Best Affordable Laptops Under £1000 | 5 Powerful Laptops that Cost Less than you’d Expect in 2025
If you think you need to spend thousands of pounds to get a high-performance laptop in 2025, think again. This year, the market is filled with sleek, powerful, and versatile machines that stay under the £1,000 price point—without feeling like budget compromises.
Whether you’re a student, a gamer, a creative professional, or simply someone who wants a reliable device for streaming and everyday work, we’ve rounded up the best laptops under £1000 in 2025. Plus, stick around until the end for an exciting honourable mention that might surprise you.
1. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 (14-inch) – Around £949
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 is proof that thin and light laptops can still pack a punch. At just under £950, this stylish ultrabook combines portability with impressive performance.
Inside, you’ll find an AMD Ryzen 7 processor paired with 16GB of RAM, making it a great choice for multitasking, 4K streaming, and even light gaming. But what really sets it apart is the OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering sharp visuals, vibrant colours, and smooth motion.
If you want a laptop that looks and feels high-end but still sits comfortably under the £1,000 mark, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 is an excellent option for students and professionals alike.
2. HP Spectre X360 – Around £849
Next on the list is the HP Spectre X360, a laptop that’s all about versatility. This 2-in-1 convertible device is perfect for those who want more than just a standard clamshell design.
The Ryzen 7 processor provides reliable power, while the large touchscreen and stylus support make it ideal for drawing, note-taking, and creative projects. Whether you’re working on spreadsheets, sketching ideas, or binge-watching your favourite shows, the HP X360 adapts seamlessly to your needs.
It’s a laptop that doesn’t just work for you—it works with you. For under £900, that flexibility is hard to beat.
3. Asus ZenBook 14 OLED – Around £699
If you’re working with a tighter budget but don’t want to sacrifice premium features, the Asus ZenBook 14 OLED is one of the best affordable laptops in the UK right now.
Priced at just £699, it offers an OLED display that rivals laptops twice its cost. The lightweight and durable build makes it perfect for students and freelancers on the go, while the performance is more than enough for everyday tasks, streaming, and light creative work.
This is the laptop for the money-conscious buyer who still values style and build quality. In short, the ZenBook 14 OLED proves that budget doesn’t have to mean boring.
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop (13-inch) – Around £899
Microsoft’s Surface Laptop has long been a favourite for those who want a balance of style, portability, and productivity, and the 2025 model continues that tradition.
With its PixelSense touchscreen, comfortable keyboard, and Intel Core Ultra chip, this laptop is designed for people who work on the move. It’s lightweight, elegant, and powerful enough to breeze through Windows 11 tasks without slowing down.
If you’re a student moving between lectures, a professional commuting to meetings, or simply someone who values premium design, the Surface Laptop is a stylish and practical choice at under £900.
5. Apple MacBook Air M4 (2025) – £999
No list of the best laptops under £1000 would be complete without mentioning Apple’s iconic MacBook Air. The new 2025 M4 model pushes the Air further than ever before, offering outstanding efficiency and performance.
With up to 18 hours of battery life, a gorgeous Retina display, and Apple’s unbeatable build quality, the MacBook Air continues to dominate the lightweight laptop market. The M4 chip is faster, more efficient, and even better at handling AI-powered tasks, making it a serious contender for creatives and professionals.
And yes—the base model still just sneaks in under the £1,000 limit, making it one of the smartest buys of the year.
Honourable Mention: Samsung Snapdragon X Elite Laptop – Under £800
While it didn’t make the top five, Samsung’s Snapdragon X Elite laptop deserves a special mention. Priced under £800, it offers silent fanless operation, impressive efficiency, and all-day battery life thanks to Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip.
The AMOLED display delivers rich colours and deep blacks, making it ideal for streaming or creative work. Lightweight and future-proof, it’s a fantastic choice for those who want something different from the usual suspects.
Final Thoughts: Which Laptop Under £1000 Is Best in 2025?
From the powerful Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 to the stylish Microsoft Surface Laptop, and from Apple’s refined MacBook Air to the budget-friendly Asus ZenBook 14 OLED, there’s something here for everyone. These laptops prove you don’t need to spend more than £1,000 to get performance, portability, and premium features in 2025.
If we had to break it down:
- Best Premium Choice: MacBook Air M4
- Best Value: Asus ZenBook 14 OLED
- Best for Creativity: HP Spectre X360
- Best Overall Balance: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7
Which laptop would you choose? Let us know your pick and join the discussion over on our YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there for more in-depth reviews and breakdowns of the best affordable laptops in 2025.
The Apple MacBook Air M4 (2025) is one of the best laptops you can buy under £1000 this year, thanks to its incredible battery life, powerful Apple Silicon chip, and premium build quality. However, if you’re looking for better value, the Asus ZenBook 14 OLED offers a fantastic display and performance at a much lower price point.
Yes, you can find laptops with Ryzen 7 processors and 16GB of RAM under £1000, such as the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7. These can handle light gaming and multitasking well. For more demanding games, you may need to adjust graphics settings or look at slightly higher price brackets.
For students, the HP Spectre X360 and Microsoft Surface Laptop are excellent choices. Both are lightweight, portable, and versatile, making them perfect for lectures, note-taking, and coursework. The Spectre X360 also offers pen support, which is ideal for creative students.
The Asus ZenBook 14 OLED, priced at around £699, is currently the cheapest laptop with an OLED screen in 2025. It offers stunning visuals usually found in premium devices while staying well below the £1000 limit.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop and the Samsung Snapdragon X Elite Laptop are both excellent travel companions. They are slim, portable, and offer long battery life, making them ideal for frequent travellers and remote workers.
