Intel Coolby 15.6inch Laptop, 12GB RAM/256GB SSD, Review

Look, this is a cheap laptop. That's the one thing to know. For $259, you're getting a 15.6-inch screen, a full copy of Windows 11 Pro, and a keyboard with a number pad. It's built for one job: being the absolute most basic computer you can buy that still runs Windows. Don't expect it to do anything fancy, and you won't be disappointed.

The Intel N95 processor is slow. Really slow. It lands in the 7th percentile for CPU power, which means it's slower than 93% of other laptops. It's fine for one tab of web browsing and typing a document. Try to open a second tab while a video is playing? You'll feel it. The 12GB of RAM is a nice surprise for the price, but it's mostly there to help Windows itself run smoothly because the CPU is so weak.

It's worth it only if your budget is rock-solid at $300 and you need a Windows machine for the most basic tasks. It's a better value than a used, decade-old laptop, but that's about it.

Forget the MacBook Pros and gaming laptops on the competitor list. They're in a different universe. The real comparison is to other budget machines and Chromebooks. If you only need a browser and docs, a $250 Chromebook will feel much faster and get better battery life. If you absolutely need Windows for one specific legacy program, this gets you in the door. Just know you're trading all performance for that low price.

Only buy this if your needs are 'Windows' and 'under $300'. It's a bare-minimum machine for checking email, basic web browsing, and working on a single document. For any student needing to run more than one app, or anyone wanting to watch videos smoothly, look at a used business laptop or a Chromebook instead. This is a tool for a very specific, very limited job.