Best Laptops for Nursing Students in 2026

When you’re in nursing school, your laptop becomes one of your most important tools. From taking notes during lectures to reviewing clinical materials and running nursing software, you need a device that’s reliable and efficient.

The best laptops for nursing students balance performance with portability, offering long battery life and lightweight designs that keep up with your busy schedule. In this article, you’ll find the top nursing school laptops, chosen for their speed, affordability, and ability to handle the demands of nursing education.

What To Look for in a Nursing School Laptop

When choosing a laptop for nursing school, you’ll want a balance of speed, portability, and durability. A lightweight design makes it easier to carry between classes and clinicals, while long battery life helps you power through a full day without worrying about charging. 

Look for laptops with fast processors (Intel i5/Ryzen 5 or higher), solid-state drives (SSD) for quick loading, and at least 8GB of RAM. Compatibility with electronic medical record (EMR) systems or specialized nursing software is also key.

Best Laptops for Nursing School

Each laptop below has been evaluated for performance, portability, and affordability. These are the best picks for nursing students.

1. Apple MacBook Air (M4)

The Apple MacBook Air (M4) is lightweight, long-lasting, and powerful enough to handle multitasking with ease. Its 18-hour battery life means you can attend lectures, complete assignments, and stream study sessions without constantly plugging in. Nursing students who want reliability and portability will find it a great fit.

• Memory: 8–16GB RAM
• Storage: 256–512GB SSD
• Weight: ~2.7 lbs
• Battery life: Up to 18 hours

2. ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED

With its OLED display, the ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED makes reviewing charts, reading e-books, and watching lectures clear and comfortable on the eyes. The slim design is easy to carry, while the strong battery life supports long days of studying. It’s a great mix of portability and power for nursing students.

• Memory: 16GB RAM
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Weight: ~3 lbs
• Battery life: Up to 15 hours

3. Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC offers excellent performance with a sleek design that’s ideal for nursing school. The touchscreen is perfect for digital note-taking, and its 18-hour battery life makes it dependable during long clinical days. Lightweight and versatile, it’s built for multitasking.

• Memory: 16GB RAM
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Weight: ~2.9 lbs
• Battery life: Up to 18 hours

4. Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 doubles as both a laptop and a tablet, giving you flexibility to use it for interactive note-taking, reading, or streaming lectures. Nursing students who want affordability and versatility will find this model especially appealing.

• Memory: 16GB RAM
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Weight: ~3.6 lbs
• Battery life: Up to 12 hours

5. Dell Plus 2-in-1 16"

The Dell Plus 2-in-1 16" offers a larger screen that makes multitasking easier. It’s a great option if you prefer having multiple windows open for assignments, study guides, or lecture slides. With strong performance and a convertible design, it adapts to the way you study.

• Memory: 32GB RAM
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Weight: ~4.2 lbs
• Battery life: Up to 12 hours

6. Samsung Galaxy Book4

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 provides solid performance at an affordable price point. If you already use Android devices, it integrates seamlessly with your phone or tablet, making studying and staying organized more efficient. Its long battery life also makes it a dependable choice.

• Memory: 16GB RAM
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Weight: ~3.4 lbs
• Battery life: Up to 15 hours

7. HP OmniBook 5

The HP OmniBook 5 is a midrange laptop that can handle EMR systems, study apps, and multitasking without slowing you down. Its sturdy build and reliable performance make it a smart investment for nursing students who want a balance of durability and affordability.

• Memory: 16GB RAM
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Weight: ~3.8 lbs
• Battery life: Up to 10 hours

8. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Gen 7

For nursing students on a budget, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Gen 7 is a reliable everyday laptop. It works well for online classes, assignments, and browsing, though it doesn’t have the same high performance as premium picks. Still, it’s an affordable way to get the basics covered.

• Memory: 8GB RAM
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Weight: ~3.5 lbs
• Battery life: Up to 9 hours

9. ASUS Vivobook 14

The ASUS Vivobook 14 is lightweight, affordable, and easy to carry around campus. It’s best suited for lighter workloads like note-taking, online coursework, and web-based study platforms. While it has less storage than higher-end options, it still meets the core needs of nursing students.

• Memory: 8GB RAM
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• Weight: ~3.1 lbs
• Battery life: Up to 8 hours

10. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3

One of the most affordable options, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 gives you everything you need for writing papers, streaming lectures, and browsing online resources. It may not be the most powerful, but it gets the job done without straining your budget.

• Memory: 8GB RAM
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Weight: ~3.6 lbs
• Battery life: Up to 8 hours

Best Budget Laptops for Nursing Students

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a laptop that works for nursing school. While budget models may not match the performance of premium laptops, they’re more than capable of handling assignments, online classes, and research. Two strong picks are:

• Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Gen 7: A dependable choice under $400, it’s perfect if you primarily need a laptop for writing, lectures, and coursework.
• ASUS Vivobook 14: The laptop is lightweight and portable, with just enough performance for everyday student needs. It’s one of the most affordable laptops that still meets minimum nursing school requirements.

Additional Considerations for Nursing Students

The right accessories can make your laptop even more effective. A 2-in-1 with touchscreen capabilities is helpful for interactive note-taking, while cloud storage ensures your assignments are always backed up. 

Investing in a protective case keeps your laptop safe during clinical rotations, and extended warranties provide peace of mind. External hard drives and portable chargers can also add convenience for students on the go.

FAQs About Nursing School Laptops

Students often ask about software compatibility, affordability, and what features matter most when choosing a laptop for nursing school. Here are some common questions answered.

What Are the Minimum Laptop Requirements for Nursing School?

Most nursing programs suggest a laptop with at least an Intel i5 or Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB solid-state drive (SSD). These specs make sure your device can handle online learning platforms, electronic medical record (EMR) systems, and video lectures without lagging. Higher specs like 16GB RAM or 512GB SSD offer more speed and storage if your budget allows.

Are Macs or PCs Better for Nursing Students?

Both Macs and PCs can work well for nursing school, but compatibility is the key factor. Some nursing programs use software that is Windows-only, making a PC the safer choice. 

Macs are still great for general coursework, note-taking, and research, especially if you prefer Apple’s ecosystem. Always check your school’s recommended tech requirements before purchasing.

Do Nursing Students Need a Touchscreen Laptop?

A touchscreen laptop isn’t required, but it can make schoolwork easier. Nursing students who like annotating PDFs, sketching diagrams, or taking handwritten digital notes benefit most. 

A 2-in-1 convertible device can also double as a tablet for reading e-textbooks or using apps in clinical settings. If your budget is limited, a standard laptop without touch is perfectly fine.

Can You Use a Chromebook for Nursing School?

Chromebooks are affordable and good for web-based learning, but they have limitations. Many Chromebooks can’t run specialized medical software or EMR programs that nursing schools sometimes require. 

They’re best as a secondary device for basic tasks like research, writing, or streaming lectures. If you want one laptop for all your coursework, a Windows or Mac model is the safer option.

What Is the Best Budget Laptop for Nursing Students?

The best budget laptops are those that balance affordability with reliability. Models like the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Gen 7 and ASUS Vivobook 14 cost under $500 but still meet nursing school requirements with 8GB of RAM and SSD storage. While they don’t offer premium performance, they’re dependable for assignments, online classes, and study sessions, making them solid entry-level picks.

Explore Nursing School Laptops

Find the laptop that matches your study habits, budget, and program requirements. Explore recommended nursing school laptops on Learn.org to compare features and choose the best fit for your nursing education.