The Best Chromebooks Under $400

By Author: karen minton
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These days, an average laptop is more powerful than ever, but with increased performance comes an increased price. The majority of us don’t require that much computing power to get through the day, and we’re spending considerably more money than we should on (albeit cool-looking) items that do far more than we require.

There are considerably more affordable laptop computers that can accomplish these duties perfectly well for the average person who uses their laptop for surfing the web, sending emails, and watching the occasional Netflix show. Chromebooks are these computers, and they’re revolutionizing the personal computer market in new and exciting ways. These small but mighty laptops can be thought of as little more than a powerful web browser with a touchpad and keyboard—or as a large-screen extension of your smartphone.

These laptops are fantastic for getting work done on a commute, on vacation, or even in the office when you need a little less firepower to get the job done. They are perfectly suited for practically all of the day-to-day chores that we demand from the Internet. Of course, not all Chromebooks ...
... are created equal, and a number of well-known organizations have hurried to develop their version of Google Chrome’s renowned infrastructure. So, before you run out and buy that nice-looking Chromebook you saw on the internet, take a look at our list of the best Chromebooks under $400.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet

The Lenovo Duet is difficult to beat in 2021 if you’re looking for a great, low-cost Chromebook. The Duet, which looks like a Chrome OS version of Microsoft’s Surface Go, has a 10.1-inch 1920×1200 display and comes with a keyboard attachment, making it one of the most affordable hybrid devices available today.

The Duet seems to be a typical 10′′ tablet in tablet mode, and the 16:10 aspect ratio keeps the device from feeling excessively big in your hand. However, attach the supplied kickstand and keyboard dock, and you’ve got yourself a full-fledged laptop with a touchpad for mouse compatibility.

Of course, you shouldn’t expect something comparable to the Surface Pro range of laptops for $300. Because the Chromebook is so small, the keyboard and touchpad are both cramped, and the MediaTek CPU is inadequate for anything other than basic browsing and productivity tools.

Still, this gadget has a lot of advantages, such as all-day battery life, excellent color reproduction on the IPS panel, and surprisingly good dual speakers. Lenovo’s Duet won’t transform the way you use computers in your daily life, but it’s hard to go wrong at $300. In 2021, the Duet is far from the only Chrome OS tablet available. Asus’ impending CM3000 Chrome OS hybrid has leaked widely, revealing similar features and a somewhat larger display, despite the fact that it isn’t yet on the market. This summer, it should be available.

Samsung Chromebook 4

Samsung’s Chromebook 4 isn’t fancy, which is why it’s such an easy suggestion for anyone on a tight budget. This is a simple laptop with none of the bells and whistles that most other Chromebooks on the market now have. Many users find that a basic device is sufficient for their purposes.

The Chromebook 4 comes with 4GB or 6GB of RAM and Intel Celeron N4000 processors, which are normal for a low-cost Chromebook in 2020. The laptop is built of aluminum, which makes it feel a touch cheap in comparison to the MacBook Airs of the world, but it looks a lot nicer than anything the competition has to offer in this price bracket.

Despite the fact that the screen is only 720p, this laptop offers a decent display for an 11.6-inch Chromebook. With 12-hour estimated battery life, you can get through the entire day at work or school without needing to rush to the next wall outlet. Overall, the Samsung Chromebook 4 is unremarkable. The keyboard is fine, the trackpad is a little cramped, and the build has some flex. However, the specs you receive for $249 are excellent, and it is by far the cheapest tablet on this list. While it doesn’t stand out in any way other than price, the good news is that practically any buyer should be able to find one.

HP Chromebook 14a

HP is no stranger to Chrome OS, and their Chromebook x360 14 is one of the best Chromebooks on the market right now. However, at $629, it will be out of reach for many Chromebook customers. That’s where HP’s Chromebook 14a comes in, a great entry-level laptop that costs less than $300. The display is HP’s main strength here, as it competes directly with Samsung’s Chromebook 4.

HP’s Chromebook is the appropriate size at 14 inches. However, you’ll have to put up with a 720p display. Most users at this price bracket are unlikely to notice, but it’s worth noting before purchasing. Aside from that, the laptop is very similar to its Samsung competitor. The Celeron N4000 processor from Intel is featured here, and it offers good browsing and media consumption features at a low price. For this price range, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage are pretty common and should keep your laptop running well for at least a few years before any notable slowdown occurs. HP also includes B&O-branded speakers on the left and right sides of the (backlit!) keyboard, as well as quick charging up to 50%.

HP is a good option for anyone who can’t make the 11.6-inch display on Samsung’s Chromebook 4 function in regular use. However, this laptop has also reduced to as low as $219, making it a complete bargain. Although we recommend HP’s Chromebook 14a, it’s worth mentioning that many users have complained about occasional Wi-Fi difficulties during normal use. The summer Chrome OS update should have rectified the issue, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

Acer Chromebook 14

Acer’s Chromebook 14 delivers a considerably larger display than other inexpensive Chromebooks, similar to HP’s Chromebook 14a, and it does so in style. With a 1080p 14′′ display, this is the best screen on the list so far, and while it lacks the low bezels of the HP Chromebook 14a, doubling the resolution makes for a much better day-to-day experience.

In terms of design, despite the laptop’s modest price, it has a premium-feeling aluminum casing that appears to be more expensive than it is. Acer’s Chromebook, unlike some of its competitors, manages to find a sense of style. The Chromebook 14 is powered by an Intel Celeron N3160 processor and can handle basic surfing and media playback, albeit it lags behind Intel’s newer N4000 processor.

A 12-hour battery justifies the laptop’s size, and 32GB of storage ensures you can save some of your favorite movies and shows on the move. The keyboard and trackpad on the Chromebook 14 are adequate but ordinary, and the laptop lacks upgradeable or expandable storage. Of course, the major trade-off here is the extra weight, albeit, at 3.42 pounds, you could do a lot worse. Overall, the Chromebook 14 isn’t the most interesting item on this list, but if you’re looking for a reliable, basic laptop for around $300, this is it.

Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5

If the HP Chromebook 14a and Samsung’s Chromebook 4 are going head to head in terms of features and pricing, Acer’s Chromebook 14 and Lenovo’s Flex 5 are going head to head in terms of performance and price. It’s a little out of our pricing range at $405, but it’s close enough that we’re putting it in this round-up.

Despite the fact that the Flex 5 has 4GB of RAM, which matches Acer’s model, the Core i3-10110U is a significant upgrade above the N4000 found in most laptops on our list, much alone the outdated N3160 found in the Chromebook 14. Although the 13-inch 1080p display isn’t as large as Acer’s, it’s a good compromise between screen size and portability, and taking notes on the touchscreen is a breeze thanks to the 360-degree hinge. One of our favorite styles now available on Chromebooks is the Flex 5.

It’s simple and understated, with a lovely matte texture that helps keep fingerprints at bay. Lenovo has also included a few luxury touches, like a backlit keyboard and front-facing speakers, to help make it a deal at $400. Despite how fantastic this laptop is, it’s understandable if the tiny price increase deters some customers. Even so, if you can afford to spend a few dollars more over our price restriction, the update will be well worth it in the long term.

Source :- https://karenmintonwp.wordpress.com/2021/07/21/the-best-chromebooks-under-400/

I am a Blogger and Designer .My interests range from technology to design. I am also interested in programming and education.