Best Budget Laptops for Work and Study Under $600 (2025)

Why Budget Laptops Are Better Than Ever

In 2025, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a reliable laptop for work, school, and daily tasks. Thanks to advances in processors, SSD storage, and lightweight designs, you can now find laptops under $600 that offer smooth performance for web browsing, online classes, office work, and even light multitasking.

Here are five of the best budget laptops under $600 for 2025 — balancing performance, build quality, battery life, and portability. Whether you’re a student, remote worker, or someone who just needs a dependable machine without breaking the bank, these picks deliver.

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1. Acer Aspire 5 A515-45-R74Z (15.6” FHD, AMD Ryzen 5 5500U)

Best Overall for Performance & Features

The Acer Aspire 5 consistently ranks as a top budget laptop, and the 2025 model delivers great performance for work and school. With its Ryzen 5 processor, 512GB SSD, and Full HD display, it’s ideal for writing reports, streaming, and light multitasking.

Key Features:

✅ Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
✅ Display: 15.6” Full HD IPS
✅ RAM: 8GB DDR4
✅ Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
✅ Ports: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet
✅ Battery Life: Up to 8 hours

✅ Pros:

• Fast Ryzen 5 performance for the price
• Large 512GB SSD gives you plenty of space
• Full HD display is great for streaming & work

❌ Cons:

• Plastic build feels a bit cheap
• Not ideal for gaming or heavy creative work

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2. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14 (14” FHD, Intel Core i3-1115G4)

Best for Portability & Everyday Use

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a lightweight, compact laptop perfect for students or anyone who needs a basic machine for web browsing, email, and office work. Its Intel Core i3 processor handles everyday tasks smoothly, and the 14-inch size makes it ideal for portability.

Key Features:

✅ Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4
✅ Display: 14” Full HD
✅ RAM: 8GB DDR4
✅ Storage: 256GB SSD
✅ Ports: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI
✅ Battery Life: Up to 7 hours

✅ Pros:

• Lightweight & easy to carry
• Full HD display at an affordable price
• Solid performance for web & office work

❌ Cons:

• 256GB storage might fill up fast
• Not ideal for multitasking with many apps open

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3. HP 15-fd0013dx Laptop (15.6” HD, Intel N200)

Best for Basic Work & Online Classes

If you’re looking for the cheapest reliable laptop for work or school, the HP 15 delivers. Its Intel N200 processor isn’t the fastest, but it handles basic tasks like typing, Zoom calls, and web browsing well. This is perfect for younger students or light users.

Key Features:

✅ Processor: Intel N200
✅ Display: 15.6” HD (1366 x 768)
✅ RAM: 8GB DDR4
✅ Storage: 256GB SSD
✅ Ports: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI
✅ Battery Life: Up to 8 hours

✅ Pros:

• Very affordable
• Large screen for productivity
• Decent battery life for the price

❌ Cons:

• Lower resolution HD screen (not Full HD)
• Slower processor limits multitasking

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4. ASUS VivoBook 15 F515EA-AH34 (15.6” FHD, Intel Core i3-1115G4)

Best for Students Needing Style & Function

The ASUS VivoBook 15 offers a sleek design paired with solid everyday performance. Its Full HD display and NanoEdge thin bezels give it a modern, premium look even though it’s under $600.

Key Features:

✅ Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4
✅ Display: 15.6” Full HD NanoEdge
✅ RAM: 8GB DDR4
✅ Storage: 128GB SSD
✅ Ports: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI
✅ Battery Life: Up to 6 hours

✅ Pros:

• Modern design with thin bezels
• Full HD display is sharp for the price
• Great for light work & media consumption

❌ Cons:

• Only 128GB storage (external drive may be needed)
• Battery life is below average

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5. Dell Inspiron 15 3511 (15.6” FHD, Intel Core i3-1115G4)

Best for Home Office & Remote Work

The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 delivers reliable performance for office work, school, and video calls, with Dell’s typical sturdy build. It’s a great pick for remote workers needing something affordable but capable of handling Microsoft Office, Zoom, and light multitasking.

Key Features:

✅ Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4
✅ Display: 15.6” Full HD
✅ RAM: 8GB DDR4
✅ Storage: 256GB SSD
✅ Ports: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI
✅ Battery Life: Up to 7 hours

✅ Pros:

• Reliable Dell build quality
• Full HD screen great for work & classes
• Handles video calls & office apps smoothly

❌ Cons:

• Not great for demanding apps like video editing
• Basic plastic design

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What to Look for in a Budget Work & Study Laptop

When shopping for a laptop under $600, focus on:
✔ Processor: Ryzen 5 or Core i3 are solid for work and school tasks.
✔ Storage: 256GB minimum — go bigger if you can.
✔ Display: Full HD (1920×1080) is much clearer than basic HD (1366×768).
✔ Battery Life: Look for at least 6-8 hours for all-day use.
✔ Ports: Make sure it has USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI if you need external monitors.

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Final Thoughts

With so many great budget laptops available in 2025, you don’t need to compromise on performance or design. Whether you’re a student heading to college, a remote worker setting up a home office, or someone needing a reliable everyday laptop, these options prove you can get great value under $600.

Stay tuned to GadgetVerseHub for more expert buying guides, reviews, and tech recommendations!