Top 7 Best Laptops Under $500 in 2024

The development of technology pushes the need for cheap but sturdy laptops among students, professionals, and casual users, while the quest for the same is a priority. 2024 is a gold mine of possibilities that couples cheapness with awesome performance.

Searching for the best laptop under 500 dollars which will not be a trade-off in such matters as quality, battery life, or performance is now easier than ever, due to the advances in technology and the market competition.

This ultimate buying guide will guide you through the maze of budget laptops, select the possible ones from Lenovo, HP, Acer, and ASUS, and explain how the latest developments such as SSDs and increased RAM are setting new standards in the $500 laptop category.

1. HP Best Chromebook 14-inch

Features:

14-inch 1366×768 display
Intel Celeron N4000 processor
4GB RAM
32GB internal storage expandable via microSD card
Up to 11 hours of battery life on a single charge
Runs Chrome OS allowing access to Google apps and Android apps
HD webcam
Dual stereo speakers
Two USB-C ports
Headphone/mic jack
Weighs just over 3 pounds, making it lightweight and portable
Durable and compact design
Affordable price point
Solid performance for basic tasks like web browsing, streaming media, productivity apps
Pros:

Also Read: Top 7 Best Dell Laptops Under $1000 to Buy in 2024

Affordable price :

The HP Chromebook 14 provides good value for the money. Buy Now on Amazone

Long battery life:

a coveted feature that aligns with having good battery life, an important consideration whether purchasing a cheap laptop or the best gaming laptop available. Up to 11 hours of usage per charge allows for all-day productivity unplugged.

Portability:

Weighing just over 3 lbs, it’s lightweight enough to easily carry around in a backpack all day.

Storage expandability :

The 32GB internal storage can be expanded via microSD, allowing the addition of files, photos, videos, and more.

Productivity capabilities:

The Intel Celeron processor and 4GB RAM provide enough power for basic tasks like creating docs, browsing the web, and streaming videos, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a cheap laptop.

Access to Google apps and Android apps:

chrome lets you install apps from the Google Play store for versatile functionality.

Also Read: Top 7 Best Dell Laptops Under $1000 to Buy in 2024

Cons:

Display resolution – The 1366×768 resolution is a bit low and text/images may not appear super sharp.

No touch screen – Unlike some newer Chromebooks, this model does not have a touch-enabled display.

Limited ports – Only having two USB-C ports can be restrictive without dongles for other connections.

Not for power users – More intensive tasks may cause lag, as it’s aimed at basic usage vs power-hungry workflows.

Storage not upgradable – Storage expansion is only via microSD and the internal 32GB cannot be upgraded.

Only has Chrom – Some may prefer a laptop with Windows or macOS instead of Chrome’s more limited operating system.

2. Microsoft Surface Go 2

Features:

10-inch PixelSense touchscreen with 1920×1280 resolution
Intel Pentium Gold or 8th generation Intel Core m3 processor options
4GB or 8GB RAM depending on model
64GB or 128GB SSD storage
Compact and lightweight design at just 1.2 pounds, ideal characteristics of a portable Windows laptop for on-the-go professionals.
Full Windows 10 functionality in a portable tablet form face detachable cable keyboard cover included in the box (Surface Type Cover)
Optional Surface Pen for note-taking and digital art
Versatile 2-in-1 design works as both tablet and laptop
Full access to Windows apps and the Microsoft Office suite, a key feature of a Windows laptop, allows for high productivity levels.
Up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge
USB-C and headphone jack ports
Front and rear-facing cameras for video calls and photos
Available in Platinum, Black, and Blue colors
Starts at $399 but accessories are sold separately
Thin bezels around the edge-to-edge display
Premium metal and glass construction for durability
Pros

The compact and lightweight design makes it extremely portable
Crisp 10-inch PixelSense touchscreen display
Improved performance from new Intel chips
Full Windows functionality in a tablet form factor
Versatile 2-in-1 design works as both tablet and laptop
Access to full Microsoft Office suite and Windows apps

Also Read: Top 7 Best Dell Laptops Under $1000 to Buy in 2024

Cons

Underpowered for intensive tasks like video editing
Limited ports including just one USB-C and headphone jack
Entry-level specs keep the price low but performance limited
Battery life could be better at around 10 hours, although this is still considered a good battery life for most users in that price range.
Bezels around the screen are quite thick, a common critique except in the case of a high-end gaming laptop or an OLED Windows laptop where screen real estate is maximized.

3. Acer Chromebook 317

Features:

Large 17. 3-inch display: It’s like a movie screen by your side. The 3-inch panel top offers extra scope for a wide range of tasks including media consumption. The full HD resolution caters to this aspect by making pictures, texts, among other visuals with great clarity and sharpness.

Long charging endurance – The battery of this device can last up to 12 hours without charging, giving you the chance to work, learn, or play the whole day or even a longer period without needing to plug in.

Durable – One of the distinguishing features of the 317 Acer Chromebook is its tough, durable construction, an important factor for its use in educational and business needs. Aside from that, the glass is made safer by Gorilla Corning Glass protection.

Also Read: Top 7 Best Dell Laptops Under $1000 to Buy in 2024

POW for possibly – consistent with the Intel Celeron N4000 processor and 4GB of RAM the Chromebook 317 gives enough power for working tabs, using Google Workspace applications, and lightweight apps running correctly.

Connectivity options – The Chromebook 317, aside from WiFi and Bluetooth, has USB-C and USB-A ports enabled for accessories and transferring of files. Now an HDMI port will enable one to run the smartphone screen onto an external display.

Pros:

Large 17. 3-inch display- The oversized tablet is excellent for multi-tasking and viewing media.

Long battery life – Being charged barely at the start of the workday is enough to offer you the whole-day battery allowing freedom of usage.

Resistance – The strong frame and the Gorilla Glass show the ability to put up with work and class frustrations

Accessibility: Chromebooks, such as the Chromebook Plus, make home computing affordable through their low-price utility for common tasks like browsing and document creation.

Cons:

These are also bulky and heavy – Some of the most challenging items for me are the ones that are both heavy and bulky, unlike the compact and lightweight design of a good gaming laptop. 29 pounds is quite hefty and it is not very mobile when you compare it to smaller laptops.

Storage space needs to be increased – Just 32 GB is available, so it is not useful to have large files that are expected to be downloaded. You will need to add the support of external memory.

Web-based focus – WiFi connectivity checks may not work either if necessary, since Air Machine is not like Windows/MacOS.

Also Read: Top 7 Best Dell Laptops Under $1000 to Buy in 2024

Inadequate performance for intensive tasks – The PC cannot cope with multimedia/gaming due to the low processor speed and RAM capacity. Besides, it is a challenge to upgrade some features.

No touch – Instead of the touchscreen found in newer Chromebooks, the message board has a large screen.

4. Acer Aspire 3

Features:

Processor – It is designed with the latest Intel Core i3-1005G1 chip or AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor that gives you up-to-date fast and smooth performance for daily needs such as schoolwork, streaming, and others.

Display – The 15. 6- 6-inch HD display with narrow borders allows for a clear visualization and for full viewing experience.

Storage: – It provides up to 256GB SSD so you can empower your applications, games and many more to utilize quick boot times and loading purposes.

Battery Life – With a single charge giving you up to 8 hours of continuous use, the lithium-ion battery in this device simplifies your work, creativity, and play – and it doesn’t have your device out of charge.

Attorney ship – It is furnished with many ports such as the USB, HDMI, and playing card so data can be copied from other devices to the laptop in no time and external displays are attached for presentations or entertainment.

Affordable price – The Acer Aspire 3 provides excellent performance to users at a reasonably low cost; therefore, it is a well-priced option within the cheap laptop category.

Also Read: Top 7 Best Dell Laptops Under $1000 to Buy in 2024

Lightweight and portable design – The net weight of this device is 3.16 pounds, making it even more convenient to transport in a backpack all day. Such attributes as thin and compact lend it portability for students or travelers.

Great battery life: For the entire day without being close to the outlet, the Aspire 3 can provide up to 8 hours of web browsing or video session.

For a budget laptop, the Aspire 3 comes with decent specs like Intel Core i3/i5 processor, RAM of 4GB-8GB, and storage capacity of 128GB-256GB which is enough for basic productivity, school work, and media consumption.

Variety of configurations – Acer offers the Aspire 3 laptop in a variety of configurations to fit into different wallet sizes with some options such as full HD screens, keyboards that light up when typing, or SSD storage available on the higher-end models.

Cons:

Plastic body – Aspire 3 has an all-plastic exterior, looking less solid and more inferior than metal or plastic competitors.

Low-res screen – A standard 1366×768 resolution screen is less sharp, especially when compared to 1080p and 4K displays.

Average output: Low performance – Although it can handle simple operations, the Aspire 3 will be revealed as a budget laptop when running strenuous software or heavy games that become common with expensive gaming or workstation laptops.

Also Read: Top 7 Best Dell Laptops Under $1000 to Buy in 2024

Sharing ports – A few USB ports, without Thunderbolt or HDMI, significantly reduce expansion and connectivity options compared to premium laptops.

Integrated speakers – While the Aspire 3’s built-in speakers have only mediocre output, they can sound tinny or hollow when compared to more powerful laptop audio systems.

5. Acer Aspire 5

Features:

15. 6″ Full HD IPS Display: The 1920×1080 high-resolution screen is designed for displaying movies/ watching videos, or reading documents.

Up to AMD Ryzen 7 3700U Processor: The inbuilt Ryzen 5 3500U and Ryzen 7 3700U processors are sufficient for basic productivity, multitasking, and a high-ensemble user experience.

Up to 12GB DDR4 RAM: This 12GB RAM upgrade already secures the laptop against any obsolete memory as the years roll by. Those who need a lot of data and high-quality videos can probably choose 16GB, but most users might be suitable for 8 GB.

Up to 512GB SSD Storage: The SSD storage is remarkably faster thus you can have up to 20x quicker boot and up to 10x faster load times taking only seconds compared to 30 seconds just with the standard hard drive. Big enough to host many files and programs.

Backlit Keyboard: The keyboard lit by backlights makes my typing even in low light situations possible. A nice bonus, similar to finding a Best Buy in the gaming laptop market within your price range.

Pros:

Cost-effective feature –The Acer Aspire 5 has an impressive cost-effective line, making the computer a good cheap option.

The battery life of long time – They claim they get up to eight hours with typical usage, allowing them to have good mobility during the whole day.

Lightweight and portablе design – At only 1 kg in weight, the Aspire 5 is lightenе enough to sew in your backpack during the whole day.

Also Read: Top 7 Best Dell Laptops Under $1000 to Buy in 2024

SSD storage – A Fast SSD storage scheme can be an upgrade option for fast boot-up and read/ write speed for tasks compared to a standard hard drive.

Good performance – especially if you’re considering the latest gaming laptop with an FHD display and Windows 11 for enhanced gaming experiences. It will make the x86-64 Intel or AMD processor and integrated graphics efficient for browsing, school academic reports, content creation, and light gaming.

Cons:

Plastic build quality – The laptop case is constructed of plastic, which by contrast, tends to give an impression of inferior and lacking durability as opposed to the metal construction.

Bad display – The 1366×768 resolution is very poor and does not look good, which will make it unsuitable for viewing more than one window at the same time.

Spontaneous life expectancy under intense work – The battery life reduces under the same power-intensive activities like video editing and gaming.

Memory deficiency on some configurations – Base configurations come with just 4GB RAM which may lead to the inefficiency problem on resource-intensive tasks due to memory lack.

Functionality – USB is bound to USB-A; USB-C or a full-sized port for HDMI is not available. The more recent the peripheral, the more an adapter may be required, especially for users with the latest Windows laptop models that may have limited port types.

6. Lenovo IdeaPad i3

Features:

Processor – It comes equipped with the 11th generation Intel Core i3 processor which provides strong performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, media consumption, etc.

Storage – Comes with a decent 512GB SSD for storage which offers fast boot-up times and loading of applications. There is also an additional slot to expand the storage further via an HDD, a nice bonus for those needing extra space on their cheap laptop.

Display – It has a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) LED-backlit display which provides crisp and vibrant visuals both for multimedia as well as productivity work.

Also Read: Top 7 Best Dell Laptops Under $1000 to Buy in 2024

Design – The all-plastic build keeps the weight low at 3.75 lbs while still feeling durable. The narrow display bezels provide an immersive viewing experience.

Battery: Packs a 3-cell Li-ion battery that can last up to 8 hours on a single charge according to Lenovo. This ensures you can be productive away from the power outlet for long durations.

Pros:

Operation – 11th gen Intel Core i3 processor sustains the average programs running by meeting the everyday tasks.

Storage – 512GB SSD provides an extra amount of space and quick loading, complementing the features of the product.

Display – 15. A 6″ Full HD screen provides incredibly clear viewing.

Also Read: Top 7 Best Dell Laptops Under $1000 to Buy in 2024

Constructor –Lightweight plastic structure designed. 75lbs is portable.

Battery – The eight-hour battery life will allow for average use throughout the whole day.

Cons:

Plastic body- This may not rival metal design in terms of durability.

Limited ports – no Thunderbolt, or USB ports.

Low-power CPU – Intel Core i3 – with its weak performance, it cannot drill through many heavy tasks.

No touchscreen – The display lacks the touch function that some people find to be desirable.

Basic characteristics – Appearance may seem ordinary or without depth to spark some interest.

7. HP 14-inch Ultra Light

Features:

Minimized Weight – It’s a remarkable fact that our product weighs no more than 1. The weight of 09 lbs makes it very portable, which is great for students or somebody who needs uncompromising portability from their laptop, aligning it with the best buy for those in search of a lightweight Windows laptop.

Long Lasting Battery –Lasts up to 13 hours of battery life watching, researching, and creating all day need to worry about making a pause for charging.

A Full-size Keyboard – Sit back and explore the joys of a full-size keyboard with an ergonomic design that doesn’t disappoint for hours of typing.

14-inch HD Display – With the 14-inch HD anti-glare display, you will be able to see sharp graphics for streaming, school assignments, and whatever else might be important to you.

Rapid Performance – A confident performance with Intel Celeron and 4 GB RAM to foremost deal with daily type work like writing a paper, internet search, and messaging.

Pros:

Portable to the core and frighteningly light tipping the scales at only 3A MacBook Air 14 stands at 09 lbs.

The device battery can last as long as 13 hours on a single charge.

The display is brilliantly 14 inches with the touch feature ensuring clear pictures, and those opting for an upgrade can look for models with an OLED screen for even better visuals.

Also Read: Top 7 Best Dell Laptops Under $1000 to Buy in 2024

Powerful 10th Gen Intel Core processors and the Intel Iris Xe graphics support.

This frame, made of durable aluminum, has a simple and elegant design.

Cons:

The display screen only supports the HD mode (1366×768).

Other notable features include 512GB SSD / (no 1TB available).

These Intel graphics are not open for any external discrete GPU design.

The webcam seems to be set up on the top part of the display at an angle that leaves the user feeling unappealing.

But it could be the main variable in less heavy workload with settings.

FAQs

Q: What are the best budget laptops under $500 for 2024?

A: At $500, The ASUS TUF Gaming is the dream of any gamer with its high graphical performance. With both an excellent productivity experience and its versatility capabilities, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is the best choice for those cognizant about their budget. Lastly,

the Dell Inspiron series offers users both long battery life and good performance, which mightAll these PCs deliver a real bang for your buck, offering a blend of affordability vs. specs like 8GB of RAM, AMD Ryzen 5 processors, and Windows 11 Home for a sound all-round computing experience.

Q: Can I find a good gaming laptop under $500?

A: Yes, picking a cool gaming notebook under $500 is conceivable but probably the number of products would not be very high I would say. The Tuf Gaming of ASUS is the main option in this category, which uses a Ryzen 5 7520U processor, 8GB memory, and 512GB SSD.

Not being able to play most titles as the latest games at the highest settings, though, this laptop isn’t as powerful as many of its peers but is indeed sufficient for playing many popular games at moderate settings.

Q: What kind of processor should I expect in a laptop under $500?

A:The processors for laptops in the $500 range may include either the AMD Ryzen processors or the Intel Core i3 and i5 processors that may be a generation behind. These are meant to provide an efficient environment where the processor would be capable of performing such routine tasks as web browsing, light photo editing and document creation without much difficulty.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U and Intel Core i5 processors as the most capable improve performance with the most affordable laptops in that particular price range.

Q: Are there any cheap laptops with long battery life?

A: Yes, out of the range of the affordable laptops, the two models Flex 5i Chromebook Plus and Dell Inspiron series are identified for their terrible battery life. These laptops are intended to operate for a whole day on one charge if used per ordinary guidelines throughout the day which makes them perfect for students, or as professionals who do not have access to a power outlet when relying on them.

Q: Do budget laptops have good displays?

A: This genre of inexpensive notebooks usually isn’t among the refined ones with the best available resolution or the brightest screens but a lot of laptops can come with reasonable displays.

Try to investigate the laptops with FHD or IPS display for better image quality and color accuracy. 14-15 inches of the screen which is generally the case for a unit under $500 with FHD being the main consideration in choosing the preference between portability and usability.

Q: Is it possible to get a Windows 11 laptop under $500?

A: Indeed, you can discover a few mobile computers that less than 500 $ are selling with windows 11 Home that has the latest operating system provides by Microsoft for free. There is the availability of Dell, Lenovo, and ASUS models that guarantee users the best features and latest security updates for the windows 11 platform.

Q: What should I look for in a Chromebook under $500?

A: Constraining your search to a Chromebook with a price tag less than $500, you should make certain you have all the desired features, starting with the battery life, processing power, and display quality.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is a great option in this category, which meets all the required features of a 2-in-1 design, provides an Intel Core processor, and a touch display. Chromebook are ideal for power users who need fast boot times and good performance running on web-based model applications.