Best Laptops Under $400 – Best Picks for the Money 2023

My niece asked for a laptop a while back to help her manage her studies easily. So, it was when I started looking for the best laptop under $400 because I knew she didn’t need anything powerful.

What hardware is required for the best laptop under $400?

An Intel or AMD processor with a speed of over 2 GHz.

a RAM OF 4GB or more.

Storage of 128GB or more.

The screen size of 14 inches at least.

Well,

While looking for a laptop for my niece, I deeply researched all the available options. It was when I decided to share my compiled list of the top 10 picks with you, as it might help you get an ideal machine, especially if you are low on budget.

If you are more interested in gaming, check out the best gaming laptops for under $400!

Let us, therefore, move on with some of the best laptops under $400 available in 2023:

Top 10 Laptops Under $400 – The Best Picks of 2023

1. Acer Aspire 5 – Best Laptop Under $400 Rated for 2023

Acer Aspire 5 was the laptop that I got for my niece. Honestly, this laptop’s first impression left me in awe. Starting with some basics, the laptop is smooth, compact, and slim.

Moving on with that;

The specs of Acer Aspire 5 are also well up to the mark. As per my experiments, it didn’t lag or stutter even when I was operating applications like Microsoft Word and Excel at once.

In a nutshell, aspire 5 is an aspiring choice for those who crave to get the best deal within a limited budget.

Let’s move on to the specs and features that this laptop offers:

Key Features You Must Know:

The best budget laptop under $400 features a Core  i3 processor, which is superbly fast. It can easily handle most applications and programs without causing lag.

However, if you can spend an extra 80 bucks, you may get this same machine with a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor.

On the other hand, a 15.6” full HD IPS display gives a mesmerizing viewing perspective. That said, it will make your work much more manageable and keep your eyes away from strain and glare simultaneously.

The slimmest laptop under $400 has 4GB DDR4 memory and a 128GB SSD. So, you’d enjoy an exceptional multitasking experience with this computing machine.

What fascinated me the most about this laptop was the pre-installation of Windows 10. As per her remarks of Jenny, “It was so easier for me to manage my study data and other tasks while using Windows 10”.

Everybody wants a laptop with a long-lasting battery, and Acer gives you just that. Aspire 5 is meant to work at least 7.5 hours on one full charge. This spec is immense as it will keep you focused on your tasks long.

You can also check the best laptop for under $600.

Final Views:

Acer Aspire 5 is the favorite option for people from every walk of life. It’s sleek, slim, and has a lightweight body as well. My two cents? Spend all your Money on this mighty beast, and you won’t regret this decision for a long time.

 

2. HP 14 Laptop – Best HP Laptop Under $400

If you need a superfast laptop with many features, this newest HP 14 Laptop is there to rescue you. This computing machine has got a rugged design, first of all.

Besides, the overall shape and body give off aesthetic vibes. It’s a laptop with an all-rounder performance meant explicitly for those extremely low on budget.

Essential Features You Should Know:

Get things done fast with high performance, instant responsiveness, and best-in-class connectivity, thanks to the 11th Generation Celeron processor.

Boost your efficiency as you browse, create, and multitask faster than ever with 4 GB DDR4- SDRAM of memory.

Plus, with 128 GB of Solid-State Drive storage, your laptop will boot up in seconds, transfer files without waiting hours, and give you a snappier experience every time you use your laptop.

Connect with classmates and instructors from home and in high quality with an HP True Vision HD camera and integrated dual-array microphones.

With a battery life of over 9 hours, plus fast recharge speeds with HP Fast Charge technology, you’ll stay connected throughout your workday and into your evening streaming.

Smoothly stream 4K content and play your favorite games on a Full HD 14-inch display powered by Intel UHD Graphics.

If you can spend an extra 50 bucks, you may also look into the HP-15 dew, which offers the same processor, but you get many more goodies: a 15.6″ screen and double the RAM and storage of an HP 14 laptop!

Final Views:

HP 14 Laptop could meet the expectation of low-budget peeps quite well. It’s sophisticated, unique, and offers an ample number of specs at the same time. Getting backed by a 1-year limited hardware warranty would be wise for you!

 

3. HP Stream – Best Cheap Laptop Under $400

One thing that needs to be appreciated about the 2023 model HP is that it produces some of the cheapest laptops with improved specs. The latest HP Stream is an example of a laptop’s affordability.

For those wondering:

The best laptop under $400 comes with a compact and portable shape. It can easily be carried around from one place to another. Adding to that, the specs are average.

Anyway, let us take a look at what one of the best cheap laptops under $400 offers:

Key Specs You Should Know:

First of all, what I love the most about HP Stream is that it’s versatile. With the OFFICE 365 subscription and a 1TB cloud space, this machine can do the job perfectly for students and teachers.

Moving forward, dual-core Intel Celeron processors can efficiently run most applications, such as MS Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, without causing any significant issues.

Lastly, 8GB DDR4 ram and 128GB offline storage are more than enough for a University or College Student. Considering the price tag of the best HP laptop under $400, these specs are more than enough.

It has a 14″ diagonal HD anti-glare screen, providing good image quality for Internet use, Zoom meetings,  basic photo editing, and casual gaming.

This HP Stream laptop is ideal for homes, Students, Professionals, Small Businesses, School Education, Commercial enterprises, Online Classes, Google classrooms, and Remote Learning.

If you are more interested in gaming, check the best gaming laptops under $400 for gaming and routine work within your budget.

Final Views:

HP Stream is a laptop that suits the everyday tasks of a student. Besides, one can also use it for entertainment purposes. Check it out if you can’t afford a higher price tag laptop.

 

4. HP Chromebook – Best 2-in-1 Chromebook Under $400

You might wonder: “What if I can’t afford a $400 laptop? Is there any other option left?” Well, of course, there is. The Chromebook offered by HP is the deal you are looking out for.

The best laptop under $400 gives the vibes of a toy. While testing it, it seemed like a toy with some improved features.

Anyway,

Chromebook has limited specs, and there should be no doubt about it. However, it’s portable, durable, lightweight, and has a long-lasting battery. So, these are all the features you can count on while purchasing this cheap Chromebook for around $400.

Some essential features being offered by HP Chromebook are as follows:

Most Important Features You Must Know:

First, the laptop has a fast Intel Pentium Silver processor, which can still operate the laptop with speed and smoothness, and that’s what matters the most.

Other than that, I’d want to talk about the Chrome operating system. It’s simple, sophisticated, and has an easy-to-use interface compared to Windows or iOS laptops.

The Chromebook laptop from HP has a storage of 128GB with 4GB RAM for efficient and speedy processing.

The Chromebook has a 14.0-inch diagonal HD, SVA, micro-edge, WLED-backlit, multitouch-enabled, edge to- edge glass Display. The graphics are high-end Intel UHD Graphics 600, and the audio is by B&O with dual speakers. Thus, overall a very satisfying experience to view movies.

Also, check the best gaming laptops under $300.

Final Views:

With all its pros and cons, HP Chromebook is still an option parents could consider for their kids. It might turn out to be a perfect investment considering the ongoing situation of COVID-19 and the online education system.

 

5. SAMSUNG Chromebook 4 – Best 15-Inch Laptop Under $400

The Chromebook 4 offered by Samsung is an upgrade over the HP Chromebook we discussed above. Although most of the specs of both laptops are the same, Samsung gets an edge over HP in terms of ram and storage space.

Simply put:

The brand-new Samsung Chromebook 4 has a lightweight body. Besides, what I loved about this machine was its outstanding battery performance.

Adding to that, the display is also more prominent as compared with HP Chromebook. All these features and specs make Samsung Chromebook an attractive choice for everyday work.

Some essential features of the best cheap laptop under $400 are as follows:

Key Features You Must Know:

Increasing RAM to 4GB and 64GB storage space allows students to enjoy multitasking. The extra storage space could also store movies, songs, lectures, etc.

There are no doubts about the durability of the laptop. The military-grade aluminum used in its construction makes it one of the most formidable devices. I intentionally dropped it to see its sturdiness, and there wasn’t even a single scratch on this laptop.

As usual, the laptop has an affordable price. Hence, the processor installed in it is Intel Celeron N$4000. It also works on the Chromebook operating system, which is simple yet intuitive.

You may also check the best laptop under $700 if you have a high budget.

Final Views:

Samsung Chromebook 4 offers improved performance. With a price tag lower than $400 bucks, this laptop can do wonders for you, even though it comes with limited specs.

 

6. Acer Chromebook 315 – Best Touchscreen Laptop Under $400

Here is yet another Chromebook from Acer that comes with a price tag of less than $400 bucks. What is the main highlight of this computing machine? It comes with an entire touchscreen interface.

So, all in all;

You’d get to enjoy a touchscreen laptop and its features. Apart from the display, I liked the laptop’s overall look, which gives off aesthetic vibes. The sophistication and intuition are well up to the mark as well.

Let us take a look at some notable features being offered by Chromebook 315:

Essential Features You Must Know:

The Chrome operating system is installed on the laptop, allowing you to enjoy all applications Google offers. Additionally, you’d get an extra 100GB of cloud storage for storing large files without hassle.

On the other hand, the 4GB DDR4 ram plays a pivotal role in multitasking. With Chromebook 315, you can run multiple programs simultaneously without lag or stutter.

In the end, a battery time of around 12.5 hours is considerable. It’s true, as I’ve tested this Chromebook multiple times. The Acer Chromebook laptop was operational for 10 hours, even with internet connectivity.

Final Views:

Acer Chromebook 315 is up for grabs with improved performance. Most of all, it comes with a full HD touchscreen display. So, you should get it if you want to enjoy the touchscreen aspect of a laptop within a $400 budget.

 

7. Acer Chromebook Spin 311 – Best 2 in 1 Laptop Under $400

It feels better when you pay for a single device, and it can perform the function of two gadgets simultaneously. Yeah, I’m talking about this unique laptop from Acer, which comes with a convertible body.

Yeah, you heard it right:

The laptop could be used as a full-fledged tablet. Switching to tablet mode is as easy as cutting butter with a hot knife. The convertible aspect of this Chromebook is one of the reasons many students are interested in it.

Let us move on with some of the features offered by the best convertible laptop under $400:

Most Notable Features:

Talking of the display first, it’s convertible—besides, the touch interface it offers works as responsively as a tablet. So, you get to enjoy the features of two gadgets confined to a single laptop.

 

The backing of the AMD A-Series processor, 4GB DDR4 memory, and 32GB offline storage also make Chromebook Spin a perfect option for working people. It can handle different multitasking apps as well.

Lastly, the Chrome operating system comes with many perks and benefits. Some include 100GB of online cloud storage, pre-installation of different Google apps, and an easy-to-use UI.

Final Views:

Acer Chromebook Spin is quite an innovation from the manufacturer. Packed with many features and specs, it should be your priority, especially if you want to use a laptop and a tablet simultaneously.

 

8. Acer Aspire 1 – Best Online Class Ready Laptop Under $400

The dilemma these days among most students is that they can’t find a cheap laptop that can run apps like Zoom or Google Meet efficiently. Well, they don’t need to worry now, as Acer Aspire 1 has come to the rescue in this regard.

Here’s a catch about this laptop

It is Online Class Ready. You can use it to attend your online classes, lectures, and recordings without worries.

Moreover, the best laptop under $400 has an ergonomic shape. I liked its keyboard, which was quite responsive and easy to type on at the same time.

Some critical features offered by Acer Aspire 1 are as follows:

Essential Features You Must Know:

First, the laptop from Acer features an Intel Celeron processor and 4GB ram. So, the multitasking performance is well up to the mark.

In addition, the laptop comes with a large 15.6” full HD display with no pixel-shattering issues. So you can easily focus on different lectures and recordings respectively.

Last, the best Acer laptop under $400 comes with Windows 10 S operating system. It’s more advanced and helps students to enjoy multiple features at the same time.

For smooth meetings, you can also check the dedicated seven best laptops for Zoom.

Final Views:

Acer Aspire 1 is one of the laptops that I adore the most. I’ve also used it several times to attend webinars and Zoom meetings. So, I recommend you get it as soon as possible.

 

9. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 – Best Laptop Under $400 for the Money

IdeaPad 3 from Lenovo is another versatile laptop you can get by spending less than $400. For starters, the laptop has got a unique shape. Plus, it’s lightweight and portable enough to be carried around easily. I liked its display which is more extensive and brighter at the same time.

Some notable features offered by IdeaPad 3 are as follows:

Features You Should Know:

The laptop’s been backed by AMD Ryzen 3, starting with the processor. Moreover, Vega 3 graphics card is also added to enhance the overall gaming performance.

On the other hand, the laptop has a more extensive and brighter 15.6” full HD display to keep you inclined towards different tasks for a long time.

Finally, the presence of Windows 10 Pro makes it easier for students and working people to enjoy multiple benefits and features of the laptop at once.

Final Views:

IdeaPad 3 from Lenovo is a perfect option for those interested in playing some old games apart from using it for online work.

 

10. ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 – With Fingerprint Sensor

Finally, we’d wrap our review section with the VivoBook Flip 14 from Asus. This laptop, first of all, comes with a convertible design. Besides, the touchscreen interface is quite responsive and precise at the same time. The shape and body are lightweight, allowing students to carry it around easily.

Let us have a look at some specs of the VivoBook 14 Flip:

Important Features:

The laptop has a 2 in 1 design. It could easily be converted to a full-fledged tablet without any hassle.

Other than that, the best $400 laptop is powered by an Intel Celeron processor. A 4GB DDR4 ram is also present to improve the multitasking performance.

If you need double performance, see the best laptop under $800.

Final Views:

Get yourself VivoBook Flip 14 if you want to utilize a tablet and a laptop without issues.

 

How to Choose the Best $400 Laptop? A Buying Guide:

It’s always hard to choose a laptop with a limited budget.

That said, take a thorough look at what you should expect in a $$400 laptop as follows:

Processor:

Let me be clear here. The best processor you could get in a laptop within a $400 budget is AMD Ryzen 3.

Intel Celeron is also a better option but less efficient than Ryzen 3. So, that should be a priority for you first of all.

Graphics:

Graphics matter when talking about taking online lectures or running heavy apps.

An integrated graphics card can perfectly enhance a laptop’s overall rendering speed. This speed is crucial in processing multiple projects. As it turns out, a perfect GPU can also help surf the internet or attend webinars without lag.

Therefore, while looking for a $400 laptop, ensure a sound graphics card is installed.

Operating System:

I favor the Windows operating system as it has more features with many benefits.

However, it doesn’t mean the Chrome operating system isn’t better. Chrome OS can be used to carry out multiple tasks as well. But, the features would be limited.

So, that’s what you must remember the next time you go for a cheap laptop.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best laptop under 400 dollars?

I got my niece the brand-new Acer Aspire 5, which still performs at its fullest after three months. The laptop has improved battery timing. Most of all, it could be used for multitasking as well. Therefore, it’s the ultimate winner for me.

2. Which laptop under $400 has the best fps?

Acer Aspire 5 and HP 14 Laptops give an average fps rate of 25 to 30 on medium to high settings. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 also gives solid 30 fps on some old AAA gaming titles.

3. What is the best Samsung laptop under $400?

SAMSUNG Chromebook 4 offers a variety of features and an improved performance at the same time. It’s thus a perfect Samsung laptop within a range of 400 dollars.

Summing Things Up:

I know that it’s pretty much hard to get a perfect laptop with such a limited budget. However, I’ve made it easier with the compiled list you can go through above. Make your decision accordingly and enjoy attending online lectures in these tense circumstances.