Let us understand the nuances of this specification and browse through the very best options you can presently find in the marketplace.
Table of Contents
- Our Picks: The 10 Best 8GB RAM Laptops for 2023
- 1. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop (8GB DDR4 RAM)
- 2. Dell XPS 13 8GB RAM laptop
- 3. Acer Swift 3 Thin & Light Laptop
- 4. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 8GB RAM Gaming Laptop
- 5. Dell XPS 15 Laptop with 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 6. HP Spectre x360 Convertible Laptop
- 7. Apple MacBook Air 8GB RAM Laptop
- 8. ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 UX482 (8GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
- 9. ASUS ROG Strix G15 8GB RAM Gaming Laptop
- 10. LG Gram 14Z90P Ultra-Lightweight Laptop
- Do you need an 8GB RAM Laptop?
- What to look for in an 8GB RAM Laptop: Essentials
- Conclusion
Our Picks: The 10 Best 8GB RAM Laptops for 2023
Below we have rounded up the best 8GB RAM laptops that money can buy in the market. Most top manufacturers from Dell and Lenovo to ASUS, Acer, and LG offer competent 8GB device options that work well as business or entertainment platforms.
For the perfect laptop that suits you, you can set aside anything from as little as $450 to $1200 or more. Some 8GB laptops offer the bare minimum in bells and whistles, while others provide exceptional sound, accessibility options, and long battery backup.
The important thing is to set your priorities straight – gaming, multimedia streaming, student projects, travel, and the like.
1. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop (8GB DDR4 RAM)
It gives you the power of an efficient AMD Ryzen 5 5500U CPU, a 256GB SSD, and AMD Radeon 7 Graphics.
It comes complete with Q-control to fine-tune your performance as per the need of the minute.
This IdeaPad is perfect for day-to-day tasks in your office or campus. Lenovo has thoughtfully added an inbuilt privacy shutter to the webcam, thereby keeping all your conversations secure.
With its FHD display and Dolby Audio, this 5.29lbs computer works well as an entertainment platform to stream multimedia content.
An assortment of connections allows you to access your essential documents or connect to an external display for content sharing and screening. With Wi-Fi 6 and HDMI, you also have USB-C for rapid data transfer.
2. Dell XPS 13 8GB RAM laptop
Check this out: an Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU, a 256GB SSD, a glorious OLED 3.5K display, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. It also offers stellar Waves MaxxAudio Pro sound and a screen-to-body ratio of 91.5%.
The display of this Dell XPS is charming. Dolby Vision and Eyesafe technology for reduced blue light emissions come together to create a magnificent experience. The 100% sRGB and 90% DCI P3 color gamut let you explore all the details of your content.
Dell has managed to make this laptop high on portability. With its weight of just 2.64lbs, a profile thickness of 0.58″, and over 14 hours of battery backup, you can easily carry this laptop anywhere. Plus, you can enjoy 500 nits of brightness and an anti-reflective coating – perfect for working outdoors.
3. Acer Swift 3 Thin & Light Laptop
The FHD display has a color gamut of 100% sRGB and a screen-to-body ratio of 85.73%. As for the unplugged usage, it is excellent – up to 12.5 hours of battery life.
Not just that, but you can get four hours of video playback after charging for only half an hour.
This Acer Swift is lightweight, mobile, and convenient to use while traveling. Acer brings this about with a combination of a light build (2.65lbs, 0.63”), Wi-Fi 6, and Amazon Alexa. A backlit keyboard permits you to work irrespective of the ambient lighting conditions.
The sound frontier deserves a special mention. Thanks to Acer Purified Voice technology and DTS Audio, you experience little background noise and enhanced voice quality on your business calls.
4. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 8GB RAM Gaming Laptop
This machine gets powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor and offers a 256GB SSD and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics for impressive audio-visual performance.
It can work well as an everyday computer for your work or be a fit companion for students. The price tag of $739.99 makes this affordable for many audiences.
The FHD screen comes with a refresh rate of 120Hz. If you intend to game on this laptop, the Nahimic Audio and large backlit keyboard (white) will come in handy.
This IdeaPad has decent battery backup: up to eight hours. Lenovo also employs its standard Rapid Charge Pro to allow you to power up quickly.
Note that this is a rather heavy pick at 6.89lbs, which does not make it ideal for users looking to travel frequently.
5. Dell XPS 15 Laptop with 8GB DDR4 RAM
If you are looking for a powerful and stylish computing companion for business, the Dell XPS 15 laptop with 8GB DDR4 RAM is a notable pick.
It is rather pricey at $1,149.99 but has multiple points in its favor, starting with dependable performance and an optional 4K Ultra HD+ display. An Intel Core i5-11400 CPU powers it, supported by a 256GB SSD and superior heat dissipation.
If you stick to the FHD+ screen, you can enjoy 500 nits of brightness, a 100% Adobe RGB gamut, and 94% DCI-P3. The 4K UHD+ panel, on the other hand, offers you 100% DCI-P3. Dell also integrates Eyesafe technology into the screen to limit blue light emissions.
This 3.99lbs laptop is slim (0.71″) and attractive with diamond-cut sidewalls. Plus, it travels well. Typically, you get about 13 hours of battery backup on the FHD model. If you decide to go with the OLED or 4K+ models, you can still work unplugged for around 8-9 hours.
6. HP Spectre x360 Convertible Laptop
It lets you experience excellent performance: an Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU, a 256GB SSD, and Intel Iris Xe Graphics.
The 4K UHD AMOLED touch screen is the highlight, opening up a world of immersive multimedia experiences.
Also, the brilliant display receives ample support from the quad speakers and Bang & Olufsen audio. Note that this convertible costs $1,249.99, so it may not fit every budget.
On the connections front, you get two Thunderbolt 4 ports along with other ports like HDMI and a display port. True to its mobile soul, this laptop weighs just 4.23lbs and measures 0.79”, which makes it easy to work on the run.
Privacy concerns, fortunately, are not an issue because of features like a kill switch for the webcam, a fingerprint reader, and a dedicated mute button. HP Quickdrop facilitates seamless but secure data transfer.
7. Apple MacBook Air 8GB RAM Laptop
This one is for multimedia professionals and others looking for high-quality performance (yes, including some gaming). The 13” Apple MacBook Air 8GB RAM laptop, costing $1,199.0, gets powered by an Apple M1.
It provides smooth compatibility with all your applications like Adobe Creative Cloud and works perfectly with your iPhone or iPad. With a 512GB SSD, up to 18 hours of battery backup, and a scissor-mechanism keyboard, this device can power your endeavors all through the day.
The engaging Retina display of this MacBook is a clear winner, with its True Tone technology and text clarity. Plus, you could always use the two Thunderbolt 4 ports to connect up to a 6K external monitor.
Apple is renowned for its customer care, and this one is no different in its coverage. You get a one-year limited warranty and 90 days of free technical support. If you also get AppleCare+, you get bonus coverage to insure against accidental damage.
8. ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 UX482 (8GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
It is based on a responsive and efficient Intel Evo Platform, helmed by an Intel Core i7-1195G7 CPU, and boasts a unique double display setup (ScreenPad Plus).
The second screen is a 4K touch display that simplifies multitasking by splitting windows, stretching the content to both screens, etc.
The primary display is quite magnificent in its own right. It clubs Pantone validation, TUV Rheinland certification for reduced blue-light emissions, and a screen-to-body ratio of 93%. At $1,299.99, you will get home a device that realizes spell-binding multimedia experiences and makes daily work faster.
ASUS uses an ergonomic lift design for this computer to offer easier typing, improved cooling, and better sound output. Since this laptop is lightweight and sleek at 3.64lbs and 0.67”, working outdoors is enjoyable.
9. ASUS ROG Strix G15 8GB RAM Gaming Laptop
Sample the specs: an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor, a 512GB SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics.
The inclusion of an RTX-series graphics card goes a long way in elevating your gameplay experience with features like real-time ray tracing and artificial intelligence for image enhancement.
This ROG Strix has an FHD screen with a refresh rate of 144Hz. It encompasses adaptive sync to iron out any glitches. It makes the display satisfying for casual gamers and those who frown at the slightest lags and delays. At the moment, ASUS has a splendid offer to tempt gamers: a free 30-day Xbox Game Pass with your purchase.
This affordable gaming device includes an RGB keyboard and a top-notch cooling system that uses a liquid metal compound.
10. LG Gram 14Z90P Ultra-Lightweight Laptop
The LG Gram 14Z90P ultra-Lightweight laptop weighs only 2.2lbs and has a profile thickness of 0.66”.
This $1,199.99 computer is ideal for frequent travelers who need to get work done in public transport, airport transits, etc. You will not feel weighed down by a heavy machine, but quick accessibility options like built-in Alexa will get your work done fast.
This LG laptop gets driven by an Intel Core i5 CPU and provides a 256GB SSD for your storage needs. The display comes with 99% DCI-P3 for detailed color rendition.
Impressive battery life is a feather in the cap for this machine: 25.5 hours! Add to that a collection of ports (two USB-C ports and an HDMI), and you have a workstation that can get installed anywhere in a blink.
Do you need an 8GB RAM Laptop?
To answer this question, ask yourself: will you be browsing the web with multiple tabs open at a time? What about streaming high-res content or processing data on different spreadsheets in parallel? All these tasks become streamlined as your RAM goes up.
Of course, if you play games even at moderate settings or run multimedia editing applications, 8GB of RAM is a must. Going with anything lower will produce lags and delays that will spoil the experience.
If you have the budget and the need, you can go up to 12GB or 16GB. It will make everything possible, quite literally. Yes, including heavy data rendering and gaming at the highest possible settings.
You are unlikely to need 8GB of RAM if your computing needs mainly consist of taking notes in the classroom and checking your e-mail. Usually, 4GB is sufficient for basic requirements.
What to look for in an 8GB RAM Laptop: Essentials
While selecting the best device for your requirements, it is helpful to focus on your priorities. For instance, if you need an 8GB gaming laptop, ensure that it also has a dedicated GPU, a high refresh rate (120Hz or more), and preferably a backlit keyboard.
If traveling is your mainstay, you will want a portable device that weighs less than 3lbs, has a good battery life (8 hours or more), and offers plenty of connections, including Thunderbolt 4.
Conclusion
Now, and likely more so in the New Year, 8GB machines are becoming popular. A range of users, from creative professionals to students, is going for more gigabytes to make their lives easier vis-à-vis running A/V applications and playing intense games without glitches.
The good news is that you have a vast range to choose from: various budgets, designs, and form factors. An all-rounder laptop like the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 can be yours for under $500.
The Dell XPS 13, however, will cost you over $1300 and makes more sense for business users who can use the extreme performance edge. The assortment also includes convertibles, heavy-duty gaming beasts, and student-friendly picks.
If you are looking to buy a new laptop in the coming year or upgrade your existing one, we can highly recommend upping the RAM. When picking between less and more, the latter is, usually, always better in computing specifications.
Higher RAM is a smart way to bring yourself some peace of mind as you blaze through your everyday roster of tasks. You will also save yourself the trouble of upgrading at a later stage when your requirements go up.
