Best Budget Laptops Under $500 for Students (2025)

Here’s a quick look at our top picks for the Best Budget Laptops Under $500 for Students. These models offer the best balance of performance, battery life, and durability for schoolwork.

Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)

Why it’s great: Unbeatable value with long battery life and reliable AMD performance for everyday student tasks.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
• Memory: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch 1080p
• Weight: 3.77 lbs

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

Why it’s great: Versatile 2-in-1 design is perfect for note-taking and media consumption, with zippy ChromeOS performance.

• CPU: Intel Core i3-1315U
• Memory: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• Display: 14-inch 1920×1200 touch
• Weight: 3.57 lbs

Acer Chromebook Plus 514

Why it’s great: Offers a premium Chromebook experience with a tall, sharp display and exceptional battery life for all-day studying.

• CPU: Intel Core 3 N355 (varies by configuration)
• Memory: 8GB
• Storage: 512GB SSD (varies by configuration)
• Display: 14-inch 1920×1200 touch
• Weight: 3.09 lbs

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8

Why it’s great: A large 15-inch screen is ideal for multitasking, and it includes a useful fingerprint reader for security.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (varies by configuration)
• Memory: 8GB
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch 1080p
• Weight: 3.6 lbs

Explore sleek, portable, and affordable laptops designed for students—read the full lightweight laptop under $500 review now.

Top Laptops Under $500 for Students

Finding a laptop that can handle research, papers, and Zoom lectures without breaking the bank is key for students. After thorough research, these are our top-tested picks for 2025.

1. Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)

This Windows laptop is a standout for its incredible value. It delivers nearly 17 hours of battery life in tests, meaning it can easily last through the longest study sessions or back-to-back classes. Its AMD Ryzen processor provides smooth performance for web browsing, document editing, and video streaming. The 15.6-inch 1080p screen is a must-have at this price, though it can be dim and lacks touch capability. The design is functional but may feel a bit dated.

2. Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

For students who live in a browser, this 2-in-1 Chromebook is a fantastic choice. Its flexible hinge allows it to be used as a laptop for typing or a tablet for reading and note-taking with an optional stylus. The 1080p touchscreen is crisp, and the backlit keyboard is a premium touch often missing from budget devices. Performance is snappy for a Chromebook thanks to its Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM, making it great for juggling dozens of browser tabs.

3. Acer Chromebook Plus 514

Part of Google’s Chromebook Plus initiative, this model guarantees a higher-quality experience with better specs, a sharper display, and enhanced features. Its 14-inch 1920×1200 display gives you more vertical space for reading articles and writing essays. It boasts a solid 12 hours of battery life, a comfortable keyboard, and a reliable trackpad, making it a workhorse for school. It is a clamshell design, so it doesn’t convert into a tablet.

4. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8

If you prefer a larger screen for multitasking or watching lectures, this 15.6-inch Windows laptop is a great option. Its IPS display is a significant step up from the low-quality TN panels found on many cheap laptops. It also includes a fingerprint reader for secure login and a webcam privacy shutter. Battery life is respectable at nearly 11 hours, and the specs provide a reliable Windows experience for years.

Looking for a future-proof device? Our Modular Upgradable Gaming Laptop: Guide for Buyers explains how to upgrade parts easily without buying a whole new laptop.

What to Expect Under $500 in 2025

The budget laptop market has improved dramatically. You are no longer forced to buy a slow, clunky machine that becomes obsolete in a year.

• Performance: Expect modern Intel Core i3, i5, or AMD Ryzen 3/5 processors. These handle everyday student tasks with ease. 8GB of RAM is now the standard, which is essential for smooth multitasking.
• Storage: eMMC storage is common in Chromebooks and is fine for cloud-based work. For Windows, aim for a 256GB NVMe SSD, which is much faster and improves overall system responsiveness.
• Display: A 1920×1080 (1080p) resolution is the absolute minimum you should accept. Avoid any laptop with a lower-resolution (e.g., 1366×768) screen, as it will look pixelated and cramped. Displays are often dimmer (around 250 nits), and color accuracy is a common trade-off.
• Battery Life: You can find excellent battery life. Many models now last 10-12 hours, with some exceptional ones like the Acer Aspire 3 pushing far beyond that.
• Build Quality: Plastic builds are universal, but quality varies. Some feel sturdy, while others can flex or creak. 2-in-1 hinges on convertibles are generally robust.

Windows vs. Chromebook for Students

This is the most critical decision when shopping for a budget student laptop.

Choose a Windows Laptop if:

• Your major requires specialized software (e.g., Excel, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, SPSS, MATLAB).
• You need to work extensively offline on large documents or projects.
• You prefer the flexibility of a full desktop operating system and local file storage.
• You plan on playing PC games, even if only lightweight titles.

Choose a Chromebook if:

• Your work is primarily web-based: Google Docs, Canvas, Zoom, and web apps.
• You want a low-maintenance device with automatic updates and built-in virus protection.
• Battery life is your top priority. Chromebooks often lead in this category.
• You value fast boot times and simplicity.

Most universities now support Chromebooks, but always check your school’s software requirements before buying.

Recommendations by Major

Your field of study can influence the best choice.

• Business & Humanities: Most coursework involves writing, research, and web-based tools. A Chromebook or any Windows laptop with a good keyboard is sufficient.
• Engineering & STEM: Requires running specialized Windows-only software. A Windows laptop with at least 8GB of RAM and a modern CPU (Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5) is strongly recommended. Storage needs may be higher.
• Computer Science: A Windows laptop is typically required for coding environments and virtual machines. RAM (16GB is ideal) is often more important than a top-tier CPU.
• Arts & Design: Demands a good color-accurate screen and likely Windows-only creative apps. This is challenging under $500. If your software is web-based, a Chromebook Plus model with a good screen could work. Otherwise, consider increasing your budget.

Student Buying Checklist: Best Budget Laptops Under $500 for Students

Use this list before you click “buy.”

• Operating System: Confirmed it works for your required software (Windows vs. ChromeOS).
• CPU: Intel Core i3/Ryzen 3 or better. Avoid older Celeron/Pentium/Atom CPUs if possible.
• RAM: 8GB is essential. 4GB will feel sluggish with multiple tabs open.
• Storage: 128GB is okay for Chromebooks. 256GB NVMe SSD is the target for Windows.
• Display: 1920×1080 resolution or higher. IPS technology is preferred for wider viewing angles.
• Battery Life: Look for a tested battery life of 10 hours or more.
• Ports: Ensure it has the ports you need (USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, headphone jack).
• Keyboard: A comfortable, full-sized keyboard is crucial for writing papers.
• Warranty & Support: Check the manufacturer’s warranty period and support options. Student discounts may be available.

FAQs

Is 8GB RAM enough in 2025?
For basic coursework, yes—but 16GB helps a lot with many Chrome tabs + calls. (Budget roundups echo this advice.)

Can I game on a sub-$500 laptop?
Light/older titles at low settings are OK. For modern AAA gaming, increase your budget.

Which lasts longer on a charge at this price—Windows or Chromebook?
Chromebooks often deliver better battery per dollar, but verify per model; Windows stamina varies widely by SKU