Everybody loves a bargain, right? These days, laptops are more affordable than ever, but not all cheap laptops are created equal. While the price may be tempting, you do not want to end up with a laptop that is painfully slow and frustrating to use.
A quote from John Ruskin, a nineteenth-century poet, still rings true today:
“It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.”
Let us now explain how to avoid that very situation and what to look for in a budget laptop so you can get a great deal and a laptop that works.
The Absolute Minimum Specs You Should Go For
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Your laptop’s CPU is the brain of the whole operation. It is responsible for running programs and handling multitasking. Many budget laptops come with lower-end processors such as the Intel Celeron or AMD A-series, but these can leave you waiting and watching the dreaded spinning wheel.
Our recommendation: Look for at least an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor. They offer a decent balance between performance and price, meaning you can get through your daily tasks without too much lag.
RAM (Memory)
If the processor is the brain, RAM is the computers short-term memory. It is where the laptop stores data temporarily while running applications. If you don’t have enough memory, your laptop will feel stuck in slow motion whenever you try to do things.
Our recommendation: While 8GB might seem sufficient, go for at least 16GB of RAM. You will quickly hit 8G limits when you have a few browser tabs open or are running multiple programs
Storage (SSD vs. HDD)
Many budget laptops come with the traditional hard drive (HDD). A HDD can hold a lot of data but are very, very slow when compared to solid-state drives (SSDs). An SSD makes everything faster, from booting up to opening applications.
Our recommendation: Even if it means sacrificing some storage space, go for an SSD as you will not regret it. In terms of size, a 256 GB SSD is a great starting point but look at at least 500G or higher (especially if you have a lot of large files (eg music, video etc).
Screen Size and Resolution
This is more about comfort and how you plan to use the laptop. A smaller 11-inch or 13-inch screen may save you some money, but if you are going to be using it for long periods or have issues with your eyes, a larger 15-inch display may be more appropriate.
Our recommendation: Aim for at least a 14″ or 15″ inch display with a resolution of 1920×1080 (aka Full HD). This will give you clearer text and sharper images without straining your eyes.
Software (MS Windows & MS Office)
Windows 11 is the latest and you should not go for a laptop with anything less but should you go with the Home Version or Pro? Also what about MS Office?
Our recommendation: If you are a business user, go with Windows 11 Pro. If you are just a home user, Windows 11 Home is ok as long as you do not do any work related activities on the laptop.
With MS Office, if you are a business user you may have a license already with you M365 account – check with your business IT provider. If you are a home user. Microsoft 365 Personal has a lower up front cost but you will need to renew each year.
Battery Life
What good is a laptop if it can’t stay powered long enough for you to use it? To cut costs, budget laptops usually skimp on battery capacity, meaning you could be searching for a power outlet more often than you would like.
Our recommendation: Look for a laptop with at least 8-10 hours of battery life. This should get you through a full day of light use without running out of juice.
The Pitfall of the Cheapest Option
It is tempting to go for the absolute lowest price you can find, but as with the quote above from John Ruskin, sometimes paying too little can cost you more in the long run. You might end up with a laptop that cannot handle the basics, forcing you to either buy another one or pay for upgrades sooner than you would like. This where advice from a professional comes in handy – it is all about finding that sweet spot between affordability and usability.
Need Help Setting It Up?
Once you have found the perfect budget laptop, the next step is setting it up properly. If you are unsure where to start with setting up your new laptop, installing software, transferring files or ensuring it is secure and ready to go, we are here to help.
Feel free to contact us if you need help. Our team can assist you with setup, software installation, and even ongoing support to make sure your laptop runs smoothly for years to come.