Working from home more these days? Attending Zoom meetings has become a huge part of everyday work life. Having a reliable laptop is a necessity, but that doesn’t mean it has to break the bank. Read on to find the best budget laptop for Zoom meetings.
Whether you work from home full time, need to collaborate with co-workers over video, or are attending online classes, Zoom meetings have become the norm in our culture. It’s incredible important to have a capable laptop with a good microphone and webcam for video conferencing, but you might be surprised to find out that doesn’t have to translate to something expensive.
The right laptop choice needs to have enough specifications to run all the features of video conferencing, whether you choose to use Zoom, Skype, Google Meet or another similar application.
There are quite a few affordable laptops on the market right now that are budget-friendly and come with all of the specs needed. Read on for 10 of the best budget laptops for video conferencing under $1,000.
Note: Some links may be affiliate links. That means I may make a commission if you use my links to purchase, at no extra added cost to you! I only recommend products that I personally love and believe in. Full disclosure here.
10 Best Budget Laptops for Zoom Meetings or Video Conferencing
HP Pavilion 15
The HP Pavilion 15 is a great budget laptop for Zoom meetings and video conferencing. With a sleek design and a comfortable keyboard and trackboard, it also has a clear microphone and good quality webcam.
According to reviewers, the Intel XE integrated graphics are great and the 11th Gen i5-1135G7 CPU performs well.
It has a quality touch display with good colors, a multitude of connectivity options thanks to the inclusion of dual USB-A and a USB-C, and can support Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and Wi-Fi 6 with a 7 hour battery.
PROS:
Quality design
Touch display
Clear microphone
Strong performance
CONS:
Slightly short battery life
Get More Details Here: HP Pavilion 15
ASUS VivoBook 15
ASUS laptops are affordable, reliable and durable. The ASUS VivoBook 15 is a great option for streaming and Zoom conferencing.
With a larger display size of 15.6 inches, 8 GB of memory and 128 GB of storage, this laptop also comes with Bluetooth connectivity.
PROS:
Affordable
Larger display
CONS:
Limited capabilities
Get More Details Here: ASUS VivoBook 15
Acer Aspire 5
The Acer Aspire 5 is considered by many to be one of the best budget laptops for Zoom. While it’s display isn’t the best, it’s more than adequate as a business laptop to multitask and run apps on.
With a 11th Gen i5-1135G7, 8GB of memory, and up to 256GB of SSD storage, it’s thin and lightweight. It has a good webcam and microphone, comes with both dual USB-A and a USB-C port, and both Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity are supported. It also has a 10 hour battery life
PROS:
Slim and lightweight design
Good specs
Solid microphone and webcam
CONS:
Display isn’t great
Reviews say the trackpad feels a bit loose
Get More Details Here: Acer Aspire 5
Lenovo V14
The Lenovo V14 has a large memory and comes with a good amount of storage (which is great if you like to store your files on your computer). It has a 14-inch display, as well as a solid webcam and microphone.
2.4 GHz processor, 12 GB DDR4 SDRAM of memory and a huge 1 TB of storage.
PROS:
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
Large amount of storage
CONS:
Might not be able to handle a Zoom virtual background
Get More Details Here: Lenovo V14
Dell Inspiron 15 3000
The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is one of the most affordable laptops on this list. It has a thin design that makes it easy to use on the go, and its Intel UHD graphics, optional upgrade of 8GB of memory and 256GB SSD, along with its 11th Gen i3-1115G4, delivers enough power for solid performance.
It comes with three USB-A ports for peripherals, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and a 7-hour battery life. It doesn’t have Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and reviews say the display is a little dim.
However, even with the limitations it is a great budget laptop for Zoom meetings, Skype, Google Meet and other video conferencing needs.
PROS:
Very affordable
720p HD Webcam and Digital Microphone
CONS:
No Wi-Fi 6
Shorter battery life
Get More Details Here: Dell Inspiron 15 3000
Lenovo S330
The Lenovo Chromebook S330 is a perfect choice if you are looking for a truly inexpensive laptop for basic video conferencing needs. This is also a great option for parents who need to purchase an inexpensive machine for their child for remote school or for college students. It’s a good laptop for everyday use.
With a 14 inch display, 4 GB LPDDR3 RAM and 64 GB SSD of storage, it also has a great battery life, coming in at 10 hours.
PROS:
Good battery life
CONS:
Get More Details Here: Lenovo S330
Acer Swift 3X
The Acer Swift 3X is an incredibly thin and lightweight laptop that’s perfect if you need something that is constantly on the go.
This laptop has a good quality mic and webcam, making it perfect for Zoom meetings. It can be configured with up to an i7-1165G7 CPU and 1TB of SSD storage space. The FHD display is bright with quality colors, and it also has a strong 9-10-hour battery life.
It comes with a Thunderbolt 4 port and dual USB-A slots, making it easy to connect to the extras you need.
PROS:
Strong battery life
Great display
CONS:
More expensive than other options
Get More Details Here: Acer Swift 3X
HP FHD IPS
The HP FHD IPS is one of the fastest budget laptops for Zoom calls on this list. It’s great for video conferencing, web browsing, streaming, media playback and daily computer tasks too, all at an affordable price.
It has 3 wireless ports (including USB-C and HDMI) and Bluetooth connectivity, a large 15.6 inch screen. With a processor speed up to 2.8 GHz and 128 GB of storage, it also has an impressive 11 hours of battery life.
PROS:
Long battery life
Fast processing speed
CONS:
Heaviest laptop on this list
Graphics aren’t the greatest
Get More Details Here: HP FHD IPS
Apple MacBook Pro
Before we dive into this, I want to preface by saying that a NEW MacBook Pro is not a budget laptop. However, there are some reliable places that you can purchase a used, certified refurbished or renewed MacBook Pro for a great deal, which is why I’m including it on this list.
Many people prefer Apple products, but the cost can be limiting. There is nothing wrong with a certified refurbished laptop, especially if your preference is a MacBook! If you can’t afford a new laptop, it’s a good option.
With a 2.7 GHz core_i5_family processor, 8 GB memory and 128 GB SSD for storage and a beautiful display, MacBooks are made to be great at multitasking. MacBook Pro’s are also a great choice if you are a gamer or looking to accomplish light editing or graphic design.
If you like the Apple MacBook Pro but want something lighter, consider searching for a certified refurbished Apple MacBook Air.
PROS:
Great for multitasking
Good screen resolution
CONS:
A new one is pricey
Get More Details Here: Renewed Apple MacBook Pro
Frequently Asked Questions about Budget Laptops for Video Conferencing
What is the best computer for Zoom meetings?
All of the laptops on this list are great options for video conferencing, including Zoom meetings. Our top choice is the HP Pavilion 15, as it is budget-friendly, has great graphics, a good microphone and camera and is able to manage multiple things.
What do I need in a laptop for Zoom?
The best part of any video conferencing software, including Zoom, is that you don’t need a bunch of bells and whistles! If you’re looking for a laptop that will work for Zoom meetings, all you truly need is a desktop or laptop computer that has speakers, a video camera and a microphone.
Each affordable laptop on the above list was chosen with each of these things in mind. If your currently computer doesn’t have a camera, you can find some inexpensive camera options here on Zoom.
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There are Many Fantastic Budget Laptops for Zoom
No matter which laptop on this list you choose, there are many computers that are a great option for Zoom meetings or other video conferencing needs. Having a reliable device for video conferencing apps is incredibly important these days, as it’s no longer relegated to JUST work needs. Virtual learning for elementary school through college now relies on video, as do social meetups and more.
Luckily, there are plenty of affordable options out there, including many more budget laptops that didn’t make this list! Be sure whichever device you choose that it has a clear microphone and a quality webcam. Both of those make a big difference when it comes to you being able to be heard and as well as audio quality.
An additional factor to consider is the amount of storage and speed. The best laptops are fast, which will allow for better connectivity and faster loading of applications. Consider also the number of USB ports, the operating system, screen size and how long you can use it for on a single charge.
Both Windows laptops and Macs are good choices for video calls. It comes down to your personal preference and price range. If you’re on a tight budget, you can find a good cheap laptop for under $300.
In a pinch, remember that you can always use the Zoom app on your phone (though of course for better picture quality and good performance, a laptop is a better choice).
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