Top 7 Best 2 in 1 Laptops for College Students Under $500

The thought of doing homework and studying on a tablet doesn’t seem like the best idea (it just doesn’t seem right!), but Best 2 in 1 Laptops for College Students Under $500 are cumbersome to carry around and tablets aren’t great for typing out long reports.

Fortunately, there’s a middle ground between the two: 2 in 1 laptops.

2 in 1 laptops are a hybrid between a tablet or smartphone and a laptop, featuring a tablet that can detach from the keyboard for tablet-only use and a fold-over keyboard dock.

Best 2 in 1 laptops, also known as 2-in-1s, are becoming increasingly popular among students, with sales increasing by 108% from 2016 to 2018, according to market research firm IDC.

We’ve tested around 100 2 in 1 laptops for performance, battery life, keyboard, weight, and ease of use over the years and found the top 7 Best 2 in 1 Laptops for College Students Under $500 for you today.

Here Are Top 7 Best 2 in 1 Laptops for College Students Under $500

1. ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 2 in 1 Laptop:

The Chromebook Flip C433 is the best Chromebook you can buy for casual Web browsing, schoolwork, and light productivity tasks.

It has three USB ports, one USB Type-C port, and an HDMI output, making it great for connecting a mouse and keyboard and streaming video off of a Chromecast.

The C433 is also extremely lightweight, and at 1.4 pounds, it’s half a pound lighter than our previous pick. The Acer Chromebook 13 and Pixelbook are faster, but at 2.7 pounds, they’re more than twice as heavy as the C433.

The flippable touchscreen is a nice touch, though it’s not as responsive as we’d like. The keyboard is a letdown. The keys are well spaced, but the C433 weighs so little that typing isn’t as comfortable as on other laptops.

The 14-inch screen is nice, but it’s 1366×768 resolution, making it the second lowest resolution screen of any Chromebook we’ve tested.

The backlit keyboard is nice to use, but its keys are shallow, and the layout isn’t as comfortable as on a laptop with a standard full-size keyboard. The C433’s battery life is average.

The Acer Chromebook 13 lasted 6 hours and 9 minutes in our tests, and the Pixelbook lasted 7 hours and 7 minutes. The Chromebook Flip lasted 6 hours and 29 minutes, but that’s still long enough to watch a movie.

If you want a fuller computer and aren’t bothered by its slightly flawed keyboard, then the Pixelbook is a better value, but at the cost of portability.

Features We Like

• -14 Inch Touchscreen
• -Intel Core m3-8100Y Processor
• -8GB RAM
• -64GB eMMC Memory
• -Chrome OS
• -Backlit Keyboard
• -Lightweight

Only Downside:

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 2 in 1 laptop is a great device for people who value versatility. It’s perfect for students, or anyone who works in an office and needs the ability to instantly switch from a traditional laptop to a tablet or touchscreen device.

However, this device is heavy and battery life is on the lower end. While 10 hours is average for this device, some users have reported that their C433 lasted fewer than 7 hours.

Pros And Cons:

Pros
– Affordable
– Lightweight
– Great display
– Affordable
Cons
– No audio jack

2. Acer Chromebook Spin 311 Convertible Laptop:

The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is a solid choice for students, especially those with tight budgets or who are looking for a Chromebook with a built-in backlit keyboard.

This is one of the first Chromebooks to come with quad-core processors, so it’s a little slower than most, but it handles all the tasks we threw at it, including streaming HD video from our NAS, with no issues.

The keyboard has decent feel and full-size keys, and the screen is bright, sharp, and devoid of glare.

If that wasn’t enough, the Spin 311 offers long battery life, up to nine hours of continuous use, and a built-in kickstand that lets you prop the screen up for typing or watching videos.

A USB port that rotates 180 degree comes in handy for plugging in a mouse or USB external hard drive. You’ll also find two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and a headphone jack. Overall, it’s a solid package.

Features We Like

• – 11.6
• – Intel Celeron N4020
• – 4GB LPDDR4
• – 32GB eMMC
• – 10 Hours Battery Life
• – 16:9 Aspect Ratio
• – 11.9mm Thickness
• – 2MP Front-Facing Camera
• – 5MP Rear-Facing Camera
• – 2 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
• – HDMI 1.4b
• – HD Webcam
• – 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
• – Bluetooth 5.0
• – Intel HD Graphics 600
• – Chrome OS
• – 3 Year Limited Hardware Warranty

Only Downside:

Chromebooks are notoriously known for having low battery life. The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 Convertible Laptop, however, has a battery life of only 6 hours. For an average student, this might seem like an okay battery life.

However, keep in mind that the Chromebook Spin 311 Convertible Laptop is not designed for multitasking.

While it can run multiple applications at once, these applications will run in the background, and the laptop will not shut down until that happens.

This means that using your laptop for certain applications will drain the battery very quickly.

In cases like these, it might be best to purchase a Chromebook with a more average battery life, such as 8 hours, which will allow you to do more with your Chromebook.

Pros And Cons:

Pros
– Lightweight
– Versatile, convertible
– Solid performance
Cons
– Battery life is somewhat poor

3. ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 Thin and Light 2-in-1 Laptop:

The Asus VivoBook Flip 14 is a super-thin, lightweight, and high-performing touchscreen laptop that’s ideal for note-taking, Web browsing, and light gaming.

Its connectivity is excellent, and it has the versatility to convert from a laptop to a tablet or tent mode for presentations.

Plus, it can charge other devices via the USB-C port for added convenience.

However, this model comes configured with 4GB of memory, which feels limiting in a 2-in-1 laptop, and its internal storage is capped at 128GB, which is a low amount for a laptop this size.

In addition, the 11th-generation Intel Core i3 processor in this unit isn’t exactly powerhouse. But overall, this is a solid performer.

Features We Like

• – Lightweight and Thin
• – Multiple Viewing Modes
• – 2 in 1
• – Windows 10 Home in S Mode
• – Screen is Bright and Clear

Only Downside:

The ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 is a 2-in-1 laptop that boasts a solid and compact design. However, its battery life is less than ideal, and the screen is quite reflective. Its price is also on the rise.

If you don’t need the ASUS VivoBook Flip 14’s naling capabilities, the Acer Aspire V5-571G-72KW, which is a bit larger, is also worth considering.

Pros And Cons:

Pros
– Durable design
– 2-in-1 laptop
– Solid aluminum body and lid
Cons
– Lack of USB 3.1 Type-C port

4. 2022 Acer Convertible 2-in-1 Chromebook-13inch Frameless:

The Acer Chromebook 13 is a well-built, affordable 2-in-1 laptop that has smooth performance and delivers strong performance at this price point.

The touchscreen display works well in tablet mode, but when it’s flipped over, its performance degrades slightly, but it’s a good trade-off at this price point, as often a laptop without touchscreen is much more expensive.

The keyboard is solid and the keyboard backlighting is solid, and the trackpad also responded well to our touch.

Battery life was respectable: We fired up the laptop and left it unplugged overnight, and the Chromebook 13 charged us up to 10 percent with the external power supply.

In our testing, the Chromebook 13 lasted 8 hours 45 minutes on a single charge. What’s more, battery life will remain strong even after repeated charging cycles, thanks to the battery tech Acer is using.

Features We Like

• -Slim, Lightweight Design
• -Great for Web Browsing
• -Active Stylus Included
• -Battery Life Up to 10 Hours
• -Fast 802.11ac Wireless
• -Highly Rated Product

Only Downside:

While a recent small battery test showed that the Acer Chromebook 13 is a decent choice for travel, it falls short in other aspects.

Battery life on the Acer Chromebook 13 is significantly worse compared to other Chromebook models, and this makes it a less appealing choice.

The Acer Chromebook 13 might have a sleek design, but for users who travel frequently, it’s probably best to find another model.

Pros And Cons:

Pros
– Great performance
– Good battery life
– Lots of ports
Cons
– Too expensive
– Poor screen
– Weight

5. HP Chromebook x360 14-inch HD Touchscreen Laptop:

The HP Chromebook 14 is a solidly built, versatile Chromebook that balances good performance, long battery life, and Google ecosystem integration.

It’s a bit heavier and thicker than other 14-inch Chromebooks, but it’s still one of the lightest full-HD models we’ve tested.

The display is excellent, with rich colors, wide viewing angles, and sharp text. The 14-watt speakers are loud enough to fill a small bedroom, and they’re backed by DTS sound processing.

The keyboard and trackpad are also worth praising: both are responsive, accurate, and a pleasure to type on.

Some reviewers, however, have noted that the speakers can be noisy if the laptop is bumped around.

Features We Like

• -Performance You Can Applaud – With up to 12 hours of battery life, this Chromebook keeps you entertained and connected all day. The Intel Celeron processor delivers better performance and longer battery life than the previous generation
• -The Entertainment You'll Love – Versatile Chromebook packed with performance features you want, like up to 4K display, Chromebook Pen support, fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi and long battery life so you can play, chat and create longer
• -Thin and Light – Available in two sizes, plus four versatile modes: easily convert from laptop mode to tablet, stand or tent mode for notetaking, drawing and other daily activities that feel as natural as pen on paper
• -Google Play Store – The millions of Android apps you know and love on your phone and tablet can now run on your chrome device without compromising their speed, simplicity or security
• -Processor – Quad-Core Intel® Celeron® N3350 processor (2M Cache, up to 2.48 GHz)
• -Display – 11.6-Inch diagonal HD SVA micro-edge WLED-backlit

Only Downside:

The HP Chromebook x360 14-inch HD Touchscreen Laptop is a great deal for anyone looking for an affordable and durable touchscreen laptop.

The Chromebook has a solid 14.0″ screen, which is perfect for watching movies or reading.

It has enough power to multi-task, with Intel Celeron N4000 processor, 4 GB RAM, and 32 GB eMMC. However, this model is only available in Chrome color and has 2 USB type-A ports, instead of 4 USB ports.

Overall, this laptop is a great Chromebook, especially considering its affordable price.

Pros And Cons:

Pros
– Price
– Extremely portable; lightweight laptop
– Powerful processor
– Good battery life
– Touchscreen
Cons
– No backlit keys or numpad
– No DVD drive

6. ASUS BR1100 Laptop, 11.6″ HD Anti-Glare Touchscreen Display:

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 is a Chromebook that falls somewhere between a traditional laptop (with its keyboard, trackpad, and ports) and a slate tablet (which has tablet-style ports and an all-touch screen).

It’s the least expensive Chromebook with a true touchscreen, and it’s the first Chromebook we’ve tested with a 10-point touchscreen, offering a better display than the one on the HP Stream 11.

The C302 has a full HD screen, with 1366×768 resolution, which is slightly lower than the 1920×1080 resolution of the HP Stream 11, but its display does a better job of covering up the coarse pixels of a laptop’s typical screen.

And kudos to ASUS for including Stylus support, which, while not a requirement to write on a laptop screen, is a nice feature that makes it easy for students who prefer to write with a pen instead of their fingers.

The performance here is decent but not blazing.

The processor is a dual-core Intel Celeron CPU, which has less power than the Intel Core i3 processors used in many more expensive laptops, and the 4GB of fast eMMC storage is a bit stingy.

The Chromebook runs Chrome OS, but under the hood, it has its own little guts, so unlike the HP Stream 11, you can upgrade the RAM and storage.

The battery life is rated at nine hours, and we got even longer (about 12.5 hours) in our tests.

The keyboard is backlit, and like most Chromebooks, it has a full-size USB port, a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack.

The Flip C302 has the latest USB Type-C port, which is reversible and can be used for charging and data.

While its 11.6-inch display and its 360-degree hinge are strong points, its weak points are the speakers, which are both quiet, and the keyboard, which is stiff and lacks key travel, making it a challenge to use for extended writing

Features We Like

• -Military Grade Durability
• -Backlit Keyboard
• -Full HD Display
• -Battery Life
• -Built-in Webcam
• -Tamper Resistant

Only Downside:

This laptop is 11.6, which is relatively small, and therefore, not ideal for extended use. While you may be able to use this laptop for basic tasks, it will not be able to keep up with heavy usage.

The BR1100 is significantly more expensive than other laptops in this review, and this is not an area that ASUS is known for being affordable in. Overall, the BR1100 is a rugged laptop, but for relatively low price points.

Pros And Cons:

Pros
– 11.6 inch HD display
– 6th gen Intel Celeron N4500
– 4GB RAM
– 64GB storage
– MIL-STD 810H durability
– TPM 2.0
– Windows 10 Pro
– Stylus included
Cons
– 1080p display
– No webcam
– No SD card reader

7. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 13″ Laptop:

This 2-in-1 Chromebook with a powerful Core i3 processor, a convertible design, and long battery life is the best Chromebook you can buy.

With a 2-in-1 design, the Flex 5 has a screen you can fold back over itself like an Asus Taichi, so you get the benefits of a laptop and tablet in one.

The classic clamshell design looks more traditional, though, and we prefer the touchscreen of the Taichi.

With its 2K screen, the sub-$1,000 Lenovo Flex 5 has better battery life than the $1,500 Taichi, though it’s not quite as big or as bright, and it won’t connect to external displays.

Like the Taichi, the Flex 5 runs the Chrome OS, which means all the web apps and Android apps you download are optimized for a touchscreen interface.

When it comes to performance, the Flex 5 is on par with the Taichi, which means you can expect a smooth, responsive laptop.

Like the Taichi, the Flex 5 has some nice features, including fast, reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, a 2-in-1 design, longer battery life, a 13.3-inch screen, and a portrait camera for video calls.

Features We Like

• – Intel Turbo Boost Technology:
• – Intel Hyper-Threading Technology:
• – Intel UHD Graphics 620:
• – Display: 13.3-inch FHD IPS Touchscreen
• – Weight: 3.21 lb
• – Dimensions: 11.51 x 0.69 x 8.66 inches
• – Memory: 4GB RAM / 64GB eMMC
• – Storage: SSD
• – Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
• – Webcam: 720p HD webcam
• – Keyboard: Full-size backlit keyboard
• – Ports: 2 USB Type-C, 1 USB Type-A, 1 MicroSD card reader, 1 HDMI, 1 Headphone / Microphone Combo Jack, 1 3.5 mm Combo Jack
• – Security:
• – Operating System: Chrome OS
• – Manufacturer's 2 Year Limited Warranty
• – 1 year try & buy warranty included

Only Downside:

The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is an affordable, yet functional Chromebook. While Chrome OS and Chromebooks in general are great operating systems, the Flex 5 has a few downsides that may make it less ideal for some users.

The Flex 5 comes in two colors, both bronze and black. These colors are fairly neutral, so while they may not be the most attractive, they probably won’t stand out in your home or office.

The keyboard is backlit, which is great for people who have trouble reading their screens in a dark room. However, it’s a fairly cheap keyboard, so it doesn’t provide much feedback.

The main drawback to the Flex 5 is that the display is touch, but not interactive. This means that touch screen gestures like swiping, pinching, and rotating are done through touch, not through physical interaction.

Not everyone needs an interactive display, and some people may like the added convenience. However, those looking for more interactivity will likely want to look elsewhere.

Pros And Cons:

Pros
– Comfortable design
– Long battery life
– Good performance
Cons
– No USB Type-A port
– No HDMI
– No SD card reader
– No RJ-45 ethernet port

How To Choose Best 2 in 1 Laptops for College Students Under $500?

For College Students, laptop is an essential gadget. It’s very important to choose the right model.

For Laptop, there are two types of operating system Windows 10 and MacOS.

Go for Window 10, it is very popular operating system, and it is very easy to use, more apps and software are available.

Check system requirements:

Check the system requirements and it’s recommended storage size.

You can upgrade it later for more power if needed. Go for Windows 10, it is very easy to use, more apps and software are available.

Check battery life:

The battery life of a laptop depends on its model, RAM, storage size, and battery type.

Some last longer than others, but the average battery life is around 6 hours.

Laptop with bigger screen will last as long as 5 hours.

Check keyboard and trackpad:

A laptop’s keyboard and trackpad make using it a real pleasure, so they should be comfortable to use.

Check laptop size:

• Laptops come in many different sizes.
• Be careful when choosing a laptop size.
• Go for Laptop size you are comfortable with.
• Beware of laptops that are designed to be portable.
• Make sure they are comfortable enough to use.

What laptop is most used by college students?

College students around the globe are opting for the ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 as they are highly mobile, flexible, convertible laptops that are ideal for college students.

The Asus Chromebook Flip C433 2 in 1 Laptop is highly versatile and can be used for multiple purposes. The convertible laptop can be used as tablet, tent, stand, and laptop modes. This laptop runs on Chrome OS.

The Asus Chromebook Flip C433 has 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC storage. It is powered by the Intel Celeron N3450 processor and Intel HD Graphics.

The Asus Chromebook Flip C433 comes with 10 hours SOT (screen on time) on battery, 10.1 inch HD (1280 x 800) IPS touchscreen display, 360° hinge, backlit keyboard, HD webcam, 2MP front-facing webcam, and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac.

The Asus Chromebook Flip C433 is available in two colours, Royal Blue and Burgundy Red.

Conclusion:

A 2 in 1 laptop is a laptop that can also function as a tablet. The benefit of this type of laptop is you are not limited to only using the laptop for your work. The laptop is small enough to take anywhere so you can take your work anywhere.

We have compiled a list of the top 7 best 2 in 1 laptops for college students under $500. These laptops have all of the features college students need while still remaining below $500.

Our top 2 in 1 laptop is the Asus Convertible 2 in 1 Laptop. This laptop is extremely affordable and includes great specifications. It has an 11.6 inch display, Intel Core i7 processor, 1 TB hard drive, and 8 GB of RAM.

The second best 2 in 1 laptop is the Lenovo Yoga 720 13.6 inch Convertible Laptop. This laptop is slightly higher in price than the Asus, but includes a higher-quality display and a wider range of features.