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Laptop Radar

Updated Nov 6, 2026

Best laptop for study and basic use today

Today’s picks

  1. The best for study and basic use
    score 7.9

    Asus

    ROG Strix G16 16″ Core i7-13650HX RTX 4060

    Core i7-13650HX64 GB RAM1.024 GB

    $1,059

    No history yet · today

    Amazon: the cheapest today

    Buy on AmazonMore details

    Who it’s for: Study and basic use · Gaming

    Pros: Costs 55% less than similar models; Dedicated graphics card; 64 GB of RAM

  2. Best value
    score 7.0

    Acer

    Swift Go 14″ Core Ultra 7

    Core Ultra 716 GB RAM512 GB

    $1,200

    No history yet · today

    Amazon: the cheapest today

    Buy on AmazonMore details

    Who it’s for: Study and basic use · Photo and video editing

    Pros: 16 GB of RAM; 512 GB SSD

    Cons: No dedicated graphics card

  3. The cheapest worth buying
    score 6.7

    Acer

    Aspire Go AG15-42P-R0CT-CA 15.6″ Ryzen 7 7730U

    Ryzen 7 7730U16 GB RAM1.024 GB

    $950

    No history yet · today

    Amazon: the cheapest today

    Buy on AmazonMore details

    Who it’s for: Study and basic use · Photo and video editing

    Pros: Costs 39% less than similar models; 16 GB of RAM; 1 TB SSD

  4. Programming
    score 8.1

    Dell

    Inspiron 15 3530 15.6″ Core i7-1355U

    Core i7-1355U32 GB RAM1.024 GB

    $1,719

    No history yet · today

    Amazon: the cheapest today

    Buy on AmazonMore details

    Who it’s for: Programming · Study and basic use

    Pros: Costs 31% less than similar models; 32 GB of RAM; 1 TB SSD

    Cons: No dedicated graphics card

  5. Top pick from Asus
    score 5.9

    Asus

    Vivobook S14 14″ Snapdragon X

    Snapdragon X8 GB RAM256 GB

    $1,000

    No history yet · today

    Amazon: the cheapest today

    Buy on AmazonMore details

    Who it’s for: Study and basic use

    Pros: Costs 20% less than similar models

    Cons: Only 8 GB of RAM; Only 256 GB of storage

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The best laptop for study and basic use today is the Asus ROG Strix G16 16″ Core i7-13650HX RTX 4060, $1,059 (score 7.9).

All models: Laptops for study and basic use

See the 24 highest-scoring modelsHide the list
Models in the segment, from highest score to lowest
ModelPriceScoreBuy
HP Omnibook 14″ Core Ultra 9 386H32 GB · 1 TB SSD$3,000at Amazon9.2Buy on Amazon
Acer Predator 18″ Core Ultra 9 275HX RTX 508032 GB · 1 TB SSD$4,299at Amazon9.0Buy on Amazon
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18″ Core Ultra 9 RTX 508032 GB · 2 TB$5,599at Amazon8.9Buy on Amazon
Asus Zenbook Duo 14″ Core Ultra 932 GB · 1 TB SSD$3,747at Amazon8.8Buy on Amazon
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16″ Core Ultra 9 RTX 5070 Ti32 GB · 1 TB SSD$4,299at Amazon8.7Buy on Amazon
MSI Katana A15 15.6″ Ryzen 9 8945HS RTX 407032 GB · 1 TB SSD$2,536at Amazon8.6Buy on Amazon
Asus ROG Strix G18 18″ Ryzen 9 8940HX RTX 506032 GB · 1 TB$3,199at Amazon8.6Buy on Amazon
MSI Stealth 14″ Core Ultra 9 RTX 407032 GB · 1 TB SSD$3,373at Amazon8.6Buy on Amazon
MSI Katana 15 HX 15.6″ Core i7-14650HX RTX 507032 GB · 1 TB SSD$2,500at Amazon8.5Buy on Amazon
MSI Katana 15 HX 15.6″ Core i7-14650HX RTX 50603 versions · 16 GB a 32 GB of RAM · 1 TB a 2 TB$2,400at Amazon8.4Buy on Amazon
MSI Vector 16 HX 16″ Core Ultra 7 255HX16 GB · 1 TB SSD$2,686at Amazon8.4Buy on Amazon
Dell 14 Plus 14″ Core Ultra 932 GB · 1 TB SSD$3,100at Amazon8.4Buy on Amazon
Dell 14 Plus 14″ Core Ultra 9 288V32 GB · 2 TB SSD$2,210at Amazon8.2Buy on Amazon
Dell Inspiron 15 3530 15.6″ Core i7-1355U32 GB · 1 TB SSD$1,719at Amazon8.1Buy on Amazon
HP Omnibook 14″ Core Ultra 7 35516 GB · 512 GB SSD$2,000at Amazon8.1Buy on Amazon
Asus Vivobook 17X 17.3″ Core i9-13900H24 GB · 2 TB SSD$2,001at Amazon8.1Buy on Amazon
MSI Modern 15.6″ Core i9-13900H32 GB · 1 TB SSD$2,497at Amazon8.0Buy on Amazon
Asus Vivobook S16 16″ Core Ultra 732 GB · 1 TB$2,800at Amazon8.0Buy on Amazon
MSI Modern 15 H 15.6″ Core 9 270H64 GB · 4 TB SSD$3,009at Amazon8.0Buy on Amazon
Asus ROG Strix G16 16″ Core i7-13650HX RTX 406064 GB · 1 TB SSD$1,059at Amazon7.9Buy on Amazon
Asus Googlebook 14″ Core Ultra 5 32516 GB · 512 GB SSD$1,800at Amazon7.9Buy on Amazon
HP Omnibook 16″ Core Ultra 7 255U32 GB · 1 TB SSD$1,812at Amazon7.9Buy on Amazon
Asus ROG Strix G16 16″ Core i7-14650HX RTX 506016 GB · 512 GB$2,450at Amazon7.9Buy on Amazon
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 16″ Core i7-13620H16 GB · 1 TB SSD$1,584at Amazon7.8Buy on Amazon

Laptops for study and basic use in numbers

How much it costs

Half of the 147 laptops cost up to $1,550; the range with the most models is from $0 to $2,000, with 98.

How many models there are in each price range, from $0 to $10,000. Half cost up to $1,550; across the whole catalog, the median is $1,155.98 models between $0 and $2,00039 models between $2,000 and $4,0009 models between $4,000 and $6,0001 model between $8,000 and $10,0009839901$0$2,000$4,000$6,000$8,000$10,000
  • half cost up to $1,550
  • whole catalog: $1,155

Cheapest $366 Lenovo Grade A T490s 14″ Core i5-8350U

Most expensive $8,499 Asus ROG Strix Scar 18″ Core Ultra 9 290HX RTX 5090

See the table by price range
Laptops for study and basic use by price range, against the whole catalog
Price rangeModels in the segmentIn the catalogMedian score of the segmentMedian score of the catalog
Under $81024824.84.5
$810 to $1,20033365.95.9
$1,200 to $1,80034387.07.0
$1,800 to $2,70030337.77.7
Over $2,70026278.48.4
See these models on the price and score map

What changed

This is the first check with history for this segment. Radar checks prices every day: from the next one on, this section shows what got cheaper, what got more expensive and what came in or left.

Brands

9 brands have a model here; Asus has the most, with 37 models.

and 4 brands more

Confirmed features

Counts only what each model’s listing confirms.

  • 48 of 147 have a confirmed dedicated graphics card

  • 35 of 147 have a 120 Hz or higher screen confirmed

  • 6 of 147 have an OLED screen confirmed

Against the whole catalog

  • +34%median price above the catalog’s
  • samemedian spec score: 6.7 vs 6.7
  • 68%of the catalog: 147 of 216 models
See the full table
Laptops for study and basic use against the whole catalog
IndicatorLaptops for study and basic useWhole catalogDifference
Models14721668% of the catalog
Median price$1,550$1,155+34%
Median score6.76.70.0 ponto
Lowest price$366$320+$46
Highest price$8,499$8,499igual

What the numbers say about laptops for study and basic use

  • Versions: 10 models have more than one version within the selection, from 256 GB to 4 TB. The model’s price is that of the cheapest version; the others appear on the card and in the list.
Size

Pick a size. Applies to all pages

How to read these numbers

Pick 1, best score for the price: Asus ROG Strix G16 16″ Core i7-13650HX RTX 4060, $1,059 at Amazon, on 06/11/2026. The median price of the 147 models on the list is $1,550.

How we choose
  • The picks combine a high rating and a price in line with the list: each one fits a way of spending, a use, or the brand that shows up most. The pros and cons come from each model’s spec sheet.
  • Stores: Amazon. We include stores we read every day through an open source or an affiliate program: the Radar collection, the Amazon catalog and the factory price database. A store that failed to load today is left out.
  • The same model in two stores is only merged with a catalog code, GTIN or the manufacturer’s full code. When in doubt, only one store is kept. A price far from the collected one (below 60% or above 150%) is left out.
  • Amazon appears without a price, only with the link: we don’t read Amazon prices in bulk.

Next step

See each laptop on the chart

Open the chart already filtered to Laptops for study and basic use.

See on the chart

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best laptop for study and basic use today?

Today it is the Asus ROG Strix G16 16″ Core i7-13650HX RTX 4060, for $1,059 (score 7.9).

Which laptop for study and basic use has the best value today?

The Acer Swift Go 14″ Core Ultra 7, for $1,200 (score 7.0).

Which laptop for study and basic use costs less without losing spec score?

The Acer Aspire Go AG15-42P-R0CT-CA 15.6″ Ryzen 7 7730U, for $950 (score 6.7).

How much does a laptop for study and basic use (8 GB of RAM or more and 256 GB or more) cost?

In the Nov 6, 2026 catalog, the median price of the 147 models in the segment is $1,550, and prices range from $366 to $8,499. The final price is the one at the store.

How does the Radar count the models in this segment?

Models whose specs list 8 GB of RAM or more and 256 GB of storage or more are included. Each model counts once: if it has more than one version within the rule, the price is that of the cheapest version and the others show on the card.

How does the Radar choose the laptops on the "best score for the price" line?

From cheapest to most expensive, the laptop that has a higher spec score than all the cheaper ones in the segment makes the line. Anything that costs more and has an equal or lower score is left out. The line doesn’t say which laptop to buy: it only shows which ones don’t lose on both score and price at once.

How often does this page change?

Every day, with each collection: numbers, chart, ranking and the "What changed" section are rebuilt with the day’s catalog. This edition is from November 6, 2026.

Read next

Laptops with 8 GB of RAM: median of $749Laptops with 256 GB of storage: median of $749Laptops up to $3,000: median of $1,049Laptops for studying up to $1,100: 46 models, median of $799Laptops for studying up to $1,400: 67 models, median of $950Laptops for studying up to $1,700: 85 models, median of $1,059Laptops for studying up to $1,800: 91 models, median of $1,100Laptops for studying up to $2,000: 98 models, median of $1,161Laptops for studying up to $2,100: 104 models, median of $1,199Laptops for studying up to $2,300: 113 models, median of $1,200Laptops for studying up to $2,400: 114 models, median of $1,200Laptops for studying up to $2,500: 117 models, median of $1,220Laptops for studying up to $2,600: 119 models, median of $1,290Laptops for studying up to $3,000: 127 models, median of $1,349Laptops for studying up to $3,200: 132 models, median of $1,399Laptops for studying up to $3,500: 136 models, median of $1,463Laptops for studying up to $3,800: 137 models, median of $1,476Laptops for studying up to $4,300: 142 models, median of $1,499Laptops for studying up to $5,600: 146 models, median of $1,550Laptops for studying over $3,500: 11 models, median of $4,299Black Friday laptops for studyingAll Radar overviewsOverview of new laptops: price, score and brandSee on the chart
Where the numbers come from

Lowest price seen for the product on Amazon.ca, delivered to Toronto M5V 3L9, on the day it was read, before GST/HST.

The price is the one recorded on the date shown. The spec score doesn’t measure real-world performance or durability.

Data from Nov 6, 2026.