The 8 Best Laptops for Under $200 in 2020

When looking for a budget-friendly laptop, it’s important that you find a machine that can meet all your expectations. Thankfully, HP has the answer. The HP Stream 11 is a perfect choice whether you’re seeking to work or play with your new laptop. With its 11.6 inch display, 4GB memory, and up to 9 hours of battery life, this laptop will be perfect for you at home or on the go. Equipped with Windows 10 Home, you’ll have the power of a PC at your fingertips without that high-dollar price tag. However, it is also in S mode which limits software compatibility to the Windows app store.

Whether you’re streaming, playing, or tackling spreadsheets, the HP Stream 11 can handle it all. Compact and powerful, it's both the perfect first computer the kids and an easy-to-use system for those who aren’t as tech-savvy.

Finding a laptop at a price that won’t break the bank is easier than you may think. Lenovo has provided a budget-friendly option that will serve all your basic laptop needs. With an 11.6-inch screen, 4GB of memory, and loaded with Windows 10 Home in S mode, the Lenovo 130s is capable of doing all the things that you can expect from a laptop. While you may need to make some adjustments — like switching out of S mode to download things not in the Windows Store — it’s still an ideal choice for the budget-conscious laptop user. 

Its compact size is perfect for travel or working on the go and you’ll have no trouble streaming entertainment (so long as you aren’t trying to do multiple streams at once, of course). The Lenovo 130s is a great choice for those who aren’t looking to do more than browse or stream. 

Chromebooks are notorious for being low-price and excellent options for those in need of a basic laptop. The HP Chromebook 11 is no exception. This machine comes with an 11.6-inch display screen, 2GB of memory, a pair of USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, HDMI-out, and a headphone/microphone combo jack. It is equipped with an HD webcam. 

In other words, it's great for those who are just looking to browse the web, do light streaming, or do some work in Microsoft Office. However, as expected, it has some limitations including Chrome OS, which limits you to programs and extensions available from the Chrome Web Store. But when you just need something to keep up with basic computing needs, this is a perfect option. It’s also a durable machine so you can even consider it a great choice for the kids. 

When it comes to being school-ready, knowing that the student in your life needs a laptop to stay on top of their studies can be a little worrisome. After all, computers can be so expensive. But there’s a way to ensure your academic scholar gets all that they need at a price you’ll love. The Samsung XE500C13 is here to keep them on-task and caught up on all their school work. 

With up to 11 hours of battery life, after a single charge, they can bring it to class and work all day until they come home. The 11.6-inch screen makes this laptop the perfect size for carrying in their backpack and moving around between classes. Better yet, it has a spill-resistant keyboard for any cafeteria mishaps. As a Chromebook, it does have its software limitations, but for the student needing to write essays or do online homework, it’s an excellent option. 

When sending your kids off to college, you want to make sure they have everything they’ll need to succeed. While doing so can sometimes be an expensive undertaking, their laptop doesn't have to be. Enter the Asus TBCL432B. This 11.6-inch screen machine comes with 4GB of memory and 32GB eMMC flash memory, making it compatible with mobile devices like phones and tablets.

It comes pre-installed with Windows 10 S, but it’s easy to switch out of S mode to allow your student access to programs they might not find in the Windows Store. A lightweight and compact design makes it ideal for travel. Whether they’re working in the library or in their dorm, your college student can move around and set up with ease, wherever their destination. It also has a decent battery life of up to 10 hours on a single charge. 

While it won’t be able to keep up with performance-hungry apps, it comes in handy for writing essays, completing online homework, and tackling research projects. Since its capacity is limited, though, you might want to look into external storage devices in case it runs out.

It may not seem like there’s a lot of size options when it comes to affordable laptops. And for those seeking a bigger screen, it’s even harder. Thankfully, HP has provided the HP Stream 14 with a 14-inch display screen to meet your bigger screen needs. Slim and lightweight despite the bigger screen, the HP Stream 14 has 4GB of memory and 32 GB eMMC of storage. It comes equipped with Windows 10 Home in S Mode, an HDMI port, 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 type A and 1 USB 2.0 type A port, a headphone/microphone jack, and a media reader. It’s also available in four stylish colors! 

Perfect for traveling, it has a battery life of up to 8 hours and 15 minutes, long enough for a full work or school day. However, due to the limitations with its processor and capabilities, it might run slower than a lot of higher-priced options. But when you’re looking for something basic and perfect for browsing or light streaming, the HP Stream 14 has you covered.

Whether you're streaming or playing, it’s important to actually see what you’re doing. And when searching for a bigger screen on a small-screen budget, it may be hard to get exactly what you’re looking for without breaking the bank. The Acer CB3-532 is an exception. With it, you can get 15 inches of prime display real estate at a price point you can't ignore.

This big-screened Chromebook comes with Chrome OS, 4GB of memory, and a 16GB eMMC hard drive. It’s got all the basic capabilities you can expect from a laptop and will keep you browsing or streaming for hours on end. It’s also surprisingly fast for a budget lappy. You’ll get a capable device with a screen size to meet all your basic computing needs.

When there’s work to be done and you need a computer to meet your needs while keeping you on the go, it’s time to look at the Lenovo IdeaPad 81A5001UUS. With a 14-inch display screen, you’ll have no problem getting work done and sharing presentations on the go. It includes 2GB of RAM and 32GB eMMC of flash memory, thereby limiting what you can download and save. On the bright side, you can run basic programs like Microsoft Office.

With its simple, lightweight design this laptop is perfect for traveling and working on the go. You’ll have no problem packing it in a carry-on or just holding onto it in meetings. But you may find a little bit of lag when starting up or trying to browse multiple sites at once. All in all, it’s ideal when you need to get work done and don’t want to break the bank. 

Taking care of your most basic business needs shouldn’t be an expensive task and Lenovo has you covered. The Lenovo IdeaPad 210s is perfect for all your basic computing needs and makes doing business on the go simple. Like the other affordable laptop options, it has an 11.6-inch display, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB eMMC of flash memory. It can’t hold a lot so it’s best for those looking to type up reports, assemble PowerPoint presentations, and browse the web. 

Its lightweight and compact design make it easy to travel with and it has a decent battery life as well. Like most smaller screens, the resolution isn't the highest, but for word processing or project work, it’s great. It also comes with Windows 10, which can leave you with updates that eat into your storage space. Just be sure to clean up your old files to stay on top of storage issues you may face. But when you need to get a project done or keep up with emails while you’re out of office, this is the best laptop under $200 you can find.