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You might be surprised to see laptop reviews on a travel site. But the era we are in now demands almost everyone to have a personal computer for some purpose – work, education, entertainment, and so on. Like most people, I use laptops that can handle my daily tasks quickly and that are also lightweight enough to be travel-friendly. From my experience with several laptops and research, I’ve decided to write reviews about laptops in different price ranges.
The general expectation we all have of our newly-purchased laptop is for it to perform the majority of our daily tasks quickly and without any lag. This makes all-purpose laptops suitable for most people. All-purpose laptops, as the name implies, are designed to handle the daily computing needs of most people from moderate gaming to photo and even video editing.
There are hundreds of brands available on the market offering different types of all-purpose laptops. If you have a budget of or below $600, there is a lot of room for you to work with. I’ve researched and tested several laptops to bring you the very best laptops under $600 available on the market today. The aim is to save you from the stressful and often, herculean task of searching for a laptop.
Below, you’ll find my honest thoughts on the laptops, their pros and cons as well as a buying guide to help choose a laptop that best meets your needs.
The 7 Best Laptops Under 600 Dollars for 2024
HP 14″ HD Laptop
The HP AMD Athlon Silver 3050U is a great all-purpose laptop for people looking for a machine that can handle all their daily tasks with ease. I like the lightweight design of this laptop as it makes it very travel-friendly. Despite the lightweight design, this laptop feels pretty sturdy and well-built.
One of the best features of this laptop is the good screen resolution which is very clear and the keyboard is very responsive and good for typing. Battery life is also impressive as this laptop can easily last over 8 hours after being fully charged.
When it comes to OS, this laptop comes pre-installed with Windows 10 S which only allows the installation of applications that are verified by Microsoft. So you can consider removing Windows 10 S depending on your needs.
This laptop comes in different specifications. You could buy the 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD storage model, or the 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD storage model depending on your budget. Although you may have to upgrade the 4GB Ram model later (if you go for it) as you may experience some lagging when multitasking. And the CPU of this laptop functions admirably, especially for the price point.
Quick Specifications
- Screen size: 14 inches
- Laptop size: 12.8 x 8.9 x 0.8 in / 32.5 x 22.6 x 2 cm
- Weight: 3.24 lbs / 1469 g
- Processor: AMD Athlon Silver 3050U (Dual-core)
- RAM: 16GB (DDR4)
- Graphics card: AMD Radeon
- Hard disk: 512GB SSD
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Battery life: up to 10 hours
Pros
- Lightweight and attractive.
- Good screen resolution.
- Good battery life.
- Different models with different specifications give you more flexibility when it comes to price and performance.
- Easily upgrade path.
- Sturdy and well-built.
Cons
- No major shortcomings. You may have to upgrade the ram of the 4GB RAM model to speed up performance if you multi-task a lot.
Acer Aspire 5 15.6″ LaptopOur Top Pick
The Acer Aspire 5 comes with several enticing features that make it one of the best laptops you can get for under $600. There is the 15.6 in full HD Widescreen LED-backlit display with 1920 x 1080 pixels of resolution. And the Acer Bluelight Shield feature helps protect your eyes from glare allowing you to work longer and more comfortably.
Thanks to the 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U processor, the Aspire 5 is very fast and the 8GB RAM makes multitasking a breeze on this machine. The included graphics unit – Intel UHD Graphics 620 – will be of particular interest to gamers and video editors. And the full-size backlit keyboard makes typing in dim environments easy.
I must mention the fingerprint reader tech that allows you to log-in to the system with just a single touch thereby eliminating the need for typing a password. Battery life is downright amazing and you get up to 9.5 hours of battery backup on a full charge.
Perhaps the only con of this laptop is the 256GB SSD storage which may not be enough for some users. But it’s pretty standard for laptops in this price range to have 256GB SSD storage. And remember that SSD is faster than HDD.
Quick Specifications
- Screen size: 15.6 inches
- Laptop size: 14.31 x 9.86 x 0.71 inches / 36 x 25x 1.8 cm
- Weight: 3.97 pounds / 1800 g
- Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor
- RAM: 8GB (DDR4)
- Graphics card: Intel UHD Graphics
- Hard disk: 256GB SSD
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Battery life: up to 9 hours
Pros
- Wide screen with impressive resolution.
- Fast processor and included graphics unit.
- Full-size backlit keyboard.
- Fingerprint reader tech.
- Amazing battery life.
- Multi-tasks efficiently.
- IPS technology provides the best viewing experience and perspective, seamlessly.
Cons
- 256GB SSD storage may disappoint some users. You may consider upgrading the storage though.
Lenovo Ideapad 3 15.6″ Laptop
2020 Newest Lenovo Ideapad 3 15 Laptop Computer/ 15.6" FHD/ 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 Beat i5-7200U/ 8GB DDR4/ 256GB PCIe SSD/ Work from Home/ Windows...
The Lenovo Ideapad 3 is an affordable laptop with an excellent 15 in display that offers the kind of performance you’ll see in more expensive laptops and that’s why the Ideapad 3 is included in this list. The aesthetics associated with this laptop are carefully selected and the result of that is a lightweight machine that weighs a mere 4 lbs making the Ideapad 3 travel-friendly. I like that this laptop doesn’t compromise on durability despite the lightweight design.
This laptop can easily handle basic to advanced functions courtesy of the 10th Gen Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM. The 1920 x 1080p resolution is one of the brightest you’ll encounter at this price range. And the battery life is very good as you get 8 hours battery backup after a full charge.
Lenovo is renowned for producing laptops with comfortable keyboards and the Ideapad 3 doesn’t break the trend. It’d be nice if the keyboard had backlighting but this feature isn’t standard at this price range. On the other hand, the 4.1 x 2.6-inch touchpad is very responsive and performs windows 10 gestures effortlessly.
Quick Specifications
- Screen size: 15.6 inches
- Laptop size: 14.25 x 9.98 x 0.79 inches / 36 x 25x 2 cm
- Weight: 4.07 pounds / 1846 g
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i3
- RAM: 8GB (DDR4)
- Graphics card: Intel UHD Graphics
- Hard disk: 256GB SSD
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Battery life: up to 7.5 hours
Pros
- Travel-friendly.
- Strong performance.
- Sturdy construction.
- Comfortable and responsive keyboard.
- Good battery life.
- Responsive touchpad.
Cons
- Not great for gaming. If gaming is your poison, you should take a look at models with more performance (costs more also).
- No keyboard backlighting. However, keyboard backlighting is not standard at this price range.
HP Pavilion 15.6″ HD Laptop
2020 HP Pavilion 15.6" HD Laptop Computer, Intel Dual-core Pentium Processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, HD Webcam, Intel UHD Graphics 605, Bluetooth, USB-C,...
The HP Pavilion features a 15.6″ diagonal HD SVA Display with a 1366 x 768 resolution that boasts impressive color and clarity. The anti-glare feature of the screen not only saves power but also allows you to work longer and more comfortably by reducing glare reaching your eyes. And the processor is fast thanks to the incorporated Intel Pentium processor.
The 16GB DDR4 is impressive and makes multitasking a breeze. Also, the high-bandwidth RAM allows you to run games smoothly, something gamers will be delighted about. The 256GB SSD saves files fast and performs fast overall. While some people may want more storage, 256GB SSD storage is standard for this price range. You’ll have to pay extra for more storage space.
HP’s keyboards are generally comfortable and I’m glad that the HP Pavilion is no exception. HP also included an Intel UHD Graphics 605 for casual gaming, basic photo editing, movies, and internet use. The laptop comes preloaded with Windows 10 S.
Quick Specifications
- Screen size: 15.6 inches
- Laptop size: 14.11 x 9.53 x 0.78 inches / 36 x 24 x 2 cm
- Weight: 3.93 pounds / 1782 g
- Processor: Intel Dual-core Pentium Processor
- RAM: 16GB (DDR4)
- Graphics card: Intel UHD Graphics
- Hard disk: 256GB SSD
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Battery life: up to 8 hours
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Impressive resolution.
- Anti-glare feature.
- High-bandwidth RAM.
- Fast processor.
- Durable.
Cons
- 256GB SSD storage may disappoint some people. But you can always get more storage space at extra cost.
Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Series Laptop
The Dell Inspiron 15 is a very stylish looking laptop. I particularly like the matte black textured finish as it allows this laptop to take a bit of abuse without showing any scratches or prints prominently. The sleek and slim chassis complements the aesthetics well making this unit a very friendly-travel good looking laptop.
Thanks to the 8GB RAM, you can run several applications simultaneously without lag. When it comes to storage space, there are two options available. You have the 1TB HDD storage option and the 256SSD storage option. While SSDs are faster than HDDs, your storage needs should be the main deciding factor here.
The 10th Gen Intel Core i3 processor is powerful and powerful enough to handle your daily tasks. I also like the large size of the display as well as the good resolution that displays images and videos of high clarity. The anti-glare feature of the display is a nice feature and it helps reduce strain on your eyes after staring at the screen for a long time.
Quick Specifications
- Screen size: 15.6 inches
- Laptop size: 15 x 10.2 x 0.78 inches / 38 x 24 x 2 cm
- Weight: 4.84 pounds / 2195 g
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1
- RAM: 8GB
- Graphics card: Intel UHD Graphics
- Hard disk: 256GB SSD / 1TB HDD
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Battery life: up to 8 hours
Pros
- Sleek and lightweight.
- High-bandwidth RAM.
- Good display.
- High storage capacity (for the ITB HDD model).
- Fast and powerful processor.
- Anti-glare feature.
Cons
- N/A.
Asus VivoBook 15 Laptop
The Asus Vivobook is a powerful configuration laptop that comes with a 15.6-inch full HD display. There is also the splendid Asus software enhancement that delivers impressive color and clarity from a wide angle. The 10th Gen Intel Core i3 is capable of handling your everyday tasks and the 8GB RAM makes multitasking easy.
With a weight of under 4 lbs, this laptop is very portable and easy to travel with, a feature that will come in handy for most people.
This laptop comes has two models under $600 that have 128GB SSD and 256GB SSD storage. The 128GB may prove to be too small for most people while the 256GB SSD is standard for a laptop under $600. You can also get more RAM and SSD storage if you are willing to pay extra. Else, I’d advise you to go for the 256GB SSD storage model.
You’ll be happy to learn that this Asus Vivobook comes with a backlit keyboard, a feature that isn’t common in laptops belonging to this price range. And the backlit keyboard brings about a comfortable working experience in a dark place.
Quick Specifications
- Screen size: 15.6 inches
- Laptop size: 14.1 x 9.1 x 0.8 inches / 35.8 x 23 x 2 cm
- Weight: 3.75 pounds / 1700 g
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1
- RAM: 8GB (DDR4)
- Graphics card: Intel UHD Graphics
- Hard disk: 256GB SSD
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Battery life: up to 8 hours
Pros
- Lightweight design.
- High-bandwidth RAM.
- Fast processor.
- Impressive resolution.
- Backlit keyboard.
- Well-built.
Cons
- Storage is limited, especially for the 128GB version.
HP 2in1 Chromebook 14″ FHD Touchscreen Laptop
If you think all Chromebooks are small, plasticky, and underpowered, then this HP Chromebook is going to change your opinion of Chromebooks. This HP Chromebook is more like a high-end mainstream Windows 10 laptop but you get to enjoy the security and simplicity of Chrome OS. Mobility isn’t a concern with this laptop as it’s very portable and lightweight.
The 15.6-inch screen is bigger than what you’d get from most Chromebooks. I like that the display is a touchscreen which will come in handy when using Android apps available through the Google Play store. And the Intel Core i3 processor provides enough processing power to handle tasks more demanding than internet browsing like mobile gaming.
Thanks to the 8GB RAM, you can easily open several apps and tabs. And there are multiple storage space options available for a budget below $600. The backlit keyboard makes it easy to type in a dim/dark environment and the fingerprint reader provides more security and convenience.
Quick Specifications
- Screen size: 14 inches
- Laptop size: 12.82 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches / 32.5 x 20.8 x 2 cm
- Weight: 3.64 pounds / 1651 g
- Processor: Intel Core i3-10110U
- RAM: 8GB
- Graphics card: Intel UHD Graphics
- Hard disk: 64GB eMMC storage
- Operating System: Chrome OS
- Battery life: up to 7 hours
Pros
- Portable and lightweight.
- Touchscreen and fingerprint reader.
- Good RAM capacity.
- Good processing power.
- Backlit keyboard.
- Multiple storage space options available.
Cons
- Chromebooks still aren’t for everyone and you are better off with a laptop running Windows 10 if you need to run Windows Software.
Best Laptops Under $600 – The Guide
There are a lot of things to put into consideration when buying a laptop in order to choose one that will meet your needs. A laptop that is right for me may not be ideal for you. As a result, I’ll be talking about the factors you need to consider when buying a laptop under $600.
What Can You Expect From a $600 Laptop?
I don’t need to spell it out to you that $600 isn’t going to get you the best of the very best laptops available on the market. Also, it’s important to know what you’d get from a laptop under $600 so you’ll have realistic expectations from these laptops.
Generally, laptops under $600 are portable and easy to transport. While the display size ranges, you can get budget laptops under $600 with a display size of up to 15 inches. The resolution is also good as you can get full 1080p HD resolution. Anti-glare and touchscreen features are also common.
For storage size, 256GB SSD is standard at this price range. You may be able to get more storage space with a hard disk drive (HDD). But SSDs are the latest laptop storage technology and are renowned for their improved speed and performance over HDDs.
CPU is limited at this price range and the maximum you can get is Intel Core i3 but overall, you’ll get enough processing power for your daily tasks. About RAM capacity, you will be able to get up to 8GB RAM with a budget of $600 which will allow you to multitask seamlessly.
You can expect to get comfortable keyboards. However, don’t bank on keyboard backlit as it isn’t standard at this price range. And you can expect to get good battery life lasting between 6-10 hours.
How To Choose Your Laptop
Processor
You have probably seen stickers reading corei3, corei5, and so on plastered on laptops. And what you’ve seen is the CPU/processor of the laptop. The CPU is responsible for processing tasks on the laptop and is essentially the brain of the system. The higher the processor capacity, the higher the performance of the laptop.
Expect not to get beyond core i3 at this price range. Core i3 is more than capable to handle your daily tasks.
RAM
This is another factor to consider when buying a laptop. RAM is responsible for multitasking and having a good RAM bandwidth allows you to multitask without any lag. The minimum RAM bandwidth you should go for if you want to multitask without lag is 8GB. Anything below this will slow down the device.
Gaming enthusiasts and video editors can also go for models with more RAM capacity, albeit at more cost.
Size
A very important factor you must put into consideration. The size of the laptop is related to the weight and portability. And since you’ll most likely be carrying your system around, you need to consider a lightweight laptop that’s travel friendly. 11 to 12-inches laptops usually weigh between 2.5 to 3.5 pounds while 13 to 15 inches are usually under 4 pounds or a bit above 4 pounds. Any of these options are portable and can be easily carried about.
Pay special attention to size if you want the lightest and travel-friendly laptops.
Graphics Card
Graphics cards are pieces of hardware that produce the image on a computer screen, And the better the graphics card, the better the image produced. People using their laptops for standard tasks like surfing the internet, creating documents, or watching movies don’t have any special graphics card need. But people branching into gaming and video editing will benefit from having laptops with powerful graphics cards.
Screen Quality
Since you’ll most likely be staring at your laptop screen for hours, it’s important you go for a laptop that has a comfortable screen. Touch screen feature is common among laptops under $600 today and this makes your task easier.
However, using the touchscreen will add more glossiness to the display which makes the screens more susceptible to glare. The good news is that there are many laptops in this price range with an anti-glare feature.
Display resolution is another thing to look at. A screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 will give you clear and sharp images. Usually, you can get a higher resolution than this at this price range.
Battery Life
Whatever it is you want to use your laptop for, you should always make sure it has good battery life. There is nothing like having too much battery life, is there? Go for laptops that can last at least 8 hours so the laptop can get you through most of the day.
Keyboard
Comfortable and accurate typing makes working on your laptop easier so go for laptops that offer this. It’s always beneficial to have a backlit keyboard but this isn’t common in this price range.
Storage Capacity
An important feature to look out for in a laptop as you want a laptop that can easily save all your files. I’d advise you not to go below 256GB SSD at this price range. Even laptops with 256GB SSD may not be enough for some people. And getting more storage space means paying extra.
You will get more storage space if the laptop comes with an HDD instead of an SSD. But newer laptops now use Solid State Drives (SSDs) which has a number of advantages over HDDs like faster bootup times, which gamers and video editors will especially find beneficial, and improved performance overall.
Final Thoughts
Buying a laptop on a budget requires a lot of work as you have to look at the different specifications to choose the one that best meets your needs. But the good news is the laptops I selected can perform a wide range of tasks from video editing, programming, designing, or general use. So you can be certain of getting a laptop that meets your needs on this list.
Use the buying guide to choose a laptop and if you are still not sure which to choose, I’ll be happy to help out. Just contact me through the comment section!
