If you’re looking to buy one of the best cheap laptops, then you’ve got your work cut out for you. Not only are there hundreds of options out there, but not all laptops are created equal. Because of that, we’ve put together a list of cheap laptops that should help you narrow down your choices.
Of course, when you’re looking for a cheap laptop, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, what exactly does cheap mean? For us, cheap usually means any laptop under $600, though there are a couple of places you might need to go above that budget if you want a specific type of budget laptop. With that in mind, though, you’ll also want to decide what kind of OS you need. Do you need a standard Windows laptop or will something like a Chromebook work for your needs? You’ll also want to take into account the overall size of the laptop, as well as what you need it to do. Want more advice on how to figure out what you need? Check out our guide on everything to consider when buying a new computer.
Once you’ve thought about all of that, it’s time to dig in and look for the best cheap laptop you can find. We’ve put together a few solid options below for budget laptops, so make sure you check them out to get a better idea of what to look for. Not on a budget? Check out our best laptops guide for a broader set of options or the best laptop deals for extra discounts.
Best cheap laptop overall: MSI Modern 14
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Lots of ports and slots
- Long battery life
Cons
- SSD could be bigger
Why we picked it
The MSI Modern 14 comes close to breaking through the ceiling of our budget, but it’s on this list for a good reason. Not only is MSI a great manufacturer for computers like this, but the Modern 14 has a lot to offer for its $699 price tag.
The 14-inch IPS-level display is a big plus, bringing what MSI calls true-to-life images. That display gets you a full HD screen, which means plenty of space and clarity no matter what you’re working on. The screen also has a high max brightness level, which means you never have to worry about images being too dark to see clearly. Even when it’s on the highest brightness level, the long battery life makes this great to have with you.
The MSI Modern 14 weighs in at just above two and a half pounds. It’s not the lightest laptop out there, but for this price range, you aren’t going to get the lightest or most durable builds. The Modern 14 features an aluminum body, though, which means it should be able your standard day-to-day wear. It features an Intel Core i3 or an Intel Core i5 processor, depending on which version you get.
What to note about it
When it comes to everyday usage, the MSI Modern 14 is a nice standard to set for budget laptops. For under $700, this is one of the best laptops that you’ll find on the market. The only thing we’d really like to see is a bigger SSD in this model. That’s something you can solve with an external drive, though.
Best cheap gaming laptop: Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop
Pros
- Impressive battery life
- 15.6″ FHD screen
- Fast game loading
- Can upgrade RAM
Cons
- Still pricey for a lower end model
- Lags behind gaming desktops in the same price range
Why we picked it
This laptop is a bit of an outlier on our list, as it breaks our standard “cheap” budget of $600 with its $720 price tag. But, if you’re looking for a cheap gaming laptop, this is the best you’re going to find.
Not only is this Windows laptop armed with a fast SSD, which makes loading quick and easy, but it also features an upgrade slot for the laptop’s RAM. This means you can upgrade that 8GB of RAM it already includes, to deliver even more performance to your games and apps.
What to note about it
As with any budget laptop, though, the CPU and GPU included here aren’t the most powerful. As such, playing heavily intensive games might make your laptop a little sluggish. That’s to be expected within this price range, though. If you want to be able to play games and meet all your other everyday browsing needs, though, the Acer Nitro 5 is well worth the extra cash you’ll put down on it. Plus, it’s easy to use with a backlit keyboard.
You can also check out our other recommended gaming laptops if you’ve got a bit bigger budget to work with. Or choose the best budget laptop pick here from Best Buy, which features upgraded graphics.
Best cheap 2-in-1 laptop: Microsoft Surface Go 3
Pros
- Comes with Windows 11
- Responsive touch-screen display
- Lightweight
Cons
- Lower RAM may be limiting
- Accessories can get costly
Why we picked it
If you’re looking for a solid 2-in-1 laptop that’s going to last a bit, then the Microsoft Surface Go 3 is one of the better options out there. It comes with Windows 11, which is Microsoft’s newest operating system. Most Windows laptops feature that now, but it is good to know that it has the latest option.
You can also hook it up with a slew of different accessories to meet your laptop needs. The detachable keyboard is a huge plus here. The only real downfall for this 2-in-1, though, is the fact that all the accessories are sold separately. That can be disappointing for users that wanted a stylus included. But, most of the accessories are fairly affordable, too.
As with most 2-in-1s, the CPU and GPU here aren’t going to let you do the same things that more expensive options might. This has an Intel Core i3 processor, which makes it a decent laptop. Still, the Surface Go 3 will meet all your needs, even if it gets a little sluggish under heavy loads.
What to note about it
If you’re a student or are buying for a student, then the optionable stylus can really help make taking notes easier. That’s by far one of our favorite features of the Surface Go 2-in-1s. There are also a few different CPU options out there for the Surface Go 3. With that in mind, though, the cheapest option offers more than enough power for everyday tasks.
Best cheap laptop for students: Dell Inspiron 15 3000
Pros
- Afffordable
- Solid build
- Large FHD display
Cons
- No USB Type-C ports
- Speakers could be improved
Why we picked it
There’s a lot to love about the Dell Inspiron 15 3000. First, let’s start with the solid and reliable build quality that Dell puts into its laptops. The laptop also comes with Windows 11 baked in. That means you’ve got access to the latest Windows operating system without having to do any updating yourself. The 15-inch full HD display is also stunning and provides a good range of visual colors for viewing web pages, videos, and more. You can use Android apps on this as well.
The laptop comes equipped with 4GB of RAM in the most basic version. If you need more, you can always add up to 12GB before purchasing. The included Iris Xe graphics solution also means you can make the most of light gaming and application usage. You can also upgrade the included SSD up to 512GB. That’s a small number in the long run, but like most laptops, you can easily pair it with an external hard drive for document or image storage.
What to note about it
It doesn’t not have a USB-C port, which can be a pain. This isn’t the beefiest laptop ever. But, the asking price makes it a perfect option for students that need a reliable budget Windows laptop.
Best cheap Chromebook: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
Pros
- 2-in-1 design
- Chrome OS with easy-to-use software
- Samsung OLED display
Cons
- No SSD storage
Why we picked it
Chromebooks have been an unsung hero of the budget laptop market for many years. The IdeaPad Duet 5 is no different. This 2-in-1 laptop makes use of Chrome OS to deliver a fast and reliable operating system. It also gives you access to thousands of apps courtesy of the Google Play Store. The Duet can easily move between the laptop and tablet mode, too. That makes this a perfect companion for people who travel a lot.
Lenovo has become a trusted name in the laptop world over the years, and that’s for good reason. The company continues to deliver solid builds and quality laptops designed to give consumers a great experience.
This boasts up to 15 hours of battery life, making it a dream to have with you on the go. The 13.3″ full HD screen on the Samsung OLED display is ideal to look at. The crystal-clear audio from the four speakers is exactly what you need. This has two cameras for video calls.
What to note about it
Of course, like with most Chromebooks, you’ll have limited access to apps that aren’t on the Google Play Store. But, if you already live your life in the Android ecosystem, that shouldn’t be that big of a problem.
Other options for the best budget laptops
An ASUS Chromebook is another good Chromebook option for those who are looking for a low-priced laptop. The ASUS Chromebook C203XA laptop has a rugged body and an 11.6″ HD display. This has a decent processor to help you run your apps and tabs. It’s also down to just $119.99 at Amazon right now.
For those looking for a best budget gaming laptop, the ASUS TUF Gaming F15 laptop is a solid option. It boasts NVIDIA GeForce GTX gameplay graphics and the 15.6″ FHD display makes gaming electric. This also features dual self-cleaning fans. It’s only $609.99 at Amazon currently.
If you just need a laptop immediately, the HP Stream 11 Laptop can be that laptop. It features a dual-core processor and Intel UHD Graphics. No matter where you’re looking at it from, you’ll enjoy a crystal clear picture. This is down to just $209 at Amazon.
The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best slim laptops you’ll find. It has an 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor and a large display that’s 15.6 inches. You’ll love the Purified Voice technology that helps cancel out background noise to improve video call speech accuracy. Get it now for just $288.66 at Amazon.
Also read: The 11 best laptops for college students
