9 Best Laptops For College Students Under 500 Dollar in 2023 [Expert Recommended]

If you are in a hurry, You can pick our editor’s best choice latest powerful HP 15 Laptop.

In this article, we have enlisted the best Laptops For College Students Under 500 Dollars for 2023 that will be able to fuel their endeavors without breaking into a sweat.

If you’re a college student interested in basic performance, content creation, video streaming, and computer games, a notebook with a $500 budget is more than enough for you to do all this without any issues. Although running complex 3D modeling software, the development of new apps and large games would necessarily require an increase in budget.

A sub- $500 laptop often covers the bare essentials of computing, such as good processing power, a clearer display, and a strong battery, regardless of the subject or academic field of study.

Notebooks in the aforementioned price range will cut some corners seriously, so you must determine your needs before purchasing any laptop. And the running of powerful academic software and games playing during your free time, portability should be considered because it will help you to enjoy all these features without a glitch.

The laptop must have a battery that can last long, solid processing performance (presumably for IT professionals) with vibrant 1080p displays.

So do yourself a favor and check out this list I’ve put together of some of the Best Laptops For College Students Under $500.

Let’s get started.

Top 9 Best Laptops for College Students Under $500 in April-2023 [Recommended]

excellent graphics-intensive features, the sub- $500 price range may surprise you with highly efficient and effective, resourceful, powerful laptop selections.

Our experts have compiled a list of the 9 best choices for your college needs in the following sections (based on performance, portability, and longevity.)

Each notebook underwent extensive testing as well as days of continuous use, and despite the affordable price points, each listed gadget caters to college-going student preferences, such as overall competence, visual quality, acoustics, ease of use, and productivity.

Best Laptops For College Students Under $500 – Recommended Specs

01. Best Versatile Laptop: HP 15

Are you looking for luxury design elements combined with top-class performance? If your answer is YES! You can easily choose the HP 15-DY1036NR, which is one of the best laptops under $600 on the market with no apparent deal-breaker flaws and the $500 will be an i3 laptop.

The 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 chipset, which has four cores, handles the CPU utilization. The turbo runs at 3.6GHz thanks to Intel’s Turbo Boost technology. The advanced single-core output ensures smooth content development through Adobe apps and even runs 3D software such as Blender.

While the Intel UHD integrated graphics handle the graphics and visuals, the graphics-optimized chipset does the bulk of the heavy lifting, allowing you to run programs like Audacity, lightweight games, and Ardour with minimal effort.

With 8GB of RAM, multitasking is easy without lagging. However, despite NVMe support, the 256GB SSD feels slightly limited in terms of raw storage space. The solid-state drive is anything but slow, and it loads Windows 10 Home edition faster than a SATA-powered SSD.

Because of the maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, the 15.6-inch screen is incredibly bright. Even though this is a low-cost notebook, the micro-edge screen improves the visual experience by increasing the display-to-body ratio to a respectable 82 percent.

The WLED panel also has anti-glare support that is useful for students who are involved in work or content creation in video or audio.

HP also includes a sturdy keyboard with adequate key movement and a sensitive touchpad with gesture support. Also, there is an integrated TrueVision webcam for students to use, dual-array microphones, and amplified sound speakers with noise-reduction features.

HP 15-DY1036NR is one of the best premium-looking notebooks on our list, weighing just 3.72 pounds. The port configuration is very extensive, with HP-like USB 3.1, HDMI, and a data-transfer Type-C port with a throughput of up to 5 Gbps.

It outperforms the competition with smooth Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity levels, and the battery well-known for its 11-hour backup time.

In summary, the HP 15-Dy1036nr is easily one of the best notebooks under $500 notebooks to purchase, as long as you’re willing to live with the non-backlit keyboard features.

02. Best Performative Laptop: Dell Inspiron 15

Are you looking for a low-cost notebook that can handle multitasking with ease? The Dell Inspiron 15 is a great option for you to consider.

The processor efficiency is commendable for the current price, with Dell introducing the 12th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 chipset. The current CPU turbo runs at 3.40GHz and has dual cores and four threads, allowing it to handle challenging computing tasks without stress. Most significantly, since it is a U-series processor, the TDP levels are poor.

With Intel UHD integrated graphics at the forefront, visuals and fun game-playing are still possible. This computer includes a dedicated AMD Radeon R7 GPU which is capable of running older gaming apps with less stress due to the Intel Virtualization technology and the 8GB of RAM.

Dell Inspiron 15 is among the few notebooks that students in the college can use for continuous coding, programming, and multitasking. The current SSD module is fast, and the storage capacity of 256GB fast SSD. It comes with the Windows 10 Home edition operating system pre-installed in the power-saving S mode.

It comes with a 15.6-inch HD, and the current panel includes touch support, which is fairly sensitive and has an overall resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. Despite the low display resolution, Dell’s patented True-life HD technology makes the display clearer and bright.

A sensitive keyboard with substantial key travel, a gesture-supported touchpad, integrated stereo speakers with MaxxAudio support, a 720p webcam, and serviceable microphones are among the other beautiful features of the notebook.

It has a 4.9 pounds weight, with USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and other working ports, as well as high connectivity standards. Lastly, the 6-hour backup is a mediocre trait, particularly when it comes to study-related activities.

If you are a voracious reader or a college student looking for a reasonably strong notebook to run applications like Blender and QuickBooks easily, the Dell Inspiron 15 is one of the best notebooks for you to get. However, if you want to avoid storage-related issues, the HDD-equipped Dell Inspiron 15 is a solid option for you.

This notebook has a 1TB hard drive but compromises on the processing power efficiency with the i3-7130U processor running at 2.7GHz and missing out on the dedicated GPU.

03. Best Fastest Laptop: Acer Aspire 5

Also, check – Acer Aspire 5 under $400

Any college student looking for the ideal combination of portability and processing power should go for the Acer Aspire 5.

The Acer Aspire 5 notebook is powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor, which is one of the best processors in the mobile computing arena. It has dual cores that boosted a clock speed of up to 3.5GHz; the CPU is capable of handling any challenging processing requirement perfectly.

This notebook is outfitted with an AMD Radeon Vega 3 GPU with a clock speed of 1200MHz, processor-centric SenseMI technology, and DirectX 12 support.

4GB of device memory is more than enough to meet your multitasking demands, and in terms of capacity, the 128GB solid-state module with NVMe support is noteworthy.

Despite being a lightning-fast storage device, the capacity is inadequate when college-centric priorities are taken into account. Acer provides Windows 10 OS in S Mode, which is augmented further by Amazon’s Alexa as the integrated voice assistant.

The 15.6-inch Full HD screen on the Acer Aspire 5 provides the best display on an entry-level device. Also, it comes with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels which makes the visuals extremely sharps powered by the In-Plane switching technology.

Furthermore, the narrow bezels ensure excellent levels of image quality, while Color Intelligence technology ensures the most accurate color reproduction.

Finally, the current display has anti-glare features, which are best exemplified by Acer’s BlueLight Shield support, and despite being a notebook under $500 notebook, it does not lack productivity-focused features.

It has an advanced integrated touchpad, a backlit keyboard, and powerful speakers with True Harmony technology. You also get an HD webcam and dual microphones with built-in speech purification software.

The Aspire 5 is one of the lightweight notebooks on our list, weighing just 3.97 pounds. Despite the slim profile, there are no compatibility limitations, with Acer providing USB 2.0 Gen 1, USB 3.1, HDMI, and other usable connectivity ports, as well as Gig Ethernet and Dual-Band Wi-Fi connectivity.

When it comes to battery life, you get 10 hours on a single charge.

To summarize, the Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best match notebooks under $500 on our list, characterized by a stunning display and reliable system requirement.

4. Best functional laptop: Lenovo Ideapad 3

Most college students may be unable to afford a laptop, but the Lenovo Ideapad 3 is an all-around performer that provides a solution at an affordable price. It comes with a powerful AMD-powered processor and enough RAM to get you through the majority of your school activities.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor has a base clock speed of 2.1GHz. This CPU is typically found in the section of laptops under $700, so it’s fantastic that Lenovo is bringing it to a $500 laptop.

It does not have a processing powerhouse like an Intel i7 or i9, but it’ll conveniently handle most applications and software. Also, the CPU is more than capable of handling intensive online surfing, accounting, homeschooling, and many other tasks.

Moving on, AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics support is available, which is still superior to most Intel UHD graphics cards. The integrated GPU handles graphics processing tasks like entry-level video editing, photo editing, and so on. While graphically intensive games are out of their scope, the powerful integrated GPU can keep you entertained with games like GTA, older versions of FIFA, and so on.

An 8GB DDR4 RAM is an intelligent operating memory that works directly with the processor. It works in conjunction with the high speeds of a 256GB SSD, and fast data read/write speeds to sustain the software operations and make it run smoothly.

Windows 10 is pre-installed on the Ideapad 3 notebook, which enables you to easily upgrade to a Full mode Windows 10 Home/Pro, which gives you access to software outside of the Microsoft store.

The device has a 14-inch Full HD display with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. The display is ideal for displaying presentations as well as watching movies. The panel has a brightness level of 200 nits and does not disappoint in terms of visual output.

The keyboard on the Ideapad is chiclet-style, with no dedicated numeric pad. The key size and positioning are perfect, but the key resistance should have been sharper. The keyboard is appropriate for daily use. The trackpad has a flat surface with optimal sensitivity for different gesture controls and is multi-touch capable.

The lightweight laptop weighs around 3.3 pounds and has a black matte finish on its plastic casing. It has Thunderbolt 3 Type-A ports (two USB 2.0 Type-A and one USB 3.0 Type-A), a card reader, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. Wireless networking on the laptop is provided by Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth.

The Lenovo Ideapad 3 comes with a two-cell lithium-ion battery that provides up to 7.5 hours of battery life. The battery could last through the college sessions if used properly.

Lenovo offers an HD webcam with a privacy shutter and a good battery backup at a low price and it is a good option for students looking for a laptop that can handle both entertainment and productivity.

5. Best Budget-Friendly Laptop: Asus VivoBook Flip

Do you need a versatile 2-in-1 notebook that can act as both a laptop and a tablet? If that’s the case, you’ll love this Asus Vivobook laptop.

This convertible, known as the Asus VivoBook Flip, has outstanding processing speed thanks to the 12th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U  Processor. The U-series processor is energy-efficient and has a turbo clock speed of 3.90GHz. If you don’t run plenty of programs at a time, the chipset is powerful enough to sustain and manage some of the more challenging academic software. And the integrated Intel UHD 620 GPU is adequate for leisure gaming, and casual while also providing an excellent visual display.

As an affordable notebook, it comes with the latest 8GB of DDR4 RAM for effective multitasking. But, it is recommended that you do not run resource-intensive apps on it to avoid running out of machine memory. The 512GB PCIe SSD drive has enough storage space but is slow in responding to data writing and reading.

The 14-inch screen is multi-touch and has a total display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The touch responsiveness, on the other hand, is a scene-stealer. Also, students will benefit from the Widescreen display and clearer viewing angles.

Another best feature of Asus 2-in-1 is the backlit keyboard with 1.6mm key movement, which is accompanied by a responsive and intelligent touchpad. It also includes fantastic speakers that use SonicMaster acoustic technology. Other unique features include built-in microphones and a VGA webcam.

The Asus VivoBook Flip is one of the lightest budget convertibles on the market, weighing just 3.30 pounds, and in terms of ports, you have access to USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Type-C, and other standard slots. In terms of connectivity, you get fast Ethernet and Wireless support, and on a full charge, the battery will last up to 10 hours.

The Asus 2-1 screen is very small, but the convertible is one of the most powerful 2-in-1s on our list, thanks to the 360-degree hinge for its extremely durable design.

6. Best secured laptop: Dell Inspiron 14

The Dell Inspiron 14 from the Dell 3000-series is a standard and simple notebook that does not compromise the processing performance of the notebook.

It has a 12th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor that is both power-efficient and graphics-optimized is available. The excellent Turbo Clock speed of up to 4.1GHz makes it simple to begin basic accounting tasks and innovative editing. The Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics processing unit manages basic gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks, which include drawing, photo editing, and so on.

The device memory can be expanded to 12GB of RAM. You only get 4GB for simple multitasking and space is provided by a 256GB solid-state drive with PCIe compatibility. When it comes to the operating system, students can take advantage of Windows 10 Home in the power-saving S-mode.

The 14-inch HD Touch screen display is not the best on the market, but it’ll do the job, particularly if you intend to use the device for basic academic tasks. Another power-saving feature at work is the LED-backlit panel. You have a total display size of 1366 x 768 pixels to work with, and because of the anti-glare properties, you can work for longer periods.

For basic productivity, you get a standard keyboard, a sensitive trackpad, a serviceable webcam-microphone, and a front-firing speaker combination. The lightweight chassis, with the Inspiron 14 weighing just 3.5 pounds, stands out.

Dell Inspiron 14 includes USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI, and other working ports, and common wired and wireless networking requirements. The internal battery provides a consistent 9-hour backup, making this under $500 notebook one of the best devices on the market in terms of battery backup.

7. Best all-rounder laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad 3

If you’re looking for a notebook with an AMD-powered, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is the perfect choice for you. Do you know why it is? Continue reading to learn more.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U chipset comes with a respectable base clock speed of 3.1GHz, and if interested the dual-core chipset speed can be increased to 2.6GHz. Despite being a low-end chipset, this processor is well supported by the AMD Radeon Vega 3 GPU, which has 192 Shaders and a clock speed in the 800MHz range. As a result, creative processing and content production is now simpler than ever for a $500 notebook.

This notebook has a modest 4GB RAM and a processing speed of 2133MHz. In terms of storage space, college students can find the 128GB solid-state drive to be a little underwhelming. The working interface is excellent with the Windows 10 Home edition OS that comes pre-installed with the device.

You also get a large 15.6-inch screen with an equivalent resolution of 1366X768 pixels. Although the brightness levels are average, the moderate 100 PPI pixel density ensures better-viewing angles. Also, the TN monitor has anti-glare properties that help to reduce the pressure on your eyes when working on the notebook. The display is amazing whether you are streaming videos, watching movies, or attending Zoom lectures.

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 has a simple and great productivity-centric feature on the market, such as a decent keyboard, gesture support with the help of the sensitive touchpad, dual speakers, an integrated HD camera, a high-quality microphone, and an elusive optical drive.

It weighs 4.60 pounds. This is a lightweight notebook with simple data and display ports such as USB 3.0, an HDMI port, and a dedicated card reader. Aside from the networking specifications, you also get an average battery that only provides 5 hours of backup at a time.

The new Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is as simple as a laptop can be, and it still stands out among its competitors in the market, all thanks to its groundbreaking processor and integrated graphics card.

8. Best aesthetic laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad S340

Students interested in using a notebook for professional work should consider checking the Lenovo IdeaPad S340. it is an inexpensive laptop with a respectable specs sheet. This machine is well-liked not only by students but also by many professors and teachers in the educational field.

When it comes to processing power, the 12th Gen Intel Core i3-8145U dual-core processor is available. The included chipset supports, Hyper-threading and has a turbo clock speed of up to 3.90GHz.

While it isn’t the most versatile option for high-end creative and academic activities works, it can manage coding requirements and mid-range software like QuickBooks with ease thanks to Virtualization technology and 4MB of fast-access cache memory. In terms of graphics performance, you get the Intel UHD 620 GPU, which is integrated.

Despite being a low-cost computer, you have access to 8GB of RAM to meet your diverse multitasking needs, and because of the NVMe support, the 128GB SSD storage module is extremely fast. Lenovo assures that the device is highly user-friendly thanks to the pre-installed Windows 10 operating system.

Lenovo IdeaPad S340 comes with a 15.6-inch HD, all thanks to thin bezels and sharp viewing angles. Also, it has a total screen size of 1366 x 768 pixels, and most importantly, because of the anti-glare panel, the IdeaPad S340 is one of the best devices students can buy for extended use.

Lenovo’s inclusion of an all-inclusive backlit keyboard and a gesture-supported touchpad boosts productivity significantly. Not to mention a sensitive touchpad, front-firing speakers, an HD webcam with a physical shutter, and the Dual-Array microphone setup. The IdeaPad S340 is one of the lightest notebooks on the market, weighing just 3.96 pounds.

Lenovo’s port layout is efficient enough with the USB 3.1, Type-A, HDMI, and other usable slots proceeding with the other basic wireless standards. The IdeaPad S340 model battery performs admirably, providing an 8.5-hour backup.

Generally speaking, the Lenovo IdeaPad S340 is a feature-rich, low-cost notebook for a college student, notable for its portability and low-power processing capability.

9. Best Multi-Purpose Laptop: Dell Latitude E5440

If you don’t mind an older version but still functional computer for your college-related activities, the Dell Latitude E5440 is an excellent option for you. Although the original version might not be available at this price. But you can easily get the refurbished model with the price without hesitation.

When it comes to performance 12th Gen Intel Core i7-4600U processor is a worthy inclusion for the sub-$500 price. Despite being from Intel’s fourth generation of chipsets, the power-efficient, dual-core chipset boasts a turbo clock speed of up to 3.3GHz. Because of the powerful single-core efficiency, you can handle simple to mid-level photo editing without lagging.

It also has an integrated Intel HD 4400 GPU that works perfectly with the dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU.

The current GPU is purely entry-level, with just 2GB of VRAM. Most significantly, it allows for overclocking, thanks to the GPU Boost 2.0 technology. For gaming results, titles such as Team Fortress, Rocket League, and Farming Simulator can be played at the lowest HD presets while consistently reaching 70 FPS or higher.

NVIDIA Optimus technology allows you to choose between an integrated and a single GPU depending on your needs. When you are not performing graphically intensive tasks, you can change to the integrated GPU.

It has 8GB of RAM and is a great multitasking tool for college students. You get a 500GB SSD module for backup. It ensures that Windows 10 Pro is installed for the best user experience.

This business-oriented notebook has a 14-inch screen with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. Despite reducing screen resolution, Dell provides sharper image quality and good sunlight visibility, thanks to the Wide-angle LED panel. In addition, the current panel has anti-glare properties that reduce eye strain.

Dell includes a regular keyboard as well as a sensitive touchpad with the device. The availability of the optical drive, which is somewhat elusive in the latest computers, makes the notebook stands out. You also get a functional microphone array and a good 2MP HD webcam for video conferencing.

The Dell Latitude E5440 weighs 4.41 pounds and includes a standard range of ports and networking options such as Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, USB 3.0, E-port connector, and Gig Ethernet. For improved connectivity, you also get Dual-Band wireless support and Bluetooth 4.0.

It lasted 5-6 hours of average use in our studies. Overall, it is a portable and capable notebook that is characterized by an i7 Intel processor and a dedicated GPU for a notebook under the $500 price range.

FAQs on Best Laptops For College Students Under 500 Dollar

Best Laptops For College Students Under 500 Dollars in 2023 – Reviews

Conclusion: Best Laptops For College Students Under $500

Choosing a laptop under $500 for a college student can be difficult because we must consider each of their interests before making decisions. As a student, you are incredibly fickle when it comes to gadget-centric specifications, and determining your needs can be very hard sometimes.

If you’re a college student looking for a notebook with power, efficiency, and long battery life, the Lenovo Ideapad 3 is the best option for you, and if you don’t mind an older and upgraded notebook with a dedicated GPU for entry-level gaming, HP 15-DY1036NR is the perfect choice you must consider.

The Acer Aspire 5 is the best choice for AMD fans who also value portability.
Finally, if you are not a die-hard fan of the Windows operating system, the HP Chromebook x360 is the best laptop for you to buy because it has a hundred percent quality IPS display, a good chunk of machine memory, and an excellent battery backup.

We hope you can find the ideal machine for your computing requirements from our compiled list. Nevertheless, if you are still confused and need professional guidance, please contact us or leave a comment below.

Our laptop specialists are always ready to help you out anytime any day and they’re known for assisting people in selecting the best alternative in less than 12 hours. Meanwhile, you can use our Laptop Search tool, which will help you to sort laptops based on their specifications.

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