Looking for the best laptop for surfing the web? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Finding a laptop that fits your needs in your budget can be a daunting task. We’ve done all the research and made a simple list that’ll appeal to most users out there.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best laptops for browsing the internet.
Best Laptop for Surfing the Web
ASUS Vivobook S15 S530FA-DB51 - Editor's Choice
The ASUS Vivobook S15 S530FA-DB51 is the Editor’s choice for the best laptop for surfing the web. After completing the daunting task of going through hundreds of laptops, we can confidently say that this laptop is clearly the best option for most people.
The ASUS Vivobook S15 S530FA-DB51 comes with a reasonable price tag that makes this notebook a good choice for a wide variety of users. Along with the features, you can see that this laptop can be used for a ton of other things apart from just browsing the web.
With a weight of 3.65 pounds, this is a light laptop compared to some other laptops in the same category. It also offers you all the portability you need as well. Just slide this into your bag and carry on with your work without thinking twice.
The construction of this laptop is super premium. It comes with a nice coat of gray and screams premium. The keyboard is a nice one and comes with an ergo lift technology that lifts the keyboard giving you a better angle to type. The keys have nice tactile feedback which is always good to have. The touchpad is smooth and is pretty responsive.
The display is one of the major components in a laptop when it comes to web browsing. Here we have a 15.6″ screen with full HD resolution. Having a full resolution means that you’ll get much crisper images and sharper texts. If you like reading magazines and other online publications, then this high res screen will chime in nicely.
Another reason why we love this display is because of the thin bezels. ASUS calls this the Nano Edge bezels and they are significantly smaller than the ones on other laptops. These smaller bezels make up for an immersive viewing experience. When you’re browsing the web in fullscreen mode (yes, some people do that), the experience is a lot better, thanks to those nano bezels.
There is no lack of processing power in the ASUS Vivobook S15 S530FA-DB51. We have an Intel Core i5 processor from the 8th generation and it is capable of doing a lot more than just browsing the web. Along with the eight gigs of DDR4 RAM in the memory department, you can do a bit of multitasking without any problem. With this memory, you can also keep more than a few tabs open without worrying about lag.
The storage department is decent here as it has a 256GB solid-state drive. This SSD comes with excellent read and write speeds. It is handy in booting up Windows 10 in a few seconds. You can also open and close browsers and other apps super quickly.
The laptop doesn’t have any discrete graphics card and frankly, it doesn’t really bother us as we’re looking at this as a laptop for browsing the web. You can, however, play some light and even some mid-range games with the right settings.
The battery life is pretty good at around 8 hours. With light usage, you might be able to stretch it to even 9 hours which is impressive. If you’re planning to use this laptop for surfing the web and stream videos online, then you’ll get these numbers as well. If you do some heavy lifting, this number will go down.
How good are the connectivity options in the ASUS Vivobook S15 S530FA-DB51 you ask? Very good. The laptop comes with a couple of USB 2.0 ports, a USB 3.0 gen A port, a USB type C port, an HDMI port, and also a micro SD card reader slot. The lack of an Ethernet port is somewhat baffling but the laptop compensates for it with the inclusion of 802.11ac WiFi connectivity. There is also support for Bluetooth connectivity as well.
Overall, the ASUS Vivobook S15 S530FA-DB51 is the best laptop for surfing the web. It comes with all the specs you need for your web browsing. At the same time, it doesn’t stop you from doing anything else as well. At an affordable price, the ASUS Vivobook S15 S530FA-DB51 model is clearly our best laptop for browsing the web.
- Bang for the buck specs
- Battery life is excellent
- Great for web browsing
- None at this price point
Asus C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook - Best Chromebook for Surfing the Web
Chromebooks are everyone’s first thought when we talk about laptops for browsing the web. These are devices that are exclusively made for browsing the web and working online. No wonder why we thought of that first.
But in this list of best laptops for surfing the web, we can’t name some Chromebook and call it a day. We have to give you the best one and the Asus C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook model has the best balance of them all.
This Asus C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook model comes with impressive specs and should you the user the best experience of browsing the web under Chrome OS.
We have a 12.5″ screen that comes with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This gives us a pixel density of 176 which is pretty good for a laptop. The display is excellent and has vibrant colors that make this screen even more colorful when you consume media. The viewing angles are also pretty sweet as well.
The audio out of this device is pretty good. It is not going to win any awards but it surely packs a punch. If you plan to stream videos online, then you need a laptop with good quality sound. This model satisfies that criteria with flying colors.
A nice touch here is that the display here is a touchscreen. This gives the user an extra dimension to play with. This also means that you can use this laptop also as a tablet. Just go into the tablet mode and browse the web to your heart’s content with the help of your fingers.
The Asus C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook is a convertible Chromebook. You can turn this laptop into a tablet and also into other modes as well. Some of the other modes are the tent mode (which is great if you’re on the move) and the viewing mode. This laptop gives you more versatility in terms of usage and gives you more options to play with.
One of the best things about Chromebooks is that they are super portable. This one is no different in that aspect. The Asus C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook comes with a weight of 2.65 pounds which is not really a lot of weight, to be honest. You can simply put this in your travel bag and carry on as if nothing extra has been added to your baggage.
How good is the battery life in the Asus C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook? Well, with light usage this one lasts for about 10 hours which is excellent. The fact that they managed to achieve this with a quality full HD screen is just commendable. To put things into perspective, this Chromebook will last for the entire day if you’re only going to use it for browsing the internet and maybe for some streaming.
The Asus C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook is no slouch when it comes to processing power. Though we don’t have a beast of a processor, the Intel Core M3 is an entry-level processor that is made for laptops like the Chromebooks. With 4 gigs of RAM, this model can handle more than a few browser tabs with ease. Now that you can run Android apps on your Chromebook, this processor will surely come in handy.
For storage, we have 64 gigs of flash storage. This is not a lot, but the Chromebook is not meant to be used as a regular laptop. All the applications run on the cloud, thanks to Chrome OS. This space can’t be used to storing videos and pictures, but for installing more applications on the device. If you ask us, this is more than enough space if your main intent is to browse the web.
The device comes with 802.11ac WiFi connectivity that allows you to connect to the internet. There is no Ethernet port on this model but you’re not going to find any on Chromebooks so that’s not really a problem. This 802.11ac WiFi is a lot faster than its predecessor and gets you good speeds for your browsing.
Overall, the Asus C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook is our second choice for browsing the web. The only problem here is that not all will want to use Chrome OS, so if that’s not for you, then this might not be the one for you. But if you don’t mind using Chrome OS, the
- Excellent display
- Impressive battery life
- Can also double up as a tablet
- Only for those who like Chrome OS
Dell XPS 13 - Best Windows Laptop for Surfing the Web
Dell has been making some solid Windows laptops over the years and this model here is no different when it comes to the quality of the build and performance.
We have the 13.3″ version of the XPS model mainly because it is a lot cheaper than the 15.6″ model. This model here has a much smaller footprint because of the bezels. Dell calls this screen an infinity edge display and it comes with super-thin bezels. As a result, they’ve managed to put a 13.3″ screen in a chassis that is a lot smaller.
The screen has full HD resolution and it is a clear winner when it comes to picture quality. The contrast in images is nice and you get really good colors on the screen. The pixel density is also pretty high as we have full HD resolution in a smaller screen size. Because of this improved pixel density, you see sharper texts on screen making this display an excellent one for browsing the web.
The sound coming out of the laptop is also pretty good. If you plan to stream your favorites on this laptop, then you’ll enjoy the multimedia experience. Even at high volumes, there is very little distortion in sound which makes this the best Windows laptop for browsing the web and streaming.
In addition to the already amazing display, we also get a touchscreen as well. This allows you to be as interactive with the OS and its elements as possible. If you love browsing the web, then you can do it more naturally than ever before.
How good is this laptop for things other than browsing the web? The laptop comes with adequate processing power in the form of Intel Core i5 8265U processor which clocks to a maximum of 3.9GHz. This is a quad-core processor and can handle your everyday tasks without any issues.
The memory department comes with enough memory in the form of 8 gigs of DDR4 which can also be upgraded later in the future. This processor memory combination can handle even some resource-hungry without disturbing the regular performance of the laptop.
The storage in this laptop is a 128GB M.2 PCIe NVMe solid-state drive. To a normal user, this might not look like a lot of storage but since you’re looking for the best laptop for surfing the web, this storage should be more than sufficient. If you think you might need more space, then you can opt for the 256GB or the 512GB SSD model.
Another strong point of the Dell XPS 13 model is battery life. With normal usage, you should be able to squeeze out 9 hours of battery which is pretty good. Even with heavy use, the laptop will last for about 6 hours and that should put a smile on hardcore users.
There is no Ethernet port on this laptop. But it comes with built-in 802.11ac WiFi connectivity that allows you to browse the internet at high speeds. The laptop also sports a USB type C connector so you can be sure of t
- Infinity Edge Display is gorgeous
- Excellent battery life
- Can double up as a workhorse
- None at this price point
Apple MacBook Air - Best Mac for Surfing the Web
Apple makes excellent machines albeit being a bit expensive. But we can’t deny the fact that there are people who only use Apple products and if you’re one of them, you’d want the best Apple Macbook for surfing the web.
The Apple MacBook Air is a 13.3″ laptop that comes with a retina display. This MacBook Air line was recently updated by Apple to have a better display and internals. The previous generation had a sub-par display when compared with the MacBook Pros.
The display is a true tone display that comes with excellent color accuracy for normal users. We can even go far to say that this is the best display in an ultrabook and we wouldn’t be wrong. You’ll enjoy browsing the internet on this display with sharp texts and crisp images.
The MacBook Air is also a beast when it comes to multimedia performance. The laptop is super loud and can fill a medium-sized room comfortably. If you want to stream videos online, this laptop will do a very good job of it.
The keyboard in Macs has been getting some criticism over the last few years. Sadly, not much has changed but Apple has made incremental improvements in this generation. Apple’s obsession with the thinness of the device has led to a keyboard that fails to impress most people.
The trackpad, on the other hand, is a gem to use. It is smooth and bigger in size compared to the older versions. If you’re well-versed with macOS, then you’d know that the OS comes with a ton of gestures that make your life a lot easier. This touchpad is perfect for those gestures.
The Apple MacBook Air also comes with TouchID which is Apple’s fancy name fora fingerprint reader. If you’ve used phones with TouchID, you’d already know how convenient they are. The same is true with the TouchID in this MacBook Air. You can log in to your user account without having to type a password. Also, if you have multiple users, it will automatically log in to your respective accounts.
The storage we have here is a 128GB SSD. Yes, there are better storages available but for a laptop for just browsing the web, we thought this storage is more than enough. Also, you get excellent read and write speeds with the SSD which make up for an excellent day to day performance.
Arguably the best thing about the Apple MacBook Air is its battery life. With light usage, the Apple MacBook Air lasts for about 12.5 hours which is extraordinary. You can browse the web, stream videos online, and even do some light work without bringing this number down by a good bit.
The Apple MacBook Air weighs about 2.75 pounds which is pretty light even for an ultrabook. You can easily take this with you and take it with you wherever you go. Thanks to the stellar battery life, you can also carry this with you and surf the web on the go.
Coming to the connectivity option in the Apple MacBook Air, there isn’t much to talk about. The laptop comes with only a couple of USB type C ports and that’s it. These two ports can be used for charging, data transfer, and also for hooking up for high-end monitors. The Apple MacBook Air comes with 802.11ac WiFi to connect to the internet.
Overall, if you’re a fan of the Macs, then this Apple MacBook Air is a great and probably the least expensive way to browse the web. When compared with the Pros
- Super solid build quality
- Amazing Retina display with True Tone
- Excellent overall performance
- Lack of versatility in ports
Acer Aspire 5 A515-54-51DJ - Honorable Mention
The Acer Aspire 5 A515-54-51DJ is our honorable mention for the best laptop for surfing the web.
This laptop from Acer’s Aspire series comes with all the specs you’d want for the most reliable web browsing experience. The price is also affordable which makes this laptop a good option for those who are on a tight budget.
The first thing you’re going to notice in this Acer Aspire 5 A515-54-51DJ model is the stunning display. We have a 15.6″ display that comes with full HD resolution. Not only is the resolution impressive, but this is also an IPS panel which makes this display excellent for media consumption.
Thanks to the resolution, your web browsing experience will be sharp and crisp. If you love reading stuff online, you can do that with pristine quality. You can also consume content on this laptop, thanks to the IPS panel. The viewing angles are also awesome so no more hesitation to call over a bunch of friends for a movie night.
If streaming online is the main reason you’re going for a laptop, then it is important to see if the device has a good audio output. Luckily, the Acer Aspire 5 A515-54-51DJ comes with impressive sound quality. It can fill a small to medium room without any problem. You may get some distorted sound at high volumes, but that’s going to be there for any laptop.
The next most important thing in a laptop for surfing the web is battery life. The Acer Aspire 5 A515-54-51DJ model gives you an excellent 9.5 hours when you do simple tasks like browsing the web. This is an excellent number and will serve you well. If you get lucky, you might even get away with it for the whole without having to charge your laptop which is super cool.
When it comes to processing power, the Acer Aspire 5 A515-54-51DJ gets an i5 processor from Intel’s 8th generation. It is a solid processor and gives you all the power you need for a premium browsing experience.
There are 8 gigs of DDR4 RAM in the memory department which will allow you to browse the web without having to worry about performance issues. You can open many tabs in Google Chrome or in any browser of your choice. The tabs won’t reload quickly as you have more memory to handle them.
For storage, there is a 256GB SSD. This solid-state drive is fast and has a ton of advantages over the traditional mechanical drive. The OS boots up in seconds and the same is true for other applications as well. The size of the SSD is also right as it gives you some space to store some videos or other data you treasure.
There are several connectivity options on this laptop. It comes with an Ethernet port that can give you access to high-speed internet. However, this is going to leave some ugly wires around your laptop. To avoid that, you can make use of the 802.11ac WiFi connectivity available on the device.
The Acer Aspire 5 A515-54-51DJ laptop, though it looks a bit bulky, is one of the best portable laptops there is. It weighs around 3.97 pounds which is super easy to carry around. If you’re someone who moves a lot, then this laptop will be your perfect travel companion.
The keyboard on this laptop needs a mention as well. If you enjoy typing on the go, then this keyboard will take good care of you. The keys have good travel which is nice. The touchpad is smooth and takes your inputs well without missing any.
A nice addition to this laptop is the fingerprint reader. This enhances the security of this laptop and also allows you to log in a bit faster which could save you half a second here and there.
you need and will not let you down which is why the Acer Aspire 5 A515-54-51DJ is our honorable mention for the best laptop for surfing the web.
- Excellent value for money
- Stellar battery life
- Gorgeous display
- Nothing at this price point
What to Look for in the Best Laptop For Surfing The Web?
If you’re going to need to find your own laptop for surfing the web, then make sure to follow the guide below to get a rough idea of what to look for in the best laptop for surfing the web.
Display
The display is probably the most important feature when you plan to buy a laptop solely to browse the internet. You need a nice display that’ll be good for your eyes even after long hours of staring at your screen.
Go for a full HD display if you can afford it. The reason for this is that you’ll see sharp texts and clear images and in this day and age, anything below full HD might not be the best to consume content on a laptop.
Also, go for an anti-glare display as you won’t see any reflections on the screen in a bright environment. If your budget stops you from going the distance, then go for a simple 1366 x 768 resolution but be sure to get a smaller screen as it will lead to a better pixel density.
Processor
The processor is not the most important component of a laptop when it comes to browsing the web as it is often a simple task. The only time where it gets a bit complicated is when you open a ton of tabs. Even then the stress is on the memory department and not wholly on the processor.
If you’re going for the likes of a Chromebook, most of them would have an Intel Celeron processor. Though that is a perfectly fine entry-level processor, it is better at least an i3 processor if that option is available. If you prefer a Windows or a Mac laptop, then shoot for an i5 as a minimum.
Memory
The memory in the laptop is an important factor when it comes to browsing the web. Most of the users are used to Google Chrome which is notorious for being a memory hog.
If you’re going after a Chromebook, most of them will have 2 gigs of RAM. But we’d suggest getting at least a minimum of 4 gigs of RAM as it is essential for browsing the web using modern browsers.
If you want the absolute best experience, then we recommend getting a laptop with 8 gigs of DDR4 type RAM. This will allow you to open more tabs in your browser and will keep most of them open without refreshing them often in the name of memory management.
Storage
Storage is really not that important when it comes to browsing the web. Almost anything would do. If you don’t need to store anything on your laptop, then we suggest you get a 128GB solid-state drive.
We prefer a solid-state drive to a traditional mechanical hard drive as it is a lot faster in everyday use. It boots up the OS in seconds and is great when it comes to handling applications. If you’re super tight on budget, go for an HDD. If you can afford it, SSD is the only way to go.
Battery Life
Battery life is probably the most important element in a laptop that you want for surfing the web. Sometimes surfing the web can take hours and hours even without anything on your mind. If you’re going to stream videos online on Netflix and Amazon Prime, you’re going to need a lot of battery.
We’d suggest going with a laptop that gives you at least 8 hours of battery life. Most decent modern laptops will give you this battery life without any issues. Having extra battery life at the end of the day will allow you to use your laptop without having to search for the power outlet.
Connectivity
Connectivity is important in a laptop as it tells you how you’re going to connect to the internet.
If you want high-speed internet access, then you should get a laptop that supports an Ethernet port. This will allow you to get the best speeds out there.
If you’re going for modern machines, then chances are they won’t come with an Ethernet port. In those cases, the laptop will have WiFi compatibility. Be sure to look for 802.11ac WiFi as it is a lot faster than the 802.11n WiFi.
That brings us to the end of this list. We hope you found the laptop of your dreams to browse the web.
Is there something we missed? Do you know better models than the ones on the list? Let us know in the comment section below.
Also, please do refer Consumer tech central for more detailed buying guides.