Finding a capable laptop on a tight budget used to mean settling for sluggish performance, dim screens, and cheap plastic builds. Not anymore. In 2025, the budget laptop market has evolved dramatically, offering machines that rival mid-range options from just a few years ago. Whether you're a student, remote worker, or casual user, you can now get a genuinely good laptop for under $700. This comprehensive guide reveals the top budget laptops of 2025, what to look for when shopping, and how to avoid common pitfalls that waste your money.

Why 2025 Is the Best Year for Budget Laptops

The laptop industry has hit a sweet spot in 2025. Component prices have stabilized, manufacturers have optimized their supply chains, and the competition between AMD, Intel, and ARM-based processors has driven innovation down to entry-level price points.

Here's what makes 2025 budget laptops special:

• Better processors: Intel Core i5 13th gen and AMD Ryzen 5 7000 series at budget prices
• Adequate RAM: 8GB is now standard, with 16GB increasingly common under $700
• SSD storage: Mechanical hard drives are extinct in new laptops
• Improved displays: 1080p IPS screens with decent color accuracy
• All-day battery: 8-10 hours of real-world use is achievable

Top 7 Budget Laptops Under $700 in 2025

1. Lenovo IdeaPad 5 (15" AMD)

The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 with AMD Ryzen 5 7530U is the best overall budget laptop in 2025. This 15-inch machine delivers surprising performance thanks to its efficient 6-core processor, 16GB of RAM (upgradeable), and a 512GB NVMe SSD. The 1080p IPS display is bright enough for most environments, and the battery routinely lasts 9-10 hours with mixed use.

Key Specs:

• AMD Ryzen 5 7530U (6 cores, 12 threads)
• 16GB DDR4 RAM
• 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• 15.6" 1080p IPS display (300 nits)
• Battery: 9-10 hours real-world use
• Weight: 3.7 lbs

What We Love: The keyboard is comfortable for long typing sessions, the trackpad is responsive, and there's a good selection of ports including USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack. The aluminum lid gives it a more premium feel than you'd expect at this price.

Minor Drawbacks: The speakers are mediocre (use headphones), and the webcam is just 720p. Also, it's not the lightest at 3.7 pounds if you're frequently traveling.

2. ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED

If display quality is your priority, the ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED stands out with its gorgeous 15.6-inch OLED screen. Colors pop, blacks are truly black, and watching movies or editing photos is a genuinely enjoyable experience. Powered by Intel Core i5-1335U (10 cores), it handles everyday tasks with ease.

Key Specs:

• Intel Core i5-1335U (10 cores: 2P + 8E)
• 8GB DDR4 RAM (soldered, not upgradeable)
• 512GB NVMe SSD
• 15.6" 1080p OLED display (100% DCI-P3)
• Battery: 7-8 hours (OLED consumes more power)
• Weight: 3.5 lbs

What We Love: The OLED display is spectacular for the price—seriously, it rivals $1,200 laptops in screen quality. The ErgoLift hinge design slightly raises the keyboard for better ergonomics and improved cooling.

Minor Drawbacks: RAM is soldered at 8GB (can't upgrade later), and battery life is shorter than LCD competitors due to the OLED panel. If you need longevity for heavy multitasking, consider 16GB models.

3. HP Pavilion 15 (Intel)

HP's Pavilion line has long been a staple of the budget laptop market, and the 2025 model doesn't disappoint. With Intel Core i5-1335U, 12GB RAM, and solid build quality, it's a safe choice for students and professionals who need dependability.

Key Specs:

• Intel Core i5-1335U (10 cores)
• 12GB DDR4 RAM
• 256GB NVMe SSD
• 15.6" 1080p IPS display (250 nits)
• Battery: 8-9 hours
• Weight: 3.8 lbs

What We Love: HP's customer support is better than most budget brands. The laptop feels sturdy despite the plastic chassis, and thermals are well-managed. It runs cool even under sustained load.

Minor Drawbacks: The display is dimmer than competitors (250 nits), making outdoor use challenging. The 256GB storage is also tight—you'll likely need an external drive or cloud storage for large files.

4. Acer Aspire 5 (AMD Ryzen 7)

The Acer Aspire 5 packs more processing power than most budget laptops with its AMD Ryzen 7 5700U (8 cores). If you run multiple applications simultaneously, do light video editing, or play older games, this laptop punches above its weight class.

Key Specs:

• AMD Ryzen 7 5700U (8 cores, 16 threads)
• 16GB DDR4 RAM
• 512GB NVMe SSD
• 15.6" 1080p IPS display
• Battery: 8 hours
• Weight: 3.88 lbs

What We Love: That Ryzen 7 processor is legitimately fast—faster than many laptops costing $200 more. The backlit keyboard is useful for working in low light, and the port selection is excellent with USB-C, USB-A (x2), HDMI, and Ethernet.

Minor Drawbacks: The build quality feels less premium than Lenovo's offerings. The plastic chassis flexes slightly under pressure, though it's not a durability concern for normal use.

5. Dell Inspiron 15 3000

If you need to stay closer to $600, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 series delivers the essentials without major compromises. It won't win any performance awards, but for web browsing, document editing, and video streaming, it's perfectly adequate.

Key Specs:

• Intel Core i3-1215U (6 cores)
• 8GB DDR4 RAM
• 256GB NVMe SSD
• 15.6" 1080p TN display
• Battery: 7-8 hours
• Weight: 3.78 lbs

What We Love: Dell's reliability is hard to beat in the budget segment. The warranty support is responsive, and the laptop comes with minimal bloatware compared to some competitors.

Minor Drawbacks: The TN display has poor viewing angles and washed-out colors. If you can stretch to IPS models, it's worth the upgrade. The Core i3 is also noticeably slower than Core i5/Ryzen 5 options.

6. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3

The Surface Laptop Go 3 brings Microsoft's premium design language to the budget category. At 12.4 inches and 2.5 pounds, it's significantly lighter than 15-inch competitors, making it ideal for students and travelers who prioritize portability.

Key Specs:

• Intel Core i5-1235U (10 cores)
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB SSD
• 12.4" PixelSense touchscreen (1536x1024)
• Battery: 12-13 hours
• Weight: 2.5 lbs

What We Love: The touchscreen is responsive and useful for note-taking with a stylus (sold separately). Battery life is exceptional, easily lasting a full workday. The build quality feels like a laptop twice the price.

Minor Drawbacks: The smaller 12.4" screen isn't for everyone, especially if you multitask with multiple windows. Storage is limited at 256GB, and there's no USB-A port (only USB-C).

7. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i

If you live primarily in web browsers and Android apps, the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i offers incredible value. ChromeOS is lightweight, secure, and perfect for users who don't need Windows-specific software.

Key Specs:

• Intel Core i3-1215U
• 8GB RAM
• 128GB eMMC storage
• 13.3" 1080p IPS touchscreen (convertible 2-in-1)
• Battery: 10-12 hours
• Weight: 3.3 lbs

What We Love: The 2-in-1 convertible design with tablet mode is genuinely useful. Battery life crushes most Windows laptops at this price. The keyboard has excellent key travel, and the 1080p touchscreen is bright and vibrant.

Minor Drawbacks: Limited to Chrome apps and Android apps—can't run full desktop software like Photoshop or traditional Windows programs. The 128GB storage is tight even for ChromeOS (relies heavily on cloud storage).

What to Look for in a Budget Laptop

Processor (CPU)

The processor is your laptop's brain. In 2025, avoid anything older than Intel 11th gen or AMD Ryzen 5000 series. The sweet spot is:

• Intel: Core i5-1235U or newer (look for 12th/13th gen)
• AMD: Ryzen 5 5500U or newer (7000 series is current)

Avoid Pentium, Celeron, or Athlon processors—they struggle with basic multitasking and will frustrate you within a year.

RAM (Memory)

Minimum: 8GB for basic use (web browsing, office apps)
Recommended: 16GB if you multitask or keep many browser tabs open

Check if the RAM is upgradeable. Soldered RAM can't be expanded later, so buy more upfront if budget allows.

Storage

Mandatory: SSD (Solid State Drive)
Never buy a laptop with a mechanical hard drive (HDD) in 2025—it will be painfully slow. Aim for:

• Minimum: 256GB NVMe SSD
• Ideal: 512GB NVMe SSD

Most modern laptops let you upgrade storage later, but check compatibility before purchasing replacement drives.

Display

Essential display factors:

• Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p) minimum—avoid 768p screens
• Panel type: IPS is far superior to TN for colors and viewing angles
• Brightness: 250 nits minimum (300+ nits is better for bright rooms)

If you consume lots of media, consider OLED displays for superior contrast and colors.

Battery Life

Advertised battery life is always optimistic. Expect real-world use to be 60-70% of the manufacturer's claim. Look for laptops rated at 10+ hours to get a realistic 7-8 hours of mixed use.

Build Quality

At this price point, most laptops use plastic chassis. Look for:

• Minimal keyboard/trackpad flex
• Sturdy hinges that don't wobble
• Aluminum lid (adds rigidity)

Common Budget Laptop Mistakes to Avoid

Budget Laptops vs. Refurbished Premium Laptops

Here's a consideration many buyers overlook: a refurbished premium laptop from 2-3 years ago might offer better performance, build quality, and longevity than a brand-new budget model.

For example:

• Refurbished 2022 MacBook Air M1 ($599-699): Better display, keyboard, trackpad, and performance than most $700 Windows laptops
• Refurbished ThinkPad T480 ($400-500): Business-grade durability with upgradeable RAM and storage, still very capable in 2025
• Refurbished Dell XPS 13 from 2021 ($600-700): Premium ultrabook build with superior display and materials

Trade-offs: Older processors mean slightly lower performance in demanding tasks, and battery health may be degraded. But if build quality and user experience matter more than having the latest specs, refurbished premium models are worth considering.

How Long Will a Budget Laptop Last?

With proper care, a quality budget laptop should serve you well for 3-5 years for basic tasks. To maximize longevity:

• Keep the operating system and drivers updated
• Use a cooling pad if you frequently max out the CPU
• Clean dust from vents every 6 months
• Avoid extreme temperatures
• Use a laptop bag when transporting

The most common failure point is the battery, which typically degrades to 70-80% capacity after 2-3 years. Replacement batteries cost $40-80 for most models.

Final Verdict: Which Budget Laptop Should You Buy?

Conclusion

The budget laptop market in 2025 offers exceptional value if you know what to look for. Gone are the days of choosing between performance and price—you can genuinely have both under $700. Whether you prioritize portability (Surface Laptop Go 3), display quality (ASUS VivoBook OLED), or raw performance (Acer Aspire 5 Ryzen 7), there's a budget laptop that fits your needs perfectly.

Remember: specs tell only part of the story. Read reviews, test the keyboard and trackpad in-store if possible, and consider the total ownership experience. A slightly more expensive laptop that you enjoy using daily is worth more than a spec monster you hate touching.

With the recommendations in this guide, you're equipped to make an informed decision and get the best budget laptop for your money in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions