12 best laptops before 280 $

On the Internet and specialized magazines about computer technology, in review articles, special attention is paid to new and advanced laptops, released by well-known companies. In fact, high-end electronic products generate a small part of the income for manufacturers, the lion's share of the profit comes from inexpensive laptops and other budget equipment. High competition forces manufacturers to improve their equipment and release new models. Our experts decided to highlight the best laptops on the market for up to 280 $ for 2020 and review them, with a description of the functionality, design and technical features. When choosing each specific model, we chose the modification that is optimal in terms of performance, comfort of use and cost.

TOP best laptops up to 280 $

It should be noted that the rating compiled by our editorial staff does not include gaming solutions or productive laptops, because in the category up to 280 $ you won't find modern processors or discrete graphics cards with a lot of memory. We tried to select those models that are perfect for simple tasks, browsing the Internet or movies, slaves with office programs.

1. Acer Aspire 3

Starts a review of an inexpensive laptop 266–280 $ from Acer. The Aspire 3 of our choice is based on the Ryzen 3200U mobile processor running at 2.6 GHz. The manufacturer chose Linux as the operating system, but a modification with pre-installed Windows 10 Home is also available.

The laptop case is made of smooth black plastic, which is durable and practically does not collect fingerprints. The laptop screen is made using TN technology, so there is no need to talk about wide viewing angles. Otherwise, there are no complaints about it, and it can also recline 180 degrees.

Advantages:

• comfortable keyboard;
• high-quality case;
• SSD 128 GB;
• good performance;
• cool big touchpad.

Disadvantages:

• no slot for expanding RAM;
• not modern resolution.

2. ASUS Laptop 15 X509UJ-EJ048

The Taiwanese company ASUS has always been famous for stylish and high-quality laptops. The current novelty from the Laptop 15 line belongs to this category. The excellent design of this model is complemented by the good performance of the 2-core Pentium 4417U, complemented by discrete graphics GeForce MX230. The 15.6-inch screen with Full HD resolution and a good margin of brightness for outdoor use are also encouraging.

The laptop is perfect for business people. This is a high-quality laptop model with a 256 GB SSD, which provides a nimble work and allows you to keep all the necessary documents at hand. The RAM here is only 4 GB, and it is enough for simple tasks. If your requirements are higher, then you can add another 8 gigabytes of RAM yourself, and the warranty will remain after such a procedure.

Advantages:

• exemplary assembly;
• attractive sophisticated design;
• cold and not noisy;
• decent battery life (4-5 hours);
• a great combination of cost and opportunity;
• narrow bezels around the screen.

3. HP 15s-eq0000ur

If, when choosing a laptop for 280 $ you pay attention not least to the appearance, then the HP 15s-eq0000ur can be an excellent candidate for purchase. This device is equipped with a high-quality SVA-matrix with anti-reflective coating. The screen resolution, depending on the modification, can be either 1366 × 768 pixels or Full HD. The hardware platform is no different - Athlon 300U with Vega graphics.

The HP laptop has a powerful 41 Wh battery for an affordable price. This is enough for about 8 hours of battery life (with a standard office load).

In terms of a set of interfaces, the laptop is not very impressive. The right side of the laptop is occupied by a full-fledged HDMI video output, a USB-C port, a card reader and a combined 3.5 mm headset or headphone / microphone jack. On the left there is a charging socket and a couple of USBs of the same 3.1 standard, but in Type-A format. Also, the laptop has wireless Wi-Fi modules with support for the 802.11ac standard and Bluetooth version 4.2.

Advantages:

• cool appearance;
• sound quality;
• light weight;
• the convenience of the keyboard when typing;
• three fast ports including USB-C;
• display resolution and production technology;
• modern platform from AMD.

Disadvantages:

• a modest set of interfaces.

4. Acer Extensa EX2540-39AR

High-quality and cheap notebooks for schoolchildren can be found in the assortment of Acer. One of these is the Extensa EX2540-39AR. This model is perfect for work: the nimble Intel Core i3-6006U processor with integrated HD 520 graphics does an excellent job with office applications, surfing the Internet and other programs that may be required in school and when doing homework.

RAM in one of the best budget laptops before 280 $ only 4 gigabytes are available, but it can be easily expanded to 16 GB if needed. The matrix here is simple, but it is enough for the tasks described above. I am glad that for its price the laptop initially received a solid-state drive. True, its capacity is only 128 GB.

Advantages:

• excellent performance;
• energy efficient processor;
• the possibility of modification;
• easy access to components;
• the screen does not glare;
• SSD installed out of the box;
• no need to overpay for OS.

Disadvantages:

• not the best color rendering;
• no Num Lock indication.

5. DELL Inspiron 3582

We decided to complete the first half of the TOP laptops with the Inspiron 3582 from DELL. The device received a standard 15.6-inch TN screen for its segment. The resolution of the considered modification is Full HD, but if it is necessary, then you can find a solution with a simpler 1366 × 768 pixel screen.

One of the most reliable laptops according to the owners' reviews is offered in several colors. In addition to the quite ordinary black and silver, the manufacturer produces the Inspiron 3582 in snow-white and fashionable blue colors. But keep in mind that the changes only concern the lid and bottom, and the inside of the laptop is always black.

Advantages:

• excellent build;
• Pentium N5000 speed;
• fast SSD 128 GB;
• several colors;
• noiseless operation;
• comfortable keyboard;
• very quiet operation.

Disadvantages:

• maximum 8 GB of RAM;
• average screen quality.

6. ASUS VivoBook X543UA-DM1467

Let's continue with a completely ordinary laptop for simple work tasks. It is for them that ASUS VivoBook X543UA was developed. The device comes with a Linux-based Endless OS, but if you wish, you can install a "ten" here, which will work without problems. The only thing that may not be enough is RAM, but 4 GB can be easily expanded to 12.

We reviewed the modification from the HDD. But if quiet operation is more important to you than capacious storage, then we recommend taking the option with a solid-state drive.

The case of the laptop is plastic, around the keyboard and on the lid it is stylized like a metal with a diagonal polish. The keys themselves are comfortable, it is pleasant to type a test on them. And even the arrows are not piled up here (for which, however, we had to shorten the zero on the digital block). But in the reviews, the laptop is scolded because of the strongly flexing keyboard.

Advantages:

• does not slow down in simple tasks;
• build quality and design;
• high-quality speakers;
• relatively light weight;
• quiet cooling system.

Disadvantages:

• not the highest autonomy;
• not the most successful keyboard and touchpad.

7. Lenovo Ideapad L340-17IWL

Next in line is a huge laptop with a diagonal of 17.3 inches - Lenovo Ideapad L340-17IWL. Usually matrices of this size are installed in gaming models, but, of course, it does not have a gaming ability. But behind such a screen it is more convenient to work, whether it is editing documents, drawing up tables or business correspondence. The disadvantage of the laptop is perhaps the resolution of 1600 × 900, because for such a screen, Full HD would be better.

The performance here is rather modest, since it is represented by the "stone" Intel Pentium 5405U, integrated UHD 610 graphics, as well as 4 GB of DDR4 RAM. The latter is soldered to the motherboard, so it cannot be replaced. But on the same motherboard there is a slot for expanding RAM. It is easy to get to it, as well as to a 500 GB hard drive with a rotation speed of 5400 rpm.

Advantages:

• large screen;
• space for the M.2 drive;
• solid assembly;
• easily expandable RAM;
• very quiet under load.

Disadvantages:

• low quality plastic;
• not very conveniently located ports;
• the sound of the speakers is very mediocre.

8. DELL Vostro 3481

An interesting variant of a laptop in a combination of price and quality is the Vostro 3841 from DELL. The storage in the reviewed model is 1 TB. This is useful if you need a compact travel laptop that can record a lot of movies and TV shows, while still leaving plenty of room for work documents. But keep in mind that hard drives are not as reliable as solid-state drives, and you will have to protect your laptop from strong shocks.

However, if you wish, you can always replace the drive with an SSD, and put the inside HDD in your pocket to connect it to your laptop via a USB port. The latter in DELL Vostro 3481, by the way, are three. They are all Type-A, but only one complies with the 3.1 standard. Also among the interfaces there was a place for a network port, HDMI, VGA and headset output.

Advantages:

• capacious hard drive provides good autonomy;
• excellent display;
• two types of video outputs;
• compact size (diagonal 14 inches);
• compact size.

Disadvantages:

• the case is quite easily soiled;
• small viewing angles;
• the price is a little overpriced.

9.HP 14-dk0000ur

Looking for a thin and light laptop? Introducing the HP 14-dk0000ur. As the name suggests, this is a 14-inch model. The matrix here, by the way, is IPS, so the color rendition is very good, and the viewing angles are maximum. For the rating, we chose the older model with Full HD-resolution. When the correct scaling is chosen, all elements on such a screen look good, and the text is very clear. But if you need another option, the manufacturer also offers a 1366 × 768 pixel screen.

The cooling system is quite efficient here. True, the laptop makes a lot of noise out of the box. The problem lies in the BIOS settings, where the RPM is set to maximum. By changing the parameters, the owner can enjoy the silence.

An inexpensive but high-quality laptop based entirely on the AMD platform. True, the basis was not the current Ryzen and Vega, but the 2-core A6 9225 processor and the Radeon R4 graphics. The bundle is quite good for office programs, but the laptop will not cope with a somewhat high load. However, these are trifles. But what you want to scold the laptop for is the RAM. Yes, nobody canceled an independent upgrade. But the manufacturer has soldered only 1 RAM slot on the board, so you can only replace the standard 4 gigabyte bracket. And the maximum volume is limited.

Advantages:

• high-quality IPS screen;
• fast work of the system;
• comfortable keyboard;
• high level of autonomy;
• compactness and lightness;
• excellent build quality.

Disadvantages:

• only one slot for RAM;
• suitable only for basic tasks.

10. Lenovo Ideapad L340-15

Which laptop should you choose when all you need to do is periodically write reports, check emails and watch YouTube videos? We recommend the Lenovo Ideapad L340-15. Yes, it was his "older brother" that we examined above. But, unlike him, the case of this laptop is painted in black, which is more practical and stylish. The processor here is Intel Celeron 4205U, and the graphics accelerator, the amount of RAM and the possibilities for its expansion remain the same. But the drive has improved - a 500 GB HDD was replaced by a fast M.2 SSD with a good 256GB capacity.

Advantages:

• Full HD screen resolution;
• stylish design, excellent build;
• fast solid state drive;
• support for fast charging;
• low noise level;
• quality keyboard and touchpad.

Disadvantages:

• mediocre viewing angles;
• poorly located speakers;
• modest interface set.

11. Lenovo V130 15

The Lenovo V130 15 is a modern laptop that combines stability with excellent compactness and light weight. The device weighs only 1.8 kg. The screen, which has a diagonal of 15.6-inches and is made in accordance with the HD standard, will convey the richness and color of the picture in full, and the low weight will allow you to take the device with you without experiencing discomfort. Thanks to the applied modern fast charging technology, you can charge the battery by 50% in half an hour, and one full battery charge will last for 6 hours of battery life.

The laptop is equipped with a simple Intel Celeron N4000 processor, which operates at a clock frequency of 1100 MHz, capable of handling any office task. 4 GB of RAM allows you to run many applications at the same time, while there is no slowdown or slowdown in their work.

Integrated into the tenth version of Windows, a personal assistant will allow you to find recently used and edited documents in a matter of seconds. A high-quality laptop, before being sold, undergoes special testing, which guarantees the end user a long period of operation. The classic design and ergonomics are at a height, and the special protection of the keyboard allows you to completely secure the device if water gets on the keyboard.

Advantages:

• decent performance;
• light weight and compactness;
• good screen with good viewing angles;
• ergonomic keyboard;
• large capacity of the battery and the autonomy of the product as a whole.

12. HP 250 G5

The best combined price - quality laptop that is suitable not only for work on trips, but also for home. If all of the above models had minimal opportunities to run more applications, then the configuration of this model allows you to play some games. Manufacturers have gone to meet users who find it hard to come to terms with the lack of the ability to play on a budget laptop.

This laptop has two speakers, and sound is output to them through a chip from the well-known company Realtek.

The sound is very high quality for this type of device.
The device has a powerful Intel Celeron N3060 processor for this category. It has the ability to process four streams of commands at once, and together with the graphics Intel HD Graphics 400, this has a positive effect on the operation of the device. There is a 15.6-inch display with a TN-film matrix and a resolution of 1366x768 pixels. The laptop weighs 1.96 kg. The exterior is modern, streamlined, no frills. The body is made of durable plastic. The main advantages of this model are: high-quality assembly, smooth operation and modern design.

Advantages:

• optimal balance of components;
• modern attractive design;
• high-quality assembly;
• good ergonomics of the keyboard;
• acceptable price;
• quick work.

Disadvantages:

• small viewing angle of the screen.

Which laptop before 280 $ buy

If you have not yet decided which laptop to buy, then you need to decide on the specific parameters and requests for the laptop, which will be able to fully satisfy the user's needs. Ranking of the best laptops in the up to 280 $, will help you make the right choice and not be mistaken.