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Short on time? Our top pick is Acer Chromebook Plus 514, Acer Chromebook Plus 514 takes Best Light Chromebook, while Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook takes Best Touchscreen Chromebook.
- Best Budget Laptop for School Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Check price
- Best Light Chromebook Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Check price
- Best Touchscreen Chromebook Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook Check price
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The best budget laptop for school is simple, reliable and supported for years. Most homework happens in a browser and Google Docs or Microsoft 365, so a Chromebook Plus or an entry Windows laptop covers it without spending on gaming hardware.
For Chromebooks, we checked each model's update date on Google's Chromebook update policy page, because a Chromebook stops getting updates after that date. We checked each Amazon listing in October 2026 and used only the specs the maker or seller lists. We do not list exact prices because Amazon prices change in real time. Use the buttons to see the current price and availability on Amazon before you buy. Scores are our editorial scores out of 10, not Amazon customer ratings.
Best Budget School Laptops at a Glance
| Award | Laptop | Graphics | Why It Fits | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Budget Laptop for School | Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (Core i3) | Intel Graphics | Updates to 2033 | 8.7/10 |
| Best Light Chromebook | Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (Ryzen 3) | Radeon 610M | 3.2 lbs | 8.5/10 |
| Best Touchscreen Chromebook | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook (8GB) | Mali-G57 | 400-nit touch | 8.2/10 |
| Best Windows Pick With 16GB | Acer Aspire 3 Touch (Ryzen 5, 16GB) | Radeon 610M | 16GB, 512GB | 8.0/10 |
| Best Lower-Cost Windows Pick | Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Touch (Ryzen 5) | Radeon 610M | Windows, touch | 7.6/10 |
Acer Chromebook Plus 514, 14-inch WUXGA IPS Touch Matte, Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB LPDDR5, 256GB SSD, Wi-Fi 7, CB514-5HT
A Core i3-1315U, Wi-Fi 7 and up to 17 hours of listed battery, with updates listed to June 2033.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514, 14-inch WUXGA IPS, AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, 8GB LPDDR5X, 128GB SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, CB514-3H
A 3.2 lb Chromebook Plus with Wi-Fi 6E and updates listed to June 2033.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook, 14-inch WUXGA Touch, MediaTek Kompanio 540, 8GB LPDDR5X, 128GB UFS, Wi-Fi 6E
A bright 400-nit touchscreen and up to 13.5 hours of listed battery.
Acer Aspire 3 15.6-inch Touchscreen Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD
A Windows touchscreen laptop with 16GB of DDR5 and a 512GB SSD.
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Laptop, 15.6-inch FHD IPS Touch, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, 8GB LPDDR5, 256GB SSD
A lower-cost Windows touchscreen with a privacy shutter on the camera.
In-Depth Reviews
1. Chromebook or Windows for School?
Check what your school uses first. If classes run on Google Classroom and Docs, a Chromebook is simple, quick and gets automatic updates. Google lists update support until June 2033 for both Acer Chromebook Plus 514 models and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook.
Choose Windows if a class needs desktop software that does not run on ChromeOS. The Acer Aspire 3 has 16GB of DDR5 and a 512GB SSD; the lower-cost Lenovo IdeaPad 1 has 8GB of soldered memory and a 256GB SSD. For college students who also game, see our budget college laptop guide.
2. Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (Core i3): Best Budget Laptop for School
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (Core i3) has an Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB of LPDDR5 and a 256GB SSD, with a 14-inch WUXGA matte touchscreen, Wi-Fi 7, an FHD camera and up to 17 hours of listed battery life; Google lists updates for this model until June 2033. A Core i3-1315U, Wi-Fi 7 and up to 17 hours of listed battery, with updates listed to June 2033.
3. Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (Ryzen 3): Best Light Chromebook
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (Ryzen 3) has an AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, 8GB of LPDDR5X and a 128GB SSD, with a 14-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS screen, Wi-Fi 6E, an FHD camera, up to 12 hours of listed battery life and a 3.2 lb body; Google lists updates for this model until June 2033. A 3.2 lb Chromebook Plus with Wi-Fi 6E and updates listed to June 2033.
4. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook (8GB): Best Touchscreen Chromebook
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook (8GB) has an 8-core MediaTek Kompanio 540, 8GB of LPDDR5X and 128GB of UFS storage, with a 14-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS touchscreen at 400 nits, two USB-C ports with charging and DisplayPort, Wi-Fi 6E and up to 13.5 hours of listed battery; Google lists the Slim 3 Chromebook 14 until June 2033. A bright 400-nit touchscreen and up to 13.5 hours of listed battery.
5. Acer Aspire 3 Touch (Ryzen 5, 16GB): Best Windows Pick With 16GB
The Acer Aspire 3 Touch (Ryzen 5, 16GB) has a 4-core, 8-thread AMD Ryzen 5 7520U with Radeon 610M graphics, 16GB of DDR5 and a 512GB SSD, with a 15.6-inch FHD multi-touch IPS screen. A Windows touchscreen laptop with 16GB of DDR5 and a 512GB SSD.
6. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Touch (Ryzen 5): Best Lower-Cost Windows Pick
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Touch (Ryzen 5) has an AMD Ryzen 5 7520U with Radeon 610M graphics, 8GB of soldered LPDDR5-5500 and a 256GB PCIe 4.0 SSD, with a 15.6-inch FHD IPS anti-glare touchscreen at 300 nits and a 720p camera with a privacy shutter. A lower-cost Windows touchscreen with a privacy shutter on the camera.
How to Choose a Budget School Laptop
School software
Check if your classes need Windows apps.
Update date
Chromebooks should be supported for years after you buy.
Battery
All-day battery avoids hunting for outlets in class.
Storage
Chromebooks rely on cloud storage; Windows needs more local space.
Quick Setup Tips
- Install updates: system and driver updates fix bugs and security issues
- Use a balanced power mode: it stretches battery life on long days
- Back up your files: use cloud storage or an external drive
- Add a USB-C hub: it turns a laptop into a desk setup in seconds
- Check the live price: use the buttons to see the current price on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best budget laptop for school?
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 with a Core i3-1315U, Wi-Fi 7 and updates listed to June 2033.
Is a Chromebook good for school?
Yes, if your school uses Google Classroom and web apps.
How long will a Chromebook get updates?
Each model has a date on Google's update policy page; the Chromebooks here run to June 2033.
Can a Chromebook run Microsoft Office?
It runs the web versions of Microsoft 365 apps in the browser.
Do students need a touchscreen?
Not required, but it helps for notes and drawing.
The Bottom Line
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is the best budget laptop for school in our check. Choose the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 with Ryzen 3 for a lighter build, or the Acer Aspire 3 if you need Windows.
