Looking for a budget-friendly laptop that caters to your unique needs? We’ve got you covered! Our list of 10 laptops under $300 offers a diverse selection of features & specs, ensuring there’s an option for everyone, from students to office-goers. Let’s dive into these affordable options & discover the perfect laptop to match your preferences & requirements.
| # | Products | Description | Unique factors | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acer Chromebook 314 | Budget-friendly, Intel Celeron, Chrome OS. | ComfyView display, 12-hour battery life, fanless design. | View |
| 2 | Lenovo Chromebook Duet | 2-in-1 detachable, MediaTek, Chrome OS. | Detachable keyboard, 10.1-inch touchscreen, long battery life. | View |
| 3 | ASUS 15.6" Chromebook C523NA | Sleek design, Intel Celeron, Chrome OS. | NanoEdge display, aluminum body, ergonomic keyboard. | View |
| 4 | Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 11" | 2-in-1 convertible, Intel Celeron, Chrome OS. | 360-degree hinge, touch display, water-resistant keyboard. | View |
| 5 | HP Chromebook 14a | Everyday tasks, Intel Celeron, Chrome OS. | 14-inch display, HP TrueVision HD camera, dual speakers. | View |
| 6 | Lenovo Chromebook C340 | 2-in-1 convertible, Intel Celeron, Chrome OS. | 360-degree hinge, touchscreen, aluminum chassis. | View |
| 7 | Acer Chromebook Spin 311 | 2-in-1 convertible, MediaTek, Chrome OS. | 360-degree hinge, 11.6-inch touchscreen, antimicrobial coating. | View |
| 8 | Samsung Chromebook 4+ | Budget-friendly, Intel Celeron, Chrome OS. | 15.6-inch display, sleek design, Gigabit Wi-Fi. | View |
| 9 | Asus L510MA | Everyday tasks, Intel Celeron, Windows 10. | Compact design, ASUS Splendid technology, IceCool technology. | View |
| 10 | Dell Inspiron 15 3000 | Everyday use, Intel Core, integrated graphics. | Waves MaxxAudio Pro, HD webcam, multiple ports. | View |
Best Laptops Under 300 Dollars
1. Acer Chromebook 314
You may notice most of the laptops on the list are Chromebooks. This is not unusual, since Chrome OS is manufactured to deliver a bigger punch in a smaller body. Compared to other operating systems, such as Windows or macOS, Chrome OS is much lighter and doesn’t require high-performing hardware.
Starting the list with Acer Chromebook 314 will already set your expectations high. This mini laptop comes with a 14” narrow 7.3 mm screen display and weighs only a single kg. So it is not only productive but also highly portable.
It comes with a Chrome OS, which means you have access to all your Google apps; including Google Office Suite (Google Docs, Google Sheets, etc.), Google Photos, Google Keep, and of course every Android app in Google Play as well.
You will also receive 100 GB of storage in Google Drive for free. So, back up all your files online for more space and safety.
This laptop is run by a dual-core 1.1GHz Intel Celeron N4000 processor, with a burst ability of 2.6GHz. These small, low-power chips are guaranteed to deliver high performance. Plus, with a battery life of 11 hours, you can easily carry out your tasks without worrying about carrying the weight of a laptop charger around with you.
| Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Display | 1366 × 768 TN 1920 × 1080 HD |
| Dimensions | 197 × 325 × 23.2 mm |
| Screen Size | 14.00-inch |
| Processor | Intel Celeron N4000 1.1GHz dual-core processor with 2.6Ghz speed burst |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR4 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Battery | Lithium-Ion, Lasts up to 15 hours |
2. Lenovo Chromebook Duet
To start off, this laptop comes with a 10” FHD IPS touchscreen and a detachable keyboard. The touchscreen also supports pen input.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet boots up in less than 10 seconds. With a verified boot system, it keeps your files safe and free from viruses, while it runs automatic updates in the background, without interrupting your work.
Although some people might not prefer a small 10” screen size, the laptop will entice you with its vibrant colors instead. With a dual-tone Ice Blue and Iron Grey exterior and a bright, colorful display, you just can’t keep your eyes away from this mini laptop. Don’t worry about that either, since it also comes with light and dark settings to keep your eyes free from any strain while they’re glued to the laptop.
There is some good news here for the gamers as well. Lenovo Chromebook Duet offers a keyboard cover that can come off whenever you want. Plus, with access to all your games in Google Play, you can easily run the Android games, which are usually in portrait mode, on your Chromebook tablet. Moreover, battery life of 10+ hours can keep you going for quite a while before you need a recharge.
When you buy a Lenovo Chromebook Duet, you can also get a free one-year membership to Google One, which includes 100 GB of storage and other benefits. You can share your membership plan with others as well. Besides Google services, you can also enjoy Microsoft Suite.
| Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Display | 10.1" FHD (1920 × 1200) IPS, touchscreen, 400 nits |
| Dimensions | Tablet Only: 239.8 mm × 159.8 mm × 7.35 mm / 9.44" × 6.29" × 0.29" Tablet + Full Keyboard Pack: 244.87 mm × 169.31 mm × 18.2 mm / 9.64" × 6.66" × 0.71" |
| Processor | MediaTek™Helio P60T Processor (2.00 GHz, 8 Cores, 8 Threads) |
| RAM | 4 GB LPDDR4X |
| Graphics | Integrated ARM Mali-G72 MP3 |
| Battery | Lithium Polymer, Lasts up to 13 hours |
3. ASUS 15.6" Chromebook C523NA
Asus Chromebook C523 is one of ASUS’s budget laptops and the first ASUS Chromebook that features a NanoEdge design. This means if you had issues with smaller screen sizes, this one’s for you. Asus Chromebook C523 comes with a huge screen size of 15.6” in a compact chassis, with multiple resolution display options.
It is also covered with a matte anti-glare coating, keeping you safe from any irritating reflections. The 80% screen-to-body ratio allows you to enjoy a bigger vision in a smaller body, which is easier to carry as well.
The 10-point multitouch display is more responsive and intuitive than many other laptops. You can also bend the screen up to 180°, and in case you’re worried about damaging or breaking the screen, the company assures its long-term durability as it has been tested with a 20,000-cycle open-and-close test.
Asus Chromebook C523 has two options in processors, both manufactured by Intel®. No matter what you choose, each is guaranteed high performance. You can also opt for an eMMC storage, or go for an SSD if you prefer. The laptop features a USB 3.0 port, so you can always connect an external hard drive for more space. Furthermore, you have access to all your Google apps, so you can decide to back up with Google Drive as well.
| Storage | 64 GB eMMC 32 GB eMMC 16 GB eMMC 128 GB eMMC |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Display | 15.6-inch, HD (1366 × 768) 16:9, Anti-glare display, LED Backlit, 220 nits, NTSC: 45% Touch screen, 15.6-inch, FHD (1920 × 1080) 16:9, Glossy display, LED Backlit, 220 nits, NTSC: 45% 15.6-inch, FHD (1920 × 1080) 16:9, Anti-glare display, LED Backlit, 220 nits, NTSC: 45% Screen-to-body ratio: 80% |
| Dimensions | 35.80 × 24.80 × 1.56 ~ 1.56 cm (14.09" × 9.76" × 0.61" ~ 0.61") 35.80 × 24.80 × 1.61 ~ 1.61 cm (14.09" × 9.76" × 0.63" ~ 0.63") |
| Processor | Intel® Celeron® N3350 Processor 1.1 GHz (2M Cache, up to 2.4 GHz, 2 cores) Intel® Pentium® N4200 Processor 1.1 GHz (2M Cache, up to 2.5 GHz, 4 cores) |
| RAM | 4G LPDDR4 on board, Memory Max Up to: 8 GB |
| Graphics | Intel® HD Graphics 500 |
| Battery | 38WHrs, 2S1P, 2-cell Li-ion |
4. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 11"
The unique feature Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 offers is its fanless design. Besides being noiseless, with a 76% screen-to-body ratio, this laptop comes with a compact, slim, and lightweight design.
It doesn’t just stop there, this Lenovo IdeaPad has a 360° foldable screen with an 11.6” FHD IPS display, giving you more flexibility and broader viewing angles.
Another interesting feature of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 is the Privacy Shutter feature, which allows you to close your webcam when you’re not using it.
Furthermore, if you’re a person who’s often in a rush, this device is for you. With its smart charging, you can also recharge its battery in as few as 15 minutes. The Intel® processor and large storage keep your work running smoothly.
| Storage | Up to 256 GB M.2 PCIe SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Display | 11.6" FHD (1920 × 1080) IPS, 250 nits, 50% NTSC 11.6" HD (1366 × 768) IPS, 250 nits, Anti-glare, 50% NTSC, 76% AA Ratio |
| Dimensions | Starting at 17.5 mm × 281.7 mm × 198 mm / 0.7" × 11.1" × 7.8" |
| Processor | AMD Athlon™ 3050e Mobile Processor AMD Athlon™ 3020e Mobile Processor |
| RAM | Up to 4 GB DDR4 |
| Graphics | UMA: AMD Radeon™ Graphics |
| Battery | Lithium Metal batteries, Lasts up to 11 hours |
5. HP Chromebook 14a
This is another laptop on the list that’ll make gamers happy. HP Chromebook 14 might be cheap, but it comes with Intel UHD Graphics 300. Combined with the Intel Celeron N4120, this laptop delivers peak performance and power consumption.
With a 14” anti-glare micro-edge, HD display, you can stream 4K content on this laptop easily. Which includes several high-end games out there.
This Chromebook also comes with a multitouch, which recognizes up to four-finger gestures, including scrolling, zooming, and navigating.
Plus, with a memory of 4 GB and a flash-based eMMC 64 GB storage, you have plenty of space in your device. Its battery life of 14 hours can last a long while before needing another charge. Though if you want to go even longer, the HP Fast Charge technology will charge your laptop back up in a few minutes.
| Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Display | 14" diagonal, HD (1366 × 768), micro-edge, anti-glare, 220 nits, 45% NTSC |
| Dimensions | 32.57 × 21.85 × 1.79 cm |
| Processor | Intel® Celeron® N4000 (1.1 GHz base frequency, up to 2.6 GHz burst frequency, 4 MB L2 cache, 2 cores) |
| RAM | 4 GB LPDDR4-2400 MHz RAM (onboard) |
| Graphics | Intel® UHD Graphics 600 |
| Battery | Lithium-Ion, Lasts up to 13 hours and 30 minutes |
6. Lenovo Chromebook C340
Lenovo Chromebook C340 was released in 2020, yet it is still one of the best budget laptops out there. This 15.6” laptop is thin and only weighs a little above a kg, with a battery that lasts up to 12 hours.
It’s a convertible laptop and tablet, with a 360° hinge, and a large display even as a tablet. It also comes with a fully functional laptop keyboard, offering you ease with typing.
With Intel Core i3 processor to run it, the performance is not lacking either. Plus, with Google, you can keep your data safe at all times by backing it up to Google cloud storage and never run out of space. Moreover, with a battery life of 10+ hours, you can get back to your work anywhere, any time.
| Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Display | 11.6” HD (1366 × 768) IPS, glossy, touchscreen, 250 nits |
| Dimensions | 290 mm × 208 mm × 17.9 mm / 11.42” × 8.19” × 0.7” |
| Processor | Intel® Celeron® N4000 Processor (1.10 GHz, up to 2.60 GHz with Turbo Boost, 2 Cores, 2 Threads, 4 MB Cache) |
| RAM | 4 GB LPDDR4, 2400MHz |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel® UHD graphics 600 |
| Battery | Li-Polymer, Lasts up to 10 hours |
7. Acer Chromebook Spin 311
Acer Chromebook Spin 311’s battery life of up to 16 hours and a powerful octa-core processor will keep your laptop running for all day long.
This laptop weighs almost a kg and is smaller than an A4 piece of paper, boasting an 11.6″ HD (1366 × 768) IPS Multi-Touch Screen. Also, with concave keycaps, you can enjoy working faster and more efficiently. The 11” display and a 360° bendable screen display is perfect for entertainment and work, both.
With easy-to-access Google apps, enjoy a wide range of Android apps on Google Play. Not only that, but you can also enjoy all the perks of Chrome OS, including fast boot time, protection from viruses and malware, and a user-friendly interface.
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Operating System | Chrome OS™ |
| Display | 11.6 ", (29.5 cm) |
| Dimensions | 1366 × 768 pixels |
| Processor | MediaTek MT8183 2GHz |
| RAM | 4 GB LPDDR4x-SDRAM |
| Graphics | ARM Mali-G72 MP3 |
| Battery | 4670 mAh, Lasts up to 16 Hours |
8. Samsung Chromebook 4+
Samsung also offers a great Chromebook on a budget of under $300. Enjoy Samsung Chromebook 4+ with a 15.6” FHD LED display and Intel UHD Graphics 600, providing quality vision.
The Intel Celeron dual-core processor comes with a base frequency of 1.1 GHz and can go up to 2.6 GHz. Combined with built-in malware protection and automatic updates, your work keeps running smoothly without any interruptions.
Chrome OS comes with all your favorite Google services in a single place. Whether it is emailing or watching movies, you can have it all with a single Google account. Or get Google Assistant to do it for you.
The laptop works for up to 10 hours on a single battery charge and comes with a USB-C charger that will quickly juice it up again. Not only that, but it also comes with another USB-C port, allowing you to transfer files while you charge without any hindrance.
| Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Display | 11.60-inch |
| Dimensions | 1366 × 768 pixels |
| Processor | Intel® Celeron® Processor N4000 |
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics |
| Battery | 5070 mAh, Lasts up to 12.5 hours |
9. Asus L510MA
ASUS L510MA comes with a 15.6” full HD NanoEdge display, a 180° hinge, and an 84% screen-to-body ratio, allowing you better quality for viewing or sharing content.
The quad-core intel processor, combined with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, provides you with enough space and power to keep your work smooth without any stuttering. You can also buy an upgraded version with an octa-core processor, 8 GB RAM, and 512 GB storage if you want.
The slight weight and battery life of up to 8 hours make the device portable and keep it running for a long time. Plus, you can get convenient data transfer rate with its Type-C ports. This laptop also comes with a fanless design, helping you stay focused without any unwanted irritating noises.
| Storage | 128 GB eMMC |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home in S mode |
| Display | 15.6” Full HD anti-glare Display |
| Dimensions | 14.18” × 9.31” × 0.71” |
| Processor | Intel Celeron N4020 Dual-Core Processor (Turbo up to 2.8GHz) |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR4 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| Battery | Lithium, Lasts up to 8 hours |
10. Dell Inspiron 15 3000
Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is one of the best gaming laptops under \$300. With a powerful UHD 605 graphics integrated Intel processor, 4 GB RAM, and 128 GB SSD, gamers can enjoy some bigger gaming names out there. However, the resolution is only 1366 by 768 on a TN panel, which is why it is lower on the list.
Though the good news is that the RAM and storage are both upgradable—the RAM up to 12 GB, and the SSD drive can either be replaced with a higher-capacity one, or you can simply add another SSD drive in the empty slot available. This will add to your FPS and also increase your overall working experience.
The laptop also comes with a lift hinge design that raises your laptop slightly and provides a comfortable typing experience. The battery lasts up to 8 hours and is quickly rechargeable with ExpressCharge™ capabilities.
| Storage | 128 GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD (Upgradeable) |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Display | 15.6” Anti-Glare LED Display (1366 × 768 Resolution) |
| Dimensions | 380.00 × 260.30 × 25.15 (mm) |
| Processor | Intel Pentium Silver N5030 Quad-Core Processor (Up to 3.10 GHz) |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR4 2400MHz RAM (Upgradeable) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 605 Integrated |
| Battery | 4-cell “smart” lithium-ion (40 Whr), Lasts up to 8 hours |
Buying Guide for Laptops Under 300 dollars
Buying a laptop under $300 may seem like a daunting task, though we are here to assure you that it is not as difficult as you think.
The first thing you need to remember is to buy a laptop with good built quality, as it is not easy to upgrade most components later on. Lower quality will only cause trouble for you as time progresses.
We have compiled a list of components and specifications here for you that you need to keep in mind while buying a laptop.
Display
What use is your good CPU or GPU if your display cannot even support it? While buying a laptop, you can opt for various display configurations.
Make sure whatever configuration you get, if your computer has a GPU, then your display should support auto-sync with the GPU; such as V-sync, G-sync, or FreeSync.
It is also better to pick a laptop with a minimum response time. 1ms would be ideal. There might be other options, like 3ms or 5ms, in the market as well; hence, remember to choose as low as possible.
Size, Resolution, and Refresh Rate
When you’re under a tight budget, a screen size of 12” to 17” will work for you. As a general rule, the larger the display, the better. A larger screen will give you wider angles and better vision.
Although, you should also keep in mind that the larger the screen will be, the higher it will cost. Larger screens also require higher-quality hardware to keep them functioning. Moreover, it can also add to the weight of the laptop. So, if you’re looking for a portable one, keep the size on the smaller side.
Also remember that this is one of the components that you cannot upgrade, so buy something that will last longer. Unless you’re looking to buy an additional monitor.
In terms of resolution, you can go for something basic like a 1080p, or you can go higher up to 4K. But as a rule, avoid getting laptops with a resolution lower than 1080p if you want good graphics.
Besides resolution, you must also keep in mind to check the refresh rate of the laptop. A refresh rate of a laptop defines how many times an image updates in a second. Hence, the higher the refresh rate, the faster, the image loads, and the better the visuals you will see.
You may find devices with lower resolution and higher refresh rates, or higher resolution and lower refresh rates. For high quality, a 1080p resolution, combined with a 60Hz refresh rate, should be good for you.
However, if you can find higher than this within your budget, go for it.
CPU and GPU
As we all know, CPU is the brain of a computer. The better the brain works, the better the rest of the body can perform its functions.
If you need a laptop for everyday use only, then you might not need a very high-end CPU. Though if you’re looking for good performance in a budget, you can find a lot of options. Intel is one of the best in the industry right now. If you can, look for Intel Celeron series. There are many other competitors as well, such as AMD, in the market.
It is better if you check the cache memory and transistors as well when buying the laptop. As a tip, remember more cache means faster performance. A 4MB cache should be good enough for you. On the contrary, the smaller the transistors, the better.
There’s not much to say about the GPU if you’re not going to use the laptop for some high visual purposes, like gaming. However, in case you need one, the RTX series from Nvidia is the most sought-out currently. You can even go for an older series, such as the GTX series. And of course, there are good competitors, like AMD, in the market as well.
If you already have a laptop with good quality components, but it lacks a GPU, you can opt to buy a separate external graphics card if your laptop supports it, instead of buying a whole new laptop.
Design
The build of your machine will define how sturdy and durable your laptop is. If you buy a laptop with great processors and graphics but cheap build quality, you will suffer greatly in the long run.
It is also critical to make sure that your laptop doesn’t heat up fast. If your laptop heats up fast, it will lower the performance of your CPU and GPU as well.
So always take note of the design and build while choosing a laptop. A better design typically brings better quality and better gaming time.
Ports and inputs
Although most laptops these days offer good inputs and ports. Yet, it will only prove useful if you check for these specs when you’re buying a laptop.
If you want to buy a separate keyboard, mouse or any other input device, make sure the devices are of optimal quality. A keyboard with backlighting and a mouse with a sensitive touch will provide a good experience. Steer clear of fancy input devices for now as they may cost you lots of money.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who wants a quick data transfer speed, look out for Type-C ports. Keep in mind to check the cables you’ll need to connect with your laptop. For example, you might want to connect a microSD card for some extra storage space. So it is important to see the ports your laptop comes with. If you’re using more than one device, like an external hard drive, keyboard, or mouse, make sure your laptop has enough ports for everything you need to connect.
Operating Systems
Although there are many great Operating Systems out there, such as macOS, Chrome OS, or Linux, most users opt for Windows since it works best if you want an all-rounder OS that manages your day-to-day tasks. Windows also supports most of the software and tools out there, so it is the safest option.
On the other hand, Chrome OS is also on the rise and has proved to be faster than Windows. It also provides good results in terms of productivity, and the updates on Chromebooks roll out more frequently as well.Plus, with Google Play, you can enjoy all the Android apps in the store. However, most Android apps are made for portrait modes, so make sure it is not an issue.
If you’re someone who likes a little challenge, you can opt for Linux. And lastly, you can go for a macOS if you are willing to pay a little extra. It doesn’t have as much variety as Windows, but it still has some good apps to keep you going. And it is great for image and video editing as well.
Conclusion
Turns out, you don’t have to spend too much to buy something valuable. You can buy a good laptop even if you’re under a budget when you know what you need to buy.
The tips mentioned above will help make the whole process easier for you.Use the tables to compare specifications of laptopsin case you’re stuck between a few options.
Remember, it’s less about the brand, and more about the functionality, hardware and software of the laptop. If the specs and features satisfy your needs, buy it!
