On the hunt for a feature-packed, affordable laptop under $500? Our carefully curated selection offers laptops with full-HD displays, exceptional performance, long battery life, & even touch systems, defying the myth of cheap products at this price point. Let’s dive into these budget-friendly yet high-quality laptops & help you find the perfect match for your needs.
| # | Products | Description | Unique factors | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acer Aspire 5 | Everyday use, Intel Core/AMD Ryzen, integrated graphics. | Color Intelligence display, Acer True Harmony audio, slim design. | View |
| 2 | Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook (13'') | 2-in-1 Chromebook, Intel Core, integrated graphics. | USI stylus support, 360° hinge, Chrome OS ecosystem. | View |
| 3 | Microsoft Surface Go 3 | Compact 2-in-1, Intel Pentium/Core, integrated graphics. | Surface Pen support, detachable keyboard, Windows Hello. | View |
| 4 | HP Stream 11 | Budget laptop, Intel Celeron, integrated graphics. | Compact design, HP TrueVision HD webcam, Office 365 included. | View |
| 5 | Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 | 2-in-1 Chromebook, MediaTek, integrated graphics. | Detachable keyboard, stylus storage, 10.5" touch display. | View |
Best Laptops Under 500 Dollars
1. Acer Aspire 5
A Windows laptop with the latest Core i5 processor under $500 might seem too good to be true but it’s not! Acer Aspire 5 doesn’t fall short in many categories when compared to other laptops twice its price.
Pros
This laptop stands out among the rest due to several reasons including the 8th Gen Core i5 processor and excellent performance. Its 1080p display also makes it a worthwhile purchase. It also features a thin, sleek design, without compromising on battery life, which lasts for up to 9 hours. Along with a Core i5-1135G7 processor, this laptop also features Intel’s Iris Xe graphics. You also get 8 execution units with 1.3GHz of a maximum clock. This leaves behind many 10th-generation Intel Core hardware when it comes to graphics.
Cons
Here are some things that you should consider before getting this laptop. First of all, the laptop body of Aspire 5 is almost entirely made of plastic and the screen isn’t that vibrant. If you are into the latest, futuristic designs, then this laptop is not for you, as it has a very generic, almost outdated design. This laptop doesn’t have a dedicated graphics card.
| Storage | 128 GB SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-8145U |
| GPU | Intel UHD 620 |
| Screen Size | 15.6-inch |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce MX250 |
| Display | 1920 x 1080 |
| Battery | Lithium-Ion, Lasts up to 9 hours |
2. Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook (13’’)
If you are into Chromebooks, as they are generally faster than Windows laptops, you must check out the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook (13’’). This laptop is very light, portable, and compact and offers incredible performance on a budget. Another plus point is that this laptop doesn’t have bloatware that would slow it down, which makes it very fast at most tasks, such as making video calls, documents, and spreadsheets.
Pros
If you are thinking that this affordable laptop would look cheap, think again! Flex 5i features a solid metal, part-aluminum body which gives the user a premium feel. Its 360-degree hinge design adds another feather to its cap as you can convert it into a tablet due to the touch screen.
After the build, another thing that makes this laptop truly stand out is the keyboard. The island-style keyboard is among the most responsive keyboards that we have tested with extremely ‘clicky’ and bouncy keys, and you will have no problem during any word processing tasks.
| Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB SSD |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-10110U |
| GPU | Intel UHD |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-1115G4 |
| Screen Size | 13.3-inch (touch) |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Graphics | Intel UHD |
| Display | 1920 x 1080 |
| Battery | Lasts up to 8 hours |
3. Microsoft Surface Go 3
This would be among our top recommendations if you are looking for something compact and handy that you require for easy tasks, such as media consumption and web browsing. Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a mini version of the earlier Surface Pro.
Pros
With Microsoft Surface Go 3 you get a 10.5-inch IPL panel display with excellent and sharp graphics. You might find the thick bezels around the display outdated, but these do not only provide a place to set the laptop but also house an incredible 1080p webcam and features both a rear and a front camera.
This laptop comes with a built-in kickstand with a detachable type cover keyboard, although you have to buy the keyboard separately. This tablet is extremely light and compact, with a sleek design and good speakers. If you want a convertible device for note-taking using both a keyboard and a stylus, you might look into the Surface Go 3. It is also perfect for kids and families.
Cons
Although this is among the best budget 2-in-1 laptops, you might feel that it is not on par with other third-generation Chromebooks or Apple iPads in terms of performance and features. This laptop also has only one USB-C port and you might not like the fact that you have to buy accessories separately. This tablet-cum-laptop is also not for you if you are after something heavy-duty that can handle high-powered processing. Overall, we also feel that this laptop is expensive for what it does.
| Storage | 128 GB SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| CPU | Intel Core i3- 10100Y |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 615 |
| Processor | Intel Core i3 |
| Screen Size | 10.1-inch |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Display | 1920 x 1280 |
| Battery | Lasts up to 7 hours |
4. HP Stream 11
We doubt that you will find a better Windows laptop than HP Stream 11 for under $200. At 2.5 pounds weight, this extremely portable device features an 11-inch chassis, which is just 0.7 inches thick. Among the several reasons that you should buy this laptop, its long battery life and excellent performance at an extremely affordable price are on top of the list.
Pros
This laptop can handle up to 10 Microsoft Edge tabs, along with a 1080p YouTube video. The battery lasts an insane 9 hours with moderate use. As this is a small device, you might feel that the keyboard is a bit cramped, but you get a nice key travel with this keyboard. This laptop was built to compete with Chromebooks and Microsoft does raise the bar a bit by offering free OneDrive storage and Office 365 Personal that you can use for a year.
HP Stream 11 comes with both USB and HDMI ports. Cheap does not mean low quality and you get an excellent build along with 1TB cloud space. After rigorous research, we found that this laptop is hands down more capable than any other $200 laptop on the market. If you are looking for a sleek, stylish, very affordable laptop that performs like a Chromebook, you should definitely check out HP Stream 11.
Cons
Well, not all is possible within this price range, so you get a low-quality, washed-out display. Stream 11 also cannot keep up with heavy use. It also gets warm easily which can be a major drawback. Moreover, after one year you have to pay for Office 365 and OneDrive, which may end up being more costly in the long run.
| Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| CPU | Intel Celeron N4000 |
| GPU | Intel UHD 600 |
| Screen Size | 11-inch |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Display | 1366 x 768 |
| Battery | Lasts up to 9 hours |
5. Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3
This laptop is perhaps the most stylish laptop that is available for under $500. You think you see a tweed-bound journal but lift the cover and we have a 2-in-1 laptop with a stylus, in case you end up doing some journaling. Along with good looks, this also features a vibrant display.
Pros
The Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 has a convenient form which makes it an excellent device for content consumption and web browsing, as it can be easily carried in the hand or a bag. 12 hours of battery life and a durable chassis further add to its qualities.
While it features a touch screen, you also get a detachable keyboard and stand cover with it. You don’t need to buy a kickstand with it to support the laptop on a flat surface, as the included magnet cover does the job. This fabric-covered black panel is gray, and we find this very stylish. The included keyboard also features excellent quality, with a mini touchpad.
It also has built-in stylus storage and two cameras. The stylus is a very useful feature for graphic designers and one that lacks in most Chromebooks. You don’t have to turn on the tablet mode as the laptop immediately turns into a tablet when you detach the keyboard.
Cons
Although the tablet portion is high-quality, the keyboard seems a bit cheap. The keys are made of plastic and the keyboard doesn’t offer a smooth attachment to the tablet, which makes it difficult to write.
| Storage | 128 GB eMMC |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| CPU | MediaTek MTK 8183 |
| GPU | Integrated Arm Mali-G72 MP3 |
| Screen Size | 10.5-inch |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Display | 1900 x 1200 |
| Battery | Lasts up to 12 hours |
There are many options available in the market when you look for a laptop with different specs and features. Choosing the right one might seem like a mind-boggling task. We have compiled information on several different kinds of laptops in the market that will help you make an informed decision.
The operating system in Chromebook is the Linux-based Chrome OS. The latest Chromebooks can now run Android and even Linux apps. They can also work offline in a limited capacity.
Chromebooks are much more affordable than Windows 10 laptops. Here are some other reasons why you should consider getting a Chromebook.
Chrome OS platform introduced Google Assistant in the Pixelbook. Google also introduced a minimalist keyboard design, suited to 2-in-1 use. There is also a new webpage in Chrome OS, called “What’s new with your Chromebook”, which gives you an insight into the latest features.
Most Chromebooks offer exceptional battery life, but we recommend you do your research before getting one. You typically get 9 hours of battery but some, like the Google Pixelbook, only offer 7 hours of battery.
Chromebooks are built to last, so they survive drops exceptionally well. This makes them both business and kid-friendly.
Chromebooks offer exceptional features and a decent performance at an affordable price. If you find Google’s services more agreeable and are looking for simple ways to get online, you should consider buying a Chromebook.
Although 2-in-1 laptops have completely revolutionized the PC world, some people still prefer traditional laptops due to their power. Here are some other reasons to choose a traditional laptop.
Excellent Processing Power: Traditional laptops offer room for storage and RAM. They also have improved specs for power, which leads to several possibilities and bigger dimensions.
The most obvious reason to choose a traditional laptop is for PC gaming. Due to the traditional laptop’s processing power, you have access to a wide variety of games.
With traditional laptops, you get a variety of shapes and sizes, including budget options. This also gives you more input methods, such as using a mouse or an external keyboard.
Traditional laptops are usually bigger and heavier than 2-in-1 laptops, so they are less portable. They also offer lesser battery life when compared to the latest options.
If you prefer performance over portability you should invest in a traditional laptop. Gamers should also get a heavy-duty traditional laptop since you need power and performance both. However, if you are tight on budget or are looking for portable options, traditional laptops are not for you.
The 2-in-1 option in the laptop market opens a world of possibilities. Combining a laptop and a tablet results in portability and ease of use that you cannot get with a traditional laptop.
You get two options in 2-in-1 laptops: Convertibles have fixed keyboards that you can rotate up to 360 degrees while detachable laptops allow you to remove the keyboard resulting in lighter weight and more portability. Here are some other reasons why you might consider getting a 2-in-1 laptop.
When compared to traditional laptops, 2-in-1 provides superior battery timing. You can even get convertibles or detachable laptops that run for up to 12 hours.
Since with a 2-in-1, you get two devices built into one system, you end up saving a lot of money. Generally, 2-in-1 are cheaper than traditional laptops as well.
A 2-in-1 laptop is the best option if you require a portable device with a touch screen display and convertible characteristics. These hybrid laptops offer exceptional portability and flexibility on a budget.
Notebooks are essentially small laptops, featuring portability. Notebook laptops have a screen size of 15 inches or less, weigh less than 5 pounds, and are less than 3 inches thick. The label Notebook is generally dissected into two categories, Netbook and Ultrabook. Netbooks are an affordable option with basic functionality while Ultrabooks are a thinner, more advanced, and expensive alternative.
Choosing a notebook over a traditional laptop boils down to portability, but there are several other things to consider before you decide to get a notebook.
Notebooks are generally slim and sleek, which means they are usually more expensive than traditional laptops. You pay a price for being able to carry a mini laptop around easily.
If you prefer a larger display size, you might have to get a traditional laptop since notebooks are small with cramped keyboards.
Notebooks usually have a long battery life as they are meant to stay unplugged frequently. You can get up to 14 hours of battery, although there is a large variation between several models.
If you are looking for a stylish, sleek mini laptop, with good battery life, you should choose a notebook. However, notebooks are not high-powered computers so they are not suitable for people who need high processing power, such as gamers.
Fed up with using your tablet’s touch screen by either tapping it or with a stylus? consider changing it into a laptop. Some tablets offer a desktop mode that can give an interface similar to macOS or Windows. Here are some things you should know before deciding to convert your tablet into a laptop.
If you think you will have to sacrifice power by converting your tablet into a laptop, you are wrong. Most modern tablets nowadays offer the power of a high-end laptop, while offering the convenience of a tablet.
To get a similar feeling to a laptop that can run professional photos or video software or heavy games, you might have to get a tablet that costs you somewhere around $700. If you are just trying to have a laptop for media consumption or browsing, you can settle with an affordable tablet too.
If you have an Android tablet, you cannot run applications that are meant for desktop computers, such as the ones specified for Windows, macOS, or Linux. However, this problem can be solved by either using a remote desktop app or by renting a virtual computer in the cloud. You can access your computer via an internet connection.
Turning your tablet into a laptop brings exceptional convenience, however, if you use a specific software meant for desktop PCs, then this will not work for you, especially if you have an Android tablet.
