When we talk about the best laptops under $1000, I recommend Dell, Asus, Apple MacBook, Microsoft, and Acer laptops for daily performance. If you like to play and are ready to use demanding graphics or do a lot of video editing, you may need to invest some money to find the best laptop. Here, I have listed the best laptops under $1000. Among the $1000 laptop category, you get at least one Intel Core i5 dual-core processor, Intel’s latest integrated HD graphics, 8 GB of RAM, 1 TB of HDD storage, or 128-256 GB of SSD storage fast.
Best laptops under $1000
We have looked at more than a hundred laptops of all types and price ranges that work hundreds of hours. It’s a challenging job, and it gives us a good insight into what makes a good laptop and what holds a laptop back. Let’s have a look at the best laptops under 1000 dollars.
1. Dell XPS 13
The best laptop under $1000
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Dell XPS 13 leads the $1000 list of our favorite laptops with the latest hardware and killer looks. The 13.3-inch Full HD InfinityEdge display is the show-runner that’s sharp, delivering a very bright and colorful image. What’s more, Dell has finally listened to the consumer’s plea and puts the webcam on the top edge of the screen on the new XPS 13.
Under the hood, the laptop is powered by the latest 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor combined with 8GB of RAM. So what does this pair of hardware configurations mean? Rewriting the same in simpler terms, the device can handle almost all tasks with ease. Although the laptop does not come with a superior graphics card and is supported by the built-in Intel UHD chipset, it can still stand up in the graphics segment.
2. HP Envy 13
A premium laptop under $1000
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HP has a long tradition of making laptops you can rely on, and the HP Envy 13 is no different – it’s one of the best choices you’re going to find in the best 13-inch laptops under $1000 range. We include it here because of its excellent balance between price and performance. This is a laptop that will last you a long time. The 13.3-inch, 1920 x 1080 resolution display is at the forefront here – bright and sharp and great for streaming video, surfing the web, and working on documents.
While creatives may want a little more in screen real estate, the smaller display size makes this a portable laptop, and thanks to its reliable build quality, it doesn’t feel like you have to be extra careful with it. With a choice of Intel’s Core processors inside and some compelling combinations of RAM and internal storage also available, this is a laptop ready to handle all but the most demanding tasks (don’t try to gamble on it). A special mention for the audio developed in collaboration with Bang and Olufsen, which sounds great.
3. Asus ZenBook 13
The best laptop in terms of design
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We have always liked the Asus ZenBook line and the new ZenBook 13, which only increases our appreciation. ZenBook is first and foremost about design; the blue flap with concentric circles makes your silver base laptop, just like the MacBook Pro. Oh, and by the way, the chassis is MIL-STD-810G tested to withstand some unsavory environments. If that’s not enough, the touchpad on the ZenBook 13 is a ScreenPad 2.0, or a small screen that can start programs, serve as a toolbar, or expand the 13.3-inch, 1080p panel.
Adding a cherry to this already sweet package is ZenBook 13’s excellent audio quality, a decent variety of port selection it offers despite being such a portable laptop, and outstanding performance supported by a discreet GPU. Overall, this is one of the best laptops under $1000 that you can buy right now.
4. MacBook Air 2020
The best portable MacBook
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It’s incredible what a difference the right keyboard makes. Since 1999 the MacBook Air 2020 has the improved Magic Keyboard, which replaces the butterfly switch with a scissor mechanism that allows you to type much more comfortably. Apple has also upgraded the Air to the 10th generation Intel Core processors (from 8th generation). It’s a Y-Series chip (which is not as powerful as the U-Series CPUs), but it turned out to be enough for everyday use and basic multitasking.
Apple not only lowered the price by $100, but it also doubled the standard MacBook Air storage, from a 128GB SSD to a 256GB drive, which still offers lightning-fast read speeds. The MacBook Air also has great endurance, with a battery that lasts all day. It took 9 hours and 31 minutes (almost 50 minutes longer than the regular system) for our web surfing test to charge the MacBook Air fully. Add to that Apple’s relatively bright and colorful Retina display and surprisingly powerful speakers, and you have the best laptop under $1000 for most Apple fans.
5. Acer Swift 3
The best budget laptop
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Another budget laptop in our best laptops for kids list, the Acer Swift 3, runs on AMD Ryzen CPUs. This laptop goes toe to toe with Dell’s XPS 13 and Apple’s MacBook Pro. That’s how fast the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U CPU is. The Swift 3 also features a comfortable keyboard, which features clicking keys that provide plenty of feedback. Students also save login time thanks to the Swift 3’s built-in fingerprint reader on the keyboard deck.
And all this power is packed in aluminum and magnesium to make it look like a champion, too. The only major caveat is the display, which is on the dull and boring side of the equation. If your student already has another large screen for watching the best Netflix shows, consider the Swift 3: it’s a surprising beauty. Overall, this is one of the best laptops under $1000.
6. Asus ZenBook 14
Good specs and tasteful design make this robust all-round laptop.
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A simply gorgeous laptop from Asus that we like to have in our best laptops under $1000 list; if you want the perfect combination of power and style, this might be the case, and as a bonus, you get a trackpad that can also be used as a handy secondary display. If you look at the specs, you’ll see that this is a laptop that more than lends itself to any task you want to perform, even some low-resolution video editing and gaming (note the Nvidia GeForce option).
Despite all this raw power, the price is not too high. And then there’s the design: this is one of the best looking laptops we’ve seen, and even the display hinge is a work of art. It will rotate everything you need with aplomb, and it will look the part as you do it – what more do you need?
7. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
Decent laptop with a strong performance
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The Surface Laptop 3 for Business with Intel’s processors is a better laptop than its AMD sibling. It has better performance, longer battery life, faster hard drive, and Windows 10 Pro. If the gap in price would be wider – the Intel model is only $100 more expensive – then we could consider the AMD model. Still, we strongly recommend going to Microsoft’s online store and order the business edition instead.
Without considering Microsoft’s misleading “for business” designation, the Surface Laptop 3 is one of the best laptops. It has excellent performance, long battery life, a fast hard drive, and Windows 10 Pro. Plus, you get Microsoft’s sleek aluminum chassis and a beautiful display. If you’re a fan of Microsoft notebooks, this is the best laptop under $1000 for you.
8. Acer Aspire 5
The best budget ultrabook
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The Acer Aspire 5 proves that you don’t have to spend a lot to get a great laptop. This notebook has a full HD screen that is pretty bright, so it’s great for surfing the web, doing quick photo editing, and watching videos on Netflix, YouTube, or Disney Plus. And it has all the power you want for everyday tasks and multitasking, thanks to a 10th generation Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD. It’s all packed in a pretty lightweight 3.8-pound package.
The biggest surprise with the Aspire 5 is battery life. This laptop lasted almost 9 hours on our web surf battery test, which is very good for a 15-inch system. There are a few things we don’t like about this budget laptop; while the lid is a premium aluminum, the rest of the laptop is made of plastic. You shouldn’t expect to play the latest games either. But overall, the Aspire 5 is one of the best laptops under 1000 dollars that you can buy right now.
9. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The best detachable 2-in-1 laptop
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Surface Pro 7 makes an excellent laptop in last year’s Surface Pro 6 and gives it a power boost. While the battery life is a hit, the new 10th generation CPU delivers outstanding performance. The design hasn’t changed at all, but the Surface Pro 7 now has a USB-C port for charging and connecting peripherals. Microsoft still sells the comfortable Alcantara Type Cover and super-responsive Surface Pen, making it easy to draw or take notes on the tablet’s vibrant and bright 12.3-inch display. Overall, this is one of the best laptops under $1000 right now.
10. Acer Spin 5
A budget 2-in-1 laptop
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A great feature set certainly adds a lot of value, and if you’re looking for the best 2-in-1 laptops, that’s one thing to keep an eye on. It’s that, combined with the affordability, makes the Acer Spin 5 (2020) a great candidate. This 2-in-1 laptop is not only versatile because of its form factors and excellent battery life. It also comes with a 3:2 display and feature-rich stylus that together give it that added benefit for students and professionals alike over its rivals: an easy and seamless note-taking experience. If you’re one of those people who disdain typing notes in class, this old-fashioned approach might seal the deal.
11. Asus Chromebook Flip C436
The best Chromebook right now
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The best overall Chromebook, the Flip C436, is an excellent successor to the Flip C302CA, our previous topper. Not only do the super small edges allow Asus to fit its large 14-inch screen in a smaller chassis than you’d expect, that display is both bright and colorful. What’s more, the aluminum design delivers a more premium feel than many other Chromebooks. Oh, and I almost forgot: it lasts over 10 hours on a single charge. Overall, this is the best Chromebook under $1000 right now.
