Finding the Best Cheap Laptops in 2024: A Mashable Guide
Shopping for a great laptop on a budget is entirely possible. Even with a $500 limit, you can find some surprisingly capable machines. While staying under $1,000 might require compromises, you don’t have to settle for a substandard device. Smart shopping is key. The Mashable team constantly reviews laptops across various operating systems and use cases, and we’ve identified several affordable options that meet our high standards for performance and build quality.
Top Picks by Category (as of December 2024):
* Best Cheap MacBook: The 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M2). This speedy laptop offers all-day battery life, an excellent keyboard, and now boasts 16GB of RAM. While its starting price is $999, it frequently drops below $900 on sale. While not as powerful as the latest M3 model, it’s a significant value for budget-conscious Apple users. (Read Mashable’s full review.)
* Best Cheap Windows PC: The Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 9). Priced at $899.99, this 2-in-1 laptop delivers strong performance, good battery life, and the versatility of a tablet mode. While some design aspects are less impressive (a slightly laggy trackpad, for instance), its overall performance justifies the price. (Read Mashable’s full review.)
* Best Cheap Microsoft Laptop: The Surface Laptop Go 3. Starting at $799.99, this ultra-portable notebook offers a stylish design and a fantastic keyboard. However, its older CPU necessitates hunting for sales to achieve optimal value. (Read Mashable’s full review.)
* Best Cheap Chromebook: The HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch. For $499, this Chromebook provides a large, vibrant display and adequate performance for everyday tasks. Useful AI features and multimedia editing app support are added bonuses. Note that a potentially superior Asus Chromebook ($399.99) is currently under review. (Read Mashable’s full review.)
* Best Cheap Gaming Laptop: The Acer Nitro V 15. While pushing the upper limit of our “cheap” definition at $999 (though the base model is $749), this laptop delivers impressive triple-A gaming performance thanks to powerful internals. Trade-offs exist in display quality and battery life, but for budget gamers, the performance outweighs these drawbacks. (Read Mashable’s full review.)
* Best Cheap Gaming Chromebook: The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE. This gaming edition Chromebook streams high-end games well, features a 120Hz display, and is priced at $649. Its excellent battery life is a significant advantage over other gaming laptops. (Read Mashable’s full review.)
Upcoming Laptops to Watch:
Several promising laptops are currently under review, including the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (2023 model), the Asus Vivobook S 14, and the Framework Laptop 13. Mashable staff will also be attending CES in January 2025, keeping an eye out for new budget-friendly options from Acer, Asus, and Lenovo.
Mashable’s Testing Methodology:
All laptops in this guide underwent rigorous hands-on testing by Mashable staff and contributors. This included evaluating build quality, conducting everyday tasks (document creation, email, video playback, gaming, etc.), and running industry-standard benchmark software (Geekbench 6, 3DMark Time Spy, PCMark 10, CrXPRT 2, and a video rundown test using Tears of Steel). Battery life was assessed using the Tears of Steel video rundown test (for all laptops except gaming laptops, which used PCMark 10). Final recommendations considered performance, value, and overall user experience.
When to Buy:
The best time to find deals on laptops is around Black Friday, back-to-school season, Amazon Prime Day, and long holiday weekends. For the newest models, January and February (post-CES) are ideal.
About the Author:
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