Low-Priced laptops: The Best Budget Laptops for 2023

The best budget laptops for 2023

Not everyone needs the fastest CPU and the highest-quality high-resolution display. Sometimes, a machine with a last-gen CPU and a decent Full HD display is plenty for the web browsing, email, and Office applications that make up their workflow. This can be true for students, and sometimes buyers are looking for a secondary machine to augment one of the best laptops you can buy.

That’s where budget laptops come in. The definition is a loose one, with some machines costing a bit more but offering a lot more to go with it. But they’ll save you hundreds over midrange and premium laptops that are overkill for what you need. This list will provide several options, including for gamers and those with the lowest budgets. You can check out our best laptops under $500 and best laptops under $300 lists for even more affordable options.

Dell XPS 13 (9315)

A surprisingly affordable ‘premium’ Windows laptop

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Dell Inspiron 14

The best budget laptop

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Surface Laptop Go 2

An excellent budget laptops for students

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Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3

A Chromebook 2-in-1 that won’t break the bank

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HP Victus 15

Solid gaming for less than $1,000

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Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop

A business laptop for less

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Microsoft Surface Go 3

The all-around best 2-in-1 for less

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Dell XPS 13 (9315)

A surprisingly affordable ‘premium’ Windows laptop

Pros

Aggressive price
Very compact design
Great battery life
Comfortable keyboard
Display is bright and high quality

Cons

No headphone jack
Performance is lacking

Why you should buy this: It’s an amazing laptop for under $1,000.

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a premium laptop for much less money,

Why we picked the Dell XPS 13 9315:

Yes, the XPS 13 9315 costs $849 for its entry-level model, which is at the high end of the budget range. But it makes this list because you simply won’t find a Windows laptop for less than $1,000 that can match the XPS 13’s excellent build quality, attractive aesthetic, and outstanding battery life.

For that low price, you get a 9-watt Intel Core i5-1230U CPU with 10 cores and 12 threads that delivers competent productivity performance. It’s not the fastest laptop we’ve reviewed, but it’s sufficient to get your work done. As a lower-watt part, though, it affords outstanding battery life. You even get a 512GB SSD, which is a lot at this price, with a build quality and good looks that are unusual without spending a lot more.

Dell XPS 13 (9315)

A surprisingly affordable ‘premium’ Windows laptop

Dell Inspiron 14

The best budget laptop

Pros

Affordable price
Fast processor
Lots of RAM and storage
Aluminum chassis

Cons

CPU is two generations behind
Battery is small

Why you should buy this: It’s the best budget laptop.

Who it’s for: Anyone who doesn’t mind sacrificing style for power.

Why we picked the Dell Inspiron 14 (AMD):

Finding a fast, well-built, cheap laptop for $750 isn’t easy. Normally, one of the things you give up is processing power, relegated to low-end and/or last-generation Intel Core CPUs, in addition to builds that are plasticky and don’t elicit confidence in their long-term viability.

Fortunately, Dell came on strong with the 2022 Inspiron 14 equipped with AMD’s Ryzen 7 5825U CPU. You get an eight-core, 16-thread laptop with AMD Radeon integrated graphics, and while the CPU is a few generations behind it still provides outstanding multicore performance. That helps the laptop not only perform productivity tasks with aplomb but even churn through demanding tasks like encoding video. The display isn’t the best we’ve seen, but you’ll forgive it once you see how well this budget laptop performs.

The $750 Dell Inspiron 14 also gets you 16GB of RAM and a large 512GB SSD. It’s not a sleek or modern-looking laptop by any means, though it is very well built, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a faster or better-built laptop for this kind of money. It even had a backlit keyboard, too. Note that Acer may make it back to the top of this list with its updated Aspire 3 2023 which will start at just $449.

Dell Inspiron 14

The best budget laptop

Surface Laptop Go 2

An excellent budget laptops for students

Pros

Thin and light
Comfortable keyboard and trackpad
Good port selection
Good performance

Cons

No backlit keyboard
Display’s pixel density is low
No Surface Pen support

Why you should buy this: It’s the best budget laptop for students.

Who it’s for: Students, buyers on a budget.

Why we picked the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2:

Students usually want a few things in a cheap laptop — something that’s easy to carry around, that provides good enough performance for getting their homework done, and something that’s not going to embarrass them when they pull it out to take notes. Oh, and it needs to be affordable. Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop Go 2 meets all those criteria — making it one of the best laptops for students in college.

We’ve linked to our Surface Go review above because the biggest change to the Surface Go 2 is the upgrade to 11th-gen Core CPUs. Graphics have been upgraded to Intel Iris Xe, the entry-level storage has been doubled to 128GB, there’s an improved webcam, and the laptop ships with Windows 11 Home instead of Windows 10 in S mode. The Surface Laptop Go 2 is also a highly mobile device with a 12.4-inch IPS touchscreen display that, although it’s not quite FHD resolution, is still of very high quality and a pleasure to use.

Surface Laptop Go 2

An excellent budget laptops for students

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3

A Chromebook 2-in-1 that won’t break the bank

Pros

Good enough productivity performance
Excellent battery life
Surprisingly good display
Folio kickstand and keyboard included
Strong value

Cons

Keyboard is too cramped
Limited to Wi-Fi 5

Why you should buy this: It’s the best budget Chromebook.

Who it’s for: Anyone on a budget who doesn’t mind sacrificing performance for extreme value.

Why we picked the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3:

Chromebooks have become popular budget choices over the last few years, and many have won us over as well. One style that hasn’t done as well as some others is the detachable Chrome OS tablet. That changed with the introduction of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, now in its third generation, which not only is a very usable tablet but one that represents tremendous value thanks to the included kickstand cover and detachable keyboard.

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3’s low price brings some limitations and basic specs. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage don’t deliver stellar performance, although it’s good enough for the kinds of tasks you’ll want to run on it. The display is very nice, with a 15:9 2K (2000 x 1200) resolution that’s not as pixel sharp as Apple’s baseline iPad that the Duet competes against. If you want a tablet for web browsing, light productivity work, and consuming media, then the Chromebook Duet 3 and Chrome OS have you covered.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3

A Chromebook 2-in-1 that won’t break the bank

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

HP Victus 15

Solid gaming for less than $1,000

Pros

Solid productivity performance
Decent 1080p gaming performance
Good keyboard and touchpad
Conservative good looks
Affordable

Cons

Confusing configurations
Poor battery life
Ho-hum screen

Why you should buy this: It’s the best budget gaming laptop.

Who it’s for: Gamers and only gamers.

Why we picked the HP Victus 15:

Although the best gaming laptops are typically expensive, the HP Victus 15 is a great example of why they don’t need to be. Often priced at less than $900, you get some impressive specs. That includes a 12th-gen Intel Core i5-12500H, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 1650 Graphics Card, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB solid-state drive (SSD), with options for faster CPUs, more powerful graphics, extra and faster storage, and memory if you don’t mind spending a little more. Every model comes with a 15.6-inch, 1080p IPS display, and for just $40 more, that display can run at a refresh rate of 144Hz.

With a decent build quality and surprisingly good gaming performance, the Victus 15 offers an all-around solid gaming package at an impressively competitive price. It does have its weak points, most notably that the starting graphics card isn’t as powerful as what you’ll see in more expensive laptops, but it’s still enough for entry-level gaming.

HP Victus 15

Solid gaming for less than $1,000

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop

A business laptop for less

Pros

Large display
Good keyboard and touchpad
Solid build quality
Spill-resistant keyboard

Cons

Display is only Full HD
CPU is one generation behind

Why you should buy this: It’s the best budget business laptop.

Who it’s for: Office workers who want to save the cash for other investments.

Why we picked the Dell Inspiron 15 3000:

Whether you’re typing up another spreadsheet or winding down with a game at the end of a long workday, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 strikes a great balance as a business laptop. It features powerful and efficient general computing power, like a 12th-generation Intel Core i7-1255U CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. That’s a lot of computer for just $700, even if Intel did just announce their 13th-gen Core processors.

With the typical Inspiron build quality, we’d expect this system to borrow several great design features from the more premium XPS range but make them available in a more affordable form. It’s not the lightest laptop at just under 4 pounds, but it has a great, spill-resistant keyboard, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth connectivity, and a top-mounted 720p webcam for conferencing.

The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 also comes in an attractive business black paint job, which helps it fit in with any setup.

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop

A business laptop for less

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

Microsoft Surface Go 3

The all-around best 2-in-1 for less

Pros

Excellent build quality
Superior display for a budget machine
Great Active Pen support
Small and light
Surprisingly good real-world performance

Cons

Can get expensive
Mediocre battery life
Keyboard and touchpad are cramped

Why you should buy this: It’s the best budget 2-in-1.

Who it’s for: Anyone who needs the on-the-go mobility of a small, 2-in-1.

Why we picked the Microsoft Surface Go 3:

The Surface Go 3 may be limited by its small size and, at the entry level, by a low-powered Intel Pentium processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage — the processor can be upgraded to an Intel Core i3 and twice the RAM and storage for $230 more — but it offers something never before seen in the Windows world: A truly budget-minded 2-in-1 laptop. Its build is every bit as solid as its bigger sibling, the Surface Pro 8, and it boasts a beautiful, bright display to boot. The best part? It’s actually thin and light enough to be held in one hand like a proper tablet, which is a key reason why we see this as the best budget 2-in-1 laptop.

While performance doesn’t feel as smooth as on something like an iPad or even a Chromebook, those devices can’t do quite as many things as the Surface Go 3, which runs a full version of Windows 10. On the battery front, however, it’s a bit lacking. That’s its most unfortunate compromise since this is a device made for portability. Also, we still wish the excellent Type Cover keyboard and Surface Pen came bundled in.

Microsoft Surface Go 3

The all-around best 2-in-1 for less

Frequently Asked Questions

Are budget laptops any good?

Absolutely! Depending on what you need your laptop to do, budget options can be just as good as their high-end counterparts. If you only need a laptop for watching Netflix and answering emails, a budget Chromebook can save you hundreds of dollars and perform no worse than something that costs $2,000 or more.

That said, you do need to be careful about which system you pick. Budget laptops tend to make some sacrifices where the expensive options don’t, so be sure to make sure that the system you’re interested in can do what you need it to before buying.

Do any budget laptops have Thunderbolt 4?

Certain features are less common in budget laptops, and Thunderbolt 3 is one of them. Plenty of budget laptops offer USB-C support, but only some provide Intel’s Thunderbolt 4 spec.

Do budget laptops have good battery life?

Some do, and some don’t. The models that prioritize portability tend to offer a little more, and you’ll want to skip a dedicated graphics chip if you want the most battery life.

However, you can find plenty of budget systems that offer a full workday and beyond on a single charge. In some cases, budget laptops offer better battery life than many laptops that cost a few hundred dollars more. Many Chromebooks also offer impressive battery life thanks to how lightweight the software is.

Can I find a good display on a budget laptop?

Definitely, but as with battery life or specific ports, you’ll need to pick and choose the right laptop. A good display will need to be a key component of the laptop, as color accuracy and contrast can be some areas where savings can be made on certain systems.

Is AMD better for budget laptops?

AMD’s release of the Ryzen 4000 line of CPUs shook up the budget laptop space, and since then AMD has released the Ryzen Ryzen 6000 range and, just recently, the Ryzen 7000 series. In short, the fastest machines we’ve tested that aren’t based on Intel’s 45-watt powerhouse CPUs have been running AMD, and that’s a major advance. Intel is still a far more dominant force in the laptop space with a wider range of options available, but as far as the CPUs that go into budget — and even premium thin and light — laptops, Ryzen chips rule the performance roost. That’s changing, though, as Intel’s 12th-gen Alder Lake CPUs make their way into budget machines even as Intel’s 13th-gen Raptor Lake CPUs have been introduced.

Even so, we strongly suggest that you consider AMD when picking your next budget laptop. If you can find one that matches your needs, you’ll get much better performance per buck.

Editors’ Recommendations

Some of Dell’s best business laptops are heavily discounted today
One of Dell’s best work-from-home laptops is over $650 off
Usually $900, this HP gaming laptop is on sale for $680 at Best Buy
One of the best Alienware gaming laptops is $1,300 off
One of the best 17-inch laptops you can buy is $650 off

Best budget laptop: cheap Windows models & Chromebooks

Looking for the best budget laptop? You’re in the right place. We’ve tested all manner of cheap laptops to gather a selection of top picks, all of which cost less than $500/£500. From homework and Netflix to browsing, emails, work and more, it’s possible to net yourself a notebook that meets your needs, without bleeding your bank balance dry. Before we crack on though, it’s worth quickly setting some expectations.

If you’re after a notebook that’s capable of breezing through games with ease or want a notebook for video editing/ rendering, then the products below are unlikely to meet your needs (for that you’ll want to check out our guide to the best laptops). While great for regular use, budget laptops simply don’t have the power to deal with more intense tasks. They are, however, much cheaper than fully specced-out alternatives, so if you want to nail the basics without paying more, this lot should have you covered. Here’s our guide to the best cheap laptop to buy today.

If you’re looking for something a little more expensive, then you can also check out Stuff’s guides to the best mid-range laptops.

We think that the Asus VivoBook X515JA (buy now) is the best budget laptop for most people. It’s the most expensive option on our list but it’s well worth splurging out for if you’ve got the budget and want a machine that’ll treat you well for years to come. With an Intel i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a whopping 512GB of storage, you won’t be disappointed.

Other budget laptop recommendations

Before we crack on with the full list, here’s a quick look at two other top choices:

Best mid-range budget laptop: Huawei MateBook D 15 (buy now)
Huawei’s entry doesn’t quite have the raw power of our more expensive choice above, but it’s not far off the mark. Thanks to an Intel i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a beautiful MacBook-like design that looks and feels premium, it looks as good as it performs.

Best budget Chromebook: Asus Chromebook CX1100 (buy now)
On sale for a great price at the time of writing, Asus’s Chromebook can’t be beaten on price. While Chrome OS isn’t as robust as Windows, it still nails the basics, making this the perfect laptop for a young child or other casual users.

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What is a budget laptop?

A budget laptop is a machine that doesn’t cost very much and sits right at the bottom of the spec range. These machines are affordable, and often sacrifice build quality and processing power in order to undercut the machines found in Stuff’s best mid-range laptop guide and best premium laptop guide.

As we mentioned in the introduction, these budget laptops won’t be playing AAA games any time soon, but if you’re after a simple word processor and internet browser, these machines are ideal. Our selection spans Windows and ChromeOS machines (sorry, there’s no such thing as a budget MacBook), with a range of screen sizes and performance potential.

While not all budget laptops force you to compromise, it’s worth deciding what’s most important to you: a notebook with the longest battery life might not have the most powerful components, and while a 13in screen is great for portability, you might struggle to fit two documents side-by-side.

It’s also worth checking out Stuff’s guide to the best tablets, as these, when paired with a keyboard accessory, are also a good option for browsing the internet and homework.

The best budget laptops you can buy today:

1. Asus VivoBook X515JA

Currently available for a great price, the VivoBook X515JA is the priciest option on this list. And yet, if your wallet can stretch to it, it’s absolutely worth snapping up, because its specs are comfortably above any of the other options, providing a decent level of future-proofing in the process.

Your cash will net you a notebook with a 15.6in Full HD screen, along with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. The real jewel though, is the 10th gen Intel i7 processor. While not the latest variant, it’s still more than powerful enough to meet your app and multitasking needs. Not only that, but Intel’s integrated Iris Plus graphics will let you dabble in some gaming too.

Less demanding titles like Rocket League should pose no problems, and you could even get away with other titles if you experiment with the different quality settings (although this is very much dependent on the games you try).

Overall, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck here — an ideal choice for multitaskers who want the option of dabbling in some casual gaming.

2. Dell Inspiron 15 3000

Dell’s Inspiron 15 series comes in what appears to be 10,000 different flavours. We’ve settled for this AMD-powered one which is comfortably budget while still offering very solid specs for your money.

Its 15.6in Full HD screen is large enough to view anything from text to spreadsheets without straining your eyes, and it’s even a 120Hz affair for slick, smooth scrolling. Don’t be fooled though — you won’t be playing games at 120fps on this machine. While its integrated AMD Radeon Graphics won’t be busting out the likes of Cyberpunk 2077 any time soon, you could still get away with casual games and other less demanding titles at lower settings.

Gaming aside, its AMD Ryzen 3 5425U CPU, coupled with 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage make for a formidable work and media machine, letting you effortlessly flitter between open programmes without a care. It’s got Windows 11 running out of the box too, so you won’t need to worry about upgrading to it yourself.

3. Asus Chromebook CX1100

At the time of writing, the Asus Chromebook CX1100 can be snapped up for a truly great price. And no, that’s not a typo. One of the cheapest notebooks from a well-known brand you’re likely to find, its price makes it an absolutely superb option for a spare machine, or a first PC for a younger child.

The caveat is that it runs Chrome OS — Google’s own operating system that’s much less feature-packed than Windows. Still, you can download all sorts of apps, and it nails basic tasks like email, browsing, media consumption and more.

Given its pared-back nature, you’re getting weaker hardware in comparison to other more expensive items on this list, but Intel’s Celeron N3350 processor and 4GB of RAM should suit casual users — especially when you take into account the smaller 11.6in, 1366 x 768 screen.

It won’t blow your mind of course, but at this price, it doesn’t have to.

4. Huawei MateBook D 15

Currently available for a budget price, Huawei’s MateBook D 15 is certainly one of the best budget laptop options around. The specs start strong with an 11th gen Intel Core i3 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and a generous 512GB of nippy SSD storage.

Other notable tricks include a built-in fingerprint sensor, and an included 65W USB-C charger that’s fast enough to provide up to two hours of use on a 15-minute charge.

Specs aside, it’s one of the best-looking notebooks on this list too, with definite Apple-esque design vibes. Weighing just 1.56kg and with a 15.6in Full HD screen, you’ll definitely feel like you’ve got your money’s worth when you open it up.

Throw in Wi-Fi 6 for the latest in speedy Wi-Fi smarts (though you’ll need a recently released router to take advantage of it), and Huawei’s offering is up there with the very best.

5. Asus Vivobook E510MA

The second-cheapest notebook on our list is another Asus entry, and can currently be bought for a wallet-friendly £189. 99. Despite its cheap price, it’s not a Chromebook — it’s running Windows 10 as standard.

This makes it an ideal laptop for slightly older children who are looking to use fully-fledged apps and software for school/hobbies, or other casual users. Its 15.6in screen doesn’t have a Full HD resolution (running 1366 x 768 pixels), but it should still be sharp enough for comfortable use.

Your savings mean you’re only getting an Intel Celeron N4020 CPU, along with just 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but again, as far as first laptops are concerned, you could do far worse. Plus, the Enter key is highlighted in bright green, which, as we all know, makes everything faster.

6. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

Buy the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 here

Microsoft’s beautiful Surface Laptop Go 2 is a tad over £500, but we couldn’t help but include it at this price, given the design and build quality on offer. Available in a range of alluring hues, its 12. 4in screen makes it an ideal choice for those looking for something that can slip into the trimmest of bags, while an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD are far from shabby given the RRP. If you’re willing to pay a little more then you can open up higher-specced models, but for a daily driver for work and movies, this will serve you well.

7. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3

Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 here

This transforming Chromebook can switch from laptop to tablet in an instant, thanks to its specially designed hinge. With a 15.6in Full HD screen, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, it should make for a very capable basic workhorse, with some media watching and Android gaming on the side. With an attractive design and USB-C charging, it could make for a quality pared-back machine for those looking for something more slimline than a Windows or Mac alternative.

8. HP 17-cn0000sa

Its Intel Core i3 processor and 4GB of RAM might not get your spec-loving heart racing, but this sleek laptop’s 256GB SSD storage is pretty ample, at least. And while it doesn’t have the firepower for intensive tasks, it’s still made the list thanks to a large, 17in Full HD screen, fast charging, eight hours of battery life, and a design that’s anything but budget. Throw in materials made from ocean-bound plastic, and there’s a lot to love at this price.

Related: Which is the best Apple MacBook for you? MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Best Inexpensive Laptops of 2023.

Our guide to the best budget laptops proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune on a really good laptop. Every laptop in our selection performs far better than its price point, delivering reliable, solid performance without any major bottlenecks.

It’s always worth spending as much as you can afford on a laptop to ensure it lasts for years to come. But this does not mean that you need to spend money on the most powerful laptops. For most of us, $500 or so is optimal: if you buy a laptop for less, you’ll have to cut costs and sacrifice performance.

Our winner is a great all-around Asus VivoBook 15 laptop. But it might not be the best cheap laptop for you. Therefore, we provide a selection of various laptops, including not only Windows, but also Chromebooks. If you’re not familiar with Chromebooks, these are Google-powered laptops that are often very, very cheap. The selection presented here should be suitable for most people and for most tasks. You may be interested in a selection of the best laptops of 2023.

All laptops in our guide are good all-rounders. They will comfortably handle web surfing and office applications, Zoom calls, online shopping and everyday gaming.

1. Asus VivoBook 15

Best value laptop for most people. Specifications:

Processor: Intel Core i3 1005G1 90 003

GPU: Intel UHD 620

RAM: 4 GB

Screen: 15 .6″ Full HD

Memory: 256GB NVMe SSD

Interfaces: 2 x USB 2. 0, 2 x USB 3.0, microSD slot, 1 x USB Type-C, 1 x HDMI 2.0, headphone/microphone combo

Dimensions (WxDxT): 35.8 x 23.4 x 1.7 cm

Weight : 1.68 kg

Average battery life: 6 hours

Reasons to buy:
+ Spacious screen with tiny bezel
+ Reliable internal hardware
+ Fully functional Windows 10
+ Webcam included

Reason not to buy:
– Top of the range

The best cheap laptop for most people right now is the amazing Asus VivoBook 15. the tiny bezels appear much larger than they actually are, but back up that look with strong hardware and software.

Of course, you get the full version of Windows 10, which is powered by an Intel Core i3 processor, an Intel UHD 620 GPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 256GB NVMe SSD. Oh, and for those who are taking video calls and holding meetings more often than before, the VivoBook 15 also features a built-in webcam.

Solid battery life, a decent selection of ports, and a one-year warranty complete the package. For the money, this is a great system, and one of the best laptops around $500 on the market today.

Estimated cost: $500

2. Acer Aspire 5.

The best premium budget laptop.

Specifications:

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U

GPU: Intel UHD 620

RAM: 8GB

Display: 15.6″ Full HD 90 003

Memory: 512 GB SSD NVMe

Interfaces : 1 x USB 3.2 (Type-C) Gen 1 (up to 5Gbps), 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (one with power off charging), 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI with HDCP and Wi-Fi Fi 5 headphone/microphone combo

Dimensions (WxDxD): 363.4 x 250.5 x 17.9 mm

Weight : 1.9 kg

Battery life: 10 hours 003

Reasons to buy:

+ Strong quad-core processor
+ Convenient M. 2 SSD
+ Decent 1080p IPS screen
+ Excellent all-day battery life
+ Solid build

Reasons not to buy:

– Boring design and big bezels
– Mediocre trackpad and keyboard
– No USB-C Charging

There are many reasons why the Acer Aspire 5 ranks so high on our list of best value laptops, and its affordable premium price is only the first. It also delivers a really powerful and versatile spec including an AMD Ryzen 5 4500U, an Intel UHD 620 GPU, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. All of this ensures high performance for all light to medium computing tasks, and when combined with a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS LCD screen, the Aspire 5 delivers a host of entertainment and gaming experiences.

Battery life reaches a respectable 10 hours, and it also has a large selection of ports, which means you can plug it into a larger monitor or TV. You also get a built-in HD webcam which is perfect for video conferencing. All in all, the Acer Aspire 5 is a really powerful all-around laptop at a great price.

Estimated price: $800

3. Lenovo IdeaPad 3.

A great value laptop for portability and affordability.

Specifications:

Processor: Intel Celeron 1.1GHz

Graphic CPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600

RAM: 4GB

Screen: 11, 6″ Full HD

Memory: 32GB eMMC

Interfaces: 802.11AC (2 x 2) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2; 2 x USB-C (Gen 1, USB 3.2), 2 x USB 3.2 (Gen 1), headphone/microphone combo jack, MicroSD card reader, lock slot

Dimensions (WxDxD): 28.65 x 20.5 x 1.8 cm

Weight : 1.12 kg

Average battery life: 10 h 90 003

Reasons to buy:
+ Strong, durable construction
+ Comfortable typing
+ Affordable price

Reasons not to buy:
– Screen could be brighter
– Average battery life
– Low performance components

If you’re looking for an affordable laptop for light computing and don’t need a big screen, then the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a great choice. The compact 11.6-inch screen makes it incredibly handy to carry in your bag, and it’s one of the best lightweight laptops out there, weighing just 1.12kg.

This system is a Chromebook, which means it runs Google’s web-based operating system designed for use on the web. The Google G-Suite suite of services such as Google Calendar, Google Docs and GMAIL is the perfect partner. Despite the budget specifications, this operating system guarantees a very fast performance, and with built-in HD Audio and a crisp 11.6-inch screen, the laptop offers plenty of options for web browsing, video streaming and basic image editing. All in all, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a basic system for light computing, but it’s exactly what a lot of people need. Ideal for Home, Students, Professionals, Small Business, School Education and Commercial Enterprises, Online Classrooms, Google Classroom, Remote Learning. After all, what’s the point of spending $800 on a laptop if you’re not going to use all of its power?

Estimated cost: $230

4.

Microsoft Surface Go 2.
Best $500 2-in-1 laptop for hybrid functionality.

Specifications:

CPU: 8th Generation Intel Core m3

GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 615

RAM: 4 GB

Screen: 10 .5 inch 1920 x 1280 pixels (220 ppi)

Memory: 64GB/128GB SSD

Interfaces: 1 x USB-C, 3.5 mm headphone jack, 1 x Surface Connect, MicroSDXC card reader

Dimensions (WxLxT): 245 x 175 x 8.3 mm

Weight : 553 g

Average battery life: 9 hours

Reasons to buy:
+ Beautiful touch screen
+ Long battery life
+ Runs Windows
+ Strong 2-in-1 functionality

Reasons not to buy:
– Not the most powerful laptop

Surface laptops from Microsoft are consistently excellent, and the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is one of the best 2-in-1 laptops out there today time, as well as a great inexpensive laptop, in general. It takes everything that was great about the original – its sleek design, great build quality, versatility – and makes it even better.

The screen is larger and has a higher resolution than before, and the specifications have been improved to improve performance. However, a bigger screen doesn’t mean a bigger device: the bezels around the display have gotten smaller, so Microsoft has been able to make the screen bigger without increasing the size of the Surface Go. Like its predecessor, it looks and feels like a much more expensive device.

With a pretty decent five hours of active use between charges, it’s good for on the go, but remember that the price doesn’t include the Type Cover you’ll need if you’re going to be typing a lot.

5. Acer Swift 1.

The best lightweight low cost laptop.

Specifications:

Processor: Intel Pentium Silver N6000

GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 615

RAM: 4GB/8GB

Display: 14″ 19 20 x 1080 pixels

Memory: 64GB/128GB/256GB SSD

Interfaces: 2 x USB 3. 0, 1 x USB 2.0, 3.5 mm headphone jack

Dimensions (WxDxD): 323 x 212 x 15 mm

Weight 900 31 : 1.3 kg

Average battery life: 16 hours

Reasons to buy:
+ Sturdy, attractive design
+ Excellent battery life
+ Fingerprint sensor for extra security

Reasons not to buy
– Screen not very good bright.
– Disappointing performance
– No microSD card slot

If you spend so little money on a laptop, it means you prefer bulky computers, but this is not the case. The Acer Swift 1 weighs only 1.3 kg and is very thin, making it a very portable PC that you can take with you wherever you go, be it a university, a library or a coffee shop.

Considering it’s cheap, you get a lot for your money, including a decent 14-inch Full HD screen, long battery life, and even a fingerprint scanner for security.

You will lose some performance because the internal hardware is basic, but for light everyday tasks it doesn’t matter. Just don’t expect to use it for heavy gaming or advanced video editing.

Estimated cost: $400 – $470

6. Asus C433 Chromebook.

The best value laptop for Chrome OS and style.

Specifications:

GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 615

RAM: 4GB

Display: 14″ 1920 x 1080 pixels

Memory: 64GB SSD

Interfaces: 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C (USB-C ), 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, microSD, 3.5 mm headphone jack

Dimensions (WxDxD): 32 x 20.5 x 1.65 cm

Weight : 1.3 kg

Average battery life: 10 hours

Reasons to buy: 900 19+Excellent design
+Aluminum alloy
+Android APP support

Reasons refuse to purchase:
– Designed for the Internet

Simply one of the best Chromebooks we’ve ever seen (check out this display, for example), the Asus C433 will get you surfing the web and running Android apps with ease. You don’t have to worry about being disappointed if you choose this affordable laptop.

Chrome OS is the same here as it is on any other Chromebook, and it’s getting better, as are the web apps that run in the browser. Now that Android apps are also supported, you can run mobile versions of apps like Spotify and Microsoft Word. With a big, bright 14-inch screen and plenty of power to get the job done, the Asus C433 is a great choice. The display can be flipped to tent and tablet modes, which makes this laptop even more attractive.

Estimated cost: $370 – $450

7. HP Stream 14.

Slim and stylish laptop with huge cloud storage included.

Specification:

CPU: AMD A4-9125 Dual Core

GPU: AMD Radeon R3

RAM: 4GB

Screen: 14″ , resolution 1366 x 768 pixels

Memory: 64 GB eMMC | OneDrive 1TB

Interfaces: 2 x USB 3. 1 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 1, 1 x HDMI, MicroSD, combo headphone jack

Dimensions (WxDxD): 32 cm x 20.32 cm x 18.5 mm

Weight : 453 gr.

Average battery life: 5 hours

Reasons to buy:
+ Slim and light design
+ 1TB OneDrive
+ MicroSD card slot
+ Webcam

Reasons not to buy:
– Large screen bezel

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, but want a stylish, inexpensive, lightweight laptop that costs around $500, then you should definitely consider the HP Stream 14 which is sold at a bargain price. You get solid specs for your money, with a 2.3GHz AMD processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB eMMC storage, and a 14″ screen paired with Windows 10 S. The HP Stream 14 also comes with a 1-year Office subscription 365 and a 1TB OneDrive account, so you’ll be ready for office and school. The system also features a built-in webcam, which means video calls and calls can be made, as well as a microSD card reader.

Estimated cost: $370 – $450

8. Dell Inspiron 15 3000.

A strong contender for everyday work and play.

Specifications:

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U

900 30 GPU: AMD Radeon Vega 8

RAM: 8GB

Screen: 15.6 inch Full HD LED

Memory: 256 GB SSD

Interfaces: 2 x USB 3.2, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI, SD card reader, combo headphone jack

Dimensions (WxDxT): 363.9 x 249×19.9 mm.

Weight : 1.83 kg.

Average battery life: 8.5 hours

Reasons to buy:
+ Rugged design
+ Secure OS
+ High portability

Reasons not to buy:
– Uninteresting design

Inspiron laptops are regulars in our best laptop reviews, and the Inspiron 15 earns its place with solid specs, good battery life, and a price that just falls short of the price range to be called ” Inexpensive”.

This laptop features an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U quad-core processor (Intel processors also available) with 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Full HD screen (1920 x 1080 pixels) is crisp and bright, with a claimed 8.5 hour battery life. It comes with Dell Mobile Connect which allows you to connect your PC to your phone and receive text and call notifications on your laptop.

You won’t want to render a 3D CGI movie on one of these, but for Microsoft Office, Netflix, and other everyday tasks, it’s fine. Just make sure you have one of the Full HD models: previous versions had a lower resolution display, which is not impressive in our opinion.

Estimated cost: $560 – $600

9. ASUS VivoBook Flip.

A quality, affordable 2-in-1 laptop.

Specifications:

Processor: Intel Pentium Silver N5030

GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 605

RAM: 4GB

Screen: 14″ touchscreen with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels

Memory: 128 GB SSD

Interfaces: 1 x USB 2. 0, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 1x micro HDMI 1.4, 3.5 mm headphone jack, 2 in 1 card reader SD/MMC

Dimensions (WxDxT): 32.70 x 22.60 x 1.54 cm

Weight : 1.5 kg.

Average battery life: 9 hours

Reasons to buy:
+ 360-degree touch display
+ Decent specifications
+ Lightweight and good build quality
+ Very good thermal performance for a passively cooled laptop

Reasons not to buy:
– Not a high-end processor
– No keyboard backlight

If you like the functionality of a 2-in-1 laptop and you willing to spend just over $500 on it, the Asus VivoBook Flip is a great choice.

Get solid core specs that include an Intel Pentium Silver N5030 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, plus a full version of Windows 10 Home and one year of free Microsoft Office 365.

The reason you choose this laptop is its 14-inch swivel screen with a 360-degree metal hinge that can unfold to its full length to work with a tablet. This means that this system can work both as a laptop and as a Windows tablet.

The fact that the display is touch sensitive also means that a digital stylus can be used on it, which will be useful for illustrators. It’s important to note that the Flip doesn’t come with a stylus, which is disappointing but understandable at this price point.

Throw in a good battery, thin body and built-in webcam, and you have a strong all-around package, but with a 360-degree rotating part.

Estimated $500

10. Acer Aspire 3.

A powerful budget laptop with a touch of premium build quality.

Specifications:

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2500U

GPU: AMD Radeon RX Vega 8

RAM: 8 GB DDR4 (2133 MHz)

Display: 15.6″ FHD display

Memory : 1TB HDD (5400rpm/ min)

Interfaces: 2xUSB 2. 0, 1xUSB 3.0, 1xHDMI, 1xEthernet, 1xSD card reader, headphone jack 3.5 mm

Dimensions (WxDxT): 38.1 x 25.9 x 2.1 cm

Weight : 2.1 kg

Average battery life: 4.5 h

Reasons to buy:
+ Rugged design
+ Huge 1TB hard drive
+ Lots of connectivity options

Reasons not to buy:
– Poor battery life

If your budget is over 500 dollars, this does not mean that you have to use low-end components. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U processor means the Acer Aspire 3 can handle every day task and even light gaming. The 15.6-inch Full HD display is very large for a laptop in this class and is surprisingly crisp, and the 1TB hard drive, while not as fast as an SSD, is huge and provides plenty of storage space.

The only thing that isn’t ideal is the battery life, which is only 4.5 hours, which certainly doesn’t allow you to use the laptop all day on a single charge. If you like to carry a charger around with you, or you use the system mostly on a desk by plugging it in, then this disadvantage can be ironed out.

Estimated cost: $500 – $550

11. Acer Swift 3.

Great battery, beautiful design and more – all for a little over $500.

Specifications:

Processor: Intel Core i3-8130U 2.2GHz

9 0030 GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 620

RAM: 4 GB

Screen: 14″ LCD, Full HD

Memory: 128 GB SSD

Interfaces: 3xUSB A, 1xUSB C, 1xHDMI, 1xSD card reader, headphone jack 3.5mm

Dimensions (WxDxD): 32.25 x 22.86 x 1.77 cm

Weight : 1.6 kg

Average battery life: 12 hours

900 02

Reasons to buy:
+ Good trackpad
+ Processor and SSD guaranteed high speed
+ Good connectivity

Reasons not to buy:
– Starter only
– Costs more than $500

Let the Acer Swift 3 sell for over $500, but we think it’s that good system that included it here.

The Swift 3 offers a larger display and slightly better specs for about the same price minus the 2-in-1 form factor and touch screen. The i3 processor paired with the SSD delivers good performance for a cheap machine, handling less demanding tasks with ease and good battery life.

Unlike some other cheap laptops, the touchpad on the Swift 3 is really nice to use, providing smooth scrolling and mouse movements, which is important due to the lack of a touch screen. The choice of ports is also good: HDMI, three USB-A, one USB-C and more. All in all, this is a good budget choice.

The Acer Swift 3’s understated exterior hides a great laptop that boasts plenty of power for work and study. The Swift 3 (not to be confused with Acer’s other Switch 3 laptop) is an inexpensive laptop, but its simple all-aluminum chassis is loaded with powerful components.

Performance is remarkably close to the much more expensive Microsoft Surface Laptop. Its display is slightly smaller, but otherwise they are strikingly similar – except for the price.

This laptop is also incredibly comfortable to use, with a roomy trackpad and backlit keyboard that provides comfortable typing with decent travel. If you’re going to write a lot – whether traveling or in the office – this is one of the best budget laptops of 2021.

Estimated cost: $550 – $600

12. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5.

Affordable laptop with a flexible screen.

Specifications:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 4300U

GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon

RAM: 4GB 900 03

Screen: Full HD touchscreen

Memory: 128 GB SSD

Interfaces: 2xUSB 3.1 Gen 1, 1xUSB Type-C Gen 1, 1xHDMI, 4-in-1 card reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC), 3.5 mm headphone jack

Dimensions (WxDxT): 321.5 x 217.5 x 17.9 mm

Weight : 1.6 kg

Average battery life: 12 hours
+ Flexible touch screen
+ 12 hours battery life
+ Dolby Atmos sound

Reasons not to buy:
– Windows 10 S operating system

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 14 inch laptop is a thin and light laptop (1. 5 kg) with a flexible, swivel full touch display HD. This means that this laptop can work in both laptop mode and tablet mode, which is good value for money.

It is also equipped with Dolby Atmos audio, which means it is suitable for those users who like to watch movies, TV shows and music from their laptop.

It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen processor and comes with a reasonable 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD.

However, it has a copy of Windows 10 S as its operating system, which is a stripped-down version of the full OS. This must be taken into account, because if you need a full version of Windows 10, then you will have to install it yourself.

However, for everyday and lighter work, the Flex 5 is fine, and most importantly, it costs around $500.

Estimated cost: $450 – $500

How to choose the best affordable laptop.

Buying a new laptop can be a daunting task – even more so if you’re trying to make a purchase within a certain price limit, as we are here. A lower price range often means less powerful components, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a cheap, junk product.

As very decent components continue to drop in price, affordable laptops boast much more powerful specs, so your money is on the line. It won’t be a portable gaming beast or multimedia powerhouse, but for surfing, document editing, and video streaming, the power under the hood will suffice.

Apple MacBooks at this price point are out of the question, but luckily Windows 10 has evolved to run great on less expensive hardware. We’ve also included a couple of our favorite Chromebooks on this list (just remember that Chrome OS requires web browsing).

Prices fluctuate regularly in this market segment and retailers often offer special offers to entice shoppers, so don’t be surprised if some of these prices rise and fall – take some time to compare prices to see who offers the best cheap laptop for you.

Keep in mind that you won’t get the most powerful or most feature-packed laptop, but we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you can get at an affordable price.

From vibrant displays to amazingly reliable processors, this list of the best budget laptops for 2023 has plenty to choose from for those on a budget. Design and build also keep getting better and better.

Best Cheap Laptops 2020 | EtalonGame

If you’re looking for a good laptop but aren’t in the mood to spend thousands of dollars, don’t worry, there are plenty of laptop options under $500.

We will help you make the right choice with good portability and power, and at a reasonable price. Our list of budget laptops showcases the best models that manufacturers have tried to achieve the perfect balance of price and features.

Lenovo IdeaPad S340

Affordable, reliable and quality laptop for everyday tasks

Lenovo IdeaPad S340 laptop with a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with wide viewing angles for comfortable viewing. This configuration is a solid option for a budget laptop. It features an 8th Gen Intel Core i3-8145U dual-core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, a 720p HD webcam and up to 8. 5 hours of battery life. If you’re looking for an affordable laptop for web browsing or school, this is a great option.

Specifications Lenovo IdeaPad S340

Display:	15.6″, 1920×1080 pix, IPS
Processor:	Core i3, 8145U, 2.1 GHz
RAM:	4 GB , DDR4
Storage:	SSD, 256 GB
OS:	without OS
Weight: 90 933	1.86 kg

HP 250 G6

Quality notebook with serious ambitions

The HP 250 G6 boasts some pretty respectable specs, making it perfect for everyday tasks including casual web surfing, document editing and streaming, but no more.

I wish the display was a bit sharper and brighter, but this laptop has a powerful battery that’s unlikely to run out even if you’re away from the mains most of the day. It’s reliable, and that’s all you need at this price.

Specifications HP 250 G6

Display:	15.6″, 1920×1080 pix, VA
Processor:	Core i5, 7200U, 2.5 GHz
RAM:	4 GB , DDR4
Storage:	SSD, 256 GB
OS:	Windows 10 Pro
Weight:	1.86 kg

Acer Aspire 5

Inexpensive big screen

The reconfigured Acer Aspire 5 is a welcome improvement over its predecessor and a worthy, albeit compromised choice for shoppers looking for an affordable laptop with a large screen.

The Aspire 5, one of the mainstays of Acer’s extensive line of budget notebooks, receives frequent updates. The 2019 version reviewed here (model A515-54-359G) is a sleek, lightweight 15-inch laptop with a FullHD display based on quality IPS matrices.

The new Aspire 5 costs around $500 and is at the top end of the budget notebook market. The cheapest Aspire 5 costs around $350, but the extra cost comes with an improved display, better performance in everyday computing tasks, and an excellent battery life of up to 11 hours. The Aspire 5 is a particularly good choice if you have a lot of peripherals and cables to connect to your laptop.

There are a few drawbacks, such as a lot of annoying crackers and “so-so” build quality. This Aspire 5 is a trade-off analysis like any budget laptop, but still better than many others.

Specifications Acer Aspire 5 A515-54-359G

909 32 Processor:

90 936

Display:	15.6″, 1920×1080 pix, IPS
Core i3, 10110U, 2.1GHz
RAM	4GB DDR4
Storage:	SSD 256GB
OS:	Windows 10 Home
Weight:	1.9 kg

Dell Inspiron 13 5000 ( 5391)

Stylish, ultra-portable design

The aluminum design Dell Inspiron 13 5000 is a great model for home use. The laptop has a fairly solid ultraportability, thanks to its thin size, light weight and powerful battery (up to 11 hours, depending on the configuration and method of use).

The Inspiron 13 5000 features an aluminum lid and keypad for added durability and style. Inside is a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. The processor and RAM will remain relevant for many years, but you may run out of disk space, and unfortunately Dell does not offer an SSD larger than 256GB for this model. Otherwise, the Inspiron 13 5000 offers up-to-date specs and a decent feature set. For example, the power button at the top right of the keyboard has a built-in fingerprint reader for easy and secure login, which is a valuable touch in a mid-range laptop.

The 13.3-inch screen has a standard Full HD resolution (1920 by 1080 pixels), but does not support a touch display (this advantage is available on the more expensive Dell Inspiron 15 (5551, 5558, 5749, 5758)). But the display can feel a bit dim if you’re working in a bright office or outdoors, artificial lighting works just fine.