The 5 Best Budget And Cheap Laptops For Students of 2025
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| The 5 Best Budget And Cheap Laptops For Students of 2025 |
Since workstations are usually significantly more costly and out of reach for most people, a cheap gaming laptop would be your best option if you require a lot of power under the hood. . You should consider portability, battery life, port options, and the quality of the screen, keyboard, and touchpad because the entire user experience is the most crucial consideration regardless of the type of laptop you choose. Because Chromebooks are typically less expensive, it's also worthwhile to think about getting one if you can access all of your homework assignments via a web browser.
The ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) is the greatest low-cost laptop for students that we have evaluated. Despite having a full-plastic chassis, this model seems rather solid, and because of its thin and light design, it's still reasonably portable for a 16-inch gadget, even though it might not fit into smaller luggage. Depending on your workload, you may need to plug the laptop in to get through the day because the battery only lasts around eight hours with casual use. Fortunately, USB-C allows you to charge the laptop. With a comfortable keyboard, a sizable, snappy touchpad, and a respectable 720p camera, the user experience is generally positive. Its FHD+ display is dull yet decently sharp, which is a frequent flaw in low-cost gadgets. A fingerprint sensor for speedy logins, Wi-Fi 6E wireless networking, and a respectable port selection that includes three USB-As, a USB-C, and an HDMI are all included. Sadly, video output is not supported by the USB-C.
1. ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023)
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| ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) |
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The AMD Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 CPUs in this laptop's configuration are more than sufficient to manage the majority of student tasks, including word processing, web surfing, and video playing. Programming and other modestly CPU-intensive jobs are within your capabilities. However, the integrated graphics processor is not very powerful, so anything that needs a lot of GPU processing power is out of the question. This laptop comes with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM. It may be less expensive to purchase an 8GB model and upgrade it using the empty SO-DIMM slot if you are having problems locating a 16GB model. The maximum storage capacity is 1TB, and the SSD may be swapped out.
If you want to spend even less, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023), a 14-inch Chrome OS device, is our choice for the most affordable laptop for students. Aside from size and cost, the main differences between it and the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) mentioned above are that it runs Chrome OS and has significantly less processing power, which limits its capabilities. This means that pupils who simply require a basic gadget to access the internet and compose papers are the ideal candidates, especially those in younger elementary level. It features a surprisingly decent 1080p camera, Wi-Fi 6E, a 13-hour battery life for casual usage, and a small design that makes it simple to take anywhere. However, the touchpad is tiny and occasionally unresponsive, and the keyboard feels a little mushy.
The AMD Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 CPUs in this laptop's configuration are more than sufficient to manage the majority of student tasks, including word processing, web surfing, and video playing. Programming and other modestly CPU-intensive jobs are within your capabilities. However, the integrated graphics processor is not very powerful, so anything that needs a lot of GPU processing power is out of the question. This laptop comes with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM. It may be less expensive to purchase an 8GB model and upgrade it using the empty SO-DIMM slot if you are having problems locating a 16GB model. The maximum storage capacity is 1TB, and the SSD may be swapped out.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023)
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| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023) |
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In terms of configuration, this laptop is available with an Intel Core i3 CPU, N100, or N200, along with 4GB or 8GB of RAM. We strongly advise purchasing the Core i3 configuration, which typically costs between $400 and $500 USD on Lenovo's website and comes with an FHD display, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. In addition to a more seamless experience (particularly while multitasking), you'll also see a lot better display. If you have a really tight budget, you can utilize the less expensive settings; however, be aware that the overall user experience will be less satisfactory.
Although Apple doesn't actually produce low-cost laptops, the price of the M2 Apple MacBook Air 13 (2022) has dropped dramatically since the M3 Apple MacBook Air 13 (2024) was released and the base 8GB model was discontinued (when the M4 MacBook Pro was released). The 8GB RAM model is now available for $750 USD at many retailers. Even 16GB variants are available for about $800. Although it is still more costly than our top choice, the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023), some would contend that its pricing even approaches that of the mid-range tier. Nevertheless, you're getting a lot for your money, including a very strong construction, a stylish design, a lot of processing power, a stunning screen, and Apple's haptic touchpad, which leads the market.
In terms of configuration, this laptop is available with an Intel Core i3 CPU, N100, or N200, along with 4GB or 8GB of RAM. We strongly advise purchasing the Core i3 configuration, which typically costs between $400 and $500 USD on Lenovo's website and comes with an FHD display, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. In addition to a more seamless experience (particularly while multitasking), you'll also see a lot better display. If you have a really tight budget, you can utilize the less expensive settings; however, be aware that the overall user experience will be less satisfactory.
3. Apple MacBook Air 13 (2022)
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| Apple MacBook Air 13 (2022) |
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The battery life is still excellent at 11 hours of light use, though it isn't as amazing as what we've seen in the last year (competition is growing stiff). Our main complaint about this laptop is that it only has two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports and a MagSafe proprietary charging connector. Although the laptop may be charged via USB-C, you would only have one USB port available for other purposes. Additionally, aficionados of multi-monitor setups may find it inconvenient as the M2 chip can only handle one external display. The wireless adaptor for Wi-Fi 6 is another small issue. Although it isn't a major problem, having Wi-Fi 6E would have been wonderful, especially on a laptop of this caliber.
The wireless adaptor for Wi-Fi 6 is another small issue. Although it isn't a major problem, having Wi-Fi 6E would have been wonderful, especially on a laptop of this caliber.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021), a 2-in-1 Chrome OS tablet, is a good option if you're looking for a younger kid who just requires a device for basic school tasks and media consumption. Similar to the well-liked Surface Pro tablets from Microsoft, this form factor allows you to turn off the keyboard while you're only watching video and turn it back on when you need to type. Because the battery lasts for roughly ten hours, you won't need to pack a charger, and it fits neatly into compact bags.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021), a 2-in-1 Chrome OS tablet, is a good option if you're looking for a younger kid who just requires a device for basic school tasks and media consumption. Similar to the well-liked Surface Pro tablets from Microsoft, this form factor allows you to turn off the keyboard while you're only watching video and turn it back on when you need to type. The battery lasts roughly 10 hours of light usage, so you won't need to pack a charger, and it fits neatly into compact bags. You can use USB-C to charge it if necessary, saving you from using a proprietary charger.
The battery life is still excellent at 11 hours of light use, though it isn't as amazing as what we've seen in the last year (competition is growing stiff). Our main complaint about this laptop is that it only has two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports and a MagSafe proprietary charging connector. Although the laptop may be charged via USB-C, you would only have one USB port available for other purposes. Additionally, aficionados of multi-monitor setups may find it inconvenient as the M2 chip can only handle one external display. The wireless adaptor for Wi-Fi 6 is another small issue. Although it isn't a major problem, having Wi-Fi 6E would have been wonderful, especially on a laptop of this caliber.
The wireless adaptor for Wi-Fi 6 is another small issue. Although it isn't a major problem, having Wi-Fi 6E would have been wonderful, especially on a laptop of this caliber.
4. The 2021 Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5
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| The 2021 Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 |
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021), a 2-in-1 Chrome OS tablet, is a good option if you're looking for a younger kid who just requires a device for basic school tasks and media consumption. Similar to the well-liked Surface Pro tablets from Microsoft, this form factor allows you to turn off the keyboard while you're only watching video and turn it back on when you need to type. The battery lasts roughly 10 hours of light usage, so you won't need to pack a charger, and it fits neatly into compact bags. You can use USB-C to charge it if necessary, saving you from using a proprietary charger.
READ ALSO: 15 Best and Most Affordable Laptops for Icelandic Students in 2025
The OLED display on this tablet is its most notable feature. Thanks to its complete sRGB and DCI P3 coverage, it doesn't appear washed out like the display on other low-cost smartphones, and it becomes bright enough to fight glare in most indoor environments. This OLED panel flickers because it employs PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) dimming, however since the flicker frequency is so high, it is unlikely to be a problem. The OLED display is also prone to irreversible burn-in, which is something to be aware of. Unfortunately, the touchpad is tiny and occasionally unreliable, and the keyboard's claustrophobic layout and high operating force make it difficult to type on. The benefit is that the type cover keyboard is included with the device, saving you money.
The MSI Katana A15 AI (2024) is an excellent option for students on a tight budget who yet want a device that can provide a good gaming experience. This 15-inch model, which comes with an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 laptop GPU, is capable of offering high, steady frame rates and fluid gaming in the majority of contemporary AAA games. A 144Hz FHD or a 165Hz QHD panel are your options; we suggest the latter because of its broader color gamut, which will make colors appear more bright, and its quicker reaction time, which will provide a cleaner image with less ghosting.
The OLED display on this tablet is its most notable feature. Thanks to its complete sRGB and DCI P3 coverage, it doesn't appear washed out like the display on other low-cost smartphones, and it becomes bright enough to fight glare in most indoor environments. This OLED panel flickers because it employs PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) dimming, however since the flicker frequency is so high, it is unlikely to be a problem. The OLED display is also prone to irreversible burn-in, which is something to be aware of. Unfortunately, the touchpad is tiny and occasionally unreliable, and the keyboard's claustrophobic layout and high operating force make it difficult to type on. The benefit is that the type cover keyboard is included with the device, saving you money.
5. MSI Katana A15 AI (2024)
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| MSI Katana A15 AI (2024) |
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There are, of course, certain trade-offs, and in this instance, the user experience and construction quality. Although it's hardly a deal breaker, the laptop's all-plastic casing bends in certain places, which might be an issue if you use it frequently while on the road. Additionally, the hinges seem loose; this is especially problematic because most users would often open and close the laptop. The laptop makes a lot of noise and heat when it is loaded, which is another grievance. Wi-Fi 6E is available for online gaming even if there isn't an Ethernet connector; just make sure your router supports Wi-Fi 6E or 7 to take advantage of the faster bandwidth and reduced latency.
There are, of course, certain trade-offs, and in this instance, the user experience and construction quality. Although it's hardly a deal breaker, the laptop's all-plastic casing bends in certain places, which might be an issue if you use it frequently while on the road. Additionally, the hinges seem loose; this is especially problematic because most users would often open and close the laptop. The laptop makes a lot of noise and heat when it is loaded, which is another grievance. Wi-Fi 6E is available for online gaming even if there isn't an Ethernet connector; just make sure your router supports Wi-Fi 6E or 7 to take advantage of the faster bandwidth and reduced latency.
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