Best Laptops for Internet Surfing

Finding information online is now easier than ever. However, to enjoy the flexibility and convenience of learning or doing anything you want off the cloud, you need a good laptop. If you don’t know what to look for, we specifically prepared this guide to help you find the best laptops for internet surfing. 

Our Top Laptops for Internet Surfing

We did plenty of research and identified a few laptops that offer the best online experience. If you are looking for laptops with uncompromising browsing speeds, you should consider the following recommendations. 

Brand
Best Overall
Acer Aspire 5
Best for the Money
Apple MacBook Air
Best Cheap Pick
HP Premium 15
Product
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop, 15.6" Full HD IPS...
Apple 13" MacBook Air Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM (2017...
HP Premium 15.6-inch HD WLED-Backlit Display...
Processor
Intel Core i7-8565U
1.8GHz dual-core 5th-generation Intel Core i5
Intel Dual Core i3-7100U
RAM
12GB
8GB
4GB
Rating
-
-
Best Overall
Brand
Acer Aspire 5
Product
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop, 15.6" Full HD IPS...
Processor
Intel Core i7-8565U
RAM
12GB
Rating
-
Price
Best for the Money
Brand
Apple MacBook Air
Product
Apple 13" MacBook Air Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM (2017...
Processor
1.8GHz dual-core 5th-generation Intel Core i5
RAM
8GB
Rating
Price
Best Cheap Pick
Brand
HP Premium 15
Product
HP Premium 15.6-inch HD WLED-Backlit Display...
Processor
Intel Dual Core i3-7100U
RAM
4GB
Rating
-
Price

Best Overall Laptop for Internet Surfing: Acer Aspire 5

Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop, 15.6' Full HD IPS...

You will love the Acer Aspire 5 for its huge screen. However, that is not the only reason we think this 15 inches laptop is the perfect fit for navigating the internet. The display’s Full HD resolution is immediately satisfying. You’ll see everything you do on the internet with impressive clarity on the roomy 15.6-inch screen. 

The combination of an Intel Core i7 processor and 12GB of RAM will ensure fast and reliable browsing. Even the most complicated web pages will load quickly to save you the frustration of slow browsing speeds.

There is also 512GB SSD storage. This will help you have a tremendous speed performance while offering you enough space to store all your files and applications. If you are also into the habit of downloading many files, you won’t run the risk of running out of space too soon.

The laptop comes with a dedicated 2GB NVIDIA GeForce MX250. This in combination with the ample RAM and 8th generation Core i7 processor will strip complications from your surfing experience. You can open multiple tabs without bottlenecking the laptop’s performance. 

The discrete graphics will also allow you to play some internet games and browse graphic-intensive webpages without any major performance hiccups. On top of that, you get a comfortable backlit keyboard for speedy typing while browsing. 

The battery life is pretty impressive. You can get up 10 hours of uninterrupted internet surfing without having to recharge. 

What We Like

  • Competitive processor and 12GB RAM for fast browsing
  • Sufficient 512GB SSD storage 
  • Discrete 2GB NVIDIA GeForce MX250 for playing online games
  • Long battery life 
  • Comfortable backlit keyboard for speedy typing while browsing
  • Highly quality display for watching online videos 
  • Attractive design 

What We Don’t Like 

  • A bit bulky for internet surfers on the move 
  • Doesn’t come with an optical drive 
  • Pricey 
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop, 15.6" Full HD IPS...
  • 8th Generation Intel Core i7 8565u Processor (Upto 4.6 gram Hz) | 12GB DDR4 Memory | 512GB PCIe NVMe...
  • 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED backlit IPS display | NVIDIA GeForce MX250 with 2 GB of...
  • 1 USB 3.1 Type C Gen 1 port, 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Ports (one with Power off Charging), 1 USB 2.0 Port & 1...

Best Laptop for Internet Surfing for the Money: Apple MacBook Air 

Apple 13' MacBook Air Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM (2017...

The Apple MacBook Air is an easy recommendation when it comes to internet surfing. While some of its features are a step back from what you get with the Acer Aspire 5, the laptop will still treat you to impressive overall performance. 

Consider this instead of the Aspire 5 if you are looking for a smaller more portable design, longer battery life, and a more lenient price tag. 

On paper, it’s easy to think that the MacBook Air is a lesser performer compared to the Aspire 5. This is because it comes with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD storage, a smaller 13.3-inch screen, and integrated graphics. 

However, this is only partly true. This laptop is just as powerful. You will still get the same fast browsing speeds, fast video streaming, and an even longer battery life. 

The MacBook air sports a premium and portable design that is more likely to attract the attention of internet users on the go. For instance, if you operate an online venture and move around a lot, this will be the perfect laptop to pack. You can comfortably use it while traveling or when on vacation. 

The 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB RAM make for a formidable combination for internet surfing. You can open multiple tabs and navigate sites with complicated structures without any significant issues. The built-in Intel HD Graphics 6000 GPU will also help to make your browsing experience more streamlined.

Although the GPU is integrated, you can play some entry-level online games, do creative work using cloud-based applications, and enjoy some video streaming.

What We Like

  • Long battery life for uninterrupted browsing 
  • Competitive processor and 8GB of RAM for smooth internet surfing 
  • Portable making it a good fit for internet surfers on the move 
  • Stylish design 

What We Don’t Like 

  • A bit pricey 
  • Lackluster SD display 
  • Insufficient SSD storage 
Apple 13" MacBook Air Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM (2017...
  • 1.8 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 Processor
  • Intel HD Graphics 6000
  • Fast SSD Storage

Best Cheap Laptop for Internet Surfing: HP Premium 15 

HP Premium 15.6-inch HD WLED-Backlit Display...

If you are doing light internet surfing like reading news, using social media, or doing research, you don’t need an expensive laptop with killer specs. You can still get a cheap option that is up to the task although you will have to comprise on a few performance aspects. 

If you are looking for a cheap laptop for internet surfing, we recommend the 15.6-inch HP Premium. For this price point, you are getting a laptop that will comfortably take care of most of your internet browsing needs. 

While the 4GB of RAM and an Intel Core i3 processor means that you will be getting a less exciting browsing experience, all is not lost. The dual-core Intel Core i3 processor clocked at 2.4GHz is capable of fast browsing. You can still open more than a few tabs and play some mobile-level games. 

Blended with the 4GB of RAM and a 15.6-inch HD display, you will enjoy satisfying light browsing. The best part is, you can browse for up 10 hours without draining the battery. 

However, as is the custom with most cheap laptops, the HP Premium does come with a bit of weight. It weighs 4.72 pounds which places it on the far end of portability. The HD display is also not much for streaming or playing games online.

What We Like 

  • Huge 15.6-inch Display 
  • Generous 1TB HDD storage
  • Long battery life for longer browsing on a single charger 
  • Lenient price tag for internet users on a budget

What We Don’t Like 

  • Too heavy for internet users who travel a lot 
  • Average display quality 
HP Premium 15.6-inch HD WLED-Backlit Display...
  • 15.6" diagonal HD SVA BrightView micro-edge WLED-backlit (1366 x 768), Intel HD Graphics 620
  • Intel Dual Core i3-7100U 2.4GHz 3M Cache Processor, No Optical Drive, HP TrueVision HD Camera
  • 4GB DDR4 SDRAM 2133 MHz, 1TB 5400 rpm SATA Hard Drive, Stereo speakers

Best Convertible Laptop for Internet Surfing: Dell Inspiron 13 

Dell Inspiron i5378-7171GRY 13.3 FHD 2-In-1 (7th...

For more convenient internet surfing, you might want to consider getting a 2-in -1. This is a computer that you can either use as a tablet or a standard laptop. They are also known as convertibles or hybrid laptops. 

Most convertibles are portable which means you can easily carry them around and browse on the go. The Dell Inspiron 13 is a perfect example of a 2-in-1 laptop that will significantly revolutionize your browsing experience. 

It packs a powerful blend of features for superfast browsing. These include a 3.5GHz Intel Core i7-7500U CPU, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD storage, and Full HD display. 

With this kind of internals, you can expect incredibly responsive browsing even on heavy visual web pages. The 13.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) is ideal for watching videos online or doing some creative tasks. 

Aside from the tablet and laptop mode, you can also use this laptop in a tent mode especially when multitasking. For example, while in this mode, you can watch an online tutorial while preparing your favorite meal. 

The display supports IPS Truelife LED-backlit for better viewing experience. While the integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 GPU is not built for hardcore gaming, video streaming, or creative design, it can comfortably handle most web browsing tasks. 

What We Like 

  • Powerful Processor with 8GB of RAM for fast browsing 
  • Portable design for browsing on the go
  • Backlit keyboard for speedy typing even in dim areas 
  • Versatile convertible design 
  • Full HD display 

What We Don’t Like

  • A bit pricey 
  • Doesn’t come with an optical drive 
Dell Inspiron i5378-7171GRY 13.3 FHD 2-In-1 (7th...
  • 7th generation Intel Core i7-7500u, up to 3.5 GHz Processor
  • 8GB DDR4 2400Mhz included; 16GB maximum
  • 256GB SSD storage; No Optical Drive included

What to Look for in a Good Laptop for Internet Surfing 

The best laptops for internet surfing don’t need top of the line specs. Below are some of the most important features to look out for when buying a laptop to use for browsing. 

Person internet surfing using their laptop

Portability

If you travel a lot or commute daily, you will need to look for a laptop that is easy to carry around. In this case, you will have to sacrifice the display size to get a more portable option. It is a bit difficult to find a laptop that is both portable and with a big screen. You will have to either sacrifice portability or opt for a smaller display. 

So if you care more about portability that screen size, we recommend for an 11-13-inch display. This will allow you to browse on the go especially if you are operating a location-independent online business. 

Display 

When it comes to the display, you will need to consider both the screen size and resolution. Bigger screens are in most cases better for internet surfing since they provide more real estate for online content. If you are looking for a big screen, you should go for either a 15-inch or a 17-inch. Keep in mind you will most likely have to sacrifice portability for a bigger screen. 

In terms of resolution, Full HD is often the sweet spot. However, you can go with an HD resolution. If you are feeling lucky finically, 4K resolution would be great. You should also check how comfortable the screen is to look at especially if you are browsing for long hours.

You want to go for one that is not harsh on your eyes and offers the best viewing experience. 

CPU

This is the brain and heart of the laptop. For this reason, the processor is at the core of every internet surfing exercise. When you open a browser, type on your keyboard to search for info, or play a video, the processor is responsible for executing the right command to ensure that everything works perfectly. 

Laptop being used to view a website

For hardcore internet browsing such as running cloud-based applications, playing online games, video editing, or streaming video, we recommend an Intel Core i7 for the best experience. However, if you are on a budget, you can go for either a dual-core Intel Core i5 or Core i3 depending on your needs and budget. 

RAM

The Random Access Memory works closely with the processor for faster performance. More RAM means that you can multitask while browsing. For example, you can open several applications or multiple tasks without hurting performance. 

If you are on a budget, you can go for 4GB of RAM. However, for more demanding tasks you will need 8-16GB of RAM. 

Conclusion

We hope this guide will help you find the best laptops for internet surfing without breaking the bank. We did plenty of research and if you buy based on our recommendations, you will most likely get a laptop that clicks with both your needs and budget.

Liam Weissman

A lover of MacBook Air and the Dell XPS line of laptops, Liam has been researching and writing as a guest blogger for numerous websites for over 10 years. Now, he blogs about tech trends, PCs, laptops, gadgets, and other emerging gadgets on FancyAppliance.com.

Recent Posts