Human being and cute robot have been sent to the moon and mars thanks to computer. You’d think in this day of magical technical nirvana we’d be able to get a reasonably priced laptop computer. I just need something light enough that I won’t hurt my back carrying it all day, yet robust enough to get the job done. Is it too much to expect for a portable computer that is both affordable and fast? There are trade-offs, but thankfully it is feasible. You won’t be able to edit films on them or play demanding games, and their screens won’t be as crisp as those on more expensive machines.
We put dozens of low-cost notebooks through their paces and found that they’re up to the challenge of daily life without draining your financial account. Be aware of the operating system; many still ship with Windows 10, but some provide a free upgrade to Windows 11.
Asus Zenbook 14 (2023).
Photo:
ASUS
For $700, Asus’ Zenbook 14 combines powerful hardware, long battery life, and an OLED screen. Our budget only allows for the most basic configuration, but even that one still comes with a 256GB solid state drive, 8GB of RAM, and an AMD Ryzen 5 7530U processor. That might not seem like much, but for the price, we thought the performance was excellent. Battery life is fantastic, coming in around 12.5 hours (tested by looping a YouTube movie at maximum brightness), but the graphics and gaming performance aren’t great.
This computer weighs just 3.1 pounds and measures just 19 millimetres in thickness, but it nevertheless manages to cram a plethora of ports into its compact body. A microSD card reader is included in addition to a full-size USB 3.2 connector, an HDMI output, and two USB-C connections (one of which is required for charging). The arrow keys on the keyboard are a bit tiny, but other than that, it’s a great typing experience. The variant with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD may be purchased for $869 if you have some additional cash to spare.
Affordable and Powerful Laptop
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5
Photo:
Lenovo
Lenovo’s IdeaPad 5, which is powered by AMD and features a Ryzen 5 CPU, is still a fantastic low-cost laptop and was previously our top pick. You get a 14-inch IPS display, 16 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB solid-state drive. It may be used as a tablet or propped up in stand mode to view movies. There is nowhere to store the digital pen ($40), but you will need it to make full use of the 2-in-1 design. The display might need more light as well. The CPUs and display here are outdated in comparison to the Zenbook up above. The newest IdeaPad 5 is unfortunately more pricey.
Top-Rated 15-Inch Notebook
Acer Aspire 3 (12th-Gen Intel, 2022)
Photo: Acer
Among the 15-inch laptops I’ve examined, the Acer Aspire 3 provides the greatest value. The 15.6-inch IPS model with an Intel Core i5 (or an AMD 5000 series processor), built-in graphics, 8 GB of RAM, and a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels is the one to go for. It’s huge, and the screen isn’t very crisp, but using it won’t cause any discomfort to your eyes. It has several connections (Ethernet, USB, USB-C, HDMI, and a headphone jack) and can do most common jobs with ease. This is one of the lighter cheap 15-inch laptops out there at just 4 pounds, and the keyboard is fine for the price. Too bad the volume can’t be turned up higher on the speakers.
The Top-Rated 13-Inch Notebook
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Photo: Microsoft
The new and improved Surface Laptop Go 2 from Microsoft is an excellent choice for students and a reasonable alternative to the MacBook. Adam Speight, reviewing it for WIRED, called it “an absolute joy to use.” The 11th-generation Intel processor is more than competent for most users, and the keyboard is among the best in its class. If you have the means, go for the version with 8 GB of RAM. Unfortunately, we only got around seven hours out of a charge on average.
Best Price/Quality Ratio
Lenovo Duet 5i
Photo: Lenovo
The Lenovo Duet 5i is an excellent 2-in-1 computer. Lenovo’s effort to compete with Microsoft’s Surface hybrids. I was able to use it for well over nine hours on a charge, which is more than our preferred Surface, and performance was more than enough. It’s great fun to look at the crisp, clear display.
Although its Intel Core i3 processor is noticeably less powerful than those found in the other models reviewed here, the Duet 5i will nevertheless perform admirably for everyday tasks like surfing the web, playing movies, and creating documents. Keep in mind that the RAM and SSD look to be soldered and are thus not upgradable by the end user.
Maximum Strength
Acer Swift 3 (2021)
Photo: Acer
The Acer Swift 3 2021 model was fantastic, but its high initial price tag put us off. This laptop is a great deal now that its price has dropped. It has an IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels, an SSD with 256 gigabytes of storage, and a fast 11th-generation Intel Core i7 processor. (In contrast to certain LCDs, IPS displays have a somewhat higher aesthetic quality.) The Swift 3 has four USB ports, including one USB-C connector, and performed well in our video-based battery drain test. I’ve also tried the Intel i5 variant, which has even longer battery life at the expense of substantial processing speed.
Best for Chromebook Lovers
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook
Photo: Lenovo
This Chromebook looks and feels a lot like the Flex 5 we just discussed. Unlike other low-cost Chromebooks, this one starts with a Core i3 from the 11th generation. Its biggest flaw is that its 250-nit brightness is barely bright enough to use outside, but its 13-inch IPS display has an excellent anti glare coating, so you can use it comfortably in strong sunlight for online surfing and video streaming. The Flex 5i is compatible with Lenovo’s USI stylus ($40 separately) and runs the newest version of Chrome OS, which has been designed to function in all three of the device’s two-in-one modes.
Optimal Low-Cost Tablet
Apple iPad Air (2022, 5th Gen)
Photo:
Apple
Is a budget laptop absolutely necessary? Is a tablet computer sufficient? Some folks will find the Apple iPad Air (2022) to be a great substitute for their laptop computer. The iPad Air is ideal if you need a device that can be used for everything from casual web browsing in front of the TV to watching movies in bed to doing light work throughout the day. The iPad Air starts at $449, but if you don’t want to pay so much, the iPad ($329) or the iPad (10th generation) ($449) are cheaper alternatives.
The challenge is in actually finishing tasks. The iPad is an excellent choice if you plan on relying on it mostly for word processing, web design, or any of the other things it excels at. Apple’s iPadOS 16 also has enhanced multitasking. But if you need to use programs that the iPad can’t handle for your job, you should invest in a proper laptop.
Top-Rated Budget Windows Tablet
Microsoft Surface Go 3
Photo: Microsoft
The Surface Go 3 is a lightweight, portable computer that provides much of the capabilities of Windows. While the Lenovo Duet 5i is our top pick for a laptop, the Surface Go 3 is our pick for a media machine in your spare time. Lots of great things about this: It has no fans, a crisp and brilliant 10.5-inch display, expandable storage through MicroSD card slot, and a gorgeous keyboard on its cover.
Problems? It has a shorter battery life than its predecessor. Microsoft also gets you in the details by charging you $99 for the excellent keyboard cover that is still offered separately. The price nearly doubles when you add 8 GB of RAM and a keyboard.
Best Chromebook Tablet
Hybrid Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
Photo: Lenovo
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 convertible Chromebook laptop/tablet is a fantastic low-cost 2-in-1. You may use it as a laptop or a tablet, and it has a pleasant look (similar to the IdeaPad 5i). The OLED screen is fantastic (you get deep blacks and vibrant colours) and unusual in laptops at this price point.
The Duet 5’s affordable price tag can in part be attributed to the inclusion of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 ARM CPU. Although it lacks the power of Intel Core chips, it should be adequate for ChromeOS. The top-tier model is worth the additional money because of its superior Snapdragon processor.
Find a Quality Laptop: A Guide
Advice on Buying a Laptop
Buying a used or refurbished laptop is a great option if you’re on a limited budget, want to save money, or concerned about the environment. Used computers from a wide variety of vendors (both professionals and average individuals) have served me well on eBay.
Make sure you are well-versed in the industry to get the greatest price. Find out what sort of machine is most suited to your needs by doing some study. The more mundane, business-oriented versions are the simplest to obtain and, hence, the greatest deals. Because major organisations use ThinkPads and then discard them all at once, there are plenty of affordable options to select from, and I happen to prefer them.
Target these requirements: A 13-inch screen with a resolution close to full high definition (1080p) is recommended, along with an 11th-generation Intel Core i3 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage (ideally an SSD), and a solid state drive.
If you already know what kind of secondhand laptop you’re looking for, you can find it on eBay. Below, you’ll see an option to filter the results to solely “Sold Listings.” Now, sum up the values of the most recent 10 sales and divide by 10. Don’t spend any more than the usual price though. Do not forget the bargain basement pricing. Selecting “Sold Listing” has been removed. Examine the range of prices between the cheapest and the midpoint. Those are the types of offers worth thinking about. Some viewing is highly recommended. Don’t make any bids or take part. Keep an eye on them to the very end and see how high the bidding goes.
You’ll know you’ve found a good deal if you have a sense of the market and what prices should be. Wait until you’ve located it. Waiting until the last minute to place a bid is a bad idea. You don’t want the competition to have time to respond to your bid. It’s important to keep in mind that missing out on something is not the end of the world. On eBay, new items are constantly being listed.
