Affordable Budget Laptops Are Popular, Yet These 3 Premium Models From Yesteryear Are Surprisingly Cheaper and More Superior in Quality
In today's world, even budget laptops are climbing up the pricing ladder, reaching what once were considered premium prices. If you're on the hunt for the best of the best in 2025, this trend may leave you disheartened. But worry not! I've got a vital tip for you if you're scouring the market for the best laptop deals while working with a limited budget.
Recently, I reviewed the Asus Vivobook 16 (2025), and while it's a solid choice, it's not the ultimate value for money. I've seen the Dell G16 (7630), a fantastic cheap gaming laptop with a mechanical keyboard, selling for $949. But bear in mind that price might be before tariffs.
In these challenging economic times, it's wise to ditch the notion that newer is always better and consider slightly older premium laptops to find the finest values. Let's dive into some key examples.
1. Asus Zenbook OLED 14
Speaking of Asus, the Asus Zenbook OLED 14 is one of my all-time favorite budget laptops, owing to its affordability and premium-like quality. Compared to the Vivobook 16 with its cheap screen, the OLED display alone puts the Zenbook in a league of its own, delivering infinite contrast.
Both laptops offer impressive battery life, but the Zenbook OLED 14 scores an hour longer on our website's test and boasts higher performance. Another thing I appreciate – the Zenbook has a smooth and comfortable keyboard, which outperforms the squishy one on the Vivobook 16. What's more? You can grab the Zenbook 14 OLED for as little as $569 on Amazon, with its Intel Ultra 5-125H version.
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Asus Zenbook 14 OLED:was $799 now $569 at AmazonFeatures: 14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 500-nit touch screen, Intel Evo Core Ultra 7 155H 16-core CPU, 16GB RAM, Intel Arc graphics, 1TB SSD, webcam with privacy shutter, Windows 11 Home
our website: *★★★★1⁄2*
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2. Apple MacBook Air 13 M2
Believe it or not, you can snag the Apple MacBook Air 13 M2 right now at Best Buy for $50 less than the Vivobook 16. In our MacBook Air 15 review, we applauded the laptop for its elegance, captivating screen, and standout battery life. The Vivobook 16 struggles to keep up with battery life, can't surpass its display, and is bulky (0.7 inches vs. 0.45 inches) compared to the sleek MacBook Air.
You'll also appreciate the keyboard on the MacBook Air, as its springy feedback beats the Vivobook's squishy keyboard. True, the MacBook Air is nearly three years old, but for its current price, it outperforms the Vivobook 16 in a walk. However, there are a couple of catches: if you require Windows, take a peek at our previous or next recommendation, or if you need morethan just the two USB-C ports available on the Air M2.
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M2 :was $999 now $749 at Best BuyFeatures: 13.6-inch (2560 x 1664) Liquid Retina 500-nit display, M2 8-core CPU, 8-Core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 1080p FaceTime camera, macOS
our website:★★★★1⁄2
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3. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i
The Lenovo Slim 7i Gen 9 is a remarkable laptop from spring 2024 that holds up well against the current competition, and thanks to the relentless march of time, you can now grab this premium laptop for under $800 directly from Lenovo.
It trounces the Vivobook 16 in our testing, and the gorgeous OLED display on the Slim 7i would make the Vivobook's display seem black and white in comparison. Battery life is the biggest compromise you might make, with a little over 10 hours compared to 14 hours for the Vivobook 16, but the other quality-of-life improvements make it worth the sacrifice.
Lenovo Slim 7i :was $1,129 now $799 at Lenovo USAFeatures: 14-inch (1920 x 1200) OLED touchscreen display, Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, Intel Arc GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Windows 11 Home
our website: *★★★★*
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- Despite the rising prices of budget laptops, the market still offers value, such as the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED, which delivers a premium experience at an affordable price.
- The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED comes with an OLED display that outshines the Vivobook 16's screen, offering infinite contrast.
- The Zenbook 14 OLED boasts impressive battery life, lasting an hour longer than the Vivobook 16 in tests, alongside higher performance.
- The Zenbook 14 OLED's keyboard also outperforms the Vivobook 16's with its smooth and comfortable feel.
- Currently, the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED can be found on Amazon for as low as $569, making it a great choice for those working with a limited budget.
- The Apple MacBook Air 13 M2 can be purchased at Best Buy for less than the Vivobook 16, offering elegance, a captivating screen, and standout battery life.
- In comparison, the Vivobook 16 struggles to match the MacBook Air's battery life, display, and is bulkier in size.
- The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Gen 9, launched in spring 2024, is a premium laptop that outperforms the Vivobook 16, featuring a stunning OLED display and a price of under $800.
