Value / Budget

Laptops in this category are ordinarily popular among users with limited funds who need something more powerful than the typical netbook. Budget notebooks offer a good blend of cost, features and portability. They normally come with 14 or 15-in displays, integrated graphics, total-sized keyboards, and basic connectivity options. For effectually $600 you tin can expect to notice an Intel Core i3/i5 or AMD Athlon II X2 processor, 2GB to 4GB of RAM, a 250GB or larger hard drive, a DVD burner, and effectually iv hours of bombardment life.


HP G62t

Despite being a member of HP'southward upkeep-minded G60 family of laptops, the G62T slightly resembles the high-terminate Green-eyed line in terms of advent with a stylish matte cease. It has basically everything y'all could want for the money -- you get an Intel Core i3 or i5 processor, DVD burner, 320GB 7200RPM hard drive, 3GB of DDR3 RAM and a 15.six-inch 1366x768 LED display. Some specs upgradeable, including the integrated Intel Hard disk drive graphics which y'all can supersede with an ATI Mobility Radeon Hard disk drive 5470 discrete GPU.

In addition to the aforementioned features, the G62t also has full-size keyboard, VGA and optional HDMI, Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, three USB 2.0 ports, an optional media card reader, a 6-cell battery that runs for about four hours, too every bit the usual headphone and mic jacks. With a starting cost of around $450, the HP G62t offers a surprisingly consummate package.

Boosted views:

Quick specs | Full specs Starting price: $450 ($635 with specs listed below)
Processor: Intel Core i3 370M 2.40GHz Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon Hd 5470 512MB
Retentivity: 4GB DDR3 (2 DIMMs) Storage: 500GB 7,200RPM HDD
Brandish size: 15.6" (1366×768) Optical: DVD SuperMulti
Weight: five.4 lbs (vi-cell) Battery: 6-cell (~4 hours)


Toshiba Satellite T235

Toshiba's Satellite T235 is currently one of the best value-priced laptops on the market with its lightweight and fashionable chassis (available in 3 colors), long battery life, snappy performance, and comfortable touchpad/keyboard. This xiii-inch laptop comes in AMD- and Intel-powered configurations, and so you'll have to cull between longer endurance with Intel'southward CULV-based Pentium fries or better graphics through AMD's Neo CPU + ATI GPU combination, though both offering enough horsepower to handle everyday tasks and multimedia needs.

Other specs include 4 gigs of RAM, a 320GB difficult drive, Hard disk capable display with 1366x768 resolution, Wi-Fi 802.11n and Ethernet, built-in webcam, HDMI-out port, a 6-in-1 memory card reader, and an eSATA/USB philharmonic port for a full of iii USB connections with Toshiba'due south Sleep-and-Charge engineering science, which allows you to accuse your phone or MP3 player when the notebook is suspended. For its toll, you lot could get a more powerful Core i3 system but if you intendance near portability this is a great alternative.

Additional views:

Quick specs | Full specs Starting price: $600 (model T235D-S1345RD)
Processor: AMD Turion II Neo K625 1.5GHz Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4225 256MB
Memory: 4GB DDR3 (two DIMMs) Storage: 320GB 5,400RPM HDD
Display size: xiii.three" (1366×768) Optical: DVD SuperMulti
Weight: three.nine lb Bombardment: ~5 hours


Acer Aspire AS5742-7120

The Acer Aspire AS5742 closely follows the script for putting together a depression-end mainstream laptop. It comes fitted with Intel's latest Core i3 370M processor, integrated Intel graphics, 4GB of retentiveness and a 320GB hard drive. Information technology too features a xv.6-inch widescreen Hd brandish with 1366x768 resolution and HDMI connectivity, making this Aspire a solid contender in the mainstream market place and a perfect choice for daily computing.

The laptop features a basic black plastic chassis with a crosshatch-textured blueprint on the keyboard deck and hat, while the keyboard itself is roomy enough despite featuring a dedicated number pad to the correct. Other features include a multi-gesture trackpad, built-in i.three-megapixel HD webcam, and a DVD burner, while on the connectivity front you become, Wi-Fi 802.11n and gigabit Ethernet, 5-in-1 card reader, iii USB 2.0 ports and VGA-out -- plus the same HDMI.

Additional views:

Quick specs | Full specs Starting cost: $580
Processor: Intel Core i3 370M 2.40GHz Graphics: Intel GMA Hard disk drive
Memory: 4GB DDR3 (2 DIMMs) Storage: 320GB v,400RPM HDD
Display size: 15.6" (1366x768) Optical: DVD SuperMulti
Weight: 5.7 lb Battery: ~3.0 hours

Other noteworthy options in this category

Lenovo ThinkPad Border 14

Lenovo's small-business notebook delivers ability and style at an affordable price. Despite its entry-level status, it offers the same tiptop-quality keyboard and screen we've come to expect from its siblings.

Cost range: $500 - $860

Asus K72DR-X1

Powered past a triple-core AMD processor and ATI Radeon graphics, the Asus K72DR delivers peachy value with a 17-inch display and 1600x900 resolution, 4GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive, and sleek design.

Cost range: $725