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Whether you’re gaming, editing photos, working on spreadsheets or just want an extra laptop around, it’s entirely possible to find an affordable one under $300.
In the past, a laptop for such a low price meant you’d immediately see some serious compromises in build and performance. Screens were dim and hard to see. Processors were way slower and consumed more power. Parts would overheat and stop working.
And while they still won’t compare to the higher-end machines, getting a good, reliable laptop for under $300 is totally attainable for the average user. Here’s what to look for before dropping cash on one.
Laptop Buying Guide
Processor: This is the heart of everything, the main chip that acts as the command center instructing the other parts how to act when you do anything from opening an application to saving files. The processor’s speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz), and the more GHz you’ve got, the faster your machine can process.
RAM:Before anything hits the processor, it’s routed through here, and low-level RAM can only handle a limited load. A minimum of 4GB of RAM is usually enough for web browsing and to run basic applications. But for heavier-use programs, fast gaming and multitasking, you’ll need more, and on most brands these can be installed later too.
Screen:A laptop’s screen that’s tough to see in either bright or low light can be annoying and make whatever task you’re doing unnecessarily harder. Having around 300 nits of brightness in a screen, at the least, should be plenty visible. And if it has a touchscreen, the brighter the better, because they tend to be on the glossier side and reflect more light.
Ease of Use: If a laptop is uncomfortable to use, even a low price isn’t worth it. This includes things like a backlit keyboard that’s smooth and springy to type on, along with an accurate trackpad, and parts that won’t overheat and trigger loud fans (though an additional cooling pad can’t hurt).
Ports: USB-C seems to be evolving into the new one-size-fits-all standard, and that’s a good thing. Having at least one of those built-in ports is a solid investment for plugging in your future devices. But having a couple old-school USB ports saves you from needing to buy new adapters and dongles down the road. An HDMI port is also advised for hooking up your machine to a bigger screen, and if you still want to rock wired headphones, check to see if it includes a 3.5mm jack.
Storage: The more gigabytes the laptop has, the more files your machine can store. Because these laptops have more limited storage capacities than higher-priced ones, taking advantage of cloud storage or an external drive is an excellent option.
What Are the Best Laptops Under $300?
From HP to Lenovo and Asus, here are the top budget-friendly laptops for working remotely.
