We'd just like a sunnier screen and roomier storage options. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. The Best Student Laptop Deals This Week* New Apple MacBook Air Intel Core i3 13-inch Laptop With 256GB SSD — $899.99 With $49.01 off at Checkout (List Price $999; Save $99.01) Rounding that out is a 4K display, and a clever stylus slot that makes us wonder whether they actually beat Microsoft to the idea.

Skinny display bezels help create a modern, compact look. The Lenovo Yoga C640 is a 2-in-1 convertible laptop with tepid performance, but also a reasonable price, above-average build quality, and an exceptionally long-lasting battery. This is the Ultrabook for the masses, thanks to its low asking price for that lightweight design, decent battery life and brand new specs that deliver when it comes to multitasking. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, We’re not saying that this laptop is perfect, but our coveted 5 out of 5 rating should speak for itself.Offering more robust processing and graphical prowess than its cheaper siblings, as well as higher quality construction, the Asus Chromebook Flip C436 gives the premium Chromebook market a slightly more affordable option. Make sure, though, when looking at one of the detachables that you know what comes in the box.

However, rest assured, you will love this Chromebook, just as we have during our time with it. (A lower-resolution screen, which is a feature of some of these machines, can consume less power, all else being equal, and end up being a benefit of sorts. An HDMI output and a USB-C port are definite pluses, and you can find these on even some of the very cheapest models. The best ones are listed below, and we update this guide constantly, so you're always seeing our top recommendations for the highest-performing affordable laptops.For further in-depth breakdowns of our budget picks, take a look at our roundups of the For more general factors to consider when choosing a laptop, on the other hand, take a look at our buying guide with PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Combining staggering power in a stylish thin and light chassis, this laptop doesn’t hold back when it comes to internals and features that improve your computing experience overall, whether you’re a film student or a graphic design one. Intel's Celeron and Pentium processors (which power most of the under-$400 laptop set) have evolved to the point that they can support most of your web browsing and basic productivity needs without feeling sluggish. In his spare time, he's written on topics as diverse as Borneo's rain forests, Middle Eastern airlines, and big data's role in presidential elections. (See our picks for It will also likely cost you a lot less than other types of notebooks, as many Chromebooks come in at less than $300. New York, These machines let you flip between a laptop and a tablet, by folding the keyboard out of the way. (If money is no object, check out our top-rated In years past, many of the barest-budget Windows laptops would come with just 2GB or 4GB of main system memory, but nowadays, at least in the Windows sphere, many come with 8GB. )When it comes to storage, many inexpensive systems offer up to 500GB of hard drive space, but increasingly, inexpensive Windows machines opt for small-capacity solid-state drives (SSDs) of 128GB or 256GB capacity.

This is not the same as the flash memory used in a true solid-state drive (SSD), and it will feel a tad sluggish if you're used to an SSD.In terms of features, budget laptops will come with (almost always) at least one USB 3.0 port, and possibly a USB 2.0 port or two.