The 14-inch touchscreen uses a 2-in-1 design, making it ideal for media streaming. You also get a microSD card slot for expanding the storage capability, making this a good choice for those who don't want to keep everything in the cloud. The Flex 5i has two USB-C ports (one is used for charging) plus one USB-A port. It features a 3.75-GHz Intel Core i3-1315U CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of flash storage. It's the fastest Chromebook we've tested. Our favorite of the models we've tried so far is Lenovo's Flex 5i Chromebook Plus ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends). The “Plus” stands for better performance-faster processors, more memory, more storage, and better video cameras. To change that, Google recently rolled out a big upgrade called Chromebook Plus, an umbrella category for a new class of devices from various manufacturers. If you can afford it, I recommend going for an Intel i5 processor or better (see more buying advice below).Ĭhromebooks have a reputation for being underpowered. That said, the i3 processor really struggles with Windows 11. The screen is quite nice for a laptop this size, and battery life was solid in my testing (almost 11 hours in average use). Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 for $329: This new 15-inch model sports an Intel i3 processor, 8 gigabytes of RAM, and a 256-gigabyte SSD. It's a shame the speakers don't get very loud. The keyboard is decent, and at 4 pounds, this machine is one of the lighter budget 15-inch laptops around. There are ports galore (Ethernet, USB, USB-C, HDMI, headphone jack), and it's powerful enough for most everyday tasks. It's big, and the display is not the sharpest, but it won't strain your eyes. You should get the model with an Intel Core i5 (or AMD 5000 series chip), integrated graphics, 8 GB of RAM, and a 15.6-inch IPS display (1,920 x 1,080 pixels). The Acer Aspire 3 offers the best value among those that I've tested. There are a lot of budget 15-inch laptops available. If you have the extra cash, you can bump the specs a bit to get the model with 16 GB RAM and a 512-GB SSD for $869. The keyboard has small arrow keys but is otherwise very nice to type on. There are two USB-C ports (one of which is needed for charging), one full-size USB 3.2 port, a full-size HDMI output, and a microSD card reader. ![]() This is a small, portable machine too (3.1 pounds and 19 mm thick), though it manages to pack in plenty of ports despite the slim form. Graphics and gaming aren’t entirely workable, with rather pitiful frame rates throughout, but battery life is outstanding, clocking in at 12.5 hours (measured looping a YouTube video at full brightness). That may not sound like much, but we were impressed with the performance, especially given the price tag. Only the lowest-specced model makes our price cutoff, but for that price you get an AMD Ryzen 5 7530U CPU, with 8 GB of RAM and a 256-GB SSD. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.Īsus' Zenbook 14 offers a combination of good performance, great battery life, and an OLED display-all for $700. This includes unlimited access to, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). We also updated prices and links throughout. ![]() Updated November 2023: We've added the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus as our top Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 as an alternative, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, and some more general buying advice. ![]() Our How to Choose the Right Laptop guide can also help. ![]() Keep an eye on the operating system many of these still come with Windows 10, but some offer a free upgrade to Windows 11.īe sure to check out our other computing guides, including the Best Laptops, Best Touchscreen Laptops, Best Linux Laptops, Best Budget Gaming Laptops, Best Gaming Laptops, and Best MacBooks. We've tested tons of cheap laptops, and for everyday tasks these will do everything you ask of them-and leave some money in your bank account. You can't edit videos or play hardcore games on them, and the displays won't be as sharp as on pricier models. A light, fast-enough laptop for under $700-is that so much to ask? Fortunately, it's possible, but there are trade-offs. All I want is something portable enough that it won't give me back strain from toting it around all day, and powerful enough to get basic work done. You'd think somewhere in the miraculous technological utopia of our age, we'd also be able to get a decent laptop without spending a fortune. Computers have put people on the moon and sent cute robots to Mars.
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