The $500 budget is an imaginary median between budget and expensive laptops. This is the price range where budget laptops start getting really good, and a few rare best of the best laptops under $500 can even match their performance to expensive premium notebooks!
So, you will find some excellent value offering laptops under $500 but also a lot of awful ones in the mix that you should avoid buying at all costs. After all, you’re still shopping for a “budget laptop”.
Top 3 Laptops Under $500:
If you are looking for the best laptop under $500, we have some excellent options listed below. From powerful 15-inch notebooks and thin and light ultrabooks offering crisp 1080p displays and comfortable backlit keyboards to 2-in-1s and even 17-inch behemoths our list has options for almost every type of user and every requirement be it for business use, working from home, or for a college student who wants to do some light gaming after finishing off their assignments.
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Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14: Laptops Under $500
Best Pick| Processor: | AMD Ryzen 5 5500U (6-cores, Up to 4 GHz) |
| RAM: | 8GB DDR4 3200MHz (4GB sodded + 4GB upgradeable) |
| Storage: | 256GB SSD (upgradeable) |
| Graphics: | AMD Radeon Vega 7 |
| Display: | 14-inch FHD IPS Anti-Glare Screen (300-nits brightness, 67% sRGB) |
| Operating System: | Windows 11 Home |
| Battery Life: | Up to 8 hours |
| Weight: | 3.5 lbs |
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14 is the most complete package you’ll find in this price range. It has everything that one would expect from their new laptop, from powerful and reliable performance to a minimalist ‘industrial design language’ and also all the features! That’s a great display as per the budget laptops standards and one of the best you’ll find in a laptop under $500. The design of this laptop is also quite good, with clean aesthetics, and the build quality is also quite firm despite its exterior shell being all-plastic. And it’s relatively portable, weighing just 3.5 pounds.
The performance is yet another strong aspect of this laptop since it boasts the latest AMD Ryzen 5 5500U CPU inside, which is a six-core chip. It is a very powerful processor, but surprisingly it is also highly efficient, meaning it delivers high-performance without consuming too much power, resulting in better battery life. With features like a backlit keyboard and fingerprint scanner and all the essential ports and slots, it’s the perfect choice for almost every type of user.
Whether you are a student or a working professional, it would be able to fulfill all your computing needs efficaciously. And thanks to the integrated Radeon graphics, it is also a fit machine for light gaming and content creation. Overall it’s an excellent value for the price and a no-brainer pick under $500.
Lenovo Flex 5 14: Laptops Under £500 UK
Staff Pick| Processor: | AMD Ryzen 3 5300U (4-cores, Up to 3.8 GHz) |
| RAM: | 8GB DDR4 3200MHz |
| Storage: | 256GB SSD (upgradeable) |
| Graphics: | AMD Radeon Vega 6 integrated |
| Display: | 14-inch FHD IPS Touchscreen (250-nits, Glossy) |
| Operating System: | Windows 11 Home |
| Battery Life: | Up to 8 hours |
| Weight: | 3.3 lbs |
Next up, we’ve got the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14, another Lenovo laptop that retains the value-for-money image but in a 2-in-1 form factor. And if you are searching for the best 2-in-1 laptop under $500, this is it! Keep reading to know why.
The main draw of the laptop is the ‘Flex’-ible display which allows the 14-inch FHD IPS touchscreen to flip 360-degrees towards its back to make it a tablet or use it in a mode anywhere in between. This will be particularly useful for creatives to draw on or even people who want one device that does it all. But you will have to purchase the digital pen separately, so keep that in mind.
Based on personal experience, 2-in-1 laptops usually aren’t great for handheld use like a standalone tablet because of the weight (3.31lbs), but if you want versatility, you can’t go wrong with the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14.
Lenovo Flex 5i 13″ Chromebook: Laptops Under $500 Consumer Reports
Budget Pick| Processor: | Intel Core i3-1115G4 Dual-Core Processor (Turbo up to 4.1 GHz) |
| RAM: | 8GB LPDDR4x |
| Storage: | 64GB eMMC (upgradeable via SD card slot) |
| Graphics: | Intel UHD integrated Graphics |
| Display: | 13.3-inch FHD IPS Touchscreen (250-nits, Glossy) |
| Operating System: | Chrome OS |
| Battery Life: | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight: | 2.9 lbs |
For people looking for a laptop solely for light usage like using word editors, answering emails, or watching a show during lunch, the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i 13 is a great option. This is the best Chromebook you can buy for under $500 right now, but the best part is it’s often on sale, and when it is, you can buy it for around $400 bucks which are excellent value for what it offers. It comes with a 13-inch display with a Full HD touch-compatible IPS panel, similar to the IdeaPad Flex 5 14. The primary differentiator here is that it runs Chrome OS and not Windows 11, which means you’re limited to apps and programs available on Chrome OS.
But if you are the type who uses the laptop just to browse the internet and use cloud programs like Google Docs, Netflix, Twitter, etc., a Chromebook won’t be a problem. That makes the Chromebook Flex 5i an excellent option for students in school, however, for university students, it’s best to get a Windows laptop because you’ll need to run Windows-specific programs during your studies.
Internally, the Chromebook Flex 5i 13 features an impressive 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor, which is a lot more powerful compared to other lower-end (Intel Celeron) processors you often see on Chromebooks. And the CPU is also paired with an adequate 8GB of RAM, which is plenty for a Chromebook. But it has only 64GB of eMMC storage, which isn’t enough for most users. Luckily, it has a microSD card slot, which you can use to get more onboard storage. And if you’re already using cloud storage, this wouldn’t be a problem at all.
HP 17-by4022wm 17-inch Laptop: Laptops Under $1000
| Processor: | 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Dual-Core Processor (Up to 4.1 GHz) |
| RAM: | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage: | 256GB SSD |
| Graphics: | Intel UHD integrated Graphics |
| Display: | 17-inch Full HD IPS Anti-Glare Display (300-nits, 100% sRGB) |
| Operating System: | Windows 11 |
| Battery Life: | Up to 6.5 hours |
| Weight: | 5.2 lbs |
It is a great choice for users who want a desktop replacement that will stay in one spot in their office or home. That said, traveling everyday with it wouldn’t be ideal because it weighs in at 5.25 pounds, which is pretty heavy, so make sure you’re committed to the bigger screen and form factor before purchasing.
It comes with an enormous 17.3-inch full HD display with large and ugly screen bezels, but the actual display is awesome. It gets bright enough, and it’s also a very vivid panel with wide viewing angles. It also has an anti-glare coating for reduced eye fatigue during prolonged usage. As far as performance is concerned, the HP 17 has a respectable setup and rocks an 11th Generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD. Nothing jumps out and wows, but it is good enough for day-to-day home and office use.
But if you want a little more screen real estate without breaking the bank, this HP 17-by4022wm 17-inch laptop is a perfect choice for under $500. There are also higher-tier versions of this laptop available if you want extra performance, but overall, this configuration is perfect for light users.
Asus L510MA-DS04 15-inch Laptop: Laptop Under $300
| Processor: | Intel Celeron N4020 Dual-Core 1.1 GHz Processor (Turbo up to 2.8 GHz) |
| RAM: | 4GB DDR4 |
| Storage: | 128GB eMMC |
| Graphics: | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| Display: | 15.6-inch Full HD NanoEdge Display |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 Home in S mode |
| Battery Life: | Up to 9 hours |
| Weight: | 3.5 lbs |
If we talk about its performance, then it’s good enough for basics like web browsing and using MS Office apps and likes, but it is a highly underpowered device for anything more intensive than that. It is powered by an Intel Celeron processor, which is an entry-level CPU, and it comes with only 4GB RAM, so the multitasking capabilities of this laptop are also going to be limited. Luckily, the storage space won’t be an issue for most people because it offers a sizeable 128GB of onboard storage.
If you’re okay with an inexpensive convertible Chromebook, then Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3 11 is the one we recommend. With a MediaTek MT8183 processor that’s just as capable as an Intel Celeron processor, it sports 4GB RAM and 64GB storage–plenty of space for any Chrome OS needs. This device can handle moderate multitasking and web surfing too (among other tasks). With its touchscreen display, users can even install Android apps to play games or do anything else they like!
That said, it comes with a 15.6-inch display with full HD resolution, which is surprising to see because most laptops under $300 have a low 1366 by 768 resolution display. That’s not it. The Asus L510MA is also the first laptop in this price segment to offer a backlit keyboard. And it’s pretty good, too, delivering a very satisfying and comfortable typing experience.
Dell Inspiron 15 3511: Laptop Under £500 UK 2022
| Processor: | Intel Celeron N4020 1.1GHz Dual-Core (Turbo up to 2.8 GHz) |
| RAM: | 4GB DDR4 RAM (Expandable up to 8GB) |
| Storage: | 128GB eMMC |
| Graphics: | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| Display: | 15.6-inch Full HD NanoEdge Display |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 S |
| Battery Life: | Up to 12 hours |
| Weight: | 2.8 lbs |
The Asus L510MA is the cheapest option on our list, costing under $300. It is a great option for those with basic needs like checking and replying to emails, creating a presentation, paying the bills, watching Netflix, etc. It can be a perfect option for kids or teens who need a laptop for their school work, and it can also be a great option for older people because it has a pretty decent size and good quality display, which wouldn’t make them squint their eyes to read the text.
that said, it comes with a 15.6-inch display with full HD resolution, which is surprising to see because most laptops under $300 have a low 1366 by 768 resolution display. That’s not it. The Asus L510MA is also the first laptop in this price segment to offer a backlit keyboard. And it’s pretty good, too, delivering a very satisfying and comfortable typing experience.
If we talk about its performance, then it’s good enough for basics like web browsing and using MS Office apps and likes, but it is a highly underpowered device for anything more intensive than that. It is powered by an Intel Celeron processor, which is an entry-level CPU, and it comes with only 4GB RAM, so the multitasking capabilities of this laptop are also going to be limited. Luckily, the storage space won’t be an issue for most people because it offers a sizeable 128GB of onboard storage.
Acer Chromebook 311: Laptop Under £400 uk
| Processor: | Intel Celeron N4020 (Dual Core, 1.1GHz – 2.8GHz) |
| RAM: | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage: | 32GB eMMC |
| Graphics: | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| Display: | 11.6-inch HD IPS Anti-Glare Display with Acer ComfyView |
| Operating System: | Chrome OS |
| Battery Life: | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight: | 2.43 lbs |
Ok, if for some reason you didn’t like any of the Chromebooks we’ve been recommending up until now, then here’s one from Acer. First things first, this laptop packs an Intel Celeron N4020 processor which runs at 1.6 GHz and is able to run Photoshop; which means this laptop can do pretty much anything that other Chromebooks are capable of doing.
Our favorite thing about this Chromebook is how good it looks. Of course, the metallic finish makes it stand out among all the others but that’s not all! This 11-inch Acer Chromebook 311 has an IPS screen which will leave you drooling for more because no one can ever compete with these incredible features at such a low price point.
What makes this Chromebook so great is that you get a free wireless mouse with it for a limited time! And when you do, you’ll have access to Acer’s proprietary ComfyView tech that helps prevent eye strain when using the computer.
HP Stream 11: i5 Laptop Under $500
| Processor: | Intel Celeron N4020 Dual-Core Processor (Turbo up to 2.8GHz) |
| RAM: | 4GB DDR4 |
| Storage: | 64GB eMMC |
| Graphics: | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| Display: | 11.6-Inch HD WLED-backlit Anti-Glare Screen (1366 x 768 pixels resolution) |
| Operating System: | Windows 11 Home (S mode) |
| Battery Life: | 9 hours |
| Weight: | 2.3 lbs |
It was amazing how quickly I could adapt to using the computer, thanks largely to its stellar keyboard! Each keystroke was accurate and sturdy; feeling effortless after an hour or so. The trackpad too – felt fluid when scrolling through pages without any lag whatsoever. This being said, only if there were many open tabs would my laptop slow down at all – but this was true for even the most expensive laptops out there!
Overall, the HP Stream 11 is an excellent purchase if you’re looking for a laptop with Windows. Not only does it come in exclusive colors, but its keyboard is one of the most comprehensive options on an 11-inch Windows laptop at this price range. Plus, you’ll receive a free year of access to Microsoft Office 365 when purchasing this product – which alone could make all the difference when deciding whether or not to buy it.
Typing on this laptop may be difficult at first, with cramped keys and a tiny trackpad. But don’t let these challenges discourage you! Once you’ve adjusted to its quirks, you’ll find that it has smooth multitasking capabilities, allowing for video editing or light gaming – perfect for those looking for an affordable computer that won’t drain their bank account.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 11: Amd Laptop Under $500
| Processor: | Intel Celeron N4020 1.1GHz Processor (Dual Core, Up to 2.8GHz) |
| RAM: | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage: | 64GB eMMC |
| Graphics: | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| Display: | 11.6-Inch HD (1366 x 768) Anti-Glare Screen |
| Operating System: | Chrome OS |
| Battery Life: | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight: | 2.4 lbs |
At just over $100, the Lenovo Chromebook 3 offers amazing value with entry-level laptop features. With Intel Celeron processors and 4GB of RAM, this affordable option will allow you to perform basic tasks such as checking email or browsing the web without breaking the bank.
This laptop is worth considering for many reasons. One of them is the sleek and sophisticated design, while another is the 180-degree hinge that allows sharing without having to scrunch your neck back around to see what you’re trying to show someone. The colors are also a pleasant change from black laptops, with one side being textured in gray for just enough variety!
This 11.6-inch laptop will probably remind you of a MacBook Air, though it’s in fact priced lower than many comparable models and is actually superior to them in certain ways – specifically its keyboard which feels just as good as those found on Apple’s pricey offerings, or 720p camera instead of the VGA cameras found on most laptops within this cost range. All in all, even if you are looking for a notebook that looks luxurious but doesn’t cost an arm and leg, there aren’t many better options out there than Lenovo Chromebook 3 11.
Dell Chromebook 3100: Windows Laptop Under $500
| Processor: | Intel Celeron N4020 Dual Core Processor (Turbo up to 2.8GHz) |
| RAM: | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage: | 16GB eMMC |
| Graphics: | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| Display: | 11.6-Inch HD Anti-Glare Screen (1366 x 768 pixels resolution) |
| Operating System: | Chrome OS |
| Battery Life: | Up to 14 hours |
| Weight: | 2.8 lbs |
With so many different options out there, this guide will give you some of the top picks to choose from based on what you are looking for. If you’re searching for an inexpensive Chromebook that has access to everything they need from school work (and more), the Samsung Chromebook 4 is a great option; however, if your budget is set at around $200 and want something with a bit more durability – here are some other good options too!
It is tough as nails and meets military standards; it has protective edges to keep the computer safe during accidents; it features keyguards that are designed for kids – so you don’t have to worry about them typing too hard on the keys; and the parts are made with reinforced plastic, which means they won’t break easily. And if you need more assurance that this laptop will last, there’s always Dell– who will cover damages even outside of warranty coverage.
So overall, the HP Stream 11 is yet another worth considering option if you are looking for a Windows laptop. Its performance is much like other computers and it comes in five different colors; which makes it stand out among many competitors who offer only one or two color options. The keyboard isn’t just pretty – it’s comfortable too! And at $250 USD, this computer provides a fantastic value when you add Microsoft Office 365 included in the purchase price!
Summary For Best Laptops Under $500
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Things to check in a laptop under $200 – A Handy buying guide
Buying a laptop is not easy, but when you are buying a laptop on a shoestring budget like this, there are certain things that you must check. We have listed all the essential things to check below in the form of a handy buying guide for you. Go through it as it would be helpful if you buy any laptop that’s not on the list of our top picks.
Processor:
You’ll find most laptops under $200 powered by Intel Celeron and MediaTek processors, but those are the brand names. You need to pay attention to the specific model numbers of CPUs. For instance, Intel Celeron N4000 was launched way back in 2017, whereas N4020 and N4500 are comparatively recent CPUs launched in 2019 and 2021, respectively. In the same way, MediaTek MT8183 is the recent one from the brand launched in 2019 and MT8173 is older launched way back in 2015. So, as a general rule of thumb, you should avoid buying any laptop in 2021 with a CPU launched before 2019.
RAM:
Most laptops in this price range come with only 4GB of RAM, which is not enough if you want to work on multiple apps simultaneously. Having at least 8GB of RAM in a laptop is a must these days. But, for under $200, that’s not possible. For basic tasks, though, 4GB RAM is enough, and that’s what you should aim for your laptop under $200. Anything less than that is a big NO. You’ll find many old and refurbished laptops with 2GB RAM in this price range. Avoid them at all costs.
Storage:
You’ll get at most 64GB of onboard storage in the laptop for under $200. Anything less than that is generally not advisable, but if the laptop has a memory card slot, 32GB is also acceptable. Don’t buy laptops that offer only 16GB of onboard storage because more than half of it is occupied by the operating system, and then there’s hardly any room left for you to install apps.
Conclusion
Gone are the days when all you needed was to spend a lot of money buying a laptop- today, many laptop manufacturers offer laptops for less than $200! And hey, if you’re only using it for basic everyday tasks like browsing the web, editing documents, or attending meetings/classes online; there are plenty of choices out there at prices even lower than $100.
