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 2024 Apple MacBook Pro with the M4 chip is a powerful and premium laptop. It features a highly capable 10-core CPU and GPU, combined with 24GB of unified RAM and 1TB of fast SSD storage, delivering excellent speed for multitasking, professional work, and creative applications. Its 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display offers stunning visuals with very high brightness and sharpness, ideal for users who value a top-tier screen.

Battery life is impressive, providing up to 24 hours of video playback, which supports mobile work without frequent charging. The build quality is premium, with a sleek, durable design in space black, and the laptop runs macOS, known for a smooth and secure user experience. However, these high-end features come with a significant price tag, placing this laptop well above budget-friendly options. It is also heavier compared to typical budget laptops, which may affect portability.

If you want a strong, stylish laptop with excellent display and battery life and are prepared to invest significantly, this MacBook Pro is an excellent choice. For those prioritizing affordability and basic everyday tasks, more cost-effective laptops are available that will adequately meet those needs.