Who says you need to spend big bucks to get a laptop that can keep up with you? The best laptop for college students under 600 is out there, and we’re about to find your perfect match.
This post is about the 10 Best Laptop For College Students Under 600 For Your Major because who has time (or student loan money) to drop a grand on a computer when all we need is something that can easily handle Google Docs, stream Netflix without buffering, and not add to your midterm stress.
We will have you covered regardless if you are writing 10-page papers, editing TikToks for your media class, or just trying to pass stats without crying. I’ve got the budget-friendly laptop picks that actually get you. Let’s find your digital ride-or-die.
Slowestuff College Section
If you are getting college ready, we have a whole section of the blog dedicated to you!
We know computers are important, so we have several posts dedicated to finding the right one. This includes laptops under 400, the best computers for computer science & STEM majors, as well as our comprehensive post on the best computers on a budget.
Its not just computer talk over on the blog! We have posts on everything you need for your dorm room. This includes what you need to create a super cozy dorm room bed, best dorm room TV, and even how to stay cool with the best dorm room air conditioner.
We also have all the best, modern, motivational and inspirational quotes for your college days.
Be sure to check it out!
Disclaimer: We have included affiliate links for convenience and ease of reference. If products are purchased via these links, a small commission will be received, at no extra cost to the buyer.
10 Best Laptop For College Students Under 600 For Your Major
College students or college parents, listen up!
If you’re ballin’ on a budget but still need one of the best laptops to survive group projects, midnight essay marathons, or the “just one more episode” study breaks, you’re in the right place. We’ve rounded up the top picks for laptops in this price range—each one totally capable of handling schoolwork without crashing when you have too many tabs open (looking at you, 24-tab Google searchers).
When shopping for laptops under $600, make sure you check the specs—GB of RAM and hard drive space are key. You want something that can handle multitasking (Zoom class + Spotify + 15 Chrome tabs) without frying its brain.
What Makes These Laptops a Top Pick?
Besides price, you’ll want to look for features like a comfortable keyboard, good performance, and reliability for everyday tasks on a single charge. The laptops in this range pack in solid specs, including multiple USB ports and modern Intel processors that offer better performance without draining your battery (or your wallet).
Planning to stream in high res or do a little light content creation? Look for models with strong day battery life, a sharp aspect ratio, and just enough graphics power to handle creative work, presentations, and a little casual photo editing on the side.
If you’re into light gaming, external displays, or just want a sleek new laptop that feels fast and responsive, many of these options—including models like the Samsung Galaxy Book Go—offer plenty of versatility.
You’ll find laptops with up to 10+ hours of battery life, 8 GB of memory, and upgrade options like an extended warranty, all wrapped in a premium laptop feel—without the premium price tag.
Some models, like the Lenovo ThinkPad X, stand out for their build quality and solid performance, making them a smart pick for students who need a laptop that can keep up with papers, projects, and late-night study sessions.
If you’re searching for the best student laptop, you’re definitely in the right place.
10 Best Laptop For College Students Under 600 For Your Major
Here are ten different options and for whom we think each type will be the most well suited.
Dell Inspiron 15
Best for: Students who want a reliable laptop for everyday use without blowing their budget.
This Dell Inspiron is your classic no-fuss, does-it-all laptop. It has solid GB of RAM, a large screen for multitasking, and just enough power for writing essays, streaming, and juggling school apps. It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable, and that’s the kind of relationship you want in college amiright?!?
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook
Best for: Students living in Google Docs who need a lightweight device with long battery life.
Running on Chrome OS, this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim is perfect for note-takers, researchers, and YouTube true crime rabbit hole explorers. It supports Android apps, has long battery life, and makes Zoom calls and doc sharing a breeze – all without freezing up.
ASUS Zenbook 14
Best for: Students who want a sleek, professional look with the power to match.
The ASUS Zenbook comes in under $600 but looks like it costs way more. Great for presentations, light video editing, and streaming, this budget laptop has a 1080p webcam, fast processor, and all-day battery. Also? It just looks cool.
ASUS VivoBook 15
Best for: Students who want a little more screen and a lot of functionality.
This great laptop balances a great price with strong everyday performance. It has a full-size keyboard (with a number pad!!), good battery life, and enough speed for lectures, browsing, and binging your favorite show when you finally get a break from studying.
HP 14-dq000
Best for: University students who want solid performance on a small budget.
This HP laptop is powered by AMD Ryzen and handles all your basics with ease, like web browsing, online classes, papers, and the occasional Netflix study break. It even has a backlit keyboard, which means fewer typos during 2 a.m. essay panic.
Acer Aspire Go 15
Best for: High school grads stepping into college with practical needs and a realistic budget.
This model delivers GB RAM, a roomy display, and enough power to handle daily tasks without draining your wallet. It’s a good laptop for writing, researching, and streaming without fuss.
Lenovo Yoga 6 (2-in-1)
Best for: Creative majors who want flexibility—literally.
The Lenovo Yoga flips, folds, and feels fancy. Great for sketching, note-taking, or watching lectures from the comfort of your bed. Bonus: It’s compact and runs on an Intel Core Ultra processor for reasonable performance without the premium price tag.
Samsung Galaxy Book Go
Best for: Students who want a sleek, ultra-portable laptop with long-lasting battery.
With its clean design and solid specs, the Galaxy Book is ideal for those on the move. You’ll get great streaming, solid typing comfort, and an efficient battery that actually lasts through back-to-back classes, because there is nothing worse than having to constantly lug around a charger cord. Isn’t that even the point of having a laptop??
Lenovo ThinkPad X (Refurbished)
Best for: Budget-savvy students who want premium build quality without the premium price.
This business-class laptop is often available refurbished for under $600, and it’s a workhorse. Great build quality, amazing keyboard, and enough power to keep up with heavier workloads, like computer science projects or spreadsheet-filled group work.
*Don’t sleep on refurbished laptops—seriously. The majority of laptops that we have bought over the years were refurbished ones.
Buying a renewed or refurbished device doesn’t mean you’re getting someone’s hand-me-down with mystery crumbs and malware. There are lots of people who get the latest and greatest tech every year, and when they do, they turn in their last year model. These laptops are professionally inspected, tested, and often come with warranties or return policies. You’re basically getting a like-new computer for way less, and in most cases, you’d never know the difference. It’s a smart, budget-friendly move—not a downgrade.
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
Best for: Students looking for a low-cost Chromebook that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
This Chromebook is shockingly smooth. It has Google Play Store access, is great to carry because of its lightweight design, and the speedy startup is great for lectures, writing, and app-based productivity. If you’re already living in Google Workspace, it’s an excellent choice.
All these laptops and everything else you need for college is linked in our storefront!
10 Best Laptop For College Students Under 600 For Your Major
You can be STEM or liberal arts, a finance bro to exercise science diva, this list is for you! These laptops are set for majors that involve note-taking, drawing, or multitasking across tabs (hello, graphic design and computer science!).
So whether you’re choosing for yourself or shopping for a student, the right laptop is the one that fits your field of study, your daily routine, and, especially, your favorite study playlist!
From low-cost Chromebooks to Windows machines, there’s something here for everyone, regardless of major, especially if you’re looking for power, portability, and value in one smart purchase.
College Necessities & Inspiration
Looking for more graduation and college prep ideas? Check out our unique graduation gift guide, shop for the perfect white graduation dress, and be inspired to take amazing cap and gown photos just using your smartphone!
We have a whole section dedicated to graduation & back to school, including the best computers for computer science & STEM majors, as well as the best computers on a budget; and mother & daughter approved dorm room essentials, including the things you need to create a super cozy dorm room bed. Be sure to check it out!
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Slowestuff newsletter for year-round content! We love to talk about seasonal topics, and keep an ongoing discussion about books and scrapbooking all year long!
We hope this post on the best laptops under $600 has been helpful in finding the perfect one for you! Best of luck to you or your favorite student!
Slowestuff
Like these tips? Pin this post to refer to later!!
Leave a Reply