Latest news with #budgetlaptop
CNET
11-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Last Chance Prime Day Deal: This Budget Acer Laptop Was Already a Great Value. I Recommend It Even More With This 34% Discount
Amazon Prime Day deal: The Prime Day sale ends tonight, but if you act fast, you can still score a 34% discount on the Acer Aspire 14 AI, the cheapest Copilot PC Plus PC I've ever reviewed. We're also seeing a discount at Costco, where it's down to just $500, but you'll need to be a Costco member to snag the deal. CNET's key takeaways The Acer Aspire 14 AI is available for $550 at Amazon $500 at Costco The Intel Lunar Lake CPU offers good performance for the price and long battery life. The display and design won't wow you. Laptop prices are on the rise -- and the more they increase, the better Acer's Aspire 14 AI looks. When I reviewed it in April, it cost $700 at Costco and was the cheapest Copilot Plus PC I had reviewed. Fast forward two months and it's now $550 and Amazon and $500 at Costco, making it the the cheapest Copilot Plus PC I've seen -- and a great value. Acer cuts the right corners to hit such a low price for the Aspire 14 AI, delivering a well-rounded laptop with modern components. This is no budget laptop with outdated parts. It features the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor (codenamed Lunar Lake) that serves up competitive application and AI performance along with great battery life and a design that doesn't look all that different from Acer's pricier Swift laptops. The Aspire 14 AI's no-frills, but future-proofed package makes it one of the best budget laptops of 2025. My experience with the Acer Aspire 14 AI I'm still waiting for the killer AI app to make a laptop AI CPU a must but it's nice to know that when it arrives, you'll have a machine that's built for it. Thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU that has a neural processing unit capable of 40 trillion operations per second, the Aspire 14 AI hits the minimum requirement for Microsoft's Copilot Plus PC platform. Its AI processor can offload AI workloads -- constantly taking Windows Recall snapshots, blurring backgrounds for video calls and producing live translations -- to its NPU, keeping the CPU and GPU freed up for whatever primary task you're working on. Matt Elliott/CNET Future-proofing is always valuable in any laptop, especially so in a budget model where it's not always a given. You need to be careful when shopping for a low-cost laptop because many offerings are older models with previous-generation components that are discounted in an attempt to clear out inventory for newer units. In testing, the Aspire 14 AI hung with the more expensive Copilot Plus PCs I've tested. Its scores on our application, graphics and AI benchmarks weren't all that far off from those of its pricier competitors. Its integrated Intel GPU doesn't provide much in the way of 3D gaming but the same can be said for any Copilot Plus PC, since I've yet to encounter one with dedicated graphics. With the Aspire 14 AI, you avoid the budget laptop trap of buying a machine with outdated or soon-to-be-outdated parts. And you also skip past the specter of the Creaky Plastic Monster. Many budget laptops have flimsy plastic enclosures, but the Aspire 14 AI has aluminum top and bottom panels with only a plastic keyboard deck. The keyboard deck feels rigid and doesn't bend or flex like the thinner plastic commonly found on other budget models. It's a solidly constructed laptop, and you'd have to look closely to tell it apart from one of Acer's mainstream Swift laptops. The specs CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Memory: 16GB LPDDR5-8533 Graphics: Intel Arc 130V Storage: 1TB solid-state drive Display: 14-inch 1,920x1,200-pixel touch IPS LCD Ports: 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, combo audio Networking: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 Weight: 3.05 pounds Battery life: 18 hours, 56 minutes Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11 Home Best Prime Day Laptops Deals It's never too early to start shopping for an upgrade to your laptop, and our favorite Prime Day laptop deals are guaranteed to save you time and money. Check out the best savings here. See Now CNET'S buying advice The best part of the Aspire 14 AI is getting a modern CPU that delivers the performance needed for the laptop to act as your primary machine and not just a cheap, underpowered second system. And the efficient Intel Core Ultra CPU also allows the Aspire 14 AI to run for almost 19 hours on a single charge while also offering a bit of future-proofing with its AI capabilities. The uninspired design and meh display are really the only items that scream "budget laptop." The rest of the package is more mainstream than budget, including the 16GB of RAM and the roomy 1TB SSD. You are usually looking at 8GB of RAM and either a 256GB or 512GB SSD when shopping for a $700 laptop. If you are willing to spend a bit more, I have a couple of other Copilot Plus PCs you should check out. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is a winner for its slick and sturdy design and awesome haptic touchpad and the Asus Zenbook A14 boasts an ultralight yet rigid enclosure with a gorgeous OLED display. Plus, both offer even better battery life than the Aspire 14 AI.
CNET
10-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Anti-Prime Day Laptop Deal: My Go-to Acer Aspire 14 AI Laptop Is $200 Off at Costco Today
The Amazon Prime Day sales event is going strong, but other retailers are also offering deep discounts with their own Anti-Prime Day deals. Right now, Costco members can snag the Acer Aspire 14 AI for $500a $200 discount until July 20 or while supplies last. CNET's key takeaways The Acer Aspire 14 AI is available for $500 at Costco. The Intel Lunar Lake CPU offers good performance for the price and long battery life. The display and design won't wow you. Laptop prices are on the rise -- and the more they increase, the better Acer's Aspire 14 AI looks. When I reviewed it in April, it cost $700 at Costco and was the cheapest Copilot Plus PC I had reviewed. Fast forward two months and it's now $500 at Costco, making it the the cheapest Copilot Plus PC I've seen -- and a great value. Acer cuts the right corners to hit such a low price for the Aspire 14 AI, delivering a well-rounded laptop with modern components. This is no budget laptop with outdated parts. It features the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor (codenamed Lunar Lake) that serves up competitive application and AI performance along with great battery life and a design that doesn't look all that different from Acer's pricier Swift laptops. The Aspire 14 AI's no-frills, but future-proofed package makes it one of the best budget laptops of 2025. My experience with the Acer Aspire 14 AI I'm still waiting for the killer AI app to make a laptop AI CPU a must but it's nice to know that when it arrives, you'll have a machine that's built for it. Thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU that has a neural processing unit capable of 40 trillion operations per second, the Aspire 14 AI hits the minimum requirement for Microsoft's Copilot Plus PC platform. Its AI processor can offload AI workloads -- constantly taking Windows Recall snapshots, blurring backgrounds for video calls and producing live translations -- to its NPU, keeping the CPU and GPU freed up for whatever primary task you're working on. Matt Elliott/CNET Future-proofing is always valuable in any laptop, especially so in a budget model where it's not always a given. You need to be careful when shopping for a low-cost laptop because many offerings are older models with previous-generation components that are discounted in an attempt to clear out inventory for newer units. In testing, the Aspire 14 AI hung with the more expensive Copilot Plus PCs I've tested. Its scores on our application, graphics and AI benchmarks weren't all that far off from those of its pricier competitors. Its integrated Intel GPU doesn't provide much in the way of 3D gaming but the same can be said for any Copilot Plus PC, since I've yet to encounter one with dedicated graphics. With the Aspire 14 AI, you avoid the budget laptop trap of buying a machine with outdated or soon-to-be-outdated parts. And you also skip past the specter of the Creaky Plastic Monster. Many budget laptops have flimsy plastic enclosures, but the Aspire 14 AI has aluminum top and bottom panels with only a plastic keyboard deck. The keyboard deck feels rigid and doesn't bend or flex like the thinner plastic commonly found on other budget models. It's a solidly constructed laptop, and you'd have to look closely to tell it apart from one of Acer's mainstream Swift laptops. The specs CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Memory: 16GB LPDDR5-8533 Graphics: Intel Arc 130V Storage: 1TB solid-state drive Display: 14-inch 1,920x1,200-pixel touch IPS LCD Ports: 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, combo audio Networking: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 Weight: 3.05 pounds Battery life: 18 hours, 56 minutes Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11 Home Best Prime Day Laptops Deals It's never too early to start shopping for an upgrade to your laptop, and our favorite Prime Day laptop deals are guaranteed to save you time and money. Check out the best savings here. See Now CNET'S buying advice The best part of the Aspire 14 AI is getting a modern CPU that delivers the performance needed for the laptop to act as your primary machine and not just a cheap, underpowered second system. And the efficient Intel Core Ultra CPU also allows the Aspire 14 AI to run for almost 19 hours on a single charge while also offering a bit of future-proofing with its AI capabilities. The uninspired design and meh display are really the only items that scream "budget laptop." The rest of the package is more mainstream than budget, including the 16GB of RAM and the roomy 1TB SSD. You are usually looking at 8GB of RAM and either a 256GB or 512GB SSD when shopping for a $700 laptop. If you are willing to spend a bit more, I have a couple of other Copilot Plus PCs you should check out. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is a winner for its slick and sturdy design and awesome haptic touchpad and the Asus Zenbook A14 boasts an ultralight yet rigid enclosure with a gorgeous OLED display. Plus, both offer even better battery life than the Aspire 14 AI.
Geeky Gadgets
07-07-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Finally! Apple's Cheapest MacBook Yet is Coming with an iPhone Chip!
Apple is reportedly preparing to introduce a more budget-friendly MacBook, marking a significant expansion of its laptop lineup. This new model is expected to feature the A18 Pro chip, a processor originally designed for iPhones, and aims to deliver a balance between performance and affordability. With a lightweight design, a 13-inch display, and an estimated price range of $699 to $899, this device could reshape the entry-level laptop market within Apple's ecosystem. Production is anticipated to commence in late 2025, with a release projected for 2026. This move signals Apple's intent to reach a broader audience, particularly students and casual users seeking a reliable yet cost-effective device. The video below from MacRumors gives us more details. Watch this video on YouTube. What Powers the New MacBook: The A18 Pro Chip At the heart of this upcoming MacBook lies the A18 Pro chip, first introduced in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. While originally designed for mobile devices, this processor is expected to deliver performance comparable to Apple's M1 chip for CPU tasks, alongside enhanced graphics capabilities. This makes it well-suited for everyday computing needs, such as: Web browsing Document editing Streaming and media consumption Despite its strengths, the A18 Pro chip comes with certain trade-offs. For instance, it lacks Thunderbolt support, which limits high-speed data transfer and advanced connectivity options. Additionally, the MacBook will be restricted to 8GB of RAM, which could pose challenges for users requiring extensive multitasking or running resource-intensive applications. These compromises reflect Apple's strategy to prioritize affordability while maintaining a baseline level of performance. Compact and Lightweight Design The new MacBook is expected to feature a 13-inch display, offering a compact and portable form factor. Its ultra-thin, lightweight design is reminiscent of the discontinued 12-inch MacBook, making it an attractive option for users who prioritize portability. Apple may also introduce a range of vibrant color options, including: This design approach underscores Apple's commitment to blending aesthetics with functionality, catering to students, professionals, and casual users who are frequently on the move. The lightweight build and potential for bold color choices could make this MacBook a standout option in its price category, appealing to those seeking both style and practicality. Affordable Pricing with Strategic Trade-Offs One of the most compelling aspects of this MacBook is its affordable price point, estimated between $699 and $899. This positions it as one of the most accessible laptops in Apple's lineup, opening the door for a wider range of consumers to enter the Apple ecosystem. By using the A18 Pro chip and omitting premium features like Thunderbolt, Apple aims to reduce costs while maintaining its reputation for quality and reliability. This pricing strategy could make the device a strong competitor in the entry-level laptop market, particularly against Windows-based alternatives. While the MacBook may lack some advanced features, its focus on delivering essential functionality at a lower price highlights Apple's effort to provide widespread access to access to its technology without compromising on core user experience. Limitations to Keep in Mind While the new MacBook offers a promising combination of features and affordability, it does come with certain limitations that potential buyers should consider. These include: No Thunderbolt support , restricting high-speed data transfers and advanced connectivity options. , restricting high-speed data transfers and advanced connectivity options. Support for only a single external display, which may not meet the needs of users accustomed to multi-monitor setups. These trade-offs are a direct result of Apple's effort to balance cost and functionality. While they may not affect casual users or students, professionals with more demanding workflows might find these limitations restrictive. Nonetheless, the device remains a compelling option for those seeking a reliable, entry-level MacBook at an accessible price. Production Timeline and Market Positioning Production of the new MacBook is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, with a release likely in 2026. This timeline suggests that Apple is carefully planning its launch to align with market demand and production capabilities. By introducing this model, Apple could fill the gap left by the discontinued M1 MacBook Air, offering a modern alternative for budget-conscious consumers. The new MacBook is poised to compete directly with entry-level Windows laptops, using Apple's reputation for seamless integration, build quality, and software optimization. Its introduction could also serve as a strategic move to attract first-time Mac users, particularly students and casual consumers, into the Apple ecosystem. Expanding Apple's Reach in the Laptop Market Apple's upcoming low-cost MacBook represents a calculated effort to expand its presence in the entry-level laptop market. By incorporating the A18 Pro chip, a lightweight and portable design, and an affordable price point, the device is positioned to attract a diverse range of users. While it may lack some advanced features, its focus on essential functionality and accessibility demonstrates Apple's commitment to innovation across all price tiers. As production gears up for a 2026 release, this MacBook could redefine what consumers expect from an affordable laptop within Apple's ecosystem, setting a new benchmark for quality and value in its category. Unlock more potential in Low-cost MacBook by reading previous articles we have written. Source & Image Credit: MacRumors Filed Under: Apple, Laptops, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Digital Trends
30-06-2025
- Digital Trends
I'd love Apple to make a cheap MacBook with iPhone power
Apple could deliver a MacBook surprise within the next couple of years, and it sounds like terrific news for aspiring budget laptop shoppers. As per TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning a new MacBook that will be powered by the same chipset as the iPhone 16 Pro. According to Kuo, the laptop features an 'approximately 13-inch display' and might enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2025, or early next year. He further adds that the company aims to ship anywhere between 5–7 million units of this new machine, accounting for nearly a third of total laptop shipments in 2026. Recommended Videos Those are ambitious numbers and suggest Apple is rather bullish about the prospects of a 'more affordable' MacBook with an A18 Pro chip inside, instead of the traditional M-series processor. Either way, the whole idea is pretty interesting for multiple reasons. It just makes sense The A18 Pro is a freakishly powerful processor, and it's the only mobile silicon out there that can handle console-grade titles such as Death Stranding, Resident Evil, and Assassin's Creed Mirage with ease on a phone. Paired with bigger heat management hardware and battery, I won't be surprised to see it race against the Snapdragon X-powered Windows laptops. But the real surprise here is the promise of a more affordable Apple laptop. Is it the long-awaited revival of the 12-inch MacBook? Probably. What I am more interested in seeing is the asking price. Over the past few years, Apple has kept the entry-level MacBook Air locked close to the $999 bracket. Unless Apple wants a deliberate overlap, the new 'affordable' MacBook should ideally start somewhere around $799, the same price bracket that is now a sweet spot for Microsoft's Surface and other Windows-on-Arm laptops that draw power from Qualcomm's entry-level Snapdragon X silicon. An asking price of around $800 would make the rumored MacBook an unbeatable proposition, assuming Apple sticks with its high hardware and performance standards. Will Apple experiment with cheaper materials, such as polycarbonate, to lower the asking price? That's plausible. We haven't seen Apple go beyond a metal chassis for MacBooks in a while, so it would be interesting to see whether the company makes a pivot. What truly matters here is the incredible longevity of Apple laptops. You can still pick up a used or refurbished M1 MacBook Air for around $500-600, and it will run the full macOS Tahoe experience with the Apple Intelligence bundle and no feature cuts. And from my personal experience, it's still astoundingly smooth and reliable. If Apple launches a cheaper MacBook around $800 — and factor in the usual student discount on top — there is little doubt that buyers would pick a Windows machine. But it's not just the hardware situation where Apple has a leg up. Ever since the Copilot+ breed of laptops has landed, multiple Windows features, such as Recall, have been locked to certain chips that can meet the AI performance requirements at the hardware level. Even Intel's 2025 batch of enthusiast-class H-series misses out. On the other hand, a five-year-old M1 MacBook doesn't water down the macOS experience to date. Also, Apple has lost the 'thin and light' laptop race to machines such as the Asus ZenBook A14, so maybe it's time to reclaim that crown with a reimagined MacBook armed with an iPhone silicon? A historical performance perspective If the idea of a MacBook with an iPhone processor sounds ludicrous, look no further than the Windows machines, especially those with Qualcomm processors inside. More specifically, the Windows on Arm laptops and the new breed of Copilot+ machines. The move doesn't even surprise from Apple's own perspective, especially when it comes to concerns about firepower. Apple put a laptop-tier M1 processor inside the iPad Pro years ago. In fact, when Apple announced the M1 silicon, its similarities with the A14 became a crucial talking point. The microarchitecture was similar, built atop the 5nm process node, and the same kind of unified silicon-on-chip (SoC) approach with fused memory on the same module as the CPU, GPU, and the NPU. Apple borrowed the A14's Firestorm and Icestorm cores, increased the core count, married it with a beefier GPU, and created the M1. Back then, the A14 was already performing ahead of x86-based processors, and the M1 only made a bigger jump. In fact, when Apple started preparing for the transition away from Intel (x86 silicon), the Developer Transition Kit offered to developers came kitted with an A12Z processor that was fitted inside iPads back then. In the years that have followed, Apple hasn't changed the fundamental approach. The A18 Pro still sits at the top of the mobile food chain, and the M4 silicon packed inside Macs and iPads is no different. If Apple fits an A18 Pro silicon (even paired with its 8GB RAM situation), it would be able to handle the demands of macOS with ease. Also, if you look at the Windows side, and especially the Copilot+ laptops with a Snapdragon processor inside, you will find some similarities. The Snapdragon X-series processors for laptops now share the Oryon cores with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip for Android phones and tablets. Apple's CPU cores outperform the competition across the mobile and laptop segments, and it won't be surprising to see the A18 Pro-powered MacBook coming out with some impressive performance figures. The biggest dilemma is 'if' and 'when' Apple puts such a machine on the shelf.
CNET
05-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
My Pick for Laptop Shoppers Seeking Tariff Relief: Acer's $700 Aspire 14 AI
CNET's key takeaways The Acer Aspire 14 AI is available for $700 at Costco (with the occasional spike to $750). The Intel Lunar Lake CPU offers good performance for the price and long battery life. The display and design won't wow you. Laptop prices are on the rise -- and the more they increase, the better Acer's Aspire 14 AI looks. When I reviewed it in April, it cost $700 at Costco and was the cheapest Copilot Plus PC I had reviewed. Fast forward two months and it still costs $700 at Costco and is still the cheapest Copilot Plus PC I've seen -- and a great value. Acer cuts the right corners to hit such a low price for the Aspire 14 AI, delivering a well-rounded laptop with modern components. This is no budget laptop with outdated parts. It features the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor (codenamed Lunar Lake) that serves up competitive application and AI performance along with great battery life and a design that doesn't look all that different from Acer's pricier Swift laptops. The Aspire 14 AI's no-frills but future-proofed package makes it one of the best budget laptops of 2025. My experience with the Acer Aspire 14 AI I'm still waiting for the killer AI app to make a laptop AI CPU a must but it's nice to know that when it arrives, you'll have a laptop that's built for it. Thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU that has a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS), the Aspire 14 AI hits the minimum requirement for Microsoft's Copilot Plus PC platform. Its AI processor can offload AI workloads -- constantly taking Windows Recall snapshots, blurring backgrounds for video calls and producing live translations -- to its NPU, keeping the CPU and GPU freed up for whatever primary task you're working on. Matt Elliott/CNET Future-proofing is always valuable in any laptop, especially so in a budget model where it's not always a given. (You need to be careful when shopping for a low-cost laptop because so many are older models with previous-generation components that are discounted in an attempt to clear out inventory for newer units.) In testing, the Aspire 14 AI hung with the more expensive Copilot Plus PCs I've tested. Its scores on our application, graphics and AI benchmarks weren't all that far off from those of its pricier competitors. Its integrated Intel GPU doesn't provide much in the way of 3D gaming but the same can be said for any Copilot Plus PC as I've yet to encounter one with dedicated graphics. With the Aspire 14 AI, you avoid the budget laptop trap of buying a machine with outdated or soon-to-be-outdated parts. And you also skip past the spectrer of the Creaky Plastic Monster. Many budget laptops have flimsy plastic enclosures but the Aspire 14 AI has aluminum top and bottom panels with only a plastic keyboard deck. And the keyboard deck feels rigid and doesn't bend or flex like the thinner plastic common to other budget models. It's a solidly constructed laptop and you'd have to look closely to tell it apart from one of Acer's mainstream Swift laptops. The specs CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Memory: 16GB LPDDR5-8533 Graphics: Intel Arc 130V Storage: 1TB SSD Display: 14-inch 1,920x1,200 touch IPS LCD Ports: 2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 2 x USB-A USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, combo audio Networking: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 Weight: 3.05 pounds Battery life: 18 hr, 56 min Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11 Home CNET'S Buying Advice The best part of the Aspire 14 AI is getting a modern CPU that delivers the performance needed for the laptop to act as your primary machine and not just a cheap, underpowered second system. And the efficient Intel Core Ultra CPU also allows the Aspire 14 AI to run for almost 19 hours on a single charge while also offering a bit of future-proofing with its AI capabilities. The uninspired design and meh display are really the only items that scream "budget laptop." The rest of the package is more mainstream than budget, including the 16GB of RAM and the roomy 1TB SSD. You are usually looking at 8GB of RAM and either a 256GB or 512GB SSD when shopping for a $700 laptop. If you are willing to spend a bit more, I have a couple of other Copilot Plus PCs you should check out. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is a winner for its slick and sturdy design and awesome haptic touchpad and the Asus Zenbook A14 boasts an ultralight yet rigid enclosure with a gorgeous OLED display. Plus, both offer even better battery life than the Aspire 14 AI.
