Every student needs the best budget laptop to fulfil their processing needs. Unless you are about to be a graphic designer or a high-end programmer, you don’t even need a super-powerful device. Anything that can handle casual multitasking or mid-level computing is more than sufficient for you.
In this article, we have listed the top laptops for students of different disciplines. From laptops for daily use to those with high-end processors, we have handpicked the best budget laptops from different brands and retailers for your assistance. Let’s get started!
Basic Computing: Microsoft Surface Laptop Go (RFB-1ZS-00009)
- Intel Core i5 Processor
- 12.4 in Screen Size
- Maximum Resolution: 1536 x 1024
- 4 GB RAM, 64 GB SSD
- Intel UHD Graphics GPU
- Windows 10 S
The Surface Laptop Go is one of the best i5 laptops for students and casual users. As compared to other Microsoft laptops, the GO series offers the perfect blend of affordability and functionality.
Equipped with Intel Core i5 processors, 4 GB of RAM, and a 64GB SSD, this laptop can easily be used for all educational activities. Whether you are working on a group project, going through the lecture slides, or preparing the final presentation, this device has got your back!
The highlight of this laptop is its exceptional build and keyboard. You can reach your peak typing speed in no time. This is especially helpful for students working on their dissertations. Working longer hours is no longer a problem.
Who should buy?
- Students who need a reliable laptop for basic computing tasks.
- For notetaking and study.
- Light media consumption
- Portability (easy to carry across campus throughout the day)
- Comfortable with Windows SOS (restriction on downloading apps outside the Microsoft Store)
Who shouldn’t buy?
- Students working on resource-intensive applications (video editing, 3D modelling, or advanced programming)
- Heavy multitaskers
- High resolution work
- Serious gaming
- More storage needs.
Best for Accounting and Finance Students: ASUS VivoBook (RFB-E210MA-GJ001TS)
- Intel Celeron Processor
- 11.6 in. Screen Size
- Maximum Resolution: 1366 x 768
- 4 GB RAM, 64 GB SSD
- Intel UHD Graphics GPU
- Windows 10 S
Looking for cheap laptops that don’t compromise on functionality? The VivoBook E210MA is your perfect match!
In terms of performance, the laptop is ideal for basic computing tasks, note-taking, and slide reading. The Celeron processors are extremely power-efficient. Even after using your laptop for the whole day, you won’t face any overheating or power drainage challenges.
The resolution of 1366 x 768 is good enough for an 11″ screen. This is the best laptop for students who are always on the move. NumberPad2 is no less than a dream come true for number crunchers.
If you are someone who is always working on spreadsheets, this is the ideal choice for you. Not only this, but Laptop Outlet also offers the refurbished variant of this device for less than £150.
Who should buy?
- Basic computing
- Note taking and studying.
- Accounting and finance students
- Portability
Who shouldn’t buy?
- Demanding tasks
- Heavy multitasking
- I need multiple apps and programmes on the laptop.
- High-resolution work
Best for Engineers and Design Students: Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
- Intel Core i5 Processor
- 13.5 in. Screen Size
- Maximum Resolution: 2256 x 1504
- 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics GPU
- Windows 10 Pro
The Surface Laptop 5 stands out amongst i5 laptops for students. Featuring the latest 12th generation processors with 16 GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, this laptop is an ideal pick for students in demanding fields.
The 13″ screen is the ideal compromise for students who want to carry their laptop whenever and wherever they want. It is not too huge (15 inches or larger) to become less portable, nor is it too small to cause eye strain after excessive use. Simply perfect!
Thanks to innovative features like auto-noise suppression and advanced cooling systems, you can work and study on your Surface 5 for extended hours without any extra hassle. Granted, the laptop might be a little expensive for students, but it is worth every penny spent on it.
The laptop also comes with a backlit keyboard, a touchscreen, and a high-quality front camera. The in-built microphones have integrated AI technology, cutting out all external distortions from digital conferences.
Who should buy?
- Productivity-oriented users
- Researchers and academics
- Engineering and design students
- Students in challenging disciplines like computer science and multimedia.
- CAD and design work
Who shouldn’t buy?
- Students on a budget
- Light users
- Multitaskers or casual gamers
Cheap 2-in-1: Dynabook Toshiba Satellite Pro (CST1012006EN)
- Intel Core N3350 Processor
- 10.1 in Screen Size
- Maximum Resolution: 1280 x 800
- 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD
- Intel HD Graphics GPU
- Windows 10 Pro Education
The Satellite Pro (CST1012006EN) is the cheapest convertible laptopthat you can get in 2023. There is a detachable keyboard that lets you use your device as a tablet, laptop, or digital canvas.
The full-sized keyboard and trackpad offer you a pleasant typing experience in laptop mode, while tablet mode is ideal for browsing or sharing multimedia with friends.
The Intel Core N3350 is a dual-core processor boasting two cores, two threads, and a clock speed of up to 2.40 GHz. This Apollo Lake family processing chip is ideal for daily use or everyday computations.
It is the most portable device that any student can get! The tablet mode weighs only 549 g, while the complete unit weighs only 1kg. Simply keep it in your handbag or toss it under your arm without feeling like anything is weighing you down.
Who should buy?
- Budget-conscious users
- Basic computing tasks
- Students who need the best of both worlds
- Travellers
Who shouldn’t buy?
- Demanding users
- Content creators, designers, and 3D illustrators
- The 10.1″ screen can be small for users who work all day.
How do I pick the best budget laptops for students?
As a student, you must save every penny possible to make ends meet. It’s important to know your requirements in order to make the best purchase possible. Here are the top tips and tricks to help you find the best budget laptops for your needs.
Can you get a student discount?
Many brands and retailers across the UK offer exclusive student discounts. For instance, when you sign up with your Student Beans ID at Laptop Outlet, you can get a flat 15% off throughout the website. This includes laptops, PCs, accessories, and much more!
Which processor is best for you?
Students don’t really need something extremely powerful to fulfil their requirements. The Intel Celeron and Pentium series are featured in the best laptops for daily use. For an enhanced experience, Intel Core i3 or i5 laptops will never disappoint.
Apple users can get the M1 or M2 chip for extra oomph. If you like to work or play games in your spare time, you might consider splurging on a fancier laptop with advanced generation CPUs like the Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9.
Another good news is that integrated graphics, i.e., Intel HD Graphics, Intel UHD Graphics, Intel Iris/Iris Plus Graphics, or Intel Xe graphics, are sufficient for performing day-to-day activities. These are usually budget-friendly and take up less space.
In other words, you don’t have to spend extra money on getting the latest processors with peak performance capabilities. Not only are they out of an average student’s budget, but you are not going to use the extra features anyway.
How much RAM is enough?
RAM (Random Access Memory) is responsible for temporarily saving all your data. In simpler terms, the bigger the RAM, the faster your processing will be!
Ideally, students should look for a minimum of 4 GB of RAM. If you are working in a more resource-intensive discipline like engineering, design, architecture, or programming, getting more RAM is more suitable.
Spending on an SSD: Worth it or not?
SSDs are the newer, upgraded version of traditional hard disc storage drives. They give users a snappier feel, as you can save, edit, and retrieve files at a much faster pace.
It makes sense that SSDs are pricier than HDDs. You can get a hard disc drive with more storage or opt for SSD storage with lesser capacity for the same price. But that’s a trade-off we’ll surely recommend. Even if you are buying cheap laptops with a 64GB SSD, it is much better than getting a 128GB HDD.
Some laptops also give you the option of connecting an external SSD drive to one of the USB ports. This way, you can use a combination of a hard disc and a solid-state drive to get an optimal performance level.
Are Chromebooks good for students?
Chromebooks are cloud-based laptops running on the exclusively designed Chrome OS. These best budget laptops rely less on hardware and more on software, making them an ideal choice for individuals who want an affordable and lightweight device for productivity on-the-go.
These laptops for students typically come with Intel Pentium or Celeron processors, which are extremely power-efficient. Once recharged, a Chromebook can last for the whole day.
The only catch is that you must always stay connected to high-speed internet if you are using a Chromebook. This is because these devices don’t have much local storage, and everything is saved online. In the absence of the internet, you can face challenges while accessing any required files.
Also keep in mind that these laptops are not made for demanding workloads. It is best to use these laptops for daily use. For gamers, engineers, or design students, there are other worthy alternatives available on the market.
Should you get a 2-in-1 laptop?
A 2-in-1 device is one that lets you get the best of both worlds. Typically, they feature touchscreens with detachable keyboards. In some cases, you can also find a 360-degree hinge that enables you to fold the keyboard backwards on the lid of your laptop.
These displays support multi-touch inputs, which means that you can use an externally connected Stylus or Pen to use your laptop as a piece of paper. Take notes, draw sketches, or indulge in designing work with no unnecessary restrictions.
Other than this, many people like using tablets. Streaming social media or watching your favourite shows on a large screen gives a much-enhanced experience. With a detachable tablet at your disposal, you don’t need an extra tablet. A single device can rule it all.
Overall, convertibles are an ideal pick for students from various backgrounds. By doing some prior research, you can get cheap laptops with detachable keyboards. There is also the option of getting a refurbished laptop to spend less and shop more.
Final Summary
Every student needs a reliable and affordable computing companion for work, study, and entertainment. The best budget laptops help you get the power you need without breaking the bank. Some of the ideal options are the Surface Laptop Go, VivoBook E210MA, Surface Laptop 5, and Dynabook Toshiba Satellite Pro (ET10-G-106). If none of these match your criteria, use the buying guide mentioned above to get cheap laptops with your desired specifications.
Have a fantastic day!
