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There are several hundreds of lists of best small laptops under 400 USD, scattered all over the web. It can be so confusing, especially if you’re a student or highly mobile professional with a looming deadline. Hence, we did the work and recommend ✅Asus LM203MA alongside 6 other laptops as the best laptops under 400 USD.
See?
We have you in mind, all the time.
Seriously, contrary to popular opinion, the best small laptops under 400 USD don’t have to be cheap in performance and design.
As unbelievable as it may seem, you can get the best possible performance combined with beautiful design from budget laptops.
Let’s show you what we mean.
Best Small Laptops Under 400 USD
Comparison table of the best budget laptops under 400 USD.
| S/N | Product | Image | Specifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asus L203MA Laptop |   | Processor: Intel Celeron N4000 Display size: 11.6" RAM: 4GB Hard Disk: 64GB Operating System: Windows 10 Home Weight: 2.2 lbs Battery life: Up to 10hrs |
| 2 | HP Stream Laptop |   | Processor: Intel Celeron N4000 Display size: 11.6" RAM: 4GB Hard Disk: 32GB Operating System: Windows 10 Home Weight: 2.37lbs Battery life: Up to 12hrs |
| 3 | Samsung Chromebook |   | Processor: Intel N3060 Display size: 15.6" RAM: 4GB Hard Disk: 16GB Operating System: Chrome Weight: 2.4lbs Battery life: Up to 11hrs |
| 4 | HP 14a-na00 Chromebook |   | Processor: Intel Celeron N4000 Display size: 14.0" RAM: 4GB Hard Disk: 32GB HDD Operating System: Windows 10 Weight: 2.4lbs Battery life: Upto 13hrs |
| 5 | HP 14-db00 Chromebook |   | Processor: AMD Dual-Core A49120 Display size: 14" RAM: 4GB Hard Disk: 32GB Operating System: Chrome Weight: 3lbs Battery life: 9.25hrs |
| 6 | Lenovo IdeaPad S150 |   | Processor: AMD A6-9220e Display size: 14" RAM: 4GB Hard Disk: 64GB Operating System: Windows 10 Home Weight: 3.1lbs Battery life: Upto 5hrs |
| 7 | Acer Chromebook |   | Processor: Intel Celeron N4000 Display size: 14" RAM: 4GB Hard Disk: 64GB Operating System: Google Chrome Weight: 4.89lbs Battery life: Upto 12hrs |
1. Asus L203MA -Best Small Laptop Under 400 USD
Small and compact, the Asus Vivobook is easily the best small laptops under 400 USD.
Besides its popularity with users, the performance specifications and unique design speak for itself.
Design
Smaller than an A4 paper, Vivobook L203MA is designed for students and professionals who are highly mobile.
It has a beautiful, sleek and minimalist design.
In size, it’s super-thin and compact, you could even mistake it for a tablet.
Also, it has a durable and flexible 180 degree hinge.
Hence, you can lay it flat out on a table or any surface, like a notebook.
Display
Although small, the 11.6″ HD 1366 x 768 screen is super bright.
Also, it features Tru2Life technology which optimises sharpness and contrast by 150%.
Therefore, it produces realistic, sharp and vivid images.
Keyboard
In spite of the small size, it has a full-size ergonomic keyboard with 1.6 mm travel.
Hence, you enjoy supreme typing experience and comfort.
Also, the track pad is responsive and smooth.
Software / Hardware / Connectivity
Asus Vivobook is powered by the efficient Intel Celeron N4000 Dual-Core processor.
This ensures speedy startup/booting as well as fast processes.
Furthermore, it comes with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
However, you have access to more storage by using external storage drives or cloud storage.
Also, it comes with one year free Microsoft 365 office and OneDrive storage.
In addition, it comes pre-installed with Windows 10 Home in S mode.
You’d have to upgrade this easily and freely otherwise, you’d be restricted to only the programs and apps in the Windows Store.
For connectivity, it has 1 x USB-C, 2 x USB 3.1, 1 x HDMI and 1 x MicroSD slot.
The Asus SonicMaster technology provides impressive audio with the dual speakers.
Weight
Call it featherweight and you wouldn’t be far from the truth.
It weighs 2.2 lbs.
Battery
It lasts up to 10 hrs.
Now, what can get better than that!
PROS
- Sleek and beautiful design
- Small and compact
- Lightweight
- Great keyboard
- Long battery life
CONS
- Limited memory
Asus Vivobook is the perfect laptop for every light and mobile user.
Click the image above to buy on Amazon.
2. HP Stream 11″ HD Laptop -Second Best Small Laptop Under 400
HP Stream is undoubtedly one of the best small laptops under 400 USD.
It’s apparently designed for studying, entertainment and light business activities.
Design
Sleek, slim, cute and compact, this laptop would win your heart at first sight.
No kidding.
You wouldn’t believe how small it is until you have it in your palm.
Also, it comes in an attractive diamond white colour.
Furthermore, it has a vertically brushed pattern and the finish is smooth and beautiful to touch.
Display
Although small, the 11″ 1366 x 768 diagonal HD screen is as clear and bright as you can get.
Also, it comes with AntiGlare WLED-backlight and 73% screen to body ratio.
Keyboard
It features a full-size keyboard and smooth trackpad.
Software / Hardware / Connectivity
HP Stream 11 runs on Intel Celeron N4000 Dual-Core processor.
Hence, it’s efficient in processing.
Also, it comes with 4GB RAM and 32GB eMMC.
This might limit you particularly in multitasking and storage.
But you can increase the storage by using an SD or MicroSD card.
Furthermore, it comes with free 1TB of OneDrive Storage for 1 year.
Storage problem solved!
Additionally, you get a free Microsoft Office 365 which grants you full access to Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint, OneNote, Access.
All for one year.
Weight
It’s very light at 2.37 lbs.
Battery
The battery lasts up to 12 hours!
This means you can literally go a full day without plugging your laptop in.
PROS
- Beautiful design
- Small and compact
- Very good battery life
- Lightweight
CONS
- Limited memory and storage
You can very easily take around this super-slim and light laptop with you anywhere.
Get it on Amazon by clicking on the image above.
3. Samsung Chromebook
Samsung 11.6″ Chromebook is another one on our list of best small laptops under 400 USD.
It’s a best-seller and after reading the next few lines, you’d understand why.
Design
It’s small, sleek, compact and light in weight.
The design is tastefully thought-through and executed.
This is evident in the smooth and sleek finishing.
Display
It comes with a cute 11.6″ 1366 x 768 HD LED-backlit non-reflective display.
Although not as bright as the more advanced 1080p, the imagery is decent and sharp enough for the price point.
Furthermore, you can control the screen brightness to your desire.
Keyboard
It has a decent keyboard with enough travel.
Also, the mousepad is absolutely responsive and easy to use.
Software / Hardware / Connectivity
This laptop is powered by Intel N3060 which clocks in at 2.4GHz.
With 4GB RAM and 16GB eMMC flash memory, the startup is instant (without delay) but you have limited space.
Also, you’d not be able to open too many windows simultaneously without the system dragging.
Bluetooth, HDMI, 1 x 2.0 USB, 1 x USB 3.0 ports allow you to connect rapidly.
Typical of Chromebooks, this Samsung unit comes with Chrome OS.
Weight
Samsung Chromebook is very light at 2.4 lbs.
Battery
Average battery life is 11 hours. Absolutely fantastic if you ask us.
PROS
- Small and compact
- Affordable
- Long battery life
CONS
- Very limited memory
If you really need a small laptop to keep up with your busy lifestyle, you’d love to get your hands on this Chromebook. It’s one of the best small laptops under 400 USD.
4. HP 14a Chromebook
Yet another small laptop on our list of best small laptops under 400 USD is the HP Chromebook.
If you are a productivity and entertainment buff, you’d love this laptop because it provides all the flexibility you need in a small package.
Design
It has an attractive, sleek and responsive design that stands it out of the crowd.
Its plastic casing with brushed finish is surprisingly sturdy.
Also, the silver colour gives it a classy edge over its traditional grey and black counterparts.
Screen
It comes with a beautiful 14″ diagonal HD 1366 x 768 display.
This also features an SVA antiglare micro-edge WLED-backlit and has an 82% screen to body ratio.
Although the resolution isn’t the best, you still enjoy the decently bright imagery.
Furthermore, the display glass is arsenic-free.
Shows the manufacturer made this with the users’ health and comfort in mind.
That’s a plus for this sleek beauty.
Keyboard
You have no option than to enjoy your typing experience on this Chromebook with the very comfortable keyboard.
The bouncy chiclet-style keys are coloured white. They’re evenly-spaced and large with travel of 1.2mm.
Additionally, it comes with a low halogen, mercury-free backlight and a very smooth multi-touch touchpad.
Software / Hardware / Connectivity
It runs on Intel Celeron N4000 dual processor, 1.1GHz base frequency up to 2.6GHz.
There’s enough power for every of your daily task.
Also, it comes with 4GB RAM and 32GB eMMC which is sufficient for your day-to-day activities.
However, we wouldn’t recommend heavy applications on the laptop.
You have access to Google play store.
Hence you can run as many android apps as you want and love on this laptop.
It basically combines the functions of your phone and tablet into one compact slightly-bigger-than-tablet device.
The innovative design makes sure the laptop operates noiselessly with no unsightly vent or hardware.
As a result of this, the dual speakers custom-tuned by HP experts deliver a rich blast of authentic audio for your pleasure.
Weight
It weighs 2.4 lbs.
Battery
The battery life is excellent at up to 13 hours.
Very impressive.
Moreover, it comes with the HP Fast Charge technology, which ensures you get from 0 to 50% charge in approximately 45 minutes.
PROS
- Beautiful design
- Strong and sturdy
- Great battery life
- Great keyboard
CONS
- Can’t handle heavy applications
To purchase on Amazon, click on the image above.
5. HP 14inch Chromebook
The second HP Chromebook that made our list of best small laptops under 400 USD is this cute and compact HP (14-db0020nr) Chromebook.
Design
Although it’s a different model, it’s very much similar in specifications to the previous HP Chromebook listed above.
Small, cute and compact in form, you’d find it a worthy companion.
However, one of the major differences is the colour.
This comes in Chalkboard Gray colour while the first one comes in white.
Screen
It has a 14.0-inch 1366 x 768 HD SVA anti-glare WLED-backlit Display.
The screen is crisp, colours vivid and the images decently sharp.
Furthermore, it comes with a flexible hinge and a 180 degree swivel.
This enables you to rotate the laptop up to 180 degrees.
Sharing your project screen with work colleagues or friends is a breeze.
Keyboard
Typing on the keyboard is very enjoyable and satisfying.
The keys are clean, smooth and responsive.
Software / Hardware / Connectivity
Powered by AMD Dual-Core a4-9120, processes are fast on the Chromebook.
Like the previous Chromebook, this also comes with 4GB DDR4-1866 SDRAM and 32GB eMMC.
About the only challenge with this is the fact that you may not be able to multitask or run heavy programs and applications on your Chromebook.
Also, you’d have to supplement the storage with external devices or cloud storage.
Furthermore, it comes with micro-SD card slot so you’d also need to buy an adapter to make use of a full card.
Weight
It’s handy and relatively lightweight at 3 lbs.
Battery
At up to 9.25 hours backup time, the battery life is splendid.
PROS
- Small and compact
- Lightweight
- Excellent sound
- Great keyboard
CONS
- Low memory and storage
To purchase on Amazon, click on the image above.
6. Lenovo IdeaPad S150
A compact budget laptop which is very perfect for students and budget conscious professionals, this Lenovo IdeaPad S150 is one of the best small laptops under 400 USD.
Design
In design, it’s simple, slim and handy.
The body has a sleek metallic finish and comes in silver colour.
This might have you thinking or feeling you’ve got a more expensive machine on your hands.
It definitely adds something to the attraction.
Display
Lenovo IdeaPad S150 looks like a full-sized laptop at first glance, thanks to the full-size 14inch 1366 x 768 FHD display.
The AMD Radeon R4 graphics ensures the quality of visuals is great.
To get a more immersive visual experience, you can connect to an HDTV or high-definition monitor.
Keyboard
It features a full chiclet-keys keyboard with a great layout.
The keys have decent travel that makes typing super-easy.
Software / Hardware / Connectivity
The laptop is powered by the AMD A6-9220e up to 1.6 to 2.4GHz. This is great for your basic tasks.
Also, it features 4GB DDR4 RAM and 64GB eMMC flash memory.
Although this is a great improvement on previously listed laptops’ storages, it might still be restrictive if you’re heavy on multitasking and heavy processes.
You’d have to deal with freezing and lagging if you attempt running too many applications or browsers at the same time.
If your requirement is for a graphics + memory-intensive laptop, you’d have to consider more powerful laptops.
Furthermore, it comes preinstalled with Windows 10 Home OS.
For connectivity, there are 1 x HDMI, 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, Card Reader and headphone jack ports
Battery
The battery lasts up to 5hours which is not as great a performance as expected.
Weight
IdeaPad S150 is handy at 3.10lbs.
PROS
- Compact and small
- Affordable
- Great keyboard
CONS
- Poor battery performance
- Limited memory
If your needs are basic, Lenovo IdeaPad offers you great value for money and we consider it as one of the best small laptops under 400 USD.
To purchase on Amazon, tap the image above.
7. Acer Chromebook 314 Laptop
Last but definitely not the least on our list of best small laptops under 400 USD is the Acer Chromebook 314 Laptop.
Design
Thin, light, sleek and compact in design, you’d love the feel of this laptop.
Screen
Of all the laptops featured on this list of best small laptops under 400 USD, only this comes with a Full HD 1920 x 1080 widescreen LED-backlit display.
The screen is bright and immersive, fantastic for outdoors and other bright-conditioned areas. the images crisp and clear.
Keyboard
The keyboard is great in use with evenly spaced-out keys.
However, the trackpad requires a bit of effort in pressing down before responding the way you’d want it.
Also, a noticeable design flaw is the awkward placement of the left shift key which is used to capitalise letters.
It’s normal position was taken up by the search key and could be disruptive for experienced typists/users already used to having the left shift key at its normal position.
Software / Hardware / Connectivity
Powered by the Intel Celeron N4000, bootup is in record time, very fast.
It has 4GB LPDDR4, 64GB eMMC Gigabit WiFi and runs on Google Chrome OS.
Furthermore, it runs on the innovative Chrome OS which is actually built to support the way we all live our lives today.
Interestingly, it comes with in-built virus protection.
In addition, the anti-virus automatically updates itself.
Hence, your laptop is kept safe from malicious attacks, giving you invaluable peace of mind when you go on the web.
Another good point of this laptop is the fact that it comes with built-in storage where you can access your important files offline.
Also, there’s an additional 100GB Google Drive space for you where your files are automatically backed up.
So you don’t have to worry about losing any of your vital documents.
Furthermore, there are 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, microSD Card Reader and an HD Webcam which supports Super High Dynamic Range (SHDR).
Weight
Slightly heavier than the others, this Chromebook weighs 4.89lbs.
This explains why it’s featured last on this list. All the same, it’s still very compact and handy.
Battery
At up to 12hrs back up time, you can literally go the whole day without plugging in your charger.
PROS
- Fantastic screen resolution
- Compact design
- Great keyboard
- Efficient processor
- Built-in virus protection
CONS
- Relatively heavy
To purchase Acer Chromebook on Amazon, click on the image above.
Conclusion -Best Small Laptops Under 400 USD.
We believe we’ve been able to convince you that low budget doesn’t have to get you poor quality laptops.
To purchase this or any of the other laptops featured, simply tap on any of the images.
