
- #Wirecutter best budget gaming laptop portable
- #Wirecutter best budget gaming laptop software
- #Wirecutter best budget gaming laptop windows
#Wirecutter best budget gaming laptop windows
If you don’t need Windows applications or access to specialty software, buy a Chromebook.
#Wirecutter best budget gaming laptop portable
If you want a light and portable device primarily for writing or for taking notes, get an iPad.
#Wirecutter best budget gaming laptop software
If you prefer Windows and don’t mind dealing with slightly sluggish performance and less durability in favor of wider software support, get a Windows laptop. If you want something portable or durable, and you rely mostly on Google Docs for schoolwork, get a Chromebook. This leaves you with a choice between three different types of computers: a Chromebook, a Windows laptop, or a tablet. Chromebooks can get away with 4 GB of memory because that operating system doesn’t require as much as Windows. A model with 8 GB is much better, but rare.

You could get a laptop for $200, but you shouldn’t-it would feel better to browse the Web on your phone than on a laptop that cheap. When shopping for a laptop under $500, you don’t have a lot of control over features, but there is a minimal threshold to meet for a good experience. At Wirecutter, I’ve tested dozens of laptops, and here’s what I’d recommend as the best laptops under $500. Still, if you know what to look for, you can find a laptop that can browse the Web and handle most schoolwork, such as writing term papers or taking notes. At this price, I’ve seen jangly trackpads, loose keys, unreadable screens, hinges that can’t hold a screen upright, and processors that buckle under the load of two browser tabs. Spend less, and you’ll have a better experience browsing the Internet on your phone. To get a laptop that’s usable for most schoolwork, you typically need to spend at least $450 to $500. Fingers crossed.Sign up for our Wirecutter Weekly newsletter to get our latest recommendations delivered straight to your inbox. I'm hoping this expensive gaming version laptop will also last me 10 years, seeing as I don't use it much and don't really game. If I was going to end up with Chinese goods, I would have just bought another Lenovo - the last one lasted 10 years.

In fact, I was trying to support an American company and avoid the Chinese supply chain and I wound up completely the opposite. It took a long time to assemble and get to the USA. I wanted to just call quickly and sort it out, but no phone was listed.Īlso, the shipping came from China. They replied back, closed the ticket, and then wouldn't respond when I tried to get back in touch. I tried to get in touch with HP to adjust the shipping to when I was going to be home. What wasn't so good was the shipping, and lack of support from a logistics perspective. Luckily, I bought that $200+ support package if there's an issue. It did have one (1) blue screen (of death) so far, which is concerning. The computer itself is great, seems to be what I ordered and works well.
