From Windows laptops to Chromebooks to MacBooks, our experts have tested and identified the top low-cost machines that make short work of everyday computing. The best part? Many ring up for less than $600.

The IdeaPad Slim 5x Gen 11 packs a big punch in a budget-friendly package.

It's not for everyone

Acer announced a new cheap laptop called the Swift Air 14 at Computex 2026, a tech trade show in Taiwan. It has an all-metal build and starts at just $699 with Intel's new Core Series 3 processors, 8GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 120Hz display, making it a very strong MacBook Neo competitor. It's set for release this August.

The surge in popularity of netbooks has led computer makers to change the way they think about PCs. A few years ago, you’d pay a premium for thin and light laptops, while larger and heavier machines inevitably cost more. Today, we’re starting to see ...

Move over, MacBook Neo. Intel has quietly launched a "Project Firefly" initiative to develop cheaper mainstream laptops that don't feel cheap, using its new Wildcat Lake chip as a centerpiece.

We've seen the lion's share of the latest GeForce- and Radeon-equipped gaming laptops—and our experts have tested all of the top options in PC Labs. Here's how to get the best machine on a budget.