If you need to have the best basic needs laptop in your hands, there are plenty of low budget laptops to help you complete everyday tasks. The market is flooded with different types of laptops, but laptops are manufactured to achieve specific purposes. For example, some are specifically designed for games with powerful graphics cards, while others have high-end processors to offer professionals the best speed and efficiency. A laptop for basic needs would cover surfing the net, playing games, watching a movie or YouTube, sending emails, etc.
See also: The best laptops for writers.
The best laptops for basic needs
Stylish Budget 2-in-1 Notebook for Basic Needs
Acer Chromebook Flip C302CA, 12.5 inch
It is a perfect laptop for those who want to complete major tasks efficiently without spending a lot of money. It comes with a 360 degree hinge and is a hybrid Chromebook that offers good value for money. It’s a well-built laptop, perfectly sized and stylish to carry on the go. You can use it in different settings, such as a tablet or a tent to watch a video. The screen quality is great for watching videos, reading articles, and other basic tasks.
12.5 inches is a Full HD touch screen that has a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The touch screen is also compatible with a Stylus. The device is powered by an Intel Core m3 chipset that has 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. The processor registers at a speed of 2.2 GHz. It is combined with an Intel HD 515 graphics card.
It comes with built-in antivirus protection and is always safe and up-to-date. The dimensions of the Acer Chromebook Flip are 8.3 x 12 x 0.5 inches and it is light with only 2.65 LBS. It is compatible with Chrome operating system. The average battery life is about 10 hours. It has USB C ports on both sides of the device, but it is not compatible with Thunderbolt 3.
The Asus Chromebook Flip is more expensive than other Chromebooks, but this is because it has a high-quality build and rich features that offer capable performance that makes it a good value for additional investment.
Who should buy this?
- Those who want to buy a laptop to surf and stream videos at home.
- Those who want a laptop for productivity tasks, watching movies, playing games, etc.
- Suitable for those on the go.
- Professionals who want the best Chromebook.
- Those who want an affordable laptop for casual use.
Lightweight and powerful laptop for basic needs
HP Envy 13 Inch Slim Laptop, Natural Silver
It is an Ultrabook that offers fast performance and excellent battery life with a bright screen. It has a sleek and slim look with an expandable flap or jaw mechanism. The HP Envy has a 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen with IPS technology and a backlit WLED micro-edge display and Corning Gorilla Glass, with a screen resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels.
The device is powered by a super fast 8th Gen Intel CoreTM i7-8565 chipset, which a dual-core processor registers at a base speed of 1.8 GHz and goes up to 4.6 GHz. It has a 16 GB DDR4-2400 SDRM RAM with a 512 GB SSD storage. This is paired with an NVIDIA GeForce MX250 graphics card with a RAM size of 2GB.
The fingerprint reader offers secure access and access with just a touch of your finger. It also offers support for 4K dual displays. The jaw drop mechanism can fit into the USB 3.1 Type-A ports on each side of the laptop. It also has a USB C port and a headphone jack with a microSD card reader and included power connector.
The battery life is good for up to 12 hours. The dimensions of the device are 13.3 x 8.9 x 0.89 inches and it weighs 2.59 lbs. It is compatible with Windows 10 Home OS. It is a light and powerful laptop with smart and cutting-edge security features. The keyboard is raised for an ergonomic experience. The 4K display is bright and made of durable glass that can withstand regular use.
Who should buy this?
- For college students who want a sleek yet rugged portable laptop.
- Those who want an efficient laptop for their basic needs.
High-performance 4-in-1 Chromebook for basic needs
Google Pixelbook, 12.3 inches, silver
Google Pixelbook is a beautiful, affordable laptop with solid speed and a bright, vivid screen packed with awesome technology. It also comes with support for Android applications, offering a great experience to users, with the Google Assistant always ready to help you. It is perfectly suitable for basic tasks. It is a small and slim laptop with a stylish look.
Google Pixelbook comes with a 4-in-1 design so you can use it as a laptop, a tablet, a tent or in an entertainment mode. The display screen is a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a 360 degree hinge enclosed in an aluminum body with Corning Gorilla Glass for protection. The screen has a resolution of 2400 x 1600 pixels. You can also use the Pixelbook Pen for quick actions like drawing, writing, and designing. The stylus works with the Google Assistant, so you can hold down the button and circle an object to send images or text to the Assistant for information.
The Pixelbook is powered by the Intel Core 7th Gen processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The processor registers at a speed of 3.3 GHz.
It is super slim and measures just 10.3 millimeters weighing 2.45 pounds. It is compatible with Chrome OS, so you can always access automatic software updates and the latest antivirus protection. The average battery life is around 10 hours and you can also get two hours of use with just a quick 15 minute charge. The laptop’s dimensions are 11.43 x 8.69 x 0.44 inches and it weighs 2.45 LBS. It is a great Chromebook that combines aesthetics with performance and a good screen.
Who should buy this?
- Suitable for those who want a laptop for basic needs.
- Suitable for business class travelers who want a high quality Chromebook.
- Intended for work, productivity and play.
- For artists and designers.
- For those who want the best Chromebook with combined functionality, performance and style.
High performance packaging and battery life for basic needs
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, 14-inch, black
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a lightweight device with an attractive design, suitable for those who want a laptop to do their basic tasks. The performance and battery life are enough for you to easily carry out daily tasks and the keyboard is fantastic. The HDR display and far-field microphones are other attractions of this luxurious laptop, which is the best for productivity. It has a reinforced carbon fiber chassis and has passed durability tests. The lightness is due to a combination of carbon fiber with magnesium, which makes it light and durable.
The screen is 14-inch FHD with anti-glare IPS technology, with a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon runs on Intel Core i5-8350U with 4 cores and has a base speed of 1.7 GHz, with turbo boost of up to 3.6 GHz and 6 MB. It has 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD hard drive size. It is combined with the Intel UHD Graphics 620 graphics processor.
The average battery life is around 6 hours. It is compatible with Windows 10 Pro operating system. The dimensions of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon are 12.74 x 8.55 x 0.63 inches and it weighs 2.49 lbs.
The device comes with a Match-in Sensor fingerprint reader that protects it from hackers. The keyboard is world-class and offers the comfort and responsiveness necessary to perform daily tasks. The touchpad has no buttons and is accurate, responding seamlessly to swipes and multi-touch gestures.
Who should buy this?
- For those who want a high-performance laptop for their basic and business needs and productivity.
- Those who want to buy a light but strong commercial Ultrabook for regular work.
- Ideal for those who are on the move.
Portable Screen Pad Revolution for basic needs
Asus Zenbook 14, 14 inches
The Asus Zenbook 14 comes in an incredible screen-to-body ratio that offers a wide and ergonomic viewing experience. It has a display with bezels measuring just 2.9mm at the sides, offering a 92% screen-to-body ratio. The 14-inch display screen is Full HD with NanoEdge bezels and a 1920 x 1080 pixel screen resolution. It also has an additional innovative 5.65-inch display panel with an interactive touch-enabled touchpad, so you can access to smart controls more efficiently. You can also access the handwriting functions on the on-screen keyboard, take notes, etc. The laptop’s design is ergonomic with a special ErgoLift that offers improved typing positions.
It is powered by 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U, a quad core chipset with a 6M cache and a clock at a top speed of 4.6 GHz. This is paired with the NVIDIA GeForce MX250 graphics card. The RAM is 16 GB and the memory of the hard disk is 512 SSD. The dimensions of the Asus Zenbook 14 are 12.6 x 7.8 x 0.7 inches and it weighs 2.98 LBS. It is compatible with Windows 10 Pro operating system.
As for the ports, there are two full-size USB A ports, one with full 3.1 speed and the other with slower 2.0 speed. There is a USB Type-C port, an HDMI output, and a microSD slot.
ASUS works with video editing software developers like Corel to optimize ScreenPad tools, offering excellent productivity features. It has an intuitive interface similar to smartphones, which allows easy management of basic tasks and improves multitasking of your usual work. Various ASUS utility applications can improve daily productivity tasks such as Doc Xpert, Sheet Xpert, Handwriting, etc.
Who should buy this?
- For creative people who need to easily take notes, jot down ideas, etc. and for video editors.
- For those who want a laptop to do their daily computer tasks.
Laptop for business environments and basic needs
Huawei Kepler Matebook D 14, mystical silver
The Huawei Matebook offers solid performance for basic computer tasks, at an affordable price. It has an efficient AMD processor and comes with a touchscreen that is bright and stands out well for both work and play. It is a sleek and premium laptop with a metal body. The screen is 14 inches, with a 16: 9 aspect ratio, wide IPS Full HD LCD technology and ultra-thin bezels of only 5.2 mm. The display screen has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
The device is powered by AMD Ryzen 5 2500U quad core chipset with 8 threads. Graphics-wise, it introduces the revolutionary Radeon Vega-based graphics, offering fast performance. RAM is an 8 GB clock at a speed of 2 GHz.
As for the ports, it has a USB Type-C port, a USB 3.0 port, an HDMI port, a USB 2.0 port, and a headphone jack. The battery is large with a 57.4 WHr capacity that offers a 12 hour battery life. It also features an energy saving mode that increases energy efficiency by 15%. Battery life is one of the best selling points of the laptop. It is powered by Windows 10 Signature edition, without any bloatware. The Huawei Matebook presents the Dolby ATMOS system with four speakers that offers an immersive experience. The dimensions are 12.72 x 8.7 x 0.62 inches and it weighs 3.46 LBS.
Who should buy this?
- Those who want a good laptop with excellent graphics performance, like gaming etc.
- Those who want a solid and conventional laptop for their basic needs.
Ingenious performance for basic needs
Lenovo Yoga 730, 15.6 inch
The design is flip-top and folding that can fold 360 degrees, thus offering 4 operating modes: laptop, tablet, tent or stand modes. It has a slim and lightweight design. The Lenovo Yoga 730 offers elegant performance with a bright and colorful display. The display screen is a 15.6-inch LCD touch screen with Full HD multi-touch functions and 10 points, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It uses IPS technology that offers wide viewing angles with a low-power LED backlight.
The device is powered by the 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U mobile chipset on an ultra low voltage platform. It has a quad-core 8 processor that offers a highly efficient power clock at a speed of 1.6 GHz. The RAM is 8 GB and is suitable for multitasking, such as performing basic tasks as well as gaming, photos, and video editing. , etc. This is combined with the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 graphics coprocessor. The size of the hard disk is 256 GB.
As for ports, it has a handy Thunderbolt port for connecting an advanced monitor or external drive, which supports high-speed data and high-definition video, as well as offering wired power for bus-powered devices. There is an additional combo headphone and microphone jack. It has a built-in HD webcam with dual microphones, allowing for easy video chat and teleconferencing. It also features a built-in fingerprint reader that offers increased security and typeless access to the system. The device is compatible with Windows 10 operating system.
The dimensions of the Lenovo Yoga are 14.2 x 9.8 x 0.7 inches and it weighs 2.65 LBS. It is thin and light and does not have a DVD or CD drive, offering greater portability.
Who should buy this?
- For those who want everything: speed, portability, writeability and comfort, in one stylish and affordable device.
- Suitable for photo editors and video editors as well as for those who want to multitask their basic requirements.
- Suitable for creators of digital content.
High-quality design in a budget package for basic needs
Convertible laptop Acer Chromebook R11, 11.6 inches
It is a 2-in-1 convertible, so it comes with a 360 degree hinge and can be converted into a tablet. The display screen is an 11.6-inch HD touchscreen with a screen resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It is lightweight and portable, making it an attractive, affordable 2-in-1 device. The design is fanless, making it cool and quiet.
The Acer Chromebook R11 is powered by the Intel Celeron N3060 processor and dual-core chipset that registers a maximum of 2.48 GHz. It has 4GB RAM with a 32GB eMMC hard drive and offers a 10-hour battery life. As for the ports, there is a USB 2 port and a USB 3 port, along with an HDMI port, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Since it is compatible with Chrome OS, you must rely on cloud-based storage to get the maximum advantage. It has limited storage and therefore photos will be stored directly in the cloud. It comes with many basic applications that are useful for basic needs and productivity tasks, such as Gmail, Polarr, Spotify web application, YouTube, Google Docs, Spreadsheets, Presentations, etc. You can also access the Google Play store for apps, games, and music from your laptop. It has built-in antivirus protection and updates automatically. Dimensions are 8.03 x 11.57 x 0.78 inches. The laptop weighs 2.76 lbs.
Who should buy this?
- Those who want a budget package for their basic needs.
- Those who want a reasonably priced laptop for tasks like emails, Spotify music, document writing, YouTube viewing, etc.
- Also suitable for photo editors and multimedia tasks.
Fast overall performance for basic needs
Asus VivoBook L203MA, 11.6-inch, black
It comes in a colorful design and innovative ScreenPad 2.0, enclosed in a sleek chassis, and offers fast performance for basic daily tasks. It has a new and improved ScreenPad 2.0, which is a touchpad that offers a 5.65-inch secondary screen with a touchscreen resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels. It is large and energy efficient and easy to use, offering a good overall experience for basic tasks. It has an 11.6-inch HD screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
The Asus VivoBook L203MA is powered by Intel Celeron N4000 chipset with a 4M cache and clock at a maximum speed of 2.6 GHz. The RAM is 4 GB LPDDR4 and has 64 GB flash storage hard drive storage. This is combined with the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600 graphics coprocessor.
As for the ports, the reversible USB C port makes it easy to connect devices. The 3.1 Gen 1 port also offers fast data transfer. In addition, it offers good compatibility with standard USB 2 ports 3.1 and HDMI port 1. It is slim and portable, only 0.7 inches thick. Dimensions are 11.3 x 7.6 x 0.67 inches with a weight of 2.2 LBS. It is compatible with Windows 10 operating system.
Who should buy this?
- Those who want a laptop have fast performance for basic needs.
- Those who want a budget-friendly laptop that offers solid performance
- Being compact and lightweight, it is perfect for those who want to carry a laptop on the go.
Powerhouse Machine for basic needs
HP Specter x360 -15t, 15.6-inch, dark ash
The HP Specter x360 is a powerful laptop with an attractive aesthetic, sleek yet rugged design, and reasonably priced for such a star laptop. In short, it is an impressive laptop with a crisp 4K screen and versatility to perform daily tasks efficiently. The screen is 15.6 inches with EDP micro-border, BrightView is WLED backlit and features 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution. It also comes with an HP Active Stylus and HP Sleeve included in the package.
It’s a premium 2-in-1 laptop with a stunning 4K IPS display that has a 60Hz refresh rate, coated with Gorilla Glass for a robust, premium feel. It also comes with an HP TrueVision FHD IR webcam and dual-array digital microphones, perfectly suited for video conferencing.
The HP Specter x360 runs on the latest 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8550U processor at a base frequency of 1.8 GHz and up to 4 GHz with Turbo Boost, which has an 8 and 4 MB core cache. This is paired with the NVIDIA GeForce MX150 . It is compatible with Windows 10 Home 64 operating system. The RAM is 16 GB and it has a 512 GB PCleNVMe M.2 SSD hard disk memory. As for the ports, there is a Thunderbolt 3 for data transfers with a performance of up to 40 Gb / s, a USB 3.1 Type C, a USB 3.1 Gen 1, an HDMI port and a combined headphone and microphone port. The laptop’s dimensions are 14 x 9.88 x 0.7 inches and it weighs 0.77 lbs.
Who should buy this?
- Those who want a lethal combination of stellar performance with a dazzling laptop design for everyday tasks.
- Suitable for video conferencing.
Highly portable and rugged ultrabook for basic needs
HP Envy x360, 15.6-inch, Dark Ash
It is a 2-in-1 convertible laptop-tablet that is highly portable and robust. Since it is a convertible, the hinges are quite strong and it is easy to switch between the two modes. It gets to the sweet spot as it is a premium laptop that looks great, has a lightweight construction, and comes with excellent AMD internal components. The design is sleek with a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen with a WLED display, which has a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution.
The device is powered by AMD Ryzen 5 2500U quad-core chipset with a base frequency of 2.0 GHz, reaching a maximum of 3.60 GHz. It has a 6MB Smartcache and this is combined with 8GB 2400MHz SDRAM RAM and a 256 GB SSD hard drive memory. The graphics card is an AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 integrated card. The AMD processor is similar to the Intel i8 5th Gen chipset.
As for the ports, it has a USB 3.1 Type C port, 2 USB 3.1 ports, an HDMI port, and a combo microphone and headphone jack along with a microSD card reader. It is compatible with Windows 10 Home 64 bit operating system. The dimensions of the HP Envy x360 are 9.68 x 14.3 x 0.74 inches and it weighs 6.61 LBS. The average battery life is around 10.5 hours.
Who should buy this?
- Those looking for a highly portable laptop that offers the versatility of a tablet.
- Suitable for tackling all basic tasks, such as working on documents, presentations, surfing the web, streaming music, or compulsively watching movies, all of which can be done smoothly and efficiently.
Solid and strong construction laptop for basic needs
Acer Chromebook 14, 14 inch, silver
It is a solid and strong Chromebook that can easily take a few hits. It is also slim and portable.
The processor is inexpensive and is generally seen in most inexpensive Chromebooks. You can perform daily tasks like video streaming, network browsing and running Android apps without any problem. Its standout features are smart design, decent battery life, and a crisp display that’s enough to easily tackle everyday tasks. The screen is 14 inches of Full HD with ComfyView widescreen display, a LED-backlit IPS display with a 16: 9 aspect ratio and a 1920 x 1080 pixel screen resolution.
It runs on Chrome OS and offers automatic startup and built-in antivirus protection. Being a Chromebook, it comes with all the standard Google apps, making daily tasks easier. You can also access a wide variety of applications, movies, magazines, etc. in Google Play Store along with 1000 GB of disk space in Google, with an automatic backup of all files.
The Acer Chromebook 14 runs on the Intel N3160 quad-core chipset clock at a speed of 1.6 GHz, which can be increased to 2.24 GHz with Intel Burst technology. It has 4GB LPDDR3 RAM and 32GB internal storage. The graphics card is from Intel HD. As for the ports, it has two USB 3.0 ports and an HDMI port. The battery is a 3-cell 3950 mAh lithium polymer battery that offers approximately 12 hours of battery life. Dimensions are 13.43 x 9.31 x 0.67 inches and it weighs 3.42 LBS.
Who should buy this?
- Suitable for anyone looking for a strong and stable Chromebook to tackle basic tasks.
- For those who want to multitask and for those who want a streamlined laptop for work and play.
conclusion
When trying to choose the best laptop for your basic needs, first decide on a budget and then select a good manufacturer, such as those mentioned above. You will need to take into account the screen size and other features like storage, battery life, graphics processor, chipset, connectivity, keyboard type, screen resolution etc. that will adapt to your requirements before deciding which one to buy. For most of us, the basic tasks consist of using Word, spreadsheets, sending emails and surfing the Internet along with watching movies and on-demand services like Netflix, etc. These devices are good for such uses, including spreadsheets and presentations and other jobs. Applications
