Finding an affordable laptop that meets the needs of a college student can be challenging, but there are several options and considerations to keep in mind.
Used and Refurbished Options
Many users recommend purchasing used or refurbished laptops as a cost-effective solution. Lenovo ThinkPads, particularly models like the T460 or T440s, are frequently mentioned due to their durability and reliability [1:1]
[1:10]. These laptops can often be found on platforms like eBay or Newegg at reasonable prices, and they offer good performance for basic tasks.
Chromebooks vs. Traditional Laptops
While Chromebooks are suggested by some for their affordability and simplicity, others advise against them due to their limitations with certain software applications [1:2]
[1:3]. Chromebooks may be suitable for students who primarily use Google Suite products, but traditional laptops are recommended for those who need full desktop applications like Microsoft Office.
Budget-Friendly New Laptops
For those looking to purchase new laptops, models such as the Acer Aspire 3 and HP Pavilion are popular choices within the $300-$400 range [3:1]
[4:1]. The Acer Aspire 3 offers a balance of price and performance with an AMD 37320U CPU and 8GB of RAM, making it suitable for basic multitasking. The HP model provides good value with a Ryzen 5 processor and a large SSD, which is ideal for storage-intensive tasks.
Considerations for Specific Needs
The choice of laptop can also depend on specific requirements, such as the need for portability, battery life, or the ability to handle light gaming. For example, if portability is a priority, looking for slim and lightweight designs is advisable [2]. Additionally, students in fields like medicine might benefit from devices that support note-taking with a stylus, such as tablets with keyboard covers
[5:2].
Long-Term Investment
Students should consider laptops as long-term investments. While cheaper models may suffice temporarily, investing in a slightly more expensive, reliable device could save money and frustration in the long run [5:4]. Brands like Lenovo and HP are consistently recommended for their longevity and build quality.
In summary, while budget constraints are a significant factor, it's essential to balance cost with functionality and durability when selecting a laptop for college.
I'm going to be starting college classes soon. Anybody have a good source for a good cheap laptop? I've looked for used ones in my area, and even checked some auctions. I found some on QVC/HSN, that I'd be able to make payments on. Any other ideas?
As a former grad student, chromebook owner, and professional nerd (work in IT) -- I cannot agree with "get a chromebook" posts. Chromebooks are absolutely fantastic as secondary devices - glorified Facebook machines and all that, they can't hang with a full machine. Sometimes GSuite or even O365 Web Apps are not enough. Nevermind that OP might be in a class that requires something more, some specific bit of software that does not have a webapp available. "But Chromebooks also run Ubuntu" -- does OP strike you as the kind of person who will go deep into Chrubuntu/Crouton route? And even then - I am not sure I am even ready to recommend OP gets an old laptop and puts LInux on it because that may cause the same limitations (and I am a Red Hat certified Linux nerd -- year of the Linux desktop and all that). Basically - OP needs a regular Windows machine, because it's the only tool that will do everything OP needs to do.
So with that said - I would NOT buy a $300 walmart special. Those machines are trash when they are new. They have awful screens, worse keyboards (Important for a student), and they are built out of the cheapest components and will break the day after your warranty ends. I agree with some posters on here about "get a used/refurbished business laptop". Personally I've had great experience with Dell Latitude 5000 and 7000 series machines bought through Dell Small Business Outlet with full 3 year next day warranties (a godsend for a student). I can also recommend Thinkpad T-series machines of any reputable ebay seller. They are cheap, highly serviceable (and replacement parts are cheap and abundant) and legitimately good all-purpose systems. I would rather have a 3 year old T-Series than a brand new $300 Walmart HP.
Depends on your course of study. You may be able to get away with a Chromebook.
Nothing too crazy, just doing a teacher program. I'm definitely looking at Chromebooks, and I think I'm leaning that way.
I wouldn't do a chromebook because there's always that one assignment that requires you to use excel, powerpoint, or word & there's like a feature missing from the online version that requires you to use the desktop version. Like nearly everyone I know that bought a chromebook usually ends up regretting it eventually. Better just getting a refurbished cheap laptop off Newegg.
Chromebooks might be a little limited for you I really like my hp Pavillion it was like $300
Second the Chromebook idea. If you can use the Google suite of products (Drive, Docs, Sheets), they're all free, but it will all be cloud storage. Edit: Can find one ~$100.
Id depends what you need a laptop for and just how frugal you want to be. I'm assuming you made this post from a smartphone. Have you considered taking notes on your phones? You could buy a Bluetooth keyboard and then project your phone onto your TV / monitor when you're at home.
I do have an iPad (smartphone as well). And I thought about getting a new Bluetooth keyboard for my iPad, and taking notes that way. I don't think that will work well for me personally in the long-term as I get frustrated that way for some reason, but it should work for a bit I think.
It's possible you can do this temporarily and then wait and see what exact needs you'll have of a computer in these classes
I'd look into Lenovo ThinkPads. They're durable, reliable and cheap. Even a T400 fitted with a SSD is enough for most of the work you'll do.
Seconding (or thirding) this!!
Get an older T440s or similar, and you can upgrade/refurbish it yourself. Mine still works great 6 years in :)
If you go to r/thinkpad and look up "upgrade T430" or whatever model you have, there are a bunch of suggestions
Was about to say as well,
OP you can buy a used thinkpad off ebay from a highly rated seller and if you're ok with buying off ebay--make sure seller accept returns and pay through paypal in case they ghost you. Bought myself a T460 for around 400$. This model I think is from 2015, no touch screen hence lower price, has the ports I needed (no dongles! easier for powerpoint presentations),and it doesn't flex 360 degrees, meaning, just the basic laptop. I expect to use it for at least 3 years so if not longer so around 133$ per year.
Another thought is, I think there's a community that only does posts about "what computer should I get for X price range, and I need it for X reason(s)".
Once you post and know what you want--I'd try to see if your local Best Buys around has any open box deals. I got a perfect laptop labeled as "Fair condition". It was another Lenovo, a L380 Yoga. Market price at the time was 800-900 before tax. Open box 675 before tax so you could find alright deals for something pretty decent for a lower price.
There's also Craigslist if you're in the US, but that's probably too risky in your case since it sounds like you need it now and it has to be ready to go.
I'd say when I was laptop hunting the general consensus was find something Market price around 500-700$ and then try to find deals on them. Also if you are in the US and can wait a bit longer--July 4th tends to have deals.
Lastly I used a X1 Lenovo for college and a bit afterwards too. That's probably out of your budget ( I also do not recommend older/used models due to charge/ battery issues starts needing repair after year 5 and screen issues from my experience), but I used it extensively while earning my BA in HR. A Lenovo X220 got me all through high school (don't recommend you get this one, way too old).
I have just started college and I'm on the hunt for a mid-range laptop that balances cost and performance. I need something that can handle light gaming and multitasking with multiple tabs open, without slowing down. Given my travel time, I’d prefer a slim, lightweight design for portability.
Although price isn’t my primary concern, it plays a role into purchasing.
Lenovo LOQ or victus 16
The college post are all the rage lately. Look at the previous post for ones within your budget. People like to say will cost isn’t an issue, well can you buy a $5000 laptop? If the answer says yes, then no it’s not an issue, but if you can’t, it does play a role in this.
Hey all,
Freshly graduated senior here looking into a laptop for college. I've never bought one before and the info I've found online is both overwhelming and confusing to me lol. Every website or person seems to recommend a different laptop, and they're all pretty high budget. I simply don't have $1,100 to throw at the problem.
Ultimately I can figure out the money, but what are your go-to recommendations/what do you use? I'm looking in the $3-400 range.
I'm hoping to find something with a 15.6" screen with decent bettery life and all round performance. Hopefully on the thinner/lighter side (not looking for a cinder block in my bag). Softwares would be Adobe Creative Cloud or Office365 Suite, nothing too intensive (i.e. no CAD, I'm only a Bio major).
I know it may be kind of picky so please, please, please let me know what sorts of things I may have to compromise to find what I'm looking (if it even exists).
Thank you all for your help, PeanutButter
Since you are not going to do any intensive tasks, I would recommend this Acer Aspire 3 because at this price point for new laptops your “good” options are very limited, I like this one because it offers great value for money which is exactly what you need for your tight budget.
AMD 37320U CPU which should handle most basic tasks with no lags
8GB of RAM for decent multitasking (Usually 16 is recommended but for the price that is likely the best you will get).
Good SSD storage of 128GB for faster boot up and loading (the storage size is limiting for sure but it being SSD is worth it, if you have the funds later you can add a separate larger storage HDD).
15.6" Full HD IPS screen (which is the bare minimum I would recommend for a new laptop, and luckily this acer is one of the few avail in this price range with this res).
Backlit keyboard is just an added bonus.
And I have recommended this because :
If you want to explore other options check out my list of Best laptops for each budget and usage
Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you
thank you very much!
Not a problem, let me know if I can help you out with anything else.
I’m on the hunt for a reliable, budget-friendly laptop for college. I mostly need it for note-taking, research, and occasional light video editing. What’s the best laptop that won’t break the bank but can still handle schoolwork without slowing down? Any suggestions?
I just bought “HP - 17.3" Full HD Laptop - AMD Ryzen 5 - 8GB Memory - 512GB SSD - Natural Silver” from Best Buy and man oh man am I happy with it. Paid $408 for it it was marked off $250 at Best Buy. Does everything I need it to do and more. I did some research into what I wanted and this seemed like the best option and price for me. HP is always solid I just upgraded from my old one because it didn’t have any memory and was 4 years old. This is what I bought but I heard Mac laptops are awesome too. My sister had a surface pro and loved it all throughout college. Kinda look for what you like but also look for deals. I got mine for a good deal retail was $650 but got it for $408 and it is amazing.
Can it handle some games like minecraft etc? Or is it not suitable for that kind of stuff?
And what's your budget?
I’m looking into buying a laptop for college but i really don’t know much about what to get. I want something that will last me my 2 years of undergrad and through med school if possible. I’m looking for something that is super affordable
You can get a xiaomi pad 6 with aliexpress keyboard cover(Good thing is that you can get an hdmi adapter and use it on a monitor), it would be super affordable as super affordable laptops are all trash, can't last more than 1 year. Then again I don't know what's "super affordable".
I suggest the tablet, because you can get also a pencil and draw on it and take notes, very important in med school and makes life a lot easier on learning for exams.
I double that. Cheap laptops are bad. Better get a xiaomi pad/ entry level iPad
I had a cheap laptop, first year medical with it and never again. Now I rock a Lenovo laptop with Linux and it's amazing. Best part about it is Alt mode full function usb-c port.
You didn't give an exact budget, but these are the options I would recommend:
You will need to be careful with the hinges though, budget laptops almost always have relatively fragile hinges.
I'm a broke younger dad just wanting to start online College to get a degree to better support my family. I need the cheapest laptop I can get that can handle me using it everyday for college coursework. Suggestions?
Somewhat depends on what you're doing your degree in. If it's something like engineering or cs where you'll need to program or use CAD or whatever, then a chromebook wouldn't work and an older thinkpad might be fine.
If you won't need anything like that then a chromebook is probably fine.
Same here. I found a used Chromebook on Facebook Marketplace for $70 and it works great. Can also get a new one for under 200 depending on model. Good luck!
Get a Dell latitude e7440 with 8GB (RAM) and a SSD. This can be found on eBay using those search terms. It has a good display, keyboard and the SSD will make it snappy. Plus it is relatively thin and light. All this for around $150 if you use buy it now option on eBay.
EDIT: If you want me to find you one let me know. I'll get you the best deal.
I have 2 of these and both have WiFi issues, other than that pretty good!
WiFi issues how so? This can usually be remedied by buying a newer wifi card. Pretty cheap too.
Old business-class notebooks (Thinkpad, Latitude, etc.) can be had for $100 to $200, and they usually still hold up pretty well. Also, if you live near a public University, there are monthly surplus auctions that usually have computers. If you can't find anything else, you could ask over on /r/hardwareswap to see if someone has a laptop on the cheap
I bought an $80 10 inch tablet that comes with a removable/attachable keyboard from Walmart. The keyboard has a raised keys so it feels like you’re using a real laptop. I used it during my last year of undergrad and loved that it was pretty lightweight and easy to carry around. If you just need it for taking online courses and studying then I highly recommend it. If you can raise your budget then I would definitely get a Amazon Fire 10 with an attached keyboard.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/RCA-Viking-Pro-10-1-Android-2-in-1-Tablet-32GB-Quad-Core/45804384
Also the same RCA tablet w/keyboard in a 7 inch size for just under $50
http://www.walmart.com/ip/RCA-Voyager-7-16GB-Tablet-with-Keyboard-Case-Android-6-0/53990894
MacBook. It’s sturdy, well built, top of the line components, and portable
thank you sm! i’m fixing to start college in the fall and im trying to get all i need together!!
Depends on their major.
Just for clarity, I’ve had my MacBook Air for almost 9 years. And it’s still running, although it’s starting to show some wear
A second hand one
Are there any places/websites that offer financing for PCs for those with bad credit? This wouldn't be my first choice, but I'm in a bit in a pinch as my classes start in a week and my finances are not in the best shape.
Update: thanks for all the advice! I decided to just rent out a laptop from my college until i have enough money to buy another.
I have used refurbished and used laptops for the last 15 years and not had a problem. You can get used a ThinkPad on eBay for cheap, like under $100 in some cases. I would go that route before getting a Chromebook.
I would look at ThinkPad T480 or the X1 Carbon.
I have also used a bunch of Dell enterprise laptops, which are great, too. I have a Dell Latitude E5270 and love it. A little older now, but everything is repairable/replaceable. Over the years I've added an NvME, bumped it to 16 GB of RAM, and replaced the battery. It has a 1080p screen and I just love this machine. Can get on eBay for $200.
Also ask around in your friends/family group, someone probably has a laptop sitting around they don't or hardly use.
If you're on any kind of government assistance(SNAP, Medicaid, so on) you should qualify for an ACP credit. if you aren't already using it for something else (like a cell phone plan) you should be able to get a $50 credit towards the purchase of a refurbished computer. The catch is I think only certain stores work within the ACP program so it might be tricky to find one around you.
EDIT: Here's some details for people if they are interested. https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-providers
What will you be using it for? Primarily word processing and web research? If so and youll have a decent wifi coverage look for a chromebook to hold you over
I’ll be doing some basic word processing along with some coding, anything with decent RAM would work
You should be able to get a laptop from the school, they also loan of Wi-Fi hotspots, webcams, and anything else you may need
College bookstores often have computer deals and payment options. I think some colleges let you add the cost of the computer to your financial aid balance and work with the Financial Aid office to set up a payment plan to pay with relatively low fees/interest
For instance, the UT Arlington bookstore has some basic PCs & Chromebooks to order and get shipped from $300 & up and has some payment options at checkout.
i’m starting college in the fall and need a new laptop. can’t stand macbooks so definitely windows interface. need compact so i can carry it around and a touchscreen. other than that i’ll basically just use it to write papers and watch movies so don’t need something so advanced. would appreciate the help! my budget is reasonable but not crazy expensive as my parents will be gifting it to me.
I only have 2 Touch Laptops and a few 2-in-1's if you are interested in them. These are all sorted by CPU performance first:
--->> TouchScreen
14" | Ryzen 5 340 | 16GB LPDDR5X | 512GB SSD | 8-12Hrs | Win11 | PassMark: 20095
16" | Core 5 210H | iGPU | 16GB DDR5 (32GB Max) | 512GB SSD | PassMarK: 18801
--->> 2-in-1
14" | Ryzen 5 340 | 16GB LPDDR5X | 512GB SSD | 8-12Hrs | Win11 | PassMark: 20095
14" | 8640HS | 8GB DDR4 | 512GB SSD | 8-12Hrs | Win11 | PassMark: 19911
They can get your around 9hrs on average as per their advertised on website. It totally depends on your usage. You can light game on the AMD processors. please be aware that the Ryzen AI 5 340 is concentrated more on performance rather than gaming, so light gaming.
You can moderate gaming on 8640HS or 8840HS depending on your budget at the customization page. For the 8GB Models, you may need to buy anohter 8GB stick separately and upgrade them at later time.
If you want normal laptops without fancy features,
15.6" | Ultra 5 225U | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB SSD | PassMark: 19301
15.6" | 7730U | iGPU | 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD | PassMark: 18024
15.6" | 7535HS | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB SSD | PassMark: 17953
15.6" | i5-13420H | iGPU | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD | PassMark: 17593
wow i have no idea what any of this means
HP OmniBook Ultra Flip x360 14
i don’t have an exact budget but this is definitely over it haha
And what's your budget?
don’t have exact but looking on the cheaper and simpler side
Since you are not going to do any heavy tasks, and you prefer touchscreen, I would recommend this Lenovo Flex 5 because of the following:
Specs:
Why I am recommending it:
Low Cost: Usually most 2 in 1 laptops are on the expensive side, or come with much weaker Specs, not in this case though.
Good battery life of around 6-8 hours with general usage which is suitable for web browsing and displaying music.
Good Connectivity Multiple ports, including USB Type-C, USB 3.2, HDMI, and a microSD card reader, for better device compatibility
Digital Pen compatible
Lightweight as it weighs around 4lbs .
Very good CPU for write papers and watch movies.
Long battery life .
If you want to explore other options check out my list of Best laptops for each budget and usage
Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you
looking for an affordable laptop
I have liked the Lenovo Ideapad 5 or 3. I got one that was custom made for Best Buy that came with IPS LCD FHD screen, Ryzen 7 5700 and 12 gb and 512 SSD drive. I have had good luck with always getting 3 years out of the ideapad line even with heavy use. I saw in the US that both the Lenovo Ideapad 5 slim currently has good prices. I saw a couple of good ones at Staples and the Lenovo USA site. Highly recommend the AMD Ryzen 5 and 7 chips: good speed with low battery drain.
When I was shopping around,I liked the Dell Inspiron 15 with an intel i5 processor and 12 or 16 gb of memory. With the Dell Inspiron, the memory cards are replaceable. So, you can usually upgrade the memory later. Lenovo often has 4gb sautered, but you can usually upgrade to 12 if it comes with 8 quite easily.
I do think getting a 512 hard drive and 12gb memory is worth a little more.
What is your budget? There are so many options for decent laptops but quality nosedives pretty hard under a certain price.
maybe around USD500?
Are you open to refurbished models?
yes or course, as long as theyre working fine
Id get a refurbished MacBook Pro if your budget is around $500. Preferably one from 2019. I’ve had mine from 2019 still today and even my 2017 one. Both work great with no issues and the battery life on any Mac is the best you can get.
If you have an iPhone that makes it even better
And what's your top budget?
maybe around USD500?
Hey there! I heard you're on the hunt for an affordable laptop. I've got a great suggestion for you - the Modern 14 . It packs a punch with its 12th Gen Intel Core i3-1215U Processor and Windows 11 Home. The Intel Integrated UHD Graphics ensure smooth visuals on its 14" FHD display which offers snappy performance. Whether you're browsing the web, working on documents, or streaming your favorite shows, this laptop has got you covered without breaking the bank.
affordable laptops for college students
Key Considerations for Affordable Laptops for College Students
Budget: Aim for a budget between $300 to $800. This range typically offers good performance without breaking the bank.
Performance: Look for at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD for smooth multitasking and quick load times.
Battery Life: A laptop with at least 8 hours of battery life is ideal for long days on campus.
Weight and Portability: Lightweight models (around 3-4 lbs) are easier to carry around, especially if you have a busy schedule.
Display Quality: A Full HD (1920 x 1080) display is preferable for better clarity and comfort during long study sessions.
Operating System: Consider whether you prefer Windows, macOS, or Chrome OS based on your software needs and personal preference.
Recommendations:
Acer Aspire 5: Offers a solid balance of performance and price, with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It also has a good battery life and a Full HD display.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3: A budget-friendly option with decent performance, featuring an AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It's lightweight and has a comfortable keyboard.
HP Pavilion x360: A versatile 2-in-1 laptop that allows for both laptop and tablet use. It comes with an Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD, making it great for note-taking and presentations.
Chromebooks (e.g., Lenovo Chromebook Duet): If your college work primarily involves web-based applications, a Chromebook can be a very affordable and lightweight option, often priced under $300.
Final Tip: Always check for student discounts or deals from manufacturers and retailers, as many offer special pricing for students.
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