Best Laptop For Homeschool

Being a parent, you may have to decide on the homeschooling of your kids. And the most important element in homeschooling is choosing the right laptop for your kids to teach at home. However, if you are looking for the best laptop for homeschool then this article will help you to choose the right one.

There are a lot of benefits of homeschooling like minimal exposure to bullying or strengthening family connections.

Among the common tools of homeschooling, Laptop is the most important tool for your kids. Choosing the best laptop for homeschooling is a challenging task as there are a lot of laptop brands and types available on the market making the selection challenging for parents to choose the ideal laptop for their kids

There are certain elements to consider while choosing a laptop which is described in great detail in the reviews below to help you make a better decision. Let’s take a look at all the possible options as the best laptops for homeschool.

Without further ado, let’s get started…

In a hurry? Consider choosing ….. this as the best laptop for homeschooling. Not because it’s bigger but because it’s cheaper and comes with all the bells and whistles that you expect from a good laptop for homeschooling.

Let’s move forward…

Best Laptops For HomeSchool

The comparison chart below enlists all the best possible options to help you choose the perfect laptop effortlessly.

Let’s dive into the detailed review section of these products!

1.) Acer Aspire 5

One of the best homeschooling practices is teaching with a laptop. While teaching with a laptop there come several challenges, and the Acer Aspire 5 is perfectly designed to keep things running smoothly in the home-based classroom. Other than that, the laptop comes with 15.6″ larger high-definition graphics, and the backlit keyboard makes typing a breeze.

“The Aspire 5 is all about launching your creativity, helping a student to trigger his/her creative juices. Creativity soars to new heights with sharp, crisp visuals showcased on the 15.6″ Full HD IPS screen,” says Acer, “while the thin bezel provides you more space to work with wherever inspiration strikes. It’s the perfect companion to take with you wherever you go!”

The impressive battery of 7.5 hours of this laptop enables you to either use the laptop in the home office or the closes park.

Moving on, the advanced security protection in this laptop enables you to protect your sensitive data. While researching assignments or doing lesson planning on the web, safety becomes important and Acer Aspire 5 efficiently tackles that.

The Acer Aspire 5 runs on Windows 10 OS, and the Microsoft store can be used to download thousands of apps. The learning experience becomes easier with Acer Aspire 5, thanks to the tools it comes with. Other than that, the Acer Aspire 5 just fits about any budget as it’s an affordable unit.

Few things which could be improved are battery life which is 7.5 hours only with a single charge. Secondly, the Ryzen 3 processor isn’t the most up-to-date but it still meets the needs of homeschooling laptops.

2.) ASUS VivoBook 15

The next best option on this list is the ASUS VivoBook 15 , a highly portable laptop that performs exceptionally well regardless of the type of work you perform on it. Portability is something that can help homeschoolers in many ways and for that case, the ASUS VivoBook 15 is a perfect choice.

The ASUS VivoBook 15 is fairly lightweight even it features a large 15.6″ screen. If you’re planning to move around with the laptop, the 3.75 pounds extra weight in your backpack won’t feel much. Other than that, the ASUS VivoBook 15 comes in a slim design, and the NanoEdge bezel display comes with an 88% screen-to-body ratio. The laptop is all about getting more while carrying less.

Like other laptops, the ASUS VivoBook 15 also comes with a one-year protection plan making the laptop resistant to liquid, electrical surges, and accidental drops.

The unit features an Intel Core i3 processor, allowing you to run the laptop smoothly for classroom lessons and homework sessions.

Furthermore, the ASUS VivoBook 15 comes with 8GB RAM that allows different homeschooling programs running at once, and 128SSD storage would be plenty. Typing is efficient thanks to the ergonomic backlit keyboard design, which has been improved from the last VivoBook model.

3.) Acer Chromebook Spin 13

The Acer Chromebook Spin 13 is a pretty basic yet powerful Chromebook that is suitable for teaching and learning. It’s the best touchscreen laptop for homeschooling or you can say the best Chromebook for accomplishing homeschooling tasks.

The best part of Acer Chromebook Spin 13 is the 13.5″ touchscreen that’s convertible, thanks to the hinge that enables the screen to rotate 360 degrees allowing you to the user as a traditional laptop or flip the screen to use as a tablet. You can either use it as a touchscreen or use it with a stylus pen to write directly on the screen. This way downloading the notes will become easier without needing a pen and paper.

Acer says that this device allows users to “write with greater control and precision. The elastomer tip of the pen provides a more natural writing experience. Take advantage of the higher friction and elasticity to reduce sliding across the smooth surface of the screen.”

Moving on, Acer Chromebook Spin 13 is an ideal choice for students with creative and artsy tendencies. The higher screen resolution of 2K is more than enough for creative work. Other than that, the unit comes with a high amount of storage space of 128GB.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 13 has a 13.5″ screen which many students may find smaller. Other than that, the Acer Chromebook Spin 13 is the most affordable Chromebook available on the market due to several reasons.

The other is the high-end processor that ensures the superior performance of the laptop. The touchscreen convertible screen is what’s worth the price.

4.) HP ProBook X360 G1

We discussed earlier the big and small screen. But some students require smaller laptops to easily move around and the HP ProBook X360 G1 is one of these laptops that comes with a compact 11.6″ screen the smallest one on this list allowing the students to easily move outside during lunchtime sessions, or bring the laptop along for the field trip.

The HP ProBook X360 G1 is a small yet powerful enough device that features 4GB RAM to deliver enough power for multitasking and the Intel Celeron N3350 Dual-Core 1.1GHz processor is responsible for the smooth performance of the laptop. The convertible screen encourages blended learning and allows the teachers to effectively collaborate.

The HP ProBook X360 G1 is specifically designed for efficient and effective education and it’s a lighter one as well.

HP raves about the potential for homeschooling with this device: “Improve learning outcomes, save teacher time, and engage students like never before with the powerful, durable, flexible HP ProBook x360 11 G1 Education Edition. It converts easily from a notebook to a tablet to a stand to a tent and moves seamlessly between the classroom and home.”

Overall, HP ProBook X360 G1 is a solid device for all your educational needs. The color design is a bit restrained, and the display is solid. The laptop is small, portable, and affordable which makes it the best pick for homeschoolers.

5.) Dell Inspiron 14 5481

Here comes the last pick of this article which is Dell Inspiron 14 5481 , a slightly expensive but powerful and popular laptop among high schoolers and delivers the best value for the money. Above we discussed the cheapest to reasonable devices, the Dell Inspiron 14 5481 isn’t a cheaper one, but it comes in a hefty price tag delivering solid performance for high-end tasks and applications. Plus, it can be converted into a tablet and notebook in seconds.

The screen resolution is a bit mediocre, and the unit comes with an 8th Gen Intel i3 processor that enables the unit to deliver smooth processing power. Other than that, the unit features 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD which is enough for kids. The overall weight of the unit is 3 pounds that’s the lightest and you can take it anywhere you desire.

Regarding connection options, the Dell Inspiron 14 5481 comes fully loaded with several USB ports, an HDMI port to connect a second monitor or TV, an SD card reader, and lacks a USB-C port.

It’s easy to limit disruptions with the Inspiron 14. The company says that “with Dell Mobile Connect, you get the option to channel notifications from phone calls, SMS, IMs, and other apps right to your laptop. Keep your focus on a single screen and respond only when it’s convenient for you.”

This laptop is a perfect choice for that teacher who wants to stay connected with the outside world all the time from the classroom but prefers to limit their number of devices.

Overall, the laptop is neither too expensive nor cheap. It’s a mid-range convertible laptop with powerful specs that makes it a good choice for homeschooling students.

6.) CHUWI HeroBook Plus 15.6 inch Windows 10 Laptop (Best laptops for college students under 500 dollars)

The weight of this laptop is just 3.59 pounds. Such laptops are considered lightweight and easy to carry around laptops. This affordable laptop’s item dimensions are 1.42 x 9.53 x 0.77 inches L x W x H, respectively. The material of this budget-friendly laptop is polycarbonate which makes it strong and can be used without the constant fear of falling and breaking the laptop.

CPU and GPU:

CPU includes the processing quality and speed of a laptop. This laptop contains an intel J4125 processor with four cores and four threads that make it a good laptop regarding the processor. The processing clock speed of the Chuwi hero book is also quite impressive at 2.7 GHz. This is a good laptop for students under 500 dollars due to its fast processing capability.

The graphic processor unit of this inexpensive laptop is UHD Graphics 600. This GPU is usually present in low-budget laptops such as this one and supports the low-demanding games. As students mostly need laptops for their studies, so the GPU that supports low-demanding games is not a problem.

RAM and storage:

It is a very good student laptop memory-wise. This laptop has a memory that is standard any laptop could have that is 12 GB. The memory speed of this laptop is 2 GHz. Memory speed means the data transfer rate of a laptop. The internal storage of this reasonable laptop is a 256GB solid-state drive. Laptops with this much internal storage and memory are usually expensive, but heroBook provides these qualities at such low rates, making it best for students.

Display and keyboard:

1920 x 1080 resolution is standard in all the resolutions that are manufactured to date. 250 nits of brightness also play their part in making videos and images more clear and enlarged. The LCD of this laptop has an in-plane switching screen of size 15.6 inches. The keyboard of this laptop is full-sized that makes the output productivity of the laptop more efficient.

Connectivity and battery:

Transfer of data and connectivity with other devices such as other laptops, desktops, tablets, and mobiles based on a wireless wifi connection. 2.4 to 5G dual-band wifi get support by this laptop series by Chuwi. For short distance connectivity, 802.11bgn, 802.11ac Bluetooth facility is available.

The battery survival span of the hero book laptop is best for students to carry laptops with them to schools and colleges that is 9 hours per single charging.

7.) Dell Inspiron 11 3195 Premium 2 in 1 Laptop (Affordable Laptop for College)

Dell Inspiron is the best cheap laptop for students. The operating system of this laptop is window 10 and 5 ports for USBs and microphone jack. It is a highly lightweight laptop. This laptop’s weight is just 2.57 pounds, which makes it highly portable, along with a screen size of just 11.6 inches.

CPU and GPU:

The processor type of this Dell Inspiron laptop is AMD Dual-Core in its 7th Generation. Manufacturers of this 7th generation processor aim to make performance, streaming, graphics, and power efficiency better.

Laptops’ base clock speed ranges from 1.8GHz to 2.4GHz. Integrated RADEON R5 Graphics are good for watching videos and lectures but not good enough for playing games. As students usually have to take online classes or join group studies, these graphics are best for them.

RAM and storage:

The random access memory of this best moderately priced laptop is 8GB. That is not the highest but near to the highest and more than enough for college and school students.

In-built storage is 128GB in a solid-state drive. Its storage can be enhanced externally by inserting a micro SD card reader.

Display and keyboard:

High definition resolution of 11.6 inches screen of dell Inspiron is 1366 x 768p. This is high resolution but not standard, 1920 x 1080p. These pixels are sufficient to make the resolution of a laptop among average resolution laptops. The keyboard is backlit which means it got illuminated in a dull environment.

Connectivity and battery:

This cheap laptop’s battery life is not its distinguishing feature as it can only last for 5 to 6 hours after single charging.

It also affords wireless connectivity based on Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth connectivity. Wi-Fi connectivity for long distances and Bluetooth connectivity for nearby laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.

8.) Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15″ Laptop (Best Laptops for University Students)

Among all the above discussed best laptops under 500 dollars, this laptop is relatively heavyweight. Its weight is 4.84 pounds, and its screen size is 15.6 inches. These are moderate-priced laptops that have window 10 s as their operating system.

CPU and GPU:

The processing of this laptop is fast and supported by AMD multi-core processors. Such processors make it easy to open and work on different applications at the same time. The graphic display of Lenovo Ideapad is very advanced due to the latest graphics processors such as AMD Ryzen 3 3250U processor with Radeon Vega 3.

RAM and storage:

The access memory of this low-priced laptop is very low. 4GB of RAM is not best for students because it is not enough to store medium-sized files, documents, and videos. The temporary storage capacity of this laptop is 128GB that is more than sufficient.

Display and keyboard:

The screen’s standing display size is 15.6 inches that are perfect for better and high-quality vision, but the display resolution of the screen is not standard. The display resolution of the Lenovo Ideapad is 1366 x 768 pixels. These pixels provide better quality images and video display but not of high definition. Lenovo IdeaPad’s keyboard is not backlit, which means it is not ideal and safe for the eyes to use a laptop in the dark.

Connectivity and battery:

Lithium batteries are included in this laptop. The lifespan of Lenovo batteries is remarkable. Their batteries can last for 12 to 13 hours after single charging.

All sorts of connectivity features are present in cheap Lenovo student laptops. These can connect through wifi, different USB ports and ethernet. Along with these connectivity options, Bluetooth connectivity is also possible in these laptops.

How Can A Laptop Help With Homeschooling?

A laptop isn’t just a communication device between the teacher and student to stay connected, there are a lot of other benefits of getting a laptop for homeschool for a better learning experience. It becomes easier to access online courses, free homeschooling resources, and an essential curriculum. Similarly, a homeschooler laptop can be used for organization, planning, and time management.

“today’s kids are wired to be wired, so having school on a laptop makes school more fun for them and they feel more equipped to succeed when they study because they can use skills they naturally have.”

A homeschooling laptop for kids and teens can help them in many ways.

Choosing The Right Laptop For Homeschool Use

Homeschool Programs Used:

We are done with the ” do you need a laptop for homeschooling” part and now it’s time to discuss programs and resources available. A laptop is just a tool that’s as good as the software, apps, and online educational programs you use.

This part depends on whether or not you are familiar with these programs. Let’s start browsing around online to check out the commonly used programs by parents.

Once you get familiar with a few programs choose the ideal one according to the storage of your laptop, processing speed, and OS required to run that program.

User-Friendly Operating System:

There are two popular operating systems, Mac and Windows. The debate between both these Operating Systems is ongoing for decades. But, you don’t have to be too picky about it as both operating systems are perfectly acceptable for homeschoolers, all that matters is the personal preference.

Buying Guide:

Choosing the best laptop for homeschoolers can be a challenging task as there are a lot of factors that you should look for while shopping for the right laptop. Each factor is explained below in great detail.

Resolution:

The most important factor to consider while choosing a laptop is resolution. There are several resolution types like 4K, 2K, FHD, and HD. Resolution directly impacts the price of the laptop, therefore you should be clear about your selection.

Screen Size:

Screen size matters for those who are dealing with professionals. High-school students may need a bigger screen, but young kids can get the job done with small screens which means you can get them a laptop with 14” or lower.

Specs:

Some important specs include RAM, Storage, and Processor. All of these specs are responsible for the poor or best performance of the laptop. The higher these specs are the more powerful a laptop is. For homeschoolers, an ideal laptop with such specs is the one having 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and a quad-core processor to deal with daily life tasks.

Other than that, the selection depends on the budget. Usually, Apple products are more expensive upfront but cheaper in the long run. Over time you will be paying less. Other than that, Macintosh-based laptops last longer on average Windows Laptops.

Screen Size:

Screen Size is a deciding factor when selecting the best laptop for homeschoolers. The normal size range is 12-inch to 16-inch. Mostly, this device will be used at home, it’s completely OK to go with a larger screen. This can be ideal if there is more than one child to homeschool for videos, presentations, and projects.

CPU & Processing Speed ( RAM ):

A CPU or central processing unit is the most important element in a laptop. Regardless of having impressive speakers, or solid display quality, an outdated CPU in a laptop can make a shiny-looking laptop an annoying and frustrating device to use. Almost every laptop is plugged with the Intel Core processor which is equal to i3, i5, or i7. A perfect CPU for a laptop is Ryzen 5.

Moving on, RAM or Random Access Memory defines how much working memory the laptop is capable to support at a time. This is is a short-term memory, and the higher it is the more short-term data a laptop can handle. THE normal RAM range on a good laptop for homeschoolers is 4GB to 16GB.

Storage:

A laptop is equipped with short-term memory as well as longer-term memory or internal storage where you can place your Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and software downloads permanently inside the internal device. The internal storage can be of two types Solid State Drive ( SSD ) or Hard Disk Drive ( HDD ).

In the last couple of years, the demand for SSD has increased rapidly because this storage type if much faster, reliable than hard disk drives. Whereas hard disk drives due to having moving parts are less reliable and cheapest storage type. For modern games, applications, and movies SSDs are preferred in laptops.

The flash technology used in SSDs makes these drives lighter and drop-resistant. Therefore, you should always choose a laptop with an SSD drive for the maximum durability of your storage.

Battery Life:

A homeschooling laptop will be used at home most of the time therefore, battery life isn’t a major concern. But it still matters because a laptop with a fast-draining battery can be extremely frustrating even if you have access to an outlet easily.

A laptop with a longer battery life should last for around 10 to 14 hours minimum that can make you less worried about the power of a laptop.

Connectivity:

A laptop for homeschooling is all about staying connected. For that, a laptop should be equipped with the right ports like USBs, HDMI, an SD card reader, and a Thunderbolt-3 port.

Portabilityْ:

Like battery life, portability isn’t that important element for the selection of a laptop but a portable device has its perks. A lightweight, slim, and sleek device can help you bring it along on trips and other outings.

If your homeschooling plan involves a lot of movement, then you should consider the lightest laptop.

Price and Warranty:

Why the majority of people start homeschooling is to save money on education. Therefore, a laptop for homeschooling should be budget-friendly not expensive. There are budget laptops available on the market and selected in this list to help you make a better purchase.

Essential Applications For Homeschool Use

Online resources are enough for homeschoolers to do their best at home.

Learning Liftoff compiled a list of the best apps for homeschooling parents, saying that “there are thousands of educational apps available for students, but what about apps for homeschooling moms and dads? Homeschooling parents have a lot to keep track of, and the right app can make the days run much smoother.”

There are a lot of online tools that can be used by homeschoolers. The most popular one is Homeschool Helper for those using a convertible laptop or tablet. This application allows you to plan lessons to keep tracking or the curriculum. It becomes easier for you to track progress, plan lessons, and even keep track of grades, the 30-day trial is enough to test this software.

The next best application is the K12 attendance app that allows works to help homeschoolers stay organized with lesson planning, grading, and attendance. Some other popular tools are mentioned below.

K12 Timed Reading Practice (for reading fluency and comprehension)
Screen Time (for establishing positive media habits)
Evernote (for staying organized as a homeschooling parent)
Cozi (for keeping track of the entire family’s daily schedule)

Internet Safety & Parental Controls:

Either you are a “helicopter parent” or not, you should keep your devices protected or be conscious about internet safety. The priority should be to protect your devices, set parental controls, and block social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.
Keep in mind that a laptop for homeschool should be a productive one. Spending too much time on the screen isn’t a good thing, therefore, it’s important to get that point across to your children.

Your kids learn from you, you should put away your device at the dinner table, minimizing the use of time-sucking sites and spending recess outside rather than playing games on an iPad.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Are Chromebooks Good For Homeschooling My Kids?

Yes, but only when you have an external hard drive for your Chromebook. The internal storage of the majority of Chromebooks is hardly 32GB, which is way too little compared with 128, 256, or 512GB.

The additional storage allows you to store more resources on your device through external hard drives.

Are MacBooks An Overkill For Homeschooling?

MacBooks laptops are known for their higher cost, but MacBook Air laptops are reasonably priced. It isn’t necessary to use a Mac just for homeschooling, but it’s a better option than other contenders. It depends on your personal preference that what OS, graphics, and budget you want.

What Laptop Is Good For Accessing Online Learning Tools For Homeschool?

All the laptops selected in this list of reviews are suitable for homeschooling. You need to make sure that the unit has enough storage for downloading homeschool software. The processor of the laptop will determine how fast and smooth the applications run on it.

What Are The Major Differences Between Cheap And Expensive Models?

Finding a cheap laptop is easier, several laptops are ranging from cheap to expensive. It typically has to do with the CPU, a low-budget laptop might bring an outdated processor than the one inexpensive laptop. The pricier laptop will always come with powerful specs.

Where Can I Get A Free Laptop For Homeschool Use?

Well, it isn’t that easy to find a free laptop for homeschooling. A free-of-charge laptop can is usually granted by nonprofit organizations that offer devices at a discount price. The prime objective of nonprofit organizations is to keep the homeschool classroom up and running.

Which Is Best For Homeschool, A Desktop Or Laptop?

Before you select the laptop, you can weigh the pros and cons of the desired laptop of desktop. It boils down to your needs that what type of laptop or desktop you will choose.

Those sitting on one spot in the home should get a desktop computer. If your child likes to move around the house then you should get a portable laptop.

Where Can I Buy Discount Laptops For Homeschooling?

The best place to buy a discounted laptop for homeschooling is Amazon. There are a lot of manufacturers selling laptops at cheaper and expensive prices.

Can a laptop for homeschoolers can be used for other things?

Yes, but it depends on what type of work you want to perform on these laptops. These are mid-range or entry-level laptops that usually run on Chrome OS or Windows OS. So, you have to keep into account the hardware and software capabilities to decide what type of work you can perform on these devices.

How much should you spend on a laptop for Homeschooling?

These questions don’t have a set answer but depending on several factors, you can decide what should be the ideal price tag to spend on laptops for homeschooling. If you want a casual laptop for homeschooling for daily life tasks then below the $500 is a good price tag. But, if you need something that can run AAA games or other professional software below the $1000 is a fair price tag.

Can you play games on a Chromebook?

Yes, it depends on what type of games you want to play on Chromebooks. Usually, Chromebooks are equipped with fewer specs because of their portability. But some common games like PUBG, Fortnite can be played on these laptops without paying a dime.

What is the best laptop to buy under 500$?

There are many laptops in the market at this reasonable price. A few of them are already being discussed here. Chuwi herobook is the best among all these in every aspect.

Which is the best laptop for students?

As students don’t have to do heavy and large amounts of work. So any laptop that has features and strength to perform average quality and quantity of work and is low on a budget is best for students to buy. We have already discussed a few of such types here.

What is a good cheap laptop for school?

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is the cheapest laptop among all low-budget laptops that also show good performance.

Final verdict:

Now, different laptops are available in the market, referring to different criteria such as cost, features, and style. It has become possible for everyone to buy a laptop without disturbing one’s budget. Such low-cost laptops are nothing less in processing, display, storage and connectivity. Every laptop has its distinguishing feature. It’s always a personal choice of a person which laptop they want or which laptop suits more to her or his work area. If I have to opt for any laptop for myself, I will go for Chuwi herobook plus because it is a very portable and best budget laptop for school and college students.

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Last update on 2023-02-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API