With laptop prices growing, it is becoming increasingly difficult to acquire a quality machine for less than $1000. Fortunately, there are still some great options in areas such as 2-in-1s, gaming rigs, and ultraportables. So, let’s recap the best laptops under $1000.
I’ve compiled a list of 7 of the best laptops under $1000 for 2024 based on expert reviews and my study of essential specifications, design, display quality, and value. Whether you need a budget workhorse or a premium ultrabook, these laptops demonstrate that you can get amazing performance for less than $1000. (Prices may vary based on promotions and deals.)
1. Apple MacBook Air M1 (2020)
The M1 MacBook Air is still one of the finest laptop deals two years after its release. It weighs only 2.8 pounds and has a fanless design, so it makes no noise.
The Apple Silicon M1 chip provides exceptional performance, allowing it to tackle regular chores as well as 4K video editing and gaming. The battery life is fantastic, lasting more than 14 hours of web browsing. The 2560 x 1600 Retina display is brilliant and bright, and the Magic Keyboard is easy to type on.
While the styling appears old in comparison to the latest M2 models, the unibody aluminum construction remains high-end.
The downsides include limited I/O (just two Thunderbolt 3 ports) and a lack of display upgrading choices. But for less than $1000, the M1 Air is hard to beat for macOS users needing an ultralight productivity machine..
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 2-in-1 (2023)
12th Gen Intel Core i5
Intel Iris Xe graphics
16GB RAM
512GB SSD
14-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS touchscreen
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i achieves a fantastic blend of performance, design, and value. The 12th Generation Core i5 processor delivers fast performance for everyday multitasking and light content creation.
The 14-inch 1080p touchscreen is brilliant and responsive when used as a tablet. You also receive a solid port variety, including USB-A and HDMI. Battery life is approximately 7 hours. While not the most expensive construction, the aluminum chassis appears elegant.
The display is dull in comparison to OLED choices, and it weighs a hefty 3.3 pounds. But at less than $500, the Flex 5i is a versatile 2-in-1 for business and play.
3. Acer Nitro 5
Intel Core i5-12500H
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
16GB RAM
512GB SSD
15.6-inch 144Hz 1080p display
The Acer Nitro 5‘s RTX 3050 GPU and 12th Gen Core i5 CPU deliver powerful 1080p gaming performance for less than $1000. It achieves 60+ fps in difficult titles with high settings.
The 144Hz screen, while not the most vibrant, is quick and smooth. You also receive good build quality, with a beautiful keyboard and a spacious touchpad. Battery life is approximately 4 hours for productivity but less when gaming.
The downsides are mediocre display quality and loud fans when loaded. Overall, the Acer Nitro 5 is an affordable gaming setup suitable for esports and AAA gaming in 1080p.
4. HP Envy x360 2-in-1
The HP Envy x360 offers high performance and long battery life at a reasonable price. The Ryzen 5 CPU can handle daily multitasking and light content creation well. The 15.6-inch 1080p touchscreen is reasonably bright and performs nicely in tablet mode.
The battery life is a reliable 8 hours for productivity. While the Envy does not have a luxury metal construction, its thin bezels give it a modern appearance. The keyboard is pleasant with nice travel.
The display is dim at 250 nits and does not support Thunderbolt. However, for about $700, the Envy x360 is an excellent budget 2-in-1.
5. Asus Zenbook 14 OLED
The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED’s most notable feature is its gorgeous 14-inch 2880 x 1800 OLED 90Hz display, which provides bright colors and deep blacks. It’s quite difficult to find OLED for less than $900.
Aside from the screen, performance is quick thanks to the Ryzen 7 CPU and 16GB RAM. The battery life is more than 11 hours for light use. The lightweight 3 pound chassis is both stylish and robust.
While not the most powerful, the Zenbook 14 OLED is ideal for movie watching, photo editing, and general mobile productivity.
6. Dell XPS 13 (2022)
12th Gen Intel Core i5
Intel Iris Xe graphics
16GB RAM
512GB SSD
13.4-inch 1920 x 1200 display
The Dell XPS 13 is a high-end ultraportable with a lightweight 2.6-pound CNC machined aluminum chassis. The 12th Generation Core i5 CPU provides high productivity performance.
The 13.4-inch, 1200p display is bright and colorful. The battery life is an impressive 16+ hours. You also get an excellent keyboard and a huge glass touchpad.
While not the most powerful for heavy tasks, the XPS 13 is an ideal ultrabook for work, education, and content watching on the road.
7. Acer Chromebook Spin 714
13th Gen Intel Core i5
Intel Iris Xe graphics
8GB RAM
256GB SSD
14-inch 1920 x 1200 touchscreen
The Acer Spin 714 is among the most powerful Chromebooks available. Its 12th-generation Core i5 processor powers ChromeOS. The 14-inch 1080p touchscreen display is vibrant and brilliant.
As a 2-in-1, it functions well in tablet mode with the bundled stylus. The battery life is really long, lasting 13+ hours. The metal chassis has a quality appearance and feels durable.
While it lacks Thunderbolt connectors, the Spin 714 offers a top-tier premium Chromebook experience for less than $900.
Conclusion about the best laptops under $1000
In summary, these laptops demonstrate that you can get good performance, design, and display quality for less than $1,000 in 2024. Consider your needs, whether they are for schoolwork, office productivity, light gaming/content creation, or entertainment.
For Mac users, the M1 Air remains a popular choice. Lenovo, Acer, HP, and Asus provide enticing and affordable Windows solutions. Consider specifications like as processor, RAM, storage, display quality, and battery life. There are several high-quality options available for less than $1000 in various areas.
[…] a larger 2-in-1 choice, the HP Envy x360 15 is an excellent convertible […]