What we’re looking for How we test laptops Collapse The Verge tests laptops with an emphasis on real-world use. Design Collapse A student’s laptop should be well built and portable. The best laptop for most studentsUnless you’re going into a field involving lots of graphics rendering or video editing, a MacBook Air should be more than enough computer to last through the student years. It’s a great Chromebook for older students, and a solid machine for just about anyone who wants a no-nonsense everyday computer. It’s one of the cheapest Chromebooks with the Plus designation, which means it meets a certain level of performance, battery life, and quality.