The best laptop for secondary school is lightweight, lasts a full school day on battery, and has at least 8GB of RAM with a 256GB SSD. For most students starting secondary school, a Windows laptop with an Intel Core i5 processor is the best choice, thanks to its broad support for Microsoft Office and school software.
A Chromebook is a great and more affordable alternative for students who mainly work online. Below you'll find exactly why, along with the models we recommend.
Which laptop is suitable for secondary school?
A good laptop for secondary school doesn't need to be expensive or overly powerful. What matters most is that it lasts all day, boots up quickly between classes, and can survive a busy school bag. Here are the key points to look for.
Processor and memory
You don't need a heavy processor for homework, an essay, or a class presentation. An Intel Core i5 processor with 8GB of RAM is more than enough for most secondary school students. Does your child's school involve heavy image editing or coding classes? Then choose 16GB, so the laptop stays smooth for years to come. Not sure how much memory you actually need? We break it down clearly.
Storage: how many GB do you need?
A 256GB SSD is plenty for most secondary school students. Files, photos, and videos for projects are often stored in the cloud anyway, via OneDrive or Google Drive for example. Only students who keep a lot of local files, like large video files, should consider 512GB.
Battery life and weight
A school day easily runs six to eight hours, and not every classroom has enough power outlets. Choose a laptop that lasts at least 8 to 10 hours on a single charge. Also pay attention to weight: a laptop of 1.2 to 1.5 kilos is much easier to carry daily than a heavier 2kg model.
Screen and keyboard
A 13 to 14 inch screen is ideal: large enough to read comfortably during a test, and compact enough to carry easily. A sturdy keyboard with good typing comfort helps with taking notes and submitting homework.
Chromebook or laptop: which to choose?
Short answer: choose a Chromebook if your child mainly works in a browser, and a full Windows laptop if specific software is needed that doesn't run in a browser. Many secondary schools now work with Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 online, meaning a Chromebook is often enough for secondary school. Still, many parents and schools prefer a Windows laptop, since it stays more broadly usable, especially once a student moves on to vocational college or university.
How much does a good laptop for school cost?
Expect to pay from around 250 to 350 euros for a reliable laptop for secondary school. That may sound like a lot for a laptop mainly used for homework and notes, but a refurbished laptop gives you similar specifications to a new model at a much lower price.
At RefurbishedDirect, you'll find laptops under €300 that offer more than enough performance for secondary school. This way you save significantly on the purchase, without compromising on warranty or reliability, leaving more budget for other school supplies.
Ready for the new school year?
Take advantage of our Back2School deals on refurbished laptops for school and study.
See the Back2School dealsWhy choose a refurbished laptop for school?
More and more parents and schools are consciously choosing refurbished over new, and for good reason.
Great value without compromise
A refurbished laptop costs significantly less than a comparable new model, while performance barely differs. For a device mainly used for homework, an essay, or a presentation, that's a smart choice.
Quality backed by warranty
Every refurbished laptop at RefurbishedDirect is tested and fitted with new parts where needed. You get at least 2 years of warranty, meaning you're just as worry free as with a new laptop, should anything go wrong during the school year.
A sustainable choice for the classroom
By choosing refurbished hardware, you give an existing laptop a second life, instead of requiring new raw materials for a brand new device. It's an early lesson for your child that the sustainable choice can be just as good, and often smarter, than the obvious new purchase.
Our recommended laptops for secondary school students
Looking for concrete advice? Here are popular refurbished laptops for secondary school, sorted by budget and use.
- Entry level, ideal for the first year: a refurbished Dell Latitude or HP EliteBook with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. Lightweight, reliable, and more than enough for daily school use, from around €250.
- For those who prefer macOS: a refurbished MacBook Air with an Apple M1 chip offers excellent battery life and smooth performance, from around €449.
- For upper years or heavier subjects: go for 16GB of RAM and a slightly more powerful processor, so the laptop keeps running smoothly even with image editing or several programs open at once.
Browse the full range of laptops for school or discover all refurbished laptops at RefurbishedDirect.