Key takeaways
- Very affordable: These laptops hit rock-bottom prices during Black Friday.
- Portable options: Lightweight Chromebooks and 2-in-1s are easy to carry.
- Renewed value: Refurbished business laptops offer capable specs cheaply.
What's inside
Black Friday is when cheap laptops become genuinely tempting, with entry-level notebooks and Chromebooks dropping to prices that make a spare or starter machine easy to justify. The trick is knowing which budget models still deliver a usable experience rather than frustrating you with sluggish performance. This review looks at a range of affordable Black Friday laptops so you can spend a little and still get something worthwhile.
Below I evaluate how these budget machines handle everyday tasks, weigh their strengths and compromises, and help you decide which cheap laptop is actually worth your money. From lightweight Chromebooks to basic Windows notebooks, there’s a low-cost option here for most simple needs.
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Design & Build
Budget laptops keep things simple, and this lineup reflects that. The Acer Gateway Chromebook 314 and Dell Latitude 2-in-1 offer compact, lightweight designs suited to portability, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6-inch provides a larger screen in a slim frame. The renewed Dell Latitude models bring business-grade build quality at bargain prices, and the HP 14 Essential keeps things light and portable. Materials are practical plastic throughout, prioritizing affordability over premium feel, but several offer surprisingly sturdy construction for their price, especially the durable ASUS Vivobook Go.
Performance
At this price, performance is geared toward light tasks. The ASUS Vivobook Go with a Ryzen 3 and 8GB of RAM offers the most comfortable everyday experience for browsing, documents, and streaming. The renewed Dell Latitude 5400 with a Core i5 and 8GB of RAM handles office work capably for a budget machine. The Chromebook and lower-end options, with 4GB of RAM and basic processors, are best for web browsing, email, and cloud apps rather than heavy multitasking. The HP 14 Essential with an N150 chip covers simple tasks. Keep expectations realistic and match the laptop to light use.
Pros & Cons
- Very affordable: These laptops hit rock-bottom prices during Black Friday.
- Portable options: Lightweight Chromebooks and 2-in-1s are easy to carry.
- Renewed value: Refurbished business laptops offer capable specs cheaply.
- Limited multitasking: 4GB models struggle with many open apps.
- Basic displays: Screens are functional rather than vivid.
- Cloud reliance: Chromebooks need internet for many tasks.
Alternatives to Consider
Your best cheap pick depends on how you’ll use it. For the smoothest budget Windows experience, the ASUS Vivobook Go with 8GB of RAM is a strong choice, while the renewed Dell Latitude 5400 offers business-grade capability for light office work. If you mainly browse and use cloud apps, the Acer Gateway Chromebook 314 is simple and affordable. The Dell Latitude 2-in-1 adds touchscreen flexibility. Consider whether you need Windows or a Chromebook, and prioritize 8GB of RAM if your budget allows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cheap Black Friday laptops any good?
They can be, for light tasks like browsing, documents, and streaming. Just set realistic expectations and prioritize models with at least 8GB of RAM when possible.
Chromebook or cheap Windows laptop?
Chromebooks are great for web and cloud use and often cheaper, while budget Windows laptops offer broader software support. Choose based on the apps you rely on.
Is 4GB of RAM enough?
It’s tight. 4GB handles single tasks and light browsing but struggles with multitasking. If you can, choose 8GB for a noticeably smoother experience.
Are renewed laptops a smart budget buy?
Often yes. Refurbished business laptops can offer better specs than new budget models at similar prices. Buy from reputable sellers and check the return policy.
Verdict
A cheap Black Friday laptop can be a great buy if you match it to light, everyday use. The ASUS Vivobook Go offers the best budget Windows experience here, while the renewed Dell Latitude 5400 delivers surprising capability for office work. Chromebook shoppers will find the Acer Gateway 314 simple and affordable. Decide between Windows and Chrome OS, lean toward 8GB of RAM, and you’ll snag a bargain that still gets the job done.
