So my laptop (Asus Chinook T300) has a weird thing where when i charge the keyboard off the screen it goes into fatal sleep mode for a month or so until the battery dies. I absentmindedly did it like an idiot instead of just charging it off of a wall cable. Anyways here's the important stuff. I now need a laptop until this one revives and it wouldn't be a bad idea to have one as this issue has reared its stupid head before. Here are my needs please let me know if you can think of a good option

Sub$500ish
Internet surfing and word processing for college classes (i have the MS office suite from college)

I'd like some light gaming if possible but it's not a deal breaker, i have playstation and an oculus

I have those large flash memory microsd so I don't need a big hard drive

I'd like to be able to work offline if possible as I'll have to do homework away from the internet at times.

I'd like it to have a USB so i can use memory sticks and stuff.

I'm not sure if this puts me in Chromebook territory or if the lack of internet connectivity means I need a real laptop. I am a "student" so i can get that .edu discount.

I get mine from the Dell Outlet. Usually pretty good deals there and free shipping.

Watch dealnews and techbargains

Any good models or things you'd stay away from?

I buy only cheap laptops for my business. The laptop stays powered on 24/7 and I just replace them every 2.5-3 years......and have been doing this for over 20 years. I usually spend around $500.....HP has been the best of the bunch. I had a toshiba that went through 2 hard drives in the first 6 months. I've had 4 HP's and now a lenovo which has an annoying issue that once in a while it goes into sleep mode and you have to power it down and back on to make it work again. I have never had an issue with any of the 4 HP's I had......I replace them at 2.5-3 years before they crash, and the battery/fan may be old on them......but HP have been the best of the bunch.

Take a look on newegg.com for refurbished Dell laptops. Have had mine for a number of years and it’s still alive and kickin.

Look on ebay i’ve gotten great items apple 13.3 inch for a little over your budget 525 worth a look

I have had good dealing with Costco and their laptops. Every month have something “on sale”

We have a local used/refurb place.
I picked up a desktop and laptop when the covid hit and kids and wife were needing to do their stuff at the house.

I made the mistake of buying a refurb on eBay. It reeked of smoke and had cat or dog hair all stuck to it.