ARTICLE

Best Value Cheap Laptops That Are Up To Any Job

January 25, 2024 - 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 in 2024. 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.

A teenage girl is at home, wearing headphones and using her laptop, while sitting on the back deck with her cat.

Are Cheap Laptops Good?

In a word? Yes! Laptop manufacturers know that not all of us can afford an all-singing, all-dancing laptop. Nor do we all need one! These days, you can take your pick of 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 Cheap 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-minute Microsoft Windows 11 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!).

Shop Best Cheap Laptops

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 1 15.6" Win 11 Laptop

HP 15.6" 12th Gen i3 8GB 256GB Laptop

product image of the Dell Inspiron 3000 15.6" Laptop

Who Makes The Best Cheap 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.  

a man sitting outside on his laptop doing work

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.

Shopping in the mid-range market? 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 14th Gen Intel Core i5 processors to run multiple programs smoothly.

Shop The Most Affordable 2-in-1 Laptops

HP Spectre x360 14" EVO Core Ultra 5 16GB 512GB 2-in-1 Laptop

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" Pentium Gold 8GB 512GB 2-in-1 Laptop

product image of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14" Pentium Gold 8GB 512GB 2-in-1 Laptop

Where Can I Buy A Cheap Laptop In Australia?

At The Good Guys, of course! We’re here to ease the cost of living by helping you Pay Less Every day 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 dollars 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!

Latest In Tech

Couple sit down to watch their big screen TV at home.

Why 85" TVs Are The Normal

Here's what you need to know before shopping for an extra big-screen TV.

Woman unboxes her new home security camera.

Budget Security Cameras

Take a look at some of the hi-tech features you’ll find in affordable security cameras.

Students using tablets at school.

Tablets & iPads For Students

Is your child using the right tech at school? View our top tips, suggestions and more.

Woman watching a big TV mounted to her wall at home.

The Best TVs For Wall Mounting

How to find the right TV that is suited for viewing and wall mounting.