Computers have put people on the moon and sent cute robots to Mars. You'd think somewhere in the miraculous technological utopia of our age, we'd also be able to get a decent laptop without spending a fortune. All I want is something portable enough that it won't give me back strain from toting it around all day, and powerful enough to get basic work done. A light, fast-enough laptop for under $700—is that so much to ask? Fortunately, it's possible, but there are trade-offs. You can't edit videos or play hardcore games on them, and the displays won't be as sharp as on pricier models.

We've tested tons of cheap laptops, and for everyday tasks these will do everything you ask of them—and leave some money in your bank account. Keep an eye on the operating system; many of these still come with Windows 10, but some offer a free upgrade to Windows 11.

Be sure to check out our other computing guides, including the Best Laptops, Best Touchscreen Laptops, Best Budget Gaming Laptops, Best Gaming Laptops, and Best MacBooks. Our How to Choose the Right Laptop guide can also help.

Updated July 2023: We've added the Asus Zenbook 14 as our new top pick budget laptop, and updated several models to their latest versions.

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