15 Best Laptops for Casual Use In 2023 [Expert picks]

Have you ever found yourself wanting a portable computer that has enough processing power to run all of your applications? Well, there are indeed tons of options out there, but most of them struggle to offer the required processing power for running the operating system and applications smoothly.

On the other hand, if you get yourself a powerful gaming laptop, you need to worry about the weight. But did you know that the best laptop for casual use would be the best of both worlds? No doubt about it!

Now, you might be wondering what models you should consider, right? Well, you got nothing to worry about because, as a team of PC enthusiasts, we have loads of experience regarding laptop hardware. And we have handpicked 15 worthy options for you!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites:

15 Best Laptops for Casual Use In 2023

Getting the best laptops for casual use is easier said than done. Even though causal use does not demand much horsepower, most laptop makers cannot check the essential criteria. However, after testing and loads of comparison, we found out that these are the ones that could deliver all of those critical factors:

1. Acer Spin 5

When you think of the best laptops for regular day-to-day use, what is the first thing that comes in your mind? Well, if you asked us, a powerful CPU would be our first answer. Even though Acer Swift is a better-known windows laptop from the company, we believe this one is better.

So, what processor does it utilize? The top-of-the-line 10th Generation Intel Core i7! It can boost up to 3.9 GHz with four cores. This CPU can handle most casual apps without any issues. And it does not rely on the typical Intel HD graphics. Instead, it opts for Intel Iris Xe graphics. It is a competent integrated graphics.

On the front, it has a stellar laptop screen. The screen size is 13.5 inches, and the IPS panel has a 2K resolution. Everything will seem crisp, and the sharpness of the images will be exceptionally high. The system boasts 16GB of high-bandwidth RAM. It even has a fast NVMe SSD storage, which can access files quickly.

When it comes to the I/O, there are two USB 3.1 ports and two regular USB A ports. Those will take care of the external devices. Also, you will find a comfortable keyboard on the front. Typing on it will be pretty easy. And thanks to the flexible hinge, you can use it in tablet mode if you want to.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

Unlike some of the models from the Acer Swift lineup, this one comes with a competent Intel Core i7 processor, which pairs up with 16GB of RAM and a fast 512GB of SSD. It even has a great display on the front.

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2. Apple MacBook Air Laptop 2020

You probably already know how great an Apple laptop is. They are the rival of a perfect windows laptop. And when it comes to the new Macbook Air, the 2020 model is the one that caught our eyes first.

First, let us start by talking about the performance of this Apple Macbook Air. It utilizes the all-new Apple M1 chip. This CPU has eight cores and can deliver 3.5 times more performance than an older Macbook Air. So, you will not have to worry about not getting an adequate level of performance.

Another thing that makes it reside among the best laptops for casual use is the overall efficiency. The CPU is highly efficient and is paired with the longest battery life that a Macbook Air could ever offer. Depending on your tasks, you can expect to get up to 18 hours of runtime.

The excellent laptop also comes with a stunning display on the front. Its 13.3 inches Retina display will make your images come alive with unique levels of realism. Also, it packs 8GB of unified RAM, which will handle memory-hogging tasks like they are nothing at all. There is a 256GB SSD storage present as well.

 Why Should You Purchase This Product?

This Macbook air will serve you exceptionally well when it comes to regular day-to-day use. It checks all of the criteria to reside among the best laptops for casual use. And its display and processor are both top-notch.

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3. HP Pavilion 2-in-1 15.6″

When there was a craze for the Microsoft Surface Laptop, major laptop brands such as HP came up with their own twist. And this specific budget laptop is something that you would want to consider if you liked what Microsoft Surface Laptop had to offer.

Just like the Microsoft Surface Laptop, you can use it in different modes. Thanks to the flexible hinge, you can position the screen at any angle you want. Also, the brand did not skimp one bit when it came to the display. They have opted for a WLED backlit panel that has a screen size of 15.6 inches.

In terms of horsepower, the HP laptop utilizes the Intel Core i5 8265U. This 8^th generation processor will be capable of handling most of the day-to-day tasks pretty easily. It even integrates Intel graphics, which will be capable of doing light gaming and allow you to watch content with full pleasure.

There is 512GB of SSD storage. That amount of space is more than enough to store multiple large-sized files. Also, the HP laptop integrates 8GB of high-bandwidth RAM. For that reason, multitasking will be a breeze. You will even find loads of I/O ports on the side, including a slot for the headphone jack.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

This inexpensive product has got it all when it comes to being the best budget laptop. It has a great CPU, pairs a good amount of ram, has a large display, and features a fast SSD. Unlike any other inexpensive laptop, you will get excellent performance out of it.

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4. Acer Aspire 5

Getting gaming laptops is great and all. But when it comes to portability, they will really not get the topmost positions of the best laptops for casual usage. Well, that is where light laptops such as this offering from Acer come into play.

As we have mentioned, this light laptop integrates a thin and slim design. Such a form factor allows it to achieve higher overall portability. It will not be an issue for you to carry it with you from one place to another. And the lightness and sleekness of this light laptop make it a perfect laptop for college students.

Apart from the form factor, the brand utilized top-of-the-line hardware to offer excellent performance. You will get desktop-class AMD Ryzen 7 inside the system. The integrated Radeon Graphics, RAM capacity, and clock speed of the processor will let you do most of the tasks without facing any troubles.

The laptop also provides excellent battery life. It can last for up to 7.5 hours, which is not a bad battery life for a system that can act as a gaming laptop. Also, the screen is great! It is 15.6 inches and has an FHD resolution. As the panel is IPS, color and brightness will be top-notch. It even comes at an affordable price point.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

This is yet another inexpensive laptop in our list of the best laptops for casual use. Also, it does not utilize lower-end intel processors like some other budget laptops. Instead, it relies on a powerful CPU that can handle the operating system smoothly. The integrated GPU makes it a good pick for a casual gaming laptop as well.

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5. ASUS VivoBook L203MA

You might not have that much of a high budget when looking for the best laptops for day-to-day use. Well, in that case, you need to take a look at what Asus is offering here.

Even though it does not have a hefty price tag slapped on it, it will not let you down when it comes to performance. It integrates one of the most efficient Intel processors. The Celeron N4000 can boost up to 2.6GHz and will be capable of handling most personal applications and the Windows operating system with ease.

Furthermore, the overall form factor will make the system highly portable. Its thickness is just 0.7 inches, weight 2.2 pounds, and it features a sleek design. So, carrying it in your backpack will not be a hassle. Though it is small and light, it has loads of ports. And there is a high-end wireless chip present as well.

The display is quite large, considering the overall form factor of the laptop. It is 11.6 inches, which will let you view content, such as tech tutorials, with full enjoyment. Furthermore, it boasts a fantastic keyboard on the front that is comfortable and will let you type all day without facing any comfort issues.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

This is an excellent laptop if you are looking for something light and small in size. And even though it does not have a backlit keyboard, the keys are pretty comfortable to type on. Also, the processor is highly efficient, which will contribute to it having a long battery life.

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6. HP Chromebook 11 G4

The brand HP is well known for offering laptops that come with the Chrome operating system. And this specific model that we will talk about can properly illustrate how great their offering usually are.

As we stated, this comes with Chrome OS. This operating system is reasonably light and does not require that much power to run. For that reason, the battery life on this is spectacular. It utilizes a Celeron N2840 and 2GB of RAM. This combination will allow you to run personal apps without facing any issues.

In addition to that, it features a slim and light form factor. In fact, it might beat the Microsoft Laptop Surface when it comes to weight and compactness. And due to how compact and light it is, you can carry it all day without facing any fatigue on your shoulder. It will not take that amount of space inside the backpack either.

There are a good number of I/O present as well. It has an HDMI port along with two USB ports for letting you swiftly connect to different devices. Also, the screen on the front is 11.6 inches. That screen size is considerably large as the overall form factor is pretty light and thin. It even has an HD webcam on the front.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

The compact, thin, and light nature of the laptop is the main selling point. Its battery life is pretty praiseworthy. And the fact that it comes at an insanely low price point made it a worthy pick for the best laptops for casual use.

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7. MSI GF63 Thin 9SC-068

Apart from doing regular day-to-day tasks, you might want to do some games too. Yes, gaming laptops are usually clunky and do have a high portability rate. But MSI is here to change that!

The form factor is the first thing that makes it a great pick for the best laptop gaming and casual use. It is reasonably light and has a compact footprint. As a result, it will not take that much space on your backpack, nor will you have to train your muscles to carry it. You will even find a backlit keyboard on the front.

But that is not all! For being a gaming laptop, it sports a competent Intel Core i5. It can boost up 4.1 GHz and run most of the AAA games and casual games without showing any performance issues. Also, it has a dedicated Nvidia Gtx 1650, which is better than the Intel Iris XE that most of the regular offerings will have.

When it comes to the display, it has a screen size of 15.6 inches. The wide aspect ratio will let you get an immersive content-watching experience. It has an FHD resolution that will ensure that the images on the screen are crisp and clear. There is 8GB of RAM, along with a fast 256GB NVMe SSD too.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

This offering is a perfect pick for you if you are a light gamer looking for the best laptops for casual usage. It has a highly capable CPU, along with a dedicated GPU. Both of them will let you game, do regular day-to-day tasks effortlessly. Most importantly, it is light and compact.

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8. Dell Inspiron 14 5406 2 in 1

The Dell XPS 13 is pretty famous among casual laptop users. But what if we told you that you could get the same Dell XPS 13 build without having to spend that much money? Yes, it is absolutely possible! Take a look at this offering from them!

It has the same grey exterior that Dell XPS 13 is known for. The brand has opted for a sleek design as well. Also, as the overall build is made of aluminum, you can get the feel of running a high-end laptop, such as the Dell XPS 13, without having to pay the high-end price.

Just looks do not cut when it comes to laptops. And Dell did not skimp one bit in terms of performance either. The system comes with an 11^th Generation Intel Core i7 processor. Also, it has 12GB of RAM. Thanks to this combination, you can run demanding and resource-intensive applications efficiently.

The 11^th generation Intel Core i7 means that the integrated GPU will be capable too. And it is! It features Intel Iris Xe, which is more than capable of handling light to moderate graphical tasks. When it comes to the display, it has a screen size of 14 inches and an FHD resolution. The images on it will be sharp and crisp.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

The overall build quality of this offering is what makes it worthy of being among the best laptops for regular use. Also, the unit integrates a highly capable Intel CPU and a good amount of RAM.

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9. ASUS VivoBook F510QA

As you are browsing through the list of the best laptops for casual usage, you might want to opt for something that has a good processor with a large display. Well, if that is the case for you, consider this laptop from ASUS.

To begin with, it comes with a Quad-Core AMD CPU. The processor can boost up to 3.6 GHz and will be capable of handling everyday applications efficiently. It even comes with Integrated R7 graphics. That can power up some light games and process different graphical applications without any hiccups.

What about the screen? Well, it has a 15.6 inches display. The Full HD screen utilizes a wide aspect ratio, which will enable you to get right into the content you are viewing. There is splendid software enhancement too. That will redefine your movie-watching and video-watching experience.

The overall footprint is pretty compact. It has a thickness of 0.8 inches, a weight of around 5 pounds, and a width of 14.2 inches. So, carrying it around should not be something that you would need to worry about. Also, it contains a fast SSD, which will let you access files quickly and lower the bootup time significantly.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

It is a great laptop for the money. The system comes with a capable AMD CPU, has a fast SSD, and an excellent display on the front. You cannot go wrong with it.

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10. iProda Laptop 14.1 Inch

Another budget option that is worthy of being on the list of the best laptops for casual usage is this one from iProda. It has a lot to offer for the price tag. Want to know about them all? Go through the entire review.

First, the processor! It integrates a 6^th generation Core i3 CPU. The 14nm design, along with a base clock speed of 2.4 GHz, will ensure that you can run all your personal applications, browse the web, and do regular day-to-day tasks at ease. It is reasonably power-efficient and runs cool too.

Even though it comes under a budget, it does not lag behind one bit when it comes to storage. Instead of a clunky HDD, it integrates a super-fast SSD. Thanks to that, you can view, access, and move files quickly. Also, booting up on the operating system will not take that long.

It even pairs up 8GB of high-bandwidth RAM. You can multitask without worrying about hiccups. Also, the front has a 14.1 inches IPS display. It has an FHD resolution and will be capable of outputting images with higher sharpness and clarity. Thanks to the 5200mAh cell, the battery life will be great as well.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

Budget laptops do not get any better than this. It has a highly capable CPU that is paired with an adequate amount of RAM. Also, you will find a super-fast SSD that will take care of large-sized files.

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11. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14

The Lenovo laptops are well-known for offering a great overall value proposition. And the same trend is prevalent for this specific model that we will take a look into.

In terms of power, it relies on the highly efficient Intel Celeron N4020 CPU. It can run on a low voltage, which will increase the overall battery life of the system. And the processor holds the power to run most everyday personal applications. So, you will not have to worry about not being able to run your regular apps on this.

On the front, it has a 14 inches display. The bezels are narrow, and it has a wide aspect ratio. For that reason, you will have an excellent content-watching experience on this. There are built-in stereo speakers too. That will enhance the audio-listening experience and will allow you to get fully into the content.

The overall form factor is reasonably light. It is impressively thin too. The thickness is just at 1.1 inches, the weight is at 3 pounds, and the width is pretty low in comparison. Even the wireless chip is high-end. Thanks to that, you can get a stable Bluetooth connection on wireless devices. Also, it has loads of I/O ports.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

This is yet another great pick if you are within a budget. The processor is power-efficient and can handle most personal applications easily. Also, the display on the front is reasonably large, and it has built-in stereo speakers.

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12. HP Chromebook 14

If you were on the lookout for the best laptops that comes with Chrome OS and has a fast CPU, then keep this offering from HP on your consideration.

First of all, the unit comes with a 14 inches IPS panel. The display has an anti-glare coating on the surface and features a micro-edge bezel on the sides. Due to the wide aspect ratio, it will be capable of providing a redefined movie-watching and content-watching experience.

The laptop also comes with a competent Celeron N400 processor. That CPU will be capable of handling all of the personal applications and other moderate processes without slowing down. Also, it has Intel UHD graphics, which will let you run light and moderate games pretty easily.

It pairs the whole system up with a large capacity battery. The battery life will be great for that. You will also find a high-end wireless chip under the hood, which will enable you to make a secure and stable connection with devices. The overall form factor is pretty slim and compact too.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

This Chrome OS machine has everything you want to see in a machine running with a Chrome operating system. The screen is good, utilizes a pretty good display, and has an integrated GPU.

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13. HP Stream 11.6

Slim design paired up with a budget price point does not always have to mean that the laptop has to be less capable. Do not believe us? Take a look at what HP is offering with this laptop.

Let us talk about the CPU first. It features the reliable and power-efficient Intel Celeron N400 that you will find in most of the great budget options. The processor has the ability to run most of the applications and handle multitasking pretty easily. Also, there is a high-bandwidth RAM, which will efficiently handle multiple apps.

The overall form factor is pretty compact. It will fit into your backpack pretty easily. Also, it does not weigh that much. As a result, you will not even feel any fatigue if you decide to carry it with you throughout the entire day. The battery life is great as well. Depending on running apps, it can last for up to 12 hours.

Although it comes in a budget price point, the display tells a whole different story. It has an 11.6 inches panel on the front. For how compact it is, the screen is reasonably large. The display even comes with an anti-glare coating on the top. That coating will ensure you do not face any issues while watching content.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

If you are on a budget but looking for a laptop that is sleek, slim and has capable components, this offering might be for you. Even the screen is pretty good, and it has an overall compact footprint.

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14. LG Gram 17Z90P

Want to get a lightweight machine? Are you worrying about whether lightweight systems provide an outstanding overall performance or not? You need to check out the LG Gram!

Just like the name suggests, the laptop is within grams! Yes, it is just around 3 pounds. In fact, it is probably the lightest powerful laptop that you will find out there. There is a large screen on the front. It is 17 inches and has a WQXGA resolution. As the panel is IPS, color production will be top-notch.

Apart from being highly portable, the processor that it comes with is highly capable of handling resource-intensive and heavy tasks. It utilizes the latest and top-of-the-line 11^th generation Core i7. Paired with the Intel Xe graphics, it will let you run graphical applications with ease too.

The light laptop does not back down one bit when it comes to the storage and RAM as well. It integrates 16 GB of DDR4 RAM. Memory-intensive tasks will be nothing to the system for that. Also, it flaunts 2TB of NVMe SSD. You will not even face any issues in connecting external devices, thanks to loads of I/O ports.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

The fact that it is exceptionally light in weight and can provide a stellar overall performance impressed us. Also, the screen on the front is reasonably large, and it has a higher overall resolution. You can enjoy content with higher fidelity and sharpness.

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15. Winnovo Laptop Computers 14

One of the pretty common problems among the budget options is that they will not integrate a high-resolution display. However, the case for this laptop from Winnovo is pretty different.

The display features a full HD resolution. Its clarity and sharpness are higher than what some of the laptops in the higher price point can offer. And as it is an IPS screen, you will be capable of browsing through images, watching videos, and movies with complete pleasure. Also, it is 14 inches in size.

Aside from just featuring an outstanding display, it holds the ability to provide great overall performance too. The system utilizes an Intel Celeron N3350 CPU. And there is a good amount of RAM present. The 6GB of RAM that it boasts will let you multitask with peace. You can take full advantage of the CPU.

It features a compact and slim form factor. The weight is just around 3 pounds, and the whole thing is just 0.78 inches thick. Because of the overall light footprint, it achieves a higher portability level. The laptop also utilizes a high-end wireless chip. For that reason, you can expect to get a secure and stable wireless connection.

Why Should You Purchase This Product?

Who said affordable laptops need to have a sub-par screen on the front? This affordable system comes with a 14 inches FHD panel. It even has 6GB of RAM along with a capable CPU.

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What to Look for Before Buying Best Laptop for Casual Use

We know that you are pretty thrilled to get one of the systems we have covered on our list. However, before you jump in and make a purchase decision, we recommend keeping some of the critical factors in mind.

Why? Those will let you scrutinize the options properly and allow you to make a proper purchase decision. So, without further ado, let us get into it!

Processor

First and foremost, you need to consider the CPU. Yes, we know that there is really no need for a highly powerful CPU for casual usage. But having one will let you do relatively resource-intensive and heavy tasks without facing any performance issues.

If the model you are considering comes with an Intel chip, opt for the 6^th Generation Intel Core series or higher. Intel Core i5 or i3 would be the middle point and would generally be the best for casual usage. But if you want top-notch performance, opt for Core i7.

When it comes to AMD, the Ryzen series would be the ones we would recommend. However, the Athlon series is not that bad either. They do offer a good amount of performance for casual usage. And for the top-of-the-line performance, opt for Ryzen 7.

Graphics

Most of the laptops that are for casual usage will have an integrated GPU. However, that is not a bad thing. The Vega GPU of Ryzen processors is great for handling light to moderate graphical applications. In fact, you can even play some competitive games with it. The same goes for Intel Xe and UHD graphics.

That said, if you want to get a better overall gaming experience, a dedicated GPU is for you! But as a casual user, you might not want to get the top-of-the-line GPUs. Instead, opt for Nvidia 1650 or 3050.

RAM

The RAM is the thing that most casual laptops will lag behind. We cannot stress enough how important it is to have at least 8GB of RAM. However, there are plenty of brands still offering their laptops with 4GB of RAM.

Well, even if the option comes with 4GB of RAM, ensure that there is an upgrade slot available. Without that, you will be stuck with soldered 4GB of RAM for life. And 4GB of RAM cannot even handle four chrome tabs that well. So, that amount of RAM is for extremely light-casual use.

Storage

As a casual user, you might want to keep movies and large files inside the laptop. For that, you would need at least 256GB of space. However, if you are an exceptionally light user, the 64GB or 128GB drives will be more than enough for you.

But, capacity is not the only thing that you would have to consider in this case. You should also factor in whether the drive is an SSD or not. Traditional HDD storage drives are dated now. They are sub-par when it comes to performance and are not that reliable.

Display

The display is an essential factor that you need to consider before making a purchase. Even with a great CPU and GPU, you cannot enjoy the things on the screen if the panel is not that great. When it comes to size, our recommendation would be not to get something that is smaller than 10 inches.

On the other hand, 720p would be good enough for relatively small and compact devices. But if the screen size is around 14 inches or higher, opt for the 1080p displays. Those will allow you to enjoy the content with higher sharpness and clarity.

In addition to that, we would highly recommend getting the IPS panels. Those can offer excellent color production, and the details will be great too.

Cooling System

We know that most of the offerings for casual users will utilize thermal-efficient and power-efficient components. However, some will skimp on the thermal solution so much that even those types of components will start to overheat.

And you would not want your system to overheat. Why? Well, when the heat is not within the optimal range, there will be thermal throttling. That means lower overall performance. So, check whether the cooling system is adequate or not before making a purchase.

I/O Ports

Even if you are a casual user, you might feel the need to use external devices from time to time. And not having a good amount of I/O ports can limit you substantially in those cases. So, before you make a purchase, you need to ensure that the system comes with a good number of ports.

Keyboard

Some of the brands will not integrate a good keyboard. And that means the typing experience on them will not be great. Now that is something you would not expect from the best laptop for casual usage, would you? For that reason, you should check whether the integrated keyboard is comfortable or not.

Form Factor

Last but not least, consider the form factor. You would not want to carry something that takes too much space and is hefty, would you? That’s right! You need to check whether the portability level of the laptop is high or not. Those will be light and compact in terms of footprint.

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FAQs on Best Laptop for Casual Use 

Conclusion on Best Laptop for Casual Use 

Even if you are an extremely light user, you should not opt for anything other than the best laptop for casual use if you want a great user experience. So, before you pick one, consider the options we have reviewed and factor in all of the essential points we have gone through.