Devices, devices, devices—owning one is no longer an option but a necessity. Whether it be a smartphone , a tablet or a laptop, we need at least one of these things to stay social and remain connected to the interwebs.  All the latest gadgets advertise themselves as cutting edge but how do they really compare? How much of it is real and how much is artifice?  I am here to help you ascertain these things so you can find the device that suits you best. The market is flooded with so many kinds of gadgets of so many types that making a choice can be very perplexing. Today, let’s focus on laptops. Here are three budget-friendly laptops for beginners who are looking to get a decent device without it costing a limb-and-a-half. So, here’s to you, my friend:

Dell Inspiron 15 3552

If you want an affordable laptop that can handle your daily tasks with minimal hassle and with decent longevity, the Dell Inspiron 15 3552 is worth looking into. At the relatively low price of Rs 34,000, this device isn’t packed with the latest hardware, but it will handle your day to day tasks and multimedia requirements with ease. This Dell laptop is a great, affordable choice for students who primarily only need a computer for browsing the internet, running Microsoft apps and programmes—this is a nifty notebook built exactly for that purpose. In terms of looks and portability, the Inspiron is built with a slim design that is easy on the eye and weighs in at just 2.1 kgs. Yes, a feather-weight, 15 inch laptop which makes it exceptional in terms of portability.

On the inside, the Inspiron 15 3552 features an entry level Pentium N3700 processor which gives you a smooth enough user output. Of course, it’s not meant for heavy programmes like photoshop or graphic intensive games. However, if you’re a moderate user, you will find that this device has been crafted for those like you. The device also comes with a 40Wh battery that gives you about seven hours of back up. Similarly, it also comes equipped with a standard 4GB RAM and with a 500GB HDD as external storage option.

The Inspiron 15 3552 might not be the fanciest device on the market—in fact it can only be described as a humble device with modest features, however, it’s portability, good looks and efficiency for it’s price might make it a great fit for you.

Acer E5- 475- 34PX

If you are willing to cough up a bit more money than for the Inspiron, you will find that the Acer E5-475-34PX is a great medium-range laptop. With a few upgraded specs compared to the Inspiron, this device comes with an Intel i3 8th Gen processor that ensures that the performance is always smooth as long as you don’t use graphic intensive programs excessively.

Storage wise, you get 4GB of RAM and 1 TB of HDD, and though the device comes with integrated Graphics, don’t expect a seamless gaming experience on it. Delving deeper into the specs, the E5-475-34PX does come with a SD card and USB ports, making it connectable to several other devices if needed. The Acer also gives you a slightly better performance than the Inspiron in terms of multitasking because you get a slightly better processor and a stronger graphics setup, although do bear in mind, much like the Inspiron, this device isn’t built for intensive tasks. Only just deserving of its slightly higher price point, at the end of the day, the Acer E5 is only a slightly better device than its said competitor.

With a 14-inch HD display encased in a classy metallic frame, the E5 is a good looking laptop that weighs a little over 2 kgs, making it as portable as any other device out there. At the price of Rs 48,500, it might just be one of the best devices in this price bracket.

Lenovo Idea Pad 320

At Rs 56,500 the Lenovo Idea Pad 320 definitely is pushing the envelope for a ‘budget’ laptop, but the price is warranted—its comparatively superior performance more than makes up for the extra rupees, in my opinion.

The Idea Pad 320 has a 15.6 inch display, which makes it a bit larger than some of the other laptops mentioned here but do not worry too much about portability as it weighs in at just 2.2 kgs.

On the performance front, the device comes with an Intel 8th Gen i5 processor and a 2G GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics setup making it more than capable of handling gaming. Likewise, corresponding with the increase in price is an increase in storage, in the form of a 1 TB HDD. Like the other laptops on this list, you get great multimedia performance but also with an upgraded Dolby audio. In terms of connectivity, you are getting a lot of options here in the form of two USB 3.0 ports, one USB type C port, one Ethernet port, one card reader and an audio port. Battery- wise, however, you might feel a bit shortchanged as the device comes with a modest 2-cell 30Wh battery.

The Idea Pad 320 is a good option for people who are into entry-level gaming and as the specs should suggest, the laptop is also an excellent choice for everyday use.  All in all, it is a portable, user-friendly device that might just be worth the extra investment.