Top Picks for the Media Consumer
You spend most of your time with technology enjoying videos, music, eBooks, news articles and social media.
Your options 9 top results, ranging in price from ∼ US$219 to US$690, 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.
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#1, Tablets (under $400)
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 10.1" Touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook from US$280;
~$350 with accessoriesThis affordable tablet has a lot to offer, with a full-featured web browser, access to the Android App Store. Thanks to the bundled cover, it's also slightly be... Read More about the ZA6F0008CA
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in Web & Communication
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.performance in Audio & Visual medias
Meets recommended specsSpecsperformance in Texts & Numbers
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.Processor: MediaTek Helio P60TGraphics: ARM Mali-G72Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 128.00 GBScreen Size: 10.1"Screen Resolution: 1920×1200Dimensions: 23.98 x 15.98 x 0.74 cmWeight: 0.449 kgdetailed info from US$271.74 - US$271.74 from Staples (New)as of 2020-12-03 13:26:37, EST
- US$287.26 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-12-03 06:09:33, EST
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. × -
#10, Stationary Computers (under $1100)
HP Slimline Desktop from US$32011%, Best price yet!
~$690 with accessoriesThis might not be the strongest computer out there, but it's up tot he task if you're looking to tackle typical homework, web searches, etc. and it's quite affo... Read More about the 290-a0029
Device Ratings
by Stationary Computers standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy N/A by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy N/A Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy N/A performance in Web & Communication
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.performance in Audio & Visual medias
Meets recommended specsSpecsperformance in Texts & Numbers
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.Processor: AMD A9-9425Graphics: AMD Radeon R5 GraphicsMemory: 8.00 GBStorage: 2 TBDimensions: 9.50 x 29.57 x 27.00 cmWeight: 2.900 kgdetailed info US$310.54 from Staples (New)as of 2020-12-03 06:41:30, ESTPricing 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. × -
#2, Laptops (under $525)
Acer Chromebook 311 from US$2403% cheaper than usual
~$318 with accessoriesChromebooks excel as easy-to-carry travel companions for those of us who need to remain connected on the go with a focus on online resources and the cloud, and... Read More about the CB311-9H-C0Z8
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in Web & Communication
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.performance in Audio & Visual medias
Meets minimal requirementsSpecsperformance in Texts & Numbers
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Intel Celeron N4000Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 64.00 GBScreen Size: 11.6"Screen Resolution: 1366×768Dimensions: 29.60 x 19.90 x 1.82 cmWeight: 1.100 kgdetailed info US$232.92 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-12-03 07:33:49, ESTPricing 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. × -
#11, Stationary Computers (under $1100)
HP Slimline Compact PC from US$32011%, Best price yet!
~$690 with accessoriesThis PC is tiny in a few ways; it definitely won't impress, but not everyone needs an impressive rig, right? It is appropriate for everyday homework, web search... Read More about the 290-A0019
Device Ratings
by Stationary Computers standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy N/A by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy N/A Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy N/A performance in Web & Communication
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.performance in Audio & Visual medias
Meets recommended specsSpecsperformance in Texts & Numbers
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.Processor: AMD A9-9425Graphics: AMD Radeon R5 GraphicsMemory: 8.00 GBStorage: 1 TBDimensions: 9.50 x 29.27 x 27.00 cmWeight: 2.970 kgdetailed info US$310.54 from Staples (New)as of 2020-12-03 06:45:15, ESTPricing 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. × -
#3, Laptops (under $525)
Acer Chromebook Spin 311 from US$260;
~$343 with accessoriesThis versatile Chromebook might have little built-in storage, but to access services in the cloud, it might not be much of a problem... Read More about the CP311-2H-C679
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in Web & Communication
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.performance in Audio & Visual medias
Meets minimal requirementsSpecsperformance in Texts & Numbers
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Intel Celeron N4000Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 11.6"Screen Resolution: 1366×768Dimensions: 29.72 x 20.57 x 2.01 cmWeight: 1.202 kgdetailed info US$251.96 from Amazon (New)as of 2020-12-02 03:20:11, ESTPricing 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. × -
#4, Laptops (under $525)
Asus Chromebook C204MA 11-inch Chromebook from US$250;
~$338 with accessoriesThis Chromebook offers a cost-efficient way to stay connected away from your desk if you need a full-featured web browser and a built-in keyboard.
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in Web & Communication
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.performance in Audio & Visual medias
Meets minimal requirementsSpecsperformance in Texts & Numbers
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Intel Celeron N4000Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 11.6"Screen Resolution: 1366×768Dimensions: 29.20 x 19.90 x 2.01 cmWeight: 1.200 kgdetailed info US$248.44 from Staples (New)as of 2020-12-03 05:01:43, ESTPricing 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. × -
#5, Laptops (under $525)
Asus C523NA 15.6" Chromebook (Touch) from US$16043%, Best price yet!
~$219 with accessoriesWith an unusually large screen for a Chromebook, this model trades some of its portability to give the user a larger picture to work with (but not necessarily m... Read More about the C523NA-DH02
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in Web & Communication
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.performance in Audio & Visual medias
Meets minimal requirementsSpecsperformance in Texts & Numbers
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Intel Celeron N3350Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 500Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 15.6"Screen Resolution: 1366×768Dimensions: 35.81 x 24.89 x 1.52 cmWeight: 1.410 kgdetailed info from US$154.51 - US$154.51 from Visions Electronics (New)as of 2020-12-03 04:14:38, EST
- US$447.35 from Newegg (New)as of 2020-12-03 06:30:32, EST
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. × -
#6, Laptops (under $525)
Asus C523NA 15.6" Chromebook from US$18038% cheaper than usual
~$250 with accessoriesWith an unusually large screen for a Chromebook, this model trades some of its portability to give the user additional room to work. If you find reading on a sm... Read More about the C523NA-BB01-CB
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in Web & Communication
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.performance in Audio & Visual medias
Meets minimal requirementsSpecsperformance in Texts & Numbers
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Intel Celeron N3350Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 505Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 64.00 GBScreen Size: 15.6"Screen Resolution: 1366×768Dimensions: 35.81 x 24.89 x 1.52 cmWeight: 1.451 kgdetailed info US$178.57 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-12-03 07:28:45, ESTPricing 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. × -
#2, Tablets (under $400)
Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet (2019) from US$160;
~$290 with accessoriesHere's an affordable tablet that doesn't compromise on software updates and long-term security. It's not the perfect product, but it's now a bit more powerful... Read More about the KFMAWI
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in Web & Communication
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.performance in Audio & Visual medias
More than the bare minimum but not quite recommended specs.Specsperformance in Texts & Numbers
Meets recommended specsProcessor: MediaTek MT8183Graphics: ARM Mali-G72Memory: 2.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 10.1"Screen Resolution: 1920×1200Dimensions: 26.20 x 15.90 x 0.98 cmWeight: 0.504 kgdetailed info from US$155.27 - US$155.27 from Amazon (New)as of 2020-12-03 03:22:03, EST
- US$155.27 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-12-03 13:33:13, EST
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:
