College students often need a laptop that is affordable, yet has all the features they need for their coursework. Laptops under $600 often have all the essential features a student needs, such as adequate processing power, a crisp display, and a robust battery. If you are a college student interested in basic productivity, a $600 budget is more than sufficient.
Here is a list of the finest best laptops for college students under $600 in 2024 for MEDCPU. Take a look and choose the best laptop. Get started right away!
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Buyers Guide – Best laptops for college students under $600
Students will conduct their own web research to pick the best laptop for their needs. The nature of this section dictates that you should not spend more than $600 on the machine. Here are some things to think about when purchasing a laptop, regardless of price:
Processor
For a student laptop, you’d want a good processor. Most PCs priced between $500 and $800 feature an Intel i5, while those priced between $700 and $1,000 have either an Intel i7 or an AMD FX. Unless you have chosen areas in college that need intensive graphics work, these CPUs can meet all of your other needs. Do not go any lower.
Storage
The storage capacity of your laptop relates to how much data you can store on it. If you are starting college for a three-year term, you will want your laptop to keep all of the information for the duration of the course. The standard for most devices in this category is 128GB, with 256GB or 512GB being the upper limit. A good amount of RAM, such as 8GB, should be enough.
RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) is essential for a computer’s seamless operation. The majority of PCs have 4 or 8GB of RAM, with 6-8GB being the median range in this category.
Battery
As a student, battery life is crucial for your laptop. The average battery life of a machine is 5 hours, however, some premium models can run up to 7 hours or more. You can charge it as soon as you return to your living quarters and attach the charger.
Laptop’s weight
This is an important input. As a student, you will be taking your laptop around a lot, both on and off school. Laptops in this category typically weigh between 2 and 4 pounds, but they can weigh as much as 7 or 8 pounds if you choose a 15-inch model. If you can keep it at roughly 5 pounds or fewer, you should be fine.
Display
LCD and LED are the two main types of display technology. LCD is an abbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display, which has been the industry standard for several years. It provides sharp visuals with vibrant colors. The LED, on the other hand, is an abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode. It is a newer display technology that has grown in popularity in recent years and provides clearer images and deeper blacks when compared to an LCD of comparable size.
Screen size
Looking for all the other specifications listed above, and if all of those boxes are checked, a 15-inch display will suffice. Even if you have to go for a slightly smaller size, you should do so.
8 Best laptops for college students under $600 in 2024
1. Lenovo Ideapad 3
Lenovo Ideapad 3 comes with a fast AMD-powered processor and enough RAM to get you through most of your activities as a college student. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor has a base clock speed of 2.1GHz. It’s not a computational powerhouse like an Intel i7 or i9, but it’ll handle most productivity programs. Furthermore, the CPU is more than capable of managing intensive online browsing, accountancy, homeschooling, and other tasks.
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The Lenovo Ideapad 3 includes a two-cell lithium-ion battery that provides up to 7.5 hours of battery life. The battery should last through the college sessions if used properly. The lightweight laptop weighs about 3.3 pounds and has a black matte finish on its plastic case. For wireless connectivity, the laptop supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth.
It has a 14-inch Full HD screen with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. The display is ideal for displaying presentations and even watching movies. An 8GB DDR4 RAM is a thoughtful operating memory that works in tandem with the processor. It works in unison with the high transfer speeds of a 256GB SSD, as well as rapid data read/write speeds, to keep software processes running smoothly.
Pros
- Powerful processor
- Wi-Fi-5 connectivity, three USB ports, and HDMI
- Dependable graphics card
- Full HD display
- HD webcam with privacy shutter
Cons
- There is no illuminated keyboard.
>>> Check out the best and cheapest laptops for students right now.
2. HP 15-DY1036NR
The HP 15-DY1036NR is one of the best sub-$600 laptops available. The Intel Core i5-1035G1 chipset, which has four cores, handles the processing performance. While the Intel UHD integrated graphics manage graphics and images, the graphics-optimized chipset lets you run programs like Ardour, Audacity, and lightweight games with minimal effort.
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With a weight of only 3.72 pounds, this is one of the lightest laptops. The port configuration is quite extensive, with HP including USB 3.1, HDMI, and a data-transfer Type-C port with a speed of up to 5 Gbps. It outperforms the competition thanks to its flawless Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity standards. The battery on offer is most well-known for its 11-hour backup time.
Because of the overall resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, the 15.6-inch screen is incredibly bright. The WLED panel also has anti-glare support, which is useful for students who are immersed in work or media consumption. For the pupils’ use, there is an integrated TrueVision webcam, boosted speakers, and dual-array microphones with noise suppression.
Pros
- Excellent battery
- Light-weighted
- A decent set of ports
- Anti-glare display
Cons
- Lower storage capacity
3. Acer Aspire 5
The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the smallest and most powerful laptops available. The outside casing of this laptop is composed of strong, heat-resistant material. Acer Color Intelligence 15.6-inch full HD LED-backlit IPS display. From any angle, the images on this laptop are clear and crisp. It has a battery backup of up to 8.5 hours, so you do not have to carry a charger with you everywhere. It also has a huge illuminated keyboard, allowing you to operate in any environment.
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Despite being a sub-$600 laptop, there is not a lack of productivity-focused features, with Acer including a sophisticated backlit keyboard, integrated touchpad, and powerful speakers with TrueHarmony technology. You also get an HD webcam and twin microphones with voice purification.
The 8GB RAM, together with Intel Iris Xe Graphics, ensures that it can handle low- and multitasking activities effectively. The option to extend the RAM on this notebook up to 20GB is its finest feature. This laptop has a 256GB SSD storage capacity. SSD is faster than HDD, but it is also more expensive.
Pros
- Powerful AMD processor
- Stellar display
- Excellent connectivity suite
- The chipset supports Precision Boost technology
- Thin and light
- Comfortable keyboard
- Speaker delivers adequate volume
- Long battery runtimes
Cons
- Lower storage space
- Lacks touchscreen option
4. HP Chromebook x360
The HP Chromebook x360 is one of the best laptops to buy. This laptop has some class-leading characteristics, such as an excellent display and capable processing components. HP uses the Intel Core i3-10110U processor, which has a dual-core configuration and a turbo clock speed of up to 4.10GHz.
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One of the nicest things that a college student could ask for is the 14-inch touch-supported display. This feature gives the Chromebook x360 a sense of freedom and portability. Aside from that, the IPS panel has a total display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, which improves the visual quality and color reproduction levels even more.
There is 8GB of RAM onboard, which is a big resource for a college student. However, because this is a Chromebook, you only receive 64GB of eMMC storage memory built into the laptop, with the remainder kept in the cloud or on online platforms. Wi-Fi 6 wireless protocols are available for use in terms of connectivity. The current battery is more than adequate, providing a 13-hour backup.
One of the nicest things that a college student could ask for is the 14-inch touch-supported display. This feature gives the Chromebook x360 a sense of freedom and portability. Aside from that, the IPS panel has a total display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, which improves the visual quality and color reproduction levels even more.
Pros
- 10th gen processor
- Backlit keyboard
- 8GB RAM
- Touchscreen
- Attractive designs
Cons
- Requires constant internet access
5. Lenovo IdeaPad S340
The IdeaPad S340 is one of the greatest tablets for students to purchase for long-term use. It’s a low-cost laptop with respectable features. The Intel Core i3-8145U dual-core CPU is available for processing power. The integrated chipset supports Hyper-threading and has a turbo clock speed of 3.90GHZ.
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Because of the pre-installed Windows 10 operating system, Lenovo guarantees that the tablet will be extremely user-friendly. The Lenovo IdeaPad S340 has a 15.6-inch HD display with low bezels and great viewing angles. It also boasts a total screen size of 1366×768 pixels and, most crucially, an anti-glare display.
Despite being a low-cost laptop, you have access to 8 GB of system memory to meet your diversified multitasking needs. Because of the NVMe functionality, the 128GB SSD storage module is extremely fast. Lenovo’s port configuration is adequate, with USB 3.1, Type-A, HDMI, and other useable slots preceding the other fundamental wireless standards. The battery in the IdeaPad S340 model performs nicely, providing an 8.5-hour backup.
Pros
- Thin and light design
- FHD display
- Anti-Glare Screen
- Good battery backup
- Backlit keyboard
- Great battery life
- Rapid charging support
Cons
- No LAN port
- Low SSD storage
6. Lenovo IdeaPad 15
The Lenovo IdeaPad 15 includes every essential productivity-related specification on the market, such as a robust keyboard, a sensitive touchpad with gesture support, twin speakers, an integrated HD webcam, a class-leading microphone, and an illusive optical drive. You also get a large 15.6-inch screen with an equivalent resolution of 1366768 pixels. Aside from that, the TN display has anti-glare qualities that help to reduce the strain on your eyes.
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You will also get the AMD A9-9425 chipset, which has a respectable base clock speed of 3.1GHz. The dual-core chipset can be clocked at up to 3.7GHz. When it comes to storage, college students may be disappointed with the 128GB solid-state drive. The working interface, on the other hand, is excellent with the Windows 10 Home version OS that comes pre-installed on the laptop.
At 4.60 pounds, this is a lightweight laptop with basic data and display interfaces like USB 3.0, a dedicated card reader, and an HDMI slot. Aside from the normal networking characteristics, you also get an average battery that only provides 5 hours of backup at a time.
Pros
- TN display comes with decent refresh rates
- With 192 Shaders, it is the most powerful integrated GPU in its class.
- Integrated optical drive
- Dual speakers
- Robust keyboard,
- Sensitive touchpad
Cons
- Low battery
>>> Read also: Best Gaming Laptop Under 2000 2022: Recommended for you
7. Dell Latitude E5440
The Dell Latitude E5440 is an excellent laptop for the money. When it comes to performance, the Intel Core i7-4600U processor is a commendable inclusion given the sub-$600 price range. Despite being from Intel’s 4th generation of chipsets, the power-efficient, dual-core chipset has a turbo clock speed of up to 3.3GHz. It also has an integrated Intel HD 4400 GPU that works in tandem with the specialized NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU.
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The current GPU is with only 2GB of VRAM. Most notably, it allows for overclocking thanks to the GPU Boost 2.0 technology. NVIDIA Optimus technology allows you to choose between an integrated and a dedicated GPU based on your needs. When you are not doing graphically intensive tasks, you can use the integrated GPU.
This laptop has a 14-inch screen with a total resolution of 1366 × 768 pixels. Most notably, the present panel has anti-glare capabilities that reduce eye strain. Dell also includes a conventional keyboard and a responsive touchpad with the laptop.
The Dell Latitude E5440 includes a conventional range of ports and connectivity choices, such as Mini DisplayPort, USB 3.0, HDMI, Gig Ethernet, and the E-port connector. For improved connectivity, you now get Dual-Band wireless compatibility and Bluetooth 4.0. In terms of storage, you get a 500GB SSD module. It ensures that Windows 10 Pro is installed for the greatest user experience possible.
Pros
- Remote access support courtesy of vPro technology
- Fast SSD-based storage drive
- Has a dedicated GPU
- NVIDIA Optimus technology
- Reasonable price for the specification
- Good complement of ports
- Sharp full HD display with touchscreen
Cons
- Low battery
- Relatively large and heavy
8. Dell Inspiron 15 3593
The Dell Inspiron 15 is an excellent choice for you to consider. Dell has unveiled the 10th Generation Intel Core 13-1005G1 chipset. The current CPU turbo runs at 3.40GHz and has twin cores and four threads, allowing it to execute demanding computational activities with ease. Visuals and engaging gameplay are still feasible with Intel UHD integrated graphics at the forefront.
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The Dell Inspiron 15 is one of the few notebook computers that college students may use for continuous coding, programming, and multitasking. The present SSD module is quick, and it has a storage capacity of 256GB. It comes pre-installed with the Windows 10 Home edition operating system in the power-saving S mode.
It boasts a 15.6-inch HD display with touch capabilities that is fairly sensitive and has an overall resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. Among the notebook’s other attractive features include a responsive keyboard with sufficient key travel, a gesture-supported touchpad, integrated stereo speakers with MaxxAudio compatibility, a 720p webcam, and serviceable microphones.
This notebook boasts a 1TB hard drive but sacrifices processing power efficiency with its i3-7130U processor running at 2.7GHZ and lacks a dedicated GPU.
Pros
- Inexpensive, with plenty of configuration options
- A Great big widescreen to work on
- Surprisingly decent audio output
- A IPS display with decent contrast
- HDMI and Ethernet ports included
Cons
- Glossy plastic chassis
>>> Read also about the best laptop for engineering students, click here!
FAQs about best laptops for college students under $600
What is the most important feature a laptop for college students should have?
College students are constantly on the go, whether inside or outside of the school, so charging a notebook every minute is not always a possibility. As a result, if you want to be more productive in the long and near term, consider purchasing a portable laptop with long battery life.
What are the primary processor families considered by sub-$600 laptop manufacturers?
The vast majority of low-cost, student-oriented notebooks use Intel G- or U-series chipsets. Although G-series processors, such as the i5-1035G1 and i5-1035G4, are graphics-optimized, U-series CPUs, such as the i3-8145U, are far more powerful and produce far less heat.
What kind of display should a college student opt for?
Aside from academic activities, a college student needs a laptop for extended media consumption. As a result, a Full HD screen is recommended for improved color clarity and visual pleasure. Aside from that, a laptop with a matte panel is recommended for greater sunlight visibility.
Will there be a quality trade-off because the laptop is less than $600?
No, a laptop under $500 will provide the same capabilities and performance as any other laptop. As higher-level processors or incremental features are introduced, the price of the laptop rises. The machine’s lifespan is also taken into account. There will be no cutbacks or compromises in performance.
Conclusion
The following are the best laptops for college students under $600. Now that you’ve looked at the various laptops available within a specified budget (around $600 in this case), you must choose the one with the characteristics you believe are vital in a computer you’ll be using during your college years. We hope you will be able to locate suitable equipment for your computing needs.
Eyal Ephrat serves as the co-founder and CEO of medCPU.com, where technology is making significant strides in the field of medicine. Through his experience in purchasing PC and laptop equipment and various other tech products, Eyal Ephrat contributes valuable insights to medCPU’s mission.
