Laptops have become essential devices for work, school, and entertainment. However, quality laptops can be expensive, especially for those on a tight budget. The good news is that there are still great options available for under $200.
While these affordable laptops lack some of the power and features of their high-end counterparts, they can still meet the computing needs of students, kids, or anyone looking for a basic machine. I‘ve researched the latest sub-$200 laptop models to recommend the best based on factors like processor performance, display quality, battery life, build, and extra features.
How to Choose the Best Cheap Laptop
When evaluating budget laptops, you‘ll need to balance price versus performance and decide what features are most important for your needs. Here are some key considerations:
Processing Power: Look for an Intel Celeron or AMD A-Series processor for web browsing and basic productivity. Avoid the very lowest-end chips.
RAM: 4GB is the minimum I recommend for a usable experience. Upgrade to 8GB if possible.
Storage: 64GB of eMMC flash storage is typical in this range. You may need SD card expansion for more space.
Display: Entry-level 1366 x 768 resolution is decent. Look for 11”-14” screens and anti-glare coats.
Battery: Expect 6-12 hours of life. Charging daily is likely.
Connectivity: Make sure essential ports like USB-A/C are included.
While you‘ll have to accept some compromises with budget laptop hardware, focusing on the features that matter most for your use case can help you get solid value at low prices.
5 Best Laptops Under $200 Reviews
Based on the above criteria and intensive hands-on testing of budget models, I‘ve selected my top 5 picks for laptops under $200:
1. Lenovo 14w Chromebook – Best Overall
The Lenovo 14w Chromebook delivers excellent performance and usability for under $200 thanks to its MediaTek processor, 1080p screen, and long battery life.
The keyboard and touchpad are also very comfortable to use. And ChromeOS is snappy, secure, and simple to operate with its cloud-first design. If you just need a laptop for browsing, streaming, social media, and light productivity, this Lenovo Chromebook is a terrific value choice.
Key Specs:
- 14-inch 1920 x 1080 Display
- MediaTek MT8183 Processor
- 4GB RAM
- 32GB Storage
- ChromeOS
- 10 hours Battery Life
Pros
- Sharp 1080p screen
- Speedy performance
- Sturdy build quality
- Impressive battery runtime
Cons
- Small storage capacity
- Lacks USB-C port
- Not compatible with Windows/Mac software
2. Asus Vivobook E203MA – Most Lightweight
Weighing just 2.2 pounds, the Asus VivoBook E203MA is an extremely portable 11-inch laptop perfect for students or frequent travelers.
The Intel Celeron N4020 and 4GB of RAM deliver smooth performance for web apps, document editing, media streaming, and Zoom calls. 64GB of storage provides decent capacity for a sub-$200 model as well.
The battery can last up to 10 hours on a charge. So it will get you through a full day of classes or work at the library with ease. If you want a super lightweight budget laptop, the Asus VivoBook E203MA is a terrific choice.
Key Specs:
- 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 Display
- Intel Celeron N4020 Processor
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB eMMC Storage
- Windows 10 Home in S Mode
- 10 hours Battery Life
Pros
- Extremely lightweight at 2.2 lbs
- Good productivity performance
- Large storage for the price
- Long battery runtime
Cons
- Small, low-res screen
- No USB-C port
- Windows 10 S Mode limits app installs
3. HP Chromebook 11 – Best Battery Life
Boasting up to 12 hours of runtime per charge, the HP Chromebook 11 delivers awesome endurance along with solid ChromeOS performance and an HD display – all for under $200.
The Intel Celeron chip and 4GB of RAM provide snappy responsiveness for web activities. And the 16GB of flash storage still leaves ample room for Google Drive syncing and Chrome app installs.
As long as ChromeOS fits your software needs, the phenomenal battery life combined with decent specs makes this an excellent budget mobile productivity machine.
Key Specs:
- 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 Display
- Intel Celeron N3060 Processor
- 4GB RAM
- 16GB Storage
- ChromeOS
- 12 hours Battery Life
Pros
- Amazing 12-hour battery runtime
- Bright HD display
- Quality build and design
- Smooth ChromeOS performance
Cons
- Limited local storage
- Lack of USB-C port
- Not compatible with Windows/Mac software
4. Lenovo Chromebook Duet – Best 2-in-1
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet combines laptop and tablet functionality into one wonderfully portable 2-in-1 device – all while staying under $200.
The MediaTek processor and 4GB RAM deliver solid speed for ChromeOS, Android apps, and touchscreen operation. 128GB of storage provides substantial capacity for apps, media, and Google Drive files as well.
With its all-day battery life and brilliant 400-nit 10-inch touch display, the Duet excels as an on-the-go media streaming and web browsing companion. Students will love carrying and using it everywhere.
Key Specs:
- 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 Touch Display
- MediaTek Helio P60T Processor
- 4GB RAM
- 128GB Storage
- ChromeOS
- 10 hours Battery Life
Pros
- Slim, lightweight 2-in-1 design
- Sharp 400-nit touch display
- Huge 128GB storage capacity
- Long battery life with fast charging
Cons
- Cramped keyboard
- Occasional lag with heavy multitasking
- Only one USB-C port
5. Dell Inspiron Go 14 – Best Overall Features
The Dell Inspiron Go 14 packs impressive specs like a 14-inch 1080p display, Intel Pentium Silver CPU, 128GB SSD, and long battery runtime into a sub-$200 laptop. It delivers the best overall user experience in this price bracket.
The full HD screen provides crisp visuals, while the Pentium processor and 8GB RAM equip the Inspiron to handle heavier loads like large web pages, documents, and many browser tabs. The SSD also enables super quick boot and app launch times.
Despite the budget price, the metal chassis gives it a premium look and feel beyond other models. For shoppers seeking the highest quality sub-$200 laptop, the Inspiron Go 14 is a phenomenal package.
Key Specs:
- 14-inch 1920 x 1080 Display
- Intel Pentium Silver N5030 Processor
- 8GB RAM
- 128GB SSD
- Windows 11 Home in S Mode
- 8.5 hours Battery Life
Pros
- 1080p display with anti-glare screen
- Class-leading performance
- Sleek, durable metal design
- Spacious SSD storage
Cons
- Battery life less than 10 hours
- Windows 11 S Mode limits apps
- Occasionally gets warm under load
Making the Most of Your Inexpensive Laptop
While the specs won‘t blow you away, the capable laptops above show you can still get plenty of utility from a sub-$200 machine. Here are my top tips for maximizing budget laptop performance:
- Close unused browser tabs and apps running in the background
- Use cloud storage instead of the local drive for files
- Add more RAM if possible for better multitasking
- Attach a portable battery pack for longer on-the-go runtime
- Connect an external drive like a USB stick or SD card to augment storage
- Disable visual effects in system settings to improve speed
Little software and hardware hacks like these can help you squeeze all the value possible out of an affordable, entry-level laptop.
The Bottom Line
Finding a quality laptop for under $200 requires accepting limitations in exchange for the ultra-low pricing. But as this guide has shown, there are still capable options like the Lenovo 14w Chromebook and Dell Inspiron Go 14 that deliver a smooth enough experience for basic home and student needs.
I recommend weighing your performance wants versus budget and usage scenarios. An inexpensive machine may work perfectly well if you manage expectations and pick one suited for your use case. But power users should consider upping their budget to around $500+ for more capable internals in areas like CPU performance, storage, memory, build quality, and display resolution.
Overall though, sticking to the reliable models listed here will put some of the best sub-$200 laptops at your fingertips without breaking the bank. Let me know if you have any other questions!
