10 Best laptops under $500 [Cheapest]

The market for low-cost laptops under $500 is still fiercely competitive and offers a wide range of alternatives with outstanding performance and features at reasonable price points. Manufacturers work to offer consumers value-packed laptops that meet a range of needs, from everyday productivity to multimedia consumption and light gaming, as technology develops. The laptops in this price range (about $500) frequently include contemporary CPUs, enough RAM, and quick storage options, enabling fluid multitasking and effective performance for standard work. Additionally, a lot of these affordable laptops might have Full HD displays, which offer clear pictures for a better viewing experience.

In 2024 offers an exciting range of budget laptops under $500, combining performance, portability, and affordability to cater to a diverse audience with various computing needs. Whether you need a reliable device for work, school, or entertainment, these laptops are designed to offer a compelling user experience without breaking the bank. So, without any further delay, let’s get started!

Here’s a more detailed explanation of the [TOP 10] Best laptops under $500.

1 Acer Aspire (Best Value Pick)

The 14-inch display offers a compact and portable form factor, making it suitable for users who need a laptop for on-the-go productivity and entertainment.

The laptop is powered by the 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, which provides decent performance for everyday tasks, such as web browsing, office work, a nd multimedia consumption. The processor also supports Intel Turbo Boost technology, which can dynamically increase the clock speed for improved performance when needed. Graphics Coprocessor is ‎Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics.

With 8GB of RAM, the laptop can handle multitasking and basic computing tasks smoothly. The 256GB SSD provides fast storage access times. The gold color gives the laptop an elegant and eye-catching appearance. Item Weight ‎3.2 pounds. Average Battery Life is ‎9 Hours. Operating System is Windows and Number of USB 2.0 Ports is ‎1.

Overall, The Acer Aspire A514-54-501Z is a suitable choice for users who need a compact and stylish laptop for everyday use, such as web browsing, word processing, multimedia streaming, and light productivity tasks.

2 Lenovo Chromebook (Budget Friendly)

The 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen display allows for a responsive and interactive user experience. It supports touch inputs, making it ideal for navigating through Chrome OS and various Android apps.

The laptop is powered by the 10th Gen Intel Core i3-10110U processor, providing sufficient performance for everyday tasks such as web browsing, email, document editing, and light productivity applications. Chrome OS is optimized for efficiency, so it runs smoothly on lower-powered hardware. Intel Integrated Graphics.

With 4GB of RAM, the Chromebook Flex 5 can handle multitasking and basic computing tasks effectively. The 64GB eMMC storage offers enough space for storing documents, files, and some media. Color is ‎Graphite Grey.

Chrome OS is Google’s lightweight operating system, designed to work primarily with web applications and cloud services. It offers fast boot times and seamless integration with Google services like Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. Average Battery Life ‎10 Hours and laptop Weight ‎2.97 is pounds. Number of USB 3.0 Ports is ‎1.

Overall, The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 13″ is designed for users who need a lightweight and affordable laptop primarily for web-based tasks and productivity on-the-go. It is well-suited for students, professionals, and anyone who prefers the simplicity and speed of Chrome OS.

3 ASUS Vivobook (Runner-Up)

The 15.6-inch Full HD display offers sharp and clear visuals, making it suitable for web browsing, streaming, and productivity tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor provides decent performance for everyday computing needs such as web browsing, word processing, multimedia consumption, and light multitasking.

With 8GB of RAM. The 512GB SSD storage provides fast boot times and quick access to files and applications. Color is ‎Mixed Black

The ASUS Vivobook Go 15 is designed for users who need a portable and efficient laptop for everyday computing tasks, including web browsing, document editing, video streaming, and email. Its slim and lightweight design makes it convenient for on-the-go use.The laptop comes with Windows 11 Home. Item Weight ‎3.59 pounds.

Overall, the ASUS 2023 Vivobook Go 15 offers a balance of performance, storage capacity, and portability, making it a suitable choice for students, professionals, and anyone seeking a budget-friendly laptop for general daily use.

4 Acer Aspire 5 (Bonus for Gaming)

The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display provides sharp and clear visuals, making it suitable for web browsing, media consumption, and productivity tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 3 3350U Quad-Core Mobile Processor delivers decent performance for daily computing needs such as web browsing, word processing, and multimedia consumption .Graphics Coprocessor is ‎Radeon Vega 6 Graphics.

With 20GB of DDR4 RAM, the laptop can handle multitasking and smooth operation of regular applications, offering a slight boost in performance compared to laptops with 8GB or 16GB of RAM. The 512GB SSD storage provides faster boot times and quick access to files and applications.

The laptop features WiFi 6 connectivity, providing faster and more stable wireless internet connections, which is beneficial for online activities. the Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop comes with Windows 11. Additional features like a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader add convenience and security to the user experience. Average Battery Life ‎8 Hours. Item Weight ‎3.97 is pounds.

Overall, the Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is a suitable choice for budget-conscious users who need a reliable and efficient laptop for everyday computing tasks, including web browsing, document editing, media consumption, and light multitasking. Its also for more demanding tasks like gaming or professional video editing, a laptop with a more powerful processor and dedicated graphics might be more appropriate.

5 HP Pavilion (Best 2-in-1 Laptop)

The 11.6-inch Touch-Screen display allows you to interact with the laptop using touch gestures, making it suitable for tasks like web browsing, media consumption, and light productivity.

The laptop is powered by an Intel Pentium Silver processor, which offers decent performance for basic tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and multimedia playback. Graphics Coprocessor is ‎Intel UHD Graphics 605.

With 4GB of RAM, the laptop can handle everyday tasks and light multitasking. The 128GB SSD provides faster boot times and quick access to files and applications. Operating System Windows 10 Home.

The 2-in-1 design allows you to use the laptop in various modes, including laptop, tablet, tent, and stand mode, providing flexibility in how you use the device. The laptop comes in a Natural Silver color, providing a sleek and modern look. Average Battery Life ‎9 Hours. Item Weight ‎is 4.05 pounds.

Overall, the HP Pavilion x360 2-in-1 11.6-inch Touch-Screen Laptop is a compact and versatile device suitable for basic computing tasks, portability, and touch-screen interaction. It is ideal for students, casual users, and those who need a lightweight and flexible laptop for web browsing, media consumption, and light productivity.

6 Lenovo (12th Gen processor)

The 15.6-inch Full HD display offers a good viewing experience for productivity tasks, web browsing, and multimedia consumption.

The Intel Core i5 12th Gen processor provides decent performance for everyday computing tasks, such as web browsing, word processing, and multimedia playback.Graphics Coprocessor is ‎Intel Iris.

With 8GB of memory, the laptop can handle multitasking and run multiple applications smoothly. The 512GB storage offers sufficient space for storing documents, media files, and applications. Color is ‎Arctic Grey.

The laptop comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, providing additional features and security enhancements compared to the Home edition. Item Weight ‎4.75 pounds. Number of USB Ports is 2.

Overall, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is suitable for users who need a laptop for basic productivity tasks, such as web browsing, word processing, and media consumption, and prefer the additional features and security of Windows 11 Pro.

7 HP (Reasonable Price)

The 15.6-inch HD BrightView display provides a standard resolution for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and media playback.

The Intel Pentium Silver N5030 processor is an entry-level processor suitable for light computing tasks and day-to-day activities. The laptop comes with integrated Intel HD Graphics 605, which can handle basic graphics tasks and video playback.

With 8GB of RAM, the laptop can handle multitasking and run basic applications smoothly. The 256GB PCIe SSD offers fast storage performance and provides ample space for storing documents and files. The laptop comes pre-installed with Windows 11. Item Weight is ‎3.75 pounds

The 720p HD webcam allows for video conferencing and online meetings. The stereo speakers offer standard audio quality for multimedia and general usage. The laptop comes in a silver color, offering a clean and modern look. Additionally, a 32GB USB card is included, which can be used for extra storage or data transfer.

Overall, the HP 2022 15.6″ HD BrightView Laptop is suitable for users who need a budget-friendly laptop for basic computing tasks, such as web browsing, word processing, and light multimedia consumption.

8 Dell Inspiron (Super Sleek Design)

The 15.6-inch Full HD display provides sharp and clear visuals for various tasks, including productivity, multimedia, and entertainment.

The AMD Ryzen 5 processor offers decent performance for gaming and everyday tasks. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card provides decent gaming performance and can handle popular games at medium to high settings.

With 8GB of memory, the laptop can handle multitasking and run most games and applications smoothly. The 256GB SSD provides fast storage performance and offers sufficient space for storing games, applications, and media files. 802.11ac Wireless and Bluetooth 

The laptop comes in an Obsidian Black color, adding a sleek and stylish look.The laptop comes pre-installed with Windows 10. Item Weight is only ‎1 pounds. Number of USB 3.0 Ports ‎1.

Overall, the Acer Nitro 5 is a budget-friendly option for casual gamers or those who need a laptop for general computing tasks with some gaming capabilities. It provides a good balance of performance and affordability.

8 Lenovo Ideapad 3 (Budget-friendly)

The 15.6-inch display provides a good size for productivity tasks, web browsing, and multimedia consumption.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor offers decent performance for everyday computing tasks, such as web browsing, word processing, and multimedia playback. Graphics Coprocessor ‎is AMD Ryzen 5 5500U.

With 8GB of RAM, the laptop can handle multitasking and run multiple applications smoothly. The 256GB SSD provides fast storage performance and offers sufficient space for storing documents, media files, and applications. The laptop comes pre-installed with Windows 10 Home. Average Battery Life is 12 Hours

Overall, the Lenovo Ideapad 3 15 is suitable for users who need a budget-friendly laptop for basic productivity tasks and everyday computing needs. It provides a good balance of performance and affordability and is a practical choice for students, home users, and light office work.

9 SAMSUNG Chromebook (Environment Friendly)

The 11.6-inch HD display offers a standard resolution for web browsing, word processing, and media playback.

The Intel Celeron Processor N4000 provides enough power for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and lightweight applications.

With 4GB of RAM, the Chromebook can handle basic multitasking and run Chrome OS smoothly. The 16GB eMMC storage provides fast access to your files, and Chromebooks are designed to utilize cloud storage for most of your data.

The Gigabit Wi-Fi ensures fast internet connectivity when connected to compatible networks. Average Battery Life ‎5 Hours. Item Weight ‎3.19 pounds

As a Chromebook, this device is best suited for users who primarily use web-based applications and services like Google Docs, Gmail, and web browsing. It is ideal for students, casual users, and anyone who needs a simple and affordable laptop for basic tasks while benefiting from the lightweight and fast-booting nature of Chrome OS.

10 HP Chromebook (Decent Value)

The 11-inch Touchscreen display provides a responsive touch interface, making it convenient for both laptop and tablet modes.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c processor offers a balance of power and energy efficiency, suitable for typical Chromebook tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media playback.

With 8 GB of RAM, the Chromebook can handle multiple browser tabs and lightweight applications smoothly. The 64 GB eMMC storage provides fast access to your files, and Chromebooks are designed to utilize cloud storage for most of your data.

The 2-in-1 design allows you to use the Chromebook as a traditional laptop or detach the screen to use it as a standalone tablet. Average Battery Life ‎11 Hours. Item Weight is ‎4.38 pounds.

As a Chromebook, this device is best suited for users who primarily use web-based applications and services like Google Docs, Gmail, and web browsing.Keep in mind that Chromebooks rely heavily on an internet connection and may have limited offline capabilities for certain applications.

Buying Guide – How to Choose the Best Laptop under $500?

Before buying any laptop under $500, you should know some important aspects as mentioned below:

Processor & Graphics Card
Look for a laptop with at least an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor. These should provide sufficient performance for everyday tasks and light multitasking. If possible, opt for higher-tier processors like Core i5 or Ryzen 5 for improved performance.

Integrated graphics (e.g., Intel UHD Graphics or AMD Radeon) should be sufficient for basic graphics tasks and video playback. For light gaming or more demanding graphical work, look for laptops with better integrated or dedicated graphics.

RAM

Aim for at least 8GB of RAM, as this will allow for smoother multitasking and better overall system performance. Avoid laptops with less than 4GB of RAM, as they may feel sluggish during use.

Display

A decent display is required for vibrant visuals with sharp resolution. Consider a laptop with a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution for better visual clarity. An IPS panel is preferred for wider viewing angles and better color reproduction.

Build Quality and Portability:

Look for a laptop with a sturdy build and a design that suits your preferences. Consider the weight and dimensions if you need a highly portable device for travel or on-the-go use.

Battery Life

Check for reviews and battery life estimates to ensure the laptop can last through your typical workday or usage patterns.

Warranty and Customer Support

Consider the warranty duration and available customer support in case you encounter any issues with the laptop.

Final Verdict:

Looking at the list of items of best laptops under $500, it seems like you have plenty of options to choose from. There are laptop options also covering a wide variety of use cases and needs. Some look for a good display, some want more RAM, while others search for a well-balanced laptop. Well, every type of best possible laptop has been covered by me in this article on the best laptops under 600 dollars. Every laptop on this list has gone through proper research and reviews from the current users.