Shopping for a laptop in 2019 gives us more choices at better prices than we’ve ever seen before. In a marketplace teeming with tablets, Chromebooks, 2-in-1s, and more, there has never been a better time to find incredible technology at affordable prices. In fact, wading through all these options just might be a bit overwhelming, so today, we’re looking at the best laptops under 700 dollars, and evaluating the options to help you make the right choice for your needs.
So, without much droning around, let’s get right into it!
Table: The 6 Best Laptops Under 700 Dollars
Note: If you use a small screen you may have to scroll right in order to see all the columns.
(Kyle's #1 Pick)
Asus VivoBook F510UA15.6”$$$$
Acer Aspire E 1515.6"$$$
Lenovo Flex 614"$$$$$
Dell Inspiron 15 500015.6"$$$$$
HP Premium Pavilion15.6"$$$
Lenovo 33017.3"$$$$$
The 6 Best Laptops Under 700 Dollars
First, let’s have a look at the 6 best laptops under 700 dollars, starting with my top pick from Asus:
Top Pick: ASUS VivoBook F510UA
The Asus VivoBook F510UA is a nano-edge laptop with a lot of features to brag about. First and foremost, it’s thinner and lighter than most other laptops, at just 3.6 pounds, and less than an inch thick. And the ultra-narrow bezel is just a third of an inch thick, for a dramatic 80% screen-to-body ratio. It fits a full 15.6-inch display into a 14-inch footprint, with an ergonomic chiclet keyboard, and a sleek, metal case.
Furthermore, under the hood, the Asus VivoBook sporting an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, with speeds of 1.6 GHZ and turbo speeds up to 3.4 GHz. It also has 8 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB hard drive with enormous capacity to store your media, projects, music, pictures, and more. In addition, the Asus Vivoboook has fast 802.11AC Wi-Fi for stable wireless connections, and 1 USB 3.1 port, 1 USB 3.0 port, 1 USB 2.0 port, HDMI, and a SD card reader.
The ASUS Splendid visual optimization system has 4 display modes, optimized for any use. And the Tru2Life Video technology intelligently enhances any video, optimizing sharpness and contrast of every pixel in every frame, to make video look vivid and realistic no matter where it comes from.
The Asus VivoBook F510UA is a powerful little computer, in a sleek and compact form, perfect for taking anywhere. And it’s my pick for best laptop under 700 dollars.
Processor8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U
RAM 8 GB
Storage1 TB mechanical
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics 620
Display15.6 inches, 1920×1080
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home Edition
Weight3.7 pounds
Battery Life5 hours
best laptops under 600
" data-orig-size="343,120" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px" aperture="aperture" />Best Budget Pick: Acer Aspire E 15
The Acer Aspire E 15 is a versatile, compact laptop with a long battery life, suited for almost any everyday use. It’s black, brushed metal case looks stylish, and business people and gamers alike will love the 10-key pad on a laptop just 15 inches across.
Furthermore, the Acer Aspire has an 8th Gen Intel Core i3 processor, featuring Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 that gives an extra burst of performance when you need it, providing speeds up to 3.4GHz. The 15.6 inch display has a wide screen for high-quality viewing of your favorite shows and movies. And 6 GB of RAM and a 1 TB hard drive let you store all your files, games, photos, and media and access them quickly from anywhere.
The Acer TrueHarmony audio is crystal clear, bringing music, media, and video to life with richness and depth. And the 802.11ac wireless is fast and offers consistent, stable connectivity.
The Acer Aspire E 15 has been recognized all over the web for its convenient features, lasting performance, and affordable cost. And it’s the most affordable option on my laptop list.
Processor8th Gen Intel Core i3-8130U
RAM 6 GB
Storage1 TB mechanical
GraphicsIntel HD Graphics 620
Display15.6 inches, 1920×1080
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home Edition
Weight5.27 pounds
Battery Life13.5 hours
best laptops under 600
" data-orig-size="343,120" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px" aperture="aperture" />Best 2 in 1 Laptop Under 700 Dollars: Lenovo Flex 6
The Lenovo Flex 6 is sold as a 2-in-1 laptop, but it’s actually capable of 4 different operating modes. You can use it as a conventional laptop, or take advantage of the 360 degree hinge to use it as a stand, tablet, or tent. And the IPS touchscreen allows you to use a variety of interactive modes to control the computer.
Furthermore, the anti-reflective coating allows you to comfortably use the laptop in a variety of lighting conditions. It’s less than 13 inches wide and one inch thick, and this lightweight design allows you to move seamlessly from one activity to another, all with a single, versatile device.
The Lenovo Flex 6 is driven by the 8th Gen Intel Core i3 processor, with speeds of 2.2 GHz, and a turbo boost up to 3.4 GHz. In addition, it has 8GB of RAM, a 128 GB SSD hard drive, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 for fast, stable wireless connections with a longer range. And it’s my pick for best 2 in 1 laptops under 700 dollars.
Processor8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U 1.6GHz
RAM 8 GB
Storage256 GB solid state
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce MX130 Graphics
Display14 inches, 1920 x 1080
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home Edition
Weight3.67 pounds
Battery Life8 hours
best laptops under 600
" data-orig-size="343,120" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px" aperture="aperture" />Best Gaming Laptop Under 700 Dollars: Dell Inspiron 15 5000
The Dell Inspiron 15 has a visual style that’s a great compromise between the distinctive look of a gaming laptop, and the more laid-back appearance of an everyday computer, making it an excellent choice for someone who wants a high-performance machine that can go to work in the daytime, and game in the evening.
Gamers will love the rugged, high-performance keyboard, backlit in red, that’s tested for up to 10 million strokes. And the durable hinge is built to withstand over 20,000 openings, featuring an anti-glare screen for lasting eye comfort. It also has a Intel Integrated 620 Graphics for great game play, and dual cooling fans, three exhausts, and 186 thermal fins that let you experience intense, immersive game play in an affordable package.
Furthermore, under the hood, the Dell Inspiron 15 is powered by a 8th Gen Intel Quad Core i5-8250U processor with speeds of 1.6G Hz and turbo up to 3.4 GHz. This model has 8 GB of RAM, and a 1TB SATA hard drive. And equipped with Waves MaxxAudio Pro stereo speakers and a subwoofer for great sound. It also has an integrated Widescreen HD Webcam.
The Dell Inspiron 15 is an affordable, versatile gaming laptop with uses that go far beyond just games. And it’s my pick for best gaming laptop under 700 dollars.
Processor8th Gen Intel Quad Core i5-8250U
RAM 8 GB DDR4 SDRAM
Storage1TB SATA hard drive
GraphicsIntel Integrated 620 Graphics
Display15.6 inches, 1920×1080
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home 64-bit
Weight2.65 pounds
best laptops under 600
" data-orig-size="343,120" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px" aperture="aperture" />
Also Worth Mentioning: HP 2019 Premium Pavilion
The HP 2019 Premium Pavilion is a touchscreen laptop with everything you need. First and foremost, the 15.6 inch monitor has widescreen resolution of 1366 x 768, and touchscreen capability for simple use and navigation. It also has a built-in 10-key pad, to speed up data entry.
Furthermore, it’s driven by an Intel Pentium Silver N5000 CPU with speeds of 1.10 GHz and turbo up to 2.7 GHz. This configuration comes with 8 GB of RAM and a massive 2 TB hard drive. And it’s also equipped with 3 USB ports, an HDMI port, and an Ethernet port.
The HP 2019 Premium Pavilion 15.6 has an older CPU than some of the laptops in our list, and is bigger and heavier. However, it’s a sheer workhorse, and an incredible value for the purchase price. It’s a great choice for someone who needs a basic, reliable touchscreen laptop for work or school, and doesn’t want to pay for a lot of extras.
Processor4-core Intel Pentium Silver N5000
RAM 8 GB
Storage2 TB HDD
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics 605
Display15.6 inches, 1366×768
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home 64-bit
Weight4.3 pounds
best laptops under 600
" data-orig-size="343,120" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px" aperture="aperture" />Also Worth Mentioning #2: Lenovo 330
Last on my best laptops under 700 list is the Lenovo 330. It has a big, 17.3 inch screen in a slender, compact form, just over 16 inches wide and less than an inch thick. This sleek little laptop has a 10-key keypad, and a 1600 x 900 resolution for immersive video, with Dolby Audio for clear, resonant sound.
Furthermore, it’s powered by the 8th Gen Intel Quad Core i5 CPU, with 8 GB of RAM. And it has a big 1 TB hard drive, 3 USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, and a multi-format memory card reader. It also comes with a free 30-day trial of Microsoft Office 365.
The 2018 Lenovo 330 17 doesn’t have a great battery life, but the big display and sleek size make it fantastic for enjoying movies and media, and workplaces that require multi-tasking on your monitor, provided you can keep it plugged in. It’s a great buy for a larger laptop.
Processor8th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor 1.6GHz
RAM 8 GB
Storage1 TB HDD
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics 620
Display17.3 inches, 1600×900
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home Edition
Weight6.17 lbs
Battery LifeUp to 5 hours
best laptops under 600
" data-orig-size="343,120" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px" aperture="aperture" />What Should You Look For When Buying the Best Laptops Under 700 Dollars
When you’re looking for the best bang for your buck laptop, you have lots of options. However, with all those options and features, it’s important to make the right choice, so that you don’t end up investing in a laptop that doesn’t meet your needs. Here are some of the most important decisions when buying the best laptops under 700 dollars.
Size
The size of your laptop truly depends on your preferences. Some people want or need a very small, ultra-portable laptop that makes it easy to travel, work on the go, or study from anywhere. A small laptop fits easily in a bag or briefcase, and keeps you connected, productive, and entertained no matter where you are. However, very small laptops also don’t provide the best experience for watching movies, playing games, or other entertainment options, where a larger monitor is more enjoyable.
And, for those who have work or study demands that require multitasking, it is often easier to have a larger monitor to keep multiple windows open and working. The most versatile size of laptop, one that can provide high-quality entertainment without being too bulky or heavy, is 15.6 inches. It’s a great compromise size, but choose the laptop size that is best for your needs.
Hard drive technology
When shopping for a laptop and budget is an issue, choosing a traditional hard drive is a great way to save money. Mechanical drives are increasingly affordable, and give lots of storage options. However, compared to solid state drives (SSD), they are slow, and they use more battery power, making your laptop less portable. Many experts recommend investing in SSD storage if you can afford it, rather than purchasing a laptop with a traditional hard drive.
If not, choose a mechanical drive, but choose a laptop model that can be easily upgraded, so you can later add SSD storage if you need a faster, more responsive laptop. A great option for upgrades is to add some SSD storage, creating a hybrid drive. Your most frequently accessed files, or files you need to load quickly, can be stored on the SSD, while you keep files that are accessed less often or more slowly on the HDD. A big HDD is a great place to keep your photos, documents, videos, and archives, while your working files can be stored on the SSD. These hard drive upgrades can be surprisingly fast and affordable, and is a great way to boost a laptop on a budget.
Battery life
Battery life is a huge variable in laptops, and the disparity grows every year. Some laptops have a battery life of less than 4 hours, while some have 12 or more. Obviously, battery life is an important aspect of the overall portability of a laptop, and should be considered carefully with your needs.
For some people, battery life is critical – For example, students who need to go from class to class, to labs and libraries and study meetups, and can’t always rely on being near an outlet, or know that there will be fierce competition for power sources. Frequent travelers, or those with long commutes, should also be mindful of battery life.
For those who want a laptop for comfort and convenience, and usually use it at home or at work, battery life may not be as big a consideration. Think about how you plant to use your laptop, and choose a battery that will meet your needs.
Available ports
For those who want a compact, ultra-portable laptop, ports may not be so important. And yet ports are one of the key advantages of a laptop over any other mobile personal technology; you can connect a laptop to a mouse and monitor and have a desktop computer, or to a monitor and external speakers and have an entertainment center.
Most importantly, you can connect your laptop to other mobile devices and connect, sync, and charge them. We also have an ever-expanding array of types of USB ports, which can confuse the issue. Here is a quick overview of USB ports:
USB speed standards:
USB speeds are denoted as USB 1.x, 2.x, and 3.x, and USB 3.x are the fastest, but they are backwards-compatible. In other words, you could plug a USB 3.x cable into a USB 2.0 port, and it would still work, at the slower 2.0 speed.
USB connector standards:
USB Type-A is the flat, rectangular USB connection we all know so well. You plug it in, it won’t go in because it’s upside down, you flip it over, it won’t go in because it’s upside down, you flip it back and it will plug in on the third try every time. Micro-USB is the connector we are most familiar with from phones, tablets, and other USB devices. USB Type-C is the newest standard, and is more powerful and versatile than prior generations of USB connections.
USB Type-C is reversible, which means it will plug in right side up and upside down and you don’t have to flip it like you do Type-A. It is also faster than other connectors, for both data transfer and for charging devices. USB Type-C is also exciting because data and power can flow both ways.
For example, you can use a Type-C cable to charge a power bank, or draw power from a power bank. You can use a Type-C cable to send video to an external monitor, but at the same time, draw power from that monitor to charge your laptop. Currently, however, you should not use a USB Type-C cable to directly charge your phone; the two devices have different voltage requirements, and it is not safe. However, we can expect to see reliable USB Type-C multi-device chargers on the market any day now.
Most laptops currently on the market have several USB ports that can be used for different purposes. Consider what your needs and expectations are, and make sure that you choose a laptop with ports that will allow you to make the most of your entire ecosystem of devices, expanding the capabilities of your laptop far beyond the clamshell.
Choose your laptop not just based on budget, but based on what your anticipated needs and usage will be, in order to investment in the best 700 dollar laptop that will keep you happy for years to come.
Best Laptops Under 700 Dollars: Conclusions and Final Words
Overall, my top pick for the best laptop under 700 dollars is the Asus VivoBook F510UA. The narrow bezel gives you the biggest screen size possible in such a compact, lightweight form. It gets solid speed and performance from the Intel Core i5 processor, and has ample RAM for most applications. The big hard drive gives lots of storage space, and ample ports for great connectivity to a host of other devices.
I love the Asus splendid display options and video enhancement technologies that reduce blue light to avoid eye strain, enhance colors for extra vividness, or allow you to control monitor settings for different applications. It’s a solid performer, and a great bargain for the purchase price.
These laptops contain technology that would have cost thousands of dollars just a year or two ago, but competition and innovation are making these groundbreaking capabilities more accessible, more affordable, and more useful than ever before. This is a fantastic time to buy a laptop, and these laptops are incredible machines for the price.
Cheers!
Kyle
PS: In closing, I hope my best laptops under 700 dollars review was helpful when you’re making your choice. In addition, I recommend that you look around my site to learn about other consumer electronics and computer hardware. Also, if you have any questions about my best laptop under $700 reviews or something else, don’t hesitate to send me an e-mail using my contact form.
Who is Kyle?
Hi I am Kyle, an engineer and small business owner from Northern California. I am an outgoing creative writer and tech blogger who has a passion for helping people and building creativity in the mind, through outstanding how-to guides, articles and honest reviews.
On Kyle’s Hardware you will find solutions to common problems related to software and computers, with practical reviews, tools tips and step-by-step technical guides. Read my complete biography here, or connect with me on Facebook or Twitter with the buttons below.