UPDATE: Nov. 17, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EST We'll be revisiting this guide in the coming months with new picks. Most sub-$300 laptops have older specs, but some of the featured models are getting a tad too outdated.
Shop Black Friday laptop deals:
A new laptop is a big investment, one that you'll likely need to make every few years to keep up with ever-changing technology. But shopping for one can get overwhelming fast once you see just how pricey new laptops can be (on top of the sheer number of options out there).
We're of the firm belief that your laptop doesn't have to cost more than your rent — and depending on your use case, you might be able to spend as little as $300 (or less) on a new PC. You'll have to curb your expectations, of course: Dirt-cheap laptops don't have mind-blowing specs or state-of-the-art features; most of them will be basic, dinky, slow, outdated clunkers, and many are Chromebooks. (ChromeOS isn't the average person's operating system of choice.) But if you just need a simple device to send emails, write documents, video chat with loved ones, or browse YouTube, a budget model can simply get the job done.
Consider buying your new laptop sooner rather than later, as we tend to see entry-level PCs from brands like Dell, Lenovo, Acer, and Samsung get extra cheap around Black Friday. Keep reading to check out our favorites under $300 — whether you need one for school, work, or fun, you've got options.