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Laptops are important to us because we use them for work and entertainment. So it’s really understandable why many people want to get the best laptop under 500 $. The truth is that there are so many laptops for this price on the market today. We cannot test all of them, because there are too many, but what we can do is check the most popular ones.
Finally, after spending hours of testing and research, our team has created a list of the top 12 laptops under $500 that should help you choose better your next laptop!
If you are looking for the best laptop, you should check some aspects like size, material, and battery life. Also, performance is also very important when choosing a laptop.
The first thing that many people want from the best laptop under 500 $ is portability and high-quality materials for the body. With such a price, we can’t expect a super lightweight device or ultrabook. High-quality materials under 500$ are almost impossible now because that is where manufacturers cut the cost. However, there are many well-built devices that have high build quality despite the material used and weigh less than 4 pounds. Also, if you want a nicer body with premium touches like aluminum parts, then you should choose a device that costs a little bit more.
Of course, the best laptop under 500 $ must have a display of high quality. Displays of cheap laptops often lack viewing angles and brightness, but some manufacturers managed to make less expensive models with good displays. You can easily get a laptop with an HD screen on the market, but Full HD is also not out of scope for budget laptops. Nowadays, most displays are matte. It’s desirable because it will help you to see the colors better on sunny days. And luckily, there is also no shortage of laptops with touch screens for under 500 dollars now.
Great battery life is one of the most important things that people want in a laptop. Most people don’t have time for recharging their batteries every day, especially in big cities with fast pace life between offices and schools. Laptops with long battery life are the best ones for business use because it’s necessary to have a working device all day long. Of course, there are many devices with average battery life, but if you want something really great, then you should choose one of the models from this list.
When buying a laptop you should keep three things in mind: the processor (CPU), the graphics card, and the amount of RAM. These three aspects greatly affect how your laptop performs, especially when it comes to gaming or doing intensive tasks like video editing. If interested in gaming laptops then you can check our article on the best laptop for gaming under 500 $. However, if you don’t use high-end applications or play games often, then you can choose almost any laptop from this list.
The best models under $500 have already dual-core processors that will cope with most applications and light games. The most popular operating system is Windows 10, so if you want it, then you should choose one of the devices from our list. However, you will always have an option to choose a laptop with chromeOS, also referred to as Chromebooks, at this price range.
Now let’s get started!
Top 12 Best Laptops Under 500 $ In 2022-2023
1. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14
- Specifications:
- Screen: 14-inch FHD 1920 x 1080 IPS touchscreen 360° display
- CPU: Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- OS: Windows 10 S
- RAM: 4GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Battery Life: 10 Hours
- Weight: 4.59 pounds
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 is the best laptop under 500 $ for anyone who wants a professional and productive computing experience. The 14-inch FHD IPS touchscreen display is perfect for viewing multiple windows at once or for watching your favorite show. The Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor and 4 GB RAM ensure that you’ll be able to handle all of your tasks, while the Intel UHD Graphics provide smooth graphics performance. It comes with Windows 10 S which provides a familiar and safer environment in its S Mode. The addition of digital pen support is high-end touch for artists in financial industries or students who need to take detailed notes. With 128GB of SSD storage, you’ll have plenty of room to store your documents, photos, and videos. And with up to 10 hours of battery life, you can work all day without having to worry about charging your laptop.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 is a great device for professionals and entertainment lovers alike. With its 360-degree multi-mode capability, use it in a laptop mode for everyday computing, stand-mode for video chats over its HD cam, Stand-mode for binge-watching, or benefit from its portability in a tablet mode.
2. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
- Specifications:
- Screen: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display
- CPU: 10th Generation Intel Core i3-1005G1 Processor
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- OS: Windows 10
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 Memory
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
- Battery Life: 8 Hours
- Weight: 3.97 pounds
- Weight: 3.97 pounds
Do you need a powerful and reliable laptop under 500 $ that can keep up with your busy lifestyle? Then the Acer Aspire 5 is perfect for you. Featuring an Intel Core i3-1005G1 Processor, 8GB of DDR4 Memory and 256GB SSD storage, this machine will let you breeze through your work tasks with ease. And if you need to take your work on the go, don’t worry – the Acer Aspire 5 features up to 8 hours of battery life. Plus, the backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader makes it easy for you to log in safely and get started quickly whether it’s day or night. The 15.6″ Full HD display provides stunning visuals with its LED-backlit IPS technology, while the 802.11ax WiFi 6 allows you to stay connected even when on the go.
With four USB ports and an HDMI, you are not short for connecting your favorite accessories and devices either. This laptop is a perfect choice for professionals and students who want a reliable machine to handle their everyday office and entertainment activities.
3. ASUS VivoBook Flip 14
- Specifications:
- Screen: 14 inch Full HD 178° Wideview touch display
- CPU: 11th generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- OS: Windows 10 Home S
- RAM: 4 GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 128 GB SSD
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Weight: 3.31 pounds
The ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 is the best 2-in-1 laptop under 500 $ that seamlessly transitions into four different modes while striking a balancing act between design and performance.
The 14 inches OLED touch display with up to 178° viewing angle is perfectly optimized for entertainment, its battery lasting 12 hours on just one charge, while it comes with a built-in stylus pen for your creative pursuits! Plus you get Windows 10 Home in S Mode to enjoy instant access to popular apps like MS office and Email while not compromising your online security.
With its lightweight design at 3.31 pounds to its four viewing modes—tablet, tent, stand, and laptop—you cannot go wrong! And for smooth performance, it’s gutted with the latest 11th generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor, Intel UHD Graphics, 4GB RAM, and 128 GB SSD storage to keep workflow simple and smooth. It’s the best laptop under 500 $ for those who need a decent machine for everyday use like office and school work while keeping themselves entertained.
4. New HP 15 Laptop
- Specifications:
- Screen: 15.6 inch HD WLED touchscreen (1366 x 768) display
- CPU: 10th Generation Intel Core i3-1005G1
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- OS: Windows 10
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Battery Life: 8 hours
- Weight: 4.4 pounds
The new HP 15.6 Laptop is perfect for busy professionals who need a powerful and reliable device that can keep up with their hectic lifestyles. With its 15.6 inches HD WLED touchscreen, 10-finger multi-touch support, and an Intel Core i3 processor that is backed by 8 GB of DDR4 RAM, this laptop is capable of handling any task you throw at it. Plus, it comes with 128 GB of SSD storage to ensure that you’ll have plenty of storage space for your important files.
The new HP 15.6 laptop is the best laptop under 500 $ for modern professionals. With its Intel UHD Graphics and HD Audio with stereo speakers, you can enjoy crystal-clear visuals and immersive sound wherever you go. Plus, its HP TrueVision HD webcam ensures great video quality whether you’re Skyping with clients or streaming a movie with friends. And thanks to its Bluetooth 4.2, an HDMI 1.4, and three USB ports, you can easily connect to other devices for enhanced productivity and entertainment.
5. HP 17 Laptop
- Specifications:
- Screen: 17.3-inch narrow-bezel HD display,
- CPU: AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
- GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
- OS: Windows 10 S
- RAM: 4 GB DDR4
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- Battery Life: 8 hours, 30 mins
- Weight: 4.58 pounds
The HP 17 laptop is the best laptop under 500 $ for users who need a powerful device that can handle heavy workloads. With an AMD Athlon Silver 3050U Mobile Processor and AMD Radeon Graphics, it can easily manage multiple applications and tasks at once. Its 4 GB RAM ensures that the system runs smoothly, while the 256 GB SSD storage provides ample space for files and documents.
Additionally, its 17 inches big High definition display provides clear and crisp images, while the Windows 10 Home operating system with added security against phishing and malware helps keep your data safe. With its over 8 hours long Battery life, you can work or stay entertained all day without having to worry about running out of power. Its wireless connectivity is really smooth and fast since it features the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 combo. Finally, its Dual stereo speakers and HP true vision HD Web-Camera make it easy for you to stay in touch with friends and family. This laptop is a perfect desktop replacement for those who are looking for a laptop with a big screen for home entertainment.
6. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 13
- Specifications:
- Screen: 13.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Display
- CPU: 10th Generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- OS: Chrome OS
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 64GB eMMC SSD
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Weight: 2.97 pounds
Lenovo Flex 5 13 Chromebook combines versatile functionality with a lightweight design for college students and professionals on the go. You can enjoy the full features of Chrome OS and easily switch between four different modes to fit your work style. With a stunning Full high definition display and Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor with 8GB RAM, this versatile Chromebook can be used in tablet, tent, stand, or laptop mode!
You can also switch between multiple Chrome OS accounts and share the device with your significant other or family members without compromising privacy. A built-in security chip provides hardware-level protection for your files while keeping you in control of all your passwords. Plus, with up to 10 hours of battery life, Chromebook Flex 5 13 keeps you powered up all day long, so you can stay productive wherever life takes you.
7. Microsoft Surface Go 3 (2021 Model)
- Specifications:
- Screen: 10.5 inch 1920 x 1280 Touchscreen display
- CPU: Intel Pentium Gold
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 615
- OS: Windows 11
- RAM: 4 GB Memory
- Storage: 64 GB SSD
- Battery Life: 11 Hours
- Weight: 1.18 pounds
The new Microsoft Surface Go 3 inspires your creativity as a tablet, supports students as a laptop, and empowers you from the go. Weighing at just 1.2 pounds, it comes with a 10.5 inches touch screen in a portable 2-in-1 design. It features an adjustable Kickstand and optional Surface Pen that ensures your work stays easy and comfortable everywhere you go.
The new Surface Go also has 11 hours of battery life so you can work on your favorite projects without worrying about power if needed. You can use the included USB-C port, headphone jack, Bluetooth 5.0, or MicroSDXC Card Reader to connect your favorite accessories. While Windows 11 provides all of this power in a small package so that you can feel creative too.
8. ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop
- Specifications:
- Screen: 15.6 inch full HD NanoEdge bezel display
- CPU: Intel Core i3-8145U processor
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 620
- OS: Windows 10 Home S
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4
- Storage: 128 GB SSD
- Battery Life: 8 hours
- Weight: 3.8 pounds
The ASUS VivoBook 15 is perfect for anyone looking for a powerful and stylish laptop under 500 $. With its 15.6-inch full HD display that comes with a 4-way NanoEdge bezel, and 88% screen-to-body ratio, the VivoBook is designed to provide an immersive viewing experience. Plus, its Intel Core i3-8145U processor and 8GB of RAM make it perfect for multitasking or running demanding applications. It comes with Windows 10 S pre-installed so you can securely store your apps and data in its 128GB of storage. While at the same time, with its ergonomic backlit keyboard and fingerprint sensor activated via Windows hello, the VivoBook is both easy to use and secure.
It’s complete with a variety of ports and comprehensive connections including USB 3.1 Type-C, USB 3.1 Type-A, USB 2.0, an HDMI, and Gigabit Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)which make it easy for you to connect your laptop to any way imaginable!
9. Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop (2021 Model)
- Specifications:
- Screen: 15.6-inch HD (1366 x 768) Anti-glare LED-Backlit Non-touch Narrow Border Display
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- Battery Life: 7 hours and 15 mins
- Weight: 3.91 pounds
The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is the best laptop under 500 dollars for busy professionals who need a powerful device that can keep up with their multitasking demands. With its fast 256 GB SSD storage, 8 GB of RAM, and powerful Intel Dual-Core processor, this laptop can handle anything you throw its way. And the Windows 10 operating system ensures you’ll be able to get work done quickly and easily. Plus, the 15.6-inch Anti-glare LED-Backlit display features an HD resolution for enjoying multimedia content or working on projects in bright lighting conditions. The keyboard is comfortable to type on and is spill-resistant. Its touchpad is buttonless and wide enough with plenty of space on the sides to rest your hands on while typing.
The laptop comes with three USB ports to connect your peripherals, an HDMI port for video, a headset port for audio, and an SD card slot for media. It also includes a So if you’re looking for a powerful and versatile laptop, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is definitely worth considering.
10. HP Pavilion Premium Laptop (2021 Model)
- Specifications:
- Screen: 15.6 inch FHD (1920 x 1080), micro-edge, anti-glare display
- CPU: AMD Athlon Silver 3050U 2.3GHz Dual-Core Processor
- GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Battery Life: 8 Hours
- Weight: 3.75 pounds
Are you looking for a powerful laptop under 500 US dollars that can keep up with your busy lifestyle? Then the HP Pavilion Premium Laptop is perfect for you. With 16 GB of high-bandwidth RAM and a 512 GB Solid State Drive, this computer can easily handle multiple applications and browser tabs all at once. And with its AMD Athlon Silver 3050U 2.3GHz Dual-Core Processor, you’ll be able to accomplish tasks quickly and efficiently. Plus, the 15.6″ diagonal FHD display provides stunning visuals that will help you stay productive and entertained even when on the go. More RAM, dazzling big display, vibrant sound quality, and reliable design are what set this affordable laptop apart from the competition.
11. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14 Laptop
- Specifications:
- Screen: 14.0 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Display
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Processor
- GPU: AMD Radeon 7 Graphics
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB NVMe TLC SSD
- Battery Life: 10 hours and 32 mins
- Weight: 3.1 pounds
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is the best laptop under 500 $ for anyone looking for a decent-looking laptop for their personal use. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Mobile processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and AMD Radeon 7 Graphics, this laptop can handle anything from office work to home entertainment. With its 4-side narrow bezels, the FHD (1920 x 1080p) 14 inches screen provides a wider viewing angle and less clutter. The intelligent thermals keep your laptop cooler and quieter, while Q-control lets you calibrate performance with its 3 modes to match your needs. WiFi 6 (2×2 802.11 ax) and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity ensure the wireless connection is reliable with faster data transfers. You also get USB, USB-C, and HDMI ports so that you can plug in all your devices when you want to.
12. Samsung Chromebook 4 Plus
- Specifications:
- Screen: 15.6″ Full HD anti-glare non-touch display
- CPU: Intel Celeron Processor N4000
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- OS: Chrome OS
- RAM: 4 GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 64 GB eMMC
- Battery life: 8 hours and 45 mins
- Weight: 5 pounds
Samsung Chromebook 4 + is a good blend of power and portability. It is powered by an Intel Celeron processor that gives you the speed and power to get through your everyday tasks. Moreover, the 4GB of memory ensures that you can multitask without any lag. Finally, the 32GB storage capacity gives you enough room to store your photos, videos, and documents.
The Chromebook 4 also comes with an Intel UHD Graphics 600 card that helps power your visuals and graphics. Whether you’re watching a movie or playing casual games, you can expect great visuals without any lag.
Thanks to its portable design, the Chromebook 4 plus lets you take your work on the go. The device is lightweight and has a slim profile so that you can slip it into your bag or suitcase. And with over 8 hours of battery life, the Chromebook 4 + will keep running for longer so that you can keep going without worrying about outlets.
The Chromebook 4 is equipped with a 15.6″ Full HD display that helps you get things done comfortably. Whether you’re watching a movie or editing an image, your media will look great on the large screen of the Chromebook 4. Finally, dual-side speakers give your multimedia the sound it deserves and a 720p webcam allows you to stay in touch with your family, friends, and colleagues no matter where you go.
Important features to look for when buying the best laptop under 500$
Operating system
Today, when the market offers both Windows and Chrome OS devices for under 500$, you will have to decide which operating system you prefer for your device. However, if you are looking for a laptop for intensive work on it, then Windows is always better for this.
The Chrome OS is good for those who need a portable device (you can easily take it with you on the trip) and do not want to waste time installing different applications and just use available ones directly from the web browser. So, if you need a laptop just for surfing the Internet and watching movies and photos, then Chrome OS is better than Windows.
Screen
Screen size is a personal preference since you have many options ( 10 inches to 17 inches.) available at this price range. At the same time, the laptop’s screen resolution also matters. We recommend devices with Full HD resolution because they are the best price to performance ratio. Moreover, a laptop with a full HD display will let your work and games look the best. However, HD is also considered great for this category since many apps and platforms still use 1080p resolution. But if you want 4K UHD displays, then you have to spend at least $1000.
Processor
One of the main factors is the processor when you will choose the best laptop under 500 $. The most common processor you should be looking for is the Intel Core i3 or equivalent processor from AMD. These processors will be able to work with the Windows 10 OS smoothly enough. But make sure that both RAM memory and storage size is enough for your needs. But if you often use video editing applications like DaVinci Resolve, for example, you should consider buying something more powerful than the laptop under the 500$ price tag.
GPU
The graphics card is responsible for the image that is displayed on your screen, if you want to play games or do any other graphic-intense tasks, a good graphics card will be needed. However, dedicated graphic cards are out of scope for this category and you’ll have to spend more to get one. However, you can get an integrated graphic card from Intel or AMD for most laptops under 500$.
Intel HD Graphics & AMD Radeon Graphics are integrated graphics cards found in some laptops for under 500$, they’re alright for web browsing, watching videos on youtube, or playing older games, however, they aren’t very good at more graphic-intensive tasks like gaming or doing any task that requires advanced processing of images.
RAM
The new devices often have a limited amount of RAM memory. It can be 4 or 8 GB, and such laptops are considered to be top-level ones.
You should remember that today’s market offers not only Windows laptops under 500$ but Chromebooks too. They are equipped with sufficient RAM memory, so you can easily work with multiple programs simultaneously.
Storage size
Another important factor when buying the best laptop under 500 $ is the SSD drive capacity. It will tell you how much space your laptop has to store your data and apps. Of course, the more GB of internal memory, the more expensive it will be.
1TB is a bit too much for this price category, but you can get 512 GB if storage matters to you. It is more than enough to store all your files and work with them without any problems. However, not everyone needs so much storage space. For those who don’t store heavy data, even 60 GB is enough. So the storage capacity mainly depends on your needs when buying a laptop under 500$.
Battery life
The battery life is always the most important thing when choosing the best laptop under 500 dollars. Because you do not want your device to die on you in the middle of work, right? If it has anything less than 8 hours of battery life, then it is rather useless for your needs. You can easily find an inexpensive laptop with 10+ hours of battery life, so this is a rather cheap thing to consider.
High-end features
For this price range, features like a touch screen, matte display, 360-degree hinge, and fingerprint scanner are always a bonus. And these features can really add value to your purchase.
Final Words
After doing a lot of research, we’ve reviewed the 12 best sub-500 $ devices that should be the best options for you. These are budget laptops and can be used for personal and professional purposes. All these laptops have the great build quality and really great features for the price. We recommend all of them, but you can choose the best laptop under 500 $ that has the best specs for you.
