The Best Inexpensive Laptops
At first, shopping for a new laptop may seem as complicated as purchasing a new car. With so many options regarding screen size, memory, and processing speed, the market can seem oversaturated and overwhelming at first, especially if you’re shopping for a bargain. But not to worry, we’re breaking things down and compiling a list of five of the very best inexpensive laptops to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Over the years, computers have become fundamental in how we work, learn, and entertain ourselves. Maybe you’re ready for an upgrade or in the market for something a little lighter and more portable for logging on at your favorite coffee shop. Or maybe it’s finally time to put that desktop on the curb and enjoy these laptop HD displays and high-speed processors on the go.
ASUS L210 Laptop
This ultra-thin laptop by Asus is perfect for working on the go. Measuring only 0.7 inches thin, this laptop only weighs 2.3 pounds and is sure to slip easily and comfortably into any backpack or briefcase. The slim, lightweight design doesn’t give anything up in terms of screen size, providing 11.6 inches of the HD screen display. Whether you’re working from home, at the office, or on a cross-country road trip, the Asus L210 delivers. You can enjoy this Windows operating system, 4GB of memory, and one full year of Microsoft 365 Personal, as part of the deal. Other notable features include a nice 12 hours of battery life, an easy-to-use number pad, and a 180-degree lay-flat hinge.
Pros:
- Slim and lightweight
- Includes one full year of Microsoft 365 Personal
Cons:
- The screen is quite small
Used Chromebook C720 Laptop
Lightweight and lovely
If you’re looking for a great bargain, this Chromebook c720 is a perfect choice. Super affordable, this high-quality laptop is priced far below its value due to being “Used Well.” If you don’t mind a few minor scratches, this lightly used laptop is ready to give you an Intel Celeron processor, Bluetooth capabilities, and a Chrome Operating System. In comparison with the others on our list, this Chromebook is a bit lighter in terms of storage and RAM, but depending on how you plan to use your machine, why pay extra for features you may not need? Plus, you’ll never wait for the home screen to load, since the Chromebook C720 is designed to bring you an ultra-fast boot-up, ready to use in five to seven seconds.
Pros:
- Super low price
- Thin and lightweight
- Quick start-ups
Cons:
- It may come with minor cosmetic damage
HP Chromebook Laptop
Yes HP please
The HP Chromebook might just be the best-looking laptop on the market. It’s available in “Snow White” or “Indigo Blue”, so you can take a break from that dull computer grey. Roughly matching the other options in RAM, storage, and screen size, the battery life is what sets this laptop apart from the rest. Without weighing you down or sacrificing graphics, the Hp Chromebook boasts a tremendously convenient 15 hours and 45 minutes of battery life. Best of all, it comes at a bargain price, with a tempting option to pay a bit extra to add touchscreen capabilities.
Pros:
- Varied color options
- Long-lasting battery life
- Also available with touchscreen
Cons:
- Smaller screen size
Acer Aspire 5 Laptop
Get those graphics
Although this pick is at the high-end of the budget laptop market, Acer offers several tiers of storage capacity and processing power that can lower the price. If you’re a gamer or need to have several programs running at once, shelling out a few extra dollars upfront is going to save you from a world of waiting for slower processing speeds to keep up. The Acer Aspire hits it out of the park with an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Dual-Core Processor and Vega 3 Mobile Graphics, not to mention the 15.6-inch screen and backlit keyboard. The only other Windows processor on our list, Acer takes it one step further, even offering add-on accessories like a backpack, headset, and wireless computer mouse.
Pros:
- Best graphics and 128Gb of storage
- 15.6-inch screen
Cons:
- On the expensive side
- Quite heavy
HP Chromebook 14-Inch HD Laptop
App-solutely
This HP Chromebook features a backlit keyboard and an anti-glare display. As an Epeat, Energy Star-certified laptop, this Chromebook will help you get the technology you need, without the guilt. In addition to quality speakers by B&O for binge-watching your favorite show, the high-end touchpad and 13 hours and 30 minutes of battery life, allow you to move seamlessly from work to personal use. Plus, with access to the Google Play Store, you’ll be able to choose between millions of apps and have the processing speed to keep them all running smoothly.
Pros:
- Decently sized screen
- 13.5 hours of battery life
Cons:
- The memory cannot be upgraded
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important number to look at when shopping for a new laptop?
Before you start comparing numbers, we recommend asking yourself what your needs are. What do you typically use your laptop for, and what is most important to you? A bigger price tag doesn’t always mean better. For instance, shelling out for massive storage and processing speeds when your primary use is email, would be like overspending for rooms in a house you’ll never put furniture in. Once you’ve laid out your needs, you’ll know what to look for, and the options become way less overwhelming.
What is the difference between laptop memory and storage?
Both are typically measured in GB, and both should be considered directly along with the way you plan to use your machine. RAM, or random access memory is linked to processing speed, which entails accessing and loading documents and applications, and performing multiple functions. It is short-term data that helps the overall performance of your laptop. Storage is long-term and can range anywhere from a few hundred Gb to a Tb (1,000 GB) of storage. Depending on the size of the files you’d like to store permanently on your laptop, this number will vary. For instance, photographers or designers with large, complex files may opt to pay more for additional storage, or supplement their machine with an external hard drive.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.