Best Cheap and Affordable Laptops for College Students in 2024
When selecting a laptop as a student, finding one that meets your specific needs can be a difficult task. The device must have a solid performance, reliable battery life, durability, and, most importantly, provide good value for money.
With so many options available, it’s important to consider a range of factors before deciding. For students in creative fields like animation or graphic design, MacBooks offer a blend of power and finesse ideal for such disciplines.
Alternatively, for those involved in intensive tasks like 3D rendering or scientific modelling at the university level, choosing a laptop with powerful discrete graphics, like those found in the best gaming laptops, is advisable.
In addition to performance, it’s essential to consider practicalities such as a laptop that can last a full day of classes without needing a charge and withstand the rigours of busy campus life. This is where the best 2-in-1 laptops come into play, offering a versatile, lightweight, and compact solution perfect for moving between classes.
Budget is another crucial consideration for students, and we understand that financial constraints can be in play. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of top laptop choices for students across various disciplines, including options that balance cost and functionality without compromising on the essential features.
We hope our guide will help you make an informed decision and find the perfect laptop for your academic journey.
Best Cheap and Affordable Laptops for College Students in 2024
1. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook
SPECIFICATIONS
REASONS TO BUY
+ Well built
+ Battery life is good
REASONS TO AVOID
– Not very powerful
Its Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is great for students looking to buy a bargain. The low cost means this isn’t the most powerful gadget, even according to Chromebook standards. However, ChromeOS is extremely well-performing and won’t be a problem for everyday tasks such as web browsing, document creation, and emailing.
It’s also great to stream media when getting ready to go home after a day of school, but the smaller screen doesn’t work for fully immersing yourself in movies and TV. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is an ideal laptop for students due to its dual-in-one design, which is uncommon for expensive laptops.
This lets you use it both as a laptop and an iPad-like device. This flexibility is highly beneficial for students since they don’t require two distinct instruments. The battery’s life was more than 16 hours during our video playback test when we tested our review of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook. It’s likely to last for a whole school day without being charged.
2. Acer Aspire 5 (2022)
SPECIFICATIONS
REASONS TO BUY
+ Solid build, with a 1.7kg weight
+ Decent battery life for the price
REASONS TO AVOID
– 720p webcam
– Limited port selection
Its Acer Aspire 5 (2022) is our choice for the top student laptop available today. This is due to an affordable price but with good specifications (OK, it’s true that it’s not the latest model, but an 11-generation Intel CPU isn’t the newest model, but it does what it is supposed to do, especially when compared to processors that are found in comparable-priced laptops) which makes it a reliable performance for the majority of tasks students utilize it for.
The laptop is a Windows 11 laptop that can run full desktop applications, unlike Chromebooks, which typically have to use a limited set of apps that do not offer complete features.
Of course, it is important to establish the expectations you have regarding this notebook. The price and the age mean that it’s not an extremely powerful laptop that will manage gaming or editing media; however, for writing essays or researching for your class, It’s a great option, particularly in the case of a budget, but don’t require an expensive Chromebook.
3. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
SPECIFICATIONS
REASONS TO BUY
+ Phenomenal battery life
+ Respectable performance
REASONS TO AVOID
– Difficult kickstand
– Stylus not included
The stunning Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook is an excellent example of why Chromebooks aren’t necessarily inexpensive, budget-friendly devices. With its incredible 1080 x 720 pixels OLED display, 8GB of RAM, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen2 processor, it is among the most robust Chromebooks available. It is perfect for students looking for an option to work on and enjoy movies.
The fantastic design features a slim body and a detachable keyboard; it’s almost impossible to imagine being mistaken for an affordable device. As a 2-in-1 device, it can function as a traditional laptop or tablet-like device. Intent mode gives it a smaller screen suitable for watching TV and movies. It’s an ideal choice for students who do not have the funds (or space) to purchase several devices.
Our reviewer was amazed by the gorgeous OLED screen. It’s uncommon in Chromebooks, and thanks to the Snapdragon CPU, the battery longevity is impressive and lasts for more than 16 hours as we tested. This is far superior to Windows 11 laptops, MacBooks, and many Chromebooks. Therefore, students can use this Lenovo Duet5 Chromebook for various school days without paying.
The high-end features mean that the cost is more than what you would imagine from the typical Chromebook, but it provides plenty of value, making it a good choice for students with a small amount of flexibility in their finances.
4. Acer Chromebook Spin 514
SPECIFICATIONS
REASONS TO BUY
+ All-day battery life
+ Fantastic screen
REASONS TO AVOID
– Expensive for a Chromebook
– Configurations can be hit or miss
Its Acer Chromebook Spin 514 might be more expensive in the world of Chromebooks but it gives plenty for the price with powerful components, excellent access for users, and great adaptability because of its 360-degree hinge as well as a touch display similar to the top 2 in 1 laptops. In our review, we gave it a high rating for its excellent performance, sturdy design, and a long battery lifespan.
However, starting at $500/PS500, the Spin 514 will cost less than most Windows laptops with similar specifications, and should be able to be used by students looking for a premium Chromebook. This isn’t necessarily the most pricey Chromebook available – it’s that of the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook.
With that said, it’s an extremely reliable 2-in-1 laptop, with excellent internal specs, which means that it’s enough to last through three or four or five years of studying at a university. A laptop for students is usually an investment, and in this instance, you can be sure that it’s a quality one.
5. Dell XPS 13 (2022)
SPECIFICATIONS
REASONS TO BUY
+ Sensible pricing
+ Super lightweight and portable
REASONS TO AVOID
– Not many physical ports
The Dell XPS 13 is the quintessential ultrabook, offering a perfect blend of reliability, portability, and affordability. This laptop series has always impressed us with its refined designs and performance, making it an ideal choice for students who value quality.
The Dell XPS 15 might be a better fit for those needing more power. It has a larger screen and a dedicated GPU, making it suitable for students who work on video editing or 3D modeling tasks. On the other hand, the XPS 13 is more compact and runs on CPU-integrated graphics, making it ideal for everyday tasks such as word processing, web browsing, and emailing.
Despite its modest power, the XPS 13 is one of the most compact laptops available, making it easy to carry around campus. Also, the entry-level models are reasonably priced, making it an excellent choice for students who prefer Windows over ChromeOS or macOS.
6. MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
SPECIFICATIONS
REASONS TO BUY
+ Top-notch performance
+ Battery life is great
+ Silent in use
REASONS TO AVOID
If you’ve got some artistic severe plans as a student, whether for fun or your course, There’s only one choice for a laptop. Apple’s M1-powered MacBooks were a huge hit when they launched in 2020, showing that Apple’s own silicon can serve as a compact and creative powerful machine, and the M2 sequel isn’t any the same.
With exceptional performance thanks to the M2 System-on-a-Chip (SoC) it is the laptop to get for if you plan to spend the majority of time in college doing creative work, whether it’s 3D design and video editing or animation. Its MacBook Air with the M2 MacBook Air can handle it everything.
You’re indeed paying Apple Tax and this is one of the priciest laptops on the list. MacOS users on a smaller budget can still look at the top-of-the-line 2020 MacBook Air. Still, its exceptional build quality, incredible battery endurance, and top performance far exceed the cost.
The only downside we could have found could be that the non-fan design (while helpful in running the laptop at a low level) can cause some thermal throttling in very long usage, but that’s an issue of the edges that should not cause any problems!
7. Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 (2022)
SPECIFICATIONS
REASONS TO BUY
+ Good battery life
+ Solid performance
REASONS TO AVOID
– No included stylus
Its Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 is a fantastic laptop. However, it’s too large for students of average size (and it’s a bit costly, too). However, it’s a close sibling; the Inspiron 14 2-in-1 might be the ideal college partner.
In addition to the smaller 14-inch screen, It’s mostly similar to the larger Inspiron 2-in-1 model. It has excellent performance and flexibility due to its 360-degree hinge, touchscreen, and able pricing. However, it isn’t as good in the same areas of the model that measures 16 inches, and the absence of a stylus that comes with it is one of the main points of contention in our evaluation.
However, we discovered many things to like in our review of this Inspiron 14 2 in 1. The webcam with 1080p resolution is an excellent feature for video calls and virtual classes. Also, the overall performance is impressive and makes moderate gaming possibilities. Battery life is perfect, and quick charging time was exceptional, making this a problematic laptop to choose from and one I cannot recommend highly.
8. Acer Spin 5 (2022)
SPECIFICATIONS
REASONS TO BUY
+ Clever touch stylus pen usage and storage
+ Good performance
REASONS TO AVOID
– Noisy fan
The Acer Spin series of laptops and Chromebooks have been popular among students for many years due to their reliable performance and versatility. The “spin” feature in the name refers to their 360-degree hinges, which, when combined with a touch screen, allow you to switch between laptop and tablet modes easily. The Acer Spin 5 (2022) is an excellent example of this.
It comes with a built-in stylus that can be charged while it’s stored inside the laptop, making it an ideal device for artists. Additionally, the long-lasting battery life ensures that you’ll still have power left at the end of the school day to relax and watch some Netflix. With a high-quality webcam for remote learning and strong performance in our internal tests, this laptop is an excellent choice for students.
While it is one of the more expensive laptops on the list, it is still a great investment for those who consider their college laptop as a long-term asset. Its outstanding features make it an excellent choice that should last for several years of coursework.
9. MSI GF63 Thin (2022)
SPECIFICATIONS
REASONS TO BUY
+ Solid build quality
+ Good range of ports
REASONS TO AVOID
– Some annoying bloatware
– Charge cable can block a USB port
Even the most diligent students need some time to unwind, but the cost of a good gaming laptop can often exceed a student’s budget. Luckily, the MSI GF63 Thin is an excellent option catering to academic and non-academic needs.
While it may not be as lightweight as a MacBook Air or Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1, the GF63 Thin is still quite manageable for a gaming laptop. Its specifications include an Intel Core i7-11800H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, and ample RAM, ensuring that performance is not a major issue. Our review found that it provides exceptional value for money in terms of performance, and the dedicated GPU means that it can handle graphically-intensive tasks better than most other laptops on the market.
These powerful specifications are also ideal for productivity work, particularly for technical fields like engineering that require specialized computer hardware for coursework. The MSI GF63 Thin is a reasonable compromise between completing your schoolwork and having fun once you’re done without breaking the bank.
10. HP Envy 13 x360 (2022)
SPECIFICATIONS
REASONS TO BUY
+ All-around solid performance
+ Extremely portable
REASONS TO AVOID
– No HDMI port
If you’re a student looking for a lightweight and easy-to-carry laptop with an impressive OLED display and long battery life, then the HP Envy 13 x360 could be your perfect – and affordable – choice. It’s a great 2-in-1 laptop that’s more accessible price-wise than the Spectre line, making it ideal for budget-conscious students.
Even more impressive is that this laptop can compete with larger 16-inch 2-in-1 laptops in terms of performance. We’ve tested it with spreadsheets, word processors, conference calls, and multiple browser tabs playing videos simultaneously, and there were no issues. The battery life of the Envy 13 x360 is also quite excellent, providing over nine hours in our movie battery test.
While it’s not a budget purchase, the price is reasonable considering the OLED technology that delivers vivid colors. Additionally, the keyboard is solid, and the laptop has various ports, making it perfect for students who need to use flash drives or connect to an external monitor.
How we tested these student laptops
We all know that purchasing an expensive laptop is an enormous investment, particularly with notebooks designed for college students. We do our job with great passion and thoroughly test each computer in this list.
The procedure involves applying them to our daily lives to determine how long they last on their batteries and how strong they are – college students are usually busy, in addition to how well they remain under stress.
Also, we look at their appearance, such as how fashionable they look, if they’re slim and easy to carry with, and how comfy they feel to work on. Because the microphone and webcam on laptops are crucial, especially nowadays, we spend the time to test these out, too.
In terms of performance, we utilize a combination of real-world tests and synthetic benchmarks to assess how efficient (or not) the laptops we test are. This includes using Windows 10 (or Chrome OS on Chromebooks and macOS on MacBooks), running various applications, and trying how quickly they load while noting any issues.
The battery life is also crucial; we’ll monitor how long it can be used without charging it. To determine exact figures, we also test our battery life benchmark, which plays a looped 1080p video until the battery runs out, and the PC Mark 10 battery life benchmark, which simulates real-world use, like browsing the web and creating documents. These tests give us an accurate insight into how long the laptop batteries last.
When everything is done, we take everything we’ve learned from the laptop and compare it with its cost to determine if it provides the most value for money for students.
How to choose the right laptop for students
There are many additional boxes that top laptops for students should look at, aside from being able to meet all the requirements of classes. One of the most important factors to consider when selecting a laptop for your student is the battery life. You want a device that lasts all day during your classes and enough juice for studying late into the night in the library.
Laptops for students must be able to function in various ways and are light as you’ll need something capable of multitasking all the applications you’ll require and not be a burden to take around campus. Flexibility is essential when it comes to laptops for students, especially when you’re studying a primary requiring students to switch between an unpublished piece of work and the essay you’re trying to finish within the timeframe you have set.
Budget is also important to consider when selecting the perfect laptop for your student experience. It’s not everyone’s budget to pay a lot of money for an expensive laptop for students – we are all aware of that, so choosing something that will meet your requirements without straying from your budget is essential. It’s simple to find a decent student laptop within your budget these days, and it’s even better when you can find a bargain and find a bargain on it.
Is a MacBook a good laptop for students?
This is a slightly loaded question because the best operating system for students (Windows 10 or 11, macOS, or ChromeOS) will always come down to which OS the student prefers to use. Some of us are married to the practical functionality of Windows; others might like the aesthetically pleasing UI of Apple devices or the Android-esque, streamlined user experience Chromebooks provide.
Making the leap can be tricky if you’re already comfortable using a specific operating system. ChromeOS is arguably the easiest to pick up and use, but changing to MacOS after a decade of familiarizing yourself with Windows might lead to confusion. consider this when choosing a new laptop for school or college.
On the hardware side, we’re pleased to say that MacBooks are more competitive than ever. Apple’s fantastic M1 and M2 chips are much more capable of running demanding tasks than processors with integrated graphics, making Apple laptops excellent all-rounders for busy students. However, you need to run highly intensive software. In that case, it’s worth considering a Windows laptop with a dedicated GPU – ideally an Nvidia RTX one – since this will give you much more grunt in GPU-accelerated programs.
Which is better for students: a laptop or a desktop?
In essence, most college students will require a laptop to study. Although a laptop computer of any kind is a must in the present era – due to the growing popularity of remote education and the creation of content among university students – laptops can be placed in the rucksack of a student and carried to workshops and lectures, unlike desktop computers.
Indeed, a desktop will typically have better processing capabilities and the benefit of a larger display; however, you may be spending more (especially when you consider the requirement to purchase peripherals) and still require an additional device to take notes and work from the road.
If you have an iPad or laptop that you can use everywhere, it’s a good idea to look into buying some of the most powerful desktop computers; however, we suggest you purchase a more powerful laptop and use it instead of the desktop.