The 5 Best Laptops Under $1700 You Can Buy Today

Technological advancements continue to push laptops towards greater efficiency and versatility than ever before, but these features often come with exorbitant prices. The good news is that several affordable models available today offer optimal performance without compromising quality. Here we provide an in-depth compilation of the 5 best laptops under $1700 in the current market – from sleek ultrabooks to robust gaming machines – tailored to meet different user-specific needs while maintaining affordability.

Best Overall: Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 is a top contender for laptops that can give you the best value for your money. With its slim and compact design, the Dell XPS 13 offers high portability and superior performance without breaking the bank. It’s also lightweight, weighing only 2.8 pounds, which makes it an excellent option for people who are always on the go.

One feature that makes this laptop such an attractive choice is its display. The device has a stunning Full HD screen with an almost borderless touch display, providing an immersive experience. Additionally, you’ll be amazed by how this fantastic machine impresses users looking for tip-top hardware specifications.

When it comes to speed and power efficiency, the Dell XPS 13 takes another first place spot. It stands up against several other top laptops in its price category due to its Intel Core i7 Processor capabilities on most configurations. In addition, the XPS 13 comes with Thunderbolt 3 ports, which offer fast data transfer speeds and support for multiple external displays. It also has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1, which ensures reliable and fast wireless connectivity.

Best for MacOS: MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is widely regarded as one of the best laptops in the market, particularly for those who prefer the MacOS operating system. For under $1,599.00, you can get your hands on this sleek and powerful machine that boasts a stunning Retina display with True Tone technology. It also features 11-hour battery life, Touch ID for secure authentication, and an incredibly thin design weighing just about 2.8 pounds.

One of the key selling points of the MacBook Air is its exceptional craftsmanship, which marries functionality with elegance. Every detail oozes top-quality aesthetics, from its all-metal aluminum casing to its razor-sharp edge-to-edge glass display panel.

But beyond just looks lies a world of innovative features essential for any student or professional who needs reliable computing power. The MacOS operating system works seamlessly with Apple’s hardware components, such as processors and RAM, which are only available on MacOS-powered devices. Therefore, users of the MacBook Air can work smoothly, grappling with even complex applications such as video editing software smoothly.

Best 2-in-1: HP Spectre x360

If you’re looking for a laptop with excellent performance and versatility, look no further than the HP Spectre x360. The HP Spectre x360 is an outstanding 2-in-1 laptop that provides users with superior functionality and value at under $1700. Its sleek design and portable structure make it easy to carry anywhere while consistently delivering top-tier power.

The laptop boasts a stunning 13.5-inch full HD display with multi-touch capability, allowing you to stream multimedia or work on multiple projects simultaneously. Equipped with an Intel Core i7 CPU and a maximum of 16GB RAM, the Spectre x360 effortlessly manages even the most challenging tasks. Further, the Spectre x360 can last up to 10 hours on a single charge, making it ideal for all-day use.

Its keyboard layout switches intelligently between various modes, such as tent-mode or tablet mode. This makes typing even easier on this offering than older models, making presenting ideas easier, and providing improved flexibility and productivity alternatives for the best results.

Best for Creatives: ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16

The ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 is a powerful laptop designed specifically for creatives who need a high-performance machine to handle demanding tasks such as graphic design, video editing, and 3D modeling . One of its standout features is a stunning 16-inch screen with a 2560 x 1500 pixels resolution. With such crisp visuals, you can rest assured that your creative work will look breathtaking. Additionally, this laptop is designed for color-accurate work that makes photography, graphic designing, and video editing enjoyable endeavors.

Underneath the hood, the ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 has an AMD R7 processor and a speedy Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics card, delivering outstanding performance in speed and reliability. And, if you’re concerned about storage space capacity, there is no need to worry. This premier machine goes above and beyond to accommodate users’ needs,  boasting up to 1TB SSD storage capacity.

In addition, the ProArt StudioBook 16 has excellent color accuracy, making it a superb choice for designers and photographers who need to work with accurate colors. The display is Pantone Validated and has a Delta-E value of less than 2, which is excellent.

Best Gaming: ASUS TUF Gaming F15

The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is a reliable, high-performing option that won’t break the bank. With a price tag of $1700 or less, it offers outstanding features and specifications that are perfect for gamers on a budget.

Its 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor ensures smooth and lag-free gameplay even under intensive workloads. Additionally, its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card is perfectly designed to handle visually demanding games efficiently, delivering crisp visuals that even the most sophisticated gamers will appreciate.

The laptop’s impressive 16GB DDR5 memory, and 1TB solid-state drive ensure fast loading speeds. Further, its backlit keyboard allows you to play comfortably even in poorly lit environments. This feature makes it an ideal choice for those who love playing games in dimly lit settings. Overall, the ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is an excellent gaming laptop that offers high-performance gaming at an affordable price point. Its powerful processor, great graphics card, fast refresh rate, large amount of storage, excellent cooling, and durable build make it one of the best gaming laptops under $1700.

How to Pick the Best Laptops Under $1700

When choosing the perfect laptop, there are many factors to consider. You want to ensure that the specifications meet your personal needs and requirements.

Here are some of the critical things to consider:

Performance

Buying a laptop with outstanding performance ensures efficient multitasking capabilities and responsiveness essential for your daily routine. A powerful processor, ample RAM and storage, and a good graphics card significantly improve a laptop’s overall functionality. These features allow you to run demanding software requiring high specifications, such as a photo or video editing programs, 3D modeling software, and gaming. So, thoroughly research your desired brand’s technical details before purchasing it.

Display

The display is a crucial factor to consider when selecting the best laptops under $1700. How your laptop’s display renders colors can significantly affect how your content appears on the screen, making choosing one with high picture quality essential. Additionally, if you intend to use your laptop for gaming or graphics-related tasks, look for machines offering at least 1080p resolution. It enhances visual clarity and ensures a highly detailed display.

It also pays to evaluate the screen size, as bigger displays are great when working with spreadsheets or creating designs. However, larger screens lead to heavier laptops with reduced portability. This implies that you must find the perfect balance between having an adequately sized screen and a lightweight build if you frequently commute with your machine.

Storage

While many laptops come with standard storage options, such as hard disk drives (HDD) or solid-state drives (SSD), your choice should ultimately depend on your needs. Generally speaking, SSDs offer increased speed and performance due to their faster read and write speeds, while HDDs are best for people who need large amounts of storage but don’t mind sacrificing speed. However, SSDs are considerably more expensive than their HDD counterparts.

So when deciding which type of storage to opt for in your budget-friendly laptop, it’s essential to determine your computing requirements carefully. If you plan to store many files or games, look for a laptop with a larger SSD or a secondary hard drive.

Battery Life

It is imperative to have a device that can power through your daily tasks without needing a recharge halfway through the day. A longer-lasting battery equals increased efficiency and convenience, as it frees you from being tethered to an outlet or charger.

A laptop’s battery life depends on various factors, such as screen brightness and resolution. It also depends on processor type, applications running simultaneously, and power-saving settings. Some laptops come equipped with a specialized low-power mode which helps optimize system processes for extended battery life. Look for a laptop with a battery life of at least 6 to 8 hours.

Portability

When choosing the best laptops under $1700, portability should be high on the list of factors to consider. This is especially true if you use your laptop while traveling or in different locations. Laptops with a slim and lightweight design are ideal for those who value portability. Additionally, long battery life is essential to portability as it allows you to use your device wherever you need to without worrying about recharging too frequently.

What to Know Before Buying a Laptop Under $1700

When buying a laptop under $1700, there are some key factors to consider before purchasing. First and foremost, prioritize the specifications of the laptop. Look for devices with high-end processors like Intel’s Core i7 or AMD’s Ryzen 7. You can also consider those with at least 16GB RAM and a decent graphics card. A device with these specs will support smooth performance without lags, even when running multiple applications.

The display size is another crucial factor to consider. Professional photographers and graphic designers need a larger screen size of at least 15 inches to complete their work efficiently. However, if portability matters to you more than anything else, opt for smaller displays (11-13 inches). It’ll ensure that your laptop fits easily into any bag, and you can carry it effortlessly. Additionally, focus on battery life since it is essential for daily use, especially if you travel frequently.

Just as crucial as specifications are warranty considerations. Avoid purchasing discounted products from untrustworthy companies unless they offer good warranties at no extra charges. The warranty guarantees that you can use your laptop with peace of mind. You have the assurance that you can obtain another one in case of any issues during the specified period. In addition, you’ll have access to repair services free of charge or even be covered by insurance. This ultimately means having value delivered on your investment in technology.

Using a Laptop Under $1700: What It’s Like

A laptop that costs less than $1700 can be an excellent option for those who need an affordable and reliable device. Since laptops in this price range have improved, many excellent options provide outstanding performance without breaking the bank. These laptops often feature powerful processors, generous amounts of RAM, decent graphics cards, and high-quality displays. This makes them suitable for everyday tasks such as web browsing, online shopping, and word processing.

However, lower-priced laptops may offer something other than high-end features or advanced components like dedicated graphics cards for gaming or video editing purposes. Nonetheless, these budget-friendly laptops can still easily handle most daily tasks while saving users serious cash on expensive tech gear.