If you are in need of a new laptop, but only have $800 to spend, the options start to dwindle. But don’t worry! We have put together a list of what we believe are the four best options for you to get the best possible computer for the money.
Knowing what the compromises you should make, and what you need to keep in mind when making your purchase will make all the difference in your happiness.
Let’s see what are your best options out there!
Contents
Quick Summary
- If you are an artist or creative person, the Acer Spin 3 is a great computer for you. Its 2-in-1 design and included pen make it a great laptop for drawing and painting in your favorite art software.
- If you are looking to save a little money and pick up a laptop that is capable of gaming, the MSI GL63 is the one for you. It comes in nicely below the $800 budget and can play even the newest games on the market.
- If you want a gaming laptop that looks more business class, the Lenovo IdeaPad L340 is a good choice. Its gamer aesthetic is much more understated, and it can pass as a business laptop in the office.
- If you want to show off to your friends with your computer’s sleek design, the ASUS VivoBook 15 is one beautiful computer. It has the look and feel that can even rival Apple in the design and overall craftsmanship.
Who Should Get This
If you have a budget of $800, and want the best possible computer you can get for the money, these are great laptops for you. No matter what the use, these are all under the $800 price point and are powerful enough for most any task.
It just so happens all of the computers on this list are perfect for home computers. They have nice screens, fast processors, and a nice clean design that you will be proud to display right in the middle of your desk.
Best Laptops Under $800: Our Picks
1. Acer Spin 3 Convertible Laptop
- Processor: Intel i7-8565U
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Storage: 512GB SSD
Finding a decent 2-in-1 laptop under $800 is doable, but you will generally have to make a compromise on either performance or build quality. That is not the case with this Acer Spin 3, which keeps high end specs and a nice durable build quality as well.
This computer pairs an Intel i7 processor with 16GB of RAM, giving you plenty of hardware to handle your daily tasks. It is also capable of running your art apps or software, and gives you nice ample storage as well.
2. MSI GL63 8RCS-060 15.6″ Gaming Laptop
- Processor: Intel i5-8300H
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 4GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
If $800 is your maximum budget, but you would ideally like to fall under that and still pick up a gaming PC, the GL63 from MSI should be on your list. This computer gives you good gaming performance and comes in under your budget with room to spare.
This model features an Intel i5 processor, which is more than capable of handling the newest games. When you combine it with the dedicated Nvidia GTX 1050 GPU, you have a computer capable of running your games at decent frame rates without costing you an arm and a leg.
3. Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop
- Processor: Intel i5-9300H
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 1650 4GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
Lenovo is known more for their business class laptops, but don’t let that put you off this amazing gaming laptop they have created. The L340 has the newest hardware inside, and has a nice, sleek look on the outside that isn’t too loud.
Loaded with an Intel i5 9th generation processor and an Nvidia GTX 1650, you will be able to breeze through the newest games out. Combine that with a nice fast SSD, and your system will not have a bottleneck at any point, making it run nice and efficient.
4. Asus VivoBook 15 Thin and Light
- Processor: Ryzen 7 3700U
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- GPU: AMD Radeon RX Vega 10
- Storage: 512 GB
ASUS has designed one of the most elegant laptops on the market with the VivoBook 15. It has a gorgeous display with a tiny bezel, and overall sleek chassis that will appeal to even hardcore Apple fans. This is the computer we would suggest without hesitation for a Windows-based MacBook replacement.
Inside of this beautiful machine is an AMD Ryzen 7 3700U and 8GB of DDR4 memory. That is plenty of power for normal use, and the 512GB SSD for storage round out a great laptop for home or business use.
Best Laptops Under $800: What to Consider
Processor
One of the key points of emphasis when buying a laptop in this price range is to make sure it has a decent processor. You don’t want to go any lower than an Intel i5, just to make sure you are getting the absolute best performance possible.
RAM
Another important factor to consider is how much memory is installed. 8GB is the minimum we would recommend today, as running something as simple as Google Chrome with a few tabs open can use up quite a lot alone.
Storage
You want to make sure you have enough storage for your everyday use apps and software, as well as any pictures or larger file storage. You can always add an external drive, but getting a nice large internal drive is helpful.
Useful Tips and Resources
You will want to make sure you have a nice laptop bag to carry around your new computer. This will help to transport it from place to place, as well as provide a nice sturdy build to keep your computer safe. This is pretty much a mandatory accessory to buy.
If you don’t want to use a bag, and prefer to just carry the computer under your arm, buying a laptop sleeve could be the best option. It will still provide more protection from scuffing and scratching, but is not as big and bulky as an entire laptop bag.
Final Words
Finding a good laptop under $800 price point is definitely possible, especially when you know what to prioritize. We have chosen the four computers above based on what we believe are the criteria for your perfect computer based on your use case. Any of the four are perfectly capable, just make sure you get the one that fits your personal needs the best.
What do you think is the best price point for a laptop? Let us know in the comments below!
