Best laptop for working from home for under $500. These laptops offer great value for their price and can handle remote work demands. Whether you’re a student, freelancer, or remote employee, a laptop on this list is perfect.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has become the new normal for many people. As a result, having a reliable laptop has become essential for productivity and communication with colleagues. However, not everyone can afford a high-end laptop.
ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop
The ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop is a popular choice for those needing a lightweight and powerful laptop. It has a 15.6-inch Full HD display, 8GB DDR4 memory, and a 128GB SSD, making it a good option for everyday use, such as web browsing, emailing, and word processing.
It runs on an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor, which provides enough power for basic tasks. The Laptop also has a fingerprint reader for added security and a backlit keyboard for typing in low-light environments. Its slim and sleek design makes it easy to carry around, and its battery life of up to 5 hours allows you to work on the go.
Performance
The ASUS VivoBook 15 is a thin, light laptop designed for everyday use, focusing on portability and affordability. The performance of this Laptop depends on the specific configuration you choose.
Generally, the VivoBook 15 is equipped with an Intel Core processor (i3, i5, or i7) or an AMD Ryzen processor, which provides adequate performance for everyday computing tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and multimedia consumption. The Laptop also comes with up to 16GB of RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking performance.
Regarding graphics, the VivoBook 15 has an integrated graphics card, which is suitable for light gaming and video playback but may struggle with more demanding tasks such as 3D rendering or a high-end gaming Laptop.
The VivoBook 15 also offers a range of storage options, including SSDs and HDDs. The SSDs provide faster read and write speeds, which results in faster boot and load times for applications and files.
Design and Display
The ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop has a modern and sleek design with a slim profile, making it easy to carry around. It has a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution, providing clear and vibrant visuals.
The display has an anti-glare coating, which reduces glare and reflections, making it easier to use in brightly lit environments. The Laptop’s bezels are thin, giving the display a larger surface area and a more immersive viewing experience. The hinge is strong and sturdy, allowing you to open and close the Laptop with one hand.
The keyboard is backlit, making it easier to type in low-light environments. It also has a fingerprint reader, which provides added security and makes it easy to log in to the Laptop without typing in a password.
Screen Size
The ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop come with a 15.6-inch display. This screen size is a good balance between portability and productivity. It provides enough screen real estate for multitasking and content consumption while still being lightweight and easy to carry.
The display resolution varies depending on the specific configuration of the Laptop. Some models offer a Full HD (1920×1080) resolution, while others may offer a lower resolution of 1366×768.
Connectivity
The ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop come with a range of connectivity options, including:
Wi-Fi: The Laptop supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, which provides faster and more reliable wireless connectivity.
Bluetooth: The Laptop features Bluetooth 5.0, which allows you to connect to various devices, such as wireless headphones, speakers, and smartphones.
USB: The Laptop has multiple USB ports, including USB 3.2 Type-A and Type-C ports, which provide fast data transfer speeds and support for external devices such as storage drives and peripherals.
HDMI: The Laptop has an HDMI port, which allows you to connect to external displays such as monitors and TVs.
Audio jack: The Laptop has a 3.5mm audio jack, which you can use to connect headphones or external speakers.
SD card reader: The Laptop has a built-in SD card reader, which provides convenient access to photos and other files stored on SD cards.
Battery Life
The ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop offers a decent battery life, varying depending on your configuration and usage patterns.
Typically, the Laptop comes with a 37Whr or 42Whr battery, which can provide up to 6-8 hours of battery life under normal usage conditions such as web browsing and document editing. However, the battery life will be shorter if you run more demanding applications or use the Laptop for intensive tasks such as gaming, video editing, or running virtual machines.
The Laptop also comes with fast charging technology, which can charge up to 60% in just 49 minutes, allowing you to top up the battery when needed quickly.
Features
The ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop has several features that make it a good choice for everyday computing. Some of its key features include:
Thin and lightweight design: The Laptop weighs around 1.8 kg and is less than 20mm thick, making it easy to carry around and use on the go.
Full-sized keyboard: The Laptop has a full-sized keyboard with an ergonomic design and comfortable key travel, making typing and data entry easier.
Precision Touchpad: The Laptop features a large touchpad with Windows Precision drivers, which provides accurate tracking and smooth multi-touch gestures.
Audio: The Laptop comes with high-quality ASUS SonicMaster audio technology, which provides clear and immersive sound for music, videos, and games.
Fingerprint sensor: Some VivoBook 15 have a built-in fingerprint sensor, allowing for easy and secure login with Windows Hello.
Webcam: The Laptop has a built-in webcam that supports HD video calling and conferencing.
Operating System: The ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop comes with Windows 10 pre-installed, providing a familiar and user-friendly computing experience.
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Lenovo Chromebook S330 Laptop
The Lenovo Chromebook S330 Laptop is a budget-friendly device that runs on Google’s Chrome OS. It designs for users who need a simple, reliable, and easy-to-use Laptop for basic computing tasks such as web browsing, email, and document editing.
With its sleek design and lightweight form factor, the Lenovo Chromebook S330 is also a good choice for users who need a portable laptop for on-the-go use in this conversation.
I’ll provide more details about the features and specifications of the Lenovo Chromebook S330 Laptop.
Performance
A MediaTek MT8173C quad-core processor powers the Lenovo Chromebook S330 Laptop with a clock speed of 2.1 GHz. It also has 4GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage. At the same time, these specs could be more high-end.
They are sufficient for the basic computing tasks the Chromebook is designed for. Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system optimized for web-based applications. The Lenovo Chromebook S330 Laptop can handle web browsing, email, document editing, and online streaming without performance issues.
However, the Laptop may need help with more demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, or running resource-intensive applications. One of the benefits of using a Chromebook is that it doesn’t require a lot of computing power, as most of the processing is done in the cloud.
The Lenovo Chromebook S330 can deliver smooth and responsive performance for everyday tasks while providing a longer battery life than most laptops.
Design and Display
The Lenovo Chromebook S330 Laptop has a simple and sleek design typical of most Chromebooks. It has a black plastic body with a matte finish giving it a modern and professional look.
The Laptop measures 14.1 x 9.8 x 0.8 inches (35.8 x 24.9 x 2 cm) and weighs around 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg), making it relatively lightweight and portable.
Screen Size
The Lenovo Chromebook S330 Laptop features a 14-inch display of 1366 x 768 pixels. This size and resolution are typical of most Chromebooks in this price range and are suitable for basic computing tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and email.
While a larger display may provide more screen real estate for multitasking and productivity, the 14-inch size of the Lenovo Chromebook S330 is portable and easy to carry around, making it a good choice for on-the-go use.
The display’s anti-glare coating also helps reduce reflections and eye strain, making it comfortable to use for extended periods.
Connectivity
The Lenovo Chromebook S330 Laptop has a decent selection of connectivity options suitable for basic computing tasks. These include:
Wi-Fi: The Laptop comes with 802.11ac Wi-Fi, which provides fast and reliable wireless connectivity for web browsing, streaming, and online collaboration.
Bluetooth: The Chromebook also has Bluetooth 4.1, allowing easy and seamless connectivity with Bluetooth-enabled devices such as smartphones, headphones, and speakers.
USB ports: The Lenovo Chromebook S330 has two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, allowing fast data transfer and connectivity with external devices such as hard drives, mice, and keyboards.
HDMI port: The Laptop also has an HDMI port, allowing easy connectivity with external displays such as monitors and projectors.
Audio jack: A 3.5mm audio jack on the Laptop allows easy connection with headphones or external speakers.
SD card reader: The Lenovo Chromebook S330 also features an SD card reader, which makes it easy to transfer files from digital cameras and other devices.
Battery Life
The Lenovo Chromebook S330 Laptop boasts an impressive battery life of up to 10 hours, thanks to its efficient hardware and optimized Chrome OS software. This long battery life is one of the main benefits of using a Chromebook, as it allows users to work or browse the web for extended periods without worrying about finding a power outlet.
The battery life of the Lenovo Chromebook S330 may vary depending on the usage patterns and the brightness level of the display. However, even with moderate to heavy usage, the Laptop should easily last a full day without needing to be recharged.
Features
The Lenovo Chromebook S330 Laptop has many features, making it a capable and versatile device for basic computing tasks. Some of the key features of the Laptop include:
Chrome OS: The Lenovo Chromebook S330 runs on Google’s Chrome OS, a lightweight and efficient operating system designed for web-based computing. Chrome OS is fast and easy to use, with built-in virus protection and automatic updates.
MediaTek processor: The Laptop powered are by a MediaTek MTK8173C Processor, which provides good performance for basic computing tasks such as web browsing, email, and document editing.
4GB RAM: The Chromebook has 4GB of RAM, sufficient for basic multitasking, and ensures smooth performance when using multiple tabs or applications.
32GB Storage: The Laptop comes with 32GB of internal storage, which is suitable for storing files, documents, and basic applications. However, users can also easily expand the storage using the built-in SD card reader or cloud-based storage services.
HD display: The Lenovo Chromebook S330 features a 14-inch HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The display is anti-glare and provides good visibility even in bright environments.
Built-in virus protection: Chrome OS has built-in virus protection that automatically updates and safeguards the Laptop from malware and other threats.
Lightweight and portable: The Lenovo Chromebook S330 weighs just 3.3 pounds and has a slim design, making it easy to carry around and use on the go.
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Acer Chromebook Spin 314 Convertible Laptop
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 Convertible Laptop is a versatile and affordable device that offers the flexibility of a 2-in-1 design and the efficiency of Chrome OS.
The Chromebook Spin 314 features a 360-degree hinge that allows it to uses in various modes, including Laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes.
The device is also lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around and use.
Performance
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 Convertible Laptop powers are by an Intel Celeron N4020 processor and 4GB of RAM. One of the benefits of using a Chromebook is that they design to be fast and efficient, and the Chromebook Spin 314 is no exception.
Thanks to the lightweight and streamlined Chrome OS operating system, the laptop boots up quickly and runs smoothly. Chrome OS is also designed to be secure, with built-in virus protection and automatic updates to protect the device at all times.
Design and Display
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 Convertible Laptop features a compact, lightweight design well-suited for on-the-go use. The Laptop has a 14-inch Full HD IPS display with a 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution, providing clear and vibrant visuals for streaming video, browsing the web, or working on documents.
One of the standout features of the Chromebook Spin 314 is its 360-degree hinge, which allows the device to uses in a variety of modes, including Laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes. This flexibility makes it easy to switch between different modes depending on the task and ensures that the Laptop can use comfortably in various settings.
The Chromebook Spin 314 has a slim and lightweight design, weighing just 3.31 pounds. The Laptop is also just 0.78 inches thick when closed, making it easy to slip into a bag or backpack when on the go. The device is available in two colors – Pure Silver and Steel Gray – giving users a choice of styles to suit their preferences.
Screen Size
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 Convertible Laptop features a 14-inch Full HD IPS display with a 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution. The display is touch-enabled, allowing users to interact with the device using touch gestures and take advantage of the device’s 360-degree hinge for flexible use in various modes, including tablet mode.
The Full HD resolution of the display ensures that text and images are clear and sharp, while the IPS technology provides wide viewing angles and accurate colors.
The touch-enabled display is also responsive and accurate, making it easy to navigate the Chrome OS operating system and to interact with web pages and applications.
Connectivity
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 Convertible Laptop has various connectivity options, making connecting to various devices and networks easy. The Laptop features two USB Type-C ports supporting data transfer, charging, and video output.
These ports connect to external displays, charging accessories, and other USB-C devices. In addition to the USB-C ports, the Chromebook Spin 314 has two USB 3.0 ports, a microSD card reader, and a headphone/microphone combo jack.
These ports provide additional connectivity options for users who need to connect to older devices or peripherals. The Laptop also has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to connect to wireless networks and Bluetooth-enabled devices such as speakers and headphones.
The Wi-Fi connectivity supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, which provides fast and reliable wireless performance.
Battery Life
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 Convertible Laptop has a battery life of up to 10 hours on a single charge, making it well-suited for users who need a laptop that can last all day without needing to be plugged in.
The long battery life is due in part to the efficiency of the Chrome OS operating system, which designs are to be lightweight and streamlined.
The device also features a 45W AC adapter for fast charging, allowing users to recharge the battery during breaks quickly.
Features
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 Convertible Laptop has various features, making it a versatile and capable device for various users. Here are some of the key features of this Laptop:
Convertible design: The device features a 360-degree hinge that allows it to uses in a variety of modes, including Laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes. It makes it a versatile device that can be used in various situations, whether for work, entertainment, or collaboration.
Touchscreen display: The 14-inch Full HD IPS display is touch-enabled, providing users with a more interactive and intuitive way to navigate the device and interact with web pages and applications.
Chrome OS: The device runs on the Chrome OS operating system, which is lightweight, secure, and easy to use. It provides access to various web-based applications and services through the Chrome Web Store.
Fast performance: The device powers are by an Intel Celeron N4020 processor and comes with 4GB of RAM, providing fast and responsive performance for everyday computing tasks.
Long battery life: The device has a battery life of up to 10 hours on a single charge, making it well-suited for all-day use.
Connectivity options: The device has various connectivity options, including two USB Type-C ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a microSD card reader, and a headphone/microphone combo jack. It also features built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Built-in security features: The device has built-in security features, including automatic updates and virus protection, to help keep users’ data and devices secure.
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ASUS Chromebook C523NA-DH02 Laptop
The ASUS Chromebook C523NA-DH02 is a popular laptop with a 15.6-inch Full HD display and runs on the Chrome OS operating system.
This device’s designs are lightweight, portable, and easy to use, making it a good choice for students, professionals, and anyone who needs a reliable laptop for everyday use.
The device also has various features and connectivity options, including a fast Intel Celeron N3350 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage, making it a versatile and capable device for various tasks.
Design and Display
The ASUS Chromebook C523NA-DH02 laptop features a slim and lightweight design that makes it easy to carry around, making it an ideal option for on-the-go use.
The device has a silver finish that gives it a modern and sleek look, and it measures just 0.6 inches in thickness, making it easy to fit in a bag or backpack.
Its 15.6-inch Full HD display delivers clear and vivid visuals, making it ideal for multimedia consumption, productivity, and entertainment.
The display has a 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution.
The display is also anti-glare, which helps reduce eye strain and glare, making it easier to use the device for extended periods.
It features a full-size keyboard with a numeric keypad, doing typing and entering numbers easier. The keyboard is also backlit, which makes it easier to type in low-light conditions.
The touchpad is responsive and accurate, providing precise cursor movement and gesture recognition.
Performance
The ASUS Chromebook C523NA-DH02 laptop has an Intel Celeron N3350 processor, a dual-core processor with a base clock speed of 1.1GHz, and a boost clock speed of up to 2.4GHz. This processor delivers smooth and efficient performance for everyday tasks, such as web browsing, streaming video, and working on documents. The device comes with 4GB of RAM, enough for running multiple applications simultaneously without experiencing any lag or slowdowns. Additionally, the Laptop comes with 32GB of eMMC storage, a type of flash storage that provides fast read and writes speeds.
This storage can expand further using the device’s microSD card slot or cloud-based storage services. The ASUS Chromebook C523NA-DH02 also runs on Chrome OS, a lightweight and fast operating system designed to run web-based applications.
The device can run Google’s suite of web-based applications, including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and a range of other web-based applications available through the Chrome Web Store.
Screen Size
The ASUS Chromebook C523NA-DH02 laptop features a 15.6-inch Full HD display with 1920 x 1080 pixels. The screen size and resolution provide a clear and vivid display ideal for productivity and multimedia consumption, such as watching videos, editing documents, and browsing the web.
The display also features an anti-glare coating, which helps reduce reflections and glare, making using the device for extended periods easier. The display’s color accuracy and contrast are also excellent, providing a great visual experience for a device in this price range.
Connectivity
The ASUS Chromebook C523NA-DH02 laptop comes with a good range of connectivity options, including:
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2 x USB Type-C ports
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2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports
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1 x microSD card reader
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1 x audio jack
The USB Type-C ports are particularly useful as they support data transfer, charging, and display output. You can connect the device to an external display or charge it using a USB-C charger.
The device also supports fast and reliable Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, ideal for streaming and browsing the web.
Battery Life
The ASUS Chromebook C523NA-DH02 laptop boasts an impressive battery life of up to 10 hours on a single charge. It is a great feature for users who need to work or study on the go and can only sometimes access a power outlet.
The device’s long battery life is thanks to its energy-efficient Intel Celeron N3350 processor, low-power consumption display, and efficient Chrome OS operating system.
With its long battery life, the ASUS Chromebook C523NA-DH02 is ideal for students, professionals, and anyone needing a reliable, long-lasting device for daily tasks.
Features
The ASUS Chromebook C523NA-DH02 laptop comes with a range of useful features, including:
Chrome OS: The device runs on Google’s Chrome OS, a lightweight and efficient operating system designed for web-based computing. Chrome OS provides fast boot and load times, automatic updates, and built-in virus protection.
Intel Celeron N3350 Processor: The device powers are by an Intel Celeron N3350 processor, which provides reliable performance for everyday tasks such as web browsing, email, and document editing.
4GB RAM: The device comes with 4GB of RAM, which allows for smooth multitasking and helps to improve overall performance.
32GB eMMC Storage: The device features 32GB of eMMC storage, which provides enough space to store essential files and documents. Users can also expand the storage with a microSD card.
HD Webcam: The device features an HD webcam, which is great for video conferencing and online meetings.
Full-size Keyboard: The device has a full-size keyboard with a comfortable layout and good key travel, making typing comfortable and efficient.
Large Touchpad: The device also features a large touchpad with multi-touch support, which provides precise and responsive navigation.
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HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop
The HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop is a budget-friendly laptop that offers a good mix of performance and features. The device is designed for everyday use and is well-suited for web browsing, email, document editing, and multimedia consumption tasks.
The device features a 15.6-inch HD display, an Intel processor, and a range of connectivity options, making it a versatile and reliable choice for users who need a laptop for both work and leisure.
Design and Display
The HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop has a simple, sleek, functional, and aesthetically pleasing design. The device features a matte finish on the lid and keyboard deck, which gives it a premium look and helps to reduce fingerprints and smudges.
The Laptop has a 15.6-inch diagonal HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The display offers good color accuracy and contrast, making it suitable for multimedia consumption and basic photo editing. The display has an anti-glare coating that helps to reduce reflections and eyestrain, making it more comfortable to use for long periods.
The device features a full-size keyboard with a comfortable layout and good key travel, making it suitable for typing long documents or emails. The keyboard also has a numeric keypad, which is useful for users who must enter numbers frequently.
The Laptop also features a touchpad with multi-touch support, which provides precise and responsive navigation.
Performance
The HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop is powered by an Intel processor, making it capable of handling basic computing tasks such as web browsing, email, document editing, and multimedia consumption. Depending on the configuration, the Laptop can choose Intel Celeron or Pentium processors.
The Celeron processor is a dual-core processor with a clock speed of up to 2.6 GHz, making it suitable for basic computing tasks. On the other hand, the Pentium processor is a quad-core processor with a clock speed of up to 2.3 GHz, providing more power for multitasking and more demanding applications.
The Laptop also comes with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, depending on the configuration, which is sufficient for most basic computing tasks. The Laptop comes with a 128GB or 256GB solid-state drive (SSD), which provides fast boot and load times for applications and files.
Screen Size
As the name suggests, the HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop has a 15.6-inch diagonal high-definition (HD) display with a 1366 x 768 pixels resolution. The display features BrightView technology, which provides vivid and bright colors, making it suitable for watching videos and viewing photos.
The Laptop also has an anti-glare coating, which helps to reduce eye strain when using the Laptop for extended periods. The 15.6-inch screen size is a popular laptop choice as it balances portability and productivity.
The display size is large enough to provide a comfortable viewing experience for most users while still being compact enough to carry around easily.
Connectivity
The HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop offers a decent selection of connectivity options. It features two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports and one USB 2.0 port, allowing you to connect peripherals such as external hard drives, printers, and smartphones. The Laptop also has an HDMI port that lets you connect it to an external display, such as a TV or a monitor, to expand your workspace.
In addition, the Laptop features an SD card reader that enables you to transfer files quickly from your camera or other mobile devices. It also has a headphone/microphone combo jack to connect your headphones or an external microphone for audio input/output.
For wireless connectivity, the HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop comes with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.2, which provide fast and reliable wireless connectivity to the internet and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Battery Life
The battery life of the HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop depends on the configuration you choose. The Laptop comes with a 3-cell or a 4-cell Lithium-ion battery, depending on the model. The 3-cell battery is rated to last up to 7 hours on a single charge, while the 4-cell battery is rated to last up to 10 hours.
However, it’s important to note that the battery life can vary depending on the usage and settings. Activities like video playback or gaming will drain the battery faster than browsing the web or using productivity applications.
Features
The HP 15.6-inch HD Laptop has various features, making it a versatile and practical choice for everyday use. Here are some of its key features:
Processor: The Laptop is powered by an Intel or AMD processor, depending on your chosen model. It provides plenty of power for most everyday tasks, from web browsing and email to productivity applications and light photo or video editing.
Memory and Storage: The Laptop comes with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of HDD or SSD storage, depending on your chosen configuration. It provides ample space for storing files, documents, media, and applications and ensures smooth performance even with multiple programs running simultaneously.
Display: The Laptop features a 15.6-inch HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It provides clear and sharp visuals for browsing the web, streaming videos, or working on documents.
Graphics: The Laptop comes with integrated Intel or AMD graphics, depending on your chosen model. It provides enough power for light gaming and video playback.
Connectivity: The Laptop has multiple connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, HDMI output, and an SD card reader. It makes it easy to connect to the internet, transfer files, and connect to external displays or projectors.
Operating System: The Laptop comes with Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 S, depending on your chosen model. Windows 10 is a user-friendly operating system that provides a familiar and easy-to-use interface and access to various applications and software.
Other Features: The Laptop also comes with a webcam, built-in microphone and speakers, a full-size keyboard with a numeric keypad, and a touchpad with multi-touch gesture support. It also features a slim and lightweight design, making it easy to carry around and use on the go.
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These laptops have good features and specifications for basic tasks such as web browsing, emailing, and word processing. They also have enough storage and memory to store and work with documents and files. Some of them, like Chromebooks, are great for web-based work and have long battery life. Overall, these laptops provide good value for their price and are great options for those who need a budget-friendly laptop for working from home.
