Acer’s Core Extremely 7 laptop computer with 16GB RAM is simply $550 proper now

I at all times hold a watch out for inexpensive laptops, however that’s turning into much more related (and much harder) as these laptops begin to disappear. And I don’t suggest anybody run Home windows 11 on lower than 16GB of RAM, which makes deal-hunting even tougher. However at the moment I discovered one which meets my normal—it’s new, not refurbished, and solely prices $550. Should you’re available in the market, you may need to snatch it straight away.

The mannequin in query is the Acer Aspire 14 AI, a 14-inch laptop computer that’s typically featured with deep reductions. This one is notable for just a few causes. The specs are good: Intel Core Extremely 7 256V processor, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, 1TB of storage. The value is even higher: $549.99, coming instantly from Acer on its oddly voluminous eBay market. What I’m actually shocked about is that this explicit itemizing is for a brand new laptop computer, not refurbished, which is what I might’ve anticipated on this worth vary.

You’ll be able to learn extra about this laptop computer in PCWorld’s exhaustive evaluate. Briefly, it’s a fundamental, no-nonsense design with out many further frills, coming in at round 3 kilos with a shocking quantity of energy because of Intel’s Lunar Lake platform. The laptop computer on sale on eBay is definitely a bit of higher than the one PCWorld reviewed, as a result of the processor is bumped as much as a Core Extremely 7 mannequin with eight cores.

Different highlights embody a touchscreen, infrared digital camera for Home windows Hey facial recognition unlock, and loads of ports together with double USB-C, double USB-A, full HDMI, and a headphone jack. The battery is 65 watt-hours, which isn’t gigantic however ought to final for properly over 10 hours on fundamental net looking duties.

With that processor and its built-in Arc graphics, you need to have the ability to play nearly any 2D or older recreation, and even just a few newer ones on low settings. For some other sort of common work, it’ll fly by way of duties and browser tabs. The Aspire 14 AI isn’t fancy, however for a laptop computer purchaser on a 2026 funds, it’s virtually a diamond within the tough. For extra choices, try PCWorld’s picks for finest laptops below $500.