The 4 Best Laptops Under $600 of 2025

The ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) is the best laptop under $600 we've tested. It's a Windows ultraportable designed for general productivity. Though entirely plastic, this 16-inch model feels pretty sturdy build-wise, already putting it above other models in the same price range, which typically feel fragile and cheap. Its large display looks reasonably sharp and gives you plenty of room to work comfortably with two windows side by side. Screen brightness is okay at around 250 cd/m², so you shouldn't have visibility issues unless you have bright lights shining directly on the display. A minor complaint about the display is that it looks slightly washed out, a typical downside of budget models. The keyboard is a pleasure to type on, as the keys have a good amount of travel, require little force to actuate, and provide satisfying tactile feedback.

As stated, this is a laptop designed for relatively light, everyday tasks. Sporting AMD's Ryzen processor, it'll have no problems handling things like web browsing, media consumption, spreadsheets, and presentations. Heavy multitasking is possible, though that'll depend on the RAM configuration. You can get 8GB or 16GB; we recommend the latter, though 16GB models may be hard to find. Thankfully, you can upgrade the memory yourself via the standard SO-DIMM slot. Port selection is decent; just know that the USB-C doesn't support video output, meaning you'll have to rely on the HDMI port to connect an external monitor. Regarding battery life, you can get around eight hours of light use on a full charge, so depending on your use, you might need to plug it in (via USB-C) to get through a typical school or workday.

Our best under-$600 Chromebook pick is the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (2024), a 14-inch 2-in-1 convertible. The base model's MSRP is $700 USD, but it's often on sale. It has a compact design that makes it easy to carry around, and its battery lasts easily through a typical school or workday, so you don't have to worry about bringing a charger. The overall user experience is surprisingly good for a Chromebook, which are typically low-end devices that often feel cheap. You get a nice FHD+ display, a comfortable keyboard, and an excellent 1440p webcam. The display gets bright enough to combat glare in well-lit settings, and since this is a 2-in-1 convertible, you can flip the screen around and use it as a tablet. The port selection is decent; it has two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4s, a USB-A, an HDMI, and a headphone jack.

For under $600 USD (the regular price is $699 but goes on sale often), you can get a model sporting an Intel Core Ultra 5 115U CPU paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The Core Ultra 5 is more than adequate to handle everything you can do on a Chrome OS device, like web browsing, text processing, and video playback. Unfortunately, there's no fingerprint sensor or facial recognition camera for quick logins. If you're new to Chromebooks, know that most applications that run on Windows and macOS don't work on Chrome OS, so you must ensure you can do everything through a Chrome browser or Android app.

If you prefer a 2-in-1 tablet, consider the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021). It's an excellent choice for media consumption and web browsing, offering a compact, lightweight design and a battery life of 10 to 11 hours. You can detach the keyboard for easier use as a tablet or to save space, making it convenient in tight areas. Its OLED display is sharp, colorful, and bright enough to handle indoor glare; just know that OLEDs suffer from burn-in when displaying static elements, so vary the content. The device supports pen input and provides a storage spot for the stylus on the back cover, though you may need to purchase the stylus separately.

As expected with budget devices, there are a few drawbacks. The keyboard feels cramped, with stiff keys, and the touchpad is small and sometimes unresponsive—better suited for a dedicated mouse. The speakers deliver a poor, boxy sound with no bass. The device has only two USB-C ports, one of which is needed for charging. Additionally, it lacks biometric security, like fingerprint or facial recognition, which is typical for Chromebooks.