Discovering a great laptop computer below $500 is not any simple activity. Simply sort “laptops below $500” into any search bar and also you’ll be inundated with a great deal of outcomes. Though you’ll see many choices, most aren’t well worth the value. That’s why it is advisable to store good right here.
Personally, I’d advocate getting a laptop computer with a 1080p show and at the least 8GB of RAM. You need a machine that’s highly effective sufficient to deal with day-to-day duties and a show that’s sharp sufficient for watching YouTube. You might encounter just a few trade-offs, positive, however that’s widespread for a laptop computer on this value vary.
Beneath you’ll discover a meticulously curated checklist of our high picks for laptops below $500, each one examined by our consultants.
Why it’s best to belief us: It’s in our identify! PCWorld prides itself on laptop computer expertise and experience. We’ve been overlaying PCs since 1983, and we now evaluate greater than 70 laptops yearly. The entire picks beneath have been personally examined and vetted by our consultants, who’ve utilized not solely efficiency benchmarks however rigorous usability requirements. We’re additionally dedicated to reviewing PC laptops at each value level that can assist you discover a machine that matches your price range.
The perfect laptops below $500
Acer Aspire Go 15 – Greatest laptop computer below $500 general
Execs
- Reasonably priced
- Respectable battery life
- Good show visibility
Cons
- Large and hulking
- Low cost construct
- Restricted efficiency
Why we just like the Acer Aspire Go 15
For just below $300, the Acer Aspire Go 15 affords speedy on a regular basis efficiency, good battery life (12 hours!), and a clear-looking 1080p show. In our testing, the 53.9 watt-hour battery lasted virtually 12 hours on a single cost, which is greater than a full workday.
The 15.6-inch show has a decision of 1920×1080 and a modest brightness degree of 284 nits. In use, the reviewer was nonetheless capable of see the display screen even with a light-weight beaming down onto it. Whereas the Intel Core i3-N305 CPU lags a bit behind different laptops in its class, it’s appropriate for on a regular basis duties like listening to Spotify, watching Hulu, and so forth.
Who should purchase the Acer Aspire Go 15
Anybody that’s searching for a well-rounded laptop computer below $500. It has a pleasant keyboard that the reviewer was capable of comfortably sort “round 110 words-per-minute” on and the trackpad is good and clean. There’s even a good array of ports obtainable. You’re getting one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with Energy Supply and DisplayPort, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, one HDMI, one 3.5mm audio, one Kensington lock slot, and one DC barrel jack.
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Acer Aspire Go 15 (2024) evaluate
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus – Greatest Chromebook below $500
Execs
- Snappy day-to-day efficiency
- Versatile 2-in-1 design
- Good typing expertise
Cons
- Stylus not included
- Heavier than anticipated
What we like in regards to the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus packs in plenty of options for the low value. The two-in-1 kind issue permits you to flip the display screen round and use it like a pill or you’ll be able to prop it up like a tent for watching films or sharing data. You too can anticipate peppy on a regular basis efficiency and blazing quick boot-up occasions.
Who should purchase the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
In the event you want the flexibility of a convertible laptop computer however wish to follow a extra modest price range, then the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is the one to select. It stands other than the remainder of the pack with its sturdy development, reasonably priced pricing, and versatile convertible design.
Various possibility: In the event you’re on a really tight price range, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 ($249.99) is value testing. It’s about $100 lower than our present decide and it comes with a great deal of connectivity choices in addition to an gratifying keyboard and a beautiful design. It’s not a 2-in-1 laptop computer like Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, however I wouldn’t contemplate {that a} deal-breaker, particularly should you favor conventional clamshells.
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Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus evaluate
Acer Chromebook Plus 515 – Greatest audio
Execs
- Strong audio high quality
- Quick normal efficiency
- Features a 1080p webcam
- Good typing expertise
Cons
- Boring design
- Thick bezels
Why we just like the Acer Chromebook Plus 515
The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 has good audio for a laptop computer. The positioning of a laptop computer’s audio system can actually affect the sound. Fortunately, the audio system on the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 hearth upwards, which suggests the sound is coming at you. Highs and lows sound fairly darn crisp! This machine additionally gives a pleasant typing expertise in addition to quick normal efficiency.
Who should purchase the Acer Chromebook Plus 515
The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is an efficient possibility for the informal person, particularly should you like watching films or listening to music. The audio is spectacular and efficiency is sweet sufficient for on a regular basis actions. The 15.6-inch show is sort of good as effectively due to the 1080p decision.
HP Laptop computer 14-ep0865no – Greatest battery life
Execs
- Compact kind issue
- Good on a regular basis efficiency
- Lengthy battery life
- Nice keyboard and mouse
Cons
- Display high quality is mediocre
- Noisy followers
Why we just like the HP Laptop computer 14
Though we love the HP Laptop computer 14’s compact kind issue and comfy keyboard, it’s the battery life that’s the actual star of the present. It lasted about 15 hours on a single cost with gentle use, which is an unimaginable outcome for a sub-$500 Home windows machine. This laptop computer additionally weighs simply over three kilos, so it’s gentle sufficient to take with you from class to class or assembly to assembly. There’s even a 1080p webcam and, because of the Intel Core i3-1315U CPU, efficiency is zippy sufficient for looking the online and whatnot. The subdued midnight blue shade scheme is attractive, too.
Who should purchase the HP Laptop computer 14
Anybody that wants a long-lasting, sub-$500 laptop computer! The 15 hours of battery life is greater than a full work day (or college day), which suggests you don’t must go attempting to find an outlet. It’s additionally light-weight and slim, so you’ll be able to simply stick it in a backpack or messenger bag and be in your merry approach. Whereas normal use efficiency is okay, it’s not the perfect machine for multimedia duties and the fan noise is a bit annoying to cope with. That stated, these are cheap compromises given the worth.
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HP Laptop computer 14 evaluate
Current laptop computer critiques
We’ve reviewed a number of new laptops lately, although many value greater than $500.
- Acer Swift 16 AI: The Acer Swift 16 AI is a succesful machine with a giant, stunning display screen, however its AI chops are nonetheless unproven.
- Lenovo Legion 5i: The Lenovo Legion 5i is a good worth — a 16-inch gaming laptop computer with a screaming-fast CPU that additionally squeezes a shocking quantity of efficiency from its GPU.
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Version: The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Version has class and feels nice to make use of. However Lenovo ought to have stepped up its sport, because the system lags behind in efficiency and battery subsequent to a bunch of cheaper opponents, and Lenovo’s not the one model making great-feeling programs.
- Lenovo LOQ 15: The Lenovo LOQ15 has higher construct high quality than the common gaming laptop computer on this value vary, however its efficiency remains to be on the low facet.
How we examined
The PCWorld crew places each Home windows laptop computer by means of a collection of benchmarks that take a look at GPU and CPU efficiency, battery life, and so forth. The concept is to push the laptop computer to its limits after which evaluate it in opposition to others we’ve examined.
Chromebooks, alternatively, undergo a collection of web-based assessments. It wouldn’t be honest or potential to run the identical sorts of assessments on a Chromebook, as they’re Chrome OS-based machines. Beneath, you’ll discover a breakdown of every take a look at and the the explanation why we run them. For a a lot deeper take a look at our evaluate methodology, take a look at how PCWorld assessments laptops.
Home windows laptops
- PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we decide how effectively the laptop computer handles lighter duties like internet looking, phrase processing, spreadsheets, and so forth.
- HandBrake: HandBrake is extra intensive than PCMark 10. It principally measures how lengthy a laptop computer’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
- Cinebench: Cinebench is a short stress take a look at of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a brief time frame.
- 3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D efficiency stays constant over time by operating graphic-intensive clips.
- Video rundown take a look at: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video utilizing Home windows 10’s Films & TV app till the laptop computer dies.
Chromebooks
- CrXPRT 2: The CrXPRT 2 benchmark assessments a Chromebook’s battery life.
- Speedometer 2.0: This take a look at determines a Chromebook’s internet browser efficiency. It simulates this by including, finishing, and eradicating a to-do checklist.
- Basemark Internet 3.0: This benchmark gauges how effectively a Chromebook can deal with web-based functions.
- Kraken 1.1: Kraken 1.1 is a JavaScript efficiency benchmark.
- Jetstream 2: Jetstream 2 is a mixture of WebAssembly and JavaScript benchmarks. This can be a method to gauge how effectively a Chromebook runs superior workloads.
What sort of laptop computer must you get?
Ah, right here we’re on the billion greenback query. Do you spring for a fundamental Chromebook or go for a Home windows laptop computer with extra options? Effectively, it actually is dependent upon your way of life and your expectations of a sub-$500 machine. At this value level, you’re not going to discover a highly effective workhorse. Nonetheless, there are many reasonably priced laptops on the market for individuals who want the fundamentals.
Chromebooks, for instance, are a terrific low-cost possibility and provide phenomenal battery life. I take advantage of a Chromebook as my major work laptop computer, because it has every little thing I want for each enhancing and writing. In the event you journey for work, it’s in all probability a good suggestion to spend money on a laptop computer that weighs lower than three kilos. In the event you’re nonetheless not sure, don’t sweat it. I’ve put collectively an inventory of fast shopping for suggestions beneath.
- Laptop computer sort: There are various totally different laptop computer sorts that fall within the sub-$500 class: clamshells, 2-in-1’s, Chromebooks, and rather more. The shows on convertible laptops (aka 2-in-1’s), for instance, can swing round 360 levels. This lets you use the laptop computer like a pill. They will also be propped up like a tent for viewing films or collaborating in video calls. Chromebooks are available numerous sizes and shapes, and solely run Google’s web-focused Chrome OS. With a Chromebook, all you want is a Gmail account and, increase, you’re in.
- CPU: In terms of the sub-$500 Home windows laptops, you’ll be able to look forward to finding Intel Core i3 or i5 processors. An i5 processor clearly gives a bit extra oomph. That stated, fundamental workplace and internet work does simply high-quality on a Core i3. As for AMD choices, the Ryzen 3 is sweet for fundamental productiveness and internet looking, whereas Ryzen 5 chips rival Intel’s Core i5 as strong all-arounders. For Chromebooks, Snapdragon and Pentium processors are extra highly effective than MediaTek chips.
- Graphics: At this value vary, you in all probability gained’t discover a laptop computer with a robust discrete graphics card. As an alternative, you’ll encounter laptops with built-in graphics, that are built-in with the CPU and use much less energy because of this. That is completely high-quality for on a regular basis duties, particularly should you’re not doing something that’s graphics-intensive—like 3D gaming.
- RAM: All the time go for 8GB of RAM. That’s loads sufficient for firing up functions and loading internet pages. Most Chromebooks are outfitted with 4GB of RAM, which is the naked minimal. You want a good quantity of reminiscence on these machines, as they’re primarily web-based. If there’s an 8GB RAM possibility, I’d advocate springing for that.
- Show dimension: In the event you’re a video editor or somebody who does plenty of multimedia work, you’ll need a show that’s anyplace from 15- to 17-inches (however these machines often value excess of $500). The candy spot for price range laptops is basically anyplace from 13- to 14-inches. The larger the show, the heavier your laptop computer goes to be. A 13- or 14-inch show is the perfect by way of portability and worth.
- Decision: I wouldn’t go for something lower than 1080p, as there’s nothing extra annoying than a barely fuzzy picture. 1080p produces an image that’s sharp sufficient for watching Netflix or working in Excel. At this value vary, you gained’t actually discover many (if any) laptops with 1440p decision or larger.
- Battery life: In the event you plan on taking your laptop computer anyplace with you, goal for one thing that may final 10 to 12 hours on a single cost. That’s greater than a full work day, so it ought to theoretically get you thru lengthy flights or a day of lessons. Clearly, extra is at all times higher. Simply know that the larger the battery, the heavier the laptop computer.
- Value: The value actually is dependent upon your price range. In the event you’re strapped for money (been there, belief me), go for a Chromebook or an entry-level enterprise laptop computer. These laptops are a sensible choice for college students or younger professionals. In the event you store good, you’ll be able to even discover 2-in-1’s within the $500 vary.
- Ports: A wide selection of ports is at all times a plus, because it eliminates the necessity for an adapter. I’d advocate a laptop computer that has each USB-C and USB-A. An HDMI port is sweet, too. That is particularly helpful for hooking as much as an exterior monitor.
FAQ
What’s the distinction between a daily laptop computer and a Chromebook?
When individuals discuss common laptops they often imply a PC or Mac. A Chromebook remains to be a laptop computer, nevertheless it differentiates itself from both of these two through the use of a novel working system referred to as ChromeOS, which was created by Google. Consider it like this: All Chromebooks are laptops, however not all laptops are Chromebooks.
Not like different working programs equivalent to Home windows or macOS, ChromeOS are optimized to run Google apps equivalent to Google Drive, Google Docs, YouTube, and different Google companies. As a result of most Google apps are on-line, Chromebooks typically require an web connection to make use of most of their vital options.
Lastly, Chromebooks have traditionally been designed with portability, ease of use, and affordability in thoughts relatively than high efficiency. They sometimes forego the sooner high-end {hardware} that PCs or Macs use for a extra minimalist, light-weight method to computing.
Can you utilize built-in graphics for gaming?
Sure, a few of the newest processors with built-in graphics can run trendy PC video games at respectable sufficient settings. For instance, we discovered that in our assessments, Intel’s newest Iris Xe line of processors with built-in graphics can run a few of the newest video games at 1080p and 30fps. Sadly this isn’t the case for all built-in graphics and your mileage could range drastically with older tech.
Intel and AMD’s built-in graphics have made big leaps lately with regard to gaming efficiency. In the event you’re on a price range or searching for an ultra-thin laptop computer with built-in graphics you needn’t fear, you’ll be able to nonetheless sport on. We advocate testing Intel’s Core Twelfth-gen Iris Xe or AMD’s model new Ryzen 6000 RDNA 2.
What’s the distinction between a price range laptop computer and a pill?
An increasing number of the road between what’s a laptop computer and what’s a pill blurs as corporations combine the options of each into their newest units. However there are nonetheless just a few key distinctions between the 2. Laptops typically are bigger, include extra storage, have higher efficiency and productiveness options, and should or could not function a contact show. Tablets alternatively are smaller and extra transportable, have longer battery life, function a contact show, and are often a bit extra reasonably priced.
When selecting between a price range laptop computer and a pill it’s best to first ask your self what the first use of the gadget will probably be. Do you want one thing for productiveness with plenty of storage? Then a laptop computer—even a price range mannequin—will in all probability be the way in which to go. Or do you want one thing that’s small, travels effectively, and has an extended battery life? Then you definitely would possibly contemplate a pill.
Do Chromebooks make good gaming laptops?
Sadly, if gaming is your important concern, chances are you’ll wish to look elsewhere. Chromebooks can deal with internet video games and Android video games with none points. However of their present state they merely aren’t designed to deal with high-powered 3D video games. This primarily comes right down to the truth that they don’t run Home windows and most Chromebooks don’t have adequate graphics energy.
With that stated, cloud gaming companies enable a distant PC or console to play video games streamed from a distant server utilizing extra highly effective {hardware}. However these are early days nonetheless, and the true viability of this selection will depend upon the well being and survival of cloud gaming companies, in addition to Chromebook makers providing extra choices expressly designed with gaming in thoughts, like this Asus Chromebook Vibe CX43 Flip.
