Searching for an excellent laptop that won’t empty your wallet? Great news: solid choices exist for less than $1,000—and even under $500—if you know where to search. Sticking to a budget may require some trade-offs, but it doesn’t mean you must settle for a slow machine that doesn’t fulfill your requirements.
With some savvy shopping, you can find a laptop that fulfills nearly all (if not all) of your essential criteria. That’s where we come in. At Mashable, our team frequently tests and reviews laptops across different operating systems and usage scenarios. We’ve compiled a selection of budget-friendly options that meet our benchmarks for performance, battery longevity, and build quality.
Top Budget Laptop Selections for 2025
As of May 2025, we recommend the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air equipped with the new M4 chip as the top budget MacBook. It’s speedy, quiet, has an enhanced webcam, and begins at only $999—an exceptional value for Apple’s latest technology.
For Windows enthusiasts, the Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 9) emerges as the premier economical choice. This convertible laptop delivers solid performance, respectable battery life, and tablet capabilities, starting at $899.99.
Looking for additional expert recommendations? Explore our complete guide to the best laptops of 2025.
A Quick Note on Tariffs
Recent adjustments in U.S. trade policy have influenced tech pricing. Tariffs on Chinese imports during the Trump administration have led to some laptop price increases. While laptops were briefly exempt from specific tariffs, this could change again soon. Budget-conscious shoppers should take note: according to PCMag, lower-cost laptops are anticipated to face the greatest impact.
So far, none of the laptops in our current guide have been affected. However, we’ve observed a $100 price hike on the Asus ZenBook A14 since its debut—possibly due to tariffs. We’re keeping this in consideration as we assess its overall worth.
More Budget Laptops We’re Monitoring
We’re in the process of testing the newest Intel-powered Framework Laptop 13. Although the prebuilt version slightly surpasses our $1,000 limit, the DIY Edition begins at $899. Its modular, repairable design positions it as a strong long-term investment. We were impressed by an earlier model and are eager to see how this one performs.
Additionally, two new Asus laptops have caught our attention:
– Asus ZenBook A14: This stylish device boasts a vibrant OLED display, a lightweight “Ceraluminum” chassis, and a claimed battery life of up to 32 hours. We had the opportunity to examine it at CES 2025 and were thoroughly impressed.
– Asus ZenBook S 15: A next-gen Copilot+ PC featuring a Snapdragon X Plus processor, 3K OLED display, and RGB keyboard. It starts at $999.99, while the A14 has a starting price of $899.99.
What’s Been Removed
As of May 2025, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has been taken off our list. It now seems outdated and overpriced when compared to newer alternatives. Fortunately, a promising successor is on the horizon: Microsoft’s upcoming 13-inch Surface Laptop, starting at $899.99, is set to launch on May 20.
Final Thoughts
Scoring a quality laptop for under $1,000 is entirely feasible in 2025—you simply need to know where to search and what to focus on. Whether you prefer Mac or Windows, there are fantastic options that won’t break the bank. Keep an eye on tariffs and new releases, and you’ll be well on your way to snagging an excellent deal.