Buying a budget laptop does not always have to mean compromises, especially when you’re spending $400 for it. At this price, you can get a pretty well-specced laptop with a mainstream Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor, fast SSD storage, 4GB+ RAM, a sharp 1080p display, and some of them even have a backlit keyboard! What else could you expect from a laptop that costs under $400?
Of course, it cannot run the latest AAA games or handle demanding workloads, but most people buying budget laptops don’t have to deal with such activities. If you have to, then there are some budget notebooks under $400 with powerful integrated graphics that can handle light photo video-editing jobs and even gaming up to an extent.
Top 3 Laptops Under $400:
So, the best laptops under $400 are definitely not slouching performers, and there are very few compromises you’ll have to make compared to other less costly options. However, if you’re shopping for a 2-in-1 laptop or a Chromebook, then you’ll still struggle to find a decent one with a great display or enough storage space. Nonetheless, there are still some great options in the $400 price range. You can check them out in our top picks below.
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Acer Aspire 5 Our Top Pick: Laptops Under $400 Dollars
Best PickProcessor: | AMD Ryzen 3 3350U Quad-Core (2.1 – 3.5 GHz) |
RAM: | 4GB DDR4 (Upgradable) |
Storage: | 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD (Upgradable) |
Graphics: | AMD Radeon Vega 6 |
Display: | 15.6-Inch Full HD Widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display |
Operating System: | Windows 11 Home |
Battery Life: | Up to 8 Hours |
Weight: | 3.9 lbs |

This 2022 Acer Aspire 5 laptop still holds its own against newer models, boasting features that are hard to find in cheaper models. The AMD Ryzen 3 3350U CPU clocks at up to 3.5GHz and sports 6 integrated Radeon Vega graphics cores inside of it – making it one of the most powerful processors in its class!
This laptop would support the game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Minecraft at low settings. It could even do some light photo editing for photoshop. There is also a fast 128GB NVMe SSD storage that can boot Windows in just seconds and open applications in milliseconds.
This 15.6-inch Full HD display is perfect for work and entertainment use. It has a 16:9 aspect ratio with good contrast ratios and wide-viewing angles that are going to make whatever you’re looking at bright, vivid, and clear. You can rest easy thanks to its anti-glare coating preventing harsh reflections–perfect for prolonged or late-night screen sessions.
Speaking of working in the dark, this laptop comes with a full-size backlit keyboard and fingerprint scanner which make logging into your account easier than ever. Affordable laptops without these features are hard to come by; Acer Aspire 5 manages to offer both at an affordable price.
Aside from that, this laptop also offers all sorts of different connection options – including both wired and wireless capabilities. And the battery lasts up to 8 hours per charge so you’ll never run out of juice again! Our favorite part about this computer is that the hardware is pretty damn strong for such an affordable machine. It has a powerful set-up, fast processor speed, and long-lasting battery life – overall it’s an awesome buy at such a low price point.
Asus VivoBook Flip 14″: Laptops Under $400 with 8Gb ram
Staff PickProcessor: | 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Dual-Core Processor (1.7 – 4.1 GHz) |
RAM: | 4GB LPDDR4x (non-upgradable) |
Storage: | 128GB SSD (upgradable) |
Graphics: | Intel UHD Integrated on-chip |
Display: | 14-inch 1080p Touchscreen with wide viewing angles |
Operating System: | Windows 10 Home in S mode (Compatible with Windows 11) |
Battery Life: | Up to 8 hours |
Weight: | 3.3 lbs |

Its convertible design was an exception in our top pick for a laptop under $400, the Asus VivoBook Flip 14. It offered incredible performance from its powerful hardware, with a great display and comfortable keys. There wasn’t much to complain about here at this price range – it had a good screen that was responsive to touch and reasonably bright too. But don’t let these features fool you; the plastic casing of the Asus VivoBook Flip 14 was surprisingly durable, and you couldn’t tell either from looking at it or feeling it either because of how sturdy everything felt when opened up.
Asus has finally caught up to other brands when it comes to keyboards, offering a backlit keyboard on the Flip 14—something unheard of in its price range. Users are able to type comfortably for long periods of time without strain, while the well-sized trackpad is also an added convenience. It features an Intel 11th gen Core i3 processor which can handle anything from basic everyday tasks to more intensive ones such as gaming.
You will love the Asus VivoBook Flip 14 because it has everything you need in a convertible laptop that operates on Windows. This product comes with powerful specs and a lightweight design, so portability is never an issue! There are many great features such as the comfortable backlit keyboard and long-lasting battery life which make this product worth every penny.
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i 13″: Laptop Under £300
Budget PickProcessor: | 11th Gen Dual-Core Intel Core i3-1115G4 (Up to 4.1 GHz) |
RAM: | 8GB LPDDR4x (non-upgradable) |
Storage: | 64GB eMMC |
Graphics: | Intel UHD Integrated |
Display: | 13.3-inch (1920 x 1080) IPS Touchscreen |
Operating System: | Chrome OS |
Battery Life: | Up to 10 hours |
Weight: | 2.9 lbs |

It packs everything you need with its sleek design, including an Intel Core i3 Processor, 8 GB of RAM and 64 GB Solid State Drive. What this means is that it runs quick enough for most tasks, with Chrome taking up about 15 tabs before stuttering; considering how many other applications will open at the same time. It even has a 13-inch Full HD Touchscreen Display, so you can take notes on class projects or study wherever. All in all, this laptop will turn heads when people see your next PowerPoint deck played out right there on the big screen!
If you’re looking for an affordable laptop with a solid build and impressive performance, then look no further than the Lenovo Flex 5 13. This heavy-duty laptop has what it takes to handle whatever tasks you throw at it—all in a stylish package that won’t break your back or the bank.
A great Chromebook that offers a great price to performance ratio is Lenovo’s Flex 5i 13 Chromebook. With an exceptional backlit keyboard, all the necessary ports, slots and the microSD card reader which can be used to expand its low storage capacity, this laptop offers top-notch battery life that lasts up to 10 hours.
HP 17z-cp000 17-Inch Laptop: Laptop Under $300 Reddit
Processor: | AMD Ryzen 3 5300U Quad-Core Processor (Turbo up to 3.8 GHz) |
RAM: | 8GB DDR4 2400MHz (Upgradable) |
Storage: | 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD (Upgradable) |
Graphics: | AMD Radeon integrated |
Display: | 17-inch HD+ Display with 1600 x 900 Resolution (250-nits) |
Operating System: | Windows 11 Home |
Battery Life: | Up to 8 hours |
Weight: | 4.58 lbs |

HP never fails to deliver the best laptop models in the market—worth every penny spent. If you’re looking for a high-performance yet affordable laptop, then you’ll be glad to know that HP has just released its latest 17-inch (ca. 43 centimeters) model, which delivers everything you need at an attractive price! With this new model, you can surf the web freely while keeping track of multiple programs at once thanks to its 8th gen Intel Core i7 processor and 12 GB RAM—all without having to compromise on things like graphics or storage.
This new 5th generation Dell Inspired 17 7000 Gaming Laptops offers impressive specifications for just about everything. Powered by the latest AMD 4-core Ryzen R3 processor with speeds up to 3.7GHz, this laptop excels at handling multitasking and everyday tasks like never before—making it perfect for consumers who need both power and portability. You’ll also find 8 GB of DDR4 RAM for smoother multitasking and 128 GB NVMe Solid State Drive for storing games, photos, music, or movies without slowing down anytime soon.
However, this 17-inch laptop was too big and heavy for me to carry around a lot. For anyone who often travels or needs something powerful and portable, it’s not the best option. However, for people like me who want something stationary to use at home or in the office, I recommend buying this laptop because of its features and price tag.
Asus VivoBook 15: Laptop Under $300 Reddit 2022
Processor: | 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Dual-Core (Up to 4.1 GHz) |
RAM: | 8GB (Upgradable up to 16GB) |
Storage: | 128GB SSD (Upgradable) |
Graphics: | Intel UHD Integrated |
Display: | 15.6-Inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) TN Panel |
Operating System: | Windows 11 Home in S mode |
Battery Life: | Up to 8 hours |
Weight: | 3.97 lbs |

Asus is a pioneer when it comes to building high-quality, affordable laptops. One such laptop in its lineup of best laptops under 400 is an excellent option if you’re looking for a budget laptop that doesn’t skimp on features. Its specs are nothing short of impressive: an incredibly sharp 15 Full HD display, backlit keyboard, and even a fingerprint scanner! If you’re willing to pay top dollar then you won’t find many laptops in this price range as good as Asus Vivo Book 15 at this level.
Designed with durability in mind, this laptop is made with high-quality material that can withstand any fluctuations in temperature. With its stylish touchpad and fully illuminated keyboard, this Lenovo machine will make doing math homework easy while looking chic at the same time. Alongside its powerful but efficient Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM, you’re sure to be able to complete your tasks without issue. A perfect companion for students or office workers alike!
This ASUS Vivobook is ideal for anyone who wants more than just the basics on their laptop. It has a powerful processor and reliable SSD storage for less than half the price of other machines in its class. That may explain why this model was recently rated among the best-selling laptops under 400 dollars.
HP 14-fq1097nr 14″ Laptop: Laptops Under $500
Processor: | AMD Ryzen 3 5300U Quad Core (2.6 – 3.8 GHz) |
RAM: | 8GB DDR4 3200MHz (Upgradable) |
Storage: | 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD (Upgradable) |
Graphics: | AMD Radeon Vega 6 Integrated |
Display: | 14-Inch Full HD IPS Anti-Glare (250-nits) |
Operating System: | Windows 10 Home |
Battery Life: | Up to 9 hours |
Weight: | 3.24 lbs |

The HP 14-fq1097nr laptop packs enough power and performance to meet the needs of most average consumers while retaining a slim and sleek form factor. Providing what many budget gamers are looking for, this laptop can play most modern games with relative ease while still being able to handle photo/video editing work without too much hiccup; perfect for those who don’t want to break the bank when upgrading from their old PC.
This laptop is a finished jet black color, as shown in the image above, and offers many other color options like blue, white, burgundy silver, and gold. The experience will be tailored to your personal preference through customization because this laptop will look just how you want it to. A full HD screen with narrow bezels ensures there are no distractions when gaming or watching videos while also producing vivid colors without compromising quality.
What makes this laptop stand out amongst other laptops is its powerful AMD Ryzen 3 quad-core processor. Together with the 8GB of RAM and fast 256GB SSD storage, not only will you be able to play games but perform many other tasks. It has an elegant design that offers comfort while playing or working. Having both standard ports and slots as well as a battery life that lasts throughout your entire workday means that these features are perfect for someone who needs something they can use both during the week and weekends.
Dell Inspiron 15 3511: Windows 10 Laptops Under $400
Processor: | 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 (2 Cores, Up to 4.1GHz)GHz) |
RAM: | 8GB DDR4 2666MHz (Upgradable) |
Storage: | 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD (Upgradable) |
Graphics: | Intel UHD integrated |
Display: | 15.6-inch (1080p) Anti-Glare WVA (Wide Viewing Angle) Panel |
Operating System: | Windows 11 Home in S mode |
Battery Life: | Up to 6 hours |
Weight: | 3.9 lbs |

One feature this Inspiron model has is being able to work adequately for a variety of tasks at an affordable price point. With no more than average power, but great battery life and a beautiful display – this notebook stays true to the standards established by its predecessors; providing convenience and affordability in a solidly built laptop package. With many useful features, this laptop gives you what you need at home or on the go; catering specifically to those who appreciate performance without sacrificing style.
With a screen size of 15.6 inches, this laptop is perfect for creating or editing documents, or even catching up on social media – but it doesn’t stop there! You’ll be able to watch videos at all hours of the day thanks to the 700 nits backlit display and strong colors that are vivid enough to keep you engaged no matter what. And it won’t hurt your eyes trying to do so either because there are barely any reflections!
Speaking of hardware, this PC comes equipped with an Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB RAM. No matter what you do – from emailing to streaming- this computer will keep up with anything! If you want even more power, upgrade your RAM to 16 GB or replace the hard drive with a bigger one so that it can store even more files. It won’t break the bank; costing less than $100 for both changes, but if you want something faster down the line then just update your computer today instead of buying another one next year.
HP 14t-dq200 Laptop: Laptops Under $400 Consumer Reports
Processor: | Intel Core i3-1115G4 11th Gen CPU (1.7 – 4.1GHz) |
RAM: | 8GB DDR4 2666MHz (Upgradable) |
Storage: | 256GB SSD |
Graphics: | Intel UHD |
Display: | 14-inch (1366 x 768) Anti-Glare |
Operating System: | Windows 10 Pro |
Battery Life: | Up to 8 hours |
Weight: | 3.2 lbs |

With an 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD storage all bundled up in a sleek aluminum chassis, HP 14t ticks all the right boxes when it comes to performance. This laptop is perfect for anyone looking for a machine that can multitask seamlessly while still delivering great visuals even when under heavy load – now at one of the best prices we’ve seen so far!
The graphics are not too shabby considering the HP 14T has a display of only 1366 x 768 pixels. However, I do admit that there are many other laptops available at a lower price point with a higher resolution screen than this one. The beauty of the HP 14T is that it offers Windows 10 Pro out of the box – which most laptops in this price range don’t offer yet. This makes it perfect for anyone who needs to balance work and play (or just plain sanity) and wants their laptop to last them more than just 4 years before needing another upgrade.
While the screen size of this device isn’t enough to make much of a difference, the specs are worth mentioning. This computer boasts both an Intel Pentium 4405U dual-core processor and 8GB of RAM – everything you need for multitasking and light gaming in Windows 10 Pro. In addition, it comes preloaded with Microsoft Office 2016, which makes it particularly valuable for anyone looking to save money by switching from macOS or other operating systems. All in all, at $399.99 USD, this is a solid purchase!
Acer Chromebook 514: Gaming Laptop Under $400
Processor: | Intel Celeron N3450 Quad Core (Up to 2.2GHz) |
RAM: | 4GB LPDDR4 |
Storage: | 64GB eMMC |
Graphics: | Intel UHD |
Display: | 14-inch 1080p IPS Touchscreen |
Operating System: | Chrome OS |
Battery Life: | Up to 12 hours |
Weight: | 3.0 lbs |

If you are looking for the most premium-looking and feeling laptop under $400, then this Acer Chromebook 514 is perfect for those looking for a laptop at an affordable price point. With its metal build that complements the lightweight device and internals good enough to power through daily tasks, Acer Chromebook 514 is hard to beat in this regard. It features a 14-inch 1080p IPS display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and delivers vivid colors while working just as well outside as inside – making it great if you’re always on the go!
As far as performance goes, the Acer Chromebook 514 sports an Intel Celeron N3450 processor along with 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC storage. This allows users to open a number of tabs without experiencing major slowdowns while they work on one thing or another. That said, if you’re planning on doing more heavy tasks (e.g., editing videos), then this device may start slowing down sooner rather than later. For those who don’t do much work offline, however, there is no need to worry about such things – the Acer Chromebook 514 performs admirably for most needs – both light and heavy-duty ones alike; so don’t let its lack of processing power dissuade you from buying it!
Overall, the Acer Chromebook 514 is an excellent computer for anyone who wants a high-quality laptop at a low price. Unlike laptops with more powerful features, this one can be upgraded later if necessary. You don’t need to sacrifice performance or style when you purchase it and it comes equipped with all the ports you could ever need!
HP 15t-dw300 Laptop: Ryzen Laptop Under 400
Processor: | 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Quad-Core (2.4 – 4.2GHz) |
RAM: | 8GB DDR4 (Upgradable) |
Storage: | 256GB SSD (Upgradable) |
Graphics: | Intel Iris Xe |
Display: | 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 Anti-Glare |
Operating System: | Windows 10 Home |
Battery Life: | Up to 6 hours |
Weight: | 3.8 lbs |

The HP 15t might cheapest laptop available on the market, but it does provide some of the best features. With its outstanding 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and 9th Generation NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics card, this laptop is perfect for gamers on a budget. It also has 16GB of DDR4 RAM which provides reliable multitasking and excellent power efficiency that can make all-day computing seamless!
For those looking for professional strength, style and reliability, look no further than the HP 15t. With its solid polycarbonate structure finished in sleek black colors, this powerful machine will impress you before it even starts up. These designs are made to last and will never disappoint with its smooth keyboard ideal for typing all day long without tiring or compromising performance. When the need arises, leave the touchscreen unattended while multitasking on the two different clickable touchpads that offer scrolling gestures too! Also equipped with an HDMI connector alongside other regular connectivity slots; you’ll always have options at hand when working towards perfection in creativity!
With an Intel Core i5 CPU and the latest NVIDIA MX250 GPU, this laptop is one of the most powerful laptops for under 400 dollars. It can play any game you want at low to medium graphics settings without lagging. And it’s not just for gamers! This computer also doubles as a professional-grade video editing station or homework station for students and professionals alike.
Summary For Best Laptops Under $400
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