10 Best Laptops for Students Under $500 (2025)

Finding a reliable laptop that balances affordability and performance can be a challenge, especially for students. Whether you’re attending online classes, writing papers, or working on creative projects, having a dependable device is essential. Fortunately, in 2025, several great laptops are available for under $500 that cater to student needs without compromising on essential features. We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best student laptops under $500 that deliver in terms of performance, design, portability, and battery life. Let’s dive in.

10 Best Laptops for Students Under $500 in 2025

1. Lenovo V15 Business Laptop

The Lenovo V15 Business Laptop leads our list as the best all-rounder. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor and supported by 20GB of RAM, this laptop delivers powerful multitasking capability ideal for demanding academic tasks. The 1TB SSD ensures fast boot times and ample storage for documents, software, and media. The 15.6-inch Full HD display provides a crisp and clear viewing experience, while Wi-Fi 6 support offers fast and stable internet connectivity. Its build quality is durable, and the overall user experience is smooth and professional, making it a top choice for college and university students.

A reliable and powerful machine for multitasking students, featuring a fast SSD and solid build quality. Great for assignments, streaming, and light editing.

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
  
• RAM: 20GB DDR4
  
• Storage: 1TB SSD
  
• Display: 15.6″ FHD
  
• Extras: AMD Radeon Graphics, Wi-Fi 6
  

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2. HP 14-inch Laptop

The HP 14-inch Laptop is the best budget-friendly option for students who need basic functionality at an affordable price. It features an Intel Celeron N4020 processor with 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC storage, which is sufficient for tasks like note-taking, browsing the web, and streaming videos. The 14-inch HD micro-edge display is compact and ideal for portability. It also includes Windows 11 Home and a 1-year subscription to Microsoft 365, giving students essential productivity tools right out of the box. It’s a solid choice for high schoolers or casual users looking for an inexpensive yet capable laptop.

Sleek, lightweight, and dependable. Ideal for students needing a basic device for browsing, writing, and video calls without breaking the bank.

• Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
  
• RAM: 4GB
  
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
  
• Display: 14″ HD Micro-edge
  
• Extras: Windows 11, Microsoft 365 1-Year
  

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3. Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P-R7VH)

The Acer Aspire 3 strikes a great balance between performance and value. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U quad-core processor, it comes with 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and a 128GB NVMe SSD. These specs allow for efficient multitasking, smooth browsing, and responsive performance. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display offers vibrant visuals with wide viewing angles, perfect for working on school assignments and watching videos. This model also includes Wi-Fi 6 and USB-C connectivity, ensuring fast data transfer and internet speed. Its slim profile and long battery life make it an ideal portable companion for student life.

A solid all-around laptop for daily student needs. The combination of a Ryzen 3 CPU and 8GB RAM delivers excellent multitasking on a budget.

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
  
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR5
  
• Storage: 128GB SSD
  
• Display: 15.6″ FHD IPS
  
• Extras: Wi-Fi 6, USB-C
  

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4. HP Pavilion x360 Touchscreen Laptop

This HP Pavilion x360 is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that can transform into a tablet for added flexibility. It features an Intel Pentium Silver N6000 processor, 8GB RAM, and 128GB SSD, offering good speed for everyday tasks. Its 14-inch HD touchscreen supports multi-touch gestures, making it useful for students who prefer handwritten notes or creative design work. The convertible hinge is robust, and the battery life is sufficient for a day’s worth of classes. This laptop is an excellent choice for those looking for a blend of functionality, style, and portability at a student-friendly price.

This 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop is perfect for creative students who enjoy both typing and writing/drawing. The flexible hinge adds versatility.

• Processor: Intel Pentium Silver N6000
  
• RAM: 8GB
  
• Storage: 128GB SSD
  
• Display: 14″ HD Touchscreen
  
• Extras: Convertible design, long battery life
  

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5. HP 15.6″ FHD Student Laptop

If you want a balance of affordability and features, the HP 15.6″ Student Laptop delivers. With an Intel Celeron N5095 processor, 12GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, this laptop is fast and spacious enough for school-related tasks, streaming, and storage. The Full HD display provides a sharp viewing experience, while the fingerprint sensor adds an extra layer of security. It also includes a webcam, HDMI port, and solid battery life. This is a fantastic choice for students who need a reliable workhorse that looks and feels premium without a high price tag.

A great pick for students who need more screen real estate and solid multitasking capabilities, plus a fingerprint sensor for added security.

• Processor: Intel Celeron N5095
  
• RAM: 12GB
  
• Storage: 512GB SSD
  
• Display: 15.6″ Full HD
  
• Extras: Fingerprint Reader, HDMI, Webcam
  

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6. HP 17.3” Laptop for Students & Business

This HP 17.3-inch laptop offers a spacious display perfect for multitasking and video editing. The Intel Pentium Silver N5030 processor, combined with 16GB of RAM and a massive 1TB SSD, ensures smooth performance for various student activities. Despite its larger size, it’s designed with energy-efficient components and includes a reliable battery for extended use. It also includes HDMI, Wi-Fi 5, and a webcam. This laptop is excellent for students in graphic design, video production, or those who simply prefer a larger screen.

This laptop stands out for its large screen, making it ideal for research-heavy students or those who prefer bigger displays for productivity.

• Processor: Intel Pentium Silver N5030
  
• RAM: 16GB
  
• Storage: 1TB SSD
  
• Display: 17.3” HD+ Anti-Glare
  
• Extras: HDMI, Wi-Fi 5, Webcam
  

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7. HP 14” Portable Student Laptop

This HP model is perfect for students always on the move. Powered by an Intel N200 Quad-Core processor, it boasts 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD—specs rarely seen at this price point. The 14-inch HD display, combined with HDMI and USB-C ports, makes it compatible with a range of peripherals. It’s thin, lightweight, and durable, making it a strong companion for daily academic tasks, video calls, and streaming. If performance and portability are your priorities, this laptop is worth considering.

Perfect for high school and college students who need something compact and reliable for daily coursework, virtual classes, and light media use.

• Processor: Intel Quad-Core N200
  
• RAM: 16GB
  
• Storage: 1TB SSD
  
• Display: 14″ HD
  
• Extras: HDMI, USB-C, Long battery life
  

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8. HP Stream 14” Laptop

The HP Stream series has long been a favorite among students for its affordability and reliability. This model features an Intel Celeron N4120 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB eMMC storage. While it’s not made for heavy multitasking, it handles web browsing, document editing, and streaming with ease. The 14-inch HD BrightView display is vibrant, and the device is exceptionally lightweight. It’s an ideal option for students who rely on cloud services and want a device that’s simple and effective.

Great for cloud-based students and anyone who uses Google Docs or Microsoft 365 regularly. Lightweight and simple.

• Processor: Intel Celeron N4120
  
• RAM: 4GB
  
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
  
• Display: 14″ HD BrightView
  
• Extras: Compact design, long battery life
  

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9. Dell Inspiron 15.6” Touchscreen Laptop

The Dell Inspiron brings strong performance with its Intel Core i5-1155G7 processor and 16GB RAM, along with a 512GB SSD. It also features a 15.6” HD touchscreen, allowing interactive use in both academic and creative settings. The combination of solid specs and Dell’s reliable build quality makes it great for multitasking, video conferencing, and more. It’s rare to find an i5 laptop with this configuration under $500, making it one of the best value options on the market.

For those who love Windows and touchscreen tech, this Dell packs a punch with its Intel Core i5 processor—rare at this price point.

• Processor: Intel Core i5-1155G7
  
• RAM: 16GB
  
• Storage: 512GB SSD
  
• Display: 15.6” HD Touchscreen
  
• Extras: HDMI, Webcam, Lightweight
  

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10. HP 14” Touchscreen Business Laptop

Designed for functionality and user comfort, this HP 14” model features an Intel Celeron N4120 processor, 16GB RAM, and 64GB eMMC storage, with an added 128GB SD card. The HD touchscreen is responsive and perfect for interactive presentations. It includes Windows 11 and a lifetime license for Microsoft Office, giving students productivity tools from the start. Lightweight and compact, it’s perfect for students attending lectures, working on group projects, or studying on the go.

This touchscreen HP laptop is well-suited for students managing presentations or hands-on tasks with its responsive display and clean layout.

• Processor: Intel Celeron N4120
  
• RAM: 16GB
  
• Storage: 64GB eMMC + 128GB Card
  
• Display: 14” HD Touchscreen
  
• Extras: Includes Microsoft Office 365
  

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Benefits of Student Laptops Under $500

• Affordable Performance: Get the essentials without overspending.
• Portability: Lightweight and compact designs for easy carrying.
• Productivity-Ready: Most come preloaded with Windows 11 and Microsoft Office.
• Long Battery Life: Great for all-day use in classes and study sessions.
• Wide Selection: Options for touchscreens, 2-in-1 designs, and high RAM/SSD combos.

Top Pick

Lenovo V15 Business Laptop

Wrap Up

Choosing the right laptop under $500 in 2025 doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality or performance. Whether you’re looking for the best overall performer like the Lenovo V15, a budget-friendly choice like the HP 14-inch, or a versatile touchscreen device like the HP Pavilion x360, there’s a great option for every student. From casual browsing and note-taking to multitasking and light creative work, these laptops are equipped to handle your academic life without draining your wallet. Be sure to consider your individual needs—whether that’s portability, screen size, or storage—so you can pick the laptop that will support your goals and studies for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are these laptops good for online classes? Yes, all laptops listed support video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet smoothly.

2. Can I run Microsoft Office on these laptops? Yes, most of these laptops come with Windows 11 and some include Microsoft 365 or Office lifetime licenses.

3. Are these laptops good for gaming? These laptops are not designed for high-end gaming. They can run basic games or browser-based titles but not AAA games.

4. Which laptop is best for multitasking? The Lenovo V15, Dell Inspiron, and HP 17.3″ laptops have higher RAM and storage for better multitasking.

5. How long do these laptops typically last? With proper care, these laptops can last 3–5 years or more, depending on usage.

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