I can hardly wait to check out the newest 2025 laptops with… well, hardly anything new for double the cost. That’s literally what I texted my friend Matt the other night. He laughed, but we both know there’s some truth to it.
Laptop prices are skyrocketing. More so if you’re in the U.S., where manufacturers are hiking prices and tariffs aren’t helping. I’ve seen gaming laptops selling for over $5,000 and slim ultrabooks creeping close to $2,000. Crazy. Other countries have already been dealing with inflated laptop pricing, but now it feels like it’s getting out of control everywhere.
Here’s the best part: you don’t have to throw money at these new “shiny but same” computers. Last year’s laptops are still the best in class in most categories — and the best part is that they’re always on sale. In this guide, I’m dissecting the best last year’s laptops that offer you 90% of what the new ones offer, for sometimes half the cost.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
- Top Thin & Light Laptops
- Thin & High-End Options
- Surface Laptop 7 – Is It Worth It?
- Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (AI Edition)
- Asus Zenbook S14
- HP Omnibook Ultra Flip
- The MacBook Air Conundrum
- High-Performance Laptops That Still Stand
- Best-Kept Secrets Under $1,500
- Gaming & Creator Machines Worth Your Money
- The MacBook Pro M4 Series
- Windows High-End Choices
- Last Thoughts
Laptop Comparison Table
Here’s a quick comparison table to help you see the highlights side by side before diving into the details:
| Laptop Model | Screen | Processor | RAM/Storage | Strengths | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 13 | 13″ basic | Intel Core | 16GB / 512GB | Affordable, dependable | ~$600 |
| Slim 7x | 14.5″ OLED | Qualcomm ARM | 16GB / 512GB | Gorgeous OLED, battery life | $749–$799 |
| Surface Laptop 7 (X+) | 13.5″/15″ | Qualcomm ARM | 16GB / 512GB+ | Premium design, keyboard | ~$950 |
| Yoga Slim 7i AI | 15.3″ | Intel Lunar Lake | 16GB / 512GB | Efficient, powerful | ~$999 |
| Asus Zenbook S14 | 14″ OLED | Intel | 16GB / 512GB | Portable, stylish | ~$1,000 |
| HP Omnibook Ultra Flip | 14″ Touch 2-in-1 | Intel Lunar Lake | 16GB / 512GB | 2-in-1 versatility | ~$1,100 |
| MacBook Air M3 | 13″/15″ | Apple M3 | 16GB / 256–512GB | Battery life, bargain | $800–$1,000 |
| HP Omnibook Ultra (Clamshell) | 15″ | AMD Ryzen 9 | 32GB / 1TB | Heavy multitasking | $900–$1,000 |
| Asus ROG Zephyrus G14/G16 | 14″/16″ OLED | AMD + RTX 4060–4070 | 16GB+ | Gaming, creators | $1,100–$1,400 |
| Predator Helios Neo 14 | 14″ | Intel Ultra 9 + RTX 4070 | 32GB | Raw performance | ~$1,300 |
| MacBook Pro M4 | 14″/16″ | Apple M4/M4 Pro/Max | 16GB+ | Best all-rounder | $2,000+ |
| Lenovo Legion Pro 7i | 16″ | Intel + RTX 4080/4090 | 32GB+ | Powerhouse, upgradeable | $2,200–$2,500 |
1. Top Thin & Light Laptops
If you need something compact, dependable, and cheap, the HP 13 remains one of the sure things. It’s a low-frills 13-inch laptop that covers the essentials.
- Sale price: Usually around $600
- Features: 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, good keyboard, decent-enough screen
- Why it’s excellent: It aced everyday tasks — browsing, Office apps, video calls
Yes, it’s unflashy and has a slight plasticky feel. But if you seek substance rather than flash, this is where you begin.
2. Slim & Premium Options
If you’re looking for something with a little more panache, the Slim 7x is an excellent choice.
- Stunning 14.5-inch OLED screen (in all seriousness, the best OLED we tested)
- Bright as can be, rapid refresh rate, sharp resolution
- Premium quality with great battery life
- Generally discounted to $749–$799
But here’s the catch: it runs on a Qualcomm processor (ARM Windows). Translation: some specialized apps and games won’t run. The trackpad also feels clunky and loud.
Still, if you’re sticking to Zoom, Office, browsing, and streaming — this laptop is one of the best value ultrabooks of 2025.
3. Surface Laptop 7 – Is It Worth It?
This one divides people. I myself purchased the Surface Laptop 7 (X+ version) for myself. Here’s why:
- Stunning screen with high resolution
- One of the best keyboards I’ve ever used
- Great haptic trackpad
- Light, portable, and feels premium
- Frequent sales for around $950
Downsides? Battery life isn’t stellar, and again, it uses Qualcomm chips. That leaves you out of luck if you require full Windows support (such as for games like League of Legends). It also heats up.
There is an Intel “Lunar Lake” option, but Microsoft only sells it to business customers. It addresses the issues, but it costs an awful lot more.
Bottom line: if you simply need a high-end Windows laptop for light use, this is a great choice.
4. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (AI Edition)
If you’d rather not mess around with ARM compatibility headaches, the Yoga Slim 7i AI Edition is an easy call.
- 15.3-inch display (bright, high-res, rapid refresh)
- Small and light for its size
- Boasts Intel’s new Lunar Lake processors — efficient, cool, and powerful enough to handle most tasks
- Excellent keyboard and trackpad
- Sale price: approximately $999
It’s a bit bland in looks, but performance + usability-wise, it’s one of the best balanced laptops available.
5. Asus Zenbook S14
It’s the smaller version for people who prefer extreme portability.
- Thin, svelte, beautiful design
- OLED high refresh rate screen
- Great battery life
- Usually priced around $1,000
The glossy screen may be reflective, and it’s not bright enough for outdoor use. But if you spend most of your time indoors, this is one of the finest student and travel laptops currently available.
6. HP Omnibook Ultra Flip
A secure jack-of-all-trades. It’s an ultrabook you can think of as the “Jack of all trades.”
- Features Intel’s Lunar Lake processor
- 2-in-1 with touchscreen + pen support
- Good screen brightness
- Convenient keyboard and haptic trackpad
- Priced at around $1,100
If you’re torn between MacBooks, this is the type of computer you can just purchase and not regret.
7. The MacBook Air Dilemma
Apple just released the new M4 MacBook Air… and honestly, it’s underwhelming. Still the same issues:
- 60Hz screen
- Low-travel keyboard
- Only 256GB starting storage
- Restricted ports
The only actual change? A $100 price reduction.
This actually makes the older M3 MacBook Air a much greater bargain:
- 16GB / 256GB model for $800 (on sale)
- 512GB model for $1,000
For general use, you won’t see a difference between M3 and M4. They both are efficient, sufficient in speed, and offer great battery life. As a light user, the M3 Air is a bargain in 2025.
8. Laptops That Still Perform Well
If more power is needed, look at the HP Omnibook Ultra (clamshell). I initially wrote it off, but at $900–$1,000, it’s irresistible:
- AMD Ryzen 9 (Zen 5)
- 32GB RAM
- Sturdy build quality
Cons: heavier than thin laptops, only 60Hz screen, and the keyboard is shallow. But for programmers, engineers, or heavy multitaskers who are on a budget, this laptop is a monster.
9. Hidden Gems Under $1,500
Some sleeper picks:
- IdeaPad Pro 516: Amazing starter device with dedicated graphics (~$800)
- Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 & G16: Gaming-oriented, OLED screens, RTX 4060–4070 GPUs. G14 begins at ~$1,100, G16 at ~$1,400. Cons? Older chips get warmer.
- Yoga Pro 9i: Mini LED screen, 32GB RAM, ideal for coding/creative use. $1,300–$1,500.
10. Gaming & Creator Machines Worth Your Money
If you desire raw graphics performance:
- Predator Helios Neo 14: RTX 4070, Intel Ultra 9 chip, 32GB RAM. Priced ~$1,300. Cons: heavy and hot, but amazing performance for the money.
11. The MacBook Pro M4 Series
Where Apple excels.
- Crazy performance with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips
- Whisper-quiet, power-efficient, and battery-friendly
- Premium build, speakers, webcam, ports — all great
- 14-inch and 16-inch options
Sure, they’re pricey, but compared to bloated Windows prices, they actually seem worth it. These are the laptops that will be with you the longest.
12. Top-Finish Windows Options
One final note: the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i.
- RTX 4080/4090 + Intel 14th Gen processors
- Upgradable RAM
- Stunning high-refresh panel
- Terrific keyboard
- Sale price: ~$2,200–$2,500
Downsides: it’s thick, heavy, and loud under load. But if you’re a gamer or creator who wants a Windows powerhouse, this is one of the few big laptops still worth the money.
13. Final Thoughts
Laptop pricing in 2025 feels insane. Manufacturers keep pumping out “new” models with minimal changes and bloated MSRPs. But here’s the truth: last year’s laptops are where the value is.
If you need a $600 thin-and-light for school, a $1,000 workhorse for work, or a $2,000 gaming machine — there are sweeter deals in last year’s models than in the new ones.
Tip: never buy full price. Ever. Sales prices are real prices. Wait patiently, observe the deals, and you’ll have a laptop that is almost as good as the 2025 flagships, at half the cost.
Ultimately, the only way we resist preposterous prices is by not purchasing overpriced laptops. Stay with the best value choices, and you’ll come out ahead both in performance and your wallet.
