best bang for the buck laptop for around 400$

[draco1218]

I'm starting college soon and want a laptop for class and I am going to want one that lasts me years.  I have a budget of 400-ish (upper limit of 450).  I would like to recommendation please? 

[manikyath]

refurbished HP EliteBook.

 

built like tanks, parts are VERY available, they're made to be very serviceable, and there's so many of them that get decommissioned annually that demand will never meet supply, so prices are very low.

[Biohazard777]

34 minutes ago, draco1218 said:

going to want one that lasts me years.

400$ new is entry-level garbage/e-waste, seriously I wouldn't touch that segment with a 9-foot pole.
If you want it to last you years and you want new, then increase your budget to 550$ minimum, otherwise start looking into refurbished/used.

 

[CasualExtremist]

32 minutes ago, Biohazard777 said:

400$ new is entry-level garbage/e-waste, seriously I wouldn't touch that segment with a 9-foot pole.
If you want it to last you years and you want new, then increase your budget to 550$ minimum, otherwise start looking into refurbished/used.

 

I'd even go as far as to say $650 minimum tbh (if new). Refurbished/used is king in the budget world.

 

For used/refurbished:

If it is just for class, I'd skip anything that has dedicated GPU. It will either be way too far outdated at your budget.

So with all that said I found one laptop that maybe would be okay at that price point. Use it for reference only, I do not know the seller, and do not want to seems as if I am promoting their business.

[Polaria]

1 hour ago, manikyath said:

refurbished HP EliteBook.

This, or the Thinkpad T-series so long as you're running Windows (Linux support with AX200-series wifi cards is a bit shoddy). You can easily find a T-14 gen 1 for under $400 refurbished, and as long I don't end up needing a laptop for anything besides taking notes mine will probably last me 5+ years.

[draco1218]

On 6/16/2025 at 3:32 PM, manikyath said:

refurbished HP EliteBook.

 

built like tanks, parts are VERY available, they're made to be very serviceable, and there's so many of them that get decommissioned annually that demand will never meet supply, so prices are very low.

 Can you be more specific on which one?

[manikyath]

1 hour ago, draco1218 said:

 Can you be more specific on which one?

whichever is available and fits the budget.