10 best budget laptops for work and school in 2021

The transition to remote work has had a positive impact on laptop manufacturers. Their devices began to buy in unimaginable quantities. This is due to the need to work and study at home. And buyers suddenly found out that not all inexpensive laptops cause a feeling of joy. If you don't want to go overboard, check out our pick of the best budget laptops.
 
  Name
  Rating
  Nomination

Best cheap laptops up to 13 inches

1 Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 4.90
The most accurate assembly
2 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 11ADA05 4.80
fast charging
3 ASUS L210MA 4.70
High speed connectors. Best price

Best cheap 13-14 inch laptops

1 HP ProBook 635 Aero G7 4.75
The easiest
2 Xiaomi RedmiBook Air 13 4.62
The thinnest screen bezel. The most popular
3 ASUS VivoBook 14 K413JQ 4.61
The most affordable laptop with a graphics card

Best cheap laptops over 14 inches

1 HP 15s-eq2000 4.86
Best value for money
2 ASUS PRO P3540FS-BQ0939 4.78
The most reliable
3 Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15ARE05 4.76
Most Autonomous
4 ASUS Laptop 15 M515DA-BR390 4.45
The largest number of connectors

The models that made it to our top are almost ideal for providing remote learning. On them, without any slowdowns, the latest version of Windows functions, like all additional software.And some models can also run games, albeit with not the highest graphics settings. Also, the devices we have reviewed are excellent working tools. In particular, they do not have problems with running office programs, and the best copies even cope with video editing and other similar tasks.

Which laptops are included in our rating?

For a computer to be included in this selection, it must meet several criteria.

Such a laptop is required to collect positive reviews. If every second buyer complains about a laptop, he does not have a chance to get into the top, no matter how inexpensive it is.

The device must have worthy components. If the operating system slows down on it, and you have to wait several minutes to open some photo editing program, we cannot recommend it for purchase. In a word, the laptop must have a good price-quality ratio, having sufficiently powerful components (but we don’t expect video cards of the GeForce RTX 3060 level from it either).

Desirable high laptop scores in one or another test. Laptops often get on the review of foreign and Russian experts, where they chase tail and mane. If, as a result, the computer deserves praise, and its price is low enough, then it has a chance to get into this selection.

The laptop must be released relatively recently. Laptops become obsolete quite quickly, so almost all the models discussed in this material have a 2021 release year.

Best cheap laptops up to 13 inches

Top 3. ASUS L210MA

Rating (2022): 4.70
high speed connectors

One of the smallest laptops among those that are endowed with two USB 3.2 ports.

Best price

The most affordable of all the laptops we've reviewed.

  • Average price: 22,000 rubles.
  • Processor: Celeron N4020, 2 cores, 1.1 GHz
  • Memory: 4GB DDR4 and 128GB M.2 SSD
  • Display: 11.6" TN+film, 1366x768 pixels, 60Hz
  • Weight: 1.05 kg

It may seem that this laptop turned out to be quite weak. But in fact, its processor supports short-term overclocking, as a result of which the frequency rises to 2.8 GHz. It is a pity that the laptop cannot work in this mode for a long time, because passive cooling is used here. But on the other hand, the device can boast of long-term operation from a full charge at a standard frequency - you may need to connect the power supply only after 10-12 hours! It's also one of the cheapest laptops to ship with Windows 10 Home - you won't have to spend time installing the OS. Another distinguishing feature of this model is the presence of a USB Type-C connector, which corresponds to the highest speed characteristics. The SSD drive also contributes to the fast operation of the device. But its volume leaves much to be desired. As well as the installed display.

Pros and cons
  • High speed connectors available
  • Long battery life
  • Installed OS Windows 10
  • Screen created using TN+film technology
  • Modest amount of memory
  • The processor is not powerful

Top 2. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 11ADA05

Rating (2022): 4.80
Accounted for 5 reviews from resources: M Video
fast charging

The laptop battery charges to 80% in just an hour.

  • Average price: 24,990 rubles.
  • Processor: Athlon 3050e, 2 cores, 1.4 GHz
  • Memory: 4GB DDR4 and 128GB M.2 SSD
  • Display: 11.6" TN+film, 1366x768 pixels, 60Hz
  • Weight: 1.2 kg

The best option for those who have an urgent need to buy a laptop. This model is sold at a very low cost. But you should not expect impressive performance from it. Perhaps most of all, the computer surprises with its weight. This allows you to carry it with you to study. The Wi-Fi 802.11ac wireless module is also capable of pleasing, providing a fast speed of downloading files from the Internet. The device also includes a microSD slot, two USB 3.2 connectors, a webcam and an HDMI 1.4 output. For data storage, an SSD drive is intended, which you later want to replace. Only the display can spoil the impression of a purchase here. Alas, it has a modest resolution and far from the best viewing angles. But what else could you expect from such an inexpensive laptop?

Pros and cons
  • There are high-speed connectors
  • Fast charging supported
  • No noise at all
  • The display is made using TN + film technology
  • Modest amount of memory
  • Supplied without OS

See also:

Top 1. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go

Rating (2022): 4.90
Accounted for 9 reviews from resources: Price.ua
The most accurate assembly

The body of the laptop was created from aluminum and carbon fiber, and there are absolutely no complaints about the build quality.

  • Average price: 60,000 rubles.
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-1035G1, 4 cores, 1 GHz
  • Memory: 8GB DDR4 and 128GB SSD
  • Display: 12.4" IPS, 1536x1024 pixels, 60Hz
  • Weight: 1.11 kg

A great option for work, especially if you have to regularly carry a laptop with you. It was released by Microsoft in 2021.Unfortunately, the device is not intended for the Russian market, so you will have to spend some more money on engraving the keyboard, because it contains only Latin characters. Otherwise, the product does not have any special flaws. The laptop received a small display, endowed with a very high resolution, and even with maximum viewing angles. A decent amount of RAM is hidden under the case. Internet connection can be made using the latest Wi-Fi 802.11ax standard. There's even a fingerprint scanner! In a word, the laptop is definitely able to please with an excellent price-quality ratio. The only pity is that it can still not be called cheap. But this is just the case when the cost corresponds to the characteristics.

Pros and cons
  • Powerful processor
  • Good security system
  • Excellent display
  • There is no Cyrillic alphabet on the keys
  • The price won't suit everyone
  • Not officially sold in our country

Best cheap 13-14 inch laptops

Top 3. ASUS VivoBook 14 K413JQ

Rating (2022): 4.61
The most affordable laptop with a graphics card

It's one of the most inexpensive ways to get your hands on a PC that's ready to run games at high graphics settings.

  • Average price: 45,290 rubles.
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-1035G1, 4 cores, 1 GHz
  • Memory: 8GB DDR4 and 512GB M.2 SSD
  • Display: 14" IPS, 1920x1080 pixels, 60Hz
  • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce MX350
  • Weight: 1.4 kg

Video cards have been out of stock for several years now. Even for laptop manufacturers. However, some of them still manage to release cheap laptops with a discrete video adapter on board.For example, such a device is ASUS VivoBook 14 K413JQ. Under its body hide GeForce MX350 and 2 GB of video memory. If you run GTA V on such a laptop, the game will run at high graphics settings with a frequency of approximately 45 frames / s. Also, a laptop can be used for work, even if it consists in video editing. Problems can only arise if the content is filmed in 4K resolution - a budget laptop was not created for editing it.

Pros and cons
  • Has a discrete graphics card
  • Large memory
  • High speed connectors available
  • Supplied without OS
  • Not very wide color gamut

Top 2. Xiaomi RedmiBook Air 13

Rating (2022): 4.62
Accounted for 306 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, iRecommend, Rozetka, Price.ua, Otzovik
The thinnest screen bezel

In terms of the thickness of the frame around the display, only smartphones will not envy the laptop.

The most popular

Like other Xiaomi products, the laptop is in extraordinary demand. And this is despite the fact that this model can be called cheap only with a big stretch.

  • Average price: 69,500 rubles.
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-10210Y, 4 cores, 1 GHz
  • Memory: 8GB DDR3 and 512GB M.2 SSD
  • Display: 13.3" IPS, 2560x1600 pixels, 60Hz
  • Video card: no
  • Weight: 1.05 kg

Great laptop for home or work use. It is very different from its competitors. In particular, the best display is used here. It has maximum viewing angles and very high resolution. And the experts who conducted the testing noted a 100% color gamut according to the Rec. 709. Other features include support for the Wi-Fi 802.11ax standard. Nothing bad can be said about the processor.By default, it runs at a relatively low clock speed. But if you need to solve a complex problem, this parameter can be increased up to 4 GHz! And the device is ready to boast of long battery life and good sound. In a word, this is a good computer that can help even in cases where the work is related to solving very complex problems.

Pros and cons
  • Decent amount of memory
  • High resolution display
  • Uses high speed connectors
  • Keys do not have Cyrillic
  • Not the fastest SSD speed
  • The price is not particularly low

Top 1. HP ProBook 635 Aero G7

Rating (2022): 4.75
The easiest

Scales under this laptop will not show even 1 kg!

  • Average price: 60 250 rubles.
  • Processor: Ryzen 5 4500U, 6 cores, 2.3 GHz
  • Memory: 8GB DDR4 and 256GB M.2 SSD
  • Display: 13.3" IPS, 1920x1080 pixels, 60Hz
  • Video card: no
  • Weight: 0.99 kg

This laptop exists in several modifications. Whichever you choose, it will be a great option for study or work. You can safely carry the device with you - it is almost not felt in a backpack or bag. But you will have to pay for this by the lack of a discrete graphics card. The power of integrated graphics Vega 6 is only enough to run the simplest games and video editing a video in Full HD resolution. It is curious that the laptop received a fairly capacious three-cell battery. In just half an hour, it is able to charge up to 50%. But then the charging speed slows down a lot - this must be taken into account. Another undoubted advantage of the laptop is Windows 10 Pro - you do not need to search and install the operating system.

Pros and cons
  • Powerful processor
  • Decent amount of memory
  • Built-in high-speed connectors
  • The price tag will not suit everyone

Best cheap laptops over 14 inches

Top 4. ASUS Laptop 15 M515DA-BR390

Rating (2022): 4.45
Accounted for 39 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, Rozetka
The largest number of connectors

High-speed ports are complemented by a pair of USB 2.0, which allows you to connect, for example, a wired mouse or printer.

  • Average price: 28,390 rubles.
  • Processor: AMD Athlon Gold 3150U, 2 cores, 2.4 GHz
  • Memory: 4GB DDR4 and 256GB M.2 SSD
  • Display: 15.6" TN+film, 1366x768 pixels, 60Hz
  • Weight: 1.8 kg

An excellent choice for a person who needs a computer urgently, and the amount allocated for this business is small. But you need to understand that you have to put up with certain restrictions. This model is equipped with a large display, but you need to look at it at a right angle, since TN technology was used for its manufacture. Also, the laptop is not ready to overpower the solution of too heavy tasks, because under its silver body there is a low-powered processor and only 4 GB of RAM. Fortunately, the volume of the latter can be increased in the future. It is also recommended to purchase a larger SSD in the future. There is nothing to be done about the lack of a video card - instead of it, integrated graphics are used here.

Pros and cons
  • Built-in Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11ac modules
  • Low cost
  • Small amount of memory
  • Mediocre display
  • Very modest webcam

Top 3. Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15ARE05

Rating (2022): 4.76
Accounted for 219 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, DNS, Comfy, Rozetka, KNS
Most Autonomous

If you do not load the laptop in full, then you can count on the fact that the connection of the power supply will be required only after 15-17 hours.

  • Average price: 58,650 rubles.
  • Processor: Ryzen 5 4500U, 6 cores, 2.3 GHz
  • Memory: 16GB DDR4 and 256GB M.2 SSD
  • Display: 15.6" IPS, 1920x1080 pixels, 60Hz
  • Weight: 1.7 kg

Great working tool. With it, you can surf the Internet at high speed, especially if you connect to a Wi-Fi 802.11ax network. In this case, the charger can be left at home, as the laptop has a very capacious battery. It is also nice that in just an hour the battery is charged by 80%. Other features of a fairly cheap laptop include the presence of a fingerprint scanner and a card reader. To connect external drives, two USB 3.2 ports are used here. There is also USB Type-C, which uses the same speed standard. 16 GB of RAM will surprise someone even more - usually budget laptops have half the amount. In a word, a rare computer is ready to boast a similar price-quality ratio.

Pros and cons
  • Long battery life
  • Powerful processor
  • Large memory
  • Decent size and weight
  • Comes with DOS
  • No discrete graphics card

Top 2. ASUS PRO P3540FS-BQ0939

Rating (2022): 4.78
Accounted for 34 feedback from resources: Yandex Market
The most reliable

Judging by the reviews, the laptop is ready to serve faithfully for many years.

  • Average price: 38,500 rubles.
  • Processor: Intel Core i3-8145U, 2 cores, 2.1 GHz
  • Memory: 8GB DDR4 and 256GB M.2 SSD
  • Display: 15.6" IPS, 1920x1080 pixels, 60Hz
  • Weight: 1.7 kg

An excellent laptop for work and study, with a silver body and a fairly large keyboard. The display installed here is also large, capable of boasting maximum viewing angles. The process of launching programs does not take much time, since the data is read from the SSD drive. The laptop also includes Bluetooth modules and Wi-Fi 802.11ac. To connect an external hard drive and other devices, two USB 3.0 ports and the same number of USB Type-C ports with slightly higher speeds are used. The buyer can only complain about the lack of a video card, instead of which integrated graphics are activated in games.

Pros and cons
  • Large memory
  • Excellent IPS display
  • Has a fingerprint scanner
  • No discrete graphics card
  • Comes without Windows
  • Not the most convenient connector location

Top 1. HP 15s-eq2000

Rating (2022): 4.86
Best value for money

This laptop turned out to be inexpensive, but far from the weakest components are hidden under its body.

  • Average price: 43,200 rubles.
  • Processor: Ryzen 5 5500U, 6 cores, 2.1 GHz
  • Memory: 8GB DDR4 and 512GB M.2 SSD
  • Display: 15.6" IPS, 1920x1080 pixels, 60Hz
  • Weight: 1.67 kg

Ideal for study. Especially if you can easily install Windows here, because by default there is only an old DOS. The computer received 8 GB of RAM, which is enough to run the vast majority of programs. The six-core processor is also not underpowered. Nothing particularly bad can be said about the battery, which is charged half in just 45 minutes. The laptop uses Wi-Fi 802.11ac to connect to the internet.Positive emotions are also caused by a set of connectors, which includes a couple of USB 3.2 and one USB Type-C. Complain in the reviews only on the integrated graphics. But you need to understand that this is a cheap laptop for the home, used to work with documents, run videos and solve other simple tasks. Gaming machines cost quite different money.

Pros and cons
  • Powerful processor
  • Capacious battery
  • Good amount of memory
  • Comes without Windows
  • The laptop is quite heavy.
Which manufacturer of laptops for study and work do you consider the best?
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Attention! The above information is not a buying guide. For any advice, you should contact the experts!

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