A laptop is an essential tool for work and school and a great way to have fun at home. Laptops give you the freedom to take your work with you wherever you go.
You can also watch movies, play games, and chat with friends at home. In our review, we break down the best laptops under $100 that won’t break the bank.
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What To Expect From A Laptop At This Price Point
A laptop is an excellent tool for a student or working adult who values portability and doesn’t want to spend their entire day in a classroom or office. You can use a laptop to keep your kids entertained in any room in the house.
If you’re a multitasker, a laptop will be the ideal tool to help you accomplish your projects and tasks throughout the day. Depending on what functions you are looking for specifically, you may need to go slightly over your $100 budget to invest in a laptop model worth buying.
Budget Laptops Under $100 Compared
Image | Product Name | Screen Size | Storage | Battery Life | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Inches, 1366 x 768 pixels | 32GB | 6 Hours | ||
| 14.1 Inches, 1280 x 800 pixels | 80GB | 2 Hours | ||
| 11.6 Inches, 1366 x 768 pixels | 16GB | 1 Lithium Polymer battery required (included, 8 hours) | ||
| 10.1 Inches, 1280 x 800 pixels | 32GB | 6 Hours | ||
No products found. | 10 Inches, 1024 x 600 pixels | 8GB | 2-3 Hours |
How To Find a Reliable Laptop Under $100
Screen Size & Display
The laptop’s screen size and display are dependent on which brand and model you buy. Screen size possibilities typically range from 10.1" and 13.3" to 14.1" and 15.4" at the $100 price point. Pixel sizes can range from 1366 x 768 and 1280 x 800 to 1920 x 1080.
RAM & Storage Space
Most laptops under $100 fall into the 2GB or 4GB RAM range. Storage space ranges from 32GB to 256GB. In order to upgrade a cheap laptop to TB storage, you would need to buy an additional hard drive.
Processor
A processor, (or your computer’s CPU) is essentially the computer’s brain. Laptops under $100 have basic CPU levels of 1.8GHz to GHz. If you are a gamer or are a video editor, you may want a more expensive laptop with higher CPU levels.
Battery Life
The battery life on a laptop varies depending on your laptop model. You can expect anywhere from 2 to 8 hours of battery life. Charging time varies from as little as an hour to approximately three hours.
Design
Different laptop brands and models will come in various colors: black, blue, gold, white, silver. The screen itself may have a gloss or matte finish, and the keyboard may or may not come with a backlight. There are dozens of laptop skins you can purchase separately if you want to customize your laptop design.
Portability/Weight
Laptops typically weigh up to 5lbs (or 80oz), and some can even be as light as 1lb (or 16oz.) For that reason, they are easily portable, and there are many laptop cases or bags that can help with portability.
Extra Features
The features on each laptop will vary. Most come with a USB port, and some may or may not come with a built-in CD drive. You will also find that laptops have diverse internal features: battery saver, offline mode, keyboard backlighting, etc.
Warranty
If you buy a refurbished laptop from Amazon, you can save money while still bringing home a quality laptop. Amazon takes used laptops and refurbishes them, passing on that savings to consumers. More affordable laptops typically have a shorter warranty.
5 Best Cheap Laptops Under $100 Reviewed
1. RCA Atlas 10 Pro
- VERSATILE: Get the best of both worlds and...
- SPEED: 1.3GHz 4 Quad-Core Processor....
- BUILT-IN: 2GB RAM, 32GB Flash Storage Memory...
- FOR WORK OR PLAY: Stay efficient with Android...
Best Laptop Tablet Under $100
Screen Size & Resolution | 10 Inches, 1366 x 768 pixels |
Processor | 1.3GHz 4 Quad-Core Processor |
Weight | 15.8 ounces (or under 1lb) |
Storage | 32GB |
Battery Life | 6 Hours |
RAM | 2GB |
The RCA Atlas 10 Pro is the best laptop tablet under $100. This laptop is a combination of a tablet and a keyboard. You can remove the tablet from the keyboard to have a stand-alone tablet for greater portability.
This laptop has a 1.3 GHz 4 quad-core processor, which is great for running most standard applications. The 1280 x 800 display is a touchscreen that allows for greater control. The battery life lasts up to 6 hours, which is excellent for a laptop under $100. This device includes Google Play compatibility.
With this laptop, Amazon offers a package that includes a travel keyboard and an AC adaptor. A standard headphone jack allows you to use your headphones to listen to music and videos.
This laptop model is 10” and comes in a classic all-black design. Unfortunately, this laptop does not come with a built-in virus program. Customers will need to purchase a separate virus program to protect their computer from malware.
This laptop does not come with a built-in CD drive, either. If you want to play physical DVDs or CDs, you will need to purchase a DVD/CD reader. The RCA Atlas is a great laptop for consumers who want a laptop with a removable table and touchscreen capabilities.
Also Recommended: Best Budget 2 in 1 Laptops
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2. Dell Latitude D630
- Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 2 GigaHertz
- 2GB DDR2 RAM
- 80GB Hard Drive
- 14.1 Inch Screen, Graphics Media Accelerator...
Best Laptop Around the $100 Mark
Screen Size & Resolution | 14.1 Inches, 1280 x 800 pixels |
Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 2 GHz |
Weight | 4.37 Lbs. |
Storage | 80GB |
Battery Life | 2 Hours |
RAM | 2GB DDR2 |
The Dell Latitude D630 laptop is the best laptop around the $100 mark. This laptop is a nice affordable option, especially when considering size and durability. Dell's 14-inch screen allows for a greater experience when gaming and streaming. The Intel Core 2 Duo Processor (2 GHz) is great for running most standard applications.
This model includes a few additions, which are often missing from newer laptops, including a serial port if you prefer an alternative to the wireless option and a built-in CD drive and headphone jack. If you’re looking for a work computer, the Dell Latitude is perfect for using applications such as e-mail, spreadsheets, and word processing.
This laptop comes with Windows XP, an older operating system that was loved for its user-friendly interface. Although this operating system is outdated, plenty of people still use it today.
Unfortunately, the battery life does not last long, so you’ll want to keep the charging cord close by when using this laptop for travel. This laptop model only comes in one color: solid gray. The Dell Latitude is an excellent option for both business and fun.
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3. Acer C720-2844
- Acer Chromebook C720-2844 11.6" Celeron 2955u...
Full of Features
Screen Size & Resolution | 11.6 Inches, 1366 x 768 pixels |
Processor | Intel Celeron 2955U 1.4GHz Dual Core |
Weight | 4.29 Lbs. |
Storage | 16GB |
Battery Life | 1 Lithium Polymer battery required (included, 8 hours) |
RAM | 4GB |
The Acer C720-2844 is a laptop full of features. From the voice command microphone and keyboard to the built-in webcam and WiFi/Bluetooth capabilities, this laptop offers you a way to connect even while you’re on-the-go. This Acer requires a Lithium Polymer battery (which is included with the purchase).
Battery life is long-lasting, with eight hours available on a single charge. The Chrome OS operating system gives this laptop a fast start-up time and uses very little hard drive space. The keyboard and Chrome OS layout give this laptop the kind of user-friendly simplicity that will be great for kids.
This model comes in a sleek gray with traditional black keys on the keyboard. Depending on what you want to use your laptop for, you will be limited with the Chrome OS. This operating system is best used for standard applications and not well suited for photo editing, video editing, or heavy gaming.
Most of the laptops in our guide struggle to handle the heavy resources required for editing or gaming. We recommend this device for users who want an affordable laptop with a built-in webcam, excellent battery life, and WiFi/Bluetooth compatibility. The downside is that sometimes this laptop comes in over $100.
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4. RCA Cambio
- Intel Atom Z3735F Quad-Core Processor 1.83...
- 2GB RAM
- 32GB SSD HDD
- Webcam
Best Cheap Laptop for Kids
Screen Size & Resolution | 10.1 Inches, 1280 x 800 pixels |
Processor | Intel Atom Z8350 Quad-Core |
Weight | 2.1 Lbs. |
Storage | 32GB |
Battery Life | 6 Hours |
RAM | 2GB |
The RCA Cambio is the best cheap laptop for kids. With its 10-inch screen and easily detachable keyboard, this 2-in-1 laptop/tablet is a great size for travel. Additionally, the RCA Cambio only weighs 2.1 lbs, which makes transporting even more comfortable.
What makes this device unique is its preloaded Windows 10 OS feature. This easy-to-use operating system will be especially beneficial if you’ll be using it for work or school. The built-in webcam and BlueTooth capabilities make this product an excellent option for those who frequently attend videoconferences.
You can store many files with the built-in 32GB flash memory. There is also a MicroSD card slot, which can support up to 128GB of additional storage. The RCA Cambio includes an AC charger and an attachable keyboard.
The battery life lasts up to 6 hours. This model only comes in 1 color: silver. Though this product is an excellent option for kids, it does not come with a built-in CD drive. However, this device does come with USB ports, and there are many fantastic external CD drives you can purchase separately.
We recommend this laptop for on-the-go users, on a budget, and like the option for additional storage.
Also Recommended: Best Laptop for 10 Year Old Daughter or Son
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5. Netbook Laptop
No products found.
Value for Money Option
Screen Size & Resolution | 10 Inches, 1024 x 600 pixels |
Processor | VIA WM8850 |
Weight | 1.91 Lbs. |
Storage | 8GB |
Battery Life | 2-3 Hours |
RAM | 1GB |
The Netbook Laptop is the best value for money option on our list. This 10 inch and under 2 lbs model is great for consumers who want something that can travel easily. This product is simple and the kind of device you would want to browse the web, surf YouTube, explore social media and play classic games.
This product can connect you to the internet at home or your favorite internet cafe with WiFi capabilities. With the built-in webcam, this device can connect you with others face-to-face. This laptop runs on an Android operating system, which is great for those looking to access their favorite Android apps on their laptop.
The Netbook Laptop is compatible with memory cards. It is only offered in one color: modern white. This laptop has 8GB of storage, so it may not be suited for heavy users who require a lot of storage space.
With a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, this model falls below our former laptop choices. We recommend this laptop for consumers who primarily use basic software applications and want a lightweight laptop with a built-in webcam.
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Windows Laptop vs. Chromebook vs. Tablet - Which Is Best?
In general, laptops are superior to Chromebooks or tablets simply because they offer a more generous feature set and can download additional applications (Microsoft Office products, etc.).
A Windows laptop uses a Windows OS, which is a standard operating system. Chromebooks use a limited OS, which can be great for kids or consumers who want a simplified device, but they cannot download software and applications available on Windows, Linux, and Apple OS devices.
The greatest function of a tablet is its portability and touch screen capabilities. These devices often weigh less than laptops and can be more stylish. Tablets tend to be more affordable.
Laptop Troubleshooting Guide
Computers of any kind often run into technical issues. Laptops, for instance, might overheat. When this happens, shutting the computer down and making sure it's resting on a cool surface may be helpful. You may want to consider investing in a laptop cooling pad.
Cheaper laptops also tend to hold a shorter battery life. Make sure to properly turn off your computer and remember to unplug the computer once it’s fully charged. It is possible to wear out a battery by overcharging it. For more information on how to troubleshoot your laptop, this video by EasyTechs is helpful.People Also Ask (FAQs)
Which brand of laptop is best for this price range?
RCA is the best laptop brand for this price range. This brand makes laptops with great battery life and often have touchscreen displays.
How long do laptops under $100 generally last?
Laptops under $100 generally last anywhere from 2 to 4 years.
Are refurbished laptops under $100 worth buying?
Affordable refurbished laptops are worth buying because they will last several years with good care and are useful tools for everyday use.
Is it possible to find cheap Apple laptops under 100?
It is unlikely that you will find an Apple laptop under $100. Apple does not offer affordable laptop options.
Where is the best place to start browsing cheap laptops for sale under 100?
Amazon is a great place to find affordable laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets. There are a variety of brands available on Amazon with refurbished options available for a greater discount.
Conclusion
The #1 product we recommend is the RCA Atlas 10 Pro 2-in-1 laptop tablet. This inexpensive laptop will give you the benefit of both worlds. Whether for business or fun, you can easily transport this RCA stylishly as a tablet or straight to the office with the attached keyboard for extra functionality.
Holly Curell is a US-based freelance writer & editor extraordinaire. With over a decade of writing technical manuals, blog articles, & even company communications, Holly has a passion for providing value to readers on everything she knows about tech-related topics. When she’s not writing, Holly enjoys reading, hiking, wine, & wandering the aisles of Trader Joe’s. Holly is currently based out of North Carolina, where she lives with her husband Ken & their three children.