10 Budget Laptops that Students Should Buy

Gaurav Tiwari
4 min readSep 5, 2024

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Finding a reliable and affordable laptop is essential for students today. Whether attending virtual classes, completing assignments, or watching educational videos, a good laptop can make learning more efficient. However, finding the right balance between performance and price can be challenging. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 budget laptops for students in 2024, offering great performance, build quality, and student-friendly features without breaking the bank.

Top 10 Budget Laptops for Students in 2024

1. Acer Aspire 5

The Acer Aspire 5 continues to be a great option for students. Even though it was released a couple of years ago, it still holds up well with a 15.6" Full HD display, Intel Core i5–13420H processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. This Windows 11 laptop can handle everyday tasks like writing essays and conducting research, although it may struggle with more resource-intensive activities like gaming or video editing.

Pros:

  • Affordable pricing
  • Good performance for everyday tasks
  • Sleek design
  • Ample ports

Cons:

  • Mediocre battery life
  • Limited display quality in terms of color accuracy

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2. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3

With an AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 offers great value for budget-conscious students. Its 15.6" FHD display and lightweight design make it perfect for daily use. It also boasts a 7-hour battery life, making it ideal for college days.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Lightweight
  • Decent performance
  • Good keyboard and trackpad

Cons:

  • Basic display quality
  • Limited storage

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3. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3

This Chromebook offers good performance for basic tasks with an Intel N4500 processor and 4GB RAM. The 2-in-1 design allows for flexibility, and the 16-hour battery life ensures it lasts all day.

Pros:

  • 2-in-1 design
  • Long battery life
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Limited processing power
  • Average display quality

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4. Dell XPS 13 Plus

Dell’s XPS 13 Plus offers a premium design, powered by a 12th-gen Intel Core i7 processor and 32GB RAM. It’s lightweight and has a stunning 13.4" display, but it’s on the expensive side.

Pros:

  • Premium build
  • Excellent display
  • Powerful performance

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Limited port selection

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5. Acer Chromebook Spin 514

This Chromebook is a solid 2-in-1 option with a Ryzen 3 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 14" FHD touchscreen. It offers all-day battery life and strong build quality, making it a good choice for students.

Pros:

  • 2-in-1 design
  • Long battery life
  • Solid build quality

Cons:

  • Limited storage
  • Average performance for demanding tasks

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6. Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1

The Dell Inspiron 14 offers a flexible 2-in-1 design with a touchscreen and a 14" display. Powered by Intel Core i7, it handles light gaming and virtual classes well, although it lacks a bundled stylus.

Pros:

  • 2-in-1 design
  • Solid performance
  • Fast charging

Cons:

  • Display quality could be better
  • Heavier than competitors

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7. MacBook Air M3 13-inch

For students in creative fields, the MacBook Air with M3 chip is a top choice. It offers exceptional performance, long battery life, and a high-quality Retina display, though it comes at a higher price point.

Pros:

  • Powerful M3 chip
  • Excellent battery life
  • Retina display

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Limited port selection

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8. Acer Spin 5

The Acer Spin 5 is a premium 2-in-1 laptop with a 13.5" high-resolution touchscreen, Intel Core i5, and a built-in stylus. It’s lightweight and offers solid performance for students, but it’s pricier than other options.

Pros:

  • 2-in-1 design
  • Good performance
  • Built-in stylus

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Battery life could be better

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9. MSI GF63 Thin

For students who want a gaming laptop that doubles for schoolwork, the MSI GF63 Thin is a great choice. It offers good performance with Intel i5 and an RTX 3050 GPU, though battery life is average.

Pros:

  • Affordable for a gaming laptop
  • Dedicated GPU
  • Lightweight for its category

Cons:

  • Mediocre battery life
  • Plastic build

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10. ASUS Vivobook 14

With an Intel Core i3, 16GB RAM, and a 14" FHD display, the ASUS Vivobook 14 is a solid budget laptop for students needing basic performance at an affordable price.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Decent performance
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • Average display quality
  • Adequate battery life

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Conclusion

Finding the right laptop for your studies is crucial. Whether you prioritize performance, battery life, or portability, this list offers a range of options to suit your needs. Take your time to find the best fit for you, as a good laptop is a valuable investment in your education.

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Gaurav Tiwari

Hello! I am Gaurav Tiwari. I am an entrepreneur, blogger and WordPress developer with expertise in conversion, performance and growth. https://gauravtiwari.org