11 Best laptops under $1500 – Tested & Reviewed 2023

Best Laptops Under $1500

Various affordable laptops in different designs and sizes come in the $1500 budget, some are portable and easy to carry like notebooks, while some are heavy and bulky like gaming laptops.

There are a variety of laptops that cater to everyone’s personal preferences. Some people need long battery life, some need a high-performance system, and some like the elegant design. 

The laptops listed can be used for different tasks like watching movies, video editing, and typing. It is hard to find an exact laptop that fulfills all your needs. 

We’ve made this complex process of picking the best laptops under $1500 hassle-free. After reading this article, there will be no confusion, and you will easily find an ideal laptop that suits your requirements.

Microsoft Surface 3

1.2 GHz Intel Core i5
Intel Iris Plus
8GB RAM

Apple MacBook Air

10th Gen Intel Core i5 M1
Intel Iris Plus
8GB RAM

Dell XPS 13 Laptop

10th Gen Intel Core i7--10510U
Intel UHD
16GB RAM

Lenovo IdeaPad 2020

Dual Core 7th Gen AMD
AMD Ryzen R5
8GB RAM

HP 15-inch FHD

Intel Core i5-1035G1
Intel UHD
8GB RAM
  • Processor: 1.2GHz Intel Core i5
  • Display: 13.5″
  • Graphics: Intel Iris Plus
  • RAM: 8GB

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is the upgraded and advanced model of the previous surface 2. It has an elegant sandstone metallic look like every Surface laptop.

It has a thickness of 0.5 inches and weighs only 1.29kg, making it the best ultraportable laptop. The body looks like MacBook, and yes, both fall in the same price range. Yet, the Surface laptop is powerful than MacBook Air.

Moreover, this laptop can handle heavy software. It comes with a mighty 1.2GHz Intel Core i5 processor that makes it ultra fast. In addition, it is integrated with the Intel Iris Plus graphics that make the experience better. The 8GB RAM allows you to store as many files as you want in this laptop.

Besides, with its comfortable and well-spaced keys, the typing experience becomes pleasant. It also has a touch display which helps you in moving through the files and tabs.

Overall the 13.5-inch display screen is a pretty decent for any task. The  metallic finish gives this laptop a premium feel. It is slim and lightweight allowing this laptop to be carried anywhere easily.

The keyboard is extremely comfortable to use, which is ideal for writing. The battery life is also impressive; it can last all day with only one full charge. This one is ideal for anyone looking for a laptop for typing.

Pros
  • Slim and lightweight design makes it ultraportable
  • Elegant metal design
  • Excellent keyboard and touchpad
  • Long-lasting battery life
Cons
  • No thunderbolt 3 port
  • No fingerprint reader
  • Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5, 1.1GHz
  • Display: 13.3″
  • Graphics: Intel Iris Plus
  • RAM: 8GB

Apple’s newest MacBook Air 2020 has been launched with few updates, they have removed the butterfly keyboard and installed the same keyboard used in the 2019 MacBook air, which everyone applaud, and Apple calls this keyboard: The Magic Keyboard.

It has a slim body and lightweight design. It weighs around 2.8 pounds and has a thickness of 0.6 inches which makes this laptop ultraportable.

Moreover, the thunderbolt 3 ports are also included. This laptop is also impressive in its performance, you can run multiple applications without experiencing any setback, but you can not perform heavy-loaded tasks like editing high-quality videos.

It has some impressive features that make these laptops a favorite of many people. Although it can not run heavily loaded tasks, it has a powerful 10th Generation processor. 

Some will wish for more high performance, but with a Magic Keyboard, great display, and average battery life, the MacBook Air 2020 has become the best pick for Mac users.

Pros
  • Magic Keyboard instead of butterfly key switches
  • Latest 10th Generation Intel Processor
  • Good Battery life
Cons
  • Low Quality of Webcam
  • Can not handle the heavy workload
  • Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7, 4.6GHz
  • Display: 13.3″ touchscreen
  • Graphics: Intel UHD
  • RAM: 16GB

The Dell XPS 13 is the most reputable series of laptops out there. It has an edge-to-edge screen which gives a charming look, and a camera right above the display makes it the perfect choice.

Moreover, It weighs around 2.7 pounds and has a thickness of 0.45 inches with an anodized aluminum body. It has the 10th generation Intel i7 processor, which works for daily computing tasks and other tasks like video editing or gaming.

It has some updates from the previous version of the series, making this laptop stand out from the others. Changing the webcam position and adjusting it in a small space above the edge-to-edge screen was a significant update, but there can be an improvement in the battery, otherwise, it is one of the best budget laptops you can get.

Pros
  • Tiny 2mm webcam placed at the right spot
  • 4K Touchscreen
  • Slim and Thin Design
  • Thunderbolt 3 ports included
Cons
  • The touchpad is not comfortable
  • No fingerprint scanner
  • Processor: Dual Core 7th Gen AMD, 3.10GHz
  • Display: 15.6″ 
  • Graphics: AMD Ryzen R5
  • RAM: 8GB

Lenovo Ideapad 15.6” 2020 is the newest addition to their Ideapad series. This best laptop under $1500 has a large display of 15.6 inches. It also has a comfortable keyboard and pretty impressive performance capabilities. It is the successor of the previous IdeaPad 2019 with having a faster processor and battery life.

It is not the slimmest laptop like others on the list, but it is lightweight and easy to carry. It has a metallic aluminum frame that weighs around 4.63 pounds and has a thickness of 0.9 inches. It has a reasonable price in terms of what it offers. It has a high-performance rate which also includes a dedicated AMD Radeon 5 graphic card.

In addition, this laptop can also handle gaming, video editing, and graphic designing. Although its display screen is large but the display quality is not of top quality. It does not have a Thunderbolt 3 port; instead, it has an HDMI port.

Additionally, the battery can last up to 8 hours which can be improved significantly. This low-quality display and battery make this laptop affordable, which is a decent trade-off.

Pros
  • Affordable Price
  • Comfortable Keyboard
  • Large Display Screen
Cons
  • Battery life could be improved
  • Low-quality Webcam
  • Processor:  Intel Core i5-1035G1, 1 GHz
  • Display: 15.6″ 
  • Graphics: Intel Iris Plus
  • RAM: 8GB

HP makes some of the best laptops in the market. This recent HP laptop from the 15-inch series is one of their best products. It has an exquisite slim and lightweight design, which makes it ultraportable. It is also easy to carry, which increases your productivity. It weighs around 3.75 pounds and has a thickness of 0.7 inches.

It is equipped with the latest 10th generation Intel i5 processor, making this laptop fast and powerful. Moreover, with Intel UHD Graphics installed, you can watch 4K videos and play some games. In addition, It has an impressive battery that can last up to 10 hours and can charge fully charged in 90 minutes.

Pros
  • Large HD Display
  • The touchpad has a gesture capabilities
  • Long Battery life
  • Slim and lightweight
Cons
  • No Thunderbolt 3 port
  • No fingerprint scanner
  • Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5, 1.1 GHz
  • Display: 14″ 
  • Graphics: Intel Iris Plus
  • RAM: 8GB

Another HP laptop got a spot on this list. This laptop is smaller than HP 15-inch, but it has the same beautiful slim and lightweight design, which makes it ultraportable. It is easy to carry as it weighs around 3.24 pounds and has a thickness of 0.7 inches.

It is equipped with the latest 10th generation Intel i5 processor, making this laptop fast and powerful. Moreover, It has an impressive 14″ IPS BrightView Backlit FHD display, making movies and games pleasant to watch. 

This laptop is a product of HP, a reputable brand, so it will not disappoint you in terms of quality. With Intel UHD Graphics installed, you can watch 4K videos and play some of the games. It has an impressive battery that can last up to 10 hours.

Pros
  • High contrast and bright display
  • Small and compact notebook design
  • Long Battery life
  • Slim and lightweight
Cons
  • The keyboard could be better
  • No fingerprint scanner
  • Loud fan noise
  • Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i7, 4 GHz
  • Display: 13.9″ 
  • Graphics: Intel HD 620
  • RAM: 12GB 

As you might have guessed by looking at the name, this Lenovo Yoga C930 is a 2-in-1 laptop different from any conventional notebook. This laptop can be converted into a tablet by quickly rotating the screen. The 360-degree convertibility is also a feature that catches eyeballs. It has an excellent 1080p display screen.

Moreover, Lenovo Yoga C930 has a mighty Intel i7 with Intel HD graphic coprocessor, which might not be suitable for gaming but works smoothly during other tasks. 

It is a great all-rounder. In terms of features, it has almost all the features which any good high performing laptop needs. In addition, It has impressive connectivity options with two thunderbolts 3.0 ports. The battery is long-lasting and can last up to 14 hours.

Pros
  • Slim and Lightweight
  • Webcam privacy cover
  • Strong and premium metallic design
  • Touchscreen display
  • Fingerprint Scanner
Cons
  • Graphics could be better
  • Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i7, 1.8 GHz
  • Display: 13.3″ 
  • Graphics: UHD 620
  • RAM: 8GB

ASUS ZenBook S stands out with its impressive features. Its high hinge makes the typing experience comfortable. The metallic body by aerospace-grade aluminum gives it a premium look. It is slim and lightweight, weighing 2.2 pounds and a thickness of 0.5 inches, making it ultraportable.

Moreover, this laptop has high-performing processors of Intel i7 with Intel UHD graphic coprocessor. It can run multiple tasks by making the system excellent for a more extended time. It can run some games with lower settings and has a below-average battery life which can last for up to 7 hours.

ASUS ZenBook S is the best ultra-thin and lightweight laptop. With its performance rate, you can perform some heavy tasks like light gaming, video editing, and run 4K video. Additionally, you can experience 4K videos at a reasonable price. Besides, with its Egro hinge lift, the laptop becomes ideal for the writer looking for comfortable typing.

Pros
  • Ergolift makes the keyboard comfortable
  • Durable because of a strong body
  • 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • Slim and lightweight
Cons
  • Low Battery life
  • Low-quality Webcam
  • No fingerprint scanner
  • Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i7, 1.8 GHz
  • Display: 14″ Touchscreen
  • Graphics: UHD 620
  • RAM: 16GB

LG might not be famous for its laptops, but the LG gram laptop has changed the game for LG. This LG gram has a 14-inch laptop. You can easily carry it anywhere and anytime. Besides, it weighs only 2.2 pounds, and it is slim, having 0.6 inches of thickness.

Moreover, Its battery makes it more portable, as it can work for at least 19.5 hours (as claimed by LG). So LG gram is durable as it has passed the military-grade durability test. It has a substantial body of nanocarbon magnesium. In addition, the 8th generation Intel i7 processors can handle almost all your needs. You can even run some of your favorite games with lower settings.

With its long battery life, it’s more convenient to work without being plugged. Features like a vivid display with almost no bezels and good speakers make this laptop attractive.

Pros
  • Slim and lightweight
  • Comfortable Keyboard
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Thunderbolt 3 port included
  • Fingerprint Scanner
Cons
  • Processors can be improved
  • Low-quality Webcam
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 2700U, 3.8 GHz
  • Display: 15.6″
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 540
  • RAM: 8GB

The Acer Swift 3 15.6-inch laptop falls in the budget category, which offers a variety of features. With 0.7 inches thickness and 4.85 pounds, it is fragile and light. The durability is very impressive. It has a metallic body with a corning Gorilla glass screen.

Moreover, this is the only laptop which is not using Intel Processors. This laptop has powerful AMD Ryzen 7 Quad-Core processors with graphical support by AMD Radeon RX 540 coprocessor. With these strong processors, you can perform many different tasks on this laptop. You can play your favorite games without any hassle.

This laptop could easily handle gaming, video editing, and some heavy video editing. As a result, with the backlit keyboard, you can comfortably type in a dark environment. The battery has a below-average capacity which can last up to 9 hours.

Pros
  • Slim and lightweight
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Durability with Gorilla Glass
  • HD quality display
  • Fingerprint scanner
Cons
  • No Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • Low-quality Webcam
  • Below-average battery life
  • Processor8th Gen Intel Core i7, 4.6 GHz
  • Display: 13.3″
  • Graphics: UHD 620
  • RAM: 16GB

ASUS ZenBook 13 has staggering blue and gold color combinations that look premium. This ASUS laptop also has a high hinge that makes the typing experience comfortable. It is Ultra slim and lightweight, weighing 2.6 pounds and a thickness of 0.7 inches.

Moreover, this laptop has high-performing processors of Intel i7 with Intel UHD graphic coprocessor. It can run multiple tasks by preventing the system from heating up. It can also run some games with lower settings. It has extended battery life which can last up to 14 hours (claimed by ASUS).

It is ultra-thin and lightweight. With its powerful processors, you can perform some heavy tasks like gaming, video editing, and run 4K video. Long words short, you can experience 4K videos at a reasonable price. 

With its Egro hinge lift, the laptop becomes ideal for the writer looking for comfortable typing. Even with the hinge lifted still laptops can experience some temperature rise.

Pros
  • Ergolift makes the keyboard comfortable
  • Durable because of a strong body
  • Slim and lightweight
  • Extended Battery life
Cons
  • Low-quality Webcam
  • No fingerprint scanner

Best Laptops Under $1500 - Buying Guide

When you are shopping for a laptop, you have to look for certain things before making any decisions. These decisions depend upon your needs. So we have compiled thing that will help you buy the ultimate laptop.

Operating System

Laptops typically have one of these two operating systems; Windows 10 and macOS. Windows 10 is the most common operating system, and with touchscreen support, it is also most versatile. macOS is mainly used for multimedia editing and for synchronizing with Apple products if the person is already tied into Apple’s ecosystem.

Processor

The processor is an essential part of the laptop. There are mainly two companies that produce high-quality processors; Intel or AMD. Intel is the most popular processor, but recently AMD is being used commonly.

Therefore if you’re looking for a budget laptop for simple tasks like browsing or watching movies, a laptop with an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 will easily handle these tasks. If you’re looking to do a complex task like editing some videos or play some of your favorite games, then a laptop with an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor will do the job. 

The best laptops for multimedia, multitasking, and more complex tasks, come with an Intel Core i7 or Core i9 or an AMD Ryzen 7. On an excellent mainstream laptop, you need 8 GB of RAM for smooth performance. You have to double that to 16 GB RAM if you want to do gaming and multimedia editing.

Graphics

When it comes to graphics, your laptop must have Intel or AMD graphics processors. These processors will be more than enough for light gaming, watching 4K video, and graphic designing. However, for more heavy games and high-quality video editing, Nvidia graphic cards perfectly work, which means that you should look for graphic cards according to your needs.

Battery

Battery life should be a significant factor. If you are working remotely, you need long battery life to move comfortably without being plugged in, making it easier to move around without charging. 

However, if you are a gamer or multimedia editor, then battery life does matter because these tasks drain the battery fast, which requires you to buy the best laptop with more battery time. According to Tech Guided, the average battery life of an affordable laptop should be between 5 to 10 hours

Size and Weight

At last, size and weights also play an essential role in choosing the best laptop under $1500. The less the weight of the laptop makes it more portable. You should have a look at weight and thickness to figure if it is portable or not. If you’re looking for a gaming laptop, it is heavyweight, and if you’re looking for an affordable portable laptop, it is always light-weighted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much RAM is good for a laptop Under $1500?

4 GB can do casual web browsing and movies, 8 GB can do casual gaming and stream HD videos. With 16 GB, you can do multimedia editing and proper gaming.

What should be screen size of a laptop?

That depends on your need. A 13-inch screen laptop is best if you are looking for an ultraportable. A 15-inch screen laptop is ideal if you replace a desktop, play games, or watch movies.

Are Dedicated Graphics important?

Standard integrated graphic processors work fine with daily commuting tasks. The most common integrated graphic processors are Intel’s HD Graphics, UHD Graphics, or Iris Plus. If you want proper gaming and multimedia editing, you have to opt for dedicated graphics processors like Nvidia GeForce RTX.

What laptop should I buy for 2023? 

The Dell XPS 13 is the overall best laptop of 2023. With a powerful 10th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, it can perform multiple tasks. It is ideal for typing, light gaming, and multimedia tasks. It has a bright, vivid 13-inch Infinity Edge display, which gives a brilliant experience watching movies.

What is the most reliable laptop?

Apple has a quality that their laptops are very reliable and predictable. When you’re buying any MacBook, you know what to expect. Macbooks come with an excellent screen, reliable battery life, and an elegant frame with thin bezels. They cost little more than their Windows counterparts, but Apple laptops are top-class when it comes to style, user friendly, and reliability.

Who has the best deals on laptops right now?

HP 15-inch FHD laptops offer the best deal you can get right now. With less than $600, you can enjoy many perks with this laptop. It has a Large micro-edge bezel 15.6” FHD display. With strong processors of 10th Generation Intel Core i5. With all these features, it has a long-lasting battery.

Which laptops last the longest? 

ASUS ZenBook 13 Ultraslim Laptop is highly durable with a strong frame. It has gone through the ultra-demanding MIL-STD-810G military standard for the durability test. This process includes extended tests for operation in harsh conditions, including extreme altitudes, temperatures, and humidity. It is a durable and lightweight laptop that lasts for a long time.

Is Dell or HP better? 

HP produces laptops with a visually appealing body and high-performance components. HP laptops have sufficient technical support to perform heavy tasks. HP has lots of variety, varying from budget laptops to high-end products.

Whereas Dell has a wide range of products, they produce. Dell doesn’t compromise higher quality for the price. Dell continues to launch more laptops than its competitors, which makes Dell a favorable brand to invest in when it comes to buying laptops.

Should I get a Chromebook or laptop?

Chromebooks are intended to run a lightweight operating system that’s aimed to help with light productivity tasks. It runs on its Chrome OS and can handle light computing tasks like browsing, streaming videos, and playing mobile games. Also, they are among the most affordable laptops around.

However, if your day-to-day computing demands involve more than just browsing, the Chromebook is not an option. A laptop with Windows or macOS is much more powerful to perform many tasks.