1. ASUS Chromebook CM14
If you’re really tight on budget and just need something for browsing, Google Docs, and streaming, the ASUS Chromebook CM14 is a solid bet. It has a 14-inch HD anti-glare display, runs on a MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, and comes with 4 gigabytes of RAM and 64 gigabytes of eMMC storage. It’s not meant for heavy multitasking, but for basic, cloud-based work, it’s great. ChromeOS boots quickly, Wi-Fi 6 keeps you connected, and the battery lasts up to 15 hours, which is a huge plus for classes all day. No touchscreen or extra RAM, but for the price, it’s hard to complain.
2. HP Chromebook 14
Another strong Chromebook option if you’re sticking to essentials. The HP Chromebook 14 has a 14-inch HD display and runs on an Intel Celeron N4120, paired with 4 gigabytes of RAM and 64 gigabytes of eMMC storage. It’s built for students who live in the browser Google Classroom, YouTube, Docs, and that’s about it. The battery life is around 14 hours, which makes it reliable for long school days. It’s light, portable, and has Wi-Fi 6 for solid connectivity. Downsides? No touchscreen and limited ports, but it’s dependable for basic stuff. If your work is all web-based, this could be all you need.
3. HP 14″ Ultralight Laptop
This HP 14-inch laptop is one step up if you want to run Windows instead of ChromeOS. It uses an Intel Quad-Core N4120 with 8 gigabytes of RAM, and it has 192 gigabytes of storage (that’s 64 gigabytes of eMMC and 128 gigabytes on an SD card). It’s not built for heavy-duty programs, but it handles schoolwork, Zoom calls, and Spotify without breaking a sweat. Battery life is solid at about 11 hours. It runs Windows 11 in S mode, which you can switch out of if needed. The screen isn’t super bright, but overall, it’s a practical choice for everyday use.
4. Acer Aspire 3
The Acer Aspire 3 is a great value pick for students who want a larger screen and snappier performance. It’s got a 15.6-inch full HD IPS display, powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor with 8 gigabytes of LPDDR5 RAM. The 128 gigabytes of NVMe solid-state storage is quick, though a bit limited, so cloud backups are a smart move. It runs smoothly for writing papers, editing photos, or watching lectures. It’s just under 4 pounds, so a bit heavier than others, and it does get a little loud under pressure. Still, for under $400, it’s a really solid machine.
5. NIMO 15.6” IPS FHD
This NIMO laptop is kind of an under-the-radar option, but it’s surprisingly good for the price. It features a 15.6-inch full HD IPS screen and runs on an Intel Pentium N100 (which actually outperforms some older i3 processors). You get 16 gigabytes of RAM and a full 1 terabyte solid-state drive, which is impressive at this price point. It includes a backlit keyboard and fingerprint sensor too. Downsides? The battery lasts about 6 hours, and since NIMO isn’t a big name, long-term reliability is a bit unknown. Still, with a 2-year warranty, it’s a great pick for budget-conscious students who need tons of storage.
6. LENOVO IdeaPad
This one’s a budget all-rounder. The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 has a big 15.6-inch full HD screen and runs on an Intel Celeron N4500 with a massive 20 gigabytes of RAM and a 1 terabyte solid-state drive plenty for essays, video calls, and light multitasking. It’s pretty portable at 3.48 pounds and includes a one-year Microsoft Office 365 subscription. Some users say Windows 11 S mode makes startup feel a bit sluggish (but you can switch to Home). There’s no backlit keyboard, which may annoy night owls. Still, for students needing big storage on a tight budget, it’s a reliable everyday laptop.
7. Dell Inspiron
If you can spend a bit more and want something powerful, the Dell Inspiron is worth checking out. It’s got a 15.6-inch full HD touchscreen, an Intel Core i5-1155G7 processor, and a huge 32 gigabytes of RAM seriously good for multitasking or heavy work. There’s also 1 terabyte of solid-state storage, so you won’t run out of space anytime soon. It runs Windows 11 Pro, and the numeric keypad is a nice touch. Downsides? The screen could be brighter, the keyboard isn’t backlit, and battery life dips if you’re pushing it hard. But for serious schoolwork, it’s one of the best on the list.
Conclusion
Hopefully this helped narrow things down! If you’re mainly doing online classes, Docs, and emails, those Chromebooks are hard to beat for the price. If you’re writing papers, need local storage, or doing more intensive tasks, the Dell Inspiron or Lenovo IdeaPad 1 are really strong picks. Let me know if you want help deciding between a couple happy to walk through it with you.
