10 Best Low Budget Laptops 2025 in the United States

The Acer Aspire 15 Slim AG15-32P-39R2 is a solid choice if you're looking for an affordable laptop with decent performance for everyday tasks. It features a newer 8-core Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of DDR5 RAM, which makes it responsive enough for web browsing, office work, and streaming videos. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display offers clear and vibrant visuals, and its narrow bezels help make the screen feel spacious for watching movies or multitasking. Battery life is impressive at around 12.5 hours, which means you can get through a full day without constantly searching for a charger. It’s also fairly portable with a slim profile and weighs just under 4 pounds.

The storage is 128GB UFS, which is fast but might fill up quickly if you store a lot of files or applications, so an external drive might be needed eventually. It runs Windows 11 Home in S mode, which limits software installation to apps from the Microsoft Store; this is good for security but can feel restrictive if you want traditional programs. Connectivity is strong with Wi-Fi 6 and multiple USB-C and USB-A ports, plus HDMI for connecting to external displays. The build uses recycled materials, which is a nice environmental touch.

The integrated Intel graphics won’t handle demanding games or heavy photo/video editing. Also, the 128GB storage may be tight for users with bigger software or media needs. If you’re after a straightforward laptop for schoolwork, office tasks, and streaming with a long battery life and decent screen, this model fits well in the low-budget category.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024) stands out as a sleek, lightweight option with a sharp 13.8-inch touchscreen and a bright 2304x1536 resolution, making it great for everyday tasks and media consumption. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus processor paired with 16GB of RAM, which delivers smooth performance for web browsing, office work, and AI-powered applications thanks to Windows 11 Copilot+. The 256GB SSD offers decent storage space that’s fast, though it might feel limited if you store lots of files or large programs.

One of its biggest highlights is the impressive battery life—up to 20 hours—allowing you to work or play for a full day without charging. The build quality is solid with a durable aluminum body, and its 2.96-pound weight adds to portability, perfect if you move around often. Windows 11 Home ensures you have the latest software features with AI enhancements built-in. This laptop uses an integrated graphics solution, which means it’s not designed for heavy gaming or graphic-intensive work. While the Snapdragon chip is efficient and powerful for many tasks, it may not match the performance of some traditional Intel or AMD CPUs in demanding applications.

As a budget-friendly laptop, the Surface Laptop (2024) delivers excellent battery life, a premium feel, and AI-focused features that enhance productivity. It is a smart choice for students, professionals, or anyone needing a stylish, capable machine for daily use without breaking the bank.

The HP Pavilion 15.6" laptop offers a solid set of features for a low-budget option, especially with its generous 16GB of RAM and large 1TB SSD, which means you can run multiple programs smoothly and store plenty of files without slowing down. Its Intel Core i3 processor, while not the fastest, can boost up to 4.1GHz, handling everyday tasks like web browsing, video calls, and document editing comfortably.

The 15.6-inch touchscreen with an HD (1366 x 768) resolution provides basic visual clarity and the convenience of touch input, but the screen brightness and color range are on the lower side, so it might not be ideal for detailed photo or video work. Battery life is strong here, with up to 11 hours, making it good for all-day use away from power outlets. The laptop is fairly lightweight at around 3.7 pounds and slim, which helps with portability. It includes modern ports like USB Type-C and HDMI, useful for connecting external devices. Running Windows 11 Home ensures access to the latest features and security.

The integrated graphics are basic, so this laptop isn’t suited for heavy gaming or demanding graphic applications. The build quality is decent for this price range but not particularly rugged. This HP Pavilion is well suited for students, home users, or anyone needing good multitasking and storage without a high price tag, but it may not meet requirements for a sharper display or more powerful processing for advanced tasks.