May 06, 2023Â | Updated: January 13, 2026
The best Surface laptops for cybersecurity students
Buying a new laptop for college is easy when you’re choosing a Surface Copilot+ PC from Microsoft. Some majors, like cybersecurity, may require a device that has special features and design qualities with your school needs in mind. No matter what your major is, Surface Copilot+ PCs can help you excel in your studies. Explore the best laptops and 2-in-1s for cybersecurity students and the features you should look for in your next device.
What do cybersecurity students need in a laptop?
The most important laptop feature for cybersecurity students should be its security. You’ll want to complete your homework, projects, and tests without compromising your files. Surface Copilot+ PCs are secure to the core, so you gain the advantage of the most advanced Windows 11 security capabilities right out of the box.
Surface Copilot+ PCs include the Microsoft Pluton1 security co-processor. It’s not just any processor. It’s the ultimate security processor because it’s built right into the CPU. The result? It’s harder to hack and easier to update—all to protect your credentials and data.
Your laptop should also have the storage, RAM, and speed to successfully run all your classroom programs. Here are specific features you should look for in your next laptop:
All-day battery life
Whether you choose to study solo in the library or wrap up school projects with your friends at the student lounge, Surface Copilot+ PCs provide top performance across your apps and a long battery life2 to go the distance. Fast recharge keeps you up and running even longer.
Strong connectivity
Devices with the latest Wi-Fi standards and the option for 5G connectivity help ensure you can stay online no matter where you are. Surface devices provide robust connectivity, with the latest Wi-Fi 7 and optional 5G.
Add a Surface USB4 Dock3 for ultrafast data transfer speeds, expanded port options for essential accessories, up to 65W of power passthrough to charge devices, and dual 4k monitor support.
Sharp display
As a cybersecurity student, you’ll have some work where the background screen is black. Small text, like commas, period, and spaces, may be hard to see on top of a black background. You’ll want a laptop that has a crisp screen resolution that allows you to see all the tiny sized details in your cybersecurity applications.
Surface Copilot+ PCs feature vibrant PixelSense™ touchscreens for a sharp, clear display so you can see all the text and images clearly.
Fast processing speed
Cybersecurity programs may require you to download a lot of data to complete your work. If you don’t want to be sitting in the library for long hours while waiting for your information to download, you should get a laptop that has a fast processor.
Surface Copilot+ PCs make this possible because they’re powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon® X Series processors. This super-fast CPU makes it possible to run AI-intensive processes locally and gives you the speed and power to access lectures, videos, homework, and cybersecurity systems.
RAM and storage
Completing your cybersecurity studies can take several years, so you’ll want a laptop with plenty of storage to keep your files and lessons safe. Just as important is having enough RAM to handle multitasking and demanding tools and data downloads.
Surface Copilot+ PCs offer 16 GB to 64 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 256 GB to 1 TB of SSD storage, giving you both the speed to run virtual machines and security apps smoothly, and the space to store your coursework without juggling external drives.
Surface devices great for cybersecurity students
Now that you know some of the key features you should look for in a laptop for cybersecurity, you may still be stumped about where you can start your search. Find the right Surface for you. Compare Surface Copilot+ PCs today.
- DISCLAIMER: Features and functionality subject to change. Articles are written specifically for the United States market; features, functionality, and availability may vary by region.
- [1] Built in on all Copilot+ PCs and hardware dependent on other Windows 11 PCs.
- [2] Battery life varies significantly based on usage, network and feature configuration, signal strength, settings, and other factors. See aka.ms/SurfaceBatteryPerformance for details.
- [3] Sold separately.