Laptops Under £100 (2026) – Best Budget Options in the UK

Finding reliable laptops under £100 in the UK can feel almost impossible. Most people assume anything in this price range will be slow, outdated, or simply unusable. But that’s not always true.

If you know what to look for, you can still find cheap laptops that handle basic tasks like browsing, emails, YouTube, and light work. These are often refurbished laptops, older models, or Chromebooks—but they can offer excellent value for money.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best laptops under £100, what you can realistically expect, and how to choose the right one without wasting your money.

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Quick Summary – Best Laptops Under £100

If you’re in a hurry, here are the top types to look for:

• Refurbished business laptops (Dell, HP, Lenovo)
• Chromebooks for basic web use
• Older Windows laptops with SSD upgrades

These options give you the best balance of price and usability.

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Best Laptops Under £100 in the UK

1. Refurbished Dell Latitude Series

Refurbished Dell Latitude laptops are one of the best options under £100. These are business-grade machines built for durability and long-term use.

Why choose it:

• Strong build quality
• Reliable performance for everyday tasks
• Often upgraded with SSD for speed

Best for:

• Students
• Office work (Word, Excel)
• Browsing and emails

Check latest price on Amazon/eBay

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2. HP EliteBook (Refurbished)

HP EliteBooks are another excellent choice in the budget category. Even older models still perform well for basic computing.

Benefits:

• Professional design
• Comfortable keyboard
• Good battery life (depending on condition)

Use cases:

• Remote work
• Online learning
• Writing and research

Check latest price on Amazon/eBay

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3. Lenovo ThinkPad (Older Models)

ThinkPads are known for their reliability. Older models under £100 are still widely available in the UK.

Key features:

• Excellent keyboard
• Durable design
• Easy to upgrade

Ideal for:

• Typing-heavy tasks
• Students
• Budget business users

Check latest price on Amazon/eBay

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4. Budget Chromebooks

Chromebooks are a great alternative if you only need internet-based tasks.

Advantages:

• Fast boot time
• Lightweight OS
• Good for Google apps

Limitations:

• Limited offline software
• Not ideal for heavy programs

Best for:

• Kids
• Casual users
• Streaming and browsing

Check latest price on Amazon/eBay

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Comparison – What You Actually Get Under £100

Feature	Refurbished Laptop	Chromebook
Performance	Moderate	Light use
Storage	120GB SSD (typical)	16–64GB
Software	Windows	Chrome OS
Best for	Work + study	Browsing only

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Buying Guide – What to Look For

1. Processor

Under £100, expect:

• Intel Core i3 (older gen)
• Intel Celeron or Pentium

Avoid anything too outdated unless it has SSD.

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2. RAM

Minimum:

• 4GB RAM

If possible:

• 8GB RAM (much smoother)

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3. Storage

This is very important.

• SSD (Solid State Drive) = FAST
• HDD = slow (avoid if possible)

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4. Condition

Most laptops under £100 are:

• Refurbished
• Used

Always check:

• Seller rating
• Warranty (at least 3–6 months)

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5. Battery Life

Older laptops may have weaker batteries.

Tip:

• Use plugged in if needed
• Or check if battery replaced

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FAQs – Laptops Under £100

Are laptops under £100 worth buying?

Yes, if you only need basic tasks like browsing, emails, and documents. They are not suitable for gaming or heavy software.

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Can I get a new laptop under £100 in the UK?

Very rare. Most options are refurbished or second-hand.

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Is Chromebook better than Windows laptop?

• Chromebook = better for simple use
• Windows = better for flexibility

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Can I upgrade a cheap laptop?

Yes. Many refurbished laptops allow:

• RAM upgrade
• SSD upgrade

This can greatly improve performance.

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Where should I buy cheap laptops in the UK?

Best options:

• Amazon
• eBay
• Refurbished sellers

Always check reviews before buying.

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Conclusion

Buying laptops under £100 in the UK is possible—but you need to be realistic. These are not high-performance machines, but they can still be useful for everyday tasks.

The best strategy is to go for refurbished business laptops like Dell Latitude, HP EliteBook, or Lenovo ThinkPad. They offer better durability and performance compared to cheap new devices.

If your needs are basic, a Chromebook can also be a smart and simple option.

Take your time, compare options, and always check the latest deals before buying.

Check latest price on Amazon/eBay