Laptops
Laptops for your basic work and learn from home needs
All within a reasonable budget
We’ve been getting a lot of inquiries about laptops that can handle basic work and study needs but preferrably cost under and around PhP 30,000. So we reached out to some brands to see what they have on offer.
Bare in mind, we haven’t exactly tested all of these for ourselves. We can’t say for sure how they well they perform and are adding them on this list purely because they look good on paper. Hopefully, it helps you make an informed choice.
Here they are in no particular order:
ASUS
ASUS is popular brand because of their wide range of laptops that cater to nearly every budget segment. We’ve heard several stories of college students and young professionals relying on ASUS laptops for their study and work needs. As for us, we’ve tried their VivoBook series and we’re huge fans.
VivoBook 15 X512DA-EJ364T — PhP 25,995
Specs: 15.6-inch FHD display, AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, AMD Radeon RX Vega 8, 4GB DDR4 DRAM, 1TB SATA HDD, full-sized backlit keyboard, fast charting to 60% in 49 minutes, Windows 10 Home, 2 years global warranty.
ASUS Laptop 14 X409JA — starts at PhP 25,995
Specs: 14″ and 15″ display options, Intel Core i3 1.2Ghz, 4GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB HDD storage, Windows 10 Home, 2 years global warranty.
ASUS Laptop 15 X509JP — PhP 31,995
Specs: 15.6 FHD display, Intel Core i3 1.2Ghz, 4GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD storage, fast charting to 60% in 49 minutes, Windows 10 Home, 2 years global warranty.
ASUS also has an ongoing sale with Shopee. See if there’s anything there you’re interested in and fits your budget.
Bonus: ASUS VivoBook X412F is a laptop that we also reviewed. At PhP 32,995, it caters to those who want an affordable yet premium experience.
LENOVO
Anyone who’s worked in a corporate setting should be familiar with Lenovo Laptops. They’re known for providing office-issued work machines that are peppered with security features. While the ones on this list are consumer versions, you should still expect the same general level of quality and security.
IdeaPad Slim 3i Ultrabook — PhP 29,995
Specs: 15.6-inch FHD screen, Intel Core i3-10110U, 4GB DDR 2667 RAM (Upgradeable),512GB SSD Internal storage upgradeable HDD storage, MX130 2GD5 GPU, Windows 10 Home, 2CELL 35WH battery, 2 years carry in warranty, no office subscription bundle. Comes in Business Black, Platinum Grey, and Abyss Blue.
IdeaPad Flex 3i Convertible — PhP 25,995
Specs: 14-inch HD display, Pentium Gold 5405, 4GB DDR 2400 RAM, 512GB SSD, Windows 10 Home, 4CELL 45WH battery, 2 Years Premium Care warranty. Comes in Onyx Black.
Flex 3 Chromebook — PhP 18,995
Specs: 11.6-inch HD display, C-N4020 processor, 8GB LPDDR4 2400 RAM, 64GB HDD storage, 3CELL 42WH battery, 2-year international care warranty. Comes in Abyss Blue and Almond.
There’s a lot more and you can check out this list to see for yourself. Lenovo also has an ongoing LSS Promo where you can get laptops that worth PhP 35,000 at PhP 2000 to PhP 5,000 off.
Bonus: The Lenovo IdeaPad L340 Gaming which we reviewed is also currently on discount. From PhP 44,995 at the time of our review, it now currently retails at PhP 35,995 through Villman’s Lazada Store.
DELL
Dell is low-key produces some of the toughest laptops out there. They’re after sales support is known to be really reliable — not something you often hear about brands. We’d argue these might be the best laptops for basic work and more on this list.
Dell Inspiron 15 3593 — PhP 35,990
Specs: 15.6 FHD display, 10th Gen Intel Core i5 3.6Ghz, 4GB, 4Gx1, DDR4, 2666MHz RAM, 1TB 5400 rpm 2.5″ SATA HDD storage, NVIDIA® GeForce MX230 with 2GB GDDR5 graphics memory, 3-Cell Battery, 42WHr, Windows 10 Home, 1Yr In Home : Onsite Service warranty. Comes in Silver, Black, White.
Dell Inspiron 15 3593 — PhP 27,490
Specs: 15.6 FHD display, 10th Gen Intel Core i3 3.4Ghz, 4GB, 4Gx1, DDR4, 2666MHz RAM, 1TB 5400 rpm 2.5″ SATA HDD storage, Intel UHD Graphics, 3-Cell Battery, 42WHr, Windows 10 Home, 1Yr In Home : Onsite Service warranty. Comes in Silver, Black, White.
We’ll update this list whenever necessary. If you have laptops at around this budget that you would like to recommend. Let us know!
THE Michael Josh just got back from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas — the annual tech event that attracts all the biggest tech brands.
One of which is none other than ASUS, Taiwan’s biggest computing giant. They have launched the first wave of Windows laptops for 2026. There’s a full lineup — models for everyday folks, creators, and gamers.
However, we are focusing on these Zenbooks favorites the show: the updated 2026 Zenbook DUO and Zenbook A14, as well as a bigger Zenbook A16 model.
Eager to know more about them? Here’s our Spotlight on the three power-packed ASUS Zenbooks at CES 2026.
CES 2026
Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept was possible thanks to TCL
Also responsible behind the foldable display of the new motorola razr fold
At this year’s CES 2026 in Las Vegas, TCL CSOT (China Star Optoelectronics Technology) and Lenovo have further proved their long-term partnership. The newest Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept and the motorola razr fold are equipped with displays by TCL CSOT.
Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept
The continuous collaboration of the two mighty Chinese companies bring out something that has been envisioned in laptops for quite a while now.
Ever imagined of a conventional laptop with standard 16:9 display that can instantly stretch into a 21:9 widescreen monitor? Well, the Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept proves it’s more than possible.
Pioneering this partnership starts with TCL CSOT’s rollable display. Dubbed as the Lenovo PureSight OLED Gaming display. From a regular 16-inch 16:9 display, it completely transforms into an ultra-wide screen — stretching between 21.5 all the way to 24 inches.
For gamers and even e-sports athletes who seek visual flexibility (literally and figuratively), the display adapts to three (3) different training phases.
- Focus Mode (16 inches) for honing reflexes
- Tactical Mode (21.5 inches) for enhanced situational awareness
- Arena Mode (24 inches) for full-scale competitive simulation
Behind that rollable display tech by TCL CSOT lies a dual-motor, tension-based system. This not only means that the rollable display can unroll smoothly, the expansion is not just controlled, its contraction also delivers minimal vibration and noise.
There’s also a dedicated tensioning mechanism that ensures consistent tautness across the OLED panel. Low-friction materials then secures durability throughout the rolling cycle.
motorola razr fold
Finally, after a long wait, motorola finally unveils their first ever book-style foldable.
The motorola razr fold headlines TCL CSOT’s 8.1-inch 2K LTPO flexible inner display. And unlike most foldable offerings in the market today, it supports a stylus!
When closed, its 6.6-inch external display delivers the familiarity of a candy-bar smartphone. Furthermore, its sleek, striking, and slim silhouette will feel comfortable in one’s hands.
Not much has been shared but more details will soon be unfolded by motorola.
The Co-Innovation Legacy
The steady legacy of TCL CSOT and Lenovo has already delivered consumer-ready products past the convention center show floor showcase.
Those include the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i with a flexible 4K OLED display unveiled at CES 2025. Even the motorola razr 60 series flip-style foldables launched last July 2025 was not missed.
And, with the introduction of the Legion Pro Rollable Concept and the motorola razr fold, both companies continue to turn advanced display research into practical, user-focused products — setting new standards for performance, comfort, and sustainability.
With past display innovations, these newer advancements offer a more immersive viewing experience, better eye comfort, and flexiblility across various user applications.
This continuous collaboration highlights the companies shared commitment to advancing display technology and elevating the visual experience for users worldwide.
TCL CSOT’s constant strive for innovation is mainly driven by their APEX values:
- A-mazing Display Experience
- P-rotective of Eye Health
- E-co-Friendly to build and use; and
- X-Unlimited Imaginative Potential
Jun Zhao, the Senior Vice President of TCL Technology and CEO of TCL CSOT, states that the company is dedicated in providing Lenovo high-quality displays and custom diplay solutions that turn advanced technology into something “We are dedicated to providing Lenovo with high-quality, custom display solutions that turn advanced technology into everyday excellence, and
He also says “they look forward to exploring new frontiers together.”
The mystique of laptops has not abated since the pandemic. Portable PCs are still finding niches in today’s market. Whether you need an on-the-go office machine or a plug-and-play gaming rig, there is a laptop out there for you. This year is no different. As the year closes, it’s time to show some love to our Favorite Laptops of 2025.
ROG Zephyrus G14
As a gaming laptop, the ROG Zephyrus G14 brandishes a lot of the industry’s most powerful hardware. Shining with only a little more accoutrements as a MacBook, this notebook is sleek but a force to be reckoned with under its aluminum chassis.
We described the Zephyrus G14 as a laptop’s equivalent of “quiet luxury”; it doesn’t stand out, but anyone who knows the brand will give you a silent nod of approval. As part of the premium luxury segment, it does have a pretty high price tag, but that’s about the only thing that stops this laptop from being an immediate buy. Everything else is perfect.
Apple M5 MacBook Pro
Before the year ended, Apple dropped a surprising bombshell for its fans. The M5 MacBook Pro brings out a more powerful processor for Apple’s notebook segment. A premium alternative to the M4 MacBook Air, the notebook is “Pro but without the overkill.”
Obviously, it’s not for everyone. But, to those who need an additional jolt of power, the M5 MacBook Pro delivers everything you need and more.
Lenovo Yoga 7i Aura Edition
If you’ve dabbled in notebooks over the past decade, you should recognize Lenovo’s Yoga lineup. The 2-in-1 notebook popularized foldables before foldables were even a thing. With a 360-degree hinge, users can fold the notebook back into a tablet and vice versa.
The Lenovo Yoga 7i Aura Edition is the perfection of this technology, infused with today’s hardware. It’s not a perfect laptop or a perfect tablet, but if you need both, this notebook saves you the hassle of shopping for two separate devices. It’s a great deal.
ASUS Gaming V16
A robust gaming rig might be one of the most expensive things you can spend on today, especially because of rising RAM prices. Thankfully, being a gamer doesn’t have to be just as pricey. The new ASUS Gaming series brings decent gaming performance for a fraction of the price.
The ASUS Gaming V16 is your gateway drug to portable gaming. Starting at only PhP 59,995, the notebook offers users a taste of what the gaming world can do. It has a decent Intel Core 5 chipset and an RTX 40 series GPU. Plus, with a 63Whr battery, it’s built for grinding.
Apple M4 MacBook Air
If the MacBook Pro is too much power for you, this year’s M4 MacBook Air might fit your needs more. Though it doesn’t have Apple’s latest chipset, it’s still a decent all-around notebook for everyday use.
Because it doesn’t have the most robust hardware, the new MacBook Air is a master of portability. Even if it came out in the first quarter of this year, we were quick to call it one of the best laptops of 2025. As the year winds down, we’re still not taking away that distinction.
Lenovo Legion Go S
In the strictest sense of the word, the Legion Go S technically is not a laptop. Hear us out, though: Being a Windows-powered device, the handheld gaming device can act like a notebook in a pinch. Most importantly, it deserves some love as a computer, too.
For those who were expecting more traditional laptop fare, here’s a refresher: The Legion Go S is a portable gaming device that’s shaped like a Nintendo Switch. One version comes with Windows and can do much of what a laptop can do. Though it doesn’t have a standard keyboard, the power lurking underneath earns it a spot on this list.
ASUS Zenbook A14
There’s only so many ways you can differentiate a laptop from another, while keeping its essence as a notebook intact. In the case of the Zenbook A14, beauty takes center stage. Yes, it looks like any run-of-the-mill notebook, but it will still feel like one of the most premium devices you’ve ever touched.
The notebook sports ASUS’s iconic Ceraluminum which gives the Zenbook A14 a smooth, tactile finish that feels great to lug around. Plus, it weighs only 899 grams, making it handy for portability. If that’s not enough, the PhP 65,996 price tag is so affordable for its quality.
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