The Best Laptops for College Students Under $500 [UPDATED 2021]
The Best Laptops for College Students Under $500These systems are the best value-priced ones and come loaded with incredible features that will make it easy to study and do your work.
You know what? Chromebooks and Windows are also included in the list of most affordable laptops below $500. These laptops aren’t too expensive but you can enjoy the high-quality performance, extended battery life, and full HD displays.
The pandemic that hit the market in 2021 really wreaked havoc on the economy. Most professions now work from home. Students are forced to enroll online to avoid the problems faced by colleges and universities. This is a precautionary measure, but it’s great to have an affordable laptop with all the necessary equipment.
There are many great laptop options available that can be used for work and study. Your budget does not have to be less than $500. However, this doesn’t mean that you should compromise on features, performance, screen size, and other aspects. You can find a wide range of fully-loaded laptops in this price range.
Comparison Table: Best Laptops for College Students Under $500
Laptops below $500 can be decent and allow you to play full-HD movies, edit workplace documents, and continue your college studies without repercussions.
Laptops from Acer, Lenovo, and HP are affordable and deliver solid performance.
| Laptop | Processor | RAM | Storage | Display Size | Display Type | Wireless connectivity | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop | AMD Ryzen 3 3200U | 8GB RAM DDR4 | 256GB SSD PCle | FHD 15.6 inches | LED IPS display | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi | 1800 grams | Check Price |
| ASUS VivoBook 15 Laptop | Intel Core i3-8145U | 8GB RAM DDR4 | 128 GB SSD | 15.6-inch FHD | 4-way NanoEdge display | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi | 1723 grams | Check Price |
| HP 14-inch 2021 Laptop | AMD Athlon Silver 3050U | 4GB RAM DDR4 | 128 GB SSD | HD 14 inches | WLED, HD, anti-glare display | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi | 1470 grams | Check Price |
| Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 Laptop | 10th Gen Intel core i3-10110U | 4GB RAM DDR4 | 64GB eMMC | 13-inch FHD | Full-HD Touchscreen Display | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi | 1348 grams | Check Price |
| Acer Chromebook Spin 311 Convertible Notebook | Intel Celeron N4020 | 4GB RAM DDR4 | 32GB eMMC | HD 11.6 inches | IPS, Touchscreen | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi | 1188 grams | Check Price |
| ASUS Chromebook C423 Laptop | Intel Celeron N3350 dual core | 4GB RAM DDR4 | 32GB eMMC | Anti-glare HD 14 inches | Antiglare HD | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi | 2136 grams | Check Price |
| Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 4 Laptop | Intel Celeron N4000 | 4GB RAM DDR4 | 64GB eMMC | HD 11.6 inches | HD Display | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi | 1583 grams | Check Price |
Here’s a list of the best laptops for college students
1. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
Acer Aspire 5 laptop is under $500 and packed with the latest hardware and features. This 15.6-inch laptop features a 1080p widescreen LED IPS LCD that delivers stunning clarity and a great work experience. For powerful performance, it is equipped with an AMD Ryzen3 3200U processor.
The 8GB RAM and the 256GB PCle SSD give you blazing speed, while still allowing for enough storage space to store your college files or business data. Acer Aspire 5 is a beautiful masterpiece that can be used for professional and academic purposes.
You can study with ease knowing that the laptop provides 7.5 hours of non-stop battery life. It also features multiple ports that allow you to connect all your devices.
A Glance at the Features
- 6-inch HD LED-backlit IPS LCD
- AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200U super-powerful processor
- 8GB DDR4 RAM to speed up your computer and 256GB PCle SSD to store amazing data
- Faster performance with PCle SSD
- Battery backup up to 7.5 hours
- Windows 10 in S Mode
- Multiple ports allow for greater connectivity
2. ASUS VivoBook 15 Laptop
ASUS’ 15.6-inch slim and lightweight laptop is the best. This laptop is lightweight and easy to carry. The laptop offers a stunning 1080p full HD experience with an 88% screen-to-body ratio and 4-way NanoEdge display.
The Asus VivoBook is one of our top choices for laptops for college students under $500. It comes with an Intel Core i3-8145U CPU, 8GB RAM, and 128GB SSD storage, which deliver solid performance. It also features an ergonomic backlit keyboard with a fingerprint and fingerprint sensor, giving it a classic appearance. The laptop can be charged quickly, up to 60% in just 49 minutes.
A Glance at the Features
- 6-inch Full HD 1080p Display
- Lightweight, compact, ergonomic, and travel-friendly design
- For speed and storage, 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD are the best options.
- 4-way NanoEdge bezel display
- Intel-powered i3-8145U processor
- Backlit keyboard with the fingerprint sensor
- Multiple ports are available for connectivity
- Windows 10 in S Mode
3. HP 14-inch 2021 Laptop
HP has one of the most intelligent laptops 2021 models for students and businesses. This laptop is 14 inches in size and features an AMD Athlon Silver 3050U processor, which is ideal for everyday tasks. AMD Radeon Graphics delivers amazing performance.
This laptop has a high-definition, micro-edge, antiglare display that provides amazing clarity. It is extremely thin and light, making it easy to transport.
It has 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD flash storage. This allows you to multitask while still keeping your files secure and safe. The system can run for approximately 10 hours on one charge, so students can work and have fun without having to worry about it being charged again.
A Glance at the Features
- Display with micro-edge and anti-glare HD resolution 14 inches
- 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD are available for multitasking and data storage
- Battery backup up to 10 hours with a single charge
- Reliable and powerful AMD Athlon Silver 3050U processor
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Windows 10 Home S Mode
- For easy portability, ultra-thin and light laptops
4. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 Laptop
The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5, a stunning laptop for under $500, is a great choice. This laptop features a premium design and incredible add-ons in a robust body.
The 13.3-inch Flex 5 laptop has a Full HD 1080p Touchscreen display. It is a 2-in-1 laptop that offers intelligent performance features and is ideal for both college students as well as working professionals. This Chromebook is lightweight and slim, with 360-degree.
The battery backup of the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is more than 10 hours. The Chromebook Flex 5 has 4GB DDR4 RAM storage and 64GB eMMC SSD storage to provide speed and storage.
A Glance at the Features
- 3-inch laptop with Full HD 1080p Display
- Touchscreen display
- Intelligent performance features to enhance your study and work experience
- 10th Gen Intel core i3-10110U processor
- Intel integrated graphics
- Chrome Operating System
- Battery life up to 10 hours on a single charge
- Multiple ports allow for greater connectivity
5. Acer Chromebook Spin 311 Convertible Laptop
If you are looking for a small, light, and slim laptop, the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is for you. It has an 11.6-inch HD touchscreen screen and four modes: Display, Tablet, Tent, and Laptop.
The battery lasts for 10 hours on a single charge. This can be used for all-day work. The Chromebook is powered by the Intel Celeron N4020 processor and Google OS, which provides amazing performance. This Chromebook is packed with 4GB DDR4 RAM, 32GB eMMC storage, and you’ll be a happy customer.
Chrome OS by Google is built into this laptop and automatically updates with the latest versions. To learn and grow, you also have access to over 2 million apps via Google Play.
A Glance at the Features
- 6-inch HD IPS LCD display
- 360-degree convertible Touchscreen display
- There are four display modes available
- Battery backup for 10 hours with a single charge
- Ultra-thin, lightweight, and smaller than a sheet of A4-size papers
- Intel Celeron N4020 processor powered by Intel and Google OS
- Multiple ports are available for connectivity
6. ASUS Chromebook C423 Laptop
ASUS offers a Chromebook C423 laptop for those with a tight budget to increase productivity. This laptop is ideal for business and college students. It also features a 14-inch antiglare LED HD screen, making it a great choice for entertainment, business, or education.
This laptop comes with an Intel Celeron N3350 dual-core processor at a maximum Turbo Speed of 2.4GHz. The laptop comes with 4GB DDR4 RAM for basic multitasking, and 32GB eMMC flash drives to store files and applications.
C423 is equipped with Chrome Operating System and HD Webcam, WiFi, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. This laptop also has multiple ports, including an audio jack and Type C USB. The puzzle mousepad delivers a smooth performance that makes gaming and studying super-exciting.
A Glance at the Features
- 14-inch HD anti-glare 45% NanoEdge display
- Intel Celeron N3350 dual-core processor
- Share content with a durable 180-degree hinge
- Battery life up to 10 hours on a single charge
- 4GB DDR4 RAM, 32GB eMMC Flash storage
- Chrome OS – Great for college students and business professionals
- Rapid boot-up
- The list contains the most affordable laptops for college students
7. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 4 Laptop
Samsung is a well-known brand that doesn’t need any introduction. They are known for making reliable and durable products. The Galaxy Chromebook 4 is a popular laptop for students to use for studying and working. The 11.6-inch screen is large enough to take online classes and continue business work.
This laptop offers more than 12.5 hours of battery life on a single charge. You can charge it once, and continue working all day. The laptop can be charged in a fraction of the time with USB-C charging.
The laptop has built-in virus protection, which protects your confidential data. The gigabit Wi-Fi connection allows for ultrafast streaming and downloading of files. It is lightweight, compact, and portable – ideal for taking anywhere.
A Glance at the Features
- 6-inch LED HD Display
- 4GB DDR4 RAM, 64GB eMMC to perform basic storage and multitasking
- Intel Celeron N4000 processor
- Chrome Operating System
- Battery life up to 12.5 hours on a single charge
- Ultrafast connectivity via Gigabit Wi-Fi Connection
- Protect your data with built-in antivirus protection
- USB-C type charging for quick charging