The best cheap Windows laptops for 2022 The staff at CCI Nursing Scholarship 2023 makes all of the product recommendations, and their decisions are made independently of our parent company, BUBBLES MULTI GLOBAL.
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If you read thenigeriafm.com regularly, you probably don’t think of cheap Windows laptops when you think of daily drivers. But it would be a big mistake to ignore these devices, even if it’s not for yourself. Companies like Acer, ASUS, Dell, and others make Windows devices for less than $500 because many people have tight budgets and others don’t need the power that comes with a flagship laptop.
People who only use their computer to check email, shop online, or post on Facebook can get a good deal on a Windows notebook. (Hello, mom and dad?) They’re also good for kids who shouldn’t be touching a $2,000 gaming system with their sticky little hands. And, depending on what you want to use them for, they can also be good daily drivers.
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Acer Aspire 5
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5
Surface Go 2 Laptop
What about tablets and Chromebooks?
Now, you might want to tell all of the people above to get a Chromebook or a tablet. Those feelings aren’t wrong, but not everyone can use Chromebooks and tablets. Tablets will only work for people who are very good at using their phones, like kids who have been taking their parents’ phones since they were old enough to do so. Tablets can also be as expensive as some of the least expensive Windows laptops, and that’s without a mouse or keyboard.
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Chromebooks are a good choice for people who spend most of their time in a browser. Some people don’t want to give up the “traditional desktop,” though. And you can’t install and run as many programs on Chrome OS as you can on Windows.
What Windows laptops do well
What are some practical tasks that may be carried out on a low-cost laptop running Windows? Quite a deal, particularly if you’re only focusing on one item (or a handful of things) at a time. They are excellent for many tasks, like web browsing, checking email, streaming video, and many more; yet, it is true that one can perform all of these tasks on a Chromebook as well.
However, when it comes to Microsoft Office, laptops running Windows have a significant advantage. While it is true that there is a version that runs in a browser, the native desktop applications are seen as a must by many users and can function without any hiccups on even the most basic low-cost laptop. The one and only limitation to keep in mind is that if you are dealing with huge data sets in Excel or a significant number of photographs and graphics in PowerPoint, you may experience some lag on less powerful devices.
When it comes to specifications, one area where Windows laptops shine is in storage capacity. Even the most reasonably priced gadgets often contain at least 128 GB of storage capacity in their SSDs. This will come in useful if you choose to store your most important files locally on your laptop rather than storing them elsewhere. In contrast, less expensive Chromebooks typically have less storage space since their manufacturers design them with the presumption that users will store all of their files in the cloud. When you need to work offline, this not only makes things less comfortable for you, but it also places restrictions on the sizes of the programs and data that you can download. Therefore, it is not a good idea to stock up on Netflix episodes before going on a lengthy journey or to use a Chromebook as a gaming laptop.
Additionally, the Windows app store provides access to thousands of software programs that may be downloaded by users. Chromebooks are equipped with some Chrome apps, a large number of browser extensions, and the capability to download Android apps; nevertheless, quality control is… variable. An awkward user experience is produced as a result of the fact that Android apps, in particular, have frequently not been optimized for Chrome OS. Windows may not have as many apps as Android, but at least users can expect a reasonably consistent experience regardless of the device they use.
You can also use programs that you downloaded from other sources, such as directly from the creator, thanks to Windows’s built-in ability to do so. On a Windows device, you can run things like Adobe Creative Suite, certain VPNs, and programs like GIMP, Audacity, and ClipMate, which is just not possible on Chrome OS. Chromebooks limit you to the apps and programs that are in The Play Store and the Chrome Extensions store, reducing any others to unusable icons that take up space in your Downloads folder. Alternatively, you can run Adobe Creative Suite, certain VPNs, and programs like GIMP, Audacity, and ClipM
How to find a cheap Windows laptop that meets your needs
Even if you only spend a little on a Windows laptop, you can do a lot with it, but your expectations should match that. The biggest problem with buying a cheap laptop (or any laptop, really) is that it has less power. Many Windows laptops under $500 have Intel Celeron or Pentium processors. At the higher end of the price range, you can find some with Core i3/i5 and AMD Ryzen 3/5 CPUs.
What to look for in a Windows laptop for less than $500
Intel Core I or AMD Ryzen 3 processors
8GB of memory
A solid-state drive (SSD) with at least 128GB
1080p display
Most are made of metal.
We recommend getting the most powerful CPU you can afford because it will determine how fast the computer will feel overall. RAM is also important because the more you have, the easier it will be for your laptop to handle things like a dozen browser tabs while you edit a Word document and stream music in the background. But for laptops under $500, it’s better to get the best CPU you can afford than a lot of RAM. This is because the CPU will be powerful enough to handle most of the tasks that cheap laptops are made for. If you’re editing RAW images or 4K video, though, you’ll need more RAM and a laptop that costs more than $500.
Think about how much you want to save locally when it comes to storage. If you mostly use Google Docs or save most of your files in the cloud, you might not need a computer with a lot of storage space onboard. Just remember that apps will also use up your digital space, so if you know you’ll be downloading big programs, you might want to get a little more storage than you think you need. Lastly, SSDs are everywhere now, and they are faster and more efficient than HDDs, so we recommend getting a laptop with SSD storage.
You don’t have to get a notebook that is only made of plastic, either. Metals like aluminum are used to make at least some of the options that cost less than $500. Those will not only look better, but they will also last longer. There are a good number of HD and FHD screens in this price range, and if you can afford it, you should get a notebook with a 1080p screen. Touchscreens aren’t as common on laptops under $500 as regular screens are, but you won’t miss one if you get a 2-in-1.
Before we get to our picks, one last thing: the best cheap laptop models change all the time. Unlike more expensive flagship machines, these notebooks can be updated a few times a year. Because of this, it can be hard to find a certain model at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, or any other store. We’ve listed some of our favorite models below, but if you can’t find any of them in your area, just remember our list of things to look for in a cheap laptop. It will help you find the best ones on the market right now.
Acer Aspire 5
The Aspire 5 series from Acer has been a good choice for a long time. Most recently, we tested the A514-54-395V, which has a 14-inch 1080p display, an 11th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.
The A514-54-395V is similar to the last Aspire 5 model we tested in terms of performance, but it has a different look. In particular, it’s a 14-inch machine, not a 15-inch one, and the right side of the keyboard doesn’t have a full number pad. It still has an aluminum top cover, which makes it feel more expensive, but Acer took away the backlight from the keyboard, which is a shame. The keyboard, on the other hand, is just as easy to use as the one on the old model.
The latest Acer Aspire 5 has support for WiFi 6 and an important new USB-C port. This feature wasn’t on the last model we tested, so we’re glad to see it on this one. It goes with the ports that were already there: three USB-A ports, one HDMI port, a headphone jack, a lock slot, and an Ethernet port with a drop-jaw. As they said they would, Acer made this model’s battery last an average of 10 hours longer. On the old model, the battery would last for about six hours, so this is a much-needed improvement.
Buy Acer Aspire 5 at Adorama – $460
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5
Lenovo’s Flex 5 14 is a good alternative if you want a laptop that is easier to carry around and has a battery that will last all day. It has an AMD Ryzen 3 4300 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. It also has a 14-inch IPS display with 1080p resolution and a variety of ports, including one USB-C port. If you want to be prepared for the future, that USB-C port will be very important. You might not have many USB-C accessories right now, but that will change over the next few years.
The keyboard is also very good. It doesn’t have a number pad, but the keys have rounded bottoms like those on Lenovo’s ThinkPad machines. When you type, they make a satisfying clicking sound, but they aren’t loud enough to bother other people.
Even though it is cheap, the Lenovo Flex 5 14 is not flimsy. The palm rests don’t move when you press on them, and you can move this laptop around a room with one hand. I also like that it can be folded up or down, which gives you more options. Like most Lenovo computers, the Flex 5 14 has a webcam with a physical shutter that you can close.
The Flex 5 14 also has a longer battery life than the Aspire 5. In our tests, the Flex 5 14 lasted about 16.5 hours, while the Aspire 5 lasted about 10 hours. So, if you want a laptop that will last all day and then some, the Lenovo is the clear winner.
Buy Lenovo Flex 5 14 at Walmart – $485
Surface Laptop Go 2
Lenovo’s Flex 5 14 is a good alternative if you want a laptop that is easier to carry around and has a battery that will last all day. It has an AMD Ryzen 3 4300 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. It also has a 14-inch IPS display with 1080p resolution and a variety of ports, including one USB-C port. If you want to be prepared for the future, that USB-C port will be very important. You might not have many USB-C accessories right now, but that will change over the next few years.
The keyboard is also very good. It doesn’t have a number pad, but the keys have rounded bottoms like those on Lenovo’s ThinkPad machines. When you type, they make a satisfying clicking sound, but they aren’t loud enough to bother other people.
Even though it is cheap, the Lenovo Flex 5 14 is not flimsy. The palm rests don’t move when you press on them, and you can move this laptop around a room with one hand. I also like that it can be folded up or down, which gives you more options. Like most Lenovo computers, the Flex 5 14 has a webcam with a physical shutter that you can close.
The Flex 5 14 also has a longer battery life than the Aspire 5. In our tests, the Flex 5 14 lasted about 16.5 hours, while the Aspire 5 lasted about 10 hours. So, if you want a laptop that will last all day and then some, the Lenovo is the clear winner.