Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Apple MacBook Neo (formerly MacBook)
Best Budget PickASUS TUF Gaming A14 (2024)
Best Gaming LaptopPrice
$599
$900-$1,200
Summary
At $599, PCMag calls it the best budget laptop for most buyers — delivering Apple's build quality and display in the most affordable Mac ever made. A rare case where the cheapest option is also the smartest.
Reddit's top gaming laptop recommendation for the price — a 14-inch powerhouse with a monster CPU and solid GPU that hits the sweet spot between portability and gaming performance. Consistently praised in r/GamingLaptops.
Pros
- Superb build quality at $599 — cheapest Mac ever made
- Stellar screen quality for the price point
- Apple's full support ecosystem and software longevity
- Lightweight and portable for everyday carry
- Exceptionally powerful CPU for its size and price class
- 14-inch form factor balances portability with gaming capability
- Strong value-per-dollar compared to premium gaming brands
- ASUS TUF build quality holds up to daily use
Cons
- Limited to basic compute needs — not for power users or gaming
- Smaller display may not suit users wanting 15+ inches
- macOS ecosystem lock-in
- GPU performance trails larger 16-inch gaming laptops
- Fan noise under load can be significant
- Display quality is functional but not premium
Our take
The MacBook Neo at $599 is a genuine steal if you're in the Apple ecosystem. PCMag's endorsement here is strong, and for basic computing needs it's hard to justify spending more.
The TUF A14 is what Reddit actually recommends when someone asks for a gaming laptop without a $2,000+ budget. It punches well above its weight class and the 14-inch form factor makes it genuinely portable.
Buy
