Best Laptop Under 600 Dollars: A Complete Guide

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Being a budget option, it is important to note that the Best Laptop Under 600 Dollars will not be equipped with the latest specifications, features, and hardware.

Despite having older features, most of them pack features good enough to enable them to perform complex tasks. Some of these features can only be found on very expensive laptops.

They offer high-quality displays and refresh rates, plus powerful performance and even cloud gaming. This price range is dominated by Chromebooks, followed by Windows laptops. 

You will notice that MacBooks are not available under this price range. After our research, we found the below to be the best laptops under $600. If you are looking for a cheaper laptop, check out our Laptops Under $300 guide.

Best Laptop Under 600 Dollars

1. Lenovo New Ideapad 3: Best Overall
2. Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Best for Cloud gaming
3. HP Pavilion 15 Laptop: Best Budget
4. Acer Swift 3: Best Under $700
5. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2: Best 2-in-1
6. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5-2023: Best Touchscreen

Lenovo New IdeaPad 3 – Best Overall

1. Screen size: 14″ 
2. Resolution: FHD Display
3. Processor: Intel Core i5
4. RAM: 20 GB
5. Storage: 1TB SSD
6. Webcam and SD Card Reader
7. Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6
8. OS: Windows 11 Home

The Lenovo New IdeaPad 3 is our best overall pick. It is a perfect pick for both students and professionals thanks to the very affordable price and versatile performance.

It has a powerful Intel Core i5 processor and up to 20 GB of DDR4 RAM. This ensures smooth performance and multitasking. 

Whether you run powerful software like Premiere or After Effects or run both of them with Adobe Photoshop, this RAM and processor are up for the task.

For the display, you will have a large 14-inch screen with Full HD resolution at 1920 x 1080 pixels. This display quality is further enhanced by high brightness levels at 220 nits with anti-glare technology.

The laptop features 1TB SSD storage space. The SSD hard drive type is known for quiet operation and fast file retrieval, speeding up productivity.

If you need a portable laptop, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is your perfect option since, from the manufacturer, it balances a lightweight body and relatively long battery life. It is a perfect blend of portability, power, and affordability.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024) – Best for Cloud Gaming

1. Screen Size: 16 inches
2. 2560×1600
3. Resolution: pixels
4. Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
5. Color Coverage: 100% sRGB
6. Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1240P
7. RAM: 16 GB 
8. Storage: 256 GB SSD
9. GPU: NVIDIA GeForce
10. OS: ChromeOS
11. Wireless Connection: Wi-Fi 6E
12. Wired Connection: 2.5 G Ethernet LAN port

If you need a good gaming laptop but are on a budget, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE is your perfect companion. It is considered an ideal pick for cloud gaming thanks to the inbuilt ChromeOS. This is different from both macOS and Windows.

For the display, it features a 16-inch screen with up to 2560×1600 pixels resolution, which is better than the Lenovo New IdeaPad 3. 

Color accuracy is also nice thanks to the 100% sRGB color coverage. This view and color reproduction are perfect for either gaming or multimedia consumption. The screen refresh rate is fast at 120Hz, therefore enabling seamless gameplay. 

It features a modern 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and 16 GB of RAM. It is a Chromebook and is built to handle demanding cloud-based games. 

Still on the processing power and graphics, the laptop features an NVIDIA GeForce NOW GPU that is optimized for gamers to enjoy clean and fast graphics and frame rates without the need for expensive hardware. 

To save files, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE features a 256 GB Gen 4 SSD storage that offers fast file read and write speeds. This in turn enables seamless multitasking and data access.

Acer Swift 3: Best Laptop Under $700 Overall

1. Screen Size: 14 inches
2. Resolution: Full HD IPS
3. Brightness: 300 nits
4. Processor: Intel Core i7
5. GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
6. RAM: 16 GB
7. Storage: 512 GB SSD
8. OS: Windows 11 Home
9. Backlit Keyboard
10. Battery Life: 16 Hours
11. Weight: ‎2.65 pounds

The Acer Swift 3 is a sleek and lightweight laptop that balances portability, performance, and premium features, making it a versatile choice for professionals and students alike. Powered by the Intel Core i7 processor and Intel Iris Xe Graphics, it delivers smooth performance for multitasking, productivity, and light creative work. The 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD ensure fast load times and efficient storage, keeping up with demanding workflows.

Its 14.0-inch Full HD IPS display offers crisp visuals and wide viewing angles, ideal for both work and entertainment. The backlit keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience, while the precision trackpad ensures responsive navigation. Weighing only 1.2 kg and measuring just 0.63 inches thin, the Swift 3 is designed for effortless mobility without compromising durability, making it a perfect companion for users on the go.

Connectivity is robust, featuring USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and WiFi 6, ensuring seamless connections to peripherals and fast internet speeds. The laptop also boasts an upgraded 720p HD webcam with AI enhancements for clear video calls, catering to the growing demand for remote work and virtual meetings. Battery life is reliable, lasting up to 16 hours on light usage, though heavier tasks may deplete it more quickly.

While the Swift 3 excels in performance and portability, its sound quality leaves room for improvement, with speakers that lack depth and richness. However, the inclusion of DTS Audio enhances the experience when using headphones. At its competitive price point, the Acer Swift 3 combines functionality, style, and affordability, making it a standout option for those seeking a capable and stylish ultrabook.

HP Pavilion 15 Laptop – Best Budget

1. Screen Size: 15.6 inches
2. Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080 pixels)
3. Display Type: IPS, Anti-glare
4. Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 (up to 4.2GHz with Turbo Boost)
5. RAM: 16 GB
6. Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
7. GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
8. OS: Windows 11 Home
9. Connectivity: USB Type-C, HDMI, SD card reader
10. Weight: 3.75 pounds

The HP Pavilion 15 is our best budget pick, offering excellent performance and reliability at an affordable price.

It features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with anti-glare technology. This ensures sharp visuals and vibrant colors, making it a great choice for work, streaming, and casual gaming.

Powered by the 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, which can reach up to 4.2GHz with Intel Turbo Boost, the laptop delivers smooth and efficient performance. It also comes with 16GB of RAM for seamless multitasking. Additionally, the 1TB PCIe SSD provides plenty of storage space and ultra-fast boot times.

The HP Pavilion 15 combines style and portability with its sleek silver design and lightweight build of just 3.75 pounds. It includes multiple connectivity options, such as USB Type-C, HDMI, and an SD card reader, to support a variety of devices. Its Intel Iris Xe graphics further enhance visual quality, making it suitable for light photo editing and streaming HD content.

Running on Windows 11 Home, this laptop offers a modern user experience with strong security features. With its long battery life, you can stay productive or entertained throughout the day.

Whether you’re a student, professional, or casual user, the HP Pavilion 15 strikes the perfect balance of affordability and performance, making it the best budget laptop under $600.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 – Best 2-in-1

• Screen Size: 12.4 inches
• Resolution: PixelSense Touchscreen Display
• Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i5
• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 128 GB SSD
• Security: Fingerprint Power Button with Windows Hello
• OS: Windows 11 Home
• Weight: 2.48 pounds
• Battery Life: Fast charging (80% in just over an hour)
• Special Features: HD camera, studio mics, rich sound system

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is our top pick for a lightweight and versatile laptop, blending touchscreen functionality with a sleek design.

Weighing just 2.48 pounds, it’s perfect for on-the-go users. The 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen display delivers vivid colors and excellent responsiveness, making it great for creative tasks, note-taking, and presentations.

Powered by the 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, this laptop handles everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and document editing with ease. It comes with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, ensuring fast performance and quick load times. The integrated fingerprint power button with Windows Hello adds secure and effortless access to your device.

One of its standout features is fast charging, reaching 80% battery in just over an hour, so you can quickly get back to work or play. The improved HD camera and studio mics enhance video calls, while their rich sound system ensures an immersive entertainment experience.

Running Windows 11 Home, the Surface Laptop Go 2 provides a modern interface and access to essential productivity tools like Word and Excel. For those looking for a portable, stylish, and budget-friendly laptop, it’s the ideal choice under $600.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (2023) – Best Touchscreen Laptop

1. Screen Size: 14 inches
2. Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080 pixels)
3. Display Type: Touchscreen with Narrow Bezels
4. Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
5. RAM: 16 GB
6. Storage: 256 GB SSD
7. GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
8. OS: Windows 11 Home
9. Weight: Lightweight and portable
10. Battery Life: 12 hours
11. Special Features: 360-degree hinge, digital pen support (sold separately), physical webcam shutter

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (2023) is our top pick for a versatile 2-in-1 laptop, offering flexibility and performance in a compact design.

Its 14-inch Full HD touchscreen display with narrow bezels delivers an immersive viewing experience. Thanks to its 360-degree hinge, the laptop easily transitions between laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes, adapting seamlessly to your needs.

Powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor and 16 GB of RAM, the Flex 5 handles multitasking, streaming, and content creation effortlessly. The 256 GB SSD ensures fast load times and provides ample storage for your essential files and apps. With AMD Radeon integrated graphics, it also delivers smooth performance for casual gaming and creative tasks.

A key feature is its support for a digital pen (sold separately), perfect for sketching, note-taking, or annotating. Privacy is prioritized with a physical webcam shutter, and the 12-hour battery life ensures you stay productive all day.

Lightweight and stylish in Abyss Blue, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is the ideal choice for users seeking a touchscreen laptop with premium features at an affordable price.

How to Choose the Right Laptop for You

When choosing the best one for you, you need to consider how you intend to use the laptop. Most laptops under this price range will be ideal for students, business, or basic gaming.

Some will be able to edit videos, but you will notice serious lags and issues due to weaker specifications. If you want a laptop for animation or video editing, choose the more expensive alternatives with more powerful specifications. A good example is the top video editing laptops under $1000.

Choose a laptop with a large screen size and high resolution. Most of the laptops in this price range will have a Full HD or HD resolution. Full HD is always better and clearer. It might not be possible to get an AMOLED display on a budget, so we recommend the IPS LCD screen options.

Many vendors use the cheaper and weaker AMD Athlon or Intel Celeron and Pentium processors to hit lower prices. Avoid these processor options and instead opt for AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processors.Most will have chip generations behind current models but are good enough for the price.

If you want good processing power and the ability to multitask, avoid the regular 4 GB RAM and instead choose the 8 GB options. Most cheap laptops feature slower drives. To avoid this, choose SSD hard drive types instead of older HDD hard drives

Frequently Asked Questions