The first thing to decide is which type of laptop you need. You can choose between traditional clamshells, 2-in-1’s, and Chromebooks.
It would help if you also thought about what features you need. For example, you should consider the screen size, portability, and battery life. It would help if you also looked at the processor (CPU) and RAM since they affect performance.
HP Envy 13
HP’s Envy 13 is a solid ultrabook with a good balance of sleek design, performance, and affordability. It’s a few ounces lighter than Apple’s MacBook Air and just as thin, at 0.59 inches.
The quad-core Core i7 CPU inside the Envy 13 is quick enough to handle most productivity tasks and can deliver a decent power boost when needed. Its single-threaded Cinebench score is a little behind the Dell XPS 13’s Ice Lake CPU and the dual-core Acer Aspire 5.
The Envy 13’s 13.3-inch, Full HD display has slim bezels for an 88% screen-to-body ratio. The panel is rated to produce 100% of the sRGB color spectrum and can support an optional HP MPP 2.0 tilt pen for note-takers and artists. The laptop has an above-average port selection, including a Thunderbolt 4 port and dual USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports.
Dell Inspiron 15 5000
The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 has a solid body build and processor performance. It offers a choice of Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 models. I went with the Core i5 model, a decent dual-core processor that will handle most daily office tasks. It also comes with 8 GB of RAM, which is standard for laptops in this price range.
Unfortunately, this budget laptop has a dull display. It’s also chunky and feels like it’s trying to be a 2-in-1. There are better options in this price range, like the Lenovo Flex 5 14 or the Acer Swift 3, which offer superior performance and a sleeker design. The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 has many ports, including one USB 3.1 type C, two 3.1 Gen 1, and one 2.0, an HDMI port, and a Noble wedge lock slot.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6
The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 delivers on the promise of an incredibly comfortable laptop to hold and use. The lightweight, sturdy chassis feels premium and has many ports on both sides, including two USB 3.2 Type-A ports and a Kensington lock slot. The X1 Yoga’s display options include:
A 1920 x 1200 model.
An anti-glare variant.
A UHD+ panel that supports Dolby Vision and covers 90 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
The 11th Gen Intel Core processor offers strong productivity performance and epic battery life. At the same time, business-ready features like an extra-secure fingerprint reader and a slew of security software keep your data safe. The preinstalled Lenovo Vantage app lets you monitor the system’s health, set power settings, and view warranty status. You can also opt for the Privacy Guard feature to prevent wandering eyes from seeing what’s on your screen. Remember to check for potential discounts with the Ecoupon Lenovo to make your purchase even more budget-friendly.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Microsoft’s smallest Surface laptop delivers an excellent typing experience and a beautiful 12.5-inch display in a super portable, lightweight package. The Go 2 isn’t for heavy users, but it can easily handle basic web browsing, word processing, and light video editing. It also offers a solid battery life, though it doesn’t quite match that of some competing budget models.
Like other modern Surface laptops, the Go 2 has an excellent trackpad that’s accurate and responsive from corner to corner, even in its most minor configuration. It has a 720p user-facing camera that’s decent for video calls and a solid, well-positioned power button with a fingerprint scanner for Windows Hello (only available on upgraded tiers).
As with the company’s Surface computers, the Go 2 is designed to feel as good as it looks, with tight tolerances and no flex chassis. It has one USB-C port (not Thunderbolt, sadly) alongside a headphone jack and the magnetic Surface Connect port for docking.
HP x360 14c
HP is the king of Chromebooks, and this version of its popular x360 is no exception. It has all the hallmarks of a top-notch convertible 2-in-1:
An excellent keyboard and trackpad.
A dynamic 14-inch FHD display that flips back to the back.
Fast internals.
Its premium features include USI stylus support and Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers. It’s designed for Gen Z-ers entering the workforce who grew up using Chromebooks and want a premium device that can seamlessly switch between work and play.
Powered by an Intel Core i3 processor, this model is well-suited for Chrome OS, and its battery delivers up to 14 hours of use. It also has full-service ports, including USB Type-C, headphone jack, and microSD card reader. The sleek silver-gray chassis looks right at home in a high-tech office.
Inspiron 15 5000
The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 is a good choice for anyone seeking an inexpensive laptop to handle basic computing tasks. It looks like a budget machine but is sturdy and has no cheap-feeling components. It has a trio of USB ports, an HDMI output, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. An SD card reader rounds out the ports.
It scored 2,210 points on PCMark’s Home Conventional test, which means it can handle typical work and play. It also has a decent keyboard and trackpad.
However, its poor screen and short battery life should make you consider other options in this price range. If you’re willing to spend a little more, the Acer Nitro 5 Spin is a better choice. It’s faster and has a nicer-looking design. It’s also more portable.
Lenovo IdeaPad Y720
If you’re in the market for a gaming laptop and don’t want to break your bank account, this Lenovo option is worth considering. The 15.6-inch Y720 is black with red accents, making it look like a gamer’s machine. Its keyboard has a multi-color backlight controlled by a dedicated key and can be switched between profiles.
The Intel Core i7-7700HQ CPU and 16GB of RAM help ensure this gaming-centric machine can handle any game you throw. The 1080p LED display won’t blow you away but will provide rich colors and sharp visuals.
Lenovo includes a reasonable amount of preloaded software, including Lenovo Vantage and Nerve Center. The latter helps you control the computer’s lights, fans, and more. It also reminds you to take a gaming break and can track your performance. Use the Electronics discount code if you want Lenovo Ideapad Y720 or any electronic accessories at a reasonable price.
ASUS Chromebook C202SA-YS02
The Asus Chromebook C202SA-YS02 is designed with children and students in mind. It features a spill-proof keyboard and excellent drop protection. It also has a raised rubber foot for easy gripping by small hands. It is also repair-friendly and can be taken apart in under 10 minutes.
It has an 11.6-inch anti-glare screen with a resolution of 1366 x 768. It can easily handle most video content with ease. However, those used to full HD screens may find the image quality could be better. The laptop also comes with Google apps preinstalled for productivity and education. The C202SA-YS02’s display reproduced 58 percent of the sRGB color gamut in our tests, compared to 74 percent for the Lenovo 100S Chromebook and 62 percent for the J4 Plus. It has a headphone jack and USB ports for basic connectivity.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the best choice for business users looking for outstanding performance in a sleek, portable package. This year’s Gen 9 refresh features a super-slim design, excellent keyboard, top-notch security, and other premium features like a fingerprint sensor, IR camera, self-healing BIOS, and DTPM encryption chip.
Its chassis is made of magnesium alloy and carbon fiber and meets the MIL-STD-810H military testing for robustness. It’s not as thin or light as some ultrabooks, but it’s still incredibly portable and weighs less than many other 14-inch laptops.
It also has enough ports to embarrass many ultrabooks who are whining that they can’t fit more than two USB Type-C ports into a chassis this thin. It even has an HDMI 2.0 port and a 3.5mm combo jack, making it one of the more versatile options. If you are looking for a high-quality laptop at a reasonable price, use SavingGain.
Acer Aspire S7
If you’re looking for a laptop that can do everything, a good computer should look at the Acer Aspire S7. This is the kind of machine Steve Ballmer would carry around to demonstrate what Windows 8 can do — it’s that slick.
Its 13-inch WQHD display pumps out a gorgeous 2560×1440 resolution, and it’s incredibly stunning when you use Windows’ built-in scaling features.
On our file transfer test, the Aspire S7’s 128GB SSD copied 4.97GB of mixed-media files in 26 seconds, faster than the average ultraportable and comparable to the Zenbook and ATIV Book 9 Plus. However, it fell short of the blazing MacBook Pro. The Aspire S7 also has a backlit keyboard and an automatic light sensor, so it stays illuminated when you’re in a dark environment. Its flat chiclet keys feel sturdy and have little to no flex.
Conclusion
There is a laptop out there for every budget and requirement. With the help of online coupons, such as those offered by Saving Gain, you can save money while still getting the perfect laptop for your needs. From budget models to high-end machines, various options are available. Consider your needs, research, and use coupons for the best deal possible. With a little effort, you can find the perfect laptop without breaking the bank.
