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Shopping for a laptop under $500 can be dubious for students. Finding the right balance between affordability and usefulness is key. This guide centers on laptops that provide the most features for your money, prioritizing 1080p displays, decent performance (dealing with regular errands), and long battery life (enduring through a school day).
We get the significance of a reliable laptop, so each product is carefully chosen to anticipate the buyer’s remorse. Whether you prefer a conventional laptop or a 2-in-1 that transforms into a tablet, this guide offers options to fit your needs and budget.
Table of contents
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook (Starts at $350)
- Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 (Price Starts at $350)
- Microsoft Surface Go 3 (Starts at $520)
- Acer Chromebook 317 (Price Starts at $399)
- Lenovo IdeaPAd Slim 3 15AMN8 (Price Starts at $399)
- HP 17 Laptop (Price Starts at $350)
- Tight Budget, Big Dreams: Final Thoughts on Affordable Laptops
- FAQs
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook (Starts at $350)
Looking for a stylish and reasonable laptop under $500? See no further than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook. This Chromebook offers astounding performance with an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 1080p display – all for around $500.
It scored a multi-core Geekbench 6 score of 5,384, effortlessly outperforming the normal Chromebook. This translates to smooth performance for ordinary tasks, browsing, and even a few light multitasking. Additionally, with nearly 10 hours of battery life, you can work or stream throughout the day on a single charge.
The IdeaPad Flex 5i also boasts a sleek design that wouldn’t look out of place in a premium laptop lineup. The 14-inch 1080p display offers sufficient screen space for working on archives or watching videos, whereas the 16:10 aspect ratio gives additional vertical space compared to conventional laptop displays.
Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 (Price Starts at $350)
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is your legend! This budget-friendly alternative packs a punch, offering smooth performance for ordinary assignments, browsing, and indeed multitasking. Unlike a few cheap laptops that struggle to run even a few programs, the Aspire 3 Spin 14 has the muscle to last for years.
Here’s why it shines for students: it’s shockingly versatile and lightweight, making it simple to carry around campus. Also, the 10+ hour battery life lets you work or attend classes all day without requiring you to find an outlet.
The responsive keyboard and trackpad ensure comfortable typing and navigation, unlike baffling budget laptops with unstable keys. But the genuine star is the display – a clear, high-resolution touchscreen with a spacious design, perfect for web browsing and archives.
Forget hazy or low-quality screens – this Aspire boasts noteworthy visuals for the price. Indeed, way better, the 360-degree hinge lets you flip the screen into tablet mode for a more loose way to browse or read. Whereas it might not be the champion of lightweight laptops, the Aspire 3 Spin 14’s features and movability make it a best contender for students on a budget.
Microsoft Surface Go 3 (Starts at $520)
Microsoft Surface Go 3 (around $500) – a Windows laptop built for browsing and entertainment. This laptop features a built-in kickstand for hands-free viewing, but not at all like a few competitors; the keyboard is sold separately. Whereas the keyboard is a bit small due to the laptop’s size, it offers comfortable keys with backlighting – perfect for composing emails and doing assignments.
The 10.5-inch display is crisp and shining, making it incredible for watching videos or browsing the web. If you’re a student, you’ll be happy to know the screen supports pen input (in spite of the fact that the pen costs extra).
The base model with 4GB of memory is perfect for regular tasks like web browsing and video streaming, but do not anticipate to alter high-resolution videos or play demanding games. For a smoother multitasking experience, consider overhauling the 8GB RAM option. Battery life endures around 7 hours on a single charge, which is less than most laptops but not too bad for a tablet.
Whereas the port choice is constrained (one USB-C port, a microSD card reader, earphone jack, and an extraordinary charging port), the Surface Go 3 shocks with a clear 1080p webcam and facial recognition for secure login.
Acer Chromebook 317 (Price Starts at $399)
Acer Chromebook 317 boasts a giant 17.3-inch, 1080p display, perfect for multitasking and working on multiple reports or browser tabs side-by-side. Also, the enormous screen comes with a full-sized keyboard complete with a number pad, making it less demanding to crunch numbers or explore spreadsheets.
The battery life won’t leave you stranded either, enduring over 9.5 hours on a single charge—enough to get you through a school day or long-considered session. While the processor might not be the speediest, Chromebooks are known for being lighter on processing control, so it ought to handle everyday assignments like browsing, emails, and documents just fine.
The design isn’t fancy, but it feels tough and well-built. Just be prepared for a bit of additional weight in your bag – the Chromebook weighs over 5 pounds.
The display itself isn’t the brightest or most colorful, but the additional screen space is a game-changer for students who juggle numerous windows and documents at once. So, if you prioritize an enormous screen for multitasking and don’t mind a slightly bulkier laptop, the Acer Chromebook 317 is an extraordinary choice under $500.
Lenovo IdeaPAd Slim 3 15AMN8 (Price Starts at $399)
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8 (around $500) is a strong contender. This laptop brags a roomy 15-inch, 1080p display – a major upgrade from the grainy, low-quality screens found on numerous budget laptops. Whereas it doesn’t have a touchscreen and the colors might not be the most vibrant, the IPS panel ensures clear and sharp visuals.
But the size isn’t the only perk. The IdeaPad Slim 3 packs a punch with a processor that can handle everyday assignments, browsing, and indeed a few multitasking for years to come, so you won’t be left frustrated with slow performance.
Including its user-friendly features are a comfortable backlit keyboard for simple typing, a huge and responsive trackpad for smooth navigation, and a fingerprint reader for secure logins. Also, a webcam cover gives you privacy control when you require it.
The battery life is amazing as well, lasting over 11 hours on a single charge, effortlessly lasting you through a school day or workday without needing an outlet. Whereas opening the laptop with one hand might be tricky, the overall package makes the IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8 a compelling choice for students seeking a large-screen Windows laptop under $500.
HP 17 Laptop (Price Starts at $350)
Calling all budget-minded students who need a big screen! The HP 17 laptop offers a big 17.3-inch display for just around $350. This amazing size is perfect for streaming, browsing the web, or indeed casual gaming, all with a clear 1600 x 900 HD Plus resolution.
But size isn’t the only selling point. This HP laptop boasts a speedy 256GB SSD for quick storage and load times, along with 4GB of DDR4 RAM for smooth multitasking. Do not stress about being fastened to an outlet all day – the battery offers up to 8 hours of life, and HP Fast Charge technology can get you from 0 to 50% in just 45 minutes.
Equipped by an Intel Core i3 processor and Intel UHD Graphics, this HP 17 is an awesome alternative for students looking for a large-screen laptop that won’t break the bank.
Tight Budget, Big Dreams: Final Thoughts on Affordable Laptops
Finding the ideal balance between cost and performance can be difficult, particularly for students on a limited budget. This list looks at some of the best laptops under $500, focusing on essential factors such as screen size, performance, battery life, and pricing. Whether you like a large 17-inch display for multitasking or a compact design for portability, there’s a low-cost alternative for you.
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FAQs
- Which laptop under $500 is best for online classes and video conferencing?
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook stands out due to its 1080p display and clear webcam, perfect for online classes and virtual meetings.
- Can these budget laptops handle light gaming?
While these laptops aren’t built for heavy gaming, models like the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 can handle light games and multitasking without lag.
- Are there any options with a backlit keyboard in this price range?
Yes, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8 features a comfortable backlit keyboard, making it ideal for working in low-light environments.
- Do these laptops support external monitors for multitasking?
Most models, such as the Acer Chromebook 317 and HP 17, come with HDMI ports or USB-C support to connect external displays.
- Which laptop is best for creative students who need basic photo editing tools?
The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a solid option, especially with the pen input feature, which is great for sketching and light editing tasks.
