Overview
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Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)
Best Budget Laptop for Most Buyers - Jump To Details
Apple MacBook Air M1 13” Laptop
Best Budget Apple Laptop - Jump To Details
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2023)
Best Budget Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop - Jump To Details
Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT)
Best Budget Gaming Laptop - Jump To Details
Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1
Best Budget Business Laptop - Jump To Details
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
Best Budget Clamshell Chromebook - Jump To Details
Acer Chromebook Spin 514 (2023)
Best Budget Convertible 2-in-1 Chromebook - Jump To Details
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook
Best Budget Detachable 2-in-1 Chromebook - Jump To Details
Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook
Best Extreme-Budget Chromebook - Jump To Details
Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
Best Laptop for Long-Term Savings
These days, you can pick up a very able budget laptop—whether a full-size classic clamshell, an ultraportable, or a 2-in-1 convertible powerful enough for home, work, or school—for well less than $1,000. From economy Windows machines to Chromebooks to Macs, at PCMag we've reviewed them all over our more-than-four-decade history. Our expert analysts and editors test more than 100 laptops annually, evaluating them for raw CPU and graphics performance, screen quality, battery life, connectivity, and value. Our current best cheap laptop overall is Acer's Aspire 3, for its snappy processing, support for Wi-Fi 6, and long-lasting battery—all for less than $500. We've also pinpointed a further set of solid-value budget laptops for more specific scenarios, such as gaming and repairability. Read on to see them all, followed by all the buying advice you need and a helpful comparison chart.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)
Best Budget Laptop for Most BuyersWhy We Picked It
This Aspire from Acer is a simple and effective laptop that sells for a competitive price. Coming in at less than $500 will immediately please budget shoppers. However, even with its basic build, this laptop smoothly works through everyday tasks. Delivering decent performance—thanks to AMD processing, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and a battery that lasts nearly 17 hours—the Aspire 3 isn't just a laptop that works. This is a laptop that works within your budget, and so it's the best budget laptop for most buyers.
Who It's For
Priced for budget-conscious buyers, the Acer Aspire 3 is ideal for anyone who needs a basic laptop for web browsing and office work, but doesn't want to spend a lot. This laptop is also smart for anyone who wants MacBook-like battery life from something that costs half as much.
Pros
- Smooth everyday operation
- Extensive battery life
- Current Wi-Fi connectivity
- Competitive starting price
Cons
- Limited performance headroom
- Dated, somewhat flimsy design
- Lackluster display
- Top configuration is outclassed
Learn MoreAcer Aspire 3 (A315-24P) ReviewApple MacBook Air M1 13” Laptop
Best Budget Apple LaptopWhy We Picked It
The wedge-shaped MacBook Air may not be the face of Apple's newest laptops (it's two generations old now), but the M1-powered Air is still one of the best ultraportables we ever reviewed. Now with a deal between Apple and retailers like Walmart and Best Buy, the 2020 Air still sells well as a budget-friendly MacBook for under $700. Four years after its debut, its performance is still as powerful as its battery life is lengthy. At last, the high-quality design that Apple is known for can finally be had for something like a value price—and you can even get it in different colors.
Who It's For
If you want the most affordable MacBook around, this is the Apple laptop for you. Selling new-in-box, Walmart is undercutting used prices on the same MacBook Air model, with the laptop delivering every bit of performance and battery life we praised it for at launch. In short, it's a stellar deal. If you want a lightweight, portable, and undeniably capable MacBook for as little cash as possible, the 2020 MacBook Air is our hands-down favorite.
Pros
- Good value, especially for a MacBook
- Much-improved performance, thanks to Apple’s new M1 processor
- Exceptional battery life
- Sleek, portable metal design
- High-quality keyboard, touchpad, and display
- Multiple color options
Cons
- Port selection limited to two USB Type-C connections
- Still no touch-screen option
Learn MoreApple MacBook Air M1 13” Laptop ReviewLenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2023)
Best Budget Convertible 2-in-1 LaptopWhy We Picked It
Holding onto the title from last year, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2023) is an excellent choice for shoppers in search of an affordable 2-in-1 laptop. With a 14-inch display that strikes the right balance between portability and convertible functionality, this laptop has 13 hours of battery life, ensuring it can power through a full day of work or play. The Intel Core i5 processor provides ample power for web browsing and productivity as well as enjoying videos. With a thoughtful array of ports and a high-quality 1080p webcam, this IdeaPad emerges as a smart buy for shoppers looking for an affordable and versatile 2-in-1.
Who It's For
For less than $600, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2023) delivers portability, performance, and a feature-rich design, complete with the versatility of a convertible 2-in-1 design. If you're on a relatively tight budget but aren't prepared to make bigger compromises, then you'll be pleased by the middle ground that this IdeaPad arrives at in build quality and features.
Pros
- Strong application performance
- Right-size screen for 2-in-1 versatility
- Crisp, accurate 1080p webcam
- Varied and useful port selection
- Long runtime
Cons
- No CPU or screen upgrades
- Display's color coverage is lacking
- Gray keys clash with deep blue chassis
Learn MoreLenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2023) ReviewAcer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT)
Best Budget Gaming LaptopWhy We Picked It
Budget gamers often feel stuck, having to put up with crummy performance in the name of saving a buck. But the Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT) drives surprisingly steady 1080p gaming for an equally surprising sub-$1,000 price. It even manages to avoid some of the pits most budget gaming rigs fall into, with a wide selection of ports, a better-than-expected display, and high-quality construction. Even better, this Nitro has a long-lasting battery that will let you use it on the go, and even get some gaming in before you need to find an outlet.
Who It's For
If you're on a tight budget, then the Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT) is the laptop to get. You'll draw enough performance out of its entry-level GPU to enjoy AAA titles and online multiplayer games at 1080p, all for under a grand. You won't see super-sharp detail and ultra-vibrant color in your games here, but the value can't be beaten for a playable experience with an emphasis on stable performance, lots of connectivity, and a long-lasting battery.
Pros
- Attractive price
- Suffices for 1080p gaming
- Wide selection of ports
- Lengthy battery life
Cons
- Lagging processor performance
- Limited 512GB SSD
Learn MoreAcer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT) ReviewLenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1
Best Budget Business LaptopWhy We Picked It
For a decently powerful business laptop at a super low price, the Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 is the cheap professional system to buy. Starting at less than $600, that nets you a comfortable work machine equipped with a 16-inch screen, plenty of ports, Lenovo's class-leading keyboard, and either Intel or AMD processors. Of course, Lenovo's iconic black ThinkPad design makes up the whole product, with a high-end build and relatively few caveats for the budget price.
Who It's For
If you need a pro laptop for a low price, the Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 is the simplest and smartest option. While it was designed with small and mid-sized businesses in mind, any individual professional can appreciate this laptop for work. For the trust in the ThinkPad brand at a decent price, this is the best business laptop on a budget.
Pros
- Aggressive starting price for ThinkPad line
- Delivers to traditional ThinkPad build quality and keyboard
- Decent array of ports
Cons
- Not the brightest, nor the most colorful, display
- No SD card slot
- Wi-Fi 6—not 6E
Learn MoreLenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 ReviewAsus Chromebook Plus CX34
Best Budget Clamshell ChromebookWhy We Picked It
Google's Chromebook Plus initiative, which mandates certain minimum specs and experiences for the latest wave of premium-but-affordable Chromebooks, shines with this standard-clamshell Asus model. Starting at $399 MSRP, the CX34 sports a slick design, surprisingly good performance thanks to a Core i3 processor, and a reasonably rugged design. It even has an antimicrobial coating, in the event you'll be passing this genial Chromebook around during flu season.
Who It's For
The CX34 is a fine pick for students, couch surfers, and home-office workers who need a basic, snappy laptop without touch or tablet-convert tech. You'll get a solid chassis, generous ports, and an overall better experience than you might expect for the money.
Pros
- Affordable price even with improved specs
- Leading performance in every test
- High-quality FHD display
- Decent port array, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2
- Durable MIL-SPEC-certified design and antimicrobial coating
Cons
- Average battery life
- No touch capability (at this price)
- Limited UFS storage is just adequate
Learn MoreAsus Chromebook Plus CX34 ReviewAcer Chromebook Spin 514 (2023)
Best Budget Convertible 2-in-1 ChromebookWhy We Picked It
Thanks to a rugged yet flexible 2-in-1 design and category-leading AMD processing—not to mention an affordable price—the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 (2023) is our favorite budget convertible 2-in-1 Chromebook. With a generous 13-hour battery life, this Chromebook won't need frequent charging, and its sturdy aluminum build has MIL-STD 810H certification to survive the rigors of daily use. Convenient features, like a full HD webcam, a Wi-Fi 6 radio, a USB-C port, and an HDMI connection round out the experience. The 2023 Chromebook Spin 514 is an adaptable and high-performing affordable Chromebook that impresses with its premium build quality and top-notch capabilities.
Who It's For
We might be emphasizing the budget-friendly price here, but we recommend this Chromebook for pretty much everybody. Its best features—like all-day battery life and class-leading AMD-powered performance—make it an ideal choice if you prioritize productivity. Plus, the sturdy aluminum build is tough enough to survive classrooms, and it's sleek enough for board rooms and living rooms. This would be an excellent value at any price, and sometimes the street price dips well below the MSRP.
Pros
- Category-leading performance with AMD Ryzen 5 processor
- Excellent full HD webcam
- Rugged MIL-STD 810H construction with sturdy aluminum
- Decent connectivity with Wi-Fi 6, USB-C, and HDMI out
Cons
- Uses cheaper eMMC storage
- 16:9 aspect ratio feels like a throwback
- No Thunderbolt 4 port
- No stylus included
Learn MoreAcer Chromebook Spin 514 (2023) ReviewLenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook
Best Budget Detachable 2-in-1 ChromebookWhy We Picked It
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook is a convenient 2-in-1 twist on the Chromebook, with a compact and totable 11-inch design complete with a handy keyboard cover and kickstand. With only a pair of USB-C ports and no headphone jack, you may want to invest in a dock to provide other connections, but the versatility means that the feature set can be easily expanded. Lenovo's tablet and keyboard cover design helps make it one of the more convenient 2-in-1 systems we've used, and the great flexibility of Chrome and Android apps is enhanced by decent performance from a Qualcomm CPU. It also has a very attractive low price.
Who It's For
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook is an ideal option to consider if you're looking for a smart little tablet that doubles as a laptop. It contains enough features and performance for everyday tasks such as web browsing, email, and streaming media, making it a great choice for students, casual users, or anyone looking for value in a portable Chromebook.
Pros
- Compact, totable design
- Keyboard cover offers good typing feel
- Handy kickstand
- Great flexibility for Chrome and Android apps
- Solid performance from Qualcomm CPU
Cons
- No headphone jack
- Pen sold separately
- Short battery life
Learn MoreLenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook ReviewLenovo Flex 3 Chromebook
Best Extreme-Budget ChromebookWhy We Picked It
As a compact 2-in-1 Chromebook, the 12-inch Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook is one of the best budget buys on the market. Its portable design is easier to carry, and it has more than 8 hours of battery life to get you through a day of work or school. Paired with a responsive touch screen, a flexible design, and a wide port selection, this is an ideal alternative to other Chromebooks and even 2-in-1 laptops that might cost more.
Who It's For
For casual buyers who want a convertible design for a budget-friendly price, the Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook is a cost-effective option that easily flips between laptop and tablet. Whether it's for schoolwork, productivity, or just browsing on the couch, this little Chromebook is an appealing value.
Pros
- Responsive 12.2-inch touchscreen
- Low price
- Compact and lightweight
- Decent port selection
- Flexible 2-in-1 design
Cons
- Middling Intel N100 processor
- Storage limited to 64GB eMMC
- Lagging battery life
- Plastic construction with unwanted chassis flex
Learn MoreLenovo Flex 3 Chromebook ReviewFramework Laptop 13 (2023)
Best Laptop for Long-Term SavingsWhy We Picked It
The Framework Laptop 13 is one of the smartest innovations in laptops in a long time: It uses a modular design that lets you swap out parts, ports, and even the mainboard with relative ease and at low cost. The most recent model is on par with the best premium ultraportables, but upgrading an old unit to the latest hardware calls for less cash than most midrange models. Thanks to its upgradable design, the Framework can be bumped up to new internal hardware on a regular basis, saving you hundreds of dollars each time. It may cost a bit more up front, but you'll start saving after the first upgrade, not to mention the second or third.
Who It's For
If you want a laptop you can upgrade again and again, gaining you a premium laptop without the premium price, the Framework Laptop 13 is worth the investment. You have to factor in the buy-in cost, but the upgrade process is relatively easy, and the long-term savings can be huge.
Pros
- Repairable, upgradable, and user-friendly design
- Lightweight and portable, with 11-hour battery life
- Swappable ports enable extreme customization
- Expanded ecosystem of parts and accessories
- Highly customizable before checkout
Cons
- Expansion cards cost extra
- Pre-built system comes at a premium
- No touch-screen or OLED options (yet)
Learn MoreFramework Laptop 13 (2023) Review
Buying Guide: The Best Cheap Laptops for 2024
Ready to dive into the details around cheap laptops? Today's good news is that you'll have to accept fewer compromises with budget laptops than you did in the past. Low-power CPUs are more robust than ever, even as some of the nomenclature around them changes. (For example, Intel's traditional offering for under-$400 laptops, the Celeron and Pentium lines, have given way to new family names: the Intel N100 and Intel Processor, respectively.) Low-end chips in today's extreme-budget laptops will suffice for light web browsing and most basic productivity work, if you don't keep too many programs or tabs open at a time.
The benefits of low-power CPUs are especially true with Chromebooks (more on them later), and nowadays, even Apple is on the budget bandwagon, offering its older M1-powered MacBook Air as an ultra-affordable entry-point for Mac shoppers. That said, the $400-to-$700 Windows laptop market is populated mainly by systems based on much peppier Intel Core and AMD Ryzen families of processors. Opt for these CPU lines if you need more than just the basics. (See more about how to choose a laptop CPU.)
(Credit: Kyle Cobian)All of these CPUs also host the silicon that runs the laptop's graphics. The newest integrated graphics solutions can hold their own in browser-based games and even some online games like World of Warcraft. The higher demands of AAA titles, though, still require a discrete GPU, which you won't find in this price range. (If money is no object, check out our top-rated gaming laptops and ultraportables, as well as our favorite cheap gaming laptops.)
In years past, many of the barest-budget Windows laptops would come with just 2GB or 4GB of main system memory, but nowadays, at least in the Windows and Apple sphere, most come with 8GB. (A 4GB RAM count remains common in Chromebooks and under-$300 Windows laptops; avoid it in a Windows machine.) In terms of batteries, an ideal budget laptop has one with six cells or more. The battery life for a cheap laptop should come in at a minimum of seven or eight hours; these days, many will last quite a bit longer. (A lower-resolution, lower-brightness screen, which is a feature of some of these machines, can consume less power, all else being equal, and end up being a benefit of sorts.)
(Credit: Molly Flores)Regarding storage, almost no new systems still use spinning hard drives. Many inexpensive Windows machines opt for small-capacity solid-state drives (SSDs) of 128GB or 256GB capacity. Other budget systems, particularly Chromebooks and some under-$400 Windows laptops, will have only a small allotment (32GB or 64GB) of local storage but compensate for it with generous offers of additional free cloud storage. Of course, as with anything cloud-based, you'll need to be online to access it. Also, know that budget machines with this little local storage, among them many Chromebooks, rely on what is called "eMMC memory" as their primary storage. This is not the same as the flash memory used in a true solid-state drive (SSD), and it will feel a tad sluggish if you're used to an SSD.
In terms of features, budget laptops will come with (almost always) at least a couple of USB 3.0 ports (one may be an oval, newer-style USB-C port, though that port may also be the port for the laptop's charger), and possibly a USB 2.0 port or two. You also may get an SD card slot, but these are fading from laptops cheap and expensive.
Wi-Fi comes standard, with some affordable options still opting for the 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) protocol that was standard a few years back. The current Wi-Fi 6 standard is much more common for budget systems than ever, but the more advanced Wi-Fi 6E is still rare in budget models.
(Credit: Molly Flores)An HDMI output and a USB-C port are definite pluses; you can find these on even some of the cheapest models. You shouldn't always expect a touch-screen display, however. (See our picks for the best touch-screen laptops.) Any 2-in-1 convertible machine, though, will by definition have a touch screen, as having one is necessary for using the machine as a tablet or in other orientations where the keyboard is covered up.
Is Buying a Chromebook Worth It?
Chromebooks used to be little more than glorified netbooks running Google's ChromeOS. While these ChromeOS-based laptops are still resolutely web-centric, they now have fuller feature sets. If you spend most of your working hours in the cloud, a Chromebook will offer you much of the functionality of a regular Windows or Mac laptop, and it may well deliver longer battery life, depending on the model.
(Credit: Molly Flores)It will also likely cost you a lot less than other types of notebooks, as many Chromebooks come in at less than $400. Just be sure you have easy access to stable Wi-Fi wherever you use one, as Chromebooks have limited offline functionality and scant local storage. However, Chromebooks have recently been leveled up to more commonly include Intel Core and AMD Ryzen processors, as well as feature more storage and memory, as part of Google's Chromebook Plus program. Chromebook Plus models have to meet a specific minimum spec laid out by Google for what it deems a premium experience, and these Plus models start at $399.
The Best Cheap Tablets and Hybrids: 2-in-1s on a Budget
Tablets rose in popularity throughout the 2010s, and though we have plenty of reviews of those—take a look at our overall roundup of the best tablets, as well as our favorite slates running the Windows and Android operating systems—they are sufficiently different from traditional clamshell-style laptops that they don't always make suitable substitutes. Some come with detachable keyboards, but most of these are far less comfortable for typing on your lap than a conventional laptop.
(Credit: Molly Flores)Convertible 2-in-1s, however, do make a good substitute for traditional clamshells. These machines let you flip between a laptop and a tablet by folding the keyboard out of the way. You should consider one of these convertible systems if you primarily want the typing capability of a laptop but occasionally would appreciate the lie-back, passive-consumption convenience of a tablet.
See our guide to the best 2-in-1 laptops for more information about this popular market segment. In part because of their added complexity compared with traditional clamshell designs, you won't find quite as many affordable ones, but a few Windows and ChromeOS-based models cost $500 or less. They come in permanently attached (generally 360-degree-rotating-hinge) designs and detachable-keyboard designs.
Make sure, though, when looking at one of the detachable tablets that you know what comes in the box. In some cases, you need to buy the keyboard base separately, and the total cost may not be as low as it first appears. (Here's looking at you, Microsoft Surfaces.)
Ready to Buy the Right Cheap Laptop for You?
The best inexpensive laptops tend to go in and out of stock frequently. We've broken out the specs of our current favorites here, and while we update this guide constantly, there's a good chance that at least one of our picks is back-ordered at any given time. But if you're on a strict budget, don't lose heart. You can find PCs that will offer enough performance to tackle your day-to-day tasks without a hitch. You can even score big deals on mainstream systems with our favorite money-saving tips for laptop buying.
For further in-depth breakdowns of our budget picks, look at our roundups of the best laptops for college students, the best laptops for kids, and the best Chromebooks. And for more general factors to consider when choosing a laptop, take a look at our buying guide with our top laptop picks overall.
