HP TECH TAKES /...
Exploring today's technology for tomorrow's possibilities
Subscribe
10 Best HP Laptops under £400 in the UK
Jamie Finch
|
March 29, 2023
Laptop prices can be eye-watering, with many models out of most people’s financial reach. Despite this, laptops can also be essential and many people must have one for work or other reasons. As such, high prices mean some can’t access the tools they need.
However, while some laptops are very costly, many more are far more affordable. And not only that, but many laptops in the budget range will still have all most people could need.
With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to choose which works best for you. To make it easier for you, here are our top 10 laptops under £400 in the UK from HP.
How to choose a budget laptop
Even the best laptop under £400 in the UK is unlikely to have the latest hardware. Regardless, plenty of models are still powerful enough for everyday tasks like web browsing, watching movies and managing your expenses. Here’s a brief look at some of the things you should look out for in a laptop for £400 or less.
Processing power
The more processing power you have, the faster your computer will be. And processing power is mostly determined by your central processor unit (CPU) and how much RAM you have. There’s a wide selection of processors that will help run the latest software, while you should ideally look for at least 4GB RAM.
Size and weight
Size and weight are important considerations for many people. For example, many people struggle to work with small screens and keyboards, meaning they need larger options. Weight is another obvious concern, especially for people who need something they can carry.
Build quality
Build quality is especially important for people who work in roles where their machine is likely to pick up knocks and bumps. A machine with good build quality will also help improve its value for money because it will last longer before it needs replacing. And no matter how tight your budget is, you should still expect a well-made product.
Appearance
The best laptops under £400 are often used for work and even budget models can help maintain professional appearances. Many of the most affordable models have sleek designs and smart colour schemes that make them look great. You will also find gaming machines and other options with brighter, flashier designs.
HP Chromebook 15a
The HP Chromebook 15a is another mid-sized machine that’s ideal for people on a budget. It has sleek, professional aesthetics that make this machine a good option for work. The onboard graphics card also lets you watch movies and play basic games.
This laptop has an Intel® Celeron® Processor and 4GB RAM that powers through most tasks without a problem. This computer also makes a good portable option thanks to its long battery life and weight of just under 1.7 kg.
HP Chromebook 11a
If you’re looking for something small and lightweight, the HP Chromebook 11a could be just what you need. And while weighing just over 1 kg will be appealing to many, some people will also be attracted by its good looks.
The HP Chromebook 11a is powered by a Mediatek processor and 4GB RAM, helping to make this model a great option for browsing, watching movies and word processing. This budget machine also has an SD card reader and good battery life. The touch screen, which you won’t find in many pricey models, also helps make this computer a popular choice.
HP Chromebook 15a
If you need a reasonably large screen then the HP Chromebook 15a is a great choice. Not only does this model have a quality 15.6-inch screen, but you can also choose from high definition (HD) or full high definition (FHD) options.
The Intel Celeron processor and 4GB RAM make this laptop a dependable workstation, and it will also appeal to many gamers. This machine also makes a good portable option, weighing just under 1.7 kg, while the long battery life helps make this a great choice for people who work and play on the move.
HP Stream Laptop 11
The HP Stream Laptop 11 may be a budget model, but it still has plenty to offer. It is well made with good looks and three colours to choose from, making it a good option for home or office use. And despite its sturdy design, this laptop weighs just over 1.5 kg, and has a good battery life, helping make it one of the best laptops under £400.
This petit machine has an Intel Celeron processor that helps it power through most tasks quickly, while the 4GB RAM also helps to make for good performance. This model also offers good-quality audio and has HDMI output and an SD card slot, giving more functionality.
HP Chromebook 14a
If you’re looking for a great all-rounder at an affordable price, the HP Chromebook 14a could be just what you need. Many users are attracted by this laptop’s 14-inch display and full-sized keyboard, which make it practical for work.
The HP Chromebook has a sleek, compact design that will look at home in any office. It is powered by an Intel Celeron processor along with 4GB RAM to power through most office tasks, and it will also play basic games.
HP 14s
The HP 14s is a sleek, attractive machine that’s also well-made. With its AMD Radeon™ graphics card and 14-inch screen, this laptop is also a good choice for people looking for an affordable gaming machine.
The HP 14s also makes a great workstation, thanks to its AMD 3000 processor and 4GB RAM. Not only that, but the HP14s weighs just under 1.5 kg, making it easy to carry. This model also offers a range of ports, further making this one of the best laptops for students under £400.
HP 15s
The HP 15s is a professional-looking machine, making it a good choice who need an affordable workstation. And with its 15.6-inch screen, this model is also a good choice who need a reasonably large display and keyboard.
This laptop is powered by an Intel Pentium® Gold processor and 4GB RAM, making it more than capable of day-to-day office or home tasks. The Intel UHD Graphics card also makes this laptop a decent budget gaming option.
HP Pavilion 15
If you’re looking for an affordable laptop with a touch screen, the HP Pavilion 15 could be just what you need. And in addition to having touch screen technology, the 15.6-inch FHD display is also a good size for work or entertainment.
The HP Pavilion 15 has an Intel Pentium Gold processor that helps to work through day-to-day tasks easily. The machine’s speed is also enhanced by its 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD. Long battery life also helps to make this computer a popular choice.
HP 17
The HP 17 has a 17.3-inch screen that helps make it a good choice for gamers, while it’s also suitable for work and watching movies. The Intel UHD Graphics card will let you play most of the latest titles, albeit at low-quality settings in some cases. Such attributes help make this the best laptop under £400 for many gamers and professionals.
This laptop has an Intel Pentium Gold processor and 4GB RAM to manage most tasks without a problem. The 128GB SSD card also contributes to a speedy performance while giving most people all the storage space they need. This laptop also has an SD and Micro SD card reader, making it easier to store and manage your files.
HP Chromebook x360
The HP Chromebook x360 has many appealing features, one of which is the useful touch screen. Not only that, but this laptop is also a convertible model, giving you more choice in how you use it. Many users will also be interested in the 14-inch FHD display that’s ideal for a wide range of tasks.
This laptop for £400 uses an Intel Pentium Silver processor and 4GB RAM. As such, it makes a good workstation that will get through most tasks with ease. Not only that, but the Intel UHD Graphics card will also let this machine play most gaming titles smoothly.
Summary
As the examples above show, it’s not difficult to find a good laptop in the budget range, depending on your needs, of course. All that most people need is a machine that lets them browse the internet and use word processing software. Some people will also want to play games, and several machines in this range have powerful enough GPUs to play most titles.
Regardless, shop around and you are likely to find the best laptop under £400 for you and the list above makes a good place to start. You can improve your chances of finding the right machine by deciding what you need it for and then looking for laptops with the appropriate hardware.
