1. Asus Vivobook
The 14-inch Asus Vivobook is a go-to laptop for students and working professionals. The build we’re looking at is running on Intel’s 10th generation Core i5 processor, with 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD, which is capable of handling the majority of tasks you’ll throw at it. You get speedy performance on a relatively slim build weighing about 1.35kg, so it’s easily portable for remote working. The battery life is good, but this will depend on what the laptop is being used for. The 1080p full HD screen is clear and you will have no trouble streaming your favourite movies on Amazon Prime. We recommend this laptop if you want a good all-around laptop at a good value.
2. HP 15s-fq2015sa
HP has built their reputation on manufacturing good laptops at a decent price and the HP 15s-fq2015sa is no different. This laptop has a large bright 15.6-inch full HD screen which are perfect for you to work and view movies in any space. Inside you’ll find Intel’s 11th generation Core i3 processor and 8GB RAM/256GB PCIe SSD configuration, which runs most tasks very smoothly. While this laptop is not designed for gamers, you will find you can play lightweight games on the setup to pass the time. HP is claiming nearly 7 and a half hours of battery life on this device, but this will vary with real-life usage. Lastly, this laptop is absolutely beautiful, with a silver shell, which will get heads turning when you’re back out in a public space.
3. Asus Chromebook
Chromebooks offer something different in the laptop market, something simpler, something much more essential – and the new Asus Chromebook is a prime example of this. The laptop is compact, a 14-inch screen and weighing only 1.5kg, but with an amazing 85% screen-to-body ratio, you are sure to find the sleek design appealing. There is also the 360° Ergolift hinge to offer versatility in use. What’s inside? – this laptop features Intel’s Core M processor which might not offer high-end performance but works well on Chromebooks. You also get 4GB RAM which will allow you to do what this laptop was designed for – working and light entertainment. If you’ve used a Chromebook before or want to try one out, this laptop is a good recommendation.
4. HP Stream 14
The HP Stream 14 comes with a lot of bells and whistles for the price you pay. While we’ll be the first the say that the hardware isn’t anything special (4GB RAM and AMD Athlon CPU), what you get along with it is worth considering. You get a 1-year subscription to Office 365 Personal, and there is a truly massive 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage thrown in. This is all included free with the laptop – you heard right. The screen resolution is on the weaker side (1366 x 758 pixels), but then again, this laptop was never designed for heavy entertainment use. Ultimately, this laptop might not be for everyone – will it work for you?
5. Acer Swift 1
Another option to consider if you’re looking for a laptop for under £500 is the Acer Swift 1. What you’ll find inside is 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD storage and Intel’s Pentium N5000 CPU. These are decent specifications for work and streaming video content, but you may struggle to carry out intensive tasks like gaming or video editing. The Swift 1 has good battery life and it’s one of the lighter laptops on this page at only 1.3kg. The design is also premium feeling with an all-metal body build and is decked in a plethora of different ports. The 1080p full HD screen has good viewing angles so you can view your favourite programs with your family.
6. Microsoft Surface Go 2
Microsoft’s Surface Go 2 is a 2-in-1 special – you can use it as a tablet or a laptop. This feature gives you the ultimate portability (did we mention it’s less than 600g without the type cover?). The 1920 x 1280 pixels resolution works well on the 10.5-inch screen, something important to look for in 2-in-1s. This laptop is running the Intel Pentium processor, with 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC, enough for you to carry out day-to-day tasks. You also get the type cover included with the laptop, which has full backlit keys. We think there is a lot of enjoyment to get out of this laptop.
7. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook
Lenovo’s IdeaPad Duet Chromebook is a sleek and lightweight 2-in-1 laptop with a plug-and-play magnetic keyboard. You can use it as a tablet or laptop – we found both works well and you can easily take this device anywhere. This laptop is powered by a MediaTek P60T processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB eMCP storage. In addition to the great value of the IdeaPad Duet Chromebook, you get 12 months of Google One membership which comes with 100GB storage. This is fantastic as it compensates for limited storage that comes as standard with the device. Lastly, it boots up very quickly and updates happen automatically in the background.
8. Samsung Chromebook 4
The Samsung Chromebook 4 is an excellent laptop at an excellent price. For the price, you get a slim 11.6-inch laptop that weighs less than 1.2 kg – so it’s amazing if you want portability. Inside you will find Intel’s Celeron 3000N processor, 4GB RAM and 32GB eMMC. While the storage is limited – we find that there are plenty of cloud solutions to safely back up your documents online for free, so you won’t be constrained. The best thing about this laptop is the battery, which can last you up to 10 hours on a full charge, depending on usage. The long battery life is a very impressive feature that you don’t always find in a budget laptop.
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