### The Most Affordable Laptops of 2025
When looking for a cost-effective laptop, a budget of $1,000 can really stretch. Even **$500** can secure you a respectable device these days. Nevertheless, working within a tighter budget often entails some trade-offs.
This doesn’t imply you need to accept a slow, subpar machine. With smart purchasing, you can discover a laptop that fulfills most, if not all, of your requirements.
This is where we come in. The **Mashable** team routinely assesses laptops across various operating systems and use cases. Based on criteria such as performance, battery longevity, and build quality, we’ve identified the best affordable options currently on the market.
## Our Top Selections
### Best Budget MacBook: **Apple MacBook Air (M2, 13-inch)**
The **MacBook Air (M2, 13-inch)** continues to be the top budget-friendly MacBook. It delivers remarkable speed, all-day battery endurance, and a pleasant typing experience. Although it has a starting price of **$999**, it often drops below **$900** during sales. Additionally, Apple has recently enhanced its base model to **16GB of RAM**, boosting its value even further.
### Best Budget Windows Laptop: **Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 9)**
For Windows enthusiasts, the **Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 9)** is the finest laptop under **$1,000** that we’ve evaluated. It comes with a quick processor, reliable battery life, and a **2-in-1 convertible format**, allowing it to function as a tablet as well. Prices begin at **$899.99**.
### Best Budget Microsoft Laptop: **Surface Laptop Go 3**
Microsoft’s most economical laptop, the **Surface Laptop Go 3**, is a chic and highly portable notebook featuring a **clicky keyboard**. However, because of its older processor, we suggest waiting for a discount. The base price is **$799.99**.
👉 **SEE ALSO:** [Best MacBooks 2025: Which model should you choose?](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-macbooks)
### Best Budget Chromebook: **HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch**
For fans of Chromebooks, the **HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch** represents the best value at **$499**. It offers a **large, vibrant screen**, reliable daily performance, and compatibility with AI-driven tools and multimedia editing applications.
### Best Budget Gaming Laptop: **Acer Nitro V 15**
If you’re in pursuit of an economical gaming laptop, the **Acer Nitro V 15** is an excellent option. It provides **smooth AAA gaming performance** and a sleek design for **$999** (with the base model available starting at **$749**).
For an even more budget-friendly gaming choice, the **Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE** is fantastic. It handles high-end game streaming adeptly, features a **120Hz display**, and is priced at just **$649**.
## Additional Budget Laptops to Consider
### **Asus ZenBook A14**
We’re thrilled to review the new **Asus ZenBook A14**, the **world’s lightest Copilot+ PC**. It flaunts an **OLED display**, a **sturdy Ceraluminum body**, and an astounding **32-hour battery life**. Following a short hands-on session at **CES 2025**, we were extremely impressed. It starts at **$899.99**.
### **Framework Laptop 13**
We are also evaluating the latest **Framework Laptop 13**, a **modular and repairable laptop**. While the preassembled model slightly exceeds our $1,000 budget, the **DIY Edition** is available starting at **$899**. Due to its **upgradability**, it could prove to be a fantastic long-term investment. We previously appreciated an [earlier version](https://mashable.com/review/framework-laptop-review).
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**Stay tuned for Mashable’s comprehensive guide to the best budget laptops of 2025.** Please note that the pricing and specifications mentioned are based on our test units and might vary for base configurations.