3 Best Laptops Under $800 (2025)

What to Expect from Laptops at this Price Point

When shopping for a laptop, you should understand the price range you are shopping in. Laptops that fall between $600 and $800 tend to be considered mid-range and will offer good components with modern specs.

Displays will fall between 14 and 17 inches, usually in HD or UHD resolution. You can also expect Intel i-series CPUs (9^th and 10^th generation) or their AMD equivalents. This processing power will result in 2.4 to 3.4Ghz and at least 4-cores.

Multiple USB inputs, HDMI outputs, and other accessories will also be included. Storage space will generally fall between 256 and 512GB for SSD, or you can find 128GB SSD with a 512GB - 1TB HDD.

While some models will fall short on these specs (and others will exceed them), the basic standard should let you know what you are getting for your money.

Laptops Under $800 Compared

What to Look for When Buying Laptops Under $800

Screen Size & Display

In the $800 range, you will find displays in all sizes. Everything from a 10-inch up to the massive 17-inch screen is available. The video cards that run them, though, maybe different. Just because you have a large screen doesn’t mean you will get the best resolution.

However, for the price, you should expect a moderate to excellent video card and a display fully capable of HD or even UHD resolution, up to 1440X900 pixels.

RAM & Storage Space

The RAM at this price point will be enough to power your machine for quite a while. As most are easily upgraded, you can find a model with at least 8 to 16GB of RAM and not have to worry about spending more for an upgrade later.

Disk storage (except for Chromebooks) will vary in range greatly. For this price, though, You can expect a 128GB SSD with up to 1TB HDD added storage. For those with a single hard drive, 256GB should be the minimum, with 512GB average and 1TB or more the top-end exceptions.

Processor

The CPU in this price range can be low end or top of the line. Most laptops will use the Intel or AMD chipset, and you can expect to see a lot of 9^th and 10^th generation i-8 or i-9 Intel CPUs. You may also prefer the AMD options and should expect Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9 CPUs to power those machines.

Battery Type & Life

Batteries in the $800 laptop price range are usually going to be pretty good as well. 6 to 9-cells with an “all day” charge capacity (8 to 10 hours) isn’t uncommon. Recharge times will vary, though.

In most cases, a fully charged battery will require about 4 hours plugged in. Many manufacturers will include charge boost or quick charge features that can get the battery to 50% charge in less than an hour.

Design

The laptops' designs will be a bit more flashy for the most part, too. You can expect vibrant colors, full-sized keyboards and slim bezel designs. This is the price range where the laptops begin to look like they are more than just plastic toys.

However, don’t discount the plain style laptops. What money is saved on appearances will show up inside with better hardware options. Make sure you have the best mix of performance and style.

Portability/Weight

Laptop designs are more lightweight than ever. While we may never see an 8+ pound laptop again (except for Alienware, of course), you can expect the overall weight to be even lower at this price. Less than 3 pounds is about average here.

Extra Features

Many laptops around $800 will have extra features or accessories to entice your purchase. Some may be more worthwhile than others, but each one is a personal call on your part. Look for things like mice and mouse pads, headphones, or carrying cases.

You will also want to look for hardware and software features, like quick charge battery settings, automatic backups, offline mode, and built-in software to help you save money on future purchases or upgrades.

Warranty

Because laptop insurance and extended warranties make a lot of money, manufacturer warranties are getting smaller. The average for a new warranty is between 1 and 3 years, but you can find a few models with an impressive 5-year warranty if you look hard enough.

1. Microsoft Surface 6

Best Laptop Under $800

The Microsoft Surface has been the largest competitor to the Apple Macbook since it was first released. The Surface 6 is one of the latest versions to add features and make the entire laptop more versatile.

The screen is 12 inches but has ultra-high definition for crystal clear clarity and a large viewing angle. The touch screen display works with the Surface Pen and almost any stylus or even your finger. The pen and other accessories are all sold separately, though.

The Surface Pro 6, unlike Macbook, can be upgraded, and you can start before you make your purchase. The Surface 6 comes with the Intel i5 (8^th Gen.) but can easily be upgraded to the i7 for a nominal fee.

You can also upgrade the RAM to up to 32GB, and the included 256GB SSD can also be upgraded to any size up to 1TB. Of course, each of these upgrades will add to the cost, which may knock the laptop's price over $800.

When buying the base model, though, you get the full Surface experience, including excellent sound quality and super-fast charging. The battery is an important point as well. The all-day battery can last a long time and will even go almost 14 hours while streaming.

When the battery does die, you can recharge it to 100% in just under 4 hours, making it one of the fastest recharges without quick-boost. The 1-year warranty with 90-day tech support isn’t the greatest but is about average for the industry.

However, you do have the option to upgrade to 2 or even 4-year protection plans, and there is always laptop insurance to buy if you need it.

2. Asus TUF Gaming FX505DT

Best Gaming Laptop Under $800

Asus has come a long way from their beginnings. Instead of the brand that most people stayed away from, they have turned into a powerhouse of gaming, office, and student computers. The TUF series are budget-friendly gaming laptops with great components.

The 15.6-inch screen has an HD resolution and a 160 degree viewing angle. You also benefit from one of the top-end video cards for the price in the GeForce GTX 1650. With crystal clear display and high-end graphics, any modern game will look great.

The 256GB SSD can be upgraded, but as is will hold plenty of game installs and save files. You will also have Windows 10 Home for all of your document and internet needs. The AMD Ryzen 5 has 4-cores and enough speed to keep the refresh rate up on all but the highest intensity games.

With an 8-hour battery, you can game for those long sessions and recharge quickly. Even with a 0% charge, you can be back in action in under 3 hours. Asus also stands behind their computers and offers an industry-leading 5-year warranty to keep your peace of mind.

Also Recommended: Best Gaming Laptop Under $700

3. Lenovo ThinkPad E595

Best For Business

Lenovo makes the list again with the best laptop for business under $800. The ThinkPad has long been the choice of office professionals on the go. With specs and hardware enough to run some of the most modern games, this laptop is durable, rugged, and capable of handling anything in your office.

The large 15.6-inch display runs HD resolution with an integrated AMD graphics card. While it may not be the best for playing the latest MMORPG, it will keep your documents, files, and internet cat videos crisp and clear.

The hard drive has a 256GB capacity (SSD) but can be upgraded to 512GB or even a 1TB drive if you want the extra space later. You can also choose to upgrade the 8GB RAM that comes installed. However, for most school and office needs, 8GB is plenty.

The downside here, once again, is the small 1-year warranty. Keeping the ThinkPad under $800 means you probably won’t upgrade or pay for the extra years of coverage (optional at check out). However, if you decide to, you can get a total of 4 extra years coverage.

Also Recommended: Best Small Business Routers: Wireless Connection Reviews

Popular Laptop Brands Under $800

When it comes to brand recognition, you will find plenty in the $800 price range—names like Microsoft Surface, Dell, Acer, and Asus all jump out. You will see HP or Lenovo in the mix, too.

Every now and then, a new up-and-coming brand will have a spot in each price range for their models, and names like iGames and even Samsung Computers will surprise you with great products at lower prices.

Laptop Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Taking care of your investment is a crucial aspect of laptop ownership. You don’t want to drop $800 on equipment only to break it in the first 30 days. The best thing you can do is get a carry bag, sleeve or backpack to transport your laptop in.

You also want to avoid food and drinks near the laptop. Liquid is bad for any electronic device, and food can get stuck under keys or in ports and jacks, causing damage or hinder functionality.

Most warranties will not cover user-caused damage, so you need to be extra careful around your new device. Maintenance is also something you need to do regularly. Aside from software updates and cleaning junk files from the operating system, you need to clean your laptop, the screen and keyboard to keep dust and debris from piling up.

As with most electrical devices, something will go wrong from time to time. While your specific brand or model will have various troubleshooting methods, the following few items are the more common issues and ideas on how to fix them.

Laptop Won’t Power On

The most likely culprit is the battery. Make sure the battery has a charge enough to power the laptop. Batteries can have damaged cells and report a full charge when there isn’t a charge at all. In these instances, you can only replace the battery.

If you know the battery is good, make sure the laptop is plugged in completely. Then plug into the laptop, the outlet, and the power brick can all come loose, causing a lack of connection.

Laptop Overheats

Overheating a computer can be detrimental. All of the internal hardware produces heat, and heat slows down electronics. Vents become clogged with dust and debris, and fan blades can also become caked with debris.

You should make sure your intake and exhaust ventilation ports are clear and air can flow freely. If you keep your laptop on your lap or a soft surface, you might inadvertently block these vents. Keep the laptop clean and airflow moving, and the laptop will cool off.

Blue Screen Appearing When Booting

Many different factors can cause a blue screen (often called the BSOD - Blue Screen of Death). If it happens during the boot, the most likely culprit is your memory, hard drive, or boot files.

The best way to check is to remove a portion of your RAM (if you have multiple sticks) If the laptop boots, the removed RAM is the problem. If it persists, swap the RAM and try again.

If this isn’t the problem, then a boot file may be corrupt. You can use the diagnostics of the hard drive or a separate disk to run checks on all files and find & fix any issues found. If the BSOD continues, the issue may be with your hard drive, and you may consider taking the laptop to a repair shop for conclusive diagnostics.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What’s a good processor speed for a laptop under $800?

Processor speed has a lot to do with the type of CPU the laptop has installed. For the $800 price point, you can expect pretty good speeds averaging around 3.4Ghz or more. In some cases, lower speeds are acceptable, depending on the full system set up. Some hardware performs well with 2.4Ghz speeds.

Which processor is better for non-gaming use?

You can save a bit of money (or put the cost in other hardware features) by lowering the CPU size in your choice. If you only need a great office or school laptop and don’t plan on much gaming, you can get a great deal by choosing the Intel i3 or i5 series processors. For AMD fans, the Ryzen 3 or Ryzen 5 can also save some money and still perform well in modern systems.

Are i7 laptops really better than i5 in terms of performance?

The Intel Core i-series processors are among some of the best in the business. Oddly, making a perfect processor is a highly complicated task. All i-series CPUs start as i9 versions.

However, during the processing, certain connectors, and diodes may not work or break. Depending on the number of non-perfect pieces, you end up with an i7, i5, or even i3. Of course, the processors still work but are limited in speeds, cores, or other abilities.

Depending on your needs, an i5 may not perform as well as an i7. For gaming or other high-intensity applications, the i7 is a better choice. For general computing, though, the i5 has a higher cost to value ratio, making it a better deal.

Does Apple produce laptops under $800?

Apple doesn’t produce new model laptops that fall under $800. However, with 2012 and 2014 models becoming outdated, you can find new or refurbished Apple laptops around the $800 price range. However, these models generally cannot be updated and will use older hardware that may not meet current needs.

How long do laptops typically last?

New laptops with proper care and maintenance can last quite a while. Performance-wise, you can expect a good 3 to 5 years until the laptop becomes outdated. However, when it comes to functionality, most laptops can easily last 8 to 10 years (with a battery replacement or two) before they begin to wear down and are difficult to keep running.

Where is the best place to start browsing for top laptops under $800?

When shopping for laptops computers under $800, the best place to start your search is Amazon. On Amazon, vendors sell surplus inventory, post special deals, and other coupons on the site. You can also find deals on renewed and refurbished models that would normally cost above the $800 threshold.

Is it okay to buy refurbished or renewed laptops?

If you see that your model is a refurbished model, this isn’t generally cause for concern. Amazon has trusted and verified repair centers that take returned laptops and fix them up like new again.

Most returns are simply open-box with no problems, cracked screens, or battery problems. Once fixed, they cannot sell as new anymore, so they offer them at significant discounts that you can cash in on.

Conclusion

Finding the ideal laptop for you comes at a cost. When your budget allows a laptop at or under $800, your choices are quite vast. This article was designed to help you determine what to look for when shopping for your next laptop and give you the 7 best laptop options under $800.

If you are still unable to decide which model is right for you, we invite you to take a second look at the Microsoft Surface 6. Our top pick is a couple of years old but offers you everything you need to perform with the best at a price you can afford.