The best back-to-school laptops, desktops and tablets

The latest MacBook Pros are loaded with the newest Intel processors and faster AMD graphics cards, so one of these 2017 laptops -- like the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar shown here -- should easily last you through four years of college. 

See all our picks in the CNET Back-to-School guide.

The 15-inch Asus ROG Zephyrus laptop is incredibly slim despite its Intel Core i7 and Nvidia GeForce 1080 GPU. That's really the combo you want for high-end PC gaming, while still being suitable (if expensive) for schoolwork. 

See all our picks in the CNET Back-to-School guide.

New internal upgrades make a world of difference, and should make it easier to choose the slim, attractive 2017 MacBook over the bigger MacBook Pro, or the still severely outdated MacBook Air.

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The LG Gram is a 13-inch laptop so thin and light you'll keep checking your backpack just to make sure it's actually in there. It has all-day battery life to boot. 

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This little pen-enabled 2-in-1 is meant for business, but with its security features, durable construction and long battery life, the Toshiba Portege X20W-D is perfect for toting around campus.

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Microsoft's first ultraportable clamshell, the Microsoft Surface Laptop, stands out in a sea of MacBook wannabes, delivering very good battery life in a slim, modern design.

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An entry-level gaming system that won't get you too many stares out in public, the Acer Aspire VX 15 lets you sneak in some gaming between study sessions.

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The budget-friendly 2-in-1 Samsung Chromebook Pro puts Google's Chrome OS to good use, making it a fine alternative to Windows and Mac laptops.

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The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA looks and feels better than its sub-$500 price, and this 12.5-inch 2-in-1 is a perfect alternative to low-end Windows 10 laptops.

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At less than 3 pounds (1.4 kg), the hybrid HP Spectre x360 won't break your back, but if you want to save some money and extend your battery life, opt for the full HD-resolution screen, not 4K.

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For 2017, Dell took one of our favorite 13-inch ultraportables and turned it into a 2-in-1. And you know what? The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is still awesome.

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It's not for the budget-conscious, but if you want a powerful -- and beautiful -- Windows alternative to an Apple MacBook Pro, the Razer Blade is it.

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The Lenovo IdeaPad 110S is a good inexpensive choice for those with needs that don't go far beyond word processing and web surfing, with a great keyboard.

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Microsoft makes one of the best tablet-laptops around. The newest Microsoft Surface Pro has longer battery life -- always useful -- and most models are fanless.

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Apple's latest and greatest 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros have plenty of screen space to take advantage of the new split-screen, app-managing and file management tools in iOS 11. The new features make the tablets feel more computerlike -- in a good way.

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If you don't need the power of the iPad Pro, the basic 9.7-inch iPad is still a great tablet. For iPhone users, it'll be an easy transition to the big screen.

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The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 probably has a better screen than your TV. If you want a tablet for taking notes in class and watching video at home, the Galaxy Tab S3 is one of the best for both.

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While the Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16's sophisticated capabilities are geared toward professionals, art students can dream about this pricey and portable Windows 10 tablet.

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Some people just want a tablet for play, not work, so paying a lot for one doesn't make any sense. The Amazon Fire HD 8 is a perfectly fine tablet for casual tasks, and it's affordably priced.

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If you really don't want to pay a lot for a tablet, the $50 Amazon Fire is the best rock-bottom choice. Just beware, you get what you pay for.

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If you want a Windows 10 tablet inside the body of an iPad Pro, the Samsung Galaxy Book is a swell compromise. It lacks the finesse of the Galaxy Tab S3 Android tablet, but it's still a sexy slate in comparison to other Windows 10 tablets.

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Unlike the Surface Pro, the Lenovo Miix 510 includes the keyboard in its price. And, if you're shopping on a budget, it's also more wallet-friendly than the Microsoft tablet.

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Extremely portable and sleek, the Huawei MediaPad M3 is the perfect binge-watching buddy while on the go.

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The Lenovo ThinkPad X1's kick-ass keyboard makes it a more appealing option than other tablet hybrids.

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For even more room for work (or play), the HP Curved Envy AIO 34's curved 34-inch display is great for juggling multiple windows of research, and pulls double duty as a full-on entertainment system.

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The 2017 iMac 27 is the perfect system for the Apple fan going back to school whose major requires more flexibility than a MacBook can deliver.

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If dorm room desktop space is at a premium, the HP Elite Slice is smaller than a notebook, and if you pair it with a display on an arm, will take up barely any desk space at all.

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There's one Linux hobbiest in every residence hall. If that's you, the Endless Mission One, a quirky low-cost mini desktop, does a lot with minimal hardware, and even includes preloaded educational software. 

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The Dell XPS 27 is a great all-around all-in-one with a color-accurate display for designers, but also a killer set of 10 speakers for when you need a little background music for studying (or partying). 

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Designers, architects and other creative types will like the Microsoft Surface Studio's giant reclining display, the excellent stylus and the very cool Surface Dial for onscreen control in apps like Photoshop.

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A new version of the computer accessory called the AirBar adds touch functions to Apple's slim 13-inch MacBook Air laptop, using a USB-connected sensor bar that attaches to the bottom edge of the display.

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There's more magic in Apple's Magic Keyboard -- a new version of the slim, wireless accessory now includes a 10-key numeric keypad. It's very, very similar to the current Magic Keyboard, but it makes the process of typing numbers into your computer a breeze.

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Many new laptops have only USB-C ports, so to hook up any of your older equipment, from displays to memory sticks, you'll need an adapter. This Accell USB-C Mini Dock adds a USB-A port and HDMI, and still lets you charge via USB-C.

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The Evoluent VerticalMouse 4 is a clever idea for anyone who experiences wrist or arm pain from using a standard mouse. This "vertical" version turns your wrist 90 degrees, and is surprisingly comfortable to use.

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Another untraditional mouse, the Penclic R2 looks like a pen attached to a tiny base. It angles to meet your wrist, and feels a lot like using an actual pen. It takes some getting used to, but could be a good alternative if a regular mouse causes wrist pain.

See all our picks in the CNET Back-to-School guide.