Cheapest Cheap Laptops

Basic notebook computers for $600 and less

Laptops at $600 and below have some drawbacks, including less powerful processors, less memory, smaller hard drives and poorer connectivity. However, expert and user reviews tell us that as long as expectations are in line with price, it is possible to get a truly cheap laptop that will perform the basics and then some.

The Acer 1810T Timeline (*Est. $600) is a step-down version of the Acer Aspire 4810 Timeline profiled elsewhere in this report. With just an 11.6-inch screen, it's easy to look at it and relegate it to the lower-performing status of a netbook. However, the 1810T packs more than enough computational power to put any netbook to shame.

Professional reviews are scarce for this new laptop, but Laptop Magazine comes through with a long and detailed report. Performance and battery life are among the reasons the Acer Aspire 1810T pulls down an Editors' Choice award. This laptop is powered by the Intel SU7300 CULV Core 2 Duo processor, which helps it pretty much smoke anything else -- notebook or netbook -- in its size class. Most everyday computing tasks, including word processing, web surfing and light game playing, present no challenges at all. Graphics are not a strength for heavy-duty gamers, but those interested in light-duty multimedia should be happy enough. Battery life is a major plus, lasting nearly nine hours in Laptop Magazine's test. The keyboard is smaller than standard (92 percent as large), but reviewer Michael A. Prospero says he was typing on it "at full speed in no time at all."

The hardware line up is solid for the price. In addition to the SU7300 processor, you'll find 4 GB of memory, a 320 GB hard drive, a multi-format memory card reader, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a webcam and microphone. An even less expensive version, the Acer Aspire 1800TZ Timeline (*Est. $550), has a similar hardware lineup but uses a less powerful single-core SU4100 Pentium processor. While the limited user reviews are good, given the small difference in price, the trade-off doesn't strike us as worthwhile.

If you want something a little bit larger -- actually, make that a lot bigger -- the Gateway NV7802u is worth a look. Though no one has yet reviewed the latest versions running Windows 7, earlier models in the Gateway's NV series have generally scored well in reviews. User reviews are impressive; over 95 percent of owners posting at BestBuy.com say they would recommend the Gateway NV7802u to a friend. Value and performance is praised in every area, except for gaming. Complaints are minor, and include so-so battery life and a case that attracts fingerprints. One caveat is that Gateway usually does poorly in large reliability and service surveys, such as the one conducted annually by PCMag.com.

While the NV7802u is priced the same as the Acer Aspire 1800T Timeline, it couldn't be more different. Where the Acer has a diminutive screen and thin and light form factor, the NV7802u is big and bulky. With an impressive 17.3-inch screen, it's a better choice for use as a desktop replacement rather than something you'll want to tote around. Though the integrated graphics will deter gamers, the rest of the component line up is very capable, especially for its price. The NV7802u ships with Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) and has 4 GB of memory, a 500 GB hard drive, multi-format DVD burner, multi-format memory card reader, webcam and microphone, HDMI output, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and a fax modem.

HP offers its dv6 series of laptops in enough configurations to make your head spin, and you can custom configure the laptop at the company's website. For budget buyers, the HP Pavilion dv6-1352dx (*Est. $550) appears to be worth considering. Compared with the Gateway NV7802u, you get a smaller 15.6 inch display and a smaller but adequate 250 GB hard drive for about $50 less. Otherwise, the hardware compliment is similar, right down to the same Intel T6600 Core 2 Duo processor. While no professional reviewer has reported on this specific configuration, PCMag.com looks at a similar (save for a larger hard drive) HP dv6 laptop that's offered in a bundle with a basic printer. The reviewer calls the laptop likeable, and one that should satisfy value buyers. Owners posting at BestBuy.com like the HP Pavilion dv6-1352dx almost as much as the Gateway NV7802, and award it a similar overall grade after nearly as much feedback.

As you look about, you can't help but notice the exploding number of small, cute and cheap computers called netbooks, subnotebooks or mini notebooks. These differ from the laptops discussed in this report in several notable ways. The most significant is that they are driven by relatively weak processors -- such as the Intel Atom -- which are fine for the most basic of tasks but not for serious work. Some netbooks are more capable, of course, but the prices of those often reach or surpass those of the cheap laptops discussed here, and performance still lags. However, mini laptops are the ultimate traveling companion and are capable of doing real work and play, as long as expectations are reasonable. For more information, see the separate ConsumerSearch report on netbooks.