At Engadget, we annually review a variety of laptops with Windows 11 Home and other OS versions, placing a focus on the top-tier options rather than the more affordable ones. While the budget laptops may lack features like OLED panels, powerful graphics cards, or super slim designs, they still have their own advantages. For individuals who primarily use laptops for email, online shopping, and occasional video chats, sub-$500 laptops from brands like Acer, Dell, and Lenovo can be ideal options. These machines also serve as great choices for kids or as secondary devices. Below, we highlight our favorite budget-friendly Windows laptops, such as the Acer Aspire 5 series and the Lenovo Flex 5 14, which offer good performance, comfortable keyboards, and impressive battery life. Additionally, we discuss the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, a slightly pricier option with improved specs that still falls within the budget laptop category. While Chromebooks and tablets are alternatives worth considering, Windows laptops excel in tasks like web browsing, email management, and Microsoft Office usage. With budget laptops offering at least 128GB of storage, they provide a practical solution for everyday computing needs.
