Best Laptop under £700 UK – Buying Guide [2023]

If you’re looking to find a good laptop that’s less than £700, then you’re going to have to be smart with your money. This kind of amount is typically not quite enough to purchase a premium model of laptop, but way too much to spend on a cheap laptop that might start running slowly within a year or two. So, like I said – you need to shop around, and spend wisely.

Fortunately, I’ve been looking at the laptop market for the past few years and have managed for find some great deals on laptops that are less than £700. So, let’s take a look at some of them and see what’s available.

Best Laptop under £700

ProductImageScreen SizeSpecsGet More Info
ASUS VivoBook X413FAASUS VivoBook X413FA Full HD 14 Inch Laptop (Intel i7-10510U, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD + 32 GB Intel Optane Memory, Windows 10), Includes reversible USB 3.2 Type-C port, Black14 inch8GB/512GBCheck Price at Amazon
Huawei Matebook D15HUAWEI MateBook D 15 - 15.6 Inch Laptop with FullView 1080P FHD Ultrabook PC (Intel Core i5-10210U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Windows 10 Pro, Multi-screen Collaboration, Fingerprint Reader), Grey15.6 inch8GB/256GBCheck Price at Amazon
Dell Inspiron 14 5000Dell Inspiron 14 5000 Series 2-in-1 14 Inch FHD IPS Touchscreen Convertible 2020 Laptop (Silver) Intel Core i5-10210U 10th Gen, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Windows 10 Home14 inch8GB/256GBCheck Price at Amazon
Acer Aspire 5 A515-55Acer Aspire 5 A515-55 15.6 inch Laptop - (Intel Core i5-1035G1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Full HD Display, Windows 10, Black) – Amazon Exclusive15.6 inch8GB/256GBCheck Price at Amazon
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 14 Inch FHD Laptop - (AMD Ryzen 5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Windows 10) – Orchid14 inch8GB/256GBCheck Price at Amazon
HP Pavilion 15-ec1001naHP Pavilion Gaming 15.6' Laptop PC 15-ec1001na, AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, GTX 1650, 256GB SSD, FHD, Shadow Black15.6 inch8GB/256GBCheck Price at Amazon

ASUS VivoBook X413FA

ASUS VivoBook X413FA Full HD 14 Inch Laptop (Intel i7-10510U, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD + 32 GB Intel Optane Memory, Windows 10), Includes reversible USB 3.2 Type-C port, Black

Operating System: Windows | Screen size: 14 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Processor: Intel i7 | Average Battery Life: 7.5 hours

When you’ve got a budget of £700, you really want to make every penny count. And the best way to do that is to purchase a slightly less popular brand like ASUS – this way, you can get a more powerful laptop and is the VivoBook X413FA’s case, more storage too.

It comes with a standard 512GB of SSD storage space. Most laptops come with either 128 or 256GB, so this is a step up on those and will give you a lot more freedom to download files and whatever programs you need.

If you think you might have a lot of different downloaded on your laptop, then it makes sense to opt for a laptop that has more storage like this. Only having 128GB isn’t going to be enough for the average person, and you’ll end up relying on Google Drive a lot.

If you combine this with the 8GB of RAM, then your laptop is going to run smoothly. And then you go and add an i7 processor into the mix too and well – the higher clock speed will make sure that all your programs are running faster than they would with an i5.

You need to make sure that you get the option that comes with the Intel i7 processor and not the Ryzen i5 processor, as I’ve seen them listed at the same price, and obviously the i7 is better.

Pros

An all-round impressive laptop
Strong Intel core i7 processor for fast use
Long battery life is ideal

Cons

Touchpad isn’t very responsive
No numerical keyboard, would be better with one

Verdict: Overall, whilst this laptop isn’t anything innovative and it isn’t going to blow you away, it does everything pretty well. And for its price, you’re getting a whole lot of laptop.


Huawei Matebook D15

HUAWEI MateBook D 15 - 15.6 Inch Laptop with FullView 1080P FHD Ultrabook PC (Intel Core i5-10210U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Windows 10 Pro, Multi-screen Collaboration, Fingerprint Reader), Grey

Operating System: Windows | Screen size: 15.6 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Processor: Intel i5 | Average Battery Life: 7 hours

If you take a look through this website, you’ll see me mentioning the Matebook series as some of my favourite laptops. And the D15 is no different, as it’s one of the better laptops out there if you’re trying to keep costs down to a minimum.

The good think about opting to go with a brand like Huawei is that you’re not going to be paying extra for the brand name. With Apple and other brands like Dell, you end up paying a premium just because of the brand name. But by opting to go with a Chinese company like Huawei, you’re going to get more power for a cheaper price.

I mean, where else are you going to get 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage space for a lot less than £700? If you want to get the kind of specifications in one of the premium brands, then you’re going to be paying around the £1000 mark, maybe even more than this.

It comes with Windows 10 installed, a fingerprint reader and a multi-screen collaboration which makes it easy to use with other devices. Having good connectivity is just one of the things you’ll want to look for in a new laptop.

It’s really up to your own preference whether you want to opt for a cheaper brand and get a more powerful laptop. But in my opinion, Huawei laptops are only going to improve in terms of quality, whilst the price stays lower than the premium brands.

Pros

Good performance for the price
Thin and light design makes it portable
Very good backlit keyboard

Cons

Display isn’t as good as a premium model
Camera is in a weird position for video calls

Verdict: The Huawei Matebook series is fairly new to the market, but it’s definitely impressive.


Dell Inspiron 14 5000

Dell Inspiron 14 5000 Series 2-in-1 14 Inch FHD IPS Touchscreen Convertible 2020 Laptop (Silver) Intel Core i5-10210U 10th Gen, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Windows 10 Home

Operating System: Windows | Screen size: 14 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Processor: Intel i5 | Average Battery Life: 6.5 hours

Another good model for you to consider is the Dell Inspiron 14 5000. If you’re looking for a convertible 2-in-1 laptop, then this is one of the best options that’s currently out there.

Obviously, one of the main benefits of opting for this model is that you’ll be able to use it like a tablet as well as using it like a laptop. But, this isn’t all the Inpiron 14 5000 has to offer.

As well as the pretty decent specs of 8GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage and an i5 processor, you’re also getting a fully HD narrow bezel display. This display is also a touchscreen, which makes it ideal if you want to play simple games on it.

You could also consider buying a stylus pen to use with it too, as it would make a good choice for anyone who’s looking to use their artistic side.

It also has a very responsive keyboard which is also pretty quiet, which might make it a good option for someone who types a lot, like a student. Combining this with the large HD screen and you’ve got a pretty decent laptop, which is worth considering if you’re look for a laptop that is less than £700.

Pros

Very responsive touchscreen is nice
Strong Intel core i7 processor for fast use
A lot of ports for good connection options

Cons

Audio is quiet even at full volume
Big and bulky design for a convertible laptop

Verdict: You know what you’re getting with a Dell laptop. If reliability is important, then this is a good option.


Acer Aspire 5 A515-55

Acer Aspire 5 A515-55 15.6 inch Laptop - (Intel Core i5-1035G1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Full HD Display, Windows 10, Black) – Amazon Exclusive

Operating System: Windows | Screen size: 15.6 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Processor: Intel i5 | Average Battery Life: 6 hours

Another good option for those looking for good value in a laptop is the Acer Aspire series. This A515-55 model is actually one of the more popular Acer laptops sold in the last year, mainly because it’s trying to fulfil a certain need; a good powered laptop at a much lower price than a premium laptop.

This laptop isn’t going to be winning any awards for its beauty – it’s a standard black plain black design. It is quite slim however, and even though it has a 15.6 inch screen, it’s still quite portable.

Finding a 15 inch laptop that’s easy to carry around with you isn’t that easy, but this model is a good choice for those who frequently too. The screen is a good quality too, so you’ll be able to make the most of its size.

In terms of specs, it’s about the standard for any premium level laptop nowadays. With a fingerprint reader too, it has all of the qualities that most people would need in a laptop. So, it’s worth taking its qualities into account and considering it if you’re looking for a reasonably priced yet still decent quality laptop.

Pros

Well priced considering its specs
Great battery life for this model
A good amount of storage space

Cons

Fairly low build quality and components
Very basic laptop, nothing to special about it

Verdict: The Aspire series is well known for offering a lot of value, and that’s definitely the case with this model, which is pretty powerful.


Lenovo Yoga Slim 7

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 14 Inch FHD Laptop - (AMD Ryzen 5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Windows 10) – Orchid

Operating System: Windows | Screen size: 14 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 | Average Battery Life: 8 hours

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 is definitely what I’d call an underrated laptop – in fact, I’d probably say that about the whole Yoga series. With the Thinkpad being the number 1 choice for many people, the Yoga Slim 7 can provide a cheaper alternative for those who don’t want to invest as much in a laptop.

Of course, what really stands out about this laptop is its attractive design. Its chassis is made from high quality aluminium, and you’ll definitely have people asking you where you got your laptop from. But, it’s not only an attractive laptop – it’s practical, too.

Aside from its appearance, another good aspect of this laptop is its long battery life, which can frequently last more than 8 or 9 hours from a full charge. It also has a solid AMD processor, and a good HD display too. Overall, for those looking for an attractive and competent laptop, this may be a good choice.

Pros

Well built and slimline design is good
Nice display can show off colours well
Above average battery life

Cons

Need to pay a lot more for Ryzen 7 or i7 processor
No numerical keyboard, would be better with one

Verdict: Known under the Ideapad range over the in US, this well known laptop is a good choice if design is of the most importance to you.


HP Pavilion 15-ec1001na

HP Pavilion Gaming 15.6' Laptop PC 15-ec1001na, AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, GTX 1650, 256GB SSD, FHD, Shadow Black

Operating System: Windows | Screen size: 15.6 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 | Average Battery Life: 6.5 hours

For those looking for a relatively cheap gaming laptop, the Pavilion 15-ec1001na is definitely a good option. There aren’t too many lower priced gaming laptops out there, but this is definitely one of the better ones at the lower end of the price scale.

Those that have used models like this before will know that whilst they’re not quite as impressive as Alienware and MSI laptops, they can still give you a good gaming experience. One of the good things about HP Pavilion’s is that they have a Bang and Olufsen audio system, which is perfect for gaming.

This laptop also has a nice full HD backlit display that has a good resresh rate, making it perfect for gaming. It also has a Nvidia Geforce GTX 1650 graphics card, which is a mid-range option that will be good for most games.

So, for those looking for a value for money gaming laptop, this HP Pavilion model is worth checking out.

Pros

Perfect entry level gaming laptop
Good graphics card gives nice visuals
Fan is quiet even when using a lot of RAM

Cons

Will need to be upgraded for the future
Not the best in terms of quality

Verdict: Generally, you can’t find gaming laptops at this sort of price. But if you want to get something cheap, then the Pavilion series is definitely worth thinking about.


Laptop Buyer’s Guide

Why do laptops only last 3 years?

Now, the first thing that I’ve got to say is that not all laptops only last three years! It really depends on what laptop you buy. However, the majority of laptop manufacturers will only give you a maximum of three years warranty, or sometimes four if you’re lucky. The answer is that our technology advances every year. That means that in 5 years time, the same laptop that’s released today will be expected to run programs and applications that are potentially created with much more size, power or complexity. So, it might struggle in the future, but honestly 3 years is a bit low, and most laptops should last longer than this.

How long should a laptop last then?

Depending on its usage, a laptop should be good for 5 years or more in my opinion. Obviously, this does depend on how much that you’re going to spend on a laptop. But if you’re spending £700 on a laptop and you’re sticking with any of the top retailers (Apple, Dell, HP, Acer, ASUS, Lenovo), then you should be fine for 5+ years.

Is £700 enough to spend on a laptop?

If you want a high range premium laptop, then in all honesty, no! Having £700 is a good amount for a laptop, but it’s not going to buy you a new Macbook or a Thinkpad. However, you can get a laptop with the same power as these brands, but we just have to be a little bit more careful with our money and spend wisely. This way, you can ensure that you get a laptop that’s decent enough to last you a while.

Do I even need a laptop?

A common people ask themselves is whether they even need a laptop. Honestly, only you can answer this. However, if you spend much of your evenings scrolling on your phone well.. it might make sense for you to get a laptop instead.

Will laptops be obsolete in the future?

There are those that think that laptops will be obsolete in the next 5 or 10 years. Well in my opinion, this is nonsense – we’re not following Moore’s law anymore (which is the old theory that tech would double in power every year, which it did for decades until more than 11 years ago now). Laptops aren’t going to be obsolete any time soon. Don’t believe me? Well, check out this article from 10 years ago saying laptops would be obsolete in.. erm, 2020.

Conclusion

So, if you’re looking to buy a £700 laptop, here a few great options for you to consider. This kind of budget is slightly less than what you need for a premium laptop, however for many people that might be overkill anyways. You can still get a great laptop at this sort of price range, as long as you shop sensibly.

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About Alex

Hello, I'm Alex and this is my website, Spacehop. I started the site as a way to talk about myself, and a few years later we're now a team of 6! I still work full time at a major PC retailer in the UK, and I'm a bit of a tech whizz (self-proclaimed, unfortunately!).

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