If you are looking for an ideal Best Laptop for UPSC Preparation, you have come to the right place! We understand that cracking UPSC can be a daunting task. On top of gaining knowledge on various subjects, one needs to be an expert in current affairs too, and it requires some serious research. A robust laptop becomes the ideal partner in this scenario as it helps with research and making notes.

Hence, one cannot undermine the significance of a sturdy laptop in the life of a UPSC aspirant. It needs to be a robust machine, as any budget-friendly option may not cut the chase.

Hence, let us check out the best laptops for UPSC preparation.

Lets Check Our High Rating & Budget 3 Best Laptop for UPSC Preparation

Table Of Contents

Top 5 Best Laptop for UPSC Preparation: Expert Review

RankPictureNameShops
#1

HP 15s,11th Gen Intel Core i3

  • Brand: HP
  • Series: 15s-fq2673TU
Price
#2

Lenovo [SmartChoice IdeaPad Slim 3

  • Brand: Lenovo
  • Model Name: Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
Price
#3

Acer Aspire 3 Laptop Intel Core i3

  • Brand: Acer
  • Model Name: Aspire 3
Price
#4

Acer Aspire Intel Core i5 11th Gen

  • Brand:Acer
  • Model Name: Aspire 3
Price
#5

HP 14s, AMD Ryzen

  • Brand: HP
  • Model Name: HP 14s-fq1092au
Price

List of the 5 Best Laptop for UPSC Preparation :

HP 15s,11th Gen Intel Core

HP 15s

Specifications:

  • Brand: HP
  • Model Name: 15s-fq2673TU
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
  • Colour: Natural Silver
  • Hard Disk Size: 512 GB
  • CPU Model: Core i3
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HP 15s,11th Gen Intel Core

The HP 15s is a newly launched system that would be ideal for video editing. HP has equipped this machine with an 11th Gen Intel Core i3 – 1115G4 CPU with up to 4.1 GHz clock speed, which can undertake even heavy processes. HP has also provided the laptop with 8 GB of DDR4 RAM running at 3200 MHz, 512 GB of PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage, and an integrated Intel UHD Graphics unit to ensure a smooth performance even under heavy load.

The laptop also has a 15.6” FHD anti-glare nano-edge OLED display with a peak brightness of 250 nits. Such impressive specifications, combined with the robust build quality that HP is known for, make the experience of using the laptop a breeze. The laptop is also highly portable at just 1.69 kg and 1.79 cm in thickness, making it a good option for carrying around the campus between lectures.If you are looking for the Best Laptop For UPSC Preparation then this laptop will fulfill all your needs.

Pros

  • Good Performance
  • Excellent Port Selection
  • Thin & Lightweight

Cons

  • No backlit keyboard
  • Average Speakers

Final Verdict

  • HP 15s
    The HP 15s is an excellent choice for anyone searching for a best laptop for UPSC preparation. The laptop’s excellent CPU is what makes it powerful enough to handle everyday research with multiple open browser tabs and MS Office files without any lag. Combined with the robust build quality that HP is known for, we can easily recommend this laptop.
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Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

Specifications:

  • Brand: Lenovo
  • Model Name: IdeaPad 3 15IAU7
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
  • Colour: Arctic Grey
  • Hard Disk Size: 512 GB
  • CPU Model: Core i5
  • RAM Memory Installed Size: 8 GB
  • Operating System: Windows 11 Home
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Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3

The IdeaPad series from Lenovo has had huge success with consumers due to the everyday dependability and the availability of excellent specifications in budget-friendly laptops. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 continues this tradition since it is equipped with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 – 1235U CPU, 8 GB of DDR4 RAM, 512 GB of SSD storage and an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU.

Lenovo has also provided a good panel in the form of 15.6” narrow-edge FHD IPS LED-backlit LCD display. It helps to use the laptop under direct sunlight, although we would not recommend doing so. Lenovo also claims good battery backup with up to 7 hours of usage with a single charge while also providing rapid charging technology.

Pros

  • Good Performance
  • Narrow-bezel Display
  • Thin & Lightweight

Cons

  • Average Speakers
  • Lack of true-HD Webcam.

Final Verdict

  • Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
    While the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is an all-rounder laptop & best laptop for upsc preparation, opt for it only if you are on a tight budget. The k everyday tasks thrown at it by a UPSC aspirant. However, you may not be adequately future-proofing your investment with this laptop.
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Acer Aspire Intel Core i5

Acer Aspire Intel Core i5

Specifications:

  • Brand: Acer
  • Model Name: Aspire 3
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
  • Colour: Silver
  • Hard Disk Size: 2 TB
  • CPU Model: Core i3
  • RAM Memory Installed Size: 4 GB
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Acer Aspire Intel Core i5

Acer Aspire 3 is another everyday best laptop for upsc preparation. Being a modern system, the laptop even has the looks to match its robust performance. Acer has equipped the laptop with an 11th Gen Intel Core i3 – 1115G4 CPU, 4 GB of DDR4 RAM, and an integrated Intel UHD Graphics processing unit. The laptop also provides the ideal data storage solution in the form of 256 GB high-speed SSD and 2 TB of HDD storage.

Acer has also provided an excellent 15.6” narrow-bezel FHD display and an elevated-hinge design to ensure a smooth user experience. The laptop is also very lightweight at 1.7 kg, and the 19.9 mm thickness helps in making it a highly portable machine. Acer has also graciously provided 2 high-speed USB-A 3.2 slots for quicker interfacing with other devices.

Pros

  • Highly Portable
  • Dual Storage
  • 2 USB 3.2 slots

Cons

  • Average Battery Backup
  • Average Speakers

Final Verdict

  • Acer Aspire 3
    The Acer Aspire 3 is an excellent choice for multi-tasking and data storage. Since it has dual storage, it perfectly balances storage space and quicker read-write times. Additionally, the elevated-hinge design provides an ergonomic typing experience, making it perfect for anyone appearing for UPSC exams.
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Acer Aspire 3 (Intel i5 Model)

Acer Aspire Intel Core i5

Specifications:

  • Brand: Acer
  • Model Name: Aspire 3
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
  • Colour: Silver
  • CPU Model: Core i5
  • RAM Memory Installed Size: 16 GB
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Acer Aspire 3 (Intel i5 Model)

The Acer Aspire 3 with Intel’s 11th Gen Core i5 – 1135G7 CPU is the better version of the laptop we discussed above. While it is definitely costlier, the added cost translates to more performance for an already excellent machine. Apart from the better CPU, this model of Acer Aspire 3 comes with 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, an integrated Intel UHD GPU, and 512 GB of high-speed SSD storage.

As mentioned earlier, the ergonomic elevated-hinge design and the narrow-bezel 15.6” LED-backlit FHD display is available on this model too. It also includes Acer’s proprietary BlueLightShield technology to comfort the eyes while studying for UPSC exams. It also comes equipped with Wi-Fi 5 to ensure faster connectivity which aids in research. Additionally, the hinge’s elevation also helps maintain better airflow, making the laptop run cooler for longer.

Pros

  • Highly Portable
  • Elevated Hinge
  • 2 USB 3.2 slots

Cons

  • Average Battery Backup
  • Average Speakers

Final Verdict

  • Acer Aspire 3 (i5)
    The Intel Core i5 model of the Acer Aspire 3 is another strong contender for being the ideal laptop for UPSC preparation. While it ditches the HDD storage option available in the Intel Core i3 model, the better CPU variant and the four times increase in RAM ensure a smooth performance even when you have a hundred tabs open in your internet browser.
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HP 14s

HP Laptop 14s

Specifications:

  • Model Name: HP 14s-fq1092au
  • Screen Size: 14 Inches
  • Colour: Natural Silver
  • Hard Disk Size: 512 GB
  • CPU Model: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
  • RAM Memory Installed Size: 8 GB
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HP 14s

Since we have included all 15.6” laptops until now, we are including a 14” option considering their popularity and portability. The HP 14s is ideal for any student’s usage as it is not much larger than an A4 notebook. HP has equipped the laptop with an AMD Ryzen 5-5500U CPU, 8 GB of DDR4 RAM, 512 GB of PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage and an integrated AMD Radeon Graphics processing unit.

HP has also provided the laptop with a 14” narrow-bezel LED-backlit FHD display and backlit keyboard for an enhanced user experience. The laptop also has Miracast for wireless casting and Bluetooth 5 for enhanced connectivity with other electronic peripherals. Additionally, the laptop also comes with fast charging, which helps it charge up to 50% in 45 minutes. The lightweight design, lack of an optical disk drive and a hard disk, as well as the smaller form factor also helps enhance the laptop’s portability.

Pros

  • Excellent Performance
  • Exceptional Portability
  • Backlit Keyboard

Cons

  • Average Speakers
  • No Number Pad

Final Verdict

  • HP 14s
    The HP 14s is a great choice for anyone looking for the best combination between performance and portability. The laptop is extremely lightweight and can be carried around campus between lectures without hassle. Additionally, the robust CPU choice by HP also ensures smooth performance, making it ideal for a UPSC aspirant who would require all the help they can get for easy research and studies.
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Best Laptop Features for UPSC Preparation

Processor

Since the processor is the brain of the computer, one needs to ensure that the laptop used for UPSC preparation has at least an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 CPU. It will provide the required processing power for researching over the internet and making notes.

Memory

RAM is essential for multitasking; hence, you should choose a laptop with at least 8 GB of RAM to ensure smooth performance. Getting 16 GB of RAM is advisable to future-proof your valuable purchase, as computing needs are bound to increase with time.

Storage

UPSC preparation also requires you to store a lot of files on your system. Although PDF and other document file formats do not take up much space in the system, getting at least 512 GB of the faster Solid State Drive (SSD) storage is advisable.

Graphics

An UPSC aspirant would not require a dedicated GPU; hence, you can skip it. However, if you wish to undertake any creative tasks like video-editing or gaming as a hobby, you should get a laptop with a dedicated GPU from Nvidia or AMD.

Display

While a UPSC aspirant may not require the best display, it is what you see when you are using a laptop; hence, you should ensure that you have a decent display with good resolution. While HD is the standard resolution for 15.6” laptops, you can also opt for FHD and 4K options if you wish so. You can also opt for 14” displays for added portability.

Battery

Battery is another essential component to consider when choosing the ideal laptop. There are two aspects to consider here, the battery capacity and how quickly it can charge. While the accurate battery capacity would be mentioned in the laptop spec sheet, you should not blindly believe the claimed backup times, as those times are usually achieved under laboratory conditions.

FAQS

Which is the best laptop for UPSC preparation?

The ideal laptop for UPSC preparation would be the one with the best specifications you can get within your budget. Since UPSC studies require the candidate to undertake extensive research, it is imperative that the system has a robust processor and ample amount of memory. If you are on a budget, you can choose laptops with either Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 CPUs, with 8 GB of RAM.

Is a laptop useful for UPSC preparation?

Laptops are extremely useful for a UPSC aspirant since they are portable in nature. Hence, the candidate can have the ease of using the system anywhere, from the tabletop to the bed. It also ensures that the studies are not interrupted in case of power cuts. Additionally, laptops also take less amount of space than a desktop system, which results in additional convenience for the candidate.

Which is best for UPSC, laptop or tablet?

The choice between a laptop or tablet ultimately falls on the individual using the system. While a laptop would be ideal for typing and related usage, tablets are geared towards tasks such as watching videos or creating digital art. The ability to draw directly on the screen is what sets tablets apart from laptops. However, for a UPSC aspirant, it is not a concern since they need not have such tasks. Hence, the aspirant should decide whether to opt for laptop or tablet for undertaking their studies.

Conclusion

The various laptops we discussed until now are perfect for UPSC preparations due to their unique features. While the HP 15s and 14s are great choices based on their performance and robust hardware, both models of Acer Aspire 3 can also provide the UPSC aspirant with a smooth performance. Meanwhile, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 also proves to be a good contender for the role of the ideal laptop for UPSC preparations. Hence, you can check out the pros and cons of each model and choose the perfect one based on your usage and requirements.