Our Top 3 Picks For The Best Laptop Under $1000 Budget
HP Envy x360 2-in-1 Flip Laptop
FHD 1080p Touchscreen
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7
Video: AMD Radeon
Acer Predator Helios 300
FHD IPS w/ 144Hz Refresh
CPU: Intel Core i7
Video: GTX 1060
Lenovo Thinkpad T480
Core i7 Notebook
CPU: Intel Core i7
Video: Intel UHD 620
If you want a modern laptop with features that are competing in the market but you are on a budget, then you have come to the right place. We have a list for you that has the best laptops under $1000. In other words, this is a list of laptops that is up to date as well and won’t cost you a kidney.
Buying a new laptop in this day and age can really hurt your pockets. On the other hand, compromising on the newest tech is simply unacceptable as well. That is why we have chosen middle grounds, letting go of some extra features to save a little bit of cash seems like the right thing to do.
The best laptops under $1000 are obviously not going to be the top of the line. But that is the whole point of this article. Depending on what you need and what are your preferences, you will be able to pick a laptop that will not be too heavy on your budget.
For example, if you want to browse the net and use some productivity apps, you will be ok with a lower-end CPU but you would like to have an OLED screen. Similarly, if you are using applications for graphic rendering or gaming, you might not need the latest CPU but you would need a powerful GPU.
Such considerations have been kept in mind while compiling this list.
You might be interested in higher budget laptops like best laptops under 1300 and best laptops under $2000.
Best Laptops Under $1000 Budget
1. DELL XPS 13 7390
| CPU speed: | 4.9GHz |
| Memory: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 256GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 11 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 |
XPS 13 is a balanced laptop that you can find useful for almost everything. Such is the list of best laptops under $1000 that we have compiled.
The processor is the 10th gen Intel Core i7 with 4 multithreading cores. It essentially means that you get the same processing power as single thread 8 cores. The processor’s max clock speed is 4.9 GHz which is one of the highest at the time.
The CPU is suited for all kinds of heavy lifting and multitasking and you will never even have to think about it. It also has slightly better Iris graphics which would be able to support better graphics than the old UHD.
8 GB memory is more than enough for everyday usage but you won’t be wrong in thinking that this could be better. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade this in the XPS 13 either. That being said, unless you plan on heavy gaming or graphics rendering, 8 GB will suit your needs just fine.
It wouldn’t be under $1000 if it had everything now, would it? On that note, the laptop does not have a dedicated GPU. Iris would perform much better than UHD graphics but it won’t be much help if you want to use it for heavy gaming.
Storage is 256 GB SSD which is not very much but would suffice for most users. Another good thing about the laptop is its portable configuration and its feathery 2.8 pounds weight. With battery timings reaching close to 12 hours, you can take the XPS 13 anywhere on the go and that is what has earned it a spot in the best laptops under $1000.
Powerful on the hardware side.
Looks awesome from the outside.
Provides more battery time.
The display has positive vibes.
Your desired connectivity options.
Might be a little small for some people.
Also read Best gaming pc under 500.
2. Latest HP Envy 360
| CPU speed: | 4.0GHz |
| Memory: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 256GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 12 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 Home |
The 2021 Envy 360 is a 2-in-1 laptop by HP. Suited for everyday work, it is also worthy of being part of this list of best laptops under 1000.
It is equipped with a Ryzen 5 4500U CPU with 6 single-thread cores and up to 4.0 GHz of clock speed. For those of you who are not aware of the Ryzen brand of CPUs, it is roughly equivalent to a 10th gen Core i7 by Intel. Which one is better? That is a separate debate and we won’t get into that.
What you need to know is that the Ryzen series is performing just as well, if not better, as the Intel CPUs and a Ryzen 5 would handle your everyday tasks beautifully with a lot of firepower to spare.
The 8 GB RAM, again, can be better. But, there is no routine task that can make your Envy 360 even breathe louder. The RAM is adequate for the most part unless you are looking for a gaming laptop. Unfortunately, you can’t upgrade this RAM but that is exactly what this article for best laptops under 1000 is all about.
Telling you what compromises would cost you less in terms of processing power. The storage space is 256 GB SSD, which is more than enough if you are using your laptop for office work etc. But if you are using it as a storage space for data you would probably need an external hard drive.
The battery lasts a staggering 13 hours making it ultra-portable; however, the weight is 4.41 pounds. Not really a cause for concern, but you would feel that you are carrying a little extra load. The laptop comes in a 2-in-1 configuration.
You can use the touch screen and the 2-in-1 feature to operate it both as a laptop and a tablet as per your requirement making it an attractive best laptop under 1000 choice.
Ryzen 5 6 core processor.
2-in-1 configuration.
Long-lasting battery life.
Ideal memory for multi-tasking.
Runs smoothly.
Same like others, it has low storage space.
You might be interested in lower-budget laptops like best laptops under 500 and best laptops under 300.
3. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
| CPU speed: | 3.7GHz |
| Memory: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 128GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 10 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 Home |
The Surface Pro 7 is a studio tablet come laptop that will let you enjoy the comfort of a portable tablet with the processing power of a laptop thus earning a spot in our best laptops under 1000.
The processor is an Intel Core i5 10th gen processor with top clock speeds reaching up to 3.7 GHz. Needless to say, it can perform the usual tasks of an everyday laptop user adequately well and still has processing power left over.
It is equipped with 8 GB RAM, which is perfectly fine if you compare this with any tablet (as you should.) The integration and processing power of the surface pro 7 far outruns most of the tablets on the market today, except maybe the extremely pricey high-end ones.
The storage space is 128 GB and suits the needs of the surface pro just fine. After all, a studio tablet is not meant to hold large amounts of data. The Pro 7 weighs only 1.7 pounds so you can carry it under your arm without even noticing.
The battery lasts up to 11 hours and is perfectly suited for a tablet-style laptop. The more attractive feature is the pen input touch display, which will make it especially eye-catching for the artists out there looking for budget options.
The creative genius inside of you is bound to come to life with the options available in Surface Pro 7 and the features available make it a definite part of the best laptops under 1000. But, the laptop-style cover does not come with it, has to be bought separately.
10th Gen processor.
Tablet portability.
Battery life is stunning.
Pen input.
Can crush any task.
Stores less data.
4. ASUS ZenBook UX333FA
| CPU speed: | 3.9GHz |
| Memory: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 256GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 11 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 |
Next on the list is the Asus ZenBook with another overly complicated nomenclature (that we will not use to refer to it at all.) Let’s just call it the DH51.
So the DH51 is another choice for the best laptops under the $1000 category. It has the 8th gen Intel Core i5 processor with a top clock speed of 3.9 GHz. Along with 4 multithreading cores, it is needless to say that it packs a reasonable amount of processing power sufficient for even games.
However, that is only if we look at the CPU in isolation. It is in no way a gaming laptop. But, the 8 GB RAM is sufficient for your daily usage and even some of the hectic tasks as well.
It has a storage of 256 GB SSD which again, although not much for heavy data consumers, is decent enough to house the essentials. The laptop will run smoothly and perform all routine tasks fluidly.
The battery timing is a whopping 11.5 hours, which, along with its 2.6 pounds weight, makes it a super portable laptop that can be utilized on the go. The ZenBook’s sleek trademark style and adequate processing power have landed it a spot among the best laptops under $1000.
Featherweight.
The battery runs all day.
Performs great.
Great display.
Low space for storage.
Also read Best gaming pc under 800.
5. Acer Predator Helios 300
| CPU speed: | 4.1GHz |
| Memory: | 16GB |
| Storage: | 256GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 7 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 Home |
We did promise that the list of best laptops under 1000 will have something for everyone. That is why we cannot forget about our gamer users with their relatively heavier power requirements from a laptop.
The Predator Helios is Acer’s gaming line laptop. Helios 300 has the 8th gen Intel Core i7 processor with 6 multithreading cores instead of 4. With the 4.1 GHz top clock speed, it is very well equipped to handle the heavy load of modern gaming.
The RAM is 16 GB DDR4, yes finally more than adequate RAM in the best laptops under 1000. Memory needs no explanation. It is fully powered to handle what the laptop is made for. It is also using DDR4 tech which keeps the speed of the memory at 2133 MHz constantly.
The NVMe SSD is approximately 3 times faster than a normal SSD and plays a part in the overall efficacy and speed of operation of the laptop. But, there are only 256 GB of it which will be disappointing for many gamers out there.
The good news is, that you can add an additional SSD to it. It has a 6 GB dedicated GPU which is the GeForce GTX 1060. Even though it is on the older Pascal architecture and does not have ray tracing tech, it is still a very decent GPU that can run most of the games at decent graphics settings.
Understandably it has lower battery timings; powerhouse laptops do need more power. It is said to have up to 7 hours, however, it will drastically decrease when you are gaming on it. But then again, battery timing isn’t really a requirement when you are looking to game.
Overall, for gamers, Helios 300 would be one of the top choices for the best laptops under 1000.
6 Core multithreading CPU.
Upgradeable SSD.
Dedicated GPU.
144Hz refresh rate screen.
Performance is good.
Low storage.
6. Lenovo ThinkPad T480 20L5
| CPU speed: | 4.8GHz |
| Memory: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 256GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 6 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 Pro |
Well, who knew Lenovo would outdo Asus in the naming game? Let’s just call this one the T480. The T480 has the 8th gen Intel Core i7 processor with 4 GHz of top clock speed. It is very well suited for any modern requirement laptop so not much of a need to elaborate.
The 8 GB memory will fulfill most of the daily requirements like a breeze and can handle a moderately heavy workload as well. It is nothing to complain about when you are looking at budget-best laptops under 1000.
The storage space is 256 GB SSD which would suffice for anyone who wants to use the laptop at the office or at home for browsing or any other routine activity. The good news is, if you need to upgrade it you can do it at home simply.
The battery life of the T480 is a sore issue. It only lasts about 6 hours on average. However, it is not an issue enough to defer any user. What we are saying is, that it could be better. The old-gen processor and memory take up significantly more power so that is one of the reasons.
With 3.64 pounds and barely enough battery life, the portability of the T480 takes a small hit. You will need to carry the charger everywhere, and the weight will be felt as well. Such are the compromises that you have to make on a budget when looking for the best laptops under 1000.
More GHz on CPU.
Ideak RAM.
Good resolutions.
Great performance for lighter tasks.
Upgradeable SSD.
Low battery life.
Design isn’t that good.
7. Lenovo ThinkPad T480
| CPU speed: | 3.1GHz |
| Memory: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 1TB HDD |
| Battery Life: | 6 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 Home |
Now here is a name we can all say without forgetting. IdeaPad is Lenovo’s business laptop series. In other words, these laptops are optimized for usage in offices and businesses. How can we forget the 9-5 workers while making the best laptops under the $1000 list?
It has a 7th gen Intel Core i5 processor with 2 multithreading cores and a top clock speed of 3.1 GHz. Not the fastest or the latest available in the market, but it is optimally configured to handle all professional and business-related tasks.
You won’t have a problem with the processor’s performance in any routine task even if it is not the latest in the market. The 8 GB memory will also suffice handsomely for the purpose for which the laptop was built. In other words, for budget laptops under 1000, it is smooth sailing all the way.
Disappointingly, the memory is HDD. It compromises the speed with which the memory can be accessed. However, for office requirements, you need more storage space, and HDD can do that at a lesser cost. So you get 1 TB of storage.
The laptop has only 6 hours of battery life. But, the fast charging feature comes in handy if you suddenly have to attend a meeting on short notice and don’t have charging space. A 15 min plugin would get you roughly 2 hours of running time.
4.85 pounds of weight for a laptop is by no means light, however, since office requirements are not expected to be too mobile it should not be a problem. Even if you have to occasionally carry it around and also to and from work, it is not likely to be a big problem as usage on the go requirement would be to a minimum.
Works fine for office use.
Outrageous performance.
Fast charging.
Good display.
Nice design.
Low battery timings.
8. Acer Swift 3
| CPU speed: | 3.4GHz |
| Memory: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 256GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 10 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 |
Swift 3 by Acer is by no means a gaming laptop. However, with the specifications it has, it will let you play many modern games at perhaps a low graphics setting. That is what we call an entry-level laptop, and that is what you should expect from the best laptops under 1000.
The processor is 8th gen Intel Core i5 with 4 multithreading cores and a top clock speed of 3.4 GHz. 8 processing threads give the CPU enough power to handle any consumer-level task decently without any problems. You won’t have any complaints about the processing power.
8 GB memory may not be great, but it is definitely adequate. The memory and CPU integration gives a decently powerful laptop for your everyday work and use.
Storage space will always be an issue if you are looking for SSD storage in the best laptops under 1000. Anything on a budget will make a cut on the storage space as it has a less direct linkage to the performance of the laptop. That being said, 256 GB is not really anything to complain about.
It has a dedicated NVidia GeForce MX150 graphics card with 2 GB of space. It is by no means a heavy gaming GPU. However, having 2 GB of dedicated graphics memory will let you run many games at lower graphics settings.
With 10 hours of battery time and 3.75 pounds of weight, Swift 3 is a fairly portable option from the best laptops under 1000.
Dedicated Graphics card.
Breaths longer, 10 hours battery life.
Ideal memory.
Lightning-fast processor.
Your desired overall performance.
Unimpressive storage.
9. ASUS ZenBook Flip 14
| CPU speed: | 3.4GHz |
| Memory: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 256GB SSD |
| Battery Life: | 13 hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 |
Don’t even look at the name; we know. The ZenBook Flip 14 is an ultra-thin 2-in-1 laptop by Asus with a 2-in-1 configuration and an option for stylus input that many of you will find appealing.
The processor is the 8th gen Intel Core i5 with 3.4 GHz of top clock speed and 4 multithreading cores. Nothing to explain here, the laptop will run like a breeze and will have the processing power to spare for any multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks.
8 GB memory will work more than smoothly with the processor, delivering a fluid experience to the user without any hitches or blocks. 256 GB SSD may not be great for storage but it will do the job for a 2-in-1 at-home use laptop.
The 2-in-1 configuration screen comes with a stylus input option for digital artists who like to work on tablets but need a little processing power for editing or graphics rendering or even to work on photographs.
ZenBook Flip 14 provides a happy compromise all within the framework of the best laptops under 1000. It has the requisite power of a laptop complete with storage space for completed work. Yet the 2-in-1 configuration with the sleek and smart design gives it the portability of a tablet.
The stylus input is an attractive feature for those who like to edit photos with a more personal touch or like to draw digital art. The staggering 13 hours of battery time with the slim and sleek style makes it one of the most portable options of the best laptops under 1000.
2 in 1 configuration.
13 hours of battery life.
Powerful processor.
Stylus input.
Performs smoothly.
Low storage.
Read Techprogeeks guide on the Best Laptops Under 600
How to find the best laptop under $1,000
I will discuss the component and their capacity to consider before making any choice and you would be able to find a laptop that could get the value for the money you spent on it.
What should you expect in the best laptops under $1000
Processor
When working on a budget you cannot expect the latest 11th gen CPUs or equivalents. However, a decent 7-10th gen CPU with core i5 or core i7 equivalents is entirely possible. To be honest, they suffice for everyday usage and hardly give users a chance to complain.
Memory
Users will mostly have to make do with older versions of 8 GB memory. That is not a cause for concern for any normal user. However, gamers may find bottlenecks approaching fast when doing their thing. Don’t worry we have something for everyone in the best laptops under 1000.
Storage
If you want SSD storage you probably will not get anything over 256 GB. 512 if you are extremely lucky. However, there is always the option of going for an HDD hard drive if storage space is of importance. On the contrary, SSD can be chosen if storage speed is more consequential.
Graphics Card
For a budget laptop under 1000, expecting a high-end graphics card would be very unreasonable. However, entry-level cards with up to 4 GB of memory can be found if you can make the right balance between CPU and memory.
But you need to be careful not to go too low with CPU processing power, otherwise, the GPU power would be rendered ineffective. Some of these machines come with a GPU and of course, it makes them the best gaming laptops too.
‘Other Best Of’ Price Laptops Guides
Best Laptops Under 300
Best Laptops Under 500
‘All Purposes Laptops’ Guides
Best Laptops For AutoCAD
Best Budget Gaming Laptops
Best Laptops For GIS Software
Best Laptops For Photo Editing
Conclusion
Having something for everyone while keeping the budget low, is not an easy task. However, we are confident when we tell you that our list of best laptops under 1000 has something for everyone. Well, almost everyone.
Picking out the best suitable option can be difficult enough on its own. When we add a budget constraint to it, it may become downright impossible for some users to find an option that suits their pockets.
Keeping that in mind, laptops with different configurations from home to office to gaming requirements were picked up to form a budget list of best laptops under 1000.
We hope that it will help our readers make up their minds about what they need keeping their budgets and usage requirements in view.
