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Best POS systems 2020

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POS systems: why upgrade?

(Image credit: Square)

The best POS systems enable businesses to quickly and easily accept payments from customers; this includes everything from hotel rooms to hot dogs. But the days of the humble cash-only register are long gone. As the world of personal finance evolves, so too must POS systems.

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Your customers now have a wide variety of payment options available to them: contactless payments, Apple and Google Pay, bank cards with advanced new security features, and third-party payment providers. In fact, a recent study by Mastercard has shown that 50% of consumers globally prefer these new kinds of payments. 

At the same time, new opportunities exist for businesses to leverage advances in hardware and software, so they can better understand customer spending habits, manage inventories of all sizes, and offer practical services like on-floor payment processing and price checking. Greater flexibility in your POS system will mean faster transactions and greater satisfaction among your customers. 

It’s clear that modern POS systems can do wonders for your front-end operations. But which is the right one for your unique business?

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at POS systems, the different features they offer and how to prioritize them, and how you can choose the right POS to meet your needs.

POS systems: what you need to know

What is a POS system?

POS stands for point of sale, the physical location where financial transactions take place that conclude the sale of a product or service. In the past, this has almost always meant the cash register, which is still a predominant form of POS. 

However, POS systems have evolved to do much more: they can intelligently manage your stock; handle discounts, sales, and surge pricing; integrate directly with back-end accounting software; and even track employees.

A POS system typically comprises four main components: a screen to overview and manage information relative to a sale, a card reader, a receipt printer, and software that ties everything together. In retail sectors, a barcode scanner is also included. 

Are all POS systems PCI compliant?

While most, if not all, POS systems are PCI compliant, simply using one doesn’t mean that you don’t have to worry about other components of your payment ecosystem. Opting for a POS that manages more details can help streamline the process, but it may be more costly.

How many terminals do I need?

This depends on the size of your business and your daily turnover. For smaller or medium-sized businesses that deal with lower volume, a single payment terminal is probably enough. For medium-sized businesses dealing with high volume and for larger companies, two or three terminals will be ideal. The best solution is to start with one or two based on your volume and scale up as needed. 

What is a mobile POS?

POS systems have evolved to become more flexible, so they work on many devices. For example, with nothing but a smartphone and mobile card reader, you can manage payments, refunds, and more. Mobile POS solutions are especially useful for small businesses and those without a fixed address, like food trucks and personal trainers. But they also represent a great opportunity for fixed businesses looking to leverage pop-up stores, kiosks, and mobile storefronts. 

What is a tablet POS? Should I get one?

Most modern POS are built to work on iPads and Android tablets, which gives you greater flexibility. You can choose to have them fixed in place with a stand or to keep them free to serve customers in a new but increasingly popular mobile fashion. They’re often the easiest POS to use as well, as they’ve been simplified for easier handling on a tablet. Most of the systems in this guide are tablet compatible. 

What does a POS system cost?

Typically, you’ll pay once for hardware and then monthly or annually for software use and additional services. Not all providers sell both hardware and software, and not all charge for either hardware or software. 

In terms of hardware—that is, a payment screen, card reader, and printer—the costs have come down in recent years, and you can get all the hardware you need for a single terminal for about $600. Many modern providers have an array of components to choose from, so you can mix and match as needed.

Software is usually paid monthly or annually and varies widely. Simplest ones, like AirPOS, are as little as $30.00 per month, while Shopify Advanced comes in at $300, albeit with a bevy of extra features. Epos, on the other hand, allows for a one-time payment of $750, and Square only charges per transaction. 

Finally, you’ll incur certain transactional fees in your day-to-day operations. For each tap, dip, or swipe of a card, you’ll be charged anywhere from 1-5%. These vary between providers and even packages from the same provider. More expensive options often have less costly transactional fees, so you’ll need to balance things according to your business’s average activity.

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How it works

POS systems comparison

This is how our recommended POS systems compare head-to-head in four crucial categories. You can read a short review of each below.

POS systemMonthly feeCard ratesFree trialSupport
AirPOS$29.99Integrates with iZettle, SumUp, and WorldPay14 daysOnline form
Lightspeed POS$692.6% + 10¢14 days24-hr phone support (reduced weekend hours)
Shopify$292.7%14 days24/7 chat support
EposNow$39Integrates with iZettle and others14 daysEmail support (Pro: 24/7 phone support)
Square POS$02.6% + 10¢N/APhone and chat support

How we review POS systems

We reviewed many different POS systems before deciding on which to feature. This process involves evaluating key factors, including features, ease of use, set-up, support, and of course, pricing. 

All our reviews are based on hands-on experience: we trial software and materials to get a clear picture of what features are included, for example, and how easy or difficult it is to get started and use the software.

We anonymously contact user support so we can draw honest and informed conclusions about availability, knowledge, and friendliness. 

Finally, pricing is gleaned from websites, but we never hesitate to go in-depth with documentation and user support to provide the clearest possible picture. 

POS systems mini reviews

AirPOS review—Best for small businesses

best pos systems

(Image credit: AirPOS)

Price: £29.99 / month | Card rates: Variable | Free trial: 14 days | Support: Online form

AirPOS is a lesser-known POS service, but it has plenty to offer, including a simple and intuitive back-end and easy integration with payment and accounting software. Fully cloud-based, you can access your POS from anywhere and at any time. As it’s simple to use and easy to set up and has no fixed contracts, this is a great solution for small businesses. 

To make full use of AirPOS, including taking payments, you’ll need to integrate it with companion services like iZettle and SumUp, although this is an easy process. Because payments are handled through third parties, transaction rates are variable; iZettle, for example, starts at 1.75%.

Hardware is available through UK-based ePOS company StoreKit, with a wide variety of hardware options. If you already have a tablet so all you need is a card reader, that’s an option too. For small businesses, this makes it easy to start small and add hardware as needed. Additional features are available with the Pro package (£39.99), including a loyalty program. 

AirPOS is available without a contract or any hidden fees—just pay the monthly rate and you’re good to go. 

Read our full AirPOS review.

Get a free quote.

Lightspeed POS review—Best for: Bespoke solutions

best pos systems

(Image credit: Lightspeed)

Price: $69/month | Card rates: 2.6% + 10¢ | Free trial: 14 days | Support: 24-hr phone (excl. weekends)

Lightspeed is a rich and robust POS system, particularly well suited to restaurants, but it also works well for retail and e-commerce businesses. 

Lightspeed doesn’t offer off-the-shelf packages, so it’s a little more involved to sign up and get started. For smaller businesses looking for a simple solution, this may not be suitable, but for others, this customizability can be a real advantage.

Restaurant pricing starts at $59/month, with different features and options that can be added as needed. Transaction rates for card payments start at 2.6% + 10¢, which is about industry standard. Lightspeed also supports cash, checks, gift cards, and store credit variants.

Stock management is a full-service key feature, built for both retail and restaurant POS systems. It’s extensive and highly customizable, in keeping with Lightspeed’s MO. 

Lightspeed is available for Apple devices only: iPad or desktop. However, the apps are powerful and easy to use, so even those unfamiliar with the Appleverse will have no problems. Set-up is more involved than other “ready-made” POS systems, but the upshot is a bespoke, perfectly adapted POS for your business. 

Read our full Lightspeed review.  

Get a free quote.

Shopify POS review—best for ecommerce

best pos systems

(Image credit: Shopify)

Price: $29/month | Card rate: 2.7% | Free trial: 14 days | Support: 24/7 chat

The Shopify POS app is one of the best all-in-one e-commerce solutions available. Without the hardware, it’s a powerhouse for e-commerce businesses, but the addition of a simple card reader turns your smartphone or tablet into a complete POS solution for physical cash and card transactions. 

Shopify Basic comes in at a lean $29/mo, which makes it a good solution for small e-commerce businesses, though others shouldn’t dismiss it too quickly. Shopify Standard, at $79/mo, is a good all-round POS, and Advanced Shopify at $299/mo, while costly, is a full business management suite, with everything from staff tracking to advanced analytics. 

Card rates start at 2.7% and go as low as 1.5% for more expensive plans, so you can tailor your package to your volume. 

The basic version, great for e-commerce and small businesses, includes an online store, unlimited stock, staff accounts, 24/7 support, sales channels, order creation, and discount codes. 

Shopify works on both iOS and Android devices, so there’s not much of a learning curve here. If you know how to use your own device, you’re well on your way to opening up an online or physical store with Shopify.

Read our full Shopify review.

Get a free quote.

Epos Now POS review—best for hospitality

best pos systems

(Image credit: Epos Now)

Price: $39 / month | Card rates: Variable | Free trial: 14 days | Support: Email support

Epos Now is a cloud-based POS system that’s well-suited for use in hospitality settings, with a built-in CRM and plenty of extra capabilities, thanks to its app store. Because everything is in the cloud, you can access your reports and back-office tools from any browser, making this a convenient and highly versatile option.

In terms of pricing, you can pay $750 up front for the software, which can mean big savings in the long run: it’s cheaper after just 20 months of use compared to the monthly rate.

Product management and performance reporting will help you target opportunities, while employee reports enable you to train and incentivize where necessary. 

The built-in CRM will help you keep track of and analyze customer behavior. The loyalty mode is a great feature for hospitality businesses—it costs extra but is quite powerful.

Payments are managed through third parties, like iZettle and PayPal, so transaction rates depend on these services, although the app store means there’s no shortage of payment options: cards, Apple Pay, etc. 

Read our full Epos Now review.  

Get a free quote.

Square POS review 

best POS system

(Image credit: Square)

Price: $0 / month | Card rates: 2.6% + 10¢ | Free trial: N/A | Support: Phone and chat

Square was one of the earliest providers to enable card payments directly from mobile devices, with hardware that plugs into a smartphone or tablet. This makes it easy and affordable for mobile business owners to take card payments without needing expensive POS hardware. 

While others have adopted the model, Square still remains one of the best choices for mobile businesses. Particularly attractive is the pricing: Square only charges per transaction, with no monthly fees for software use. This is all the more interesting given that at 2.6% + 10¢, transaction rates aren’t much higher than other providers.

If you only need to occasionally take card payments, as is often the case with mobile entrepreneurs, this is a good compromise. 

Set-up is easy, and since the Square POS app works on both Apple and Android devices, it should feel immediately familiar. Handy features like Splitting a bill right from the product screen, PCI-compliant Cards on File, and an offline mode make this a surprisingly powerful little app.

Read our full Square review.

Get a free quote.

POS systems: the best features

These features make it easier to turn disappointed customers into enthusiastic ambassadors for your brand. A good POS can facilitate SRM by streamlining these processes. 

Product reports

Product reporting will help you better manage your stock and find opportunities for growth. Target poorly performing products for improvement or removal, and enact campaigns for the most popular ones. 

User accounts and permissions

Your staff doesn’t need access to everything. A POS system with user accounts and most importantly, permission settings will enable employees to perform their duties without you having to worry about them stumbling onto sensitive information. 

Mobile features

Mobile hardware, Android and iOS applications, and handy mobile features like bill splitting, Apple and Google Pay compatibility, and receipt emailing can all make it easier for mobile and small businesses to satisfy customers and increase turnover. 

Customer-facing display

For retail businesses, this is considered indispensable, and there are many options out there. Modern customer-facing screens are a great opportunity to inform customers and promote campaigns, all while providing a smooth and transparent transaction experience. 

Customer Relationship Management

An umbrella term for a host of features and functionalities, CRM enables you to build better and more productive relationships with customers. Contact details and payment history, for example, can be used to keep customers informed of new products that may interest them. 

Employee tracking and reporting

Streamline your daily operations with built-in employee clock-in and clock-out capabilities, and find opportunities for employee growth with reporting. Reward high performers and enact training when necessary. 

Stock management

A good stock management system can help you save costs and streamline operations. Many POS support multi-location stock management, enabling you to more quickly respond to stock problems or respond to customer requests. 

Loyalty programs

Included in CRM but still worthy of mention are loyalty programs, which many businesses have used with great success to boost sales and maintain customer involvement. A POS with strong loyalty program capabilities, as well as the ability to process gift cards, can be well worth the money.

Bulk operations

Getting started with a new POS doesn’t have to be a headache. POS systems that support bulk operations through CSV import, for example, or integration with third-party apps, will greatly simplify the process.

Further reading

Looking for more information on POS systems? Try these articles:

How to choose a POS system

How does a POS system work?

5 reasons why a business needs a POS system

Get a free quote.

Date

24 Nov 2020

Sources


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  • Best cheap laptop deals for February 2022

    Here's where you'll find all of the cheap laptop deals available to buy this week. We've scoped out all the major retailers to bring you only the very best offers on a whole range of laptops to suit any budget.

    In our list, we've picked out cheap laptops that come with the latest generation Intel processors, large SSD storage, performance-boosting RAM upgrades and high-quality displays. You will be able to find an affordable Chromebook, a great value laptop or a heavily-discounted ultrabook depending on your needs. You can jump to the devices within your price range or have a scroll through everything just below.

    Cheap laptop deals by budget

    For the quickest answer to the best laptop deal available right now, you should definitely check out the HP 14s laptop that's down to £349.99 at John Lewis (was £399.99). There isn't another cheap laptop deal we've spotted that beats it in terms of value for money. The inclusion of 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD will give you solid performance whether you need a device for everyday use, light work or media streaming.

    For those with less to spend, you could go for a budget Chromebook instead. There are some excellent offers in this category, as well as the option to upgrade to a Windows machine for less should you prefer that added flexibility. For the cheapest option, this HP 11-inch Chromebook is now £139.99 at Amazon (was £199.99) and is our top pick for the budget-conscious who need a machine for light use and basic tasks.

    What if you have a bit more cash to splash? Well, there are lots of killer laptop deals to choose from too. Our favourite here is the Acer Aspire 5 for £499.99 at Amazon (was £599.99). That's the record low for this laptop that comes with an Intel i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD - all huge performance upgrades at a surprisingly low price.

    Simply read on for more info on these and the rest of the best cheap laptop deals available this week. For you Apple fans, you might be interested in our MacBook deals page. Or, if you're just looking for the cheapest web surfer you can find, check out the best Chromebook deals available right now. Lastly, if you're after something with a bit more power, you'll want to check out all the best gaming laptop deals.

    Cheap laptop deal of the week

    HP 14s laptop: £399 £349 at John Lewis
    Save £50 –
    John Lewis has this week's best laptop deal. The highlight of this HP 14s is the combination of 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, which means you will get some terrific performance out of this laptop for everyday tasks and light work. At just 14-inches in size, it's great for those who need a portable and capable device, too.

    Cheap laptop deals under £200

    HP 11-inch Chromebook: £199.99 £139.99 at Amazon
    Save £60
    – Some of the cheapest laptop deals we've seen over the last couple of weeks are now unavailable, making this the best price you can pay for a basic 11-inch Chromebook today. It's still a good deal for a machine with 4GB RAM and 32GB of storage that will be suitable for light use and school work.

    Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 1i: £199 £149 at Currys
    Save £50
    – Those who prefer a basic Windows machine for under £200 will do well with this Lenovo IdeaPad that's currently £50 off at Currys. It comes with a free upgrade to Windows 11 and 1 year of Microsoft 365 to get access to all the useful apps such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

    Asus C523NA Chromebook: £229.99 £189.99 at Amazon
    Save £60
    – It's not always easy to find a laptop with a 15.6-inch screen for under £200 but this Asus C523NA Chromebook just slips under that price range at Amazon. Along with the larger screen size, you get an Intel processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage - all components you'd expect for this price and enough to power a machine for general browsing or basic office work.

    Asus 11.6-inch Chromebook Flip C214MA: £249.99 £199.99 at Amazon
    Save £50
    Unfortunately, the discount is a lot smaller than it was last week, but we still think Amazon has one of the best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy today. Just £200 for one of these flexible machines is a great price and the specification is reasonable for a basic budget laptop. The Intel processor, 4GB RAM and 32GB storage will be fine for basic tasks and light use.

    Cheap laptop deals from £200 to £300

    Asus VivoBook E510MA: £299.99 £219.99 at Amazon
    Save £80
    – You don't often see a laptop this cheap with 128GB of storage. If having extra room for files and applications without relying on the cloud is important then it's worth spending extra on this Asus VivoBook.

    Lenovo IdeaPad Duet: £279 £229 at Amazon
    Save £50 -
    The small yet impressive Lenovo IdeaPad Duet is still on offer and reduced by £50 this week. That's just £30 away from the all-time low over Black Friday. The tiny 10.3-inch 2-in-1 laptop is designed with portability in mind thanks to its size and the mighty battery life that lasted almost a full 22 hours in our testing. This is the machine you want if you're always on the go.

    Asus M515DA laptop: £399.99 £299.99 at John Lewis
    Save £100
    – There are some solid components for the price in this Asus laptop from John Lewis. An AMD Ryzen 3 processor and a 256GB SSD are not always easy to find for under £300 - and both will give you a noticeable performance boost with everyday use. You do have to compromise a little as this device only has 4GB of RAM, but that's enough to support simple tasks such as emails and browsing.

    Cheap laptop deals from £300 to £400

    Asus X415EA: £429 £319 at Very
    Save £110
    – This is a well-priced mid-range laptop from Very that features an i3 processor and 128GB SSD to ensure it performs well at a variety of general everyday tasks. As with other laptops in this price range, the 4GB of RAM is slightly disappointing but not a total dealbreaker considering the cost.

    HP 14s laptop: £399 £349 at John Lewis
    Save £50 –
    John Lewis has this week's best laptop deal. The highlight of this HP 14s is the combination of 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, which means you will get some terrific performance out of this laptop for everyday tasks and light work. At just 14-inches in size, it's great for those who need a portable and capable device, too.

    Dell Inspiron 15 3000: £469 £399.99 at Dell
    Save £70
    – Prices have fallen again at Dell so now's a great time to find a deal on the mid-range Inspiron 15 3000. What really sets this one apart is the inclusion of both 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD for under £400 - two top components to get the best performance out of your device. Add to that a capable AMD Ryzen 3 processor and you'll find it makes more involving jobs and multitasking a lot smoother.

    Cheap laptop deals between £400 and £600

    MSI Modern 14: £549.97 £419.97 at Box
    Save £130
    – This MSI Modern 14 is reduced by £130 at specialist retailer Box and is simply fantastic value for money. With a high-end Intel i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, you'll have enough performance to power through all general work and everyday tasks. The 256GB SSD also ensures speedy access to your files and applications.

    Acer Aspire 5: £599.99 £499.99 at Amazon
    Save £100
    – This laptop from Acer is well built but does feature a last-generation Intel processor - hence the discounted price. It's still more than suitable for all jobs such as emails, browsing, schoolwork and more. The 8GB of RAM ensures speedy performance while the 512GB SSD will give you super fast access to files and impressive load times for applications.

    Acer Swift 3: £649.99 £549.99 at Amazon
    Save £100
    – For those with a decent chunk of money to spend then we'd definitely recommend this deal on the Acer Swift 3 at Amazon. There's currently £100 off a machine that comes with an AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. These are all top-end components that will ensure your laptop can handle all sorts of tasks you throw at it without suffering from slowdown.

    Asus VivoBook S 15: £699.99 £599.99 at Amazon
    Save £100
    – This Asus VivoBook S 15 is the best high-end laptop deal available this week. It features some very powerful components including an Intel i5 processor, 16GB of RAM and a huge 512GB SSD. All these will ensure excellent performance no matter what tasks you throw at it - be that general browsing, video calls, office work or media streaming.

    Best laptop deals over £600

    Microsoft Surface Pro 7: £1169 from £639 at Microsoft
    Save £170
    – There's a big saving on the previous generation Surface Pro 7 from Microsoft. Two configurations of the tablet are available and we'd strongly suggest going for the £899 version as that comes with an i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD - all excellent components for an all-purpose device. Overall, it's the best deal on a Surface Pro this week.

    Asus VivoBook OLED: £699.99 £629.99 at Amazon
    Save £70
    – This is excellent value for money when you consider you're getting a crisp OLED display in this creative workstation laptop from Asus. The VivoBook range has been designed with content creators in mind, so this is one if you need a good range of ports to attach additional devices, 16GB of RAM to run demanding applications and a speedy 512GB SSD for quick access to files and applications.

    Dell XPS 13: £849 £749 at Dell
    Save £100
    – This is just £20 more than the best price we've seen for the Dell XPS 13 since Black Friday. Of course, it's not as cheap as the deal during that sales event, but it's only shy by around £30. Regularly considered to be one of the best laptops you can buy, get it for its powerful performance, thin and light design, stunning screen and premium build quality.

    Apple MacBook Air (M1): £999 £889 at Amazon
    Save £110 -
    You save a healthy £110 on the latest MacBook Air here – and one with the powerful M1 chip at the helm no less. That's an excellent price - even if we have seen it around £20 cheaper in the past in a particularly speedy flash sale. This configuration offers 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD which is a solid spec for general use.

    Which stores have the best laptop deals?

    • Amazon: retail giant is often the cheapest in the UK.
    • John Lewis: models come with at least two-year guarantee.
    • Very: Often surprises with cheap prices on electronics.
    • Laptops Direct: specialist UK store has a huge selection of laptop deals.
    • Box: another specialist store with some of the best discounts we've seen
    • eBuyer: the UK computing specialists have some great promotions.
    • Currys: the retailer that's seemingly always having a laptop sale.
    • AO: lots of cheap laptops at this growing electronics specialist.
    • Argos: home delivery or pick up a cheap laptop locally today.
    • Dell: get a great laptop deal direct from Dell.
    • Apple: MacBooks aren't exactly cheap, but they're excellent workstations

    The best cheap laptops

    The best cheap laptop deals are often found on low-price machines that edge their way into the mid-range category thanks to some superior performing-boosting components. It's in this pocket of budget laptop shopping that you'll find some of the most compelling offers. We've picked out a few devices from our guide to the best laptops so you can see the lowest prices available today.

    An Acer Chromebook 314 in grey

    (Image credit: Acer)

    1. Acer Chromebook 314

    A cheap and cheerful Chromebook regularly discounted

    CPU: Intel Celeron N4000 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 14-inch LED (1366 x 768) high definition | Storage: 32GB eMMC

    Excellent value for money
    Strong performance
    Premium look and feel
    No touchscreen

    With a 12-hour battery life, bright 14-inch display and tactile keyboard, the Acer Chromebook 314 offers everything you could ask for in a cheap laptop. While this model doesn't quite stretch to 64GB, storage is easily expanded using a portable hard drive and there's a full array of ports to take advantage of as well (though limited display options). What's more, this is one of those rare cheap laptops that looks and feels far more expensive than it actually is - something that makes it one of the best Chromebooks to buy. Thin, light, and sturdy, this is an excellent machine to throw in a backpack and expect it to last all day.

    An HP Pavilion 15 laptop

    (Image credit: HP)

    2. HP Pavilion 15

    The de facto learning laptop lives on

    CPU: AMD dual-core A9 APU – Intel Core i7 | Graphics: AMD Radeon R5 – Nvidia GTX 1050 | RAM: 4GB – 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch HD (1,366 x 768) – FHD (1,920 x 1,080); touch optional | Storage: 128GB SSD – 1TB HDD

    Thinner and lighter
    Tons of options
    Regular discounts
    Shallow, squishy keyboard

    A sturdy choice for a study laptop for school/college/uni. The HP Pavilion 15 has plenty of power for the average student's needs while keeping the costs sensible. There are plenty of configurations available in this budget laptop as well. Some of the best HP laptops favour speedy SSDs, while others go for larger regular hard drives, so it all depends on what you're going to need more really.

    An Asus Vivobook laptop

    (Image credit: Asus)

    3. Asus Vivobook 15

    Mid-range specs for entry level prices

    CPU: Up to Intel i7 | Graphics: Nvidia | RAM: Up to 16GB | Screen: FHD (1920x1080) | Storage: 128GB SSD – 1TB HDD

    Versatile and powerful
    Full HD screen
    Regularly discounted

    The Asus Vivobook 15 can usually be found from £399 upwards, offering baseline specs that vastly outperform many of the Chromebooks usually found at this price point and ranging all the way up to incredibly powerful configurations should you need them. With an expansive Nano-Edge display, you're even getting a full 15.6-inch sized laptop here, coming in at just 1.6kg, a fingerprint sensor and options for speedy Intel Optane memory as well. 

    Cheap laptops: what to look out for

    Cheap laptops can often lure shoppers in with a sub-£200 price tag, but unless you're picking up a Chromebook you're unlikely to get your money's worth with these particular models. Chromebooks largely run on Chrome OS, which means they rely less on more expensive components and more on cloud-based services provided by Google Chrome. That means you'll regularly find cheap laptops under £200 that are well worth your cash - provided they were built with this functioning in mind. 

    These kinds of budget laptops are regularly found on sale, but every now and then we do spot savings that offer mid-range specs for entry level prices.

    It's worth looking out for cheap laptop deals that offer a Windows 10 operating system, but only 16 or 32GB of storage space. You'll likely speed through those gigabites faster than you'd think, and storing those hefty Windows 10 updates often presents a new challenge in its own right. That means the smallest we would recommend on this page is a 64GB hard drive if you're running a Windows 10 or 10s operating system. 

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