Last Updated on February 19, 2018 by Tim
For this price range, usually, you will get a Notebook. Notebooks are smaller, more portable and internet dependent. If these are the features you’re looking for, there isn’t much difference than getting a bigger tablet. A laptop usually has screens that are 15 inches and larger. If you’re one of those people who live and work on the computer, then it’s a laptop of at least this size you’re looking for. That allows you to work longer hours, with no problems with a smaller screen or a smaller keypad.
Our Top Pick
ASUS F555LA-AB31
Our Reasons:
- This 15.6-Inch Full HD laptop is a bit on the ceiling level but a good investment
- Equipped with 5th-generation Intel Core i3-5010U with ergonomic keyboard & IceCool technology 7 Runs 3x faster than typical 802.11n
- Has more than 1.4K customer reviews
Laptops are also generally more powerful than notebooks, and can do a lot more tasks than them. This price range now caters to laptops, although it is best for home use and for students trying to research papers.
Another thing I hate about Netbooks or notebooks is that there is no built in DVD drives. That restricts your capability of buying softwares that install via installation CDs. I have owned both laptops and netbooks and I can honestly say, you can do a lot more with a laptop. Netbooks are handy only when you’re out and about and need something ultra portable. Chromebooks fall into this category.
Here are some of the best laptops and netbooks in the market. They are grouped together because of the price range, rather than the category. What’s going to make a difference is the purpose you intend for it.
Best Laptop Under $350
10. ASUS F555LA-AB31
The 15.6 inch Full HD screen allows you to stay on the computer for a longer period of time, without straining your eyes on a smaller screen. With the core i3 processor and 4GB RAM, you’re stress free with its performance. Allows 500GB storage, and is a very good bargain for this price.
9. Lenovo IdeaPad 100
The same size as most laptops of this price range, you have a 15 inch screen, runs a Intel Pentium N3540 processor, 4GB RAM and 500GB HDD. Enjoy very good quality with this laptop from Lenovo. The good news is also that this laptop looks very good, and is built sturdy and sleek. It’s a very good deal for its price as well.
8. Toshiba Satellite C55-B5161
The slightly larger 16 inch screen gives you a better view of your websites and applications, where performance is excellent on a basic level. You get 4GB RAM and 500GB storage on a Dual core Intel Celeron N2840 processor. Again, the price range is still an edge for a laptop of this configuration.
7. Toshiba CB35-B3340 Chromebook 2
This 13 inch Chromebook is a netbook, and as mentioned above, netbooks are more compact and portable. The good thing about netbooks is the long battery life, as this machine will give you 9 hours of performance. Although you may not be able to install MS Office on this netbook, you have options for opening and editing files with available online versions of Office, including Google Docs. The netbook runs on 4GB DDRL SDRAM memory.
| Product | Best Features | User Feedback | Expected Price Level | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS F555LA-AB31 | 15.6” Full HD screen, core i3 processor and 4GB RAM, 500GB storage | Very Good | Mid-range | 4.0 / 5 |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 100 | 15” screen, runs a Intel Pentium N3540 processor, 4GB RAM and 500GB HDD | Very Good | Mid-range | 4.0 / 5 |
| Toshiba Satellite C55-B5161 | 16” screen for better view, 4GB RAM and 500GB storage, Dual core Intel Celeron N2840 processor | Very Good | Mid-range | 4.0 / 5 |
| Toshiba CB35-B3340 Chromebook 2 | 13” netbook with long battery life, more compact and portable, runs on 4GB DDRL SDRAM memory | Very Good | Low | 4.2 / 5 |
| Lenovo G50 | 16” laptop runs on Intel Core i3 processor with 6GB RAM with 500GB HDD, battery life lasts 5 hrs, Windows 8.1 bloatware OS | Very Good | High | 4.0 / 5 |
| Acer Chromebook 15 inch CB5-571-C1DZ | 15” netbook has battery life lasts up to 9 hrs; runs on dual core Intel Celeron processor, 4GB RAM, and 16GB SSD | Very Good | Low | 4.5 / 5 |
| Dell Inspiron 14 3000 14 inch Laptop | 14’ screen laptop; runs on a dual core Intel Celeron processor with just 2GB RAM but has 500GB HDD storage capacity; Windows 8.1 OS | Very Good | Low | 4.0 / 5 |
| Acer Aspire E15 ES1-511-C59V | 16” laptop with 4GB RAM and 500GB HDD capacity; for the low-budget buyers; | Very Good | Low | 4.0 / 5 |
| Toshiba Satellite C55-A5105 | 16” laptop runs on Intel Celeron N2820 processor with 4GB DDR3L and 500GB HDD; Windows 8.1 OS; battery lasts up to 4.5 hrs | Very Good | Mid-range | 4.0 / 5 |
| Toshiba Satellite C55-A5300 | 16” laptop with an Intel Celeron 1037U processor; 4GB DDR3 and 500GB HDD; runs on Windows 8 64 bit; battery life lasts 3 hrs. | Very Good | Mid-range | 4.0 / 5 |
6. Lenovo G50
This 16 inch laptop runs on Intel Core i3 processor, a 6GB RAM with 500GB HDD. The battery life is longer than most laptops of this calibre, which lasts 5 hours. The OS is on Windows 8.1 bloatware, where people may dislike, however there are tweaks around that. Apart from that, there are no other complaints by new owners.
5. Acer Chromebook 15 inch CB5-571-C1DZ
As most netbooks, battery life lasts up to 9 hours. The dual core Intel Celeron processor, 4GB RAM, and 16GB SSD allows you to do basic tasks while on the go. Like most chromebooks, open office applications online, rather than install them. There is no DVD drive, so the internet really is its primary source for apps. The larger screen size is a first for a netbook, and allows you to view Full HD.
4. Dell Inspiron 14 3000 14 inch Laptop
As it is unusual for a netbook to have a screen bigger than 13 inches, this laptop has the smallest screen at 14 inches. It runs on a dual core Intel Celeron processor. Only 2GB RAM but 500GB HDD. It also has Windows 8.1 for an OS. Reviews are not too kind on this laptop, however, as that 2GB RAM proves to be somewhat of a drawback. However, they have retorted that while adult users may become frustrated, it is best used by people who are only beginning to use computers, or children. The compact size of this laptop also adds a plus to that particular purpose.
3. Acer Aspire E15 ES1-511-C59V
Ok. Running on 8.1 isn’t a bad thing. This 16 inch laptop is also not the lightest weighing laptop we could find. However, the 4GB RAM and 500GB HDD makes up for that The battery life is also pretty standard at 4 and a half hours. Another letdown is the lack of a DVD drive, which you can purchase separately and install in the machine. Although budget wise, one of the best laptops for your money.
2. Toshiba Satellite C55-A5105
Running on Intel Celeron N2820 processor with 4GB DDR3L and 500GB HDD, this 16 incher on Windows 8.1 lasts you 4.5 hrs battery life. That’s pretty much standard, but still worth looking into. Also not the lightest in weight, the 7 pound laptop may seem a burden to lug around all the time. All in all, this unit is worth the money you put into it.
1. Toshiba Satellite C55-A5300
This last item on the list is comparable to the previous entry, however, with an Intel Celeron 1037U processor, 4GB DDR3 and 500GB HDD. It runs on Windows 8 64 bit, and gives out a battery life of about 3 hours.
Now that you have a pretty good idea what your $350 can get you for a laptop or a netbook, you probably have an idea which one suits your purpose. Remember, that these are pretty good only for basic configuration only. Should you use applications that require a lot more, then, this possibly isn’t the right price range.
