Ranking: The best affordable multimedia laptops
Multimedia laptops are proper all-rounders and enjoy great popularity, not least for that reason. Whether surfing the Internet, doing office work or playing the latest games, the applications for modern multimedia laptops are virtually unlimited. With the list below, we limited the theoretical budget available for the purchase to 1,000 dollars/euros (best current price at the time of writing). Its graphics adapter must be able to run most games 2024 well enough at a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels or more with reasonably good-looking quality settings.
Only the laptops that we have extensively tested ourselves in the last 12 months or so are included. Here are some other lists:
- The best multimedia laptops (powerful all-round laptops, money is no object)
- The best affordable gaming laptops (reasonably priced laptops for gaming)
- The best laptops for under 1,000 dollars/euros (reasonably priced laptops of all stripes and colors)
The best affordable multimedia laptops (new v8 rating system)
Image | Model / Review | Price | Weight | Height | Display | Screen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. 79.1%  | Acer Aspire 16 A16-51GM-77G2 Intel Core 7 150U ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 Mobile ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 1.9 kg | 21 mm | 16.00" 1920x1200 142 PPI IPS | matte | |
2. 74.7%  | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16IRU9 Intel Core 7 150U ⎘ Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs ⎘ 16 GB Memory | 1.8 kg | 16.9 mm | 16.00" 1920x1200 142 PPI IPS | matte | |
3. 66.7%  | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15IRU9 Intel Core 5 120U ⎘ Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 1.6 kg | 17.9 mm | 15.60" 1920x1080 141 PPI IPS | matte |
Note: The switch to a new rating system took place in June 2024. In the new v8 rating, existing criteria were adapted to current hardware developments, new criteria were added and some measurement techniques were changed. As a result, v8 ratings are slightly lower than v7 ratings and not directly comparable. For this reason, we list two tables with the best products according to v7 and v8 rating systems here for the time being. Further information on the new v8 rating can be found here.
The best affordable multimedia laptops (v7 rating system)
Image | Model / Review | Price | Weight | Height | Display | Screen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. 89.7% v7 (old)  | Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 16 2024 Intel Core Ultra 7 155H ⎘ Intel Arc 8-Core iGPU ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 1.9 kg | 15.9 mm | 16.00" 3072x1920 226 PPI IPS | matte | |
2. 87.8% v7 (old)  | HP Pavilion Plus 14-ey0095cl AMD Ryzen 7 7840U ⎘ AMD Radeon 780M ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 1.4 kg | 18.8 mm | 14.00" 2880x1800 243 PPI OLED | glossy | |
3. 86.2% v7 (old)  | Acer Swift X SFX16-51G-5388 Intel Core i5-11320H ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | 1.8 kg | 18.9 mm | 16.10" 1920x1080 137 PPI | matte | |
4. 85.7% v7 (old)  | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16ARH7 AMD Ryzen 5 6600HS ⎘ AMD Radeon 660M ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | 1.9 kg | 18.4 mm | 16.00" 2560x1600 189 PPI IPS | matte | |
5. 85.6% v7 (old)  | HP Envy 14-eb0252ng Intel Core i5-1135G7 ⎘ Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs ⎘ 8 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 1.5 kg | 17.9 mm | 14.00" 1920x1200 162 PPI IPS | matte | |
6. 82.6% v7 (old)  | Huawei MateBook D 15 Ryzen 5 5500U AMD Ryzen 5 5500U ⎘ AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 ⎘ 8 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | 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 relevant products that are still available. If 2 products have the same rating, the more recent review will be ranked higher. The prices shown in the tables are automatically updated daily.
Link: all tested devices in this class
Editorial comment
There is a wide range of multimedia notebooks for less than 1,000 dollars/euros. This category is characterized by a good price-performance ratio, as all devices in the multimedia class also offer good gaming performance with a dedicated graphics card or a powerful integrated solution. The mass storage is often the area where savings are made, which can quickly become a bottleneck, as multimedia content in particular, be it games, images or videos, requires a lot of space. Cheap laptops are often offered without a pre-installed operating system, which must be taken into account as an additional cost factor.
Rating version 8:
1st place - Acer Aspire 16
The Acer Aspire 16 (2024) is a versatile and powerful notebook designed for everyday use. With a 16-inch display, it offers a generous workspace, ideal for multitasking, creative projects or media consumption. Equipped with the latest Intel Core 7 150U and 16 GB DDR5 RAM, the device delivers performance suitable for everyday use. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 Mobile ensures adequate 3D performance that can also handle some games. The Aspire 16 also offers a solid range of connections, including Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E and USB-C, which ensures fast data transfer and future-proof connectivity. With its slim design and long battery life, the Acer Aspire 16 is an ideal companion for work and leisure.
With the Intel Core 7 150U and the GeForce RTX 2050 Mobile, the Acer Aspire 16 offers a powerful combination to master everyday life.
The current Aspire 16 in our test configuration is currently available from 899 euros from Notebooksbilliger among other options.
2nd place - Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 is a slim and versatile 16-inch notebook that is ideal for productive work and everyday use. The Intel Core 7 150U delivers outstanding performance without driving up the price of the notebook. With 16 GB DDR5 RAM and a fast PCIe SSD, the IdeaPad Slim 5 ensures fast system start-ups and smooth working. Other highlights include long battery life, fast Wi-Fi 6 and an extensive selection of ports, including USB-C and HDMI.
The lightweight and slim design makes the IdeaPad Slim 5 an ideal companion for on the go.
The SKU we tested is hard to come by. However, the notebook can be ordered with Intel Core 5 120U, 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD for 780 euros.
3rd place - Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i is a lightweight and budget-friendly notebook that is ideal for everyday tasks and mobile use. With a 15.6-inch display, it offers a good balance between portability and workspace. Equipped with Intel Core 5 120U, there is enough power for typical tasks such as web browsing, office applications and video streaming. There is also 16 GB DDR5 RAM and fast PCIe SSD memory with 1 TB of storage space. The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics is sufficient for light graphics tasks and multimedia applications, although gaming should not be one of the primary tasks.
With the Intel Core 5 120U, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i offers no more performance than last year's model with the 13th generation Core i5 CPU.
The SKU we tested does not seem to be available for purchase as of this writing. Those willing to settle for a different configuration - Intel Core 7 150U, 16 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD - will have to pay 790 euros upfront.
Rating version 7:
1st place - Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 16 2024
The Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 16 is a great and affordable multimedia notebook based on Intel's Meteor Lake-H processors. We tested the stylish device with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor. It also comes with 32 GB DDR5 RAM and a 1 TB SSD as well as modern connectivity, including Thunderbolt 4. The manufacturer packs the hardware into a simple, yet sturdy metal casing. Xiaomi offers all of this for less than 1,000 euros, which even puts the RedmiBook Pro 16 at the top of our top 10 list.
The Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 16 2024 offers plenty of performance, a high-quality casing and future-proof connectivity. In relation to the purchase price, the Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 16 is one of the best multimedia laptops.
The RedmiBook Pro 16 can be ordered from TradingShenzen for 1,027 euros including a Windows 11 Pro license.
Price comparison
2nd place - HP Pavilion Plus 14
The new edition of the HP Pavilion Plus 14 gets a new APU and other small improvements. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U is a fast and very efficient SoC under the hood. You can also look forward to the integration of the powerful AMD Radeon 780M. Overall, the HP Pavilion Plus 14 is a perfect all-rounder and with the great 120 Hz OLED display, working with the device is really fun.
The HP Pavilion Plus 14 presents itself as a good multimedia notebook and impresses with its great 1,800p OLED display.
Notebooksbilliger has the HP Pavilion Plus 14 on offer. The price is currently 799 euros. The Intel version of the laptop with a Core i5-1335U is available from Notebooksbilliger for 749 euros.
Price comparison
3rd place - Acer Swift X SFX16
The Acer Swift X SFX16 is one of the slightly more expensive mid-range laptops. However, at just over 1,000 euros, our tested sample is only very slightly over the limit, which is why we still decided to include it in our top 10 list. The Acer Swift X SFX16 offers a fast Intel Core i5-11320H and with the dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 laptop is also suitable for gaming. The Acer Swift X SFX16 scores points with its good screen, stable and high-quality metal casing and modern connections.
This year's new edition of the Acer Swift X 16 also impressed in our review. However, the price is a bit of a bummer.
The Acer Swift X is a great 16-inch multimedia device with a good display and Thunderolt 4.
Our test model of the Acer Swift X SFX16 (Intel Core i5-11320H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD is currently available on Amazon Germany for 699 euros.
Price comparison
4th place - Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16
With the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 the manufacturer offers a modern multimedia device with a 16-inch display. The 16:10 format display is reliable to work with and the brightness is also at a good level. The SoC is an AMD Ryzen 5 6600HS with 6 cores and 12 threads. The SoC also comes with a solid iGPU in the form of the AMD Radeon 660M.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 15 proves to be a successful all-rounder in the test that cuts a good figure away from 3D applications.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 15 in our test configuration is currently available on Amazon Germany for 1,034 euros.
Price comparison
5th place - HP Envy 14
The HP Envy 14 is a more powerful multimedia notebook and is powered by an Intel Core i5-1135G7. The Xe iGPU won't blow anybody's socks off with its 3D performance. Nevertheless, the Envy 14 scores with low emissions and a bright display in 16:10 format. The great design as well as the long battery life and Thunderbolt 4 round off the pact and thus provide important rating points, allowing it to enter the top 10.
The HP Envy 14 is a great all-rounder with consistently good performance in benchmarks.
The Envy currently costs 639 euros on Amazon Germany.
Price comparison
6th place - Huawei MateBook D 15
The Huawei MateBook D15 is powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U that delivered good system performance in our review. Together with the high-quality casing and the good screen, it is enough to make it into our top 10. At only 500 euros, the device offers a lot in this price range. However, you also have to accept some compromises. The RAM is not expandable and the USB ports only offer 2.0 speed.
With its fast 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, the Huawei MateBook D15 offers performance that's totally sufficient for home users.
Our test model of the MateBook D 15 is available, among other options, at Amazon Germany for 525 euros to get.
Price comparison
The best affordable multimedia notebooks: Overview
Measurements
| Acer Aspire 16 A16-51GM-77G2 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16IRU9 | 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 | 41.5 | 39.5 | 98.8 | 99.8 | 65.1 | 65 | 69.3 | 42.3 |
| sRGB Coverage | 63.6 | 61.2 | 58.3 | 100 | 100 | 95.65 | 98 | 98.5 | 63.4 |
| AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 43.7 | 42.9 | 40.8 | 89.9 | 95.8 | 66.75 | 67.2 | 70.4 | 43.7 |
| Response Times | |||||||||
| Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 31.4 ? | 20.7 ? | 27.4 ? | 39.2 ? | 0.82 ? | 30 ? | 14.1 ? | 44.9 ? | 51.2 ? |
| Response Time Black / White * | 22 ? | 15.1 ? | 19.9 ? | 14.6 ? | 0.95 ? | 20 ? | 7.1 ? | 18.9 ? | 34.4 ? |
| PWM Frequency | 504.7 ? | ||||||||
| Screen | |||||||||
| Brightness middle | 352 | 313.3 | 340.2 | 520 | 384 | 276 | 415 | 451 | 299 |
| Brightness | 324 | 308 | 310 | 510 | 386 | 264 | 409 | 439 | 280 |
| Brightness Distribution | 86 | 91 | 81 | 93 | 98 | 85 | 91 | 92 | 89 |
| Black Level * | 0.27 | 0.37 | 0.3 | 0.35 | 0.16 | 0.32 | 0.31 | 0.2 | |
| Contrast | 1304 | 847 | 1134 | 1486 | 1725 | 1297 | 1455 | 1495 | |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 4.41 | 8.42 | 5.01 | 2.9 | 4.06 | 1.8 | 1.92 | 2.46 | 5.2 |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 15.04 | 19.09 | 18.23 | 6.2 | 6.73 | 3.77 | 5.71 | 4.24 | 20.8 |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated * | 3.52 | 2.16 | 1.93 | 1.1 | 0.49 | 0.63 | 0.58 | 1.32 | 4.2 |
| Greyscale dE 2000 * | 3.32 | 8.3 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 1.1 | 2.76 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 4.1 |
| Gamma | 2.44 90% | 2.83 78% | 2.18 101% | 2.19 100% | 2.26 97% | 2.37 93% | 2.272 97% | 2.24 98% | 2.2 100% |
| CCT | 7122 91% | 6296 103% | 7176 91% | 7422 88% | 6331 103% | 6564 99% | 7132 91% | 7289 89% | 6548 99% |
| Noise | |||||||||
| off / environment * | 23 | 23 | 22.9 | 24.4 | 23.4 | 25.4 | 25 | 26 | 24.1 |
| Idle Minimum * | 23 | 23 | 22.9 | 24.4 | 24.1 | 25.4 | 25 | 26 | 24.1 |
| Idle Average * | 23 | 23 | 22.9 | 24.4 | 24.1 | 25.4 | 26 | 27 | 24.1 |
| Idle Maximum * | 31 | 23 | 27 | 24.4 | 25.3 | 27.8 | 28 | 31 | 28 |
| Load Average * | 46.57 | 43.3 | 42.4 | 32 | 33.4 | 41 | 44 | 32 | 35.9 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 ultra * | 50 | 40.8 | 43.7 | ||||||
| Load Maximum * | 50 | 40.9 | 43.7 | 39.7 | 39.4 | 47 | 35 | 36 | 43.9 |
| Witcher 3 ultra * | 30.6 | 39.4 | 35 | 33 | 35.9 | ||||
| Heat | |||||||||
| Maximum Upper Side * | 47 | 35.4 | 39.6 | 40.3 | 39 | 52.4 | 46 | 41 | 40.6 |
| Maximum Bottom * | 50 | 33 | 43.4 | 45.9 | 35.8 | 50 | 48 | 43 | 43.9 |
| Idle Upper Side * | 31 | 30.2 | 26.4 | 26.3 | 25.2 | 30.3 | 28 | 29 | 25.6 |
| Idle Bottom * | 32 | 30.2 | 27.6 | 27.9 | 25.6 | 30.4 | 27 | 30 | 26.2 |
| Battery Runtime | |||||||||
| WiFi v1.3 | 607 | 761 | 419 | 983 | 510 | 484 | 588 | 792 | 529 |
| Load | 130 | 94 | 91 | 124 | 122 | 90 | |||
| Reader / Idle | 1568 | 1162 | 1011 | ||||||
| Power Consumption | |||||||||
| Idle Minimum * | 8.8 | 3.3 | 4 | 4.2 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5.5 |
| Idle Average * | 12.8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 11.6 | 6.5 | 10.1 | 7 | 5 | 9.1 |
| Idle Maximum * | 14.1 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 12.3 | 13.9 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 9.7 |
| Load Average * | 80 | 56.9 | 45 | 61.9 | 41.9 | 63.3 | 61 | 35 | 40 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 ultra * | 73.5 | 48.7 | 39.4 | ||||||
| Cyberpunk 2077 ultra external monitor * | 72 | 41.2 | 36.2 | ||||||
| Load Maximum * | 90.53 | 62.4 | 69.9 | 140.6 | 50.8 | 94 | 88 | 87 | 59.5 |
| Witcher 3 ultra * | 57 | 43.9 | 63.3 | 42.8 | 38.7 | 38.9 |
* ... smaller is better
Benchmark results
