Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best Laptop Under $1,000
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406)
- Peppy performance
- High value
- Long battery life
- Lots of ports for its size
- Just a 1200p display
- No WWAN option or SD card slot
- Face login only—no fingerprint reader
Our favorite under-$1,000 laptop for most shoppers is the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406), which earned an Editors’ Choice award for its mix of peppy AMD processing, Windows Copilot features for AI early adopters, and a dazzling 1,920-by-1,200-pixel OLED display that beats most laptops at higher price points. The long battery life is choice, the port selection and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity are rich, and the ultraportable design is easy to carry anywhere. The fact that it sells for $849.99 at Walmart is a major bonus.
Obviously, the affordable price makes this an appealing notebook for shoppers who want genuine value, but the Zenbook will also appeal to frequent flyers with its slim, portable design. Multitaskers and professionals will appreciate the capabilities of its AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor.
Class
Ultraportable
Processor
AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
AMD Radeon 780M Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.59 by 12.3 by 8.7 inches
Weight
2.82 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
19:56
Learn More
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) Review
Best Gaming Laptop Under $1,000
Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT)
- Attractive price
- Suffices for 1080p gaming
- Wide selection of ports
- Lengthy battery life
- Lagging processor performance
- Limited 512GB SSD
You won’t find a lot of gaming laptops that sell for less than $1,000, but the Acer Nitro V 15 upstages other affordable gaming rigs thanks to an exceptionally affordable starting price of $699. Even our beefed-up review unit was just $849, with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU and 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor to drive gaming-ready performance for popular titles. Plus, it’s got a decent selection of ports and relatively impressive battery life. The 512GB solid-state drive is a bit cramped and the Nitro’s raw horsepower won’t win any awards, but it has pure gaming ability where it counts with minimal impact on your wallet, while keeping price to a minimum.
If you’re a gamer on a budget (or just buying for one), you’ll be pleased to find this gem of a laptop at a surprisingly low price for decent gaming capability. Casual gamers and kids will be thrilled, value shoppers will chalk up a serious bargain, and even moderately demanding gamers will appreciate the level of performance provided at this affordable price.
Class
Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i5-13420H
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
6 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
1.06 by 14.3 by 9.4 inches
Weight
4.66 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
9:51
Learn More
Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT) Review
Best MacBook Under $1,000
Apple MacBook Air (M1, Late 2020)
- Good value, especially for a MacBook
- Much-improved performance, thanks to Apple’s new M1 processor
- Exceptional battery life
- Sleek, portable metal design
- High-quality keyboard, touchpad, and display
- Multiple color options
- Port selection limited to two USB Type-C connections
- Still no touch-screen option
Even after Apple has moved on to a different design style and newer hardware, the Apple MacBook Air with M1 processor stands head and shoulders above most ultraportable laptops, thanks to an iconic featherweight design and incredible battery life. Truth be told, the M1 Air is still one of the best lightweight laptops we’ve ever reviewed, with decent performance, a crisp display, and unbeatable unplugged stamina. Thanks to a deal between Apple and retailers like Best Buy and Walmart, the 2020 MacBook Air can often be found for under $700.
The 2020 MacBook Air is our top pick if you’re looking for a stylish and mighty MacBook for as little money as possible. Walmart is selling brand-new in-box units for less than some used versions of the same model. The notebook earned our praises for performance and longevity when it was first released, and it’s a fantastic offer today.
Class
Ultraportable
Processor
Apple M1
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
256 GB
Screen Size
13.3 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Apple M1
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.63 by 11.97 by 8.36 inches
Weight
2.8 lbs
Operating System
Apple macOS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
29:01
Learn More
Apple MacBook Air (M1, Late 2020) Review
Best Laptop Under $1,000 for the Very Tightest Budgets
Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)
- Smooth everyday operation
- Extensive battery life
- Current Wi-Fi connectivity
- Competitive starting price
- Limited performance headroom
- Dated, somewhat flimsy design
- Lackluster display
- Top configuration is outclassed
If you want to save as much money as possible on a laptop—we’re talking way less than $1,000—then the Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P) is a smart buy. It’s a reliable performer with smooth performance for everyday tasks, but it goes beyond the basics with high-quality Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, long battery life, and an irresistible $399 price. That’s pretty hard to beat.
Cash-strapped shoppers will obviously love the affordable price. Still, the Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P) is also a compelling budget laptop for students, casual users, and anyone who values long battery life. It’s a great entry-level bargain.
Class
Budget
Processor
AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
Processor Speed
2.4 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
128 GB
Screen Size
15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
AMD Radeon Graphics
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Dimensions (HWD)
0.75 by 14.3 by 9.4 inches
Weight
3.77 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
16:46
Learn More
Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P) Review
Best Ultraportable Laptop Under $1,000
Acer Swift Go 14 (2024, Intel Core Ultra 7 155H)
- Impressive performance
- Bright screen
- Comfortable keyboard
- Aluminum chassis
- Decent connectivity and webcam
- Persistent fan noise
- Weak speakers
- Lots of bloatware
For the best Windows ultraportable in this price range, we love the Acer Swift Go 14. Weighing less than three pounds and delivering impressive performance thanks to an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, this slim notebook packs its aluminum chassis to the gills with features ranging from an improved keyboard and bright IPS display to its robust port selection and roomy 1TB solid-state drive. Essentially a premium laptop for less, its only real letdown is the sound quality from its built-in speakers. Bring some headphones, and you’ll be happy.
If you’re in the market for a high-performance laptop with a super-portable design, the 2023 Acer Swift Go 14 will win you over with its low price and very good build quality. It doesn’t skimp on construction or capability, topping our benchmark charts while keeping the price reasonable.
Class
Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Processor Speed
1.4 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.59 by 12.32 by 8.58 inches
Weight
2.91 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
11:37
Learn More
Acer Swift Go 14 (2024, Intel Core Ultra 7 155H) Review
Best Big-Screen Laptop Under $1,000
Acer Swift Go 16 (2024)
- Compelling value
- Excellent performance and battery life
- Broad array of ports
- 1440p webcam with conferencing audio assist
- Lackluster keyboard
- While decent, screen can’t match sharper OLEDs
- Mediocre build quality and bloatware
Buying a laptop with a big screen doesn’t mean you have to spend a small fortune. The 2024 Acer Swift Go 16 combines a handsome 16-inch display, potent performance, and plenty of ports. The laptop also features a 1440p webcam that’s a rare find among laptops priced at under a grand (or even above that price). Its Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, 32GB of standard RAM, and 1TB SSD are also hard to get in this price range.
It’s the best laptop with a large screen for under $1,000 that we’ve tested recently, but our test configuration is locked behind Costco’s warehouse doors. (It sells for a bit over $1,000 outside them.) If you’re one of the 120-plus million shoppers in the U.S. with a Costco membership, check out this big-screen bargain along with your next $1.50 hot dog and soda.
Class
Desktop Replacement, Budget
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.59 by 14 by 9.6 inches
Weight
3.53 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
18:49
Learn More
Acer Swift Go 16 (2024) Review
Best Business Laptop Under $1,000
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5
- Reasonably priced
- Long battery life
- Gold standard ThinkPad keyboard
- Thunderbolt 4 uncommon for the price
- Just $50 for touch-screen upgrade
- Three-year warranty as tested
- Middling performance, even with Core i7
- Screen needs more color
- Tinny speakers
Office laptops need potent performance, broad connectivity, and long battery life. The fact that the Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 fills the bill for under $1,000 is a welcome surprise. This laptop may not have the carbon-fiber construction or dazzling display options of fancier ThinkPads like Lenovo’s flagship X1 Carbon, but it offers one of the best keyboards in its class, versatile Thunderbolt 4 ports, and even an optional touch screen for just $50 extra. Plus, it comes with a three-year warranty, so you have peace of mind that it will keep you working longer than most machines.
With its budget price and business-friendly features, the ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 is the laptop of choice for professionals on a budget, whether they’re solo operators or budget-conscious IT managers. Its long battery life makes it ideal for business travelers as well.
Class
Business
Processor
Intel Core i7-1355U
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Dimensions (HWD)
0.7 by 12.3 by 8.6 inches
Weight
3.11 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
11:53
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 Review
Best Chromebook Under $1,000
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714
- New AI features supercharge ChromeOS
- 12 months free Google One with Gemini Advanced
- Versatile, durable 2-in-1 design
- Intel Core Ultra processing and on-device AI
- Excellent battery life
- Clear, colorful touch screen
- Pen not included
- ChromeOS still has quirks
Though not as affordable as some Chromebooks, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is the best ChromeOS-powered laptop we’ve seen. It packs a capable 2-in-1 design and a powerful Intel Core Ultra processor, plus two fistfuls of AI-powered upgrades, including a 12-month trial of Google’s Gemini Advanced. We already loved the Spin 714’s elegant design and high-quality construction, but the latest model ups the ante with the smartest version of ChromeOS we’ve ever seen.
This one is for anyone who wants the best ChromeOS has to offer. Whether you’re into productivity, creativity, student life, or just chilling at home, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is as close to perfect as Chromebooks get.
Class
Chromebook, Convertible 2-in-1
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 5 115U
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
256 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Dimensions (HWD)
0.71 by 12.4 by 8.8 inches
Weight
3.21 lbs
Operating System
Chrome OS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
14:46
Learn More
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 Review
Best Windows Tablet Under $1,000
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel)
- Impressive performance and battery life
- Outstanding cameras
- Sleek design, with inking-friendly 3:2 screen
- Two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
- User-upgradable storage
- Essential accessories still not included
- No more headphone jack
- 5G only available with SQ3 processor
- High starting price
It’s not the newest Microsoft Surface tablet, but the Intel-powered Surface Pro 9 is still an outstanding tablet PC, especially considering its not-too-premium price. The slate’s 12th Generation Intel CPU delivers powerful performance and smooth multitasking, along with a well-engineered design, exceptional cameras, and impressive battery life. We also appreciated the dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and user-upgradable SSD storage. The Surface Pro 9 is still one of the best Windows tablets we’ve ever tested, and it’s now available at more affordable prices than ever (though, alas, its stylus pen and detachable keyboard cover cost extra).
For PC users who want iPad-like convenience without giving up their favorite Windows programs and features, it’s tough to beat the Microsoft Surface Pro. Its high performance is perfect for professionals on the go, and the touch- and pen-friendly screen is second to none for digital drafting and handwritten notes.
Class
Detachable 2-in-1
Processor
Intel Core i7-1255U
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
256 GB
Screen Size
13 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1920
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Dimensions (HWD)
0.37 by 11.3 by 8.2 inches
Weight
1.9 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
13:12
Learn More
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel) Review
Best 2-in-1 Laptop Under $1,000
HP Envy x360 14 (2024)
- Handsome OLED display
- Snappy, responsive keyboard
- Appealing array of ports for a slim laptop
- Performance lags behind peers in price class
- Speakers resonate at higher volumes
- Low-power CPU doesn’t pay off with big battery life
Convertible 2-in-1 laptops are a tempting alternative to detachable Windows tablet-plus-keyboard combos. The HP Envy x360 14 (2024) is a convertible laptop with a slick design and a dazzling OLED display that enhances the visual experience of both a laptop and tablet. The keyboard is snappy and responsive, and the port selection provides plenty of connectivity for a slim system. Overall, this stylish and versatile design functions excellently and is priced lower than most competitors.
The HP Envy x360 14 (2024) is ideal for users who want a portable design and vivid OLED display. The stylish 2-in-1 is great for casual use, especially for users who prioritize price over performance. Simply put, this is the best 2-in-1 laptop for less than a grand that we’ve tested so far.
Class
Convertible 2-in-1
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 155U
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 x 1800
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Graphics
Wireless Networking
802.11be, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.67 by 12.3 by 8.6 inches
Weight
3.08 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
15:24
Learn More
HP Envy x360 14 (2024) Review
Buying Guide: The Best Laptops Under $1,000
The Essentials: Key Features for Laptops Under $1,000
Let’s start with the most critical elements of any laptop: the core components, the operating system, and its connectivity-related features. Looks may be important in a laptop, but nothing beats performance. If you don’t have it where it counts, your new laptop won’t do a good job of supporting the tasks you’re buying it for.
Processor
The processor is the core computing part of any personal computer, so your laptop needs a properly scaled one. As a rule, the faster or more powerful the CPU, the more expensive the laptop, but that shouldn’t deter you. For under $1,000, you can find notebooks with peppy chips from Intel, AMD, and even some compelling (if older) options from Apple.
(Credit: Kyle Cobian)
Specific CPUs will vary depending on what application and form factor you’re after, but reviews and formal testing from reputable sources are your friends here. Intel Core and Core Ultra chips are standard in this price range, as are their AMD Ryzen equivalents. For most shoppers, a Core i5, Core Ultra 5, or Ryzen 5 class of CPU will suffice; content creators and other demanding users should favor the “7” level of each.
A processor name that ends in “H” is generally a more powerful (and more battery-hungry) option here than one that ends with a “U.” Meanwhile, Apple shoppers may not get the latest Apple silicon (currently, M4), but you can pick up a MacBook with a still-potent previous-generation M1 or M2 processor at a bargain price.
Graphics
The CPU may be the primary component for any laptop shopper, but graphics are a significant concern for many shoppers. Nearly all laptop processors have an integrated graphics processor (IGP) that’s fast enough to show streaming videos, permit image editing or light video work, and power through solitaire or casual games (though usually not the latest fast-paced shoot-’em-ups).
However, a dedicated graphics processing unit (GPU) is paramount for a gaming laptop. It’s easy to blow your budget with expensive gaming laptops, but a few budget options will get you in the game without leaving you too broke to buy the next Baldur’s Gate or Cyberpunk 2077 expansion.
Even if you aren’t looking to start gaming, discrete graphics hardware is a plus for multimedia work, especially video. However, laptops with discrete GPUs priced under $1,000 are the exception rather than the rule (apart from gaming laptops, which usually have one), so we’d recommend checking out our gaming pick in this roundup or others among our favorite cheap gaming laptops.
Memory (RAM)
Laptop memory is the next ingredient for excellent performance. Having more RAM will give you more resources for multitasking, such as running multiple apps or browser tabs at once; in the case of integrated graphics, it’ll mean more memory left over after the allotment that’s shared with the IGP as video memory. You’ll know when you don’t have enough because you’ll experience slow loading times, laggy responses to mouse clicks and keystrokes, and even freezing or crashing of applications and the operating system. Having enough RAM is critical for the sort of smooth experience you expect, and it never hurts to have more.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
For most users, 8GB of memory is sufficient for web browsing, media streaming, and basic office work. However, 16GB is better for multitasking with more than a few programs, editing photos, or gaming—and will soon become the baseline as AI-ready laptops slowly take over the market. Meanwhile, laptops with 32GB or more are reserved for high-end gaming, heavy media work, or demanding professional applications such as running virtual machines or crunching giant datasets. Laptops under $1,000 with 32GB are rare, but consider buying a system with user-upgradable RAM, which lets you level up your memory via a separate purchase later on.
Operating System
Chromebooks—laptops with Google’s browser-centric ChromeOS—usually dominate lists of low-priced laptops, and for good reason. Their lightweight operating system makes Chromebooks ideal for students and casual users who mostly just want to get online. But if you can spend more than $500, you have no reason to feel stuck with ChromeOS unless its frequent updates and freedom from viruses appeal to you.
Windows and macOS systems are readily available for less than $1,000 and come with all the features of those leading operating systems. Whether you’re a Windows fan who wants the Microsoft 365 (formerly Office) suite or an Apple diehard looking to add a laptop to your iPhone and Apple Watch ecosystem, you can get a machine that fits your budget.
Connectivity
One area where you shouldn’t compromise is connectivity. From Thunderbolt 4 or USB-C ports to Wi-Fi 6 or 6E, it’s rare for a $1,000 laptop not to have every port or connection you want. But that doesn’t mean that all laptops will have all the physical connectors. In fact, some of the most premium systems you can buy sacrifice ports for slim design, leaving off handy extras such as memory card slots, headphone jacks, or HDMI monitor ports.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The bad news is that even pricey laptops are not immune to port shortages. The good news is that you can pick up an inexpensive docking station or adapter that provides whatever connectors you need.
Design
With today’s laptops taking so many different physical forms—tablet PCs with detachable keyboards, flip-and-fold laptop/tablet convertibles, beefy gaming notebooks, and sleek ultraportables—it would be easy to think that some form factors are simply too expensive for a guide like this. You’d be half right.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Gaming laptops get pricey fast, as do professional workstations. Rugged laptops for outdoor or industrial use (often by first responders or the military) are also usually way over $1,000. But the rest? You can find a vast selection of slim and light laptops, convertible hybrid devices, and business-ready laptops of every stripe for $999 or less.
Features in Under-$1,000 Laptops: Niceties Are Not Out of Reach
Some features are less common in the budget category, but that doesn’t mean they’re entirely unavailable. In fact, you can readily find these premium features at three- rather than four-figure prices—just not all of them in one machine. Here are some luxuries you can get with careful shopping, as long as you understand you may get one or two, but not all of them, without busting your budget.
Quality Displays
Display quality hinges on several elements, including screen size, brightness, and refresh rate, but the most salient features you’ll decide on are panel type and resolution. (Screen size, measured diagonally, is, of course, important, but it’s usually dictated by laptop size.)
Laptop display panels come in many forms, but the two most common today are IPS and OLED. An in-plane switching (IPS) display is a type of LCD with LED backlighting optimized for wide viewing angles and better color reproduction than older LCD options. As such, it’s the go-to pick for mainstream laptops and the most common option in our list of favorites.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels are more expensive and hence are found more often on premium laptops, though their prices continue to come down. OLED is famous for sky-high contrast (its blacks are unbeatably deep because it can turn individual pixels all the way off instead of just dimming them) and more vivid colors. These displays look better and are thinner and more energy-efficient, so they’re popular among the slimmest and longest-lasting ultraportables. Happily, you can find a few OLED laptops that limbo just under $1,000, and if you want a system that looks and feels more expensive than it is, it’s the display type we recommend.
Touch-screen capability is separate from display quality but no less critical. Many Windows and Chromebook laptops boast touch panels and even 2-in-1 convertible designs that let you switch between laptop and tablet modes, but Apple famously snubs touch screens for all its MacBooks.
Battery Life
A long-lasting battery is often the difference between a laptop you love to take along and one you’d rather leave at home. Knowing your machine has a long battery life, you can simply slip it into your briefcase or backpack and go, knowing that you’ve got hours of use ahead without worrying about finding a wall outlet. On the other hand, a short battery life means lugging around the power adapter and periodically being tethered to an outlet to recharge.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The good news is that many of the laptops in this roundup can exceed 10 or 12 hours on a charge, getting through a day of work or school and an evening’s streaming entertainment. Of course, not all are marathon athletes. Gaming laptops, in particular, are known for brief battery life, even if today’s models are rarely limited to the one or two hours of their ancestors. Choose accordingly.
Storage
Storage was once a question of spinning hard drives versus solid-state drives (SSDs), but no more. The SSD has become the storage format of choice for all laptops except the cheapest Chromebooks, which use inexpensive but relatively small and sluggish eMMC flash storage instead.
The bigger question is capacity. A 128GB drive will fill up quickly, mostly taken up just by your operating system and program files, so we generally recommend 256GB as a minimum. (Chromebooks usually get a pass since they’re built for the cloud instead of local storage.) If you can get a 512GB drive, you’re sitting pretty, but sharp-eyed shoppers will sometimes find a notebook with a 1TB SSD for less than $1,000.
Portability
In the world of laptops, thin is always in, but the thinnest and lightest systems are usually the most expensive. They require more precise design and engineering, costly materials like milled aluminum and carbon fiber, and hardware that provides the best mix of power and energy efficiency.
That’s usually an expensive combination, so the very cheapest laptops tend to be bulky. But a $1,000 budget should get you a system with both portability and long battery life, even if the real featherweights and all-day runners still command top dollar.
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)
As a general rule, we recommend laptops that weigh no more than 4 or 4.5 pounds for top portability, with ultraportables (defined as weighing less than three pounds) our favorites. You’ll see several options in this lineup that tick that box, but you’ll still need to be selective to make your ultraportable dreams happen under budget.
What You Might Give Up in an Under-$1,000 Laptop
What will you have to do without to keep within your thousand-dollar budget? Pretty much what you’d expect.
Top-Spec Hardware Is Too Pricey
If you want the latest and greatest processing and graphics hardware, you’re reading the wrong guide. A thousand bucks will buy you a lot of laptop, but it won’t buy a top-of-the-line CPU like an Intel Core i9 or Core Ultra 9, or a GPU like Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 4080 or 4090. That’s especially true in two categories: laptops for hardcore gamers, and mobile workstations for specialized professional apps. We do recommend some gaming notebooks under $1,000, but they’re a small subset of the gaming world and nowhere near the best that vendors have to offer.
Workstations are similarly high-powered but fundamentally different beasts. A mobile workstation not only has powerful processing and graphics silicon but carries independent software vendor (ISV) certifications for computer-aided design (CAD), 3D rendering, and other rarified applications. Enterprise-ready GPUs (such as Nvidia’s RTX Ada rather than GeForce line) and software drivers ensure compatibility with apps ranging from science and engineering to medical imaging.
That makes sense when you consider that workstations’ high prices are mere rounding errors in the budgets of the projects they’re used for. Often, in such projects, the end product is an actual product, like the next Pixar animated blockbuster or a bridge that people will drive over. While you can find gaming laptops under the $1,000 line, three-figure workstations are scarce because they are equipment their users just can’t compromise on.
AI Is Coming, But It May Cost Extra
Microsoft, Apple, and Google’s latest operating systems offer new AI-powered features, and the big chip makers have issued leading-edge silicon to support these new capabilities. However, laptop artificial intelligence is still pretty new, and many of the laptops equipped with the newest AI-enhanced processor chips are above the $1,000 limit.
You can still get cool AI capabilities for less, but it may mean opting for a Chromebook Plus model enhanced with Google Gemini instead of a brand-new Windows Copilot+ PC.
Ordering the Whole Menu Will Bust the Budget
Again, while we’ve listed a number of premium features here, you simply won’t be able to get them all without spending more than a grand. Sure, you can find a laptop with an OLED screen or a compact notebook that folds into a tablet, or even a gaming-ready GPU. But you can’t find them all in one low-priced system.
You’ll have to pick and choose because a fully loaded system easily tops $1,000 or even $2,000 if you’re not careful. Sticking to your budget means making trade-offs, such as splurging on a dazzling OLED display but not getting a 1TB solid-state drive. (You can always add external storage later.) Processing power and plenty of RAM are our first picks in this arena; integrated graphics are just fine for most users’ applications, and an OLED instead of IPS screen is only essential if you truly need professional-class color reproduction.
These small decisions will help you make the most of your budget and keep your spending sane without feeling you paid too much or gave up an important capability in the name of savings.
Is a Laptop Under $1,000 Worth It?
With all of these specifics and warnings about which specs are and aren’t essential, you may ask yourself if this is even worth your while. Yes, it is. Sure, you can spend far more for a system that checks every box and has every ritzy feature, but you can readily find a terrific laptop without doing so.
It’s mostly a question of knowing your needs and making clear decisions about which features you can skip. Our recommendations are tailored to many of the most popular use cases, so you can find something great no matter what your purpose. Even if your needs are a bit more particular, you should still find something that fits your budget.
Ready to Buy the Best Laptop for Under $1,000?
Whether you’re looking for an inexpensive Chromebook, a flexible 2-in-1, a tablet PC, an elegant ultraportable, or a gaming laptop, you can find excellent options for $999 or less. By knowing what you want and having a realistic idea of what you can afford, you can score a fine deal on a laptop that will serve you well for years.
But which is the best? We’ve chosen our favorite options in multiple categories here, but you’ll still need to decide which form factors and features are ideal for you. Our current favorites are listed below with full specifications and links to each review.
If you need to save even more, our lists of the best cheap laptops and the best laptops for college students are worth checking out for additional bargains.
