Ranking: Best affordable all-round laptops
Multimedia laptops are genuine all-rounders, popular for their versatility. Whether you're browsing the Internet, editing documents, or playing games, modern multimedia laptops cover almost any use case. The laptops listed here have a maximum price tag of 1,000 dollars/euros (lowest available price at the time of writing) and must have graphics performance good enough to run recent games at a resolution of at least 1,920 x 1,080 pixels with acceptable quality presets.
Best affordable multimedia notebooks (v8 rating)
Image | Model / Review | Price | Weight | Height | Display | Screen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acer Aspire 16 A16-51GM-77G2 Intel Core 7 150U ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 Mobile ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $94.99 Factory Original 16GB (1x16G... 2. $50.48 A-Tech 16GB RAM for Acer Asp... List Price: 929 Euro | 1.9 kg | 21 mm | 16.00" 1920x1200 142 PPI IPS | matte | |
HP Pavilion 16-ag0057ng AMD Ryzen 5 8540U ⎘ AMD Radeon 740M ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $788.00 HP Pavilion Plus 16 inch Lap... 2. $24.95 mCover Case ONLY Compatible ... 3. $111.11 GD03XL N66215-005 Replacemen... List Price: 730 EUR | 1.7 kg | 18.6 mm | 16.00" 1920x1200 142 PPI IPS | matte | |
Acer Aspire 17 A17-51GM-70LZ Intel Core 7 150U ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 Mobile ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | List Price: 1100 EUR | 2.2 kg | 18 mm | 17.30" 1920x1080 127 PPI IPS | matte | |
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16IRU9 Intel Core 7 150U ⎘ Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs ⎘ 16 GB Memory | Amazon: 1. $769.99 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16IRU9... 2. $769.99 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16IRU9... 3. $572.00 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5, 16" W... List Price: 800 USD | 1.8 kg | 16.9 mm | 16.00" 1920x1200 142 PPI IPS | matte | |
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRH10R Intel Core 5 210H ⎘ Intel UHD Graphics Xe G4 48EUs ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: $545.00 List Price: 770 USD | 1.7 kg | 18.9 mm | 15.30" 1920x1200 148 PPI IPS | matte | |
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15IRU9 Intel Core 5 120U ⎘ Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $298.00 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Lapto... 2. $533.00 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i, 15.6... 3. $23.99 Alapmk Protective Case for L... List Price: 690 USD | 1.6 kg | 17.9 mm | 15.60" 1920x1080 141 PPI IPS | matte |
Note: We transitioned to a new rating system in June 2024. For the updated v8 system, certain rating criteria were adjusted to reflect recent hardware developments, new criteria were introduced, and some measurement techniques were modified. As a result, v8 ratings are slightly lower than v7 ratings and are not directly comparable to previous versions. For this reason, we currently provide two tables: one listing the best devices according to the v7 rating system and another one for the v8 system. More details on v8 ratings can be found here.
Best affordable multimedia laptops (v7 rating)
Image | Model / Review | Price | Weight | Height | Display | Screen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 16 2024 Intel Core Ultra 7 155H ⎘ Intel Arc 8-Core iGPU ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $25.97 Slim Laptop Sleeve 14-16 Dev... 2. Puccy 2 Pack Back Protector ... 3. Puccy 2 Pack Film Protector,... List Price: 957€ | 1.9 kg | 15.9 mm | 16.00" 3072x1920 226 PPI IPS | matte | |
HP Pavilion Plus 14-ey0095cl AMD Ryzen 7 7840U ⎘ AMD Radeon 780M ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | List Price: 920 USD | 1.4 kg | 18.8 mm | 14.00" 2880x1800 243 PPI OLED | glossy | |
Acer Swift X SFX16-51G-5388 Intel Core i5-11320H ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | List Price: 1200€ | 1.8 kg | 18.9 mm | 16.10" 1920x1080 137 PPI | matte | |
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16ARH7 AMD Ryzen 5 6600HS ⎘ AMD Radeon 660M ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $36.99 New Replacement Laptop Keybo... 2. $26.99 Siakoocty Laptop Replacement... 3. $32.99 135W AC Charger Fit for Leno... List Price: 1000 EUR | 1.9 kg | 18.4 mm | 16.00" 2560x1600 189 PPI IPS | matte | |
HP Envy 14-eb0252ng Intel Core i5-1135G7 ⎘ Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs ⎘ 8 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $104.99 Power4Laptops AC Adapter Lap... List Price: 699 EUR | 1.5 kg | 17.9 mm | 14.00" 1920x1200 162 PPI IPS | matte | |
Huawei MateBook D 15 Ryzen 5 5500U AMD Ryzen 5 5500U ⎘ AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 ⎘ 8 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | List Price: 569€ | 1.6 kg | 16.9 mm | 15.60" 1920x1080 141 PPI IPS | matte |
The table above shows an overview of the best multimedia notebooks for under 1,000 dollars/euros tested by Notebookcheck in the last 12 months and some relevant products that are still available. If 2 products have the same rating, the more recent review will be listed higher. The prices shown are automatically updated daily and thus subject to change.
Link: all tested products in this class
Editorial comment
There is a wide range of multimedia notebooks available under 1,000 dollars/euros, typically characterized by their good price-performance ratio. Thanks to dedicated graphics or powerful integrated GPUs, they deliver decent gaming performance. Storage is often an area where manufacturers cut costs, potentially becoming a bottleneck due to the large amount of space multimedia content takes up nowadays. Additionally, cheaper laptops may be sold without a pre-installed operating system, an extra cost factor that must be considered.
Rating version 8:
1st place - Acer Aspire 16 A15-51GM
The 2024 Aspire 16 is a powerful multimedia notebook ideal for everyday multitasking, creative tasks, and media consumption. Its large 16-inch display provides plenty of screen real estate, driven by an Intel Core 7 150U CPU, 16 GB DDR5 RAM and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 GPU for solid overall application and gaming performance. The notebook offers good connectivity, including Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6E, ensuring future-proof usage. Its slim design and long battery life make it great for both work and leisure.
Thanks to the Core 7 150U and RTX 2050 graphics, the Acer Aspire 16 makes everyday computing effortless.
The SKU tested is available for 899 euros at Notebooksbilliger. Please note that the RTX 2050 is a rather old discrete graphics adapter and is not much faster than powerful iGPUs such as AMD's Radeon 890M.
2nd place - HP Pavilion 16-ag0057ng
The Pavilion 16 is a versatile 16-inch laptop with AMD's Ryzen 5 8540U, an efficient six-core processor with clock speeds of up to 4.9 GHz. It offers good performance for everyday tasks, some multitasking and light creative applications. The anti-glare WUXGA display (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) is adequate for the job. With 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 1 TB SSD, the SKU tested has no memory problem. The integrated AMD Radeon 740M GPU enables smooth media playback and some very basic 3D graphics processing. In terms of the ports, all the basics are onboard, like USB 3.0, HDMI and Wi-Fi 6. The laptop also impresses with long battery life of up to 11 hours, making it ideal for mobile use.
3rd place - Acer Aspire 17 A17-51GM
The Acer Aspire 17 is a simple multimedia notebook that is suitable for everyday use and light creative applications. It is powered by an Intel Core 7 150U processor with ten CPU cores and a maximum Turbo clock speed of 5.4 GHz. Together with 16 GB DDR4 RAM and a 1 TB SSD, this makes for a solid basic configuration. An Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 Laptop GPU is installed as the dedicated graphics card; keep in mind that this aging graphics adapter is not much faster than powerful iGPUs such as the Radeon 890M. The advantages of the Acer Aspire 17 include its stylish visual design, low temperatures and Thunderbolt 4 support.
4th place - Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16
Lenovo's IdeaPad Slim 5 is a versatile, compact 16-inch notebook designed for productivity and daily tasks. The Intel Core 7 150U processor provides excellent performance for the price. The notebook includes 16 GB DDR5 RAM and a fast PCIe SSD for quick startup and seamless operation. Highlights include long battery life, fast Wi-Fi 6, and a comprehensive set of ports, such as USB-C and HDMI.
With its slim design and lightweight build, the IdeaPad Slim 5 is perfect for mobile users seeking reliable performance.
The SKU tested is not easy to find, but Lenovo Germany offers a reasonably similar configuration (Intel Core 5 120U, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD) for 780 euros.
5th place - Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
The IdeaPad Slim 3 is a lightweight, everyday 15-inch laptop with the fresh Intel Core 5 210H. It is well suited for office work, surfing, streaming and simple image editing. Its keyboard and large touchpad are comfortable to use. In terms of battery life, the IdeaPad Slim impressed in our testing for an entire working day. The matte IPS display offers Full HD+ resolution, but is only just mediocre in terms of brightness and color reproduction. Performance reserves are sufficient for everyday use, but the integrated Intel graphics is hardly suitable for gaming or demanding 3D applications. The port selection is solid, as modern options such as USB-C are available. Overall, the IdeaPad is a good companion for school, studies and the office - but without any real highlights considering the price.
6th place - Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15
The IdeaPad Slim 3i is a budget-friendly, portable notebook suitable for everyday computing needs. Its 15.6-inch display is large and usable enough without hampering portability. Powered by an Intel Core 5 120U, it comfortably handles tasks such as Web browsing, streaming Web videos and doing office work. The configuration tested features 16 GB DDR5 RAM and a 1 TB PCIe SSD, that's ample storage space combined with fast data access. The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics is sufficient for general multimedia use but not for any real gaming.
With its Core 5 120U, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i doesn't significantly outperform its predecessor equipped with a 13th-generation Core i5 CPU.
The configuration tested is not available to buy, as of this writing. Lenovo Germany offers somewhat different SKUs, such as this one based on a Core 7 150U, 16 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD. It can be had for 790 euros.
Rating version 7:
1st place - 2024 Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 16
Xiaomi's RedmiBook Pro 16 (2024) is an impressive multimedia laptop featuring Intel's Meteor Lake-H platform. Tested with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1 TB SSD, it offers excellent performance. Its sturdy metal case, modern connectivity featuring Thunderbolt 4, and strong system performance stand out, making it one of the best laptops in its price category.
With its solid casing, fairly powerful hardware, and attractive price, the Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 16 is a lovely option in this laptop category.
The RedmiBook 16 is available for 1,027 euros (including Windows 11 Pro) from TradingShenzhen, among other options.
2nd place - HP Pavilion Plus 14
The Pavilion Plus combines power and efficiency, thanks to AMD's Ryzen 7 7840U processor. Its integrated AMD Radeon 780M graphics provides respectable performance, too while vibrant 120 Hz OLED display enhances the multimedia experience significantly.
Overall, the Pavilion Plus 14 is an excellent multimedia notebook with a superb 1,800p OLED display.
The Ryzen variant of the HP Pavilion Plus 14 is priced at 799 euros on Notebooksbilliger. An Intel version (featuring a Core i5-1335U) is also available for 749 euros.
3rd place - Acer Swift X SFX16
The Swift X SFX16 (2024) offers plenty of niceties for the money. Equipped with an Intel Core i5-11320H and a dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics, it handles both general productivity and gaming tasks quite well. Highlights include a high-quality, rigid metal case, good connectivity, and a sharp display.
The 2024 Swift X SFX16 is a capable multimedia notebook featuring solid performance, strong build, and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.
The configuration tested (Intel Core i5-11320H, Nvidia RTX 3050, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD) is available from Amazon Germany for 699 euros.
4th place - Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 is a multimedia notebook featuring a 16-inch, 16:10 format display ideal for productivity tasks. The screen brightness and clarity are suitable for most work environments. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 6600HS and Radeon 660M integrated graphics, it offers reliable performance for general tasks and multimedia applications.
The IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 is a balanced all-rounder suitable for productivity, media consumption, and moderate multimedia use.
The tested configuration is available from Amazon Germany for 1,034 euros.
5th place - HP Envy 14
The HP Envy 14 offers a compelling combination of performance and portability with its Intel Core i5-1135G7 and integrated Xe graphics. Although not designed for intensive gaming, it excels in daily tasks, aided by its low noise, bright 16:10 display, sleek design, long battery life, and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.
The HP Envy 14 is a versatile multimedia laptop providing consistently reliable performance for everyday tasks.
The reviewed configuration currently sells for 639 euros on Amazon Germany.
6th place - Huawei MateBook D 15
The Huawei MateBook D15 (2022), powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, delivers commendable performance for the price. Its durable build quality and good display performance secure its place on this list. Some compromises include non-upgradable RAM and slow USB 2.0 ports, but overall it's well-suited for general multimedia and office usage.
With its robust performance, stylish case, and reasonable pricing, the MateBook D15 remains an excellent value for home users.
The tested model of the MateBook D15 is available for around 525 euros at Amazon Germany.
Best affordable multimedia notebooks: Overview
Measurements
Acer Aspire 16 A16-51GM-77G2 | HP Pavilion 16-ag0057ng | Acer Aspire 17 A17-51GM-70LZ | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16IRU9 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRH10R | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15IRU9 | Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 16 2024 | HP Pavilion Plus 14-ey0095cl | Acer Swift X SFX16-51G-5388 | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16ARH7 | HP Envy 14-eb0252ng | Huawei MateBook D 15 Ryzen 5 5500U | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Display | ||||||||||||
Display P3 Coverage (%) | 42.3 | 41.6 | 43.3 | 41.5 | 42.9 | 39.5 | 98.8 | 99.8 | 65.1 | 65 | 69.3 | 42.3 |
sRGB Coverage (%) | 63.6 | 62.4 | 64.5 | 61.2 | 61.2 | 58.3 | 100 | 100 | 95.65 | 98 | 98.5 | 63.4 |
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage (%) | 43.7 | 43 | 44.8 | 42.9 | 44.4 | 40.8 | 89.9 | 95.8 | 66.75 | 67.2 | 70.4 | 43.7 |
Response Times | ||||||||||||
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * (ms) | 31.4 ? | 30.7 ? | 30.7 ? | 20.7 ? | 29.1 ? | 27.4 ? | 39.2 ? | 0.82 ? | 30 ? | 14.1 ? | 44.9 ? | 51.2 ? |
Response Time Black / White * (ms) | 22 ? | 20.8 ? | 20.9 ? | 15.1 ? | 20.2 ? | 19.9 ? | 14.6 ? | 0.95 ? | 20 ? | 7.1 ? | 18.9 ? | 34.4 ? |
PWM Frequency (Hz) | 504.7 ? | |||||||||||
Screen | ||||||||||||
Brightness middle (cd/m²) | 352 | 324 | 275 | 313.3 | 328.3 | 340.2 | 520 | 384 | 276 | 415 | 451 | 299 |
Brightness (cd/m²) | 324 | 295 | 254 | 308 | 313 | 310 | 510 | 386 | 264 | 409 | 439 | 280 |
Brightness Distribution (%) | 86 | 88 | 84 | 91 | 92 | 81 | 93 | 98 | 85 | 91 | 92 | 89 |
Black Level * (cd/m²) | 0.27 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.37 | 0.24 | 0.3 | 0.35 | 0.16 | 0.32 | 0.31 | 0.2 | |
Contrast (:1) | 1304 | 1620 | 917 | 847 | 1368 | 1134 | 1486 | 1725 | 1297 | 1455 | 1495 | |
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 4.41 | 5.13 | 6.42 | 8.42 | 5.64 | 5.01 | 2.9 | 4.06 | 1.8 | 1.92 | 2.46 | 5.2 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 15.04 | 16.11 | 21.98 | 19.09 | 19.24 | 18.23 | 6.2 | 6.73 | 3.77 | 5.71 | 4.24 | 20.8 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated * | 3.52 | 2.99 | 3.38 | 2.16 | 3.13 | 1.93 | 1.1 | 0.49 | 0.63 | 0.58 | 1.32 | 4.2 |
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 3.32 | 4.24 | 6.9 | 8.3 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 1.1 | 2.76 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 4.1 |
Gamma | 2.44 90% | 2.3 96% | 2.152 102% | 2.83 78% | 2.12 104% | 2.18 101% | 2.19 100% | 2.26 97% | 2.37 93% | 2.272 97% | 2.24 98% | 2.2 100% |
CCT | 7122 91% | 7318 89% | 6281 103% | 6296 103% | 6757 96% | 7176 91% | 7422 88% | 6331 103% | 6564 99% | 7132 91% | 7289 89% | 6548 99% |
Noise | ||||||||||||
off / environment * (dB) | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 27.3 | 22.9 | 24.4 | 23.4 | 25.4 | 25 | 26 | 24.1 |
Idle Minimum * (dB) | 23 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 27.3 | 22.9 | 24.4 | 24.1 | 25.4 | 25 | 26 | 24.1 |
Idle Average * (dB) | 23 | 25 | 29 | 23 | 27.3 | 22.9 | 24.4 | 24.1 | 25.4 | 26 | 27 | 24.1 |
Idle Maximum * (dB) | 31 | 26 | 34 | 23 | 29 | 27 | 24.4 | 25.3 | 27.8 | 28 | 31 | 28 |
Load Average * (dB) | 46.57 | 38 | 45 | 43.3 | 42 | 42.4 | 32 | 33.4 | 41 | 44 | 32 | 35.9 |
Cyberpunk 2077 ultra * (dB) | 50 | 37 | 44 | 40.8 | 35.1 | 43.7 | ||||||
Load Maximum * (dB) | 50 | 39 | 46 | 40.9 | 41.5 | 43.7 | 39.7 | 39.4 | 47 | 35 | 36 | 43.9 |
Witcher 3 ultra * (dB) | 30.6 | 39.4 | 35 | 33 | 35.9 | |||||||
Heat | ||||||||||||
Maximum Upper Side * (°C) | 47 | 42 | 42 | 35.4 | 34.2 | 39.6 | 40.3 | 39 | 52.4 | 46 | 41 | 40.6 |
Maximum Bottom * (°C) | 50 | 44 | 45 | 33 | 38.8 | 43.4 | 45.9 | 35.8 | 50 | 48 | 43 | 43.9 |
Idle Upper Side * (°C) | 31 | 26 | 28 | 30.2 | 28.6 | 26.4 | 26.3 | 25.2 | 30.3 | 28 | 29 | 25.6 |
Idle Bottom * (°C) | 32 | 28 | 30 | 30.2 | 31.4 | 27.6 | 27.9 | 25.6 | 30.4 | 27 | 30 | 26.2 |
Battery Runtime | ||||||||||||
WiFi v1.3 (h) | 10.1 | 11.4 | 7.4 | 12.7 | 17 | 7 | 16.4 | 8.5 | 8.1 | 9.8 | 13.2 | 8.8 |
Load (h) | 2.2 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 2 | 1.5 | ||||||
Reader / Idle (h) | 26.1 | 19.4 | 16.9 | |||||||||
Power Consumption | ||||||||||||
Idle Minimum * (Watt) | 8.8 | 4 | 5 | 3.3 | 6.7 | 4 | 4.2 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5.5 |
Idle Average * (Watt) | 12.8 | 5 | 6 | 7.5 | 10.1 | 6.5 | 11.6 | 6.5 | 10.1 | 7 | 5 | 9.1 |
Idle Maximum * (Watt) | 14.1 | 6 | 8 | 7.8 | 10.2 | 6.9 | 12.3 | 13.9 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 9.7 |
Load Average * (Watt) | 80 | 40 | 62 | 56.9 | 52.6 | 45 | 61.9 | 41.9 | 63.3 | 61 | 35 | 40 |
Cyberpunk 2077 ultra * (Watt) | 73.5 | 43 | 57.6 | 48.7 | 40.2 | 39.4 | ||||||
Cyberpunk 2077 ultra external monitor * (Watt) | 72 | 39.1 | 54.4 | 41.2 | 36.9 | 36.2 | ||||||
Load Maximum * (Watt) | 90.53 | 46 | 91 | 62.4 | 69.5 | 69.9 | 140.6 | 50.8 | 94 | 88 | 87 | 59.5 |
Witcher 3 ultra * (Watt) | 57 | 43.9 | 63.3 | 42.8 | 38.7 | 38.9 |
* ... smaller is better