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Cheap Laptops: Ratings of Sources

Total of 22 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. PCMag.com
As of July 2013
Laptops and Notebooks
by Editors of PCMag.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPCMag.com evaluates a huge number of laptops, including many retail configurations available at stores such as Best Buy or Staples. Reviews aren't overly long, but they are balanced and based on hands-on testing. You can sort the reviews to find inexpensive laptops that have won the Editors' Choice award.
2. Laptop Magazine
As of July 2013
Laptop Reviews Search
by Editors of Laptop Magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentLaptop Magazine also tests many laptops in detail. You can sort the reviews by price to find inexpensive Editors' Choice picks. Editors have also picked their Top 10 Laptops and 10 Hottest Ultrabooks, including budget models.
3. CNET
As of July 2013
Laptops
by Editors of CNET
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCNET's laptop reviews are balanced, reasonably detailed and backed by testing. A number of inexpensive models are evaluated, and most earn "average" ratings. A few score better, though, and editors include one budget pick in their most recent Best Laptops roundup.
4. Computer Shopper
As of July 2013
Laptop Reviews
by Editors of ComputerShopper.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentComputerShopper.com is a prolific reviewer of laptops, and its editors are testing more budget laptops these days. Tests are thorough, and each laptop is rated on a five-point scale. The best laptops earn Editors' Choice and various other awards. This website does a particularly great job explaining which kind of user would want each laptop. It's hard to find the best laptops quickly, though -- you have to read each review to see the ratings.
5. ConsumerReports.org
Not dated
Laptop Ratings and Reliability
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org tests more cheap laptops than any other source. Testing is unbiased, and each laptop is rated for ergonomics, portability, performance, versatility, display, touch-screen quality (if applicable) and overall. Editors also test battery life and rate the reliability of eight popular brands. Each laptop gets an individual write-up, but these are very brief; you won't learn all the ins and outs of a particular laptop here.
6. ConsumerReports.org
May 2013
What You Need to Know About Chromebooks
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentChromebooks aren't included in ConsumerReports.org's regular laptop tests (above), but editors do test five popular Chromebooks here. They don't pick a favorite, but they do briefly explain each model's pros and cons -- as well as the pros and cons of Chromebooks in general. The article is free, even for non-subscribers.
7. Notebook Check.net
As of July 2013
Reviews
by Editors of NotebookCheck.net
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentNotebookCheck.net writes some of the most detailed laptop reviews available. Each model is rated in a dozen subcategories, including workmanship, keyboard, mouse, connectivity, weight, battery, display and more, and then it's assigned a weighted average rating. Editors name the top 10 computers in 10 categories (multimedia, gaming, etc.), but only one of these is a budget model. Some of the computers reviewed aren't sold in the U.S.
8. PC Advisor
July 1, 2013
Group Test: What's the Best Budget Laptop?
by Editors of PC Advisor
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis British site thoroughly tests laptops. Editors conclude each full review with ratings for build quality, features, value and overall. In this article, editors pit five budget laptops against each other. The Acer Aspire V3-571 rates highest. Some of the laptops tested aren't available in the U.S.
9. About.com
Feb. 25, 2013
All About Google Chromebooks
by Melanie Pinola
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentShould you buy a Google Chromebook -- and if so, which one? Melanie Pinola, About.com's guide to mobile office technology, clearly outlines the pros and cons of Chromebooks and succinctly reviews five models. Although she finds over-$400 Chromebooks too pricey for what you get, Pinola says cheaper Chromebooks "are a good value for a budget laptop."
10. About.com
As of July 2013
Personal Computer Reviews
by Mark Kyrnin
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMark Kyrnin, About.com's guide to PC hardware/reviews, regularly reviews new laptops and names the best in several categories (thin and light, desktop replacement, etc). Several cheap laptops make the lists. Links lead to his full reviews, and you can find other models discussed elsewhere on the site. Write-ups here are brief, and testing is generally not documented, but About.com is one of the few sources that bother commenting on computers under $500.
11. PC World
As of July 2013
Laptops
by Editors of PCWorld
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPCWorld covers fewer budget-priced laptops than our higher-rated sources. Although the reviews themselves aren't the meatiest, editors' conclusions are backed by solid testing and each laptop is rated on a five-star scale. Editors pick the best laptops in several categories (business, all-purpose, etc.), some with budget picks.
12. Engadget.com
As of July 2013
Reviews
by Editors of Engadget.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEngadget.com's long, in-depth reviews are chock-full of observation, commentary and model comparisons. No ratings are given, but closing comments leave no doubt as to what a reviewer thinks about a particular notebook. Laptop reviews are intermixed with reviews of other technology products.
13. Laptop Magazine
March 8, 2013
Best and Worst Notebook Brands 2013
by Editors of Laptop Magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTo find the best laptop brands, editors at Laptop Magazine look at eight criteria. They give the most weight to how each brand scores in Laptop Magazine's own laptop reviews. They also consider design, keyboard/touchpad quality, tech support, display/audio quality, value and selection, innovation and the quality of software each brand pre-loads onto its laptops.
14. PCMag.com
Feb. 20, 2013
Readers' Choice Awards 2013 Winners: Laptops and Desktops
by Ben Gottesman
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEach year PCMag.com asks readers which tech products they like best and find most reliable. In the laptop category, three brands win: Apple, Asus and Samsung. Toshiba gets an honorable mention.
15. Laptop Magazine
Sept. 17, 2012
Tech Support Showdown 2012
by Editors of Laptop Magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentFor this report, testers go undercover to find out which laptop brand has the best customer service. They ask common questions (like how to extend battery life and enable three-finger touchpad swiping) via phone, email, live chat, Twitter and Facebook. Eight brands earn letter grades. Sony earns an A to win the test, just edging out Samsung and Apple (each with an A-minus). Dell places last, earning an F for phone support that offered no answers -- just a hard sell for Dell's extended warranties.
16. Wired
As of July 2013
Notebooks
by Editors of Wired
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWired reviews relatively few laptops, but its editors' witty and irreverent analysis is fun to read. Each laptop is rated on a 10-point scale, and the very best laptops earn an Editors' Pick.
17. The Verge
As of July 2013
Laptops
by Editors of TheVerge.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTheVerge.com publishes easy-to-read, detailed reviews brimming with analysis and benchmark testing, but editors here don't usually like cheap laptops. One exception: The ultra-cheap Samsung Chromebook earns a comparatively lofty rating of 7.5 out of 10.
18. TechRadar.com
As of July 2013
Laptops and Netbooks Rated
by Editors of TechRadar.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis British site regularly tests new laptops, including some popular U.S. models. Reviews are thorough and easy to read, but some are shorter than others. Several cheap laptops get low ratings, but a few earn 4 out of 5 stars -- and only a couple earn TechRadar.com's Recommended tag.
19. Walmart.com
As of July 2013
Laptop Computers
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWalmart.com offers an impressive selection of budget-priced laptops. Owners don't hesitate to share their thoughts about purchases; many models receive more than a dozen user reviews, and some get hundreds of reviews and ratings-only feedback. This is a great source for reviewing user opinions.
20. BestBuy.com
As of July 2013
All Laptops
by Contributors to BestBuy.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBestBuy.com sells a vast number of preconfigured cheap laptops and several score close to 4.5 out of 5 stars with at least a dozen user reviews posted (some with hundreds of reviews). In addition to an overall rating, each model receives ratings from owners on factors such as value and performance, as well as a bottom-line comment on whether the reviewer would recommend that laptop to a friend.
21. NewEgg.com
As of July 2013
Laptops/Notebooks
by Contributors to Newegg.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentNewegg.com is another great source of a huge selection of laptops, including cheap laptops, from many manufacturers. The site's typical customers are sophisticated and opinionated computer users, which often makes this a good place to find consumer reviews of technology products.
22. Amazon.com
As of July 2013
Laptops
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAmazon.com gives owners the opportunity to rate and comment on their laptop computers. The site is easy to use, and it includes lots of cheap laptops. Several current low-cost laptops earn high ratings with two dozen or more reviews posted.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  
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