Top Picks for the Casual Nomad

Your options 9 top results, ranging in price from $281 to $424, with accessories.

Let's start with a broad search. The following offer the best value for the lowest price regardless of format preference. As a result, you will most likely see stationary computers down here and maybe a few portable options. You have the option to look for a specific kind of device at the bottom of the page.

• 

  Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) from $4003% cheaper than usual
  ~$514 with accessories

  The 2018 version of the iPad is almost identical to its predecessor but features slightly improved performance and now support the Apple Stylus, if desired.

  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	4.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	2/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	3/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	3/5
  Versatility for the Price	4/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by Large Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	4.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	3/5

  performance in Microsoft Word 2016

  2/5

  More than the bare minimum but not quite recommended specs.

  performance in Microsoft Excel 2016

  1/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  Specs

  Processor: Apple A10

  Graphics: Apple A10 Graphics

  Memory: 2.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 9.7"

  Screen Resolution: 2048×1536

  Dimensions: 24.00 x 16.95 x 0.75 cm

  Weight: 0.47 kg

  detailed info

  from $399.99

  • $399.99 from The Source (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 11:12:20, EDT
  • $412.99 from Costco (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 11:12:35, EDT
  • $419.00 from Staples (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 11:13:01, EDT
  • $429.00 from Apple (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 06:15:06, EDT
  • $429.00 from Walmart (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 06:15:28, EDT
  • $429.99 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 10:49:01, EDT
  • $429.99 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 10:49:19, EDT
  • $429.99 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 10:49:40, EDT
  • $429.99 from London Drugs (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 06:15:18, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Acer 11.6" Convertible Chromebook from $370;
  ~$484 with accessories

  It might not be the most capable laptop out there, but as a netbook or tablet, it's a great fit for casual use for a minimal investment... Read More about the CB5-132T-C7R5

  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Laptops standards

  Bang for the Buck	2.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	4.5/5

  by Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	4/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	2/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by Netbooks standards

  Bang for the Buck	4.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	4/5
  Storage	3/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	3/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by Large Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	4/5
  Versatility for the Price	5/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	1/5
  Portability	2/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  performance in Microsoft Word 2016

  2/5

  More than the bare minimum but not quite recommended specs.

  performance in Microsoft Excel 2016

  2/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  Specs

  Processor: Intel Celeron N3160

  Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 400

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 11.6"

  Screen Resolution: 1366×768

  Dimensions: 29.39 x 20.40 x 1.93 cm

  Weight: 1.30 kg

  detailed info

  from $369.99

  • $369.99 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 11:44:08, EDT
  • $369.99 from Tiger Direct (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 11:46:47, EDT
  • $369.99 from Staples (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 11:47:11, EDT
  • $399.99 from Visions Electronics (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 11:46:17, EDT
  • $459.99 from Amazon (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 05:04:57, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 from $280;
  ~$490 with accessories

  A good android tablet if you're not looking for something especially powerful, but want a big screen and good battery autonomy.

  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	3/5
  Versatility for the Price	3.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	4.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	2.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	3/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	4.5/5

  by Large Tablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	3/5
  Versatility for the Price	4/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  performance in Microsoft Word 2016

  1/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Microsoft Excel 2016

  1/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  Specs

  Processor: Samsung Exynos 7870

  Graphics: Samsung Mali T830

  Memory: 2.00 GB

  Storage: 16.00 GB

  Screen Size: 10.1"

  Screen Resolution: 1920×1200

  Dimensions: 25.40 x 15.53 x 0.82 cm

  Weight: 0.53 kg

  detailed info

  from $277.70

  • $277.70 from Newegg (New)
    as of 2018-09-23 13:50:25, EDT
  • $397.99 from Tiger Direct (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 04:36:04, EDT
  • $399.99 from Best Buy (New)
    as of 2018-09-23 13:48:41, EDT
  • $399.99 from London Drugs (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 04:35:54, EDT
  • $399.99 from Canada Computers (New)
    as of 2018-09-23 13:53:00, EDT
  • $399.99 from The Source (New)
    as of 2018-09-23 13:53:45, EDT
  • $399.99 from Amazon (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 05:05:32, EDT
  • $399.99 from Staples (New)
    as of 2018-09-23 13:49:31, EDT
  • $399.99 from Walmart (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 06:11:49, EDT
  • $520.99 from eBay (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 06:08:40, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Acer 11" Chromebook from $250;
  ~$371 with accessories

  Designed to access the web simply and securely, it's an excellent fit as someone's 1st laptop or if your needs away from your desk are basic... Read More about the CB3-132-C6ZD

  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Laptops standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by Netbooks standards

  Bang for the Buck	4/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	3.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	3/5

  performance in Microsoft Word 2016

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Microsoft Excel 2016

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  Specs

  Processor: Intel Celeron N3060

  Graphics: Intel HD Graphics

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 16.00 GB

  Screen Size: 11.6"

  Screen Resolution: 1366×768

  Dimensions: 29.40 x 20.40 x 1.85 cm

  Weight: 1.10 kg

  detailed info

  from $249.99

  • $249.99 from The Source (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 06:02:49, EDT
  • $278.99 from Costco (New)
    as of 2018-09-20 14:01:28, EDT
  • $279.99 from Staples (New)
    as of 2018-09-19 12:58:00, EDT
  • $279.99 from Acer (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 12:34:42, EDT
  • $279.99 from Amazon (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 05:47:01, EDT
  • $292.01 from Newegg (New)
    as of 2018-09-21 12:34:02, EDT
  • $299.15 from Millenium Micro (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 12:37:15, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Acer 11" Chromebook from $300;
  ~$390 with accessories

  A netbook well-suited to access the web simply and securely. If you mostly want a laptop to check your Emails, social media, and streaming videos, this is a cos... Read More about the CB3-132-C5GZ

  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Laptops standards

  Bang for the Buck	1.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by Netbooks standards

  Bang for the Buck	4/5
  Versatility for the Price	4/5
  Power	3.5/5
  Storage	3/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	1/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	3/5

  performance in Microsoft Word 2016

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Microsoft Excel 2016

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  Specs

  Processor: Intel Celeron N3060

  Graphics: Intel HD Graphics

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 11.6"

  Screen Resolution: 1366×768

  Dimensions: 29.40 x 20.40 x 1.87 cm

  Weight: 1.10 kg

  detailed info

  $299.99 from Best Buy (New) as of 2018-09-23 13:27:48, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the Best Buy site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  BlackBerry DTEK50 from $370;
  ~$367 with accessories

  Bundled with a security suite and Android Marshmallow out-of-the-box, this is an affordable smartphone for the security-conscious. It probably won't impress in... Read More about the STH100-1

  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	1.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	5/5
  Power	0/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	0.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	0/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	4.5/5

  by One-Handed Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	1/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  performance in Microsoft Word 2016

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Microsoft Excel 2016

  1/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  Specs

  Processor: Qualcom Snapdragon 617

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 405

  Memory: 3.00 GB

  Storage: 16.00 GB

  Screen Size: 5.2"

  Screen Resolution: 1920×1080

  Dimensions: 14.70 x 7.25 x 0.74 cm

  Weight: 0.14 kg

  detailed info

  $366.27 from Amazon (New) as of 2018-09-25 05:56:08, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the Amazon site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Lenovo Chromebook N42 - 14" from $300;
  ~$395 with accessories

  This Chromebook comes with access to the Google Play Store and capable of running Android apps in addition to browsing the web. A great pick for mobility at an... Read More about the 80US0000US

  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Laptops standards

  Bang for the Buck	0.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	2.5/5
  Autonomy	4.5/5

  by Netbooks standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	4/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	1.5/5
  Autonomy	4.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	0.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	2.5/5
  Autonomy	4.5/5

  performance in Microsoft Word 2016

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Microsoft Excel 2016

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  Specs

  Processor: Intel Celeron N3060

  Graphics: Intel HD Graphics

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 16.00 GB

  Screen Size: 14"

  Screen Resolution: 1366×768

  Dimensions: 33.15 x 23.19 x 2.29 cm

  Weight: 1.50 kg

  detailed info

  from $294.99

  • $294.99 from Mike's Computer Shop (New)
    as of 2018-09-24 12:24:56, EDT
  • $299.98 from Amazon (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 04:56:34, EDT
  • $318.89 from Newegg (New)
    as of 2018-09-21 12:29:30, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Asus 12" Ruggedized and Water Resistant Design Chromebook from $320;
  ~$410 with accessories

  Built to resist a fair bit of abuse, this Chromebook is well suited to children and anyone needing basic mobile computing through the day, even when things get... Read More about the C202SA-RB02-CB

  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Laptops standards

  Bang for the Buck	0.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by Netbooks standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	4/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	3/5
  Portability	2/5
  Autonomy	3/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	0.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	1/5
  Portability	3/5
  Autonomy	3.5/5

  performance in Microsoft Word 2016

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Microsoft Excel 2016

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  Specs

  Processor: Intel Celeron N3060

  Graphics: Intel HD Graphics

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 11.6"

  Screen Resolution: 1366×768

  Dimensions: 29.40 x 20.00 x 2.25 cm

  Weight: 1.20 kg

  detailed info

  $319.99 from Staples (New) as of 2018-09-19 13:16:08, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the Staples site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Asus 12" Ruggedized and Water Resistant Design Chromebook from $300;
  ~$427 with accessories

  Built to stand to abuse, this Chromebook is well suited to children and anyone needing simple mobile computing on their adventure, even when they get messy.

  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Laptops standards

  Bang for the Buck	0.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by Netbooks standards

  Bang for the Buck	1.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	3.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	2/5
  Autonomy	3/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	0.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	0.5/5
  Portability	3/5
  Autonomy	3.5/5

  performance in Microsoft Word 2016

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  performance in Microsoft Excel 2016

  1.5/5

  Meets minimal requirements

  Specs

  Processor: Intel Celeron N3060

  Graphics: Intel HD Graphics

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 16.00 GB

  Screen Size: 11.6"

  Screen Resolution: 1366×768

  Dimensions: 29.46 x 20.07 x 2.29 cm

  Weight: 1.00 kg

  detailed info

  from $299.00

  • $299.00 from Walmart (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 05:51:25, EDT
  • $299.99 from Amazon (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 05:26:25, EDT
  • $299.99 from Tiger Direct (New)
    as of 2018-09-25 04:22:38, EDT
  • $448.86 from eBay (New)
    as of 2018-09-22 06:17:32, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  Pricing Accuracy

  Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×

Narrow down your search

Looking for a specific kind of device?

Looking for a laptop, tablet, smartphone or desktop computer specifically? Here are the product families in which we found options matching your needs: