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The best laptops under $1,000 you can buy: Expert tested
Why you can trust ZDNET
ZDNET's reviewers spend weeks to months testing each laptop on this list, using it for both everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and gaming, to more performance-intensive work like photo and video editing. We aim to give you a view into how each laptop could actually fit into your life and workflow, and the pros and cons of their various features like performance, display, and battery life.
What to Consider
Design
Performance
Storage and RAM
Purpose
Value
Gone are the days of huge PC towers taking up desk space to achieve powerful performance. Computers with an abundance of power can now be condensed into a slim laptop with a lower price tag than some high-end models. Many of the best laptops under $1,000 are lightweight and offer lightning-fast speeds, highly detailed graphics, and up to 1TB of storage space to meet all of your creative or professional needs.
Also: The best laptops under $500
What is the best laptop under $1,000 right now?
My pick for the best laptop under $1,000 overall is the M2 MacBook Air, thanks to its solid performance, portability, and HD display. With the March release of the M3 MacBook Air, the previous M2 model received a price cut. This is great news because the device is well known for its portability and awesome performance -- but not for its affordability. Of course, the M2 MacBook Air isn't the only option out there. With this in mind, check out my top picks for the best laptops under $1,000.
The best laptops under $1,000 of 2024
Apple M2 MacBook Air
Best laptop under $1,000 overall
The best laptop under $1,000 overall is the M2 MacBook Air, which was also named ZDNET's Product of the Year for 2022. It's a fantastic machine for a variety of reasons. The M2 SoC (system on a chip) gives the device a much-needed performance boost. It lets you quickly transfer enormous files, render videos, compress them, and create multimedia-intense PowerPoints. The M2 MacBook Air can do all of this without blinking.
Professional and casual users alike will appreciate the Liquid Retina display, which can simultaneously show 1.07 billion shades of color. Granted, it may not be as stunning as the screen on the MacBook Pro, but you still get a roughly 2K resolution image (2,560 x 1,664 pixels). Having a screen this nice does come at a cost. The M2 MacBook Air has a slightly worse battery life than the 2020 model, lasting about 16 hours instead of 17 hours.
Review: Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
Despite the slightly short battery life, the device is a premiere laptop, no matter how you look at it. As ZDNET's editor-in-chief Jason Hiner wrote in his hands-on review, "the M2 MacBook Air is... the first redesign of the... product line in over a decade, and Apple has delivered a hardware design that impresses" on both form and function.
Apple M2 MacBook Air tech specs: CPU Model: Apple M2 | RAM Memory: 8GB | Hard Disk Drive: 256GB SSD | Screen Size: 13.6 inches
Gigabyte G5 KF
Best laptop under $1,000 for gaming
Gaming laptops tend to be rather expensive, and for good reason. They often house some of the industry's best hardware configurations. They're so good that these machines can also be found among the best video editing laptops. Finding an excellent, inexpensive gaming laptop can be tricky, although it is possible. Case in point: the Gigabyte G5 KF. It may be cheap, but don't let the low price tag fool you because it's quite a beast. It houses a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, ensuring powerful performance.
Moreover, the G5 KF comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) display sporting a high refresh rate of 144Hz. The refresh rate, if you're not familiar with it, is the frequency of how often a screen updates itself. The higher the rate, the smoother the output will be. This is important because video games benefit significantly from high refresh rates. They ensure you never miss the action and can see everything coming at you.
As good as the G5 HF is, it has some downsides. Multiple user reviews on Amazon complain about how loud the fan can get (gaming laptops require robust cooling systems to keep operating at an optimal temperature). The device can still get hot despite the noise, making typing more difficult.
GIGABYTE G5 KF tech specs: CPU Model: 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12500H | RAM Memory: 8GB | Hard Disk Drive: 512 GB SSD | Screen Size: 15.6 inches
Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in1
Best 2-in-1 laptop under $1,000
2-in-1 laptops offer unique utility due to their flexibility: one minute, you could use it as a traditional laptop typing away on the keyboard, and the next, you'd be drawing on it like a tablet after flipping the display around. Their form factor allows them to tackle all sorts of workloads. Among the low-cost options, the Lenovo Yoga 7i is the best.
The Yoga 7i's success is due to three factors: its hardware, its display, and its design. First, the device houses the decently powerful Intel Core Ultra 5 alongside 16GB of RAM, making it robust and speedy enough to handle a wide array of tasks easily. Additionally, it offers a good amount of storage courtesy of its 512GB SSD.
Also: Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in1
Regarding its display, you'll receive a 16-inch Full HD touchscreen. ZDNET Editor Kyle Kucharski referred to it as "dynamic... [adding] another dimension to Windows" and allowing "flexible usage."
However, it is not particularly bright, maxing out at 300 nits (you're better off not using this laptop under the sun). Design-wise, Lenovo made several great choices: It's slim yet durable, and the hinges feel particularly strong, minimizing screen wobble.
Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 tech specs: CPU Model: Intel Core Ultra 5 Series 1 | RAM Memory: 16 GB | Hard Disk Drive: 512 SSD | Screen Size: 16-inches
Dell Inspiron 16
Best 16-inch laptop under $1,000
Dell's Inspiron series is known for having some of the best work laptops in its lineup. They deliver solid performance, plenty of storage space, and a great, high-resolution display, all at a reasonable price. This tradition of reliability continues with the company's latest refresh for the Inspiron 16.
Dell decided to ditch AMD hardware for this model and equip the laptop only with Intel chips. Because of this change, the new Inspiron 16 is a bit more expensive but is still worth the cost. Inside is a 13th-generation Intel Core i5-1334U alongside an integrated Iris Xe GPU. There is no Meteor Lake chipset, but you can still expect outstanding performance from this engine. It'll be able to handle a whole day's work with ease. Plus, it has more RAM, too, at 16GB instead of 8GB.
Like before, buyers get a full terabyte of storage and a large, 16-inch Full-HD Plus (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) display. The glass is covered with an anti-glare coating, ensuring images come through crystal clear under direct sunlight. Of course, we can't forget the rugged aluminum body, which lets it survive being tossed and turned in your bag while traveling.
The Inspiron 16 offers multiple configuration options to boost its performance; however, doing so will increase the price tag considerably, with some going past $1,000.
Dell Inspiron 16 tech specs: CPU Model: 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1334U | RAM Memory: 16 GB | Hard Disk Drive: 512 GB SSD | Screen Size: 16 inches
HP Pavilion Plus
Best screen for a laptop under $1,000
Being a budget laptop doesn't necessarily mean you have to offer a subpar experience. Case in point: the HP Pavilion Plus, which has a fantastic screen. It starts strong, as the base model houses a 1,920 x 1,200 pixel resolution IPS (in-plane switching) display. An IPS screen is notable because it outputs more color and has better viewing angles than an LED display.
One step above that, you have the WQXGA options, which outputs at a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. Not only is it an IP screen, but it's also covered in an anti-glare coating to ensure clarity. And it's been certified for Low Blue Light to keep your eye from getting tired of staring at a screen all day. Then, at the top, HP offers a stunning 2.8K resolution OLED screen. This is the cream of the crop as the option can show off a vibrant array of colors and abyssal blacks in high quality.
The problem with the OLED option is that it is the most expensive of the three. It requires you to get the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor, increasing the cost of the laptop to over $800. It is still relatively cheap compared to other OLED laptops, but it may be out of budget for some people. Regardless of the price, the Pavilion Plus is a great device.
HP Pavilion Plus tech specs: CPU Model: AMD Ryzen 5 7540U | RAM Memory: 16 GB | Hard Disk Drive: 512 GB SSD | Screen Size: 14 inches
Acer Aspire 3
Best value laptop under $1,000
The Acer Aspire 3 has earned its spot as the best laptop for value. It's the cheapest option here and serves as a solid work machine. The device has an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor, an integrated AMD Radeon graphics card, and 8GB of RAM. It's a lightweight laptop that can handle various tasks, from internet browsing to writing documents and streaming movies. Due to its mid-range hardware, the Aspire 3's battery can last quite a while – about 11 hours on a single charge, according to Acer. You should know the
If you check out the Amazon reviews for the laptop, you'll notice many people like the display. The summary explicitly points out that users enjoy how it "provides crisp visuals and vibrant colors." That's probably because Acer gave their model a 15.6-inch Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) IPS display.
Like the previous Pavilion Plus, IPS tech allows the computer to show vibrant colors. It even supports Acer BlueLightShield, which lowers the amount of harmful blue light sent to your eyes. Another great feature worth mentioning is its large cooling fan, which ensures the model is at an optimal temperature at all times.
Acer Aspire 3 tech specs: CPU Model: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U | RAM Memory: 8GB LPDDR5 | Hard Disk Drive: 128 GB | Screen Size: 15.6 inches
Asus Zenbook 14
Best work laptop under $1,000
ASUS isn't known for its work laptops. People associate the name with gaming hardware, but you'd be surprised what the Zenbook 14 can deliver. It houses an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H alongside an NPU or neural processing unit. NPUs are a relatively new piece of tech that has become quite common in 2024 laptops. They improve overall hardware performance, which is great to have on low-end models.
While the Zenbook 14 is less powerful with the integrated Intel graphics card and 8GB of RAM, the NPU makes up much of the slack.
Review: Asus Zenbook 14
One area the laptop excelled in was battery longevity. During our initial tests, it lasted 12 straight hours before running out of juice. Be aware that this length of time was achieved without battery save mode turned on. With the feature active, there's a good chance it would've gone for much longer. Additionally, it comes with a vibrant OLED screen displaying a Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) image.
Also, remember that the Zenbook 14 can become warm when the hardware is pushed to its limits.
Asus Zenbook 14 tech specs: CPU Model: Intel Core Ultra 5 | RAM Memory: 8 GB | Hard Disk Drive: 512 GB | Screen Size: 14-inches
What is the best laptop under $1,000?
The best laptop under $1,000 is Apple's M2 MacBook Air. It delivers on multiple fronts: great performance, a nice screen, a lightweight design, and so on. But that doesn't mean you should discount the other options. They're all solid picks. Below is a table where we compare the best laptops by price, their CPU, storage size, and screen size to make the decision process easier.
With all big decisions comes a lot of research. Thankfully, we did a lot of the heavy lifting for you regarding searching up the key specs of the best laptops under $1,000. Below is a table comparing the best laptops in this list by price, CPU model, and screen size to help make the decision process more manageable.
| Best laptop under $1,000 | Lowest price available | CPU | Screen size | Storage size |
| Apple M2 MacBook Air | $950 | M2 | 13.6 inches | 256 GB |
| GIGABYTE G5 KF | $800 | 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12500H | 15.6 inches | 512 GB |
| Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 | $700 | Intel Core Ultra 5 | 16 inches | 512 GB |
| Dell Inspiron 16 | $450 | 13th-Gen Intel Core i5 1334U | 16 inches | 1 TB |
| HP Pavilion Plus | $640 | AMD Ryzen 5 7540U | 14 inches | 512 GB |
| Acer Aspire 3 | $300 | Intel Core i6-8265U | 15.6 inches | 256 GB |
| Asus Zenbook 14 | $800 | Acer Ryzen 3 7320U | 15.6 inches | 128 GB |
Which is the right laptop under $1,000 for you?
The best laptop is the one that meets your needs. There isn't a one-size-fits-all computer. The MacBook Air, as great as it is, is a bad pick for people who want a gaming laptop. Mac hardware just isn't built for that. Small laptops aren't recommended for those who are looking for a large screen.
Read the chart below to find out which device works best for you.
| Choose this best laptop under $1,000.... | If you want.... |
| Apple M2 MacBook Air | A laptop that's perfect for Apple users. Harnessing its M2 chip and 8GB of memory, this MacBook Air model offers solid performance plus a high-quality screen. |
| Gigabyte G5 KF | The best cheap gaming laptop. Cheap doesn't mean it's a slouch as this model packs in a GeForce RTX GPU and 12th-Gen Intel processor |
| Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 | The best 2-in-1 laptop. Lenovo's machine delivers great performance and a hi-res display inside a slim, portable form factor. |
| Dell Inspiron 16 | A great work laptop with a huge display. In addition to its 16-inch screen, the model offers a full terabyte of storage, great hardware, and a durable body |
| HP Pavilion Plus | A lap top with a fantastic screen. The Pavilion Plus sports multiple screen options that are all great, peaking with the 2.8K OLED screen. It can output a stunning array of colors. |
| Acer Aspire 3 | The best value laptop under $1,000. It's a solid work machine capable of tackling multiple types of tasks and can up to 11 hours on a single charge. |
| Asus Zenbook 14 | The best work laptop under $1,000. It's a machine that utilizes AI to push mid-range hardware above and beyond what it can normally do alone. |
Factors to consider when choosing a laptop under $1,000:
A great laptop doesn't have to cost a fortune. To determine the best laptops under $1,000, there are several factors you need to consider.
- CPU Model: A good processor allows your computer to complete workloads quickly and understand the task at hand. Look for a newer processor boasting faster speeds to guarantee a high-performing machine.
- RAM Memory: Consider how much memory you will need for your computer. If you deal with a lot of files, you'll need more RAM than the average user.
- Screen size: It's usually a matter of preference when it comes to picking out the best screen size. Laptops under $1,000 tend to have small display screens, ranging from 12.3 inches to 15.6 inches. It is possible to find laptops that are both bigger and smaller than this specific range.
- Price: Cost is, of course, the most important factor here, so pay attention to that price tag. We find that the best devices range between $500 to $800, depending on the make and model you choose.
How did we test these laptops?
Here at ZDNET, we receive many laptops to check out and review. So, it's important we separate the best from the rest. To do this, we follow the guidelines in the previous question. We look at the device's processor, memory, screen size, and cost. From there, the laptops are tested for quality. We run labor-intensive apps to see how well they perform.
Also: How we test laptops
Once all that is done, we come to a consensus on the best ones that will suit a wide variety of customers and use cases and round them up in a best list, like the one you're reading right now.
To learn more about our laptop testing process, be sure to visit this extensive article on the topic.
Which laptop brand is the best and cheapest?
There isn't a specific brand that is best or the cheapest. It varies a lot of the time. One company might have the best low-cost laptop this year, and in the next year, it'll be another company. That said, there are several brands you should look out for when purchasing a cheap laptop; namely Dell, Acer, Asus, and Lenovo. Models from these frequently show up on this list because they're among the best.
You'll occasionally see a great low-cost device from other famous brands like Apple or lesser known companies. However those deals are rarer. If you want a particular MacBook for example, you'll have to wait until the following year after it releases to see a discount.
Which laptop brand has the least problems?
Longevity is an important factor to consider when purchasing a laptop. You don't need to sacrifice quality for an inexpensive machine. A low-cost computer can last just as long, if not longer, than a more expensive one.
Research has been done to determine the most reliable laptop brands out there. As it turns out, Asus ranks high on several lists. The brand is lauded for equipping their machines with sturdy designs, "strengthened hinges, and shock-resistant hard drives." Of course, they're also lightweight and powerful. The US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) even found Asus to be one of the best brands in terms of repairability in 2024.
Other notable laptop companies include Dell, Microsoft, and Acer.
How do you know when you need a new laptop?
Most people would say that you need to replace a laptop when you begin to experience performance degradation. That is certainly one factor you should look for, however it's possible you're simply behind on your software updates. In this case, we recommend merely installing your computer's latest patches to bring up to snuff.
There are other factors to consider, such as constant errors. Constant crashes and random restarts are signs that the hard drive is failing. Additionally, exceptionally loud cooling fans are another sign that the device is nearing its final days. You can certainly try to fix the laptop yourself, but you'll need a lot of experience in computer repair to get things done right -- or risk damaging the hardware. You're better off buying a new machine.
Can a Chromebook do everything a laptop can?
Chromebooks offer a great series of low-cost laptops that several third-party manufacturers create. They don't run on any Windows operating system instead opting for ChromeOS. These devices are generally less expensive than laptops, can perform similarly to a Windows machine, and have a long battery life. Chromebooks require very little maintenance as they don't primarily utilize on-device software.
They're a great option for people who are on a budget. However, there is a distinct downside to owning a Chromebook, and it's that they require constant internet access to work properly. The thing about these machines is many of the functions run on Google's cloud servers. If you're ever away from an internet connection or the service is down you won't be able to use a Chromebook to its fullest extent.
Additionally, Chromebooks have limited storage space and processing power compared to laptops.
What time of year do laptops go on sale?
The laptops in the list go for under $1,000 consistently. However, finding other devices that go below this price point during big sales is possible. These tend to occur on major holidays or sales events like the 4th of July and Memorial Day. Of course, computers can sell for pennies during the year's biggest sales weekend: Black Friday going into Cyber Monday.
There are a few other times of the year when you can score discounts on devices. Depending on the company, manufacturers may slash prices during the beginning of the year or around October. It's around this time that manufacturers are preparing to launch their new generation of hardware or have already done so. MacBooks, for example, can go for pretty cheap during this time.
Are there alternative laptops under $1,000 worth considering?
Absolutely. There are a ton of cheap laptops out there. We could have included more, but for the sake of brevity, we kept the list short. Below are a few more choices from big-name brands worth your consideration.