The best laptop of 2022 can come in various brands, prices, form factors, and features. Here, we’ve got the best of the best laptops that can be had for just under one grand – Windows 11 business notebooks, gaming rigs, classy Chromebooks, laptops for school, and versatile 2-in-1 convertibles.
Our current pick for the best laptop under $1000 is the Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020). A sleek device that does just about everything right. Not entirely a perfect machine, but it doesn’t have any significant flaws. If you don’t mind the MacOS platform, the MacBook Air is an ideal pick for productivity browsing, and it can even do some light gaming.
We’re living in a world where smartphones have become ubiquitous, tablets are now commonplace, and smartwatches and other connected gear are things folks talk about on the regular. But the humble laptop has persevered across all these advances – and for a good reason.
The laptop can’t easily be replaced no matter the task at hand. Whether editing photos, writing out some emails, working on spreadsheets, composing documents, or staying in touch with colleagues and family, we’re here with our top picks to get the job done.
It’s getting harder to pick the best laptop; the same is true with buying every other gadget out there. The number of options available is confusing, and more units keep being released into the market – well, we’re weeks into 2022. Still, manufacturers have already released advanced gadgets during this year’s CES, and we expect more in the coming months.
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But what separates the best laptop of 2022 from good laptops, irrespective of the price, is how good they balance power, efficiency, portability, and comfort. The ideal notebook should have a fantastic keyboard and trackpad – after all, those are the two main factors you’re choosing a laptop over a smartphone or tablet.
Its display should be easy on the eyes, bright enough for use in different lighting environments, and sharp enough that you’re not affected by visible pixels. It should be powerful enough for most tasks, media editing, and some gaming on the side. Finally, it should be easy to carry around and should last at least all day without plugging in.
In our view, the best Windows laptop overall in the sub-$1000 price range is the HP Envy x360 13. It will set you back under a grand, but it delivers performance that outshines much more expensive laptops. Our other picks from our reviews for the best laptops, Chromebooks, and 2-in-1 include the Asus ZenBook 13, Microsoft Surface Pro 7, and the Acer Swift 3.
Check out the complete list of best laptops under $1000 for 2022 below or our roundup of the best cheap gaming laptops if you’re looking for a powerful machine at a palatable price.
Best laptops under $1,000 per category
- Best laptop under $1,000: Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
- Best Windows laptop under $1,000: HP Envy x360 (2022)
- Best laptop and battery life under $1,000: Asus ZenBook 13 UX325EA
- Best overall Chromebook under $1,000: Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2021)
- Best business laptop under $1,000: Microsoft Surface Pro 7
- Best gaming laptop for under $1,000: Asus TUF Dash F15
- Best laptop for students under $1,000: Acer Swift 3
- Best laptop under $500 in the world: Acer Aspire 5
1. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
The best laptop of 2022
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Apple M1
- Graphics: Integrated 7-core /8-core GPU
- RAM: 8GB – 16GB
- Screen: 13.3-inch (diagonal), IPS
- Resolution: 2,560 x 1,600 LED-backlit display
- Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
REASONS TO BUY
+ Silent to use
+ Amazing battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
– No new design
– Fanless design could impact performance
Our best Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) config:
2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop: Apple M1 Chip, 13” Retina Display
The Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) isn’t just the best laptop ever made by Apple, but it’s the best you can get for under $1000 right now. This is the first time the MacBook is topping our best list, but the MacBook Air is well worth this spot.
Powered by the revolutionary ARM-based Apple M1 chip (Apple is no longer using Intel chips on its new laptops), this device offers solid value: sporting a thin and light footprint, but offers excellent performance, including 4K video editing, while also offering incredible battery life.
2. HP Envy x360 (2022)
Best Windows laptop for under-$1000
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
- GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256G
- Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p
REASONS TO BUY
+ Outstanding performance
+ 1080p display is bright and vivid
+ Stylish and compact aluminum design
REASONS TO AVOID
– No IR camera
You don’t need to spend over $1,000 to get a laptop that looks and feels premium. The HP Envy x360 (2022) is the best sub-$1,000 laptop you can buy right now, thanks to its sturdy and compact build, chic convertible design, and class-leading performance.
Part of what makes the Envy so great is that HP managed to port over several fantastic elements from its excellent 2020 flagship, the Spectre x360, including that thin-and-light chassis and the bezel-less display, with an 88 percent screen-to-body ratio. The touchscreen is bright and looks great, too.
Our best HP Envy x360 (2022) config:
- 10th Generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor (Quad-Core, 1.3 GHz Upto 3.9 GHz, 8MB...
- 13.3-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS Display, 360° flip-and-fold design, Intel Iris Plus...
- 802_11_AX, Bluetooth 5.0, Card Reader, HD Audio with Stereo Speakers, , Webcam,...
3. Asus ZenBook 13 UX325EA
The best laptop and battery life under $1,000
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: 11th-generation Intel Core i3 – i7 / AMD Ryzen 5000
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics / AMD Radeon
- RAM: 8GB – 32GB
- Screen: 13.3-inch, OLED 1080p, 400 nits
- Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
REASONS TO BUY
+ Gorgeous OLED display
+ Phenomenal battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
– No headphone jack
– Radeon graphics underperform
There’s something always unique about a ZenBook. They are always beautiful, slim, and lightweight, and thanks to Asus, they have some ace up their digital sleeves. In the case of the Asus ZenBook 13 UX325EA, the winning card is Intel’s new Tiger Lake chips.
Under Intel’s new Evo initiative, this chip offers peppy performance, longer battery life and hails the introduction of Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6. Plus, you get to enjoy the ZenBook’s signature beautiful yet durable chassis.
Read our full review: Asus ZenBook 13 UX325EA
Our best Asus ZenBook 13 UX325EA config:
- Intel Evo Platform - The perfect combination of performance, responsiveness and battery...
- 13.3 inch OLED 400nits Full HD (1920 x 1080) Wide View 4-way NanoEdge bezel display
- Latest 11th generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.2 GHz) with Intel...
4. Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2021)
The best overall Chromebook under $1,000
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 13.5-inch, 2256 x 1504
REASONS TO BUY
+ Great screen
+ Powerful performance
+ Great battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
– Sensitive Touchpad
– No stylus support
A few years back, Chromebooks were these tiny, economy gadgets for getting online and nothing much. Not anymore. Niche devices like the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 are designed for almost everyone – the enthusiast, students, and the mobile professionals who need a powerful processor to run heavier Android or Linux apps.
It also packs a decent selection of ports and a bright and vivid display. Whatever angle you look at it, the Spin 713 proves itself to be a great performer with its 2.4Ghz Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD, and Intel Iris Xe graphics. It has above-average battery life and good overall performance, making it a well-rounded Chrome-OS-powered laptop.
Our best Acer Chromebook Spin 713 config:
- Intel Core i3-10110U processor (2.1 GHz-4.1GHz). Ultra-low-voltage platform. Quad-core,...
- 13.5 inch 2256x1504 Touchscreen IPS display. The 2K VertiView boasts impressive color and...
- 4GB DDR4 Memory, 64GB eMMC Flash Memory. Adequate high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run...
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The best business laptop under $1,000
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: 10th gen Intel Core i3/Core i5/Core i7
- GPU: Intel UHD or Iris Pro
- RAM: 4GB/8GB/16GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
- Display: 12.3-inch, 2736 x 1824-pixel
REASONS TO BUY
+ Speedy performance
+ Colorful display
REASONS TO AVOID
– Less battery life than predecessor
Well, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is now available, but it misses its shot in this list of fame since it’s priced well above $1,000. If your budget can extend a little, we thoroughly recommend it for a brilliant 2-in-1 laptop option. However, if you’re cast in the sub-$1,000 price range, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a refreshed upgrade from the Surface Pro 6, with a power boost and even better battery life.
The design remains unchanged, but the Surface Pro 7 now has a USB-C port for charging and connecting peripherals. Be sure to check out Microsoft’s comfortable Alcantara-clad Type Cover and the super-gorgeous Surface Pen to use, along with the vivid and bright 12.3-inch display.
Our best Microsoft Surface Pro 7 config:
- Next-gen, best-in-class laptop with the versatility of a studio and tablet, so you can...
- Faster than Surface Pro 6, with a 10th Gen Intel Core Processor – redefining what’s...
- More ways to connect, with both USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting to displays, docking...
6. Asus TUF Dash F15
The best gaming laptop for under $1,000
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Up to Intel Core i7-11375H
- Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
- RAM: Up to 16GB DDR4-3200
- Screen: Up to 15.6-inch WQHD, IPS
- Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
REASONS TO BUY
+ Long battery life
+ Strong gaming performance
REASONS TO AVOID
– No webcam
– Keyboard lighting color can’t be changed
The Asus TUF Dash F15 is killer value if you’re looking for a laptop that can play the latest titles but won’t punch holes in your bank balance. We’ve always liked the Asus ‘TUF’ line of laptops for their excellent value for money for years now, and the new Asus TUF Dash F15 keeps that fine tradition.
It gets an excellent built quality, excellent battery life for a gaming laptop, and rocks an impressively thin and light design, making for a brilliant value gaming laptop.
Read our full review: Asus TUF Dash 15
Our best Asus TUF Dash F15 config:
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 4GB GDDR6 up to 1585MHz at 60W (75W with Dynamic Boost 2.0)
- Intel Core i7-11370H processor (12M Cache, up to 4.8GHz)
- 15.6” 144Hz IPS-Type Full HD (1920x1080) display with adaptive sync
7. Acer Swift 3
The best college laptop in the world
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: up to Intel Core i7-8565U
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce MX150, Intel HD Graphics 620 or AMD Radeon Vega 8
- RAM: 4GB – 8GB
- Screen: 14-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) ComfyView IPS – 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Storage: 128GB – 1 TB HDD, 16 GB Intel Optane Memory
REASONS TO BUY
+ Superb keyboard and trackpad
+ Excellent performance
REASONS TO AVOID
– Looks a little plain
Beyond the Acer Swift 3’s modest exterior looks, you’ll find an excellent laptop that’s created to compete with more expensive laptops while packing plenty of power for work and study. The Swift 3 stands out as an inexpensive laptop; however, that plain chassis is all aluminum and packs some beefy hardware.
This Acer offers a wonderful alternative to Windows laptops further up in the price list by offering top-tier performance from a choice of Intel or AMD components but comes in at under $700. You’d think cheap build quality would be the result, but it looks and feels great.
Read our full review: Acer Swift 3
Our best Acer Swift 3 config:
- Powerful Productivity: AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Octa-Core Processor with Radeon Graphics run your...
- Very Visual: Immerse yourself in consistently rich and bright visuals on the 14" Full HD...
- Internal Specifications: 8GB LPDDR4X on-board memory; 512GB NVMe solid-state drive storage...
8. Acer Aspire 5
The best laptop under $500
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i3-8145U
- GPU: Intel UHD 620
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080
REASONS TO BUY
+ Strong performance
+ Long battery life
+ Bright, 1080p display
REASONS TO AVOID
– Middling graphics
– Questionable build quality
The Acer Aspire 5 line offers decent performance but keeps its price well below $500. You get a solid 11th Gen Core i3 processor, a bright 1080p display, and long battery life for that much money.
Although the Aspire 5 is much thinner than its sibling, the Aspire E 15, the Aspire 5 still offers enough room for a battery that lasts nearly 9 hours on a single charge.
Our best Acer Aspire 5 config:
- Powerful Productivity: 11th Generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor delivers unmatched...
- Visibly Stunning: Experience sharp details and crisp colors on the 15.6" Full HD display...
- Ergonomic Typing: Ergonomically-designed hinge lifts the keyboard for comfortable typing,...
9. Lenovo ThinkBook 14s Yoga
The best business 2-in-1 of 2022
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPU: Intel Iris XeRAM: 16GB/24GB
- Storage: 512GB/1TB
- Display: 14-inch, 1080p Corning Gorilla Glass
REASONS TO BUY
+ Robust build quality
+ Smart Pen included
+ Fingerprint reader in power button
REASONS TO AVOID
– Quiet speakers
– Fingerprint-attracting chassis
The Lenovo ThinkBook 14s Yoga is the latest refresh for Lenovo’s flagship 2-in-1 business laptop. The additional 11th generation Tiger Lake processors with Iris graphics, along with Intel Evo certification, make it one of the best 2-in-1 laptops you’ll find out there. Add in the outstanding touchscreen display, garaged stylus, and excellent battery life, and they’re very little that we can find fault here.
This is a business laptop, so it’s naturally not going to look as stunning as the Asus ZenBook of the HP XPS 13. Still, once you move past its looks, you find a real gem with solid performance and incredible versatility.
Our best Lenovo ThinkBook 14s Yoga config:
How good is an under $1,000 laptop?
Very good! As we said earlier, you’ll want to be careful when buying a budget laptop to ensure that the manufacturer hasn’t cut corners to make it affordable. But honestly – manufacturers are omitting features that we care about even on premium laptops – you can spend over $2,000 and get a laptop that has mediocre battery life or any other flaw if you don’t identify what matters to you.
In our tests, we have encountered a few budget laptops that are very nice with good performance that are better than two subsequent generations. And consider: the Lenovo ThinkPads, they don’t have the ultrathin, metallic designs but they are still a top choice for business executives.
The same goes for budget laptops. Be sure what your needs are, identify the laptop that will meet them, if you find an affordable one among the list, grab it. If anything, our list proves that you can quite get a bit of solid performance and reliability for well under $1,000.
Which is better – Windows, Mac or I try a Chromebook?
Its all about choice. Specifically, on what tasks you usually undertake. We suggest that you first understand the limitations of each, especially Macs and Chromebooks, with Windows being a neutral here especially to the wide scope of applications. All said, there are advantages and disadvantages of each.
Chances are that if you’re shopping for a sub-$1,000 laptop, definitely you’re not eyeing a mac unless you want to settle with an older model. That leaves you with Windows and Chrome OS, which goes down to the kind of software you need to run.
If you want access to the widest selection of software across most platforms, them Windows must be your safe bet. If you’re on budget, need to browse the wen and don’t need tons of storage, a Chromebook is the way to go.
Should I go for the latest processor?
Sure, if you get one at the right price. Right now, the Whiskey Lake 8th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU is the main thing among budget laptops, and extends to our $1,000 list. Quite a few of the laptops in our list use the Core i5, which is a real workhorse chip that will deliver top-notch performance on most productivity tasks without hesitation. It is also energy efficient, meaning you will enjoy longer battery life.
In case you go for a Chromebook, definitely you’re getting a slower processor, maybe Intel Core i3 or Pentium processor. And, chances are that you might find a Core i7 processor in this list, if you get one, run with it. For the better part of it, the Core i5 is the easiest processor to find in this list of budget laptops.
What about a 4K display?
Probably not – it wasn’t long ago hen we were all struggling to find Full HD displays in the under $1,000 category. Besides, budget laptops don’t pack as much battery life as more expensive laptops to sustain the battery sucking 4K displays. Even if you manage to score a 4K display for under a grand, you won’t be very happy with its juice, especially when you’re away from the mains. That’s a wrap for our best laptops under 1000 dollars listing.
Last update on 2022-07-05 at 14:01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
