The Best Laptops Under $700
Under $700 still buys a usable daily laptop in late 2026 — if you accept 8GB on some models or choose carefully on Windows deals.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Under $700 still buys a usable daily laptop in late 2026 — if you accept 8GB on some models or choose carefully on Windows deals. Best Mac under $700: Apple MacBook Neo, from $699. Best Windows ultraportable: Dell XPS 13 (2026), from $699.99. Best RAM/storage value: Acer Aspire 14 AI, $520. Best Chromebook: ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, $300.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Mac under $700 | Apple MacBook Neo | macOS on a tight budget | From $699. |
| Best Windows ultraportable | Dell XPS 13 (2026) | premium Windows feel near $700 | From $699.99 at Dell. |
| Best RAM/storage value | Acer Aspire 14 AI | max RAM and storage under $700 | Often ~$520–$600 on sale. |
| Best big-screen budget | HP OmniBook 3 16 (Snapdragon X) | a larger screen and Snapdragon battery life | Base often mid-$500s; watch for dock bundles. |
| Best Chromebook | ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 | cheapest usable daily driver | Often $300–$400. |
Memory shortages raised many prices mid-year, so under-$700 shelves are thinner than in 2025 — double-check the live price before you buy.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Laptop | Typical US price | RAM | Storage | Display | Notes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Neo | $699+ | 8GB | 256GB+ | 13" Liquid Retina | macOS; RAM not upgradable | MacOS on a tight budget |
| Dell XPS 13 (2026) | $699.99+ | 8GB base | 512GB | 13.4" 2.5K touch | Buy 16GB if possible | Premium Windows feel near $700 |
| Acer Aspire 14 AI | ~$520–$600 sale | Often 16GB | Often 512GB–1TB | 14" class | Confirm SKU | Max RAM and storage under $700 |
| HP OmniBook 3 16 | ~$516–$700 | 16GB | 512GB | 16" 1920×1200 | Snapdragon X; Amazon bundles messy | A larger screen and Snapdragon battery life |
| ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 | ~$300–$400 | Varies | Varies | 14" class | ChromeOS only | Cheapest usable daily driver |
The picks in detail
1. Apple MacBook Neo
Best for: macOS on a tight budgetAfter Apple’s June 2026 price increase, MacBook Neo starts at $699 with A18 Pro, 8GB unified memory, 256GB SSD and a 13-inch Liquid Retina display. Apple rates up to 16 hours of video streaming. Great for documents, browsing and light coursework; the 8GB ceiling is the main limit.
Price (Oct 2026): From $699. Source
Pros
- Real MacBook under $700
- Fanless
- Long battery rating
Cons
- Only 8GB RAM
- Storage upgrades cost more
2. Dell XPS 13 (2026)
Best for: premium Windows feel near $700Dell’s XPS 13 (2026) starts at $699.99 with Core 5 320, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD and a sharp 13.4-inch 2.5K touch panel in a ~1 kg chassis. Reviewers praised battery and build; 8GB is the weak point for heavy Chrome use. Sold primarily through Dell.
Price (Oct 2026): From $699.99 at Dell. Source
Pros
- Premium design
- Bright 2.5K screen
- Very portable
Cons
- Base 8GB
- Direct-purchase focused
3. Acer Aspire 14 AI
Best for: max RAM and storage under $700Acer Aspire 14 AI configs with Intel Core Ultra and 16GB RAM often land around $520–$600 on sale — more memory than Neo or base XPS at this price. Amazon listings vary; use a search and confirm RAM, SSD and CPU before checkout.
Price (Oct 2026): Often ~$520–$600 on sale. Source
Pros
- 16GB more common
- Strong storage configs
- True Windows
Cons
- Build less premium than XPS
- SKU confusion on Amazon
4. HP OmniBook 3 16 (Snapdragon X)
Best for: a larger screen and Snapdragon battery lifeHP OmniBook 3 16 with Snapdragon X (X1-26-100), 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD has been spotted around $516–$545 for the base machine; some Amazon listings bundle docks and look more expensive. The Verge[3] and Wired noted strong battery with a basic display and speakers. Confirm Windows on Arm compatibility for your apps.
Price (Oct 2026): Base often mid-$500s; watch for dock bundles. Source
Pros
- 16" workspace
- 16GB RAM
- Long Snapdragon battery
Cons
- Basic display/speakers per reviews
- Messy Amazon bundles
- Arm app caveats
5. ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
Best for: cheapest usable daily driverWhen coursework and work live in the browser, a Chromebook Plus like the CX34 undercuts everything else here. Skip it if you need offline desktop IDEs, Adobe apps or specialized Windows software.
Price (Oct 2026): Often $300–$400. Source
Pros
- Lowest price
- Simple and secure updates
Cons
- ChromeOS limits
- Not for native desktop apps
Also considered
Stretching above $700 to a 16GB MacBook Air or a 16GB XPS config is often worth it if this is your only computer for several years. See best laptops for college students.
Frequently asked questions
Is 8GB enough in 2026?
MacBook Neo or Dell XPS 13?
Why do Amazon prices jump around?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Apple MacBook Neo specs (apple.com)
- Dell XPS 13 product page (dell.com)
- The Verge HP OmniBook 3 16 review (theverge.com)
- Apple MacBook Neo price hike (MacRumors, Jun 2026) (macrumors.com)
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