Budget-Friendly Picks
Looking for the ultimate budget-friendly laptop in 2024? Look no further than the Acer Aspire 5. Acer’s knack for crafting affordable yet feature-rich laptops makes the Aspire 5 our top choice. With outstanding performance, long battery life, and a versatile range of features, all starting at under $500, it’s a steal. Whether you’re into everyday tasks or gaming and content creation, Acer Aspire 5 has you covered with its 14-, 15.6-, and 16-inch options, offering configurations to suit any budget and performance needs. While prices can climb to $1,000, the quality of the product always exceeds its price tag.
But can you find a decent laptop under $500? While it’s possible, it might take some comparison shopping and patience for holiday sales or discounts. For a more durable laptop that can handle more than basic tasks like emailing and web browsing, you might need to up your budget to around $700. However, don’t expect to snag a current MacBook model at these prices. The entry-level MacBook Air starts at $1,000, though refurbished units or sales might offer lower prices.
So, what features should you look for in a good budget laptop? Drawing on decades of experience testing and reviewing laptops, TechVS editors have curated a list of the best budget laptops for 2024.
Best Budget Laptops of 2024
1. Acer Aspire 5
- Price: Less than $400 to start
- Sizes: Available in 14-, 15.6-, and 17.3-inch
- Features: USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, Ethernet, HDMI
- Review: Tested model from 2023 still delivers excellent performance and features for its price.
2. Apple MacBook Air M1
- Price: Regularly drops to $750
- Features: M1 chip, lightweight design
- Review: An excellent laptop for the price even after more than three years since its release.
3. HP Pavilion Aero 13
- Price: Starts at around $900, often on sale for less than $600
- Features: Magnesium-aluminum chassis, strong processing performance, long battery life
- Review: Offers AMD Ryzen 5 7000 series CPUs for improved performance.
4. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
- Price: Starts at $1,200, but frequently goes on sale dropping the price to $830
- Features: Great graphics performance, better build quality than Nitro series
- Review: Offers an affordable option for budget gamers.
5. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5/5i 14
- Price: Varies, offering good value
- Features: Convertible design, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, SD card reader, 1080p webcam, fingerprint reader
- Review: An excellent budget-friendly 2-in-1 option with premium features.
6. HP Laptop 17
- Price: Varies, frequently on sale
- Features: Bigger display, good for everyday tasks, entertainment, and computing
- Review: Offers a balance of performance and price with various configuration options.
Conclusion:
Whether you’re a student, a gamer, or a professional, there’s a budget-friendly laptop out there for you. Keep an eye out for sales and discounts to snag the best deals on these top picks.
