If you’re eyeing the Artificial Intelligence trend and ready to invest in a laptop that can handle the demanding tasks of AI and machine learning on a budget of ₦500,000($289) or less, this guide will help you find your best fit.
But first, let’s talk about the key specs to prioritise in a laptop for AI and ML.
Configuration required for AI and ML laptops today
Every laptop is created with a specific goal, and what yours should deliver is important. On a budget of ₦500,000 or less, you can find great options, though you’ll be best suited with these specs:
Processor: Core i5 minimum, with Core i7 as a stronger option if your budget allows.
Generation: 10th generation or higher for efficient processing power.
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 10 series GPU for handling graphics and data-intensive tasks.
RAM: 8GB at a minimum, though 16GB is ideal for smoother multitasking.
Storage: 256-512GB SSD to ensure quick data access and ample storage.
Brand new models are rare or almost impossible to find under ₦500,000($289) in 2024. That is why we’ve made our picks from UK refurbished units. You get to enjoy quality and reliability without the premium price tag.
7 best UK-Used AI and ML Laptops below ₦500,000($289) in 2024
The Acer Aspire 5 (A515), with an aluminium lid and silver plastic body, looks fancier than its price tag suggests. Inside, you’ll find a Ryzen 5 5500U that actually keeps up with pricier Intel Core i7s.
The 15-inch Full HD display gives you plenty of space for tasks like feature engineering, and 16GB RAM lets you keep those apps running smoothly.
Just don’t expect much from the integrated Radeon graphics—it’ll handle basic tasks fine, but anything graphics-intensive like gaming is off the table. For everyday AI-focused work though, this laptop delivers solid performance at a wallet-friendly price.
HP, the world’s second-largest laptop maker, designed the Envy 15 with reliable, everyday performance in mind. It packs an Intel Core i7-10750H (2.6 GHz, 6 cores) paired with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti (6GB memory)—enough muscle to handle your modelling, evaluation tasks and some light gaming.
The 15-inch matte display keeps glare at bay, though you might want an external monitor for colour-critical work. You get 512GB SSD storage, Bang & Olufsen speakers for clear audio, and an aluminium build that can take daily wear.
Sure, the keyboard’s a bit shallow and it’s not the sleekest laptop out there, but at under ₦500K refurbished, it’s hard to beat this combination of power and practicality.
The Dell G3 15 3500 is marketed as a gaming laptop but doubles as a capable, budget-friendly machine for AI and machine learning tasks. Its 15.6-inch Full HD display offers ample space for multitasking, though brightness could be better.
The extras are surprisingly practical: a full-sized SD card slot (rare these days) and a reliable fingerprint sensor to add convenience, especially for quick logins and data transfers.
While its basic blue-accented design won’t turn heads, the smart internal storage setup (256GB SSD + 1TB HDD) is a plus. Just note that the thick bezels and mediocre viewing angles might not be so ideal for colour-critical work.
The HP Omen 15 (2020) is widely considered to deliver the best value out of the others available and is praised for its excellent Full HD performance at a competitive price.
Its 144Hz display provides smooth visuals with lifelike, though slightly muted, colours. The base model includes 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, but upgrading to 16GB and a larger SSD is recommended if you’re using it for daily tasks or editing.
The laptop’s sturdy metal chassis gives it a premium feel, though it’s prone to fingerprints, and the screen has a slight wobble. The spacious keyboard layout, though designed with gaming in mind, might feel awkward for extended typing sessions.
While the 1080p display with Nvidia G-Sync ensures smooth visuals, brightness and colour accuracy are decent but not exceptional. Finally, the laptop’s weight and limited battery life affect portability, but generally, it gets the job done for AI and ML creatives.
Dell Inspiron 15 7000
Dell Inspiron 15 7000
Processor: Intel Core i5-10300H (10th Gen) | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 | RAM: 8/16GB DDR4 | Storage: 256/512GB SSD | Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, with some models offering touchscreens | Price: Approximately ₦495,000
The Dell Inspiron 15 7000, starting around ₦495,000 in Nigeria, brings learning algorithms to a budget-friendly package.
Powered by an Intel Core i5 and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050, it handles everyday tasks and light AI workloads like data preprocessing and basic model training.
Its bold matte red design and rear vents add style, while the FHD display has limited viewing angles, making positioning important.
The touchpad feels a bit clunky, so an external mouse may come in handy. But with multiple USB ports, HDMI, and Ethernet, connectivity is covered. Battery life hits over nine hours on streaming, giving it just enough endurance for work and play at an affordable price.
MSI GF63 Thin is equipped and capable of handling creative tasks and AAA games at decent frame rates, with DLSS support that boosts performance in demanding graphic moments
The 15.6-inch Full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate is smooth but falls short in colour vibrancy, especially in bright scenes. If you intend to game on it, the base 60Hz variant can be limiting, though higher refresh rate options are available.
With an aluminium chassis and red backlit keyboard, the GF63 Thin has a sleek look, though the keyboard may feel slightly stiff over long sessions. Despite a few compromises, it’s a strong choice for AI and ML practitioners balancing budget, gaming, and creative work.
Acer is stepping up its game with the ultra-slim Swift 3 series, featuring Intel’s 11th-generation Core i5 and i7 processors. These laptops come certified on Intel’s Evo platform for solid performance, with up to 16 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and SSD storage to handle tasks like modelling smoothly.
The Swift 3 sports a 14-inch 3:2 screen which is practical though its glossy, non-touch IPS panel may not be the brightest.
While a bit bulkier than other ultra-slim models, the Swift 3’s sturdy build and comfortable backlit keyboard make it ideal for long work sessions. The speakers alongside optional Nvidia MX150 graphics provide AI engineers a useful boost in handling data and light computational tasks.
Conclusion
While browsing through these top picks for a sub-₦500,000 laptop, remember that nearly every major brand offers second-hand models that can work well for AI and machine learning on a budget. Your negotiation skills and willingness to make compromises can help you get the most value.
If you can stretch your budget slightly, it’s worth investing in better specs right from the start, especially since many newer laptops have limited upgrade options. Generally, the more you spend, the better the quality—whether that means faster performance, a nicer display, or a sturdier build.
Availability: The laptops listed in this article are available on Jiji. You can also reach out to licensed second-hand vendors near you to confirm pricing before committing.
