As the new school year approaches, finding the best budget laptop for students in 2025 has become more important than ever. Whether you’re attending classes in-person or online, you need a reliable, affordable, and fast laptop that won’t break the bank.
In this post, we’ve handpicked the top student laptops under $700 that offer the best value for money — ideal for note-taking, web browsing, video conferencing, assignments, and even light content creation.
What to Look for in a Student Laptop (2025)
Before jumping into the list, here are the key features students should prioritize:
- Battery Life: Minimum 8+ hours
- Portability: Lightweight and easy to carry
- Performance: At least 8GB RAM, SSD storage
- Display: 13″–15.6″ Full HD screen
- Webcam + Mic: For Zoom/Google Meet classes
- Build Quality: Durable for backpacks and travel
Top 7 Budget Laptops for Students (2025 Edition)
4. Acer Aspire 5 (2025 Model)
Price: ~$499
Specs:
- AMD Ryzen 5 / Intel i5 13th Gen
- 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- 15.6″ Full HD IPS display
- Wi-Fi 6 + Backlit keyboard
Great for multitasking & writing assignments
Long battery life (up to 10 hours)
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (2-in-1 Touchscreen)
Price: ~$599
Specs:
- Ryzen 5 or Intel i5
- 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- 14″ Touchscreen display
- 360° hinge (tablet mode)
Perfect for art students & note-taking
Stylus support (some models)
3. Apple MacBook Air M1 (Refurb/Deal)
Price: ~$699 (2020–2023 models)
Specs:
- Apple M1 Chip
- 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- 13.3″ Retina Display
- macOS Ventura/Sonoma
Amazing battery (up to 18 hrs)
Silent performance, great for writing & design
4. HP Pavilion 14
Price: ~$549
Specs:
- Intel i5 / Ryzen 5
- 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- 14″ Full HD display
- Fast charging support
Compact & stylish
Good for students on the go
5. ASUS VivoBook 15
Price: ~$479
Specs:
- Ryzen 5 or Intel i3/i5
- 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- 15.6” NanoEdge Full HD screen
Good keyboard & typing experience
A large screen for watching lectures
6. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Price: ~$599
Specs:
- Intel i5 11th Gen
- 8GB RAM, 128–256GB SSD
- 12.4″ Touch display
- Lightweight aluminum body
Great portability
Ideal for note-taking & writing
7. Dell Inspiron 15 3000
Price: ~$469
Specs:
- Intel Core i3 / i5
- 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- 15.6″ HD display
- Windows 11 pre-installed
Budget-friendly with solid basics
A good webcam for online classes
Bonus: Best Chromebook for Students
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (OLED display!)
Price: ~$399
Excellent for web-based tasks (Google Docs, Zoom)
Detachable keyboard and stylus support
Comparison Table
| Laptop Name | RAM | SSD | Screen | Price (Approx) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Aspire 5 | 8GB | 512GB | 15.6″ FHD | $499 | General Use |
| Lenovo Flex 5 | 8GB | 256GB | 14″ Touch | $599 | Notes + Creativity |
| MacBook Air M1 | 8GB | 256GB | 13.3″ Rtn | $699 | Design + Long Battery |
| HP Pavilion 14 | 8GB | 256GB | 14″ FHD | $549 | Portability + Style |
| ASUS VivoBook 15 | 8GB | 512GB | 15.6″ FHD | $479 | Typing + Video |
| Surface Laptop Go 2 | 8GB | 128GB | 12.4″ Touch | $599 | Mobility + Writing |
| Dell Inspiron 15 | 8GB | 256GB | 15.6″ HD | $469 | Everyday Study Tasks |
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend $1000+ to get a quality laptop in 2025. The above models are student-friendly, affordable, and built for performance.
Tip: Always check for student discounts from Apple, Microsoft, Best Buy, or Amazon.