Budget laptops are becoming endangered this year as essential components like memory and storage undergo significant price increases.This is a major change from previous years, where we saw an overwhelming glut of cheap laptops, most of which were downright awful. But that abundance is drying up as prices rise and as older, cheaper models get discontinued, making it harder than ever to find a good laptop at a reasonable price.To uncover decent options, we’ve researched and tested hundreds of cheap laptops over the years. Our picks are for anyone on a strict budget who primarily wants to browse the web, watch Netflix, or handle occasional school or work tasks. They’re not ideal for heavier workloads such as photo and video editing or gaming, and in just a couple of years they’ll feel more sluggish on everyday activities. But not everyone has $1,000 or more to spend on a better laptop that feels faster and lasts longer.We have picks here for Chromebooks and Windows laptops under $500, and we recommend the MacBook Neo if you’re willing to spend more. If you can’t find our picks anywhere, check out our tips on how to shop for a budget laptop, or consider a used laptop instead.