Five Affordable Laptops for Social Science Students

Choosing the right laptop as a college student can be challenging, especially when you’re on a budget and need a device that can handle your coursework efficiently. Social science students typically require a laptop that can handle word processing, research, data analysis, and online collaboration. While Chromebooks are popular for their affordability, some students might prefer more versatile operating systems like Windows or macOS. In this blog, we’ll explore the top affordable laptops  perfect for social science students.

1. Acer Aspire 3 Touchscreen

Click here to purchase Acer Aspire 3 Touchscreen.

Price: ~$422

The Acer Aspire 3 with a touchscreen and AMD Ryzen 5 processor is a well-rounded laptop that offers good performance for its price. It’s suitable for users who need a versatile, everyday laptop for tasks like web browsing, document processing works, media consumption, and light multitasking. The touchscreen adds an extra layer of functionality, making it appealing to those who prefer direct interaction with the display.

Specifications:

    • Display: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) touchscreen.
    • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U Quad-Core (2.8GHz base, up to 4.3GHz boost).
    • Memory: 16GB LPDDR5 RAM.
    • Storage: 1TB SSD.
    • Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics.
    • Operating System: Windows 11 Home.
    • Connectivity: USB Type-C, 2xUSB Type-A, HDMI, Headphone/Microphone jack
    • Battery Life: Up to 8 hours.
    • Weight: 3.92 pounds (1.78 kg).

    Pros:

      • AMD Ryzen 5 7520U offers reliable performance for daily tasks.
      • 16GB LPDDR5 RAM ensures smooth multitasking.
      • 1TB SSD provides ample storage and fast performance.
      • Responsive 15.6″ Full HD touchscreen.
      • Sleek design and relatively lightweight for a 15.6″ laptop.

    Cons:

      • Battery life could be better for heavy users.
      • Plastic construction lacks a premium feel.
      • Integrated graphics are limited for gaming or intensive design tasks.
      • The display, while functional, may lack brightness and color accuracy for professional use.

    Click here to purchase Acer Aspire 3 Touchscreen.

    2. Lenovo IdeaPad 3

    Price: ~$417

    Click here to purchase Lenovo IdeaPad 3.

    The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 with the 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor is a solid choice for users who need a reliable, budget-friendly laptop for basic computing tasks. It’s ideal for students, professionals, or anyone looking for a machine to handle everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption. The 14-inch Full HD display and comfortable keyboard add to its appeal, though the lack of backlighting and a USB-C port might be drawbacks for some users.

    Specifications:

      • Display: 14″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) display.
      • Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4 (Dual-core, up to 4.1GHz).
      • Memory: 20GB DDR4 RAM.
      • Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD.
      • Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics.
      • Operating System: Windows 11 in S Mode.
      • Ports: USB 2.0, 2xUSB-TypeA, HDMI, SD card reader.
      • Additional: Includes 32GB USB flash drive.
      • Weight: 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg).
      • Battery Life: Up to 7 hours.

    Pros:

      • Affordable price for students and business users.
      • Intel Core i3-1115G4 offers solid everyday performance.
      • 20GB RAM ensures smooth multitasking.
      • 1TB SSD provides ample storage and fast performance.
      • Lightweight and portable design.
      • Includes a 32GB USB flash drive for extra storage or backups.
      • Full-sized keyboard with numeric keypad.

    Cons:

      • Intel UHD Graphics limit its ability to handle intensive graphic tasks.
      • Windows 11 in S Mode may be restrictive for some users (though it can be switched out of).
      • Battery life could be longer for extended use on the go.
      • Plastic build lacks the premium feel of higher-end models.
      • Average display brightness and color accuracy.
      • No USB-C port.
      • No backlit keyboard.

    Click here to purchase Lenovo IdeaPad 3.

    3. Dell Inspiron 15 3000

    Price: ~$405

    Click here to purchase Dell Inspiron 15 3000.

    The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 with the 12th Gen Intel Core i3 is a solid budget laptop for users who need a reliable device for everyday tasks. It offers decent performance for activities like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, all while being affordable.

    Specifications:

      • Display: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) anti-glare display.
      • Processor: Intel Core i3-1215U (6 cores, 8 threads, up to 4.4GHz).
      • Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM.
      • Storage: 512GB SSD.
      • Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics.
      • Operating System: Windows 11 Pro.
      • Ports: USB 2.0, 2xUSB-TypeA, HDMI, SD card reader, HDMI, Headphone/Microphone jack.
      • Battery Life: Up to 7 hours.
      • Weight: 3.68 pounds (1.67 kg).

    Pros:

      • Intel Core i3-1215U offers solid performance for everyday tasks.
      • 16GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking.
      • 512GB SSD provides ample storage and quick access to files.
      • Full HD anti-glare display is great for work and entertainment.
      • Lightweight and portable at 3.68 pounds.
      • Affordable price for a reliable workhorse laptop.
      • Full-sized keyboard with numeric keypad.

    Cons:

      • Plastic build may feel less premium.
      • Integrated graphics limit gaming and heavy graphics work.
      • No USB-C port.
      • No backlit keyboard.

    Click here to purchase Dell Inspiron 15 3000.

    4. HP 14 Pavilion

    Price: ~$318

    Click here to purchase HP 14 Pavilion.

    The HP 14 with the Intel Pentium N5030 processor is a suitable choice for users who need a basic laptop for everyday tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and media consumption. It’s a budget-friendly option that offers good value for its price, especially for students or professionals who require a simple, portable device for light use.

    Specifications:

      • Display: 14″ HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare display.
      • Processor: Intel Pentium N5030 (Quad-core, up to 3.1 GHz).
      • Memory: 8GB DDR4 RAM.
      • Storage: 256GB SSD.
      • Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics.
      • Operating System: Windows 11 Pro.
      • Ports: USB-C, 2xUSB-TypeA, HDMI, SD card reader, and Headphone/Microphone jack.
      • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours.
      • Weight: 3.2 pounds (1.45 kg).

    Pros:

      • Affordable and budget-friendly.
      • 8GB of RAM enables smooth multitasking for basic tasks.
      • Fast and reliable 256GB SSD storage.
      • Thin and lightweight design makes it highly portable.
      • Long battery life (up to 10 hours).

    Cons:

      • Intel Pentium N5030 processor is limited for heavier tasks like gaming or video editing.
      • 1366 x 768 HD display may feel lacking for users accustomed to Full HD.
      • 256GB SSD storage might be insufficient for users with larger file needs.
      • Integrated Intel UHD Graphics are not designed for demanding graphical applications.
      • No backlit keyboard.

    Click here to purchase HP 14 Pavilion.

    5. ASUS VivoBook 15

    Price: ~$480

    Click here to purchase ASUS VivoBook 15.

    The ASUS VivoBook 15.6″ FHD Business Laptop is a well-rounded device designed to cater to business professionals, students, and general users. Powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, paired with 20GB of RAM and 1TB SSD storage, this laptop offers impressive performance for multitasking, productivity, and moderate media work. Its sleek black design, enhanced with Intel Iris Xe Graphics and a host of connectivity options, makes it a solid choice for users who need power and portability.

    Specifications:

      • Display: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) anti-glare display.
      • Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7 (Quad-core, up to 4.2 GHz).
      • Memory: 20GB DDR4 RAM.
      • Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD.
      • Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics.
      • Operating System: Windows 11 Home.
      • Port: USB-C, USB-TypeA, 2xUSB-TypeA 2.0, HDMI .
      • Battery Life: Up to 8 hours.
      • Weight: 3.75 pounds (1.7 kg). 

    Pros:

      • The processor offers excellent performance for most business and personal tasks.
      • 20GB RAM ensures smooth multitasking and efficient handling of multiple programs.
      • Large 1TB PCIe SSD provides fast storage with ample space for files and applications.
      • Full HD display with anti-glare coating for clear visuals and reduced reflections.
      • Sleek and lightweight design, ideal for portability.

    Cons:

      • Average battery life.
      • Integrated graphics limit gaming and heavy graphics work.
      • Display could be brighter for outdoor use.

    Click here to purchase ASUS VivoBook 15.

    The laptops listed above offer a range of features that cater to various needs, from research and writing to data analysis and online collaboration. By considering factors like performance, portability, and price, you can find a laptop that fits your academic and personal needs without breaking the bank.