7 Best Laptops with 8GB RAM in 2023

If you’re wondering whether 8GB RAM is enough for a laptop, you are in luck. Because we prepared this article to serve as a comprehensive guide for users looking to buy their next 8GB RAM laptop. And who knows, perhaps even save money for entertainment on the side. 

RAM is not everything when it comes to choosing a laptop. There are many other components and features to keep in mind, such as CPU/GPU, battery life, display, and budget, among other things.

In this article, we’ll cover all these things and more. Not only that, but we’ll also take a look at some of the best laptops with 8GB RAM available, and we’ll explain what makes each of them a good investment.

So let’s dive in. 

Minimum & Recommended System Requirements

Let’s face it, if you’re looking to buy an 8GB RAM laptop, you’re not aiming for the best gaming laptop money can buy. However, it is good to understand the specs sheet your new laptop should have in order to get your money’s worth. 

Here is a list of the minimum and recommended system requirements we think that a laptop with 8GB RAM should pack:

7 Top Laptops with 8GB RAM

Alright, now that you know how RAM works and how the other components fit in, let’s check out the best laptops with 8GB RAM.

1. Cheapest Option: HP 15

HP 15

• CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-1135G7
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SDD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
• Battery: Up to 9 hours

$413.99

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HP 15 is a budget laptop with 8GB RAM. Besides affordable price, this laptop is among the best machines for office and lighter classroom load.

The 11th Gen. i5 and an integrated GPU are quite enough for general tasks like word processors, Google Drive, web browsing, and mid-level Excel work. HP 15 does these tasks without a hiccup, but it will struggle with heavier ones like pro-level photo editing, CAD tools, or gaming.

As for the display, it’s actually pretty good. 15.6” is a lot of visual space, and this is an IPS panel, which means that colors are vivid and crisp. There is a relatively low cap on brightness levels, so if you work outdoors, it won’t be the best solution.

However, the design makes HP 15 a versatile laptop. The chassis resembles a solid mid-range work laptop, and I like the silver color, since it won’t attract that many fingerprints.

Moreover, at 3.75 lbs, this is a pretty portable machine. 7-9 hours of battery life for general tasks means you can easily take it to an office and work the whole day (unlike Lenovo IdeaPad 3, for example).

With a webcam and full numpad included, HP 15 is an excellent laptop with 8GB RAM for office workers and students looking for a strong budget machine.

2. Affordable Thin and Light Laptop: Acer Swift 3

Acer Swift 3

• CPU: 1.8GHz AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: Integrated Radeon RX Vega 8
• Battery: Up to 9-12 hours

$583.00

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Acer Swift 3 is only slightly more expensive than HP 15, but this 8GB RAM laptop is one of the portability kings — it’s light, enduring, and powerful enough for lots of tasks.

How light? Swift weighs only 2.62 lbs, which is, in fact, lighter than MacBook Air. So Acer’s line “ready to go on a moment’s notice” is quite accurate, especially when you take into account that the battery on this thing lasts 9-12 hours.

Of course, such long battery life is made possible by the 14” screen. The IPS panel is hi-res and very color-accurate, so if you dabble with photo editing, this is useful. Now, 14” may not be to everyone’s liking, but I’d rather have a somewhat smaller screen with much better battery life.

Speaking of optimizations, Acer opted for a respectable Ryzen 7 and AMD Radeon graphics. This CPU is quite capable of slicing through general tasks, and you can also do mid-level photo editing and even light-to-mid gaming.

The main concern is that RAM is non-upgradable. 8GB RAM can do a lot in a foreseeable number of years, but make sure you know your needs well. If you think your work will include demanding tools — like CAD, photo and video editors, or crazy-detailed Excel sheets — I’d go for the Lenovo IdeaPad series or cheaper HPs.

Overall, however, Acer Swift 3 has been one of the most popular laptops with 8GB RAM. It’s a great choice if you want a portable, affordable, and powerful laptop.

3. All-Round Performance from ASUS: ASUS VivoBook

ASUS VivoBook

• CPU: 3.3GHz AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 14-inch Touch FHD+ (1920 x 1200)
• GPU: Integrated Radeon RX Vega 7
• Battery: Up to 10 hours

$599.00

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The name ASUS often brings to mind gaming beasts like ROG Zephyrus and Strix. Yet their VivoBook S Flip is an excellent productivity laptop with 8GB RAM, strong performance, a touchscreen panel, and a very reasonable price.

The main attraction is undoubtedly the gorgeous 14” WUXGA touchscreen panel that flips back 360°. It’s super rare to find a 2-in-1 laptop in this price range, with a display that is color-accurate, thin-bezel, and responsive.

With 3.3 lbs and 9-10 hours of battery life, this thin laptop joins the ranks of super-portable and practical machines.

Underneath the hood, you’ll find a Ryzen 5 processor and Intel Iris GPU. Sure, the processor isn’t as strong as the Acer Swift’s, but it can still do a great job with general tasks, office work, and light editing.

More importantly, RAM can be upgraded to 40GB, which gives you plenty of options to further explore the laptop’s capabilities.

The build does feel somewhat cheaper than some of ASUS’ competitors, like Lenovo IdeaPad 3 or HP 15, but that might be just a personal preference.

If there’s one thing I’d point out, it’s that the speakers could have been better — they sound weak compared to some of the other laptops in this range.But still, all things considered, ASUS Vivobook offers incredible value for the money. With loads of ports and USB-C charging, it’s a great pick among 8GB RAM laptops.

4. Mid-Range Business Laptop: HP Envy x360

HP Envy x360

• CPU: 2.0GHz AMD Ryzen 7 5825U
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15-inch FHD Touch (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: Integrated Radeon RX Vega 8
• Battery: Up to 8 hours

$680.00

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If you’re looking for a mid-range business convertible, HP Envy x360 might just be the thing. Compact, elegant, powerful, touchscreen — this 8GB RAM laptop brings a lot of value for the money.

Think of HP Envy as a toned-down version of HP Spectre. Refined design without gold accents feels and looks very suitable for corporate environment.

Plus, Envy is one of the coolest laptops on the market — and I mean that very literally. It doesn’t get hot, and you won’t even hear the fans, which is great for meetings and conferences.

The AMD Ryzen 7 with Radeon GPU, similar to Acer Swift 3 specs, will easily perform business tasks, even the more demanding multitasking, whether online or in Excel.

As for the display, it is a treat. The 15” touchscreen panel is bright and color-accurate, with the good responsiveness HP is known for.

4.11 lbs is a reasonable weight for a 15” laptop, though using it in tablet mode might get uncomfortable. The battery lasts 6-8 hours, which may or may not be enough for a full day of office work. Luckily, the machine supports fast charging.

As for the downsides, the sound is a bit hollow, and that is a personal impression. Also, I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of the trackpad — I’ve definitely seen better.

These are not deal breakers, though — because this 8GB RAM laptop comes with so many goodies, at an enviable price.

5. Best with Dual Screen: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

• CPU: 2.9GHz AMD Ryzen 5 6600U
• RAM: ‎8GB DDR5
• Storage: 256GB SDD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$658.00

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Does it make sense to get a gaming laptop with 8GB RAM? Glad you asked, because Lenovo’s IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a great laptop for entry-level gaming, with a dedicated GPU, gorgeous display, and fast RAM.

The machine is powered by a Ryzen 5 and an RTX 3050, which is a great combo to run, say, GTA V with 60 frames (no small feat, we’ll agree).

Add to that DDR5 RAM, which is much faster than DDR4, and you’ll get those fps spinning pretty consistently. The RAM is upgradable to 16GB, and I’d sincerely recommend using that.

As expected, the display comes with a high refresh rate, so your protagonists are ready to face their enemies as soon as they show up. A 15.6” panel is hi-res, vivid, and engaging.

I do wish that the model had a little more storage — 256GB is enough for 2, max. 3 bigger games. Luckily, the SSD can be upgraded.

Most gaming laptops’ components cause quite a stir in the heating department, and IdeaPad Gaming is no different. Fans did get a little loud from time to time, but it’s nothing too serious.

Of course, this laptop can be used for many other tasks — if you upgrade the RAM, it will do well even with heavier tasks like photo and video editing.

Overall, IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a sleek laptop with lots of benefits. If you’re just starting out in the gaming world, this 8GB RAM laptop is an investment well worth considering.

Gaming with style > Watch our Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Review

This YouTube review was created by the Not Just Laptops team. The specs may slightly differ from the laptop in the article.

6. Design and Performance: Apple MacBook Air M2

Apple MacBook Air M2

• CPU: 2.4 GHz 8-Core Apple M2 Chip
• RAM: 8 GB DDR5
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 13.6-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1664)
• GPU: Integrated 10-core GPU
• Battery: Up to 16 hours

$1,038.65

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When it comes to 8GB RAM laptops, MacBook Air is the ultimate productivity machine and a category unto itself. 

Ever since the inception of Apple’s M-chips, 8GB RAM in MacBooks often means more than it does in Windows laptops, because of the overall optimization. This is especially true with the MacBook M2 series, which is faster than the M1.

So what can you do? A lot. Even the M1s were awesome with some of the heaviest tasks like video editing, smoking good-on-paper laptops in terms of performance. MacBooks are probably the only laptops today where 8GB RAM isn’t the limiting factor for multitasking, editing, and even some gaming.

Plus, you get a crazy good, hi-res screen and the Apple keyboard, which is one of the best on the market.

The newest Air M2 also has a 1080p webcam (finally, I might add) and a ridiculously high battery life of up to 15-16 hours. Oh, and it’s even lighter than the M1, at 2.7 lbs.

However, if you want a large display, this laptop is not for you. I can’t say I mind the 13.6” display, but I understand that some people prefer larger panels. If that’s the case, maybe check out the MacBook Pro M2.

Overall, though, MacBook Air M2 is among the top picks for laptops with 8GB RAM. It brings unparalleled value in this category and performs better than many other laptops with higher specs.

Recommended reading: MacBook Air M1 and M2: A Good Gaming Laptop?

7. Mobility and Performance: Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro

• CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core i7-1260P
• RAM: 8GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 13.3-inch AMOLED FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: ‎Integrated Intel Iris Xe
• Battery: Up to 13 Hours

$820.00

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If you want an ultrabook with fast 8GB RAM and intend to use it mainly for work and media consumption, Samsung makes a compelling case with Galaxy Book2 Pro.

First off, this thing is light — actually, it’s the lightest laptop on this list. At 1.92 lbs, it’s seriously giving off vibes of the LG Gram series, that’s how unbelievably light it is.

Plus, the whole system is run by a 12th Gen. i7, which is not that common in 8GB RAM laptops at this price. It’s a super-powerful processor which can easily handle most of the workload you throw at it.

The best thing is a gorgeous 13.3” AMOLED display, with very deep blacks and colors that really pop. Watching movies or YT videos on this panel feels amazing.

There’s also a good amount of ports — more so than on the MacBook Air. Besides USB-C charging, you also get a miniSD card reader, which is surprising for a laptop this size.

For whatever reason, Samsung decided not to install additional RAM slots, so you can’t upgrade it. So make sure to weigh your needs carefully before choosing an 8GB or 16GB RAM model.

Also, the sound is just ok. I feel like there should be more bass and that the speakers could have been a little louder.

However, overall, this is a great ultrabook to have if you’re often out and about. It’s super powerful, gorgeous to look at, and it brings massive performance with general tasks.

Buying Guide for Best Laptops with 8GB RAM

When researching and buying a new laptop, besides RAM there are several other important things to keep in mind. Here are just a few: 

1. First and Foremost, Understand How RAM Works

For starters, if you aren’t well-versed with computing resources, RAM helps the laptop’s CPU initiate tasks quickly and without hiccups. Think of RAM as your computer’s short-term memory where all running apps and their data are stored. 

Let’s say you have several browser tabs open at once while listening to music in the background. On top of this, you are also writing a piece of content in MS Word (kind of like me with this article). Well, RAM helps your computer shuffle all these tasks easier and faster. 

If and when the system runs out of memory, all these processes start slowing down.  

2. You Also Need Processing Power 

But RAM is not everything in terms of computer performance. No matter the amount, you still need to pair it with a good CPU.

For an 8GB RAM laptop, you should consider something with at least an Intel Core i5 or an AMD Ryzen 5 processor. This combo is enough for web browsing, office work, and even light gaming.

3. Think About Storage 

In addition to RAM, you should also think about the laptop’s storage. While there are still some cheaper options with HDD drives, we recommend going for something with an SSD as a faster and more reliable option. 

As for the storage capacity, more is always better, but also more expensive. So, for everyday use, aim for something with at least 256GB, and if that is not enough, you can always upgrade or get external storage. 

4. Check for Upgradability 

It is very important to understand that 8GB RAM should be the bare minimum for a computer to run properly nowadays.

However, apps are constantly becoming more resource-intensive, especially with RAM. So if your current budget allows you to get only an 8GB RAM laptop, at least get one with extra slots for upgrades. 

5. Set Your Budget 

Your budget is one of the main considerations when buying an 8GB RAM laptop. You must decide how much you can afford to spend and look for options within your price range. 

Truthfully, the RAM is one of the cheapest components on the laptop, while other components, such as CPU, graphics card, and display, make the most of a laptop’s cost. Obviously, the higher the price tag, the more premium components the laptop will have. 

6. How About Games and Content Creative Tasks? 

If you want to play video games or work on creative tasks like photo and video editing, having a good GPU is the most important thing. But having more RAM will definitely help things run smoother. 

While 8GB RAM is great for running most older games, and even some less demanding new ones, you’ll definitely need more if you want a laptop that can run the latest AAA titles. 

As for photo and video editing, you could get by with 8 gigs for simple school projects, but it won’t be enough for professionals. 

FAQs about Laptops with 8GB RAM

Verdict

As you can see, laptops stacked with 8GB RAM are still capable of holding their own when professional productivity, college work, and entry-level gaming are concerned. 

However, not every 8GB RAM laptop is created alike, and you need to check your preferences and expectations before making a purchase.

Let’s mention some of the laptops once again: 

• If you are looking for something that can run games,  the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a winner,
• If you care about performance and portability, and you don’t mind letting go of the Windows 11 OS, the Apple MacBook Air M2 is an amazing choice,
• Finally, if you’re looking for something reliable, cheap and with decent specs, check out the HP 15.

Maybe you’ve decided to trade up RAM after all — if that’s the case, laptops with 16GB RAM are the next step.

 Let us know if you have any questions about a specific laptop and our team will answer shortly.