The Best Laptops Under 800 (2024) : Top 3 Picks
Are you tired of your laptop being slow and unresponsive? If you’re like most people, you want a laptop that is affordable, yet still powerful enough to handle everyday tasks. You don’t want to spend a fortune, but you also don’t want a cheaply made machine that’s going to break after a few months.
The good news is, there are plenty of great laptops out there that won’t break the bank. If you’re in the market for a new laptop, but don’t want to spend a fortune, this list is for you!
In this article, we’ll show you the best laptops under $800. We’ll also discuss the key factors you should consider before making your purchase.
Top Laptop Choices Under $800
Top Used Apple Computers (New ones are not available under $800)
- STRIKINGLY THIN DESIGN — The redesigned MacBook Air is more portable than ever and weighs just 2.7 pounds. It’s the incredibly capable laptop that lets you work, play or create just about anything — anywhere.
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 — Get more done faster with a next-generation 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU and up to 24GB of unified memory.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day and into the night, thanks to the power-efficient performance of the Apple M2 chip.
- BIG, BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY — The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display features over 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color and support for 1 billion colors for vibrant images and incredible detail.
- STRIKINGLY THIN DESIGN — The redesigned MacBook Air is more portable than ever and weighs just 2.7 pounds. It’s the incredibly capable laptop that lets you work, play or create just about anything — anywhere.
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 — Get more done faster with a next-generation 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU and up to 24GB of unified memory.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day and into the night, thanks to the power-efficient performance of the Apple M2 chip.
- BIG, BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY — The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display features over 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color and support for 1 billion colors for vibrant images and incredible detail.
- STRIKINGLY THIN DESIGN — The redesigned MacBook Air is more portable than ever and weighs just 2.7 pounds. It’s the incredibly capable laptop that lets you work, play or create just about anything — anywhere.
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 — Get more done faster with a next-generation 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU and up to 24GB of unified memory.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Go all day and into the night, thanks to the power-efficient performance of the Apple M2 chip.
- BIG, BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY — The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display features over 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color and support for 1 billion colors for vibrant images and incredible detail.
- 1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core, 8GB of 1600 MHz LPDDR3 RAM | 128GB SSD
- Integrated Intel HD Graphics 6000, 13.3″ 1440 x 900 Glossy Display
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Thunderbolt 2, USB 3.0
- 720p FaceTime HD Camera, SDXC Card Slot, Stereo Speakers, Dual Built-In Mics
- Slim, Lightweight Design, macOS Sierra
What to Consider When Choosing a Laptop Under $800
When it comes to choosing a laptop, there are many factors to consider. But if you’re working with a budget of $800 or less, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
First, what type of user are you? A casual user who just needs something for general web browsing and light productivity tasks will have different needs than a power user who wants to do video editing or gaming.
What Type of User Are You?
A casual user who just needs something for general web browsing and light productivity tasks will have different needs than a power user who wants to do video editing or gaming.
Second, what’s your preferred screen size? Laptops under $800 tend to come in two sizes: 13-14 inches and 15-16 inches.
Third, what’s your must-have feature? A touch screen? A backlit keyboard?
Fourth, how important is battery life? If you need your laptop to last all day on a single charge, you’ll want to prioritize models with good battery life.
What Operating System Do You Prefer?
There are many different types of operating systems for laptops. The three most popular ones are Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS. All three have their own pros and cons.
Windows is the most popular operating system for laptops. It is very customizable and has a lot of features. However, it can be slow at times and is not as secure as some of the other options.
Mac is a great option if you are looking for an operating system that is fast and secure. However, it can be more expensive than other options since it is only licensed to run on Apple computers. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t offer a new laptop in this price range. However, we have found some used options for you if interested.
For a more detailed breakdown between Windows and Macs, check out our article here.
ChromeOS is a newer option that is gaining popularity. It is lightweight and fast. However, it does not have as many features as Windows or Mac.
Processor: Intel, AMD
Intel and AMD are two of the most popular processor manufacturers on the market. Both companies offer a wide range of processors, from entry-level to high-end. Apple’s M1 processor is a new addition to the market, and is designed for use in Apple’s own laptops.
Intel processors are known for their good performance and reliability. AMD processors offer good performance at a lower price point than Intel processors. Apple’s M1 processor is designed for use in Apple laptops and offers good performance and battery life.
Display: Size and Resolution
Whether you are looking for the best laptop under $800 for casual use or a powerful machine for gaming and graphic design, the display is an important factor to consider. A laptop with a larger screen size will be more versatile for different uses, while a higher resolution will provide sharper images and text. If you plan on using your laptop for gaming, you will also want to pay attention to the refresh rate. A higher refresh rate will help reduce motion blur and lag.
Graphics: Dedicated or Integrated
Dedicated graphics are their own thing, with their own RAM and run separately from the CPU. They’re usually faster and more powerful than integrated graphics for tasks like gaming or video editing, but they also come with a performance hit on battery life. Think about it: if your dedicated GPU is sipping power even when you’re just browsing the web or watching a movie, that’s going to cut into how long you can use your laptop unplugged.
For most people, an integrated GPU will be good enough. It’s not as fast as a dedicated one, but it doesn’t cost anything extra and it doesn’t suck down power when you don’t need it. That means better battery life, which is always nice.
RAM (Memory): How Much Do You Need?
How much RAM do you need for your laptop? This is a question that we get asked a lot and it’s tough to answer because it depends on how you use your laptop. If you’re a power user who uses their laptop for gaming or video editing, then you’re going to need more RAM than someone who just uses their laptop for browsing the web and checking email.
So, how much RAM do you need? We would recommend at least 8GB of RAM for most users. If you can afford it, 16GB of RAM is even better. But, if you’re on a tight budget, then 4GB of RAM will still be enough for most tasks. Just keep in mind that if you do go with 4GB of RAM, you may have to upgrade down the line if you start using your laptop for more demanding tasks.
Battery Life: Short or Long
If you’re someone who is constantly on the go, you’ll want to make sure you choose a laptop with a long battery life. You don’t want to be stuck tethered to an outlet all day. Some laptops can last up to 12 hours on a single charge, while others only last for 4 or 5 hours. It all depends on your needs.
If you’re primarily using your laptop at home or in an office, then battery life isn’t as big of a concern. You can always plug in your laptop when it’s not in use so that it’s always charged and ready to go.
Storage: How Much Do You Need?
A laptop is a personal computer designed for mobile use that typically combines the features of a desktop computer and a tablet computer. They are usually smaller and lighter than a desktop computer, making them more convenient to carry with you. But how much storage space do you need on a laptop?
The amount of storage you need on a laptop depends on what you plan to use it for. If you just want to browse the web, check email, and do some light word processing, then 32GB of storage could work. However, if you want to store photos or videos, or if you plan on doing any serious video editing or gaming, then you’ll likely want at least 256GB of storage.
Your Choice?
When shopping for the best laptop under $800, it is important to consider the key items we discussed. With so many options on the market, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. However, by keeping these factors in mind, you can narrow down your choices and find the perfect laptop for your needs.
