Top 10 laptops for students on a budget: Buyer’s guide

As a student, having a laptop that you can take anywhere is crucial. Whether it's to a coffee shop, library, or a friend's house, having a portable device to meet your academic demands is essential. But finding a laptop that's both portable and affordable can be a challenge.

That's why we've curated a list of the top 10 laptops that are not only budget-friendly but also designed for on-the-go use. These devices are slim, lightweight, and boast impressive specifications that can handle all your academic needs.

From writing papers and taking notes to streaming lectures and editing photos, these budget friendly laptops can do it all. So, if you're in the market for the best laptop for students that you can take anywhere without compromising on performance, these are the best laptops to buy!

Product list

1. Acer Aspire 3
   Looking for an affordable laptop that can handle all your academic needs? The Acer Aspire 3 might be just what you need. With its powerful processor and RAM, this laptop is designed to keep up with your daily workload. It also features a Full HD display that offers crisp and clear visuals, making it perfect for streaming lectures or editing photos. And with a long battery life, you can use it throughout the day without needing to recharge.
   
   Specifications

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3250U
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage: 512 GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD
• Graphics: AMD Radeon
• Battery life: Up to 8 hours

2. HP Chromebook 14a
If you're looking for a laptop that's affordable and easy to use, the HP Chromebook 14a is a great option. Powered by Chrome OS, this laptop is designed for online use, which makes it perfect for streaming lectures or accessing cloud-based applications. It also features a 14-inch touchscreen display that offers bright and clear visuals.

Specifications

• Processor: Intel Celeron N
• RAM: 4 GB SD
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Display: 14-inch HD touchscreen
• Graphics: Intel UHD

3. Samsung Galaxy Book2
The Samsung Galaxy Book2 is a budget-friendly laptop that runs on Windows 11 Home operating system. With long-lasting battery life, this laptop is perfect for students who are always on the go. Its slim design and lightweight construction make it easy to carry anywhere. The 15.6-inch full HD touchscreen display is perfect for streaming videos, browsing the web, and working on assignments. The device also comes with a backlit keyboard for a comfortable typing experience.

Specifications

• Processor: Intel Core i5-1235U
• RAM: 16 GB LPDDR4x
• Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD
• Display: 5.6-inch FHD LED Display
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics

4. Lenovo ThinkBook 15
The Lenovo ThinkBook 15 is a budget-friendly laptop that offers a premium feel and performance. It runs on Windows 10 Home operating system and features a 15.6-inch full HD anti-glare display for a comfortable viewing experience. The laptop is powered by a Ryzen 3 processor and comes with ample RAM and storage, providing enough power and storage for everyday use. The device also comes with a fingerprint reader for added security and faster login.

Specifications

• Processor: Ryzen 3 5300U
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512 GB DDR4
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD
• Graphics: AMD Radeon

5. RedmiBook Pro
RedmiBook Pro is a powerful and stylish laptop that offers excellent performance and is perfect for everyday use. With a 15.6-inch FHD display and a sleek charcoal grey design, this laptop is perfect for entertainment and work alike. Powered by the Intel Tiger Lake processor, it offers fast and smooth performance, and the 512GB SSD ensures quick data access and efficient multitasking.

Specifications

• Processor: Intel Tiger Lake Core i5-11300H
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD
• Graphics: Intel UHD

6. ASUS VivoBook Ultra K14
ASUS VivoBook Ultra K14 is a slim and lightweight laptop that offers powerful performance and premium features. It delivers fast and smooth performance, and features a 14-inch FHD display with slim bezels, making it perfect for both work and play. Additionally, it features a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint sensor for quick and secure login.

Specifications

• Processor: Intel Core i3
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB
• Display: 14-inch FHD
• Graphics: Intel UHD

7. Microsoft Surface GO 3
The Microsoft Surface GO 3 is a compact, portable and lightweight laptop that is perfect for on-the-go work. With a 10.5-inch PixelSense display, this device offers stunning visuals and immersive experiences. The laptop is equipped with a powerful processor that delivers smooth and responsive performance.

Specifications

• Processor: Intel Pentium T6600
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR3
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• Display: 10.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen
• Graphics: ‎Intel ‎Integrated

8. HP 15s
The HP 15s is a stylish and affordable laptop that is perfect for daily use. It provides seamless performance and vibrant graphics and features a 15.6-inch Full HD display with micro-edge bezels that provides an immersive viewing experience. It also has a long-lasting battery life, making it ideal for on-the-go use.

Specifications

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 5300U
• RAM: 8 GB DDR4
• Storage: 512 GB
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD Anti-glare
• Graphics: AMD Radeon

9. Dell Inspiron 3525
The Dell Inspiron 3525 is a great budget-friendly laptop that is perfect for everyday use. It has a 15.6-inch anti-glare display that makes it easy to work for long hours without straining your eyes. This laptop comes with ample storage and Radeon graphics, which is perfect for multitasking and storing your important files.

Specifications

• Processor: AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch HD Anti-Glare
• Graphics: Radeon

10. Honor MagicBook X14
The Honor MagicBook X14 is a sleek and stylish laptop that offers a great balance between performance and portability. It comes with a 14-inch Full HD anti-glare display that provides vivid and clear visuals. The laptop has a processor that delivers excellent performance for both work and play and speedy boot and load times.

Specifications

• Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
• Display: 14-inch FHD
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe

Top 3 features for you

Best value for money
Purchasing a laptop is a significant investment, and finding the right balance between price and performance can be a challenging task, especially for students. However, the HP Chromebook 14a offers an excellent value for money. Despite being a budget-friendly option, it is capable of handling basic tasks smoothly, thanks to the Chrome OS. The laptop's touchscreen display adds to the overall user experience, making it a great choice for those who prioritise functionality over high-end features. In addition, its lightweight design and long battery life make it perfect for students who need a laptop for on-the-go use. The laptop's affordability, combined with its impressive features, makes it an excellent option for students who are looking for a reliable and cost-effective laptop for their academic needs.

Best overall product
If you are a student who needs a laptop that can handle heavy tasks, the Lenovo ThinkBook 15 is an excellent choice. The laptop's fast processor and graphics card can easily handle demanding software, making it perfect for video editing, programming, or running multiple applications at once. In addition to its impressive hardware specifications, the Lenovo ThinkBook 15 has a fingerprint sensor that provides an extra layer of security to keep your data safe. Its sleek and modern design also adds to its appeal, making it a stylish accessory that you can carry around with pride.

How to find the perfect laptop for students
Whether you are a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable laptop for everyday use, choosing the right product can make all the difference. When looking for the best laptop for students, one should consider the specifications that are most important for their needs. A lightweight laptop with good battery life and fast performance is essential for students who travel frequently. It is also important to consider the screen size and resolution, as well as the storage and RAM capacity. Students who are into gaming or multimedia editing should look for laptops with a good graphics card. Another factor to consider is the operating system - Windows, Chrome OS, or macOS. Finally, students should set a budget and look for must buy laptops that offer the best value for money within their price range.