Selecting the best budget laptops for students in 2026 is difficult. So we have prepared a list of some whose price may vary a bit depending on the platform, and some may be new as well, and every field has different requirements, like engineering, architecture, animation, or simple office work.
So we will not confuse you by giving you too many options. In this review-style guide, we will tell you about the best budget laptops for school, college, and university students.
The reviews below are useful for students who:
- Study engineering
- Architecture students
- Animation students
- Students working in offices
- Students requiring low-budget laptops
- All people enrolling in online and offline classes
Throughout this guide, we’ll also cover important questions like the best laptop brands for students, student discounts available in India, and the best free AI tools for students.
Top 7 Best Budget Laptops for Students:
The best phones, based on performance, longevity, display, service centers, and requirements for courses, will be listed below.
1. HP 15s (Core i3 12th Generation) – Best affordable laptop:
Cost: ₹35,000 to ₹42,000
Perfect for: Online school, work, and students
Why It’s Great:
The HP 15s laptop offers outstanding deals because of both cost and performance. Its 12th-generation CPU supports some tasks, including programming, Microsoft Office browsing, and even light content creation using Best AI Tools for Content Creation like ChatGPT, Canva, or Notion.
Pro:
- Portable
- Fast SSD
- Excellent build quality
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Not suited for large software like Blender and AutoCAD.
Best for: Students who want the best budget laptop for students or a good budget laptop for college students.
2. ASUS Vivobook 16: Best Budget Laptop for Engineering Students
Price Range: ₹42,000–₹50,000
Ideal Use: Engineering students with a limited budget
If you’re an engineering major and perform heavy tasks like coding and simulations are the ASUS Vivobook 16 is a perfect choice. Its large display and powerful CPU provide smooth performance, all within your budget.
Pros:
- Large 16-inch display.
- Fast performance.
- It is perfect for coding and electronics projects.
Cons:
- Slightly bulky.
3. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 (Ryzen 5) Best for Architecture Students
Price Range: ₹45,000–₹53,000
Best For: Students of architecture and design
The heavy processing and best budget laptops for architecture students, like AutoCAD, SketchUp, or Revit, perform superbly without making one spend an arm and a leg on this very laptop, the IdeaPad Slim 3 Ryujo 5.
Pros:
- Very efficient for designing applications.
- Compact, modern aspect
- Good Battery
Cons:
- Not for high-level 3D rendering.
4. Acer Aspire 5 – Best Budget Laptop for Animation Students (Intel i5)
Price Range: ₹48,000–₹55,000
Best For: Animation, graphic design
For animation students, things are tough because 3D software requires GPU power. Hence, in a budget where most laptops cut corners, the Acer Aspire 5, with Iris Xe graphics, will be one of the best choices among budget laptops for animation students who can’t go for expensive gaming laptops.
Pros:
- Good for Blender basics & 2D/3D animation
- Vivid display
- Smooth multitasking
Cons:
- Heavy rendering makes the fan loud.
5. Dell Inspiron 15 – Best for office working Students
Price Range: ₹40,000–₹48,000
Best For: Students who are doing part-time office work
Whether you do part-time jobs like content writing, online marketing, working with Excel, customer service, and more, the Dell Inspiron would be absolutely perfect. It works smoothly with productivity software and the Best AI Chrome Extensions for writing, grammar checks, and research.
Pros:
- Excellent keyboard
- Excellent customer support
- Perfect for long working hours
Cons:
- The Quality display could have been better.
6. Infinix INBook Y4 Max: Best Entry-Level Laptop for Students
Price Range: ₹28,000–₹34,000
Best For: Tight-budget buyers
Infinix has become so popular because it gives out high-end features at affordable rates. As such, if you are in the market for a low-budget laptop for students that is good for classes, programming, or entertainment.
Pros:
- Cheapest in its segment
- Metallic body
- Fast charging
Cons:
- Unsuitable for heavy tasks.
7. Apple MacBook Air M1 – Best Premium Budget for Long-Term Investment
Price Range: ₹69,000–₹75,000 (including the student discount)
Students can work efficiently on the MacBook Air M1. And with the Indian government’s student laptop discount in India, it becomes an even more affordable option.
Pros:
- Superior battery
- Excellent for editing, designing, and coding.
- Super lightweight
Cons:
- Storage capacity is limited.
Which Laptop Brand Is Best for Students?
Based on service, reliability, and value-for-money in India:
Best value brands for students 2025:
- HP –Best for budget users & reliable service
- ASUS – Performance at the best price.
- Lenovo – Best design, architecture, and engineering
- Dell- Best for office work & long-term durability
- Apple – Best for premium users offering student discounts
This list includes brands that consistently offer the best budget laptops for students in India, spanning multiple price segments.
Student’s Laptop Discount Scheme in India (2026)
Most big brands have student discounts available, especially HP, Apple, Lenovo, and Dell.
You can claim discounts by using:
- College identification card
- University email address
- Valid Aadhaar ID for verification
The discounts, which all fall between 5% and 15%, make sure you’re able to get the best budget laptops for college students at a lower cost.
Recommended Specs for Students (2026)
To avoid lag:
| Component | Minimum Requirement | Ideal for Engineering/Design |
| Processor | Intel i3 / Ryzen 3 | Intel i5 / Ryzen 5 |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| Graphics | Integrated | Iris Xe / Basic GPU |
This way, you will make a decision wisely for the best student laptops affordable for your studies.
Bonus: Top Free AI Tools for Students
To improve your study workflow, here are some Best Free AI Tools for Students:
- ChatGPT Free: Perfect for assignments and research
- Notion AI: Making notes super simple
- Canva AI: Best for creating presentations
- Gamma AI: Design PPTs instantly
- Perplexity AI: A fast tool for quick research
All of these tools work great with any budget laptop and boost productivity.
Conclusion
It all depends on your field of study. Engineering students need more CPU power, animation students need powerful graphics, architecture students need a color-accurate display, and office workers value long battery life.
Whichever category you fall into, I’m sure all of these laptops listed will give you great performance without being too heavy on your pocket.
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