If you are looking for a budget laptop, Chromebooks should be your first and foremost choice as they offer several models that fall under the category of exceptionally affordable laptops. Chromebooks are available in a lot of different variants that differ in hardware and software specifications. However, the most crucial feature of Chromebooks in general, which makes them stand out from other laptops in the market, is their affordability. Due to their minimal hardware requirements, Chromebooks are famous for offering great functionality for anyone looking to purchase a laptop with a low budget at hand.
Even though almost all Chromebooks cost less than most Windows or Apple laptops, some of them are phenomenally low budget. Being low-budget does not mean that they compromise on quality or user experience in any way. They offer somewhat curtailed features. Many a time, consumers need a low-end laptop that can effectively perform all necessary tasks. This is where these Chromebooks can come in handy.
There is no fixed rule regarding what qualifies as a budget laptop. For some users, it may mean anything under $1,000, while others might find affordability only in options under $200. We have rounded up the best laptops available under $300. Here is a list of the best Chromebooks under $300 to buy in 2020.
1) Samsung Chromebook 4
Samsung Chromebook 4
This budget Chromebook is exceptionally efficient and offers exquisite performance and incredibly long battery life. This is especially suitable for students because of featuring several innovative specifications. Unlike most Chromebooks, this one does not have a touchscreen display, but apart from that, there is a lot to like about Samsung Chromebook 4. It closely resembles the MacBook because of its curved edges and a silver hue. This laptop has a visually striking design that looks aesthetically appealing as well.
On the left, it has a USB-C port, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack. USB-C port is used for charging the laptop, whereas the microSD slot can be used for substantially improving Chromebook’s storage space. USB-C is not limited to be used for charging and can also be employed for data transfer. On the right, there is a lock slot and a USB 3.0 port. Also, Chromebook 4 is surprisingly durable, which is quite a rare feature for a laptop that costs under $300. It provides a decent typing experience with snappy keys.
Samsung Chromebook 4 comes with an Intel Celeron 3000 N processor and 4 GB of RAM. This makes the laptop perform well while the user is multitasking under high loads. Samsung has provided a fantastic battery standby time with Chromebook 4. Once fully charged, it can run all day long with an on-screen time of around 12 hours. Like all modern Chromebooks, Samsung Chromebook 4 runs Android applications, but you can only download them from the Google Play Store. For anyone looking to have a Chromebook under $300, Chromebook 4 can be an ideal choice because of its durability, resilience, excellent battery life, and decent performance.
2) Lenovo Chromebook Duet
Lenovo Chromebook Duet
As the name suggests, Chromebook Duet is a two-in-one device. It is a laptop that can be turned into a tablet because of its detachable keyboard. Even though it lacks an Intel processor, it can guarantee steady performance. For maintaining its functionality as a tablet, Lenovo had to limit Duet’s display at 10.1 inches. Chromebooks Duet comes with a 1080p touch screen with medium-sized bezels. The display on offer is reasonably sharp as well. You can easily see all the elaborate details when you are watching your favorite TV shows or action movies.
Thanks to its two-in-one nature, now you can have a back camera on a laptop. Chromebook Duet features the power button, a USB-C port, and a volume rocker on the right side. Unlike most Chromebooks, Duet does not come with a headphone jack. Therefore, if you want to connect any audio device, you will have to use Bluetooth. When it comes to storage, Lenovo Chromebook Duet comes out on top. It offers 64 GB of internal space, which is more than enough for a device that relies on the internet as the primary source of data.
A removable keyboard makes this laptop tremendously portable. This can be quite useful for anyone who travels a lot. Lenovo Chromebook Duet also supports all tablet gestures and Android phone integration. Once paired with your Android smartphone, you can unlock your laptop and send messages remotely. Thanks to its relatively small display, this laptop can provide a decent battery life of up to 13 on-screen hours. With MediaTek Helio P60T offering 2 GHz of processor speed, you can expect Duet to perform seamlessly at all times.
3) HP Chromebook x360 11 G2
HP Chromebook x360 11 G2
This laptop was introduced in HP’s Education Edition series. It is powered by Intel’s Gemini Lake processor and features a durable and resilient build. It has a rugged body with a spill-resistant keyboard, shock-absorbing trims, and drop resistance. This laptop features an 11-inch screen with a touchscreen panel. HP Chromebook x360 11 G2 comes with 8 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage space. These credentials enable you to use this laptop for medium-sized applications as well.
Just like Lenovo Chromebook Duet, it sports a convertible form factor, which allows you to use it in a traditional laptop mode, tent mode, and a table mode. This laptop has been designed to pass MIL-STD 810G standard. It also offers a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on display, which adds to its durability. This Chromebook is powered by a quad-core processor with Intel UHD 600 graphics unit. The internal storage can further be expanded through an SD card slot. Its 47.36 Wh Lithium-ion battery is claimed to provide a standby time of 11 and a half hours. This is an excellent runtime for any laptop with a touchscreen display.
You can also draw on its 11.6-inch screen with an optional Wacom Pen. This Chromebook was designed keeping the needs and requirements of students and teachers in mind. Its display offers a modest 1366 x 768 resolution, with 178-degree viewing angles. Because of ample RAM and storage, this laptop can quickly provide respectable performance that can be compared with any high-end Chromebook available in the market.
4) Lenovo IdeaPad 330
Lenovo IdeaPad 330
This is a strikingly affordable 15.6-inch laptop with a decent keyboard, sturdy chassis, and remarkable design. If you are low on budget and need a laptop for performing basic online tasks, then Lenovo IdeaPad 330 is one of the best options. It also comes with a DVD drive, which is not common in modern laptops. It has a rectangular design with rounded corners. A thick plastic hinge runs across almost the entire width of the display. This flexible hinge allows you to rotate the screen at 180 degrees. Weighing 4.4 pounds, this Chromebook is smaller and lighter than most of its counterparts.
This Chromebook comes with a handy 4-in-1 card reader, which allows you to transfer data seamlessly without requiring a dongle. The keyboard on IdeaPad 330 has subtly curved chiclet-style keys, which are nicely sized and reasonably snappy. The touchpad on this laptop is responsive and supports all hand gestures, including pinch-to-zoom and three-finger swipe to switch windows.
Excellent I/O port options round up the Lenovo IdeaPad 330 specifications. There are two SB 3.0 ports, a USB 3.0 Type-C port, an HDMI port, and an SD card slot. It also includes a headphone jack and an Ethernet port. This laptop comes with a 1 TB hard drive, which means you will not have to extend the storage anytime soon. IdeaPad 330 is equipped with a 2.2 GHz Intel Core i3-8130U processor and an integrated Intel HD 620 graphics card. Moreover, IdeaPad is entirely customizable, which means you can opt for specifications that better suit your needs and requirements. IdeaPad 330 is a perfectly useful Chromebook as it offers reliable productivity performance at such a low price.
5) Lenovo Chromebook C340
Lenovo Chromebook C340
Lenovo Chromebook C340 is a convertible that can work as a laptop or a tablet thanks to its hinge that can swing 360 degrees. It features an 11-inch display and is compact, lightweight, and highly portable. Both of its sides are tapered from the rear hinge towards the front edge. Like many 360-degree hinges, it consists of two rotating hubs that allow the lid to swing all the way around. This laptop comes with an Intel Celeron N4000 clocked at 1.1 GHz. With Octane scores in the range of 15,000, this processor can deliver reliable performance with all the things you need.
The C340 has two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, a headphone jack, a locking slot, and a microSD card reader. These ports are spread evenly on both sides of the laptop, ensuring high utility levels. Its buttonless touchpad glides smoothly and responds well to one- and two-finger taps. Lenovo Chromebook C340’s 11.6-inch display has a touchscreen with a pixel resolution of 1366 x 768.
The C340’s keyboard offers a bot over a millimeter and a half of travel. Lenovo claims that the C340 offers up to 10 hours of battery life. However, if you are primarily using it as a tablet, you should cut that number down by quite a lot. This Chromebook is well-designed in terms of its design and feels solid in hand. The screen on the Lenovo C340 is surprisingly straightforward, with 250 nits of brightness. This means that it is bright enough for most indoor environments. When you are looking for a laptop under $300, you can expect crummy display panels, washed-out colors, and sub-par viewing experience; however, none of that is the case with Lenovo Chromebook C340.
6) Acer Chromebook 315
Acer Chromebook 315
Acer Chromebook 315 is an entry-level laptop and is ideal for anyone with a tight budget. At the same time, it may not have tons of storage space, its large 15.touchscrtouchscreenis bright, sharp, and responsive. It features AMD A4-9120C dual-core processor with Radeon R4 integrated graphics. Acer Chromebook 315 combines 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of eMMC flash storage. It comes with a 1920 x 1080 touch panel.
The left side has a USB 3.1 Type-C port, a USB 3.1 Type-A port, a microSD card slot, and an audio jack. On the right, it has a USB-C port, a USB A port, and a security lock slot. There is not HDMI video output, though you can connect an external monitor by plugging a DisplayPort adapter into a USB-C port. The Acer Chromebook 315 is incredibly affordable, but it feels and looks like a laptop three times more expensive.
Its slim aluminum casing feels smooth and sturdy. With Chromebook 315, Acer has been able to ensure smooth performance, thanks to Chrome OS. Its touchpad offers undisturbed scrolling and plenty of space for your fingers. Its fine and even matte texture feels like high-end glass, even though it is just plastic. One hardware attribute on the Acer Chromebook 315 that is noticeably different from any other device is its upward-facing speakers on the side of the keyboard. This particular feature allows you to experience improved sound quality.
Conclusion
One might assume that low-budget laptops are substandard devices without many distinguishing features. However, this is certainly not the case. With proper research, you can find what you are looking for. Still, a low-cost laptop will require some compromise, and you will have to prioritize what is more important to reach a final decision.
To buy what you need in the budget you have, it is imperative to understand your requirements and preferences thoroughly. Low-cost laptops can handle everyday computing and sometimes even more than that. There are value-priced Chromebooks that include Full HD displays, reliable performance, and long battery lives. With Chromebooks under $300, you will have a laptop that will be lightweight and portable enough to carry it around all day long.
