Best HP Laptops Under £400 in The UK | HP® Tech Takes (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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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.