The 5 Best Laptops Under $1,000 of 2025

The best laptop under $1,000 we've tested is the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025), a 13-inch ultraportable. This newly-released model doesn't stray far from its M3 predecessor; it has the same sleek design, exceptionally sturdy all-aluminum build, and all-day battery life. You still get a sharp Retina display, a spacious and tactile keyboard, Apple's industry-leading haptic touchpad, and an excellent 1080p webcam. The display is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, which is a little disappointing considering most premium Windows laptops have adopted high-refresh panels, but it likely won't bother most people with a light productivity tasks.

Other than the new Sky Blue color, the upgrades on this 2025 model are under the hood. The M4 chip is noticeably faster than its M3 predecessor, providing an even snappier and more responsive desktop experience, though remember this is still a fanless device, so it isn't the best option for highly intensive, sustained workloads. There's a new 12MP camera with Center Stage support, a feature that keeps you centered in the frame, which can be useful if you need to move around during a video call. Apple has also upgraded the external display support, allowing you to connect up to two 6k @ 60Hz displays in addition to the built-in screen. Unfortunately, the port selection remains the same with only two USB-Cs.

The best Chromebook under $1,000 we've tested is the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (2024). It has a 14-inch screen that gets bright enough for use in most indoor settings and provides just enough space for split-screen multitasking. Since this is a 2-in-1, you can set it up in tent mode for media consumption or use it as a tablet. Its IPS touchscreen display looks vibrant, and in addition to touch input, it has USI stylus support (although the stylus isn't included with the laptop). The only downside is the display's poor reflection handling; it isn't suitable for use in bright environments, as any direct light sources like lamps or the sun will be visible.

Ports include one USB-A, two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, and an HDMI port. Its battery life is great at over 10 hours of light use, and you can charge over USB-C. Regarding specs, this laptop is available with various Intel Meteor Lake CPUs. Although these are low-power models, they're more than fast enough for anything you'd need to do on a Chromebook. Its keyboard and touchpad are easy and comfortable to use, and the webcam is fantastic, offering a clear image. Of course, not every piece of software is compatible with ChromeOS, so be sure to check for compatibility if you need to use any specialized programs.

The best 2-in-1 tablet we've tested for under $1,000 is the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition (2024). This form factor lets you detach the keyboard to make the device easier to hold as a tablet or to save space when viewing content, like on a kitchen counter or airplane tray table. You can simply pop its comfortable type cover keyboard back on when needed; just remember to factor in the keyboard's cost since it's a separate purchase. This is a great device for taking handwritten notes or drawing, but like the keyboard, you must buy the stylus separately. These extra purchases will bring the total cost of the device above $1000, though we definitely think it's worth it.

As for the tablet itself, the only model under $1,000 is the Snapdragon X Plus configuration with an IPS display, which isn't bad since it's the one we recommend. The X Elite model is faster, but its OLED panel exhibits a very distracting 'screen door effect' and is susceptible to permanent burn-in. One important thing to know is that this is an ARM-based device, so make sure the apps you use are compatible or run well enough through Microsoft's Prism emulation layer to get your work done. Battery life is great at over 11 hours of light use—you can charge the device over USB-C.

Our best gaming pick is the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (2023). For under $1,000, you can get this laptop with a 165Hz FHD+ display, a Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU, an AMD Radeon RX 7600s GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 512GB of storage. This configuration can deliver high, consistent frame rates in demanding AAA games at 1080p or even 1440p, depending on your settings. The 165Hz FHD+ IPS panel ahs a fast response time and variable refresh rate support to deliver a clear image in fast-moving scenes with minimal ghosting and screen tearing; it just doesn't get very bright, so visibility can be an issue in well-lit settings.

This laptop sports a solid port selection for peripherals and external displays, including an Ethernet and HDMI 2.1 port. The RAM and storage are user-replaceable, providing a clear upgrade path down the line. Thermal throttling is minimal under load, but the laptop does get hot and loud. Thankfully, there aren't any hot spots around the WASD keys. This laptop also isn't particularly portable as it's relatively bulky, and you'll need to carry along its fairly beefy charger for use on the go, as its battery lasts only a little over an hour when gaming.