Now: Apple

5. HP Chromebook x360 14c – Best 2-in-1 Chromebook

Pricing: $629

Mixing the accessibility of ChromeOS with a flexible 2-in-1 form factor, the HP Chromebook x360 14c delivers solid homeschooling value.

The x360 branding denotes this Chromebook’s versatile hinge allowing you to use it as a standard laptop or in tablet formation. It has an 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor more amenable to multi-tasking than entry-level chips. Some other helpful details:

• 14” 1080p touch display
• Intel Core i3-1110G4 dual-core CPU
• 8GB RAM
• 64GB eMMC flash storage
• Includes USI pen for tablet writing/drawing

For connectivity, you get 2 USB-C ports, a microSD slot, and headphone/mic jack. The audio quality is better than most budget laptops courtesy of Bang & Olufsen. Battery life maxes out around 10 hours. And at 3.3 lbs it’s reasonably portable.

If you like the streamlined nature of ChromeOS but want more flexibility via tablet functionality, the x360 14c is a strong homeschool choice. The mid-range price reflects the robust feature set.

Pros

• Touchscreen with USI stylus included
• Flexible x360 convertible design
• Better performance than most Chromebooks

Cons

• Mediocre built-in storage
• Costs more than basic Chromebook models

Shop Now: HP, Best Buy

6. Microsoft Surface Pro 9 – Best Detachable 2-in-1

Pricing: $1,299

If you like the idea of a transformer-style device that’s part premium laptop, part big-screen tablet, look no further than the Surface Pro 9. It represents the pinnacle of detachable 2-in-1 computing power and versatility.

While pricey, the Surface Pro 9 comes loaded with exceptional features for homeschool use:

• 13” 2880×1920 touch display with 120Hz refresh rate
• 12th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 processor options
• Up to 32GB LPDDR5 RAM
• Removable SSD storage up to 1TB
• 1080p front-facing camera with Windows Hello face authentication
• Weighs just 1.95 lbs tablet-only

You get all the productivity capability of a full Windows 11 laptop but with the detachable tablet mode when you want a more touch-friendly experience for creativity. One huge plus over previous Pros is nearly double the battery life – now up to 15.5 hours continuous use.

The Surface Pro remains king when it comes to on-the-go versatility combined with laptop-class performance. Albeit for a premium price. But if you can afford it, the Pro 9 stands tall as a marvelously capable homeschooling 2-in-1.

Pros

• Detachable tablet + laptop modes
• Exceptional performance potential
• Best-in-class battery life

Cons

• Very expensive, especially with accessories/extras
• No in-box solution for lap-based typing

Shop Now: Microsoft, Amazon

Key Takeaways on the Best Laptops for Homeschooling

While homeschooling has some specific technology needs, you ultimately don’t need a souped-up gaming rig or mobile workstation! Focus first on reliable performance for everyday tasks like document editing, web browsing, video streaming etc.

Prioritize battery life if using the laptop around the house and portability if lugging it places. Make sure the screen is decently large and optical resolution (1080p) sharp enough. Touch capability can also be really nice for interactive learning elements.

Chromebooks are ideal if already using G Suite web apps and Google Classroom. MacBooks bring better integration for Apple households. And Windows laptops offer the most software compatibility overall.

Match key specs like storage, RAM, ports and durability to your family’s homeschooling style. And set a budget that balances capability with affordability. Do that successfully using our top homeschool laptop recommendations and your kids will be equipped for at-home academic achievement!