If you’re shopping for a budget computer in the UK, there are some key principles to follow so you get good value for money — without overspending or ending up with something that feels slow or obsolete. Here’s a guide to help you choose wisely.
What “budget” usually means in UK
- For laptops / desktops: around £300–£600 is often considered a realistic “budget” range for general-use machines.
- Within this price-band you can expect a machine that handles web browsing, Office work, streaming, Zoom calls, light photo/document editing — but probably not heavy creative workloads or modern AAA gaming.
- If you need more performance (e.g. for video editing or gaming), you may need to spend more or accept compromises in other areas (e.g., portability, storage).
Budget computers in the UK under £600 include laptops and desktops suited for everyday tasks like productivity and light entertainment.
1. BOSGAME E2 Mini PC Ryzen 5
4.5 out of 5 Ratings
BOSGAME E2 Mini PC Ryzen 5 3550H Processor(4C/8T, Up to 3.7 Ghz) 16GB RAM 512GB NVMe SSD Mini Desktop Computers, Type-C, Dual HDMI 2.0, RJ45 LAN, Wi-Fi5/BT 5.0, for Business and Office.
Key features include a comfortable keyboard and solid performance for multitasking.
Best for: Everyday budget use and general productivity.
2. GEEKOM A5 2025 Mini PC with 3-Year Coverage
4.6 out of 5 Ratings
GEEKOM A5 2025 Mini PC with 3-Year Coverage, with AMD Ryzen 5 7430U (Beat N95/N97/N150, Up to 4.4GHz) 16GB High-Speed RAM & 1TB NVMe SSD, Vega 8 Graphics/Win 11 Pro/8K Quad Display/WiFi 6/BT 5.2
Battery life supports all-day use, though it’s an older model.
Best for: Users under £350 needing basic computing like browsing and streaming.
3. All-in-One PC 23.8 Inch Curved Display Core i7 7700HQ(up to 3.8Ghz) All in one Computer 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Dual Band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, Complete with Wired Keyboard & Mouse
4.5 out of 5 Ratings
All-in-One PC 23.8 Inch Curved Display Core i7 7700HQ(up to 3.8Ghz) All in one Computer 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Dual Band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, Complete with Wired Keyboard & Mouse.
Best for: Productivity and reliable daily work on a tight budget.
4. HP Chromebook Plus 14
4.7 out of 5 Ratings
Blackview Mini PC Windows 11 Pro, Intel Twin Lake N150 (Beats N97/N100, up to 3.60 GHz), 16GB RAM 512GB M.2 SSD Mini Computer, 4K UHD Dual HDMI, 5G WiFi, Mini Desktop PC for Office/Home/Business.
Best for: Web-based computing, students, and casual users.
5. STGsivir Gaming PC
4.7 out of 5 Ratings
STGsivir Gaming PC, Gaming Computer Desktop Tower, GeForce RTX 2060 Super 8GB GDDR6, Core i7 up to 4.0GHz, 32GB RAM DDR4, 1TB SSD, WIFI 6, BT 5.0, RGB Fan x3, Windows11 PRO
Best for: Travel, portability, and light creative tasks.
Tips: How to Decide What “Budget” Means for You
- Think what you’ll use the PC for: simple tasks (internet, docs), office work, school, light editing → budget PC; gaming, video editing, heavy multitasking → mid-range or higher.
- Don’t go for ultra-cheap devices with only 4 GB RAM or eMMC storage — they often feel sluggish and aren’t worth the “savings.”
- If buying a used or refurbished PC — make sure it has an SSD and enough RAM (preferably 8 GB or more) and that the CPU is not too outdated.
- Factor in upgradability — a PC that allows adding more RAM or storage later can give better long-term value vs a super-cheap locked model.