Cheap laptops are a great choice for students, working professionals and anyone needing a computer but more money for the latest model. The best cheap laptops feature decent spec sheets with modern processor chips.
However, it would help if you were prepared to compromise screen resolution, battery life and storage space. It’s also worth checking that your laptop has modern connection ports.
Look for deals and discounts
Regarding budget laptops, you’ll have to accept certain trade-offs. They’ll typically have lower-end processors, less RAM and smaller internal storage than their more expensive counterparts, which may cause a slowdown when running multiple programs or browser tabs simultaneously. They’ll also have lower-quality screens and keyboards, so shopping around and finding a model that fits your needs and preferences is important.
For example, the Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 offers a fantastic screen, good battery life and surprisingly capable performance for under $350. The Surface Laptop SE and HP Stream provide great value if you want something more portable. The MacBook is generally more expensive but packs the latest hardware in its sleek, aluminum unibody frames.
Other brands to consider include Dell, Apple and Asus. Digital Trends names Dell the best laptop brand and Laptop Mag cites HP, but there are plenty of other options with varying price points. Look for laptops with high reviews from tech publications to ensure you get a well-made product that will stand up to regular use. It’s also worth looking for discounts and coupons like the Newegg promo code for budget laptops to get the most out of your money. You can save up to $100 on a new model or save more by buying a refurbished one that has been tested for quality.
Look for brands
There are plenty of great brands to choose from when buying a laptop on a budget, with Dell, Lenovo, HP and Avita amongst the most popular. A good brand will provide a well-built, affordable laptop with the necessary features without breaking your bank account. A durable chassis that can take some abuse is a must, as is a screen with a high resolution and good color reproduction. A decent keyboard with enough key travel and a precision trackpad is also important.
Most budget laptops don’t have separate graphics hardware, so don’t expect to play demanding games on them – you may be able to play a few basic 3D games, but nothing too visually intensive. Look for an Intel Core processor or AMD Ryzen processor, as they offer better performance than ARM-based chips and will get you the best bang for your buck.
The most popular online retailers have incredible deals on budget-friendly laptops and will ship them to your MyUS address! If you want to score extra savings, sign up for their email newsletters and watch their “Shell Shocker” deals. Remember to check out their outlet center for open-box and refurbished laptops too! You can save up to 40% off!
Look for reviews
Only some people need a high-end laptop; for many, a cheap laptop will be more than sufficient. This is especially true if you are not using it for gaming or video editing, which requires significant processing power.
Budget laptops focus on storage and RAM rather than the CPU (central processor), but you will still be limited in what you can get for your money. For example, it is common for budget laptops to have either a 1TB or 500GB hard drive but only 4GB of RAM, which can be frustrating when trying to run multiple programs at once. Getting an SSD (solid state drive) instead can help improve performance and keep things fast, but you will pay more for this.
Some excellent budget laptops are on the market, and there is no shortage of choice. For example, models from Acer, Asus, Lenovo and Microsoft offer excellent value for money. These are ideal for students or those who need a basic computer to do homework, work, email, social media, and watch the odd movie. They are also great for those who need a laptop for more demanding tasks such as online learning or creating and editing videos. The Acer Swift 1 is a good example of a stylish, well-specced affordable model.
Look for warranty
When buying a budget-friendly laptop, look for warranties to protect your investment. While a contract may add to the price of your computer, it can also provide peace of mind and help you save on repairs and replacement costs in the long run. Depending on your needs, you can find various laptop warranties, including those that cover accidental damage, normal wear and tear, and even software issues.
As recently as a few years ago, getting a cheap laptop without glaring flaws like a poor-res, washed-out screen; mushy keyboard; janky trackpad, or underpowered processor took a lot of work. But thanks to technological advances and competition, you can now score a decent Windows laptop or Chromebook for under $500. Aim for a 10th, 11th or 12th-generation Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 5000-series processor, 8GB of RAM and a blazing-fast SSD with at least 128GB or 256GB storage.
A good-budget laptop includes HDMI, USB-C, and SD card slots. And while you won’t be able to play the newest video games on any of these machines, they should still offer enough processing power for work, school and everyday web surfing. Plus, they’ll be lightweight and portable enough to fit into a backpack or briefcase. To find the perfect budget-friendly laptop for you, use Sam’s Club PC Finder Tool.