Best Windows laptops under $200

Top pick: HP 15.6" HD Pentium N200 — the only one here with a full 1080p screen, and it's a touchscreen, so text and video calls look sharp and it's easy to use without a mouse. A solid everyday Windows machine for browsing, email and documents.

Who the others suit:

• HP 14" HD Windows 11 (N150) — the safest bet if you want a current-generation, mainstream Windows 11 laptop rather than a refurb; smaller screen, so better for carrying around.
• Lenovo ThinkPad X260 — for typists and travellers: a compact 12.5" business machine with a Core i7 and 8GB RAM, built to take a knock.
• HP Stream 14 — the lightest-spending option for pure web and email use.
• HP Pavilion x360 2-in-1 — if you want a convertible that flips into a tablet for reading or streaming.

Two cautions: several of these are pre-owned, and the cheapest listings have only 4GB RAM or older low-resolution screens — fine for the basics, slow if you keep many browser tabs open. Skip the 10.1" kids' models unless it's for a child.