Expert pick: Stay Productive & Organized
13th Gen Intel i3 CPU, Full HD Display, and Wi-Fi 6 Connectivity Help You Take On Everyday Tasks
Lenovo 15.6" IdeaPad Slim 3 Notebook (Abyss Blue)
- 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U Processor
- 8GB LPDDR5 RAM | 256GB M.2 SSD
- 15.6" 1920 x 1080 IPS Display
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Acer 15.6" Aspire 3 Notebook (Silver)
- 12th Gen Intel Core i3 Processor
- 8GB of DDR4 RAM | 256GB NVMe SSD
- 15.6" 1920 x 1080 LCD Display
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Acer 14" 128GB Chromebook 314 (Silver)
- 1.1 GHz Intel N4500 Dual-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4x RAM | 128GB eMMC SSD
- 14" 1366 x 768 IPS Display
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
ASUS 15.6" 64GB Multi-Touch 2-in-1 Chromebook Flip CM5
- 2.6 GHz AMD Ryzen 3 3250C Dual-Core
- 4GB DDR4 RAM | 64GB eMMC Storage
- 15.6" 1920 x 1080 FHD Touchscreen
- Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
Core Innovations 14.1" CLC14364 Series Laptop (Red)
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N3350 Dual-Core
- 3GB RAM | 64GB SSD
- 14.1" 1366 x 768 TN Display
- Integrated Intel HD Graphics 500
Acer 12" 64GB Chromebook Vero 712
- 12th Gen Intel Core i3-1215U Processor
- 8GB LPDDR4x RAM | 64GB Flash Storage
- 12" 1366 x 912 IPS Touchscreen
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
HP 11.6" Fortis x360 G3 J Multi-Touch Chromebook
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4x RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 BrightView Touchscreen
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
HP 11.6" 32GB Chromebook 11 G9 EE Laptop
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4X RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 VA Display
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Dell 11.6" 32GB Chromebook 11 3110 Education Edition
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core
- 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 TN Display
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
HP 14" 14a-ca0040nr 32GB Chromebook x360 2-in-1 (Mineral and Natural Silver)
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4020 Dual-Core
- 4GB DDR4 RAM | 32GB eMMC Storage
- 14" FHD 1366 x 768 LCD Touchscreen
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600
HP 11.6" Fortis x360 G3 J Multi-Touch Chromebook
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core
- 8GB LPDDR4x RAM | 64GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 BrightView Touchscreen
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
HP 11.6" 64GB Chromebook x360 11 G4 EE Multi-Touch 2-in-1 Laptop
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N5100 Quad-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4X RAM | 64GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 VA Touchscreen
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Lenovo 11.6" 100e 32GB Chromebook Gen 3 Laptop (Gray)
- 2.8 GHz Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4x RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 TN Display
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
HP 14" 32GB Chromebook 14 G7 Laptop
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4X RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 VA Display
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Acer 11.6" 32GB Chromebook 311 (Shale Black)
- 2 GHz ARM Cortex A73 Quad-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4x RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 LCD Display
- Integrated Mali G72 MP3 Graphics
Acer 14" 32GB Chromebook 514 (Silver)
- 2 GHz ARM Cortex 8-Core Processor
- 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 14" 1920 x 1080 IPS Display
- Integrated ARM Mali G-57 MC5 Graphics
HP 11.6" 32GB Chromebook 11 G9 EE Multi-Touch Laptop
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4X RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 VA Touchscreen
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Acer 11.6" Spin 311 32 GB 2-in-1 Touchscreen Chromebook (Black)
- 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex Quad-Core Processor
- 4GB of RAM | 32GB Storage
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 IPS Touchscreen
- Integrated Mal-G72 MP3 Graphics
Acer 11.6" 32GB Chromebook 511 (Shale Black)
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4x RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 IPS Display
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
HP 14" 14a-na0260nr 64GB Chromebook
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4120 Quad-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4 | 64GB eMMC Storage
- 14" FHD 1920 x 1080 IPS Display
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600
HP 14" 32GB Chromebook 14 G7 Multi-Touch Laptop
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4X RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 VA Touchscreen
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
ASUS 15.6" 64GB Chromebook CX1
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4X | 64GB eMMC
- 15.6" 1920 x 1080 Display
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Other Buying Options
HP 11.6" 32GB Chromebook 11 G9 EE Laptop
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N5100 Quad-Core
- 8GB LPDDR4X RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 VA Display
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Lenovo 11.6" 500e 32GB Multi-Touch 2-in-1 Chromebook Gen 3 (Wi-Fi Only)
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4x RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 IPS Touchscreen
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Lenovo 11.6" 500e 32GB Multi-Touch 2-in-1 Chromebook Gen 3 (Wi-Fi Only)
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N5100 Quad-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4x RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 IPS Touchscreen
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
HP 14" 32GB Chromebook 14 G7 Multi-Touch Laptop
- 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core
- 8GB LPDDR4X RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 VA Touchscreen
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Acer 11.6" 32GB Chromebook 511 (Shale Black)
- 3.4 GHz Intel N100 Dual-Core
- 4GB LPDDR4x RAM | 32GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 IPS Display
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Dell 11.6" 64GB JSL 11 3110 Multi-Touch 2-in-1 Chromebook
- 1.1 GHz Intel N4500 Dual-Core
- 8GB LPDDR4x RAM | 64GB eMMC SSD
- 11.6" 1366 x 768 LCD Touchscreen
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Learning About Basic Laptops
The best basic laptop is one that's fast enough for everyday computing tasks such as web browsing and word processing. Such laptops are ideal for students and offices that don't run graphics-intensive software. Basic notebooks can also serve as secondary computers and complement heavier and more powerful mobile workstations.
What Are Basic Laptops?
A basic laptop is a budget notebook with a low-end but capable processor, and just enough memory to smoothly run its operating system. Such laptop computers fall into manufacturers' entry-level and mid-range lineups. Models with screen sizes between 10 and 12 inches are suitable for kids and grade-school students. College students and professionals should opt for 13 to 15-inch units. These have larger screens, which make multitasking with productivity apps easier.
Types of Basic Laptops
These come in clamshell and 2-in-1 styles. Clamshell is the traditional laptop form factor. Its screen opens up to a maximum angle between 90 and 180 degrees. Consider a 2-in-1 laptop if you're looking for a mobile computer that doubles as a tablet. These notebook laptops are available in convertible and detachable styles. A convertible laptop has a 360-degree hinge and a screen that folds down flat against its keyboard when transforming into a tablet. A detachable model has a display that separates from its keyboard.
What Operating System Do Basic Laptops Have?
Most laptops in this category are Windows PCs. Windows is the most popular desktop operating system, and has a vast library of productivity and entertainment apps. However, a growing number of basic laptops for sale come with Chrome OS. Also referred to as Chromebooks, these computers run a lightweight, cloud-based operating system that doesn't require powerful hardware. Chrome OS handles essential features such as antivirus protection, and it updates automatically in the background. This advantage makes Chromebooks a low-maintenance laptop, which is ideal for schools, small businesses and fun.
Features to Consider When Shopping for Budget Laptops
Key hardware features to consider include screen size and resolution, as well as CPU and RAM. Most laptops in this category have HD screens with high resolutions. Displays with higher resolutions are sharper and more suitable for watching movies. The type of display panel used is also important. IPS screens are brighter and display more vivid colors than TN panels. To minimize screen glare, look for a small laptop with a matte display rather than a glossy one.
Processor options for budget machines range from basic Intel Atom and Celeron CPUs to chips in the Core series. For quick performance, opt for a Core series CPU if choosing an Intel laptop, or a Ryzen chip when considering a device with an AMD processor. Generally, more RAM translates to faster performance.
Consider design, operating system, and hardware specs when shopping for the best basic laptop. Browse the wide selection of basic laptops B&H Photo and Video to find the right model for you.