Finding a quality laptop on a modest student budget of $300 is achievable. While cheaper models require some compromises, there are very solid options under $300 that provide good performance for essential tasks like writing papers, web browsing, email, streaming shows, and basic schoolwork.
10 Best Laptops Under $300 for Students
For students on a tight budget, here are 10 of the top-rated laptop picks all under $300:
1. Lenovo Chromebook 3
- 11.6” HD Display (1366 x 768)
- MediaTek MT8173C Processor (4 Cores, 2.1 GHz)
- 4GB RAM
- 32GB eMMC Storage
- Chrome OS
- 10 hour battery life
Lenovo’s Chromebook 3 provides smooth web browsing and app performance thanks to its MediaTek processor and 4GB RAM. The 11.6″ HD display is crisp for its compact size. At under $150, it’s a bargain for email, documents, and media.
2. Acer Aspire 1
- 14” HD Display (1366 x 768)
- Intel Celeron N4000 (Dual Core, 1.1 GHz)
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB eMMC Storage
- Windows 10 Home in S Mode
- 8+ hour battery life
The Acer Aspire 1 offers ample screen real estate with its 14” display. The Intel Celeron CPU and 4GB of RAM easily power Windows 10 for assignments, streaming video, and web access. Good value for under $300.
3. Asus L210 Chromebook
- 11.6” HD Display (1366 x 768)
- Intel Celeron N4020 (Dual-Core, 1.1 GHz)
- 4GB RAM
- 32GB eMMC Storage
- Chrome OS
- 10 hour battery life
This Asus Chromebook model focuses on the essentials like its 11.6″ screen, capable Intel processor, 4GB RAM, and robust port selection including USB-C and HDMI. A great option for browsing, email, and productivity.
4. HP 14” Laptop
- 14” HD Display (1366 x 768)
- Intel Celeron N4020 (Dual-Core, 1.1 GHz)
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB eMMC Storage
- Windows 10 Home in S Mode
- 7+ hour battery life
HP offers this 14” budget laptop with ample 64GB storage to hold assignments and media fueled by an Intel Celeron chip and 4GB of RAM. The HD display provides a crisp picture for streaming video and web use.
5. Lenovo Chromebook C330
- 11.6” HD Touch Display (1366 x 768)
- MediaTek MT8173C Processor (4 Cores, 2.1 GHz)
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB eMMC Storage
- Chrome OS
- 10 hour battery life
Another great Lenovo Chromebook, the C330 puts out smooth performance with its MediaTek CPU, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage. The touch display adds convenience for navigation and Android apps. Compact and portable.
6. Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop
- 15.6” HD Touch Display (1366 x 768)
- Intel Pentium Silver N5030 (4 cores, 1.1 GHz)
- 8GB RAM
- 128GB SSD
- Windows 11 Home in S Mode
- 5+ hour battery life
This Dell Inspiron stands out with an 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD to deliver better responsiveness. The 15.6” touchscreen maximizes viewing area for work and entertainment. Reliable productivity machine.
7. Asus Chromebook C202XA
- 11.6″ HD Display (1366 x 768)
- Intel Celeron N3060 (Dual-Core, 1.6 GHz)
- 4GB RAM
- 32GB eMMC Storage
- Chrome OS
- 10 hour battery life
Asus built the rugged C202 for education settings with rubber bumpers and a spill-resistant design that stands up to student life. The Intel Celeron processor and 4GB RAM provide capable performance for using Chrome OS and Android apps.
8. Acer Aspire 5 Slim
- 15.6” HD LED Display (1366 x 768)
- AMD Athlon Silver 3050U (Dual-core, 2.3 GHz)
- 4GB RAM
- 128GB SSD
- Windows 10 Home in S Mode
- 8 hour battery life
This slim Acer Aspire 5 focuses on portability with its lightweight 3.97lb chassis. Performance remains responsive with the AMD Athlon CPU, 4GB RAM and speedy 128GB SSD powering the 15.6” display.
9. Samsung Chromebook 4
- 11.6” HD Display (1366 x 768)
- Intel Celeron N4000 (Dual-Core, 1.1 GHz)
- 4GB RAM
- 32GB eMMC Storage
- Chrome OS
- 12.5 hour battery
Samsung’s premium Chromebook 4 delivers reliable performance with its Intel Celeron chipset and 32GB storage. Battery life lasts over 12 hours for all-day use. An excellent option for browsing, streaming, and productivity.
10. Lenovo Ideapad 1i
- 14” HD Display (1366 x 768)
- Intel Celeron N4020 (Dual-core, 1.1 GHz)
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB eMMC Storage
- Windows 10 Home in S Mode
- 6 hour battery life
Rounding out the list, the 14” Lenovo Ideapad 1i provides good screen real estate for work powered by an Intel Celeron CPU and 4GB RAM. 64GB storage provides room for some apps and files alongside web-based schoolwork.
Conclusion: Although capabilities are more limited than premium models, these sub-$300 laptops offer everything students need for assignments, entertainment, classwork, and basic tasks. For budget-conscious students, these choices offer great value. Hope this helps.
