The Best Budget Laptops to Buy This Fall

A good laptop is essential, but you shouldn't have to spend $1,000 for a reliable machine for school or work. This is your guide to finding the best deals on powerful "workhorse" laptops this fall.

Quick Take: Yes, you can get a great laptop for under $200. This guide shows you where to find the best deals on budget laptops for school and work, and what to expect from your new machine.

❌ Myth vs. ✅ Fact

Myth: "Any laptop under $200 is just slow, useless junk."

Fact: "While you won't be playing AAA games on ultra settings, today's budget laptops are perfect for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming video, and schoolwork. The key is knowing where to look."

🔍 Pro-Tip: You can also use our search to find other deals or specific models. Just type what you're looking for, for example: "laptops under $200" or "Chromebook deals".

🛒 Where to Find the Best Deals on Budget Laptops Right Now

We constantly monitor these retailers for the best deals. Here's where to look:

Walmart: Best for Brand-New, Ultra-Affordable Options

Walmart is a great source for new Chromebooks and basic Windows laptops perfect for students and home use. Plus, every purchase is backed by Walmart's standard, easy return policy, giving you peace of mind.

➡ See Laptops Under $100 at Walmart

Woot: Best for Deep Discounts & Refurbished Gems

Woot (an Amazon company) is a paradise for deal hunters, offering incredible discounts on new and factory-refurbished laptops. As an Amazon company, their refurbished products come with a solid warranty, so you can buy with confidence.

➡ See Laptops from $150 at Woot

Target: Best for Reliable & Budget-Friendly Brands

Target offers a solid selection of affordable laptops and Chromebooks from brands you trust. You also get the confidence of Target's simple and reliable return policy on all purchases.

➡ See Windows Laptops Under $150 at Target

🤔 What a Budget Laptop Can (and Can't) Do for You

To be a happy buyer, it helps to know the strengths and weaknesses of a budget machine.

✅ What Budget Laptops Are GREAT For:

Web browsing, email, and social media
Streaming video (Netflix, YouTube)
Writing documents and creating presentations
Most schoolwork for K-12 and college students
Light gaming (think indie titles or cloud streaming services)
Chatting with AI assistants and everyday productivity tasks

❌ What They're NOT For:

These machines aren't built for demanding tasks. If you need more power for serious multitasking, professional video editing, or high-end gaming, a more powerful computer is a better choice.

🏆 Pro Tips for Choosing the Perfect Budget Laptop

Look for Refurbished Deals: Especially on sites like Woot, "factory-refurbished" laptops can get you a much more powerful machine for your money.
Prioritize Specs: Aim for at least 4GB of RAM (8GB is even better) and look for a Solid State Drive (SSD) instead of a traditional Hard Drive (HDD)-it makes a huge difference in speed.
Wait for Big Sales: Time your purchase around major sales events like Back to School, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and general holiday deals (November/December).
Maximize Your Savings: Before you buy, check our Brand Savings Guides for specific brand discounts (like Samsung or Lenovo) that could be stacked with a retailer's deal.

💡 Insider Trick: Check the "Deal of the Day" Pages

Retailers like Woot have daily tech deals that are heavily discounted for 24 hours only. It's a great way to snag a machine that's normally more expensive.

✅ The Takeaway

Finding a great laptop doesn't have to drain your bank account. By knowing where to look and what to look for, you can easily find a reliable and capable machine that fits your budget.

P.S. Looking for other budget-friendly tech? Complete your setup with our guides to the Best Budget Tablets and Best Budget Phones. For all our expert advice, explore our Command Center for Free Stuff & Smart Savings Guides!