{"id":25930,"date":"2024-07-15T10:10:09","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T10:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/60e20fb7-7831-34fa-b147-5d737e3519ae12"},"modified":"2024-07-15T10:10:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T10:10:09","slug":"the-best-cheap-windows-laptops-for-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/the-best-cheap-windows-laptops-for-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"The best cheap Windows laptops for 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We review a number of Windows 11 laptops every year at Engadget, but the cheapest among them often fall to the bottom of the list. Unlike our top picks for <span class=\"waslinkname\">best Windows laptop<\/span>, or even more niche devices like the <span class=\"waslinkname\">best gaming laptops<\/span>, these machines don\u2019t have pricey OLED panels, high-powered graphics cards or super thin-and-light designs. But that doesn\u2019t mean you should write them off. Besides, not everyone needs a pro-level laptop \u2014 they just need the best machine that will fit their budget.<\/p>\n<p>Sub-$500 laptops made by <span class=\"waslinkname\">Acer<\/span>, <span class=\"waslinkname\">Dell<\/span>, <span class=\"waslinkname\">Lenovo<\/span> and other companies can be great fits for those who primarily use a computer to check email, shop online and occasionally video chat with friends and family. They\u2019re also probably the best option for kids who have no business touching their parents\u2019 expensive daily driver. We\u2019ve tested a number of budget-friendly Windows notebooks \u2014 these are our favorites below, and we outline some buying advice for anyone looking for a cheap Windows laptop that balances capability with affordability.<\/p>\n<div class=\"quick-overview mini-pd commerce-module non-deal\">\n<p>Quick Overview<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"caas-jump-link-heading\" id=\"what-about-chromebooks-and-tablets\">What about Chromebooks and tablets?<\/h2>\n<p>You may be inclined to recommend a <span class=\"waslinkname\">Chromebook<\/span> or a <span class=\"waslinkname\">tablet<\/span> to anyone considering a budget Windows laptop. Those instincts aren\u2019t wrong, but Chromebooks and tablets aren\u2019t the best buy for everyone. Tablets have the most portability, but they will only work for the most mobile-competent users like kids who have been grabbing smartphones out of their parents\u2019 hands since they\u2019ve been dexterous enough to do so. Tablets can also be just as expensive as some of the cheapest Windows laptops, and that\u2019s without a mouse or keyboard.<\/p>\n<p>Chromebooks are a good alternative for those that basically live in a browser, the trade-off being you must give up the \u201ctraditional desktop.\u201d And Chrome OS is a more limited operating system than Windows when it comes to the programs you can install and run.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"caas-jump-link-heading\" id=\"what-windows-laptops-do-well\">What Windows laptops do well<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-loader noheight\"><img class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-preview\" alt=\"Bangkok, Thailand - August 20, 2020 : Computer user touching on Microsoft Edge, a web browser developed by Microsoft, icon on Windows 10 to open the program.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/the-best-cheap-windows-laptops-for-2024.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Bangkok, Thailand - August 20, 2020 : Computer user touching on Microsoft Edge, a web browser developed by Microsoft, icon on Windows 10 to open the program.\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/the-best-cheap-windows-laptops-for-2024.jpg\" class=\"caas-img\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\"><span class=\"caption-credit\"> Wachiwit via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>What can you realistically accomplish on a cheap Windows laptop? Quite a bit, especially if you\u2019re doing one thing (or a limited number of things) at a time. They\u2019re great for everyday tasks like web browsing, checking email, video streaming and more. All of those things can be done on Chromebooks as well, but Windows laptops have a big advantage in Microsoft Office. While yes, there is a browser based version, the native, desktop apps are considered a must have for many and will run smoothly on even the most bare-bones budget laptop. The only caveat is that you may run into some slowdown on low-powered devices if you\u2019re multitasking or working with large data sets in Excel or a lot of photos and graphics in Powerpoint.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to specs, a bright spot for Windows laptops is storage. Even the most affordable devices tend to have at least 128GB SSDs. That will come in handy if you prefer to keep your most important files saved locally on your laptop. In contrast, cheaper Chromebooks often have less storage because they\u2019re built on the assumption that you\u2019ll save all of your documents in the cloud. Not only is that less convenient when you need to work offline, but it also limits the size of programs and files that you can download. So, Chromebooks aren&#8217;t the best for hoarding Netflix shows before a long trip or for use as a gaming laptop.<\/p>\n<p>Windows also has thousands of apps that you can download from its app store. Chromebooks have some Chrome apps, numerous browser extensions and the ability to download Android apps, but quality control is\u2026 inconsistent. Android apps, in particular, often haven\u2019t been optimized for Chrome OS, which makes for a wonky user experience. Windows may not have as many apps as Android, but at least the experience is fairly standard across the board.<\/p>\n<p>Windows also gives you the ability to download and use programs from other sources, like direct from the developer. You can run things like Adobe Creative Suite, certain VPNs and programs like GIMP, Audacity and ClipMate on a Windows device, which just isn\u2019t possible on Chrome OS. Chromebooks limit you to the apps and programs in The Play Store and the Chrome Extensions store, reducing any others to unusable, space-sucking icons in your Downloads folder.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"caas-jump-link-heading\" id=\"what-to-look-for-in-a-budget-friendly-windows-laptop\">What to look for in a budget-friendly Windows laptop<\/h2>\n<p>While you can do a lot even when spending little on a Windows laptop, you must set your expectations accordingly. The biggest downside when purchasing a budget laptop (of any kind, really) is limited power. Many Windows laptops under $500 run on Intel Celeron or Pentium processors, but you can find some with Core i3\/i5 and AMD Ryzen 3\/5 CPUs at the higher end of the price spectrum.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"caas-jump-link-heading\" id=\"specs-to-look-for-in-a-sub-500-windows-laptop\">Specs to look for in a sub-$500 Windows laptop<\/h3>\n<p>We recommend getting the most powerful CPU you can afford because it will dictate how fast the computer will feel overall. RAM is also important because, the more you have, the easier it will be for the laptop to manage things like a dozen browser tabs while you edit a Word document and stream music in the background. However, with sub-$500 laptops, you\u2019re better off getting the best CPU you can afford rather than a laptop with a ton of RAM because the CPU will have enough power to handle most everyday tasks that cheap Windows laptops are designed for (If you\u2019re editing RAW images or 4K video, you\u2019ll want to invest in more RAM\u2026 and a laptop well above $500).<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to storage, consider how much you want to save locally. If you primarily work in Google Docs or save most things in the cloud, you may not need a machine with a ton of onboard storage. Just remember that your digital space will also be taken up by apps, so it may be worth getting a little extra storage than you think you need if you know you\u2019ll be downloading big programs. A final side note: SSDs are ubiquitous at this point, not to mention faster and more efficient than HDDs, so we recommend getting a laptop with that type of storage.<\/p>\n<p>You also don\u2019t have to settle for an entirely plastic notebook either. There are options in the sub-$500 price range that are made, at least in part, with metals like aluminum. Those will not only be more attractive but also more durable. As for screens, there\u2019s a healthy mix of HD and FHD options in this price range and we recommend springing for a notebook with a 1080p display if you can. Touchscreens aren\u2019t as common in the under-$500 space as standard panels, but you\u2019ll only really miss one if you get a <span class=\"waslinkname\">2-in-1 laptop<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>See Also:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s essential to prioritize what\u2019s important to you. But at the lower end of the budget, a good laptop may not offer everything you need, whereas a great one might. Although most machines come with features like Bluetooth, built-in Wi-Fi and additional ports, you might find not all of them come with the specifics you require, like an SD card slot, webcam, and so on. Be sure to check the spec list of any laptop you\u2019re considering before you buy, especially if you need specific connectors and capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>A final note before we get to our picks: The best cheap laptop models change all the time. Unlike more expensive, flagship machines, these notebooks can be updated a couple times each year. That can make it hard to track down a specific model at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart or any other retailer. Also, we\u2019ve seen prices vary widely depending on the configuration and retailer you\u2019re looking at. We\u2019ve listed some of our current favorite models below, but if you can\u2019t find any of them available near you, just keep in mind our list of specs to look for in a cheap laptop \u2013 they\u2019ll guide you to the best machines available at the moment.<\/p>\n<div id=\"8ecaf42995574610a7815f5ad8ef0bac\" class=\"pd-list commerce-module\" data-jump-link-target><!-- amazon_B0BL86VM7F --><\/p>\n<div class=\"list-item has-label horizontal large-view\">\n<div class=\"img-container\"><span class=\"waslinkname\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-width img\" data-src=\"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/the-best-cheap-windows-laptops-for-2024-1.jpg\" height=\"720\" width=\"1280\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/the-best-cheap-windows-laptops-for-2024-1.jpg\" height=\"720\" width=\"1280\" class=\"caas-img has-width img\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Acer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bottom-info\">\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p><strong>Screen size:<\/strong> 15.6 inches | <strong>Resolution:<\/strong> FHD | <strong>Installed memory:<\/strong> 8GB | <strong>Drive capacity:<\/strong> 128GB | <strong>Weight:<\/strong> 3.64 pounds | <strong>Max battery life:<\/strong> Up to 10 hours | <strong>Refresh rate:<\/strong> 60Hz<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\">Acer\u2019s Aspire 5<\/span> series has been a reliable, budget-friendly pick for quite some time now. Most recently, we tested out a model that had a 14-inch 1080p display and runs on an 11th-gen Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and has 256GB of storage. Currently, you can pick up a model with a 15.6-inch display (generous screen real estate here), an 11th-gen Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD for around $300-$400. A newer, 2023 model with a Ryzen processor, 20GB of RAM and 1TB of storage can be found for around <span class=\"waslinkname\">$500.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Performance on our review unit was similar to the previous Aspire 5 model that we tested, the display is good and the keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience. And although we wouldn\u2019t recommend this laptop if you\u2019re a gamer, you could get away with running some casual games when you need to take a break.<\/p>\n<p>The latest Aspire 5s support Wi-Fi 6, and most models have a nice variety of ports including one USB-C (that\u2019s separate from the power back), three USB-A, an HDMI connector and a (gasp) Ethernet port. Battery life is solid as well: this model gets an average of 10 hours of battery life. On the previous version, we were clocking in roughly six, so this is a much-needed improvement.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"pros-cons large-view\">\n<div class=\"list-wrapper\"><span class=\"circleCheckmark icon\"><\/span><span class=\"title\">Pros<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Good performance for the price<\/li>\n<li>Includes a variety of ports<\/li>\n<li>Supports Wi-Fi 6<\/li>\n<li>Improved battery life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"list-wrapper\"><span class=\"circleX icon\"><\/span><span class=\"title\">Cons<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Boring design<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\">$370 at Amazon<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"450d08cbc4424dd3ac69bc907b43dde5\" class=\"pd-list commerce-module\" data-jump-link-target><!-- walmart_transaction_829136096 --><\/p>\n<div class=\"list-item has-label horizontal large-view\">\n<div class=\"img-container\"><span class=\"waslinkname\"><img class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-width img\" data-src=\"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/the-best-cheap-windows-laptops-for-2024-2.jpg\" height=\"384\" width=\"683\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/the-best-cheap-windows-laptops-for-2024-2.jpg\" height=\"384\" width=\"683\" class=\"caas-img has-width img\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Lenovo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bottom-info\">\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p><strong>Screen size:<\/strong> 14 inches | <strong>Resolution:<\/strong> FHD | <strong>Installed memory:<\/strong> 4GB | <strong>Drive capacity:<\/strong> 128GB | <strong>Weight:<\/strong> 3.63 pounds | <strong>Max battery life:<\/strong> Up to 10 hours | <strong>Refresh rate:<\/strong> 60Hz<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\">Lenovo\u2019s Flex 5 14<\/span> is a good alternative if you want a more portable cheap laptop with a battery life that will keep you going all day long. It runs on an AMD Ryzen 3 4300 processor, with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, and it\u2019s accompanied by a 14-inch 1080p IPS display and an array of ports that includes one USB-C connection. If you care about future-proofing, that USB-C port will be critical.<\/p>\n<p>The typing experience is also top-notch: while it doesn\u2019t have a number pad, its keys have that rounded-bottom shape that\u2019s similar to keys on Lenovo\u2019s ThinkPad machines. They make a satisfying clicking sound while you\u2019re typing, but they\u2019re not loud enough to bother those around you. There\u2019s also an optional backlit keyboard upgrade, which might be useful for those who work through the night.<\/p>\n<p>And despite being a budget laptop, the Lenovo Flex 5 14 isn\u2019t flimsy. The palm rests don\u2019t creak under pressure and it\u2019s easy to carry this machine one-handed around a room, which is a testament to its build quality. I also appreciate its convertible design, which gives you more flexibility. And like most Lenovo machines, the Flex 5 14 has a webcam that you can cover with a physical shutter.<\/p>\n<p>The Flex 5 14 also has the upper-hand over the Aspire 5 when it comes to battery life: The former lasted about 16.5 hours in our testing, whereas Acer\u2019s machine lasted roughly 10 hours. That makes the Lenovo option the clear winner if you\u2019re looking for a laptop that can last all day and then some.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"pros-cons large-view\">\n<div class=\"list-wrapper\"><span class=\"circleCheckmark icon\"><\/span><span class=\"title\">Pros<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Comfortable keyboard<\/li>\n<li>Convertible design<\/li>\n<li>Long battery life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"list-wrapper\"><span class=\"circleX icon\"><\/span><span class=\"title\">Cons<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A little chunky<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\">$310 at Amazon<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bab672342ff54689b5aab4014b9bfa9a\" class=\"pd-list commerce-module\" data-jump-link-target><!-- amazon_B0CDKDS8KL --><\/p>\n<div class=\"list-item has-label horizontal large-view\">\n<div class=\"img-container\"><span class=\"waslinkname\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-width img\" data-src=\"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/the-best-cheap-windows-laptops-for-2024-3.jpg\" height=\"720\" width=\"1280\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/the-best-cheap-windows-laptops-for-2024-3.jpg\" height=\"720\" width=\"1280\" class=\"caas-img has-width img\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Photo by Devindra Hardawar \/ Engadget<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bottom-info\">\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p><strong>Screen size:<\/strong> 12.4 inches | <strong>Resolution:<\/strong> 1,536 x 1,024p | <strong>Installed memory:<\/strong> 8GB | <strong>Drive capacity:<\/strong> 256GB | <strong>Weight:<\/strong> 2.49 pounds | <strong>Max battery life:<\/strong> Up to 15 hours | <strong>Refresh rate:<\/strong> 60Hz<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read our full <\/strong><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong>Surface Laptop Go 3 review<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019d be remiss if we didn\u2019t mention the <span class=\"waslinkname\">Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3<\/span> here, even though it starts at $800. It has one of the best designs you\u2019ll find on any cheap Windows notebook, with a slim frame, minimalist aesthetic, thin bezels surrounding its 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen. While we would have preferred to see a true 1080p panel on a device like this, the 1,536 x 1,024 resolution on the laptop\u2019s display is just fine and still pretty crisp and bright.<\/p>\n<p>The Laptop Go 3\u2019s design isn\u2019t too much different than the previous model, which is a good thing. In addition to its ultraportable look and feel, it also has a stellar keyboard and a great trackpad \u2014 two things that are staples in the Surface lineup. The port situation could be better, but that\u2019s often the case with thin-and-light laptops like this. The notebook has one USB-A connection, one USB-C port, a headphone jack and a Surface charging port.<\/p>\n<p>The biggest changes are internal, with Microsoft giving the Laptop Go 3\u2019s specs a decent bump. The base model has a 12th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. The additional RAM is key here, since the base model of the previous generation only came with a paltry 4GB of memory. Sure, you\u2019re probably not going to be video editing on this device, but it\u2019s a welcome addition. While the Surface Laptop Go 3\u2019s $800 starting price is more than our other top picks, it&#8217;s justified given its upgraded specs \u2014 and that\u2019s still cheaper than most flagship laptops anyway.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"pros-cons large-view\">\n<div class=\"list-wrapper\"><span class=\"circleCheckmark icon\"><\/span><span class=\"title\">Pros<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Elegant design<\/li>\n<li>Stellar keyboard and trackpad<\/li>\n<li>Good performance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"list-wrapper\"><span class=\"circleX icon\"><\/span><span class=\"title\">Cons<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>More on the expensive side<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\">$600 at Amazon<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We review a number of Windows 11 laptops every year at Engadget, but the cheapest among them often fall to the bottom of the list. Unlike our top picks for best Windows laptop, or even more niche devices like the best gaming laptops, these machines don\u2019t have pricey OLED panels, high-powered graphics cards or super &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25931,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"hashtags":[],"class_list":["post-25930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gadgets","has-thumb","has-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25930"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25930"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25930\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25930"},{"taxonomy":"hashtags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.worldtechguide.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtags?post=25930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}