The best cheap laptops from all the biggest brands

Sometimes a cheap laptop is all you need.
By Alex Perry , Dylan Haas , and Matt Ford  on 
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Overview

Best For Versatility

Microsoft Surface Go 3

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Best For Streaming

Acer Chromebook 314

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Best For Everyday Tasks

HP Chromebook 14

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Best For Chromebooks

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

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Best For Security

Acer Swift 1

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Best For Students

HP Stream 11

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See 1 More

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

So you're thinking of buying a new laptop? Take some crucial advice from us: Don't let the biggest brands with multi-million pound marketing campaigns fool you into thinking you have to pay upwards of £1,000 to get a quality device.

You can actually get a spanking new laptop for less than half of that price. And we aren't talking about poorly made, subpar options that run slower than your smartphone. We're talking about budget-level laptops that are high-tech and responsive, helping you write, browse the internet, store files, and play games. 

There’s a whole world of laptops that cost £600 or less, and many of them are perfect companions for students returning to school or for anyone who needs something that’s a little more capable than your regular smartphone.

What are the most important laptop features?

We need to set expectations right away: The laptops on this list will not come with the latest and greatest processors, graphics cards, or displays. You have to spend more than £700 for those things. For students or workers who just want something to get them through the day, things like ports and memory are more important.

If you want to record audio with a microphone or use a mouse, you’ll need USB ports. Photographers or videographers should emphasise microSD card readers. A HDMI port goes a long way if you like streaming on a TV. Above all else, you want as much RAM and storage as you can get. More RAM means the computer can handle more applications at once and more storage means less hard drive management.

What are the downsides of cheap laptops?

Laptops in the £600-or-below price range are not going to be good for PC gaming. You won’t always get a 4K resolution display or a refresh rate higher than 60Hz. RAM is going to max out around 8GB, which isn’t bad but also isn’t spectacular. You’re also unlikely to get more than 500GB of storage space.

In this price range, laptops are going to be best for web browsing, word processing, Zoom calls, and streaming. As long as you don’t expect more than that, you’ll be fine.

Are cheap laptops actually worth it?

You know the old saying: You get what you pay for. But thanks to the technology boom of the last few decades, a cheap laptop can actually take you pretty far and won't break down immediately. It's all about knowing which one to select.

Rather than just making a few purchase suggestions and sending you on your way, we're going to equip you with some knowledge that will make you a better informed laptop shopper.

What is the best cheap laptop?

We have checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of the best cheap laptops on offer, including impressive devices from big brands like Microsoft, Samsung, and HP. There is something for everyone in this list, so we recommend taking your time and considering all of the options.

These are the best cheap laptops for 2024.

In need of something adaptable? Enter the Microsoft Surface Go 3, the latest iteration of Microsoft's iconic 2-in-1 laptop-tablet combo. 

It's made for anyone whose office or working situation changes on-the-fly, day-to-day. If you call the airport your second home, or you're always on the move and don't want to be held down by a clunky device, this is perfect. Hence the "Go" moniker. 

But don't be fooled by its small size. The Go 3 still packs a punch. It has a high-res 10.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen display, plus the best webcam you’ll find at this price. It's powered by an Intel Pentium processor, which runs Windows 11 effortlessly. But some reviewers say the battery runs down faster that the advertised 11 hours.

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In 2023, a laptop is more than a device for storing files and browsing the web. It’s also a personal entertainment system. If you’re big on streaming Netflix, Prime, and Disney+ on your portable laptop, the Acer Chromebook 314 is a top option.

It has a 14-inch screen that delivers a clear, crisp picture — not to mention enough battery life (an impressive 12 hours) to get through a good binge watch.

It’s built for much more than streaming, too. It can power through tasks and multitasking with relative ease, and has features for keeping jobs and documents organised — ideal if you work remotely or need files literally at your fingertips.

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HP Chromebook 14 laptop

HP Chromebook 14

Best For Everyday Tasks

As far as Chromebooks go, the HP Chromebook 14 is pretty much the complete package. It’s a laptop that churns through everyday tasks without fuss — emails, browsing, working on documents, binging the latest Netflix series. And if streaming is a deal breaker, the 14-inch screen and solid speakers make a great combo.

With the Google Play Store, there’s access to over 3 million apps and the ability to switch between your phone and Chromebook while using apps. The basics come highly recommended, too — the keyboard and trackpad are a dream to use. Not to mention a good selection of ports for all devices and situations.

Of course, it’s basic compared to some of HP's hi-spec models, but the power of the brand’s tech can be felt in this pared-down machine.

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If you need a laptop that not only doubles, but triples — converting between laptop, tablet, and tent — the Samsung Chromebook 2 is an excellent choice. In fact, we rate is as the best Chromebook on this list, purely for its commitment to value for money.

As an update of Samsung’s previous Chromebook, this is a stripped-back version. It doesn’t come with an S-pen stylus, for instance, but you can buy it separately. What it does offer is a bright HD touchscreen, solid audio, a comfortable user experience, and a built-in webcam. The battery is also respectable for this price, clocking a few extra hours than competing budget models, and there's a wealth of Chrome-friendly apps.

It’s basic stuff but gives you plenty of bang for relatively few bucks — not to mention reassurance of a top brand in tech giants Samsung.

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The designers of the Acer Swift 1 created a simple but pleasing-to-look-at laptop with pretty impressive specs. 

You'll find a spacious and comfy keyboard, a 14-inch hi-res display, and all the standard HDMI and UBS port options. Unlike the other options on the list, the Acer Swift 1 has a fingerprint sensor for quick, easy and secure access without the need of a password. That all comes in a thin and lightweight chassis.

The speakers on the Acer Swift 1 aren't the best in the world, but few budget laptops offer jaw-dropping speaker output. What you'll get is something you can hear fine in your living room or bedroom. One bonus is a 16-hour battery life — significantly higher than other options at this price.

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The HP Stream 11 comes with some noteworthy features. It comes with a one-year subscription to Office 365, which includes Excel, Word, and Powerpoint. You'll be surprised by the quality of the display for the price. It's full UHD, which means you can stream films and play games in 4K.

The 11-inch laptop has advanced WiFi connectivity, and since this HP laptop is engineered without a fan, it should be quiet while you squeeze the 10 hours of battery life out of it. The HP Stream 11 also has ports so you can connect it to other devices and accessories, plus a built-in webcam. 

If you are buying for university, or carrying to and from work, it's pleasingly lightweight to sling in your bag— just over 1kg. Best of all, it's very, very affordable —the cheapest laptop on this list of very cheap laptops.

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author photo
Dylan Haas
Lead Shopping Reporter

Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, pets, fitness, sleep, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a marketing and management assistant in the music industry.

When he's not writing or testing products, you can find Dylan playing lots of video games, working out, spending time with loved ones (especially his dog, Stevie), or watching reality TV. Follow him on X at @iamdylanhaas, or send him an email at [email protected].

Mashable Image
Matt Ford

Matt Ford is a freelance contributor to Mashable.


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