Powerful & Affordable Mid-Range Laptops That Do Not Break the Bank
High performance and low price tag do not often go hand-in-hand but things are about to change. We look at 5 of the best affordable mid-range laptops with powerful processors, Full HD displays and packed with featuresyet doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket.
With the introduction of the new 8th generation Intel Core i5 mobile processor, the mid-range laptops have received a much needed boost. There is no better time to consider one of these laptops if you want the most bang for your buck. The new quad-core CPU while energy efficient at 15W, allowing you to work longer on your laptop and lighter on the battery is also fast, faster than its predecessor, the 7th generation Core i5.
The industry is seeing this as a move to counter Intel’s rival AMD, with their Ryzen and Threadripper offering. Now the Kaby Lake or Intel’s 8th generation mobile chip benefits from not only huge jump in performance but together with 8th generation UHD 630 graphics will offer a value preposition that no budget conscious buyers can ignore. Look out for 8th generation CPU in your mid-range laptop.
Top 5 Best Affordable Mid-Range Laptops
These are the best examples of mid-range computers that you can get today. We select only affordable mi-range laptops at the highest specifications at a price that you can swallow.
1. HP Pavilion 14 14-inch Laptop
High performing laptop with 8th generation Intel Core™ i5 quad-core processor clocking up to 3.4 GHz with Turbo Boost that cost less than half its premium equivalent. This is a very capable laptop designed for multi tasking and demanding applications offering you a zippy computing experience together with the 4GB RAM memory and fast 128GB SSD storage. It may be at the top end of our budget list but it’s worth bit of the money you spend.
For its price and specification, it is better value than the MacBook Air but does not exude the same premium and high end feel. Still, with its Core i5 processor and fast SSD storage it will trump the Air any time. Given its lightweight and slim design, it is perfect for those on the move be it for work, college or university. B&O Play audio is a plus when you decide to kick back from work and catch up on your TV shows, watch a movie or play some games on the Full HD 1920 x 1080 display.
- Intel® Core™ i5-8250U Quad-Core Processor 1.6 GHz / 3.4 GHz (Turbo Boost) – FASTEST CPU
- RAM: 4 GB / Storage: 128 GB SSD – FAST SSD STORAGE
- 14-inch Full HD display IPS 1920 x 1080 – HIGH RESOLUTION
- Up to 11.5 hours – BEST BATTERY LIFE
ALSO: A cheaper version with slower Intel® Core™ i3-7100U Dual Core Processor with 4 GB and 128 GB eMMC storage and the same 11.5 hours battery life but with a lower HD resolution at 1366 x 768.
2. LENOVO IdeaPad 320S 14-inch Laptop
A direct competitor to the HP Pavilion 14, the Lenovo IdeaPad 320s is powered by the same 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor so we know it has plenty of grunt and is perfect for multi-tasking. The IdeaPad 320S has a minimalist, no nonsense design with a Full HD display panel that delivers sharp and crisp image and visual. It weighs just under 1.7kg (1.69kg) and is compact enough to slip into any bag. To top that, the Harman speakers with Dolby Audio will automatically optimise your sound to match any application so the audio will never sound distorted.
Make sure you choose the right model, the key here is to go for the more efficient Core i5-8250U 8th Generation CPU model with double the memory with 8GB RAM. The processor has a maximum frequency of 3.4GHz, together with the spacious 8GB memory and ultra fast 128GB SSD, you will be flying through all your apps. If you have used the 7th generation processor and thinks it is fast, the 8th generation Core i5 will blow you away. Only one niggle that is worth mentioning here, the power or standby key is next to the Del key like the MacBook Air and if you are not careful, you will be putting your machine to sleep thinking you just hit the Del key.
- Intel® Core™ i5-8250U Quad-Core Processor 1.6 GHz / 3.4 GHz (Turbo Boost) – FASTEST CPU
- RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 128 GB SSD – FAST SSD STORAGE
- 14-inch Full HD display 1920 x 1080 – HIGH RESOLUTION
- Up to 7 hours
ALSO: A cheaper Lenovo IdeaPad 320s with Intel® Core™ i3-7100U Processor is also available with everything else staying the same. There might also be some old Lenovo IdeaPad 320 with Intel Core i5 -7200U Dual Core 2.5 GHz / 3.1 GHz (Turbo Boost) knocking about with 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD but with lower resolution 14-inch display at 1366 x 768 pixels and shorter battery life, up to 6 hours. These are older, 7th generation Intel chip that may not offer the same performance and battery life of the new Core i5.
3. HP 15 15.6-inch Laptop
A new entry from HP, the HP 15 with 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor, the same processor found in the HP 14, the difference between the two machines apart from the bigger 15.6-inch Full HD display is the storage. The HP 15 has a bigger albeit slower 1TB hard disk drive, perfect for those who need more space, especially for photography and media students.
If you don’t mind the weight and prefer a bigger display, the 15.6-inch laptop is pick. The laptop offers not only a desktop like feel given its full size keys and large display, it also performs like one with the Core i5 processor with turbo frequency of up to 3.4GHz. The 15.6-inch display pushes Full HD resolution or 1920 x 1080 pixels offering crisp, sharp and clear viewing experience for both photos and videos.
The big storage meant you do not need to rely on external hard drive or constantly having to clear up your local storage. This capable machine will rip through all your everyday computing needs and more. As it is based on the new generation processor, it is more efficient, offering up to 11.5 hours of battery life per charge, plenty of on-time without looking for a wall socket. On top of all that, you get a choice of bring colours and textures to choose from.
- Intel® Core™ i5-8250U Quad-Core Processor 1.6 GHz / 3.4 GHz (Turbo Boost) – FASTEST CPU
- RAM: 4 GB / Storage: 1 TB HDD – SPACIOUS HARD DRIVE
- 15.6-inch Full HD display 1920 x 1080 – BIGGEST DISPLAY, HIGH RESOLUTION
- Up to 11.5 hours
4. Dell Inspiron 15 15.6-inch Laptop
It may not pack as much processing power as the Core i5 systems in our list but the Dell Inspiron 15 has an upper hand, the generous amount of memory, doubling all the laptops found in our affordable mid-range list here and throwing in a spacious 1TB Hard Disk Drive to match. Powered by a faster Intel Core i3 processor, the Dell Inspiron 15 is a stylish laptop with big Full HD display. It is the second laptop in our list with a 15.6-inch screen.
While it is cheaper than the HP 15 given its slower last generation Core i3 processor, it also means that it does not last as long in the battery life department. If you are looking for the same level of performance and battery life as the HP 15, choose the Core i5-8250U model. If you want even more performance go for the Intel Core i7-8550U model. The price does stack up through. The case has a metallic finish and is available in stylish black (below), silver or gray.
All Dell Inspiron 15s except the one with Pentium processor, benefits from double memory at 8GB RAM and spacious 1TB hard disk drive storage.
- Intel® Core™ i3-7130U Dual-Core Processor 1.5 GHz / 2.7 GHz (Turbo Boost)
- RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 1 TB HDD – BIGGEST MEMORY, SPACIOUS HARD DRIVE
- 15.6-inch Full HD display 1920 x 1080 – BIGGEST DISPLAY, HIGH RESOLUTION
- Up to 6 hours.
ALSO: The Inspiron 15 is also available with Intel Core i5-8250U or Intel Core i7-8550U processors configured with the same generous 8GB memory and 256GB of ultra fast SSD storage.
5. ASUS VivoBook X405 14-inch Laptop
What it lacks in procesosr speed, it makes up for in super fast storage. Edging in with premium features like what mid-range and budget laptops are trying these days is the VivoBook X405 Gold with its NanoEdge display that delivers immersive Full HD visuals. The panel is capable of 100% sRGB colours with 178 degree viewing angle to produce vivid life like imagery. Couple that with ASUS’s SonicMaster sound system and you have yourself an entertainment laptop.
Powered by a 7th generation Intel® Core™ i3 processor with 4GB RAM and 128GB of fast SSD storage, enough for all of your computing needs. The goodies does not stop there, there are plenty of connectivity options including USB3.1 Type-C, as well as USB 3 and USB 2 ports and a HDMI connection for external display. Plus, you have AC WIFI, Gigabit Ethernet port and Bluetooth 4.2 for data. Ultimately, the compromise for fast 128GB SSD storage is in the amount of storage, don’t expect to carry loads of high resolution photos and videos, make use of the SD card reader or external hard drive for that.
The spacing out of the usb ports on different sides of the body is a nice idea too.
The small and lightweight design still manages a good size keyboard, perfect for touch typists. The keyboard and responsive touchpad have received a lot of good feedback which is a great bonus in the user experience front. However, the power or standby key is also next to the Del key so don’t mistakenly put your machine on standby.
- Intel® Core™ i3-7100U Processor Dual Core 2.4GHz (Turbo Boost)
- RAM: 4 GB / Storage: 128 GB SSD – FAST SSD STORAGE
- 14-inch Full HD display 1920 x 1080 – HIGH RESOLUTION
- Up to 6 hours
ALSO: Like the HP Pavilion 14, there is a cheaper version with the same components above bar the Full HD display. It has a lower 1366 x 768 resolution like the cheaper HP Pavilion 14.
Adapted from our original post that first appeared on Colour My Learning
