Looking to buy the best mid-range laptop? It’s a smart move. Why splurge over a grand on a machine if you won’t fully utilise all its premium features?
Like mid-range phones, mid-range laptops once meant compromises in performance and speed, but fortunately, technology has come a long way. Today, you can find sleek, fast notebooks for around US$700 / £700 or less, offering more than enough power to handle both work and entertainment. In other words, unless you’re after the ultimate gaming laptop or need a high-end laptop for video rendering, opting for a well-priced laptop with impressive – though not cutting-edge – specs is likely the best choice.
That said, the sheer number of laptops on the market can be overwhelming. With so many options, choosing the right one can feel like a daunting task. That’s where we come in. We’ve sifted through countless models to bring you a curated list of the best mid-range laptops available today. And if you’re not limited by budget, be sure to check out Stuff’s guide to the best laptops as well.
Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products.
Quick list: what’s the best mid-range laptop?
The best mid-range laptops you can buy today:
1. Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1
| Dell Inspiron 14 specs | |
|---|---|
| Screen | 14in FHD+ 1920×1200 Touchscreen |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 |
| Graphics | Intel Integrated Graphics |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 1 TB SSD |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Dimensions | 22.61 x 31.4 x 1.73 cm |
| Weight | 1.75 kg |
The Inspiron 14 2-in-1 is Dell’s flexible all-rounder. Its convertible hinge feels sturdy, and swapping between laptop and tablet modes is smooth. The 14in Full HD touchscreen is bright and accurate, making it a strong pick for students or professionals who want one device that covers meetings, Netflix, and a bit of sketching.
Inside, you get an Intel Core i7 and 16GB RAM — a step above the ASUS VivoBook’s i5 but on par with the MSI Prestige in real-world speed. It breezes through Office apps, 20 Chrome tabs, and light Photoshop edits without slowing down. Compared with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, it offers more raw power but is heavier and less portable.
Downsides? The extra weight from the 2-in-1 design makes it bulkier than the Aspire 5 or VivoBook, and with no dedicated GPU, it can’t match the Aspire 5’s RTX 2050 or the Prestige’s 3050 Ti for creative work. Still, if you want a flexible mid-ranger for mixed use, this is a great choice.
2. ASUS VivoBook 15
| ASUS VivoBook 15 specs | |
|---|---|
| Screen | 15.6in Full HD OLED |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 |
| Graphics | Integrated |
| RAM | 6GB RAM |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Dimensions | 35.68 x 1.99 x 22.76 cm |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
The VivoBook 15 M515 aims for balance, and at its price, 6GB RAM feels a little mean. Paired with an Intel Core i5, it feels snappy enough for everyday work. The 15.6in Full HD display offers more space than the Inspiron’s 14in, though colours aren’t as vibrant as the Chromebook Plus’s AMOLED.
Compared to the Dell, the VivoBook is lighter and easier to carry, but the plastic chassis feels less premium than most rivals here. Like the Inspiron, it lacks a dedicated GPU, which means the Aspire 5 and Prestige 15 pull ahead for gaming or creative workloads.
If portability is your priority, the VivoBook stands out. But if you want build quality or graphics muscle, other models here are better suited.
3. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
| Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus specs | |
|---|---|
| Screen | 15.6in Full HD AMOLED |
| Processor | Intel Core 5 |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
| OS | Chrome OS |
| Dimensions | 1.18 x 35.5 x 22.5 cm |
| Weight | 1.17 kg |
Samsung goes for simplicity and style. At just over a kilo, it’s the most portable laptop in this list, and the AMOLED screen is a clear highlight – nothing else here looks this sharp or vibrant. For streaming, browsing, and Google Docs, it’s a joy to use.
Performance is solid for web-based tasks, but when we compared it to the Dell Inspiron running heavier apps, ChromeOS felt limiting. Storage is also modest, so you’ll rely more on cloud services than with the Aspire 5 or Victus 16.
If you live in Gmail, Drive, and Meet, this is arguably the most convenient laptop here. But for power users who need Windows apps or serious storage, the Aspire 5 or Prestige 15 are far more capable.
4. ASUS TUF F15
| ASUS TUF F15 specs | |
|---|---|
| Screen | 15.6in Full HD IPS 144Hz |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Dimensions | 49.4 x 38.6 x 18.5 cm |
| Weight | 2.3 kg |
The TUF F15 is built for gamers who want durability on a budget. The 144Hz display makes fast-paced games like Apex Legends look and feel smoother than on the Victus 16, and its military-grade build quality inspires confidence if you’re carrying it around.
Compared to the Aspire 5’s RTX 2050, the F15’s GTX 1650 Ti (depending on the variant) still holds its own but struggles with modern AAA titles at high settings (so we’d opt for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU model). It’s heavier than anything else in this list, and the limited storage fills quickly with big games – especially compared to the more generous HP Victus 16.
This is the least portable option here, but if gaming performance and durability matter more than travel-friendliness, the TUF F15 is still a solid pick.
5. Acer Aspire 5
| Acer Aspire 5 specs | |
|---|---|
| Screen | 15.6in Full HD IPS display |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| OS | Windows 11 |
| Dimensions | 36.29 x 1.79 x 23.78 cm |
| Weight | 2.88 kg |
The Aspire 5 is one of the most versatile laptops here. It comes with an RTX 2050 GPU, which immediately puts it ahead of the VivoBook, Inspiron, and Chromebook for gaming and creative apps. The 15.6in Full HD IPS screen is serviceable, though not as eye-catching as the Galaxy Chromebook Plus’s AMOLED.
Where it lags is the processor. The slightly older Intel i5 can’t keep up with the Dell’s i7 or MSI’s 12th-gen chip in benchmarks. Battery life also trails the VivoBook, meaning you’ll want a charger nearby during long study or work sessions.
Still, for around $700/£700, getting dedicated graphics at all is impressive. For students or families who want one machine that can handle both spreadsheets and light gaming, the Aspire 5 punches above its weight.
6. HP Victus 16
| HP Victus 16 specs | |
|---|---|
| Screen | 16.1in Full HD IPS 144Hz |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Dimensions | 36.9 x 25.94 x 2.29 cm |
| Weight | 2.31 kg |
HP’s Victus 16 goes big on screen size. The 16.1in display is noticeably larger than the others here, which makes it great for films and multitasking. Paired with a Ryzen 5, it feels smooth for everyday work and mid-level gaming.
But the extra screen means extra weight. Compared to the slim VivoBook or Prestige, this is more of a desk-based laptop. Gamers might prefer the TUF F15’s faster refresh rate, though the Victus wins on sheer screen space.
If portability doesn’t matter, the Victus is a strong value pick. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a laptop that doubles as a casual desktop replacement without spending a fortune.
7. MSI Prestige 15
| MSI Prestige 15 specs | |
|---|---|
| Screen | 15.6inin Full HD |
| Processor | Intel i5 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage | 512GB |
| OS | Windows 11 |
| Dimensions | 35.4 x 23.4 x 1.89 cm |
| Weight | 1.69 kg |
The Prestige 15 blends style with performance. It’s one of the slimmest laptops here, but still manages to pack in an RTX 3050 Ti GPU – better than the Aspire 5’s 2050, and much stronger than the iGPU setups in the VivoBook or Inspiron. Creative apps like Photoshop and Premiere run noticeably faster here.
Its main weakness is memory. With just 8GB RAM, multitasking isn’t as smooth as on the Dell or ASUS VivoBook. Battery life is also below par – you’ll need a charger for anything more than a few hours.
That said, compared to the Galaxy Chromebook Plus or VivoBook, this feels like a “pro” machine for students or professionals who need graphics power in a portable shell.
How to choose the best mid-range laptop?
Choosing a mid-range laptop is all about striking the right balance. At this price, you won’t get every premium feature, so it’s worth deciding early on whether you value portability, raw performance, or display quality most.
Processors are a good starting point: Intel’s Core i5 and i7 chips, along with AMD’s Ryzen 5 and 7, offer the best blend of speed and efficiency. Older models will manage browsing and word processing without fuss, but heavier workloads quickly reveal their limits.
Memory is just as important. Eight gigabytes of RAM has become the bare minimum, but you’ll notice the benefits of doubling it to sixteen. More memory allows smoother multitasking and keeps the laptop usable for longer before an upgrade feels necessary.
Graphics performance is another area where mid-range models split. Integrated GPUs are fine for emails, streaming, and light productivity, but if you want to game or use creative software, a dedicated graphics card makes a big difference. It puts them in a different league compared to laptops that rely only on integrated graphics.
The display deserves careful thought, too. A Full HD resolution should be the baseline, offering sharp enough detail for work and streaming, but panel quality varies. We love AMOLED screens, which produce colours and contrast that make more muted LED panels feel dull. Gamers, on the other hand, should look for refresh rates above the standard 60Hz, as this is noticeably smoother during fast-paced action.
Storage can be a hidden pain point. A solid-state drive is essential for quick boot times and snappy performance, but the size matters depending on how you use your laptop. For many, 512GB will be enough, yet gamers will quickly run into limits.
Battery life is another spec sheet number that makes a real-world difference. If you’re travelling frequently or using your laptop at school, then you’ll want a longer battery life, whereas if you only plan to use your device at home, battery life isn’t as important.
Build quality and portability are harder to measure but just as crucial. Slim and light are ideal for travelling, while a larger display is perfect for gaming at home.
Ultimately, the best mid-range laptop for you comes down to prioritising the features you’ll use most. Once you decide whether you care more about gaming power, screen quality, or ease of carrying, the right machine becomes much easier to spot.
