College life requires a reliable laptop that can handle assignments, online classes, and entertainment without costing too much. Many of the available options that are ideal for multitasking are often pricey. Seeing as students are often on a limited budget, finding a high-quality laptop under $500 can seem like a near-impossible task. However, there are some affordable options on the market with impressive specs.
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This guide contains the best laptops for college students under $500. Beyond affordability, the performance and features of these laptops are on display to help you make an informed decision. Upon finding the perfect laptop for college life, you can block out distractions by getting a decent pair of headphones. These gaming headsets under $75 are excellent for blocking noise and enjoying great music between classes.
Updated on Month X, 2024 by Michael Akuchie: Two new laptops, the HP Chromebook 14 and Lenovo Ideapad 1, have been added to the guide, presenting shoppers with newer options to consider when shopping for an affordable laptop with decent specs for college.
The Best War Games’s Best Laptops for College Students under $500
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i Spin 2-in-1 Laptop
- Operating System
- ChromeOS
- CPU
- Intel N100
- GPU
- Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM
- 4GB
- Storage
- 128GB
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i Spin 2-in-1 Laptop uses a quad-core Alder Lake CPU for blazing speed and has 4GB RAM to suffice for most tasks. This Chromebook has a total of 128GB storage to store a good amount of data and comes with a fast WiFi 6 adapter. This 2024 edition is an affordable laptop for students that is capable of running most applications satisfactorily and boasts a touch display.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 12.2", 1920x1200p
- Brand
- Lenovo
- Multifunctional 2-in-1 design
- Fast WiFi 6 capabilities
- Great value for students
- Limited 4GB RAM
- Mixed quality opinions
The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i Spin 2-in-1 Laptop is the best overall laptop for college students under $500. Its 2-in-1 design allows it to function as both a laptop and a tablet, making it versatile for various tasks, from taking notes in class to streaming videos. The Intel N100 CPU and Intel UHD Graphics provide solid performance for everyday activities, and the 1920x1200 resolution offers clear and sharp visuals. This combination makes it a top pick among budget-friendly options, offering both functionality and affordability for college students.
While the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i has many strengths, it does have some limitations. The 4GB of RAM may be limiting for more intensive applications, and opinions on its build quality are mixed. However, the touch display and WiFi 6 capabilities enhance the user experience. These features make it the best overall laptop for college students under $500 who need a reliable device for schoolwork and light web browsing.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514
- Operating System
- Chrome OS
- CPU
- AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
- GPU
- Radeon 610M
- RAM
- 8GB LPDDR5X
- Storage
- 128GB
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 14", 1920x1200
Acer Chromebook Plus 514 boasts a Ryzen 3 7320U APU with a powerful integrated GPU to power the pixels. This Chromebook provides an excellent configuration for intensive work which includes a quad-core CPU, 8GB RAM, and 128GB. Its good quality IPS panel is a noteworthy feature, which provides good color accuracy.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Camera
- 1080p
- Network
- WiFi 63
- Brand
- Acer
- Model
- CB514-3H-R6G5
- Speedy performance with AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
- Ample 8GB RAM and 128GB storage
- Great for multitasking and media
- Limited to Chrome OS
- Moderate build quality
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is considered the best multi-purpose laptop for college students under $500. It features an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor and Radeon 610M GPU, providing a smooth and responsive experience. The 14-inch display with a 1920x1200 resolution delivers clear and vibrant visuals, ideal for both academic work and leisure activities. With 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 128GB of storage, it offers ample space and speed for multitasking and media consumption.
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 operates exclusively on Chrome OS, which may not suit everyone's needs. However, its performance is excellent for daily tasks and productivity. The 1080p camera offers clear video calls, and the WiFi 63 connectivity provides stable internet access. The design of this model is perfect for both work and entertainment, making it the best multi-purpose laptop for college students under $500.
Acer Chromebook Spin 513 Convertible Laptop
- Operating System
- ChromeOS
- CPU
- Qualcomm Snapdragon Kryo 468 (8-core, 2.4 GHz)
- GPU
- Qualcomm Adreno 618
- RAM
- 8GB LPDDR4X SDRAM
- Storage
- 128 GB eMMC
- Battery
- 14 Hours
The Acer Spin 513 is a 13.3-inch Chromebook equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage. It runs on Chrome OS, includes a Full HD touchscreen, and offers up to 13.5 hours of battery life.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 13.3", 1920 x 1080
- Speakers
- Stereo
- Colors
- Steel Gray
- Dimensions
- 12.2 x 0.61 x 8.24
- Weight
- 2.65lbs
- Brand
- Acer
- Model
- R841T-S4ZG
- Adaptor and Battery
- 2-Cell Li-Ion, 36 watt
- Display type
- LED
- Webcam
- 1280x720 HD
- Connectivity
- 801.11ac, Bluetooth
- Lightweight and portable
- Affordable price
- Long battery life
- Mixed battery performance
- Basic build quality
The Acer Chromebook Spin 513 Convertible Laptop is recognized as the best lightweight laptop for college students under $500. It's easy to carry around campus, weighing just 2.65 lbs and featuring a sleek design. Its 13.3-inch LED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 provides clear and crisp visuals, ideal for academic purposes. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Kryo 468 processor and Adreno 618 GPU, this Chromebook delivers adequate performance for everyday tasks.
Although some have mixed opinions on its battery life and build quality, the Spin 513 delivers amazing portability and versatility, making it perfect for students on the go. With up to 14 hours of battery life, it can last through a full day of classes and study sessions. This combination of features and price establishes the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 as the best lightweight laptop for college students under $500.
HP Newest 14" Ultral Light Laptop
- Operating System
- Windows 11 Home in S mode
- CPU
- Intel Quad-Core N4120
- GPU
- Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM
- 8GB RAM,
- Storage
- 64GB eMMC+128GB Micro SD)
- Battery
- 11 Hours
The HP 14-inch ultra-light laptop is a functional, budget-friendly piece designed to meet everyday computing needs without exceeding one's budget. Under the hood, the unit has an Intel Quad-Core N4120 processor with speeds of up to 2.60 GHz, ensuring seamless performance for daily tasks. It also comes with 8GB RAM and 192GB Storage(64GB eMMC+128GB Micro SD) for ample storage space for applications and files.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 14" HD Display
- Ports
- 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C ports, 2 x USB 3.1 Type-A ports, 1 x HDMI
- Weight
- 3.24 pounds
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth, 802.11a/g/n/ac
- Lightweight and portable
- Long battery life
- Affordable price
- Limited storage capacity
- Runs Windows 11 Home in S mode
The HP Newest 14" Ultralight Laptop is the best mid-range laptop for college students under $500 who need a reliable device without spending a fortune. With an Intel Quad-Core N4120 CPU and Intel UHD Graphics 600 GPU, it offers good performance for everyday tasks. One of its standout features is the impressive battery life of up to 11 hours, making it perfect for students on the go.
While the laptop is portable and easy to use, there are mixed reviews regarding its performance and speed. The storage capacity, split between 64GB eMMC and 128GB Micro SD, may be insufficient for those with extensive storage needs. Even with these limitations, its affordability and easy-to-use nature make it an excellent choice for students, solidifying its position as the best mid-range laptop for college students under $500.
ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 2-In-1 Laptop touchscreen
- Operating System
- Chrome OS
- CPU
- Intel Core M3-8100Y Processor,
- GPU
- Intel HD Graphics 615
- RAM
- 4GB DDR3 RAM
- Storage
- 64 GB
- Battery
- 10 Hours
Asus Chromebook Flip C434 is a study, well-built touchscreen laptop with an aluminum finish that adds a touch of class and style. Featuring a 14-inch Touchscreen and ultra-narrow bezels, this laptop has the power and flexibility to get everything done.
It also has a durable 360-degree hinge that can flip the touchscreen display for a more comfortable working experience. In addition, it's powered by the Intel Core m3-8100Y Processor for fast performance.
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 14" Full HD Touchscreen 4-Way NanoEdge
- Stylish aluminum build
- 360-degree hinge for versatility
- Long battery life
- Brightness issues
- Only 4GB RAM
The ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 is the best high-end laptop for college students under $500, featuring a strong aluminum build and a 14-inch Full HD touchscreen. The 360-degree hinge allows for easy transitions between laptop and tablet modes, providing flexibility for various tasks and settings. With an Intel Core M3-8100Y processor, this Chromebook delivers fast and efficient performance suitable for daily tasks and schoolwork.
The ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 offers up to 10 hours of battery life, making it ideal for students on the go. While some might find the 64 GB internal storage limiting and there have been reports of brightness issues, these minor drawbacks do not overshadow its overall value. The ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 remains a top choice in its price range, securing its position as the best high-end laptop for college students under $500.
HP Chromebook 14-inch na0070nr Laptop
- Operating System
- Chrome OS
- CPU
- Celeron N4000
- RAM
- 4 GB LPDDR4
- Storage
- 32 GB eMMC
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 14 inches (1366 x 768)
- Brand
- HP
If you ever needed a laptop within $200 that could handle school work and basic office work with ease, then the HP Chromebook 14 is the right fit for you. Equipped with a strong battery that should keep you going for up to 13 hours, it also ships with a Wide Vision HD camera that allows you to enjoy visual and audio clarity during video conferencing. The combination of Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 allows you to connect seamlessly to the internet and other devices.
- Model
- 14a-na0070nr
- Great for videoconferencing
- Impressive battery life
- Its lightweight build makes it easy to carry around
- Can't handle multitasking
- No built-in DVD writer
If you're looking for a cheap laptop that can get you through college without any major performance issues, then the HP Chromebook should be on your radar. It features a 14-inch screen that offers the perfect balance for users who find 13-inch screens too small and 15-inch laptops too large. With its anti-glare display, you will see that images appear sharp and vibrant on the screen. The HP Chromebook is also ideal for video presentations as its Wide Vision HD camera is designed to allow you to confidently participate in virtual meetings. The integrated microphones ensure your voice is audible enough.
Chromebooks offer fantasy battery life, and the HP 14 is no different. Depending on the current program(s) being run, you should expect up to 13 hours of battery power on a full charge. Flexibility is another of this laptop’s strengths thanks to its lightweight build. Feel free to carry it along to study at the library or coffee shop. It's worth mentioning that you only get 32GB of internal storage which is typical of Chromebooks. User reviews note that this is simply a basic personal computer for study/work and not for gaming or any demanding task as the Intel Celeron N4000 processor isn't designed to handle such load. Some users have also bemoaned the lack of touchscreen functionality, though it does not translate to a deal-breaker.
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Student Laptop
- Operating System
- Windows 11 Home
- CPU
- Intel Dual Core Processor
- RAM
- 8GB RAM
- Storage
- 128GB SSD + 128GB eMMC
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080)
At the heart of the Lenovop IdeaPad 1 budget laptop is an Intel Celeron N4500 processor with two cores and two threads, rated at a turbo speed of 2.8 GHz. An 8GB DDR4 RAM boosts the processing power, ensuring seamless performance and less susceptibility to hanging while the 128GB SSD, provides adequate storage.
Its 15-inch FHD display is excellent for watching movies and other tasks.
- Brand
- Lenovo
- GPU
- Intel UHD Graphics
- Giant internal storage
- High-speed RAM
- Many connectivity ports
- No Ethernet port
- Comes with some preinstalled bloatware
The Lenovo Ideapad 1 is an excellent pick for productivity tasks in college as it can handle multiple tasks at once. This is your best bet if you like to open many programs at once without worrying about potential lag. This is thanks to the 20GB of RAM that it packs under its hood. You also get 1TB of PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD with a 128GB eMMC which makes it quicker for you to transfer files and boot up the laptop. With a 15.6-inch FHD anti-glare display, images are crisp and appealing to users.
Running on the latest Windows 11 OS, you should expect improved performance features and layout options. To accommodate students’ connectivity needs, the Lenovo Ideapad 1 comes with several ports such as HDMI, SD card reader, and USB-C. Despite packing great power, the laptop has a compact build that makes it easy to fit into your backpack. It's worth mentioning that the laptop doesn't come with a disc tray plus there are a decent number of pre-installed bloatware that can't be deleted. Some users have complained about the lack of an Ethernet port. Regardless of these shortcomings, the Lenovo Ideapad 1 remains a fantastic choice for users who multitask a lot.
Selecting the Best Laptop for College Students under $500
When choosing a laptop for college, consider:
Performance: Look for a laptop with a smooth processor and enough RAM to handle multitasking and coursework. Admittedly, a $500 budget may keep you from exploring some top-tier laptops, but thankfully you should find some decent options with above-average specs. If you have no budget constraints, then it's worth checking out our guide to the best gaming laptops as the options there boast top-tier performance.
Portability: A lightweight and compact design makes it easier to carry around campus. College life involves students moving around a lot. As such, going for a portable laptop ensures that you can move around without worrying about carrying too much weight. Before making a decision, it's worth knowing how much the laptop weighs so that you can see if it'll fit right into your backpack.
Battery Life: Long battery life allows your laptop to last through lectures and study sessions without needing frequent recharges. Consider laptops that offer between 8 and 13 hours of battery life on a single charge. If battery life is a must-have, then it's recommended that you check out Chromebooks which are popular for their excellent batteries. You'd have to compromise on performance, though.
Connectivity: Since students typically work with multiple devices, it's important to get a laptop that allows you to connect to diverse devices. As such, check that a laptop on your shortlist has the major connectivity ports including HDMI, SD card reader, USB-A, and USB-C.
Durability: College life can be brutal with the seemingly endless coursework and assignments. To keep up with your intensive study plan, you need a laptop that can handle the demands of college. Go for laptops with impeccable build quality, especially regarding the hinge.
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FAQ
Q: Can a laptop under $500 handle multitasking?
Yes, many laptops under $500 are equipped with decent processors and sufficient RAM to handle multitasking for everyday tasks and coursework.
Q: Are budget laptops reliable for online classes?
Absolutely, budget laptops can be reliable for online classes, especially those with good webcams and microphones.
Q: What should I look for in a budget laptop for college?
Key features to look for include performance, portability, and battery life to ensure the laptop meets your academic needs.