Finding a reliable, high-performance laptop under $700 is easier than ever. Thanks to advancements in hardware, you can get a laptop with a solid processor, decent RAM, and good battery life at this price range. Whether you need a laptop for work, school, or light gaming, our curated list will help you make the best decision.
What to Expect in a Laptop Under $700
Before diving into our list, here’s what you can expect from a sub-$700 laptop:
Performance: Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5, sometimes an i7 in older models.
Memory & Storage: 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD are common.
Display: Full HD (1920×1080) resolution, 60Hz refresh rate.
Battery Life: 6-10 hours on average.
Build Quality: Plastic body in most cases, with a few metal chassis options.
Graphics: Integrated graphics like Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon Vega, rarely dedicated GPUs.
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 Laptop | 14 Inch Full HD 16:9 IPS Display | Intel Core i3-1215U | 8 GB RAM
Best Laptops Under $700
1. Acer Aspire 5 – Best Overall
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 15.6″ FHD IPS
Battery: Up to 8 hours
Pros: Great performance, lightweight, backlit keyboard
Cons: No dedicated GPU
2. HP Pavilion 15 – Best for Students
Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
RAM: 16GB DDR4
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 15.6″ FHD
Battery: 7 hours
Pros: Fast storage, sleek design, great for multitasking
Cons: Average battery life
3.Lenovo IdeaPad 3 – Best Budget Choice
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5625U
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 256GB SSD
Display: 14″ FHD
Battery: 9 hours
Pros: Affordable, lightweight, solid battery life
Cons: Low storage capacity
Performance & Features Comparison
Model
Processor
RAM
Storage
Battery Life
Acer Aspire 5
Ryzen 5 5500U
8GB
512GB SSD
8 hours
HP Pavilion 15
Core i5-1135G7
16GB
512GB SSD
7 hours
Lenovo IdeaPad 3
Ryzen 5 5625U
8GB
256GB SSD
9 hours
Gaming on a Budget Laptop
While most laptops in this range lack a dedicated GPU, you can still enjoy light gaming. Popular games like Minecraft, Fortnite, and CS:GO run well on Intel Iris Xe and AMD Radeon Vega graphics. However, AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2 will struggle.
For students and remote workers, lightweight and efficient laptops matter most. The HP Pavilion 15 and Acer Aspire 5 offer great performance with long-lasting battery life.
Battery Life & Portability
Among our picks, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 stands out with 9-hour battery life, making it perfect for all-day usage without frequent charging.
Best Laptops for Students & Professionals
Buying Guide: Key Factors to Consider
When choosing a laptop under $700, consider:
Processor: Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 for smooth multitasking.
RAM & Storage: Minimum 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD.
Battery Life: 6+ hours for portability.
Build Quality: Look for solid hinge design and lightweight frame.
Upgradeability: Check if RAM and storage can be upgraded.
FAQs
1. Can I get a gaming laptop under $700?
Yes, but you’ll be limited to light gaming. For AAA gaming, consider a laptop with GTX 1650 or better.
2. What’s the best laptop for students under $700?
The HP Pavilion 15 is great for students due to its multitasking capability and storage.
3. Are Chromebooks a good alternative in this price range?
Yes, if you mainly use web-based applications. The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a good choice.
4. Which laptop under $700 has the best battery life?
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 offers up to 9 hours, making it a top choice.
5. Should I buy a new or refurbished laptop?
New laptops provide warranties, but refurbished ones can offer better specs for the same price.
6. Can I upgrade a budget laptop?
Many budget laptops allow RAM and SSD upgrades, but not all . Check specifications before purchasing.
Conclusion
Finding the best affordable laptop under $700 doesn’t mean compromising on performance.
Acer Aspire 5 is the best overall, while HP Pavilion 15 is great for students. For battery life, Lenovo IdeaPad 3 stands out. Make your choice based on your needs and budget.
External Resource: Best Laptop Deals
NOTODD Laptop Celeron N4020 Up to 2.8Ghz, Laptops 14 Inch Win 11 Con 5G WiFi 6+256GB SSD Expansion 1TB, BT 4.2 1920 x 1080 FHD Mini Multimedia Connection, Notebook with German Keyboard Film Gold
- Strong productivity: laptop 14 inch equipped with the Celeron N4020 dual core processor and delivers unsurpassed speed. Run multiple applications, browser tabs and videos smoothly for faster multitasking, and enjoy intense entertainment, work and study.
- Memory and memory: laptops with 6 GB RAM increases your performance. And the hard drive with 256GB SSD provides plenty of space and faster read/write speeds for your documents, photos and videos. Slao can expand storage to 512GB via TF card expansion or upgrade the SSD to 1TB to ensure ample space for most applications and multiple workflows.
- Connectivity and connections: Win 11 notebook with 5000 mAh large battery, standby sleep up to 200 hours, 5-6 hours video playback. With 2.4G + 5G dual band WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2, with available dual 3.0 transmission port and mini multimedia port slots, this Win laptop allows you to extend to multiple devices, achieve fast wireless transmission and smooth network anywhere such as coffee shop, library or even travel. Click here for more info
