9 Best Laptops Under $400 of 2023 (All Latest Models)

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 mainstream Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor, fast SSD storage, 8GB RAM, a sharp 1080p display, and some of them even have a backlit keyboard! What else could you expect from a $400 laptop?

Sure, it can’t run the graphics intensive 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.

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 good display or enough storage space. Nevertheless, there are still some excellent options available within the $400 price range. Check out our top picks below.

The Best Laptops Under $400 – Reviews & Comparisons

1. Asus VivoBook 14 Slim

The Best Laptop Under $400 Overall

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Processor: 12th Generation Intel Core i3-1215U (6 Cores, up to 4.4 GHz)
• Graphics: Intel UHD integrated
• RAM: 4GB DDR4 (Upgradable)
• Storage: 128GB SSD (Upgradable)
• Display: 14-Inch Full HD Display (1920 x 1080)
• Weight: 3.0 lbs

BEST PRICE RETAILERS:

The Asus VivoBook 14 Slim is the best laptop under $400 of 2023. This sleek and stylish laptop is a true gem, offering a combination of great design, robust build quality, and a host of features that are hard to come by in this price range.

Starting from the design, the Asus VivoBook 14 Slim is an absolute stunner with its modern and eye-catching aesthetics. The slim bezels surrounding the 14-inch display make the movies and photos pop. And guess what? This laptop is among the rare few in its price bracket to sport a crystal-clear 1080p display.

That’s not all. It also has an integrated fingerprint scanner that allows you to unlock your laptop with a simple touch of a finger.

And for those late-night study sessions or dimly lit environments, there’s also backlit keyboard that provides a comfortable typing experience and ensures you hit the right keys even in the dark.

Moving on to the laptop’s build quality, the VivoBook 14 Slim is a real toughie. Whether you’re a student or a professional always on the go, the VivoBook 14 can handle the bumps and knocks of everyday life as it boasts MIL-STD-810H certification. This means it’s been put through a series of rigorous tests to ensure durability and reliability.

While the performance of the VivoBook 14 Slim may not blow you away, it strikes a fine balance between power and affordability. Under the hood, it has the latest 12th Gen Intel Core i3 processor, which delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and multimedia streaming.

Sure, its 4GB of RAM might seem a bit on the lower side, but here’s the kicker—it’s upgradeable! So, as your needs advance, you can easily boost your laptop’s memory to keep up with your demands of tomorrow.

So overall, the Asus VivoBook 14 Slim is an exceptional choice that ticks all the right boxes without breaking the bank. It combines a stunning design, rugged build quality, a 1080p display, a fingerprint scanner, and a backlit keyboard—all at an incredible price point.

While its performance may not be the most powerful out there, its well-balanced spec sheet ensures smooth multitasking and reliable everyday usage. So, if you’re searching for a friendly companion that won’t disappoint, look no further than the Asus VivoBook 14 Slim!

2. Acer Chromebook Spin 314

The Best 2-in-1 Laptop Under $400

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Processor: Intel Pentium N6000 Quad-Core Processor (Up to 3.3 GHz)
• Graphics: Intel UHD Integrated on-chip
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR4x
• Storage: 128GB eMMC
• Display: 14-inch HD LED-backlit touchscreen with USI stylus support (With Corning Gorilla Glass Protection)
• Weight: 3.4 lbs

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It’s difficult to come by a 2 in 1 laptop that does not totally suck in this price range. But the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 is an exception that strikes a good balance between versatility and affordability. With its sleek design and reasonable price, it is a compelling option for users looking for a reliable and portable device.

Equipped with a 14-inch HD touchscreen display, the Chromebook Spin 314 delivers vibrant visuals for an immersive viewing experience. While its screen is not Full HD, its resolution is adequate and sharp enough for the screen size of 14 inches. It also has a 360-degree hinge which allows you to effortlessly switch between laptop, tablet, tent, and display modes, adapting to your needs on the go.

Under the hood, the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 features an Intel Pentium N6000 quad-core processor, providing adequate power for everyday tasks and light multitasking. It’s also paired with a decent 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance and responsiveness for your day-to-day activities.

It also offers ample space for your files and documents with 128GB of eMMC storage. While not as spacious as other models, it provides sufficient storage for most users’ needs.

Being a Chromebook, it runs a Chrome OS, which delivers a user-friendly experience with quick boot-up times and automatic updates for hassle-free usage. However, it does not support as many software and games as Windows laptops, so you need to take note of that.

Connectivity options on it include USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1, and HDMI ports, providing you with enough options to connect your peripherals and external devices easily. Moreover, Chromebook Spin 314 also has the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth capabilities for seamless wireless connections.

Weighing in at 3.4 pounds, the Chromebook Spin 314 is easy to carry around and is an ideal choice for users who are always on the move. Plus, its battery life of up to 10 hours ensures you can stay productive throughout the day without needing to constantly search for a power outlet.

Overall, the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 does not offer the most powerful specifications but provides a solid balance of performance, versatility, and affordability.

So if you’re looking for the best convertible laptop under $400, this Acer Chromebook Spin 314 will be your best bet.

3. Acer Chromebook 317

The Best Chromebook Under $400

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Processor: Intel Celeron N4500 Dual Core (Up to 2.8 GHz)
• Graphics: Intel UHD Integrated
• RAM: 4GB LPDDR4x
• Storage: 128GB eMMC
• Display: 17.3-inch Full HD IPS LED-backlit display
• Weight: 4.8 lbs

BEST PRICE RETAILERS:

Chromebooks have become great productivity devices lately. If your work mostly depends on the internet and you can make do with the web version of MS Office or use Google’s suite of productivity apps anyways, then consider the Chromebook over Windows laptops.

Chromebooks are cheaper, offer better security and feel smoother than similarly specced Windows laptops.

The above-mentioned Acer Chromebook Spin 314 is a great choice if you like the idea of a laptop and tablet in one (2-in-1) device. But, if you want a “traditional style laptop” (with clamshell design), then our current contender Acer Chromebook 317, is an excellent option under $400 that is sure to enhance your productivity with its large 17.3-inch full HD display.

It is powered by an Intel Celeron N4500 dual-core processor paired with 4GB of RAM, which is powerful enough for Chrome OS and daily chores. Its 128GB of local storage space is also adequate for chromebook users, and you also get 100GB of Google drive storage complimentary with this chromebook.

Apart from smooth performance, the Chromebook 317 is also very well-designed, with clean aesthetics and minimal branding. In terms of build quality, it does have some flex on the keyboard area, but that’s typical for 17-inch laptops due to their large size. To say the least, there’s nothing concerning about its build quality, and it would last for years if you use it well.

For connectivity, there are two USB Type C ports with DisplayPort and charging support, and there are also two standard USB Type A 3.2 Gen 1 ports. There is also a microSD card reader, which would come in handy to increase the onboard storage, and there’s also a 3.5mm audio jack. With the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 support, the Chromebook 317 makes no compromise in the I/O department.

Although its large size and 4.8 pounds of weight hampers a bit to the portability factor, it’s still less than 5 pounds which is considered good as per 17-inch laptop standards. All things considered, if you are interested in purchasing the chromebook under $400, then the Acer Chromebook 317 is the best option overall.

4. HP 15z-fc000 15-inch Laptop

The Best Gaming Laptop Under $400

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7530U Hexa-Core Processor (Turbo up to 4.5 GHz)
• Graphics: AMD Radeon integrated
• RAM: 8GB DDR4 3200 MHz (upgradeable)
• Storage: 128GB SSD (upgradeable)
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS anti-glare (250-nits)
• Weight: 3.52 lbs

BEST PRICE RETAILERS:

You might be thinking, how can a budget laptop under $400 be good at gaming and I understand that. For gaming, we need a laptop with powerful graphics performance, and expensive gaming laptops have dedicated GPUs for it, but a $400 laptop cannot have it due to budget constraints.

But no need to get disappointed. This HP 15z 15-inch laptop can run games like Minecraft, Fortnite, CS:GO, Valorant, LOL, and even GTA 5 smoothly!

Don’t believe me? Watch the video below that showcases the gaming performance of a laptop powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5625U processor, which is predecessor of Ryzen 5 7530U processor that is powering this HP laptop.

Of course, it can’t run these games at the highest graphics settings, and it would struggle to run the games that require higher than normal graphics power, like Cyberpunk 2077, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, etc.

But the integrated graphics on the latest-generation Intel and AMD processors have gotten powerful enough to run the medium demanding games at reduced settings. Accordingly, the integrated Radeon graphics on this HP 15z notebook is powerful enough to quench the thirst of budget gamers.

Besides gaming, this HP 15z is also an excellent laptop for everyday use. It has a 15.6-inch full HD display, which is decent enough for work and gaming. Moreover, it also offers a full-size keyboard with a dedicated numpad to crunch numbers or maybe assign different controls in the game to those keys. 

There are also enough ports on it to connect an external mouse and other peripherals, and it also provides a reliable wireless connection over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Although its keyboard is non-backlit and its design has nothing exciting, it compensates for that with its powerful performance.

So, if you are looking for the most powerful laptop available under $400 for gaming and doing other demanding jobs such as video editing, then this HP 15z-fc000 15-inch laptop should be your choice.

5. Asus VivoBook 14

The Best Budget Option

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Dual Core (Up to 4.1 GHz)
• Graphics: Intel UHD Integrated
• RAM: 4GB DDR4 (Upgradable)
• Storage: 128GB SSD (Upgradable)
• Display: 14-Inch Full HD IPS-level Anti-Glare
• Weight: 3.3 lbs

BEST PRICE RETAILERS:

We get it. These are hard days. People are losing jobs, and the prices of everything are getting off the ceiling. In these tough times, everyone wants to save, so for those looking for a laptop on a budget, this Asus VivoBook 14 laptop should be your choice.

If you are paying attention to the names of the laptops we have discussed until now, you would have noticed that our top pick is also the Asus VivoBook 14. However, this one is the predecessor of it and accordingly has a yesteryear’s 11th Generation Intel Core i3 dual-core processor. Despite being old, the processor still has enough power to zoom you through all the everyday used productivity apps.

Moreover, it is accompanied by 4GB of DDR4 RAM, which is upgradeable further if needed and 128GB of fast SSD storage.

It costs under $300, so you save $100 of your $400 budget. Despite that, you are not missing out on much performance with this laptop.

Furthermore, the VivoBook 14 also offers a backlit keyboard to work comfortably in dimly lit areas, and there’s a fingerprint reader as well for security.

In terms of design, the laptop has a plastic build and is finished in a slate gray color. With slim bezels around its 15.6-inch FHD screen and lift-up display hinge, the laptop looks stylish and modern.

The laptop also feels well-constructed overall to withstand the bumps of everyday commutes.

All in all, the Asus VivoBook 14 is a solid option for people shopping for a laptop on a budget. Even though it costs $100 less, it offers almost similar level of performing specs and surprisingly even better features than some of the options listed here.

6. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 Touchscreen Laptop

The Best Touch Screen Laptop Under $400

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Processor: 11th Generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 Dual Core (Up to 4.1 GHz)
• Graphics: Intel UHD Integrated
• RAM: 8GB DDR4 3200MHz (Upgradable)
• Storage: 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD (Upgradable)
• Display: 15.6-Inch HD Touchscreen (1366 x 768)
• Weight: 4.0 lbs

BEST PRICE RETAILERS:

A laptop with a touch screen gives you one more way to interact with your computer, and for certain types of tasks such as photo editing, presentation, annotating etc., you could benefit a lot from it.

Our current contender, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15, has a 15.6-inch HD touchscreen display, which is a little dim to use outdoors. But overall, as a whole package, it makes up for the best option under $400 if you want to buy a touchscreen laptop.

It is powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i3 dual-core processor with 8GB of RAM and a spacious 256GB of SSD for storage.

The storage that you get on this laptop is double than what most other laptops in this price range offer. So, this laptop is also a good choice if you want to buy a laptop with a higher storage capacity.

Moreover, the laptop is also well put together and feels solid even though its chassis is plastic built.

You also get all the required ports like USB Type-A, HDMI, a 3.5mm audio jack and even a full-size SD card slot, and there’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support as well for reliable wireless connectivity.

Besides a slightly less vibrant display, the laptop checks all the other essential boxes of what we consider a good laptop in this price range. So, if you are looking for the best laptop with touchscreen display or need a laptop with higher storage capacity, then this Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 should be your choice.

7. Acer Aspire 3 15 (A315-24P-R7VH)

The Best Option for Students

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (4 Cores, up to 4.1 GHz)
• Graphics: AMD Radeon 610M integrated
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR5
• Storage: 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD (Upgradable)
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with narrow bezels
• Weight: 3.9 lbs

BEST PRICE RETAILERS:

The Acer Aspire 3 15 is our recommended laptop for students because it weighs only 3.9 pounds which is very lightweight for a 15-inch laptop, so you will be able to carry it easily between classes and its battery life also easily lasts a full college day.

It also performs very well as it boasts the latest 7000-series AMD Ryzen 3 quad-core processor, and it is paired with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. 

To give you a little more context on its performance, it does not break a sweat even when you are multitasking on it. In fact, it’s also capable enough to handle light photo and video editing (for students who want to run their YouTube channel) and also games like Fortnite, Valorant and likes smoothly.

Apart from great performance, the 15.6-inch full HD IPS display of this Acer Aspire 3 is also pretty good in terms of viewing angles and colors. Though, the common problem of low peak display brightness exists in this laptop as well, just like every other laptop under $400.

The laptop has good connectivity options with two USB Type-A ports, a Type-C port with DisplayPort and charging support, and there’s also the latest HDMI 2.1 port present on the laptop, allowing you to connect 8K 60Hz or 4K 120Hz monitors to it. Even many expensive laptops don’t have this port! Though we would have loved it if Acer had included an SD card slot to it.

Although this laptop does not allow further RAM upgrades, the 8GB RAM that you get out of the box is enough for most users’ requirements. 

So overall, the Acer Aspire 3 15 is a reliable budget notebook under $400 that’s an excellent choice for students as well as professionals for everyday use.

8. HP 17z-cp300 17-inch Laptop

With a Large 17-inch Display

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7530U (6 Cores, up to 4.5 GHz)
• Graphics: AMD Radeon integrated
• RAM: 8GB DDR4 3200 MHz (upgradeable)
• Storage: 128GB SSD (upgradeable)
• Display: 17.3-inch HD+ BrightView display (1600 x 900, up to 250 nits)
• Weight: 4.5 lb

BEST PRICE RETAILERS:

The next option on the list is for people who prefer working on a larger display. The HP 17z-cp300 has a 17.3-inch display, which provides you with more screen real estate for increased efficiency when working on your laptop.

Internally, it rocks an AMD Ryzen 5 hexa-core processor with a maximum clock frequency of up to 4.5 GHz, and it is paired with 8GB RAM and 128GB of SSD.

Although it has a processor that is one of the bests you can get in a laptop at this price range, and the RAM it provides is also sufficient for more users’ requirements, the 128GB of storage space is slightly on the lower side.

On the brighter side, both the RAM and storage drive are upgradeable on the laptop, so you can upgrade its storage.

In terms of design and build, the laptop has an exterior built from ocean-bound plastic, which is strong, and the bezels around the screen are also fairly small, which gives this laptop a premium look.

The keyboard of this HP 17z-cp300 laptop is also very comfortable for typing long hours. Because of its bigger form factor, the keyboard is roomier and features a full layout with a dedicated numpad to enter numbers conveniently.

In terms of I/O as well, the laptop offers all the ports. It has one USB Type-C port, 2 USB Type-A ports, and HDMI and headphone jack. Do note that the USB Type-C port on this laptop does not support charging or DisplayPort connections. There is a barrel-type charging port on it for charging and HDMI to connect external monitors.

Overall, this HP 17z laptop is feature-rich, has powerful performance and has a strong and sustainable build. Its price tag of under $400 is also very fair considering everything that it offers, so if you are looking for a 17-inch laptop, this is the best option.

9. 2017 Apple MacBook Pro 13 (Refurbished)

The Best MacBook for $400!

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Processor: 7th Generation Intel Core i5-7360U (Dual Core, 2.3 – 3.6 GHz)
• Graphics: Intel Iris Plus 640 integrated graphics
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR3 2133 MHz
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• Display: 13.3-inch Retina display (2560 x 1600, 227 PPI, 500 nits)
• Weight: 3.0 lbs

BEST PRICE RETAILERS:

The last but not least option on the list is for those who want to buy a MacBook. Yes, the Apple MacBook!

It’s indeed surprising to be able to buy a MacBook under $400, but know that this is the refurbished 2017 MacBook Pro.

So, it’s not going to offer you the latest Apple M1 or M2 chip. Instead, it has an older 7th Generation Intel Core i5 dual-core processor, which is more than 5 years old at this point.

But you’d still be able to do everyday tasks like document editing, web surfing and moderate multitasking without any sort of lags on it. The macOS is a very optimized operating system, so older MacBooks still manage to run smoothly.

Plus, accompanying the processor is an 8GB of RAM and 128GB of speedy SSD, which aids in providing smooth performance.

But one thing to note here is the hardware on this MacBook is not upgradeable, so if you decide to buy this MacBook, make sure the 128GB of storage space that it provides is enough for you.

As far as build quality is concerned, we all know how well the MacBooks are built. They feature an all-metal chassis that is milled from a single block of aluminum for uniformity and strength. But since this is a refurbished laptop, expect it to come with some minor scratches here and there.

On the other hand, its 13-inch Retina display, force-touch trackpad and backlit keyboard are even better than the newer models listed above.

Its display is color accurate and has a whopping 500 nits of peak brightness, making it comfortable to work even under direct sunlight on this laptop.

The trackpad is also the largest, and it has a glass surface for a smooth tracking experience. Apart from that, its speakers also deliver full audio with nice bass.

But connectivity options are very limited on it with only two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, so you’ll need dongles (affiliate link here) to connect your devices with it.

Also, since this is a refurbished device, its battery life would depend on the battery health of the device you receive.

But for under $400, it’s offering a tremendous amount of value, so if you want to purchase a MacBook, then this is the best refurbished model available in the $400 price range.

These are the top 10 laptops we recommend buying under $400 right now.

If you are still confused or are a laptop newbie, we have a buying guide below. Also, there’s a comment section below if you have any specific questions.

FAQs

That sums it all up. I hope this budget laptop buying guide help you to buy the best laptop under $400 for yourself.

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