I think this Dell deal is the best budget laptop you can get

If you’re looking for a classic day-to-day laptop for work, then it’s worth checking out the Dell 15 Laptop, now $380 (was $600) direct from Dell. For most students and business professionals, it does everything I’d want it to do.

This is Dell‘s own entry-level 15-inch, and at under $400, it’s a compelling pick for anyone who needs a reliable everyday machine for work, study, or general use without paying for features they don’t need. The base configuration comes with an Intel Core 3 100U processor (6 cores, up to 4.7 GHz), 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB NVMe SSD — solid specs for everyday computing.

If you want to step up from the base model, it also comes in a range of configurations to suit your workflow, including a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7, 16GB RAM, and an aluminum chassis with a 1080p webcam. You can see all options on the same page.

It ships with Windows 11 Home, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and a standard set of ports including USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and an SD card slot. Weight comes in at 4.19 lbs, which is reasonable for a 15-inch plastic chassis.

As a budget machine, the base specs are good for general tasks, but you can always upgrade if you need a faster machine. Here, there’s 8GB DDR4 memory coupled with a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD. That’s a decent setup for a laptop at this price-point.

Port selection is also decent, with USB-A and USB-C, HDMI, an SD card slot, and even a headphone jack. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth round out the wireless connectivity.

For the price, I reckon the Dell 15 Laptop balances the specs most students and professionals actually need to stay productive day in, day out. You can also check out more top-performers in our guide to the best business laptops.