From Windows laptops to Chromebooks to MacBooks, our experts have tested and identified the top low-cost machines that make short work of everyday computing. The best part? Many ring up for less than $600.

Acer announced a new cheap laptop called the Swift Air 14 at Computex 2026, a tech trade show in Taiwan. It has an all-metal build and starts at just $699 with Intel's new Core Series 3 processors, 8GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 120Hz display, making it a very strong MacBook Neo competitor. It's set for release this August.

The price tag is compelling

The surge in popularity of netbooks has led computer makers to change the way they think about PCs. A few years ago, you’d pay a premium for thin and light laptops, while larger and heavier machines inevitably cost more. Today, we’re starting to see ...

We've tested almost 20 laptops over the past six months. Here are the standouts.

Move over, MacBook Neo. Intel has quietly launched a "Project Firefly" initiative to develop cheaper mainstream laptops that don't feel cheap, using its new Wildcat Lake chip as a centerpiece.

We've seen the lion's share of the latest GeForce- and Radeon-equipped gaming laptops—and our experts have tested all of the top options in PC Labs. Here's how to get the best machine on a budget.