Even if companies and specialized magazines would like to believe otherwise, the truth is that the evolution of computers has basically stopped due to a negative spiral that also seems difficult to stop: users buy less laptops, companies sell less, they innovate less, they offer models that are not too different from those of a year or two years before and there is less and less drive to change the laptop even if it has a few years on its shoulders. In essence, laptops on sale today are slightly better than those on sale a year or two ago, albeit with some different characteristics.
In this article we will find out which are the best laptops with extremely low prices (maximum € 400), but which meet the minimum requirements, so as to make it convenient to buy them to replace the old notebook of over 5-7 years ago or to have a computer from battle, one of those to carry around and to use for everyday work without too much concern of being able to ruin it or that it can break at any moment.
READ ALSO: How to choose the new Notebook in 2020
Minimum laptop requirements
Speaking of cheap computers, we must first specify what are the minimum requirements that a computer must have today, so as to avoid the poorer products offered at the sale price or as leftovers from stock. In the final chapter we will also see the best models that we can buy online, so as to save something compared to physical stores.
Before buying any notebook, make sure to read the technical characteristics, so as to make them coincide with the comments below.
Processor
The price of a computer is now more influenced by the CPU mounted inside it.
The more you spend, the faster you get a CPU (processor) for using 3D graphics and video processing programs. The Intel i5 and i7 and the AMD Ryzen 5 and 7 are the best processors for laptops since they combine power and energy savings, but we will hardly find them in the price range we are dealing with.
For low cost laptops we can find the Intel Celeron and the AMD A-Series (A4 or A9), with adequate power to start the main programs for working and studying, to which they add a more than discreet battery life. We will try to focus on models with the AMD Ryzen 3, which represent the best balance between power and energy savings in this price range.
The cheapest processors are the Intel Atom, good for surfing the Internet, watching videos and studying on the notebook but which could immediately go into difficulty with heavier programs such as Office or work suite.
To choose the processor well, we can also read our guide on how to choose between i3, i5 and i7 processors, where we find the various differences of generations of CPUs.
RAM
On laptops we do not neglect the RAM memory, which must be at least 4 GB (preferably 8GB), must be of the DDR4 so-DIMM type (very different from the modules for fixed PCs) and above all there must be at least one slot expansion, so you can add memory if needed.
To deepen the discussion we recommend you read the guide Types of RAM of the computer: DDR, shape and speed .
Internal memory
When looking for a laptop with a price that is not too high, even with a medium-level processor, you obviously have to give up something and, specifically, what you usually lose is the possibility of obtaining a PC with SSD unit, much faster than to the traditional hard disk .
On some laptops, on the other hand, an eMMC unit can be found, which would be like the memory of a USB stick, usually limited in space but cheap, with higher speed and performance than mechanical hard drives, but not such as to be comparable to an SSD (see difference between SSD and eMMC)
If we find an inexpensive laptop with a mechanical disk, immediately replace it with a small SSD such as the SanDisk Plus SSD 240 GB, which we can also find for less than € 40. If we don't know how to replace the disk, we advise you to follow the steps described in our guide How to replace the laptop disk with a new SSD .
The mechanical disk removed from the laptop can always be used as an external hard disk, so as to save the most important files; in this regard, we can follow the suggestions of our article on how to transform internal disk into portable external drive .
Battery
Battery life, unfortunately, is a feature that is sacrificed in laptops with a medium-low price and you will have to settle for a maximum autonomy of 2 hours, maximum 3 hours. If the battery is removable, insert it in the notebook only if strictly necessary, so as to increase its duration over time.
Video Card
When you don't spend too much on a laptop it means that we are not thinking about the latest generation video games so the impact of the video card becomes negligible, considering that many modern processors integrate a video chip inside that can manage at least the 3D effects and the hardware acceleration of the operating system.
Dimensions and screen
The size of the laptop depends a lot on the screen size needs you prefer and, as it can be quite obvious, the bigger the notebook, the more the price goes up.
In some cases you can find modular computers that are like touchscreen tablets with detachable keyboard . Although this type of two-in-one convertible computer may seem attractive and valuable, consider that if the price is low it means that the interior is penalized and that, therefore, it will have a low-power processor, a very small disk and little RAM memory .
We therefore try to choose a model with a 15-inch screen, so as to have the right size and adequate screen / body ratio.
Operating system
If you want to save money, we certainly cannot think of an Apple MacBook, but we must look to Windows 10 PCs, which has now become an extremely flexible operating system so that it can be used without problems even on low-end PCs.
Best laptops under 400 Euros
After these premises on the minimum requirements, we can finally go and see which are the best low-cost mid-level laptops, notebooks that you can buy at a price not exceeding 400 Euros . The reference point for prices always remains Amazon, which as an online store gives us a wider variety of choice than shopping malls.Acer Aspire 1
The cheapest laptop we can focus on is the Asus X540NA, which has a 15.6-inch HD screen, 1.1 GHz multi-core Intel Pentium Silver processor, 64GB eMMC, 4 GB of RAM, USB 2.0 and 3.0 connection, HDMI port and Windows 10 operating system.
We can view this laptop from here -> Acer Aspire 1 (210 €).
HP 255 G7
Another low cost laptop to bet on to save money is the HP 255 G7, which provides a 15.6 ”display, 2.3GHz AMD A4 9125 processor with AMD Radeon R3 graphics card, 4GB RAM, 500 M.2 SSD GB, HDMI port, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, DVD burner and Window 10 operating system.
We can view this laptop from here -> HP 255 G7 (320 €).
Asus VivoBook
If we want to spend a little more for a work notebook we can see the Asus VivoBook, which has a 15.6 "HD LED display, Intel Dual Core processor up to 2.4GHz, 4GB of RAM memory, 500GB mechanical disk, 3 ports USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, wireless mouse, DVD burner and Windows 10 Pro operating system.
We can view this laptop from here -> Asus VivoBook (€ 288).
Lenovo IdeaPad S145
One of the best laptops in this price range is without a doubt the Lenovo IdeaPad S145, which boasts a 15.6 "Full HD display, AMD A9 processor, 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM, Bluetooth, Dual band Wi-Fi and Windows 10 operating system.
We can view this laptop from here -> Lenovo IdeaPad S145 (399 €).
Acer Aspire 3
Another good level laptop in this price range is the Acer Aspire 3 which boasts a 15.6 "HD LED display, 256 GB M.2 SSD, 8 GB of RAM and Windows 10 of which different models are on sale depending on of the processor you choose.
The cheapest is the one with the Pentium Silver processor, from 256 Euros.
The most recommended, remaining below the 400 Euro figure, is the one with the 399 Euro AMD Ryzen 3 processor.
Conclusions
To buy a light and powerful enough laptop to study and surf the Internet you don't need to spend € 1000 but you only need € 400 or less, depending on the model we intend to choose and the economic availability.To learn more, we can also read our guides on How to choose the notebook laptop PC and make no mistake and, if we are looking for a gaming notebook, portable PCs to play: which to choose .
If instead we want a tablet with removable keyboard, we invite you to read our guide to the Best Tablet-PC 2 in 1 with removable keyboard .
