There are tons of laptops beneath $500 on the market, however lots of them aren’t well worth the value. That’s why it’s necessary to buy sensible if you’re searching for a funds laptop computer. For one, don’t accept laptop computer with a decision under 1080p. Second, at all times spring for not less than 8GB of RAM. Though you could encounter a few trade-offs right here and there, it’s solely doable to attain a sub-$500 machine with zippy normal productiveness efficiency and respectable battery life. Under you’ll discover a rigorously curated record of our prime picks.
Why you need to belief us: It’s in our identify! PCWorld prides itself on laptop computer expertise and experience. We’ve been masking PCs since 1983, and we now evaluate greater than 70 laptops yearly. All the picks under 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 will help you discover a machine that matches your funds.
In case you can handle to stretch your funds a bit bit additional, take a look at our greatest laptops roundup for much more strategies.
Up to date August 22, 2024: We up to date our record of current laptop computer opinions, so remember to test these out close to the underside of the web page!
One of the best laptops beneath $500
Acer Aspire Go 15 – Greatest laptop computer beneath $500 total
Execs
- Reasonably priced
- First rate battery life
- Good show visibility
Cons
- Massive and ponderous
- Low cost construct
- Restricted efficiency
Why we just like the Acer Aspire Go 15
For slightly 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 nearly 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 stage of 284 nits. In use, the reviewer was nonetheless capable of see the display 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 can buy the Acer Aspire Go 15
Anybody that’s searching for a well-rounded laptop computer beneath $500. It has a pleasant keyboard that the reviewer was capable of comfortably kind “round 110 words-per-minute” on and the trackpad is good and easy. There’s even an honest array of ports accessible. 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 beneath $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 quite a lot of options for the low value. The two-in-1 type issue permits you to flip the display round and use it like a pill or you’ll be able to prop it up like a tent for watching motion pictures or sharing info. You may also count on peppy on a regular basis efficiency and blazing quick boot-up instances.
Who can buy the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
In case you want the flexibility of a convertible laptop computer however need to keep on with a extra modest funds, then the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is the one to choose. It stands aside from the remainder of the pack with its sturdy development, inexpensive pricing, and versatile convertible design.
Various possibility: In case you’re on a really tight funds, 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 fulfilling keyboard and a sexy design. It’s not a 2-in-1 laptop computer like Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, however I wouldn’t think about {that a} deal-breaker, particularly for those who want 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 fireplace upwards, which implies 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 can buy the Acer Chromebook Plus 515
The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is an efficient possibility for the informal consumer, particularly for those who like watching motion pictures or listening to music. The audio is spectacular and efficiency is nice sufficient for on a regular basis actions. The 15.6-inch show is kind of good as nicely due to the 1080p decision.
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Acer Chromebook Plus 515 evaluate
HP Laptop computer 14-ep0865no – Greatest battery life
Execs
- Compact type 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 type issue and comfy keyboard, it’s the battery life that’s the true star of the present. It lasted about 15 hours on a single cost with mild use, which is an unbelievable end result for a sub-$500 Home windows machine. This laptop computer additionally weighs simply over three kilos, so it’s mild 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 shopping the net and whatnot. The subdued midnight blue colour scheme is attractive, too.
Who can buy 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 implies you don’t must go looking for 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 method. Whereas normal use efficiency is ok, 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 opinions
We’ve reviewed a number of new laptops just lately, although many value greater than $500.
- Asus Zenbook S 16: The Asus Zenbook S 16 is a sexy laptop computer, however the Ryzen AI 9 delivers mediocre efficiency and exterior temperatures peak at 130 levels beneath load.
- HP Omnibook X: The HP Omnibook X is an efficient laptop computer and makes respectable use of its Snapdragon processor to run for hours on finish, nevertheless it’s not setting itself dramatically aside and skimps in different areas sufficient that it simply doesn’t stand out.
- HP Pavilion Laptop computer 16: The HP Pavilion Laptop computer 16 is a jack of all trades with a giant show and comfy spacious keyboard full of choices. It additionally has an extended battery life and sufficient energy to comfortably deal with most leisure and workplace purposes.
- Framework Laptop computer 13: The Framework Laptop computer 13 is predicated on a compelling imaginative and prescient of a doable future, and a few PC fanatics will love constructing, upgrading, and repairing their very own laptop computer. However this isn’t the fitting machine for the common PC purchaser.
- Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5: The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 is a serviceable enterprise laptop computer with strong battery life, a vibrant show, and respectable repairability.
How we examined
The PCWorld crew places every Home windows laptop computer by 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 examine it in opposition to others we’ve examined.
Chromebooks, however, undergo a collection of web-based exams. It wouldn’t be truthful or doable to run the identical sorts of exams on a Chromebook, as they’re Chrome OS-based machines. Under, you’ll discover a breakdown of every take a look at and the the reason why we run them. For a a lot deeper have a look at our evaluate methodology, take a look at how PCWorld exams laptops.
Home windows laptops
- PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we decide how nicely the laptop computer handles lighter duties like internet shopping, phrase processing, spreadsheets, and so forth.
- HandBrake: HandBrake is extra intensive than PCMark 10. It mainly 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 period.
- 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 Motion pictures & TV app till the laptop computer dies.
Chromebooks
- CrXPRT 2: The CrXPRT 2 benchmark exams 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 record.
- Basemark Internet 3.0: This benchmark gauges how nicely a Chromebook can deal with web-based purposes.
- Kraken 1.1: Kraken 1.1 is a JavaScript efficiency benchmark.
- Jetstream 2: Jetstream 2 is a mix of WebAssembly and JavaScript benchmarks. This can be a technique to gauge how nicely a Chromebook runs superior workloads.
What sort of laptop computer do you have to get?
Ah, right here we’re on the billion greenback query. Do you spring for a primary Chromebook or go for a Home windows laptop computer with extra options? Nicely, it actually depends upon your life-style and your expectations of a sub-$500 machine. At this value level, you’re not going to discover a highly effective workhorse. Nevertheless, there are many inexpensive laptops on the market for many who want the fundamentals.
Chromebooks, for instance, are a fantastic low-cost possibility and supply phenomenal battery life. I take advantage of a Chromebook as my main work laptop computer, because it has every thing I would like for each modifying and writing. In case you journey for work, it’s most likely a good suggestion to put money into a laptop computer that weighs lower than three kilos. In case you’re nonetheless uncertain, don’t sweat it. I’ve put collectively a listing of fast shopping for suggestions under.
- Laptop computer kind: There are various totally different laptop computer varieties that fall within the sub-$500 class: clamshells, 2-in-1’s, Chromebooks, and way 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 can be propped up like a tent for viewing motion pictures or taking part in video calls. Chromebooks are available varied sizes and styles, and completely run Google’s web-focused Chrome OS. With a Chromebook, all you want is a Gmail account and, growth, 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, primary workplace and internet work does simply superb on a Core i3. As for AMD choices, the Ryzen 3 is nice for primary productiveness and internet shopping, 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 most likely received’t discover a laptop computer with a strong discrete graphics card. As a substitute, 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 superb for on a regular basis duties, particularly for those who’re not doing something that’s graphics-intensive—like 3D gaming.
- RAM: At all times go for 8GB of RAM. That’s lots sufficient for firing up purposes and loading internet pages. Most Chromebooks are outfitted with 4GB of RAM, which is the naked minimal. You want an honest 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 measurement: In case you’re a video editor or somebody who does quite a lot of multimedia work, you’ll desire a show that’s wherever from 15- to 17-inches (however these machines often value excess of $500). The candy spot for funds laptops is de facto wherever 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 received’t actually discover many (if any) laptops with 1440p decision or larger.
- Battery life: In case you plan on taking your laptop computer wherever 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.
- Worth: The worth actually depends upon your funds. In case 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 case you store sensible, you’ll be able to even discover 2-in-1’s within the $500 vary.
- Ports: A big 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 nice, too. That is particularly helpful for hooking as much as an exterior monitor.
FAQ
What’s the distinction between an everyday laptop computer and a Chromebook?
When folks speak about 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 known 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 akin to Home windows or macOS, ChromeOS are optimized to run Google apps akin to Google Drive, Google Docs, YouTube, and different Google companies. As a result of most Google apps are on-line, Chromebooks usually require an web connection to make use of most of their necessary options.
Lastly, Chromebooks have traditionally been designed with portability, ease of use, and affordability in thoughts quite than prime efficiency. They sometimes forego the sooner high-end {hardware} that PCs or Macs use for a extra minimalist, light-weight strategy to computing.
Can you utilize built-in graphics for gaming?
Sure, a few of the newest processors with built-in graphics can run fashionable PC video games at respectable sufficient settings. For instance, we discovered that in our exams, 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 might range drastically with older tech.
Intel and AMD’s built-in graphics have made large leaps in recent times with regard to gaming efficiency. In case you’re on a funds 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 funds laptop computer and a pill?
Increasingly more the road between what’s a laptop computer and what’s a pill blurs as firms combine the options of each into their newest units. However there are nonetheless a couple of key distinctions between the 2. Laptops usually are bigger, include extra storage, have higher efficiency and productiveness options, and will or might not function a contact show. Tablets however are smaller and extra moveable, have longer battery life, function a contact show, and are often a bit extra inexpensive.
When selecting between a funds laptop computer and a pill you need to first ask your self what the first use of the machine might be. Do you want one thing for productiveness with a lot of storage? Then a laptop computer—even a funds mannequin—will most likely be the best way to go. Or do you want one thing that’s small, travels nicely, and has an extended battery life? Then you definately may think about a pill.
Do Chromebooks make good gaming laptops?
Sadly, if gaming is your primary concern, you could need 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 enough 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.