7 Best laptops for under $300: (2023 Guide & Reviews)

Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Sharon Advik

Finding a good laptop for under $300 a few years ago was nearly impossible.

These days, it’s simple to find affordable hardware that can play videos and browse the web quickly.

Chromebooks make up most of the laptops on this list because Chrome OS is a much lighter operating system than Windows and macOS and can run on less expensive hardware.

The best gaming laptops under $300 are difficult to find, as gaming requires more powerful hardware than laptops in this price range can provide.

Nevertheless, laptops in this price range can handle most daily and basic tasks.

I’ve tested more than 50 laptops since I started reviewing them.

My picks for the best laptops under $300 are listed below.

Which are the best laptops for under $300?

Here are my recommended top 6 best laptops for under $300:-

Lenovo Chromebook C340 15 (2020): (best laptops for under $300)

Using a laptop 24/7 is somewhat of a requirement of my job.

Due to constant use, my Chromebook became outdated and worn out.

I needed a new one because its updates had run out, and it had started behaving strangely.

After doing comprehensive research, I decided to go with this “Lenovo Chromebook C340 15 (2020)” because it surpassed my expectations regarding price, reviews, specifications, and updating the expiration date.

Nearly all features of the machine have me pleased so far.

Although the settings still need to be adjusted, I’m happy nonetheless.

Its touchscreen capability, which I was thrilled to have—a clear and crisp screen—was my main driving force in choosing this Laptop.

It’s also lovely to use as a tablet, in my opinion.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

There is a 64 GB hard drive, SSD, or SSHD available.

It makes it an excellent fit for midrange laptops, given that users are not irritated downloading different apps.

This storage, therefore, serves their needs well.

At such a low range, this Laptop is a complete lottery.

RAM/ROM:

It features 4GB of RAM, which is enough for everyday stuff.

I think it works well if I browse, watch YouTube, do a video chat, etc.

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

I am amazed that it has collectively 2 USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 or 1 USB-A 3.1 Gen 1.

It also has Bluetooth and wifi, which is speedy enough for any task.

Another feature is its 12-hour battery life, perfect for any work.

Graphic chip/Processor:

It features an Intel Core i3-8130U CPU and Intel UHD Graphics 620.

This i3-8130U is praised as a fantastic processor for regular users who stream videos on their laptops, use word processors for light work, and browse the Internet.

Conclusion:

The Lenovo Chromebook C340 15 provides excellent value for its low price if you want an affordable device for on-the-go work.

It is an ultra-portable device and is the best Laptop under $300.

It makes work a breeze and lets you work in a very comfortable zone.

Lenovo Chromebook S330: (best laptops for gaming under $300)

My younger brother is a gamer who is both overly skilled and utterly fixated on it.

On his phone, he continuously plays day and night.

The new games he wanted would not function on his phone, which disappointed him.

Consequently, I decided to give him a laptop for his birthday so he could play whenever he wanted.

I compensated him by giving him a “Lenovo Chromebook S330” laptop.

This plastic laptop is sturdy enough to carry around in his backpack.

I’ll summarise its features by saying it is remarkably affordable, of the highest possible Lenovo caliber, and wonderful, solid, and reliable for various games.

This Laptop is one of the best laptops for gaming for under $300 because of these features.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

This Laptop features a 64GB SSD.

Without a doubt, Solid State Drives (SSDs) are becoming increasingly popular for servers, desktop PCs, and laptops.

By switching from a hard disc drive (HDD) to an SSD, you can increase the speed of an old desktop or Laptop.

SSDs are also an excellent option for new PC builds, servers, and system builders because of their speed and dependability.

RAM/ ROM:

4GB of RAM would have been sufficient for gaming.

A few years ago, but as games have evolved and become more complex, 4GB is no longer suitable.

But I feel at this price, it is still a great deal.

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

I am not limited to using an external monitor with a USB-C port because there are also HDMI and USB 3.0 Type-A ports.

The Chromebook’s connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a 10-hour battery life.

It still does not have lousy battery life.

Graphic chip/Processor:

It features a MediaTek MT8173C Processor.

A top-of-the-line ARM SoC (System on a Chip) for Android tablets and Chromebooks, the Mediatek MT8173C was released in March 2015.

It has four CPU cores—two Cortex-A72 and two Cortex-A53 cores in a big—and uses a 28 nm manufacturing process.

Conclusion:

The Lenovo Chromebook S330 is undoubtedly one of the top cheap laptops available for the money (and arguably the absolute best cheap Chromebook you can lay your hands on right now).

It is lightweight, stably constructed, and provides adequate performance for the price.

It is the best Laptop for gaming for under $300.

HP Stream 14: (best laptops for music production under $300)

My friend is a DJ who works in one of Canada’s classiest clubs.

He has also produced a great deal of music, which is his expertise.

Since he gained popularity for his most recent theme, he devoted more time to creating new, amazing music.

So, he contacted me and asked me to recommend a cheap laptop that could handle the most recent software needed for music editing and growing file sizes.

I suggested to him this “HP Stream 14” Laptop I used for my photography editing business while I was a beginner.

One of this Laptop’s strengths for music production is its weight.

I kept this in mind because a Laptop for music production should be robust and portable, allowing my friend to carry it from club to club without growing weary.

It is the best Laptop for music production for under $300.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

This Laptop also has a 64 GB SSD, sufficient to run casual editing software and run all applications simultaneously and smoothly.

It enables users like me to use their programs without a sluggish laptop.

RAM/ ROM:

A laptop for any music producer must also have this RAM.

Additionally, this Laptop has a staggering 4GB of RAM.

Though it is not that, as 16 GB AND 32 GB RAM is still under 300, it provides excellent reliability of work.

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

It has an HDMI port, two USB ports, a USB-Type C port, and a power connector port.

The remaining connectivity features for the HP Stream 14 are its wifi five and Bluetooth 4.2., which is a fantastic overall package.

I am happy with this huge deal.

Graphic chip/Processor:

This Laptop’s Intel Celeron N4020-Core processor and Intel UHD Graphics 600 graphics card improve the device’s overall performance and provide editors with a very organized and problem-free workspace.

Conclusion:

A 14-inch Windows laptop with long battery life and performance suitable for primary productivity and streaming media, the affordable HP Stream 14 is a stylish, lightweight device.

Numerous expansion ports include a year’s worth of Office 365 Personal and 64GB of OneDrive cloud storage.

It is for sure the best Laptop for music production under $300.

HP Chromebook 14 G5: (best laptops under $300 for students) 

Since COVID hit, my son has been using this HP “Chromebook 14 G5” Laptop I originally bought to write and create documents from home or take online classes).

Everything a student needs is being met with great success.

The battery is adequate for an entire school day.

Since my son saves everything on his flash drive and his Google Drive, he doesn’t need much internal space, even though the device is small.

I also used it myself and was happy to test the durability of this Laptop.

It was effortless to do, and everything has been going well.

This Laptop has attractive features and hasn’t caused me any issues.

However, I would suggest browsing the web, reading articles, researching, and typing documents.

Additionally, my son enjoys playing games on it after school, so it’s also a good option for students to use after homework.

I believe that having this Laptop helps students stay motivated and makes completing assignments and giving presentations simple.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

I’m pleased with my Laptop’s effective eMMc drive because eMMCs are ideally suited for midrange laptops, smaller consumer electronics, and tiny sensors and control devices because of their small size and lower price.

It helps work in a very relaxed environment.

RAM/ ROM:

This device has 8 GB of RAM.

I’ll need more RAM if you multitask frequently and have a lot of open tabs.

It necessitates configuring a system with at least 8GB for most users, which is why this amount is increasingly a choice even for budget-conscious PCs.

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

To free up USB ports for more crucial devices, I can connect to the Internet via 802.11ac dual-band wifi and pair compatible peripherals with Bluetooth 4.2. For user convenience, it has a total of 4 USB ports.

Graphic chip/Processor:

It has Intel Celeron N3350 Dual-Core CPUs and integrated Intel HD Graphics 500, a great processor for mid-range laptops from the 11th generation.

It suits demanding tasks; students can make presentation assignments on words, note lectures, and play casual games smoothly.

Conclusion:

If you choose wisely from the many options on HP’s Chromebook 14, you’ll get a great low-cost laptop.

It has adequate power and a decent Full HD IPS display for the price range, plus a long battery life.

It is, in my opinion, the best Laptop for students under $300.

2021 Acer Chromebook 315: (best laptops for video editing under $300)

I have experience working as a fashion videographer for an organization that produces commercials that highlight the exquisiteness of fashion details.

Many of the fashionable nobility portraits I have framed are elegantly and accessorized beautifully.

The video editing software enhanced and brightened these shots on my Laptop.

Among the best laptops for this use is the “Acer Chromebook 315.”

Even though I cannot calibrate the display manually, I am confident.

I still see accurate colors and tones working with videos in applications like Filmora and Final Cut Pro
because they support professional-standard color gamuts.

It is the best Laptop for video editing for under $300.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

eMMC flash memory with 32GB, its ultracompact memory system offers improved storage capabilities and simplified data management.

I also get support for high-definition video playback and quick boot-up time, making it the perfect choice for mobile devices and applications.

RAM/ ROM:

This Laptop has 4GB of LPDDR4 memory.

There is enough high-bandwidth RAM to run all of my programs—including video editing software—and my games—smoothly.

This adequate RAM makes work a breeze.

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

It has two USB 3.1 Type-C ports, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a headphone/microphone combo jack, a memory card reader, and a three-cell lithium-ion battery with a runtime of up to 12.50 hours.

These features are perfect for any video editor who wants to work and listen to music simultaneously while having wireless solid and Bluetooth connectivity.

Graphic chip/Processor:

It’s an ultra-low-voltage platform with an Intel Celeron N4000 processor.

Processing with two directions and two cores provides the most high-efficiency power.

For Internet browsing, watching movies, doing simple photo editing, and playing casual video games, it has an Intel UHD Graphics 600 with shared video memory.

Conclusion:

Some of the best video editing software is simple on Chrome OS.

There is a Chromebook video editor to suit your needs, whether you’re a creative professional, a social media content creator, a teacher, or a student working on a project.

It is one of the laptops for video editing for under $300.

ASUS VivoBook L203MA: (best Laptop for podcasting under $300)

So, I picked up some podcasting skills from one of my friends.

A company contacted me for this job two months later.

I asked a friend already in this field for advice on a convenient and affordable laptop that would enable me to run all my podcasting software and all those uploading and installing tasks without any problems.

I bought this “ASUS VivoBook L203MA” laptop on his advice before signing up for the podcasting company that approached me.

I began my podcasting journey with this Laptop, which did not disappoint me.

With the help of this Laptop, I can add flair to the recording and turn it into the podcast of listeners’ and subscribers’ dreams.

I can use this Laptop’s visual effects, music, transitions, and other editing tools to take advantage of the tremendous editing power provided by several editing suites.

My Laptop’s indispensable portability, processing speed, and adaptability make it simple for me to podcast while on the go.

It is unquestionably the best Laptop under $300 for podcasting.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

The ideal choice for compact devices and applications, eMMC flash memory’s 64GB packed memory system offers enhanced storage capabilities, streamlined data management, quick boot-up times, and support for high-definition video playback.

RAM/ ROM:

4GB of RAM is present.

Thanks to this Laptop’s RAM and gorgeous ROM, I can finish more challenging tasks simultaneously.

The data transfer rate is another significant improvement in this Laptop’s RAM.

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

USB Type-C (Gen 1), USB Type-A, HDMI, and MicroSD connectivity (USB Transfer speed may vary wherever compatible connections are available.

Thanks to its quick and dependable wifi (802.11ac), I can be productive, or you can connect directly using the onboard gigabit Ethernet.

Its battery lasts 8 hours.

Graphic chip/Processor:

This Laptop’s Intel Celeron N3350 and Intel HD Graphics 500 are remarkable for their price.

Given that this Processor is based on four Pentium cores.

Celeron processors are a good value.

If you use Windows 8.1 or 7, they may be accommodating.

If you want a good deal, Celeron processors are the best option for small business and personal use.

Conclusion:

The ASUS VivoBook L203MA has one of the best features: good productivity performance, a well-polished build, and quite possibly the best display at its price.

I believe it is the best podcasting laptop for under $300.

Acer Chromebook Spin 311: (best laptops for writers under $300)

As a result of my constant travel for work, my wife gets bored at home.

I then suggested that she begin producing content.

She concurred that she could improve at writing content if she practiced and had a perfect and approachable writing style.

I then started searching for a good laptop for her for under $300.

As much as other creative professionals, writers also need to be able to focus on their creative process.

I found this “Acer Chromebook Spin 311” for less than $300 after searching in several stores and for laptops.

The fantastic display on this Laptop has just the right amount of brightness and a blue light filter, making it perfect for hours of screen time.

As she started using it, my wife added that it has a satisfying and comfortable keyboard and a quick and precise trackpad, which are crucial for writers.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

This Laptop’s gorgeous SSD is everything to a person.

Without it, the laptops wouldn’t operate as quickly as they do when you are not starring Windows’ blue ring of fire.

Losing my train of thought, I scratched my head and muttered, “Come on already. I don’t have all day.”

RAM/ ROM:

With the 4GB RAM and gorgeous ROM that this Laptop has, users like me can complete more challenging tasks at once, like gaming, editing, writing, browsing, etc.

Without worrying about the Laptop’s system crashing they can keep their data safe as long as they want

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

This Laptop has plenty of ports, so you won’t need to bring a hub or adapter.

It doesn’t skimp on connectivity.

It has two USB 3.1 Type-A ports and two USB Type-C ports, each on either side of the Laptop.

However, its battery lasts 8 hours, which is quite good at this price.

Graphic chip/Processor:

The Intel Celeron N4000 and Intel UHD Graphics 600 on this Laptop are fatal.

The N4000’s excellent thermal properties allow for fanless and quiet notebook designs.

This Laptop also receives gorgeous GPU technology for incredibly smooth video streaming.

Conclusion:

The Acer Spin 311 is an excellent laptop with a sturdy design, adequate performance, and long battery life.

The typing experience is fantastic as well.

The cost is around under $300, which is the best part and undercuts a significant portion of the Chromebook market.

CONCLUSION:

Alright, guys, that concludes all the laptops we will discuss today in this article.

Do you guys have any experience with these laptops? What are your thoughts on them?

Which are your best laptops for under 300?

Is there a laptop you love to use that I didn’t mention in this article?

Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?

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