A new laptop is always a big investment, one that you’ll likely need to make every few years to keep up with the ever-changing technology world. You might even put it off after an initial browse when you start to see how pricey a new laptop can get, and the sheer volume of how many options are out there. <\/p>\n
But you don\u2019t always need to break the bank to get a suitable laptop. You\u2019ll still have a huge range of products to choose from if you\u2019re only looking to spend a few hundred bucks. And if you just need another device to check email on, browse YouTube, or pull up recipes, maybe a budget laptop is all you need.<\/p>\n
Cheaper laptops may not have all the features of top-of-the-line computers, but you can still get reliability and the basic features that you\u2019ll be using every day. <\/p>\n
SEE ALSO: Best laptops for kids<\/b><\/p>\n
Each individual will find different specs to be their priority. Depending on what kinds of tasks you\u2019re hoping to accomplish with your new laptop, maybe a larger screen display is what you\u2019re looking for. Perhaps if you\u2019re the kind of worker who enjoys taking your laptop to the corner cafe, battery life is super important. Maybe you\u2019re looking for a place to store all your photos and documents, in which case, more storage space is what you\u2019ll have in mind. A commuter may value a lighter laptop over a heavier machine, for ease of transport. It\u2019s all up to the individual, and just because you\u2019re looking at a lower price point doesn\u2019t mean you don\u2019t have all of these options available.<\/p>\n
This really comes down to two things: Personal preference and lifestyle.\u00a0Personal preference is self-explanatory, really \u2014 do you like having a huge display, or do you prefer something more compact? Lifestyle is where practicality comes into play. If you’re traveling often and usually have your computer on your back<\/u> in some way, you’re going to want to go with something more light and compact (thin, 11-inch models will most likely be the best).\u00a0But, if you’re a huge movie buff who doesn’t normally take their laptop on the road with them, spring for a 15-inch (and higher) screen with a bulky construction so you can have epic Netflix and chill<\/u> sessions. If you’re getting a gaming<\/u> laptop, you should probably “go big or go home,” as well. \u00a0<\/p>\nWhat am I losing by getting a cheap laptop?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Laptops in the $300-or-below price range are not going to be good for PC gaming<\/u>. You won\u2019t get a 4K resolution display or a refresh rate higher than 60Hz. RAM is going to max out around 8GB, which isn\u2019t bad but also isn\u2019t spectacular. You\u2019re also unlikely to get more than 500GB of storage space.<\/p>\n
In this price range, laptops are going to be best for web browsing, word processing, Zoom calls, and streaming. As long as you don\u2019t expect more than that, you\u2019ll be fine.<\/p>\n
You know the old saying: You get what you pay for. But thanks to the technology boom of the last few decades, a cheap laptop can actually take you pretty far and won’t break down immediately. It’s all about knowing which one to select.<\/p>\n
Rather than just making a few purchase suggestions and sending you on your way, we’re going to equip you with some knowledge that’ll help you be a more informed laptop shopper. You know all that computer jargon of processor-this and gigahertz-that \u2014 we’ll explain it all in terms that anyone can understand.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re looking for a machine for school, work, or fun, you can find a laptop that can handle the basics for less than $300. It may sound impossible in today\u2019s world, and that\u2019s why we\u2019ve listed our favorites for you below. Here are the models we love at this price point \u2014 and the ones we’ll be most hoping to see go on sale during Amazon Prime Day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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