Best Laptops For Accounting Students 2024

In this article, we’ll be discussing the best laptops for accounting students and accountants alike. We’ll be taking into account (pun absolutely intended) the most important laptop features to meet your needs.

As an accounting student, you get to look forward to long hours of classes, lectures, and projects to learn your craft. You’ll need a laptop capable of handling large file sizes, analyzing figures from income and tax bracket calculators, and be able to run Excel or any invoicing system you need and perform daily processes with ease.

As an accounting professional, you’ll also need a laptop that will perform well under the pressure of all those numbers. A battery that can last the entire day will also be quite useful. Wouldn’t want to be a wall-hugger on your first day (or really any day), would you?

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Recommendations for April 2024

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon – WQHD Display
Asus VivoBook S15 – Cheap Dedicated Graphics
HP Spectre x360 – Portable 2 in 1
Dell XPS 13 7390 – Anti-reflective Display
Apple MacBook Pro 16 – Amazing All-Around
Acer Aspire E 15 – Cheap And Affordable
HP 17 – HD Display
ASUS ZenBook 13 – Portable and Durable
MSI GF63 – Entry Level Gaming
LG Gram – Long Battery Life

Table Of Contents shows

Best Laptops For Accounting Students In 2024

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon – WQHD Display

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

This laptop is all you need for your accounting, professional, academic, and personal needs. With a full keyboard and a stunning battery life, it is sure to take you through the busiest of days, crunching numbers. It also has a wide WQHD display giving you a better view of those numbers. The Lenovo ThinkPad remains one the highest rated laptops used by professionals

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is one of the most highly rated laptops by professionally.

This laptop offers a comfortable keyboard for all your number crunching needs while still being comfortably portable.

It is also well known for its battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad has an incredible battery life average of 10 hours. This average is calculated by allowing the laptop to run without any programs i.e. idling until it dies.

It is unlikely there will be many times where you take the laptop out and do nothing on it, so expect a slightly shorter battery life when the laptop is put under the pressure of several open and running programs. However, you should still enjoy an all-day battery life of around 8-9 hours on this machine.

Performing like a pro on the latest 10th gen Intel Core i7 processor with 16 GB RAM and an excellent storage space of 512 GB SSD, the ThinkPad should offer all the power you need for day to day work and school activities.

The needs of each person vary so this model (like many others) is highly configurable and can be fitted with whatever processor, graphics card, hard drive, and more to fit your needs. However, upgrading these features will affect the price.

Even with its base specs, this laptop gives you everything you need for an affordable price. It is sure to meet the budget requirements of many students and young professionals.

Recommended configuration for Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

Asus VivoBook S15 – Cheap Dedicated Graphics

Asus VivoBook S15

The Vivobook was a close runner up for best budget laptop for accounting with its powerful processing ability and budget-friendly price, but the main drawback to this one is the battery life. At 7 hours idling, the laptop is more or less equivalent to the other laptops on this list in regards to battery life. You’ll be working for hours on battery before needing to charge which works well under significant work loads.

The only other laptop on this list with a full keyboard, the Vivobook is great for those accountants and accounting students looking to make work with all those spreadsheets much smoother.

The laptop’s performance is quite impressive for the budget-friendly price. The laptop offers a high end processor (Intel Core i7), 256 GB of storage, and 8 GB RAM to power you through both daily and professional work loads.

This power will be heavily important when things start to get real busy in the spring for both accountants in tax season and students studying for finals.

Give your profession some flair by customizing your laptop. The Vivobook flaunts a customizable brushed aluminum chassis in five different colors, allowing you to pick the laptop that best suits your style.

An impressive price for an impressive machine, the Vivobook is one of the cheapest laptop on this list. It’s customizability will nudge the price around a bit but it should keep the price relatively affordable for those on strict budgets.

Recommended configuration for Asus VivoBook S15

HP Spectre x360 – Portable 2 in 1

HP Spectre x360-13.3" FHD Touch - 10gen...

This 2-in-1 is a versatile machine, capable of powering whatever programs you may need for work or school while also being lightweight and portable.

As both a laptop and a tablet, this machine offers a wide array of versatility to meet your needs. Its sturdy 360 hinges allow for it to be folded over into a tablet or to sit firmly in tent mode, giving you the ability to work wherever and however you want.

2-in-1s statistically offer fewer ports than standard laptops because of their small size and dual nature. However, there are no cut corners on this model as the Spectre offers corner mounted ports to extend the port options available to you.

It offers 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports, 1 USB 3.1 port (Gen 1 Type C) , and a headphone jack; a large offering considering most ultra slims are dropping ports to keep with a small design.

Recommended configuration for HP Spectre x360

Dell XPS 13 7390 – Anti-reflective Display

Dell XPS 13 7390

Dell XPS 13 7390 offers a sleek, ultraportable laptop with impressive processing power, memory and storage. Being one of the most famous Dell laptops out there, the Dell XPS 13 7390 is packing with features like its anti-reflective display and long battery life of 12 hours.

Weighing at almost 6 pounds, this laptop is a little heavier than usual. However you don’t need to be worried about this laptop taking up valuable space in your bag since its very small. Its portability makes it an attractive option for busy professionals and students on the go.

The Dell XPS 13 7390 comes with a gorgeous FHD display so you can see all those beautiful numbers you are accounting for sparkle.

For such a small machine, it comes with an awful lot of power. With a leading processor, a whopping 16GB RAM, and a vast 256 GB storage, this laptop is sure to get you through all your processing needs.

Recommended configuration for Dell XPS 13 7390

Apple MacBook Pro 16 – Amazing All Around

Apple MacBook Pro 16

Apple never ceases to innovate with their MacBook series. This laptop offers top of the line precision touchpad and TouchID features. Like most MacBooks, it retains its portability with a sleek, lightweight design and a battery that can last you most of the day. However, its price does not always live up to the hype. This laptop is nearly three times as expensive as other laptops on this list with fewer important features.

The Apple MacBook Pro 16 is amazing for accounting students especially because its very portable and amazing all around.

Weighing just 8 pounds, with an ultra slim design, this laptop allows you to move about university or the office with ease. For even portable devices, go with the MacBook Air which is a downgraded but more portable version of the Macbook Pro.

Apple pushes the limits of tech further and further with each release. This model offers TouchID for secure login and a Touch Bar to control the display to ease workflow efficiency. This tech also appears on the MacBook Air as well.

Be assured that this laptop will stand up to others in terms of performance. It leads its class in processing power and memory.

Recommended configuration for Apple MacBook Pro 16

Acer Aspire E 15 – Cheap And Affordable

Acer Aspire E 15

When you’re on a budget yet still have a business accounting to do – there is no better option than Acer Aspire E15. It’s a very quality laptop in terms of both design and performance which comes with a very comfortable full-sized keyboard and a long-lasting battery life.

Even though Acer Aspire E15 is a budget laptop that can run QuickBooks, it’s still equipped with a very decent configuration that increases the value of the laptop in whole.

It features Intel i3 processor, 8GB RAM, and SSD storage. Combine it with a long-lasting battery, and you won’t need a lot more than that.

Running an integrated graphics card by Intel, the full HD display still features a great resolution and image.

Surprisingly, this laptop can last for up to 13 hours on a single charge – depending on the use. However, we tested QuickBooks and were able to average about 11-13 hours of QuickBooks use on a single charge.

For a price Acer Aspire E15 costs, that’s very decent. Once the battery drains, it will take about 2-3 hours until a full charge again, which isn’t bad at all.

Other than running QuickBooks, you’ll be able to handle very quality business conference calls thanks to the TrueVision HD camera.

This camera even has an integrated digital microphone so you won’t ever need an external microphone or a pair of headphones.

Recommended configuration for Acer Aspire E 15

HP 17 – HD Display

HP 17

Working and studying for a long can be tiring, but with a NanoEdge bezel display that HP 17 offers – your eyes will never get sore again. Other than a beautiful & bright display, this laptop features a very powerful performance packed inside a reasonably sized 17 inch laptop.

The views of HP 17 are amazing thanks to the NanoEdge bezel display which works well together with a WideView display technology.

HP has even introduced their own Splendid software that helps users optimize display and enhance the image.

Looking at the numbers and QuickBooks & other accounting software was really a pleasure with this wide screen display.

The laptop features a comfortable keyboard. HP features a very ergonomic chiclet keyboard that is shaped in the right way that isn’t too small, but isn’t too big either.

The key distance travel is very satisfying, which improves the whole experience of typing using this keyboard.

It unfortunately doesn’t have a backlit keyboard and isn’t a full-sized keyboard, but it’s very comfortable typing experience and easy on the fingers which is positive.

Even though this laptop is very thin, it features a lot of ports which are always pretty great to have, depending on the amount of the external peripherals you’re looking to connect.

If you ever have to connect this laptop with any additional devices, you won’t have a single problem doing so.

With the help of USB 3.1 port (Type C) , you’ll have plenty of ways to connect to other gadgets directly. There is also an HDMI port, SD card port, and a microphone/headphone input port.

Recommended configuration for HP 17

ASUS ZenBook 13 – Portable and Durable

ASUS ZenBook 13

The ASUS ZenBook 13 is an amazing laptop for students because of its portability, durability, and amazing specs. This laptop was meant to be carried around for classes since it weighs only about 2.8 pounds and is 13.3 inches long. And to top it off, the ASUS ZenBook 13 has an impressive battery life of over 11 hours so you’ll be able to use it for classes for the entire day. This is surprisingly good considering it has the latest 10th gen i7 processor.

Being a student who’s on a budget means that you can’t spend all your money on an expensive laptop only to have it break after a couple of months. Warranties might cover accidents however this isn’t the case for all laptops you buy.

It’s better to buy a sturdy and durable laptop that will last for your entire life as a student on campus. Of course, you also have to take into consideration that you need a portable laptop as well since you’ll be moving from class to class often.

Finding a laptop of this criteria is hard but the ASUS ZenBook 13 fights the description. It’s very portable since it weighs only 2.8 pounds and it has a display of only 13 inches long. And as an accounting student you’ll love to hear that it has a very powerful 10th gen i7 processor that will make quick work of your calculations.

Lastly, accounting students will love that it has over 11 hours of battery life. So you don’t have to worry about charging it in the middle of class while you’re taking down important notes.

Recommended configuration for ASUS ZenBook 13

MSI GF63 – For Students Who Play Games

MSI GF63

Being an accounting student means having a laptop powerful enough to run accounting applications like Quickbooks while still being affordable. The MSI GF63 is a good entry level laptop that is powerful enough to run AAA titles as well as accounting software. Being an entry level gaming laptop, it's also very affordable.

If you want a laptop that’s powerful for your accounting apps as well as for recreational activities like gaming or watching movies, then you’ll love the MSI GF63.

Its an affordable entry level gaming laptop that has very powerful specs like a 9th gen i7 processors and a GTX 1050 for rendering files for games and school projects that need video editing.

Asides from this it also has a pretty large storage of 1256 GB which is more than enough for all of your school projects and large game files.

Lastly, being an entry level gaming laptop means that it’s affordable for accounting students who are willing to make an investment after calculating what they need for the entire school year.

Recommended configuration for MSI GF63

LG Gram – Long Battery Life

LG Gram

The LG Gram is a good alternative for the ASUS ZenBook 13 if you’re looking for a wider screen and longer battery life of 21 hours. Although not as durable as the ASUS ZenBook 13, the LG Gram is still pretty tough with its military standard durability and its low weight which severely reduces the impacts of drops.

If you’re looking to use your laptop for days without having to charge it, then you’ll like the LG Gram. This laptop has over 21 hours of battery life allowing you to use it for long periods of time without having to worry about the battery dying out.

Asides from its long battery life, it surprisingly has powerful specs with the latest 10th gen i7 processors and a decent Intel Iris Plus graphics. What’s even more surprising is its weight since it weighs only about 2.4 lbs.

The LG gram is definitely something accounting students should check out.

Recommended configuration for LG Gram

Picking The Best Laptop For Accounting Students in 2024

Weight & Size

A lightweight, thin laptop is best for students who are always on the go to and from the office or classes, lectures, and clubs as well as professionals traveling from the office to meetings and anywhere in between. We will be looking for laptops under 4 lbs.

Battery

A lengthy battery life will carry you through those long days and projects, and prevent you from becoming a chronic wall-hugger. A decent battery life should hold you over for several hours, ideally around 8 hours, on a single charge.

Storage

Large amounts of storage allows you to save those big spreadsheets and documents. We will be looking for large storage space on both HDDs and SSDs and aim for storage of at least 256GB and above.

Depending on your need, you might require an external storage device where you can store games, movies, and others.

Performance

For the demands of accounting, you’ll want a laptop that performs well under the pressure of large spreadsheets and multiple open apps, tabs, and documents. For this criteria, we will be looking primarily at the processor and RAM.

Ideally, any modern processor (e.g. Intel Core i5-i7 5th generation or higher) would have the capability to run the programs needed for accounting. The ideal RAM for accounting would be 8GB RAM or more to accommodate those big spreadsheets.

Keyboard

For accounting professionals, a numerical keypad is the fastest way to enter information. A laptop must have a screen size of at least 15.6″ to include this feature. Laptops smaller than 15.6″ won’t have a numeric keypad but should have the functionality to support an external numeric keypad so do not fear!

Portability

As a student, you know that bringing a heavy laptop is out of the question especially if your schedule involves moving around campus to get from one class to the other. Doing it with a 7 or 8 pound laptop isn’t possible.

Ideally you’d want a small and portable laptop that is easy to carry around. It would be nice if it would fit in your bag as well along with your other school supplies.

5 pounds and below is doable but ideally you’d want something lighter. A laptop between 2 to 4 pounds is the ideal weight so that carrying it around all day won’t cause much strain to the body.

Durability

Student laptops should last for a long time. Warranties might cover a lot of accidents but its really a hassle and a waste of time going to customer support and having to appeal for a warranty.

That time is valuable and you’ll be missing out on studying for exams as well as having fun with your friends.It’s simply time consuming and it would be better if your laptop was durable in the first place.

Buying laptops with military grade durability is a good way to ensure that you won’t be buying a new one for a very long time. It saves you both money and time this way.

Price

Being a student who’s still struggling with rent and food, you’ll want the cheapest laptop you can get. However the budget laptop you should be choosing should have necessary specs you need in your accounting classes.

This means you need a powerful enough laptop for your accounting software while still being relatively cheap. You’re the accounting student, I’m sure you can calculate the right price you’ll be needing in class.

Warranty

It doesn’t matter how amazing the laptop you’ve bought is if it dies down within a year. Make sure that the laptop has a warranty and that it’s long enough to ensure that you didn’t waste your money for nothing.

A warranty of at least 1 year is the standard, even better if it’s 2 or 3 years!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an integrated numeric keypad really that important for me?

As an accounting professional, who will work with numbers every day, an integrated numeric keypad will not only make your life easier by enabling you to efficiently enter numerical data but it may also save you some money. Laptops without integrated numeric keypads require that you buy one that can connect either via a port or Bluetooth connection. As seen above, some of these laptops lack available ports and buying a separate device for your ultraslim laptop sort of defeats the purpose of the laptop’s portability. You’ll also have the bonus of a slightly larger screen to fit the keyboard.

Why do I need so much processing power?

Since you will be mainly working with spreadsheets and likely many other types of accounting software, the better your processor, memory, and storage, the faster your laptop is going to perform. Large file sizes require a lot of power and so you don’t have to wait for your laptop to catch up with your busy life and work, the more processing power the better.

Which processor is best On A Laptop for accounting?

You need a good balance between power and price. Most i7 and even i9 processors are expensive which is why you’ll find a lot of premium laptops with i7 or i9s as their processors. That’s one of the reasons why they are expensive as well.

Processors under the i3’s category on the other hand are very cheap and inexpensive. Getting a 9th or 10th gen i3 processors is usually enough to run your accounting programs but we advise sticking with an i5 processor.

Preferably 8 to 10th gen i5 processors like the Intel Core i5-8265U from the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. However you can go for i7’s if you really want to do more then run accounting programs.

Kenny Trinh

Kenny Trinh is a seasoned expert in the field of laptops and technology, boasting an extensive background enriched by years of hands-on experience and in-depth research. With a keen eye for innovation and a passion for staying ahead of the technological curve, Kenny has established himself as a trusted voice in the tech community. Holding a prestigious degree in Computer Science, he combines his academic insights with practical expertise to deliver valuable insights and recommendations to his readers and followers. Through his work, Kenny aims to demystify complex tech concepts, empowering individuals to make informed decisions and optimize their digital experiences.

Best Laptops for Accounting Students