Let's be honest: finding a good new laptop under $300 is tough. Many options in this price range use very weak processors (like Intel Pentium or Celeron) or cut too many corners like VA HD Display Panels, making them frustrating to use and frankly, often just electronic waste. If your budget is strictly capped here, your choices for a New device that's actually usable are extremely limited.
Based on current models, unless there's a fantastic sale happening, most sub-$300 laptops just aren't worth the money. However, there are a couple of exceptions usually equipped with the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor that offer just enough performance for basic tasks like web browsing, email, and document writing.
Important Tip: Before buying new, strongly consider looking at reputable second-hand marketplaces or check Best Buy for Open-Box deals. You can often find significantly better laptops (like previous generation models with Core i3/i5 or Ryzen 5) for the same price if you get lucky!
Note: Some links on this page may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Our recommendations are based on our research and opinions, focusing on the best value within this challenging price point.
If you must buy new under $300 right now, here are the only two models we'd cautiously recommend looking at:
1. ASUS Vivobook Go 15 (Ryzen 3 7320U Model)(275$)
This ASUS Vivobook Go 15 model often dips into the sub-$300 range and offers basic functionality in a portable package.
Pros:
- Affordable Price Point
- Slim and Lightweight Design
- IPS Display
- Decent 8GB DDR5 RAM for Basic Tasks
- Includes a Physical Webcam Shield for Privacy
- Fast Charging Capability
Cons:
- Display Brightness and Color Accuracy are Still Limited (despite IPS)
- Standard (Slower) SSD Storage (Still way better than the eMMC Memory that other manufacturers give)
- RAM Cannot Be Upgraded
- Uses Older Wi-Fi 5
Check/Shop for ASUS Vivobook Go 15
2. Acer Aspire 3 (Ryzen 3 7320U Model)(300$)
The Acer Aspire 3 is another common budget option, often competing directly with the ASUS Vivobook Go 15.
Pros:
- Faster NVMe SSD Storage (Improves boot/load times)
- IPS Display
- Modern Connectivity (USB-C with Charging support, Wi-Fi 6)
- Generally Decent for Everyday Office/School Tasks
Cons:
- Keyboard and Trackpad Feel Cheap and Lack Backlighting
- Display Brightness and Color Accuracy are Still Limited (despite IPS)
- Comes with Windows 11 S Mode (Easy & free to switch out, but an extra step)
- RAM Cannot Be Upgraded
Check/Shop Price for Acer Aspire 3
Want More Details?
Making a choice on a tight budget is hard. If you want more in-depth reviews before deciding, check out these resources:
Note: Some links on this page may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Our recommendations are based on our research and opinions, focusing on the best value within this challenging price point.