Being a college student itself is a tough job from a financial perspective. With the evolution of technology, a computer machine has become a necessity in our life, and a student’s life doesn’t remain untouched by this metamorphosis. The main problem is that most college students can’t afford to spend more money as long as belongs to rich millionaires. But don’t worry, we are here with the budget laptops that will definitely suit your pocket with a minimal budget of $500. Here you’ll find a compilation of the best laptops for college students under $500 that you can buy right away without any second thought in your mind.
However, choosing a laptop under this price range is pretty difficult, especially when offered such a wide variety of laptops on the market. But don’t you worry about that as I have been appointed by InternetOutsider.com to serve you the best possible laptops after a lot of research and advice from experts. In this article, I have compiled the best laptops for students under the budget of $500. All the laptops from reputable brands are also reviewed very positively by the current user base. Let’s have a look at them.
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Best Laptops for College students under $500 in 2025
Here is our list of the top 10 best laptops for students under $500 you can buy in 2025:
1Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (Best Laptop for College Students under 500)
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 has just got a new update with the latest 5000 series Ryzen processor and a more powerful GPU compared to its predecessor. Besides, if the display matters a lot to you, then look at the Lenovo Ideapad 3 laptop. It has a standard 15.6-inch IPS display with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and anti-glare properties to avoid harsh light reflections. For processing, the laptop relies on the AMD 5000 series Ryzen 5 5500U processor. It has a powerful six-core CPU with 12 threads and generates a 2.1GHz base clock speed, which can be boosted up to 4.0GHz while handling more powerful tasks.
- Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p IPS
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX Vega 7
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
On the graphics front, the laptop comes packed with integrated AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 graphics. Our testing found that it can also deliver some good experience with light gaming, but don’t expect too much from an integrated graphics card. Moreover, there is 8GB of DDR4 RAM inside the laptop, accompanied by 256GB of SSD storage. The laptop has the latest Wi-Fi 6 support coupled with Bluetooth 5. In terms of I/O ports, it includes a full-fledged SD Card Reader slot, 2x USB Type-A ports, 1x USB Type-C port, 1x HDMI, and 1x Headphone jack.
An HD webcam is on the top of the display, which plays a crucial role in this digital world where everything is becoming online, including study. The camera quality is decent enough to attend online classes, video conferencing, streaming, and other stuff. Speaking of the build quality, it is made of durable plastic material, which seems to be pretty sturdy. The battery life is also acceptable with providing battery backup of 5-6 hours in normal usage. Altogether, it brings good value at the current selling price if we look at combined offerings, especially for students with a limited budget of $500.
2HP 15-DY2024NR (Runner Up)
Are you an Intel lover and looking for a sub-$500 laptop with an awesome i5 CPU? I have a really nice pick for you. It’s again from the house of HP named HP 15-DY2024NR. You’ll find a variety of laptops in the VivoBook series alone, but a few fall under the $500 budget and offers great value. The product we have chosen costs slightly more than $500, but its price is worthwhile and worth spending every single penny. The laptop has a 15-inches Full display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and anti-glare coating. The Asus calls it a “NanoEdge” display with a nearly 85% screen-to-body ratio.
- Display: 15-inch Full HD IPS 1920 x 1080p
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- Graphics: Intel Iris XE
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
Undoubtedly, this is a very good quality display, which offers perfect viewing angles and clear & Crystal picture quality. In terms of performance, the laptop is loaded with the Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor. It belongs to the 11th generation of mobile processors using the greatly improved 10nm SuperFin processing, which is highly power-efficiant. The chipset further includes 4-cores and 8-threads with a base clock speed of 2.40GHz, which goes up to 4.20GHz while running in burst mode. Besides, this mobile processor also packs an integrated Intel Iris XE Graphics for superb GPU processing. The laptop runs on the latest Windows 11 operating system out of the box.
In terms of memory, it offers 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB of SATA SSD storage. All the necessary connectivity features are present on this device, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, etc. The front portion of surrounded by a nice trackpad and front-firing speakers to deliver acceptable sound output. In terms of I/O ports, it has 2x USB Type-A ports, a USB Type-C port, an HDMI port, SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Overall, it is a complete package and costs just about $500, making it an ideal choice for college students.
3Acer Aspire 5 (Best Value Pick)
The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the most recommended laptops under $500 or lower. Its specifications are so versatile that one can recommend this laptop without any hesitation. It covers many aspects of a consumer, and on top of that, you’ll be able to find many different versions of this laptop aiming towards different segments.
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD 1920 x 1080p
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3350U
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX Vega 6
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB NVMe SSD
The one that I have for you under the $500 budget packs a pretty nice set of hardware and build. The laptop is powered by the AMD 3000 series AMD Ryzen 3 3350U processor, a quad-core processor with equal processing threads, and a max clock speed of 3.5GHz. You’ll also get the benefit of the AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 graphics integrated within the processor. Besides, the laptop packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 128GB of m.2 SSD storage. Both the memory and storage of the laptop are pretty fast. At the front portion, there is a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a matte finish and 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution.
The display quality works just fine, and appropriate viewing and sharp visuals. I don’t think there should be any problem with the display quality. On top of the display, it has an HD webcam of good quality camera quality. It can be efficiently utilized for taking online classes, video conferencing, working from home, etc. In terms of connectivity, the laptop has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, 2x USB 3.1 Type-A ports, 1x USB 3.1 Type C port, 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet, 1x Headphone & Microphone Audio Jack. Overall, this is a highly recommended laptop under $500 for college students, business employees, and other people looking for a valuable laptop at a lower price.
4Asus Vivobook 15 F515 (Thin & Light Body)
Another popular mid-range laptop is Asus Vivobook 15 F515. The laptop comes with a full-fledged 15.6-inch Full HD display, which is definitely a positive aspect. The screen quality is decent enough with good viewing angles with dim brightness. If you are buying this laptop, you might be disappointed due to its low display brightness. But it is not a significant flaw as most of its competitors are also following the same path.
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS 1920 x 1080p
- Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics G4
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB NVMe SSD
The Asus Vivobook 15 is powered by the 11th generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor coupled with integrated Intel UHD Graphics G4 graphics. The chipset arrives with a dual-core structure with a base clock speed of 1.7GHz, which can be overclocked up to 4.0GHz using the Intel Turbo Boost technology. More importantly, it shares the 10nm SuperFin processing, which is highly power-efficient to save energy. As a result, the battery lasts slightly more than usual.
In terms of storage, it accumulates 128GB of SSD storage. Undoubtedly, it is an ordinary storage offering, but that is the main problem with that price range. You can opt for other options if you require more storage or an option to buy an external hard drive. Moreover, it packs 8GB DDR4 RAM, sufficient to handle all the basic tasks. Other than that, build quality is top-notch with think & lightweight. Indeed, body construction is the major highlight of this laptop. So, if you need an impressive-looking laptop, you can look forward to Asus Vivobook 15.
5HP 14 (Portable Design)
HP is a widely popular brand best known for its durability and high-performance laptop. The HP 14 is such a laptop that comes with the latest hardware and robust body construction. Its processing power is powered by the AMD 5000 series Ryzen 5 5500U processor with Hexa-core and 12 threads CPU, making it one of the best chipsets under this price range. I bet you can’t get batter CPU on any laptop under $500 to deliver seamless performance.
- Display: 14-inch 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX Vega 7
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
Apart from that, it incorporates the integrated AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 graphics card. Being an integrated GPU, it consumes less power but subsequently has limited graphics performance. In terms of storage, it packs 256GB of internal storage coupled with 8GB DDR4 RAM. Overall, the provided hardware combination produces enough power to handle all the basic task a college-going student expect from a computer machine.
The internal components are entirely up to date. It means this is a future-proof device and can be bought for long-term usage, at least for the next 2-3 years. However, the laptop is made of plastic design, but it is a durable construction. At the front, there is a 14-inch full HD display at 1920 x 1080p resolution and an HD webcam. All the essential connectivity options are available running on Windows 10 OS out of the box. Altogether, it beats our expectations with more powerful hardware and decent build quality.
6Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-36UT (Cheapest Option for College Students)
If your budget is falling well below the $500, we have picked Acer Aspire 5. It costs less than $400 with satisfactory configurations. You can also check out our list of best laptops under $400 if you need even a cheaper option. The Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-36UT is a toned-down version of the original Aspire 5 with a similar-looking design. The cost-cutting has primarily happened in internal components. That is why it doesn’t offer high-grade performance, but it can handle all the basic tasks an average college-going student expects from a laptop.
- Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics G4
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB NVMe SSD
Speaking of the specifications, Intel Core i3-1115G4 drives this laptop, a dual-core CPU with clock speed varying between 3.0GHz to 4.10GHz. Alongside, there is an Integrated Iris Xe GPU integrated to manage the graphics performance. All in all, this is quality hardware to offer decent performance. The memory comprises 4GB DDR4 RAM and 128GB SSD storage. Given the price range, this is a decent memory combination that is sufficient to run casual applications and store important data.
Apart from that, it runs on pre-supplied Windows 10 in S mode. If you aren’t aware, S-mode is a restricted version of Windows, allowing you to run some specific apps developed by Microsoft. So, it could be a downside for people looking for independent usage. Overall, you can’t compare it with other cheap laptops carrying weak configurations. It is a well-placed laptop from a trustworthy brand. So, if your pocket doesn’t allow you to buy other powerful laptops, you can definitely consider this option.
7Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 (Best Chromebook under $500)
If you’re looking for a laptop for very casual study work like taking notes, browsing the web, and all, then a Chromebook is a really great option. And if that Chromebook is available at an affordable price, it’s a cherry on the top. I have a Chromebook that checks all these boxes. It is the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5.
- Display: 13.3-inch 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Processor: Intel Core i3-10110U
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
This laptop comes with a 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen display with very minimum bezels of as minimum as 5mm. It’s a touchscreen display, which means it is touch responsive, and you can control it at your fingertips. The laptop is powered by the Intel Core i3-10110U dual-core processor with a max clock speed of 4.10GHz.
A 4GB of DDR4 onboard RAM works fine for any routine task and has 64GB of eMMC storage. It has a solid & lightweight build quality. It serves 2x USB Type-C (Gen 1) ports, 1x Type-A (Gen 1) ports, and an audio jack. The front side surrounds a backlit keyboard for convenient typing. Overall, it is a powerful Chromebook available at a reasonable price.
8Microsoft Surface Go 3 (Highly Portable)
If portability is the extreme priority for you as a college student, how about having a windows tablet. And in terms of value and performance, the Microsoft Surface tablets are pretty good. Under $500, you can have the Microsoft Surface Go 3. This tablet offers a 10.5-inch Hi-res touchscreen display with multitouch support. Its resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels and is protected with Gorilla Glass 3.
- Display: 10.5-inch 1920 x 1080p Touchscreen
- Processor: Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 615
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR3
- Storage: 128GB NVMe SSD
There is the Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y processor, which is a dual-core processor having 4 processing threads. There is a base clock speed of 1.10GHz, going up to 3.40GHz while running demanding applications. There is also integrated Intel UHD Graphics 615 for graphical processing. The table supports an external keyboard that can be connected to use as a complete laptop. It has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD internal storage. On top of that, a 5.0MP front-facing camera at 1080p resolution is very useful for attending online classes and video conferencing. There is another 8MP rear camera with even better quality. Hence, it is the best option if you solely focus on camera quality.
Moreover, the laptop runs on the latest Windows 10″S” Mode. Being a locked OS, there are some limitations applied. It would be better if the company provided a full-fledged OS. Anyway, leaving aside, there is Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, 1x USB-C port, 1x 3.5 mm jack, 1x Surface Connect port, 1x Surface Type Cover Port for the external keyboard cover, and 1x MicroSDXC Card Reader. Overall, the device is extremely portable, that can be utilized by students very conveniently. It is one of the profoundly recommended laptops if you need a portable device priced under $500.
9Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (Convertable Design)
Are you looking for more variety in 2-in-1 touchscreen laptops? Under $500, you can opt for the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5. The laptop is well configured to serve enough performance and battery to become a nice college student companion. It has a 14-inch IPS touchscreen packing a Full HD resolution and looks modern due to its thin bezels.
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The performance of the laptop relies on the embedded AMD Ryzen 3 4300U processor. It’s a quad-core processor housing 4 processing threads and a maximum clock speed of 3.7GHz. This is an AMD 4000 series mobile processor and comes integrated with 5-core AMD Radeon Graphics. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 comes packed with 4GB of DDR4 onboard RAM running at a frequency of 3200MHz. As for storage, there is a 256GB of m.2 NVMe SSD. It also packs Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 4.2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and 1x Headphone jack.
In terms of build quality, the device is made of durable plastic material. However, the design doesn’t look too attractive, but it gives the best value you are paying for. The display is very flexible and can be easily turned into a fully functioning tablet. The good thing is that the device runs on the latest Windows 10 operating system, which is highly optimized for the tablet mode user interface. Apart from that, the hinges are also durable, and they can definitely last for a longer horizon. Overall, this is the best pick for college students looking for a convertible laptop.
10ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 (Another Powerful 2-in-1 Laptop)
If you’re looking for an affordable, compact, and productive laptop that can handle all your basic tasks as a college student, I have a really matchable recommendation. The name of the laptop is ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 laptop. Yes, it’s a convertible 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop. Asus’s brand value makes it even more valuable, and its price is just unimaginable.
- Display: 14-inch 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics G4
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 128GB NVMe SSD
This laptop packs a 14-inch 1920 x 1080p Full HD LED display with a touchscreen and thin bezels. The display quality is excellent, and you can easily bear it at that price range. More importantly, it is very well fitted in a small body. The build of this laptop is really compact and lightweight. It weighs only 3.3 pounds and hence is really portable and handy. In terms of processing power, the laptop is driven by the Intel Core i3-1115G4, which belongs to the latest 11th-generation Intel processors. It is a dual-core processor, arriving with a base clock speed of 3.10GHz, going as high as 4.10GHz.
The chipset is manufactured on 10nm SuperFin technology, which clearly matches its arch-rival AMD’s 7nm processing node. A powerful processor also requires a good graphics card for optimal results. As a result, the CPU integrates the latest Iris Xe GPU, which is fine for handling basic GPU tasks. Moreover, the laptop packs 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM coupled with 128GB of m.2 NVMe SSD storage. Further, it has Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, 1x Type-C port, 1x HDMI port, 2x USB-A port, 1x Headphone Jack, and a MicroSD Card Reader. Overall, this is another finest choice for students looking for a 2-in-1 convertible laptop.
Buying Guide: What to look for in a sub-$500 laptop for a College Student?
It is essential to have a clear vision while buying a long-term and expensive laptop. A laptop can easily stick to a user for 3-5 years, depending on your usage. And if a thing is gonna be with you for such a long time, it becomes important to choose that thing with caution. Specifically for students looking for a laptop under $500, here are the things you should look for in your next laptop.
Processor & GPU
No one can deny that a good processor is the foundation of a good performance on a computer. From a student’s perspective, there are no heavy tasks, so a dual-core processor is a fine choice. But it doesn’t mean that you can opt for any dual-core CPU. Always make sure the dual-core CPU you are going with belongs to at least the 10th gen if it’s from Intel or Ryzen 4000 series if it’s from the AMD. Some newly launched laptops are available with 5000 series AMD processors that can be definitely considered for the more powerful applications. But they definitely cost more than the older 4000 series AMD laptops.
If you go to the base of what a college student laptop is used for, there is no such task that will require a dedicated GPU. The student work usually takes notes, browses the web, does document viewing, casual editing, etc. And for these kinds of works, any integrated GPU from Intel or AMD will work fine.
RAM & Storage
I never recommend anyone to go below 8GB of DDR4 RAM. It is the minimum amount of RAM capacity one should have in the laptop. However, if you are not well-funded to buy a complete laptop package and your work is extremely basic, 4GB RAM can also opt. Talking about the storage, its capacity depends on you ultimately. If your work asks for a large amount of storage, then go for it. But I always emphasize giving priority to the storage quality over the quantity.
Storage is mostly upgradable on a laptop, and hence quantity can be increased as your work proceeds further. But quality is something whose compromise will affect the laptop’s performance from day one. For that purpose, never opt for a laptop with only HDD (Hard Drive) storage. It will definitely serve more storage space, but it will be slow compared to SSD (Solid State Drive) storage. An SSD storage will be fast and hence will impart a fast booting and data transfer.
Form Factor
A college student laptop needs to be lightweight and compact with a good build as well. And to achieve these parameters, there are many types of form factors available. Among all the form factors, the laptops with touchscreen, or 2-in-1 form factor, serve greater value. These types of laptops are also be used as a tabled on required occasions like notes taking. Hence, based on your study and classes, you can either go for a regular laptop, a touchscreen laptop, or a 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop.
Windows VS Chrome OS
There can be confusion b/w having a Windows laptop or a Chromebook (that runs Chrome OS). Windows is an OS made by Microsoft and is used worldwide in most laptops, and the Chrome OS is from Google and is comparatively used on a few computers and laptops. Chrome OS is a basic operating system used for basic works like document editing & viewing, web browsing, binge-watching, and running Android applications.
Meanwhile, Windows is a more professional operating system and has expertise and compatibility with most software out there. Specific to your course, you’ll have to choose on your own which OS to go with. For example, if you are an art student learning graphics design, Windows is a no-brainer choice. Whereas if your study is limited to just taking more browsing web and documents, then a Chromebook will get your job done.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which laptop is best for college students under $500?
Naming a single laptop is not possible. Different students pursue different courses like arts, digital marketing, graphics designing, economics, finance, etc. But assuming an average college student, a laptop with 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and a dual-core processor is just fine.
How do I choose a laptop for college students under $500?
It all depends on what type, of course, you are doing. E.g., if you’re into digital spaces like digital marketing, graphic designing, etc., then get a laptop that can run a moderate level of software like Photoshop, Google Chrome, etc. Whereas if you’re studying more traditional subjects like finance, economics, etc., there is no need to be specific in hardware. Any laptop with decent specs will work fine for you.
Which brand of laptop is best for students?
You opt for any brandable laptop. There are many reliable and well-established laptop brands out there whose after-sales service is good, covers a decent amount of warranty and the products are well-built. To name a few, Dell, Lenovo, HP, Acer, etc., are the companies whose laptops can be purchased without any problem. These brands also provide a good amount of discounts during the sale and back-to-school season.
Bottom Line
So, this is the wrap-up for this article. These were the best possible laptops that a college student could buy for $500 without any doubt. The list has included all the laptops after research and expert advice and can be purchased without any second thought in mind. However, the “Best” word is very subjective because different people have different choices. But still, we want to point out some worthy options. In our opinion, Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is one of the best laptops under $500 for college students, followed by HP 14 and Acer Aspire 5.
Moreover, if you need a laptop for online classes, Surface Go 3 is a great option. I hope this article was helpful for you and will improve your buying decision to go for the best bang for your bucks. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments below. You can also appreciate my efforts in the comments below. With that being said, I am taking your leave for now. I will catch you in the next one.
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