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You want a laptop that works for school or browsing, but you only have about $150. The smartest buy is a renewed Chromebook — you get the same 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768 HD screen (a standard laptop display with 1366 by 768 pixels) and 4 GB of RAM (short-term memory for open apps) as a new unit, usually for less than half the money. The catch is that “renewed” covers a huge range of condition, so the models below are the ones whose battery, touchscreen, and build quality actually hold up in daily use.
I’m Min — the founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Cheap laptops live and die by battery hours and screen quality, not by brand name. This guide ranks the $150 laptop picks by the two things you actually feel every day: how long the charge lasts and how the screen looks.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best $150 Laptop
At this price every laptop is a renewed or refurbished unit, so your job is not picking a brand — it is picking the one whose weak spot you can live with. Spend 20 minutes on the three checks below and you will avoid the two problems that send most cheap Chromebooks back.
Battery hours are the number that decides your day
A Chromebook’s battery rating (measured in hours of average use before it needs a charge) is the single spec you will feel every single day. A 14-hour unit gets you through a full school day or work shift on one charge. A 12-hour unit covers most days but wants topping up by evening. The reviews on cheap renewals split sharply here — plenty of units hold their charge for years, while a worn-out battery can fade inside two hours. Buy from a listing with a stated battery figure and you are shortlisting the healthier units.
The screen size and resolution you are actually getting
Nearly every model at this level uses a 1366 x 768 panel (roughly 1,366 pixels across and 768 down — fine for email, browsing, and video, but not sharp like a modern phone). A 15.6-inch screen at 1920 x 1080 full HD is the exception, and it is the biggest single upgrade you can buy in this bracket. If you mostly read documents or watch shows, screen quality matters more than processor speed.
Processor and RAM: what “fast enough” means here
These laptops run Intel Celeron chips (Intel’s low-power, low-cost processors) paired with 4 GB of RAM. That combination handles browsing, email, streaming, and video calls without trouble, but it will stutter if you open fifteen browser tabs or try heavy multitasking. The processor’s maximum speed — 2.4 GHz to 2.8 GHz on these models — tells you how quickly it finishes a task, not how many tasks it can juggle at once.
Storage, ports, and the 2-in-1 hinge
Most units ship with 32 GB of flash storage (fast memory that also holds the operating system), which leaves room for apps and a few downloaded files, with everything else living in the cloud. Some step up to 64 GB. A 2-in-1 hinge lets the screen fold all the way back into a tablet, which is genuinely useful for kids and for touch-heavy apps. Check the ports too: USB-C is the modern charging and video standard, while USB-A and HDMI are what older monitors and drives still use.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Battery Life | Storage | Max CPU Speed | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell Chromebook 11 3100 2-in-1★ Best Overall | All-day work and school | 14 hours | 32 GB | 2.8 GHz | Amazon |
| Acer Chromebook 311 C733Top Performer | Fastest boot for the money | — | 32 GB | 2.8 GHz | Amazon |
| Samsung Chromebook 4 | Cheapest everyday web machine | 12 hours | 32 GB | 2.6 GHz | Amazon |
| Acer Chromebook Spin 311 | Tablet-style use and gifts | — | 32 GB | 2.7 GHz | Amazon |
| Dell Chromebook 3100 | Classroom and email duty | — | 16 GB | 1.1 GHz | Amazon |
| Lenovo 100e Windows 2nd Gen | Windows apps and familiarity | — | 64 GB | 2.8 GHz | Amazon |
| ASUS Chromebook CX1500 | Big-screen viewing | — | 64 GB | 2.4 GHz | Amazon |
In-Depth Reviews
1. Dell Chromebook 11 3100 11.6″ Touchscreen 2 in 1 (Renewed)
Our pick — over 4★ from 700+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
A 14-hour battery and a screen that folds flat — this is the pick that keeps working after everyone else plugs in.
The Dell Chromebook 11 3100 runs on a 14-hour battery rating, and the 2-in-1 hinge lets the 11.6-inch touchscreen flip back into a tablet. Both features matter at this price, because most cheap Chromebooks give you one or the other. The Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core processor (a two-core low-power chip) peaks at 2.8 GHz, which handles browsing, email, and streaming without protest.
You get up to 14 hours of battery life, which is two extra hours over the Samsung Chromebook 4’s 12-hour rating — that matters when you are packing for a full school day and do not want to carry the charger. The processor also edges ahead: 2.8 GHz versus the Samsung’s 2.6 GHz, so apps open a little faster. Reviewers split on consistency here — some units hold their charge beautifully while others fade within about two hours of use — so buy from a listing with an easy return window, and you protect yourself either way. Value for money is the thing owners bring up far more than anything else, and the touchscreen gets steady praise for being responsive and accurate.
You get 32 GB of flash memory (built-in storage for apps and files), which is double the 16 GB on the Dell Chromebook 3100, so you have more room for apps and downloads before you lean on the cloud. The included 65-watt power adapter (a charger that moves power faster than a standard phone brick) tops it up quickly. What owners keep flagging in the middle is the general feel of performance rather than any one fault — it is quick for a single task and less so with a dozen tabs open, so set your expectations to browsing-first.
The Everyday Case
- 14-hour battery rating means a full day away from a wall outlet
- Touchscreen flips into tablet mode for kids and touch apps
- 32 GB storage, double the entry-level 16 GB units
- 2.8 GHz max processor speed is the fastest on this list
Sized-Up Reality
- A worn battery is the main thing buyers send these back for — check the return window
- 4 GB of RAM means heavy multitasking will slow it down
- Renewed condition varies, so expect cosmetic marks on some units
Pick it for: the student or work-from-anywhere buyer who wants the longest battery on the list plus a tablet mode.
Think twice if: you need to keep a dozen heavy browser tabs open at once — 4 GB of RAM is the ceiling here.
2. Acer Chromebook 311 C733-C5AS (Renewed)
The fastest boot on the list, thanks to the same 2.8 GHz chip family that runs the top pick.
The Acer Chromebook 311 C733 pairs an Intel Celeron N4020 processor with a 2.80 GHz burst frequency — the speed it can reach for short bursts when a task demands it. Owners describe it as quick to turn on, which is the everyday payoff: you open the lid and you are working, not waiting. The 11.6-inch screen runs at 1366 x 768 with a 60 Hz refresh rate (it draws a fresh image 60 times a second, which is the standard for smooth scrolling and video).
Performance is what earns this model its place — it is the aspect owners bring up more than any other, and it holds up across Linux and Chrome OS alike. Speed is also among the most discussed traits in a positive light, helped by the raised-key keyboard that is easier to type on than a flat one. The battery picture is genuinely divided: plenty of units charge full in one to two hours and hold a long charge, while a handful never charge properly at all. Buying renewed from a seller with returns removes most of that risk.
Where this Acer sits against the Samsung Chromebook 4 is straightforward: same 32 GB of storage, but a higher 2.8 GHz ceiling versus the Samsung’s 2.6 GHz. On ports, USB-C handles audio and charging, which is a modern setup. There is one oddity buyers report worth knowing before you buy — the microSD card slot can swallow a card deep enough that you would need to open the chassis to retrieve it, so use cloud or USB storage for files you move often.
Rebuild-friendly: A cluster of buyers run Linux on it and call the CPU plenty for the job, which is rare praise at this tier — it means the hardware is not the bottleneck.
Fine print: The microSD slot is a genuine annoyance if you swap cards regularly, so treat it as a fixed-storage machine.
Reach for this if: you want the snappiest day-to-day responsiveness and do not mind charging regularly.
Look elsewhere if: you need a guaranteed long battery — the top pick is the safer bet on endurance.
3. Samsung Chromebook 4 Chrome OS 11.6-inch (Renewed)
The entry price here is the lowest of the mid-tier picks — so low it nearly drops into budget territory.
At the lowest price of the mid-tier picks, the Samsung Chromebook 4 is the value play here without feeling like a compromise. It arrives with 32 GB of storage — double the 16 GB on the Dell Chromebook 3100 — plus a 12-hour battery rating and a 1366 x 768 screen that reviewers call plenty sharp for browsing and video. The Intel Celeron N4000 processor tops out at 2.6 GHz, which is enough for streaming, email, and light schoolwork.
Samsung’s software story is the quiet strength: Chrome OS powers up in seconds, Google Play opens a full app library, and the unit handles a real mix of kids’ games, documents, and shows. One honest note — some owners get well over five hours per charge, and the listing’s 12-hour figure assumes fresh cells, so a worn refurb may not hit that number on day one.
Where the Samsung finishes behind the two Dells above is processor speed: 2.6 GHz versus the N4020’s 2.8 GHz. That gap is small in Chrome OS, but it shows up on heavier pages. The trackpad is the recurring weak point — a few buyers find the click stops registering, and the fix is a return rather than a repair. If you mostly type and tap and rarely click and drag, that is a manageable risk. For a student who needs a cheap, capable Chromebook and does not need a tablet mode, this is a very tidy answer.
Best from a kid’s desk: The 11.6-inch screen and 12-hour rating line up well with school days, and the bright silver finish resists the usual fingerprint clutter.
The trade-off: Buy from a seller with easy returns — a finicky trackpad is the one repeat issue that turns a great buy into a return.
The right call for: budget-conscious buyers who want the most storage and the lowest price in the mid-tier.
Step up to the Dell if: a tablet mode or faster processor matters more than saving the difference.
4. Acer Chromebook Spin 311 R721T-62ZQ 2 in 1 (Renewed)
An AMD-powered flip that shines as a gift — owners describe it as looking brand new from the start.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is the only AMD model here, running an A6-9220C processor at a 1.80 GHz base speed that can boost to 2.70 GHz. The chip’s own graphics (AMD Radeon R5) and the 2-in-1 hinge make this a genuinely handy tablet replacement for light use — the kind of machine you hand a 62-year-old first-time owner and watch them enjoy the flip mode within a day.
Yes, that is a real story from the reviews: one buyer bought this as a gift for their mother and reported she loves the 2-in-1 features so much they considered buying another for work. That is the pattern here — appearance and build quality are what win people over, and the durable chassis and responsive touchscreen get consistent appreciation. At this price bracket, it is a solid pick for a learner or a second-screen household.
Where this Acer falls short of the Dell above is consistency. Some units work perfectly and some stop powering on over time, and one buyer even received a Lenovo instead of the ordered model — a packing error, not a design flaw, but one worth guarding against by checking the return policy. There is also no published battery-hour figure to compare against the top pick’s 14-hour rating, so if longevity between charges is your main concern, the Dell is safer.
Ideal for: gifting to a light user — a parent, a student, or anyone who wants a flip laptop without fuss.
Skip if: you need a published battery rating; there is none here to compare against the competition.
5. Dell Chromebook 3100 11.6″ HD Celeron N4000 (Renewed)
Built for email, stock pages, and the school run — performance is what carries this one.
The Dell Chromebook 3100 wins on day-to-day reliability rather than headline specs. The Intel Celeron N4000 processor and 4 GB of RAM handle web browsing, email, and light documents well — that combination is exactly what owners use it for. It is notably the only laptop here with a stated Bluetooth 5.3 version (the newer wireless standard, which means a stronger, farther-reaching connection to headphones and speakers).
The storage is the trade-off to know up front: 16 GB of solid state drive, half the 32 GB that the Samsung Chromebook 4 and Acer 311 ship with. In Chrome OS, that still leaves room for apps and documents as long as you keep photos and downloads in the cloud. Two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports and two USB Type-C ports with power delivery round out a genuinely useful port selection — you can charge over USB-C or run an external display without an adapter.
Battery life is the divided part. Like its sibling above, owners mention real variation in how well the cells hold up — some units run beautifully all day while others drain fast. Reviewers find it easy to set up and comfortable to type on, and the parental controls and Google account support make it a natural fit for a kid’s first laptop.
What it does well: Real-world performance is the theme — owners call it fast, easy to set up, and great for checking email, stock pages, and school assignments.
Honest caveat: 16 GB is tight for local files, so plan on living in the cloud rather than downloading your music library.
Buy this if: you want a sturdy, no-frills Chromebook for school or light home use and you are comfortable with cloud storage.
Pay more for the Samsung if: 32 GB of local storage and a tablet mode are worth the small step up.
6. Lenovo 100e Windows 2nd Gen 81M80035US (Renewed)
The only Windows machine on the list — 64 GB of storage and full desktop-app compatibility.
If you need Windows, the Lenovo 100e is the answer on this list. It packs a 64 GB flash drive — double the 32 GB on most Chromebooks here — plus a 1366 x 768 screen at 60 Hz and the same Intel Celeron N4020 processor peaking at 2.8 GHz. The Windows OS means you can run the desktop programs school, work, or hobby software sometimes demands, and the Intel UHD-class integrated graphics handle everyday video without trouble.
Owners describe it as a simple machine that does the job — basic tasks, web, documents — with the appeal of working in a familiar interface. The 64 GB storage is the standout spec: it is more than most rivals at this tier, so you can keep more files local rather than trusting the cloud.
The reliability picture is genuinely mixed, and the worth-knowing part is that the warranty is short and some units fail near the end of it. One owner had hardware fail one day before the 90-day window closed. That is not a reason to rule out the Lenovo, but it is a reason to test it hard in the first month. Bluetooth 4.2 handles wireless accessories, and the HDMI plus USB ports mean it connects to a monitor or external keyboard without adapters — a real advantage for a desk setup.
The right buyer: anyone who needs Windows specifically, and wants the most local storage at this tier.
skip it if: you want a longer warranty — 90 days is the ceiling, so test the unit thoroughly in week one.
7. ASUS Chromebook CX1500 15.6″ FHD (Renewed)
The only 15.6-inch full-HD screen here — the single biggest visual upgrade in this price range.
Screen quality is the reason to consider the ASUS Chromebook CX1500 before anything else on the list. It delivers a 1920 x 1080 full-HD anti-glare display on a 15.6-inch panel — nearly double the pixel count of the 1366 x 768 screens the other picks use, which means sharper text, clearer photos, and no washed-out glare in a bright room. The processor is the Intel Celeron N3350 peaking at 2.4 GHz, the lowest clock speed here, but full HD video and everyday web work move precisely because the screen and graphics do the heavy lifting.
Storage steps up to 64 GB of eMMC flash — double the 32 GB on the Chromebooks above — giving you real room for files and apps before you lean on Google Drive. The 4 GB of DDR4 RAM runs the usual mix of tabs and apps without slowdown in light use, and the backlit-free keyboard and 720p webcam cover the basics for video calls. At under 4 lbs and about three-quarters of an inch thick, it is light enough to carry in a backpack. Ports are generous: two USB Type-C, two USB Type-A, a headphone/microphone combo jack, and a media card reader.
The trade-off is honestly reported — the performance aspect is mixed in the reviews, with some units running fast while others feel sluggish, and one owner had issues with the machine not powering on. It is a full-size laptop rather than a flip tablet, so factor that in if you wanted touch. Speakers are basic on the base model, which is note if you watch media without headphones.
What stands out: 1920 x 1080 on a 15.6-inch panel is the only full HD screen in this group — reading and streaming look dramatically better than the 1366 x 768 crowd.
A small honesty: A handful of units are sluggish or fail to start, so buy with a return window and test it thoroughly.
Choose this if: screen size and sharpness rank above portability — this is the largest and sharpest display in the group.
Choose a smaller pick if: you want a flip or a lighter bag, since this is a full 15.6-inch laptop.
Understanding the Specs
Battery Life (in hours)
Battery ratings tell you roughly how long the laptop runs on a single charge under average use, so a 14-hour unit is a full school day and a 12-hour unit covers most of one. In renewed laptops the rating reflects fresh cells, so an older refurb may finish short of the number. Always check the listing’s stated figure and, if it is missing, assume it will need charging well before the day ends.
Processor Speed (GHz)
GHz measures how fast a processor completes one task, and a single figure like 2.8 GHz usually means the top speed the chip can hit in a short burst. Higher is quicker at finishing each job, but it does not mean the laptop can run many things at once — that is RAM and core count. For browsing and streaming, anything in the 2.4 to 2.8 GHz range is plenty.
Storage (GB)
Storage is the local space your apps, downloads, and files live on. 16 GB is tight, 32 GB is standard at this tier, and 64 GB is generous — but on a Chromebook most of your photos and documents sit in the cloud anyway, so local storage can stay modest. More storage is the safer choice if you plan to keep files offline.
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768 is the common cheap-laptop resolution — perfectly readable for web, email, and video, but not crisp. 1920 x 1080 full HD nearly doubles the pixel count for noticeably sharper text and photos, and it is the single upgrade that most improves how the laptop feels day to day.
FAQ
Is a renewed Chromebook as good as a new one?
Will a $150 laptop run Microsoft Word and Google Docs?
How long does the battery actually last on these laptops?
Can I run games on a $150 laptop?
Is 4 GB of RAM enough for everyday use?
Do I need a touchscreen or a 2-in-1 in this price range?
Should I get a Chromebook or a Windows laptop?
Will a $150 laptop work for online classes?
What should I check first when the laptop arrives?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most buyers, the winner in the $150 laptop bracket is the Dell Chromebook 11 3100: its 14-hour battery is the longest here, and it adds a 2-in-1 touchscreen plus 32 GB of storage against the entry models’ 16 GB. If you want a snappier feel and do not need a flip, grab the Acer Chromebook 311 C733 — its 2.8 GHz peak makes it the fastest to boot here. And for the biggest, sharpest screen in the group, the ASUS Chromebook CX1500 is the one to reach for.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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