Best Budget Laptops for Students Under $500 (2025 Picks)
Looking for a student-friendly laptop on a tight budget? Here are some of the best picks under $500 that offer solid performance, portability, and battery life.
Top Laptop Recommendations
1. Acer Aspire 3 (Ryzen 5 7520U) = $320–$360
AMD Ryzen 5 7520U (quad‑core)
8 GB RAM (expandable to 16 GB)
512 GB SSD
15.6″ Full HD display
Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
Battery life: up to ~13.5 hours
Weight: ~3.97 lbs
Great for multitasking, streaming, and assignments.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (Core i3-1115G4) = $330–$500
Intel Core i3‑1115G4 (11th Gen)
8 GB RAM
128 GB – 512 GB SSD options
15.6″ HD/FHD touchscreen display
Lightweight and portable
Ideal for note-taking and basic productivity.
3. HP Stream 14 (Celeron N4000/N4020) = $198–$279
Intel Celeron N4000/N4020
4 GB RAM
64 GB eMMC storage
14″ HD/FHD display (varies by model)
Includes 1 year Office 365 subscription in many bundles
Budget-friendly option for web browsing and document editing.
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go (1st Gen, i5-1035G1) = $499+
Intel Core i5-1035G1
4 GB – 8 GB RAM
64 GB – 256 GB storage (SSD/eMMC)
12.4″ PixelSense touchscreen (3:2 ratio)
Battery life: up to ~13 hours
Sleek, lightweight, and premium design.
5. ASUS VivoBook Go 15 (Ryzen 3 / Ryzen 5) = $400–$500
AMD Ryzen 3 7320U / Ryzen 5 7520U
8 GB – 16 GB RAM
Up to 1 TB SSD
15.6″ Full HD IPS (optional OLED model)
Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Stylish and performance-focused under budget.
6. Acer Chromebook Spin 311 — $250–$350
MediaTek MT8183 or Intel Celeron N4120
4 GB RAM
32 GB – 128 GB eMMC/SSD storage
11.6″ HD IPS touchscreen
Convertible 2‑in‑1 design with 360° hinge
Battery life: up to ~16 hours
Perfect for online learning and browser-based tasks.
Quick Comparison Table
Laptop Key Specs Approx. Price (U.S.)
Acer Aspire 3 Ryzen 5, 8 GB, 512 GB SSD, FHD 15.6″, long battery $320–$360
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Core i3, 8 GB, 128–512 GB SSD, touchscreen 15.6″ $330–$500
HP Stream 14 Celeron, 4 GB, 64 GB eMMC, HD/FHD 14″ $198–$279
Surface Laptop Go i5, 4–8 GB, 64–256 GB, 12.4″ touchscreen ~$499+
ASUS VivoBook Go 15 Ryzen 3/5, 8–16 GB, up to 1 TB SSD, FHD/OLED $400–$500
Acer Chromebook Spin 311 MT8183/Celeron, 4 GB, 32–128 GB, 11.6″ touch $250–$350
Final Tips for Students
1. Prioritize specs: At least 8 GB RAM and SSD storage (256 GB+) for smooth performance.
2. Chromebooks are great for students who mainly use Google Docs, Zoom, and online classes.
3. Watch seasonal deals (Back to School, Labor Day, Black Friday) for best discounts.
4. Refurbished units (like older MacBooks) can provide excellent value if backed by warranty.
With these options, students can find the right balance between price, performance, and portability without going over $500.