You do have some options for find cheap laptops under 400 dollars.  In fact, in some cases, you can get a brand new computer for less than 200 bucks that has everything you could possible want.  How is this even possible?  Well, what the stores don't want you to know about is that you can buy factory refurbished units direct from the manufacturer.  In most cases, they will have the same packaging and factory warranty.  They are gone over, so all issues, if any, are fixed and repaired.  You will soon find out how easy it is to get laptops under 400 dollars that are brand new, major names.  Let's look at who's selling them on their own sites.

Dell:  You can get dell scratch and dent computers direct from their own site.  You can choose from notebooks and laptops under 400 dollars.  This is possibly the best site to use, since all the products have complete and full warranty and are 100% guaranteed to be in working order.  Just so you know, with the Dell scratch and dent site, you can be overruns, customer returns, factor refurbished, and discontinued computers.  You'll find tons of laptops under 400 dollars.  At any given time, there are literally dozens to choose from on their site.