12 best cheap laptops (2025), tested and reviewed
Compare the top 12 budget laptops
Other laptops for the budget to consider it
Photo: Daniel Thorp Lancaster
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 for $ 750: Acer Chromebook Plus SPIN 714 (9/10, Wire) checks many boxes. It has an amazing feeling of such a machine at reasonable prices, the keyboard and an excellent tracking board for those who write throughout the day. It also contains one of the best offers I saw on the Chromebook, in great colors floating on the shiny touch screen. It is a bit costly compared to something like the new Lenovo Chromebook 14.
Acer Swift Go 14 for $ 730: Acer Swift Go 14 (7/10, WIRED) contains Chintzy’s building quality, harsh touch plate, and faded keyboard lighting, but it is difficult to overcome the performance you get at this price. There is also a group of ports that make it multi -use, including the microSD card slot. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155h chip containing 16 GB RAM makes a powerful punch when it comes to productivity, and our test also referred to the results of Amnesty International as well. Our average reached 11 hours in our battery test (with a full video on YouTube on an episode), which is respectful.
Acer Chromebook Plus Cx34 for $ 260: If you want to stand out from the crowd a little and do not need Windows, then ASUS Chromebook Plus Cx34 (7/10, Wired Recommendation) is the best chrome book. When I put my hand on CX34, I was affected by its beautiful white design that stands out in a sea of gray panels. It has not been left with energy desire, with Core I5 CPU inside providing a lot of performance to easily deal with multiple tabs and app applications.
What are the important specifications in a cheap laptop?
Read with us How to choose the correct laptop guide If you want all the details about the specifications and what you are looking for. In short, your budget is the most important factor, as you determine what you can expect from the device you buy. But you should consider the size of the width, the structure of the structure, the central treatment unit, the memory, the storage and the selection of the port. Although the appropriate specifications can vary greatly when you think about laptops ranging from $ 200 to $ 800, there are some solid lines that are not recommended across.
For example, do not buy a laptop if it has no at least 1920 x 1080. In 2025, there is no excuse for anything less than that. A laptop without a random access memory should also be purchased at least 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Even in Chromebook books, these specifications have become the new standard. You sell yourself briefly by getting anything less. Another base is to avoid a Windows laptop with an Intel Celeron processor – skip the Chromebook only.
The specifications are only half of the battle though. Based on the test years, laptop manufacturers tend to make concessions in the quality of the display and the quality of the touch plate. You cannot know the pictures or specifications listed online, but once you get a laptop in your hands, you may notice that the screen colors look a little or that the touch board looks volatile. It is almost impossible to find laptops that are less than $ 500 who do not waive these areas, but this is where auditors and laboratories can help.
How much random access memory you need in a cheap laptop?
Simple answer? You need at least 8 GB of RAM. These days, there are even some Windows at about $ 700 or $ 800 that come with 16 GB of RAM Standard, as part of the Copilot+ PC marketing boost. This is a great value, and it guarantees you to have the best performance from your laptop, especially when you run heavier or multi -task applications. Either way, it is important to move at the price of random access memory, because manufacturers often receive $ 100 or even $ 200 to double the memory.
In Chromebooks, there are some rare occasions with 4 GB of RAM are acceptable, but only in the cheapest models of less than $ 200. Even Budget Chromebooks like Asus Chromebook Cx15 now begins with 8 GB of RAM.
Are there good laptops less than $ 300?
Yes, but you have to be careful. Don’t just go to buy a random laptop on Amazon less than $ 300, as it is likely to end up with an old and slow device that will regret its purchase. You may be tempted by something Likewise or thisBut trust me – there are better options, some of which you will find in this guide.
For beginners, you should not buy a laptop for Windows less than $ 300. This price puts you strongly in the cheap Chromebook. Although these are still at the level of budget in terms of quality, it is better in almost everything than their Windows counterparts at a similar price. A good example is Asus Chromebook Cx15.
If you want a Windows laptop, you will not give you the remorse of instant buyers, you will need to spend at least a few hundred. Once you reach 500 dollars or $ 600, there are some Windows, such as Acer Aspire Go 14Although you are there, you offer some great performance in performance and storage capacity. These days, Windows laptops begin to improve in a overload range.
Do you have to buy a chromebook or a cheap Windows laptop?
The eternal question. If you are looking for a laptop less than $ 500, I am strongly recommended to choose the Chromebook. I know it will not be the possibility for everyone, because some have some applications that require a Windows laptop or MacBook. If you aim to get a chromebook, make sure that all connected accessories and other devices are compatible.
Chromebooks allows you to access the full desktop chrome browser, as well as Android applications. Although this leaves some gaps for the applications that some may need, you may be surprised by what you can do without having to install any program. Most applications have useful web versions.
While Chromebooks is more famous as laptops for unwanted students, the last “Chromebook Plus” has filled the gap between Chromebooks Books of dirt and Windows 800 dollars. You will find some great Chromebook Plus options in a range of $ 400 to $ 600 with better performance and width, while also looks like a modern laptop. the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus It is a great example of this. You can read more about the differences between Windows and Chromebooks here.
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