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10 Best Cheap Laptops 2025 in the United States

HP 14" Ultral Light Laptop for Students and Business, Intel Quad-Core, 8GB RAM, 192GB Storage(64GB eMMC+128GB Ghost Manta SD Card), 1 Year Office 365, USB C, Win 11 S

Processor (CPU): Intel Celeron N4120
RAM: 8 GB
Storage: 192 GB (64GB eMMC + 128GB SD)
Display: 14 Inches, 1366 x 768 pixels
Battery Life: 11 Hours
Build Quality and Portability: 3.24 pounds, functional build
Operating System: Windows 11 Home in S mode
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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop, 15.6" Business & Student Laptop Computer, Windows 11 Pro Laptop 32GB RAM 1TB SSD, Intel i5-1155G7 Processor, Full HD IPS Display, Numeric Keypad, HDMI, Carbon Black

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,277
Display
Battery Life
Build Quality and Portability

Most important from
695 reviews

Display
The 15.6-inch touchscreen is noted for its excellent resolution and perfect size, ideal for students and professionals alike.
Battery Life
Users find the setup process straightforward, and the battery life exceeds expectations, contributing to a satisfying user experience.
Build Quality and Portability
The Dell Inspiron is praised for its impressive speed and lightweight design, making it a fantastic deal for the price.

The Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop offers several appealing features for those in search of a budget-friendly device. Equipped with a powerful Intel Quad-Core i5-1155G7 processor, it promises swift performance for daily tasks, whether for business, education, or personal use. The generous 32GB RAM and 1TB solid-state drive (SSD) provide more than ample memory and storage capacity, which is impressive for its category.

The laptop’s Full HD 15.6-inch touchscreen display is another highlight, providing a crisp and clear viewing experience with its IPS panel, though it may fall slightly short in brightness at 220 nits for outdoor use or in brightly lit environments. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics is suitable for general usage and light gaming or graphic tasks.

Designed with portability in mind, its 0.69-inch thickness and 3.65-pound weight make it relatively easy to carry around, though not the lightest option available. It comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Professional, which is beneficial for business users and provides a modern interface and enhanced security features.

In terms of connectivity, it offers a range of ports including multiple USB options, HDMI, and a headphone/microphone combo jack, ensuring compatibility with most peripherals. However, it lacks an optical drive, which might be a consideration for those who still use physical discs. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth supports decent wireless connectivity, although newer standards like Wi-Fi 6 are not available.

Best suited for students, professionals, or anyone needing a reliable, everyday laptop without breaking the bank, the Dell Inspiron provides a strong balance of performance and features with few compromises typical of budget-friendly laptops.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,277
Display
Battery Life
Build Quality and Portability

Most important from
695 reviews

Display
The 15.6-inch touchscreen is noted for its excellent resolution and perfect size, ideal for students and professionals alike.
Battery Life
Users find the setup process straightforward, and the battery life exceeds expectations, contributing to a satisfying user experience.
Build Quality and Portability
The Dell Inspiron is praised for its impressive speed and lightweight design, making it a fantastic deal for the price.
#2

HP 14 Laptop, Intel Celeron N4020, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB Storage, 14-inch Micro-edge HD Display, Windows 11 Home, Thin & Portable, 4K Graphics, One Year of Microsoft 365 (14-dq0040nr, Snowflake White)

Rating
10.0
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
3977 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The HP 14 Laptop is praised for handling basic tasks like web browsing, email, and productivity software effectively.
RAM
While the laptop is good for basic use, the 4GB of RAM can limit multitasking capabilities, causing slowdowns with multiple tabs or programs.
Storage
64GB of storage might be insufficient for users who need to store many files locally.
Display
The screen is a bit dim, making it difficult to use outdoors despite adjustments to display settings.
Battery Life
Users appreciate its long battery life, which can last up to 6.5 hours on a single charge.

The HP 14 Laptop is a budget-friendly option designed for basic, everyday tasks. It comes with an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, which is suitable for light computing activities such as web browsing, word processing, and watching videos. The 4 GB of RAM is adequate for these tasks but may struggle with more demanding applications or multitasking.

The 64 GB of storage is on the lower side, so users might quickly run out of space if they store many files, but it's sufficient for users who rely on cloud storage or primarily use web-based applications. The 14-inch HD display, with its micro-edge bezel and 79% screen-to-body ratio, offers a clear and pleasant viewing experience, though the resolution is not as high as more premium models.

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600 can handle streaming 4K content but is not ideal for gaming or graphic-intensive work. One of the standout features is its portability; the thin and light design makes it easy to carry around. The laptop runs on Windows 11 Home in S mode, which is streamlined for security and performance but limits app installations to those from the Microsoft Store. Battery life should comfortably last through a typical work or school day, making it a good option for students or professionals who need a device for on-the-go use. The build quality, while decent for its price, might not be as durable as higher-end models. This laptop is best for users seeking an affordable, portable device for basic tasks without the need for high performance or large storage capacity.

Rating
10.0
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
3977 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The HP 14 Laptop is praised for handling basic tasks like web browsing, email, and productivity software effectively.
RAM
While the laptop is good for basic use, the 4GB of RAM can limit multitasking capabilities, causing slowdowns with multiple tabs or programs.
Storage
64GB of storage might be insufficient for users who need to store many files locally.
Display
The screen is a bit dim, making it difficult to use outdoors despite adjustments to display settings.
Battery Life
Users appreciate its long battery life, which can last up to 6.5 hours on a single charge.

Buying Guide for the Best Cheap Laptops

When it comes to buying a cheap laptop, it's important to balance cost with functionality. You want to ensure that the laptop you choose can handle your daily tasks without breaking the bank. To make an informed decision, you should consider several key specifications that will impact the performance and usability of the laptop. Understanding these specs will help you find the best fit for your needs without overspending.
Processor (CPU)The processor, or CPU, is the brain of your laptop. It determines how fast and efficiently your laptop can run programs and perform tasks. For basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and streaming videos, an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor is usually sufficient. If you plan to do more demanding tasks like photo editing or light gaming, you might want to look for an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5. Choose a processor based on the complexity of the tasks you intend to perform.
RAMRAM (Random Access Memory) is crucial for multitasking and running applications smoothly. It temporarily stores data that your laptop is actively using. For basic use, 4GB of RAM might be enough, but 8GB is recommended for a smoother experience, especially if you plan to run multiple applications simultaneously. If you need to run more demanding software or multitask heavily, consider a laptop with 16GB of RAM.
StorageStorage determines how much data you can save on your laptop, including your operating system, applications, and personal files. There are two main types: HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive). SSDs are faster and more reliable but can be more expensive. For a cheap laptop, a 256GB SSD is a good balance between speed and storage capacity. If you need more space and are okay with slower performance, a 500GB or 1TB HDD might be suitable.
DisplayThe display size and resolution affect your viewing experience. A 14-inch or 15.6-inch screen is common for cheap laptops and offers a good balance between portability and usability. For resolution, a Full HD (1920x1080) display provides clear and sharp images, which is ideal for most users. If you only need the laptop for basic tasks, a lower resolution might be acceptable, but for better visual quality, aim for Full HD.
Battery LifeBattery life is important if you plan to use your laptop on the go. It determines how long you can use your laptop without needing to recharge. For basic use, look for a laptop that offers at least 6-8 hours of battery life. If you need to work for extended periods away from a power source, consider a laptop with 10 hours or more. Your usage patterns will guide you in choosing the right battery life.
Build Quality and PortabilityBuild quality affects the durability and feel of the laptop. Cheaper laptops may use plastic materials, which can be less durable than metal. Portability is also a factor, especially if you need to carry your laptop frequently. Look for a lightweight and slim design if portability is a priority. Consider how often you will be moving your laptop and choose one that balances durability with ease of transport.
Operating SystemThe operating system (OS) is the software that manages your laptop's hardware and software resources. Common options include Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS. Windows is versatile and supports a wide range of software, making it a good choice for most users. Chrome OS is lightweight and ideal for web-based tasks, offering good performance on cheaper hardware. Choose an OS based on your familiarity and the software you need to use.

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