The best budget laptop you can buy today is the MacBook Neo. After hands-on testing, our team of computing experts and I found Apple's cheap laptop showed reliable performance for everyday tasks, a bright and colorful display for watching shows and a premium, lightweight design to easily carry around — all for under $700/£700.
For Windows, the Dell XPS 13 (2026) is our top recommendation. This is also under $700/£700, and comes with strong performance thanks to the latest Intel Wildcat Lake processor, along with excellent battery life at over 13 hours as tested. Right now, it's the laptop I would choose if I were a student or looking for a device with few compromises.
Chromebooks are also a great option for value, and the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 is our go-to pick. It can be found for under $600/£600, and comes with a sturdy, premium 2-in-1 design so it can be used like a tablet. In our testing, we found it handles multitasking well, and ChromeOS is very user-friendly for most people.
The price of laptops in 2026 has skyrocketed due to the RAM crisis, and it's expected to continue to get worse. Finding cheap laptops that offer great value is becoming harder, but our top recommendations will show you the ones worth buying today. For a closer look at our in-depth reviews, other budget laptops we've tested and answers to your FAQs, read on.
The best budget laptops in 2026 you can buy
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At Tom's Guide, we put each laptop we get in through extensive testing and benchmarking to find out if it's worth buying. For this guide, I've put together a round-up of the cheap laptops on the market in 2026.
The best budget laptop overall
Who is the MacBook Neo for?
The MacBook Neo is the best budget laptop for most people. For budget-conscious buyers, professionals, students or families, this is the smart budget choice. It comes with solid performance to keep up with general productivity apps, and even some casual gaming thanks to the A18 Pro chip inside. Plus, its all-aluminum, colorful design is just the icing on the cake for students, travellers or anyone who needs a reliable, budget machine.
What do we like about the MacBook Neo?
👍 Performance for everyday tasks: Despite its A18 Pro chip, usually reserved for iPhones, the MacBook Neo beats its still-competent M1 cousin with reliable power for juggling multiple tasks and powering through workflows.
👍 Battery life that lasts: At over 13 hours, the MacBook Neo can easily get through a usual workday without you needing to reach for a charger, making it a trusty laptop you take with you and work on while you head to classes, the office and more.
👍 Eye-catching design: If you like the sleek, lightweight design of the MacBook Air, you'll be happy to know that the MacBook Neo comes with the same aluminum chassis, this time with a range of playful colors! Oh, that also means you can expect the same great 13-inch vivid display.
What don’t we like about the MacBook Neo?
👎 Prepare for trade-offs: The MacBook Neo misses out on a backlit keyboard (even though it's still comfy to use), along with just 8GB of RAM to play with. Plus, if you want Touch ID and more storage, you'll have to pay $100 extra.
Should you buy the MacBook Neo?
Apple has finally made its MacBook affordable, and the Neo ticks all the right boxes as a budget laptop that is all about value. Annoying sacrifices aside (some needed to be made), for $699 or $599 for education (the latter is now the old price of the MacBook Neo, at least), this is the laptop that many on-the-go workers, students, first-time Mac owners and anyone who's tired of Windows or ChromeOS should go for.
- Read our full MacBook Neo review
The best budget Windows laptop
Who is the Dell XPS 13 for?
The Dell XPS 13 (2026) is the go-to Windows laptop for students, office regulars or anyone who wants a well-built, reliable Windows laptop for everyday work. Its Intel Core i5 320 “Wildcat Lake” processor means you can keep plenty of Chrome tabs open without slowdowns. In our experience, the XPS 13 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage handled typical workloads, and you can also expect excellent 14+ hours of battery, a 2.5K (2560 x 1600) touchscreen and a sleek, lightweight design.
What do we like about the Dell XPS 13?
👍 Strong Windows performance for less: With its latest Intel Core 5 320 “Wildcat Lake” processor and up to 32GB of RAM, the XPS 13 keeps up with demanding multitasking and won’t slow you down as your needs grow, even with 8GB of RAM as we tested.
👍 Battery life that lasts: Tested at 14 hours and 29 minutes of continuous web use, the XPS 13 can handle long days away from an outlet, making it a serious contender for work or study on the go.
👍 Sharp, touch-friendly display: The 13.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen is crisp, responsive and a joy to use for navigation, writing or streaming. With its 30-120Hz variable refresh rate, everything on display will move smoothly, too.
What don’t we like about the Dell XPS 13?
👎 Poor webcam quality: While the XPS 13 has a standard 1080p webcam, our reviewer, Tony, found its image quality to be too blurry, and it will make you look a little washed out.
Should you buy the Dell XPS 13?
The Dell XPS 13 (2026) offers the best value you can get in a Windows laptop right now, as there are very few sacrifices made here despite its budget price at just under $700/£700. From its impressively bright and sharp 2.5K touchscreen to its high-quality design, along with its strong performance and all-day battery life, this is the ultraportable to buy.
- Read our full Dell XPS 13 (2026) review
The best budget Chromebook
Who is the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 for?
The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 Gen 10 is for anyone who wants a premium-feeling productivity machine without the premium price tag. With its fully aluminum chassis and a sturdy convertible hinge that lets you flip between laptop and tablet, this Chromebook stands out for sheer versatility. Under the hood, the Intel Core 3 N355 processor means multitask without slowdowns, and it comes with an excellent keyboard for typing.
What do we like about the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1?
👍 Premium feats for less: Its fully aluminum chassis rivals more expensive laptops for look and feel — without breaking the bank. — and the convertible hinge make this Chromebook a joy for long typing sessions and flexible workflows.
👍 Reliable performance: Despite being a Chromebook, the Intel Core 3 N355 chip keeps multitasking smooth, so you won’t lose out on getting general tasks done. Plus, with cloud gaming platforms, it's fine machine for gaming.
👍 Typing is a joy: Lenovo's laptop keyboards are some of the best around, and it makes a welcome appearance on this budget machine. Expect nicely spaced keys with a crisp activation and comfy key travel
What don’t we like about the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1?
👎 Visually dim: The display is the biggest compromise for work users. The glossy IPS LCD is prone to glare from overhead lights or sunlight — something we noticed during long streaming or reading sessions.
Should you buy the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1?
If you want a rugged, flexible work companion that feels premium but won’t drain your wallet, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 Gen 10 is easy to recommend. Skip it if you demand all-day battery or crave a dazzling display, but for buyers on a budget after a reliable 2-in-1 laptop, this is one of the best values you’ll find.
- Read our full Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 Gen 10 review
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on a cheap laptop?
Spending around $600/£600 is considered an excellent price for a cheap laptop.
The RAM crisis has increased the price of laptops, including budget machines that were once far more affordable. However, manufacturers such as Apple, Dell, Lenovo and more are releasing new wallet-friendly laptops to help keep the price down.
If you're only looking for an entry-level machine to get everyday tasks done, then a budget laptop will help you save while also giving you the performance you require.
What is the average lifespan of a laptop?
The average lifespan of a laptop is generally around 4 to 8 years.
For budget laptops, this can be on the shorter side, as they can come with slower processors and cheaper materials that won't last as long as high-end laptops.
If you start noticing slow performance, components failing (like the keyboard, trackpad or webcam) or the operating system becoming unsupported (for example, Windows 10 ending support or Intel-based Macs losing support), then it's time to look for a new laptop to buy.
What can I use a budget laptop for?
You can use a budget laptop for multiple tasks, including work and studying, browsing the web, watching shows and even gaming.
The best budget laptops we've selected all come with high-end builds and strong performance for their price that allow you to do a lot. Depending on what you generally do on a laptop, one may be more suited to you than others. For example, all our picks offer great performance for working on documents or heading into video calls without slowing down.
For gaming, the MacBook Neo can play games like Resident Evil 4 and Hades 2 with solid frame rates (check out this MacBook Neo playlist from YouTuber Ghobso Gaming). However, it won't be as strong as the best gaming laptops.
Also tested
