Best cheap laptops

Today's portable multimedia powerhouse is tomorrow's doorstop, so why spend thousands on a high-end laptop when a budget model can do nearly as much, at a fraction of the price? Let CNET UK guide you to the very best mobile computing options when money is tight.

When you haven't got much to spend, a shiny, pre-loved MacBook is a seductive alternative to a plasticky new portable PC. But used laptops can be riddled with little problems, and even a few big ones. Think corrupted operating systems, wheezing hard drives, expired batteries, rattling keys and gummed-up ports, complete with no warranty. If you do decide to buy second-hand, know exactly what you're getting into and bargain hard -- people often over-estimate what their beloved computer is now worth.

Two good reasons to choose a cheap new laptop over an even cheaper netbook are the screen and the keyboard. A screen over 12 inches in size will make surfing easier and let you have multiple windows open at a time. The resolution should be around 1,366x768 pixels or higher. Similarly, a full-size keyboard lets you type and use the trackpad at full speed. On the other hand, compact netbooks remain more practical for commuting. Most cheap laptops are pretty chunky and have only average battery life.

You can't expect aluminium unibodies at this end of the market, but build quality is still important. No laptop is cheap enough that you can afford for it to break if you slam the screen shut. Give moving parts the once-over and check that the battery, hard drive and memory are accessible for future replacements.

One of the great things about new computers is that you can often tweak their specs. Run through the components with a fine-tooth comb and, if you don't need something, don't pay for it. Large hard drives are becoming less important as services shift into the cloud, optical drives often just gather dust, and there's little point in splashing out on a blisteringly fast processor if you haven't got the memory and graphics card to back it up.

There are still Atom-powered laptops out there but many budget options these days come with 2GHz, or higher, dual-core processors for a welcome speed boost. Windows 7 Starter or Home Premium should come as standard -- think twice about settling for an XP or (shudder) Vista machine. Memory-wise, more is obviously better, but 2GB will suffice if you're not 3D gaming -- which you won't be, thanks to sluggish integrated GPUs rather than dedicated graphics cards.

Don't worry too much about the trackpad or stereo speakers -- they're usually rubbish and are easily and inexpensively upgraded with external devices. Speaking of which, three or more high-speed USB ports will always come in handy, as will Bluetooth connectivity. Wi-Fi is utterly essential, so road test its reception and range if at all possible.

Finally, when shopping for a budget laptop, spare a thought for last season's mid-range models. Their technology might be a little outdated, but superior build quality could make up for it. Below are a few suggestions to get you thinking.