As a student, you need a laptop that can handle your academic tasks, online classes, entertainment, and more. But you also don’t want to break the bank for a device that will become obsolete in a few years. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the top 5 budget laptops for students in 2023, based on their performance, battery life, portability, and price. Whether you’re looking for a Windows laptop, a Chromebook, or a MacBook, we’ve got you covered.
1. Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 is our top pick for the best overall student laptop. It has a sleek and sturdy design, a stunning 13.4-inch display with thin bezels, and a comfortable keyboard and touchpad. It also offers fast performance with an 11th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM, and 256 GB or 512 GB of SSD storage. The battery life is impressive too, lasting up to 14 hours on a single charge. The Dell XPS 13 starts at $599, which is a great deal for its quality and durability. It’s one of the best laptops you can get for under $600.
2. Asus TUF Gaming A15
If you’re a student who likes to play games in your spare time, the Asus TUF Gaming A15 is the best laptop for you. It has a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor, 16 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card that can handle most modern games at high settings. It also has a spacious 15.6-inch display with a fast 144 Hz refresh rate, a backlit keyboard with customizable RGB lighting, and dual speakers with DTS:X Ultra sound technology. The battery life is decent for a gaming laptop, lasting up to 8 hours on a single charge. The Asus TUF Gaming A15 starts at $1,249.99, which is not the cheapest option on this list, but it’s well worth the investment for its quality and durability.
3. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet is the best Chromebook for students who want a versatile and affordable device. It’s a 2-in-1 laptop that can transform into a tablet by detaching the keyboard and kickstand. It has a bright and colorful 15.6-inch touchscreen display, an efficient Intel Pentium Silver N6000 processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of eMMC storage. It also comes with a stylus pen that you can use for taking notes, drawing, or editing photos. The battery life is excellent, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet costs only $284.99, making it the cheapest laptop on this list.
4. MacBook Pro 14-inch
The MacBook Pro 14-inch is the best MacBook for students who want a premium and powerful device. It has a stunning Retina display with True Tone technology and ProMotion adaptive refresh rate, a Magic Keyboard with Touch Bar and Touch ID, and four Thunderbolt 4 ports that support fast charging and data transfer. It also has an Apple M2 Pro Chip that delivers blazing-fast performance and efficiency, along with up to 96 GB of unified memory and up to 8 TB of SSD storage. The battery life is phenomenal, lasting up to 12-18 hours on a single charge! The MacBook Pro 14-inch starts at $1,849 (for students only until October 8, 2023; normal price is $1,999), which is the most expensive option on this list, but it’s worth it if you need the best of the best.
5. Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is the best cheap student laptop for those who are on a tight budget. It has a simple and lightweight design, a decent 15.6-inch display with narrow bezels, and an ergonomic keyboard and touchpad. It also has an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of eMMC storage that can handle basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and video streaming. The battery life is average, lasting up to 7.5 hours on a single charge. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i costs only $535.99, making it one of the cheapest laptops on this list.
Other budget laptops worth considering
The above laptops are our top picks for the best budget laptops for students in 2023, but there are other options that you might want to check out as well:
- HP Chromebook x360: an affordable Chromebook with great battery life, a 14-inch touchscreen display, and a 360-degree hinge that lets you use it in different modes.
- Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook: a small but sturdy laptop made for students, with an 11.6-inch touchscreen display, a spill-resistant keyboard, and a 360-degree hinge that lets you use it as a tablet.
- Lenovo 300e: a durable 2-in-1 laptop with a stylus and LTE connectivity, ideal for students who need to work online anywhere.
- Acer Aspire 5: a portable option for students who need a 15.6-inch display, with an AMD Ryzen 3 3350U processor, 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of SSD storage.
How to choose the best budget laptop for students
When shopping for a budget laptop for students, there are several factors that you should consider:
- Performance: You want a laptop that can run smoothly and handle your academic tasks without lagging or crashing. Look for a laptop with at least an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor, 4 GB or more of RAM, and 128 GB or more of SSD storage. Avoid laptops with Intel Celeron or Pentium processors, less than 4 GB of RAM, or HDD storage, as they tend to be slow and unreliable.
- Battery life: You want a laptop that can last for a full day of classes without needing to plug in. Look for a laptop with at least 8 hours of battery life, preferably more. Avoid laptops with less than 6 hours of battery life, as they will limit your mobility and productivity.
- Portability: You want a laptop that is easy to carry around and fit in your backpack. Look for a laptop that weighs less than 4 pounds and has a screen size of 13 to 15 inches. Avoid laptops that weigh more than 5 pounds or have a screen size of more than 16 inches, as they will be bulky and heavy.
- Features: You want a laptop that has the features that you need and prefer. Look for a laptop that has a good keyboard and touchpad, a clear and bright display, a webcam and microphone, and enough ports for your peripherals. You might also want to look for a laptop that has a touchscreen, a fingerprint reader, or USB-C charging, depending on your preferences.
Conclusion
A budget laptop for students doesn’t have to be low-quality or limited. There are plenty of options that offer good performance, battery life, portability, and features at an affordable price. We hope this list helps you find the best budget laptop for your needs and budget. Happy shopping!