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Are you on the hunt for a laptop but tight on budget? There’s no doubt that the pandemic last year resulted in a serious rise in the demand for electronic devices, especially mobile computers. Unfortunately, the prices have still not gone back to their original place, and people are starting to worry.
However, not all hope is lost since dozens of potential laptop models out there are best for daily life uses and won’t break the bank for you guys. Depending on your needs, you can choose any of the special picks we got for you today.
Why not Chromebooks?
When the question of affordable laptops pops up, it is impossible for one not to think of Chromebooks. There’s no denying that Chromebooks do bring a lot to the table and are usually preferred by users with tight pockets. However, a vast number of users still prefer Windows over Chrome OS. This is because Windows 10 has the upper hand on functionality, software, user interface, and much more. Windows 10 supports a wide array of software, whereas ChromeOS is still pretty limited when it comes to software availability. From almost all aspects, you’ll find Windows 10 owning Chrome OS, and that is why we believe you should go for a Windows 10 laptop.
Specs to look out for
There are a few things you must keep in mind. Buying a Windows 10 laptop is obviously not the simplest transaction. You have to be set clear goals first about what you want in your laptop. Unless you like playing the ‘change electronics every month’ game, we advise you do some research. The market out there is filled with plenty of laptops with attractive price tags and notable features. Your goal is to get the best laptop for the lowest price. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a gamer or a teacher; there are some basic features everyone needs to look out for in 2021.
A laptop’s specs make it what it is. Even if you’re not entirely a tech enthusiast, you should know some basics before heading towards the market. Although technological advancements are not coming slowly in 2021, here are a few qualities that you should pay attention to while buying your laptop.
Processor
The processor of the laptop determines its efficiency to function and execute tasks. The powerful the processor, the better the performance you’ll get. Being an average user, you should look out for at least an Intel i5/i3 processor or any processor of a similar level. You’ll find many other processors, but since you’re on a budget, the laptop you go for will likely have i3, i5, or maybe an equivalent such as AMD Ryzen 4000 or 5000.
Size
We’re in a new decade, and heavy, thick computing machines are almost fully obsolete. The most popular and preferred size for a laptop screen should be no less than 14 inches. As far as the weight is concerned, we believe a 4-6 pounds laptop should be your way to go. Remember, the size and weight of the laptop heavily affect its usability.
Internal Storage
Low storage space can be a problem for you. Unless you’re willing to buy external storage drives in the future, look out for laptops having around 128/256 GB of internal storage. In your supposed budget of 500$, you can easily get a laptop having enough internal storage to get things done.
Battery
Unless you’re the type of person who does not take their laptop out much, the battery factor is just as much important. Even if you sit beside a charging outlet, you’ll need a battery time of at least 6 hours. However, do not accept the brand’s word for the estimated battery life. Instead of that, look it up from third-parties and honest reviews on the internet.
RAM
Don’t fall for the low RAM specification. For moderate use, a laptop requires at least 8 GB of RAM to function without lag. We suggest expanding your budget a bit, going for higher specs, and choosing a laptop with 16 GB RAM.
These are some basic specifications that you need to be careful about. Your objective is to buy a laptop that fits your budget without compromising on specifications. You’re making a heavy transaction, and you should do some research before making it.
10 Cheap Windows Laptops [2021]
Now that you know what features you should have on your wish list let us carry on with our main subject of top 10 affordable Windows 10 laptops.
1. Asus Vivobook 15
Asus Vivobook 15
The Asus Vivobook 15 is a laptop powered by a heavy and fast 8th generation Intel i7 quad-core processor giving you 1.8 GHz frequency. With an outstanding 15.6” anti-glare display and integrated Intel UHD graphics 620, this piece of art is often referred to as a prime example of ‘seeing more and carrying less.’ The laptop has a thin, sleek body and a stunning 1920×1080 resolution.
As for the memory, you get RAM of up to 16 GB and a storage capacity of 512 GB. There’s no denying this laptop is a workhorse, and the best part? It is not that heavy on the pocket. The only minor drawback is the 5 hours of battery life, but if you want a laptop for heavy-duty use in the mid-price range, the Asus Vivobook 15 is especially for you.
2. Toshiba Tecra A50
Toshiba Tecra A50
The Toshiba Tecra A50 brings dozens of features to the table at a reasonable price. The laptop comes featuring an Intel Celeron processor with a 1.8 GHz speed. Moreover, the RAM is 4 GB, while the machine’s internal storage is 128 GB, which can be pumped up to a whopping 1 TB. Other than that, you can rest assured the battery won’t be running out until at least after 6 hours of use.
You also would not be disappointed by the graphics since it hosts an Intel UHD 610 GPU. Be it for office work or studies. You’ll find Toshiba’s Tecra 50 to be of great help since it has pretty much more than what an average person can ask for, especially in terms of storage.
3. Acer Swift 3
Acer Swift 3
Acer’s Swift series brings you the Swift 3 model that hosts an AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Hexa-core processor with a 2.30 GHz processing speed. The AMD processor is great for fast computing and makes the laptop truly a machine of great value. As far as the memory is concerned, the laptop hosts 256 GB of internal storage and 8 GB RAM.
Let us not forget the UHD AMD Radeon graphics you get from Acer in this model and the outstanding screen resolution of 1920×1080. However, the battery life is quite average since it does not go any longer than around 6 hours. Overall, the laptop is a great pick for users looking to go extra with computing power. With a price of just $629.99, this piece is definitely worth buying.
4. Dell Inspiron 11 3195
Dell Inspiron 11
This one is for folks who are too tight on a budget and can’t decide if they want laptops or tablets. From Dell’s Inspiron series comes the Inspiron 11 two-in-one laptop hosting a 7th generation dual-core AMD processor with 1.8 GHz speed and Radeon R5 graphics. Although the laptop’s size is quite small, an 11.6” touchscreen seems fine for a 2-in1 laptop.
As we mentioned above, the price of the laptop is no big deal. It has 8 GB RAM and 128 GB eMMC, which is quite great at this price. The battery life can be extended up to 11 hours which is highly impressive. Therefore, we consider this to be a lucky day for users who want the most out of their laptops without breaking the bank. The Dell Inspiron 11 is your best bet at the cheap but powerful processing power and long-lasting battery.
5. Lenovo IdeaPad 3
Lenovo Ideapad 3
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is another Windows 10 laptop that has a lightweight body and an aesthetic design. It features the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor. This laptop has a 14” screen, 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of hard drive storage. Also, it is one of the finest laptops from Lenovo at a mid-range price. As far as the battery life is concerned, you can expect the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 to last around 6 hours on normal use.
The processing power of the laptop is undoubtedly brilliant, thanks to the multi-core processor. Expect crystal clear graphics with the Radeon GPU in this fine laptop. Lenovo gave special attention to the visuals for the IdeaPad 3, and we can’t get enough of its amazing display. Even in terms of looks, size, and weight, you won’t be disappointed by Lenovo’s IdeaPad 3.
6. Acer Aspire 3
Acer Inspire 3
Acer’s Aspire 3 comes with an AMD A9-9420 processor that gives you a 1.8 GHz processing speed. The laptop has a slightly thick body with a 14” HD screen, while an AMD Radeon R5 GPU powers the graphics. Regarding the memory, it has 12 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. The internal storage capacity is average, but a 12 GB RAM would surely make you a fan of the Acer Aspire 3.
Of course, the 12 GB RAM specification is perfect for users who want their PC running fast. You also will likely not be disappointed with the laptop’s 2-cell lithium-ion battery since it gives you a battery life of 8 hours. If multi-tasking is your thing, look no further; your ideal laptop on a moderate budget is the Acer Aspire 3.
7. Acer Nitro 5
Acer Nitro 5
If any of you guys thought that we would not have a gaming laptop on our list, then we’re here to prove you wrong. Although gaming laptops are relatively expensive than normal ones, the Acer Nitro 5 is perhaps your best bet at a gaming laptop if you’re on a budget. The laptop hosts a 9th generation i5 processor that gives you 2.4 GHz frequency along with Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics.
Combine that with 8 GB of RAM plus 256 GB storage capacity, and you have a gaming laptop of quality. You can expect amazing graphics with its 15.6” screen and 1920×1080 resolution. Not to mention the battery life that can go up to 8 hours on average use. If you’re a hardcore gamer with a slightly thick wallet, we believe that this one’s for you.
8. Microsoft Surface Go
Microsoft Surface Go
Microsoft’s Surface Go is perhaps one of the lightest and smallest laptops from the tech giant. Ideal for users who travel a lot, the laptop is basically a 2-in-1 kind. It has a foldable touch screen with a PixelSense display that lets you get things done in tablet mode. In terms of processing power, the laptop has an Intel Pentium Gold 1.6 GHz processor.
You’ll certainly find this processor to be capable of handling your daily life tasks. Furthermore, we believe the 8 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD seem to be fine too at this price and fit perfectly with the laptop’s specs. You also get around 9 hours of unplugged power above average in battery life and makes this laptop a worthy candidate.
9. Dell Latitude 3190
Dell Latitude 3190
Covid-19 showed all of us a hard time last year, but it also gave us a completely new meaning of digital collaboration. Specializing in educational purposes, the Dell Latitude 3190 is all you would need to make teamwork do the trick online. The laptop is designed for students, teachers, and workers to easily learn, share, and express ideas with their fellow partners.
With its 2-in-1 features, you can switch into tablet mode anytime you want. As far as the specs are concerned, the laptop features an Intel Celeron N4100 Processor with 1.10 GHz, Intel UHD graphics 600, 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB SSD. What we liked the most about this piece is its battery life that can extend up to 10 hours or more.
10. HP Envy x360
HP Envy x360
The last pick on our list is none other than the HP Envy x360. This laptop fits perfectly for users who want their PC to do a little bit of everything. You can even enjoy some gaming or multi-task with the HP Envy x360, thanks to its 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor that gives you 1.00 GHz computing speed along with Intel UHD graphics.
The sleek 15.6” touchscreen is there to make things easy, along with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB of SSD. You can expect the machine to last around 11 hours on a full charge as well. Overall, we’ve seen better specs at this price, but since it’s HP, so we’ll let that slide. Laptops from HP with such specs rarely fall below the $1,000 price tag, but this one managed to make the cut.
Conclusion
Despite the demand for mobile computers still on the rise in the aftermath of the pandemic, you have the above-mentioned options to choose from. These laptops range somewhere around $500. The more advanced the specs, the heavier the price tag they’ll have.
If you have an even tighter budget and higher requirements, we believe you can also check out some used or refurbished laptops in the market. You might have to do loads of investigation, but then again, that’s your only way to save that wallet of yours from getting any thinner. We hope you guys got what you were looking for in our list of best affordable Windows 10 laptops.