Best Budget Laptop

We’ve spent time using the Acer Aspire 3, and it’s impressed us as a budget-friendly option. The laptop feels snappy thanks to its AMD Ryzen 3 processor, which handles basic tasks with ease. We found web browsing, document editing, and video streaming all worked smoothly.

The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display is a standout feature at this price point. Colors look vivid and viewing angles are good. We enjoyed watching YouTube videos and working on spreadsheets without any eye strain.

At just under 4 pounds, the Aspire 3 is easy to carry around. We had no trouble slipping it into a backpack for use on the go. The silver chassis looks sleek, though the plastic build quality is what you’d expect at this price.

We wish the laptop came with more storage – the 128GB SSD fills up fast. You may need to rely on cloud storage or add an external drive. The lack of keyboard backlighting is also a bummer for typing in dim lighting.

Battery life is decent but not amazing. We got about 6-7 hours of real-world use before needing to plug in. That’s enough for a work day, but power users may want to keep the charger handy.

For students, casual users, or anyone on a tight budget, we think the Acer Aspire 3 offers good value. Just be aware of its limitations and you’ll likely be happy with this affordable workhorse.

We found the HP 14″ UltraLight to be a capable budget laptop for basic computing needs. At just over 3 pounds, it’s easy to carry around campus or to coffee shops. The 11.5-hour battery life meant we could work all day without needing to plug in.

The Intel Celeron N4120 processor and 8GB of RAM handled everyday tasks like web browsing, word processing, and video calls without much fuss. We did notice some slowdowns when trying to multitask with too many browser tabs open, but that’s expected at this price point.

The 14-inch HD display isn’t the sharpest we’ve seen, but it’s bright enough for indoor use. The 64GB of eMMC storage fills up fast, so we made good use of the included 128GB microSD card for extra space. The Windows 11 S mode limits app installs to the Microsoft Store, but we were able to switch out of it easily when needed.

We recently got our hands on the Acer Aspire Go 15, and it’s a nice surprise for its price point. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display is a standout feature. Colors look vivid and text is sharp, making it great for watching videos or working on documents.

The Intel Core i3 processor paired with 8GB of RAM handles everyday tasks smoothly. We opened multiple browser tabs, streamed videos, and worked on documents without any noticeable slowdowns. The laptop boots up quickly thanks to the 128GB flash storage, though we wish there was more space for files and apps.

Battery life is impressive. We used it for a full workday without needing to plug in. The keyboard feels comfortable for typing, and the touchpad is responsive. At just 3.9 pounds, it’s light enough to carry around easily.

We like the variety of ports, including USB-C and HDMI. The 720p webcam works fine for video calls, though the quality isn’t amazing in low light. The built-in speakers are okay for casual use, but you might want headphones for better sound.

While it’s not meant for gaming or heavy-duty tasks, this Acer laptop is a good fit for students, office workers, or anyone who needs a reliable machine for web browsing, writing, and basic productivity. Just keep in mind that Windows 11 S mode limits you to Microsoft Store apps, though you can switch out of it if needed.

We tested this HP 14″ laptop and found it works well for everyday computing needs. Its slim profile makes it easy to slip into a bag. The 14-inch screen has thin bezels, giving a modern look. We liked how it felt during use – not too heavy or bulky.

The Intel Celeron processor handled basic tasks fine. We browsed the web, wrote documents, and watched videos without issues. But don’t expect to do heavy multitasking or run demanding programs. The 4GB of RAM is enough for light use, but we noticed slowdowns with lots of browser tabs open.

Battery life impressed us. We got through a full workday on a single charge. The 64GB of storage filled up fast, though. We needed to use cloud storage for most of our files. The screen looks okay for casual use, but the low resolution isn’t great for detailed work or watching HD content.

We appreciate the included year of Microsoft 365. It adds value and gives access to useful apps. The Windows 11 S mode felt limiting, but switching to regular Windows 11 was simple. Overall, this laptop suits students or casual users on a tight budget who mainly need it for web browsing and basic tasks.

We tested the Lenovo Idea 15 Premium and found it to be a nice surprise in the budget laptop market. The touchscreen was smooth and added a fun way to interact with Windows 11 Pro. We liked swiping through photos and zooming in on web pages.

The laptop felt snappy when we used it for basic tasks. We opened multiple browser tabs, worked on documents, and streamed videos without any slowdowns. The 16GB of RAM helped a lot with multitasking. We also appreciated the 1TB of total storage, which gave us plenty of room for files and programs.

Battery life was pretty good. We got through most of a workday on a single charge. The 15.6-inch screen was clear and bright enough for indoor use. While it’s not a gaming powerhouse, we found it perfect for homework, web browsing, and watching movies. If you need a budget-friendly laptop for everyday use, this Lenovo is worth a look.

We found the HP 17-inch Business Laptop to be a capable workhorse for everyday tasks. The large display is great for multitasking, though we did notice it’s not the sharpest at 1600×900 resolution. Still, it’s bright enough for most indoor use.

The 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor, paired with a whopping 32GB of RAM, kept things running smoothly. We opened multiple browser tabs and apps without a hitch. The 1TB SSD also means quick boot times and speedy file access.

We like the inclusion of Windows 11 Pro, which adds some useful features for business users. The laptop feels sturdy, if a bit heavy at 4.6 pounds. Battery life is okay, but not stellar – we got about 5-6 hours of real-world use. One quirk: there’s no Ethernet port, so you’ll need an adapter for wired internet.

We tested the ASUS CM14 Flip Chromebook for a week, and it left us impressed with its versatility. The 360-degree hinge lets us use it as a laptop or tablet, which came in handy for different tasks. We liked taking notes with the touchscreen in tablet mode during meetings.

The battery life stood out to us. We got through full workdays without needing to plug in, which was great for portability. The MediaTek processor handled basic tasks well, but we noticed some slowdowns when multitasking with lots of browser tabs open.

Build quality felt sturdy, with military-grade durability and a spill-resistant keyboard. We accidentally spilled some water on it, and it kept working fine. The anti-microbial coating on the keyboard was a nice touch for hygiene. While the 14-inch screen size was good, we wished for a higher resolution than 1366×768. Text looked a bit fuzzy compared to Full HD displays we’ve used.

We tested this HP 14″ laptop for a few weeks, and it surprised us with its portability. At just 1.5 kg, it’s easy to carry around campus or to a coffee shop. The silver finish looks sleek, though the plastic build feels a bit flimsy.

The 16GB of RAM is generous for a budget laptop. We could keep multiple browser tabs open and switch between basic apps without much lag. But the Intel Celeron N4120 processor shows its limits with more demanding tasks. Don’t expect to edit videos or play graphics-heavy games on this machine.

We like the variety of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and even an Ethernet jack. The 720p webcam works fine for video calls, but the image quality is just okay. Battery life is decent – we got through most of a workday on a single charge with moderate use.

The 14″ screen is bright enough for indoor use, but the 1366×768 resolution isn’t the sharpest. Text looks a bit fuzzy if you’re used to higher-res displays. The 64GB of storage fills up fast, so you’ll likely need to rely on cloud storage or an external drive.

For basic tasks like web browsing, writing papers, and streaming videos, this HP laptop gets the job done. It’s not the fastest or fanciest, but the price is right for students or anyone needing an affordable second computer.

We got our hands on this Lenovo IdeaPad 1, and it’s a decent option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop. The 20GB of RAM really stood out to us – it’s rare to see this much memory in such an affordable machine. We found it handled multiple browser tabs and basic apps without a hitch.

The storage is another highlight. With a 1TB SSD and an extra 128GB eMMC drive, we had plenty of space for documents, photos, and even some lighter games. The SSD made booting up and loading files quick and snappy.

That said, the Celeron N4500 processor isn’t a powerhouse. It works fine for web browsing, word processing, and streaming videos, but we noticed some lag when trying to edit photos or run more demanding software. The integrated graphics are also pretty basic, so this isn’t the laptop for serious gaming or video editing.

We liked the 15.6-inch Full HD display. It’s bright enough for indoor use and the anti-glare coating helps reduce eye strain. The keyboard felt comfortable for typing, though the plastic chassis doesn’t feel as sturdy as pricier laptops.

For students or anyone who needs a simple, affordable laptop for everyday tasks, this Lenovo IdeaPad 1 fits the bill. Just keep your expectations in check regarding performance for more intensive tasks.

When we tested this HP 14″ laptop, we were impressed by its portability. At just over 4 pounds, it’s easy to carry around. The 14-inch screen size strikes a good balance between viewability and compactness.

We found the Intel Celeron processor adequate for basic tasks like web browsing and word processing. It’s not meant for heavy-duty work or gaming, but it gets the job done for everyday use. The 4GB of RAM helps with light multitasking.

The 64GB SSD offers quick boot times, but we noticed the storage fills up fast. We recommend using cloud storage or an external drive for extra space. The 1366 x 768 display isn’t the sharpest, but it’s fine for basic use.

We appreciate the inclusion of both USB-A and USB-C ports. The webcam works well for video calls. Battery life is decent, lasting through most of a workday with normal use.

For the price, this HP laptop offers good value. It’s a solid choice for students, seniors, or anyone needing a simple, budget-friendly computer for basic tasks.