Best Chromebooks Under 300 Dollars: Top 10 Chromebooks under 300

Premium business Chromebooks might be hitting the stores today, but let’s not forget where they came from. The price tag is still one of the main reasons people are tempted to buy Chromebooks for. When you strip it down to the essentials, Chrome OS is just a glorified Chrome browser. But that might be just enough for your everyday browsing and video streaming, writing school assignments with Google Docs, or managing your small business’ documents.

In this article, we’ve put together a list of some the best Chromebooks under 300 dollars available right now. However, before we proceed with our list, let’s check some of the advantages that Chromebooks offer, as well as know their limits.

Compared to a traditional Windows laptop, you might feel like you’re sacrificing a lot of options. Keep in mind, though, that Chromebooks come with their own advantages as well, regardless of the low budget. Because they’re tailored towards browsing and minimal computing tasks, Chromebooks can do that well with lower specifications than other laptops. Did you know that you can use the same Android Apps that you have on your smartphone on most Chromebooks?

Here are some of the other advantages of a recent Chromebook purchase:

• No need for lengthy setups and additional software

You probably already own a Google account. To start using your Chromebook, you’ll just put in your address and password. The machine will be ready to use out of the box.

• Virtually no learning curve

If you know how to browse on Chrome and navigate Google settings on your laptop, there’s nothing for you to learn before using a Chromebook. That’s also a good reason enough why Chromebooks are suitable for young students and elderly people.

• Access your files from anywhere

With limited offline storage, you’ll mostly be saving your files in Google Drive. It’s true that you can access cloud storage on a Windows laptop too, but a Chromebook will just make a habit out of that mindset. 100 GB of free Google Drive storage are granted to any Chromebook buyer for two years. Your personal account’s setting will be saved in the cloud as well. Which makes the Chromebook a perfect machine to be accessed by multiple users, without any privacy issues.

• Updates and security

Because of its design, Chrome OS is one of the safest operating system out there. Automatic and regular updates will take care of the rest. Even if you were to lose your laptop or break it, your data would be safely stored in the cloud.

What’s the difference between a Chromebook and a regular laptop?

Other than the Operating System (OS), there are other differences between a Chromebook and a traditional Mac or Windows Laptop. The following table gives a good summary of the main differences:

Here are some of the differences between Chromebooks and traditional laptops:

Best Chromebooks Under 300 Dollars:

So, now that you have an idea about Chromebooks and what they have to offer, let’s check some of the best Chromebooks under 300 available right now!

ASUS Chromebook Flip C101PA-DB02

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The ASUS Chromebook Flip C101PA-DB02 is a small, 10.1” WXGA (1280×800) convertible laptop, with a touchscreen display. It features a Rockchip RK3399 Quad-Core processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of eMMC storage.

The specifications and overall build of the Chromebook Flip are tailored to running Android apps. You can easily navigate with the touchscreen display, just like it was a tablet, but with added Chrome OS functionality. The all metal body will also feel sturdy enough for you to carry it around with no concerns. Interesting features of this model are the inclusion of USB Type-C connectivity, a Micro SD slot, and up to 9 hours of battery life.

ASUS Chromebook C523

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The ASUS Chromebook C523 comes at the size of a traditional 15.6” laptop, with a Full HD narrow bezel and touchscreen display. It features an Intel Quad Core Pentium processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of eMMC storage. The ASUS C523  is definitely one of the best Chromebooks under 300 you can find. There is also a mouse that’s included in the bundle.

Despite featuring a touchscreen display, the C523 can last about 10 hours of average productivity on a single charge. With the help from the 180 degrees hinge, you can run Android apps just like you were on a large tablet. Including USB Type-C connectivity and a Micro SD slot, the C523 is a ready to use laptop for all the people in your household.

Lenovo Chromebook C330

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The Lenovo Chromebook C330 is a 11.6” HD laptop that will exceed your expectations. Featuring the popular convertible and touchscreen design, it’s packed with a MediaTek MT8173C processor, specifically tailored for Android apps. The C330 comes with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of eMMC storage for about 250 $, depending on the deal.

With a lightweight white plastic chassis, the C330 is a portable device that you can use for day-to-day computing, media streaming and navigating documents during your daily commute. Offering USB Type-C connectivity and a Micro SD slot, it amazes users who report the battery life reaching up to 10 hours of use.

Acer Chromebook 15 CB515-1HT-C2AE

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The Acer Chromebook 15 CB515-1HT-C2AE is another Chromebook under 300 dollars, featuring a Full HD touchscreen display. The large view and good resolution make it perfect for streaming videos, casually browsing and videoconferencing with the HD camera. This model is packed with an Intel Celeron N3350 processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of eMMC storage.

If storage space feels limited, you can easily upgrade it through the Micro SD slot. The Chromebook 15 offers an overall stylish and solid design, with a 180 degrees hinge to make the best out of the touch functionality. Notable features include USB Type-C connectivity and up to 12 hours of battery life on average use despite the 15 inch display.

HP Chromebook 14

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The HP Chromebook 14 is a 14” HD Chromebook that is geared for education and small businesses. The screen size offers the perfect balance between portability and productivity. Featuring an Intel Celeron Dual Core N3350 processor, the Chromebook 14 comes with 4 GB of RAM and a 32 GB SSD.

Despite being all plastic, the HP Chromebook 14 offers a solid enough build for its price. With USB Type-C connectivity, a Micro SD slot, and an all-day lasting battery life there will be plenty for you to accomplish with it right out of the box. A special mention goes to the touchpad of this model, that seems to be very responsive, with many intuitive gestures to navigate through your tabs.

Acer Chromebook Spin 11 CP311-1H-C5PN

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Next, the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 CP311-1H-C5PN is a convertible 11.6” HD laptop, with a touchscreen display. It features an Intel Celeron Dual Core N3350 processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of eMMC storage.

Coming with a Gorilla Glass layer on the display, the Spin 11 is a shockproof multimedia machine. It’s really an overall good Chromebook for high school and college students who need an easy to carry device, and of course an affordable one.

Other than being ready for Google Play Store apps, it offers a long-lasting battery life (up to 10 hours on average use) and effortless connectivity through the USB Type-C ports and DisplayPort over USB Type-C.

Lenovo S330 Chromebook

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The Lenovo S330 Chromebook is a 14” HD laptop with a 180 degrees hinge. It features a Quad Core MediaTek MT8173c processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of eMMC storage.

This model slightly differs from other Chromebooks on the connectivity department. It offers a USB Type-C port for power delivery and DisplayPort, while also featuring an HDMI port. Because of that, it might suit better students and professional who engage in a lot of conferences and need to stream their display to a projector on a daily basis. Ready for Google Play Store apps and with a long-lasting battery life (up to 10 hours), the S330 is a cheap Chromebook you can get for less than 200 $.

HP X360 Chromebook

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The HP X360 Chromebook is a 11.6” HD convertible laptop with a touchscreen display. It features an Intel Celeron Dual Core N3350 processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of eMMC storage.

Coming with Gorilla Glass 3, the X360 makes for a perfectly sturdy companion to your everyday commuting. The HD resolution does feel sharp enough on a display this compact, ready for Google Play Store apps. USB Type-C connectivity, a Micro SD slot to upgrade your offline storage space, and a battery life up to 11 hours and 30 minutes on average use compliment this simple yet functional laptop.

Dell Inspiron 11 Convertible 2 in 1 Chromebook

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The  Dell Inspiron 11 Convertible 2 in 1 Chromebook is a 11.6” HD laptop with a touchscreen display, that you can bend all the way into tablet and tent modes. It features an Intel Celeron Dual Core N3060 processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of eMMC storage.

The manufacturers brought their professional feel to the convertible Chromebook design. With a full-size responsive keyboard, HDMI, Micro SD slot, the Inspiron 11 is the last of our top convertible Chromebook picks under $300. Choosing the one that suits you the most is up to you, although it should be noted that this model features a slightly faster processor than its competitors.

ASUS Chromebook C202SA-YS02

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Last but not the least, the ASUS Chromebook C202SA-YS02 is another 11.6” HD laptop that we highly recommend. It features an Intel Celeron Dual Core N3060 processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of eMMC storage. This model can be yours for about 200 $, making it an Amazon favorite cheap option.

If you don’t care for touchscreen functionality and lots of offline storage, this model might be the best fit for you. Weighting about 2.65 lbs, its easy grip design, military grade rugged body can be dropped from 3.9 feet without facing any consequences, making it a top choice for kids. Coffee drinkers like me won’t worry either thanks the spill resistant keyboard, and it’s also a great feature to have if you’re going to buy this Chromebook for a kid.