Is there a word that describes something cheap, reliable and simple? [closed]

Question

An example might be a car like this: or a laptop like this:

Both of which are simple and cheap yet reliable. If something breaks down, replacement parts are also cheap or even free.

Is there a word that describes what they are?

Answer 1

I would use utilitarian.

Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive. Oxford

Answer 2

Workhorse might work. It has various connotations, but these include dependability:

Definition from Google Dictionary:

A person or machine that dependably performs hard work over a long period of time

-- http://googledictionary.freecollocation.com/meaning?word=workhorse

And also includes the idea that the work done is not particularly interesting, which suggests a sort of basic model:

Definition from Cambridge English Dictionary: ​

a person who does a lot of work, especially of a type that is necessary but not interesting:

a willing/reliable workhorse

a machine that operates without failing for long periods, although it might not be very interesting or exciting:

The steam engine was the workhorse of the Industrial Revolution.

-- https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/workhorse

Its definition doesn't inherently include being inexpensive, but a workhorse is seen in contrast to a racing horse or riding horse, which may be seen as 'flashier' or more expensive models, so it sort of has a connotation for being less fancy (and by extension, perhaps less expensive):

Definition from Dictionary.com:

a horse used for plowing, hauling, and other heavy labor, as distinguished from a riding horse, racehorse, etc.

-- http://www.dictionary.com/browse/workhorse?s=t

Answer 3

The idiom no frills refers to a service or product which the non-essential features have been removed to keep the price low. From 1980-1997, the American supermarket Pathmark used "No Frills" for their store brand.

Answer 4

Not sure if this quite works with the replacements aspect, but I'd probably describe those objects as "Economy"

Economy Definition from Dictionary.com

Economy adjective 10. intended to save money: to reduce the staff in an economy move. 11. costing less to make, buy, or operate

e.g. "I use an Economy laptop"

Also, turns out an Economy Car is a recognised thing which describes the kind of car (although normally bought new) that you seem to want: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_car

Answer 5

Consider bare-bones:

adj., Reduced to or comprising only the basic or essential elements of something.

Oxford

For the laptop you pictured, check out the wikipedia entry for a "barebook":

A barebook computer (or barebone laptop) is an incomplete notebook pc. A barebone laptop is similar to a Barebone computer, but in a laptop form. It has only basic elements (case, motherboard, display, keyboard, mouse, etc.) and one has to add components such as CPU, memory, video card, hard drive, solid-state drive, WiFi card, etc. separately. Most times you can buy barebone laptops without a pre-installed operating system. This enables the computer and Linux enthusiasts to build their own custom laptop.

Wikipedia

(Note that "barebook" is a simple combination of "barebone laptop/notebook", and only applies to computers - but does show usage of barebone.)

Answer 6

The idiomatic use of the word "student" as an adjective, most particularly found in advertising, would seem to fit your requirements. viz: "Good little student car." or "Great student laptop."

• The usage implies:

  • economy (cheapness), suitability for function (No-Frills),
  • ease of use (inexperienced or low experience User),
  • ruggedness (students are assumed to treat things indifferently),
  • and low maintenance costs (students reputedly have little access to funds).

Hope that assists you.

Answer 7

how about "thrift(y)"?

"using money and other resources carefully and not wastefully". i know the "careful" bit may make it less than ideal, but certainly what you're describing would be a form of thrift?

edit: Hi Mary, yes I understand when you're using thrifty in a sentence, you have covered the common approaches. this too, came to my mind, when i proposed this answer.

what i then asked myself was, on a purely abstract level, is "thrift" not some description of near-optimal efficiency? your usages are correct, and the word does not work.

but certainly economic, while it sounds better (as do some of these other suggestions), does not necessarily describe what the OP is asking, better.

when i look at both the car and thinkpad in the OP's original post, and then use his description:

Both of which are simple and cheap yet reliable. 
If something breaks down, replacement parts are also cheap or even free.

so ultimately when we factor in the second part of the description, conditioning it on the first, would you not agree the acts associated with replacing parts, etc for the car and thinkpad are purely under "thrift(y)"? i have a hard time thinking of any other word for the downstream effects of the pictures given. everything can be a "steal".

Answer 8

Growing up in west Texas I would have referred to the IBM machine or maybe that bad little robo-car as a "hoss". It to me is slang for being designated as a "workhorse" or as mentioned simply horse.

Descriptive word that implies a level of supremacy or supremity. Interchangeable with the words boss, deadly, beastly, superhuman.

What I'd call pretty bad ass is the pictured Lenova model that ive had for three years. Goin strong. That said my second suggestion is "trooper".

definition of trooper- (noun) a reliable and uncomplaining person.

"he was a real trooper for going on while he was feeling less than his best" · "she even managed to sign some autographs one-handed—what a trooper!"

Answer 9

For your consideration, I submit: Standard
I believe that a standard (something) fulfils your requirements:

Standard ‘somethings’ are simple enough, cheap enough, and reliable enough to become
… a standard.

A standard (something) is easy to repair with standard replacement parts, or cheap enough to replace it with another one like it, and do whatever-it-was-designed-to-do — as advertised.

… used or accepted as normal or usual
… of a size, measure, or design, etc. such as is regularly used; not exceptional or special
(New Oxford American Dictionary)

Answer 10

Entry level (noun), entry-level (adjective).

(noun) the cheapest or simplest version of a particular product or service

(adjective) used to describe a product that is cheaper or simpler than other similar products, and therefore suitable for someone who has not used or bought one before

Cambridge English Dictionary

Answer 11

I suggest value item, value range, value-for-money, as in value menu on Wikipedia. It is widely used in retail (at least in Britain), e.g. `we display our value items in this food aisle'.

Are you looking for a noun or an adjective?