Entry-Level Laptop Comparison

Laptops have gradually yet continually undergone a multitude of developments in order to meet the needs of power users. In the bargain, their prices have sky-rocketed too. But when it comes to basic office applications, emails, casual Internet-surfing on the go and light entertainment, a very basic laptop can also suffice.

Today even the most basic laptop is capable of running mainstream applications seamlessly and considering the dipping hardware prices, today laptops are quite affordable. So, unless you’re a power user and if you can make do with a laptop which costs less than Rs 30,000, no need to buy a power-packed laptop.

Essentially, it’s the attractive price tag which sets these laptops apart. This time around, we’ve tested some budget laptops to find out which one is most capable and which one offers the most bang for the buck.

The hardware in these laptops is quite decent and can handle basic computing seamlessly. Of course, since, budget laptops are not designed for high-end and stressful applications, playing games or using demanding programs cannot be expected. Here’s what you can expect - a good single core processor or even an entry-level dual core, around 1 to 2 GB RAM, a 14 or 15-inch screen, onboard graphics, ample hard drive space, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and a good keyboard and touch pad—some even feature numeric pads. Most of them feature at least two USB ports while some have three.

Other standard features such as a VGA port, audio jacks, a webcam and a multi-card reader are a given in most laptops. What one might debate about is that even netbooks offer these features and are cheaper too. Well, netbooks comparatively lack in performance, they have much smaller screens and crammed keyboards. Also, netbooks do not feature an optical drive, where as laptops have an upper hand in all these cases too. The only thing these laptops cannot do is, slide into your hand bag.

As far as the design of these laptops is concerned, most of them aren’t much to look at and are not the lightest in weight either. Nonetheless, design-wise what’s most notable about these laptops is their tough build quality and good ergonomics. While having all the required features, there’s very little or no fluff involved. There are no funky LEDs, no extraordinary sound or display performance, no additional or uncommon features and such. So if you’re looking for a laptop that solves the purpose without burning a hole in your pocket, these laptops are the ones you should consider first.

Go to the next page for the comparison.