The best laptops under $1,000 will provide you with exceptional performance, long battery life, and mobility without breaking the bank. What exactly does this mean? Getting a fantastic laptop does not have to cost an arm and a leg.
Some characteristics you’ll be willing to give up depending on who you are and what you need; others, not so much. For example, if you only require a laptop for casual web browsing and productivity software, a lower-end CPU should suffice. However, if you’re always on the road and use your laptop outside, you might not be able to forego a high-brightness screen or a laptop with long battery life.
That being said, there are lots of fantastic sub-$1,000 alternatives available, whether you need a business laptop for on-the-go work, a gaming laptop for cheap frags, or a 2-in-1 laptop that converts your laptop into a tablet.
With the start of 2022, many of the best laptops of the year in 2021 and beyond will see significant reductions, especially because CES 2022 will include a list of improved laptops. Keep an eye out for updates so you can get your hands on powerful computers for less than $1,000.
What is the best laptop for less than $1,000?
The HP Envy 13 (2021) is the best 2022 laptop under $1,000, making it the greatest Ultrabook on the market today for its price. The 11th Gen Intel CPU in this Envy 13 starts at $849 and boasts quicker performance and longer battery life than you’d expect from a sub-$1,000 laptop.
A sleek aluminium design, a comfortable keyboard, a brilliant 1080p display, and a wonderful range of connectors are among the highlights. It is also Thunderbolt 4 compatible.
Apple’s powerful M1 MacBook Air, which costs little under $1,000, is also an excellent choice. There is no better option if you prefer macOS over Windows 10. Check out the greatest Macbook discounts to get some fantastic savings.
The Samsung Galaxy Book (2021) is an appealing new entrance into the sub-$1,000 laptop market, with incredible Intel 11th Gen performance, a beautiful appearance, and a great keyboard for people who write all day. However, there are certain drawbacks.
While some laptops cost well over $1,000, there are lots of best laptop offers that may make these otherwise pricey notebooks into reasonable laptops. The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020), for example, is one of the best 2-in-1 laptops on the market and costs $1,078. However, some bargains have reduced this to less than $1,000. Keep an eye out for the most recent active deals.
There are many worthy competitors on our list, so take a look at the best laptops under $1,000 below.
The best laptops under $1,000 on the market today
1. HP Envy 13 (2021)
The best laptop under $1,000
CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 GPU: Iris Xe RAM: 16GB Storage: 256GB Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p touchscreen Size: 12.1 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches Weight: 2.9 pounds
HP addressed practically every flaw in the previous Envy 13, a notebook with few flaws to begin with. The most recent model includes a Thunderbolt 4 connector and slimmer display bezels, resulting in a contemporary, compact appearance.
Everything else about Envy 13 is either better or the same as before. The 1080p display is brilliant and vibrant, the keyboard is comfortable to use, and there is still a Thunderbolt 4 input as well as two USB Type-A ports for attaching mice, keyboards, or cameras. Adding the 11th Generation Intel CPU to a winning recipe has enhanced it. Our Core i5 model performed admirably in real-world and benchmark testing, and the Envy 13 lasted over 11 hours on a single charge.
The Envy 13 is a near-flagship laptop at not-so-flagship pricing.
2. HP Envy x360 13 (2020)
The best 2-in-1 under $1,000
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics RAM: 8GB Storage: 256GB Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p Size: 12.1 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches Weight: 2.9 pounds
The HP Envy x360 13 is the most affordable 2-in-1 laptop. While it does not have a pen (like does the Surface Pro), the Envy is a 2-in-1 that can be used as a tent or tablet. The all-aluminium design and Herculian AMD Ryzen CPUs make this a wonderful deal.
In our testing, we discovered that an Envy x360 13 with a Ryzen 5 4500U CPU outperforms laptops with Intel 10th, Gen CPUs. This particular Envy costs under $800 and can outperform computers costing far over $1,000, including the expensive MacBook Pro. Furthermore, the Envy x360 13 has a 13.3-inch display that is bright and vivid, as well as a comfortable keyboard.
There’s not much we don’t like about the Envy x360. If you can get over the loss of a Thunderbolt 3 connector and an IR camera, this is the ideal budget laptop.
The newest HP Spectre x360 13 (2021) offers quicker performance and longer battery life in a smaller design. However, its optimum setup costs well over $1,000. We recommend the most recent edition if you’re ready to invest a bit extra.
3. MacBook Air (M1, Late 2020)
The best MacBook for under $1,000
CPU: M1 GPU: M1 (integrated) RAM: 8GB Storage: 256GB Display: 13.3-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel Size: 11.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches Weight: 2.8 pounds
If you prefer macOS over Windows 10, the Apple MacBook Air is the way to go. The new M1 processor, which combines amazing speed and good battery life and makes the 2018 MacBook Air the fastest ultrathin notebook ever, is the most significant change to this year’s model.
Apple’s powerful M1 MacBook Air cuts owing to its low price of $999. Even better, you’ll discover lots of bargains that will bring the price down even further. You receive unequalled performance as well as a battery life of 14 hours and 41 minutes. This is a combo that can only be found in the greatest Windows 10 laptops, and even they can’t compete in terms of performance.
Apple’s most affordable 13.3-inch model is also its most portable, measuring only 0.6 inches thick and weighing 2.8 pounds. It’s one of the best college laptops available, and those hoping to spend less than $1,000 are in for a treat.
4. Asus ZenBook 13 UX325EA
The best laptop and battery life under $1,000
Display: 13.3-inch, 1920 x 1080 display CPU: Up to Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU Weight: 2.5 pounds
There’s something special about a ZenBook. They’re gorgeous, tend to be exceedingly small and lightweight, and, thanks to Asus, have a digital ace up their sleeves. The secret sauce in the case of the Asus ZenBook 13 UX325EA ($999 tested, $949 beginning) is Intel’s latest Tiger Lake CPUs. Intel Tiger Lake CPUs, introduced as part of Intel’s new Evo strategy, provide more powerful performance, longer battery life, and the addition of Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6. You also get the ZenBook’s attractive but robust chassis as an added benefit.
5. Dell G5 15 SE (2020)
The best cheap gaming laptop under $1,000
CPU: AMD Ryzen R7 4800H GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5600M RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB SSD Display: 15.6-inches, 1080p Size: 14.4 x 10 x 0.9 inches Weight: 5.5 pounds
The Dell G5 15 SE (2020) is a terrific mainstream gaming laptop owing to its insane CPU speed, amazing battery life and dazzling 15.6-inch display. The system’s AMD CPU consistently outperformed the competition. The battery life on the notebook was likewise impressive, lasting more than 7 hours. Throw in an AMD graphics card capable of competing with even the most demanding AAA titles, and you’ve got a sure-fire winner.
In addition, the laptop boasts a display that is both brilliant and vibrant, as well as a genuinely comfy keyboard. We like the shimmering silver paint on the hood and the healthy port offering, which allows you to connect all of your required devices. The Dell G5 15 SE (2020) is one of the greatest gaming laptops available at this price point.
6. Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2021)
The best overall Chromebook under $1,000
CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: 8GB Storage: 256GB SSD Display: 13.5-inch, 2256 x 1504 Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.3 x 0.7 inches Weight: 3.2 pounds
The Chromebook Spin 713 carves out a great place for itself among enthusiasts, professionals, students, and mobile professionals. Because of its fast processor, it is ideal for running heavy Android or Linux software. It also boasts a plethora of ports and a bright and vibrant display. The Spin 713 outperformed the competition with its 2.4-GHz Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU, 8GB of RAM, 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD, and Intel Iris Xe graphics. Furthermore, its battery life is above-average, clocking it at 10 hours and 35 minutes on the Laptop Mag battery test.
Whatever you use the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 for, there’s a lot to enjoy about it. Avid writers will like the keyboard and increased screen real estate, while multimedia enthusiasts will appreciate Google OS’s streaming features. The laptop has a fantastic 2-in-1 form factor that feels far more high-end than its price tag would lead you to believe. It’s tough enough for daily usage while still being powerful enough to replace the functionality of many full-fledged laptops. Furthermore, the battery life is excellent.
7. Lenovo ThinkBook 14s Yoga
The best business 2-in-1 under $1,000
CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7 GPU: Intel Iris Xe RAM: 16GB/24GB Storage: 512GB/1TB Display: 14-inch, 1080p Corning Gorilla Glass Weight: 3.3 pounds
The Lenovo ThinkBook 14s Yoga dares to be distinctive; it aspires to be distinct from the market’s other sub-$1,000 business convertibles. When we put it to the test, it didn’t blow us away, but it did routinely earn silver medals in every category.
We’re suckers for a garaged stylus, and the all-aluminium ThinkBook 14s Yoga comes with a Smart Pen with its silo for speedy charging while not in use. The ThinkBook 14s Yoga is a 2-in-1 that, in addition to outstanding performance and a decent display, is suitable for business users who dislike fumbling for pens that never seem to be within reach.
8. Samsung Galaxy Book (2021)
As impressive Galaxy Book with speedy performance
CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: 8GB Storage: 256GB Display: 15-inch FHD LCD (1980 x 1080) Battery: 10:25 Size: 14.04 x 9.02 x 0.61 inches Weight: 3.4 pounds
The Samsung Galaxy Book 2021 is propelling the company to new heights. Its 11th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU not only impresses with the outstanding overall performance for a $750 laptop, but its decent keyboard, port diversity, and small design make it a potential notebook for professionals.
There are still certain cogs that need to be polished for the machine to run smoothly. While the laptop’s low bezels maximize the 15-inch display, the panel itself is unimpressive. Samsung should also address its abysmal touchpad and webcam. However, these aren’t deal-breakers, especially given it provides remarkable performance for a laptop priced much under $1,000.
The Samsung Galaxy Book is an excellent laptop, particularly for individuals who own other Samsung gadgets.
9. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The best business laptop under $1,000
CPU: 10th gen Intel Core i3/Core i5/Core i7 GPU: Intel UHD or Iris Pro RAM: 4GB/8GB/16GB Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB Display: 12.3-inch, 2736 x 1824-pixel Size: 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches Weight: 1.7-1.74 pounds
The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is now available, but it doesn’t cut since it costs more than $1,000. We still suggest it as a fantastic 2-in-1 laptop alternative, so read our Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review.
The Surface Pro 7 improves on last year’s outstanding Surface Pro 6 notebook by adding more power. While battery life suffers, the new 10th Gen CPUs perform admirably in both simulated and real-world tests.
Although the appearance hasn’t changed, the Surface Pro 7 now offers a USB-C connection for charging and attaching devices. Microsoft still offers the comfy Alcantara-clad Type Cover and the super-responsive Surface Pen, which make it simple to sketch or take notes on the 12.3-inch display of this tablet.
There is still room for growth. For example, the display bezels on the Surface Pro 7 are thick, and storage/RAM upgrades are strangely pricey. Nonetheless, this is one of the greatest 2-in-1 gadgets available and a fantastic pick for travelling.
The upgraded Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ features an 11th Gen Intel Core CPU, but its finest configuration costs well over $1,000.
10. Asus ZenBook 13 UM325S
One of the best ultraportable laptops under $1,000
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800U GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB SSD Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p, OLED Size: 12.0 x 8.0 x 0.6 inches Weight: 2.6 pounds
The Asus ZenBook 13 UM325S ultraportable laptop is excellent. It has a fantastic performance, a fantastic battery life, a gorgeous OLED display, and strong speakers. The main drawback is its small size. It’s portable, however, the keyboard and touchpad are slightly awkward to use.
However, if you have tiny hands and can get used to its keyboard, the ZenBook 13 is one of the greatest ultraportable laptops available.
11. Acer Aspire 5
The best laptop under $500
CPU: Intel Core i3-8145U GPU: Intel UHD 620 RAM: 4GB Storage: 128GB SSD Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 Size: 14.3 x 9.9 x 0.7 inches Weight: 3.76 pounds
The Acer Aspire 5 takes the top spot on our list of the best laptops under $500 thanks to its powerful 8th Gen Core i3 performance, brilliant 1080p display, and long battery life – all for a low price. Despite being significantly slimmer than its sister, the Aspire E 15, the Aspire 5 has enough space for a battery that lasts approximately 9 hours on a single charge.
It lacks a DVD writer, however, it does have a good number of ports. The display has a brightness of 276 nits, which provides the screen with some nice contrast. It even has a hood made of aluminium. To top it all off, the display bezels are impressively thin for a laptop at this price. The Aspire 5 is one of the greatest low-cost laptops on the market right now.
12. Acer Swift 3 (2020, AMD Ryzen 7 4700U)
The best laptop with high performance under $1,000
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4700U GPU: Radeon Graphics RAM: 8GB Storage: 512GB SSD Display: 14-inch, 1920 x 1080 Size: 12.7 x 8.6 x 0.63 inches Weight: 2.6 pounds
The Acer Swift 3 with the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U CPU outperformed the competition in our Geekbench 5.0 benchmark. The Acer Swift 3 not only surpassed machines in its price category, but it also outperformed certain top-tier, luxury laptops, such as the Dell XPS 13.
The Acer Swift 3 has an excellent battery life as well. The Acer Swift 3 has a battery life of more than 11 hours, which is enough for a whole day. The Acer Swift 3 is equipped with a fast CPU and a long battery life for only $649, which is unheard of nowadays. However, for the price, you’ll have to settle with a poor display because the Acer Swift 3 has a dim display.
Nonetheless, the Acer Swift 3 offers a lot of bang for your buck. It comes highly recommended by us.
13. Dell XPS 13 (2019)
The best thin notebook under $1,000
CPU: Intel Core i3-1005G1 CPU RAM: 4GBStorage: 256 SSD Display: 13.4-inch 1920 X 1200 Infinity Edge Weight: 2.9 pounds
Whatever configuration you choose, the Dell XPS 13 (2019) remains one of the finest laptops for the money. Even if you choose the $979 version of Dell’s top notebook (the only one under $1,000), you’ll receive a beautifully small chassis, a brilliant InfinityEdge display, and robust internals like a 10th Gen Intel Core i3 processor and a battery that can last almost 11 hours.
What about the Dell XPS 13 (2020)? That is, without a doubt, the greatest laptop money can buy.
How do we test the best laptops under $1,000?
We use industry-standard performance benchmarks like Geekbench and 3DMark, as well as a range of real-world tests designed in our laboratories, to determine whether a laptop is worth your money. This includes the Laptop Mag Battery Test, which surfs the web at 150 nits of brightness until a laptop’s battery dies, and a unique spreadsheet test that gauges a laptop’s computing capability.
How to find the best laptop under $1,000?
There are several factors to consider while looking for the best laptop under $1,000. Here’s an excellent overview of how to choose the best laptop for you.
What’s your budget?
Sure, you can find some diamonds in the rough, great Windows laptops and high-quality Chromebooks for around $500, but you may have to cope with a slow CPU or a terrible multitasker. If you only use a laptop occasionally, those will suffice; however, if you require more power, you should aim higher; the best mainstream laptops typically cost more than $700. If you have the means, we recommend going for the $700 to $900 range.
Do you want a 2-in-1 or a clamshell?
If you love the convenience of transforming your laptop into a tablet, 2-in-1 laptops are an excellent option. However, bear in mind that you can usually acquire a lesser price and better-performing capabilities with a standard laptop.
How much battery life do you need?
If you’re always on the road, you’ll want to invest in a laptop that has a battery life of at least 10 hours. However, if you’re a homebody or if you’re stuck at your desk all day, you might be able to sacrifice some battery life and save some money in the process.
What specs do you need?
If you want good performance, go for a Core i5 CPU. Memory and storage should be prioritized, with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD is ideal. In terms of display, don’t settle for anything less than a 1080p screen; your eyes will thank you later.
You might spend a lot of time researching specifications, but these are the main elements to consider. If all you want is decent mainstream performance, get a Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a 1080p screen.
Gamers and video makers should be looking for a laptop with discrete graphics, but finding a high-performing GPU under $1,000 may be difficult.