In today's digital age, smartphones and tablets have become our primary choices for checking social media, streaming content, and staying entertained while on the go. However, when it comes to tasks like online shopping, document typing, and assisting children with their homework, having a laptop at home still holds its appeal.
Despite the convenience offered by phones, we often prefer the tactile experience of a physical keyboard and the larger screen size that laptops provide. Fortunately, if you're seeking a laptop with basic functionality, there's no need to spend a fortune on a high-end model.
Indeed, there is a wide range of laptops available for around £500 that are perfect for work-related projects, browsing websites, and enjoying streaming sessions. These budget-friendly laptops typically operate on either the Windows or ChromeOS operating systems and may have slightly lower specifications in terms of battery life, storage capacity, and processor performance. However, if you're open to purchasing a refurbished device, you might even find an older Apple MacBook within this price range.
If this piques your interest, we've compiled a list of our top picks for the best budget laptops in 2023:
1.Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Microsoft's Surface Laptop Go 2 stands out as our top pick for an affordable Windows laptop. While it stretches the boundaries of the budget category, it boasts an elegant design, a well-spaced keyboard, a generous trackpad, and a minimalist aesthetic. With its preloaded suite of Microsoft applications including Word, Office, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and Excel, it is a fantastic option for enhancing productivity. Moreover, its impressive battery life of 13.5 hours ensures uninterrupted work sessions.
Despite its slim profile, the Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a strong selection of ports, including USB-C, USB-A, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Although the front-facing camera's 720p resolution is not exceptional, it serves its purpose well enough for basic video calls. The laptop also incorporates a convenient fingerprint login feature. Additionally, the Surface Laptop Go 2 provides four stylish color options and houses a speedy i5 processor, guaranteeing smooth performance without experiencing lag or stutters while running applications or browsing the web. We consider this is one of the best laptops around £600 at Amazon.
Specs:
• Processor: Intel Core i5
• Screen size: 12.4 inches
• Operating system: Windows
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB
• Battery life: Up to 13.5 hours
• RAM: 4GB, 8GB
• Weight: 1.1kg
2.MacBook Air 13" (2019)
Apple laptops are renowned for their premium aesthetics and durable construction, but they often come with hefty price tags. However, there is an option to purchase a refurbished MacBook, which can provide a more affordable alternative.
At BackMarket, we discovered a refurbished MacBook Air from around 2019, boasting a vibrant Retina display and a reliable Intel i5 processor, all for under £500. While it's worth noting that this model only features two USB-C ports, necessitating the use of a dongle for connecting additional devices like external hard drives, cameras, or printers, it still offers an exceptional laptop experience within a budget.
For those who desire a MacBook but seek further cost savings, BackMarket also offers a refurbished 2017 MacBook Air priced at under £300. However, it's important to consider that this older model sports larger bezels and may not have the most impressive long-term battery life. If you're willing to slightly increase your budget, you can acquire a refurbished 2020 MacBook Air equipped with Apple's swift M1 chip for under £750, delivering enhanced performance and efficiency.
Specs:
• Processor: Intel i5
• Operating system: Mac
• Storage: 128GB
• Screen size: 13.3 inches
• RAM: 8GB
• Weight: 1.2kg
• Battery life: Up to 10 hours
3.Acer Chromebook Spin 513
We believe that the Acer Spin series stands out as one of the top choices when it comes to Chromebook laptops. The Spin 513, in particular, strikes a great balance between its price and specifications. It boasts a versatile 2-in-1 design, allowing it to transform into a tablet by flipping over, just like its more expensive counterparts. Additionally, it offers convenient features such as a backlit keyboard, a respectable 10-hour battery life, and a decent array of ports.
Navigating the laptop can be done effortlessly using either the trackpad or the touchscreen. This makes it an excellent option for beginners, students, or individuals seeking a hassle-free computing experience. The Spin 513 handles work tasks effectively during the day and can be flipped over for leisure activities like streaming movies or online shopping in the evenings.
Similar to other Chromebooks mentioned on our list, the software on the Spin 513 is lightweight, speedy, and operates on a cloud-based platform. This means that your work and personalized settings on applications like Gmail, Google Calendar, Chrome, YouTube, and Google Sheets seamlessly transfer over to the laptop once you sign in with your Google account. However, it's worth noting that a reliable internet connection is necessary for saving your work in real-time. Nonetheless, an offline mode is available, enabling you to make changes or edits without Wi-Fi connectivity. We consider this is one of the best laptops around £450 at Amazon.
Specs:
• Operating system: ChromeOS
• Processor: MediaTek Kompanio 1380
• Screen size: 13.5 inches
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128 GB
• Weight: 1.28 kg
• Battery life: Up to 10 hours
4.Acer Aspire 3
The Aspire series offers a versatile range of Windows laptops with different configurations and prices. Among them, the A315-58 model strikes a good balance between power and specifications. Its Intel i3 processor delivers speedy and efficient performance, and the 256GB storage capacity is sufficient for storing documents, videos, and music. However, if you plan on using larger applications or games, we recommend opting for the 512GB model priced at £499.99.
If you prioritize a larger display and more connectivity options, the A315-58 is our top recommendation. With a 15.5-inch screen, it provides ample space for multitasking with multiple tabs open simultaneously. Additionally, it features three USB slots and HDMI connectivity, allowing you to connect to external monitors or TVs. Nonetheless, it's worth noting that the increased display size comes at the expense of portability. Weighing 1.7kg, it is the heaviest laptop among the options we've reviewed.
Specs:
• Operating system: Windows
• Processor: Intel i3
• Screen size: 15.5 inches
• Storage: 256GB
• Battery life: Up to 9 hours
• RAM: 8GB
• Weight: 1.7 kg
5.Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Duet
Why settle for just a laptop or a tablet when you can have both? The IdeaPad 5 Duet presents an enticing option as a Chromebook laptop that offers a fully detachable keyboard, transforming into a convenient 13.3-inch slate. Its software operates swiftly and relies on cloud-based storage, alleviating concerns about limited built-in storage capacity. Weighing just 700g, it's perfect for on-the-go use, easily fitting into a bag for a quick trip to your favorite local coffee shop.
One standout feature is the kickstand located at the back, allowing you to prop it up for enjoyable video watching or place it on a desk without the keyboard. Additionally, it comes with a stylus, enabling you to take notes or annotate documents effortlessly. The screen's border design is sleek and appealing. While it may not possess enough power for demanding tasks like photo editing, it compensates with an exceptional battery life that surpasses all other models on our list, lasting multiple days before needing a recharge.
However, it's important to note that the IdeaPad 5 Duet does have a significant drawback - limited ports. Similar to the Apple MacBook Air, it only features two USB-C ports on the side. Therefore, if you require additional connectivity options, you'll need to invest in a dongle to connect USB-A cables.we recommend opting for the 256GB model priced at around £450.
Specs:
• Operating system: ChromeOS
• Processor: Snapdragon 7c Gen 2
• Screen size: 13.3 inches
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB
• Weight: Tablet 700g, keyboard 320g
• Battery life: Up to 15 hours