The majority of customers purchase a cheap laptop, despite PC makers’ enthusiasm for promoting pricey, high-end computers. Why not, then? A competent computer that will serve you well for years can be found in a $500 laptop.
The brands are aware of you, which is the only issue. Thousands of slightly modified setups that are designed to maximise profit have been dumped onto the market. Finding the cheapest laptop can be difficult if you are unsure of what to look for. With sale models, things can get more complicated because merchants frequently try to unload less attractive, outdated, or improperly designed models among all the discounts.
We can assist. Our list of the top laptops under $500 contains specific, current advice on the finest budget laptops to pass our lab tests. However, because the majority of low-cost laptops are never reviewed, this advice might help you choose a low-cost laptop without being misled by its specifications. Our often updated roundup of the best laptop bargains also highlights incredible laptops selling for significantly less than usual if you’re looking for more specific purchasing advice across a range of price points.
Windows Or Chrome Os As An Operating System?
The operating system you choose is the most crucial decision you must make. Cheap laptops either run Google ChromeOS or Microsoft Windows. The latter is frequently less expensive; Chromebooks may be purchased for as little as $135 with UK hot deal.
For those with a strong Internet connection, a preference for Google services, and minimum needs, ChromeOS offers a quick, fluid, and simple operating system. The majority of apps and services are only available online, and there is a smaller range of apps and services to pick from.
Windows is adaptable, strong, and practical. To do any task, you can choose from hundreds of thousands of applications. The majority of keyboards, mouse, and displays are built with Windows in mind first, while ChromeOS compatibility is possible. Windows is less fluid than ChromeOS and needs a more powerful laptop to function properly.
Keep Using AMD Ryzen 3 Or Intel Core I3 Processors (Or Better)
A number of low-end processors that aren’t found in more expensive PCs are sold with budget laptops. Along with low-cost AMD Athlon and Intel Celeron processors, you may also run into MediaTek and Samsung processors.
The processors from Intel and AMD, the Celeron and Athlon, aren’t any better than MediaTek. Although faster laptops are still reasonably priced, laptops with these processors can cost as little as $200. Laptops that start at $300 include AMD Ryzen 3 and Intel Core i3. The value there is better.
RAM, usually referred to as memory, is crucial for multitasking and more demanding apps. Aim for 8GB RAM. The ideal amount of RAM for a cheap laptop is 8GB. Applications that need more RAM won’t run properly on a cheap laptop for other reasons as well.
A hotdealsUK will be pushed to the limit with 8GB of RAM. When you have the option, I suggest leaning toward a computer with 8GB of RAM, but you might have to make do with less. Budget laptops frequently have 4GB or, less frequently, 6GB.
It’s alright. Really. For web browsing, term paper writing, online shopping, personal accounting, and many other computing duties, even 4GB of RAM is sufficient. Just don’t start a hobby in photography or video editing.
Aim For A 128GB SSD Or Higher For Your Hard Disc
Solid state hard drives are frequently available in place of traditional hard disc drives in low-cost laptops. That’s advantageous. App load times are decreased with a solid state drive. It significantly improves.
The optimal hard drive has at least 128GB of storage.This is still limited, but it’s doable if you continue to save large files on the cloud and utilise apps that are greater than 10GB in size. The better option is 256GB of storage, but it will be difficult to find that for less than $400.
There are certain inexpensive laptops, mostly Chromebooks that list a modest 32GB or 64GB “eMMC” hard drive as an option rather than a solid state drive. This is cheap solid state storage that performs below par. Although a larger solid state drive is what I advise, eMMC storage is adequate for a Chromebook. Never purchase an eMMC-equipped Windows laptop.
Display
Every low-cost laptop features an LCD screen that is edge-lit. Budget laptop displays appear good, although they won’t be as nice as the screens on an iPhone or most Android phones. The resolution is one specification, though, that should be avoided.
I advise against purchasing a laptop with HD or 1366 x 768 resolution. The display won’t be able to show as much content at once and will appear grainy and pixelated. Additionally, HD displays are sometimes paler and less vibrant than Full HD ones.
How big is the display? The majority of folks ought to invest in a 14- or 15-inch laptop. The trade-off between portability and display size is good here. If you intend to take the laptop with you when travelling or commuting, a 13-inch model is an excellent choice. However, a display smaller than 13 inches is not something I advise.
Conclusion
The main choices you’ll have to make are those I’ve outlined in the specifications. Weight, battery life, Wi-Fi speed, Bluetooth, and other features may be important, but they vary less between laptops than the ones I’ve discussed. A budget laptop’s battery life should last four to six hours. It will weigh about four or five pounds and have serviceable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Although these numbers fall short of a $2,000 Apple MacBook, Dell XPS, or HP Envy, you might be astonished by what low-cost laptops are capable of. A decent inexpensive laptop can do a wide range of jobs and last for many years. Although it won’t outperform a high-end laptop in terms of performance, it can. Again, our list of the best laptops under $500 and our guide to the best Chromebooks can be useful for more specific purchasing advice.
