Do you have a college-bound student in your life?
If so, they are likely looking for the perfect laptop to take on their new adventure. It can be challenging to find affordable and specific needs. The following list of Best Laptops For Students Under $500 will help narrow your search and provide options for any budget!
Are laptops under $500 any good?
Buying a need-it-now laptop can be like shopping for food while hungry. Even for the cheapest laptops, $500 is still a lot of money. You’ll likely end up keeping it awhile if statistics are anything to go by, Intel and PC manufacturers who hurl their numbers at us every day, claiming that people often hold onto these machines even longer than they originally planned just because there was no other deal available when they initially bought one (and this sounds all too familiar!).
You can extend the life of your laptop by following these easy steps. If you need something that will last a few months, try looking into refurbished machines and discounts if eligible through organizations such as nonprofits or educational institutions – also, make sure there’s an option like a touchscreen display on the current model!
But if budget constrictions are an issue, see whether there’s room in your plans for slightly more expensive models recommended by experts and technicians, alike-especially as they pertain to a processor or memory capacity concerning what was initially planned on buying this computer!
Consider AMD Ryzen processors when looking at Windows Laptops versus Intel Core counterparts (or alternatives like Celeron/Pentium).
It may also help with a replaceable battery since most people don’t want their expensive electronics packed up in boxes when they move around so much!
In addition to these considerations, before buying something like this product designed explicitly as a portable laptop with long-lasting power sources– consider how much weight would hinder performance during moves Cross Country style.
What to look for in laptops under $500
The entire Windows OS is necessary to run heavier applications such as video-editing suites. 8GB of memory ( minimum ) or higher will suffice, but 16 GB would be ideal. You’ll also want at least 120GB free on your hard drive so that all apps can store data without crashing when there isn’t enough space available in RAM.
- I recommend an Intel Celeron or Pentium processor for those who want to buy a budget laptop. You’ll still get the same processing power for less money. They tend to have better battery life because of their lower-power requirements compared to AMD Athlon series chips, which can quickly drain your energy source if you’re running Windows 10 on it.
- When it comes to Chromebooks, 11.6-inch ones can be pretty popular because they’re so affordable and have a low price tag that works well with the education market as well due in part to their youthfulness–but there are several things you need to consider before going this route such size not being ideal for any student over eight years old who will use it day-in/day-out; if one is also looking at regular remote learning video conferencing sessions where space may become an issue then even though these smaller screens offer more surface area per inch than larger models like 12+, 13+, etc.;
- SSDs can make a big difference in how fast Windows performance feels compared with the old way of doing things, but they also push up prices. If your budget allows for it and you want more storage space, consider stepping up from base options to 128GB SSD’s so that not only applications open faster than ever before.
In considering all specs and options.
- Battery life,
- Storage space,
- Screen resolution,
- Size of the monitor
The article discusses each model’s features while providing reasons why someone may want to buy said device based on those particular needs.
Best Laptops for Students Under $500 in 2023
So, These are a few of our top picks for 2023’s Best Laptops For Students Under $500.
1. Acer Aspire 5
The Acer Aspire 5 deserves its place on our list because it packs a punch with 8th Gen Core i3 performance, a bright 1080p display, and long battery life for an affordable price. Although thinner than other laptops in this range, like the E 15 or ASUS FX553VD-EC Aura Lineage II Mega Edition-, you can rest assured knowing that there’s ample room underneath where your batteries will last nearly 9 hours without having to worry about recharging them all day long!
It has an aluminum hood, and its display provides 276 nits of brightness, making it easy on your eyes when working late at night or reading up close for long periods.
The bezels around this laptop’s screen are surprisingly narrow, so you can enjoy watching videos without any obstruction from annoying borders; You’ll have everything needed, whether using it as a secondary computer during college classes where space constraints may apply or taking notes while traveling abroad, thanks to its wide range of connecting options including HDMI out if desired).
Specification:
- CPU: Intel Core i3-8145U
- GPU: Intel UHD 620RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080
- Size: 14.3 x 9.9 x 0.7 inches
- Weight: 3.76 pounds
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| Strong performance | Middling graphics |
| Long battery life | Questionable build quality |
| Bright, 1080p display | — |
2. HP Stream 11
The HP Stream 11 is a sleek, black device that features the company’s signature color scheme and design elements.
The lid has half glossy/half matte plastic material on it for a stimulating effect, which gives way to ridges flowing horizontally down from its logo in the center past some soft gloss surroundings before transitioning back into smooth finishes at both ends after meeting up again halfway through their journey around each side of this small tablet’s casing (which meets just below where hinges meet).
The exterior of this laptop has a sleek and modern design that makes it stand out from other computers. The interior is also compact, allowing better storage options than regular laptops with larger screens.
However, the bezel size can sometimes feel overwhelming on your desk because there’s more space taken up not to touch anything else besides what appears in front of you when typing (unless they are glossy).
The ports on the Stream 11 haven’t changed, which isn’t bad, but it would have been nice to see USB Type-C support.
The right side of this case features a micro SD card slot, one USB 3.1 port, and an HDMI port, while the left provides space for your headphones or other devices with a headphone jack and security lock slots to keep them safe from prying eyes.
The Stream 11’s low price is a factor, but the fuzzy and washed-out display might be a deal-breaker for some people.
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4000
- GPU: Intel UHD 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
- Display: 11-inch, 1366 x 768
- Size: 11.8 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| Long battery life | Washed-out low-res display |
| Better performance than competitors | Awful webcam |
| Insanely cheap | — |
3. Dell Inspiron 13567 5664 BLK PUS 15.6
The Dell Inspiron 15 7000 is an excellent laptop for multitasking, whether doing work or playing games. This powerful machine features an Intel Core i5 processor at 2.5 GHz and 8GB of RAM to ensure that your programs dash without lag between button presses on this sleek design.
The graphics card can help when watching videos while also processing photos in Photoshop without slowing down performance by loading new resources from external devices like USB speakers!
This laptop’s Intel Core i5 processor is the attention-grabber, thanks to its reliable performance despite being paired with cheaper components. The keyboard isn’t backlit, but it’s comfortable and doesn’t have a touchpad, making gestures an option instead! There are still many ports, so connecting a mouse won’t be necessary for most people thanks to their high-definition screen (HD) or long-lasting battery life – 9 hours streaming video playback test!!
Specifications:
- Series: Dell Inspiron
- Brand: Dell
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Color: Black
- Hard Disk Size: 1000 GB
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| It comes with Windows 11 | No USB Type-C ports |
| Large 15-inch full HD display | Low maximum screen brightness |
| Solid build | Weak speakers |
| Affordable | — |
4. Acer Swift 1
The Swift 1 is sleek and straightforward, with an overall conservative design. The silver Acer logo in the center of its lid contrasts nicely against a black keyboard fitted for easier typing on long journeys! With powerful specifications at your fingertips without compromising style or performance, this might be one budget laptop worth checking out.
The tall touchscreen display makes it easy to work while watching videos, giving you more time away from distractions than ever possible.
The Swift’s aluminum chassis is made of higher quality material than we’ve expected in this price range. However, build quality leaves something bulging at the seams, and some creaks when opening or closing it for an extended period (although these may vary by model).
For instance, the smooth exterior feels incredible in my hands, but it also bounces around like crazy when you flip open or close its lid.
The rough edges on one side of the device dug into me quite badly during use as well- not only does it make gripping difficult (and painful), scratch-prone materials such as plastic are usually never ideal unless they’re glass which costs more than just about anything else these days anyway…
There’s also a Kensington lock which allows you to protect your machine when out in public or an office environment.
The panel has excellent color accuracy and brightness while maintaining its sleek design features, such as thin bezels around all four sides of an expansive screen or widescreen format for movies with plenty more viewing real estate than before!
Its average brightness falls behind at 204 nits, while budget laptop competitors are much brighter, with an average of 218 nits for their displays.
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Pentium Silver N5000
- GPU: Intel UHD 605
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Display: 14-inch, 1920 x 1080
- Size: 12.7 x 9.0 x 0.6 inches
- Weight: 2.9 pounds
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| Lightweight aluminum chassis | Dim, dull display |
| Long battery life | A few build-quality quirks |
| Wide range of ports | — |
5. ASUS L210 MA-DB01 Ultra Thin Laptop
ASUS L210 MA-DB01 Ultra Thin Laptop is for users who want a highly portable PC with long battery life. This lightweight notebook features a slim design and long battery life, supporting up to 8 hours of continuous use on a single charge.
It has an 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) display that delivers bright visuals in 16:9 widescreen format and offers wide viewing angles to share the screen with others. The ASUS L210 also comes with 4GB DDR3L memory, 500GB hard drive, 802.11b
Moreover, The ASUS L210 is an excellent ultra-portable laptop with the performance you need to get things done. Powered by Windows 10 in S Mode, this 2-in-1 laptop is designed for students, teachers, and anyone who wants a portable PC that’s fast, efficient, and secure.
It features 4GB DDR4 memory, 64GB eMMC storage, and an Intel Celeron N3060 processor for smooth multitasking performance.
Specifications:
- Series: L210MA-DB01
- Brand: ASUS
- Specific Uses: For Product
- Personal Screen Size: 11.6 Inches
- Operating System: Windows 10 S
- Human Interface: Input Keyboard
- CPU: Manufacturer Intel
- Card Description: Integrated
- Color: Black
- Hard Disk Size: 64 GB
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| Very light & portable | Dull screen |
| Low price | Middling keyboard |
| Great value | — |
6. Lenovo Chromebook Duet
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is an intriguing 10.1-inch device with an innocent-looking exterior. Still, when you open up this journal to find your work or play on a colorful HD display (included), all of those parts fall into place as if by magic!
At first glance, the computer looks like just another boring old book; however, once opened, it becomes apparent that there are many surprises inside – including some cool features such as browsing via remote eye vision without having any wires connecting them directly together, which makes using these types devices more accessible than ever before because they don’t need direct contact between two points for communication.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is a device that can change how we use our computers. Not only does it last longer than most other laptops, but its price point makes this lightweight machine accessible for everyone!
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is affordable and will not disappoint the looks department. The 10-inch display has a 1920 x 1200 resolution, making it bright and sharp despite being slightly older than some other models, like Apple iPad Air 2 (which features Retina Display).
It also boasts chunky bezels, but you can’t expect anything else at this price!
Specifications:
- CPU: MediaTek Helio P60T
- GPU: ARM G72 MP3
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Display: 10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200
- Size: 9.6 x 6.7 x 0.7 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| It lasts long on a charge | Cramped keyboard |
| It comes with a keyboard/kickstand | — |
| Colorful display | — |
| Decent performance | — |
7. Samsung Chromebook 4
If you’re looking for a Chromebook that can last up to 10 hours on one charge, then we’ve got just the thing. The Samsung Chromebook 4 is our top pick because of its long battery life and low price ($229).
With curves in all four corners as well as silver exterior design cues like those seen from other Mac copycats before it, this new model looks nothing compared with MacBooks but instead more resembles their cheaper aluminum counterparts- which I found refreshing given recent trends towards very plain laptops at higher prices points (like $1000-$1500+).
This Intel Celeron 3000N processor and 4GB of RAM driving the Samsung Chromebook 4 provides decent power for multitasking, especially at this price.
This machine is best if you’re only going to type on your laptop because it has a good keyboard (though not up-to-par with other laptops), plus its screen/audio quality isn’t excellent either, so what’s left? The weight balance makes light work out of lugging around one heavy bag – though don’t expect any gaming performance from an admittedly cheaper model!
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Celeron 3000N
- GPU: Intel UHD 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
- Display: 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768
- Size: 11.33 x 7.96 x 0.66 inches
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| Long battery life | Dim display without touch |
| Thinner and lighter than competitors | Chunky bezels |
| Decent performance | — |
8. Fusion5 14.1inch A90B+ Pro 64GB Windows 10 Laptop
Fusion5 14.1inch A90B+ Pro 64GB Windows 10 Laptop is ideal for professionals and students. It offers a fast download and uploads speed of 5Ghz, meaning the download and upload speeds are at least 2x faster than traditional laptops. Furthermore, our A90B+ Pro is designed to handle complex tasks with ease.
Fusion5 14.1inch A90B+ Pro 64GB Windows 10 Laptop is a powerful laptop with the latest Intel Core i7-8550U processor and NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics card. It has 4GB RAM and 64GB of onboard eMMC storage with the option to expand the memory up to 256GB with a Micro SD card (tf-card) or Insert an HDD (up to 1TB) and increase the internal storage immediately.
It also has an elegant aluminum chassis, a spill-resistant keyboard, and a large touchpad. This new laptop is light and easy to carry around, weighing 1246 grams. This laptop comes with a 2-year international warranty from the manufacturer.
Specifications:
- Series: A90B+PRO-64GB
- Brand: Fusion5
- Screen Size: 14.1 Inches
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
- CPU: Manufacturer Intel
- Card Description: Integrated
- Hard Disk: Size 64 GB
- Processor Count: 2
- Chipset Brand: Intel
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
| Refreshing design | not made of decent quality materials. |
| super low cost | very little usable storage |
| Strong overall performance | — |
Conclusion:
In conclusion, if you are a college student looking for the perfect laptop to complete your work on time and want something that will last long-term, then this guide is just what you need. We hope we have helped make it easier for you to find the best laptops under $500. Now go out there and save money while still getting a good quality product!
You can also read: Best wired headphones for Running 2023
One thought on “Best Laptops For Students Under $500 – 2023 | Reasonable Laptops For Students”