Best Laptop Under $700: Top 6 Picks

The Best Laptop Under $700 can still be considered a budget pick. However, it is important to be careful when buying to make sure you get the best specifications for the price.

Manufacturers creating these budget laptops consider form and durability over power and specifications. You will be able to find laptops with sturdy build material but slow processors and low RAM.

This price range, just like laptops under $600, is dominated by Chromebooks and Windows laptops. Most MacOS laptops are more expensive unless you go for renewed versions. For even cheaper versions, check out our $300 laptop review.

New Apple laptops are powerful and reliable but can be expensive, so let us not go there. In this article, we have researched and bordered on Chromebooks and Windows laptops.

Top Pick for the Best Laptop Under $700

1. Acer Swift 3: Best Overall
2. Acer Aspire 5: Best for Students
3. Dell 2022 Inspiron 3000: Best for Entertainment
4. HP Pavilion x360: Best 2-in-1 Laptops
5. Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (2024): Best Chromebook
6. HP Victus 15: best gaming laptop under $700

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.

Acer Aspire 5: Best for Students

1. Screen: 15.6 inches
2. Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Pixels Full HD
3. Brightness: 250 nits
4. Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3200U
5. GPU: Vega 3 Graphics
6. RAM: 4 GB and 8GB
7. Storage: 128 GB SSD
8. Keyboard: Backlit Keyboard
9. OS: Windows 10
10. Battery Life:  7.5 hours
11. Aluminum Build
12. Weight: 3.9 lbs

If you are a student and need a reliable laptop for this budget range, we recommend the Acer Aspire 5. It features a 16-inch screen size with 1920 x 1080 Pixels Full HD resolution. The size, orientation, and resolution display are perfect displaying rich and vivid colors.

Unfortunately, the screen brightness is low at 250 nits and can be problematic when working in high-light conditions. Additionally, the touchpad is not very sensitive which can be annoying.

Despite this, it still is an ideal powerhouse with 4 to 8 GB RAM and powerful AMD Ryzen 3 3200U. It is ideal for browsing, streaming, and simple editing.

The body and build are slim and lightweight at 3.9 libs in weight despite being made of sturdy aluminum. The sleek finish makes it appealing and modern despite its short 7.5-hour battery life.

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Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (2024): Best for entertainment

1. Screen: 14 inches
2. Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels HD
3. Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
4. Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600
5. RAM: 4GB DDR4
6. Storage: 128GB SSD
7. Keyboard: Standard, non-backlit
8. Operating System: Windows 10 Home in S mode
9. Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
10. Build Material: Plastic chassis
11. Weight: Approximately 3.68 lbs

The Dell 2024 Inspiron 14 is a 2-in-1 laptop that features a sleek and creative look while still retaining powerful performance. It is versatile and delivers an exceptional user experience. The bluish look and lightweight convertible body make it cool and futuristic.

For power and performance, you have an Intel Core i5 processor and 8 GB RAM. This setup ensures easy processing without lags and seamless multitasking even when working on many programs.

The screen is large at 14 inches and has a 1920 x 1200 pixels Full HD resolution with touchscreen sensitivity. The screen displays vibrant colors in high detail, making it possible to be used by creatives, streamers, and artists.

The Dell 2024 Inspiron features a minimalistic front view that ensures minimum distractions when working or viewing it. It is a good pick if you work on your laptop for long hours.

It is ergonomically designed for easy connectivity with a built-in Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth system. Additionally, you will have a wide range of ports, including USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and audio jacks. This makes it easy to connect to accessories like external monitors and hard drives.

HP Pavilion x360: Best 2-in-1 Laptops Under $700

1. Screen: 14 inches
2. Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD (Touchscreen)
3. Processor: Intel Core i5
4. Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
5. RAM: 8 GB DDR4
6. Storage: 256 GB SSD
7. Keyboard: Backlit keyboard
8. Operating System: Windows 11 Home
9. Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
10. Build: Convertible 2-in-1 design with a 360-degree hinge
11. Weight: 3.35 lbs

If you are looking for a 2-in-1 laptop to-tablet computer, we recommend the HP Pavilion x360. It features a Convertible 2-in-1 design with a 360-degree hinge. You can use it as a tablet or laptop thanks to the flip design and sensitive touch screen.

The screen is 14 inches in size with 1920 x 1080 Full HD and Touchscreen sensitivity. The Intel Core i5, dedicated Intel Iris Xe Graphics GPU, and 8 GB RAM ensure easy multitasking without lags. Additionally, it runs on an upgradable Windows 11 Home instead of the limited Windows S compared to similar-priced laptops.

You will have different storage space options between 256 and 512 GB plus an 8-hour battery life. This combined with the light 3.35 lbs weight makes it easily portable and usable outdoors. The keyboard is ergonomically designed with backlit capability for easy usage in dark environments.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (2024): Best Chromebook

1. Screen Size: 14 inches
2. Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels
3. Screen Type: IPS Touch Display with Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass
4. Processor: Intel Core i5-120U
5. GPU: Integrated
6. RAM: 8 GB
7. Storage: 256 GB SSD
8. Operating System: Chrome OS
9. Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E
10. Features: Touchscreen, Backlit Keyboard, Stylus Support
11. Camera: Full HD Webcam
12. Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2024 Edition) is a versatile 14″ Chromebook laptop that blends power, style, and functionality, making it a standout in the Chromebook category.

Powered by the robust 13th Gen Intel Core i5, a 10-core processor that outpaces the i7, it effortlessly handles multitasking, seamless browsing, and even light gaming. 

The device’s 1920×1200 FHD+ touchscreen display with 100% sRGB coverage delivers vibrant, true-to-life visuals, perfect for creative professionals and immersive media experiences.

Encased in a premium aluminum chassis with rounded corners, the Spin 714 feels luxurious yet practical, boasting durability and aesthetic appeal. Its convertible design is complemented by an integrated garaged stylus, ideal for note-taking and sketching, though retrieval in tablet mode could be smoother. 

The Quad HD webcam with a privacy slider elevates video call quality, ensuring clear visuals for remote work or study, while a backlit keyboard and fingerprint sensor add layers of convenience and security.

Connectivity is another highlight, with dual Thunderbolt ports, HDMI 2.0, and the latest WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 standards, ensuring fast data transfer and seamless peripheral integration. 

Despite its lightweight design, the Chromebook offers up to 10 hours of battery life, averaging around 8 hours in real-world usage—perfect for professionals and students needing reliable all-day performance.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 masterfully combines power, portability, and premium features, making it a compelling choice for users seeking a high-performance Chromebook that doesn’t compromise on style or functionality.

HP Victus 15: Best Laptop under $700 for Gaming

1. Screen Size: 15.6 inches
2. Resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080 Pixels
3. Screen Type: IPS, 144Hz Refresh Rate, Anti-Glare
4. Processor: Intel Core i5-12450H
5. GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (4GB GDDR6)
6. RAM: 32 GB
7. Storage: 1 TB SSD
8. Operating System: Windows 11 Home
9. Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6
10. Special Features: Backlit Keyboard, Numeric Keypad, Touchpad

The HP Victus 15 (2024 Edition) stands out as a budget-friendly gaming laptop that delivers robust performance and reliable features for casual gamers and multitaskers alike. 

Equipped with the Intel Core i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU with 6 GB RAM, it effortlessly handles modern AAA games, offering smooth frame rates and responsive gameplay. 

Its 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD ensure quick load times and efficient multitasking, making it as adept at productivity tasks as it is at gaming.

The 15.6″ FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate provides crisp visuals and fluid motion, although the panel’s color accuracy and brightness could be improved for creators or those seeking a more immersive experience. 

The laptop’s sleek mica silver design maintains the clean aesthetic of previous models, though the primarily plastic build and slightly wobbly hinge might leave durability-conscious users wanting more.

Connectivity is a strong suit, with a variety of ports, including HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, and multiple USB options, offering versatility for peripherals and external displays. Battery life averages around six hours for general use but diminishes significantly during gaming sessions, underscoring the need for gaming while plugged in. 

Audio performance is adequate with decent volume, but the bottom-firing speakers lack the depth and richness that audiophiles might prefer.

The Victus 15 also boasts future-proofing with upgradeable RAM and storage, giving users the flexibility to enhance performance as their needs evolve. 

While its build and display have room for improvement, the HP Victus 15 strikes a commendable balance between cost and performance, delivering a reliable gaming experience at a competitive price point.

What to Consider When Buying a Laptop Under $700

The factors to have in mind when choosing laptops in this price range are similar to those under $600.

Budget

The budget and type of laptop you want go hand in hand. If you are on a low budget, you will forgo Windows and Mac laptops for Chromebooks. If you need a Mac laptop, then you will have to spend more or choose a renewed laptop version.

Display Quality

Display quality is very important, especially considering how you intend to use the laptop you buy. Choose the IPS (in-plane switching) screen type over LCDs. They offer a better off-angle view, brightness, and color display. 

AMOLED screens would have been better but are not available at this budget range. Choose a large screen size, at least 14 inches, with HD or Full HD resolution.

Processor and RAM

For many budget laptops, AMD Athlon, Intel Celeron, and Pentium processors are the most common to match the low price range. Avoid these processors and instead choose AMD Ryzen, Intel, or Intel Core i5, i7, or Ultra.

Choose between 8 and 16 GB of RAM for general tasks and basic gaming. 16 GB will be good enough even for heavy users but might lag when animating.

Storage Space and Battery Life

Choose a laptop with either a large storage space SSD type or an expandable one using a microSD. SSD hard drives are fast and not noisy. For outdoor usage, choose a bright display and long battery life. Anywhere between 8 and 12 hours of continuous use is safe.

How to Choose the Best Laptop Under $700

When choosing the best one, consider your budget range and what you intend to do with the laptop. A cheaper laptop with weaker specifications will be good enough for basic streaming. However, for complex tasks like digital art, you must spend a little more on a more powerful laptop.

Choose the operating system you prefer. You can either use Windows, MacOS, or Chrome OS. The choice of OS depends entirely on personal preference.

Portability is important to consider depending on how you intend to use your laptop. Check the laptop’s size, weight, and battery life for this.

If you intend to use your laptop with many different accessories, consider the number of ports and connectivity options before buying.

Our Top Recommendation: Acer Swift 3

Frequently Asked Questions