At this price level, a laptop may cover browsing, schoolwork, and video calls while making compromises on memory or screen resolution. This guide to the best laptop under $400 compares two 14-inch HP models, so you can judge which listed features fit your work, software needs, and daily routine.
Both listings specify an Intel N150 processor, an HD display, Wi-Fi 6, and a 720p webcam. Their meaningful differences include the first model’s 4GB of RAM and expanded storage package, and the second model’s listed Windows 11 Home installation, Copilot key, and battery playback claims.
Pros
- Lightweight build weighing 3.24 pounds
- Bundled one-year Microsoft 365 subscription
- Modern Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity
- Fast charge battery support
Cons
- Low 1366 x 768 display resolution
- Limited 4GB RAM restricts heavy multitasking
- Secondary storage relies on external SD card
Pros
- 16GB RAM
- Light 3.24-pound design
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4
- Multiple USB ports and HDMI
Cons
- 1366 × 768 display resolution
- Who should skip it: buyers seeking a sharper display
The Best Laptops by Use Case
Best for Basic School Tasks: HP 14 14″ Ultra-Light Laptop, Intel N150, 4GB RAM
The student laptop category includes many different needs, but this HP is aimed at lighter school and home workloads. Its listing specifies an Intel N150 processor, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 14-inch HD screen. That may suit web research, documents, and online classes, provided your apps and browser habits fit the limited memory.
The listing includes a one-year Microsoft 365 subscription with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also claims up to 11 hours of battery life, but actual runtime depends on use, settings, and other conditions.
Reasons to buy:
- Includes one year of Microsoft 365, useful for students who need the listed Office apps.
- Offers HDMI and USB-C connections for attaching an external display; verify the connection details against your monitor.
- Includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless networking and accessories.
Reasons to avoid:
- 4GB of RAM is a constraint for heavier multitasking or memory-intensive applications.
- The 1366 × 768 resolution gives less desktop space than a Full HD screen.
Skip it if your coursework depends on demanding creative software or keeping many demanding apps open at once. Consider whether the listed memory and HD resolution meet your school’s software requirements before ordering.
Product: HP 14 14″ Ultra-Light Laptop, Intel N150, 4GB RAM
Best for Microsoft 365 Buyers: HP 14 14″ Ultra-Light Laptop, Intel N150, 4GB RAM
For a buyer who values bundled productivity software, this configuration stands out because its listing explicitly includes a one-year Microsoft 365 subscription. The included apps are Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Check subscription terms and renewal details before relying on the bundle for continued access after the first year.
The listing describes 256GB total storage as 128GB UFS plus a 128GB SD card. It also states that the laptop was expanded to the advertised storage capacity, and that the expanded SD card storage has a separate three-year warranty from Issaquah Highlands Tech. The listing says a one-year manufacturer warranty covers other components, so verify warranty terms with the seller before purchase.
Reasons to buy:
- Microsoft 365 is included for one year, according to the listing.
- The advertised storage package combines 128GB UFS with a 128GB SD card.
- Windows 11 Home in S mode can be switched to Windows 11 Home through Windows Settings, according to the listing.
Reasons to avoid:
- The storage is split between UFS and an SD card, not described as one internal SSD.
- Windows 11 in S mode may limit app installation to Microsoft Store apps until you switch modes.
Skip it if you need a larger memory capacity or want a conventional single-drive storage layout. Confirm how the SD card is installed and what the warranty covers.
Product: HP 14 14″ Ultra-Light Laptop, Intel N150, 4GB RAM
Best for Video Calls and Daily Carry: HP 14 Inch Everyday Laptop, 2027 Edition
The HP 14 Inch Everyday Laptop, 2027 Edition, is listed at 3.24 lb, with a 14-inch HD anti-glare display and a 720p camera. Its listing also specifies noise reduction for the camera and dual-array microphones. Those details make it a practical candidate for classes or meetings on the move, though the listing does not establish how the camera or microphones perform in every room.
For battery life, the manufacturer listing claims up to 11.5 hours of video playback or 7.5 hours of wireless streaming. Treat those as stated use-case estimates, not guaranteed runtimes. If you often work away from an outlet, compare these claims with your own expected screen brightness, workload, and wireless use.
Reasons to buy:
- The listed 3.24 lb weight supports carrying it between home, school, and meetings.
- Dual-array microphones and camera noise reduction are specified for video calls.
- The keyboard includes a dedicated Microsoft Copilot key, and the listing describes a multi-touch HP Imagepad.
Reasons to avoid:
- The HD resolution is 1366 × 768, which leaves less workspace than a Full HD panel.
- The listing gives no RAM capacity or storage type, so verify both before purchase if they affect your apps.
Skip it if you need confirmed memory and storage specifications before deciding. Check the complete listing or ask the seller to clarify those details.
Product: HP 14 Inch Everyday Laptop, 2027 Edition
Best for Windows 11 Home Out of the Box: HP 14 Inch Everyday Laptop, 2027 Edition
This model’s listing specifies Windows 11 Home 64-bit, while the other HP listing specifies Windows 11 Home in S mode. That difference matters if you expect to install desktop software outside the Microsoft Store: the first listing describes switching out of S mode, while this model is listed as Windows 11 Home. Confirm the exact software you plan to use and the installed edition before buying.
The model also lists Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C, two USB-A ports, HDMI 1.4b, and a headphone/mic jack. Port names alone do not establish USB-C data speed, charging support, or external-display capability, so check the manufacturer’s details if you need a particular dock or monitor setup.
Reasons to buy:
- Windows 11 Home 64-bit is specified in the listing, without the S mode qualification.
- Includes two USB-A ports, USB-C, HDMI 1.4b, and a headphone/mic jack.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 are listed for wireless connections.
Reasons to avoid:
- The listing does not state RAM capacity or storage type, so buyers should verify these before relying on the laptop for specific programs.
- The screen is HD rather than Full HD, which may feel limiting when viewing detailed documents or keeping several windows visible.
Skip it if your choice depends on confirmed RAM, drive technology, or USB-C charging support and you cannot verify those details first.
Product: HP 14 Inch Everyday Laptop, 2027 Edition
How to Choose the Best Laptop Under $400
Check RAM against your daily workload
RAM affects how comfortably a laptop handles several open programs and browser tabs. The first HP lists 4GB of DDR4 RAM, a modest amount for multitasking. The second listing does not state RAM capacity in the published information, so do not assume it has more. Check the full listing or ask the seller for the exact capacity, and compare it with the requirements for your school or work applications.
Separate storage capacity from storage type
Capacity tells you how much room is available for files and apps; storage type and layout can also matter. The first HP’s listing describes 128GB of UFS storage plus a 128GB SD card, totaling 256GB as advertised. The second model’s title mentions a 128GB SSD, but the published feature details do not clarify the full storage arrangement. Verify the final configuration, especially if you keep large files locally or install many applications.
Decide whether an HD screen is enough
Both products list a 14-inch, 1366 × 768 HD display with anti-glare treatment and 250 nits of brightness. That resolution can cover basic documents, browsing, and video calls, but it provides less workspace than a Full HD panel. If you regularly compare documents side by side or work with detailed spreadsheets, consider whether the screen resolution will feel restrictive. The first listing says its HDMI and USB-C connections support an external monitor up to 4K at 60Hz; verify the exact cable and port capabilities you need.
Compare battery claims with your routine
The first listing claims up to 11 hours of battery life. The second lists up to 11.5 hours of video playback or 7.5 hours of wireless streaming. These are manufacturer claims under stated usage categories, not a direct comparison under identical conditions. If you need to work away from an outlet, consider which activity best matches your use and remember that brightness, apps, and wireless connections can affect runtime.
Match software and ports to your devices
The first HP comes with Windows 11 Home in S mode, which its listing says can be switched to Windows 11 Home. The second is listed with Windows 11 Home 64-bit. Check software requirements before choosing, and review the seller’s instructions if switching modes matters. Both listings name USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4, but neither USB-C label alone confirms every charging, data, or display feature. Check the exact connection requirements for your monitor, dock, headset, or other accessories.
If your budget can stretch and your tasks call for a different specification set, compare this guide with our laptop options under $800. Students can also browse our student laptop category and laptop guide for graphic design to see what other workloads may demand.
How We Compared
This comparison uses the published product listings, including processor and memory details where stated, display specifications, storage descriptions, battery-life claims, ports, operating systems, and included software. We also considered listed design and video-call features, plus the differences in how each listing describes its storage and Windows edition. No customer feedback was supplied for these products, so this guide does not draw conclusions from buyer experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these laptops suitable for online classes?
Both listings describe features relevant to online classes, including a 720p camera, wireless connectivity, and a 14-inch display. The first lists 4GB of RAM, so check the requirements for your video-call app and the number of other programs you plan to run. The second lists camera noise reduction and dual-array microphones, but confirm its memory capacity before purchase.
Can either laptop connect to an external monitor?
Both listings include HDMI and USB-C ports. The first specifically claims support for an external monitor up to 4K at 60Hz through HDMI and USB-C. The published details for the second do not specify USB-C display support or a maximum output resolution, so verify compatibility with your monitor before relying on that port.
What is the difference between Windows 11 Home and S mode?
The first model is listed with Windows 11 Home in S mode, and its listing says it can be switched to Windows 11 Home through Settings. The second is listed with Windows 11 Home 64-bit. If you need to install software from outside the Microsoft Store, confirm the edition and switching process before buying.
Does the first laptop have 256GB of internal storage?
Its listing describes 128GB of UFS storage plus a 128GB SD card, for 256GB of advertised combined storage. That is not the same description as a single 256GB internal drive. Check how the SD card is supplied and installed, and confirm the warranty details for the expanded storage.
Which laptop should I choose for everyday browsing and documents?
Either may suit lighter browsing and document work based on the listed Intel N150 processor and Windows software. The first provides a stated 4GB of RAM and a one-year Microsoft 365 subscription; the second lists Windows 11 Home, a Copilot key, and a specified weight of 3.24 lb. Since the second listing does not provide RAM capacity in the published details, verify it before choosing between them.
Are the listed battery-life figures guaranteed?
No. The figures are claims in the product listings: up to 11 hours for the first model, and up to 11.5 hours of video playback or 7.5 hours of wireless streaming for the second. Actual battery life varies with settings and workload, so treat the claims as guidance rather than guaranteed runtimes.
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