3 Best Laptops Under $700 (Reviewed & Compared)

Expectations At This Price Point

At the $700 and under price point, customers can get a high-quality laptop that can work well for work, play, and entertainment. The laptops in the $500 to $700 range are the perfect choice for users who need a high-quality machine but at a more affordable price.

At this price point, speakers, storage capacity, processing time, and weight are the areas where users will have to compromise. Speakers tend to be quieter and less precise compared to more expensive models. Storage capacity is lower, and the processing time is slower. Laptops in this price range also tend to weigh more than more expensive laptop models. 

However, this range is perfect for users who want an affordable laptop but still want strong features. Laptops between $500 and $700 are faster, more powerful, offer more storage, and come with additional features compared to those laptops in the $200 to $500 range.

Laptops Under $700 Compared

What You Should Look For in a Laptop Under $700

Screen Size & Display/Graphics

Most laptops under $700 offer screen sizes in the 12-inch, 13-inch, and 15-inch realm. If you want a 17-inch screen size, we recommend increasing your budget for the best options. When it comes to graphics cards, we recommend NVidia Graphics. Intel UHD Graphics 620 card is another great option.

Storage Space

Laptops under $700 come with fewer storage options compared to more expensive laptops. We recommend choosing a laptop with 256 GB storage space if you are a traditional laptop user. For those who intend to primarily use the cloud, you can select 128 GB. For power users who plan to store a lot of larger files on their hard drive, we recommend 512 GB.

Processor Performance

Processor performance contributes significantly to the speed of your machine, and we recommend choosing a laptop with a processor of 1.5 GHz or higher. These processors offer the greatest performance at this price range and can make gaming or watching movies a seamless process.

Battery Life

Battery life on laptops under $700 varies greatly, but most models offer between 10 hours to 20 hours of battery life. If you plan to use your laptop away from your home and while on the go, then we recommend choosing a laptop with a battery life of at least 12 hours.

Design

The design of your laptop is a personal preference. Do you like black keys and a black exterior or black keys against a chrome or silver exterior? Review the design elements present in these laptop choices and choose a laptop that you will enjoy using daily.

Size/Portability/Weight

Laptops are generally purchased for their portability, so it makes sense to consider both the size and weight. Most laptops are around 2.8 lbs. to 5 lbs. in this price range. Screen size ranges from 12" to 15" in most models. Most users will not notice a significant difference in weight, but if you plan to use your laptop while on the move, a lighter weight model is best.

Extra Features

Extra features at this price point include a screen that doubles as a tablet, backlit keys, and a higher sensitivity touchpad. If you plan to move your laptop often, you may want to use the laptop screen as a tablet and choose a 2-in-1 laptop model. Backlit keys are best for those who frequently type and can make it easier to type in low light environments.

Warranty

Amazon refurbished laptop models are pre-owned but have been restored to like-new condition. Purchasing a refurbished laptop model from Amazon is a great way to save on your laptop purchase while still getting a great machine.

Amazon offers a minimum 90-day warranty on all laptop models, but each supplier offers its own custom warranty (which may be as much as 1-year, 2-year, or 5-years).

1. MSI GF63 Thin 9SC-614

best gaming laptop under $700

The MSI GF63 Thin 9SC-614 is the best gaming laptop under $700. This laptop is best for gamers who need a strong processor for running processing-heavy games and showcasing beautiful graphics.

The 15.6" display screen makes it easy to view gameplay or video and photography images. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4G GDD5R graphics card is state-of-the-art and delivers crisp, clear, clean images for users. This laptop model comes with a base 512GB, which is a lot of storage for a laptop in this range.

To add more space, an SD card can be purchased and used in conjunction with the laptop. The single-lit keyboard is backlit in red for a robust and modern design. This laptop is built with all black components for a professional aesthetic.

This laptop model also has a great cooling design built-in, which helps keep the laptop from overheating and allows it to process at full capacity.

This laptop, however, does not have a touch screen, and customers who want to be able to navigate web pages with their fingers should look elsewhere. This laptop model also has a poor battery life and lasts around 4 hours on average.

For those with easy access to outlets, this shouldn't be a problem. We recommend this laptop for gamers and photography enthusiasts who need an affordable laptop with a fast processor and high-quality graphics.

Also recommended: Best 2-in1 Gaming Laptops

2. Microsoft Surface Laptop

best student laptop under $700

The Microsoft Surface laptop is the best student laptop under $700 on our list. This laptop model has everything that a student could need from a touch screen display to a luxe fabric-covered keyboard that is comfortable for hours of typing up papers and working on school projects.

The 13.5” display screen is smaller than the other models on our list and contributes to the compact, lightweight, and portable nature of this laptop. Students can easily carry this laptop around and plug it in anywhere.

This laptop comes with 256 GB SSD and an Intel HD Graphics 620 card. The 2.5 GHz or 1.2 GHz (your choice) Cortex A8 processor is fast and powerful. Port options include a USB 3.0, mini display port, and an SD card slot.

This model does not have a strong battery life, and students have noted that the laptop battery couldn't hold the same amount of charge after a few months of use. This model also does not have an HDMI port. This laptop model is an excellent choice for students who want a compact, lightweight, and portable laptop machine with a comfortable keyboard.

3. Asus TUF FX505DT

best laptop for video editing under $700

The best laptop for video editing under $700 is the ASUS TUF FX505DT. This laptop model is an incredible option for consumers who need powerful processing and sharp graphics for video editing.

This model is also a great choice for gamers and photography editors as the best Asus laptop under $700. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card offers clean, detailed, high-quality images perfect for watching videos, looking at photos, or playing highly detailed visual games. The full HD 15.6” screen has a thin bezel and adds more vibrant color.

This model is lightweight and portable but is built with military standard construction components. Battery life is approximately 8 hours.

This device is all black and has a sturdy feel, which is great for both video editing and gaming. The keyboard comes with an RGB feature, which allows users to change the color to fit their aesthetic needs.

The backlit keyboard is also responsive and easy to use. The lack of an SD card reader may be a concern for photographers who frequently store their images on SD cards. However, if you have other file storage methods, then this won't be a concern.

This laptop also has overheating potential, but a cooling pad can prevent this issue as well as providing adequate ventilation. If you want a powerful laptop with durable processing power and clean graphics at an affordable price, then we recommend this laptop.

Also recommended: 6 Best Graphics Cards for Video Editing

Extra Laptop Features/Specs to Look Into

Basic Laptop Troubleshooting

New laptops are exciting to use and can be a blast to set-up; however, sometimes, problems arise. These problems are more likely to occur over time but can occur soon after bringing a laptop home. We recommend first trying home troubleshooting options to save money before bringing your laptop into a store.

One of the most common problems that a laptop owner can experience is a laptop that will not start. This laptop typically shows a blank, black screen and no amount of pushing the "start" button will turn it on.

Start by removing the laptop battery and attempting to run the laptop on AC power (must be plugged in to try this method). If this works, then the battery is the problem, and simply replacing it will return your laptop to normal working conditions. If not, you may have a hardware problem, and we recommend a technician.

Another common laptop problem is when the display appears dimmer than usual and is difficult to read. This usually happens when the backlight breaks down, creating a fuzzy and blurry screen.

This can typically be fixed by changing LCD display configurations or replacing the screen. First, try various settings and resolution options to try to restore the screen before replacing it entirely.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

How long do these laptops last?

Most laptops last between three to six years, depending on the model, make, and design. Technology is continuously advancing, and laptops begin to show significant signs of age after five to six years. Laptops under $700 should typically last between three to six years.

What type of maintenance is needed for this type of computer?

Most laptops under $700 do not require ongoing maintenance. Simply taking care of your computer by continually cleaning the screen, cleaning the keyboard and ports, and deleting old files on your hard drive, is all the general ongoing maintenance required.

Does faster RAM boost system performance?

Adding RAM to your computer is a great way to improve your computer system's performance. This is because RAM focuses on the drive performance in your system. Low memory can also force the computer to slow down.

Reviewing RAM and memory is a great way to determine how fast the computer will operate, and boosting these two areas will immediately boost your computer’s overall performance.

Is Lenovo better than HP?

Lenovo and HP are both high-quality laptop brands and great options in the below $700 range. However, HP has better graphics compared to Lenovo in most models. That said, these better graphics typically come at a higher price point and most Lenovo laptop models offer more competitive pricing.

Is Asus better than HP?

HP and Asus are both high-quality laptop brands specializing in different elements. HP tends to have better graphics, but Asus offers better GPU and processors. Review the specs on each laptop model before making a final choice.

How is Dell compared to other laptop brands?

Dell is a high-quality laptop brand but has a few models that lack the same specs as competitors. Dell tends to offer more variations for consumers at a lower price point, including touch screen options and tablet options.

Conclusion

Buying a laptop is a big decision and should not be taken lightly. Choose the laptop that best fits your needs from our list. Our top recommendation is MSI GF63 Thin 9SC-614 because it is lightweight and powerful, has a large screen with touch screen capabilities, and offers strong storage capabilities.