

A final review verdict is a combination of both objective and subjective judgments. This includes evaluating a device's aesthetics, ergonomics and features with respect to price. The review process for laptops consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our reviewers.

BEST BUDGET GAMING LAPTOP RTINGS HOW TO
Not sure what to look for in a good budget laptop? Scroll down to see how to choose a budget laptop based on our editors' decades of experience testing and reviewing laptops.

Also, you won't find any current MacBooks at these prices: A current entry-level MacBook Air is $1,000 and you'll have to hit a good sale or pick up a refurbished one to get a MacBook for less. Otherwise, you may need to spend closer to $700 to get a laptop that'll last several years for more than just web browsing and sending emails. Keep in mind that, while it's possible to find a good laptop under $500, you may need to shop around and wait for a discount or a holiday sale. Yes, prices can go up to about $1,000, but you're always getting performance beyond its price. It's available in three sizes - 14, 15.6 and 17 inches - and you'll find configurations to match your budget and performance needs, from day-to-day basics all the way up to simple gaming and content creation. Acer has a long history of making great bang-for-your-buck laptops, but the Aspire 5 line is our favorite for its breadth of features, its performance and battery life - all with pricing that starts below $500. The best budget laptop is the Acer Aspire 5.
