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 7 top results, ranging in price from ∼ US$290 to US$500, 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 $450)
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 10.1" Touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook from US$270;
~$330 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$260.75 - US$260.75 from Staples (New)as of 2021-03-01 23:25:16, EST
- US$276.55 from Best Buy (Open Box)as of 2021-03-04 06:07:26, EST
- US$316.06 from Best Buy (New)as of 2021-03-04 06:08:14, 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. × -
#1, Laptops (under $525)
Acer Spin 11-inch Convertible Chromebook from US$300;
~$388 with accessoriesThis versatile Chromebook offers a great experience for the price and is a compelling option if you can`t quite decide between getting a netbook or a tablet and... Read More about the CP311-3H-K9K9
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 recommended specsSpecsperformance in Texts & Numbers
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.Processor: MediaTek MT8183Graphics: ARM Mali-G72Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 64.00 GBScreen Size: 11.6"Screen Resolution: 1366×768Dimensions: 29.00 x 20.60 x 1.88 cmWeight: 1.200 kgdetailed info US$292.36 from Best Buy (New)as of 2021-03-03 04:24:08, 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, Laptops (under $525)
Dell Inspiron Series 3000 15-inch Laptop from US$3809%, Best price yet!
~$500 with accessoriesThis cost-efficient laptop is fast-booting and well-suited to everyday tasks like homework and online connectivity. Its large screen features a lower level of d... Read More about the ni153593_s409pze
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
This should run nicelySpecsperformance in Texts & Numbers
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.Processor: Intel Core i3-1005G1Graphics: Intel UHD GraphicsMemory: 8.00 GBStorage: 128.00 GBScreen Size: 15.6"Screen Resolution: 1366×768Dimensions: 38.00 x 25.80 x 2.27 cmWeight: 2.020 kgdetailed info US$379.28 from Dell (Canada) (New)as of 2021-03-04 04:02:19, 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 Dell (Canada) site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
#3, Laptops (under $525)
Acer Chromebook 311 from US$240;
~$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$237.05 from Best Buy (New)as of 2021-03-03 06:42:41, 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. × -
#4, Laptops (under $525)
Asus Flip C234MA 2-in-1 Chromebook from US$330;
~$428 with accessoriesThis Chromebook is a compelling solution for anyone looking for affordable connectivity around the house, school, the office, the coffee shop, or anywhere WiFi... Read More about the C234MA-BB01T-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 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 N4020Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 64.00 GBScreen Size: 11.6"Screen Resolution: 1366×768Dimensions: 29.20 x 19.90 x 2.01 cmWeight: 1.200 kgdetailed info US$323.97 from Best Buy (New)as of 2021-03-03 07:53:35, 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. × -
#5, Laptops (under $525)
Asus C523NA 15.6" Chromebook (Touch) from US$320;
~$420 with accessoriesWith an unusually large screen for a Chromebook, this model trades some of its portability to give the user additional room to work with. It is also uncommon to... Read More about the C523NA-BH91T-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 recommended specsSpecsperformance in Texts & Numbers
Exceeds recommended specs, fit for hardcore users.Processor: Intel Pentium N4200Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 505Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 64.00 GBScreen Size: 15.6"Screen Resolution: 1920×1080Dimensions: 35.81 x 24.89 x 1.52 cmWeight: 1.692 kgdetailed info US$316.06 from Best Buy (New)as of 2021-03-03 06:51:17, 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 $450)
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 US$158.03 from Best Buy (New)as of 2021-03-04 06:09:00, 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. ×
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:
