5 Affordable Laptops You'll Absolutely Appreciate
Written on
Budget laptops have often been the subject of ridicule among tech aficionados and those with the means to splurge. However, I believe this perception is narrow-minded. Most users don't require high-end specifications for their everyday tasks.
Truly, what do you need to browse the internet, check emails, or write documents? Not much.
For individuals facing financial challenges during the pandemic, needing a basic computer for work or leisure, or for children requiring an affordable device for school, I have compiled a list of five budget laptops that you will find appealing.
What to Expect from These Budget Laptops
First and foremost, don't expect to see any Apple laptops on this list, as they don't offer budget-friendly options.
I have intentionally set the maximum price at under $500. Within this limit, there are plenty of choices available, provided they run on Windows or ChromeOS.
Expect these laptops to be constructed from plastic—there will be no aluminum or magnesium here. Additionally, some components may not be the most cutting-edge, but they will adequately support basic laptop functions.
In certain cases, I upgraded the memory and storage to enhance performance while running Windows. For laptops that came with 4 GB of RAM, I upgraded them to 8 GB (this is not an issue for ChromeOS). If a system originally had 128 GB of storage, I increased it to 256 GB wherever possible.
From experience, particularly with Windows laptops, especially budget models, having only 4 GB of RAM can lead to sluggish performance. Increasing the RAM typically leads to a more satisfying user experience.
While storage isn't as pressing an issue, it’s still important to consider. If most of your data is stored in the cloud, 128 GB of local storage might suffice. However, Windows and installed applications will consume a significant portion of that space, leaving limited room for anything else.
Time to Reveal the List of 5 Budget Laptops
The laptops are presented in no specific order.
Dell Inspiron 15 3000 ($449.99 at Dell.com)
- 11th Generation Intel Core i3–1115G4 Processor
- Windows 11 Home (S mode), English
- Intel UHD Graphics
- 8GB RAM (upgraded)
- 256 GB M.2 SSD (upgraded)
- 15.6-inch FHD 1920x1080 Anti-glare LED Backlight Non-touch Display
- 720p HD camera with integrated microphone
- 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth
- Color: Carbon Black
I configured upgrades to the RAM and storage for enhanced longevity and performance. This system is suitable for a wide range of users, handling tasks such as email, web browsing, and Microsoft Office applications with ease.
It comes with Windows Home in S mode but can be upgraded to Windows 11 Home for free.
Lenovo ThinkPad 11e Yoga Gen 6, 2-in-1 ($349.00 at Lenovo.com)
- 8th Generation Intel® Core™ m3–8100Y Processor
- Windows 10 Home
- 11.6-inch HD 1366x768 glossy touchscreen
- 8 GB RAM
- 128 GB SSD
- 720p HD camera
- 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth
- Color: Black
This compact laptop is the smallest on the list but still worthy of consideration. Its 8th Gen Intel m3 processor, while not the latest, performs adequately for basic tasks.
A unique feature of this device is that you can safely use a standard #2 pencil to write on the screen without causing any damage. This is the most affordable Windows laptop here, priced under $350.
Additional storage can be added via an SD card (sold separately).
HP Laptop 15t-dw300 ($419.99 at HP.com)
- Intel Core i5–1135G7 Processor
- Iris Xe Graphics
- Windows 11 Home
- 8 GB RAM
- 15.6-inch HD 1366x768 BrightView non-touch display
- 256 GB M.2 SSD
- 720p HD camera
- 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth
- Color: Black
This laptop falls within the mid-range of the options listed. You can easily manage almost any task with this machine. With its 11th Gen Intel Core i5 and ample RAM and SSD, it offers solid performance at a budget price.
However, the display resolution at 1366x768 is less than ideal, but keep in mind we are focusing on budget options.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet, 2-in-1 Detachable ($299.99 at Bestbuy.com)
- MediaTek Helio P60T processor
- ChromeOS
- 4 GB RAM
- 128 GB SSD
- 10.1-inch 1920x1200 touchscreen display
- 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth
- Includes detachable keyboard
- 2-megapixel front-facing camera
- 8-megapixel rear-facing camera
This is the most economical laptop on the list at $299.99. Optimized for web use, the Duet is perfect for those who primarily rely on Google’s services like Gmail, Chrome, Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Don’t be misled; you can still run Microsoft Office online or through its Android versions, as the Duet supports them.
With a display resolution of 1900x1200, it has the best visuals among budget laptops.
Unlike Windows, ChromeOS is lightweight and operates smoothly with just 4 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD, making it suitable for students.
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook, 2-in-1 ($429.99 at Amazon.com)
- 11th Gen Intel Core i3–1115G4 processor
- ChromeOS
- 8 GB RAM
- 64 GB eMMC storage
- 13.3-inch 1920x1080 FHD touchscreen display
- Color: Abyss Blue
The Lenovo Flex 5i features an 11th Gen Intel i3 processor and 8 GB of RAM, ensuring smooth and swift performance.
Since Chromebooks are designed to utilize cloud storage, the 64 GB storage shouldn’t deter you. ChromeOS requires significantly less space compared to Windows.
The Flex 5i's 13.3-inch touchscreen is well-sized and has a decent resolution, enhancing the user experience, and it comes in a color other than black.
Final Thoughts
All five of these budget devices are capable, but the best choice depends on your personal preferences as a buyer.
Factors such as your operating system preference (Windows or ChromeOS), whether you want a touchscreen, screen size, brand, and price all play a role in your decision.
If you were to ask me which budget laptop I would select, it would be the HP Laptop 15t-dw300 ($419.99 at HP.com).
My reasoning is as follows:
The HP boasts the fastest processor, an 11th Gen Intel i5, Iris Xe graphics, and the latest operating system, Windows 11 Home. While it lacks a touchscreen, I've found that I rarely use touch features and can comfortably do without them.
The only drawback of the HP is its display resolution; at 1366x768, it's not as sharp as the Dell's, but I consider this a manageable compromise.
These five budget laptops have received numerous positive reviews and are among the favorites, so I hope one of them meets your needs. Take your time to explore, compare specifications, and choose the option that aligns best with your requirements and budget.
In the end, the decision is personal.
Until next time...
If you enjoyed this article and wish to explore more content on Medium, I would appreciate your support through my referral link.
Join Medium with my referral link - Dominic DiFrancesco
As a Medium member, a portion of your membership fee supports writers you enjoy, and you gain full access to all stories.