Top 11+ Best Laptops under $800 in 2021 [40+ Models Tested]
Are you looking for the best laptops under $800?
Congratulations! You’ve landed on the right page. In this article, we’ll go through a list of 11 Best Laptops under $800 that cater your most needs.
$800 is an approachable price point; if you want a feature-packed laptop that is ideal for gaming, web browsing, presentation-making, image/video editing, and so on.
There’s a massive competition between Intel and AMD to introduce the best processors possible at an affordable price. The consumers have benefited a lot. Thus, you get incredibly powerful laptops at an inexpensive price point.
Later, I’ve also mentioned a few things to consider while buying a laptop and frequently asked questions too.
Top 5 Best Laptops Under 800$ in 2021
Image | Products | Speciality | Price |
Acer Nitro 5 | Best Gaming Laptop | ||
Dell Inspiron 14 5406 | Best 2-in-1 | ||
MSI GF75 | Best 17 inch | ||
Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 | Best Lenovo | ||
HP Pavilion 15 | Best HP Gaming |
- The 11 Best Laptops under 800$ in 2021
- 1.Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-59KS – Best Gaming Laptop
- 2. Dell Inspiron 14 5406 – Best 2 in 1
- 3. MSI GF75- Best 17-inch gaming laptop under $800
- 4. Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 – Best Lenovo 2-in-1 laptop
- 5. HP Pavilion 15-EC1073D – Best HP Gaming laptop
- 6. Dell Inspiron 17 3793 – Best 17-inch Laptop for Students
- 7. HP Envy X360 15M-EE0013DX – Best Designed 2-in-1 Pick
- 8. Lenovo Ideapad 5 – Best student’s laptop with i7 processor
- 9. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go – Best portable laptop under $800
- 10. HP Pavilion X360 14-DH2011NR – Best HP 2-in-1 laptop
- 11. Lenovo Thinkpad E15 – Best Business Laptop under $800
The 11 Best Laptops under 800$ in 2021
1.Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-59KS – Best Gaming Laptop
Acer Nitro 5 is the top-of-the-line gaming laptop that you can buy under $800 right now.
You’d ask, what makes this gaming laptop special? The Acer Nitro 5 AN515 is fitted with a 15.6″ Full HD display with support for a 144Hz refresh rate. The high refresh rate ensures that you can experience a faster gaming experience from your laptop screen.
The higher refresh rate also makes sure you take full advantage of the laptop’s hardware and enjoy games at increased frame rates than a regular 60Hz laptop screen.
Considering that it’s a sub-$800 laptop, you get feature-packed innards that supports AAA gaming titles and perform well in intensive tasks like video editing, virtual reality, and smooth 4K video streaming.
For the price, you get the latest Intel Core i5-10300H CPU that offers a clock speed of 2.5GHz, and a Turbo speed up to 4.5GHz during peak power requirements.
Talking about its performance – this CPU scores benchmark ratings of 8825 in average CPU score, 2653 in single-thread performance and a whopping 17,057 in cross-platform ratings. Thus, getting a laptop with this processor priced under $800 is undoubtedly a steal for you.
To enhance its gaming performance, the Acer Nitro 5 is coupled with Nvidia’s GTX 1650 Ti graphics card. This graphics card is a significant update over the regular Nvidia GTX 1650 and offers a dedicated 4GB DDR6 video memory similar to these best $2000 gaming laptop.
However, for the price, you get a disappointing low 8GB DDR4 2933MHz memory stick. This is the case with most gaming laptops costing under $800. Once you get the laptop, you can easily add another 8GB DDR4 RAM stick and turn this laptop into a powerful gaming system.
For the 2021 update, the Acer Nitro 5 is fitted with top-notch connectivity options. It includes 1x HDMI 2.0 port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports and 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port. Thus, you get a great set of speedy yet convenient connectivity options.
Other features include 256GB NVMe SSD, backlit keyboard, Acer CoolBoost Technology, WiFi 6, DTS X Ultra sound technology, and more.
Hardware Specifications | |
Processor | 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10300H |
RAM | 8 GB DDR4 |
Storage | 256GB NVMe SSD |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 |
Display | Full HD IPS 144Hz Display |
Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
- 144Hz refresh rate screen
- Powerful CPU & GPU setup
- 2933MHz RAM stick
- Latest and fast connectivity options
- Lightweight, compared to other gaming laptops
- Low RAM capacity of just 8GB
- Not everyone will like the laptop’s design
Bottom Line
“To paralyze the competition, Acer has made sure to leave no stone unturned while configuring the Acer Nitro 5 AN515. You get a feature-packed laptop – with specifications available in laptops under $1200 – without having to empty your pockets”
2. Dell Inspiron 14 5406 – Best 2 in 1
If gaming laptops don’t excite you, and you’re looking for a sleek laptop, then the Dell Inspiron 14 5406 is an excellent pick for you.
For starters, this laptop is offered with the latest and top-of-the-line 11th generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor that was launched in late-2020.
It is a quad-core processor with 8 threads. It is built using a 10nm architecture that offers base clock of 2.8GHz and Turbo boost clock up to 4.7GHz. However, during minimal load, the processor’s frequency can drop as low as 1.2GHz and draws as little as 12W of power.
To complement this powerful and smart processor, Dell has coupled it with a 12GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM stick. A 12GB RAM stick is more than enough for high intensive tasks like photo/video editing, watching 4K videos, and VR/AR coding.
Additionally, the processor is bundled with Intel’s Iris Xe graphics with shared graphics memory. The integrated graphics chipset ensures you can play casual games and adds the oomph factor during web browsing, multimedia viewing, document writing, and video calling.
To double the fun factor, the Dell Inspiron 14 5406 comes in 2-in-1 form factor. It includes a 14-inch Full HD touchscreen with an IPS display. In between, you can also use the ‘Tent’ mode to enjoy your favorite movies at a reclined angle and closer to you.
Dell has also blessed this laptop with a plethora of wired and wireless connectivity options. It includes 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port, 1x HDMI 1.4 port, and an SD card reader. At the same time, you get WiFi 6 2×2 (Gig+) and Bluetooth 5.0 as wireless connectivity options.
Even in a 2-in-1 form factor, the Dell Inspiron 14 5406 retains Dell’s traditional design. It offers a better battery life compared to its competition and weighs just 3.4 lbs at max.
Hardware Specifications | |
Processor | Intel Core i7-1165G7 |
RAM | 12GB 3200MHz DDR4 |
Storage | 512GB SSD |
Graphics Card | Iris Xe Graphics GPU |
Display | Touchscreen 14-inch FHD Laptop |
Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
- Comes with a 512GB NVMe SSD
- The Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor offers excellent battery life and performance
- The 12GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM makes performing complex tasks a breeze
- Lightweight, thus easily on shoulders while carrying it
- The backlit keyboard is not the best to type for longer time
- Screen loses sharpness and contrast at extreme angles
Bottom Line
“Dell Inspiron 14 5406 is the only laptop in our list that sports the latest Intel i7 processor. It has a simplistic design and great hardware to back its powerful performance. These features make it the best 2-in-1 laptop under $800.”
3. MSI GF75– Best 17-inch gaming laptop under $800
If you want to enjoy your treasured gaming sessions, albeit on a bigger screen, then you wouldn’t go wrong with the MSI GF75.
While the previously mentioned Acer Nitro 5 is packed to the brim with specifications and features. Yet it has a smaller 15.6-inch screen compared to the 17.3-inch mammoth screen on the MSI GF75.
A bigger screen helps in spotting an enemy far away and, more importantly, reduces eye strain. To keep up with the Acer Nitro 5, the MSI GF75 is fitted with a 120Hz screen that offers similar performance as Nitro 5’s 144Hz screen. Thus, you can enjoy fast-paced action gaming on a bigger screen.
Just like the Acer Nitro 5, the MSI GF75 is equipped with an Intel Core i5-10300H processor. This CPU offers an incredible price-to-performance ratio when compared to its competitors. At the same time, the Intel Core i5-10300H draws less power and stays relatively cool.
To sweeten the deal – this laptop features an 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 RAM stick. It is coupled with a 512GB NVMe SSD drive for a bigger and faster storage option.
Additionally, you get Nvidia geforce gtx 1650 4GB dedicated graphics card that offers a higher frame rate and improved performance. This graphics card is sufficient to play PUBG, Fortnite, CSGO, Overwatch, and similar games with High settings and smooth frame rates.
Talking about its design and built quality, the MSI GF75 sports MSI’s traditional minimalist design with modest red ascents. The top features the MSI logo with a brushed-metal-finish design. The brushed-metal-finish continues towards the keyboard area that gives this laptop a premium feel at a budget price point.
It features a full-size red-backlit keyboard with a number pad and a decent-sized touchpad. The touchpad offers fantastic performance with Windows 10 precision drivers. If you are into backlit keyboards, you can try these best laptops with backlit keyboard.
The MSI GF75 is very slim on its sides and measures 0.9-inch in thickness. Being a 17.3-inch laptop, MSI has managed to keep its weight down to a whopping 4.85lbs, which is unheard for a 17.3-inch laptop.
Hardware Specifications | |
Processor | i5-10300H |
RAM | 8GB DDR4 RAM |
Storage | 128GB SSD+1TB |
Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU |
Display | 17.3″ |
Operating System | Windows 10 Pro |
- Extremely lightweight at 4.85 lbs
- Bigger screen with faster 120Hz refresh rate
- Bigger and faster 512GB NVMe SSD storage
- Minimalist design, yet keeping the gaming laptop vibes alive
- The 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 graphics card seems like a bottleneck
- Battery life takes a hit with a bigger screen
Bottom Line
“If you always wanted to buy a 17.3-inch laptop but were worried about its immense weight. Then the MSI GF75 is the right pick for you. Under $800, you get a faster refresh screen, high-performance processor and faster storage option that provides an incredible gaming experience.”
4. Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 – Best Lenovo 2-in-1 laptop
Suppose you’re in the market for a compact and minimalist laptop with better battery life. In that case, you won’t get disappointed by the Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5.
It is a 14-inch notebook-style laptop that is available in a 2-in-1 configuration. A 2-in-1 laptop allows you to flip the screen 360° and use it in tablet mode.
This laptop comes with Windows 10 Home OS preinstalled, thus switching the laptop from desktop to tablet view is seamless.
The 14-inch screen offers 1920 x 1080 resolution with an incredible pixel density. This feature allows you to browse web content or read Word/Excel files with crystal clear clarity. Plus, this Full HD screen offers 10-point touchscreen support, which improves its usability significantly.
The Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 5 4500U mobile processor. This processor offers an outstanding balance between performance and longer battery life. Thus, on minimal load, the processor hardly draws any power. Whereas during peak load, it offers the best performance that you require.
This AMD processor is coupled with a whopping 16GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM. In reality, the included RAM sticks are fast and offer huge memory, yet it is an overkill for the tasks this laptop is meant for. Nonetheless, with integrated Vega 6 graphics, you can play casual games during your break time.
Alongside, this laptop features a 256GB NVMe SSD that offers less but fast storage option. The only downside is, you do not get option to add another SSD or HDD. The only option is to replace the 256GB NVMe SSD with a bigger NVMe SSD of your choice.
While the laptop is built entirely out of plastic, the built quality is exceptionally sturdy. The 360° hinge is strong, and you can flip the laptop screen instantly in a single motion.
The Graphite Grey color and backlit keyboard make the laptop feel premium and ideal if you’re a student or want to use a laptop at your workplace.
Hardware Specifications | |
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Processor |
RAM | 16GB DDR4 |
Storage | 256GB SSD |
Graphics Card | AMD Radeon Graphics GPU |
Display | 14.0″ FHD Touch Display |
O.S. | Windows 10 |
- Comes with 16GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM
- Can be charged up to 80% under 1 hour
- The included processor offers great balance between battery life and performance
- The backlit keyboard offers tactile feedback
- Screen brightness of 250 nits can be an issue if you’re working in a bright room or using it outdoors
- Comes with Bluetooth 4.2 and no support for WiFi 6
Bottom Line
“Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 offers a great amalgamation between top-most specifications and a fun quotient. The Graphite Grey color, well-built keyboard, and a responsive touchscreen add to the premium-ness of this best laptop under $800.”
5. HP Pavilion 15-EC1073D – Best HP Gaming laptop
HP Pavilion 15-EC1073D is another best gaming laptop under $800 powered by the latest AMD processor.
It comes with AMD Ryzen 4600H processor. This processor was released in mid-2020 and is a 6-core CPU with 12-thread support. The AMD Ryzen 4600H has a base clock of 3.0GHz and a boost clock of 4.0GHz during intense load scenarios.
To say the least, the AMD Ryzen 4600H is an incredibly powerful CPU that is tailor-made for budget and premium gaming laptops.
To improve its gaming performance further, this CPU is coupled with Nvidia GTX 1650 4GB graphics card – a common sight in budget-oriented gaming laptops. You also get 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD drive to complete an all-rounded gaming setup.
Unlike other budget gaming laptops, which feature red ascents all-around to emphasize gaming laptops’ aggressive and powerful feel. The HP Pavilion 15-EC1073D features green ascents that give this laptop a calm yet unique feel. You get a green HP logo on top and backlit green-colored keyboard keys to complete its overall aesthetics.
Even though it’s a 15.6-inch laptop, the HP Pavilion 15-EC1073D features a full-size keyboard with numeric keys. A full-size keyboard makes it easier to switch between game and work mode whenever required.
On the design front, the laptop features micro-bezel sides. A small bezel size keeps the laptop’s footprint to a minimum. It offers an immersive experience while gaming or watching movies.
To improve the audio-listening experience, the HP Pavilion 15-EC1073D comes with top-firing speakers. The speaker grill is situated above the keyboard. It offers a better audio experience compared to other laptops that offer down-firing speakers.
Considering the overall specifications such as nvidia geforce gtx 1650, you can expect this laptop to run the latest Cyberpunk 2077 with medium graphics. Alongside, you can run other AAA titles on the HP Pavilion 15-EC1073D, albeit with medium settings and at Full HD resolution.
Hardware Specifications | |
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 |
RAM | 8GB 2666Hz DDR4 |
Storage | 256 GB SSD |
Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU |
Display | 15.6” |
Operating System | Win 10 |
- Excellent display
- Narrow bezels
- Incredibly fast performance
- Active Aerodynamic System
- Slim and portable
- Short battery life
- Loud fans
- Screen bleeds
Bottom Line
“If you want a laptop that works flawlessly as a desktop replacement with gaming hardware, then the HP Pavilion 15-EC1073D is a great fit for you. The 12-threads on this laptop’s CPU ensures you can efficiently perform multi-tasking operations and complex video editing with no issues.”
6. Dell Inspiron 17 3793 – Best 17-inch Laptop for Students
If you’re a college or university student and looking for a laptop to work on your assignments, thesis, and presentation, then the Dell Inspiron 17 3793 is the right pick for you.
It is a 17-inch laptop that comes with a 17.3-inch Full HD screen that offers proper brightness and a big screen real estate to get your work done without straining your eyes.
Talking about its design, it retains the traditional laptop design that we’ve seen in older Dell laptops. It is a practical design with a minimalist feel and brings a sense of calmness while using it.
To enhance your workflow, you get a full-size keyboard and a moderately-sized touchpad. Since it’s a big laptop, the keys are of moderate size and ensure smooth typing while using the laptop. A full-size numeric keyboard area makes sure working on spreadsheets is a breeze.
Talking about its innards, the Dell Inspiron 17 3793 comes with a 10th generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor. It is a quad-core processor and offers Turbo boost up to 3.7GHz during peak performance requirements. The processor is coupled with Intel’s integrated 300MHz UHD graphics with support for up to 5K resolution screen.
This energy-efficient CPU is combined with a whopping 16GB DDR4 RAM that makes web browsing, casual gaming, 4K video viewing, and image/video editing a cakewalk.
To make space for your heavy project files and software, Dell has loaded this laptop with a combination of 512GB SSD and a 1TB HDD. A combination like this ensures that you can store your essential software and files on the SSD for faster performance. Other files like movies, music, images, and non-important documents can be stored on the bigger-sized HDD.
It features a slew of connectivity options like 1x USB 2.0 port, 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C port, Ethernet port, HDMI port, and a single headphone/microphone combo jack.
Hardware Specifications | |
Processor | 10th Gen 4-Core Intel Core i5-1035G1 1.0 GHz |
RAM | 16GB RAM |
Storage | 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD, |
Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics GPU |
Display | 17.3” FHD |
Operating System | Windows 10 |
- Comes with 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Offer a combination of 512GB SSD and 1TB HDD
- Has a full-size keyboard
- Simple and non-intrusive design
- Weighs over 6 pounds
- The full-size keyboard isn’t backlit
Bottom Line
“Dell Inspiron 17 3793 is a no-frill power-packed laptop that is ideal for college and university students. With a great combination of processor, RAM, and storage – students can get their assignments, presentation, and thesis work done in no time.”
7. HP Envy X360 15M-EE0013DX – Best Designed 2-in-1 Pick
If you want a 2-in-1 laptop with a 15.6-inch screen, then the HP Envy X360 15M-EE0013DX is a wise choice for you.
HP Envy is a premium laptop series from HP, with laptops costing over $1000. However, HP has made an exception, and the HP Envy X360 15M-EE0013DX is available at a price lower than $800.
This laptop retains the same design as its premium counterparts, although with a sturdy plastic built. It features the same 360 hinges used in the premium laptop range.
With reference from its premium range – the HP Envy X360 15M-EE0013DX features a micro-bezel design on all 4 sides. Thus, you get an immersive viewing experience while watching your favorite movies and TV shows.
The said screen is available in 15.6-inch size that offers 1920 x 1080 resolution with an IPS display and a 10-point touchscreen.
Inside the laptop, you get the latest AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor, coupled with an 8GB DDR4 RAM and a 256GB NVMe SSD. However, at this point, HP should have included a 512GB NVMe SSD. It’s because a smaller 256GB drive will get filled up fast and hamper its performance to a great extent.
Connectivity-wise, you get 2x USB 3. Gen 1 Type-A ports, 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C port, HDMI port, combo audio jack, and an SD card reader. This laptop also features a wide-angle 720p webcam, an integrated dual array digital microphone, and dual Bang & Olufsen speakers coupled with HP Audio Boost 2.0 technology.
Talking about HP Envy X360 15M-EE0013DX’s design is referred from its premium range and is a great choice. The laptop has a sleek design with thin edges on the screen and keyboard area. Whereas the compact yet full-size tactile keyboard and a reasonably large touchpad make the typing experience a breeze.
Hardware Specifications | |
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Processor up to 4.0GHz |
RAM | 8GB RAM |
Hard Disk | 256GB PCIe SSD |
Graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics GPU |
Display | 15.6″ Full HD Touchscreen |
O.S. | Win 10 Home |
- Sleek and premium design
- Full-size keyboard with a compact design
- Sturdy and strong 360° hinges
- Comes with Bang & Olufsen stereo speakers
- 256GB is not enough in current scenarios
- Low brightness of 250 nits
Bottom Line
“To be honest, if you’re looking for the best-designed 2-in-1 laptop, then the HP Envy X360 15M-EE0013DX is an incredible choice. It will win great brownie points in front of your friends and colleagues for its design. Whereas the performance makes working on this laptop a complete pleasure.”
8. Lenovo Ideapad 5 – Best student’s laptop with i7 processor
If the above-mentioned ‘Dell Inspiron 17 3793’ seems too big for your liking, then the Lenovo Ideapad 5 might be the right choice for you.
It comes in a beautiful Abyss Blue color that massively stands out from black and grey colored laptops that we’re used to seeing.
Under $800, the Lenovo Ideapad 5 features 10th generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 processors that offer unrivaled performance when required. Other times, this processor draws lesser power, thus extending the laptop’s battery life.
Coupled with this processor is a 12GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM. A 12GB RAM offers the right balance while multi-tasking and prevents your laptop from getting slow during intensive tasks. With modern applications getting advanced from the ground-up. A fast 12GB RAM is a necessity for a laptop meant for students.
On the storage front, you get a bigger and faster 512GB NVMe SSD drive. While most other laptops feature a 256GB SSD drive, a bigger 512GB SSD drive makes working on your projects quicker and saving big-size files on the SSD drive itself.
Contrasting the Abyss Blue, the full-size key board on the Lenovo Ideapad 5 has grey-color keys. It is backlit and is a significant update over the non-backlit keys on the Dell Inspiron 17 3793.
On the connectivity front, you get 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port, 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C port, 1x HDMI port, combo audio jack, and an SD card reader.
Additionally, the Lenovo Ideapad 5 includes Intel WiFi 6 module coupled with Bluetooth 5.1 for faster wireless data transfer and connectivity.
The Lenovo Ideapad 5 also comes with a fingerprint scanner. With the Windows Hello feature, you can use the fingerprint scanner to log into your laptop easily without remembering your passwords.
Hardware Specifications | |
Processor | i7-1065G7 |
RAM | 12GB DDR4 |
Storage | 512GB SSD |
Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics GPU |
Display | 15.6″ FHD Touch |
O.S. | Windows 10 |
- Features Intel’s 10th generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor
- Includes 12GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM
- The 512GB NVMe drivers offer faster performance and ample storage
- Great wired and wireless connectivity features
- Low brightness of 250 nits is not ideal for outdoor usage
- Low battery life
Bottom Line
“The Lenovo Ideapad 5 addresses the flaws found in the previously mentioned Dell Inspiron 17 3793 and does it one better. You get a beautiful looking laptop with the Abyss Blue color and lightweight yet sturdy chassis built out of strong plastic.”
9. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go – Best portable laptop under $800
With the success of its Microsoft Surface tablet – Microsoft has launched a slew of other Surface series like the Surface Go, Surface Pro X, Surface Pro 7, Surface Laptop 3, and Surface Book 3.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go is a full-fledged laptop with smaller footprints than its other laptop series like the Surface Pro X and Surface Laptop 3.
It features a 12.4-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 1536 x 1024. The screen has an aspect ratio of 3:2 that emphasizes additional vertical space. The 3:2 aspect ratio is ideal while taking conference calls, reading a lengthy document, or working on a big spreadsheet.
This laptop is geared towards working professionals who are always on the move and need a compact and powerful laptop at their disposal. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go weighs a measly 2.44 pounds. Thus, carrying this laptop around is effortless.
On the inside, this specific model features a 10th generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 CPU that comes bundled with a gpu of Intel’s UHD graphics. You also get an 8GB LPDDR4x RAM stick that is soldered onto the motherboard along with a 256GB SSD storage to complete its major hardware specifications.
An aluminum lid protects the 12.4-inch display on the top, which features the Microsoft logo. Whereas the keyboard base is made using polycarbonate composite resin with glass fiber. The extended screen hinge is sturdy, and the screen opening/closing mechanism is a breeze.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go is available in 3 colors: Ice Blue, Sandstone, and Platinum. And before I forget, this one features the Windows 10 Home OS that offers the same functionality as a regular laptop mentioned in this list.
For the features it offers, the Microsoft Surface Go feels overpriced. However, suppose you liked this proposition. In that case, for an additional $100, you can get the Microsoft Surface 3 that is still lightweight at 2.7 pounds, offers better resolution and pixel density, and 13.5-inch screen size.
Hardware Specifications | |
Processor | Intel Core i5 cpu |
RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
Storage | 256GB SSD |
Graphics | Integrated GPU |
Display | 12.4″ Touchscreen |
O.S. | Windows 10 S |
- Lightweight design and compact size
- Combination of aluminum lid and polycarbonate resin makes the laptop feel premium yet lightweight
- The typing experience is tactile
- The integrated speakers are loud enough for clear audio listening experience
- With around 400 nits of brightness, the screen is bright-enough compared to other laptops on this list
- Fewer connectivity options
- The screen resolution and pixel density is not the best
Bottom Line
“From a price-to-performance ratio – the Microsoft Surface Go may not be the ideal pick. However, this is geared more towards the mobile usability factor than packing in the best hardware possible. Thus, if you specifically need a laptop that has a compact size, lightweight design, and does work on-the-go, then the Surface Go is the right pick.”
10. HP Pavilion X360 14-DH2011NR – Best HP 2-in-1 laptop
HP Pavilion X360 14-DH2011NR is another option in the lineup of 2-in-1 laptops available under $800.
Compared to other 2-in-1 laptops featured above, the HP Pavilion X360 14-DH2011NR too features a compact design that measures 12.76-inch in length, 8.78-inch in-depth, and 8.78-inch in height.
This is ideal for watching your favorite movies and TV shows, web browsing, listening music, audio editing, using MS Office suite, image editing, and a slew of other functioning.
On the specifications front, the HP Pavilion X360 14-DH2011NR features an Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor. This processor is coupled with an 8GB DDR4 memory stick and a 512GB SSD drive. Out-of-the-box, this one comes preinstalled with Windows 10 Home OS.
You also get WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connectivity features along with wired connectivity features like 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C port, combo audio port, 1x HDMI 1.4 port. Alongside, the charging port supports fast charging and can charge the battery by 50% with just 45 minutes of charging time.
Compared to other 14-inch laptops, HP has managed to keep the Pavilion X360 14-DH2011NR weight low at 3.5 pounds. A lightweight design makes it easier to handle it from its regular mode to tent mode and all-the-way up to tablet mode.
The provided touchscreen is very responsive, and you won’t feel troubled or irritated while using the touchscreen when necessary.
With only 250 nits of brightness, the Full HD 14-inch screen has excellent color accuracy, while the micro bezels on the 3 sides make the viewing experience much better.
You also get Bang & Olufsen stereo speaker that offers better sound quality compared to regular speakers. Whereas the provided key board is ideal enough for long typing sessions, and the touchpad is good enough and has excellent accuracy.
Hardware Specifications | |
Processor | Intel Core i5 cpu |
RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
Storage | 512 GB SSD Storage |
Graphics | Integrated |
Display | 14” Full HD Touchscreen Display |
O.S. | Windows 10 Home |
- Lightweight and thin design
- Excellent keyboard and large touchpad
- Offers 512GB SSD storage option
- Better wired and wireless connectivity options
- The top firing speaker design gets muffled when using the laptop in display mode
- The shiny 360° hinges look a bit out-of-place, otherwise to a nicely designed laptop
Bottom Line
“HP Pavilion 14-DH2011NR is a rightly configured 2-in-1 laptop available at an approachable $800 range. You get all the necessary features and specifications that you’d expect from the best 2-in-1 laptop under $800.”
11. Lenovo Thinkpad E15 – Best Business Laptop under $800
Thinkpad is the oldest series from Lenovo and the most successful as well. Business and Corporate users mostly prefer the Thinkpad series because they want no compromise with their laptop.
The Lenovo Thinkpad E15 sits on the lower spectrum on the Thinkpad series yet offers a splendid set of specifications for the money you put in it.
Christened as the best business laptop under $800. The Lenovo Thinkpad E15 features a 10th generation Intel Core i5-1021U processor, coupled with 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD.
It features a 15.6-inch FHD screen that offers up to 250 nits of brightness and is ideal enough to be used in most indoor and outdoor scenarios.
Thinkpad series laptops have excellent built quality, and the Lenovo Thinkpad E15 is no exception. While the laptop is built entirely out of plastic, it features a rugged design that is no match to other regular laptops in a similar range.
While offering a great set of features and a sturdy design, Lenovo has managed to keep the weight low at 4.2 pounds.
On the connectivity front, you get options like 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C port, 1x HDMI 1.4 port, 1x USB 2.0 port, 1x Ethernet port, and a combo audio jack.
Additionally, while most other laptops come with Windows 10 Home OS, the Lenovo Thinkpad E15 comes with Windows 10 Professional OS that offers additional features for business and power users.
You get a full-size key board that offers tactile feedback for stress-free typing. In contrast, the touchpad features Thinkpad’s traditional design, which keeps the Thinkpad legacy alive.
Hardware Specifications | |
Processor | Core i5-10210U |
RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
Storage | 256 GB SSD |
Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
Display | 15.6 inch FHD IPS |
O.S. | Windows 10 Pro |
- The Intel processor offers a great balance between performance and battery life
- Comes with Windows 10 Professional OS
- Offers excellent built quality and sturdy design
- Surprisingly good webcam for video conferencing
- The full-size keyboard isn’t backlit
- Intel Core i5-10210U is not as powerful compared to other 10th Intel i5 processors
Bottom Line
“The Lenovo Thinkpad E15 might not be the laptop for everyone. However, if you’re a business user that requires a sturdy and trouble-free laptop for everyday usage, then you wouldn’t go wrong with it.”
Things to consider while buying the Best Laptop under $800
1. Buying Purpose
As you must have seen above – there are different types of laptop options available under $800. You get gaming laptops, 2-in-1 laptops, business laptops, laptops for students, touchscreen laptops, etc.
Thus, it is crucial to decide your buying purpose. Suppose you need a laptop under 800 dollars specifically for gaming or hardware-intensive work. In that case, you can consider options like Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-59KS, MSI GF75, or HP Pavilion 15-EC1073D.
However, if you require a compact laptop for business usage, you wouldn’t go wrong with the Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5, Dell Inspiron 14 5406, and HP Envy X360 15M-EE0013DX.
Whereas, students can consider laptops like Dell Inspiron 17 3793 or Lenovo Ideapad 5 that offer the best set of specifications for assignments, thesis, and project work.
2. Processor Unit
While buying the best laptop under $800, you get great processor options from Intel and AMD.
If performance is your main concern, you can go for processor options like Intel Core i5-10300H cpu or AMD Ryzen 5 4600H cpu. Whereas if a proper balance between performance and battery life is essential.
Processors like Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Core i7-1065G7, Intel Core i5-1035G1 cpu, and AMD Ryzen 5 4500U cpu will be the ideal options.
3. RAM
For laptops under $800 – you get DDR4 RAM options from 8GB, 12GB, and 16GB with different operating frequencies. The gaming laptops mentioned in our list come with an 8GB DDR4 RAM module, whereas you get a few other business and 2-in-1 laptops with 12GB and 16GB RAM setup.
Inclusion of a graphics card in a gaming laptop under $800 leaves the manufacturer a little room to offer the best RAM setup. However, you get an additional RAM slot. Thus you can add an aftermarket 8GB RAM stick and improve the laptop’s overall performance.
4. Storage Options
With the latest updates, most manufacturers are ditching the HDD drive and replacing it with a faster and more efficient NVMe SSD drive.
However, you get varying storage options ranging from 256GB, 512GB, and a combination of storage 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD (in the Dell Inspiron 17 3793).
A 256GB SSD in today’s standard seems very low. If your laptop under 800 dollars has the option to add an extra SSD, you can surely use it. If not, then you might want to replace the current SSD on your laptop.
5. Graphics Card
Unless you’re looking specifically for a gaming laptop – a graphics card is not an important factor while purchasing the best laptop under $800.
Both Intel and AMD processors offer integrated graphics. Integrated graphics like Intel’s UHD or Iris graphics or AMD’s Vega graphics are good enough to handle major graphics needs required for web browsing, image/video editing, documents, spreadsheets, etc.
Thus, it isn’t a deal-breaker if your preferred laptop under 800 dollars doesn’t come with a dedicated graphics card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What processor is best for gaming laptops under $800?
Under $800, you have limited gaming laptop options. We have mentioned the 3 best gaming laptops under $800 in the list above.
Intel Core i5-10300H cpu and AMD Ryzen 5 4600H cpu are the two processors you can find in under $800 gaming laptops.
How much RAM size is good enough?
The best laptops under 800 mentioned above have RAM options from 8GB, 12GB, and 16GB with varying operating frequencies.
The gaming laptops mentioned above come with an 8GB RAM module. These laptops also come with an additional RAM slot. Using this slot, you can add an aftermarket 8GB RAM module and increase the overall memory storage.
Is 256GB SSD acceptable for daily use?
In the current times, a 256GB SSD seems pretty low for daily use. In a 256GB SSD, you’ll get even less usable storage. Moreover, once the SSD gets full – the laptop’s performance will start degrading.
To tackle this issue, you can try the following solutions:
- Use an external HDD or SSD drive for extra storage
- Use cloud storage options like Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, etc.
- Replace the current 256GB SSD with a larger storage 512GB SSD drive
Do $800 laptops come with a dedicated graphics card?
Most of the best laptops under 800 come with integrated graphics like Intel UHD, Intel Iris, and AMD Vega graphics.
Whereas the gaming laptops mentioned above come with a dedicated graphics card like Nvidia GTX 1650 and Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti.
Conclusion
As you must have seen above – you get a plethora of laptop under 800 dollars options if you have $800 to spend.
You get gaming laptops, 2-in-1 laptops, business laptops, student laptops, all for an affordable range of $800.
All of the laptops mentioned above come with the latest Intel’s 10th and 11th generation processors. Whereas, from the AMD’s bandwagon, you get the latest 4th generation Ryzen 5 processors in laptops costing under $800.
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About Author
Dean Colin
Dean Colin is an avid reader and an internet enthusiast who is the man behind TheBestLaptops.net where he reviews cutting edge technology.