10 Best Laptops and Chromebooks for Homeschooling

Here is a compilation of the best laptops for homeschooling in 2024. These best laptops are mostly under $500. We have done great research to see which specs are highly suitable homeschooling and education purposes. Then, a list of the latest and best-tested laptops, recommended by thousands of students and other individuals for homeschooling, was compiled.

We have looked into what screen resolution, price range, and processing power, among other things, make a laptop suitable for homeschooling.

We selected the best affordable laptops and Chromebooks that were tested by thousands of students, so you wouldn’t have to bear the burden of purchasing an unsuitable machine.

What to consider when choosing the best homeschooling laptop

Minimum System Requirements for homeschooling

There are many different types of laptops that you can purchase, whether you need one for work, homeschooling, online classes, or simply for entertainment purposes. A variety of things should be considered before deciding on buying a child-friendly laptop for your homeschooling needs. Below are five factors that will help you choose the right kind of laptop that will suit your home-based classroom perfectly.

Top Pick


HP 15.6 FHD Anti-Glare Laptop, Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor, 16GB RAM 1TB SSD

2024 Newest HP 15.6″ FHD Anti-Glare Laptop

When we try to choose the best laptops for anything, we most rely on performance, compatibility and build quality. Now, when it comes to homeschooling, this “HP 15.6″ FHD Anti-Glare Laptop” is the best laptop for homeschooling because it has the best specifications, build quality is high appreciable and it’s even cost effective.

As it was launched back in December 2023, so it’s the latest model that you can buy in 2024.

The laptop’s affordability, coupled with advanced security features, makes it a practical and secure option for students seeking a reliable companion for their homeschooling needs.

Recently, Ralph bought this laptop for educational purposes and rated it as the best laptop ever!

Storage type and capacity:

When one is thinking about a laptop for school, he/she must consider the amount of storage that it has. If you are considering homeschooling or remote learning on your laptop, then 128GB of internal storage is the minimum you should go for.

Think about whether you want an SSD or an HDD. There is a huge difference between an SSD and an HDD. Despite being expensive, SSDs work faster than their counterparts. In addition to this, other laptops will have packages with cloud storage.

Battery:

If you want to take your laptop away from home while engaged in homeschooling activities, ensure that it has a battery that can last a long time.

Therefore, find out how long the battery holds. A laptop with more watt-hours will last longer than one with fewer.

Also, ensure that your laptop includes power-saving features to help you use it without plugging in for longer durations.

Operating system:

For years, people have argued about the best operating system, but actually, there is no right answer. It just depends on one’s taste.

In fact, Sturdy Business research shows you should never focus on OS. But you can go with any popular operating system.

Operating system you need

Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS are some of the many operating systems to choose from. Just shop for a laptop that runs your desired OS. Be aware that not all programs work on every OS so think about what kind of programs you will need to run.

Processing speed and memory:

When choosing a reliable laptop, consider its memory size and processing speed. You’ll need at least 8GB of memory (RAM) if your child needs to log into online classrooms and use multiple programs simultaneously. Sturdy Business, University of Denver and many other experts recommend at least 8GB for education purposes.

You will also want a fast processor. In fact, this is the main chip in a computer; no computer would function without it. If you want a quick laptop and love Windows, then look out for an Intel Core i5 processor or anything better.

Software and program needs:

When you make your child do homeschooling, there are some particular programs they will be required to use for school work. You should know what programs or software you want before buying a laptop and the operating system with which these programs work.

If you need Microsoft Word or Microsoft Presentation, for instance, it is advisable to get Windows laptops that have been loaded with them. There are thousands of apps on the market; make sure you look into them.

Now that you are aware of what you need for a homeschooling laptop, let us go through the best laptops for a great homeschooling experience.

2024 Newest HP 15.6″ FHD Anti-Glare Laptop

HP 15.6 FHD Anti-Glare Laptop, Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor, 16GB RAM 1TB SSD

Specifications:

  • Screen size: 15.6 touchscreen
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Storage: 1TB SSD
  • Operating system: Windows 11
  • Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
  • CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor
  • Speed: 2.4 GHz(up to 4.2 GHz, 8 MB L3 cache, 4 cores)
  • Screen resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels
  • Product dimensions: 14.11 x 3.75 x 9.53 inches
  • Battery level: Up to 11 hours

Reviews:

This laptop “HP 15.6″ FHD Anti-Glare Laptop” is the best laptop for homeschooling because it has the best suitable specifications to run any educational program smoothly, it’s build quality and overall performance is amazing in our experience!

Sometimes, a laptop that is dependable and can handle one task at a time is what you need. The HP Laptop is an excellent pick for an all-around learning computer and has a slightly bigger 15.6-inch touchscreen, which makes it awesome because, with one touch, homeschooling students are able to get their job done.

Even though the touchscreen itself isn’t very high-end, its display is fair enough, but the bezels around the screen look unnecessarily wide. Apart from that, it still manages to look somewhat sleek, with air vents under its chassis further enhancing its coolness in more ways than one.

However, what stands out is the 16GB of RAM that all students need. As mentioned earlier, even the study conducted by Sturdy Business and the University of Denver found that 16GB of RAM is enough for homeschooling and college students.

It is extremely fast when it comes to memory power, allowing multiple tabs to be operated at the same time without slowing down the speed. It is very helpful, especially in homeschooling, where a student can sometimes need a few applications or resources opening simultaneously.

Windows 11 has been the choice for many laptops because of their user-friendly interfaces, compatibility with learning software or applications, and affordability. Margie recently bought this for her kid, and she was impressed by its build and performance. She even uses it for home use as well.

It provides a flawless experience that feels as if you are using a single interface for all your homeschooling activities, making navigation a walkover with all relevant information readily available.

This laptop has Intel Iris Xe graphics, which promises better visuals in terms of graphics. This is especially useful in subject matters such as art, design, multimedia projects, and any area where strong visual details are necessary.

Another great feature is its battery, which lasts approximately 11 hours. You can do your homeschooling work with ease knowing that there will be no going off today because of the low-power battery. After all, you can move wherever you want in your house without restrictions imposed by power sockets.

These are the great features that every homeschooler requires in a laptop and this HP has got it all. From great memory to a high-speed processor, your schooling life could be much better and easier if you opt for this option.

Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (Incredible features and low price)

Lenovo 15.6 Laptop, IdeaPad 1, 20GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1

Specifications:

  • Screen size: 15.6 inches
  • RAM memory: 20GB
  • Operating system: Windows 11
  • Battery life: up to 9.5 hours
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon
  • Laptop weight: 3.5 pounds

Review:

It isn’t always easy to find a good Windows laptop on a limited budget. However, if you are willing to go for an entry-level laptop, the new Lenovo IdeaPad 1 could be perfect for homeschooling students who can’t afford a fancy machine.

The frame, made of plastic, still has some flex, although it does not bend when typing like it is flimsy. The silver color goes a long way in enhancing it, making the cheap machine look respectable in any place from classrooms to offices. It is also quite light, as it weighs 3.53 pounds, which one carries with ease wherever they go.

What is most striking about this IdeaPad, though, is its 15.6-inch display—striking only because the laptop employs a rather dull 1,366-by-768-pixel resolution and an older TN panel. This combination fails to satisfy the kind of sharpness and brightness that anyone would expect but it works well for homeschoolers who just surf the web.

The laptop may not be the best designed or have impressive features, but there are some nice touches to it. The webcam has a physical lens cover, which is distinguished by a noticeable red dot that appears when you close it, so you will always know if the camera is on or off.

It also has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity. They are not new, but one helps you get online while the other allows you to connect all your wireless devices.

One of the reasons why this laptop is perfect for homeschoolers is because it comes with Microsoft 365 and Windows 11.

It has a built-in Microsoft 365 suite that encompasses popular tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, among others.

In fact, these programs are especially helpful in home-schooling because they allow students to write essays, keep track of grades, and create presentations on assignments or projects that they can use at home. You can access numerous templates and features via Microsoft 365 for easy organization and high-quality output.

When it comes to battery life, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 offers up to 9.5 hours on a single charge; this is quite impressive and means you can easily work on your homeschooling assignments without always fearing that you might run out of power.

However, the AMD Athlon processor is reliable enough for daily tasks so that one can run their apps, surf the web, and do whatever they wish regarding homeschooling with the best energy balance.

In terms of graphics, there are AMD Radeon graphics on this laptop. Graphics also form a significant part of what you see. Thus, clear images are guaranteed by these graphics. For this reason, smooth visuals are ideal for educational videos, multimedia content editing, and light gaming during breaks.

HP 17 Laptop (Best laptop for homeschooling)

HP 17 Laptop, 17.3” HD+ Display, 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1125G4 Processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD

Specifications:

  • Screen size: 17.3 inches
  • Available color: Silver
  • Processor: Intel core i3
  • Operating system: Windows 11
  • Memory: 16GB
  • Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
  • Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
  • Dimensions: 15.78″ x 10.15″ x 0.78″
  • Weight: 4.6 lbs

Review:

Not only are HP laptops well-liked but they are also reasonably priced and have good performance, making them one of the best brands for students to purchase.

Several things make HP 17 laptops the best for homeschooling. It has a screen size of 17.3 inches, which is big enough to improve productivity in many ways. Being able to have several applications running at the same time allows for great multitasking capability.

It weighs 4.6 pounds, which makes it heavier than the aforementioned laptops, though this should not bother you at all; just be responsible and ensure that it is put where it cannot break due to its weight, something that children should avoid.

What I loved most was its random access memory (RAM) since it is 16GB which functions very smoothly and quickly, although also for students, 8GB seems to be enough but if you have more processing and bigger applications running then definitely 16GB is more than sufficient.

It comes with an Intel Core i3 processor which can give you the performance you need for everyday gaming, multitasking, browsing the web, working on documents, and watching videos – they’re like the trustworthy engines that keep your daily computing running smoothly.

This quad-core processor of Core i3 eliminates hyper-threading to make way for four physical cores handling all Windows tasks. The Core i3 family of processors is the best choice for both gaming and productivity as it can handle intensive tasks without costing an arm and a leg.

There is a Windows 11 operating system in this gadget, which has been designed in a manner that it looks nice and consistent with a variety of window layouts. The company has made this system look and feel fresh so that students can learn more with less stress.

Its stunning features include the ability to download Android applications. Also, it has sophisticated security measures that keep your personal computer safe. This system also supports face and voice recognition for more convenience and security.

In terms of workability, the device is very powerful, with enough computing power to enable it to perform several tasks easily. For those searching for a cheaper version, the HP 17 laptop would be a great option, especially for students who want a good companion that can be carried easily.

ASUS Vivobook Laptop

ASUS [Holiday Deals] Vivobook Laptop, Student and Business, 17.3 FHD Display, Intel Core i3-1220P Processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD

Specifications:

  • Screen size: 17.3 Inches
  • Color: Silver
  • Graphics: Intel UHD graphics
  • Memory: 12GB
  • Storage: 256GB
  • Processor: Intel core i3
  • Operating system: Windows 11 Home
  • Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth Combo
  • Built-in HD webcam 
  • Weight: 4.63 pounds

Review:

Its not easy to get a laptop within your budget. Several cheap laptops might deceive you with their looks but may fail to deliver the promised features and performance. Furthermore, there is now a greater need for better value for money from laptop manufacturers since learning and working from home have become more popular.

Asus is one of those brands that I have always connected to inexpensive computers, especially their Vivobook series, which is extremely cheap yet functional.

The Asus Vivobook (model number K1703Z) comes with a 17.3 inches wide screen, so you can work on your homework or projects without feeling cramped at all. And the cool silver color will bring some style into your study room.

This laptop can perform multiple tasks simultaneously because it has a total random access memory capacity of 12GB; therefore, it is perfect for multitasking. Also, it comes with a storage capacity of 256GB that stores everything from files and documents to even entertainment during study breaks.

The Core i3-1220p of the 10th Gen feels good when only focused on single tasks at a time and retains crispness doing them; however, its double cores would struggle if they started receiving multiple requests; hence, you would rather keep this laptop for activities such as web browsing and document editing instead.

In terms of staying connected, this laptop has got your back. You will enjoy a fast and reliable wireless Bluetooth and WiFi combo that ensures a smooth internet connection, whether you are attending online classes or doing research.

Besides, there’s a built-in HD webcam. You can use it in virtual classes, make video calls to friends and family members or even record presentations with it. Once you are on the screen, you will appear razor-sharp and crisp, which makes your online interactions seem more intimate.

Now let us come to portability matters. It is only 4.63 pounds heavy, lightweight, and easy to move around with. When taking it from your study desk to your living room or during travel, it will not become burdensome.

Moreover, the graphics on this laptop are mind-boggling as well. Intel UHD graphics allow for vibrant and crystal-clear visual displays. The visuals will be stunning when watching educational videos, doing photo editing, or playing some casual games during your spare time.

To sum up, the ASUS Vivobook K1703Z is perfect for students. It is based on the Windows 11 Home operating system, has fast wireless connections, a built-in HD webcam, is lightweight, and has amazing graphics that anyone can ask for in education.

However, for education purposes, it is the best partner anyone can have.

Acer Aspire 5 slim 15.6”

Acer Aspire 5 best homeschooling laptop
  • Screen size: 15.6 Inches
  • Memory: 4GB DDR4
  • Memory Speed: 3.5 GHz
  • Storage: 128GB SSD
  • Wireless Type: 802.11ac
  • USB 2.0 Ports: 2
  • USB 3.0 Ports: 1
  • Operating System: Windows 10 S
  • Laptop Weight: 3.97 pounds

Review:

When it comes to the best cheap laptops you can’t forget Acer brand, because it’s one of the best brands offering cheap laptops.

In Acer Aspire 5 Slim, you get all the pro features and exquisite feelings under your budget. It’s slim, decent, and efficient in performance, that’s why it’s the most-sold and most-reviewed gadget on Amazon.

Its features are just amazing. AMD Ryzen processors are famous for their efficient performance that makes it multi-purpose, and useful for home and school work.

It’s a choice for college students, and small businesses because it’s easily portable with snappy performance. Its built-in fast Wi-Fi makes the downloads and streaming faster for school classes and many other streamings like entertainment and meetings.

Backlit keyboard is another factor that makes it different from many of its competitors. We all need to work at night, let’s say some students love to study at night, and some wives get time late at night to browse the web. In all such cases, its Backlit keyboard makes the use quite easier.

Last, but not least, it takes quite a low power supply. That’s what many of the buyers prefer in a laptop.

So overall, we can rank it as top among the best laptops for homeschooling and you can go for it as the best choice among all.

HP Stream 11.6-inch HD Laptop (Available at $200)

HP Stream 11.6 inches

The following are the key features that should be noticed before making any decision.

Key features:

  • Memory: 4GB DDR3 SDRAM
  • Storage: 32GB eMMC
  • Screen size: 11.6 Inches
  • Memory Speed: 2.6 GHz
  • Wireless Type: Bluetooth, 802.11ac
  • Number of USB 3.0 Ports: 3
  • Average Battery Life: 12 Hours
  • Operating System: Windows 10 Home
  • Laptop Weight: 2.37 pounds

Review:

This affordable laptop by HP is specifically designed for study purposes that’s why it has included, Office 365 to process your workshops and an external 1 TB storage to store your personal files.

HP laptops are, no doubt, reliable laptops, I have used for years. So you shouldn’t worry about its reliability or durability.

On the other hand, 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM and 32 GB storage are enough to run a laptop smoothly without any interaction. Clearly, when someone is looking for the best laptops for homeschooling, he must not be looking for a gaming laptop, homeschooling doesn’t offer you heavy software or applications, but they might expect you to install Zoom or Login to Google Class so that you could enroll in the class.

The plus point is its Office 365 which you will surely require in completing workshops and solving your workshop problems, however, if you didn’t have it, then Google Drive was the best option to avail 15 GB of free space and many other features that you might need in homeschooling.

It has a Backlit keyboard so that you don’t have trouble at night and it has a year warranty for hardware. That’s wow!

Lenovo Chromebook C330 2-in-1 (Priced under $300)

Lenovo chromebook c330

Key features:

  • Memory: 4GB LPDDR3
  • Storage: 64 GB eMMC
  • Processor Count: 4
  • Screen size: 11.6 Inches
  • Memory Speed: 1600 MHz
  • Wireless Type 802.11ac
  • \Number of USB 3.0 Ports: 1
  • Average Battery Life: 10 Hours
  • Operating System: Chrome OS

Review:

Well, it’s one of the best laptops under $300 that’s why it’s one of the most sold and reviewed laptops as well. It’s the best laptop for homeschooling because it has an IPS-Type display that you might prefer, has some reasonable storage, and is a 2-in-1 laptop which means you can easily convert it into a tablet.

As compared to its price, it’s a matchless piece because you get high performance at cheap rates.

Its Chrome OS makes it safe for kids because it doesn’t allow too many apps and it’s compatible with unsecure applications. That’s why Chrome OS is a choice for parents to keep their gadgets controlled.

Built-in camera and IPS-Type display will be enough for the classes, it will surely be an exquisite experience on an inexpensive laptop.

Many other things make it quite different from other competitors that’s why we included it in our efficient gadgets list of homeschooling.
For example, it has 4 processors count which makes it far more speedy than many others. And it’s lightweight making it easy to carry all day.

So overall, it could be your choice for your homeschool.

SAMSUNG Chromebook 15.6″ – (priced around $300)

Samsung chromebook 4

Key features

  • Display size: ‎15.6 Inches
  • Processor: ‎1.1 GHz celeron_n3450
  • RAM: 6 GB LPDDR4
  • Memory Speed:‎ 2.133 GHz
  • Hard Drive: ‎64 GB Emmc
  • Graphics Coprocessor: ‎Intel UHD Graphics 600
  • Graphics Card Ram Size: ‎6 GB
  • Wireless Type ‎801.11ac
  • Number of USB 3.0 Ports: ‎2
  • Average Battery Life: ‎12 Hours
  • Laptop weight: ‎3.1 pounds

Review:

It’s available with two different features and prices. One is with 4GB RAM and 32GB storage and with just 50 dollars extra you get 2GB memory and 32GB extra so the laptop we choose for you has 6GB RAM and 64GB of storage, that 50 dollars is worth investing.

Some people love Samsung and they even prefer buying all Samsung gadgets. That’s why for those Samsung loyal customers this gadget is best for homeschooling because it has all the features that one might need for streaming.

The gadget has built-in faster Wi-Fi to download files and it also has Google Assistant enabled that helps you in running the gadget easily.

It’s also best fit for children because it has Chrome OS that helps parents control the gadget and doesn’t allow any software installs.

Summing up, it’s the finest choice for those who are looking for a Samsung laptop for homeschooling at cheap rates.

HP Stream 14-Inch Laptop for students and work

HP Stream 14-inch Laptop for Student and Business

Key features of HP Stream 14” laptop

  • Display size: 14 Inches
  • Processor: ‎2.8 GHz celeron
  • Number of Processors: ‎4
  • RAM: 16 DDR4
  • Hard Drive: 64 GB Emmc + 256 GB Card
  • Graphics Coprocessor: ‎Intel UHD Graphics 600
  • Wireless Type ‎802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth
  • Number of USB 3.0 Ports: ‎3
  • Laptop Weight: ‎3.24 pounds

Review:

We all know that HP gadgets are reliable and durable, you can trust them without any hesitation. The other important aspect is that you can get it at cheap rates, and that’s why we never forget to include HP laptops in our list.

HP Stream 14” is one the finest ones for homeschooling and it’s quite inexpensive. So it can be your choice if you are under budget and you need a decent gadget for your homeschooling.

A reasonable random access memory and hard drive made at a low price makes it a decent choice for all of the streamers. The other best aspect is that it has a very long battery life and on streaming it’s 11 and a half hours which means one can complete all its work in one recharge.

A backlit keyboard makes it an awesome choice for those who want to focus on work at night.

The Windows 10 Operating system is best for installing any software or applications of your school on demand, you won’t get a hurdle installing it in Safe Mode.

So we consider it one of the best laptops for homeschooling if your price is around $300.

Do you need a laptop for homeschooling?

Yes, one requires a laptop for homeschooling where he/she will take online classes and submit tests to pass a standard.
So to meet the standards, one must have a gadget to see how others are doing.

What is the best laptop for home school students?

Keeping all the perspectives of home school students, there are two best laptops that you can buy for your studies.
1. Acer Aspire 5 slim 15.6” – Best for homeschooling
2. HP Stream 11.6-inch HD Laptop – best for studies

Is Chromebook good for homeschool?

Yes, Chromebook is a good choice if you want to keep your kid safe from the dirty online world. With the Chrome operating system, you have control over the Chromebook and your kid can’t install anything dangerous.
We have reviewed a Chromebook, “ASUS Chromebook- Cheap homeschooling laptop” that you might like to consider for your kid.

Tablet or laptop for homeschool?

If you’re confused between tablet or laptop options then actually it depends on your needs. If it’s just a learning process, like learning from informational videos then a tablet is a great choice and if it’s about assignments, videos classes, then a laptop is better option.
The other thing that you can do is to go for a 2-in-1 conrtible gadget that we already mentioned above.

Leave a Comment