Don’t buy the wrong laptop for school — these sub-$600 options are actually worth your money

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The period leading up to the start of a new school year can be quite challenging financially, as it frequently involves buying a new computer – either for personal use or for your child’s education.

Laptop manufacturers often use sales periods as an opportunity to provide tempting, supposedly unbeatable deals on their products, claiming they’re helping you save money. However, it’s important to be cautious since many deeply discounted laptops may not be worth considering further.

For a laptop, I typically advise spending between $500 and $600. This price point might initially appear high, but the computers within this range offer impressive capabilities and rich features if you know what specifications to prioritize.

With my nine years of experience in reviewing laptops, I’m well-equipped to guide you. I know what features matter and which deals are genuinely valuable. Instead of wasting your hard-earned money on a faulty laptop, I’ve found several budget-friendly options under $600 that I confidently endorse.

The ASUS Zenbook A14 at $599 is an incredible deal for any student

Surprisingly, ASUS unveiled the Zenbook A14 this year, and it has left us in awe. This device runs on a Copilot+ platform utilizing a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chipset, along with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for handling AI tasks directly.

Among the finest AI-focused laptops currently available is our preferred choice, yet its excellence extends beyond AI capabilities. According to our laptop reviewer, Zachary Boddy, in his Zenbook A14 review, it remains an outstanding device even if one chooses to steer clear of AI features.

Featuring a magnesium frame that’s light as a feather yet strong as rock, powerful Snapdragon X series chipsets that barely drain the extraordinary large battery, and an appealing blend of useful features and stylish design, the Zenbook A14 is one of the standout laptops of the year.

In typical use, the device managed to last approximately 12 hours on a single charge. This is truly impressive, especially considering it boasts an outstanding OLED screen with exceptional contrast and vibrant colors.

Among the few drawbacks initially, the high cost was a notable one – $900 for the basic model upon release. However, this issue has largely been addressed through frequent and almost constant price reductions.

The model featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus processor, 16GB of memory, a 512GB SSD, and an OLED screen has a new, reduced price of $599.99 – that’s a $400 savings available right now at Best Buy.

HP’s OmniBook X Flip adds versatility and runs standard Windows 11

Most people may prefer a laptop that uses Intel or AMD chips rather than one like the Zenbook A14 that runs Windows on Snapdragon from Qualcomm, mainly because of concerns about app compatibility. Although most apps function as expected, there might be some incompatibilities if you opt for a device with Qualcomm hardware. However, Adobe’s top creative apps are now compatible with such devices.

This particular HP OmniBook X Flip 14 laptop is versatile, offering compatibility with two types of CPUs. The model I’m emphasizing here, currently selling for $579.99 at Best Buy (originally priced at $849.99), comes equipped with an Intel processor. However, if you’re interested in the AMD versions, you can find them on HP’s official website.

Regardless of your choice, this device is a robust 14-inch convertible offering versatile 360-degree hinges to transform into tent, stand, and tablet configurations. It’s equipped for swift note-taking or sketching with its inking support, boasts a spacious touchpad, and offers a variety of useful ports.

Among the few disadvantages, worth mentioning is that its keyboard lacks a lattice structure, which may initially seem unfamiliar as the keys are closely positioned. However, this should not necessarily disqualify the device since it can still last an entire day of lessons and classes, even with slightly reduced battery life compared to my top recommendation.

Our own Zachary Boddy also reviewed the HP OmniBook X Flip 14, remarking:

In simpler terms, the HP OmniBook X Flip 14 (2025) is an excellent, budget-friendly AI laptop with robust hardware, but it seems designed for sales, as it had already received significant discounts before my review was complete.

The OmniBook X Flip 14 serves dual purposes, functioning both as an Artificial Intelligence computer and a Copilot+ computer. This means you’ll have no lack of features in these areas.

Regarding its display, it spans 14 inches with a touch-sensitive panel, boasting a resolution of 1920×1200 and 400 nits brightness. While it may not match the OLED screen found in the Zenbook A14, it’s more than adequate for most student needs.

More laptops deals I can comfortably recommend to students

Right now, both ASUS and HP offer fantastic laptop deals. Here are a few more options you might want to check out as well.

Why you shouldn’t buy the cheapest laptop you find for school

In simpler terms, it’s not wise to opt for the most affordable laptop every time. However, splurging on one of the most expensive models isn’t necessary either. Instead, finding a balance between cost and quality is advisable.

In simpler terms, the HP laptop with a screen size of about 17.3 inches, now selling for only $320 at Best Buy (originally priced at $580), might appear as an attractive offer. However, its Intel Core i3 N305 processor, low 900p display resolution, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD are aspects I’d advise steering clear from.

It appears that Amazon is brimming with laptops that are inexpensive across the board. For instance, the jumper model on sale for only $210 after a $410 reduction might seem appealing due to its high customer rating of five stars. However, it would be an unsuitable computer for students as it lacks the necessary features and performance.

With just 4GB of RAM, running Windows 11 smoothly is a challenge; it certainly won’t handle additional tasks effectively. The 128GB storage space fills up quickly, and the screen resolution is poor and strains the eyes. Essentially, the hardware falls short in providing a comfortable user experience.

As a researcher delving into the laptop market, I’ve noticed a consistent pattern: investing more in a device usually translates to a longer lifespan. However, it’s essential to remember that this is generally the case, as individual usage and care can significantly impact a laptop’s longevity.

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2025-08-04 14:11