The best budget laptops might not get all the bells and whistles of a high-end PC or Macbook, whether that be a high-end graphics card, metal construction or 1TB of SSD storage. However, a budget laptop can still be a great way of getting the basics of browsing, working, gaming, streaming and more covered — all without breaking the bank.
The laptop market is filled with different brands with everyone from Samsung, Microsoft, Lenovo, HP, Asus and more getting in on the action. This guide has a round-up of the best budget laptops currently available.
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How I picked the best budget laptops
When picking these suggestions, I drew on the advice of other technology reporters including Stephen Warwick, a News Editor for the technology website iMore. When choosing individual models, I kept the below criteria in mind:
- Everyday functionality: Budget laptops might not be used for cracking encryption algorithms or running 4K games anytime soon, but it’s crucial that even a $300 laptop is able to cover basic day-to-day tasks, from typing and web browsing to running simple software applications without issue.
- Storage: Limited storage can be a big issue if you tend to store lots of files, images, videos or games locally on your computer. Many of these models have variable storage, meaning you can decide how much you need before you checkout.
- Style: Just because you have a budget laptop doesn’t mean it has to look hideous. Whether it’s the sleek design of a budget Macbook or a backlit keyboard in a low-cost gaming laptop, we looked for models that still looked good, no matter what’s under the hood.
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The best budget laptops
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
“The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is considered the best budget laptop around,” says Warwick. “It supports ChromeOS, is lightweight, has an OLED display and a touchscreen.” As a Chromebook, this incredibly slim Lenovo model streamlines a lot of laptop functionality through Google’s Chrome operating system — excellent for regular users of the Chrome browser, Gmail and other Google apps — with a whopping 15 hours of battery life. The OLED display also has a vivid picture compared to some of the other LCD/IPS screens in this list, in my opinion.
Operating system: ChromeOS | Weight: 3.2 lbs | Screen: 13.3 inches, 1920 x 1080 resolution | Storage options: 128GB | Battery life: 15 hours | Ports: 2xUSB-C | Webcam: 1080p
Acer Aspire Go 15
The Acer Aspire Go 15 is an excellent choice for a budget Windows 11 laptop, at just $299. With 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, you’ve got the basics for a handful of applications and the ability to juggle different tabs and tasks. There are naturally a few corners cut, such as the 720p webcam (standard for this price), and you’ll have to make do with the streamlined Windows 11 S operating system, which limits you to the Microsoft Edge browser and apps on the Microsoft Store — but for casual users on a tight budget, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is well worth a look.
Operating system: Windows | Weight: 3.86 lbs | Screen: 15.6 inches, 1920 x 1080 resolution | Storage options: 128GB | Battery life: Up to 10 hours | Ports: USB-C, 2xUSB 3.2, HDMI, ethernet, headphone jack | Webcam: 720p
Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 puts a, ahem, spin on things with a 2-in-1 design that lets you use it as either a laptop or a tablet, with a responsive touchscreen and stylus thrown in for the price. That versatility is certainly the Acer Aspire 3’s main selling point, but it also has 256GB SSD storage, which doesn’t hurt, either. A number of ports, including a dedicated SD card reader and a headphone jack for wired headphones, means there’s plenty of functionality to make up for its basic performance speeds, as well.
Operating system: Windows 11 S | Weight: 3.31 lbs | Screen: 14 inches, 1920 x 1080 resolution | Storage options: 256GB | Battery life: Up to 10 hours | Ports: 2xUSB-A 3.0, USB-A 2.0, HDMI, headphone jack, SD card reader | Webcam: 720p
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook
For a budget-friendly Lenovo laptop, consider the IdeaPad Slim 3: a 14-inch Full HD Chromebook with the streamlined ChromeOS. You are only getting 4GB of RAM, rather than the 8GB you’d hope to get at this price and it only has 64GB of storage — so don’t expect hugely fast speeds or the ability to handle or store a lot of applications at once. However, it also looks a lot better than most budget gadgets, with a striking ‘Abyss Blue’ casing that elevates it above most options in this list, in my opinion. It also has a microSD card reader, headphone jack and DisplayPort.
Operating system: ChromeOS | Weight: 2.87 lbs | Screen: 14 inches, 1920 x 1080 resolution | Storage options: 64GB | Battery life: 13.5 hours | Ports: USB-C, USB-A 3.2, headphone jack, microSD reader | Webcam: 720p
Acer Nitro V 15
Budget gaming laptops can be hard to come by. Most budget laptops skimp on elements like the graphics card, storage size or processing power — all of which are crucial to running modern games well. This Acer Nitro V has a good baseline of specs made for gaming, with its 512GB of storage for downloading games, a 144Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay on a 1080p display. This model has a 4.4 Amazon rating across 2,000+ reviews, and is regularly cited as one of the best budget gaming laptops out there.
Operating system: Windows | Weight: 4.63 lbs | Screen: 15.6 inches, 1920 x 1080 resolution | Storage options: 512GB | Battery life: Up to 7 hours | Ports: USB-C / Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, USB-A 3.2, Ethernet | Webcam: 720p
Macbook Air M1
So a Macbook technically isn’t a budget laptop — but if you’re hankering after an Apple computer and want the cheapest option possible, Warwick says that the Macbook Air M1 is the closest to ‘budget’ you’ll get. Its M1 processor is a few years old now, but that means it’s possible to get this model at a lower price, which can be a great way of cutting down costs. You’ll get a compact 13.3-inch screen, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, in a choice of gray, silver and gold colorway — alongside the sleek MacOS operating system and great compatibility with other Apple devices and services.
Operating system: MacOS | Weight: 2.8 lbs | Screen: 13.3 inches, 2560x1600 resolution | Storage options: 256GB | Battery life: Up to 20 hours | Ports: 2xUSB-C, headphone jack | Webcam: 720p
How to shop for the best budget laptops
RAM and storage
Laptops can seem confusing, with a host of varying specifications that interact in different ways. The most important things to check are the operating system (OS), processor (CPU), memory (RAM) and storage.
The CPU is your laptop’s brain and the more cores it has the more powerful a system you will have. RAM is what your computer needs to run and balance multiple tasks. Storage is what you need to store apps, photos, videos, music and other files.
Display
Look for a 1080p specification where possible, and just know that 720p devices will feature a noticeable drop in visual detail.
Repairability and warranty
Repairability is a hot-button issue in the world of computing. For many PCs, it’s possible to replace broken or underperforming parts, gradually upgrading the device for your needs. It’s particularly useful to be able to mend and repair specific parts on a budget laptop, given they’re more likely to have a short shelf life over high-end models. Few things are more expensive than having to replace a laptop wholesale when a single thing breaks.
It’s also useful to check what kind of warranty you’ll get with your purchase. Manufacturers generally offer 1-2 years of warranty for defective components or any problems that aren’t caused by the user, covering the cost for new components and labor costs for repair. Some retailers may offer longer warranties on top, though.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop?
ChromeOS (or ‘Chromebook’) devices tend to be the most affordable and energy-efficient but require an internet connection and are limited regarding what applications they can run. A Windows system tends to be more powerful and pricier but has fewer restrictions. If you want a more affordable option for simply browsing online a Chromebook will be your best option, in my opinion.
Which laptop brand is the best value for money?
HP, Lenovo, Acer and ASUS are all reputable brands that offer very affordable entry-level models for as little as $100-200, often Chromebooks with a streamlined, online-only experience. You won’t get much for that price, but for the basics of internet connectivity and a desktop OS, there are plenty of options available.
How much should you pay for a laptop?
There are near-infinite permutations for laptops these days, making the question of price a little difficult. Budget laptops may cost as little as $100-200, but $400 is a more reasonable price point for specifications and processors able to deal with more than some light internet browsing. For high-end models, of course, you could be paying well over $1,000.
Is there a budget Apple laptop?
Not really: Apple is usually a byword for quality design and specification, and it shows in the price. Warwick says “The cheapest MacBook you can buy is a refurbished M1 MacBook Air, which isn’t a budget option by any means but is certainly the cheapest Apple laptop going.”
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Stephen Warwick is the News Editor for iMore, where he covers the latest breaking news regarding all of Apple’s products and services, both hardware and software.
Why trust NBC Select?
I have worked as a gadget reporter since 2017, covering the latest developments in consumer hardware, from TVs and headphones to smart speakers and VR headsets. I previously worked as the News & Features Editor at TechRadar and now freelance for NBC Select, IGN and The Independent.
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