For Research and More: Best Laptops for Students in the Philippines

Every modern student needs a high-performing laptop that can get things done. It should be powerful enough to run important and academics-related software and programs. At the same time, it should have the right specs that will let you smoothly stream TV series, play games, or do anything that helps you make the most of your downtime. 

When it comes to choosing the best laptop for students in the Philippines, the problem isn’t always the budget. It’s the overwhelming sea of options. But you don’t have to worry about that now, as we’ve already handpicked the units that are perfect for learners.  

Read on to learn more. 

10 Best Laptops for Students in the Philippines This 2023

What is the best laptop for students in the Philippines? This list has a mix of high-end and budget-friendly devices. Whether you’re a parent of a high school student looking for a basic laptop with decent features or an engineering student scouting for a powerful machine, you may find your pick here.

MacBook Air M1 

🏷️ Price: Starts at ₱57,990

💻 Product specs: 

• CPU:  Apple-made M1 chip 
• Memory: 8GB to 6GB
• Storage:  256GB to 2TB 
• Graphics: 7-core GPU
• Screen: 13.3-inch Retina display 
• Weight: 1.29kg 

👍 Pros: Lightweight, fast, solid battery life of up to 18 hours, stylish 

👎 Cons: Thin and requires utmost care, limited ports, expensive  

Much has been said about the beauty and versatility of the MacBook Air. Its earliest iterations are well-received, and it seems to get better over time. 

Running on Apple’s proprietary M1 chip, the MacBook Air M1 boasts a stunning battery life^[1] which can last all day, depending on how you use it. The Retina display is among the best things about this unit as it gives you color-accurate and vivid visuals, making your K-drama and YouTube marathons truly a joy. 

Just because it’s lightweight doesn’t mean that it can’t take on heavy tasks. Depending on the configuration of your Air, you can do professional-level video editing and even gaming.

If you’re an art student who occasionally carries out design jobs, this laptop is definitely worth looking into. It’s also perfect for students who just need a reliable everyday machine. 

If you want to up the ante, consider the 13-inch MacBook Air M2 or the 15-inch Macbook Air M2.  

Microsoft Surface Go 2 

🏷️ Price: Discounted price of  ₱49,900 at BenStore PC (originally ₱58,900) 

💻 Product specs: 

• CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7
• Memory: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB 
• Graphics: Intel Iris XFootnotee Graphics
• Screen: 12.4-inch PixelSense Touchscreen 
• Weight: 1.1kg

👍 Pros: Lightweight, multi-purpose, reliable performance, stunning display 

👎 Cons: Cramped keyboard, small screen

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is an uber-light laptop that you can easily carry to your classes. While small, it’s packed with incredible features that can accommodate both productivity and entertainment needs.

Equipped with an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, the Surface Go 2 can quickly and effortlessly run your apps. You can work on your homework or projects without worrying about losing power, as its battery can last for up to 13.5 hours. 

What takes the cake, however, is the Surface Go 2’s touchscreen display. This allows you to swipe and pinch on-screen elements. 

This device also comes with a fingerprint power button, making it highly secure.

ASUS ZenBook 13

🏷️ Price: ₱51,995 

💻 Product specs: 

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
• Memory: 8GB
• Storage: 512GB 
• Graphics: AMD Radeon 
• Screen: 13.3-inch FHD OLED 
• Weight: Up to 1.14kg 

👍 Pros: Compact, lightweight, powerful performance, vivid display, good battery life

👎 Cons: Expensive, lack of ports and SD card reader

If you’re scouting for a budget laptop for engineering students in the Philippines, the ASUS ZenBook 13 might be the one you’re looking for. With an AMD Ryzen 7 5700U processor and 8GB of RAM, you can easily launch engineering software and other apps. This is a great feature, especially if you put a premium on productivity. 

Another plus of the ZenBook 13 is its outstanding battery life. Despite a phenomenal OLED display, the laptop’s battery doesn’t get drained fast. On average, you get 13 hours of usage. But it can go beyond that, depending on how you use the laptop. 

However, the ZenBook 13 may not be the best laptop for students in the Philippines who listen to music via 3.5-mm headphones since it doesn’t have a headphone jack. Instead, it accommodates only USB-type or Bluetooth-type headsets. 

Read more: [Battle of the Brands] AirPods Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM4: Your Side-by-Side Comparison Guide

Acer Aspire 5

🏷️ Price: Discounted price of ₱35,995 on Lazada (originally ₱51,999)

💻 Product specs: 

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5
• Memory: 8GB
• Storage: 512GB
• Graphics: AMD Radeon 
  
• Screen: 15.6-inch FHD 
  
• Weight: 1.8kg    

👍 Pros: Upgradable hardware, good deal for the price, bright display 

👎 Cons: Below average battery life, average webcam, touchpad tricky to use 

Looking for a laptop that won’t surpass your ₱40,000 budget? Check out the Acer Aspire 5. 

For its price, you’ll definitely get more than you pay for. Its specs, such as the 8GB RAM and 512GB storage, are a departure from the usual features of laptops sold at the same price point. 

Its AMD Ryzen 5 processor, meanwhile, can smoothly run the software needed for your studies. Match these engine specs with a captivating and vivid display and you get a machine perfect for gaming and streaming movies. 

The design of the laptop may be plain, but its build is rugged. With that, it may be the best laptop for students in the Philippines who travel a lot. 

MSI Modern 14 

🏷️ Price: ₱32,995

💻 Product specs: 

• CPU: Intel Core i3 
• Memory: 8GB 
• Storage: 256GB 
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics  
• Screen: 14-inch FHD
• Weight: 1.3kg 

👍 Pros: Portable, lightweight, ergonomic keyboard, reliable battery life 

👎 Cons: Average speakers, latency with wireless audio  

MSI is famed for its advanced gaming laptops, but it also designs productivity notebooks, such as the MSI Modern 14. Equipped with an Intel Core i3 processor, the MSI Modern 14 delivers a reliable performance, which is useful if you have lots of work to do. 

It sports an aluminum chassis for an elegant look, making it the best laptop for students in the Philippines who value their image.^[2] Its beauty is complemented by military-grade durability, so you won’t have to worry about carrying your laptop around. 

When it comes to the screen, the MSI Modern 14 has a decent resolution, making it ideal for basic media consumption. Typing, on the other hand, feels comfortable with its optimized 1.5-mm key travel. The keyboard also illuminates, allowing you to type easily even if you’re working in a dimly lit place.

Huawei MateBook D15 

🏷️ Price: Discounted price of ₱27,999 at the official Huawei online shop (originally ₱31,999) 

💻 Product Specs: 

• CPU: 11th Generation Intel Core i5
• Memory: 8GB to 16GB
• Storage: 256GB to 512GB 
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics 
• Screen: 15.6-inch IPS
• Weight: 1.53kg  

👍 Pros: Large screen, strong performance, good selection of ports, stylish 

👎 Cons: Average webcam, inaccurate colors, average battery life 

There are many good things to say about the Huawei MateBook D15. First, it’s reasonably priced yet packed with smart features. Second, it looks good. 

With the D15, you already have an 11th-gen Intel i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage space. All these make for a beast that can effortlessly support your daily computing activities, from creating artwork using Adobe PhotoShop to drafting spreadsheets and streaming Netflix. 

The MateBook D15 is best for those who care a lot about their eye health. This is because it features a TÜV Rheinland-certified display that reduces eye-impairing blue light.^[3]

With all these features, this is certainly one of the best laptops for students under ₱30k.

Acer ASPIRE 3 A315-58-345U

🏷️ Price: ₱26,999

💻 Product specs: 

• CPU: Intel Core i3-1115G4
• Memory: 4GB 
• Storage: 256GB
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 
• Screen: 15.6-inch FHD
• Weight: 1.7kg 

👍 Pros: Good build, stylish, good battery life, large screen  

👎 Cons: Average display, not meant for heavy tasks 

The Aspire 3 is a remarkable entry-level laptop from Taiwanese electronics giant Acer. This is perfect for students who only do light day-to-day tasks, such as reading, typing, and surfing the net. Nevertheless, you can use it to carry out demanding tasks such as photo and video editing, as long as the files are not that heavy. 

One of the major draws of the Aspire 3 is its large screen, measuring more than 15 inches. It boasts a full high-definition resolution, letting you enjoy leisurely activities such as movie streaming and basic gaming. 

DERE MBook M12 

🏷️ Price: Discounted price of  ₱19,339 at Lazada (originally ₱33,332)

💻 Product specs: 

• CPU: Intel Celeron N5095
• Memory: 8GB
• Storage: 512GB
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 
• Screen: 15.6-inch IPS
• Weight: 1.7kg 

👍 Pros: Stylish build, large screen, reliable entry-level specs

👎 Cons: Average battery life, no integrated web camera

DERE, a Chinese technology company, offers a roster of affordable laptops with high-end specs. The MBook M12 is one of them. 

It has a discounted price of less than  ₱20K, but the MBook M12 doesn’t scrimp on powerful features with its 8GB RAM and Intel Celeron N5095 processor. These components let you complete demanding tasks, from light video editing to gaming. 

Unlike other laptops in the same price range, the MBook M12 also has a backlit keyboard and even a numeric keypad. 

This device is also a thing of beauty. The laptop’s shell is made of magnesium alloy, rendering its look shiny and sleek. You won’t have any trouble carrying it around since it’s thin and lightweight. 

IdeaPad Slim 1i

🏷️ Price: Starts at  ₱17,995

💻 Product specs: 

• CPU: Intel Celeron N4500 Processor 
• Memory: 4GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 
• Screen: Up to 14-inch FHD IPS 
• Weight: 1.4kg

👍 Pros: Lightweight, good for surfing and word processing, good battery life 

👎 Cons: Basic, may lag if it runs multiple applications at once, no USB-C port  

Looking for the best laptop for students in the Philippines under 20K? Lenovo, one of the world’s leading tech brands, offers the IdeaPad Slim 1i to budget-conscious buyers. 

While an entry-level notebook, the IdeaPad 1i is built with a sleek and fancy-looking plastic chassis. The screen resolution may be basic, but it’s more than enough for daily computing, such as document processing, internet surfing, and spreadsheet editing. 

One notable feature of this device is its battery life. You can use it for about eight hours on a single charge. 

Nevertheless, the IdeaPad Slim 1i’s specs can be upgraded. For instance, its operating system is upgradable to up to Windows 11 Pro, and its memory to up to 8GB. 

Teclast F7 Plus 2 

🏷️ Price: Discounted price of  ₱13,500 on Lazada (originally ₱29,999)

💻 Product specs: 

• CPU: Intel Celeron Processor N4120
• Memory: 8GB 
• Storage: 256GB
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 9th Generation
• Screen: 14.1-inch FHD IPS 
• Weight: 1.3kg

👍 Pros: Lightweight, stylish, good battery life 

👎 Cons: Large trackpad that may affect your work   

What's the best laptop for students with a limited budget? Check out Teclast’s F7 Plus 2 Laptop, which you can get for less than ₱15,000 on Lazada. 

The F7 Plus 2, while affordable, boasts speed, thanks to its 8GB of RAM and Intel Celeron Processor N4120 chip. With Intel 9th Generation UHD graphics, you can enjoy watching 4K videos. A large and vivid screen also makes viewing always a pleasure. 

This affordable laptop for students in the Philippines has 256GB of storage, enough for those who only keep light to medium files. But if you’re hoarding heavy files, such as multimedia assets, you can expand your storage in two ways. 

First, you can install an additional solid-state drive (SSD). Second, you can simply put in a micro SD card. 

Read more: Got a Gearhead Loved One? Here are 12 Gadget Gifts They’ll Love!

How to Choose the Best Laptop for Students in the Philippines 

When you buy a laptop, a lot of considerations have to be taken into account. Taking the time to examine your options will lead you to a decision you won’t regret. Below are some of the factors you need to keep in mind.  

☑️ Price

As a general rule, you don’t have to go for the most expensive laptop, especially if its features don’t match your lifestyle and everyday tasks. If your degree regularly requires typewritten documents and basic presentations, a general productivity notebook with a cheaper price tag is a good choice.  

☑️ Size and Weight

Laptops come in various sizes, and you need to pick one you can carry anywhere. It’s not practical to carry a heavy laptop all day, every day. Always consider portability, but at the same time, think about the features that you may have to let go of. Remember that more compact laptops usually offer less performance and versatility.  

☑️ Memory 

Aside from the processor, the RAM dictates the speed of the laptop. 4GB is a decent size, but an 8GB memory can do a lot more. 

If your degree regularly requires you to churn out 3D renders or work on video editing and graphic design, get a laptop with 16GB of memory. Just remember that laptops with bigger RAM are usually expensive.    

☑️ Storage

What kind of data do you store? Are you liberal arts student who only keeps small documents? Or are you a multimedia student who works with large files? 

See if you’re the type of laptop owner who hoards lots of files, such as pictures and movies. 

☑️ Battery Life

As a student, your laptop will be your constant companion. With that, it needs to be reliable and always ready whenever you need it. Get yourself a laptop with long battery life so you can power through your day without any hitch. 

FAQs on Best Laptops for Students in the Philippines

Got some questions about buying the best laptop for students in the Philippines? Check out these items: 

1. Where to buy the best laptop for students in the Philippines? 

Just go to your local mall, and you’ll already find shops like Asianic, Octagon, and even your favorite brand’s very own store. The mall’s appliance center also sells laptops. 

Online, you can always go to Lazada and Shopee, PoundIt, and PC Express, among others. The best thing about these online shopping platforms is that their laptops tend to be cheaper, and you may also get freebies. 

If you’re living within the metro, you may want to visit Gilmore in New Manila to score laptop deals.

Planning to get a MacBook? Consider buying from the official Apple store and avail of education pricing. This will let you get a MacBook at a much lower price. To put this in perspective, the regular price of the MacBook Air M1 is ₱57,990. But with education pricing, you’ll get it for  ₱51,990. 

Just keep in mind that there are certain requirements for this program. You need to be a college student, a parent of a college student, a homeschool teacher of all grade levels, or a faculty/staff member. 

Read more: 14 Online Gadget Stores for Your Tech and Gaming Needs

2. How much should I budget for my laptop?  

Gone are the days when good laptops were priced around ₱30,000 or more. With the proliferation of online shopping platforms, it’s possible to get a powerful laptop at an affordable price. 

A good laptop for light school activities, such as document editing and internet browsing, should cost you around ₱20,000 to ₱30,000. However, if you’re looking for a heavy-duty laptop that you can use for a long time, prepare at least  ₱45,000 to ₱70,000. 

Nevertheless, it’s easier to afford a laptop now via several financing schemes. If you don’t have cash at hand, a personal loan with low interest rates can help you. You can also take advantage of 0% interest installment programs of major credit card companies. 

Here are some of the best credit cards for buying electronics:

💳 UnionBank Classic Visa Card

• 1 reward point for every ₱35 spend
• Up to 36 monthly installment terms at 0% interest

💳 BPI Amore Cashback Card

• Up to 4% cash back on department store spend
• Up to 0.3% cash back on other local retail spend

💳 HSBC Red Mastercard

• 4x reward points on online shopping
• One reward point for every ₱20 spend

💳 HSBC Gold Visa Cash Back

• 0.50% cash back on purchases
• Exclusive HSBC perks in 27,000 partner establishments worldwide

💳 Metrobank World Mastercard

• 1 rewards point per ₱20 purchase, double rewards points for international purchases
• 0% Installment program

💳 Security Bank Gold Rewards Mastercard

• 1 rewards point per ₱20 spend
• Buy now, pay later feature
• Installment of up to 12 months

3. What is the best brand of laptop for students?  

Some brands are known for building high-quality notebooks. However, the name shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all of your decision. Your focus should be on the following: the specs, the operating system, reviews, and of course, your budget.  

Certain universities may have laptop requirements but don’t necessarily require specific brands. This should give you enough assurance, especially if you’re on a budget. 

4. Which operating system (OS) should I choose?

Windows and Apple’s macOS are two of the most prominent operating systems in the computing industry. Your choice will largely depend on your activities. 

If you want a machine with a smooth user experience, macOS gives you just that through its intuitive interface and simple navigation scheme. If you want more control over your device, Windows offers more room for customization. 

Are you a designer or video editor who wants a reliable tool? MacBooks make an ideal choice because of their vivid colors and proprietary tools, such as Final Cut Pro. On the other hand, Windows devices are recommended for gaming because of their customizability and performance. 

5. Should I get a second-hand laptop? 

A second-hand laptop is an option worth checking out for those operating on a small budget. But you need to proceed at your own risk. 

If you’re not careful enough, you may end up with a defective laptop. The device you’ve purchased may be infected with malware that will endanger your files. 

Here are some tips to take note of: 

• Check the device for cracks, faulty keyboards, dead pixels, and even malware. 
• Check the laptop’s hinge. See to it that it’s not too loose. 
• Ask the seller for their reason for selling their laptop. 
• Check the device’s battery health and charging condition. 
• Ask if the software is updated. Better yet, run a software check. 
• Buy from people that you know, such as a family relative or a friend. You can easily contact them in case there’s a problem with your purchase.

Final Thoughts

A laptop computer is every student’s must-have. Finding the best laptop for students in the Philippines can be challenging, especially with the abundance of choices out there. Nevertheless, you can do away with this struggle if you stay focused on your needs and your lifestyle.

Sources: 

• ^[1] MacBook Air M1 specs
• ^[2] MSI Modern 14 specs
• ^[3] Huawei MateBook D15 specs