Finding a good performing laptop has become much more difficult lately with the massive spike in RAM prices. RAM prices have surged by over 50% in early 2026. This shortage has made affordable laptops harder to find as manufacturers face higher production costs.
In this list, we’re focusing on the best laptops in the $600 price range for general use, whether for work or studying. These machines offer solid performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and streaming without breaking the bank.
If you’re looking for gaming options, you need to manage your expectations a bit. Most dedicated gaming laptops start around $800, but you can still get decent mid-level performance in this price range for casual gaming.
What to Expect in This Range
Laptops under $600 usually pack the latest generation processors like 12th Gen Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 5000-series CPUs. These chips handle everyday tasks and multitasking without issues.
Most laptops in this range come with around 8GB of RAM, which is tough to go higher given the current prices. If you need more memory down the line, you can upgrade by buying an extra 8GB RAM stick and installing it yourself.
You’ll find a minimum of 256GB SSD storage in these laptops. It’s enough to get started, but you can always increase that later by swapping in a larger SSD or adding external storage if needed.
Asus Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023)
The Asus Vivobook 16 M1605 comes with different RAM configurations starting at 8GB and going up to 16GB. The base model has 8GB soldered RAM plus an additional 8GB stick in the SO-DIMM slot for a total of 16GB, but you can swap out that removable stick for a larger one if needed.
For processors, you can choose between AMD Ryzen 5 5625U, Ryzen 7 5825U, Ryzen 5 7530U, Ryzen 7 7730U, Ryzen 5 7640HS, or Ryzen 9 7940HS. For our budget, the Ryzen 5 7530U offers the best value as it’s a newer Zen 3+ chip that handles everyday tasks smoothly without pushing the price too high.
The laptop packs a large 16-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Battery life is impressive at over 16 hours of web browsing. Storage comes with a 512GB SSD that can be upgraded later.
On the downside, the display is just a standard IPS panel with mediocre color accuracy and brightness. The webcam quality is average, and while the laptop is lightweight for a 16-inch machine, it’s still not the most portable option if you’re constantly on the move.
Acer Aspire 15
The Acer Aspire 15 comes with an Intel Core i5-1335U processor, which is a solid 10-core chip that handles everyday tasks without breaking a sweat. You can find configurations with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD storage starting around $430-$500.
For our budget, the best option is the base model with the Core i5-1335U, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. The 8GB RAM is upgradeable if you need more later.
The laptop features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display that’s decent for the price. Battery life sits at around 6 hours on average usage, which is acceptable but not great for an all-day machine. The build quality is solid plastic that feels sturdy enough for daily use.
On the downside, there’s no keyboard backlight, which is annoying if you work in dim lighting. The display brightness is limited to 250 nits, and the overall design is a bit chunky at 0.71 inches thick. The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics won’t handle demanding games, but works fine for casual use.
HP Victus 15.6
The HP Victus 15 comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 7445HS processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD for around $600. This is a solid gaming setup that can handle 1080p gaming at medium to high settings without issues.
The laptop has a 15.6-inch Full HD display, and the build quality is decent plastic that feels sturdy enough for daily use.
For our budget, this is the best gaming option you can find. The RTX 4050 gives you enough power for competitive games like Valorant and League of Legends at high frame rates, while demanding titles like Cyberpunk will run smoothly on medium settings.
On the downside, there’s no keyboard backlight, which makes gaming in the dark harder. The hinge feels wobbly and isn’t the most durable. Battery life under gaming loads is limited, and the laptop is a bit chunky at 5 pounds.
HP Pavilion 15
The HP Pavilion 15 comes with various processor options, including AMD Ryzen and Intel Core chips, with configurations starting around $589. For our budget, the best option is the base model with Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD that stays under $600.
The laptop has a durable metal chassis with a hinge that glides smoothly, and there’s a full-size keyboard that’s comfortable to type on with a large trackpad. Battery life sits at around 8 hours for mixed usage. The 15.6-inch Full HD display is bright enough for daily use.
On the downside, there’s no keyboard backlight, and the overall design is a bit thick and heavy for a 15-inch machine. The screen is very reflective, which can be annoying in bright lighting. Graphics are limited to integrated Intel or AMD options, so gaming performance is minimal.
Lenovo Ideapad 3i
The Lenovo Ideapad 3i comes with 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processors. You can find base models starting around $300, but for our budget, the best option is the Core i5 configuration with 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD, which stays under $600.
The laptop weighs just 3.5 pounds and sits at 0.78 inches thick, making it easy to carry around. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display offers decent viewing angles, and there’s a full-size keyboard with white backlighting. Battery life is average at around 9 hours for mixed usage.
On the downside, 8GB of RAM feels limiting in 2026 when 16GB has become standard. Display brightness maxes out at 220 nits, and colors look washed out, while audio quality is weak with tinny sound and no bass. The plastic build feels sturdy but not premium.
Final Words
Finding a reliable laptop under $600 in 2026 isn’t easy with rising component costs, but these options prove you don’t need to break the bank for solid performance.
Remember that most laptops in this range come with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage as standard, but you can upgrade these components later without much hassle. Pick the laptop that matches your primary use case, whether that’s work, studying, or casual gaming, and you’ll get solid performance without overspending.