In the ever-expanding realm of technology, one size certainly does not fit all. For every tech enthusiast willing to invest a small fortune in the latest cutting-edge gadgets, there exists another group: the pragmatic students. These are the individuals who understand the value of a hard-earned ringgit and seek a reliable, uncomplicated laptop that won’t burn a hole in their pocket.
Having said that, navigating the maze of laptops on a budget can be daunting at times because you may end up investing in some grab bags that perhaps could cost you more money than you thought you would have saved.
But fear not, here’s a list of the best affordable laptops for students under RM1,500 to help you with the specs you need– no unnecessary frills, just pure functionality.
9 Best Laptops under RM1500 For Students in Malaysia
Table of Contents
Why it’s Our Top Pick:
“Even with a budget-friendly price tag, the Acer Aspire 3 doesn’t compromise in terms of features and specs. Built to keep you productive and entertained, it packs the 11th-generation Intel processor and an expansive display. With a long-lasting battery life and full collection of I/O ports, they also make this laptop a great pick.”
Overview
Having a relatively lightweight design of 1.9kg, the Aspire 3 comes with an enormous 15.6-inch IPS display that supports FHD resolution. With that, you certainly don’t have to squint your eyes when doing assignments on this large screen. Moreover, it has a vivid colour and stylish chassis, looking aesthetic yet is able to tackle your busiest days.
Acer Aspire 3 (A315-35-C4TZ) Specifications
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4500
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 14-inch TFT LCD, 1920 x 108 pixels (FHD), LED-backlit
- Battery life: Up to 8 hours
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi
- Weight: 1.9kg
- Ports: 1x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.2 Gen, 1x Type-A, 1x HDMI, 1x RJ-45
- Dimensions (mm): 343.0 (W) x 245.0 (D) x 19.95 (H)
Who is this for?
The Aspire 3 is powered by the 11th-generation Intel Celeron N4500 that clocks up to 2.4GHz in turbo mode. It might only be an entry-level CPU but it is capable of getting your basic computing tasks done in a jiffy. Multitasking is also more efficient while apps load faster with the 4GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage. Worth mentioning is that this laptop can work up to 8 hours on a single charge.
Overview
Lenovo V14 G2 is one of the most loved in this list and it’s easy to see why. Aside from its upgradable SSD, the laptop impresses with a battery life that can last up to 8 hours of web browsing and a similar amount of time of video playback from it. This enables seamless productivity on the go, and with relatively large keycaps, you’ll hardly find yourself fumbling over keys, allowing for swift and accurate data entry.
Featuring an optional HD camera, dual array microphones, and powerful two 1.5W stereo speakers enhanced with Dolby Audio, this laptop also knows how to have fun. A type of fun that puts your worries to rest of course, as it’s equipped with the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 firmware to help you encrypt your personal data.
Lenovo V14 G2 Specifications
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 5300U
- GPU: AMD Radeon™ Graphics
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Display: 14-inch TN, 1920x1080 (FHD) pixels, 250 nits peak brightness
- Battery life: Up to 8 hours
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6
- Weight: 1.5kg
- Ports: 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x Ethernet (RJ-45), 1x microphone combo jack 3.5mm
- Dimensions (mm): 324.2 x 215.2 x 19.9
Who is this for?
In today's fast-paced business environment, productivity is non-negotiable. That's why the Lenovo V14 G2 stands out – tailor-made for agile professionals craving unmatched portability and performance. Its adaptability also makes it an ideal choice for students, helping them navigate their academic tasks effortlessly.
Overview
Having a laptop that can keep up with your late-night creative sessions is crucial, and luckily, the Asus Laptop 15 is up to the challenge. It comes equipped with a 256GB SSD, providing fast boot times and easy access to your mostly-used files applications. Should you need some extra space for those large 3D model files, you can bank on the HDD housing to store your extensive creative projects.
Not only that, its full-size backlit keyboard and vibrant full HD screen and anti-glare coated LCD gets your eyes all hyped up, allowing you to invest your hard-earned savings into other essentials, rather than a table lamp you’ve been trying to avoid.
ASUS Laptop 15 Specifications
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch TN, 1366 x 768 (HD) pixels, 200 nits peak brightness
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.1
- Weight: 1.8 kg
- Ports: 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A
- Dimensions (cm): 36.00 x 23.50 x 1.99
Who is this for?
Other than for assignments, Asus Laptop 15 is also capable of providing you with a delightful entertainment experience. The Sonic Master speaker ensures optimal audio quality and with responsive touchpad and lightweight yet durable design, you can carry it to the kitchen for a snack while watching some shows or movies.
Overview
You know we’re gonna sneak in a Chromebook here because of how relevant it is for students, just like Asus Chromebook Flip C214 here is for design students. Aside from the impressive display, it features a touchscreen display so you can tap, swipe, and even draw on it using the additional stylus. What’s easier is that you can bring it anywhere apart from classes, thanks to its ruggedness and lightweight 1.2kg build.
With a laptop boasting a 360-degree hinge allowing any-position flexibility, you can now do more than when standing still as every twist and turn fuels your creativity.
Asus Chromebook Flip C214 Specifications
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4120
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
- Display: 11.6-inch, 1366x768 pixels (HD), touchscreen, anti-glare, LED-backlit
- Battery life: Up to 12 hours
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1
- Weight: 1.20kg
- Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1x Micro SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack
- Dimensions (mm): 292.0 (W) x 199.0 (D) x 19.5 (H)
Who is this for?
As much as this laptop suits design students, if you’re a freelance designer or a seasoned photographer looking to enhance the quality of your works, you can also enjoy using it just as much due to its bright and eye-caring display that not only captures the intricate details of your creations but also gives your eyes some rest.
Overview
It’s hard enough to juggle the challenges of being a student, but it’s even more challenging when you can't find a laptop that helps you get your work done. Well, that can end here with Inspiron 15 from Dell. Its large 15-inch anti-glare display provides a bigger view for you to work on your endless spreadsheets. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring scrolling and mouse movements feel extra smooth.
Speaking of productivity crunch, you can enjoy up to 9 hours of use, which is pretty good for a RM1,500 laptop. As far as space is concerned, the Inspiron 15 has a fairly broad range of configurations that perhaps speak to your needs for more.
Dell Inspiron 15 3515 Specifications
- CPU: AMD Athlon™ Silver 3050U
- GPU: Integrated graphics with AMD APU
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 1366 x 768 pixels (HD), anti-glare, LED-Backlit
- Battery life: Up to 9 hours
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth
- Weight: 1.69kg
- Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 2.0, 1x Headset jack, 1x HDMI 1.4 port and 1x SD card slot
- Dimensions (mm): 17.5 x 235.56 x 358.5
Who is this for?
With an AMD Athlon Silver 3050U, 4 GB of RAM and a 256-GB NVMe SSD, the Inspiron is well suited to class and internet use. It also exhibits low noise levels and moderate temperatures that you might need for prolonged study sessions or quiet environments like libraries.
Overview
For a budget gaming experience, this laptop leaves quite an impression, especially for a student. Featuring an AMD Athlon™ Silver 7120U processor with up to 3.5 GHz max boost clock, it delivers reliable processing power that can get you up to speed whenever you need it. If you’re playing games online, you can trust the Realtek Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless card to provide you with stable internet connectivity.
Furthemore, the laptop’s beautiful display is not something to overlook. The 1920 x 1080 resolution and IPS panels give you clear and sharp visuals. It’s also an anti-glare display so all the non-stop squinting you had before can bid farewell here.
HP 15-FC0101AU Specifications
- Processor: AMD Athlon™ Silver 7120U
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch IPS, 1920 x 1080 pixels (FHD), 250 nits peak brightness
- Battery life: Up to 12 hours and 30 minutes
- Connectivity: Realtek Wi-Fi 6 (1x1) and Bluetooth 5.3
- Weight: 1.59 kg
- Ports: x1 USB Type-C, x2 USB Type-A 5Gbps, x1 AC smart pin, x1 HDMI 1.4b, x1 headphone/microphone combo
- Dimensions (cm): 35.98 x 23.6 x 1.86
Who is this for?
A student laptop under RM,1500 that is also a gaming companion– that’s the dream of every student right there. The laptop’s integrated graphics can handle older games and less graphically intensive titles such as Roblox, Minecraft and Stardew Valley. If you plan to play modern games, you'll likely need to play them at lower resolutions and settings to achieve playable frame rates.
Overview
Ultra-low on price but not on specs– that’s how this laptop rolls. It packs in a full HD display, a comfortable keyboard, and solid build quality which doesn't compromise on durability or style. The ports included do not seem like just a grab bag as it is equipped with a card reader slot that is sometimes omitted in pricier alternatives.
Plus, this 14-inch notebook is lightweight and features a rapid SSD for swift app loading. It’s worth noting that its battery life ranks among the longest on the list so you can keep working without constantly worrying about finding a power outlet.
Dell Inspiron 15 3515 Specifications
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4500
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Display: 14-inch TN, 1366 x 768 (HD) pixels, 220 nits peak brightness, anti-glare
- Battery life: Up to 10 hours
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0
- Weight: 1.3kg
- Ports: 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen, 1x HDMI, 1x Card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack
- Dimensions (mm): 325.3 x 216.5 x 17.9
Who is this for?
You might not be getting the latest Ideapad but this is one of the best you can get for a laptop under RM1,500 befitting your programming student lifestyle. Efficiently designed and having nearly all the essentials, this no-nonsense laptop ensures smooth operation whenever you have to run a few applications, handle school assignments or manage light tasks.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Notebook 14IGL05 is a reliable companion for your school life. It can suffice most students’ needs be it from basic computing tasks to light entertainment.
Overview:
Carrying along the IdeaPad 3 on the move is burden-less as it comes in a compact design of below 20mm thick and around 1.5kg weight. With the 14.0-inch HD display being anti-glare, you can work even under direct sunlight.
For peripheral device connections, it offers a complete set of the essential I/O ports. Unfortunately, it can be unpleasant (even for us) that the IdeaPas has a non-backlit keyboard and mediocre battery life.
Performance:
The IdeaPad 3 Notebook features an Intel Celeron N4020 processor pairing an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600. Although you might not be able to run AAA titles in the highest graphics settings, you definitely can stream and binge-watch your favourite Netflix shows without any issue.
A hidden card is that online classes are more interactive and pleasant thanks to the 720p webcam that is well-protected with a privacy shutter.
Specs:
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 14.0-inch, HD (1366x768), TN, anti-glare
- Weight: 1.5 kg
- Ports: 1x card reader, 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x headphone/microphone combo jack (3.5mm), 1x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1
- Dimensions: 327.1.0 (W) x 241.0 (D) x 19.9 (H) mm
Overview
For a lesser-known brand, this laptop's specifications are quite fierce. The 11th gen Intel Celeron N5095 processor with 4 cores and 4 threads provides a reasonable level of performance for general tasks, coding, and lightweight engineering software. To deal with large files or running multiple software applications, you can feel at ease knowing that its 512GB SSD offers fast storage and quick file access.
The dual-band Wi-Fi and multiple ports, including USB 3.0, HDMI, and an SD card slot seems like a good bargain too as you can plug in external hard drives, printers, scanners, and any specialised input devices without having to look for an adapter.
Kuu Yepbook Specifications
- CPU: 11th gen Intel Celeron N5095
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 518GB
- Display: 15.6-inch TN, 1920 x 1080 (HD) pixels
- Battery life: Up to 3.5 hours
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2
- Weight: 1.7kg
- Ports: 1x MicroSD (TF) card slot, 2x USB 3.0, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack, 1x Ethernet RJ45
- Dimensions (inch): 14.09 x 8.97 x 0.78
Who is this for?
What adds more appeal to this laptop is its lightweight design and 180° opening feature that makes it a good choice for those prioritising portability, and the backlit keyboard which can be useful for working in low-light environments.
The 34Wh battery, however, might be a bit limited for a full day of usage, especially during heavy tasks, but it should suffice for a few hours of productivity.
FAQ
- Which laptop is best for students?
Selecting the ideal laptop for students hinges on their individual needs and budget. This is especially true when certain academic programs demand specific technical specifications that might not be readily available in all laptops.
For instance, art and design students necessitate laptops with high-quality displays and stylus support for precise drawing. On the other hand, engineering students prioritise ample RAM and SSD storage, enabling them to seamlessly run multiple applications simultaneously and speed up program launches.
There’s also a budget to consider. Some students might opt to omit certain specifications they perceive as expendable in order to align with their budget constraints. Here, it certainly helps that you know the common laptop price in Malaysia for students as the laptops within this price range usually have just what you need.
- Which laptop brand is best for students?
There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer here but several brands have gained popularity among students due to their reliability and solid performance that often come in a cheaper price tag. Some of the best laptop brands for students are:
1. Asus
Asus laptops, especially those in the ZenBook series, are known for their innovative designs and good performance. Including its Vivobook and Chromebook series, the brand offers a variety of options– from low-range to mid-range price points.
2. Lenovo
Lenovo laptops, particularly the ThinkPad series and IdeaPad series, are well-known among students for their durability, good keyboard, and versatile designs. ThinkPads are often recommended for business and engineering students.
3. Acer
Acer also offers a wide range of laptops catering to different budgets. While their Swift and Predator lines offer more premium features at a higher price, their Aspire and Chromebook series provide budget-friendly options, suitable for all students.
- How to choose a laptop for students?
First of all, decide how much you are willing to spend on the laptop and do a little bit of research on laptop prices in Malaysia. This helps narrow down your options so that you don’t waste time contemplating laptops outside your price range. Next, think about your needs – be it course requirements, softwares you will be using, portability – all there is needs considering.
Once you know what you need, match them with the specifications in the laptops you found. This step ranges from selecting the right operating system to evaluating the laptop's overall build and design and only after that, you can look at the additional features such as touchscreen and stylus support. This is when you can drop some of them because while they’re convenient, sometimes they’re not as important to have.
If you have your eyes set on a few choices, check the laptop’s review and compare different models to see what other users and experts are saying about the laptops you're interested in. Lastly, don’t forget to look for student discounts as a few manufacturers offer them so that you can spare some money for accessories.
- Why having your own laptop is important (for students)?
A laptop is a constant companion throughout your school life, no matter if you’re pursuing your degree or even in earlier education. As most classes are conducted online nowadays, laptops are more essential than ever for students. As simple as these reasons may seem, they are still significant for you to consider greatly.
Academic:
With laptops, students have the flexibility and freedom to work on their academic assignments anytime anywhere. As laptops are built compact and lightweight, their designs are more than ideal for students to carry and bring in their backpacks. With Internet connection, students not only have access to more online study materials but are also kept abreast of the news.
Entertainment:
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Students can enjoy the luxury of easy access to various entertainment sources on their laptops outside school time. If you’re an e-sport enthusiast, you can run the latest AAA titles on your laptop. Other than that, the large displays on laptops make video streaming and watching Netflix shows more enjoyable.