Finding the perfect laptop without breaking the bank is not as difficult as you might think. These days, the best cheap laptops still pack a lot of punch, offering superb premium price features. Whether you need a laptop for work, school, streaming or simply stay connected, there are many affordable options that can manage your daily needs. You also do not have to satisfy yourself with obsolete technology – many budgetary laptops are now delivered with decent processors, a long service life of the battery and even elegant designs that will not be embarrassed.
Of course, not all budgetary laptops are created equal. This is why we have gathered the higher choices to help you get the most value for your money. From friendly chromebooks to Windows laptops for light productivity, there is something for everyone.
Table of contents
The best cheap laptops of 2025
What to look for in a budget laptop
Firstly, at Engadget, consider that everything that is less than $ 1,000 is a “budget” in the space of laptops. The reason is twofold: even the most affordable flagship laptops generally start at $ 1,000 or more, and if you go considerably lower than that (for example, $ 500 or less), this is where you will really start to see performance compromises. You will generally find the best cheap laptops concluding a good balance between energy and the price of the range from $ 500 to $ 1,000. But in this guide, we will cover the best choices to a wide range of prices – there are a number of excellent options on the low and high -end of the budgetary spectrum.
You can say that the greatest thing to look for in a cheap laptop is the quality of construction and a decent specification sheet. You might be able to find configuration options with the latest generation CPU chipsets, or you may have to opt for the one who has a slightly older processor. We recommend that you search for models with storage of semiconductor disks (SSD) instead of a traditional hard drive, as SSDs offer faster performance. And if you can find a PC with the latest interns, it’s worth the investment. However, going with a processor which is only a generation behind will probably not make a notable difference in performance.
In addition to the processors, you should also consider the amount of memory and storage you need in a daily pilot. For the first, we recommend laptops with at least 8 GB of RAM; Everything that has less that it will have a hard time multitasking and managing all of these web browsing tabs. The latter is a little more personal: the quantity of storage on board you need really depends on the number of applications, files, photos, documents and more that you will record locally. As a rule, try to opt for a laptop that has at least one SSD of 256 GB (this is only worth for macOS and Windows machines, because chromebooks are a bit different). This should give you enough space for programs and files, plus the place for future updates to the operating system. And if you need a machine for light productivity or Android emulation, some laptops even support Android applications natively, which can add additional versatility.
After determining the best performance you can get while sticking to your budget, it is also worth examining a few different design aspects. We recommend a laptop with an IPS screen for better visualization angles and colored precision, although premium models with OLED screens become more common and can offer deeper blacks and vibrant colors. Also pay attention to the selection of ports – many budgetary models offer many ports, while the highest range tends to prioritize minimalism with fewer connections. If you matter, look for options with USB-C, USB-A, HDMI and an audio socket.
And speaking of practical characteristics, keep an eye on GPU performance if you buy a laptop for the budget. Although the integrated graphics are good for occasional users, a dedicated GPU will improve creative games and workloads. We also recommend that you check the screen cooling rate, as a higher rate will make a significant difference in games and heavy scrolling applications.
A note on renovated laptops
Renovated laptops are another option to consider if you need a new machine and you don’t want to spend a ton of money. The purchase of renovated technology can be delicate if you are not familiar with the policies of a brand or a merchant surrounding what they classify as “renovated”. But it is not impossible – for laptops, we recommend that you go directly to the manufacturer for renovated devices. Apple,, Apron And Microsoft All have official renovation processes that their devices go through before they are put back on the market that check that the machines work properly and are in good condition. Third -party retailers as Amazon And Walmart Also have their own renovation programs for laptops and other gadgets.
This article originally appeared on engadget to
