The 3 Best Laptops Under $300 - Black Friday 2024

The best laptop under $300 we've tested is the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023), a simple 14-inch Chromebook designed for light tasks like text processing, web browsing, and video playback. Though entirely plastic, it feels reasonably well-built for its price, and it has a compact design that makes it easy to carry around. The battery lasts around 13 hours of light use or 12 hours of video playback on a full charge, so you won't have to worry about bringing the power adapter when you're out and about. Even if you do, the laptop charges over USB-C. You get Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity, an excellent 1080p webcam, and a decent number of ports, including a full-size HDMI.

You can configure this laptop with an Intel N100, N200, or a Core i3-N305 CPU and up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Most of the configurations are below $300; however, if you can stretch your budget slightly, we highly recommend getting the top-end Core i3 model, which you can often find on sale for around $400 USD on Lenovo's website. Not only will you get more processing power for heavier multitasking, but you'll also get a sharper and brighter FHD, touch-sensitive display. Naturally, there are always some compromises when it comes to budget models; in this case, it's the keyboard and touchpad. The former feels spacious but a bit mushy, and unfortunately, the latter is small and not always responsive to inputs. There's also no fingerprint sensor or facial recognition camera for added security or quick logins.

If you need or prefer a Windows machine, we recommend the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2020), a 14-inch 2-in-1 convertible. Unfortunately, Windows laptops are typically more expensive, so you'll have to spend a bit more than $300 USD on this one. There are cheaper options on the market, but we don't recommend them, as they offer a sub-par user experience and are, frankly, quite bad. For around $350 USD, you can get this laptop equipped with an FHD touch-sensitive IPS display, a Ryzen 3 4300U CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. The Ryzen CPU performs reasonably well; the biggest limitation is the memory. This model is only for light workloads, with a few tabs open simultaneously at the most. The RAM isn't user-upgradable, but the SSD is.

As for the build, this laptop feels pretty sturdy despite being entirely plastic. The display is a little dim but still bright enough for use in most indoor settings, and since this is a 2-in-1 convertible, you can flip the screen around and use it as a tablet. There's pen input support if you want to take handwritten notes or draw, though you may have to buy the stylus separately, as it doesn't always come with the device. You get a comfortable keyboard, a reasonably large touchpad, and a wide port selection, including two USB-As, a USB-C, and an HDMI. Its 720p webcam isn't great, so don't expect to look your best on video calls. Battery life is excellent at around 11 hours of light use or nine hours of video playback.

Our best 2-in-1 pick is yet another Lenovo offering, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 (2022). For around $300, you can get a configuration with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It has a sharp 2000 x 1200 IPS display that gets bright enough for use in most indoor settings, and unlike most cheap devices, this display has full sRGB coverage, meaning colors won't look washed out. It has a great 1080p webcam for video calls and a detachable keyboard, so you don't have to buy it separately.

Unfortunately, just like any budget-friendly device, there are a few compromises. First, the speakers are bad. They don't get very loud and sound unnatural, with no bass whatsoever. There's also no 3.5mm headphone jack, so you'll need a USB-C audio adapter or Bluetooth headphones. Second, the keyboard feels cramped and uncomfortable to type on, making it useful only for short emails and messages. Last but not least: battery life. You can get around 14 hours if you only browse the web, but video playback cuts it to a little less than five hours.