Best Laptop Under 400: Our Top Budget Picks

Published: 31 Aug 2021 10:52 AM +00:00 Updated: 11 Dec 2023 5:51 PM +00:00

Want to find the best laptop you can for under 400 dollars or pounds? You're in the right place.

We've done the research for you, looking closely at reviews, specs and any other additional features, we've compiled this list of our top picks.

So, whether you're after a laptop alternative with a touchscreen like the Microsoft Surface Go 2 or want a standout choice for students such as the HP Stream 14, we've got you covered.

Let's take a look!

Best Laptop Under 400

Best Laptop Under 400 Lenovo - Lenovo IdeaPad 3

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Lenovo is no stranger when it comes to making great laptops, whether it be with quality budget laptops, or some of the best laptops for business you can find.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is no exception, powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 3250U Processor with 4GB RAM you'll have no issues multitasking smoothly, or handling large spreadsheets.

Backed-up with 128GB SSD you'll have enough storage for your basic needs, which is expandable with any of the best external SSD's, via the USB ports, to get the most out of your disk space.

The IdeaPad 3 truly offers some great specs for the price.

Best Laptop Under 400 Large Screen - ASUS VivoBook 15

Best Laptop Under 400 ASUS — Image Credit: ASUS

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Another great choice for those looking to get the most out of their budget is the feature-rich ASUS VivoBook 15.

The standout feature of this laptop is the stunning FHD, 15.6-inch display with NanoEdge bezels giving this device an 83% screen-to-body ratio, great for an immersive entertainment experience.

The keyboard is backlit and equipped with a mere 1.4mm travel distance, which means you'll be able to type documents with more accuracy and at a faster pace without causing too much strain.

The ASUS VivoBook is also fully equipped with USB C, USB A and USB 2.0 ports, HDMI output, and a microSD card reader.

Best Laptop Under 400 Acer - Acer Swift 1

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If you're looking for a thin, lightweight laptop that still provides some decent power, the Acer Swift 1 could be for you.

The Intel Pentium N5000, 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD combination will provide this laptop with some decent speed and the ability to easily tackle basic multitasking and everyday work.

Also, featuring an IPS screen which allows for viewing angles of up to 178º while maintaining colour clarity. IPS displays offer more vibrant colours than LED but at the cost of consuming more power.

However, the Acer Swift 1 still manages to maintain up to 20 hours of battery life, all while performing with decent power provided from the Intel Pentium N5000.

Best Laptop Under 400 For Students - HP Stream 14

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If you're on a budget of under 400 and looking for one of the best laptops for students, the HP Stream 14 is a great place to start.

This stylish laptop not only looks great but has some decent power behind it too, the Intel Celeron N4000 combined with 4GB is enough to multitask with no issues and run Windows 10 smoothly.

This laptop also comes with a one-year subscription to Microsoft Office 365 on Amazon, which is an ideal tool for any student.

The 14-inch display should be enough if you want to open multiple windows when reading through lecture notes and casually scrolling through social media simultaneously.

We think the HP Stream gives you some serious bang for your buck.

Best Laptop Under 400 Alternative Option - Microsoft Surface Go 2

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Microsoft makes some of the best laptops to date, and when it comes to alternative options, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a real winner, a great laptop and tablet bundled into one.

The 10.5-inch display touch screen is a great handy tool to have when on the go, with the magnetic detachable keyboard, there is no issue adapting to suit your needs.

With 4GB of RAM and the Intel Pentium processor, this small but mighty device can handle everyday work processes, streaming and even some levels of graphic design.

Including 10 hours of battery life, the Surface Go 2 is one of the best affordable 2-in-1 laptops we've seen.

How To Pick The Best Laptop Under 400

When it comes to choosing the best laptop for under 400 to suit your needs, there is a number of things to consider before proceeding.

Is Core i3 better than Celeron?

Intel Core i3 and Celeron offer the same number of cores, however, the i3 provides slightly faster processing speeds.

The Intel Celeron is cheaper than i3 and should be more than powerful enough to handle basic multitasking and everyday use making it a great budget choice.

Which operating system is the best for a laptop?

The best operating system for a laptop ultimately comes down to personal taste and preference.

The latest version of Windows is always a reliable choice, it should offer everything you need from a laptop and is easy to navigate, it is also the most common, especially at this price.

Other options such as Chrome OS and Mac OS are also solid options to look for.

How much battery life is good for a laptop?

If you're looking for a device that you can use on the go, battery life is important to consider.

If you're a student and need a laptop to last a full day, we'd recommend finding a device that offers at least 10 hours of battery life.

Is 4GB of RAM enough for a laptop?

If you're looking to use a laptop for basic computing essentials such as browsing the web, watching videos and online shopping, then 4GB of RAM should be plenty to handle these tasks.

If you require a laptop to handle more processor-heavy tasks such as video editing or gaming, then you'll likely need more RAM in order to run those smoothly.

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