Looking for a budget laptop that can do a lot for you? There are many options on the market, but which ones are the best? We’ve compared the top laptops from 2023 and compiled a list of the ones you should consider.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is a big upgrade from the previous model. It comes in two configurations, and can be bought online in the US or in selected European regions.
The top-of-the-line model features 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while the budget-friendly model has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. While there isn’t a lot of difference in specs, the Duet 5 Chromebook is a good value for the money.
For starters, the screen is an impressive 13.3-inch OLED display. The panel boasts a crisp picture and is bright enough for outdoor use.
The keyboard is an improvement over the last model. This version features a full-sized keyboard that’s made of a smooth, sturdy frame.
Battery life is decent. You’ll get about 13 hours on a charge. However, this isn’t the best laptop for intensive tasks.
Asus Chromebook CX1100
If you are on a tight budget and are looking for a Chromebook for work or school, Asus has a nice model that will meet your needs. It’s designed to be lightweight and portable, and is built to last for up to 12 hours on a single charge.
This laptop has a 11.6-inch screen, making it ideal for on-the-go use. It’s powered by a dual-core Intel processor. The display is an anti-glare panel that offers excellent viewing angles. You can also expand its storage capacity by adding a microSD card.
As far as portability goes, the CX1100 is light at 2.65 pounds and measures just 0.95 inches thick. It’s also built with a ruggedized design that’s perfect for students taking online classes or those using it outside the home.
Gigabyte G5 KE
If you are looking for a budget gaming laptop, the Gigabyte G5 may be the right choice. It has a full-sized keyboard, fast graphics card, and a powerful CPU. However, the screen is small and flimsy. The battery will last only an hour or two away from mains power.
In terms of connectivity, the Gigabyte G5 comes with USB 2.0 and USB 3.1 ports, as well as a coverless SD card slot. The keyboard features a numeric keypad and standard size arrow keys. There is also a backlit keyboard.
As for the display, the Gigabyte G5 has a 15.6-inch, 1920×1080 LCD display. It supports DLSS and Nvidia RTX ray tracing. This is a feature you’ll likely not notice in your day-to-day activities, but it does help improve picture quality.
Asus VivoBook S 14X
The VivoBook S 14X is an affordable ultrabook with a 14-inch OLED display. Its Intel 12th Generation H series processor is ideal for users who want maximum processor performance. This laptop also comes with a free one-month subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud.
The 14.5-inch VivoBook S 14X is built from aluminum, which provides a lightweight and sturdy chassis. There’s a fingerprint reader on the power button that’s easy to set up with a Windows login.
You can choose between two different processors in the VivoBook S 14X. One variant has a Core i5-12500H processor, while the other has a 12-core Core i7-12700H. As of now, neither model has an Intel UHD Graphics 620.
ASUS has designed a thin, yet sturdy hinge for the VivoBook S 14X. That makes it easy to pick up with one hand. Asus has also ditched the always-on power button and has incorporated grippy rubber feet.
MSI Summit E13
If you’re looking for an ultra-compact business laptop, the MSI Summit E13 may be the one for you. It’s designed to offer the performance of a desktop laptop, but with the portability of a tablet. As a 2-in-1 convertible, it comes with a sturdy hinge that swivels 360 degrees to transform it into a tablet.
With a screen resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels and a full HD+ display, it provides excellent visuals. Combined with a powerful Intel Core i7 processor and 512GB NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 SSD, the MSI Summit E13 is ideal for productivity tasks. Unlike many other 2-in-1s, it offers great connectivity.
For those who prefer wired connectivity, the Summit E13 offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports. Powered by Intel Wi-Fi 6E technology, it allows for fast and stable networking. A third USB 3.2 Type-C port is also included.