Are you on the hunt for a budget laptop? We previously picked out our favourite laptop computers under Dh2,600, along with ones that are ideal for work, and for school and university students. For those looking for a more affordable all-rounder machine, we went ahead and selected the best under-Dh1,700 laptops on Amazon. Granted you might have to limit intensive gaming and creative tasks, but for this price tag you can tackle work and school assignments, just as well as you would using a pricier counterpart. From the latest 2-in-1 Chromebook to the conventional everyday computer, find your pick.
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1. Best Overall: HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop
Pros
- Speedy 12GB RAM
- Excellent array of ports
- Up to 7.5 hours of battery life
Cons
- Initially operates in Windows S mode
- No keyboard backlight
The 2022 version of HP’s 15.6-inch laptop offers great value, with impressive specifications. It has a 6.5mm micro-edge HD (high definition) display and an 82 per cent screen to body ratio, which means you’re getting a large viewing area that’s perfect for watching videos and editing photographs. Reviewers appreciate that you can charge up to 50 per cent of its battery in just 45 minutes. However, they caution that the laptop is best suited for daytime use - there’s no backlit keyboard to help you out in dark rooms. Still, it’s a value-packed laptop with features that you’ll appreciate at its reasonable price.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh109.17 for 12 months with select banks.
2. Best for Light Gaming: Lenovo IdeaPad 3
Pros
- Privacy webcam shutter
- Fast processor that works quietly
- 180-degree flat hinge
- 15.6-inch screen
- 256GB SSD
Cons
- 0.3MP web camera
- Initially operates in Windows S mode
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is your best bet when it comes down to meeting daily browsing needs, whether it be for working or attending classes from home. Enjoy a large 15.6-inch screen, which is anti-glare thanks to its matte finish. IdeaPad 3 operates in Windows 10, but the user has to switch out of the security S mode to access the full version. An added security feature is a physical webcam shutter, one you can close after a video chat. Reviewers note how fast and smooth the machine runs, handling day-to-day tasks without lag or any significant fan noise. It also supports light gaming.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh129 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh190, two-year damage protection plus one-year extended warranty for Dh242, and a one-year extended warranty for Dh284.
3. Best for Design: ASUS E410
Pros
- Lightweight
- Attractive design: number pad on touchpad, backlit keyboard, colourful body
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
Cons
- Low-volume speakers
- Low screen brightness
- NumberPad feature might be inconvenient
Weighing only 1.3kg, the sleek 14-inch ASUS E410 easily slips into backpacks and handbags. This particular model has a rose-gold body and a backlit keyboard, on which the Enter key stands out in yellow border lighting. Thanks to its small build, the laptop ranks high on the portability scale with a battery life that can last for up to 12 hours. Not only are you completing your daily tasks using a stylish laptop, but you’re doing it for much cheaper. One feature that can be a deal breaker is the absence of a tactile numeric keypad, which is instead drawn on the touchpad to save space. Overall, it’s your basic work laptop with an aesthetic lift.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh78.25 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh95, two-year damage protection plus one-year extended warranty for Dh121, and a one-year extended warranty for Dh227.
4. Best for Light Work: Acer Aspire 5 (2022)
Pros
- Fingerprint reader
- High definition graphics on 15.6-inch screen
- Up to 7.5 hours of battery life
- Upgradable memory
Cons
- Initially operates in Windows S mode
- Battery life is shorter than stated
If you like bingeing shows in between periods of productivity, then opt for Acer Aspire 5. Reviewers are impressed with the deep blacks and vivid colours on the laptop’s 15.6-inch screen, making it perfect for users who need an everyday computer to clear quick tasks. The keyboard, including the numeric keypad, lights up every time you type, an added advantage for when you’re working from a dim room. The hard drive offers 256GB of storage, but there is space for an additional SSD to upgrade your storage. The restrictive S mode of Windows 11 can be easily disabled in settings.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh124.92 for 12 months with select banks.
5. Best Budget: Lenovo Chromebook C330, 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop
Pros
- Value for money
- 360-degree touchscreen
- Over 10 hours of battery life
- 720p HD web camera
Cons
- 64GB memory
- Chrome OS requires Google account for set up
You can use this computer like a laptop, tablet or prop it up in tent mode, allowing you to carry it wherever you go. Coming in white, Lenovo’s Chromebook C330 has an 11.6-inch screen that turns all the way back on its hinges. It operates in the speedy, user-friendly Chrome OS developed by Google that gathers all apps and files at the touch of a button – all you need is an active Google account. This also lets you sync your Android phones with the 2-in-1 Chromebook. Your video calls are as crisp as they’re going to get with the laptop’s 720p HD camera.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh56.25 for 12 months with select banks.
6. Best Performance: Premium HP (2021)
Pros
- Fingerprint reader
- 256GB SSD
- Up to 7 hours and 15 minutes of battery life
- Thin bezels for fuller display
- 720p HD web camera
Cons
- Only 4GB of RAM
- Can get noisy and warm
Get secure access to Premium HP laptop by touching the fingerprint reader below the keypad. Equipped with Intel Core i3 Generation 11 processor, the laptop boots up fast and can be upgraded in the memory department. Bezels measure 6.5mm, giving users a full HD display and a 79 per cent screen-to-body ratio. Carry your 14-inch laptop unplugged for up to nine hours and 15 minutes if you’re watching video content, then plug the charger in to get a half-full battery in just 45 minutes.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh129.98 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty on the product. Amazon offers a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh190, two-year damage protection plus one-year extended warranty for Dh242, and a one-year extended warranty for Dh284.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
