Top 10 Budget Laptops for Students [2025 Edition]
Back-to-school season demands a laptop that can handle lectures, essays, and streaming—all without draining your wallet (or your battery). In 2025, manufacturers have stepped up, offering solid performance, durable designs, and all-day runtimes for under $600. Here are our top ten picks.
| No. | Model | Price (USD) | CPU | RAM/Storage | Battery Life | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acer Aspire 5 Slim | $349 | Intel Core i3-1315U | 8 GB/256 GB SSD | Up to 10 hrs | 3.64 lbs |
| 2 | Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14″ | $279 | AMD Athlon Gold 7220U | 8 GB/128 GB SSD | Up to 9 hrs | 3.1 lbs |
| 3 | HP Stream 14 | $249 | Intel N200 | 4 GB/64 GB eMMC | Up to 11 hrs | 2.96 lbs |
| 4 | ASUS VivoBook 15 X | $399 | Intel Core i5-1235U | 8 GB/512 GB SSD | Up to 8 hrs | 3.75 lbs |
| 5 | Dell Inspiron 15 3000 | $449 | Intel Core i3-1315U | 8 GB/256 GB SSD | Up to 9 hrs | 3.93 lbs |
| 6 | Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go | $329 | Intel Celeron N4500 | 4 GB/64 GB eMMC | Up to 12 hrs | 2.49 lbs |
| 7 | Microsoft Surface Go 4 | $549 | Intel Pentium Gold 8500Y | 8 GB/128 GB SSD | Up to 10 hrs | 1.92 lbs |
| 8 | Acer Chromebook 514 | $299 | Intel Celeron N4020 | 4 GB/64 GB eMMC | Up to 12 hrs | 3.09 lbs |
| 9 | HP Pavilion x360 14″ | $599 | Intel Core i3-1315U | 8 GB/256 GB SSD | Up to 8 hrs | 3.55 lbs |
| 10 | Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook | $359 | Intel Core i3-1215U | 8 GB/128 GB eMMC | Up to 10 hrs | 2.97 lbs |
1. Acer Aspire 5 Slim ($349)
A versatile all-rounder with a spill-resistant keyboard, FHD display, and solid Core i3 performance—ideal for multitasking between notes and research.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14″ ($279)
Exceptionally light and wallet-friendly, with enough power for word processing and video lectures. The battery easily lasts a full school day.
3. HP Stream 14 ($249)
For ultra-budget students: Windows 11 S-mode, cloud-centric design, and over 10 hours of battery in a chassis under 3 lbs.
4. ASUS VivoBook 15 X ($399)
Steps up to an i5 processor and a roomy 512 GB SSD—perfect for students who need extra storage for media and projects.
5. Dell Inspiron 15 3000 ($449)
A dependable campus companion with a sturdy build, snappy SSD, and a comfortable keyboard for long typing sessions.
6. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go ($329)
A Chromebook that feels premium: responsive keyboard, crisp display, and the ChromeOS ecosystem for seamless Google integration.
7. Microsoft Surface Go 4 ($549)
Ultra-portable 2-in-1 with a touch screen and Surface Pen support—great for digital art majors or note-takers.
8. Acer Chromebook 514 ($299)
Sturdy aluminum shell, backlit keyboard, and a bright display—this Chromebook punches above its weight in durability.
9. HP Pavilion x360 14″ ($599)
Convertible design for presentations or media consumption, plus an IPS touchscreen and flexible hinge.
10. Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook ($359)
Balanced performance, solid battery, and a 360° hinge—ideal for students who switch between laptop and tablet modes.
How to Choose Your Student Laptop
- Primary Use:
- Essays & Web: Chromebook or entry-level Windows (e.g., HP Stream).
- Media & Projects: i5 models with larger SSDs (e.g., ASUS VivoBook).
- Hybrid/Class Notes: 2-in-1 convertibles (e.g., Surface Go 4, Pavilion x360).
- Battery & Portability:
- Aim for ≥ 9 hrs runtime and < 3.5 lbs for all-day carry.
- Budget vs. Features:
- Under $300 for basic tasks; $300–$500 for balanced performance; up to $600 for touch and 2-in-1 designs.
🧠 Final Take
A student’s laptop must strike the right balance of performance, battery life, and price. Whether you choose a lightweight Chromebook for notes or a budget Windows laptop for heavier workloads, this Top 10 list has you covered—so you can focus on grades, not gadgets.
