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School Laptop
Every student needs a reliable laptop. Pixabay.com

Every student needs a capable laptop to efficiently accomplish tasks. From research papers, thesis, to everyday assignments, a laptop is a student’s best friend. It allows you to do your schoolwork anywhere -- the classroom, your dorm room and even in your favorite coffee shop. Here are 10 student-friendly laptops under $500.

1. Lenovo Chromebook Duet (10.1") 2 in 1

Lenovo Chromebook Duet (10.1") 2 in 1
A tablet and a laptop in one Lenovo.com

Why bother getting a tablet and laptop when you can have both in one device? The Lenovo Chromebook Duet intelligently puts together the two gadgets through its detachable monitor that can standalone as a tablet. It also has amazing pen support, making note-taking a breeze. What’s more, is that it comes with a free 12-month Google One membership that gives you 100GB of storage for all your important files.

2. Chromebook Flex 3 (11”)

Chromebook Flex 3 (11”)
11-inch HD touchscreen Lenovo.com

The Chromebook Flex 3 can do all the bends and rotations to adjust to your needs. Whatever feels comfortable to you, this Chromebook submits to. Its 11-inch HD touchscreen display makes it as user-friendly as your smartphone. With multiple port options like USB-C and USB, there will be little to no need for annoying extra dongles. Its extensive battery life of 16 hours will surely keep you productive from sunrise to sundown.

3. Chromebook C340 (11") Laptop

Chromebook C340 (11") Laptop
Slim 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo.com

The ultraportable Chromebook C340 may weigh just 1.2kg, but it has a powerful processor. We know time is valuable to students, thankfully its built-in 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2, makes wireless connection seamless. Making use of the Chrome OS, it integrates all your Android devices into one cloud so you can continue working across different devices, hassle-free.

4. Chromebook 3 (11”, AMD) Laptop

Chromebook 3 (11”, AMD) Laptop
180 degree hinged chassis Lenovo.com

If you didn’t know you could get an AMD processor and Radeon graphics on a $275.99 laptop, then check out this student-friendly laptop. Enjoy high-definition streaming during your downtime and get work done efficiently with this Chrome OS device. If you ever find yourself needing some help, Google Assistant will help you multitask and control your smart gadgets.

5. IdeaPad 1 (11”, AMD)

IdeaPad 1 (11”, AMD)
Super lightweight and portable Lenovo.com

A brilliant idea goes to waste without proper execution. With IdeaPad 1, you can put your thoughts into action. This is an affordable option for students. It is highly-portable and has a speedy AMD processor. The built-in storage may not be expandable but its free 12-month subscription to Microsoft Office with 1TB of cloud storage, ensures all your files will be safe and secure. It also has Dolby Audio speakers, making online calls better and music much more enjoyable especially for students who need to unwind after a long day at school.

6. Lenovo Chromebook S345 (14”) laptop

Lenovo Chromebook S345 (14”)
Has a speedy AMD processor Lenovo.com

A bigger screen can improve productivity with more space for multitasking. You can even swing the screen up to 180 degrees to allow several working positions. Surely, you’ll find an angle you’re comfortable with. Highly convenient with a full backlit keyboard for all-nighters and a spacious trackpad for serious work sessions, this will be your new everyday companion. It's battery life can last up to 10 hours, ensuring that you can depend on this Chromebook.

7. HP - 14" Touch-Screen Laptop

HP - 14" Touch-Screen Laptop
Intel Core i3 - 8GB Memory - 256GB SSD - Natural Silver bestbuy.com

Zoom classes have become the new normal for some students. Luckily, this affordable laptop has a built-in HP True Vision 720p camera with dual array digital microphones that will help you in your online classes. If you’re running late for class, its charge can go from 0% to 50% in just about 45 minutes with its fast-charging capabilities.

8. ASUS- 14.0" Laptop

ASUS - 14.0" Laptop
Intel Celeron N4020 - 4GB Memory - 64GB eMMC - Star Black bestbuy.com

Asus E410 is powered by the latest version of Windows, Windows 10. With new features like the Edge Web browser, easily markup web pages on your screen. It's Intel Celeron N4020 Processor is a gamechanger for performing everyday academic tasks, giving you a more personalized experience with its true machine intelligence.

9. MSI - Modern 14" Laptop

MSI - Modern 14" Laptop
Intel I3 - 8GB Memory - 128GB SSD - Black bestbuy.com

MSI proudly introduces its Modern series with this 14” laptop that has a 90% screen-to-body ratio for an optimized user experience. It gives you everything you need with two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, one HDMI port and an added Micro SD card reader that lets you do just about anything on this inexpensive machine.

10. Samsung - 15.6" Chromebook

Samsung - 15.6" Chromebook
Intel Celeron - 4GB Memory - 32GB eMMC Flash Memory - Platinum Titan bestbuy.com

Size matters. At nearly 16”, the Samsung Chromebook enables you to oversee all your ongoing tasks at one glance. With 4GB of system memory, do more than just school work as the Intel UHD Graphics 600 does its magic during casual gaming and basic photo editing. To top it off, a built-in antivirus will keep you safe from viruses and malware.