is buying a laptop for school as a student a qualifying deductible?

[MindyB]

It depends. Typically, if your laptop is a necessary requirement for enrollment or attendance at an educational institution, the IRS deems it a qualifying expense, and you can use the amount when calculating an educational tax credit.

Here is an article you may find helpful: Can I Deduct My Computer for School on Taxes?  

[Hal_Al]

Simple answer: Yes. A computer is a qualified expense for calculating your tuition credit. For a full discussion see:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/is-a-computer-a-qualified-expense-for...