Best Chromebooks under 400 Dollars: Top 5 Chromebooks under $400

Chromebooks have been around in the market for a few years now, and they are becoming  better and better each year, and slowly being appreciated by the masses. Chromebooks are a great alternative to the traditional laptops, as they offer a stable and safe surfing environment and a smooth performance.

Chromebooks have been rated as one of the go-to budget devices users, with the cheapest ones priced under 150$. For those of you who are not necessarily looking for a cheap notebook, the good news is that Chromebooks are maturing each year, and more models are coming out with more features and better build quality. In this article, we have compiled a list of some of the best Chromebooks under 400 available right now. But before we jump to the list, let’s check some of the things you should consider before buying a Chromebooks.

What to consider before getting a Chromebook?

• The price factor : When buying a new laptop, most people consider the price as the main factor. And because Chromebooks are more affordable than traditional laptops, they quickly became very popular among students and people who are mainly looking for a basic device. Chromebooks are available in all price budgets. Depending upon how much you wish to shell out, you can choose the Chromebook that suits you the best. However, you should always keep in mind that traditional laptops and Chromebooks use two different operating systems, and you should have a clear idea on what you’ll need your Chromebook to do.
• Intended use of the Chromebook: As we said, Chromebooks are running Google’s Chrome OS, which is a different operating system from Windows, Mac OS, or Linux. A Chromebook can be a great choice if you need a laptop for browsing the internet, sending emails, typing, watching videos or streaming Netflix… etc. However, If you need a laptop for anything such as gaming, video editing, programming…etc, then a traditional laptop is a better option for you.
• The person intending to use it: Chromebooks can be used by students, professionals and everyone who is looking for a stable and easy to use device. They can be a great choice for kids and for senior users.
• The specifications: Like traditional laptops, Chromebooks come in different price ranges and offer different features. You should always check the specifications such as the CPU, RAM, the storage capacity, screen size…etc.

Advantages of a Chromebook:

• Optimized for Google Apps – If you are one of those who completely rely on Google apps then you will love Chromebooks. The Chrome OS is built around Google Apps, and is optimized to use them.
• Fast Setup – Chromebooks are as easy as smartphones when it comes to setting them up. For those of you who might find Windows laptops complicated, and hate dealing with updates and installing and uninstalling stuff, then Chromebooks might be an option. Chromebooks do not need any anti-virus software or major updates. It all takes place automatically.
• Travel Friendly & Portable- Chromebooks take portability to a whole new level. The reason being, they are easy to be put up in your back up whenever you are on the go! Great battery life and cloud data storage enhance its portability and make it extremely convenient to travel with.
• Inexpensive Option – Best things always come with a hefty price tag, and while some premium Chromebooks, such as the Google Pixelbook, can be quite expensive, the truth is most of them are moderately priced.

Now that you have an idea about Chromebooks and whether you should consider a Chromebook in the first place, here are some of the best Chromebooks under 400 you can find:

Best Chromebooks under 400 Dollars:

Acer Chromebook 514, CB514-1H-C47X

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The new Acer Chromebook 514 is a device that will offer lots of value for your money. The Chromebook 514 comes with an Intel Celeron N3350 Dual-Core processor , 4GB of RAM, and a 32GB eMMC storage. In terms of performance, this Chromebook is very snappy and responsive. And while we’d love to have a bigger storage capacity, it should be noted that Chromebooks come with 100GB of Google Drive space. There is also a version with 64GB storage.

But there are other reasons why the Acer 514 is first on our list: such as the design, its great screen, and its great keyboard. Unlike many cheaper Chromebooks out there, the Acer 514 comes in a stylish and durable aluminum chassis. And even if it’s a 14 inch device, the footprint remains contained thanks to narrow bezels around the screen.

The Keyboard is also one of the reasons why you’d choose this Chromebook over a similarly priced laptop. The typing experience is very comfortable, and the tactile feedback is good. The keyboard is also backlit.

Asus Chromebook Flip

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The Asus Chromebook flip C213SA-YS02 comes with a ruggedized and spill proof casing, and a flexible 360 degree high strength hinge that allows you to use it in tablet or laptop modes. This Chromebook is perfect if you’re looking for a lightweight and easy to carry device. And thanks to its rugged design, it is also protected from drops and accidents, which is great if you’re buying it for kids.

The flip C213SA-YS02 has a 11.6″ HD+ display and comes with an Intel Dual-Core Apollo Lake N3350 processor, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, and 32GB Flash Storage. It also supports Android Apps, which means that you can install and run any mobile app that has been optimized for Chromebooks.

Acer Chromebook R 13

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The Acer Chromebook R13 is a great choice if you’re searching for a premium looking 2 in 1 device. Thanks to its 360° hinge, the R13 is easy to use whether you are using the touch screen, or browsing the web. But there are also other reasons why the Acer R13 is one of the best Chromebooks under $400.

This Chromebook also sports a gorgeous 13,3 inch Full HD screen, and is equipped with an IPS panel. And thanks to that, the R13 is a great for watching movies, Youtube, or streaming Netflix. The Chromebook R13 also supports Android apps, and you can install any mobile apps that has been optimized from Chrome OS.

Battery life is also great, and Acer claims up to 12 hours.

HP Chromebook 14

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If you think don’t like 2 in 1 laptops, or if you are on a budget, then the HP Chromebook 14 might be what you are looking for.

In terms of specs, the HP Chromebook 14 comes with an Intel Dual Core Celeron N2840 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 16GB of flash storage. For internet use, watching videos, or typing texts, this is more than enough.  It also has a decent amount of ports for its price: 1 USB 3.0 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, and a card reader.

HP Chromebook 14 also offers a surprisingly good keyboard for such a cheap device. The keys are big, and the tactile feedback is decent. And the fact that the battery life can last more than 8 hours makes the HP Chromebook 14  a perfect choice for writers, students and kids.

Lenovo Chromebook C330

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With the Chromebook C330 Lenovo has combined the best of both the worlds at a really affordable price. The Lenovo Chromebook C330 is a compact 2-in1 device that you can slip easily into your bag.

At this price range, it’s hard to find another Chromebook that has the same features as the C330. It comes with a MediaTek MT8173C Processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 64 GB eMMC storage. This laptop sports a 11,6 inch display, at 1366X768 resolution. The C330 is definitely one the best Chromebooks under 300$ you can buy right now.

The build quality is also very good considering the price. The overall design is pleasing to the eye and even if this Chromebook is entirely made of plastic,  it appears sturdy and durable.

Conclusion

Chromebooks are inexpensive and offer great performance for what they do. With the introduction of Android apps Chromebooks have got an added advantage to their features and capability. So if you don’t necessarily need a traditional windows or mac laptop, then Chromebooks are a perfect alternative!