Buying a new laptop can be an expensive endeavor, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of budget-friendly laptop options that offer great performance and features without the high price tag. Here are 10 affordable laptops that provide incredible value for the money.
From versatile Chromebooks to Windows-based laptops packing the latest processors, there are affordable options suitable for all types of needs. Spending time researching the right model for your usage and budget goes a long way. You may also consider buying used laptops to get even more value.
This guide will highlight the top 10 budget laptops that offer strong performance, good build quality, and long battery life without breaking the bank. The laptops included range in price from under $200 to under $500.
Top Budget Laptop Picks for buying used laptops
1. Acer Aspire 5
- OS: Windows 11 Home in S Mode
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3350U
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD LED
- Battery Life: Up to 7.5 hours
The Acer Aspire 5 packs solid performance into a budget-friendly package, making it one of the best-value laptops around. It comes with a recent AMD processor and fast SSD storage. The 15.6-inch 1080p screen and 7.5 hours of battery life make it great for productivity and entertainment. At under $350, this is a very affordable choice that covers all the basics well. Buying used laptops could save you even more upfront.
- Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3
- OS: Chrome OS
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Display: 11.6-inch HD Touch
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
This convertible Chromebook from Lenovo delivers a lot of versatility at a wallet-friendly price point. It has a touchscreen display that can rotate 360-degrees into various modes. Weighing only 2.7lbs, it’s easy to carry around. The spill-resistant keyboard and Lenovo digital pen support make it ideal for students. With snappy performance and long battery life, it’s great for web-based work and basic casual use.
3. HP 14 Laptop
- OS: Windows 11 Home
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Display: 14-inch HD
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
HP offers a stellar budget-friendly laptop option with its 14-inch model. For under $300, you can get great specifications like an 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD and Intel Celeron processor. It comes loaded with Windows 11 Home edition and also offers microSD card expansion. The thin and compact design coupled with a durable chassis makes it suitable for everyday demands. Buying used laptops is another way to save, but this device offers new affordable quality.
4. Lenovo IdeaPad 1i
- OS: Windows 11 Home in S Mode
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4500
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 14-inch HD Touch
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
Lenovo’s IdeaPad 1i packs superb value with its feature-filled configuration. For under $400, you get a quad-core Celeron CPU, ample RAM and SSD storage making it breeze through everyday tasks. The HD touchscreen allows for intuitive operation. Dual 1.5W speakers provide an immersive media viewing experience. It also has AMD Radeon graphics for some light gaming. The sleek design and fast Wi-Fi round off this budget-savvy pick.
5. Samsung Chromebook 4
- OS: Chrome OS
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4000
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
- Display: 11.6-inch HD
- Battery Life: Up to 12.5 hours
Samsung makes one of the most popular Chromebooks thanks to its stability, ease of use and attractive pricing. For general web browsing, document editing, social media and streaming, this compact and military-grade device hits the sweet spot. It lasts over 12 hours on a charge enabling all-day use. The comfortable keyboard allows for efficient typing. At around $200, this user-friendly Chromebook is ideal for basic portable use.
6. Asus Vivobook 15
- OS: Windows 11 Home in S Mode
- CPU: AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD
- Battery Life: Up to 5.5 hours
The Asus Vivobook 15 delivers speedy performance in an ultrathin profile making it a delight to use on the go. It weighs only 3.5lbs and is 0.7 inches thin. The AMD processor can handle everyday workloads including light gaming. You get a good quality 1080p display, ergonomic keyboard and fingerprint sensor for security. Battery life reaches nearly 6 hours for day-long productivity. If a big screen is a must on a tight budget, this Asus laptop fits the bill well.
7. Dell Inspiron 15 3000
- OS: Windows 11 Home
- CPU: Intel Pentium Silver N5030
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch HD
- Battery Life: Up to 5.5 hours
Dell’s Inspiron line up offers budget machines that don’t compromise on quality and performance. Case in point is the Inspiron 15 3000 model delivering fantastic value at just over $400. You get abundant RAM, fast SSD storage and a Pentium quad core chip to breeze through everyday work. The comfortable keyboard allows for effortless typing. Dell’s build quality ensures this laptop will serve you reliably for years.
8. Acer Chromebook 514
- OS: Chrome OS
- CPU: AMD A6-9220C
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Display: 14-inch FHD IPS
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
The Acer Chromebook 514 packs a lot of productivity power into its slim metal chassis. The 14-inch 1080p screen provides sharp image quality while the backlit keyboard enables easy typing in any lighting. Performance is snappy thanks to the fast Wi-Fi, AMD dual core processor and 4GB RAM. You’ll also appreciate the Gorilla Glass touchpad, USB-C port and long 10 hour battery life. If Chrome OS suits your needs, this is a compelling choice.
Key Specs Comparison – buying used laptops
To summarize the key specs of the budget laptops covered in this guide, here is a comparison table:
| Laptop Model | OS | CPU | RAM | Storage | Display | Battery Life | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Aspire 5 | Windows 11 | AMD Ryzen 3 | 4GB | 128GB SSD | 15.6-inch FHD | 7.5 hours | Under $350 |
| Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3 | Chrome OS | Intel Celeron N4020 | 4GB | 64GB eMMC | 11.6-inch HD Touch | 10 hours | Under $300 |
| HP 14 Laptop | Windows 11 | Intel Celeron N4020 | 8GB | 128GB SSD | 14-inch HD | 10 hours | Under $300 |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 1i | Windows 11 | Intel Celeron N4500 | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 14-inch HD Touch | 8 hours | Under $400 |
| Samsung Chromebook 4 | Chrome OS | Intel Celeron N4000 | 4GB | 32GB eMMC | 11.6-inch HD | 12.5 hours | Around $200 |
| Asus Vivobook 15 | Windows 11 | AMD Athlon Silver 3050U | 4GB | 128GB SSD | 15.6-inch FHD | 5.5 hours | Under $350 |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3000 | Windows 11 | Intel Pentium Silver N5030 | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 15.6-inch HD | 5.5 hours | Just over $400 |
| Acer Chromebook 514 | Chrome OS | AMD A6-9220C | 4GB | 64GB eMMC | 14-inch FHD IPS | 10 hours | Under $300 |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 3i | Windows 11 | Intel Pentium Silver N5030 | 4GB | 128GB SSD | 14-inch FHD | 5.5 hours | Under $350 |
| Acer Aspire 1 | Windows 11 | Intel Celeron N4500 | 4GB | 64GB eMMC | 14-inch HD | 10 hours | Under $200 |
This covers a diverse selection of budget laptops suitable for different needs and budgets. Focus on the specs like processor, RAM, storage, display and battery life to find the right match for your requirements and price range.
Do consider buying used laptops to score even better deals on older models with decent performance. Thorough inspection and testing is advised when purchasing second hand devices though.
Happy laptop shopping! – buying used laptops
For an easy and secure way for buying used laptops, check out Gizmogo. They thoroughly test and verify pre-owned devices to sell quality second hand electronics at attractive prices. Buying refurbished helps save money and the planet!