We certainly think that laptops improve learning, but until now, there haven't been many studies to prove it.
In December, Binbin Zheng, Mark Warschauer Chin-Hsi Lin, Chi Chang published "Learning in One-to-One Laptop Environments" in the Review of Educational Research. They reviewed "65 journal articles and 31 doctoral dissertations published from January 2001 to May 2015" to try to answer whether laptops are effective at improving learning.
In short, the answer is yes. From the paper:
The most common changes noted in the reviewed studies include significantly increased academic achievement in science, writing, math, and English; increased technology use for varied learning purposes; more student-centered, individualized, and project-based instruction; enhanced engagement and enthusiasm among students; and improved teacher–student and home–school relationships.
This research should encourage proponents of thoughtful technological innovation in the classroom that their efforts have wide-ranging and important positive effects.
