How cheap is too cheap for a Windows 10 laptop?

[Cromulent]

I need a new laptop as I want to do some Microsoft exams and it requires a computer running Windows 10. My main computer runs Linux and I really can't switch back to Windows 10 on it so I'm looking for a cheap but still good Windows 10 laptop for the exams.

Apart from the exams, it'll just be used for Microsoft Office work and web browsing.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Cromulent]

Could you use a virtual machine?

No. The exam software doesn't run in a virtual machine.

 

[Cromulent]

Interesting, does it do some sort of hardware validation? Seems a trivial thing to bypass if you have the means

I assume it checks the BIOS / UEFI or hardware drivers. Even if I could get around it I'd be wary in-case I get found out and accused of cheating as each exam costs about £200.