Affordable Small Laptop Reviews

The best cheap Windows laptop deals for December 2022

Laptops come in all shapes and sizes, so you know you don't have to pay more than you can afford to get a great machine. Sure, you could fork over thousands of dollars for a top of the line gaming machine with the latest graphics and the ability to control the very fabric of the universe, but you might not necessarily need all that power. If you're working from a budget, the best thing you can do is decide for yourself exactly what features you do need. Once you do that, you just need to look at the best cheap Windows laptop deals available and find the one that fits your criteria.

Luckily for you there is no shortage of great and inexpensive Windows laptops. You can find a huge selection from a variety of manufacturers, including Microsoft, Samsung, Asus, and other major players. You'll also be able to find them at a variety of retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy and even the Dell online store. An inexpensive price doesn't always mean a sale, though, so it's important to lock in when something that was already pretty darn cheap gets an even better price.

More laptops: Dell (opens in new tab) | Best Buy (opens in new tab) | Walmart (opens in new tab) | Lenovo (opens in new tab) | HP (opens in new tab) | Newegg (opens in new tab) | Amazon (opens in new tab)

Best Windows laptop deals under $250

(opens in new tab) Asus 11.6-inch laptop $230 $109.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Includes a month of Game Pass. This machine includes an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB flash storage. You get Windows 11in S mode and an 11.6-inch screen with

1360 x 768 pixel resolution. The battery life lasts for up to 10 hours.

(opens in new tab) Gateway Ultra Slim notebook $159 $139 at Walmart (opens in new tab) Walmart's Gateway lineup is another great place to look for laptops on a budget, and this one includes a full year of Microsoft 365 Personal as well. The laptop has an Intel Pentium Silver processor, 4GB RAM, and a 128GB solid state drive. Expand the storage with an SD card reader that supports up to 512GB cards. Features include Bluetooth, stereo speakers tuned by THX Audio, a built-in webcam, and more.

(opens in new tab) ASUS 14-inch 2-in-1 laptop $380 $229 at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Another great option if really all you want to do is some casual, everyday activity. It has a convertible design so you can use it as a tablet for some e-reading or media binge watching. The laptop includes an Intel Core M3-8100Y processor, 8GB RAM, and 64GB flash storage.

(opens in new tab) HP 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop $419 $249.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab) A great budget machine with an Intel Celeron N4500 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB flash storage you can expand through external means, and more. It has a 14-inch HD display, a convertible design, a 720p webcam, and more.

(opens in new tab) Geo GeoBook 240 laptop $400 $199.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab) The GeoBook lineup has fantastic budget machines that won't blow you away with their specs but definitely have the tools you need to produce. This one in particular includes an Intel Pentium Silver quad-core CPU, 8GB RAM, a 128GB solid state drive, and a 14.1-inch screen with 1080p resolution. It includes Wi-Fi, USB-C ports, and more.

(opens in new tab) Asus VivoBook Go 15 laptop $250 $200 at Amazon (opens in new tab) You get an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM, 64GB flash storage, and Windows 11 Home in S Mode. It has a 15.6-inch display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and comes with a year of Microsoft 365.

(opens in new tab) Inspiron 15 laptop $300 $249.99 at Dell (opens in new tab) A great-looking and simple laptop with an Intel Pentium Silver N4020 processor, integrated graphics, a 128GB solid state drive with NVMe tech for fast load times, 4GB RAM, and more. You get Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, multiple USB ports, and a 15.6-inch screen with 1366 x 768 pixel resolution.

Best Windows laptop deals under $500

(opens in new tab) Acer Aspire 5 Slim laptop $340 $269.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab) A great budget machine with an 11th-gen Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM, and a 128GB NVMe solid state drive. It even has Wi-Fi 6 and Windows 11 in S mode.

(opens in new tab) Gateway Ultra Slim notebook $379 $279 at Walmart (opens in new tab) You get a lot of power with these Gateway laptops at a very affordable price. This model includes an Intel Core i5-1135G7 quad-core processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB solid state drive. Add on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a 1MP webcam, stereo speakers with THX Audio tuning, and more.

(opens in new tab) Lenovo IdeaPad 3i laptop $500 $279.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab) This laptop includes a 15.6-inch screen with 1366 x 768 pixel resolution and full touchscreen support. The specs also include an Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB solid state drive. That's plenty of speed, space, and multitasking for you.

(opens in new tab) Acer Aspire 5 laptop $380 $299.97 at Amazon (opens in new tab) The lowest price we've ever seen for this laptop. The specs include a 15.6-inch 1080p display, an 11th-gen Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD with NVMe tech. It has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and Amazon Alexa built right in.

(opens in new tab) Dell Inspiron 15 laptop $600 $449.99 at Dell (opens in new tab) This laptop contains an 11th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, a 256GB NVMe SSD, and 8GB RAM. You get a 15.6-inch display with 1080p resolution, fast Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports for connecting peripherals.

(opens in new tab) Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 laptop $550 $460.31 at Newegg (opens in new tab) You get full touchscreen support on this convertible 2-in-1 laptop with a 1080p 14-inch display. It's powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 5300U quad-core CPU, 4GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD. It also has a 12-hour battery life.

(opens in new tab) Lenovo IdeaPad 3 laptop $800 $459.99 at eBay (opens in new tab) From the antonline eBay store, this Lenovo laptop includes an Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It also has a 14-inch screen with 1080p pixel resolution.

(opens in new tab) HP Pavilion laptop $815 $519.99 at HP (opens in new tab) This machine includes an Intel Core i5 processor with up to 4.2GHz speeds, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 8GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD with NVMe.

Best Windows laptop deals under $750

(opens in new tab) Dell Inspiron 14 notebook $730 $559.98 at Amazon (opens in new tab) Not a bad way to save on a solid Dell computer. This one includes a 14-inch screen with 1200p pixel resolution. It's powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It also has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth.

(opens in new tab) Lenovo IdeaPad 5i laptop $960 $573.39 at eBay (opens in new tab) This deal comes through the official Lenovo eBay storefront, and the laptop is in brand new condition. The machine includes an Intel Core i5-1235U processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB solid state drive. It has a 15.6-inch screen with 1080p resolution as well.

(opens in new tab) Asus VivoBook 15 OLED laptop $800 $635.90 at Amazon (opens in new tab) Probably the least expensive way to treat yourself to a beautiful OLED display you're going to find. It's powered by an Intel Core i5 processor, integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, 12GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. This would be a great machine if you want to watch media on the go.

(opens in new tab) Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 laptop $740 $637 at Amazon (opens in new tab) Thanks to the discrete graphics card, a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650, you can be productive and not productive on this laptop! It's powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD. The 15.6-inch display has 1080p resolution and a nice 120Hz refresh rate, too.

(opens in new tab) Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ with Type Cover $1,230 $649.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab) The key here is the combo that includes the black Surface Type Cover, essentially transforming this into a full-blown laptop with tablet capabilities. That usually costs extra to add on, but in this case you're actually saving money getting both together.

(opens in new tab) Inspiron 16 laptop $850 $649.99 at Dell (opens in new tab) Get yourself a nice, simple laptop down to a super low price. The specifications include a 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor, 16GB RAM, a 512GB solid state drive with NVMe, and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. The 16-inch screen includes 1200p pixel resolution. Comes with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity plus USB-C ports.

(opens in new tab) HP Pavilion laptop $1,000 $649.99 at HP (opens in new tab) Turns out the HP Store is a good place to find good deals on HP laptops. Who knew? This one includes Windows 11 Home. It's powered by an Intel Core i7-1255U processor with up to 4.7GHz speeds, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB solid state drive.

(opens in new tab) Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ $930 $699.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab) We gave the Surface Pro 7+ 4 stars out of 5 in our review. You get a 12.3-inch display with full touchscreen support, an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD with this model. It also comes with a black Type Cover so you can really go from laptop to tablet and back again.

Best Windows laptop deals $750+

(opens in new tab) Acer Swift X Creator laptop $1,040 $775.46 at Amazon (opens in new tab) Get a bunch more done with this laptop that has an AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It also has a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card, Wi-Fi 6, and even works with Amazon Alexa to control your smart home.

(opens in new tab) Lenovo ThinkBook 14s Yoga $1,040 $828 at Lenovo (opens in new tab) This new Lenovo laptop includes the latest 12th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, a 256GB SSD, and integrated graphics. It has a 14-inch screen with 1080p resolution on an IPS panel and full touchscreen support.

(opens in new tab) HP Pavilion 15 laptop $920 $757.91 at Amazon (opens in new tab) You can actually get this laptop for even cheaper from third parties at Amazon, too. It's equipped with a 12th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It has a 1080p 15.6-inch display, Windows 11 Pro, and both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity.

(opens in new tab) New Inspiron 16 laptop $1,050 $849.99 at Dell (opens in new tab) One of Dell's latest and greatest with an 12th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, a 1TB SSD with NVMe, and 16GB RAM. It has integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, a 16-inch display with 1200p resolution, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, and more.

(opens in new tab) Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop $1,000 $799.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Never mind being productive. Let's do some gaming, too. This machine includes an Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB solid state drive. Plus, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card means you can do some gaming between classes.

(opens in new tab) HP Victus gaming laptop $1,050 $979.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab) The Victus lineup has just gotten better over time, and it's nice to find some with a good discount. This price is a great low one. The laptop includes a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU, a 512GB SSD, 8GB RAM, and a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card.

(opens in new tab) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 laptop $1,300 $1,583.45 at Newegg (opens in new tab) A powerful laptop with an AMD Ryzen 5 Pro processor, 32GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and Windows 11 Pro. It has a 14-inch screen on an IPS panel with full touchscreen support, too.

(opens in new tab) HP Spectre x360 laptop $1,250 $999.99 at HP (opens in new tab) This is a great deal on one of our favorite laptops, even if it is a bit more expensive than the other options on this list. It includes a 12th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 13.5-inch display with touchscreen support.

5 Best Cheap Laptops Under $100

Have you ever owned an HP before? Their computers are known to last, and this one is likely no exception. For under $100 you’re getting a 14-inch screen (larger than the biggest screen option on a MacBook Air), an SSD (Solid State Drive—this is what you want as opposed to an HDD if you’re going for long-term reliability), and Chrome OS. What does that mean?

So Chrome OS is based off Chrome (the best Internet browser that exists right now, thank you Google). Although Chromebooks can’t access as many software programs as Windows computers, they are undeniably more secure, offer more value at lower price points, are easier to use, and are simply a better choice for many users. Unless you’re an advanced user that needs specific tools that are only available on Windows, a Chromebook is probably a better laptop for your needs.

Here’s another reason why I suggest getting a Chromebook: at this price range, it would be hard to find a Windows or Mac with an SSD. SSDs are known for being more reliable and lasting longer than HDDs. But what are SSDs and HDDs? Do you want me to get geeky? Yes? Okay!

So SSDs are solid state drives, which quite literally means they are solid and contain no moving parts. They’re basically just a ton of microchips clumped together. HDDs, or hard disk drives, are complex mechanical gadgets that write and store data. Platters, spindles, actuator arms, and a plethora of other complex mechanical components can be found inside an HDD. Moving parts are fun to look at, but when it comes to computers, you want to keep them at a minimum.

Affordable Small Laptop Reviews

Editor's Note: We reviewed our current recommended picks to ensure they are in stock, available, and accurately priced. We are confident that these are the best mini laptops on the market as of October 2022.

Laptops are smaller, thinner, and more powerful than ever before ... but they all vary in size and shape. Although most laptops these days have a 13.3-inch display size, some are equipped with screens as large as 17 inches and weigh as much as 9 pounds. So, I've scoured the internet to find the most powerful and portable laptops money can buy.

To separate the best from the rest, I compared more than 40 different mini laptops. I scrutinized them and compared their included ports, operating systems, screens, battery life, keyboards, trackpads, and processors.

Best Mini Laptops

What to Consider

I know reading the specifications of a laptop can seem a bit overwhelming (and quite boring), but they're the most important thing to pay attention to when you're shopping for a new computer — whether it's for you, your fourth grader, or your soon-to-be college student. Since choosing the right set of features will ensure you'll be happy with your mini laptop for years to come, I outlined everything you should consider before making the investment.

→ Processor

The newer the processor (CPU), the more power and better performance your new laptop will offer. We suggest that you opt for a product with an Intel Core series chip because it's more capable than the entry-level Celeron series. Affordable mini laptops with the latter are best suited for basic tasks like web browsing, streaming video, or typing Word documents.

→ Battery Life

Given their smaller sizes, mini laptops just don't deliver a battery life as long as full-sized models are capable of. Regardless, battery life can make a significant impact on getting through your work- or school-day, so make sure that the laptop you purchase delivers at least 8 hours of battery life before needing recharging.

→ Memory

The hard drive (HDD, SSD, or eMMC) stores all of your data, including your operating system, games, documents, music, and movies. I recommend at least 64GB of storage. Compared to your computer's RAM, which is essentially short-term memory, the hard drive is your computer's long-term memory: It stores the stuff you want to open and access throughout the lifetime of the machine.

Random access memory, or RAM, stores data your computer needs to access, and helps your computer run multiple applications at a time. 8GB of RAM is ideal, but 4GB will do for light use.

→ Display

A great mini laptop should have a sharp screen with a Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) or higher. Translation? The bigger these numbers, the more detailed the picture on the screen will be, whether you're editing an image on Photoshop or watching Netflix!

→ Connectivity

You should look for a notebook with futureproof Wi-Fi 6 and wireless standards. Features like these are vital before you make the splurge on a new laptop because they prevent your device from becoming obsolete for as long as possible.

Our picks are perfect for students and creative types searching for a laptop with a smaller-sized screen, impressive battery life, a strong build quality, and a fast processor. Whether you want a two-in-one mini laptop with a detachable keyboard so you can use it as a tablet, a convertible laptop with a flexible hinge so you can share presentations using its screen, or just a cheap Chromebook for browsing the web, I have just the mini laptop on our list for you.

Check out our top picks to help you find the best mini laptop that suits your needs and budget constraints, so you can get work done anytime and anywhere.

Hunter Jones

Hunter Jones

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