ARTICLE

Best Value Cheap Laptops That Are Up To Any Job

January 13, 2025 - 4 mins read

Whether you are a student or a retiree (or somewhere in between), a laptop is an indispensable life tool. And for every budget, there is a laptop to suit. Even cheap laptops might surprise you with power and performance to rival more expensive models. The Good Guys have your back with all the expert advice you need to track down the best budget laptops. We’re talking about bargain buys that deliver top performance, vibrant display and dependable battery life, for much less than you’d expect.

“Whether you need a bump-proof laptop for the little learner in your life, are shopping for a one-size-fits-all family workhorse, or want to upgrade your hybrid office with a ‘go anywhere’ 2-in-1 device, there’s a great value solution to fit your lifestyle,” says Jason Tavoletti, The Good Guys Buyer – Computers.

Are Cheap Laptops Good?

In a word? Yes! These days, you can take your pick of great low-price laptops that will let you work seamlessly between home and office, connect with friends online, study at university, or stream movies. All without having to sacrifice the fast speeds, powerful processors and solid battery life of the big guns.

Who Makes The Best Affordable Laptops?

Lenovo, Acer and Dell are three trusted brands offering top value laptops with high-performance features seen in more expensive makes. Expect fast boot-up, ample port selection for connecting to your TV or monitor, anti-glare panel (so you can work outdoors) and high-definition display. You can even get the most up-to-the-date Microsoft Windows operating system.

“Buying a laptop that uses a Windows operating system is a savvy way to future-proof your investment because Windows supports a huge range of software and is always evolving. That means your laptop can, too,” advises Jason Tavoletti.

“Whether you need a bump-proof laptop for the little learner in your life or want to upgrade your hybrid office with a ‘go anywhere’ 2-in-1 device, there’s a great value solution to fit your lifestyle.”

Convinced that cheap means chunky? Wrong! The latest low-cost laptops from Lenovo and HP boast ultra-portable, design-conscious frames with slim bezels that won’t weigh you (or your backpack) down. Lenovo also makes budget laptops that can go 10+ hours between charges and come equipped with webcam privacy shutters for enhanced peace of mind.

Always forgetting to recharge? Look to HP, too, for great mid-range laptops with fast-charge batteries that can juice up in minutes (before the school bus comes!).

Best Cheap Laptops

A budget-friendly laptop is a smart investment for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and working on documents. Lightweight, portable, and cost-effective, it’s perfect for students, as a secondary device, or as a practical gift. Here are some of the best cheap laptops deliver value and efficiency without breaking the bank.

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Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 1 15.6" Win 11 Laptop

HP 15.6" i3 8GB 128GB Chromebook Plus

Best Cheap Laptops for Students

Students can benefit from budget-friendly laptops, which provide all the essential tools for research, assignments, and online classes without the hefty price tag. Lightweight and portable, they’re easy to carry between classes, and their affordability ensures accessibility for students on a tight budget.

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Lenovo 11.6" Celeron N4500 4GB 64GB eMMC Chromebook

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 1i 14" Celeron 4GB 128GB

Best Cheap Laptops for Streaming

A budget-friendly laptop can be perfect for streaming, offering a reliable and affordable way to enjoy your favourite shows, movies, and content. With vibrant displays and smooth performance, Here are some of the top picks for entertainment lovers who want quality viewing without the high price tag.

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Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14" i5 8GB 512GB Laptop

HP 14" Celeron 8GB 256GB Laptop

Best Cheap Laptops for Design

A budget-friendly laptop can be a practical choice for budding designers, offering essential tools for basic design work without a hefty price tag. Want the perfect device for on-the-go creativity? Here are some great options for anyone exploring the world of design.

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Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 1 15.6" Pentium 4GB 128GB eMMC Win 11 + M365 Laptop

Acer Aspire GO 15.6" Intel N100 4GB 128GB Laptop

Best Cheap Laptops for Travel

Laptops are often a traveller’s best companion—lightweight, compact, and affordable; it’s perfect for staying connected on the go. Whether booking trips, managing itineraries, or streaming during downtime, a cheap laptop can offer reliable performance without the worry of damaging or losing an expensive device.

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Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14" MediaTek Kompanio 520 4GB 128GB Chromebook

Asus Vivobook Go 15 15.6" Celeron N4500 4GB 128GB Laptop

Best Cheap Laptops for Work

Laptops are a work must-have but they don't have to be expensive. If you're looking for a device that is ideal for work, offers all the essentials to tackle emails, documents, and virtual meetings without overspending - The Good Guys have heaps of great options. Compact and efficient, these picks are perfect for professionals who need a reliable device for productivity - whether at home, in the office, or on the go.

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Dell Inspiron 15 3000 15.6" i5 16GB 512GB Laptop

HP 15.6" Ryzen 5 8GB 512GB Laptop

Who Makes The Best Budget 2-In-1 Laptops?

If the world is your office – or you’ve got kids in need of a study device to bridge home and school – a 2-in-1 laptop may be your best bet. Portable and powerful, 2-in-1 laptops come with detachable keyboards and app integration to give you the functionality of a laptop, paired with the ‘go anywhere’ convenience of a touchscreen tablet.

Acer, Lenovo and Dell all come up trumps, giving you the power and features you want in a 2-in-1 laptop, without overspending. Up for grabs are excellent battery life, speedy 8GB RAM, luminous Full HD picture quality, handy HDMI ports, and a 256GB solid state drive to comfortably store your programs, games and precious photos. Look out for Bluetooth connectivity, too, so you can stay in the saddle, no matter what.

Also consider a user-friendly Chromebook which runs on Google’s Chrome OS. Lightweight and affordable, with long battery life and built-in antivirus protection, Chromebooks are a big hit with students and teachers.

HP delivers 2-in-1 laptops with multi-angle screens to optimise your study set-up (or bedtime viewing!), dual speakers for enriched audio, and mighty processors to run multiple programs smoothly.

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Dell Inspiron 14" Core 7 16GB 1TB Touch 2-in-1 Laptop

Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Flex i5 8GB 512GB 2-in-1 Laptop

Where Can I Buy A Cheap Laptop In Australia?

At The Good Guys, of course! It's the place where you'll find the best deals on essential tech. Got an old mobile, tablet, iPad or MacBook that you’re keen to part with? If you accept our trade-in estimate, you’ll get eGift card to put towards a new laptop right away!

Ready to stretch those dollars further with a great value laptop deal? Head in-store or online for expert advice on the best budget laptop or computer for you!