Top Tens Budget Laptops - Stuff South Africa

BUDGET LAPTOPS

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Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (i3-1215U)

from R9 000 / incredible.co.za

There will always be trade-offs with budget-focused laptops – less memory or a less capable screen to keep the price in check – yet this IdeaPad manages to offer impressive specs (even though it pushes up against the ‘budget laptop’ limit rather closely). The 12th-gen Intel Core i3 CPU offers decent entry-level performance, 8GB of RAM means you’ll survive opening an extra tab or two, the 15.6in FHD display won’t hurt your eyes, and a 512GB SSD provides snappy storage.

Stuff says

Nothing specific stands out as noteworthy but a good-value package emerges when you assemble the pieces this way.

NOW ADD THIS
LOGITECH M220 SILENT WIRELESS MOUSE
Long-term trackpad use is never fun. This wireless critter is silent, so you won’t disturb anyone. Not even yourself.
from R350 / incredible.co.za

Packard Bell Barrichello C (N4020)

from R4 000/ bash.com

If sticking to a tight budget takes precedence over performance, the 15in Packard Bell Barrichello satisfies all the basic requirements of being a laptop and still comes in under five grand. It will handle basic tasks like word processing or web browsing with little fuss but 4GB of RAM means you’ll need to watch your tab count. The 256GB SSD won’t have you waiting years for Windows to start up and there’s a large FHD display to keep you entertained during study breaks.

Stuff says

When your wallet is callin  the shots, the Barrichello is your ballistic vest.

Proline V146 (R7 5700U)

from R10 000/ game.co.za

If it’s bigger numbers you’re after, the Proline V146 packing a Ryzen 7 5700U CPU trades points in affordability for respectable multicore performance, 16GB of RAM to delight chronic tab hoarders, and a 512GB SSD for more quick storage than you’d usually find in this price bracket. Concessions were made as far as the display and available ports go but these are agreeable casualties in the quest for performance – even if it’s budget performance.

Stuff says

Leans more into performance than affordability or versatility.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (R3 7320C)

from R10 000 / incredible.co.za

If you aren’t after anything particularly powerful, this AMD-touting Chromebook should do the trick. Just… keep your expectations low.

Asus Chromebook CX1 Flip (N4500)

from R6 800 / computermania.co.za

This one also flips in half but instead of Windows, you get ChromeOS. Still technically a laptop.

HP 250 G9 (N4500)

from R5 500 / takealot.com

Like other Celeron-based machines, it’s the RAM, SSD, and FHD display that stand out here.

Asus X515 (i3-1115G4)

from R7 500 / incredible.co.za

If you can do without a FHD screen, the X515 performs respectably in nearly every other category.

Acer Aspire 3 (i3-N305)

from R7 500 / incredible.co.za

The SSD, RAM, screen, and ports on offer make the Aspire 3 a top budget contender.

Packard Bell McLaren C1 (N4020)

from R3 000 / pepstores.com

If all you need is a budget machine to run Planescape Torment and a few spreadsheets, the McLaren C1 will do that.

Asus CR1 Chromebook (N4500)

from R7 200 / takealot.com

If little Timmy needs a Chromebook but likes to drop things, this is what you need.