Last Updated on 20/09/2023 by Dolly
When there are so many luxury portables to choose from, it’s easy to ignore the finest laptops under $300. Those more powerful laptops are quite appealing since they have the most recent components and functions, but they are very pricey and far exceed what many people require.
However, those laptops under $300 should not be overlooked. Aside from their low price, these budget PCs can do a lot of what most average users require from a computer. There are lots of portables at this price bracket that should be avoided, but there are also some nice surprises. It is not impossible to find a good computer at this price.
If you don’t need the most up-to-date portable, such as the Dell XPS 15, save your money and try obtaining a decent laptop under $300 instead. We’ve gathered our top options, including smaller notebooks and light Chromebooks, to help you weed out the poor and identify the ones that will help you with your regular computing duties. We’ve also included a price comparison tool to help you locate the lowest price.
To broaden your options, see our best laptop under $500 and best laptop under $200 tips. Is money not a concern? One of the greatest Dell laptops could be the ideal option.
Whatever occurs in the world, cheap notebooks such as the best laptop under 300 will always be required by the human race. This means that whatever you do, whether it’s gaming, office job, leisure, or anything else that human nature is hooked to, you’ll always need a laptop for that specific purpose. But today, we’re concentrating on inexpensive laptops, namely the best laptops around $300.
The 10 laptops under $300 that we have selected for you are good builds for folks who are more interested in the fundamentals, such as producing files in MS Excel and Word. These are only two instances of the many things that these laptops can perform.
In fact, many business owners possess them, and they are more likely to be satisfied with these $300 laptops than they are with more expensive laptops. However, it all relies on the laptop’s intended use. If you’re only utilizing these laptops for light tasks, that’s fine; the game is in your hands. The best laptop under $300, on the other hand, is not suggested for heavy apps such as Android Studio and Adobe Photoshop.
Budgetary Restriction
Laptops under $300 are classified as low-cost laptops. This means you’ll get an entry-level laptop that’s neither too powerful nor too slow to handle things. In fact, a $300 price tag does not imply that you will have a laptop that will take years to load programs. But the point is that you need to have the essential apps for your needs on these laptops, and the greatest thing is that they won’t break the bank.
Processor
The majority of these machines are powered by Intel processors. Concerning the low budget, these businesses performed an excellent job of meeting the budget constraints for these laptops by outfitting them with entry-level CPUs that ultimately deliver processing speeds of 1.6Ghz and higher. That is to some extent acceptable if the goal is not to overload a $300 laptop with heavy programs.
RAM
Memory is an important component of practically any electronic device, whether it is a laptop, PC, or another computer. It has to be high. If not, it should be at least passable. Thankfully, the best laptops under $300 include 4GB of RAM, and the memory on a handful of the laptops is also removable, which is a plus. However, if that is the case, I would strongly advise going a bit farther with the best laptops under $400, which offer somewhat greater memory and other components.
Storage
You’ve probably heard of SSDs and HDDs. If so, you’ll be disappointed to learn that these options aren’t available on these best laptops for under $300. On the majority of these devices, the storage is replaced by eMMC Flash Memory. However, the capacity is also limited, requiring you to use the storage with caution so that you do not run out of space.
Battery Life
Unlike flagship laptops, which have the most powerful hardware components and thus waste a lot of power, the best laptops under $300 have longer battery life. You may use such a laptop all day without having to worry about plugging it in.
Top 10 Best Laptops under $300 in the US
1. Acer Chromebook Spin 311
While the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 cost more than $300 when it was first announced, many of its variants have now been reduced in price, which is only good news for users on a tight budget. This little Chromebook with a big potential has a lot going for it, starting with its unexpectedly good design and robust build, as well as its easy-to-use keyboard and touchpad.
But that’s just the beginning. It also delivers in terms of performance, thanks to a good combination of components beneath the hood. This laptop allows you to multitask without difficulty, allowing you to utilize it for both work and play. That is if you can accomplish the majority of your job in Google Chrome. After all, it’s still a Chromebook.
However, the qualities we like best about this laptop are its adaptable 2-in-1 design and touchscreen display. That combination is uncommon in lower-priced laptops, which adds to the worth of this particular portable. And we’re not talking about a shoddy screen. It boasts a Gorilla glass touch display that is slightly darker than its premium equivalents but is nonetheless robust and pleasant to the touch.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: AMD A4-9120C – Intel Celeron N4000
Graphics: AMD Radeon R4 – Intel UHD Graphics 600
RAM: 4GB
Screen: 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 – 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 IPS
Storage: 32GB Flash Memory
Pros
- Empty Excellent design and construction.
- The touch screen and flip mechanism are excellent.
Cons
- Dim screen
2. HP Chromebook 14A G5
There are various reasons why HP’s Chromebook 14 is so popular, including the fact that it comes in a startling variety of configurations, providing budget-conscious shoppers plenty of options. Though this line is in the price level of the lightweight Chromebook environment, it is also powerful enough, has an excellent battery life, and has a nice selection of connectors.
And, if you choose intelligently, you’ll be rewarded with a setup that provides excellent value in every way, such as the HP Chromebook 14A G5. Aside from the 14-inch display, battery life, and port options, it also has an AMD A4-9120C APU and Radeon R4 Graphics. It’s a fan favorite, but unlike the other highly rated configurations, it won’t put you back more than $300.
It is not without its drawbacks. The lower-quality HD display isn’t anything to write home about, and the keyboard isn’t much better. Budget laptops, on the other hand, are seldom without problems. At the very least, you’re getting excellent performance without breaking the bank.
At this January’s education-focused BETT exhibition, HP unveiled two AMD-powered additions to its Chromebook lineup: the Chromebook 11A G6 and 14A G5. The former received more public attention, but the latter was described as ‘durable’ and of a format ideal for both business and education. So, what benefits does the 14-inch HP Chromebook 14A G5 provide a business user?
HP’s Chromebook 14A G5 is powered by Chrome OS, an operating system that has struggled to gain momentum in the office. It’s not suitable for every use case, but Chrome OS is now a competent and rather versatile operating system capable of supporting the wide range of web-based tasks that many of us perform on a regular basis. This includes not only Google’s own G Suite, but also rival productivity suites such as Microsoft Office.
Of course, there are restrictions, but the basis of Chrome OS is to deliver low-cost computing that is good enough to address relatively low-level yet common use cases. In this regard, the transition from school to work is not that difficult, and the Chromebook 14A G5’s pricing of £249 (inc. VAT) will be appealing.
The Chromebook 14A G5 is powered by a dual-core AMD A4-9120C processor with Radeon R4 graphics. The 32GB SSD provides 4GB of RAM and 20GB of free storage. You will also receive 100GB of Google Drive cloud storage for the next two years. Unless you need to store a large amount of data locally on your laptop, these parameters are adequate. It’s worth mentioning that cellphones now come with significantly larger internal capacity.
The Chromebook 14 G5 is an older version of this Chromebook that runs on an Intel Celeron N3350 processor and has otherwise equal features but is more expensive (at the time of writing, it costs £348). (inc. VAT). I found the AMD CPU to be more than competent for the tasks I assigned it. These included having roughly 20 Chrome windows open in one browser and a second browser window with three papers being worked on at various times, as well as Gmail. I had to wait for online sites to fully render on occasion, but this wasn’t a deal-breaker.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: AMD A4-9120C APU
Graphics: AMD Radeon R4 Graphics
RAM: 4GB
Screen: 14″ diagonal (1366 x 768) HD SVA eDP anti-glare LED backlit with 220 cd/m²
Storage: 32 GB eMMC
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Battery life is excellent.
Cons
- Keyboard not comfortable to use
3. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14-inch
Lenovo has never shied away from stunning, modern looks, even on its most affordable computers. It’s just one of the numerous features we like about the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14-inch. Inside, it’s similar to prior MacBooks, with the exception of a small but obvious Lenovo branding on the right edge. Outside, the logo is back, but nothing else has changed. This makes it ideal for those who want a more minimalist aesthetic. If you’re tired of the same old gray/silver color, it’s also available in icy blue.
Of course, there’s more to a laptop than its appearance, and this one has a few other things going for it, such as a large port selection and lightweight construction. At the very least, it’s light for a budget laptop. There’s also the 14-inch screen size, which is “just right” – it’s neither too huge like a 15-inch and not too small like a 13-inch.
But be warned: this isn’t recognized for its quick performance or multitasking abilities. So only buy it for occasional use. If you enjoy multitasking and have a gaming addiction, this is probably not the best laptop under $300 for you.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: AMD A4-9120E – A9-9420E
Graphics: AMD Radeon R3 – R5
RAM: 4GB
Screen: 14.0” HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare, 220 nits
Storage: 64GB eMMC
Pro
- Lightweight for a budget laptop
- Great port selection
Cons
- Slow performing
4. Lenovo IdeaPad 1
Those looking for a tablet-sized portable may appreciate the 11-inch Lenovo IdeaPad 1, which is now less than ever. It weighs slightly less than three pounds and is powerful enough to assist you with productivity duties. If you’re traveling light, you won’t even need to bring the charger with you thanks to the eight-hour battery life. It also has a built-in dual stereo speaker for listening to music while lying in bed. While it’s great for light productivity chores, this one is perfect for the household’s matriculating members.
When it comes to buying a trustworthy laptop on a tight budget, we all know Lenovo is one of the most trusted laptop brands. Lenovo Ideapad 1 is likewise of this type. Because of its modest 14-inch size and moderately high-performance hardware, it is a lightweight, strong, and durable notebook that is perfect for students and business people.
The laptop is painted in Ice Blue and features a flat lid with discreet Lenovo branding on the side, giving it a professional appearance. Its 14-inch HD LED display isn’t the best in terms of resolution, but it’s adequate for most day-to-day office tasks. It appears to be a huge laptop based on its thickness, yet it only weighs 3.0 pounds, thus traveling with this laptop would be no problem. This laptop offers two USB 3.1 connections and an HDMI port, as well as an SD card slot, making connectivity a snap.
This laptop contains an Intel Celeron dual-core CPU with a clock frequency of up to 2.8 GHz and 4GB of RAM to meet all performance requirements. It provides adequate power to multitask and operate all of the common productivity programs and software without latency. However, you only get 64GB of storage, which is less, but it’s SSD, so it’s far faster than the HDD found in most laptops in this price range. Overall, the Ideapad 1 is a good laptop that can handle light photo processing and even some gaming. When it comes to storage, you can supplement it using a memory card.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 Processor
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600
RAM: 4GB DDR4 2400MHz
Screen: 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare
Storage: 64GB eMMC
Pros
- Portable
- Really Cheap
Cons
- Don’t expect a whole lot of power
5. Dell Inspiron 15
The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is an economical 15-inch laptop that costs a little under $300. That’s a fantastic deal considering the extra space you’re getting. But that isn’t the most exciting aspect. While the CPU and graphics are kept to a minimum, it does choose for a speedy SSD with 128GB of storage. It’s ideal if you need to save a large number of images, movies, and documents. If you’re looking for the best laptop under $300 to get you through your workload, this is the one to get.
The Dell Inspiron 3000 is the greatest affordable all-purpose laptop for consumers looking for the best balance of work and play for under $300. It is a well-built laptop, as are all Dell laptops, and the material used to create it is also heat resistant, so it keeps cool during long computing sessions and gaming.
It boasts a 15.6-inch LED-backlit display with a resolution of 1366 by 768 and a built-in webcam and microphone for a flawless video calling experience. It has all of the necessary ports and slots for connecting to various peripheral devices, as well as an optical drive for reading or burning CDs and DVDs. This laptop can be used for a variety of jobs because it includes a strong and battery-efficient Intel Pentium processor, 4GB of RAM, and integrated Intel UHD graphics, all of which output enough power to play games like Counter-Strike, Minecraft, and other similar old but popular titles.
It also features an extra RAM slot, allowing you to extend the RAM on this laptop to 8GB and get more performance out of it. It boasts stereo speakers with Dell’s MaxxAudio technology, which is the icing on the cake for this low-cost gaming laptop. It comes pre-installed with Windows 10 and a one-year accidental warranty from Dell.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Intel Celeron N4020
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600
RAM: 4GB DDR4 2400MHz
Screen: 15.6-inch HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare LED-backlit non-touch narrow border
Storage: 128GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Pros
- Bigger and faster storage
- Decent screen
- Great port selection
Cons
- Battery life be better
6. Lenovo Chromebook C330
The first is, obviously, a Lenovo Chromebook C330, which is a type of laptop that can also be used as a tablet. It runs on the Chrome operating system, and most significantly, this best laptop under $300 has long battery life.
Because this affordable laptop is 2-in-1, it may also be used as a tablet. Most importantly, the laptop is exceptionally speedy, requiring only a few seconds to launch the apps.
This quick performance is entirely due to hardware components such as the MediaTek MT8173C processor, the end purpose of which is to provide you with a 2.1GHz CPU speed. This $300 laptop, on the other hand, comes with the optimal RAM of 4GB.
However, as is evident, you get the 64GB eMMC storage here, which isn’t ideal for folks who constantly keep everything data they can on their laptops. This implies you must use it with caution.
The Lenovo Chromebook C330 has an 11.6-inch screen with 1366 x 768 display resolution, which is ideal for your entertainment needs. Overall, for the inexpensive price, this Chromebook is a good buy.
Looking for a 2-in-1 laptop for less than $300? The Lenovo Chromebook Duet could be the end of your laptop hunt. It is a 10-inch tablet with a Full HD touchscreen IPS display and a detachable keyboard included. Its keyboard and trackpad are surprisingly impressive for such a little device, which is why it’s worth considering if you’re interested in 2-in-1 laptops.
It’s a small tablet. Although not as small as the new iPad Air, it is substantially thinner than the other laptops discussed here. The tablet is finished in a vivid Ice Blue color, while the gray keyboard balances the professional appearance of this 2-in-1 laptop. As previously stated, it has an excellent keyboard for a tablet of this size. It has a complete chiclet keyboard with a reasonably roomy palm rest space and a large touchpad, making it a nice experience to use this 2-in-1 as a conventional laptop.
It is powered by an Octa-Core MediaTek processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It provides a very smooth experience while using Chrome OS on the device, and its integrated graphics make it capable of running games from the Play Store.
However, because it is a tablet, it lacks all of the conventional connectors and slots. It only has one USB-C port, which also serves as its charging port. It does, however, have all of the fastest wireless networking choices, including dual-band Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO and Bluetooth.
Pros
- Quick performance.
- Excellent screen resolutions.
- Nature is being flipped.
- Battery with a long life.
- Nicely designed.
- The cost is low.
Cons
- 11.6-inch isn’t big enough for entertainment.
7. ASUS L203MA-DS04 VivoBook
There is no competition for ASUS. They constantly provide distinctive laptops, and this time we have the best 11-inch laptop under $300 from them, with the features and specs that we’re about to go over.
But first, keep in mind that this is a low-cost laptop, so expecting too much from it would be a mistake. With an Intel Celeron N4000 processor and a 4MB cache, the ASUS L203MA-DS04 VivoBook laptop outperforms the competition at this price point.
Furthermore, it includes 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, which is presumably the case with practically any laptop under $300.
The storage, on the other hand, is the standard 64GB of type eMMC flash, which is insufficient but still suitable in this price range.
Furthermore, the battery life outperforms that of many laptops, lasting 10 hours on a single charge. Overall, the ASUS L203MA-DS04 VivoBook is an excellent value whether you need a laptop for presentations, thesis, assignments, or the office.
Pros
- Packed with high-quality hardware.
- Resolutions are beneficial.
- design that is slim
- Battery life is extended.
- Ultra-portable.
- Affordable.
Cons
- No cons so far
8. CHUWI HeroBook Pro
CHUWI may be a new brand to some of you, but let me assure you that their laptops are among the best on the market. Today, we have the CHUWI HeroBook Pro, the finest budget laptop under $300, which offers a lot more in this price range.
Starting with the screen, this laptop has a 14.1-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and LED technology.
Aside from that, the HeroBook Pro has far superior components than the other $300 laptops. It’s more likely to be classified as a mid-range laptop. The Intel N4000 dual-core CPU is the first. In contrast, it is noted with a 2.6GHz processing speed.
On the other hand, I believe this is the only laptop on the best laptops under the $300 list with 8GB RAM, which is great for some heavy programs such as Android studio, etc.
Furthermore, the storage is adequate here with the 256GB HDD, which is not present on any other laptop on this list. If you want to go a step further, consider one of the finest laptops under $500.
Pros
- High requirements.
- A solid build.
- The keyboard is backlit.
- Display of high quality.
- Battery life is 12 hours.
Cons
- No cons so far.
9. HP 14t-dq300 Laptop
The HP 14t is a beautiful laptop with good performance hardware inside. It includes a strong and up-to-date Intel Celeron N4500 dual-core processor with integrated UHD graphics, making it one of the finest gaming laptops under $300. Of course, this does not imply that you will be able to run the most recent games on this machine, but it will be able to run some older, less demanding titles without issue. This laptop’s exterior is finished in a silver color that looks nice, and its simple design gives it a professional appearance. It includes a 14-inch monitor with HD resolution and exceptional
viewing angles, as well as loud and clear speakers to take your entertainment game to new heights. All standard ports are lined up on both sides of the laptop, allowing for easier access to each one.
This laptop includes 8GB of RAM for rapidly performing all types of tasks, and it has 128GB of fast solid-state drive storage for storing all of your necessary files, games, and applications. Overall, this laptop is a strong performer, capable of handling both regular tasks and light gaming.
This HP 14z laptop is one of our top picks for students because of its long battery life and lightweight of 3 pounds. Because of its powerful technology, this laptop is also an excellent alternative for budget-conscious gamers. Although it costs a little more than $300, we believe it is well worth the extra money for the improved performance.
Specification
| Processor | Intel Celeron N4500U Dual-Core Processor (Up to 2.8 GHz) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 RAM |
| Storage | 128GB SSD |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Integrated Graphics |
| Display | 14-Inch HD WLED-backlit display with 1366 x 768 Resolution |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home S 64-bit OS |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 hours |
| Weight | 3.2 lbs |
10. Acer Aspire 1
The Acer Aspire 1 is another lightweight and tiny notebook that is ideal for simple tasks such as online browsing, email, word processing, and so on. The laptop weighs less than 5 pounds and has a beautiful design. Despite the fact that its chassis is entirely constructed of plastic, it is long-lasting and resistant to regular wear and tears.
The display on this laptop is one of the nicest you can get on a laptop for around $300 (really under $200). It sports a 15.6-inch full HD display, which is the sharpest available for the price. On the hardware front, this laptop has basic specifications, yet it is adequate for everyday use. It is powered by a dual-core Intel Celeron processor and features 4GB of RAM.
The laptop comes pre-installed with Windows 10, and its hardware comfortably handles basic multitasking with various Windows apps and software. This laptop has just 64GB of eMMC storage, which is very little and maybe a deal-breaker for certain people, however considering the price of this laptop, its features are reasonable.
| Processor | Intel Celeron N4020 Dual-Core Processor (Up to 2.8GHz) |
| RAM | 4GB DDR4 SDRAM |
| Storage | 64GB eMMC Storage |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| Display | 15.6-Inch Full HD LED-backlit display with 1920 x 1080 Resolution |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home in S mode |
| Battery Life | Up to 7 hours |
| Weight | 4.1 lbs |
11. Acer Chromebook 314 (Bonus)
The Acer Chromebook 314 is one of the most powerful and well-designed Chromebooks under $300. It has a plastic outer shell, yet it has the appearance of an aluminum chassis and feels luxurious in the hands. It sports a 14-inch full HD display that produces a wide color spectrum and has excellent viewing angles due to its IPS panel.
It runs Google’s Chrome OS, and it boots up in less than 5 seconds, which is half the time of any Windows laptop. It offers USB 3.0 and Type-C connectors on both sides of the Chromebook, as well as fast wifi (802.11ac) with MU-MIMO support for faster and more consistent internet access.
This Chromebook is powered by an Intel Celeron dual-core processor with integrated UHD graphics and 4GB of RAM, allowing you to easily multitask with 10-12 Chrome tabs on this laptop. It has 64GB of internal storage and 100GB of Google Drive storage for keeping all of your stuff both offline and online.
The Acer Chromebook 314 gives lightning-fast access to all of your work from any location. It is lightweight and has a 12-hour battery backup, making it ideal for internet company owners and students. It’s also our pick for the best affordable Chromebook to buy in 2023.
| Processor | Intel Celeron N4000 Dual-Core Processor (Turbo up to 2.6 GHz) |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR4 RAM |
| Storage | 64GB eMMC (100 GB of Google Drive Storage) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| Display | 14-inch Full HD IPS LED Display with 1920 x 1080 Resolution |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Battery Life | 12 hours |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs |
12. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop (Bonus)
Lenovo Ideapad 3 is one of the greatest laptops you can get for under $300. It is not only a stylish laptop, but it also has a robust set of hardware characteristics. It has an Intel Core i3 processor and 4GB of RAM. It generates enough power when combined to run some older games and demanding apps on this laptop.
It is finished in a gray hue, which gives this laptop a bold appearance, and its textured lid provides a wonderful grip, allowing you to comfortably carry this laptop with one hand. Its 15.6-inch display is ideal for conducting daily work, and viewing movies on this laptop is also fun thanks to its loud stereo speakers.
It boasts a well-designed keyboard with a dedicated numeric keypad. It has all of the necessary connectors, including USB 3.0, HDMI, and a full-size memory card slot. Furthermore, the laptop includes a fast 128GB solid-state drive to save all of your data.
| processor | Intel Core i3-1005G1 Dual-Core 1.2 GHz Processor (Turbo up to 3.4 GHz) |
| RAM | 4GB DDR4 2666 MHz RAM |
| Storage | 128GB SSD |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Display | 15.6 Inch HD LED Anti-Glare display |
| Operating System | Windows 10 in S mode |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 hours |
| Weight | 4.0 lbs |
Conclusion
Here is your list of the best laptops under $300, which took us a long time and work to complete for you. The list includes laptops for every taste while staying inside the $300 price range. These are our top recommendations for laptops under $300 right now. All of these laptops are the most recent models from well-known brands, with the most up-to-date hardware and features. Furthermore, we have ensured that all of them have positive reviews and ratings from people who have previously purchased them, so you don’t only see what we like here, but what many others like as well.
Keep coming back for an updated list of laptops, and we hope that this budget laptop shopping guide assists you in finding the best laptop under $300 for yourself.
