Best overall budget laptop
Apple MacBook Neo
~$599–$699 at time of writing
What we like
- PCMag Editors' Choice (4.5/5) and its top budget pick
- Tom's Guide's best budget laptop
- Premium build, sharp screen, all-day battery
Keep in mind
- Limited ports
- Multi-core speed trails pricier Macs
Best battery life
Acer Swift Air 14
~$699 at time of writing
What we like
- Lasted about 16 hours 52 minutes in Tom's Guide testing
- Slim 2.6 lb design with Thunderbolt 4
Keep in mind
- Keyboard flex
- Grainy webcam and bloatware
Best big-screen budget laptop
Acer Aspire 16 AI
~$699 at time of writing
What we like
- PCMag's best budget big-screen laptop
- Sharp 120Hz display and long battery life
Keep in mind
- Large and less portable
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Best budget 2-in-1
Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 (7445)
Price varies see current price at the retailer
What we like
- PCMag's best budget 2-in-1 convertible
- Folds into a tablet for notes and streaming
Keep in mind
- Heavier than a tablet
Best cheap Windows laptop
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
~$450–$600 at time of writing
What we like
- Solid everyday Windows performance for the money
- Comfortable keyboard
Keep in mind
- Plain plastic build
Best budget Chromebook
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
~$400–$500 at time of writing
What we like
- PCMag's best budget clamshell Chromebook
- Chromebook Plus spec floor means faster chips and a 1080p screen
Keep in mind
- ChromeOS can't run full Windows apps
Best Chromebook for school
Acer Chromebook Plus 514
~$400–$500 at time of writing
What we like
- Chromebook Plus speed with a 14" screen
- Light and simple to manage
Keep in mind
- ChromeOS limits
Best convertible Chromebook
HP Chromebook Plus x360
Price varies see current price at the retailer
What we like
- PCMag's best budget 2-in-1 convertible Chromebook
- Touchscreen that folds into a tablet
Keep in mind
- Pricier than basic Chromebooks
Best detachable
Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9
~$300–$400 at time of writing
What we like
- PCMag's best budget detachable Chromebook
- Tablet with a snap-on keyboard
Keep in mind
- Small keyboard
- Not for heavy multitasking
Best extreme-budget pick
Asus Chromebook Plus CX14
~$300–$400 at time of writing
What we like
- PCMag's best extreme-budget Chromebook
- Chromebook Plus features at a very low price
Keep in mind
- Basic build and screen
Compare all 10
| # | Product | Best for | Price* | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple MacBook Neo | Best overall budget laptop | ~$599–$699 | — |
| 2 | Acer Swift Air 14 | Best battery life | ~$699 | — |
| 3 | Acer Aspire 16 AI | Best big-screen budget laptop | ~$699 | — |
| 4 | Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 (7445) | Best budget 2-in-1 | See retailer | — |
| 5 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 | Best cheap Windows laptop | ~$450–$600 | — |
| 6 | Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 | Best budget Chromebook | ~$400–$500 | — |
| 7 | Acer Chromebook Plus 514 | Best Chromebook for school | ~$400–$500 | — |
| 8 | HP Chromebook Plus x360 | Best convertible Chromebook | See retailer | — |
| 9 | Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 | Best detachable | ~$300–$400 | — |
| 10 | Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 | Best extreme-budget pick | ~$300–$400 | — |
*Approximate, at time of writing. Rating shown only where a sourced rating was found.
Sources consulted: PCMag's best cheap laptops (2026), Tom's Guide best budget laptops and Acer Swift Air 14 review (Oct 13, 2026), RTINGS best laptops under $700 (2026), plus manufacturer specs. Prices are approximate (checked Oct 19, 2026) and change often. Prices change often; check the retailer. Product photos are official brand press images (credited) where we have permission; otherwise we show a photo of the product type, clearly labeled Illustrative.
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