10 Best Laptops Under $1,000 – Complete Guide and Review 2021

TOP PICK
Dell XPS9360-3591SLV 13.3" Laptop (7th Generation Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Silver)
Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB) with Windows 10 Anniversary
Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage, 1.6GHz Intel Core i5) - Space Gray (Previous Model)
ASUS ZenBook UX303UA 13.3-Inch FHD Touchscreen Laptop, Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Windows 10 (64 bit)
ASUS ROG Strix GL553VD 15.6" Gaming Laptop GTX 1050 4GB Intel Core i7-7700HQ 16GB DDR4 1TB 7200RPM HDD RGB Keyboard
BLW's Score
96
94
92
90
89
MSRP
$1,499.99
Price not available
Price not available
$699.99
$999.99
Processor
Intel Core i5-7200U 2.5 GHz
Intel Core i5-6300U 2.4 GHz
Intel Core i5 (up to 3.6 GHz)
Intel Core i5-6200U 2.3GHz
Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2.8 GHz
RAM
8GB DDR3L
4GB DDR3L
8GB DDR3L
8GB DDR4
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
1TB HDD
128GB SSD
256GB SSD
1TB HDD
Display
13.3" QHD+ (3200 x 1800)
12.3" PixelSense (2736 x 1824)
13.3" Retina (2560 x 1600)
13.3” FHD (1920 x 1080)
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
Intel HD Graphics 520
Intel UHD Graphics 617
Intel HD Graphics 520
NVIDIA GeForce 1050 GTX
OS
Windows 10
Windows 10
macOS
Windows 10
Windows 10
Weight
2.7 pounds
2.41 pounds
2.75 pounds
3.2 pounds
5.5 pounds
TOP PICK
Dell XPS9360-3591SLV 13.3" Laptop (7th Generation Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Silver)
Model
BLW's Score
96
MSRP
$1,499.99
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-7200U 2.5 GHz
RAM
8GB DDR3L
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
13.3" QHD+ (3200 x 1800)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
OS
Windows 10
Weight
2.7 pounds
Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB) with Windows 10 Anniversary
BLW's Score
94
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-6300U 2.4 GHz
RAM
4GB DDR3L
Hard Disk
1TB HDD
Display
12.3" PixelSense (2736 x 1824)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 520
OS
Windows 10
Weight
2.41 pounds
Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage, 1.6GHz Intel Core i5) - Space Gray (Previous Model)
BLW's Score
92
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5 (up to 3.6 GHz)
RAM
8GB DDR3L
Hard Disk
128GB SSD
Display
13.3" Retina (2560 x 1600)
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 617
OS
macOS
Weight
2.75 pounds
ASUS ZenBook UX303UA 13.3-Inch FHD Touchscreen Laptop, Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Windows 10 (64 bit)
BLW's Score
90
MSRP
$699.99
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-6200U 2.3GHz
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
13.3” FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 520
OS
Windows 10
Weight
3.2 pounds
ASUS ROG Strix GL553VD 15.6" Gaming Laptop GTX 1050 4GB Intel Core i7-7700HQ 16GB DDR4 1TB 7200RPM HDD RGB Keyboard
BLW's Score
89
MSRP
$999.99
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2.8 GHz
RAM
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
1TB HDD
Display
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce 1050 GTX
OS
Windows 10
Weight
5.5 pounds

Our comparison table only shows our top 5 picks. You can find the other recommendations within this article.

It doesn’t matter in what field you are, it’s common that you will need a laptop for your business, studies or entertainment.

The demand for laptops and computers is growing every year, and many brands are offering such machines at competitive prices.

More than 90% of laptops on the market are priced reasonably, and that isn’t an issue anymore but choosing the proper laptop is. If you’re looking for the best laptop under $1000, there are hundreds of options if not more.

10 Best Laptops under $1000 – 2018

Here we have reviewed 10 of the best notebooks according to our experts, and you can choose one of these with confidence.

All the listed below machines can handle the latest games, large applications, and multitasking.

We have personally reviewed each of the listed laptops under $1000, and they all managed to pass all our tests, and we highly recommend all of them.

Why go with Laptop under $1000?

Most of the people are not able to afford a laptop under $1000, and that’s why we have our guides of best laptops under $600 and $700, but if you’re wealthy enough to afford one, then you should certainly go with it.

There are countless reasons to buy a $1000 laptop, and that includes an ultra HD display, top performance, gaming GPU, better RAM, enough storage, loud and clear audio and long lasting battery life.

Also note, this guide is for best all-purpose laptops under $1000, and if you’re interested in a gaming laptop then we have a separate guide for that. Also, make sure that you understand all the necessary aspects and official requirements of programs and games before finalizing a laptop.

In case you’re not much of a reader, then we have quick specifications written below every review, and I believe that’s enough to make the right decision.

Our Top Picks for Best Laptops under $1000

1. DELL XPS 9360

Dell XPS 13 9360 Laptop

Specs:

  • Intel Core i5-7200u Processor
  • 8GB RAM
  • 256GB SSD storage

The DELL XPS 9360 is a fantastic choice for users that are looking for a laptop under $1000. It features real hardware for normal as well as intense tasks but we do not recommend it for gaming, and in that case, you can check our guide of best gaming laptops under $1000.

With the latest model of Dell XPS 9360, you’re getting a 7th generation Intel Core i5-7200U processor, 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD. You can also customize its SSD and processor while purchasing it off Amazon but that’ll be extra.

Speaking about its display, it features a 13-inch full HD Infinity Edge display with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. It’s a very light notebook, and we highly recommend it for business users that travel frequently.

I have used more than 30 laptops in my lifetime, and since I started using this about seven months ago, I just don’t feel like replacing it.

Most of my tasks include browsing, multi-tasking, streaming videos, watching movies, writing, coding, and much more.

In case you’re wondering about its GPU, it doesn’t come with any and has integrated Intel HD 620 graphics. Looking at its reliable performance, slim body and lightweight design, we couldn’t help but list it as the best laptop under $1000.

2. Microsoft Surface Pro 4

Specs:

  • Intel Core i5 Processor
  • 8GB RAM
  • 256GB SSD storage

Nowadays, everyone appreciates a 2-in-1 laptop, and with the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, you can never go wrong. Of course, you’ll have to purchase its Type Cover separately, and currently, it’s available in 5 different colors that include black, blue, red, teal and bright blue.

 If you’re looking for a portable and lightweight PC, then this 12-inch device is certainly the best choice weighing only around 700 grams. It’s highly known for being the best laptop for artists as well as drawing since it’s one of the few laptops that come with a pen.

For under $1000, it comes with a 256 GB SSD as compared to its old model which was only able to offer 128 GB SSD. It’s also known for its battery life which can last up to 9 hours while playing movies and videos.

It features 6th generation Intel Core i5 processor along with 8 GB of RAM which is more than enough to handle most of the demanding applications.

However, some users might fall short of storage, but if that’s the case with you, then we recommend purchasing an external HDD or use the cloud services. So if you’re serious about art and drawing then look no more as this is your only solution.

3. Apple MacBook Air

MacBook Air

Specs:

  • Intel Core i5 processor
  • 8GB of RAM
  • 128GB SSD

The Apple MacBook Air features an excellent hardware and out of the box design. It has a large customer base worldwide, and it’s one of the most successful laptops of all time. Now that it has included a high resolution Retina display, it’s even better.

It’s a perfect choice for college students as well as business users looking for a very lightweight device. When it comes to battery life, it can deliver up to 12 hours. Its hardware includes Intel Dual-Core i5 processor, 128 GB SSD (256GB is an option), 8 GB of RAM and Intel UHD  graphics.

You might want to buy an additional external HDD or SSD to store your multimedia files as well as games. On the downside, some users do face heating issues while rendering video files and playing games, so if these are your primary tasks, then we suggest that you go with the MacBook Pro.

It boasts a 13-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2560 by 1600 pixels, and it runs on OS X. It’s an all-purpose machine and the only laptop in the world with more than 95% of customers satisfied.

We’ve also rated is as one of the best aluminum laptops, and if the design and portability are your top priorities, then you will love it.

4. ASUS ZenBook UX303UA

ASUS ZenBook Pro UX501VW-US71

Specs:

  • Intel Core i5-6200U processor
  • 8GB of RAM
  • 256GB SSD

The ASUS ZenBook UX303UA is one of our current favorites, and we highly recommend it for everyday use. Ultrabooks are mostly known for being portable and lightweight compared to a regular laptop, and this gem from ASUS is surely something you don’t want to miss.

It represents excellent value for money and features high-end hardware such as 6th generation Intel Core i5-6200U processor, 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD.

The 13-inch touchscreen IPS display boasts a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels, and it also includes a backlit keyboard. Moreover, it includes a 1.2 MP HD webcam for realistic video chatting and it’s a perfect alternative for Microsoft Surface Book.

It’s fairly inexpensive, and if you’re looking for a more robust model, then you can also get the same device with the i7 processor and an NVIDIA GPU.

However, this particular model includes an integrated Intel HD graphics and can handle some intensive tasks. Interestingly, it comes with just about everything that one might expect from a laptop, and you’ll never have an issue with performance or portability.

5. ASUS ROG Strix GL553VD

ASUS ROG Strix GL553VD Review

Specs:

  • Intel Core i7 processor
  • 16GB of DDR4 RAM
  • 1TB of HDD
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU

The ASUS ROG Strix GL553VD is one of the best gaming laptops under $1000, and we highly recommend it to gamers on the budget. It offers hardware that is usually found in high-end gaming notebooks but for a decent price.

Compared to other notebooks, this one is fast, light, and stylish and offers 5 hours of battery backup. It features an ordinary ROG body along with Auro RGB backlit keyboard, and it includes all the necessary ports.

The 7th generation Intel Core i7 Quad-Core processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU together can handle just about every game on our planet. On top of that, it has 16 GB of DDR4 RAM as well as 1 TB of HDD to store your games and movies.

It’s also available in a couple of more variants where you can get an addition SSD and in case you’re not satisfied with the 15-inch display, you have the option of 17-inch.

We also suggest it to users that need a laptop under $1000 for tasks like graphics designing and music production. Despite its common look, it still weighs around 5 lbs, but that is totally negligible looking at its power and portability.

6. Dell Gaming Laptop G5

Dell Gaming Laptop Review

Specs:

  • Intel Core i5-8300H processor
  • 8GB DDR4 RAM
  • 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU

One of the best things about this laptop from Dell is that it’s primarily made for gaming. It features an Intel Core i5-8300H processor along with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU paired with a 15-inch Full HD IPS display.

Other than gaming, it’s also recommended to graphics designers, video editors, and animators. It also comes with 8 GB of DDR4 RAM and a generous hybrid storage drive with a 128 GB SSD and a 1 TB hard drive.

Thanks to its backlit keyboard, you’ll never miss a stroke while playing games or typing even at night. Unlike professional gaming laptops, this one is lean, light and ready to carry around anytime.

Its hardware is more than enough to handle all kinds of games and programs. Dell has surprised everyone with its impressive design and thanks to its dual fans; it remains cool even while playing HD games.

Regarding battery life, it’s incomparable with other similar machines, and you can expect a minimum 7 hours of battery backup. Overall, it’s a compact, lightweight and powerful laptop that includes all the latest hardware.

7. HP ProBook 450 G6

CUK HP ProBook 450 G6

Specs:

  • Intel Core i7-8265U processor
  • 8GB of RAM
  • 256GB SSD

If business computing is your focus, you’ll want to seriously consider the HP ProBook 470 G5. It features powerful components like an Intel Core i7-8250U processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD. The bright full HD 15.6″ display is driven by the very capable integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 chipset.

The form is very stylish and slim for a laptop with a display this large. This laptop is less than 1″ thick and the silver finish will look great on your desk at the office.

We highly recommend the ProBook for tasks such as presentations, word processing, and online meetings. It’s also a good laptop to connect to projectors, and it has many positive reviews from business users.

One potential drawback of this laptop is that the keyboard is not backlit. If you work in dark environments, this may be a problem.

It comes with pre-installed Windows 10 Professional which will provide you with extra security and connectivity features compared to Windows 10 Home. With this unique design, great specifications and good battery life, it’s one of the best laptops under $1000.

8. Dell Inspiron i7559-5012GRY

Specs:

  • Intel Quad-Core i7-6700HQ processor
  • 8GB SSD + 1TB HDD
  • 8GB of RAM
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M GPU

The Dell Inspiron i7559-5012GRY is undoubtedly among the best laptops under $1000 and surely an excellent choice if you’re looking for something that is full value for the money.

If you are on the market for a sturdy and functional laptop that packs all the latest hardware including a touchscreen display, then this might just be the best choice for you.

Fortunately, it packs a 15-inch Ultra-HD display along with Intel Quad-Core i7-6700HQ processor, 1 TB of HDD plus 8 GB of SSD, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M GPU and 8 GB of RAM.

One of the best features is its keyboard which is perfect for playing games as well as typing, and it boasts a backlit option which can be very useful while using the machine in dark rooms. Its construction is extremely solid yet feels very professional.

Also, upgrading the machine is very easy with just one screw to lose, and anyone can easily upgrade its RAM to 16 GB.

It also includes two fans that make sure you don’t face any heating problems. It might not be the lightest laptop you have ever seen, but it’s surely a great choice for under $1000.

9. Lenovo Thinkpad T460

Lenovo Thinkpad T460 Review

Specs:

  • Intel Core i5-6300U processor
  • 256GB SSD
  • 8GB DDR3 RAM

If you’re looking for the best business laptop under $1000, then the Lenovo Thinkpad T460 is your best bet. Sporting a 14-inch display, it’s a high-end business notebook primarily designed to perform.

As Windows 10 is expanding on the market, laptops with Windows 7 are becoming rare, and the Thinkpad T460 comes with pre-installed Windows 7 Professional.

Like most of the latest machines, this one also lacks a DVD drive, but you don’t have to worry about the connectivity as it has many ports to connect your external hardware. While unboxing it, we were extremely impressed with the exterior quality as well as attention to little details.

Its insides include 6th generation Intel Core i5-6300U processor along with 256 GB of SSD and 8 GB of DDR3 RAM. It follows a business class design which is by far the best I have ever seen, and it comes with 6 hours of battery life.

Most of the business laptops come with a 15-inch display, but this one features a perfect sized 14-inch display for business users which is portable as well as big enough for working.

Overall, Lenovo has done everything in their power to make it an ideal laptop for business, and we’re pretty sure that you won’t find anything better than this for under $1000.

10. Acer Aspire 5

Acer Aspire 5

Specs:

  • Intel Core i7-8565U processor
  • 512GB SSD
  • 12GB DDR4 RAM
  • NVIDIA GeForce MX250 GPU

If you’re looking for a great laptop under $1000, then this is what you need. We believe it’s an excellent choice for gamers on a tight budget and they will love its powerful hardware and design.

Other than gaming, it’s also good for business users, college students, professionals and graphics designers. It features a full HD webcam along with built-in stereo speakers for a perfect and smooth meeting on Skype.

Its specifications include Intel Core i7-8250U processor, NVIDIA GeForce MX250 GPU, 512GB SSD and 12 GB DDR4 RAM.

Thanks to its battery life of 9.5 hours, you can easily use it while traveling as well as in cafes. At under 4.5 lbs, it’s one of the lightest gaming laptops that one can get for under $1000. It’s also available in 17-inch variant as well as with 16 GB of RAM.

Note that the non-replaceable battery may be an issue for users who need to be unplugged for extended periods of time.

Overall, this is an impressive laptop. We recommend it  as a general-purpose device that would meet the needs of a wide variety of users.

Conclusion

I hope now you fully understand what laptops are best for under $1000 and most probably you have already decided the one that you’ll be getting.

Anyways, we recommend that you check its reviews online before buying it and also let us know if we have missed something here. Also, if you need any more of our help then feel free to let us know through comments or contact us page.

Resources

Webopedia

Make Use Of

Quora

Wikipedia

About the Author Marcus

Marcus has a graduate degree in computer engineering and has many years of experience in cutting-edge technology research and development in both startups and Fortune 500 corporations. In his free time, he enjoys RTS gaming.

Leave a Comment:

Add Your Reply