Best Budget Laptops for Students: Summer 2024

Hey there! I know how important it is to have a reliable laptop as a student, but that doesn't mean you have to break the bank. Whether you're heading to class, diving into research, or just relaxing with some Netflix during your study breaks, I've found some budget-friendly options that will have you covered. Plus, these laptops come with all the essentials: long battery life, lightweight designs for easy carrying, and enough power to handle both your academic work and your entertainment needs. Sound good? Let's dive in!

Here are some great budget-friendly laptops that are perfect for students.

First up, we’ve got the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023).

This one is pretty cool with its sleek 16-inch ultraportable design, making it a breeze to carry around campus. Don't let the price fool you; it's quite sturdy.

Performance-wise, you can choose between an AMD Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 CPU, both solid for everyday tasks. It comes with 8GB of RAM, but you can bump that up to 16GB if you want smoother multitasking. Plus, the solid-state drive (SSD) means quicker boot times and faster application loading.

Display and Keyboard: The 1080p display is clear, though not super bright (250 cd/m²). Colors are good enough for general use, but maybe not for intense photo editing. The keyboard feels great for typing, and the touchpad is nice and responsive.

Connectivity and Ports: It’s equipped with Wi-Fi 6E for fast and reliable internet. You'll find USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI ports, which is super handy for connecting all your peripherals and external displays.

Battery Life: You can expect over 8 hours of battery life with light use, so it should easily get you through a full day of classes and note-taking.

Next, check out the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023).

If you like Chrome OS, this is a solid pick. It’s great for web browsing, using Google Workspace apps, and efficient video playback—perfect for younger students or those who mostly work online.

Portability and Durability: This Chromebook is lightweight and super portable, fitting easily into your backpack. It's built to handle the bumps and scrapes of student life.

Battery Life: You’re looking at around 8 hours on a single charge, which is pretty decent.

Price Point: The best part? It's very affordable, making it a fantastic option if you’re on a tight budget.

Now, let’s talk about the Acer Aspire 5 (2024).

 This laptop is known for its balance between performance and price.

Performance: It comes with Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 options. Both processors provide enough power for most academic tasks and light gaming. With 8GB of RAM, multitasking is smooth, and the SSD ensures quick start-ups and fast access to your files.

Display and Keyboard: The 15.6-inch Full HD display offers good clarity, and the colors are vibrant enough for multimedia. The backlit keyboard is comfortable for typing, which is great for those late-night study sessions.

Connectivity and Ports: It includes USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet, and HDMI ports, so you can connect various devices and external monitors without a hitch.

Battery Life: You’ll get around 7-8 hours on a single charge, sufficient for a day of classes.

Another option is the HP Pavilion x360 (2024), which is a 2-in-1 laptop offering versatility.

Performance: It’s powered by Intel Core i3 or i5 processors with 8GB of RAM. The SSD ensures quick performance, and it’s ideal for note-taking, streaming, and light productivity tasks.

Display and Keyboard: The 14-inch touchscreen display is Full HD and quite responsive. You can use it in tablet mode, which is handy for taking notes or drawing. The keyboard is comfortable and the touchpad is precise.

Connectivity and Ports: It comes with USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI ports, as well as an SD card reader, covering all your connectivity needs.

Battery Life: Expect around 8 hours of battery life, making it a reliable companion for a full day of use.

Lastly, there’s the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (2024).

This is a straightforward, budget-friendly laptop with decent specs.

Performance: Equipped with Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processors, and 8GB of RAM, it’s perfect for everyday tasks and light multitasking. The SSD ensures fast performance.

Display and Keyboard: The 15.6-inch HD display is decent for general use. The keyboard is comfortable for typing, and the touchpad is responsive.

Connectivity and Ports: It features USB-A, HDMI, and an SD card reader, which should cover most of your needs.

Battery Life: You can get around 6-7 hours of battery life, which is okay for typical student use.

So, depending on what you need, any of these laptops could be a great choice. Happy studying! 📚💻