10 Best Budget Laptops 2025 in the United States

The HP 15.6 inch laptop is a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable, everyday laptop. It runs on an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, providing enough power for basic tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and working on documents. The 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM helps keep things running smoothly, and the 128 GB SSD storage is fast, though somewhat limited in space if you plan to store lots of files or large apps. The screen is a 15.6-inch HD touchscreen with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. While it offers touch functionality and anti-glare coating, the display resolution and color range are on the modest side, which means it’s fine for casual viewing but not ideal for high-quality photo or video editing.

Portability is decent, with a weight of around 3.5 pounds and a slim profile, making it easy to carry around. Battery life is impressive at up to 12 hours, so it can last a full day of moderate use without needing a recharge. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 for fast wireless connections, plus a good selection of ports like USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI for external devices. The laptop also includes useful privacy features like a physical camera shutter and a microphone mute button. It runs Windows 11 Home in S Mode, which is secure but somewhat restrictive as it only allows apps from the Microsoft Store unless you switch out of S Mode.

This HP laptop suits students, professionals, or anyone needing a budget-friendly, reliable machine for everyday tasks. However, its lower screen resolution and limited storage might be a drawback for users with more demanding needs.

The ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6” is a solid budget laptop option for those needing good performance for everyday tasks. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core processor, which handles web browsing, document editing, and streaming smoothly. The 8GB of DDR5 RAM supports multitasking well, and the 128GB SSD provides decent storage and quick boot times.

The 15.6” full HD display with slim bezels offers a vibrant viewing experience, although its 45% NTSC color gamut and 250-nit brightness might not satisfy those needing superior display quality for graphic design or media editing work. The build quality is dependable, with military-grade durability and a light weight of 3.59 lbs, making it portable and sturdy. Connectivity is comprehensive with multiple USB ports, HDMI, and Wi-Fi 5, ensuring you can easily connect various peripherals and networks.

The Windows 11 Home operating system provides an up-to-date, user-friendly interface, and the added privacy of a webcam shield is a thoughtful touch. However, the integrated graphics are basic and not suitable for gaming or heavy graphic-intensive applications. For users seeking a reliable, budget-friendly laptop for general use like school, work, or casual entertainment, the ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6” is a strong contender, balancing performance, portability, and essential features well.

The HP 14 Laptop is a solid choice for those in need of a budget-friendly device, especially students or anyone who requires a portable computer for everyday tasks. It features an Intel Celeron N4020 processor paired with 4 GB of RAM, which makes it suitable for basic activities like web browsing, word processing, and streaming videos. The 14-inch micro-edge HD display offers a decent viewing experience, although the 1366 x 768 resolution may not meet everyone's expectations for sharpness.

One of its biggest advantages is its lightweight and compact design, making it easy to carry around. The battery life is impressive too, with up to 10 hours of usage, which is great for on-the-go productivity. Additionally, the inclusion of Windows 11 Home and one year of Microsoft 365 adds value for users looking for software to get started right away.

This laptop does have its limitations. The storage of 64 GB may be insufficient for users who plan to store large files or install numerous applications, as it relies on flash storage that can fill up quickly. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600 allows for some basic gaming and streaming, but it may struggle with more demanding tasks or newer games. Another point to note is the build quality; while it’s portable, some users may find the materials feel less premium compared to higher-end models. Additionally, the lack of an optical drive might be a drawback for those who rely on CDs or DVDs.