The Best Laptops Under $300 in 2024

Whether it is a student, a remote worker on a budget looking for an affordable unit, or a casual computer user looking for a secondary laptop for everyday computing tasks, a robust laptop under $300 that strikes a balance between price and performance can go a long way.

Laptops at this price range are mostly designed for media consumption, web browsing, video playback, text processing, school work, and general productivity tasks. Game Rant’s team surveyed peer recommendations, user impressions, and critical reviews to create a guide to finding the best laptops under $300.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Laptop For Under $300

Picking the right laptop for under $300 requires buyers to make some considerations. The following factors can help find the best laptop under $300 to fit any needs;

Operating System

While Windows laptops are versatile, they may have lower specs at this price range. Since most of these laptops will be Windows machines and Chromebooks with Chrome OS, those looking for Android apps might be better off with tablets.

Performance

Users need to choose laptops with RAM that can handle their tasks. While getting a high-quality notebook at this price range is challenging, users can still find models with AMD Ryzen 3 and Intel Core i3 processors.

Storage

Although it’s hard to get a great deal on most laptops under $300, users can consider buying an external hard drive that they can plug into their computer.

Build quality

A good laptop under $300 should be well-constructed and sturdy. Users should also focus on the quality of the touchpad and keyboard. While customers may make some trade-offs based on their budget, it’s crucial to consider their specific needs and preferences. The best laptop should meet their needs while staying within the price range.

Memory

Although most laptops under $300 come with 8GB of RAM, some only have 4GB, making them less suitable for web browsing for those who like multiple tabs/windows open running background processes. The best one can do is to upgrade to at least 4GB.

Battery Life

Those needing a laptop for long stretches away from home should look for brands that can provide 6-8 hours of battery life.

Refresh rate

Most laptops under $300 come with a 60Hz refresh rate display, which is fine. However, those looking to game on their laptops should consider a higher refresh rate.

Portability

Finally, it’s essential to check the size and weight of the laptop, especially for those who move around frequently. Lightweight laptops are usually the most preferred for portability.

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Laptops Under $300

In a world where Chromebooks and Lenovo IdeaPads are the king, Aspire 3 offers a better and decent alternative for those looking for a budget machine for college and home use under $300. Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH features a 15.6-inch screen and the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor. It also has 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage, which should be enough for general and casual gamers and users. It features several ports, including a microSD card slot, USB Type-C port, and an HDMI port.

It features an all-plastic case that looks like aluminum from a distance or even up close. Users will also find it sturdy enough for a daily commute, showing no signs of being poorly made. It weighs 3.92 pounds and measures‎14.29 x 0.74 x 9.35 inches. With this machine, Acer proves that budget machines can still be affordable and functional simultaneously. This can be the best option for those who don’t need designing or video editing. Unfortunately, this laptop only offers 128GB of SSD storage, which may be insufficient for some users. However, gamers can always supplement this with an external SSD, though.

It’s pretty difficult to find great laptops under $300, but the HP Flagship 15.6 HD laptop gives good competition to the Acer Aspire 3 in several areas and can even be the better choice if a larger RAM size is a major requirement. This HP model is powered by the Intel Pentium N200, which, although it is an entry-level CPU, brings a decent four cores/four threads configuration, clocked at a good 3.7GHz. The power consumption is unbelievably low as well, consuming only 6W at max.

The CPU brings the Intel UHD graphics to power the screen, which is going to be sufficient for general tasks. Users can also plug in a big monitor if they want a bigger picture, as the GPU can support 4K resolution at 60Hz natively. Regarding other specifications, it’s one of the very few notebooks that bring 16GB of RAM, which will make it future-proof for the next couple of years. However, its storage is kind of lackluster, with only 128GB of capacity. It is surely fast enough, but users should consider adding a portable or a higher-capacity SSD if they want to store more files.

Looking for a lightweight and efficient laptop for under $300 that offers value for money? Look no further than the ASUS VivoBook 15. It is known for its excellent features, attractive design, and performance. Despite its reasonably large display screen, this laptop is surprisingly lightweight at 3.46 pounds, making it perfect for users who are on the go.

ASUS VivoBook Go 15 features a decent webcam for virtual meetings and Windows 11 Home in S Mode with a bright display. It also has good construction and a stylish finish, making it solid and lightweight. Additionally, it features a 15.6” FHD Display, Intel Celeron N4020 Processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage, meaning it will help users do light tasks like typing and light gaming swiftly and efficiently.

Considering the price, Asus has done a great job with this laptop. For instance, the chassis is sturdy, the keyboard is backlit, and the trackpad is responsive. Plus, it has a long battery life, allowing it to function for up to 8 hours. Unfortunately, its peak brightness only reaches around 210 nits, making it dimmer even for indoor use. The battery duration is also shorter compared to other laptops of the same price. Overall, this laptop is a great performer and is suitable for users who are always on the move.

Most laptops under $300 are limited to 768p resolution, which is terrible for a 15.6″ unless users need to work just on MS Office tools. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i provides a good 1080p display that will provide sharper and more vibrant details than its alternatives. At the core of this laptop, lies the Core i3 1115G4 processor. Even though this processor only has two real cores, with the help of hyperthreading, it is able to achieve better performance, especially with its high boost clock of 4.10GHz and its capability to reach up to 28W in power consumption.

This does affect its battery life negatively, but it is also superior in crunching numbers compared to most laptops listed here. With 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB PCI-E SSD, it is ready to deliver quick boot and will help in opening the applications quickly. The laptop is also provided with a Fingerprint Reader for extra security, which is another noteworthy aspect for those who don’t want to compromise their credentials or privacy.

2-in-1 laptops are versatile machines that let users use them as tablets or traditional laptops. The Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 is a beautiful laptop with built quality and rounded edges that befits its price tag. The 2-in-1 unit features 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC, 13MP Camera and 16:10 Aspect Ratio. The keyboard deck is plastic; the lid is made of powdered aluminum. The Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 2-in-1 features a sturdy design and a lid that fully rotates in laptop, stand, or tablet mode. It also comes with handy storage and two cameras that allow users to take photos in tablet or laptop mode.

While one camera is a 720p HD webcam, the other is a back-facing webcam suitable for delivering the perfect shot. Speaking of the display, this laptop boasts a 12.2-inch touchscreen display with a WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution. Unfortunately, the touchpad and keyboard are cramped such that they become uncomfortable after extended use. Plus, the keyboard lacks a backlight, making working with it in the dark challenging. That said, the Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 2-in-1 Laptop is an excellent option for users looking for an effective Chromebook at an affordable price.

Wipemik may not be very popular in the PC industry, but dozens of positive reviews say a lot about the company’s ability to produce highly power-efficient and powerful laptops on a budget. The Wipemik E14 is a sleek and thin laptop that features an Intel Celeron N4120 CPU with 4 cores/4 threads. Four cores are abundant for basic tasks and won’t limit users’ abilities in office applications. However, being ultra-power efficient with just a TDP of 6W, the core clocks are pretty low compared to the Pentium and Core i3 processors.

Nonetheless, this helps the laptop to run for several hours on a single charge, which is impressive, considering that the laptop also boasts a 14-inch IPS display with 1080p resolution. Not only will the images be vibrant and sharper, but the viewing angles will be great too. On the connectivity side, the laptop gives a fast 2.4G LAN, which is pretty rare to find in cheaper laptops, and a 5G Wi-Fi module to support high internet speed.

The HP 2023 Newest ultra-light 14 Laptop is a formidable option for users looking for a lightweight and budget-friendly yet capable laptop. The Intel Quad-Core N4120 processor with 4 Cores, 4 Threads and speeds of up to 2.60 GHz can handle most light tasks without glitches.

It has a decent battery life of between 9 and 11 hours, depending on usage, plus a sleek design that allows users to smoothly switch between work and leisure, regardless of where they are. The lightweight and slim architecture will appeal to users who are always on the move. For additional security, the unit has a biometric fingerprint reader that ensures users keep their data secure and safe.

When it comes to memory, the ultra-portable laptop features 8GB of RAM, which is more than enough for general multitasking. The 64GB eMMC storage provides dependable built-in storage for office files, while the 128GB Micro SD card offers reliable, upgradable space for documents and files. Combined, they provide a great platform for general computing tasks such as streaming, web browsing, light gaming, and running educational apps. On the flip side, the laptop’s touchpad is small, which makes scrolling challenging. If that is not an issue, as a laptop for a casual user or kids, it’s a pleasing pick that can easily handle most standard computing tasks.

FAQ

Q: What functionalities should one expect from a laptop under $300?

Laptops under $300 are typically suitable for word processing, web browsing, and media consumption tasks. There are also options for decent everyday use.

Q: How can one get the best deal on a laptop under $300?

Users should watch out for discounts, sales, and promotions from reputable brands. They can also consider refurbished options to save on costs. Reading reviews and comparing different brands before making a decision is also advised.

Q: Are budget laptops suitable for remote work or online classes?

Absolutely! Budget laptops can help with online classes and remote work like document editing, web browsing, and video conferencing. Therefore, a good laptop under $300 should have a microphone and a decent webcam.

Q: Why are Chromebooks under $300 preferred by most users?

Known for their simplicity, Chromebooks offer good value for the price, especially for those using web-based applications.

Q: What is the average battery life for laptops under $300?

The battery life will depend on the laptop in question. But generally, for most laptops under $300, users can expect 6 to 8 hours of battery life per charge.

Q: Can I upgrade the components of a budget laptop later on?

It depends on the laptop model, but most laptops on this guide allow storage and RAM upgrades to enhance performance.