Can you get a laptop under $500? Certainly, there are high-quality laptops that cost less than five hundred dollars. If you are searching for the best laptops under 500, you should read this post to the end.
Before heading to the market, you should have known the purpose of the laptop. Are you buying the laptop for gaming, for programming, editing or for any online business?
You can get high-quality laptops without breaking your bank or emptying your treasury. With a budget of $500, you can get a cool laptop to use.
Some people are made to believe budget laptops are poor in performance, quality and features, however, this is a fallacy which has clouded that minds of most people.
Certainly, you can get the best laptop for your everyday needs without spending thousands of dollars on a single laptop. This guide tends to show you the best laptops to buy on the market with a budget of $500.
Best Laptop Under 500 2023
1. Acer Aspire 5
Without an atom of doubt, the Acer Aspire 5 is the best laptop you can buy under $500. This laptop is packed with a powerful 8th Gen Core i3 performance coupled with a bright 1080p display and a strong battery life.
It doesn’t come with a DVD writer but it features a decent number of ports. Furthermore, the display emits an amazing 276 nits of greatness along with decent contrast.
Features
- CPU: Intel Core i3-8145U.
- GPU: Intel UHD 620.
- RAM: 4GB.
- Storage: 128GB SSD.
- Display: 15.6-inch.
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080.
- Size: 14.3 x 9.9 x 0.7 inches.
- Weight: 3.76 pounds.
Price: $349.99
Pros
- It is affordable.
- Strong performance.
- Long battery life.
- Bright, 1080p display.
Cons
- Middling graphics.
- Questionable build quality.
2. Acer Aspire E 15
Just like its sibling (Acer Aspire 5), the Acer Aspire E 15 boasts of a powerful 8th Gen Core i3 processor along with a subtle premium aesthetic and lots of ports. It also features a DVD writer, 6GB of RAM and USB Type-C port.
Also, the keyboard is well-spaced and comfortable to type. Certainly, it is one of the best laptops to buy under $500.
Features
- CPU: Intel Core i3-8130U.
- GPU: Intel UHD 620.
- RAM: 6GB.
- Storage: 1TB 5,400-rpm HDD.
- Display: 15.6-inch.
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080.
- Size: 15 x 10.2 x 1.2 inches.
- Weight: 5 pounds.
Price: $295.99
Pros
- Strong performance.
- Plenty of ports.
- stellar battery life.
- It is affordable.
Cons
- Filled with bloatware.
- Bulky design.
3. Acer Chromebook 15
This laptop features a beautiful 15-inch screen and an amazing battery that lasts up to 17 hours. It also comes with fast charging features and a brilliant display. The price is good for a laptop with a battery life that lasts for more than 15 hours.
Features
- CPU: Intel Pentium N4200.
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 505.
- RAM: 4GB.
- Screen: 15.6-inch.
- FHD (1,920 x 1,080).
- Storage: 32GB eMMC.
Price: $175.98
Pros
- Stunning, fanless design.
- Impressive battery life.
- Brilliant display.
Cons
- The trackpad feels clunky.
- Easy to weigh down with tabs.
4. Acer Chromebook R11
Acer’s Chromebook R11 laptop features a powerful battery life that lasts for up to ten hours of use. It is designed with a vibrant touch display and crispy speakers. Furthermore, it features a 2-in-1 design for you to convert in in tablet mode.
Features
- CPU: Intel Celeron N3150 – N3160.
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 400.
- RAM: 4GB.
- Screen: 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 IPS.
- Storage: 32 GB Flash Memory / 32GB SSD.
Price: $258
Pros
- It is convertible.
- Attractive minimalist.
- Awesome battery life.
Cons
- HD-only screen.
- Awful
5. Acer Chromebook Spin 15
If you are looking for a laptop under $500 for photo and video editing, you should consider the Acer Chromebook Spin 15. This lightweight laptop comes with 4GB of RAM and it has the power to handle processor-hungry and power-consuming tasks.
Features
- CPU: Intel Pentium N4200.
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 505.
- RAM: 4GB.
- Screen: 15.6″ Full HD, 16:9 IPS.
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Storage: up to 64 GB Flash Memory.
Price: $429.15
Pros
- Plenty of power.
- Extremely long battery life.
- Beautifully responsive touchscreen.
Cons
- Second-rate speakers.
- The trackpad could be better.
6. Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 Laptop
This laptop is rated as one of the best Chromebooks on the market. Also, it is a perfect choice for anyone looking to buy a laptop under $500.
The Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 Laptop has enough power to handle basic computing tasks ranging from web browsing, down to document editing, watching movies. playing songs and many more.
Features
- CPU: Intel Celeron N3060.
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 400.
- RAM: 4GB.
- Screen: 11.6-inch, HD (1366 x 768) touchscreen.
- Storage: 32GB-64GB eMMC.
Price: $289
Pros
- Awesome battery life.
- It is durable.
Cons
- Not too powerful.S
- Slower SSD storage.
7. HP Chromebook x2
The HP Chromebook x2 comes with a great set of features which are not usually seen in other budget laptops. Firstly, it has a bright and colourful 2400 x 1600 display along with a solid pair of speakers.
Also, it comes with a keyboard that gives you the best typing experience and a battery life that assures you of up to 9 hours on a single charge.
Features
- CPU: Intel Core m3-7Y30.
- GPU: Intel HD 615.
- RAM: 4GB.
- Storage: 32GB eMMC.
- Display: 12.3-inch.
- Resolution: 2400 x 1600.
- Size: 11.5 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches.
- Weight: 3.1 pounds.
Price: $449
Pros
- Solid sound.
- Bright, high-res display.
- All-day battery life.
- Comfortable typing experience.
Cons
- A bit heavier than other 2-in-1 laptops.
- Thick bezels.
- Core m3 CPU isn’t the fastest.
8. HP Stream 11
You may never get a laptop as good as the HP Stream 11 for under $200. This laptop weighs at 2.5 pounds and it measures just 0.7 inches thick.
Moreover, it is portable and it comes with a battery life that lasts all day. The downside of this device is that the keyboard is a bit cramped, but still, it gives you a decent key journey. If your budget is too tight, you can consider this laptop because it offers great value for the price.
Features
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4000.
- GPU: Intel UHD 600.
- RAM: 4GB.
- Storage: 32GB eMMC.
- Display: 11-inch.
- Resolution: 1366 x 768.
- Size: 11.8 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches.
- Weight: 2.5 pounds.
Price: $129.99
Pros
- Ridiculously cheap.
- Great for the price.
- Excellent battery life.
- It offers better performance than other laptops within its price range.
Cons
- Awful webcam.
- Washed out low-res display.
9. Microsoft Surface Go
The Microsoft Surface Go has enough processor and power for your computing needs. It doesn’t look like the traditional or normal laptop you see at all times.
It comes with the Windows 10 OS and allows you to use apps such as the mobile versions of Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office.
If you are looking for the best laptop under $500 for light gaming, streaming Netflix, word processing, sending emails, video conferencing and lots more, the Microsoft Surface Go has got you covered.
Features
- CPU: Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y.
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615.
- RAM: 4GB – 8GB.
- Screen: 10.5-inch.
- 1,800 x 1,200 PixelSense touch display.
- Storage: 64GB eMMC – 128GB SSD.
Price: $399
Pros
- It is light and easy to hold.
- It is portable.
- It is affordable.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with Type Cover.
- Not really strong as the iPad.
10 Samsung Chromebook 4
Lastly, the Samsung Chromebook 4 worth its position in this list of the best laptops to buy under $500. It comes with a battery that lasts up to 10 hours, so you can use it for a whole day at the office, school or work even if you forgot your charger at home.
Moreover, if you need a laptop to learn how to type, it is important to note that this laptop has a good keyboard that makes it easy for people to type.
Features
- CPU: Intel Celeron 3000N.
- GPU: Intel UHD 600.
- RAM: 4GB.
- Storage: 32GB eMMC.
- Display: 11.6-inch.
- Resolution: 1366 x 768.
- Size: 11.33 x 7.96 x 0.66 inches.
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
Price: $249.99
Pros
- Long battery life.
- Thinner and lighter than competitors.
- Decent performance.
- Pretty good keyboard.
Cons
- Mediocre audio.
- Chunky bezels.
- Dim display without touch.