But not everything in this price range is a Windows-based laptop. The newest category to emerge in the last couple of years are Chromebooks. These inexpensive Google-Chrome-based laptops may not offer a full Windows experience, but there are many new designs to choose from, with prices below $300, and a user experience that's perfect for social media and Web-based productivity.
Hardware, however, is going be minimal, with few ports (think only one or two USB ports), and even less storage, but you've got the cloud. And a strong Wi-Fi connection is a must for getting your Chromebook online and accessing your files. Whether you're on a tight budget or merely want to stretch your shopping dollar farther, we have 10 choice laptops to check out.
You may give up a feature or two—or even the entire operating system—but these 10 frugal favorites deliver the most bang for your buck. For more on what to look for when choosing the right laptop, read our buying guide. Also check out our list of top laptop picks overall.
Dell Inspiron 11 3000 Series 2-in-1 (3147)
$429.99 at Dell, The entry-level Dell Inspiron 11 3000 Series 2-in-1 (3147) proves that you don't have to compromise if you want a convertible-hybrid laptop that lasts all day and fully utilizes its touch screen. More than 8 hours of battery life. Thin and compact. Feels sturdy. Comfortable to hold. Full-size HDMI port and three USB ports.Asus Transformer Book T100TA (64GB)
$319.99 at Amazon, For a sub-$400 price, the Asus Transformer Book T100TA is a fully functional Windows 8.1 hybrid tablet, and the natural successor to the netbook ideal from a few years ago. It gives you a bright, usable PC an affordable price. Plus it avoids all of the compatibility issues that plague tablets running mobile operating systems like iOS, Android, or Windows RT.HP Chromebook 11 (Verizon LTE)
$299.00 at Best Buy, The HP Chromebook 11 (Verizon LTE) builds upon a slim and stylish design with a mobile internet connection that frees the Chromebook from the limitations of Wi-Fi. Has 4G LTE capability. Sleek design. Solid construction. Bright In-Plane Switching (IPS) display.Acer Chromebook C720P-2600
$309.74 at WalMart, With a bright, clear touch screen and all-day battery life, the Acer Chromebook C720P-2600 dominates among Chromebooks. Great boot times and battery life. Dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi. Bright, anti-glare, 10-point touch screen. Under three pounds. Desktop-class browser. Has 32GB local SSD and 100GB Google Drive storage.HP Stream 13 (13-c020nr)
$229.99 at HP, The HP Stream 13 is a very inexpensive full Windows 8.1 ultraportable laptop, but its long battery life, looks, and speed resemble that of a much pricier system. Inexpensive. Very good battery life. eMMC solid-state drive (SSD) speeds up operations. Good selection of ports. Has OneDrive storage and Office 365 free for a year.Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e Chromebook
$426.55 at Lenovo, The education-oriented ThinkPad Yoga 11e blends the typical Chromebook with Lenovo's best design, and beefs it up to survive the trials of school life. It's one of the best models we've seen, but it's also one of the most expensive. The education-oriented Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e Chromebook takes the best of both and throws in some ruggedization for good measure. In many ways, it's the best Chrome-OS-based laptop we've seen yet, but it's also one of the most expensive. At $479 (as tested), the Yoga 11e Chromebook is far more expensive than the top-performing Acer Chromebook C720P-2600$309.74 at WalMart, and that's enough to keep it from getting our full recommendation. But while it's no bargain, Lenovo's education-oriented Chromebook is still an undeniable contender, and if the company can figure out a way to knock a hundred bucks off the list price, it would get our emphatic recommendation.Toshiba CB35-A3120 Chromebook
$299.99 at Amazon, The Toshiba CB35-A3120 Chromebook is a 13.3-inch Chromebook made for the value-oriented, Internet-connected laptop user. If you're in the market for a sub-$300 laptop, the CB35-A3120$239.99 at Amazon is worth a long look. It's great for surfing the Web, with full access to the entire Internet, not just the mobile-optimized sites as you would get on an iOS- or Android-based tablet. This clamshell-style laptop gives you the full keyboard needed for writing emails, memos, and term papers. A couple of nits keep it from our top honors, but regardless, the CB35-A3120 is still highly recommended.
