It’s easy to overlook the best laptops for college students under $300. Lenovo Chromebook C330 is very impressive in overall features and a budget laptop, ASUS L203MA-DS04 VivoBook with 2.6GHz processing speed. Here you can get the right buying guide below.
Laptops are available everywhere in the USA, UK, Canada, UAE, and even in Pakistan. To help you filter out the bad guys and find the ones that will help you with your tasks. Even if you are a writer then you have to buy the best laptops for writers under 300.
Best Laptops for College Students Under $300
When there are so many premium laptops that turn heads. Those more powerful laptops are very attractive thanks to the newest components and functions, but they are very expensive and much more than what many people need.
But, you shouldn’t ignore those best windows laptops for under $300. In addition to their very low price, these inexpensive machines can handle much of what most regular users need from a computer.
You’ll find a lot of laptops at this price that should probably be avoided, but there are some nice surprises as well. It is not impossible to find a quality machine for this price.
If you don’t need the newest laptop to get you through the day, like the Dell XPS 15, save your money and consider buying a great laptop for under $ 300.
Everyday computing, we’ve rounded up our top picks here, including the smallest laptops and lightweight Chromebooks.
Table of Contents
1. Lenovo Chromebook C330
As usual one of the best laptops for college students under $300, Lenovo Chromebook C330 is a kind of laptop that can also be used as a tablet. It runs on the Chrome OS and most importantly, this best under 300 laptop offers long battery life.
With the increasing support for Chrome OS-based applications, it would be a good time to explore this platform. The 11.6-inch HD display. At 2.6 pounds, the budget 2-in-1 laptop is lightweight and flexible, with support for multiple viewing angles.
Whereas, it can also be used as a tablet as the nature of this cheap laptop is 2-in-1. Most importantly, the laptop is extremely fast and only takes a few seconds to start programs.
This fast performance is due to hardware components like the MediaTek MT8173C processor, the ultimate goal of which is to give you the 2.1GHz CPU speed. On the other hand, the ideal 4GB memory is what goes into this.
However, as is obvious, here is the 64GB eMMC storage, which is not so great for people who always keep data on their laptops. This means that you should use it carefully.
The Lenovo Chromebook C330 offers an 11.6-inch screen size with 1366 x 768 screen resolutions, which is ideal for meeting your entertainment needs. Overall, this Chromebook is worth owning in this lower-end price range.
The Chrome OS Operating system with a speed of 2.1 GHz. full HD videos or light design/illustration sketches or low-end casual gaming applications.
A 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC flash storage can give you faster boot-ups, play old-time games, and watch movies in HD resolution.
This Lenovo device has the standard keyboard of the Chromebook layout with dedicated keys for browser navigation. The keys are ideally spaced, making typing comfortable and error-free for college students.
The touchpad is spacious and comes with a crisp click response. Lenovo includes USB ports for effortless connectivity.
Plus, stay in touch with the built-in camera. Bluetooth 4.2 (Type C and Type A), a headphone jack, and an HDMI port that connects to external displays.
The SD card reader can be useful for additional storage. You get WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5 for wireless connectivity. The Chromebook can last up to 10 hours of optimal and balanced use.
The touchscreen, decent battery life, and Os operating system make this laptop an affordable solution under $ 300 for students and housewives who are passionate about music production, sketching, design, and illustrations.
2. ASUS L203MA-DS04 VivoBook
There is no comparison with ASUS it is one of the best-selling laptops. They always feature unique laptops and this time we have the best 11-inch laptop with less than 300 of them with features and specs that we are about to discuss. But first, let’s keep in mind that it is a budget laptop, so expecting too much from it would be wrong.
With the Intel Celeron N4000 processor, the ASUS L203MA-DS04 VivoBook, the laptop is nailing it at this price point with the 2.6GHz processing speed, and additionally, it comes with a 4MB cache. It gives you 4GB of LPDDR4-type RAM, which is probably the story of just about every under $ 300 laptop.
Additionally, the battery life stands out from many laptops with a 10-hour run on a single charge. Overall, the ASUS L203MA-DS04 VivoBook is a great deal for you if you’re looking for a decent laptop for your presentations, thesis, assignments, or office.
4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC flash memory, although limited, can offer faster boot-ups and faster data accessibility. The Chromebook makes up for limited storage with 100GB of cloud storage, and Chrome OS keeps all of your data in sync through a single Google account.
Considering that, as always, the storage is 64GB of eMMC flash type, which is not enough, but it is still reasonable storage on this budget.
Windows 10 operating system with a base clock speed of 2.6 GHz. The lack of multithreading can reduce its multitasking capabilities.
However, it does pull out multiple navigation tabs, online streaming that falls within the purview of the students. The integrated graphics processor won’t help you with gaming requirements, but it can handle streaming media.
Full HD, the 11.6 Inches screen has slim bezels. It offers images with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. Surfing the web and watching movies is easy to work for this affordable laptop.
USB Type-C (Gen 1), USB Type-A, HDMI, MicroSD connectivity (USB Transfer speed may vary. It’s a lightweight, stylish, and travel-friendly device.
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) speeds up to three times faster than 802.11 but they do offer multiple avenues for wireless connectivity. The Chromebook comes with 45 Wh batteries. It offers a decent battery backup of up to 10 hours.
Using the laptop optimally with reduced brightness should get the best out of the battery. ASUS L203MA-DS04 VivoBook offers eMMC flash storage and cloud storage with a sleek design laptop on a $ 300 budget.
3. ASUS Chromebook 11.6
ASUS is back on our list and believes me it is a wonderful friendly laptop, the ASUS Chromebook is even cheaper than $ 300. ASUS is the best laptops for college students under $300 has also equipped this laptop with the corresponding hardware.
On the other hand, the internal memory is still 4 GB even if it is in the budget category of $ 200. However, this 11-inch laptop under $ 300 runs on a Chrome operating system that can be a bit difficult to use at first if you are a windows user, but you will get used to it.
This laptop comes with a Windows 10 operating system that comes with a base clock speed of 2.3 GHz. While not multi-threaded, the processor can serve basic computing needs and streaming media with the help of an integrated Graphics processor.
The ASUS Chromebook laptop has a full-size keyboard with a dedicated number pad. Battery life is also awesome and the classic design, a comfortable keyboard, makes it one of the best laptops for college students under $300 in the price range.
This comes down to a 32GB eMMC storage and the other components are pretty much the same as found in the best under 300 laptop.
All the Google apps you know and love come standard on every Chromebook, which means you can edit, download, and convert Microsoft Office files in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
The Intel N3060 Celeron processor is what runs inside the ASUS Chromebook, which beats the 1.6GHz CPU speed.
As for the battery life, it is long-lasting. it’s 10 hours on a single charge. That’s fair enough, I guess, for a laptop like this.
A 4GB RAM and 32GB eMMC. eMMC storage gives you enough storage and operations space to quickly load, process, and store documents, Word, and spreadsheets.)
Windows 10 Home in S mode provides the convenience and easy-to-use interface of Windows, albeit with a limited selection of apps from the Windows Store.
An additional 100GB of Google Drive space to ensure impressive performance. But if you want to use the third-party software, it’s easy to switch to normal Windows 10 Home in three easy steps and at no cost.
But it is important to know that you cannot go back to S mode. The 11.6 inches HD 1366×768 Anti-Glare Display, with a 180-degree hinge for easy viewing.
4. Acer Chromebook Spin 311
Despite being limited storage, this is a wonderful laptop under $300 the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is backed by a Celeron processor, a flexible and portable design, and enough connectivity for external storage. The Acer Chromebook offers a balance between price and utility.
The 11.6-inch HD has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. An IPS touchscreen reinforced with Corning Gorilla glass is useful for using the sketch and design applications. At 2.62 pounds, the convertible is lightweight and flexible for use in even the narrowest seats.
The Intel Celeron N4020 is a dual-core processor that operates at a base frequency of 1.1 GHz and a burst frequency of 2.8 GHz. Whether editing documents or streaming HD music or videos, the processor can comfortably run with the Intel UHD 600 graphics processor support.
A 4GB RAM offers enough space to operate multiple tabs and basic productivity applications. While the 32GB eMMC flash storage is limited in terms of storage space, it does come with faster startups and Acer makes up for it with 100GB of Google Drive storage. Chrome OS comes with millions of applications at your disposal.
Acer includes 1 USB Type-C and 2 USB Type-A ports, a headphone jack, and a card reader. The card reader will be a useful addition due to limited storage memory. Get faster internet connectivity with WiFi 5 and listen to songs through your Bluetooth speakers with Bluetooth 5.
Chrome’s layout keyboard makes it easy to navigate your browser. While the keys are smaller for larger adult hands, it’s great for kids and teens. The keys are responsive, while the touchpad comes standard with smooth gesture tracking. Acer claims that the Chromebook has a 10-hour battery life with balanced usage.
5. Best Dell Laptop 11 3000
This is the evergreen laptop because did not disappoint you with the lack of storage and offers enough productivity and entertainment possibilities for students and housewives. The combination of a lightweight yet strong design, backed by a dual Celeron processor makes this purchase profitable.
The Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core processor runs at speeds of 1.1 GHz and 2, 8 GHz, making it sufficient for basic computing, document editing, and Android game playback. Intel UHD 600 graphics ensure perfect media viewing.
4GB operating memory provides support space for standard productivity. The 16GB eMMC storage, despite being negligible, supports faster boot.
The Chrome OS is light on hardware, but you still have the Google Play store at your disposal. The 11.6-inch HD display comes with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
It is suitable for indoor viewing and is built for low power consumption. At 2.85 pounds, the Dell Chromebook stays on the lighter side despite its solid-looking design.
The Internet keyboard facilitates the activity of the web browser. Despite the discreet travels, the keys are ideally spaced and comfortable for college-goers. The touchpad is responsive and spacious to accurately track your gestures.
Dell supports four USB ports (2 Type-C and 2 Type-A) for connecting to external displays and other accessories. It comes with a headphone jack.
Keep your laptops connected to the internet and other devices via WiFi 5 and Bluetooth. The 42 Wh three-cell battery can last up to 14 hours due to the low-power design.
This laptop brings together a robust design, long battery life, and a host of lightweight applications that provide a platform for education and entertainment for college students.
6. Lenovo Chromebook S345
This laptop is amazing and it’s all feature best in this budget. Up to this point, you would have noticed that the Chromebook name may sound heavy, but it may also fall into the category of the best laptop under $ 300. Today we have one from Lenovo known as the Chromebook S345.
First of all, let me mention the size of this Chromebook which is 14 inches and the design is decent enough and very good looking to turn heads.
On the other hand, it travels fast with the hardware components it comes with and that includes 4GB RAM which could be better, but that’s completely as long as you don’t like heavy stuff.
Furthermore, we are again faced with the 64GB eMMC storage which ensures the undeniable that this type of storage is only made for the best laptops under $ 300.
Also, the Lenovo Chromebook S345 doesn’t come slow with its MediaTek MT8173C processor which can beat the most famous processors with its 2.1GHz speed.
While it can run for 10 continuous hours without even a plug in the charger, there can be fluctuations depending on what you do with the Chromebook S345
In terms of display, there aren’t many budget Chromebooks that can match what the HP 14a-na0020nr has to offer. The 14-inch display is perfectly complemented by the HD.
The WLED panel ensures that the viewing angles are fantastic and that the interface with Chrome OS looks exemplary. In addition, the operating platform allows us to install and use various Android applications with ease.
The processing performance is more than decent and complements well with the integrated graphics support. On top of that, we get 4GB of RAM 64GB of eMMC. The storage drive is a fast capacity.
The battery life is great for this Chromebook, depending on the use. The device also comes with a dedicated webcam and with USB-C, micro SD, and USB 3.0 for effortless connectivity.
Also includes a decent collection of USB ports to increase the usefulness of this Chromebook.
7. ASUS 14 Laptop
ASUS never fails to make its space here on our list and this time we have an ASUS Premium laptop for under $ 300 that is 14 inches in size and the surprise is that it offers an AMD Radeon R4 graphics that allows you to run some simple games without trouble if you are a game lover.
The 7th Gen AMD A6-9225 CPU is where the real fun begins, as here you have the 3.0GHz processing speed along with the 4GB RAM, which is not enough, but still, it works.
Whereas, ASUS also added more storage to this laptop. A 500GB HDD offers more storage, but it is not as fast as SSD.
As for the quality of the screen, ASUS Premium is a champion with the resolutions of 1366 × 768 pixels on a 14-inch screen, with LED technology.
Note that the battery is not as good as the company’s praise, as it does not last long enough compared to the other 11-inch laptops under 300.
When it comes to the display, this Chromebook offers a 14-inch HD display with a screen resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. This inclusion is pretty standard for the given price.
However, Asus’ NanoEdge screen technology makes the screen appear larger and more vibrant. The bezels are narrow and there is also an anti-glare screen coating to minimize reflections and strain on the eyes.
The processing power on this device is pretty adequate too, courtesy of the 7th Generation AMD A6-9225 Processor and AMD Radeon R4 Graphics.
4GB RAM support is a decent inclusion, but the 500GB hard drive storage unit leaves a lot to be desired. Battery life is a major highlight with this device running on power for up to many hours straight.
Furthermore, the device also includes high-end stereo speakers that play a decent role in amplifying the overall acoustic performance.
The ergonomic keyboard also deserves a mention followed by a decent collection of USB Type-A and Type-B and Type-C ports.
8. Acer Aspire 1 A114-32-C1YA
You have probably heard of the Acer Aspire series laptops and some of them are quite famous. But this time let me introduce you to the Acer Aspire 1, a decent 14-inch laptop for under $ 300 with some amazing stuff inside.
But before that, let’s find out what the exterior of the laptop is talking about. It’s probably a decent build at an entry-level following the matte black color with the Acer logo on the front.
While the keyboard is backlit and the keys soft enough not to bother you with putting too much pressure on them, making typing easier.
Also, like the other laptops in this category, the Acer aspire 1 sport 64GB eMMC storage, which again is a part that most people are going to complain about.
But let me tell you one thing, the laptop is not for storing heavy files or programs. Just focus on storing small documents, a movie or two for entertainment, or anything that doesn’t take up much space.
The Intel Celeron N4000 dual-core processor is what belongs in this unit and surprisingly, it has a processing speed of 2.6GHz and the internal memory is 4GB.
The windows 10 operating system provides enough power to handle basic computing requirements to keep you productive or entertain you with streaming Full HD videos.
The Integrate graphics processor shares the load in graphics-related activities. The 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC storage can come in handy in terms of multitasking and faster data accessibility.
This laptop offers more storage than competing Chromebooks on the market. Chrome OS loads quickly but doesn’t have the sophistication or third-party support of a Windows-based operating system.
The 14 Inches Full HD screen displays images with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Despite its opaque screen, the large screen offers more surface area to enhance productivity.
The keyboard follows the standard Internet-compatible Chromebook layout with browser shortcuts. Writing is comfortable with a decent amount of key trips and comments.
The buttonless touchpad is spacious and has a fluid response to gestures and clicks. The Chromebook comes with 5 to 6 hours of battery life enough for a day.
Acer Aspire 1 A114-32-C1YA best laptops for college students under $300 and offers more value at this price point, despite its below-average screen performance.
If you are looking for a 14-inch screen, memory opens appropriate rationale, and a decent processor this one is the best choice for you.
What should we check before buying a laptop?
Before buying a laptop you should know the 10 most important things. and you have to keep it in mind before buying any laptop.
1. Processor
Most of these machines are equipped with Intel processors. Now in regards to this low budget, these companies did a smart job of meeting the budget requirements for these laptops by using them with entry-level CPUs that ultimately deliver a processing speed of 1.6Ghz and above.
That’s acceptable to an extent if the goal isn’t to bombard a $ 300 laptop with heavy programs. In this case, you should try the Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops That Look Normal.
2. RAM
Memory is a crucial part of almost any electronic device, be it a laptop, PC, or any other machine. It must be high. if not, it should at least be decent. Fortunately, the best laptops under $ 300 pack in decent 4GB RAM, and in some of the laptops, the memory is replaceable too, which is a good thing.
But if that’s the case, I’d highly recommend going a little further with the best laptops under $ 400 that offer slightly better memory and other components.
3. Storage
You may have heard of SSD and HDD. If so, sadly here, you don’t have these options on these best under 300 laptops. Instead, storage is replaced with eMMC flash memory on most of these machines. Whereas, the capacity is also low, ensuring that you need to use the storage carefully so as not to run out of space.
4. Battery Life
Unlike flagship laptops that have the most powerful hardware components that are power-hungry, the best laptops under 300 offer battery life that can survive longer. You can use such a laptop all day without worrying about plugging in the charger.
5. Hardware
Also featuring vivid Intel UHD 600 graphics, 64GB of eMMC flash storage, and 4GB of fast DDR4 memory, it’s more than up to the task you’d expect from a laptop in this price range.
6. Screen and Display
Coming with a wide 15.6 “inch 1920 × 1080 Full HD display and featuring a slim design with a total thickness of 19.8mm when closed and weighing less than 2kg, it is surprisingly light despite its large display Battery life is up to 10 hours on a single charge, for extended use.
7. Connectivity
You won’t have to worry about browsing speeds or internet downloads as the Aspire 1 comes equipped with fast dual-band 802.11ac 5 Wi-Fi. Bluetooth 4.1 comes standard for easy transfer and communication between Bluetooth devices or streaming audio. to speakers or headphones of your choice.
If you want to connect by cable, a Gigabit LAN port has you covered. An HDMI port is also included for easy connection to televisions or monitors. 2x USB 2.0 and 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 provide enough connectivity for everything else.
8. Characteristics
The operating system of choice for Acer is Windows 10 Home (in S mode), a simplified and lighter version of Windows that only allows the use of applications from its application store. The software package includes a 1-year subscription for Microsoft 365, which includes useful applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Note, and Outlook.
Other notable features include a built-in microphone and webcam that are useful for audio and video calls and stereo speakers for listening to music or watching shows and movies.
9. Weight
How big or small do you want your laptop to be? There is a suitable size for everyone. The smallest and thinnest laptops weigh just over 2 pounds, are less than ¾ of an inch thick, and are less than a sheet of A4 paper in size.
They are lightweight, compact, and can be carried virtually anywhere because of this. Although some sacrifices are made to achieve this small size.
Smaller laptops don’t have as large a screen as their larger counterparts, as many of these sports-only 11.6 “screens and keys can be compact and small, making typing difficult for some.
10. Microsoft Windows 10
The most popular choice for laptops under $ 300, Windows 10 is the latest version of the well-known and widely used Microsoft Windows operating system.
Initially released in 2015, Windows 10 has overtaken Windows 7 as the version with the highest percentage of users when comparing the Windows operating system.
With approximately 1 billion devices running Windows 10, it is the most widely used operating system out there. Most of our selection runs Windows 10 Home, either in its full form or in S mode, which we’ll take a look at next.
The full version of Windows has the best compatibility with the software of any of our other operating systems or versions and the highest performance potential, but it can also be difficult to run on systems with lower-spec hardware and limited amounts of RAM.
People also asked
What is a good laptop to buy for under $300?
Many different factors define $ 300 laptops and some of them are listed above so that you have a clear idea of what you are trying to buy. Laptops under $ 300 fall under the category of cheap laptops. This means you have to have an entry-level laptop that’s not that powerful or that weak to handle things.
A $ 300 price tag doesn’t mean you’re going to own a laptop that takes years to load programs. But the point is, you need to have the basic programs of your needs on these laptops and the best part is that they won’t leave a hole in your pocket.
What is the best laptop for video editing under $ 300?
For those on a lower budget, Top 8 Best Laptop for Video Editing Under $300 Our Experts Recommendation do the trick. They are good for productivity, media playback, light photo editing, and video conferencing / voice calls.
How long will an affordable $ 300 laptop last?
A good inexpensive entry-level laptop should easily last up to 2-3 years. You can learn more about the lifespan of laptops here www.gizmofusion.com/how-long-do-laptops-last/.
What’s the best touch screen laptop under $ 500?
Touch screen laptops are good in many cases most people love 2 in 1 laptops because of their comfort and we’ve written a separate guide and advantages and disadvantages on the Top 7 Best Touch Screen Laptop Under $500. Click the link to find our best option.
What’s the best laptop for $ 750?
Looking for the Top Best Laptop Under $750, one of the great options for you. It offers an efficient Celeron N4020, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, 64GB of flash storage (expandable via a MicroSD slot), and an HD display, while weighing only 2.3 pounds. Hard to beat for the price.
Conclusion
For an affordable 15-inch laptop, the Dell Inspiron 11 3000 best laptops for college students under $300. That’s pretty good considering the extra space you’re getting. But that’s not the best part. While it keeps things pretty modest on the CPU and graphics front, go for a fast SSD with 128GB of storage.
The Acer Aspire 1 certainly packs a punch for a budget laptop that costs less than $ 300. Its sleek appearance, lightweight design, and large Full HD display are very attractive for its price.
The included Microsoft 365 license is particularly useful for productivity, as Excel and Word are 2 of the most widely used software programs.
The Celeron 4020 CPU offers good performance for a budget laptop, and the DDR4 RAM makes it even more nimble. Up to 10 hours of battery life are no joke either.
When looking over the best laptops in this price range, this model stood out. Another thing that stood out was a large number of positive reviews, obviously reporting how well it performs.
If you have a lot of photos, videos, and documents to store. You’ll want this if you’re looking for the best laptop under $ 300 to beat your workload.