A nursing student most definitely has a lot of work to do. They have classes, lab time and need to study outside of class. For this reason, they must have the right equipment to keep up with their schedule, so investing in an excellent laptop can be very worthwhile.
Unfortunately, a top-of-the-line laptop is out of their budget for many nursing students. But that doesn’t mean they can’t find an excellent machine for a reasonable price. This article will recommend some of the best laptops for nursing students under 500 dollars.
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How to Pick Best Laptop for Nursing Students Under 500
When looking for budget laptops for nursing schools, one thing to consider is what type of software the nursing schools use. Some nursing programs use software that is only compatible with Windows machines, while others are compatible with both Mac and Windows. Make sure to check with your schedule to see what they recommend.
Once you’ve determined which operating system you need, the next step is to decide on the laptop’s specs. You should think about what you need for your school work and personal use. If you usually do a lot of gaming, it might be worth investing in a nursing laptop that can handle heavy-duty games.
Some nursing programs use software that is only compatible with Windows machines, while others are compatible with both Mac and Windows. Make sure to check with your nursing program to see what they recommend.
If you don’t need a lot of horsepowers, many laptops are available for less than 500 dollars will be more than sufficient for your needs.
See also: Best Laptop for Telehealth
Top 5 Laptops for Nursing Students Under $500
The following are some of the best laptops for nursing students that can be found for under 500$:
- Newest Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop
- Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-36UT Slim Laptop
- ASUS VivoBook Flip 14
- Dell Inspiron 3000 15”
- Newest HP Stream 14-inch Laptop
- Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
- HP Chromebook 14
1. Newest Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop
The new Lenovo IdeaPad 3 laptop is a stylish and affordable option that makes for a great companion both in and out of the classroom. Its sleek aluminum design stands out from the crowd, while it’s Intel Dual-Core i3 Processor gives you just enough power for your school needs.
You can save a decent amount of data with a 256 GB hard drive; 8 GB of RAM gives a smooth work experience in your nursing school. Nursing applications can run smoothly with this much RAM.
This laptop is a sleek and robust model with a 15.6-inch screen; it will assist in understanding the topic without any stress on the eyes. The Intel UHD graphics 620 will give an HD experience, and the anti-glare feature makes it easy to use under any conditions.
The laptop’s keyboard is easy to type, and this Lenovo laptop will assist in writing home assignments without any delay. This model also features fingerprint technology for your laptop’s security, which is a must-have feature in today’s world.
The battery life of Lenovo IdeaPad 3 can be used up to 12 hours continuously without any interruptions; this means students will get through their day on one charge.
The Operating system of this laptop is Windows 10, which means you will run any windows program without any lag.
Specifications:
- Processor- Intel i3
- Hard disk- 256 GB
- Ram- 8 GB
- Screen size- 15.6 inches
- Battery- Up to 12 hours
- Port- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x USB 2.0 Type A
- Weight- 3.74 pounds
- Operating System- Windows 10 Home edition
Pros:
– Stylish aluminum design
– Intel Pentium Processor gives just enough power for your school needs
– Windows 10 Home edition preloaded
– Battery life up to 12 hours
Cons:
– Limited storage capacity
– Display not Full HD
– No Backlit Keyboard
Final Remarks:
Overall, The Lenovo laptop is an excellent choice for nursing students who want lightweight and stylish, with just enough power to get the job done. An affordable option that makes for a great companion both in and out of the classroom.
2. Acer Aspire 5 A515 Slim Laptop
This slim Acer Aspire laptop is an excellent option for those needing an affordable computer that can still handle their school workload. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Hexa-Core Mobile Processor makes it capable of handling any multimedia of your nursing school and gaming needs.
It has 8 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256GB NVMe SSD hard drive storage space. It also supports WiFi 6 version for a fast and reliable wireless connection. Although this storage is not much you can save your academic research papers and other nursing materials without any worry.
Its 15.6 inches Full HD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution provides stunning image quality for watching movies or working on projects. UHD Graphics will give you more than decent frame rates while playing games or watching movies on this laptop.
The laptop’s keyboard is easy to type, and this Acer laptop will assist in writing home assignments without any delay. This model also features fingerprint technology for your laptop’s security, a must-have feature in today’s world.
This laptop provides a battery backup of 6 to 8 hours, depending on the usage. Battery life plays an important role in a long-time study for nursing school students.
It has pre-installed Windows 10 Home Edition, which means you will be able to run any windows program without any lag.
Specification:
- Processor- IAMD Ryzen 5 5500U Hexa-Core Mobile Processorr
- Hard disk- 256GB SSD
- Ram- 8GB
- Screen size- 15.6 inches
- Battery life- 6 to 8 hours
- Port- USB Type-C, 2 x USB 3.2, HDMI and more
- Weight- 3.88 pounds
- Operating System- Windows 10 Home edition
Pros:
– Stunning image quality
– Built-in fingerprint reader for security
– Great value for money
– Slim design and lightweight
Cons:
– Limited storage capacity
– No Backlit Keyboard
Final Remarks:
Acer Aspire 5 is a great choice when looking for an affordable laptop that can still handle your school workload. This model will not break the bank. This model needs to be on your list of best laptops for nursing students under 500$.
3. ASUS VivoBook Flip 14
The ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 is an excellent option for nursing students who need a laptop that can do it all. Its 360-degree hinge allows you to use it in any number of different positions, making it perfect for taking notes in class or watching movies on the go. It features a powerful 8th Generation Intel Core i3-8130U Processor for a smooth experience whether you’re typing papers or watching movies.
ASUS VivoBook Flip has 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 128GB SSD storage space to support multitasking and allow you to work on multiple projects in your nursing school.
The ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 also has an incredible 14 inch 1080p Full HD touch display to boot (with up to 178° viewing angles), giving you an excellent view no matter how you decide to use it. It has Intel Iris Xe Graphics that delivers a great gaming and multimedia experience, as well as ample power for your coursework.
A full-size keyboard with a backlit makes it easy to type, and a multi-touch trackpad makes navigation simple. Typing becomes easier for a nursing school student.
This laptop gives a battery backup of 12 hours, making it easy to do lots of work in one charge, especially helpful for nursing classes. It comes with windows 10 home edition, which allows you to run any windows software without issues.
Specification:
- Processor- Intel i3-8130U
- Ram- 4GB
- SSD- 128 GB
- Screen size- 14 inch
- Battery- 12 hours
- Port- 1 x HDMI, 1 x 3.0 USB
- Weight- 4.2 pounds
- Operating System- Windows 10 Home edition
Pros:
– 360-degree hinge for versatile use
– Touchscreen functionality with Windows Ink support
– Very good battery life
Cons:
-Limited Storage
Final Remarks:
The ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 is one of the best nursing laptops, and it’s easy to see why. The sleek design and touchscreen functionality make this computer easy to use, and its powerful processor makes it possible for this device to handle school projects. The large storage capacity of this one of the best nursing laptop under 500$ allows you to save all of your important files, while the long battery life will enable you to work without recharging.
4. Dell Inspiron 3000 15”
This Dell Inspiron laptop is a great option for nursing students who need a powerful and affordable machine. It features an 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8130U Processor.
It comes with 8GB of DDR4 RAM, which gives it enough power to take on your coursework with ease. An impressive 128GB SSD along with 500GB storage space gives an added advantage to store all your data so that you can carry your work everywhere.
It comes with a display of 15.6 inches, which is ideal for long hours of studying and movie streaming. It has no backlit keyboard but is still comfortable to use. This might bring difficulty while doing project works for your nursing school in dim light.
This laptop gives the battery backup of 5 hours, making it easy to do lots of work in one charge, especially helpful for nursing classes. It comes with windows 10 home edition, which allows you to run any windows software without issues.
Specification:
- Processor- Intel i5-8130U
- Ram- 8GB
- Storage- 128 GB SSD + 500 GB Hard Drive
- Screen- 15.6-inch Display
- Battery- Up to 6 hours
- Port- 1 x HDMI, 1 x 3.0 USB
- Weight- 5.2 pounds
- Operating System- Windows 10 Home edition
Pros:
– Great performance
– Touchscreen functionality with Windows Ink support
– Plenty of storage space and RAM
Cons
– No optical drive
Final Remarks:
The Dell Inspiron 15 is a great option for nursing students who want to use their laptops as work and entertainment devices. The touchscreen functionality, solid performance, and ample storage capacity make this valuable laptop in many different situations.
5. Newest HP Stream 14-inch Laptop
This HP Stream laptop is excellent for nursing students who need a notebook for the campus. It has an AMD 3020e processor, which is powerful enough to run all necessary programs.
The laptop has 8GB of RAM, which will allow the student to have multiple windows open at once. You will get 256GB SSD+64GB eMMC with HP Stream laptop. You will get a tablet by flipping this laptop into Tablet mode with a touchscreen.
This laptop has a display of 14-inch that has a 1366 x 768 resolution. You can watch educational and entertainment videos of excellent quality. It has an AMD Radeon Graphics graphic card, enabling you to stream HD videos or play some light games.
The keyboard is spill-resistant, which will provide you with the security of your data during nursing school. It has an average battery life of 10 hr 30 min. You can do your nursing tasks continuously for this long. This laptop comes with pre-installed Windows 10 home and some pre-installed software.
Specifications:
- Processor- AMD 3020e
- RAM-8GB
- Storage capacity- 256GB+64GB; eMMC
- Display- 14-inch; 1366 x 768 pixels
- Battery- Up to 10.5 hours
- Port- USB 3.0, HDMI
- Weight-3.24 pounds
- Operating System-Windows 10
Pros:
– Great price for a laptop with an SSD hard drive
– Touchscreen functionality with Windows Ink support
– Sturdy build which is spill-resistant
– 3 USB ports to connect multiple devices
Cons:
-No Backlit Keyboard
– Battery life is not that great
– Reflective Display
Final Remarks:
This is a great laptop for nursing students and reasonably priced. The HP Stream laptop would be perfect for daily tasks in the classroom during your nursing degree course. This laptop should be in your list when you are looking for the best nursing laptop.
6. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
This Lenovo Chromebook is the perfect option for nursing students that need an affordable laptop with excellent battery life. The Intel Core i5-8250U Processor is a powerful processor that will enable you to run all necessary programs.
With 4GB of RAM, this Lenovo Chromebook laptop will allow students to open multiple windows at once. It has a 64GB solid-state drive, which is fair to store your important work data.
It comes in 13.3-inch screen size with 1920 x 1080 resolution. You can watch videos in HD quality on this laptop. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 has an Intel UHD 620 graphic card, which enables you to watch movies and play games in HD quality.
Battery life is about 10 hours, letting students continue their work or study all day long. Nursing students require impressive battery life so it will be helpful for nursing school.
This laptop has an operating system of Chrome OS. It will allow you to get online almost everywhere and use Google Docs for your work.
Specification:
- Processor- 10th Generation Intel Core i3 Processor
- RAM- 4 GB DDR4
- Storage Up to 64 GB
- Screen- 13.3 inches or 14 inches
- Keyboard Spill-resistant keyboard
- Battery- Up to 10 hours
- Port- 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB-C 3.1
- Weights 2.97 pounds
Pros:
– Great battery life
– Premium look and feel with a 360-degree hinge
– Great price for a Chromebook laptop
Cons:
– Can’t install any other operating system
Final Remarks:
The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is an excellent laptop for nursing students as it has an amazing battery life and is reasonably priced. It will be perfect for doing nursing tasks all day long in the classroom.
7. HP Chromebook 14
This laptop by HP is an affordable option for nursing students that need a modern laptop with good battery life. It has an i3-10110U processor, which will enable you to do your nursing tasks with ease. Multiple programs and nursing applications can be run without any trouble.
8GB of RAM and 64 GB of SSD storage will allow nursing school students to run multiple windows and have enough storage space for their files.
You can watch videos in HD quality as a 13.3-inch laptop screen size and 1920 x 1080P Resolution makes the experience amazing. HP Chromebook 14 has a powerful Intel UHD graphics card which will make watching movies and playing games much more comfortable.
The backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader make doing your tasks more convenient. The long-lasting battery will let students work all day long, and the built-in webcam will allow them to communicate with their parents and friends.
This laptop has an operating system of Chrome OS, and it will let you search online and use Google Docs to complete your tasks.
Specification:
- Processor- i3-10110U
- RAM- 8 GB Internal Memory
- Storage- 64 GB
- Screen- 13.3 inches
- Battery- Up to 12 hours
- Port- 3 USB, 1 HDMI, 1 headphone/microphone combo jack
- Weight- 3.61 pounds
- Operating System- Chrome OS
Pros:
– Sleek design and slim build
– Fingerprint scanner for extra security
– Great price for a Chromebook laptop
Cons:
– Available in one color
– No full HD screen
– No much Storage.
Final Remarks:
With long battery life and excellent price, this laptop by HP is a good option for nursing students to have an optimal experience in completing their nursing tasks.
Conclusion
The best laptop for nursing students under five hundred dollars is one that can take care of all your daily tasks without putting a strain on your wallet. Each of the laptops listed above has excellent battery life and outstanding performance, making them a perfect choice for any nursing student. It’s also worth noting that they are all Chromebooks, so anyone who prefers using a Chrome OS over Windows will have an easy transition to these laptops.
Have you already started shopping for your budget nursing laptop? Let us know which one you choose in the comments section below!
Mrs. Marie Brown has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She began her nursing career at a Level I Trauma Center in downtown Chicago, Illinois. There she worked in the Emergency Department and on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After several years, she moved to the Midwest and continued her nursing career in a critical care setting. For the last 10 years of her nursing career, Mrs. Brown worked as a flight nurse with an air ambulance service. During this time, she cared for patients throughout the United States.