The best cheap laptops you can buy in 2022

Publish date: 2022-02-05

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

A cheap laptop is no longer guaranteed to be a bad device. It’s easier than ever to grab a quality machine for less than $500. Unfortunately, there are still some pretty terrible options out there, so you have to know which to avoid. We’re doing our part to help out, and these are our picks for the best cheap laptops you can get.

See also: The best laptops for students

We’ve included the main manufacturers and limited our picks to those which cost less than $500. The majority of our list is Windows-based, but a few Chromebook options are too good to pass. We have a list dedicated to the best Chromebooks under $300 too if you’re thinking of taking the Chrome OS plunge.

The best cheap laptops:

Editor’s note: We’ll update this list of the best cheap laptops as new options launch.

1. Microsoft Surface Go 3

The Microsoft Surface lineup is a leader in the 2-in-1 game and has been since its launch in 2012. It’s also been known for its hefty price tag — that is, until the Microsoft Surface Go lineup. The latest in the series, the brand-new Surface Go 3 is our pick for this list. This refreshed version of the smallest Microsoft Surface tablet makes the cut with its low price point, and it’s among the best cheap laptops available.

If you’re familiar with the Surface line, you can probably guess that this price includes only the tablet itself. You’ll have to spend a bit extra to pick up a type cover and a Surface Pen for the full experience. The base configuration of the Surface Go 3 is rocking 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, but you can splurge and double them to 8GB and 128GB, respectively.

See also: The best Surface Pro deals

In a relatively crowded market of 2-in-1s and tablets, the Surface Go 3 is a refined option with years of experience. It’s one of our top picks for the extensive catalog of accessories and peripherals Microsoft offers.

Microsoft Surface Go 3 specs:

2. Asus VivoBook 15

It’s nearly impossible to make a list of the best cheap laptops without the Asus VivoBook 15. An affordable Intel Core i3 chip keeps the VivoBook 15 well under budget. The Intel setup continues with a UHD Graphics 620 card powering the sharp 15.6-inch Full HD display.

Under the hood, you’ll find 4GB of DDR4 RAM along with a 128GB SSD to keep the Windows 10 Home S-Mode experience running smoothly. Some budget-friendly laptops can be accused of looking cheap. Still, the VivoBook 15 combines a four-sided NanoEdge display and a backlit keyboard for an experience that punches above its price.

For all of the perks, the VivoBook doesn’t skip out on peripherals either. It’s equipped with two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and an HDMI port too.

Asus VivoBook 15 specs:

3. Acer Aspire 5

Another perpetual competitor for the title of the best cheap laptop is the Acer Aspire 5. The base model is loaded with an AMD Ryzen 3 chip, though you can boost it to a Ryzen 5 or 7 for a price.

It matches the Asus VivoBook in terms of internals, with 4GB of DDR4 RAM and a 128GB SSD. Acer’s Full HD 15.6-inch display runs on AMD Radeon Vega 3 graphics with Windows 10 Home in S-Mode. You should have more than enough battery life to work comfortably away from an outlet for up to 7.5 hours.

The Acer Aspire 5 is another laptop with plenty of potential for peripherals. It features an HDMI port, three USB-A ports, and an Ethernet hookup.

Acer Aspire 5 specs:

4. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5

The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 comes with some pretty awesome specs considering the price point, making it one of the best cheap laptops. On top of that, it runs Chrome OS, so this laptop will be super snappy. It comes with a Full HD screen and an Intel Core i3 processor. It also has dual front-facing speakers, a 10-hour battery life, and slim bezels.

This also happens to be a very well-made Chromebook with a 360-degree rotating screen, which means it can double as a tablet and take on multiple form factors. Not bad for a laptop in this price range!

Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 specs:

5. Lenovo IdeaPad 3

Lenovo may be known for its Yoga lineup, but the manufacturer offers a wide variety of affordable laptops. One such option is the IdeaPad 3, which comes with a solid spec sheet.

You’ll find the base model working with an AMD Ryzen 3 3250U chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The large 14-inch Full HD display is powered by an integrated AMD Radeon Vega 3 graphics card, and the IdeaPad 3 boasts an impressive 10-hours of battery life. Sure, some devices last longer, but it’s nice to know that you can take this budget beast on the go sans charger.

Lenovo’s IdeaPad 3 may not be the most feature-rich machine on the list, but the two USB-C ports and single USB-A option allow for plenty of peripherals.

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 specs:

6. Lenovo Chromebook Duet

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The Duet is a great Chromebook tablet by Lenovo, and the keyboard is included — unlike with the Surface. This ultra-portable little device slots in at the same price as the Surface Go 2 as well.

See also: Lenovo Chromebook Duet review

At first glance, the Duet looks just like a small journal. However once you open the cover, you’ll find that it’s a bright 10.1-inch Full HD Chrome OS tablet with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of memory. The internals may not be the most familiar to everyone, with a MediaTek Helios P60T chip and ARM G72 MP3 graphics, but they’re plenty capable in the small form factor.

A small tablet might worry you about battery life, but the Duet should last 10 hours without much trouble. Unfortunately, the Duet isn’t exactly loaded with ports beyond a single USB-C option. This is a great little Chromebook and one of the best cheap laptops around.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet specs:

7. Samsung Galaxy Book Go

One of Samsung’s latest introductions to the affordable laptop market will prove to be one of the best cheap laptops you can find. Customary of Samsung, this device comes with a nice, sleek design and very few compromises in build quality. What’s even more special is that it comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c processor, ensuring a long 18-hour battery life and cooler running temperatures (which also make it possible to operate fanless).

Other specs aren’t much to write home about, but the price will surely make many of you happy. And if you want true connectivity, there’s a 5G version in the works.

Samsung Galaxy Book Go specs:

8. HP 15-ef1021nr

As a leader in the laptop market, HP has finely crafted a wide range of machines. The 15-ef1021nr is among the best cheap laptops yet still offers plenty of value. It’s a perfect pick for students if remote learning continues well into the next school year.

See also: The best HP laptops to buy in 2021

HP will hook you up with an AMD Ryzen 3 processor and 8GB of RAM for your money. The laptop also has 256GB of storage, which should be enough for most schoolwork. HP has loaded the 15-ef1021nr with Windows 10.

HP S15-ef1021nr specs:

9. HP Chromebook x360 14c-ca0065nr

HP has a long history of providing some of the best bang-per-buck, and if you want a higher-end Chromebook, this might be the one. It costs just barely under our $500 limit but offers a great convertible design, a metal cover, audio by Bang & Olufsen, Wi-Fi 6, and more.

See also: The best HP Chromebook for your needs and budget

It’s fully loaded with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and an FHD 14-inch display. It’s power by an Intel Pentium Gold processor, but that should be good enough for your casual needs, especially considering it’s a Chrome OS device.

HP Chromebook x360 specs:

10. Dell Inspiron 15 3000

Bringing up the rear on our list of the best cheap laptops is the Dell Inspiron 15 3000. It’s by no means the weakest link, and it presents some of the best value on the list. If you’re looking for a great computer that stays within your $500 budget, this might be the best option.

See also: Best Dell laptop deals

The device comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, which is pretty good for a computer at this price point. You’ll also find 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. You can pay for higher specs, but we believe this base configuration is an amazing deal.

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 specs:

That wraps up our list of the best cheap laptops available right now. However, there’s a lot more to the perfect laptop setup than your computer itself. Check out a few of these resources while you’re here:

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