The best laptops these days are hard to come by for less than $500. Simply put, there aren’t any high-quality, well-made laptops in that price range on the market right now.
Fortunately, those looking for a new laptop at a reasonable price have a lot of great options. We’ve compiled a list of high-quality laptops under $500 that can get you through your day without breaking the bank below.
The majority of these devices aren’t built for cutting-edge performance or the best industrial designs. You can either buy a durable device that you can give to children knowing that if they break it, they’ll have broken something inexpensive, or you can buy a dependable laptop for yourself to use while working on the go.
The top laptops under $500 available right now on techiguard . com.
1. Low-priced laptops Dell Inspiron 3510.
CPU: A dual-core Intel Celeron N4020 processor with a maximum frequency of 2 GHz and 4 MB of cache.
The top laptops under $500.
Specifications:.
16GB DDR4 SDRAM for memory.
One terabyte (TB) hard drive.
Display: 15.6-inch HD (1366 x 768) monitor.
1366 by 768 is the screen resolution.
Windows 10 Home for operating systems.
2. Low-cost Dell Inspiron 3000 laptop.
In order to find the best deal on a cheap laptop, especially one that costs between $300 and $500, you must be willing to make some sacrifices. Due to its affordable, high-quality notebooks, Dell’s Inspiron 3000 series has distinguished itself as the exception to the rule. The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3511), similar to the 15-inch Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3505) we reviewed earlier this year, satisfies many of our requirements for a good budget laptop, including a sizable 15.6-inch display, a manageable $323 price tag, and Microsoft’s most recent operating system, Windows 11. Even though some features of the display reveal the laptop’s low price, it’s a good value if you’re certain you prefer a Windows machine over a Chromebook.
The top laptops under $500.
Specifications:.
CPU speed is 1 GHz.
1366 by 768 pixel display.
15 point 6 inch screen size.
128 GB on the hard drive.
DDR4 SDRAM is the type of RAM.
Windows 10 operating system.
3. 11 HP Stream.
SPECIFICATIONS.
Intel Celeron N4000, CPU.
Intel UHD 600, the GPU.
RAM: 4GB.
32GB eMMC flash memory.
Display: 11 inches, 1366 x 768.
Dimensions: 11 1/8 x 8 1/8 x 0 1/8 inches.
Approximately 2.5 pounds.
CAUSES TO BUY.
lengthened battery life.
superior results compared to rivals.
insanely affordable.
REASONS TO STAY AWAY FROM.
faded, low-resolution display.
pathetic webcam.
You won’t find a better Windows laptop for under $200 than the HP Stream 11, depending on the model you pick. The portable 11-inch chassis, 2.5 pounds, and 0.7-inch size of the Stream are impressive. The HP Stream 11 is still cute for its small size even though our particular model has a matte black finish.
The Stream 11’s Intel Celeron N4000 processor and 4GB of RAM were able to manage 10 Microsoft Edge tabs and a 1080p YouTube video, though you shouldn’t expect much from it. The gadget performed admirably for 9 hours and 19 minutes on our battery test. Although it has a somewhat small keyboard, the key travel is adequate. One of the best budget laptops available is the HP Stream 11.
The Samsung Chromebook 4 is the top laptop under $500 if battery life is your top concern. Finally, add a good keyboard and a very slim design.
4. 4. Samsung Chromebook.
that laptop’s best battery life.
SPECIFICATIONS.
Intel Celeron 3000N is the CPU.
Intel UHD 600, the GPU.
RAM: 4GB.
32GB eMMC is used for storage.
Display: 11.6-inch, 1366 by 768 resolution.
11.33×7.96×0.66 inches in size.
2 pound and six pounds.
PURPOSE FOR BUYING.
a long battery life.
thinner and lighter than rivals.
Fair performance.
DON’T DO IT REASONS.
Without touch, a dim display.
large bezels.
The Samsung Chromebook 4 ($229 list price) is the best Chromebook available if you’re looking for one that is absurdly inexpensive. It outlasted our battery test by a full 10 hours and 36 minutes, making it the best battery-life sub-$500 laptop. The Samsung Chromebook 4 resembles many of the MacBook knockoffs we’ve seen over the years thanks to its curved edges and silver color. The laptop’s plastic body is pricey, but its aluminum top is a little nicer than I had anticipated.
The Samsung Chromebook 4’s Intel Celeron 3000N processor and 4GB of RAM offer respectable multitasking performance, especially for the price. Given that it has a good keyboard, this machine is best suited for those who primarily use laptops for typing; however, the screen and sound quality are also subpar. However, it’s a good ultraportable laptop due to its light weight and respectable performance.
Despite being a record-breaker, the Acer Chromebook 317 only received a fair performance rating in our tests.
5. 317 Chromebook from Acer.
The top 17-inch laptop for the money.
SPECIFICATIONS.
Pentium Silver N6000 from Intel.
GPU: UHD Intel.
RAM: 8GB.
64GB eMMC is used for storage.
1920×1080 resolution display at 17 inches.
Dimensions: 15.8 x 10.5 x 0.9 inches.
5 34 pounds in weight.
CAUSES TO BUY.
enormous display.
wide-ranging touchpad and keyboard.
good battery life.
DON’T DO IT REASONS.
small display.
Average performance.
The Acer Chromebook 317 is the first 17-inch laptop to run Chrome OS. After all, don’t most Chromebook users want a portable, lightweight device that is useful for traveling? When I first learned about it, I was confused and wondered, “Why?But after using this laptop for a while, I realized there was a method to Acer’s seemingly arbitrary decisions.
The Chromebook 317 has a market because it is designed for people with large hands who are sick of feeling like they are typing with thick, meaty sausage links. You should buy this laptop if you like to go big or go home. Go big and go home, though, is what you’ll have to do in this situation. You’d be better off leaving the Chromebook 317 in your home office since it isn’t exactly portable.
The Chromebook 317 doesn’t have the brightest display, fastest processor, or most battery life, but it is adequate for those who are willing to forego those advantages in exchangefor a Chromebook that is roomy and has a large display, as well as a healthy bank account.
6. Duet Chromebook by Lenovo.
the top $300 Chromebook.
SPECIFICATIONS.
MediaTek Helio P60T is the CPU.
a GPU: an ARM G72 MP3.
RAM: 4GB.
Storage: eMMC 64GB.
1920 x 1200 pixels, 10 point 1.
Dimensions: 9.6 by 6.7 by 0.7 inches.
2 pounds.
CAUSES TO BUY.
a charge lasts a long time.
includes a kickstand and keyboard.
vibrant display.
good performance.
REASONS TO STAY AWAY.
overcrowded keyboard.
When you open the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (reviewed at $279), you’ll discover that it’s actually a tiny laptop with a vivid 10 point 1 inch display.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet’s ability to transform is not its only appealing feature; in our battery test, it outlasted the 10-hour average runtime for Chromebooks by nearly 13 hours. The price of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is a key selling point as well. It costs less than $300 to own a portable computer capable of handling all of your demanding web multitasking.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet has a vibrant, 10 point 1 inch, 1920 x 1200 display. The screen of the tablet has large bezels, which might turn you off if you prefer a more modern look. Due to the Duet’s affordable price, we can accept the lack of thin bezels as a fair trade-off.
7. x2 HP Chromebook.
a 2-in-1 computer that excels.
SPECIFICATIONS.
Intel Core m3-7Y30 CPU.
Intel HD 615 serves as the GPU.
RAM: 4GB.
32GB eMMC is used for storage.
Display: 12.3 inches, 2400 by 1600.
11.5 inches by 8.3 inches by 0.3 inches.
3 12 pounds in weight.
REASONS TO PURCHASE.
vivid, high-resolution display.
long-lasting battery.
a pleasant experience when typing.
RATIONALE TO AVOID.
heavier than other convertibles by a small amount.
Not the fastest CPU is the Core m3.
The HP Chromebook x2 wouldn’t have been on this page before it was priced under $500, but it is now. A 2400 x 1600 color display and a reliable set of speakers are just a couple of the extras the HP Chromebook x2 provides over competing cheap laptops. I was impressed by the 2400 x 1600 pixel panel on the HP Chromebook x2 as I viewed the Captain Marvel trailer on it. Captain Marvel’s jade uniform and the deep, eerie black of the hallway she was traversing both looked fantastic on the x2’s display.
The Chromebook x2 additionally features a comfortable keyboard and a battery life of nearly 9 hours on a single charge. The fact that it also includes an HP Active Pen that can keep up with our fastest drawings is the icing on the cake. One of the best Chromebooks for the money is the HP Chromebook x2.
8. Chromebook Lenovo Duet 5.
which Chromebook is the lightest.
SPECIFICATIONS.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor.
GPU: N/A.
RAM: 8GB.
128GB eMMC for storage.
1920×1080 OLED display, 13.3 inches.
Dimensions: 12 x 7 pt. x 0 pt.
2 pound and 22 ounces.
PURPOSE FOR BUYING.
a long battery life.
2-in-1 design that is detachable.
OLED display that is vividly bright.
comprised of a keyboard and a cover.
REASONS TO STAY AWAY.
Lack of a stylus.
The Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook is a significant upgrade over the reasonably priced Duet Chromebook from the previous year. This 2-in-1 is just as compelling despite the higher price, which may turn some people off.
Although the Duet 5 retains the same fabric back cover and keyboard cover as the previous model, opening it up reveals a 13.3-inch OLED display that will have you reconsidering the device’s sub-$500 price tag. With a vastly improved Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor, which offers more than 13 hours of battery life, the changes are more significant.
The Duet 5 has matured and is prepared to compete with the best sub-$500 laptops on the market today, even though it may not be the tenacious low-budget champion that the original Chromebook Duet was.
9. 15-inch HP Chromebook.
a top-notch Chromebook.
SPECIFICATIONS.
Processor: Intel Core i3-8130U.
GPU: UHD 620 from Intel.
RAM: 4GB.
128GB eMMC is used for storage.
1920 x 1080 resolution on a 15-inch display.
14.11×9.69×0.7 inches in size.
4 pounds in weight.
REASONS TO PURCHASE.
design that is refreshing.
sufficient battery life.
overall strong performance.
REASONS TO STAY AWAY.
heated scree.
Small audio.
The HP Chromebook 15 is your best option if you want an affordable Chromebook with a larger, sharper display. You can purchase a Chromebook with a Core i3 processor and a comfortable keyboard for only $469. In the upper left corner of the white metal hood are the blackened Chrome and shiny silver HP logos. Another feature that gives the HP Chromebook 15 a sleeker, softer appearance is a round circular hinge that curves inward at both ends.
As an added bonus, the battery life is 9 hours, 51 minutes. Additionally, it has a respectable number of ports, including a microSD card slot, two USB Type-C ports, and a USB Type-A port. Despite not having a lot of color, the display is sharp, bright, and offers plenty of space. It’s undoubtedly among the best inexpensive laptops available.
10. Flex 5 Chromebook by Lenovo.
The best laptop for typing.
SPECIFICATIONS.
Intel Core i3-10110U as the processor.
GPU: UHD Intel.
RAM: 4GB.
64GB eMMC for storage.
1920 by 1080 pixels are displayed on a 13.3-inch screen.a Dimensions: 12 2 x 8 3 x 0 7 inches.
2.9 pounds in total.
PURPOSE FOR BUYING.
Flexible 2-in-1 construction.
Support for pens on a touchscreen.
The keyboard is superb.
REASONS TO STAY AWAY.
battery life that is subpar.
display that is dim.
Despite being affordable, the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook ($409 reviewed) doesn’t look, feel, or have the quality of a cheap device. Despite the word “Flex” being in the name of this Chromebook, it has a premium, partially aluminum body and a solid metal chassis. The Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook initially gives off the impression of being just another gray clamshell laptop, but it also has a sturdy 360-degree hinge that allows it to double as a tablet.
The Chromebook Flex 5’s keyboard, which is the device’s best feature after the build quality, will win you over. One of the colickiest and noisiest keys we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing so far is on this backlit island-style keyboard. The keyboard on the Chromebook Flex 5 handles all word processing tasks with rhythmic speed, making it perfect for productive work.
How to choose the best laptops under $500 that suit your needs.
Your financial situation will have a significant impact on the best laptop under $500 for you. You won’t even need to stretch your budget to $500 because our top picks, the Acer Aspire E 15 and Acer Aspire 5, typically sell for $300 to $400. Despite the fact that these laptops are currently slightly out of your price range, you should think about saving up if you can because they come with Intel Core i3 processors, which are uncommon in laptops priced under $500.
However, a Chromebook might be the best option for you if you don’t mind using Chrome OS. I am outside. Because the operating system is removed, it will perform better than the typical Windows 10 laptop at the same price. It is inexpensive. Some excellent Chromebooks under $500 include the Samsung Chromebook 4, HP Chromebook 15, and HP Chromebook x2.