The Best Rated Budget Laptops for Work and Productivity

Budget laptops have become increasingly popular among professionals who prioritize productivity and efficiency without breaking the bank. In today’s fast-paced digital world, having a reliable and affordable laptop that can handle work tasks and boost productivity is essential. This article explores that and highlights the best-rated budget laptops specifically tailored for work and productivity.

We will delve into important features to consider when choosing a budget laptop, compare the performance and specifications of top-rated models, explore user reviews, and provide recommendations based on specific work needs. Additionally, we will share valuable tips for optimizing productivity on a budget laptop.

By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the best budget laptops available and be well-equipped to make an informed decision that matches your work and productivity requirements.

 

 

Importance of budget laptops

Budget laptops are the unsung heroes of the digital age. They may not have the flashy features or eye-popping price tags of their high-end counterparts, but they get the job done without breaking the bank. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love saving a few bucks?

 

How budget laptops meet work and productivity needs

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just an average Joe trying to get stuff done, a budget laptop can be your trusty sidekick. These affordable machines offer a perfect balance between performance, functionality, and affordability, making them ideal for work and productivity tasks.

 

Important features to consider

Processing power and performance capabilities

When it comes to work and productivity, you don’t want your laptop to lag behind like a slow tortoise in a race. Look for a budget laptop with a powerful processor that can handle your daily tasks with ease. After all, waiting for your laptop to catch up is a productivity killer.

Battery life and portability

One of the biggest advantages of budget laptops is their portability. You want a machine that can keep up with you on the go, without having to constantly search for the nearest power outlet. Opt for a laptop with decent battery life, so you can work without being tethered to a charging cord.

Display quality and size

Staring at a pixelated screen all day can make even the most exciting work feel mundane. Make sure to choose a budget laptop with a good quality display, preferably with a higher resolution and vibrant colors. Additionally, consider the size of the screen – a larger display can make multitasking a breeze.

Keyboard and typing experience

If you’ll be spending hours typing away on your laptop, you’ll want a keyboard that doesn’t feel like tapping on soggy cereal. Look for a budget laptop with a comfortable and responsive keyboard, preferably with well-spaced keys and good feedback. Your fingers will thank you.

 

Some of the best-rated budget laptops

1. Acer Aspire 5

SPECS

Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1080p) | CPU: Intel Core i3/AMD Ryzen 5 | GPU: Intel UHD Graphics/AMD Radeon | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB SSD | Weight: 3.2 lb/1.45 kg | OS: Windows 11 Home 64 bit  | Battery life: ±8hours

 

Reason to Buy

  • Standard performance
  • Responsive keyboard

Reason to Avoid

  • Bad speaker placement
  • Gets warm quickly
  • Poor quality webcam

 

The Acer Aspire 5 (2022) is a reliable laptop running on Windows 11, and it comes at an affordable price of less than US$600. Although the webcam and speakers may not be exceptional, you can expect good performance when using productivity applications. Additionally, the keyboard is responsive, and the battery life has been tested to last for 8 hours. Overall, it receives a rating of 3.5 out of 5.

 

2. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

SPECS

Display: 13.3-inch OLED (1080p) | CPU: Intel Core i3/Intel Celeron | GPU: Intel UHD Graphics | RAM: 4GB/8GB | Storage: 64GB/128GB eMMC | Weight: 2.7 lb/1.2 kg | OS: ChromeOS | Battery life: ±8hours

 

Reason to Buy

  • Well designed especially the Red
  • Stunning OLED display
  • Includes touchscreen
  • Good battery life

Reason to Avoid

  • Touchscreen not consistent
  • Mediocre keyboard
  • Standard performance

 

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is a high-quality Chromebook that costs less than US$500 and is suitable for a full day of work or school. Although its internal components are from 2021 and may not be the latest, it still provides a premium experience with its beautiful QLED touchscreen and satisfactory speakers. It’s one of the best budget Chromebooks today. Overall rating: 4.0 out of 5.

 

3. Asus Zenbook 13 OLED

SPECS

Display: 13.3-inch OLED (1080p) | CPU: AMD Ryzen 7/Intel Core i7 | GPU: Integrated Radeon graphics/Intel Iris Plus graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Weight: 2.5 lbs/1.1 kg | OS: Windows 11 Home  | Battery life: ±15hours

 

Reason to Buy

  • Long battery life
  • Stunning 1080p display
  • Great performance

Reason to Avoid

  • Average sound quality
  • Mediocre webcam

 

The Asus Zenbook 13 OLED is currently our top pick for an excellent budget laptop, although it may be a bit pricey for some at under US$800. However, it offers a stunning 1080p OLED display (which is uncommon at this price range), impressive performance, and an incredible 15-hour battery life.

Additionally, it comes in a sleek and lightweight design. With its stunning OLED display, we crown it the best budget OLED laptop. We rate it 4.0 out of 5.

 

Comparison of performance and specifications

Processor comparison: Intel vs AMD

The eternal battle between Intel and AMD continues even in the budget laptop realm. Intel processors are known for their reliability and performance, while AMD processors offer better value for money and can handle multitasking with ease. Consider your specific needs and budget when deciding between the two.

RAM and storage capacity comparison

When it comes to RAM and storage, more is generally better. Look for a budget laptop with at least 8GB of RAM to ensure smooth multitasking. In terms of storage, a combination of a solid-state drive (SSD) and a larger hard disk drive (HDD) can provide both speed and ample storage space for your files and applications.

Graphics capabilities and performance

While budget laptops may not be gaming powerhouses, some still offer decent graphics capabilities for multimedia and creative work. Integrated graphics cards from Intel or AMD should be sufficient for most work-related tasks, but if you plan on indulging in some casual gaming or photo editing, look for a laptop with dedicated graphics. Just don’t expect it to rival the latest high-end gaming laptops.

 

Tips for optimizing productivity

Organizing your workspace and decluttering

A cluttered workspace can hamper your productivity. Take some time to organize your digital files, clean up your desktop, and create a system for easy access to essential documents and tools. Remember, a tidy workspace leads to a clear mind.

Utilizing productivity software and tools

Take advantage of free or affordable productivity software and tools such as task managers, note-taking apps, and cloud storage services. These can help streamline your workflow, improve collaboration, and keep you organized.

Keyboard shortcuts and time-saving techniques

Learn and make use of keyboard shortcuts to speed up common tasks. Mastering shortcuts can save you valuable time and reduce the strain on your wrists from excessive mouse usage. Additionally, explore time-saving techniques such as batch processing or automation to maximize your efficiency.

 

Final thoughts

When it comes to finding the best-rated budget laptops for work and productivity, the Asus ZenBook 13 OLED, Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2, and Acer Aspire 5 all stand out as solid choices. Each laptop has its pros and cons, but they offer excellent value for money and can handle various tasks.

Remember to consider your specific needs and budget when making a decision. With the right laptop and some productivity optimization, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle your work and boost your productivity without breaking the bank. Happy computing!

 

 

To end off

Finding an affordable laptop that meets your work and productivity needs is no longer a daunting task. The top-rated budget laptops showcased in this article offer impressive performance and features without breaking the bank.

Whether you are a graphic designer, programmer, or writer, there is a budget laptop that can enhance your productivity and help you achieve your professional goals.

By considering important features, comparing specifications, and taking user reviews into account, you can find the perfect budget laptop that strikes the right balance between affordability and functionality. With the tips provided, you can further optimize your productivity on a budget laptop.

Feel free to add comments or ask questions below. So what’s left to do is to, if you like these laptops here click to view to find out more or to purchase one. Embrace the power of these budget-friendly options and experience seamless work and productivity without compromising your budget.

 

Discover The Best Budget Chromebooks of 2022

Looking for a laptop that’s easy on your budget? Then get yourself a Chromebook. To learn more about Chromebooks, click here. It’s lightweight and portable. It has great battery life. It looks good and is affordable. And it helps you get the job done.  If you’re looking for a Chromebook for yourself or for your loved ones that are cheap, versatile, and gets the job done, here are five of the best budget Chromebooks of 2022 you can get right now. 

 

 

 

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i

14-inch FHD 1080p Display | 11th gen Intel Core i3/i5 Processor | Intel UHD Integrated GPU | 4/8GB RAM | 256GB SSD | Chrome OS | 1.42 kg | 10 hours Battery life | 3x USB 3.0 Ports | Price range: £320/US$390

 

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i brings you all the amazing features of a laptop. With a 14-inch Full HD display, it delivers clear, sharp images and plays 1080p videos.

With a choice between a 4 0r 8 GB of RAM and a choice of SSD storage between 128 and 256 GB, Chrome OS and other apps will load up quickly and effortlessly. And with the 11th generation processor, either Intel Core i3 or i5, it keeps the laptop going with acceptable performance and helps you get your work done.

This lightweight Chromebook gives you up to 10 hours of battery life, so you can get enough power to do your work anywhere.

In short, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is the all-around best Chromebook to get right now. It’s light. It’s And it’s all you’ll need at an affordable package. No wonder it’s one of the best budget Chromebooks of 2022. It’s just that good. 

 

 

Asus Chromebook Flip CX5

15.6-inch FHD 1080p Touch Display | 11th gen Intel Core i3/i5/i7 Processor | Intel UHD Integrated GPU | 8GB RAM | 128/256/512GB SSD | Chrome OS | 1.23 kg | Backlit keyboard | includes stylus pen | Price range: £620-£880/US$750-US$1066

 

With a large 15.6-inch HD touchscreen display, the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 is a stylish and highly portable notebook with everything you need to get things done. Powered by Google’s Chrome OS, it has a solid build, fast performance, up to 12 hours of battery life, and comes in an affordable package.

It’s a great choice if you don’t want anything complex or complicated. With an 11th-generation processor from Intel Core, 8GB of RAM and a choice of storage from 128 to 256GB SSD this 2-in-1 Chromebook loads up Chrome OS quickly and effortlessly.

You can even flip the touch screen display up to 360 degrees, so whether you’re typing or taking notes with your stylus, web browsing, streaming videos, or exploring social media, it’s lightweight and portable so you won’t feel the weight.

Overall, the Asus Chromebook is the best 2-in-1 notebook thanks to the large touchscreen display, fast performance, long battery life, and other incredible features. All this you get in an affordable package. 

 

 

Acer Chromebook Spin 713

13.5-inch QHD touch display | 11th gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD | Chrome OS | 1.37 kg | 10 hours battery life | Price: £810/US$990 

 

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a beautiful and powerful notebook that combines the productivity of Chrome OS with the entertainment capabilities of a vivid QHD touchscreen display, built-in speakers, and a 360-degree hinge. It’s designed to work well with the apps you already use and make it easy to discover new ones — such as Adobe Lightroom. Its durable aluminum body is so thin and weighs just a little over 1 kg, it’s portable and fits snuggly into your backpack.

As it’s built for productivity and entertainment, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 includes an 11th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD of storage. With this powerful package at its price, you will enjoy a speedy performance without any lag or any slowdown from opening multiple apps, and comes with up to 10 hours of battery life.

To conclude, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is one of the best 2-in-1 notebooks to get right now. It’s fast and comes with amazing features. Although its price may be high, it’s a great package and great value for money. 

 

 

HP Chromebook X2 11

11-inch QHD touch display | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor | 4GB RAM | 64GB eMMC | Chrome OS | 1.42 kg | 11 hours Battery life | Price: £298/US$363 

 

The HP Chromebook X2 11 is basically a tablet with the additional capabilities of a notebook. It comes with a detachable keypad to cater to your typing needs. It’s thin, lightweight, and easy to carry around wherever you go. It also comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c processor and 4GB of RAM that delivers good performance and makes moderate use of multitasking.

Although the 64GB storage may be small, with Chrome OS you get access to more capabilities such as Google Drive to increase your storage needs.  And its edge-to-edge touch display makes this Chromebook a pleasure to use whether you’re working at home or on the go.

The display may be small but delivers clear and sharp images and smoothly plays 1080p videos, as well as two front-facing cameras for video calling, and a rear-facing camera to capture photos in stunning sharpness and detail.

Overall, the HP Chromebook X2 11 is a small yet explosive package. With all the great features you’ll see it as an essential device for working, all wrapped up in a sleek design that comes in an affordable package.

 

 

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360

12.4-inch WQXGA touchscreen display | Intel Celeron processor | 4GB RAM | 64GB eMMC | Chrome OS | 1.28 kg | Price: £320/US$390

 

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is the ultimate laptop for students, entry-level corporate employees, and entrepreneurs who’re always on the road. It’s powered by Chrome OS and designed to help you do more. With a 12.4-inch bright and clear WQXGA touchscreen display, it boasts a wide 16:10 aspect ratio giving you plenty of room to finely accommodate both work and entertainment.

This Samsung Chromebook is portable, very lightweight, and features a spill-resistant keyboard, making it durable enough to take wherever you go. Connectivity is also a breeze with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, delivering fast data speeds, increased capacity, and powerful performance optimized for learning environments with numerous devices connected at once, such as your Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

To summarize, The Samsung Galaxy 2 360 Chromebook is a powerful notebook. It’s lightweight. It’s durable. It comes with nice features and looks good in black.

 

And lastly

There are plenty of Chromebooks to choose from as you begin shopping around, so it’s a good idea to make a shortlist of devices, and then start doing some detailed research. If you’re in the market for a new budget notebook, especially one that runs Chrome OS or another Google platform, then these upcoming Chromebooks are worth keeping an eye on.

So there you have it – five of the best budget Chromebooks of 2022. They may not be as fast as top-tier notebooks or other high-priced Chromebooks, but they have style, a good balance between performance, great value, and great features to help you with whatever needs to be done. Be sure to leave a comment below to say how you feel about these affordable Chromebooks or a question or two if you’re wanna get more information.

Speaking of more information, if these here don’t interest you, then click here to see more affordable Chromebooks for students.

But if these interest you, then click on the buttons that appear, learn more about it, and there’s even an option to purchase online. There’s no better time, or better place, to get yourself or your loved ones, one of the best budget Chromebooks of 2022.  

 

5 Best Student Laptops You’ll Ever Need in 2022

What if I told you getting a cheaper laptop would be easy? Okay, You would say I’ll just go to a shopping website, choose, then buy the cheapest laptop money can buy. Fair enough. Then you get it, start it, then you discover it’s not exactly the laptop you’ve always wanted. So what do I mean? Instead of doing the latter, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know about my selection of the 5 best student laptops you’ll ever need. And they are not only good for students but anyone who wants an affordable laptop.

 

 

 

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2021)

 

The view of the tent mode of the 2021 2-in-1 Acer Chromebook Spin 713.

 

 

So what’s so special about this Chromebook, you wonder? It comes with an Intel processor, so performance is on par, it’s a 2-in-1 laptop so it functions as both a laptop and a table, and comes with a Chrome OS operating system which also includes access to a large collection of apps at the Google Play store.

It may be a 2021 release and it may not have the latest hardware spec, but it still packs the performance, the best-looking display, the lightweight, and can last you a whole day thanks to the long battery life. It certainly is one of the best options, and a great laptop for getting things done.

 

 

 

HP Pavilion Aero 13 (2022)

 

The front view of the 2022 HP Pavilion Aero 13 laptop.

 

 

If you are looking for a good-looking, very portable all-around budget laptop under US$1000 then I think the next best student laptop, the HP Pavilion Aero 13, is the device for you. It comes with a powerful AMD 5 processor, a bright and colorful 13-inch display, and a lightweight chassis. All this for a great price.

 

Though the keyboard deck is smaller, it still gives you the most comfortable typing experience. And it’s also great value for money. That’s why it’s one of the best choice budget laptops right now.          

 

 

 

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook (2021)

 

Open up the laptop to the tent mode of the 2021 2-in-1 Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook.

 

 

The next best student laptop to consider is the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook. It’s a 2021 release. It’s one of the most versatile, lightweight, and easy-to-use budget mobile devices that you will ever need. It includes a good hardware spec so fast performance is guaranteed. It comes with up to 10 hours of battery life.

 

It’s a 2-in-1 laptop so it’s easy to carry and really flexible. It comes with ChromeOS, and with access to a large collection of software (thanks to Google Play Store), you will have all the tools you need to do what needs to be done. Overall, this is a good laptop for students, entry-level employees, and starting-up business owners who need a tool to achieve their goals.

 

 

Lenovo Yoga 7i (2021)

 

The front view of the 2021 2-in-1 Lenovo Yoga 7i. 

 

 

The Lenovo Yoga 7i is a premium laptop available at a budget price. It comes with impressive performance, with long battery life, a good-looking and premium design, good performance speakers, and a colorful display. This is also a 2-in-1 laptop so it comes with the benefits of both a laptop and a tablet. All this you can get at a budget price tag.

 

Although the Yoga 7i suffers from quite a dim display, an average keyboard and touchpad, and a few input ports, the compromises are there but a minor thing. It’s also a year old but it’s still a decent 2-in-1 laptop, and with the affordable price tag it’s one of the best laptops to consider.         

 

 

 

Apple MacBook Air (2020)

 

The 2020 Apple MacBook Air.

 

 

For Apple users, if you’re looking for a budget to midrange-priced laptop, then consider the Apple MacBook Air. The good things to note about the MacBook are first, it’s one of the thinnest and slimmest MacBooks. Next, it comes with a comfortable typing keyboard. The third thing is the great battery life. 

 

Next, is the ability to run older and recent iOS apps, and lastly, the performance is the most impressive. It’s the eldest on the list, and a bit more expensive, but it’s great value for your money. Overall, it’s one of the best student laptops to consider for your next purchase. 

 

 

 

Final Word

 

These laptops may be a year or two years old but they are still the best that money can buy. They are cheap right now with price ranges under US$1000, and they come with unique features, not to mention good performance and long battery life.

 

Either one of these laptops is a good option to choose from, and they are my preferred recommendations. So if you are looking for a tool to help with daily office tasks, school work, and research, or to help you get your business on the ground, then consider one of these as these are some of the best student laptops for you. 

 

If you have any questions or comments, then please leave them below. If you are considering one of these powerful laptops as your next purchase or just want more information, then click the buttons to find out more and to see the latest prices available. 

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio Review: Is It Worth It?

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is the most innovative laptop to release this year. With an innovative design and unique features, Microsoft aims to target not only the elite laptop business users but creative designers and digital artists as well. Looking at the high degree of other elite business laptop brands in the market, is the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio better enough to compete or even be the best? Let’s check out the review.

   

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

Side view of the ‘tent’ mode.

 

 

Specs

Display – 14.4in LCD 2,400×1,600 (201 PPI; 120Hz)  |  Processor – Intel Core i5 or i7 (11th generation)  |  Ram – 16 or 32GB  |  Storage – 256, 512GB, 1 or 2TB  |  Graphics – Intel Iris Xe or Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti  |  Operating system – Windows 11  |  Camera – 1080P front-facing webcam, Windows Hello  |  Connectivity – WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, 2x Thunderbolt 4/USB 4, headphones, Surface Connect  |  Weight – 1,743 or 1,820g

 

 

Overview

 

 

 

So what’s the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio? It’s a business workstation/3-in-1 laptop. It comes with a 14.4-inch touch screen that you can pull towards you for touch interaction, or you can lay it flat to write on or touch on the screen like a tablet. The display has a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate with a 1600p screen resolution. It also includes a keyboard and a relatively large trackpad.

Inside the laptop, it’s equipped with either an 11th generation Intel i5 or an Intel i7 processor, with either 16GB or a 32GB of RAM, storage options from 256GB to 2TB SSD, and either an Intel Iris Xe integrated or a 4GB GeForce 3050 RTX graphics.

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio in normal laptop view.

 

Just so you know, this is a business workstation laptop, not a gaming laptop, besides you need a minimum of 6GB of graphics to play the latest retail games, but digital artists and creative designers can make better use of this laptop.

The starting price for the entry model starts at US$1400, which is not cheap, but with the specs available, you’re getting a pretty impressive laptop, so it’s worth the purchase. The entry model comes with an 11th Gen Intel i7 processor, with 16GB of RAM, 256GB storage, and Intel Iris Xe graphics.   

Overall, my first impression of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good. I found the fold-forward screen very interesting. Upon use of the entry model, I found that performance was impressive with smooth transitions, fast-loading apps, a responsive touch screen, and a comfortable typing experience. All this brings a whole new experience and a great addition to the Surface Laptop series. 

 

 

What’s to Like

 

Side view of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio.

 

Innovative display

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio includes a small 14,4-inch touch screen that comes with small bezels and curved-round corners. The fact that you can move the screen towards you is innovative, making it look like a 2-in-1 laptop. It comes with a screen resolution of 2400 x 1600 pixels which looks stunning and with crisp detail and includes a refresh rate of 120Hz which supports smooth scrolling.

The overall screen quality looks impressive. I really like how stunning HD photos and images look on the screen. It really delivers a good range of colors and good brightness, making it an ideal tool for processing photos and images. 

  

Design

The Surface Laptop Studio comes in a premium aluminum alloy build with a platinum finish – which is a common build for other Surface devices. No other alternative color finishes for this one, yet still it maintains a professional look. A few things to note:

  • It’s quite thick and heavy, making it not really portable
  • There’s a storage and charging compartment underneath for the Slim Pen 2 stylus
  • There’s a long split across the laptop to help position the display
  • The grilles on each side of the laptop which are two of the the audio speakers

 The only thing unique with the Surface Laptop Studio is the changing positioning of the display, which switches it from a laptop up to a tablet.  

 

Solid performance

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is currently the most powerful laptop to date, thanks to the internal hardware. The starting model performs well, but if you want better performance and don’t mind paying a bit more you can get one with an Intel i7 processor and a discrete GeForce 3050 Ti graphics. 

The performance is excellent with the 32GB of RAM model. Not to say the 16GB of RAM model isn’t, it just performs better. Upon use, I was able to do all my daily tasks well with the laptop showing no signs of a slowdown, stuttering, or freezing – which includes sending emails, web browsing, video streaming, etc. The laptop is also capable of gaming, but with 4GB graphics, it’s not the best for the latest games.     

         

Battery life

The battery life of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is equally impressive. After 8 hours of working on the Laptop Studio, I was really impressed that I still had plenty of battery power left without using a power cable – okay, it was about 30% left.

On average you’re looking at up to 15 hours of battery life for this laptop. And that’s not all. Charging the laptop, it reached about 35% in 30 minutes, and reached full charge in a little over 2 hours.          

 

‘Tent’ view of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio using the touchpad.

 

Other features

There are so many other features to take note of with the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. Firstly, the laptop comes with a 1080p webcam, which is much clearer and looks better than a 720p webcam.

Secondly, not only does the keyboard offer a great typing experience, but it’s also backlit as well. Perfect for night typing and looks awesome too. It’s a pity that the functional Fn keys at the top are rather small.

Thirdly, the laptop has four speakers: two speakers venting out of the sides, and the other two are under the keyboard. It sound output is rather good. It’s crisp and sounds better than average.   

And lastly, the front bottom panel is a place where you can place the Surface Slim Pen 2 (which is a stylus pen), for storage and to charge it. Sadly, it’s not included upon purchase of the Surface Laptop Studio.   

 

 

What’s Not to Like

 

The input ports are available but few on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio.

 

Expensive price

The price tag of the entry model Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio starts at US$1400, and the top-range model comes with a price tag of US$3800. If you ask me, those prices are pretty high. 

But you’re looking at a laptop that starts with an Intel i5 processor and 16GB of RAM. Those are pretty impressive for an entry model. If this laptop is on your radar, I recommend saving up for it and buying it. If it’s too expensive for you, then consider these budget laptop alternatives

     

Few input ports

The port selection strikes me as the most disappointing part of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. Microsoft has continued to use the Surface Connect as the primary charging method, then there are two USB-C ports (compatible with Thunderbolt 4) and a 3.5mm headphone jack. That’s all sadly. If you want more, you’ll have to get a USB hub that offers more input ports. 

 

Quite thick & heavy

If you take a ruler and measure the height of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, you’ll notice that it’s 18.9 mm which is thicker than other 14-inch laptops. As for the weight, it depends on which model to go for. If you get the Intel i5 model it will weigh 1.7 kg. If you get the Intel i7 model it will weigh 1.8 kg. That’s close to 2kg which is heavier than most other laptops in its range. So if you’re the type who likes to travel, freelance, or work on the go, just know that you’ll feel the weight of this laptop.   

 

 

Verdict

The Surface Laptop Studio from Microsoft is a great new addition to the Surface laptop series. It’s an impressive laptop that has a lot to offer, whether you’re an executive in the corporate world that needs a reliable workstation, or a digital artist who needs a device to spice up their creativity.  It has the performance, battery life, display, and other great features to meet your needs.  

 

Front & side view of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

 

It may not be cheap. It may not be as portable as other common laptops out there now or it may not come with many input ports, but it can handle everything you throw at it. If you’re one that wants a laptop for daily tasks, then take the Intel i5 entry model. If you’re on the creative side and can dig deeper into your pocket, then the Intel i7 model is more for you. 

So what are your thoughts on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio? Is it the laptop you’re looking for? What other laptops are you looking forward to? Please leave comments below and let’s talk about this amazing laptop. If you’re still not convinced that this laptop is for you, then click here to find out more, and purchase options should you desire to buy.    

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 Review: Is it Better?

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

Are you looking to upgrade your older Surface Book 3 or your existing laptop? Do you want a simple but powerful laptop just for working purposes? Then look no further than the new, lightweight, and powerful Surface Laptop 4 from Microsoft. It aims to be better, with improved premium features, and also less expensive. But is it really the better option? Let’s find out from the review.   

 

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

 

The main view of the Platinum Alcantara Surface Laptop 4

 

 

Specifications

Display Screen: 13.5” PixelSense™ Display | Resolution: 2256 x 1504 (201 PPI) | Aspect ratio: 3:2 | Surface Pen* enabled | Touch: 10-point multi-touch

Screen: 15” PixelSense™ Display| Resolution: 2496 x 1664 (201 PPI) | Aspect ratio: 3:2 | Surface Pen* enabled | Touch: 10-point multi-touch

Memory 8GB, 16GB or 32GB LPDDR4x RAM
Processor 13.5”: Quad-Core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 processor or Quad-Core 11th Intel® Core™ i7-1185G7 processor or  AMD Ryzen™ 5 4680U Mobile Processor with Radeon™ Graphics (6 cores)

15”: Quad-Core 11th Intel® Core™ i7-1185G7 processor or AMD Ryzen™ 7 4980U Mobile Processor with Radeon™ Graphics (8 cores)

Graphics Quad-Core 11th Gen Intel® Core™: Intel® Iris® Xe  Graphics

AMD Ryzen™ Microsoft Surface® Edition: AMD Radeon™ Graphics

Storage Removable SSD options: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
Battery 13.5” with AMD Ryzen™ processor: Up to 19 hours of battery life (moderate use)

15” with AMD Ryzen™ processor: Up to 17.5 hours of battery life (moderate use)

13.5” with Intel® Core™ processor: Up to 17 hours of battery life (moderate use)

15” with Intel® Core™ processor: Up to 16.5 hours of battery life (moderate use)

Connections/Input Ports 1 x USB-C | 1 x USB-A | 3.5 mm headphone jack | 1 x Surface Connect port | Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax compatible | Bluetooth® Wireless 5.0 technology
Operating System

Windows 10 Home

Other

Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing) | 720p HD f2.0 camera (front-facing) | Dual far-field Studio Mics | Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Atmos® | Microsoft 365 Family 30-day trial | Ambient light sensor | QWERTY keyboard with backlight

 

Overview

 

 

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 arrives at an odd time when many people are forced to work from home thanks to the global pandemic. Ultrabooks have shone in the world of commuting, which means they’ve lost a bit of their luster.

Yet many people will undoubtedly adopt a more hybrid work model, dividing their work week between home and the office. As a result, having something that is both light and portable, as well as powerful and long-lasting, is key. At this point, the thin and powerful Surface Laptop 4 will truly shine.

The Surface Laptop 4 is thin and portable, yet powerful enough to handle most everyday tasks. It’s also a joy to use, thanks to the stunning PixelSense display and one of the most comfortable keyboards we’ve ever used.

It’s exactly the laptop we’d take to work, and the best part is that it is relatively inexpensive for what it’s worth. The entry-model 13-inch Surface Laptop 4 with a Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD, starts at under US$800. 

And, because the Surface Laptop 4 is such a joy to use, the specs are almost incidental, especially if the majority of your work involves word processing and email. So if you need a laptop worthy of corporate life or just for business, that will ease your workload, the Surface Laptop 4 is the one to look out for, and it’s one of the main reasons why this is one of our favorite laptops right now.

 

 

What’s to Like

 

 

Comfortable keyboard & touchpad

Speaking of comfort, the Surface Laptop 4 has the best laptop keyboard we’ve ever used. Writing on this laptop is a breeze, and despite its ultra-thin chassis, it has plenty of travel. Even the keyboard on the MacBook Pro, which was our favorite laptop keyboard before trying this one, doesn’t compare. 

The keyboard’s deep travel is even more surprising when you realize the speakers are hidden beneath it. And the speakers are excellent and play music perfectly. Even bass-heavy tracks sound great. The bottom line, the Surface Laptop 4 has comfortable typing and good-quality sound.

 

Stunning touch screen

The display on the Surface Laptop 4 is also truly stunning. The 13.5-inch model we have has a PixelSense display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and a resolution of 2,256 x 1,504, which is about right for the display size. This makes watching movies and videos on this laptop a little strange, as viewing 16:9 content results in two black bars. But when we’re working on this, we appreciate the extra vertical space, especially when writing.

 

Lightweight & portable

All the Surface Laptop 4 models are less than 2kg in weight, making it the perfect lightweight and portable companion for those who work on the go or travel a lot. Starting from the entry model, the 13.5-inch model weighs 1.3 kg (2.8 lbs) and the 15-inch model weighs 1,5 kg (3.4 lbs). That’s pretty light if ask me.

  

Good design with a wide choice of stunning colors

The Surface Laptop 4 comes in four unique colors: Platinum, Matte Black, Sandstone, and Ice Blue. We especially like the Ice Blue color because it comes with a metallic finish. The Microsoft logo also looks good on the lid. It’s reflective and catches the eye. 

The Alcantara lining on the keyboard of the Ice Blue and Platinum 13.5-inch models is a nice touch that makes resting your wrists on the laptop’s deck feel more comfortable. It’s a minor distinction, but one that we noticed every time we type on the all-metal laptop.

The fabric feels pleasant under my wrists but gets messy easily though the prospect of trying to remove a stain from it heightened my already significant aversion to eating or drinking while working.

 

Great performance

The Surface Laptop 4 we reviewed here is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 4680U processor, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB SSD storage. So far, it can handle almost anything we threw at it. Even after loading it with dozens of Chrome tabs, listening to music on YouTube, and chatting on social media, the Surface Laptop 4 shows no signs of slowing down.

 

 

That is something that most laptops these days should be able to do, but what makes the Surface Laptop 4 so impressive is that it can do all of that while on battery power. If you’re looking for a super-portable laptop that can meet most of your needs, the Surface Laptop 4 is a good option.

 

Good battery life

Microsoft claims that the Surface Laptop 4 has a battery life of up to 19 hours, which would be enormous if true. Unfortunately, we discovered that it was closer to 11-13 hours. Yet when compared to the Surface Laptop 3, which only lasted 6 hours and 28 minutes, the Surface Laptop 4 is better off and lasts longer on a single charge. To me, that’s an improvement. Overall, great battery life, and is even better than the older model.

 

 

What’s Not to Like

 

 

Limited input ports

One of the most serious consequences of the thin size is the lack of ports. The Surface Connect port on the right, one USB-C, one USB-A, and a headphone jack are all you get here. We appreciate that the laptop still has a USB-A port, which is rare these days, but it doesn’t leave much room for expansion for those who don’t want to pay the extra money for a Surface Dock.

 

Not recommended for gaming

Although the Surface Laptop 4 has good hardware specs, it’s certainly not a gaming laptop. You can get away with casual gaming like indie games that are less demanding on graphics, and older games. And there is no discreet graphics GPU that can support AAA titles such as Cyberpunk or Call of Duty.  

 

 

 

Verdict

The Surface Laptop 4 is indeed better than the Surface Laptop 3 in many ways. It comes with a lighter body, a good hardware spec that contributes to overall great performance, looks great, good quality sound delivery, and comes with longer battery life. It indeed is a must-buy for those who are writers, work in corporate life, are freelancers, or just want a good-looking laptop.

That’s the more reason why I recommend the Surface Laptop 4. After that long review of the Surface Laptop 4, what are your thoughts? Are you looking for this type of laptop that’s relatively cheaper? Are you the one who likes the more powerful laptops? 

Please comment below. If you have questions also leave them below and ill get back to you. So what’s the next step for you? If you’re interested, click on the button above to find out more, and to buy if you so desire. 

If it’s not your ideal laptop, then click here to see our review of the Surface Laptop Go 2, or click here to check out some of the best budget laptops that are equally as good.      

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 Review: Is it Worth the Price?

You must feel frustrated all the time when you work on your laptop, knowing that it will take you hours to finish typing a simple 1-page document. Don’t get me wrong. Budget laptops tend to perform well at first, but after a while, they tend to get slower and start to freeze most of the time, which affects the performance. If that’s your case, you are not alone. Let me introduce to you the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. It’s Microsoft’s budget-value laptop that can do everything you need without you paying so much. But is it really worth it? Let’s see from this review.

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

Introducing the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

Laptop specs

Display 12.4” PixelSense™ Display | 1536 x 1024 (148 PPI) | Aspect ratio 3:2 | 10-point multi-touch screen
Processor Quad-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 Processor
Graphics Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
Memory (RAM) 4GB, 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4x RAM
Storage Removable2 drive (SSD) options: 128GB, 256GB
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro or Windows 10 Pro | Preloaded Microsoft 365 Apps| Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, or Microsoft 365 Apps 1-month trial
Battery Life Up to 13.5 hours on moderate device usage
Input ports  1 x USB-C® | 1x USB-A | 3.5 mm headphone jack | 1 x Surface Connect port
Other Features 720 HD webcam (front-facing) | Dual far-field studio Mics | Omnisonic® Speakers with Dolby® Audio™ Premium | Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible | Bluetooth® Wireless 5.1 technology | Ambient light sensor | 2.48 lbs (1,127 g) weight

Reason to Buy

  • Large and fast storage 
  • Good performance
  • Great battery life
  • Bright touch screen
  • Other great features

Reason not to Buy

  • High price
  • No backlit keyboard
  • Low memory from entry model
  • Limit input ports available

Overview

 

The new Surface Laptop Go 2 from Microsoft is a slim, lightweight, and touchscreen budget laptop that has been improved from its predecessor. It comes with an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, storage options starting from 128GB to 256 GB, and memory options starting from 4GB up to 16GB of RAM.

On the outside, all models come with a 12.4-inch PixelSense touch screen, with slim display bezels, small keypad buttons, and a touchpad. All this is encased in a combination of an aluminum-plastic body that makes weighs 2,5 pounds (1,1 kg). In the box, you get the Surface Go 2 laptop with a 39W power supply.

   

What’s to Like

 

Large and fast storage

The entry model starts you off with a better, fast-loading solid-state drive with 128GB of storage rather than the 64GB from the older model. That’s awesome because it helps to provide faster loading of Windows and other apps installed in the system.  

 

The front and side view of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

 

Good performance

The best thing about the Surface Laptop Go 2 is that it comes with an upgraded 11th Gen Intel i5 processor. It’s not the best but it provides all the necessary power to perform fast and help you get the job done. I have not experienced any performance problems thus far here.

Between opening tabs, and minimizing apps, the performance remains constant which is a good thing. The Intel Iris graphics also performs well with light casual gaming and video editing. Keep it to the minimum. Open one or two apps, and you’ll have no performance issues.     

 

Great battery life

Another great thing is the battery life. Upon testing, the Surface Laptop Go 2 managed to go up to 15 hours on a single charge. That to me is really amazing. 

  

Bright touch display

As for the display, the Surface Laptop Go 2 comes with a 12.4-inch touch screen that displays vibrant colors and good brightness. The sad thing is that the screen resolution is 1536 x 1024, which means it’s not full HD, so it’s not as detailed. But the screen still looks good though and works well.  

 

Other great features

There are other great features you need to be aware of. Firstly, if you’re a freelancer or like working on the go, then this laptop is perfect for you. It’s really slim, lightweight and portable so you can carry it where ever you go. With the long battery life, you won’t need to carry a power supply with you.

Another feature is the sound quality of the laptop, which is not bad either. You won’t see any speaker grilles as they are hidden underneath the keypad, but the sound comes out clear, not great but good enough to hear. If you’re not satisfied with the sound, you can always insert headphones as the laptop does include a headphone jack.

 

Side view of the slim and lightweight Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

 

The next feature, for those who work remotely, the laptop comes with a 720p webcam from the previous model but comes with better contrast and color saturation. At least it’s better than the older model, and it also works well. 

Another great feature to mention is the system’s fan noise has been greatly reduced. On daily moderate use, the Surface Laptop Go 2 works quietly, even for daily tasks such as typing or browsing the internet. But it will start to roar if you decide to do a lot more multitasking.      

 

What’s not to Like

 

High budget price

The entry model starts at a price range between US$600 and US$700. That’s a high price for a budget laptop if you ask me. But with all the great features you’re getting, it’s worth it.   

 

No backlit keyboard

The fact that it does not have a backlit keypad is quite disappointing. You’re going to need to constantly work inside a well-lit room plus it would look even awesome. Yet budget laptops do come with compromises, and this is one of them. 

 

The front view of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

 

Low 4GB RAM Memory

If it’s better performance you’re looking for with a budget laptop, I suggest getting the 8GB RAM model. Yes, it will be more expensive but the laptop will perform better for you. So upon purchase, make sure that it’s the 8GB RAM Surface Laptop Go 2. 

 

Limit input ports available

If you’re looking for a budget laptop with many input ports, you won’t find it here. They may be few but you get the essential input ports here. If it’s not enough you can always get a USB hub that provides more input ports.   

 

Verdict

 

So, lemme ask this question once more, is the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 worth the price? In my opinion, I think it is worth it. Looking at what you are getting, you’re getting a great-performance laptop, with good storage and memory, great battery life, a good-looking HD touch screen, and good looks as well. Fact that it’s a budget laptop, there are going to be some compromises but in this instance, the good outweighs the bad. That’s why recommend this laptop to you. 

 

Back and side view of the white Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

 

If you’re a student, a freelancer, or just like working on the go, then this is the perfect laptop for you. It has all the performance, power, and everything you need to help you meet all your daily needs.

 

Click here to see the best budget laptops on offer right now! 

 

Now that you know a lot more about the Surface Laptop Go 2, what’s your take on this new laptop? Is it a laptop worth saving for? What other budget laptops are you looking to get? Please comment below with answers or even more questions. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 Preview: New Surface Go

Introducing the new Surface Laptop Go 2. The next Surface laptop from Microsoft. Due for release in mid-June 2022, here’s a quick preview of what to expect.

 

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

 

Tech Specs

Display 12.4” PixelSense™ multi-touch screen | 1536 x 1024 (148 PPI) resolution | 3:2 aspect ratio | 330 nits max brightness
Memory 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4x RAM
Processor 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7
Storage 128GB or 256GB removable SSD 
Graphics Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
Operating System Windows 11 Home
Input ports, connections 1 × USB-A | 1 x USB-C®  | 3.5 mm headphone jack | 1 × Surface Connect port | WiFi 6, 802.11ax compatible | Bluetooth® Wireless 5.1
Misc 720p HD f2.0 camera (front-facing) | Dual far-field Studio Mics | Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby® Audio™ Premium | Weighs 1.1g | Up to 13,5 hours battery life (as advertised)
Release date: 14 June 2022
Starting price: SG$999.00 / US$728.24 / ZAR11,246.76

 

 

Overview

Microsoft is releasing a new surface laptop called the Surface Laptop Go 2. From first impressions, it looks pretty, with a sleek platinum white finish, a 12.4-inch HD touch screen, and a stunning keyboard layout with a large mouse pad. In terms of the internal specs, the Surface Laptop Go 2 will include an 11th generation Intel Core i5 processor, with either a 4GB or 8GB of memory, internal storage of either 128GB or 256GB, and an Intel Iris Xe graphics processor. 

In terms of connectivity WiFi and Bluetooth is available, and input ports include a USB-C, USB-A, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a ‘Surface Connect’ port. A 720 HD webcam is available for meetings and video conferencing. The audio speakers are powered by ‘Dolby Audio’ which is situated at the base of the laptop underneath. 

What you get in the box is the following: 

  • Surface Laptop Go 2
  • 39W Power Supply
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Safety and warranty documents

 

 

Verdict

Starting at under US$1000 this is a laptop for those who work remotely. It’s lightweight and portable so you can move around with it at ease. The laptop looks stunning. The platinum finish makes it look elegant and professional. The touchscreen display looks good. It’s an HD display with a 1024p screen resolution yet the display quality looks impressive with clear and good color accuracy. 

 

The front view of the new Surface Laptop Go 2

 

In terms of performance, the Surface Laptop Go 2 includes an Intel Core i5 processor that expects to perform your daily tasks well. The memory or RAM available is sufficient enough as long as you don’t leave apps and documents on standby that will end up slowing the Surface laptop.

The 8GB of RAM is a better choice as it allows you to store more apps in memory. With internal storage, you get either 128GB or 256GB SSD, which is a fast-loading drive than HDD. For now, there’s no mention of getting bigger storage.

The Surface Laptop Go 2 is not a gaming laptop. The current specs don’t support popular commercial games because they need a higher grade of hardware spec. You can get away with light gaming apps. As advertised, the battery life of the Surface Laptop Go 2 will last up to 13,5 hours.

 

The rear and side view of the Surface Laptop Go 2.

 

For now, it will depend on testing the device to determine the actual battery life, but usually, portable laptops from Microsoft, especially Surface models, come with more than 7 hours of battery life. Input ports are not so many but there is the option of getting a USB Hub. The sound output may be adequate since they are situated underneath.

With the design, the hardware specs, the battery life, and other features, the Surface Laptop Go 2 overall looks to be a great laptop for daily tasks. The long battery life and the lightweight make it perfect for freelance and corporate individuals who like to be on the move.

The specs are similar to that of other budget laptops yet the price is quite high. To find out more or preorder the new Surface Laptop Go 2 click here or the button above. Thank you for checking out this preview. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.

 

Top-Rated Budget Laptops to Buy Now

So your budget is tight but you need a laptop due to natural or unforeseen circumstances. I know, it happens to all of us. But don’t fret. There are not only better but cheaper alternatives for you to look at. Without wasting any more time here are top-rated budget laptops you can choose and buy right now. Before we get there here are a couple of things you need to look out for when choosing a budget laptop.

 

What to Look Out For

 

First, get a budget laptop with a 10 or 15-inch screen. It must be between Full-HD (recommended) or an HD (least) screen resolution. They look good with great visuals and clear sharp images. Also, make sure that it’s 1366 x 768 (HD) or 1920 x 1080 (Full HD).

Next is the RAM or Random Access Memory. It pretty much means how many apps it can handle when you open up or leave apps on standby until it starts to lag or freeze. The least is 4GB of RAM, which each of these laptops below is included. 

Thirdly, is the storage. HDD is the least option. It’s slow loading but drops the laptop price. Whereas, there’s also SSD. It loads apps faster but makes the laptop more expensive. Also, the least storage to look out for is 64GB of storage that is available in Chromebooks or other normal laptops that goes up to 500GB of storage.  

The next is the operating system. Chromebooks come with Chrome OS and normal laptops come with Windows 10 or 11. They both work fine so either one is efficient as long as you have access to a good network to access apps for your work.

Then lastly another thing to look out for is battery life, will it last you a good 8 hours or more? Does it have input ports such as a headphone jack, one or more USB ports, and/or an HDMI port? Does it have a 720p HD webcam for meetings?  

I know these are a lot but it’s essential to look out for these things. Depending on what you are looking for in a budget laptop, if you take these things into consideration, you will have no problems with these laptops. With that said, hhere are the top-rated budget laptops recommended for you.

 

 

Lenovo Ideapad Duet 5 Chromebook

 

Front & side view of the Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook

 

13.3″ Full HD Touchscreen | Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 | 4GB DDR4 RAM | 256GB SSD | Chrome OS | Wifi | 1080p webcam | 15 hours of battery life (as advertised)

 

Let’s start with the Duet 5 Chromebook. This is a 2-in-1 laptop-tablet, that comes with a 13.3-inch Full HD touch display, 4GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. And since it’s a Chromebook, it comes with Chrome OS. In terms of battery life you are looking at up to 15 hours (as advertised). That’s a lot on a single charge. The thing I like about this budget laptop is that it comes with a lot of extras. Such as a 1080p webcam, a detachable keypad, good portability, good battery life, and a rear 8MP camera for taking pictures. See anything better at this price? Definitely a good recommendation for students, freelancers on the go, and corporates.    

 

 

Microsoft Surface Go 3

 

Front & side view of the Microsoft Surface Go 3

 

10.5″ Pixel Sense Touch Display | Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y | 4GB DDR4 RAM | 64GB eMMC | Windows 11 | 11 hours battery life

 

Next is the Surface Go 3 from Microsoft. This is another 2-in-1 laptop-tablet that includes a 10.5-inch Full HD touch display, 4GB of RAM, 64GB storage, and comes with Windows 10 OS. With battery life, you are looking at 11 hours as advertised. Some things to note: it’s usually more expensive, comes with a smaller screen, less storage, and the keypad is sold separately, but it’s portable and has good battery life. Perfect for freelancers on the go.  

 

 

2020 HP Chromebook x360

 

Front view of the HP Chromebook x360

 

14″ Touchscreen | Intel Celeron N4020 | 4GB DDR4 RAM | 64GB HDD | Chrome OS | 13 hours battery life | WiFi | 720p webcam

 

Next is the HP Chromebook x360. This one comes with a 14-inch HD display, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of HDD storage, and a Chrome OS. With battery life, you are looking at up to 13 hours as advertised. Either than the fact that it comes with small storage and its HDD so it loads apps slower, it also has a good-looking design with strong hinges for folding the display 360 degrees, a bigger display, and good battery life. Let’s not forget the affordable price. Perfect for students and freelancers on the go.        

 

 

Acer Aspire 5

 

Front view of the Acer Aspire 5

 

15.6″ Full HD Display | 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor | 4GB DDR4 RAM | 128GB NVMe SSD | WiFi 6 | Windows 10 Home (S Mode) | USB 3.2 Type-C, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (1 Power-off Charging), USB 2.0, HDMI 2.0 with HDCP support, headphone/speaker/line-out jack, Ethernet | Up to 8 hours of battery life

 

Why is this one chosen as one of the top-rated budget laptops? Well, it comes with a 15-inch Full HD screen, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of SSD storage, Windows 10 Home, and a good number of input ports. The battery life you are looking at is up to 8 hours. This budget laptop I recommend because of its affordable price, good storage, and a good set of input ports. Compared to the others on the list it has the least battery life but what more can you ask for at this price? Perfect for students and corporate employees.    

 

 

Last Word

 

I know these are only a few laptops but these are the best options for you if you are on a limited budget. Choosing which to choose is up to you, and you will not go wrong with either of them. Thank you so much for coming this far. If you have any comments to say or questions to ask, check down here below and leave a comment. I will get back to you as soon as I’m able.

So what do you think of my choice of top-rated budget laptops? Is there one or two you feel should be on the list? What experience have you had with either one of them? If you need more information on these budget laptops click on the buttons above to review and the option to buy.  All the best to you in choosing your top-rated budget laptop. See you in the next article.

   

2022 Acer Chromebook Spin 311 Review: Budget Chromebook

The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is not like any Chromebook, it’s also a flexible 2-in-1 wonder. It works and functions as both a laptop and a tablet. So you will quickly get familiar with it. Another reason is that it’s cheap, portable, quite durable and adaptive, and user-friendly. But will this budget Acer Chromebook meet your everyday needs? Let’s find out from the review of the Acer Chromebook Spin 311.    

 

Acer Chromebook Spin 311

The main view of the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 3H plus stylus

 

2022 Acer Chromebook Spin 311 3H | DISPLAY: 11.6-inches HD IPS, 1366 x 768, 2-in-1 Touchscreen | CPU: MediaTek MT8183C, 2.00GHz, 8-core | STORAGE: 64GB eMMC | RAM: 4GB LPDDR4X | OS: Chrome OS | GPU: ARM Mail-G72 MP3 Integrated | INPUT: 1 x USB Type-C ports USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gbps) Display Port over USB Type-C & USB Charging, 1 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x 3.5mm combo jack (headphone/speaker) | OTHER: Webcam, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, weighs 2.65 lbs (1.2 kg)

REASONS TO BUY

  • Budget 2-in-1 Chromebook
  • Portable & durable
  • Great for web browsing, emails & video streaming
  • Long battery life
  • Includes access to cloud storage
  • Includes USB-type C & USB 2.0 ports
  • Responsive keyboard & touchpad
  • Includes stylus pen

REASONS TO AVOID

  • Mediocre storage
  • Mediocre performance
  • Comes with a small, low res HD screen
  • Few input ports
  • No backlit keyboard

 

Overview

So what is this Acer Chromebook? Well, the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is a 2-in-1 laptop, that functions as both a laptop and a tablet. It comes with an 11.6-inch touchscreen display, including a keyboard and touchpad. You can open it up to 360 degrees and use the touchscreen as a tablet. The hinges attached are pretty firm and keep the Chromebook screen from flipping backward. 

It also includes a MediaTek CPU, with 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. And lastly, it comes Chrome OS operating system, and up to 15 hours of battery life, as advertised. Overall, these are typical specs you will find in most budget laptops and Chromebooks. Expect to get it at an affordable price under the US$300 range. Let’s see what makes this laptop tick.     

 

What’s to Like

So what makes the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 so special? Firstly, the Chromebook weighs 2.65 pounds (1.2 kg). It’s really lightweight and portable so you can carry it whenever and go where ever you, please. 

 

Tent-fold view of the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 3H

 

Next. It’s a very nice tool to use for basic computer functions such as internet browsing, and video streaming, and great for daily working activities. Thirdly. The Acer Chromebook comes at an affordable price. Yep. Right now it costs less than US$250. Good price for a budget Chromebook. Next. It has fewer input ports but a good mix of USB 2 and USB-C ports. It comes with a strong silver plastic build, strong hinges, and protective glass for the screen, which makes it more durable.  

Lastly. It was advertised that, with the Acer Chromebook, you can get up to 15 hours of battery life. Upon testing, I can say it doesn’t really hit that mark, but I was satisfied when it lasted for about 12. Not bad for battery life.

 

What’s not to Like

As much as this Chromebook comes with good perks, here are a few things you need to know. Firstly, it comes with a small, low-resolution HD display and thick screen bezels. Not that it’s a bad thing, it’s just not as good as a 1080p screen. It still offers good-quality views. 

 

Keyboard & touchpad view of the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 3H

 

Next. The MediaTek CPU inside is not a powerful processing chip, but it manages to get the job done. As long as you don’t open a lot of apps at once, you will not have performance issues or deal with system crashes.

Next. I know 64GB of internal storage is not much, but alternatively, you can access cloud storage online, giving you even more gigs to store files and media. Just make sure you have a good internet connection.  Lastly. The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 does come with a comfortable and responsive keyboard and mouse pad, but no backlit keyboard here.     

Verdict

If you’re in the market for a basic Chromebook, the Acer Spin 311 is a great choice. It offers excellent value for money, and will likely appeal to any users who are looking for an affordable 2-in-1 portable computer that can be used for web browsing and other everyday tasks.

Overall, the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is a great value for its price tag. If you are looking for a sturdy 2-in-1 notebook to use primarily for email, web browsing, and some light video streaming, this could be the perfect laptop for you. If you want to do more with it (such as editing spreadsheets, high-quality video streaming, or photo editing), then you may need to consider upgrading the RAM or choosing a more expensive model with better specs. 

however, if you’re looking for a cheap Chromebook that can handle all your essential needs, then this is the one for you. Internal storage is low but if you have a good internet connection you can easily access your files and documents in cloud storage. 

So if you want a new budget release or a laptop for your teens to use at school or college, then this is the perfect laptop for them too. Trust me. It’s a great buy. Click here to find out more and to buy the Chromebook. Thanks for checking out my review of this awesome Acer Chromebook 311.

If you have any questions or comments, then kindly leave them below. All that is left for me to say is to click here to find out more or to purchase the Chromebook. If it’s what you looking for, don’t waste time. Get it. Try it. You won’t regret it. 

 

Apple MacBook Air Review: Best Performance MacBook

The new Apple MacBook Air comes with the latest performance, looks, and software features to better its predecessors, and other laptop brands. With the new features and a lower price on offer, it may attract new and existing MacBook users to get it fast. But is worth the purchase? Let’s review the new Apple MacBook Air (2020).

 

 

2020 Apple MacBook Air

 

 

 

DISPLAY 13.3 inch, LED-backlit with IPS technology, 2560 x 1600
OS macOS 11 Big Sur
CHIPSET 8-core Apple M1 
GPU Integrated 7-core or 8-core
STORAGE 256GB or 512GB SSD
MEMORY 8GB SDRAM
INPUT 2x USB Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, 
OTHER 720p webcam, WiFi-6, Bluetooth 5

Reason to Buy

  • Best performance chip
  • Fast & responsive OS
  • Great battery life
  • Great typing experience
  • Super thin & lightweight

Reason Not to Buy

  • Same laptop design as the 2019
  • No thermal cooling fans
  • Pricey
  • Same input ports from the predecessor

 

 

Overview

 

 

The Apple MacBook Air laptop was released back in the last quarter of 2020. It’s slim, lightweight, and impressively fast thanks to its new hardware spec.

The base model features Apple’s own M1 chip with an 8-core processor, 7-core integrated graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD storage. The better specced, but higher-priced model features the same M1 chip, the same RAM but with 8-core graphics, and 512GB SSD storage.

Overall, it’s one of the best-performance laptops to date thanks to the new M1 chip. With a base model priced less than US$1000, it competes with other top brands, making it a better option to buy. But before you go into buying this incredible laptop let’s check out the review.      

              

 

What’s To Like

 

 

When it comes to laptop performance, the Apple MacBook Air is really impressive. The new macOS 11 feels fast and responsive. It also looks pretty good with vibrant bright colors, and a modern look, which really shows how gorgeous the screen is. The laptop boots up quickly. Old macOS apps and games run very well with the new OS. Overall, it’s a great performance laptop. 

The Apple MacBook Air has a long but great battery life. From tests done, it lasts up to 11 hours on a single charge. As long as you don’t do anything intensive, the battery will deplete slower, lasting you a good day, and no worries about battery power.

With a weight of 2.8 pounds (1.29kg), this indeed is one lightweight laptop. It’s easily portable, you can carry it anywhere you go. And it’s slim so it easily fits into a laptop bag. 

Lastly, the MacBook Air includes the ‘Magic Keyboard’ feature, known for its good keyboard layout and comfortable typing experience.

In short, the Apple MacBook Air includes great features that give you a reason to buy.

 

 

What’s Not to Like

 

 

As impressive as the new MacBook is, there are a few things you need to know before you consider it. Firstly, the MacBook is not cheap. The base model may start at less than US$ 1000 yet still, the price is high. Next, there are no cooling fans included, which is why it’s so much thinner and lighter.

Thirdly, the laptop design has not changed from its last two models. In fact, the Apple MacBook Air (2021) looks exactly the same as the 2019 and 2018 models. I guess Apple has decided to stick to what works with the laptop design. The screen is small at 13 inches too.

Lastly, there are only two input ports: USB type C and an audio jack. To increase input ports, you need to get a USB hub. But overall, there’s are the only things to note before you consider getting the 2020 MacBook Air.

 

 

Verdict

The Apple Macbook Air of 2020 is indeed one laptop not to judge too quickly. It may look the same as the last two models but a performance beast on the inside. It may have a smaller screen but delivers great-quality images, color, and sharpness.

The best feature is the new M1 processor. It gives the MacBook Air the best overall performance, and smooth navigation with the new macOS looks good. The battery life is also great as well, and the typing experience is also great equally great. With the negatives, I guess Apple really sticks to what works like other laptop brands. It works well but for how long? 

If you can afford this amazing Apple MacBook Air, then it’s a good idea to buy. There are so many reasons to buy it so give it a chance. The next thing for you to do is to click on this link here (or use the “Click here” buttons all over the post), to check out the latest available prices and purchases.

Don’t forget to please add comments below, or if you have questions regarding the Apple MacBook Air, leave them also below and I will get back to you. Take care. Stay safe until next time.

 

HP Envy X360 15 Review: The Affordable but Astonishing 2in1 laptop

 

HP Envy X360 15 Review: The Affordable but Astonishing 2in1 laptop

 

HP launched its new budget HP Envy X360 15 laptop, to add to the entry-level Envy laptop series. This one comes with some of the latest hardware that guarantees good overall performance. Since it’s a budget laptop there will be compromises but performs well to meet your needs. If you’re searching for a budget 2-in-1 laptop that’s easy to use, and comes with the latest hardware and specs, then the HP Envy X360 laptop is for you. Want to know more? Then read on the HP Envy X360 15 review.

 

 

HP Envy X360 15

 

 

ENVY X360 – 15t | DISPLAY: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920×1080), 60Hz, Touch display | CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 | GRAPHICS: Intel Iris Xe Integrated | STORAGE/MEMORY: 512GB SSD/16GB DDR4 | OS: Windows 10 Home (64-bit) | INPUT PORTS: 1xUSB 3, 1xHDMI, 1xUSB-C, 1xSD card reader, 1xheadphone/microphone jack | BATTERY: 65W, 3-cell 51WHr | CONNECTIVITY: WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet LAN | WEIGHT: 4.35lbs/1.97kg

 

REASON TO BUY

  • Good performance processor
  • Good battery life
  • A great and solid design
  • A great-looking touch display

REASON NOT TO BUY

  • Heavy 15-inch laptop
  • Touchpad not so great
  • Cooling fans get loud at times
  • Average quality webcam

 

Overview

The new HP Envy x360 15 is a 2-in-1 tablet laptop, that includes a 15-inch 360-degree foldable touchscreen display. It comes with the latest Intel Core 11th-gen i7 processor, the new Xe integrated graphics processor, 16GB of memory, and 512GB SSD of storage.

Other features include WiFi, Bluetooth connectivity, a fingerprint scanner, and built-in voice assistance.

 

What’s to Like

The overall performance of the HP Envy is fast and reliable. The Intel i7 processor is known to be one of the top performers, and it’s included in the laptop.

Though there are other brands like AMD Ryzen 7, which is slightly cheaper, whichever one you choose they both perform well to meet your needs.  

The SSD storage included will make apps load faster and overall system performance better. The 16GB of memory will for more storage of apps on standby. All of them contribute to the overall performance of the laptop. 

 

From laptop to tablet mode, and includes a stylus pen.

 

With the battery life, you’re looking at an average of up to 7 hours of daily use. That’s great for daily usage.  The touchscreen display looks great. It’s a full HD, with 1080p screen resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. The images are sharp and clear, with good colour accuracy. 

The laptop design looks natural and realistic, workable but premium as well. It has a good choice of colours and looks sophisticated. It’s made of premium materials, comes with a slim lightweight design, well-placed hinges to fold over the touchscreen display to tablet mode, and speakers placed on the top section of the keyboard. Overall, great laptop design.

 

What’s Not to Like

A lot of good things have been mentioned in this HP Envy X360 15 review. Let’s now look at other need-to-know features or setbacks to take note of.

Firstly, the laptop may be a lightweight wonder, but thanks to the big 15-inch screen, it increased the weight. This is a minor setback, but one to take note of.

The touchpad works but it’s not good enough to compete with other well-known laptop brands. It’s just not as smooth to the touch and the click feels bad at times. Rather use an external mouse.

The cooling fans are there to keep the overall laptop cool especially when you do activities that require more processing power. The fans do get loud at times and get noisy in quiet areas.  

 

To Buy or Not to Buy

Overall, the HP Envy X360 15 is a great 2-in-1 laptop. The fast performance, great design, good battery life, and other features make it a worthy laptop to buy. Let’s not forget that it’s an affordable laptop as well.

Should you buy it?

If you want an affordable 15-inch laptop that can help you do all your daily tasks on the go, then yes. If you want a lightweight laptop that also functions as a tablet, then yes. 

 So far there’s no better 15-inch 2-in-1 laptop in this price range, and comes highly recommended as the best 2-in-1 laptop to use this season.

If you want a cheaper one that comes with a smaller screen, then check out the price for the HP Envy X360 13 2-in-1 laptop. It has relatively the same specs but a smaller touchscreen display. 

Thank you very much for coming this far in my HP Envy X360 15 review. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them here below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

If this is not your ideal laptop, then don’t hesitate to explore more reviews here on wildbreaktech.com. There’s bound to be something to catch your eye. Thank you once again. Stay safe. See you in the next one.     

 

Refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 Review

 

Refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 Review

 

Nowadays, a refurbished laptop is a great alternative to go for because they are more affordable than the latest releases. One such laptop to look out for is the refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 (also known as the Dell Precision 5510).

It was one of the best laptops ever released because of its stunning UHD display, genuine design, and fast system performance. Is it worth spending your hard-earned money? Will it match the performance of current generation laptops?

If you want to find out, here’s my review of the refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 business laptop. 

 

Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510

 

DISPLAY: 15.6-inch touch UHD (3840 x 2160) | CPU: Intel Quad Core i7-6820HQ | GPU: Nvidia Quadro M1000M + Intel HD 530 Graphics | MEMORY: 16GB RAM | STORAGE: 512GB SSD | INPUT PORTS: HDMI, 2xUSB, SD card reader, Type-C port | OS: Win 10 Pro | OTHER FEATURES: Bluetooth, WiFi, HD Webcam,  | WEIGHT: 3.1 kg (6.9 lbs)

 

 

 

Overview

 

The Dell Precision 5510 is a top-class, premium business laptop, that comes with premium features. It’s all bundled into an impressive aluminium build, that comes with a stunning 4K touch screen, and amazing performance overall.

This is an excellent business laptop, made for top business professionals, creative editors or artists, and for those who are looking to tackle complex tasks and projects.

 

 

Display

 

The 15.6-inch display is the most impressive in this model. It comes with really thin display bezels. The touch screen responds well to touch. The screen technology includes Ultra High Definition (UHD), with a 3820 x 2160 screen resolution.

In a nutshell, the display is gorgeous. The pictures look really sharp. The colours really pop out onscreen and look vibrant, and watching 4K movies or videos is amazing. This is the most outstanding feature of the laptop and is worth the look.

 

 

Design

 

The refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 is made of a combination of silver aluminium and black carbon fibre. The backlit keyboard looks good, types comfortably and the touchpad functions well. 

It does weigh a bit more than normal 15-inches but it’s slim. The webcam is located at the bottom section of the display, but it records good quality videos.

It comes with a good set of input options that includes: 1xHDMI, 1xUSB 3.0, 1xUSB Type C, headphone jack, and MicroSD card reader.  

Overall, the Precision 5510 comes with a great design-build. It’s made of premium materials, has a bit more weight than normal but slim, and comes with great features. 

 

 

Performance

 

Performance-wise, the Precision 5510 comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of system memory, and an Nvidia Quadro graphics card. Thanks to this hardware spec the performance is fast, scoring close to 3000 points on benchmark performance tests.  

 

 

Bear in mind, this is a business laptop, but it does support gaming as well. It does have the hardware specs for gaming development and for light, casual gaming sessions.

Overall, if performance is what you looking for, you got it here with the Precision 5510. It’s fast and supports gaming as well. Don’t expect similar performance as a gaming laptop. 

 

 

Battery Life

The battery life here is a short one. You are looking at a business laptop that lasts up to 4 hours of battery life.

Bear in mind, this laptop has a lot of features, which contributes to the short battery life. For example, the UHD display needs a lot of power to run effectively.

Overall, the Precision 5510 does have a short battery life. It’s best to keep it plugged in if you need to use it for long working sessions.

 

 

Other features

Other features to consider. Firstly, the audio speakers are placed on the bottom of the refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 business laptop, contributing to the overall average quality sound.

Secondly, the webcam sits at the bottom section of the display, instead of being on top. It’s not a good idea as your hands will most likely be visible especially when you typing during a teleconference call. 

Lastly, the Precision 5510 manages to stay cool upon use. It does increase the temperature when using it for complex functions like streaming HD videos but after prolonged uses. 

Overall, these features are worth knowing so as to know what to expect upon purchase. 

 

 

Impressions & Verdict

 

 

The refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 is an awesome laptop. I really like the stunning pictures on the screen, the premium design and the fast performance of the system.

The keyboard looks great as well with the backlit and offers a comfortable typing experience. I highly recommend this laptop. 

Although the battery life is short, and the webcam is awkwardly placed, it’s still a great business laptop. Keeping it charged, and getting an external webcam (to place on top) can fix the issues. 

Because this is an older laptop (release in 2017), the price has gone done. In fact, if you go online right now, you can find the refurbished model, at a fair price.

So, if you want a business laptop, with a stunning UHD display, has a premium design features, and a great performance, then the Dell Precision 5510 is the laptop worth buying.

If you want a business laptop with long battery life, then it’s best to look elsewhere. Bear in mind, you’ll be compromising on a lot of top-class features it offers. 

 

 

Closing Off

Thank you for your interest and for reaching this far. This is my review of the refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510.

Don’t forget to click here to find out the latest affordable price on the refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 business laptop.

If this one’s not what you looking for, then click here to check out 2020’s best affordable laptops.

If you have comments, questions, or thoughts to share, you are welcome to share them here below. You can also present your own rating of the laptop reviewed. 

As always, stay safe, take care. See you again next time. 

 

Introducing the Best Budget Business Laptops of 2020

Let’s face it. We all want the best laptop to do everything we want. Problem is that we cannot all afford them. They are so expensive and take months to save up for. Even if we do end up getting one, not all of us will use the nice premium features. Some of us just want a simple business laptop, that can handle everyday tasks and overall achieve our business goals. If you are one of such fellows, then here are five of the best budget laptops that have made good ratings this year. They offer good performance, cool features, at affordable prices.

 

 

Lenovo Chromebook Duet

DISPLAY: 10.1-inch FHD Touch (1920×1200) | CPU: 8-core, MediaTek P60T | GRAPHICS: ARM Mali-G72 MP3 GPU | MEMORY: 4GB RAM | STORAGE: 32GB/64GB/128GB | Battery: 7000mAh | OS: ChromeOS | WEIGHT: 0.99 lbs. (449 g) | OTHER: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2MP Webcam, 8MP Rear Camera | RATING: 3.9/5 

 

REASONS TO BUY

  • Available at an affordable price
  • Includes keypad
  • Decent webcam and rear camera
  • Great battery life
  • Lightweight 

REASONS NOT TO BUY

  • Average performance
  • Includes one USB port
  • No headphone jack nor microSD slot
  • No backlit & cramped keypad
  • Heavier with a keypad 

The Chromebook Duet from Lenovo is not really a business laptop, but rather a handy 2-in-1 laptop-tablet, catered for those who want a laptop-tablet package alternative. Yes, college students can get this one now and make great use of it straight away, as it also includes a free keypad upon purchase.

Starting at less than US$300, this 2-in-1 tablet includes an 8-core processor, 4GB of memory, storage model options from 32GB to 128GB, up to 14 hours of battery life, and weighs a pound. But it comes with compromises.

Firstly, performance is adequate but tends to slow down if you open up too many apps. Secondly, no headphone jack and a MicroSD slot to increase storage. Thirdly, it only comes with one USB slot. And lastly, the keys on the keypad are too narrow which means uncomfortable typing. 

Overall, the Chromebook Duet is just a budget 2-in-1 laptop. No premium features. Just a simple mobile device that can handle simple day-to-day tasks. With good battery life, and at an affordable price, check out the latest price on offer here.

 

 

Acer Chromebook 715

DISPLAY: 15.6-inch FHD Touch (1920×1080) | CPU: Intel Core i3-8130U | GRAPHICS: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU | MEMORY: 4GB RAM | STORAGE: 128GB eMMC | OS: ChromeOS | WEIGHT: 4.3 lbs (1.9 kg) | OTHER: WiFi, Bluetooth, Webcam | RATING: 4.0/5

 

REASONS TO BUY

  • Great premium look and design
  • Large keyboard & touchpad
  • Great battery life
  • Lightweight & affordable
  • Great performance for everyday use

REASONS NOT TO BUY

  • No backlit keyboard 
  • No fingerprint sensor
  • Average quality webcam

The Acer Chromebook 715 may be in line to be one of the better Chromebooks to come out this year. The bigger display, premium looks, and great battery life make it a worthy contender. Compromises are minor here but you’ll quickly overlook them, and performs decently for every use. But is it worth your time and investment?

Let’s find out more. As I said, performance is decent here. Here’s why. Firstly, the Intel Core i3 processor, together with the 4GB memory, manages to keep the Chromebook working at its peak.

Secondly, the full HD livens up the 15-inch touch screen. Thirdly, you are looking at up to 16 hours of battery life. Enough for a good day’s work. The Chromebook comes with no backlit keyboard, no fingerprint scanner, and a standard-quality webcam. Common features for a budget laptop, yet it’s expected at its affordable price.  

Overall, the Acer Chromebook 715 has the makings of being one of the best budget business laptops, as it offers you great features at a budget price. If a cheap 15-inch Chromebook is what you look for, then here’s one for you. See the latest price here

 

 

Microsoft Surface Go 2

DISPLAY: 10.5-inch FHD+ multi-touch (1920×1280) | CPU: Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y/8th Gen Intel Core m3 | GRAPHICS: Intel UHD Graphics 615 | MEMORY: 4GB/8GB RAM | STORAGE: 64GB eMMC/128GB SSD | OS: Windows 10 Home | WEIGHT: Wi-Fi – 1.2 lbs. (544 g)/LTE – 1.22 lbs. (553 g) | OTHER: Bluetooth, 5MP webcam, 8MP Rear camera | RATING: 4.0/5

 

REASONS TO BUY

  • Slim, lightweight & great quality design
  • Good audio output
  • Decent battery life
  • Comes with a kickstand
  • Great quality display
  • LTE model available

REASONS NOT TO BUY

  • Stylus pen and keypad sold separately
  • Entry model is under-powered
  • Better performance models are more expensive

In my review of the Surface Go 2, here was my overall impression: 

Surface Go 2 is great to use and has the potential to be a great 2-in-1 tablet. With a bigger display, reliable performance for everyday use and features, it’s a fun portable mobile device to use wherever you are.

Check out my full Surface Go 2 ReviewMy impressions remain unchanged. The Surface Go 2 from Microsoft is still one of the best budget business laptops to use for everyday tasks. It may have a smaller touch screen but supports higher resolutions than 1080p. It’s one of the best mobile devices to offer up to 6 hours of battery life.

The kickstand too is another great feature that lets you open it up at the rear, and place the Surface Go 2 on any flat surface. Performance is still decent for everyday tasks, but other budget laptops come with slightly better performance ratings. Storage from the entry-level model is too small for the apps and updates we use on a daily basis. 

Overall, if you want a simple, portable business laptop that has better screen quality and other cool features, then look no further than the Surface Go 2. I recommend getting the Surface Go 2 with 8GB memory and 128GB storage SSD, but that means getting a more expensive model.

 

 

Samsung Chromebook 4

DISPLAY: 15.6-inch FHD (1920×1080) | CPU: Intel Celeron N4000 | GRAPHICS: Intel UHD Graphics 600 | MEMORY: 4GB/6GB RAM | STORAGE: 32GB/64GB eMMC | OS: ChromeOS | WEIGHT: 0.99 lbs. (449 g) | OTHER: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Webcam | RATING: 3.7/5

 

REASONS TO BUY

  • Great battery life
  • Good look and design
  • Really affordable
  • Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
  • Great performance for everyday use
  • Slim and lightweight

REASONS NOT TO BUY

  • No touch screen
  • No storage high than 64GB
  • Below average brightness
  • Mediocre audio performance
  • Comes with budget hardware specs

Another 15-inch Chromebook to look out for, is the Samsung Chromebook 4. Samsung brings you an entry-level Chromebook that comes at an affordable price, includes a 15-inch screen, good battery life and a premium design finish.

This 15-inch Chromebook comes with an entry-level Intel Celeron processor, with 4GB of memory, and 32GB of storage. The hardware specs are low but perform tasks well. It’s a great Chromebook for everyday use, comes with a comfortable keyboard layout, a responsive touchpad, and guarantees up to 10 hours of battery life.

The Chromebook does have its flaws. Firstly, the display has no touch function. Secondly, the bezels around the screen are pretty thick. And thirdly, the display is not that bright.

Suffice to say the Samsung Chromebook 4 offers you a great working laptop at an affordable price. The display is the major disappointing issue, which may cause others to look elsewhere. But it’s more of a normal laptop than a Chromebook. If you looking for a laptop that is affordable, functions as a laptop rather than a Chromebook, and works with everyday tasks, then the Samsung Chromebook 4 is for you. 

 

 

Asus VivoBook 15

DISPLAY: 15.6-inch FHD Touch (1920×1080) | CPU: Intel Core i3-1005G1 | GRAPHICS: Intel UHD Graphics | MEMORY: 8GB RAM | STORAGE: 128GB/256GB/512GB SSD | OS: Windows 10 Home | WEIGHT: 3.75 lbs (g) | OTHER: WiFi, Bluetooth, Webcam, Backlit keyboard | RATING: 3.8/5

 

REASONS TO BUY

  • Great overall look and design
  • Thin screen bezels
  • Good set of input slots

REASONS NOT TO BUY

  • Below average battery life
  • Below average processor performance
  • Display lacks brightness

The entry-model Asus VivoBook 15 comes with great design features, that include a thin-bezel display, good-looking keyboard layout, and touchpad. But suffers greatly as it lives up to the common cliche ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’.

The screen is dim. Battery life is less than average. The performance is adequate but not as good as average. But with an affordable price tag, you can rest assured that you get what you pay for. 

Here are reasons why you should buy it. Starting with the display, it’s a large 15.6-inch full HD touch screen, that shows clear, sharp images and good color accuracy. Secondly, the laptop comes with a little over 5 hours of battery life that is better than older budget laptops.

Next is the long list of input ports, which includes a USB Type-C, USB 2, USB 3, HDMI, audio jack, and a microSD reader. No Ethernet port but supports WiFi. In terms of performance, the VivoBook 15 does its job well but it’s rated lower than other budget laptops. The display is not a good feature as it comes with lower brightness, and the battery life is considered shorter than other budget laptops.

Overall, the Asus VivoBook looks like a solid contender in the design department but suffers from performance, battery life, and display. Keep in mind that this is a budget laptop, so there will always be compromises, but if you’re looking for a better business laptop, then it’s best to look elsewhere. 

 

 

Lasting Impressions

These best budget business laptops of 2020 may not be the most powerful laptops around. They may even lack the premium features included in top-range laptops, but with the limited hardware specs, features and performance, they are good laptops for simple everyday tasks.

My eye is on the Acer Chromebook 715. It has a stunning design, comes with good system performance, and high initial storage. It may have its flaws but is overlooked because of the good features it offers.

Another one is the Microsoft Surface Go 2. It comes with great features plus a higher screen resolution that offers a better quality picture. It’s sad that you must buy the extra accessories, and it’s a little more pricey than most, but the unique features make up for the price tag.

These are my recommendations. Check out the corresponding links that follow to find out more about them. Thank you for check out my post on the best budget laptops of 2020. If you have any comments, please share them below and check out the links within. It helps me out tremendously with no extra cost to you. Thanks again for your time. Take care of yourself. Stay safe until next time. 

 

Introducing Extraordinary Laptops with Long Battery Life

 

Introducing Extraordinary Laptops with Long Battery Life

 

Believe it or not. There’re laptops out there that last longer than 4 hours on a single charge. That means more work done, more time to chat and visit social media, and no more work lost. In other words, more things for you to do on your laptop.

Let me introduce to you my recommendations of laptops with long battery life.

 

 

MSI Prestige 14 (2020)

 

DISPLAY: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) | CPU: 10 Gen Intel Core i5 / i7 | MEMORY: 16GB RAM | STORAGE: 512GB SSD / 1TB SSD | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 MaxQ | BATTERY: 50 Whr | WEIGHT: 2.8 lbs (1.3 kg) | OS: Windows 10 Pro 64 

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

 

REASONS TO BUY

  • Available in beautiful choices of colors such as pink and white
  • Attractive and unique design features
  • Really lightweight
  • Excellent battery life
  • Nice design keyboard
  • Great system and gaming performance

REASONS TO AVOID

  • Displays a little dim
  • Weak audio speakers
  • No HDMI port
  • Pricey

The Prestige 14 from MSI is one of the best laptops with long battery life. With up to 9 hours, losing power is the least of your worries.

Its portability and lightweight makes it easy to carry. With up to date hardware, looks and premium features, it offers impressive system and gaming performance and comes with looks that will turn heads.

It may be expensive, lacks the means to connect to your HDTV, and comes with low-quality sound speakers, but overall, it offers great performance, long battery life, and an attractive design.

 

 

Dell XPS 13 9300 (2020)

 

DISPLAY: 13.4-inch FHD+ / touchscreen (1920 x 1200) | CPU: Quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core i7 | MEMORY: 8GB RAM | STORAGE: 256GB SSD | GPU: Intel Iris Plus | BATTERY: 52 Whr | WEIGHT: 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) / 2.8 (1.3 kg) | OS: Windows 10 

Rating: 4.2 out of 5

 

REASONS TO BUY

  • Attractive design
  • Really lightweight
  • Excellent battery life
  • Really thin bezels
  • Great quality display
  • Good performance

REASONS TO AVOID

  • Input ports very limited
  • Pricey

The Dell XPS 13 is a great business laptop that offers a great screen quality view, attractive design, impressive performance and long battery life.

With over 8 hours of battery life, you can get your work done, go to social media, and casual gaming yet still have enough power.

There are many things this laptop has to offer. If the long battery life does not captivate you, then the full HD+ screen will amaze you with the thinnest bezels to optimise a wide view experience, the lightweight for easy portability, and not forgetting the great system performance.

Even though it lacks common input ports and may need you to dig deeper into your pocket, overall, this is a great business laptop from Dell. It offers an amazing display, good design features and long hours of battery life. 

 

 

HP Spectre X360 13 (2019)

 

DISPLAY: 13.3-inch touchscreen FHD (1920 x 1280) | CPU: 10th Gen Quad-core Intel Core i7 | MEMORY: 8GB RAM | STORAGE: 256GB / 512GB SSD | GPU: Intel Iris Plus | OS: Windows 10 Home

Rating: 4.0 out of 5  

 

REASONS TO BUY

  • Great system performance
  • Both a laptop and a tablet
  • Excellent display quality
  • Great design
  • Comfortable and great design keyboard
  • Excellent battery life

REASONS TO AVOID

  • May include bloatware
  • Standard quality audio speakers
  • Low battery life in 4K version
  • Pricey

The HP Spectre X360 13 is a 2-in-1 laptop that comes with a beautiful design, a slim bezel display and a nice looking keyboard. Inside it comes with a good hardware spec that offers great performance and over 13 hours of battery life. That’s the highest ever tested from a 2-in-1, making it one of the best laptops with long battery life.

Minor shortcomings such as bloatware which can be deleted and low-quality audio speakers can easily be overlooked. Note that the 4K model has less battery life compared to the Full HD model, yet it has better screen quality.

Overall, if you want a 2-in-1 laptop that offers long battery life, great performance and great design, then look no further than 2019’s HP X360 Spectre 13. 

 

 

Razer Blade Stealth 13 (2019)

 

DISPLAY: 13-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) | CPU: 10th Gen Quad-core Intel i7 | MEMORY: 16GB RAM | STORAGE: 512GB SSD | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti MaxQ | OS: Windows 10 Home | WiFi, Bluetooth

Rating: 3.8 out of 5

 

REASONS TO BUY

  • Impressive 120Hz display
  • Good battery life
  • Good performance
  • Least expensive Razer

REASONS TO AVOID

  • 4K not ideal on 13-inch
  • Single-colour RGB keyboard
  • Gets warm pretty quickly
  • Least powerful Razer

The Razer Blade Stealth 13 gaming laptop is one of a kind. It’s the less expensive in the Razer Blade series. It offers smooth gameplay thanks to the 120Hz display. And lastly, it offers up to 7 hours of battery life.

Unlike other Razer Blade gaming laptops, this one is the least expensive but also the least powerful. It maintains the traditional Razer chassis design with the signature RGB logo behind the display and includes the RGB keyboard.

And since it’s a gaming laptop, the battery drains a lot of power whilst gaming so it is best to keep it plugged in.

Overall, the Razer Blade Stealth 13 has more battery life compared to other gaming laptops for now and is worth the buy at its price.     

 

 

MacBook Pro (2020)

 

DISPLAY: 13.3-inch Retina FHD+ (2560 x 1600) | CPU: 10th Gen Quad-core Intel i5 | MEMORY: 8GB / 16GB RAM | STORAGE: 512GB / 1TB SSD | GPU: Intel Iris Plus | OS: macOS | BATTERY: 58.2 Whr | WEIGHT: 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) | WiFi, Bluetooth, 720p webcam

Rating: 4.2 out of 5

 

REASONS TO BUY

  • Great keyboard layout and large touchpad
  • Good system performance
  • Large SSD for entry model

REASONS TO AVOID

  • Limited input ports
  • Thick bezels
  • 8th gen processor in entry model
  • Pricey

The MacBook Pro offers better performance with its trademark retina display, popular design, and offers up to 9 hours of battery life making it one of the best MacBooks or laptops with long battery life.

MacBooks have always won the race for best battery life against other Windows 10 laptops, and this year’s model is no exception.

Not only does it offer improved performance, but the MacBook Pro also comes with 58 watt-hour battery that grants you more hours to do business, video conferencing, explore social media, and stream videos using its gorgeous display.

It may come with limited input ports, a mid-range processor, and thick display bezels, but it’s a great MacBook that is pricey but worth the purchase.

 

 

Impressions

 

Here are my impressions of these here laptops with long battery life. Firstly, bigger may not always be better. They each come with a 13-inch full HD/HD+ screen except for the MSI Prestige which comes with a 14-inch.

Smaller displays tend to consume less power yet deliver good quality views. In other words, smaller screen laptops are a better choice.  

Secondly, 4K laptops are great and offer amazing quality displays but consume more power and hence less battery life.

Full HD laptops still offer good quality displays yet tend to consume less power so you get more battery life. Know that your choice will come with consequences.

 

Let’s summarise here below. 

 Laptop Battery Life (hours and minutes)
 Dell XPS 13 9300 (2020)
8:14
 HP Spectre X360 13 (2019) 13:19
 MSI Prestige 14 (2020) 9:49
 MacBook Pro (2020) 10:00
 Razer Blade Stealth (2019) 7:00

(credit: Techradar, Tom’s Hardware)

 

From the table above you can see that the laptop with the longest time, and long battery life, is 2019’s HP Spectre x360. 

So if you’re looking for a laptop that will last longer on a single charge, then here they are, amazing laptops with long battery life.

 

 

Close off

 

If smartphones are more of your thing, check out these smartphones with long battery life

So what do you think of my recommendations? Are you happy with them? Do you have one of these laptops already? Please leave comments below.  

 

Affordable & Best Chromebooks for Students

Looking for an affordable laptop to get you through the day, complete an assignment and meet deadlines, then here are some of the high-ranked best Chromebooks for students. In this day in age, top-range laptops are for those who want serious performance for their money, but unfortunately, you’ll need to pay a lot of money to get one.

However, there are laptops out there for those who don’t want to pay so much money and just want one to handle the bare essentials. Chromebooks are one such as they are affordable, and come with good features. Here is a list of affordable Chromebooks to look out for and to buy, perfect for students, young scholars, and others looking for affordable laptops.   

 

HP 14 Chromebook

 

14-inch HD display (1366 x 768) | AMD A4-9120 2.20 GHz CPU | 4GB RAM | 32GB eMMC storage | AMD Radeon R3 series GPU | Chrome OS | 1.5 kg (3.4 lbs) | Other features include WiFi, bluetooth, microSD, webcam  

 

 

Pros

    • Comfortable keyboard 
    • Good quality touch-pad
    • Good quality display

Cons

    • Low battery life
    • Average laptop performance
    • No touchscreen

The HP 14 Chromebook is a budget clam-shell laptop that manages to balance efficiency and affordability.

Why I say this is one of the best Chromebooks for students, is because firstly, it comes with a great quality 14-inch HD display with a comfortable keyboard, good quality touch-pad, and weighs 1.5 kgs.

Secondly, it comes with a dual-core AMD A4 processor, 4GB of system memory with 32GB of internal storage.

And lastly, the Chromebook is affordable and perfect for those who want a simple device that can get them through the day and help them with everyday tasks. 

Although the budget HP 14 Chromebook comes with at most 5 hours battery life and average laptop performance, it works well and is worth considering.

To date, It’s one of the best Chromebooks for students to get right now.

 

 

Acer Chromebook 15

 

15.6-inch HD display (1366 x 768) | Intel Pentium CPU | 2GB RAM | 16GB SSD storage | Intel HD Graphics 400 GPU | Chrome OS | 2 kg (4.3 lbs) | Other features include WiFi, bluetooth, microSD, webcam  

 

 

Pros

    • Good build quality
    • Insane battery life
    • Nice back-lit keyboard
    • Audio speakers on top 

Cons

    • Disappointing touch-pad
    • Average laptop performance
    • No touchscreen
    • Heavier

With the best battery life and good build quality, the Acer Chromebook 15 is a budget laptop that has definitely made its mark. 

Starting off, it comes with a 15.6-inch HD display, comfortable keyboard with audio speakers. Next, it comes with an entry-level Intel Pentium processor, 2GB of system memory, and 16GB of SSD storage. This is one of the most affordable Chromebooks to date. However, it has its setbacks.

Firstly, it comes with average performance with lower system memory and smaller internal storage. Secondly, the touchpad is a disappointment thanks to its loose and clunky function. And thirdly, it’s heavier than other Chromebooks. 

Yes, it may have a few setbacks but let’s not forget, this is a budget Chromebook and these are minor. i.e. using a mouse instead of a touchpad. But overall, this is an affordable Chromebook that can help you with everyday tasks.     

 

 

Lenovo Chromebook 500e

 

11.6-inch HD touch display (1366 x 768) | Intel Celeron N3350 CPU | 4GB RAM | 32GB Flash Memory storage | Intel HD Graphics GPU | Chrome OS | 1.7 kg (3.8 lbs) | Other features include WiFi, Bluetooth, Webcam

 

 

Pros

    • Good starter for teen scholars
    • Lots of USB ports
    • Stylus included
    • Impressive battery life and durability
    • Laptop and tablet features

Cons

    • Low screen resolution
    • No HDMI port
    • Display bezels are really thick
    • Poor audio output

The Lenovo Chromebook 500e is a 2-in-1 laptop that comes with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, a comfortable keyboard and a responsive touch-pad. To top it off, it comes built from plastic aluminum material.

On the inside, it’s powered by an entry-level Intel Celeron processor, with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The Lenovo 500e is ranked one of the best Chromebooks.

Firstly, it’s a 2-in-1 laptop that includes hinges that can open up the screen up to 360 degrees and comes with a stylus pen. Secondly, it comes with normal input ports including a micro SD to increase storage.

Thirdly, it can survive against shock damage, vibrations, high temperature, water spills, and other environmental hazards, making it a very durable laptop. And lastly, the battery life of the Lenovo 500e is really impressive. On a single charge, you’re looking at up to 15 hours of usage time.

Overall, the Lenovo Chromebook 500e has good features in its class, making it a worthy buy. However, there’re some flaws to note. 

To start, the touch screen works well with good image colors and contrasts, satisfactory brightness, and good glass protection, but the screen resolution is low and the glossy surface that reflects light and other things spoil the viewing angles. The display comes with thick bezels which almost narrows the view.  

Secondly, there’s no HDMI port to connect the Chromebook to a better display. Third, the audio speakers are placed underneath, therefore the sound output is not very good.

To finish off, if you can handle the low-resolution display, then the Lenovo 500e Chromebook will be a good pick for you. It’s one of the best Chromebooks for students because of its good features.      

See more great Chromebooks

 

 

Asus Chromebook C523

 

15.6-inch HD display (1366 x 768) | Intel Celeron N3350 CPU | 4GB RAM | 32GB Flash Memory storage | Intel HD Graphics 500 GPU | Chrome OS | 1.4 kg (3.1 lbs) | Other features include WiFi, Bluetooth, Webcam  

 

 

Pros

    • Sleek aluminium design
    • Comfortable keyboard and touch-pad
    • One of the most portable and lightweight
    • Good battery life

Cons

    • No back-lit keyboard
    • Poor audio output
    • No touch screen

The Asus Chromebook C523 features a dual-core Intel Celeron processor, 32GB of flash storage, 4GB of RAM. It includes a 15.6-inch non-touch display, with a comfortable keyboard, responsive touchpad, and an aluminum design finish. So what makes this Chromebook a winner?

Well, firstly, it comes with a 15-inch screen with thin bezels on the sides. Secondly, it’s made from aluminum material and is lightweight. With this one, you’re looking at up to 10 hours of battery life which is not bad, but it has no backlit keyboard, a glossy screen that reflects light and other things back at you, and has poor audio.

If you can get yourself good headphones, don’t mind the low-resolution display then this Chromebook will serve you well. There’s the option of getting the 1080p version with better quality and a touch screen but it will cost you a bit more.

To sum it up, this is the more affordable Asus Chromebook, and a good pick if you’re a student and looking for a budget laptop.    

 

Last Impressions

The reason why I chose these Chromebooks are first, they have been reviewed and top-ranked. Second, they are the most affordable laptops to get right now. Thirdly, they each have unique features that range from big screen, durability, lightweight, to portability and flexibility. 

Keep in mind that they are not the fastest performing Chromebooks becomes they each have entry-level hardware specs and, yes, there are bound to be a few drawbacks.

However, since these are Chromebooks there’s a lot to appreciate about them such as you’ll have access to hardware services like Google Drive to store documents or media files and get access to apps to help you manage your work from the Google Play Store. 

Overall, these are for all who need an affordable laptop to work on. These are some of the best Chromebooks for students, young scholars, and those who just want a laptop to get work done.

I hope you enjoyed reading up on four of the cheapest and best Chromebooks for students. Thanks for reading my post. If you have any comments or opinions, please leave them below.

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