10 best laptops under $ 400

Top computer ratings

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The 40,000 ruble bar has long become the dividing line between budget and mid-range laptops. A sharp leap in the development of technology has led to the emergence of more advanced and powerful computer platforms, but no reduction in price in the lower segment is to be expected. What is left to do? Buying everything in the hope that it will help in work and at the same time pull games? Or come to terms with the fact that laptops have become a special-purpose attribute, but not an alternative to personal computers?

The editors of the magazine asked this question, and tried to select the 10 best laptops in the budget up to 40,000 rubles. The rating was compiled taking into account the following conditions:

  1. balance of characteristics of the main elements;
  2. build quality and reliability;
  3. user reviews and expert opinion;
  4. the ability to combine work with software and launch games.

Rating of the best laptops up to 40,000 rubles

Nomination a place Name of product price
Rating of the best laptops up to 40,000 rubles 1 ASUS Vivo Book S15 S530 41 200
2 DELL INSPIRON 5482 2-in-1 38 590
3 Lenovo Ideapad 530s 14 33 989
4 ASUS Zenbook UX310UA 38 790
5 DELL Vostro 5481 36 441
6 HP ProBook 430 G5 (4WV23EA) 42 320
7 Acer ASPIRE 3 A315-51-32FV 24 650
8 Lenovo Yoga 530-14IKB 37 393
9 Acer TravelMate P2 TMP259-MG-31BK 30 790
10 Xiaomi Redmi Book 14 ” 39 980

This material uses data from the analysis of the service https://rankquality.com/laptops/.

ASUS Vivo Book S15 S530

Rating: 4.9

ASUS Vivo Book S15 S530

The first place in the rating goes to the ASUS Vivo Book S15 S530 laptop with the most optimal selection of technical components, in our opinion. It uses the “stone” Core i5 8250U of the Whiskey Lake architecture, working in stock at 1.6 GHz, and in overclocked state reaching 3.1 GHz. It comes with 6GB of 2400MHz DDR4 RAM and a discrete NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics card with 2GB of DDR5 memory.

The ASUS laptop Vivo Book S15 S530 lacks an optical drive (as, indeed, in all other representatives of the rating). File storage HDD, although the more advanced configs of the line also use SSD drives. Fortunately, its volume is 1 TB, and the rotation speed is 7200 rpm. The body is made of high quality metal alloy, and the weight does not exceed 1.8 kg.

Advantages

  • good balance between configuration elements;
  • stylish and lightweight laptop with a metal case (mint color);
  • the presence of a discrete video card;
  • powerful processor.

disadvantages

  • not found.

DELL INSPIRON 5482 2-in-1

Rating: 4.8

DELL INSPIRON 5482 2-IN-1

One step away from the leader of the rating, a laptop-transformer DELL INSPIRON 5482 2-in-1 in a configuration based on a Core i3 8145U processor stopped. This “stone” uses the Whiskey Lake-U architecture, has overclocking potential and operates at 2200 MHz in nominal mode. Together with him, the developers are actively promoting the standard scheme from the integrated video card (completely frivolous, if you take the purchase price) HD Graphics 620 and a 4 GB DDR4 RAM chip with a frequency of 2666 MHz.

File Drive DELL INSPIRON 5482 2-in-1 – 256 GB SSD. Quite a good option, especially considering the readability of SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. The battery charge lasts for more than 8 hours of autonomous use. The laptop case is metal, reliable, slightly weighing down the total weight of the laptop (1.75 kg). The laptop turned out to be very successful, and it is extremely easy to adapt it to work needs.

Advantages

  • good config of the main elements (including cooling);
  • touchscreen display with multi-touch system;
  • quite lightweight and stylish laptop;
  • more than 8 hours of battery life.

disadvantages

  • lack of a discrete graphics card.

Lenovo Ideapad 530s 14

Rating: 4.7

Lenovo Ideapad 530s 14

A successful variant of the Ideapad 530s 14 from the company Lenovo is not based on the i5 processor line, but it has a very good and modern config for solving any problems. The developers have chosen Intel Core i3 8130U – a dual-core overclocking “stone” with a nominal frequency of 2200 MHz as a “motor” of a laptop up to 40 thousand rubles. Reliable, moderately powerful, allowing you to solve any work tasks and run games.

Regarding RAM, everything is standard: 4 GB with expansion up to 16 GB at a frequency of 2133. As storage, the configuration was replenished with a 128 GB SSD – not much, but together with the ability to use SD memory cards, it is quite suitable.

But the main advantage of the Ideapad 530s 14 can be considered the presence of a discrete graphics card from AMD, the Radeon RX 540 model with 4 GB of memory, aimed primarily at gamers. So if you're looking for versatility, this laptop might be the perfect solution.

Advantages

  • the presence of a discrete video card focused on the gaming audience;
  • convenient, laconic, stylish metal body;
  • more than 8 hours without recharging;
  • 1.49 kg weight;
  • availability of SSD-drive.

disadvantages

  • not found.

ASUS Zenbook UX310UA

Rating: 4.6

ASUS ZENBOOK UX310UA

A laptop, the main part of which is the markup for the brand. ASUS Zenbook UX310UA cannot be called bad, because its main quality (in the considered modification) is reliability. The time-tested, dual-core Core i3 7100U, using the Kaby Lake architecture, runs honestly at 2400 MHz and also supports turbo mode. Supplemented by the standard 4 GB of RAM with a frequency of 2400 MHz, which can be increased up to 16 GB (but only with one die). Built-in video card – miscalculation of many laptops in this price range.

The decision to equip the laptop with HDD with a rotation speed of 5400 rpm looks rather controversial. And even the emphasis on the amount of memory (1 TB) does not change the situation at all. But all the “stuffing” is placed under a reliable metal case that can withstand a fall from a table height. And the weight of 1.45 kg allows you to carry your laptop wherever you go.

Advantages

  • good processor with overclocking potential;
  • lightweight metal body;
  • long operating time without recharging (up to 8.5 hours);
  • quality sound from Harman.

disadvantages

  • too modest characteristics for 40 thousand rubles.

DELL Vostro 5481

Rating: 4.5

DELL VOSTRO 5481

One of the initial modifications of DELL Vostro 5481 based on the processor Intel Core i5 8265U is also sold for less than 40 thousand rubles. This chip uses the Whiskey Lake microarchitecture, operates at 1600 MHz, but can overclock over 3000 MHz in turbo mode. At the same time, 4 GB of RAM with a frequency of 2666 MHz is installed on it and the possibility of subsequent expansion up to 32 GB.

A 1000 GB HDD with a rotational speed of 5400 rpm is used as a drive – a too weak choice for such a device. As well as the video card, it is still the integrated 620 version of HD Graphics.

But despite the controversial configuration DELL Vostro 5481 has a very important advantage: a metal case, while many of the competitors are “packed” in ordinary plastic. And the weight of the laptop, despite the choice of material, is a plus for the overall ergonomics: only 1550 grams.

Advantages

  • powerful processor with a relatively new microarchitecture;
  • the possibility of expanding RAM up to 32 GB;
  • metal case;
  • ergonomic and pleasant design.

disadvantages

  • selection of a slow hard drive and an integrated video card.

HP ProBook 430 G5 (4WV23EA)

Rating: 4.4

 HP ProBook 430 G5 (4WV23EA)

If all the previous representatives of the rating were based on the Core i3 series processors, then the HP ProBook 430 G5 (4WV23EA) offers customers a more attractive option with Intel Core i5 on board. The dual-core 7200U runs at 2.5GHz and uses the Kaby Lake microarchitecture. In a pair to the processor, the developers added the standard 4 GB of RAM with one DDR4 die with a frequency of 2400 MHz. Fortunately, users have been given the option to expand the RAM up to 16 GB through a free slot.

To the great regret of buyers, the HP ProBook 430 G5 (4WV23EA) has only an integrated video card Intel HD Graphics 620. This is too little for such a config. However, like a 500 GB HDD, since its rotation speed is 7200 rpm. The laptop works autonomously, it does not exceed 7 hours, has a 3-section lithium-ion battery, and weighs only 1.49 kg.

Advantages

  • the possibility of expanding RAM up to 16 GB;
  • Core i5 with Turbo Boost support up to 3100 MHz;
  • 1.49 kg weight;
  • comfortable and stylish.

disadvantages

  • integrated video card in a pretty good config.

Acer ASPIRE 3 A315-51-32FV

Rating: 4.3

ACER ASPIRE 3 A315-51-32FV

So far, the cheapest laptop model in our rating, which can be adapted both for launching a number of games, and for a mobile work platform. Base Acer ASPIRE 3 A315-51-32FV are:

  1. Core i3-7020U – dual-core, four-thread, clocked at 2.3 GHz;
  2. 4GB DDR4 RAM expandable up to 12GB;
  3. integrated video cards of the HD Graphics 520, HD Graphics 620 format;
  4. SATA HDD with a capacity of 500 GB and a speed of 5400 rpm.

The weakest point of the configuration, of course, is the hard drive – putting something more impressive there and raising the price to 30 thousand rubles, the laptop would look much more attractive.

A big plus Acer ASPIRE 3 A315-51-32FV is its low weight (only 2.1 kg), as well as a good capacity of the built-in two-section battery (4810 mAh). Due to this, the laptop can always be taken with you even without charging – the estimated battery life is almost 7 hours. Good option for a small fee.

Advantages

  • low price;
  • acceptable configuration;
  • the ability to increase RAM;
  • 2.1 kg weight and more than 6 hours of battery life.

disadvantages

  • slow hard drive with little memory.

Lenovo Yoga 530-14IKB

Rating: 4.2

Lenovo Yoga 530-14IKB

The Yoga 530-14IKB Convertible Laptop Lenovo is the ideal purchase option for creative people. In terms of ergonomics, it is very close to the model from Xiaomi: the body is made of aluminum alloy, the weight is no more than 1600 g, and the battery lasts up to 10 hours. Several mobile “goodies” are also integrated into the system, such as a scanner fingerprint, touch IPS display and expandable internal storage with a Micro SD card.

As for the technical specifications, the Lenovo Yoga 530-14IKB is based on the Core i3-7020U process with a frequency of 2.3 GHz. One 4 GB DDR4 chip with a frequency of 2133 MHz is used as a RAM module, and the integrated video card Intel UHD Graphics 620 is responsible for graphics processing. A 128 GB SSD is used as storage, and already at this stage it becomes it is clear that it is advisable to use a laptop either for office work or for travel. This ranking contender is clearly not made for PC gaming.

Advantages

  • high-speed performance;
  • up to 10 hours of battery life;
  • touchscreen;
  • lightness and nice design.

disadvantages

  • integrated graphics and a small amount of SSD storage.

Acer TravelMate P2 TMP259-MG-31BK

Rating: 4.1

ACER TRAVELMATE P2 TMP259-MG-31BK

A good version of a laptop based on a Core i3 6006U processor, suitable for running not the most demanding games, and for comfortable work with documentation and special software. The dual-core “stone” runs at a nominal frequency of 2 GHz, coupled with 6 GB of RAM, which can be expanded up to 32 GB of DDR4 memory. An additional slot is provided in the installed motherboard for an upgrade.

Unlike Xiaomi Redmi Book 14 ”model Acer TravelMate P2 TMP259-MG-31BK is equipped with both integrated and discrete 2 GB NVIDIA GeForce 940MX video card. As a drive, it uses not the most optimal version of a 1 TB HDD, whose rotation speed is only 5400 rpm. The battery capacity does not exceed 2800 mAh, and according to unofficial data, its charge is enough for 5-7 hours of use with an average operating load.

Advantages

  • 6GB DDR4 RAM, custom expandable up to 32GB;
  • the presence of a discrete video card;
  • 15.6 “widescreen display;
  • interfaces USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI, VGA and Combo mini jack 3.5 mm in the base.

disadvantages

  • “Slow” hard drive 1 TB.

Xiaomi Redmi Book 14 ”

Rating: 4.0

Xiaomi Redmi Book 14

On the last line of the rating is a laptop Xiaomi Redmi Book 14 “with an initial set of components. For 40 thousand rubles, a user can get a configuration with a processor Intel Core i3 8145U – dual-core ( 4 streams) clocked at 2.1 GHz, it is overclocked and can run at 3.9 GHz during peak overclocking.

The amount of RAM in the considered configuration Xiaomi Redmi Book 14 “- 4 GB DDR4 with an estimated frequency of 2400 MHz. Integrated video card, Intel UHD Graphics 620, hardly” will pull at least some resource games, but a 256 GB SSD is used as the main drive.

Taking into account the fact that the battery life of the laptop is almost 11 hours, and the weight does not exceed 1500 g, it will be an excellent purchase for working with documentation and a number of specialized programs.

Advantages

  • aluminium case;
  • lightness and beauty of design;
  • system responsiveness (thanks to SSD storage);
  • up to 11 hours of use without recharging and the presence of a quick charge function (50% in 35 minutes).

disadvantages

  • not the most optimal set of characteristics for 40 thousand rubles.


Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

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