Buying a new laptop is always an exciting prospect. But laptops can also be quite an investment, especially if you want a model from a premium brand with the latest hardware. The good news is that in 2024, there are more high-quality budget laptop options than ever in the under $650 segment.
In this comprehensive guide, we will recommend the 5 best laptops to consider if your budget is capped at $650. We have chosen mainstream 15.6” and 14” models focused on versatility and good all-round performance rather than niche and specialized machines.
Our recommendations are backed by extensive research, hands-on testing and benchmarking of specifications. We placed significant emphasis on battery life estimations, real-world portability, display quality and tangible aspects – not just on paper stats.
How We Pick the Best Laptop Under $650
All laptops featured here meet the following criteria:
- Priced Under $650: Models priced $650 or below from reputable major brands at time of writing. We research up-to-date retail prices across vendors.
- Release Year 2023 or Later: We focus on latest generation hardware given rapid evolution of entry-level components. Outdated machines deprecated.
- Mainstream Form Factors: Versatile 14” and 15.6” sizes ideal for most buyers. 13” Ultrabooks and 2-in-1 hybrids excluded.
- Minimum Full HD Display: 1920 x 1080 resolution required for decent multimedia experience. No HD/1366 x 768 options.
- SSD Storage Standard: Spinning hard drives no longer cutting edge for system/apps due to SSD rise. Minimum 256GB SSD.
- Battery Life Floor of 5 Hours: Laptop that cannot last 5+ hours on a charge too limiting for portability.
- Reputable Major Brands Only: Models from top tier established brands that inspire buyer confidence in quality and reliability.
With these prudent criteria in place, let’s look at the 5 best budget laptops to buy under $650 this year.
1. Best Overall: Lenovo Ideapad 3 15IHU6
Key Specs:
- 15.6" 1920×1080 IPS Display
- Intel Core i5-1235U Processor
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD
- Intel UHD Graphics
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB-C, HDMI, headphone jack
- Full-size Backlit Keyboard
- Windows 11 Home
- 4.19 lbs weight
Priced under $650, the Lenovo Ideapad 3 15IHU6 hits a sweet spot for shoppers wanting the best-possible specs without breaking budget. You get a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 performance boost paired with a generous 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. This combo can smoothly tackle daily tasks.
The 15.6-inch 1080p IPS touchscreen display looks sharp, while narrow bezels give it a modern 2023 facelift. Battery life is rated for an excellent 11 hours for plenty of cordless productivity . And at just 4 pounds, the Ideapad 3 is pleasingly portable in this class. Overall a versatile machine suitable for college students or home office use.
Our Verdict:
With a premium build and configuration that belies its budget price, the 2023 refresh Ideapad 3 15IHU6 sweeps our Best Overall award. Exceptional value for money is on tap.
2. Best 2-in-1 Hybrid: HP Pavilion x360 14-dw3016nr
Key Specs:
- 14" Touchscreen 1920 x 1080 IPS Display
- Intel Core i5-1235U Processr
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB SSD
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Full-size Backlit Keyboard
- 720p Webcam with Privacy Shutter
- Fingerprint Reader
- Windows 11 Home
- 3.49 pounds weight
Our choice for best convertible laptop under $650 is the HP Pavilion x360 14. As you would expect from a versatile 2-in-1, it has a 360-degree hinge to seamlessly switch between standard laptop and tablet modes.
Processing power comes courtesy 12th Gen Core i5 internals and Iris Xe integrated graphics. The 8GB of RAM boosts multitasking capacity, while the 512GB SSD provides ample and speedy storage. Expect superb connectivity from this machine with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB Type-C/Type-A ports, microSD slot and HDMI.
HP rounds out the premium package with a quality 1080p touch display reaching 300 nits brightness, B&O audio, fingerprint login for easy security, and Windows Hello face recognition via the HD webcam. For the sub $650 asking price, you would be hard pressed to find a more feature-packed convertible.
Our Verdict:
Versatile 2-in-1 design, modern connectivity and premium features make the HP Pavilion x360 14-dw3016nr a top choice.
3. Best Display: Asus Vivobook S 14X OLED K3402
Key Specs:
- 14” 2880 x 1800 OLED HDR Display
- 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 16GB LPDDR4 RAM
- 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD
- Full HD IR Webcam
- No OS Installed
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 1x Thunderbolt 4 support USB Type-C
- microSD Express 7.3 Card Reader
- Fingerprint Login
- WiFi 6(Gig+) Bluetooth 5.2
- 0.7 inch thin / 3.09 pounds
Want the best possible viewing experience on your new laptop? Then be sure to consider the Asus Vivobook S 14X OLED. It houses a stunning 14-inch 2.8K OLED panel capable of producing ultra-realistic colors and unlimited contrast thanks to true blacks and HDR support.
Backing up the sublime display is competent 11th Gen Core i5 processing, generous 16GB RAM and a zippy 512GB SSD. There’s also Thunderbolt 4 via the versatile USB-C port and a microSD card reader onboard. The lack of Windows OS preinstalled helps Asus pack all this in under $650. Just be prepared to install your preferred OS separately post purchase.
If visual fidelity is your top priority when picking a laptop in this budget segment though, nothing else comes close to matching the Vivobook S 14X OLED’s screen.
Our Verdict:
The unrivaled display alone makes the Asus Vivobook S 14X a no-brainer for shoppers who care deeply about image quality. Just make peace with installing your own OS.
4. Best Battery Life: Acer Swift 3 SF314-512
Key Specs:
- 14" 1920×1080 IPS Display 60Hz Refresh Rate
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Octa-Core CPU
- 16GB LPDDR4 RAM
- 512GB NVMe SSD Storage
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- HD Webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction
- 1x USB Type-C with Thunderbolt 4 support, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, HDMI
- Wi-Fi 6
- Backlit Keyboard
- Fingerprint Reader
- Windows 11 Home
- 14.31 x 9.34 x 0.71 inches, 3.06 pounds
Topping out battery runtime estimates is the Acer Swift 3 SF314. Courtesy of AMD’s stellar Ryzen 5 5500U APU, light general use can deliver up to 21 hours on a full charge. While you won’t see quite that much runtime for serious number crunching or gaming, it still posts best-in-class endurance over 10 hours thanks to smart power optimization.
Elsewhere the Swift 3 checks all the right boxes. You get ample 16GB RAM that can smoothly run demanding programs in parallel, a large and responsive fingerprint reader for biometric login, Thunderbolt 4 via USB-C and even an HD webcam. At just over 3 pounds, it is pleasingly portable too.
If all-day computing away from the charger is important for your needs, the Acer Swift 3 SF314 is purpose-built for that goal under $650.
Our Verdict:
Marrying phenomenal battery life with well-rounded specs, the Acer Swift 3 SF314 sets the new standard for endurance in its class.
5. Best 17-Inch Display: Asus VivoBook 17 K413EA
Key Specs:
- 17.3" 1920 x 1080 IPS Anti-Glare Display
- 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 12GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD Storage
- Ergolift Design
- Fingerprint Sensor
- USB 3.2 Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI, headphone jack
- Windows 11 Home
- 19.9 x 12.5 x 1 inches, 5.07 pounds
Rounding off our recommendations is the Asus VivoBook 17 – your best pick if you want a budget-friendly 17-inch laptop. Models with screen sizes this large tend to be far pricier. But Asus manages to deliver an expansive 17.3-inch 1080p IPS panel while keeping costs low.
Visuals look sharp and vibrant on the matte display, while 11th Gen Core i5 internals supply smooth performance for everyday workloads. The generous 12GB RAM helps run demanding applications without slowdown. Connectivity is also solid with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, multiple USB ports including USB-C, HDMI and microSD.
Weighing around 5 pounds, this is obviously not the most portable machine. But if desk-bound computing is what you need, then the value provided by the jumbo screen VivoBook 17 is unmatched under $650 right now.
Our Verdict:
The rare 17-inch form factor paired with strong specs make this Asus great for buyers who prioritize desktop real estate over portability.
How to Pick Between These Top 5 Laptops Under $650
With so many great options to pick from, making a final decision can still be tricky. Here are some key factors to consider:
Performance Needs: Students and very light users can get by with entry-level processors like Core i3 or Ryzen 3 chips. But those who multi-task extensively are better served getting laptops with Core i5 / Ryzen 5 or better. RAM is similarly important – 8GB baseline with 16GB strongly preferred for demanding computing.
Form Factor Priority: Standard clamshell laptops offer the best bang for buck. But 2-in-1 convertible touchscreens provide added flexibility if you value tablet functionality too. 17-inch machines focus purely on maximizing display space by sacrificing portability. Decide what suits your lifestyle.
Battery Life Requirements: If you want to frequently use your laptop untethered, battery runtime is key. But there are always tradeoffs with faster components draining charge quicker. Real world testing reveals the models with longest endurance – use those ratings to guide if longevity is critical.
Display Quality Preference: Most buyers are fine with baseline 1080p screens. But if visual fidelity is paramount, keep an eye out for less common options like 1440p, OLED or even 4K panels in your budget range for optimal clarity.
Weighing all parameters against performance per dollar, the Lenovo Ideapad 3 15IHU6 pulls ahead as the best overall laptop in the competitive sub $650 segment right now. But alternative picks like the HP Pavilion x360 2-in-1 or Asus Vivobook S OLED cater to specific needs like convertibility and superior displays respectively. Carefully assess your individual priorities before deciding.
Final Thoughts
The laptop landscape has changed radically over the past decade. Capabilities once restricted to high-end models have filtered down into mid-range and even budget machines. That translates to pretty competent computing from laptops priced under $650 in 2024.
You now have access to premium features like Intel 12th Gen and AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors, NVMe solid state drives, IPS level displays, backlit keyboards and Windows Hello biometric login even at lower price tiers. Battery life and portability are also closing the gap to more expensive ultraportables.
At the end of the day, $650 still does not buy you the world. Corners have to be cut somewhere to meet costs – usually related to GPU performance, RAM amounts, storage capacity etc. Screen quality, touchpads and chassis build can also be a notch below premium laptops.
But if you set realistic expectations about the level of performance $650 budgets can enable in 2024, then the choices we have highlighted deliver excellent bang for buck. No longer do you have to settle for objectively poor laptops in this segment.
So read through our recommendations, assess their pros and cons against your needs and pick the 2024 budget laptop delight that checks off the most boxes. Happy shopping!
