With a bit of research, you can buy a laptop that should serve all your needs according to your budget whether it is for college, office, or for entertainment purposes.
If you want a budget laptop under $600, you can’t really expect top-notch performance. You will have to compromise on a thing or two. But that doesn’t mean you go ahead and buy a Core 2 Duo laptop just because it is cheap.
Laptops need to be versatile, run demanding programs, yet stay compact enough to carry with you. Even though workstations are becoming more and more common, portability is a good feature to have.
Here are the best laptops under $600 that can offer all of the above, in bits and pieces, and then some more!
A Quick Buyer’s Guide
It is all about spending your money on the perfect laptop. There are a lot of options out there.
Here’s how you can get the right hang of your laptop needs!
Pick a platform
You should already know that laptops are powered by different operating systems. There are currently three prominent operating systems available – Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS.
Windows is the most versatile option for students and enterprise use. It is also the most user-friendly operating system and gives the most freedom to its users.
Chrome OS is certainly new and will give you an Android experience on your laptop. Mostly available on Chromebooks, it is a work-in-progress but a great option for students.
macOS, on the other hand, is the premium operating system. It best suits content creators and entrepreneurs due to its security and bantamweight performance.
Figure out your needs, pick the right platform, and half of your work is done.
Traditional Laptop or 2-in-1?
Now comes the most difficult part. As the market is looming with 2-in-1 laptops, it can be hard to decide which one to go with.
Performance-wise, there is not much of a difference between a traditional laptop and a 2-in-1 laptop. However, 2-in-1 laptops offer additional functionality. That is, it can be used as a tablet as well because these offer touch support.
Choose the Right Size
The screen size is also an essential factor to consider. You will find laptops in sizes 11-12 inches, 13-14 inches, 15-16 inches, and 17-18 inches.
Generally, students and programmers prefer 15-16 inch laptops. 13-14 inch laptops are great for managerial use such as sending emails, making presentations, and other similar tasks. 17-18 inch laptops can be too large to carry.
If portability is a major concern, screen size doesn’t really matter.
Pick your Specs
If you are performance-oriented, take a closer look at the hardware specs of the laptop you want to buy. Most importantly you need to look at the processor, the GPU, and the RAM.
In terms of processors, there are plenty of options. From high-end processors like the 10th Gen Intel Core CPUs to cheap ones like the AMD series, you will have different types of processors with different capabilities.
The same goes for GPUs. You won’t find the Intel Iris XE graphics in a laptop under $600, but Intel UHD Graphics you will.
Here are the minimum specs you should look for in a laptop under $600:
- CPU: Intel Core i5 Processor, or higher. AMD Ryzen 5 processor, if you want an AMD laptop
- GPU: At least Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 or higher
- Storage: Minimum 258 GB SSD
- Battery Backup: At least 8 hours
- Screen Resolution: At least 1080p Full HD Resolution
Also, pay close attention to clock speeds, turbo boost, graphic cards, number of ports, type of display screen(IPS is best), and WiFi gen.
Battery Life
You would want a laptop that can run uninterrupted until your work is done. Seven hours is a more than decent battery life.
Most laptops offer decent battery life.You need to pick one according to your usage.
These are some common factors you need to look into when buying a laptop. Based on these factors, you will be able to make an informed decision.
Now that you know what to look for in a laptop let’s get down to the review section.
Best Laptops Under $600
All these laptops are picked by our team after thorough research. There are other models under the same price range, but these are better performance-wise and more versatile.
Let’s jump right into the product reviews.
10. Asus Vivobook 15 M515
Best Budget Vivobook With An AMD CPU & GPU
We start our list of best laptops under $600 with the Asus Vivobook 15 M515. A not-so stylish laptop with a sole focus on performance. Equipped with a top-of-the-line AMD processor, a nice and big display screen, and a decent battery, the Asus Vivobook 15 is as good as it gets under $600.
It is in no way an ugly laptop. It’s just a basic-looking gray laptop, which is highly portable and equally durable.
Even with a reinforced chassis, the laptop weighs a little over 4 pounds. The long battery life and portability make it great for people who are always on the go.
The fact that it runs on an AMD processor and has an integrated AMD graphics card is a testament to its performance levels. It handles light gaming just as well as it handles heavy-duty work.
With a blistering fast PCIe SSD; boot ups, switching between programs, and multitasking is a fast and ultra-smooth experience.
The highlight for us is the fingerprint sensor and Windows Hello. You can sign in by simply tapping your finger. It is much more secure than passwords and pin codes.
Technical Specifications
- Display: 15.6 inch
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5700U with 4.3 GHz clock speed
- Hard Drive: 512 GB SSD
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Graphics Coprocessor: AMD Radeon Graphics
- Graphics Card RAM: 8 GB
- Wireless Type: 802.11ac, Bluetooth
- Ports: USB 3.2 Type-C & Type-A, USB 2.0, Audio Jack, HDMI output
- Card Description: Integrated
Pros
- Strong/reinforced chassis
- Fast overall performance
- Stable and fast web browsing
- Better security
Cons
- No color choice
- No Numpad
9. Microsoft Surface Go
Premium 2-in-1 Laptop From Microsoft
When it comes to 2-in-1 laptops, Microsoft Surface Go is surely one of the best laptops under $600 for work.
Credit to Miscrofot, it looks like a premium tablet with thick bezels and a niche keyboard attached. It is a laptop though.
Microsoft Surface Go and Laptops are designed for everyday work and play. The sleek and slim design with a stunning 10-inch PixelSense touchscreen display is perfect for binge-watching, working, and browsing.
The best part is that it is designed for the latest version of the Windows operating system and it comes with Office 365. So, entrepreneurs, managers, and business owners will love the performance it provides.
The Surface laptop runs on a reliable dual-core processor. Windows 10 S mode provides the necessary levels of security too. This 3-in-1 laptop is versatile, adjustable, and ultra-portable.
With the laptop mode, you can normally work with the keyboard. In the tablet mode, you can close the kickstand and fold or detach the Signature Type cover for a stand-alone, ultra-portable Intel laptop, and, in the studio mode, you can lower the kickstand for a perfectly tilted and drawing angle that works best with the Surface Pen.
- High res 10 inch PixelSense: Display designed to be viewed,...
- Lightest surface yet, starting at 1.15 pounds. Touch: 10...
- All day battery life, with upto 9 hours of unplugged power....
- Runs Windows 10 Home in S Mode, streamlined for security and...
Technical Specifications
- Display: 10 inch
- Screen resolution: 1800 x 1200
- Processor: 1.6 ghz intel pentium gold
- Hard Drive: flash memory solid state
- RAM: 8gb ddr4
- Graphics Coprocessor: intel uhd graphics 630
- Graphics Card RAM: 2gb
- Wireless Type: 802.11 a/b/g
- Ports: headphone jack, sd card reader, usb type-c
- Battery Backup: 9 hours
- Operating System: windows 10 s
- Rear Webcam Resolution: 8 mp
Pros
- HD display and quality speakers
- Surprisingly strong graphics
- Has a surface connect port
- Good battery
Cons
- Accessories sold separately
- Windows desktop mode feels cramped
8. Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 Chromebook
Best Chromebook From Dell with Android App Support
Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 Chromebook is an interesting laptop thanks to features like convertibility and Android app support. The laptop features some pretty solid specs. The 14-inch laptop has a 1080p HD display with a powerful dual-core processor.
It comes in an aluminum chassis. This is not one of those light laptops, but it delivers powerful performance for the money. It is a laptop that’s great for web browsing, because of the optimization of Chrome OS.
Chrome OS is much better as a tablet operating system as compared to Windows 10, thanks to Android support. You can enjoy some productive Android apps on this laptop.
Comparing the Surface laptop with a Chromebook, you will find that a Chromebook offers a smoother experience because it runs a lighter operating system.
It still has the trademark Dell laptop Chiclet-style backlit keyboard that’s quite great for your wrist while typing – it is precise, and not under or over-sensitive. Some users may feel like the keyboard is a bit sunken, but it is the new design that people have been preferring these days.
However, it is disappointing to see a laptop without the function keys. Users who are not accustomed to such keyboards may find it difficult to operate at first.
Within the Chromebook category, this is the best laptop under $600.
- 14. 0 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) TrueLife LED Backlight Touch...
- 8th generation Intel Core i3-8130U processor 2. 2 gigahertz
- 4GB system memory for basic multitasking; 128GB eMMC flash...
- 360° flip-and-fold design; Intel UHD Graphics 620;...
Technical Specifications
- Display: 14 inch
- Screen Resolution: 1800 x 1200
- Processor: 2.2 GHz Intel Core i3-550
- Hard Drive: 128GB eMMC
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Graphics Coprocessor: Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Optical Drive Type: BD-R
- Wireless Type: Bluetooth
- Ports: USB Type-C, HDMI Port, SD Card Reader
- Card Description: Integrated
- Operating System: Chrome OS
- Hard Drive Interface: IDE
Pros
- Highly functional backlit keyboard and trackpad
- Convertible form factor – 360° flip-and-fold design
- Built-in pen
- Best for basic multitasking
Cons
- Poor Android app collection
- Heavy
7. Acer Aspire 5
Best Cheap Business Laptop
Acer continuously makes some of the best laptops in every category, but they excel in making the best budget laptops. Acer Aspire 5 is the best budget laptop under $600, from Acer.
Acer Swift is widely regarded as the best business laptop from Acer, but the Aspire 5 beats it hands down.
It comes with an AMD chip, weighs 3.6 pounds, and is only 18 millimeters thick. This combination of price, weight, and size is not easy to find in an AMD laptop.
It is a budget-friendly laptop that will give you everything for basic work. It is a powerful and portable laptop, housing the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Mobile processor, which can tackle casual gaming, basic photo editing, and much more with 3.5GHz clock speed.
The new 15.5-inch LED-backlit display offers sharp and crisp visuals, while the thin bezels provide a bigger screen to work with. You can take it wherever you go. The aluminum top cover and light design give it a premium look.
Of all the features that this laptop boasts, the Acer TrueHarmony speakers installed in this model will amp up your entertainment nights. With more volume and deeper bass with its innovative speaker design, you can watch movies and games to the utmost.
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Dual Core Processor (Up to 3.5GHz); 4GB...
- 15.6 inches full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED backlit IPS...
- 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports & 1 HDMI port with...
Technical Specifications
- Display: 15.6 inch
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 320 3.5 GHz
- Hard Drive: 128GB
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Graphics Coprocessor: AMD Radeon Vega 3
- Optical Drive Type: None
- Wireless Type: 802.11 Wireless ac router
- Ports: 1 USB 3.1 Port, 2 USB 2.0 Ports, HDMI with HDCP support
- Card Description: Integrated Graphics Card
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Hard Drive Interface: Solid State
Pros
- Up to 8 hours battery life
- Decent performance
- Good build quality
- Has an HDMI Port
Cons
- Below par display quality
- Lacklustre touchpad
6. HP Pavilion 15 – Best laptop under $600 with SSD
Multi-Purpose Laptop With A Touchscreen
HP Pavilion 15 is known for its modern design features that undercut the majority of the competition. It is an ideal laptop for office workers and students that packs some powerful performance features.
When we talk about the design, Pavilion 15 features the right-angled triangles, a micro-drilled motif that creates a slightly retro diamond shape.
The laptop is equipped with two speakers that are installed behind this triangular wave. The speakers are tuned with the high-end Danish audio brand Bang and Olufsen.
Compared to most laptops mentioned above, the Pavilion 15 is fairly big and boasts a full-sized keyboard with a screen size of 15.6 inches. It is slightly on the heavier side, weighing approximately 4lbs. Still, it appears light and slim, making it easy to carry around from school to home or office.
The best aspect of this laptop is its full-size backlit keyboard. It is very easy to type on, and the gentle underlighting allows you to work away late at night without any complications.
- Fast Processor 10th Generation intel(r) core(tm) i5-1035g1...
- Display 15.6 Inch diagonal HD SVA bright View micro-edge...
- Fast boot up with SSD Boot up in seconds transfer files...
- 1 HDMI 1 4b 1 headphone/microphone combo 1 USB 3 1 Type-C...
Technical Specifications
- Display: 15.6 inch
- Screen Resolution: 1366 x 768
- Processor: 3.6 GHz Intel Core i5 Family
- Hard Drive: 512 GB SSD
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- Graphics Coprocessor: Intel UHD Graphics
- Optical Drive Type: None
- Ports: 2 USB 3.1 Type-A Ports, 1 USB 3.1 Type C Port, Audio Jack, HDMI output
- Card Description: Dedicated Graphics Card
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Hard Drive Interface: Solid State
Pros
- Incredible sound features
- Backlit keyboard
- Extra-wide trackpad
- LED-backlit display with touch support
Cons
- The display is merely average
- Slightly pricier for what you get
5. Lenovo Flex 14 2-in-1
Best 2-in-1 Laptop With a 4K Touchscreen
Lenovo Flex 14 is an attractive convertible laptop with a 14-inch FHD touchscreen display. Recently, Lenovo has been designing some of the lightest work and business laptops around. The Lenovo Flex 14 is AMD compatible and is incredibly portable that can be used as a tablet on the go.
The first thing you will notice in this Lenovo laptop is its lightweight design. It is powered by a cutting-edge AMD Ryzen processor to boost your productivity and creativity.
The powerful processor and the 4K touchscreen display will enhance your multimedia experience, whether you are collaborating online, streaming, or gaming. This laptop will make sure that you enjoy a seamless performance with some amazing visuals.
Another significant aspect of the Lenovo Flex 14 is its battery life. It can offer up to 8 hours of non-stop use, allowing you to play, work, and stay in the loop all day. The best part is that you can recharge 80% of the battery in just one hour. So there is no stopping you from doing your work.
Moreover, the connectivity on this laptop is excellent. It offers an HDMI port, a USB-C port, an audio jack, and power adapter input on the left.
On the opposite, there is a pair of USB 3.1 ports, a card reader, a power button, and a Novo button. Overall, the connectivity is better than most convertible laptops in the same price range.
- With a 1920 x 1080 full HD touch screen display and the...
- Comprehensive, built-in, ongoing protection with Windows 10...
- Convenient true block privacy shutter allows you to...
- With the included active pen, you can draw or take notes...
Technical Specifications
- Display: 14 inch
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Processor: AMD Ryzen R Series 2.1 GHz
- Hard Drive: Flash Memory
- RAM: 12GB DDR4
- Graphics Coprocessor: Radeon Vega 8
- Optical Drive Type: None
- Wireless Type: Bluetooth
- Ports: USB Type-C, USB 3.0 and 3.1 Type-A, HDMI, SD Card Reader
- Card Description: Integrated Graphics Card
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Hard Drive Interface: Serial ATA
Pros
- Fast charging features
- Full-sized ports
- Powerful innards
- Portable design
Cons
- The display appears to be more reflective
- Lacks a discrete graphics option
4. HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-dk0020nr
Best Budget Gaming Laptop From HP
Considering the features and the hardware that a gaming laptop requires, it’s difficult to find one under $600. That said, the HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop is one of the best budget gaming laptops in the market right now.
With hardware specs including a 9th gen Intel Core i5 processor, dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics card, and a 256 GB SSD, this is the best gaming laptop on our list.
Not to mention the futuristic design and the unique color combination of the body. The aggressive edges on the lid and the Micro-Edge bezels of the screen make a great-looking laptop.
There is just one problem: it isn’t under $600, at least right now. But it still makes for an excellent price to performance.
All-in-all, HP has put out a delightful budget gaming laptop. With a 1080p FHD anti-glare display, 60Hz refresh rate, and advanced thermal management, you will enjoy a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
Wait up for Black Friday gaming laptop deals and this might just get closer to our $600 threshold!
Technical Specifications
- Display: 15.6 inch
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Processor: Intel Core i5, Up to 4.1 GHz clock speed
- Hard Drive: 256 GB SSD
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 SDRAM
- Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- Ports: USB 3.1 Type-A, USB 3.1 Type-C, HDMI, Audio Jack
- Wireless Type: 802.11b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2
- Card Description: Dedicated
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Pros
- Excellent Value for Money
- Solid battery life
- Powerful CPU and GPU combo
- SSD improves speed
- Thin and lightweight body
Cons
- The bottom bezel is very thick
3. ASUS Q304UA
Acer’s Highly Portable 13-inch Laptop
ASUS Q304UA is a lightweight, 13-inch 2-in-1 laptop under $600 that comes with an HD display and enough power to accommodate your daily computing needs. It is a great laptop for students and enterprise users, people who travel a lot.
It is ultraportable and offers decent battery life too. The metallic finish gives this 2-in-1 notebook a better design perspective and the strong build will last long.
The frame is only 0.78 inches thick, making it one of the slimmest laptops on the list. ASUS Q304UA can be aligned in four different positions – the standard laptop mode, stand mode, tent mode, and tablet mode, making it one of the most versatile laptops as well.
Now, talking about performance, the 7th gen Intel Core i5 processor is more than enough to carry out basic computing needs, coupled with 6 GB DDR4 RAM.
However, there is one drawback. While the laptop is equipped with an excellent HD display, it is not IPS. This can ruin your movies for sure. Moreover, you will find that the screen is quite reflective.
Considering the basic laptop features like battery life and performance, it’s one of the best cheap laptops for students.
- 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7200U Dual-Core Processor (2.5 GHz...
- 6 GB DDR4 SDRAM 1600MHz Memory, expandable to 12GB, 1TB...
- 13.3’’ Widescreen Full HD 1920 x 1080 LED Backlit...
- Wireless-AC, bluetooth 4.0, 3 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, 1x...
Technical Specifications
- Display: 13.3 inch
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Processor: Intel Core i5 2.5 GHz
- Hard Drive: 1TB HDD 5400 RPM
- RAM: 6GB DDR4
- Graphics Coprocessor: Intel HD Graphics 520
- Ports: USB Type-C, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, SD Card Reader, HDMI Port
- Wireless Type: 802.11b/g/n/a
- Battery Backup: 9 hours
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Hard Drive Interface: Serial ATA
Pros
- HD touchscreen display
- Impressive performance
- Lightweight and 2-in-1 design
- Comes with a fingerprint sensor
Cons
- Not-so-good sound system
- Slow hard drive and lots of bloatware
2. Toshiba Satellite Fusion 15
Toshiba’s Yoga Notebook Packed With Power
Toshiba Satellite Fusion 15 is another 2-in-1 model in our list of best laptops under $600. You will love this model due to its design and performance. It boasts a notebook design with a 15.6-inch massive touchscreen display, coupled with comfortable keyboards and quality speakers.
However, it falls short in terms of battery life and build quality. But still, it delivers decent performance for a budget notebook.
The silver and black exterior gives Toshiba Satellite Fusion 15 an upscale look, which is way better than your traditional notebooks. While it is all plastic, the silver exteriors have a polished finish with a faux brushed aluminum pattern underneath.
Coming down to the performance, Toshiba Satellite Fusion 15 comes with a 6th Gen Intel Core i5 processor that gives it a standard PC performance, amazing responsiveness, and FHD video content guaranteed.
The possibilities are endless with this notebook. You can take it anywhere, and it is suitable for both entertainment purposes as well as work purposes.
- Intel Core i5 6200U 2.3 GHz
- 6 GB
- 1000 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
- 15.6-Inch Screen, Mobile Intel HD graphics
Technical Specifications
- Display: 15.6 inch
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Processor: Intel Core i5 2.3 GHz
- Hard Drive: 1TB SATA
- RAM: 6GB DDR3
- Graphics Coprocessor: Mobile Intel HD Graphics
- Ports: 2 USB 3.0 Ports, 1 USB 2.0 Port, HDMI Port, Audio Jack
- Wireless Type: 802.11ac
- Battery Backup: 7 hours
- Operating System: Windows 10
Pros
- Solid performance for most tasks
- Beautiful backlit keyboard
- Excellent HD IPS display
- Microsoft Edge for better web experience
Cons
- The laptop weighs 5.1 pounds
- All plastic chassis
1. Lenovo Ideapad 3 (2021)
Best Overall Laptop Under $600
Last on our list of the best laptops under $600 is the latest 2021 model of the Lenovo Ideapad 3. The Lenovo Ideapad 3 is one of those laptops that suits everyone. With some serious improvements in terms of performance and design, the Ideapad 3 is a great option for enterprise users and content creators.
And, considering the reasonable price, even students can enjoy the power and performance of a Lenovo laptop.
Aside from the AMD processor, the 20 GB RAM and 512 SSD combo is great at handling every task. For students, it provides smooth performance for study and entertainment.
The integrated AMD Radeon graphics card allows a comfortable gaming experience, albeit for mid-tier games. And to top it all off, a 12 hours battery backup.
The Ideapad 3 also offers a range of wireless and wired connectivity. The wireless connections are strong and stable. With a plethora of ports, you get to use all the accessories you get from Ghost Manta when you buy the Lenovo Ideapad from the link below.
Along with performance, the Lenovo Ideapad 3 also boasts style. Thin bezels, an ergonomic keyboard, and a blue brushed matte finish, it does look elegant.
The only thing we don’t like about this laptop is the heat vent position which is at the bottom side. You won’t get to keep this laptop in your lap during heavy-duty use because it gets a little too hot for comfort although that is always advised against in the first place!
Technical Specifications
- Display: 15.6 inch
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U 2.1 GHz
- Hard Drive: 512 GB SSD
- RAM: 20 GB DDR4
- Graphics Coprocessor: AMD Radeon 7
- Ports: 1 USB 2.0 Port, 2 USB 3.2 Ports, Media Card Reader, Audio Jack
- Card Description: Integrated
- Wireless Type: 802.11ac
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Pros
- Extraordinary battery life
- Strong build and stylish outlook
- FHD Anti-Glare Display
- Comes with Ghost Manta accessories
Cons
- No DVD-ROM
- Awkward heat vent position
Conclusion
There you have the list of the best laptops under $600. We have tried to cover all the major laptop selling brands offering budget laptops to consumers.
This guide will give you a certain idea of what you need to look for when buying a laptop. We hope that you find it informative and make the right decision.
We also recommend that you look into other laptop models that we haven’t mentioned in this review.
If you have any queries about what we have discussed, feel free to ask.
