10 Best Inexpensive Laptops 2025 in the United States

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip is a sleek and powerful laptop that excels in speed and portability. Its new M4 processor, featuring 10 CPU cores and an 8-core GPU, handles multitasking, video editing, and some gaming smoothly. The 16GB of unified memory (RAM) ensures efficient app performance, while the 256GB SSD storage provides fast access to files, though the storage might be limited for users with large video or project files. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display delivers bright and colorful visuals, making photos, videos, and text appear crisp and vibrant—ideal for those who value screen quality.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours with typical use, allowing extended work or media consumption without frequent charging. The build quality is excellent, with a slim, lightweight design crafted from durable materials, making it highly portable. Running macOS, the laptop integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices and offers useful privacy and productivity features.

This MacBook Air may not be the best choice for budget-conscious buyers or those who prefer Windows laptops. Additionally, it has limited ports—only two Thunderbolt 4 and a headphone jack—so adapters might be necessary for additional connections. This device is ideal for users invested in the Apple ecosystem seeking a light, fast, and high-quality laptop for everyday tasks, creative work, and media consumption.

The 2025 Apple MacBook Air 15-inch with the M4 chip is a powerful and sleek laptop, but it is not a typical inexpensive laptop. It features a fast 10-core CPU and 16GB of unified memory, which means it handles multitasking and demanding applications smoothly. The 256GB SSD offers decent storage but might feel limited if you store lots of files or large apps. Its 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and sharp with support for 1 billion colors, providing excellent visual quality that surpasses many budget laptops.

Battery life is impressive at up to 18 hours, allowing all-day use without frequent charging. Build quality is excellent, with a lightweight and slim aluminum body that feels premium and durable. The MacBook runs macOS, known for smooth performance and strong integration with other Apple devices, but this OS can have a learning curve for users familiar with Windows. Ports are limited to two Thunderbolt 4 and a headphone jack, which might require adapters for some peripherals.

This MacBook Air delivers top-tier performance, display, and battery life in a very portable design, but its 256GB storage and higher price make it less suited for budget-conscious buyers seeking a basic or entry-level laptop.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024) offers a sleek and lightweight design with a durable aluminum build, making it a stylish choice for everyday use. Its 13.8-inch touchscreen display provides bright, clear visuals with a sharp 2304x1536 resolution, great for browsing, streaming, and light creative work. Powered by a Snapdragon X Plus processor and 16GB of fast RAM, it handles multitasking smoothly and supports AI-enhanced features through Windows 11 Copilot+.

Storage at 256GB SSD is decent for most users but might feel limited if you store many large files or games. One standout feature is the impressive battery life, lasting up to 20 hours, which is excellent for all-day use without frequent charging. The integrated graphics are fine for standard tasks but aren’t suited for gaming or heavy video editing. Windows 11 Home offers a modern, user-friendly interface with helpful AI tools, although some Copilot+ features are still rolling out.

The Surface Laptop competes well with pricier models in speed and portability, but it may feel a bit pricey compared to other budget laptops with similar specs but fewer AI perks. This laptop is best suited for students, professionals, or casual users who value long battery life, portability, and AI features in a premium-feeling device, rather than those needing high storage or gaming power.