There are many laptops in the market, but not all of them are good and reliable. Some of them may have some issues with their design and functionality. You need a laptop that will last long and will provide you with the best productivity experience.
The best laptop under 400 dollars is one that has all the features that are needed for productivity and easy use. It should be able to run multiple programs at once without any problem, have a good battery life and be lightweight so that it can be easily carried around.
It’s not easy finding the best laptop under 400 dollars because there are so many options available on the market today. You have to choose between different brands, models, prices and features. But we have made it easy for you by providing some recommendations below:
How We Choose The Best Laptop Under 400 for You
We have looked into all the important aspects of laptops to come up with our list of the best laptops under 400 in 2022. We have selected them based on their features, performance and overall user experience.
Also, we have made sure that these laptops are not just affordable but also offer great value for money. So, if you are looking for the best laptops under 400, then you should definitely consider getting one of these top picks!
We hope you find your next favorite thing from the list below! We selected each product with care and thought. Some may have been sent to us for review but all opinions in this article are ours- we know that's why Techi-Becky Reviews was created so readers could get an honest opinion on anything they were curious about online without having worry if it would be negative or not helpful towards their needs because every single piece of content submitted goes through rigorous scrutiny by professional editors who only publish items backed up by research evidence when possible.FYI — Techi-Becky Reviews may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something (that's how we stay in business) Thanks for reading!!!
Becky’s Choice:
The Lenovo Chromebook C340 15 (2020) is our pick for best laptop under $400. It's a well-built 2-in-1 convertible that can switch between laptop and tablet modes, making it easy to use in almost any setting. Apparently, its Intel Pentium Gold or Core i3 processor can provide a smooth experience on Chrome OS, even with its cursory hardware requirements.
Specs wise, Lenovo C340 comes with either an Intel Core i3-8130U or Intel Pentium Gold 4417U processor, both dual-core processors with HyperThreading technology.
The main difference is that the Core i3-8130U has a baseline clock speed of 2.2GHz, while the Pentium Gold 4417U operates at an absolute minimum frequency of 2.3GHz—with no turboboost function available during normal operation.
The i3-8130U also has twice the amount of cache memory as the Pentium Gold 4417U, which increases performance by keeping commonly used data in faster memory rather than fetching it from system RAM.
This lamp can shine for up to 12 hours when used at medium brightness settings, and it charges over USB-C. It has two built-in ports (one that lets you charge other devices from the lamp's battery, and another that can output video signal to an external display).
Although the built-in display isn't particularly high resolution, it's sharp enough to read most text and navigate simple graphics—though you might have trouble reading small fonts. The touch sensitivity makes using Windows 10 feel smooth and natural, but pen input is not supported on this model so artists who like drawing by hand may be let down.
The main drawback is that you can only get a maximum of 4GB of memory. So, if you run too many applications at once, the computer will run slowly and seem to have frozen.
Techi- Fun Facts:
The Lenovo Chromebook C340 is a well-built laptop that's easy to carry around thanks to its thin profile, and it has a battery that lasts easily through an entire school day.
Moreover, its keyboard is comfortable to type on, and the touchpad responds well—although it's a bit small. It's Intel CPU is powerful enough for most productivity tasks (like web browsing or text formatting).
However, the Acer Chromebook 14 isn't built for intense productivity applications like engineering or 3D animation.
The Lenovo Chromebook C340 has a business-appropriate design. It looks good, but it's not necessarily as attractive as other Chrome OS models for a premium price point.
All in all, it's a 2-in-1 tablet with a 360-degree hinge, so you can flip the screen around and use it as if it were an ordinary tablet. There are exhaust vents on the bottom, and speakers at that location too.
Becky’s Choice:
If you're a Windows user who wants something more portable than your desktop computer, or if you want to try out the latest version of Chrome OS, get the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2020). The battery will last around 11 hours during light productivity and 9 hours while watching videos.
The laptop's 14-inch display is sharp enough for light multitasking, but it isn't particularly bright. It works well in indoor settings and won't be a problem if you're using the computer indoors with some ambient lighting—but don’t expect it to be used outdoors or in brightly lit rooms.
Furthermore, its keyboard is roomy and comfortable, the touchpad has good tracking ability, and it offers a wide range of ports.
AMD's 6-core Ryzen 3 4300U processor is powerful enough to handle most light productivity tasks, including text formatting and video playback.
It's possible—though not ideal—to run many things at once on 4GB of memory, but you'll probably notice a lag if there are too many programs running. If you can spend a little more, go up to 8GB for more power.
Techi- Fun Fact:
We reviewed the model with a 14-inch 1080p IPS display, an AMD Ryzen 5 4500U CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB NVMe SSD storage. You can order it with various Intel or AMD mobile CPUs (from 4G to 16G), memory configurations from 4 GB up to 32 GB—and your choice between 128 GbEoT SSDs and 1 TB drives for the maximum capacity.
If you're just browsing the web or performing light productivity tasks, the Ryzen 3 and i3 models will work well. On the other hand, the Ryzen 5 and i5 versions are better if you tend to have more windows open at once or want your computer to run smoothly during heavy multitasking sessions.
Down the road, the i7 and Ryzen 7 models handle heavier workloads like light 3D rendering or video editing, delivering a smoother experience during heavy multitasking.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2020) is a touchscreen convertible laptop. It has a thin and light design, along with enough battery life for most people's needs during the workday.
Lastly, this laptop was first released in 2020 and has been discontinued. So, if you can't find an older model, consider the new Ryzen 5 2021 series of computers. Although we have not tested it ourselves, this machine reportedly has a more powerful version of AMD's chip than this review unit.
Becky’s Choice:
If you want a 2-in-1 laptop tablet that runs on Windows 10, consider getting the Microsoft Surface Go 3. It's like a miniaturized version of the company's popular Surface Pro: it has a built-in kickstand and detachable keyboard—but costs less than half as much.
It has a nifty kickstand, which you can open to any angle you like. This is great for taking notes or drawing on the go—like when you’re riding in a bus or airplane and need more room than your seat allows.
Like the Surface Pro, it works with Microsoft-approved styluses, as well as a type cover keyboard.
Our Microsoft Surface Go 3 has an Intel Core i3-10100Y processor, combined with integrated Intel UHD Graphics 615; this combination gives us 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
Moreover, if you're getting the laptop with an Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y processor, it'll be slower than the Core i3-10100Y—so unless your workload is extremely light and doesn't require more power, go for that model.
The Pentium Gold model's 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage may cause slowdowns or stutters because 4 GB of memory is a relatively small amount for Windows 10.
Furthermore, the computer will boot up and launch apps more slowly on its eMMC drive than on one with an SSD—a solid-state hard disk that won't have performance lag when you're launching programs.
You can get a Core i3 model with 8GB of RAM and LTE support, but only on the cheapest version.
Techi- Fun Fact:
The display is the best part of this budget laptop. It's sharp and colorful, though it doesn't get quite as bright as some other tablets in direct sunlight. The thick bezels around the screen look a little outdated but give you something to hold on to when carrying it like a book in "tablet mode."
They also house an outstanding webcam and a Windows Hello IR camera for quick logins through facial recognition. The keyboard feels good to type on, but it's going to feel pretty cramped due to its small size.
The Microsoft Go 3's battery lasts about seven hours of light productivity, so you might need to bring the charger with you. You can configure it with 4GB or 8GB of memory: opt for an 8GB model because 4 is barely enough for the operating system and may cause slowdowns.
Becky’s Choice:
If you want a Windows laptop instead of a Chromebook, check out the HP Pavilion x360 11 (2021). As Windows devices tend to cost more than Chromebooks, this model is just slightly over $300.
The benefit of the Windows Laptop is that it allows you to install traditional x86-based applications, thereby expanding the functionality beyond what Chrome OS offers.
Moreover, the HP Pavilion x360 is available with a low-resolution 720p display, although it will still look sharp to most users.
The HP Pavilion x360 11 is only available with an Intel Pentium Silver N5030 CPU, a low-power 4-core 4-thread processor designed for thin and light laptops. The older ap0013dx model has an even lower power (1 core/2 thread) Intel Celeron Processor J3455—not ideal for heavy computing tasks.
Furthermore, the N5030 offers a smooth experience when performing simple tasks like web browsing and video playback, but don't expect to do anything remotely demanding like gaming or 3D rendering.
The HP Pavilion x360 11 comes with 4GB of RAM—enough to handle many, but not all tasks. The memory is soldered onto the motherboard and isn't user-upgradeable.
In this convertible under a$400 laptop, you can configure only a 128GB M.2 SATA 3 SSD as your computer's storage drive (though it is user-replaceable). However, with microSD cards you can increase storage space.
Techi- Fun Fact:
The HP Pavilion x360 is a solidly-built laptop, except for the hinges. Their metal construction makes them feel sturdier than the rest of the computer—which is entirely plastic and susceptible to scratches from fingernails. There's some flex in its screen.
It comes equipped with an Intel Pentium Silver processor that is powerful enough to handle common productivity applications, like web browsing and text formatting.
However, while the battery lasts a little less than 8 hours of light use, it is considered as particularly power-efficient.
In addition, this laptop comes with only 4GB of memory—so you'll have to limit the number of apps you run at any given time. It ships with Windows in S mode, but it's possible to switch to full-fledged Windows for free.
Becky’s Choice:
The Inspiron 15 3000 is a fairly affordable laptop with great performance for getting work done. Dell sometimes offers this device in business laptop deals, though it is technically a consumer model.
The Inspiron 15 3000 is exactly what it says on the box—a budget-friendly laptop built for business. It has a large, 15.6-inch display; a full number pad; and plenty of legacy ports which surprised me given its modest specs but I have been able to get plenty done with this computer despite that fact!
Moreover, the base model is $350 and includes an 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD storage. You can double the amount of memory to 8 GB for only an additional $50—bringing your total to just under half a grand!
This should be enough memory for most use cases. 4GB of RAM is serviceable in some workflows, but 8 GB offers more room to run multiple applications smoothly.
Techi- Fun Fact:
Dell crammed a lot of laptops into the 14-inch frame of its Inspiron 15 3000 series. The bezels surrounding the screen are thin, though not as skinny as those on premium laptops.
Thanks to its large screen, the Inspiron 15 3000 has a more spacious feel than other laptops despite having a smaller body. When you open up this laptop, an ErgoLift hinge lifts the screen slightly so that it's easier on your wrists as well.
The Inspiron 15 3000's battery life is decent. Streaming 1080p content with the screen at full brightness will drain it in about six hours.
Under the hood, it lacks a built-in way to unlock the laptop through Windows Hello. Although you can add a fingerprint reader or webcam that supports this feature, they're separate pieces of hardware and not as seamless as having it built into your computer's design.
Moreover, its trackpad feels a bit loose and hollow, particularly at the bottom corners. It tracks movement well, but there's no denying that this is one area where cost-cutting measures have been taken to keep costs low.
For business users seeking a laptop, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 can be recommended with confidence. It’s a well-made laptop that doesn't cost a fortune—but I'd like to see it include some hardware for Windows Hello and USB-C.
How To Buy The Best Laptop Under 400 Dollars
The best laptop under 400 dollars is the one that offers all the features you need in a laptop.
Processor:
The processor is the brain of your laptop and determines how fast it can process and execute instructions. It's also responsible for keeping your computer running smoothly and efficiently, so if you want to get the most out of your new machine, you'll want to make sure that its processor can keep up with whatever tasks are thrown at it.
For example: If you plan on doing any media editing or gaming on your laptop, then make sure that there's enough power behind those processes (i.e., RAM).
A low-end CPU may not be able to keep up with high-end games like Fortnite or Call of Duty WWII—and if it does crash during gameplay because of an error message from Windows 10 regarding insufficient resources being available then this could ruin all efforts!
Check the display:
Check the display: This is probably one of the most important factors to consider when buying a laptop. The display is what you use to interact with your computer, and it should be easy to read and offer good contrast.
It should also have good color accuracy (a white point that's close enough to 6500K) in order for you to see all text clearly on screen.
RAM:
rograms faster and more efficiently. RAM is a critical component in any computer, as it allows you to use multiple applications at once without slowing down (or crashing).
RAM is also much cheaper than hard drive space, so you should always get as much RAM as you can afford.
Check the battery life:
f you have to make a lot of calls, send emails, and surf the Internet on your laptop for long periods, then it's best to choose a model with extended battery life.
This is especially true if you plan on using your computer at home or in an office setting where power outlets are not readily available.
Graphics card:
You should also check the graphics card of your laptop. The graphics card is what makes games look good and run smoothly on your computer, so you must get one that's compatible with the rest of your hardware. If there are any issues with this, then you may not be able to play certain games without experiencing lag or other problems.
Operating System - Chrome OS or Windows
While you can use a Chromebook for work, it's also great for personal use. This is because you'll get a lot more done with this operating system than with Windows 10 or macOS.
Google has released an official app store on their web browser that lets you download apps directly into your browser instead of having to install them on your computer first (which would take up space).
Best Laptop Under 400 FAQs:
How much RAM is enough for productivity?
There are multiple types of RAM available in the market. Most laptops come with 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM. However, if you are a gaming enthusiast and want to enhance your gaming experience then it is always recommended to go for more RAM.
Although 8 GB of RAM is sufficient for most people, some gamers want more than that and this is where choosing the right RAM comes into play.
Which is better more RAM or SSD?
In general, you should use more RAM than an SSD. The reason is that the RAM is faster and less expensive than an SSD.
The question is whether to go with a 4GB or 8GB kit of RAM. The answer will depend on your system's needs and budget.
If you have a single-core processor, then all the applications you run will benefit from having more RAM. If you have a multi-core processor, then having more RAM won't make much difference because many programs use multiple cores at once.
Can SSD make laptops faster?
The short answer is yes.
SSD (solid-state drive) drives are faster than traditional hard drives, and they have higher capacity. That makes them the ideal choice for many applications, including laptops and desktops.
The main reason is that it can read and write data to the SSD at much higher speeds than it can read or write data to a traditional spinning hard disk drive (HDD).
Why is my laptop so slow?
It can be frustrating when your laptop starts to run slowly. You might not even know why. If you're wondering why your computer is slow, there are a few things to check.
Check for software updates
First, make sure that you have all of the latest software updates installed on your computer. Most computers have an option to check for updates automatically and install them when they're available. If this isn't happening, then check out this article on how to update Windows 10 manually.
Check your hardware
If your computer is brand new, then something may have gone wrong with it during the manufacturing process (or during shipping). Try using another computer until you figure out what's wrong with yours. If you've had problems with your laptop before, try restarting it before moving on to the next step.
Clean up unused files
Sometimes having too many programs installed can slow down a computer because each program needs its own space in memory and RAM (Random Access Memory). To clean up unused files and get rid of junk files (which take up valuable space), try running Disk Cleanup from within Windows or from within a third-party app like CCleaner or CCleaner Pro
Best Laptop Under 400 for You
If you are looking for a laptop that is affordable, but still has some great features, then this article should be able to help! We have looked at some of the most important things that you need to look out for to get yourself an amazing laptop.
As we said earlier on, many factors affect how much money you spend on your device and ultimately what kind of results will come from it. So if any of these aspects interest you then feel free to check them out by clicking on the GREEN button!!!
Thanks for Techin-In
Becky.
