Best Laptops for $600 or Less

All of the laptops featured here use the Microsoft Windows operating system, but if you want to spend even less, you might consider a Chromebook. Those use Google’s Chrome OS and may be a good choice if your computing needs rarely extend beyond browsing the web or editing simple text documents.

And while you won’t find any Macs on this list, you can get great deals on refurbished models with a one-year warranty and a fresh battery in a brand-new box. Apple itself sells refurbished M1 MacBook Airs for $850 on its website. And if you move quickly, you can score a brand new M1 Air on sale from retailers like Amazon for even less.

Every year Consumer Reports tests dozens of laptops, from premium picks to popular budget options. The models highlighted below, arranged in ascending price order, sell for $600 or less. No, they’re not the best laptops in our ratings, but they still score well in our labs, where we evaluate them on a range of criteria, including battery life, portability, and display quality.

Want even more options? Check out our full laptop ratings. And take a look at our laptop buying guide if you need help deciding whether to get a PC or a Mac, selecting a screen size, or finding other shopping tips.