Best laptops under $600

Top pick: Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i (15.6") — the best all-rounder here. An 8-core Intel Core i3 with 8GB of fast LPDDR5 memory handles browser tabs, Office, video calls and streaming without stalling, and it has the strongest owner ratings of the Windows machines on this list.

Who the others suit:

• Dell DC15250 — if you want the sharpest, smoothest screen (full HD at 120Hz) and a bigger 512GB drive; the most-reviewed pick, so the safest bet on reliability.
• HP OmniBook 3 16 — a larger 16-inch canvas for spreadsheets and split-screen work.
• Acer Aspire Go 15 — a budget Windows machine that's fine for light tasks, but weaker ratings.
• ASUS Chromebook Plus CX14 / CX34 — if almost everything you do is in a browser: fast, light, long battery, and the best value of the bunch. Skip Chrome OS if you need desktop Windows apps.
• ASUS Chromebook CX15 — the cheapest way to get a usable laptop for email, docs and streaming.
• Avoid the 4GB-RAM models (HP 15.6", Asus CX1100) unless it's a second screen for very light use — 4GB gets painful with many tabs.