When looking for a laptop in 2023, price is among the first things most people think about. While it’s easy to assume that a highly-priced laptop offers great performance, you should also know that many high-performance laptop brands are fairly priced.
With a budget of $900, there is a wide range of school, business, work, and gaming laptops for you. This guide shares some of the best laptops at $900 and below.
Let’s break them down below!
- Best Overall: 2022 ASUS VivoBook 15
- Best for Gaming: ASUS TUF F17 Gaming Laptop
- Best for Business: HP Envy 13 2021
- Best 2-in-1 Laptop: Lenovo Yoga 7i
- Best Lightweight Laptop: Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop
- Best for Students: Acer Chromebook Spin 513 Convertible Laptop
Best Overall: 2022 ASUS VivoBook 15
- 15." FHD Touchscreen Laptop Computer
- Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor
- 12GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- Intel UHD Graphics
- VGA Webcam
- Windows 11
- Gray
- LIONEYE Mousepad
The 2022 ASUS VivoBook 15 makes it to the list as the overall best laptop at around $489 due to its exceptional processing speed and lightweight design.
It is powered by the 11th Generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor, has 12GB of memory, and 512GB SSD storage.
As a student, this laptop is excellent for schoolwork as it features a 15.6-inch screen that offers enough space for light multitasking functions. The screen is also bright enough for working in indoor settings and has an anti-glare coating. It’s also a compact laptop that you can easily carry around, and with a battery that can last up to 12 hours, so it’ll get you through the day. Unfortunately, this laptop doesn’t support USB-C charging, so you can’t risk not carrying your charger.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 12GB of RAM | Average build quality |
| Offers excellent performance | |
| Slim and lightweight design |
Check out the 2022 ASUS VivoBook 15 on Amazon.
Best for Gaming: ASUS TUF F15 Gaming Laptop
- 15.6" FHD IPS display
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Intel Core i5-10300H Processor
- GeForce GTX 1650
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB PCIe SSD
- Wi-Fi 6
- Windows 11 Home
One of the important elements of gaming is immersion, and this is something you won’t miss with the ASUS TUF F15 Gaming Laptop, thanks to the 17.3-inch Full HD screen with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution.
Note that the screen has a 144Hz refresh rate, meaning you get to enjoy smoother graphics even for fast-paced games. It comes with an Intel Core i5-10300H Processor, a 512GB SSD, and 8GB RAM, which makes this laptop priced at $789 good enough to store files and run games smoothly.
It’s also powered by the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics coprocessor (GPU) with a high frame rate, which enhances the game’s visual clarity for an elevated gaming experience. Moreover, the Asus F15 GPU has a dedicated hardware encoder, allowing you to game and stream simultaneously with great precision.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great performance | The fan can sometimes be too loud |
| Offers plenty of power | The keyboard feels cramped |
| Exceptional battery life | |
| Upgradeable RAM and storage | |
| Large 144Hz display |
Check out the ASUS TUF F15 Gaming Laptop on Amazon.
Best for Business: HP Envy 13 2021
- 13.3" FHS IPS 100% sRGB Display
- 11th gen Intel Quad-Core i5-1135G7
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- Backlit KB Fingerprint
- Windows 10 Silver + HDMI cable
Among the key things to look for in a good business laptop are great battery life and an exceptional display. The HP Envy 13 achieves a brightness of up to 400 nits, enough for the laptop to be used outdoors.
In terms of design, this premium business laptop has a silver aluminum construction, which makes it look more flashy than laptops made from magnesium alloys at the same price point.
This laptop goes for $595 and weighs 2.8 pounds, so carrying it around shouldn’t be a problem. Another notable design feature is that the laptop keyboard features a white LED backlight, which is handy when working in a poorly lit room. The keyboard also has large, soft, and comfortable buttons, ideal for long-typing sessions.
The HP Envy 13 is powered by the Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor that achieves a speed of up to 4.2 GHz. Also included is a 256 to 2TB SSD storage option, 8 GB memory, and Nvidia GeForce MX450 GPU, which can help with the smooth running of multiple office tasks and loading numerous browser tabs. Furthermore, you’ll hardly experience any issues running design computer applications.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Descent battery life | RAM is not expandable |
| Core i5 CPU offers exceptional performance | Average graphics performance |
| Has a bright, crisp display | |
| USB-A and Thunderbolt ports |
Check out the HP Envy 13 on Amazon.
Best 2-in-1 Laptop: Lenovo Yoga 7i
- 16" 2.5K Touchscreen
- 12th Intel evo Platform 12-Core i5-1240P
- 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB SSD
- Iris Xe Graphics
- Windows 11 Home
2-in-1 laptops are a perfect choice for anyone looking for the portability of a tablet and the processing capabilities of a laptop. Among the highly rated 2-in-1 laptops to consider is the Lenovo Yoga 7i, and for good reason.
The laptop goes for $788 and comes in a Storm Grey exterior finish makes it sleek and professional. In addition, the keyboard offers a responsive typing experience, and the trackpad is equally responsive with clicks to replicate the left and right buttons.
The Yoga 7i features a 2.5K 16-inch OLED screen with 2560 x 1600p resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate, and top brightness of 400 nits. This means that the pictures and video will look bright, which is great when editing images or watching high-resolution videos. When it comes to performance, Lenovo Yoga 7i is powered by a 12th Generation Core i5-1240P with Intel Iris Xe graphics, 8GB RAM, and 512GB internal storage. This specification is great for playing games in low graphics settings and doing office work.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 360-degree touchscreen | Fan can become loud with too many files opened |
| Crisp 4K display | |
| Long-lasting battery life | |
| Great multimedia experience with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision |
Check out the Lenovo Yoga 7i on Amazon.
Best Lightweight Laptop: Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop
- 13.4" UHD touchscreen
- Thin and lightweight
- Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- Intel Iris Xe, Wi-Fi 6 with Dell Service
- Windows 11 Home (pre-installed)
Dell has been pushing boundaries in regards to concentrating more processing power in a slender laptop chassis, with the Dell XPS 13 being an excellent example.
This laptop is slim and lightweight at just 2.6 pounds, meaning you can quickly tuck it in a backpack or satchel. The only downside of this laptop is that it’s skimpy in terms of ports, as you’ll only get a headphone jack, a microSD reader, and a Type-C USB port.
Undoubtedly, the USB-C features Thunderbolt 4 technology, so connecting the XPS 13 to external displays is quick and easy. This lightweight Dell laptop is powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 with 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage and retails at $799. The processor includes Intel Iris Xe Graphics, significantly improving your laptop performance when playing lighter games or streaming high-quality videos.
The laptop features a 13.4-inch display with thin bezels and a 3.5K (3840 x 2400p) resolution. You’ll also love the battery life of up to 10 hours, meaning you can do school and office work for long hours without needing to connect the laptop to a power source.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Has a compact design | Webcam isn’t of high quality |
| Sharp, crisp display | |
| Great battery life | |
| Comfortable keyboard |
Check out the Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop on Amazon.
Best for Students: Acer Chromebook Spin 513 Convertible Laptop
- 13.5" 2,256 x 1,504 Gorilla Glass Touch
- MediaTek Kompanio 1380 Octa-Core cpu
- 8GB LPDDR4x
- 128GB eMMC
- Wi-Fi 6
- Backlit KB
- Chrome OS
Chromebooks are among the best laptops to use for school work. Among the best in this category is the Acer Chromebook Spin 513, and this is due to its excellent battery life and cost-effective price of $614.
On a single charge, you can carry out your school work for up to 11 hours before you can recharge it.
A notable design element of this laptop is that it has a spacious keyboard layout with large keys for comfortable long-typing sessions. Furthermore, the touchpad is smooth and highly responsive to input. You can be assured of quick performance with this Acer Chromebook when running Android applications or doing school work thanks to the MediaTek Kompanio 1380 Octa-Core processor, 8GB RAM, and 128GB of flash memory.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Long battery life | No USB-A ports |
| Sleek, minimalist design | |
| High performance “Hush” keyboards |
Check out the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 Convertible Laptop on Amazon.
©Tatiana Bobkova/Shutterstock.com
How to Pick the Best Laptops Under $900: What You Need to Know
Purchasing your ideal laptop should be a pleasurable experience. Yet, the process can get very stressful with different models to choose from.
So, to help you make an informed decision when buying your laptop, we’re breaking down some of the things you need to look out for.
RAM and Processor
The RAM size you choose greatly impacts your laptop’s multitasking capabilities. When using your laptop to perform light tasks such as performing office work, watching videos, and browsing the internet, a RAM of 4GB is ideal. With a RAM of up to 8GB, you can perform intensive tasks, like photo editing. If you plan to use your laptop for demanding work like video rendering and editing or professional gaming, a laptop with a RAM of between 16 and 32GB is the best choice.
In regards to the processors, it’s best to consider the Intel core-based range. Most laptops will either have a core i3, i5, or i7 CPU. Usually, you’ll find Core i3 in entry-level laptops. Most mid-range laptops will have core i5, and high-end laptops run on core i7.
Screen Resolution
Screen resolution plays a pivotal role in helping you enjoy crisp images. If you want quality images, you should settle for a laptop with a resolution of 1920 x 1080p. As a gamer, consider going for a higher 4K display with 2160 x 3840p resolution and a high refresh rate. The refresh rate matters because it refers to the times an image on the screen refreshes each second.
Battery Life
Battery life is important when selecting your ideal laptop. While some brands may claim that their battery life lasts for a specific duration, different variables like the programs you run and screen brightness can affect the lifespan of your battery.
So, when choosing your laptop, be sure to check the battery rating (usually indicated in Milliamp-hours and Watt-hour). The higher these values are, the longer your battery will last.
Touchpad and Keyboard
Regardless of the tasks you’re performing on your laptop, you should settle on a quality keyboard and touchpad. While typing, you need a responsive keyboard with keypads that don’t stick. Settling on keyboards with a backlight is also advisable, as it’s useful when working in dim light settings.
The touchpad should also be accurate, meaning it shouldn’t respond to multitouch gestures or give a jumpy cursor. When purchasing a business laptop, go for options with a nub (pointing stick) between the H and G keys, as it helps to easily navigate the keyboard without lifting your fingers.
What to Know Before Buying Laptops Under $900
Before purchasing your laptop, check the number of ports on your device. Today, most laptops come with USB Type-C, Thunderbolt 4, or USB 4 ports that are USB Type-C compatible. Laptops with HDMI, SD card reader, audio jack, and USB 3.0 are also a great choice, depending on your needs. The good thing about using USB Type–C is that you can connect it to different compatible hubs and docking stations that provide you with a combination of different ports you’ll need.
You may also want to consider a 2-in-1 laptop if you’re looking for a laptop that can be a tablet and still function in the traditional clamshell position. For such laptops, the two styles available are those that hinge 360 degrees or those whose screens detach from the laptop.
If you’re considering using your laptop to use on the go, a 4G or 5G laptop would be an excellent choice. Remember that you’ll have to pay for a data subscription plan for such laptops and you’ll also want to ensure they feature Wi-Fi 6 for excellent connectivity. Another thing to consider when buying a laptop is that they should have at least Bluetooth 5, which provides quick pairing with Bluetooth devices like headphones and mice.
Using Laptops Under $900: What It’s Like
The laptops under $900 offer excellent performance, contrary to what some people may think. With powerful processors like the NVIDIA GeForce and Intel Iris, playing your favorite games should be fun. These laptops also have a decent screen resolution and brightness, allowing you to enjoy watching high-quality videos.
To sum it up, they have a good battery life, meaning that you can carry out your school and business work or enjoy your favorite games for hours without constantly powering them.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©DC Studio/Shutterstock.com.
