If you need a new laptop, it's important to make sure that it has at least 8GB of memory. Several budget devices come with 4GB, but even for light productivity tasks like writing and editing documents, 4GB won't be enough. Having this little memory will result in a user experience that's often slow and unresponsive. While 16GB is often preferred these days, 8GB is still more than enough for general productivity, web browsing, and even a solid 1080p gaming experience. Thankfully, many 8GB laptops are also very affordable, meaning you don't need to break the bank just to get a more responsive computer. Our favorite 8GB laptop is the HP Pavilion 15 since it has good specs, a great display, and a strong design, but there are several other excellent alternatives for best laptop with 8GB of RAM available as well.
The HP Pavilion 15 represents the ultimate balance between specs, design, and price. The latest refresh features up to a very capable 12th Gen i7-1255U processor, the choice between Intel's impressive Xe integrated graphics or an NVIDIA GeForce MX550, and options for up to 1TB of SSD storage. The 15.6-inch FHD touch display is also great since it gets fairly bright and has good colors as well as great viewing angles. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 support is available, too (make sure you select the option for these connectivity features when configuring your device; it only costs an extra five dollars). The seven-hour battery life is slightly disappointing, but it will still be enough for most people.
In terms of its design, the HP Pavilion 15 features a chassis that's nearly as sleek and stylish as more expensive and premium ultrabook laptops. The keyboard and trackpad are both built well and are enjoyable to use, and the inclusion of a USB-C port as well as dual USB-A ports means you'll have plenty of peripheral connectivity options. Ultimately, this is one of the best 8GB laptops available, making it our top choice.
If you'd like a convertible laptop with 8GB of RAM, look no further than the Lenovo Yoga 7i 14. You can configure it with a 12th Gen i5-1235U, Intel Xe graphics, and up to 512GB of SSD space (the drive is a bit on the slow side, but that won't be much of a problem for most folks). The 14-inch 2.2K display supports touch, has 300 nits of brightness, and has good contrast and rich colors. It's a little reflective, so it's a little hard to see in direct sunlight, but overall, it's a great panel (there's also a sharper and more expensive 2.8K OLED option available if you want the best possible picture). The nine-hour battery life is good, and support for both Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provides great connectivity.
The laptop has a sleek design that includes a full 360-degree rotation on the display and rounded edges that are both comfortable to contact with your hands and visually attractive. You also get dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB-A port, which is fantastic for a mid-range convertible like this. The keyboard and trackpad are both comfortable and responsive, and overall, the unit has excellent build quality. Bottom line: the Lenovo Yoga 7i is a great 8GB RAM convertible, and we strongly recommend picking one up.
The Acer Nitro 5 has always been one of the best 8GB gaming laptops on the market, traditionally delivering strong 1080p gaming performance for an attractive price. The latest version continues this trend, as between its great i5-12500H CPU, NVIDIA RTX 3050, and speedy 512GB SSD, the Acer Nitro 5 has the hardware necessary for a quality budget gaming experience (there are also pricier models available with 16GB of memory and up to an RTX 3070 Ti). The 15-inch FHD 144Hz display is a highlight as well, as it features high brightness, rich colors, and strong contrast. One downside is that the Nitro 5, like most Acer laptops, comes with some annoying bloatware (don't our guide on how to get rid of bloatware). Another is the battery life, which clocks in at three-to-four hours. Keep in mind, though, that gaming laptops traditionally have poor battery life in, and you also shouldn't be playing games off the plug anyway since it reduces performance.
Acer ditched the Nitro 5's original angular, aggressive, and unapologetically "gamer" design for a clean and sleek chassis, though the new design does retain the left-positioned trackpad that earlier models featured. The quality of the keyboard and trackpad are excellent, and there are three USB-A ports as well as a single USB-C one included for plenty of peripheral connectivity. Admittedly, it's not the thinnest laptop out there, but that doesn't stop the Acer Nitro 5 from standing tall as one of the best 8GB gaming laptops on the market.
The Acer Swift 3X is the ultimate 8GB laptop for folks who want something as portable as possible. Its impressively thin and light design makes carrying it around a breeze, but thanks to its i5-1135G7 processor, Intel Xe graphics, and 512GB of SSD storage space, you won't need to worry about any performance compromises. The FHD display has strong colors, a matte finish, and up to 330 nits of brightness, all of which makes it a joy to use regardless of whether you're inside or outside. The 9-10-hour battery life is strong, and the Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity features are great as well. Like with the Nitro 5, you'll have to spend some time getting rid of bloatware, but that's hardly a big problem.
The Acer Swift 3X is mostly notable because of how thin and light the device is, but the keyboard is excellent as well, and the inclusion of a Thunderbolt 4 port as well as dual USB-A slots is ideal for good peripheral connectivity. The trackpad's click resistance can be a little annoying, but at the end of the day, the Acer Swift 3X is still a fantastic portability-focused 8GB device.
Bottom line
Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
You'll need at least 8GB of RAM in your laptop if you want the user experience to be smooth and speedy, and while there are plenty of great laptops on the market with 8GB, the HP Pavilion 15 is our favorite. Its combination of quality specs, an excellent display, a premium design, and a fairly affordable price all make it the top pick on our list.
Folks that want a convertible device will love the Lenovo Yoga 7i 14, as it's nearly just as capable as the HP Pavilion 15 with the additional versatility of a flexible chassis. Gamers should opt for the sleek and performant Acer Nitro 5, while people that frequently travel will be best served by the ultra-portable Acer Swift X.
If none of the options in this list appeals to you, make sure you check out our roundup of the best Windows laptops. If you'd like even more RAM in your laptop, you should also review our list of the best laptops with 16GB of RAM as well.
