8 of the best laptops for college students — all under $400

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Back-to-school season is here and finding the best laptop for college is honestly an ongoing task. Amazon Prime Day may be over, but there are actually some insane laptop deals on Amazon dropping left and right. With this in mind, now is the best time to save big on some of the best options you can find online.

Whether used for remote learning or toting around a physical campus, a laptop is arguably the No. 1 necessity for any college student. Unfortunately, some of the best options available today are pretty expensive. So, to make your shopping experience less laborious and more pocket-friendly, we’ve rounded up the best laptops for college students, all under $400.

To further simplify things, we’ve separated each carefully curated pick into a category that represents its best quality. We’ve got you covered with the best laptops that won’t break the bank, broken into eight different categories:

Check out our picks below, featuring brands like HP, Microsoft, Lenovo, ASUS and more.

1. Best Overall: HP Stream 14-Inch Laptop, $180 (Orig. $219.99)

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This is, without a doubt, one of the best and most affordable Windows laptops you can buy right now. Unlike most cheap Windows laptops, the HP Stream 14-Inch Laptop is fast, compact and lightweight. Plus, it comes with Windows 10 Home in S Mode, Office 365, 1 TB of storage and free Office 365 Personal for one whole year.

If you’re looking for a Windows laptop for school that won’t break the bank and does the job, this is the best you’ll find for the price. It’s fast enough to meet most undergrad students’ computing needs. Also, as a welcome bonus, it has a 14-inch screen that’s definitely much nicer to look at than most budget Windows notebooks.

2. Most Affordable/Best Deal: Lenovo IdeaPad 3 11 Chromebook Laptop, $117.99 (Orig. $219.99)

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This No. 1 best-selling laptop is the perfect option if you’re on a budget and need a computer that’s also extremely long-lasting.

Lenovo’s IdeaPad 3 is currently a whopping 46% off on Amazon, retailing for just $117. What’s even better than the price, though, is its easy functionality. You don’t need to set up this laptop. After it arrives, all you need to do is log in with your Google account and you’re ready to go.

It’s also extremely slim and lightweight, making it perfect for running to classes on campus, and it boasts 10 hours of battery life on a single charge.

3. Most Versatile: ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 Thin And Light 2-In-1 Laptop, $391.52 (Orig. $479.99)

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While academics are surely the bread and butter of college, the key to having a successful college career is balance. The ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 Thin And Light 2-In-1 Laptop provides that in the sleekest possible package for the price.

This laptop can handle both homework and extracurricular Internet use with ease, and best of all, it’s bendable so you can use it as both a laptop and a tablet. For those early mornings when you’re hours deep into a Netflix binge but need to add the finishing touches on a final paper, this is the perfect option.

The convertible, 360-degree laptop/tablet hybrid comes with Windows 10 Home in S Mode and a free upgrade to Windows 11, so you’ll be ready to go for all your classwork and projects. It also has a fingerprint reader for extra security, works with a stylus or pen for sketching and note-taking and has a full-size, sleek backlit keyboard.

4. Best Under-$200 Option: HP Chromebook 11-Inch Laptop, $135 (Orig. $164)

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You’ll be hard-pressed to find a quality laptop deal this cheap. The HP Chromebook 11-Inch Laptop is both Amazon-recommended and shopper-approved. Retailing for just $160, this is the most affordable option on the list, but don’t confuse its low price tag for inferior quality or performance.

In addition to being extremely portable and lightweight, this laptop has one of the most robust battery lives of any laptop in its price range. It boasts an impressive 15-hour-and-45-minute battery life on one single charge, so you can stay connected without having to frantically search for a power outlet.

Its optimal battery also works well with its graphics card, which HP built to perform well without draining the battery. So you can watch your favorite HD shows and movies without running out of juice too quickly.

5. Best Chromebook Pick: Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5, $326 (Orig. $429.99)

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There’s a reason why Chromebooks have been some of the most sought-after portable computers for years. They’re affordable, versatile and have everything you need already built in, eliminating the need to purchase secondary software or programs.

Based on reviews and several rankings, the best-selling Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is the king of the Chromebook scene. This one boasts excellent above-average performance for its low price and features one of the best keyboards and trackpads in its price range. It’s also extremely compact, lightweight and has a 1080p resolution touch screen that’s vivid and bright.

Its battery life is just long enough to last you through a full day of work and classes, but if you need something a bit more substantial that won’t have you cutting it too close, we recommend snagging the HP Chromebook 11-Inch Laptop (our No. 4 pick), which is actually $191 cheaper.

6. Most Durable: Dell Chromebook 11, $219.97 (Orig. $349.82)

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The Dell Chromebook 11 was built to withstand the rigors and pressures of daily life in all its forms.

From the classroom and commuting to at-home use and everything in between, this one is rugged, making it affordable and extremely difficult to break.

Also, if you’re accident-prone and always tend to spill your morning coffee on your laptop, this is the perfect investment as it features a spill-resistant keyboard.

This Dell Chromebook also differs from others in the Chromebook category since it’s actually a breeze to use and is famously well engineered. Its textured black plastic exterior also makes it fit perfectly into any professional or college classroom setting. And if you drop your laptop more often than normal, this one’s a no-brainer — according to Dell, this system is tested to survive 30-inch drops onto a steel surface.

7. Best Lightweight Option: New Microsoft Surface Go 2, $283 (Orig. $399.99)

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Not only is the Microsoft Surface Go 2 the ideal modern two-in-one pick, but it’s also extremely lightweight and perfect for those who want the option of investing in a tablet that can transform into a laptop with the addition of one simple accessory.

Those who travel, commute to campus or work remotely from a coffee shop or park will love this option. It’s the ideal travel companion and features a detachable screen and keyboard. Best of all, it can handle just about everything a fully functioning desktop computer can.

And speaking of portability, this new addition to the Microsoft Surface lineup weighs just 1.19 lb, so it will add little to no bulk to your backpack or satchel.

8. Largest Display: Samsung Chromebook 4 + Chrome OS, $201.99 (Orig. $299.99)

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Samsung is one of the most reliable and trusted brands in the tech space, so it’s no surprise that one of its devices gets a spot on this list. One area where the tech juggernaut excels is balancing size with performance.

If you’re looking for a laptop with slightly above-average screen real estate, the Samsung Chromebook 4 is the perfect pick. While all of the laptops featured on this list have screens that measure 14 inches or less in diameter, this one boasts a 15.6-inch screen that’s perfect for watching movies and writing papers.

Also, if you have larger hands, this is the best bang for your buck as the slightly larger than average keyboard and palm rests complement the larger screen size.

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