Finding the best laptop under $500 can be quite a challenge, especially in 2024. With so many options available, it can feel overwhelming to sift through specs, brands, and features. Thankfully, we’ve narrowed down the top 10 products available on Amazon that won’t break the bank, combining functionality, performance, and affordability. In this comprehensive guide, we present the best laptops under $500 and provide a buying guide to help you make an informed decision.
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HP Newest 14" Ultral Light Laptop for Students and Business, Intel Quad-Core N4120, 8GB RAM, 192GB... | $249.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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HP 14 Laptop, Intel Celeron N4020, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB Storage, 14-inch Micro-edge HD Display, Windows... | $179.90 | Buy on Amazon | |
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Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Laptop, 15.6” FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Windows 11... | $358.00 | Buy on Amazon | |
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BAGSMART 3 In 1 Laptop Bag for Men, Computer Briefcase 17.3 Inch Laptop Water-Repellent Shoulder... | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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KYY Portable Monitor 15.6inch 1080P FHD USB-C, HDMI Computer Display HDR IPS Gaming Monitor... | $99.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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RAINSMORE Laptop Bag 17.3 Inch Briefcase for Women Waterproof Computer Messenger Shoulder Bags Large... | $33.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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BESIGN LS03 Aluminum Laptop Stand, Ergonomic Detachable Computer Stand, Riser Holder Notebook Stand... | $17.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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ForHelp 15.6inch Portable Monitor,1080P USB-C HDMI Second External Monitor for Laptop,PC,Mac... | $85.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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LOVEVOOK Laptop Bag for Women,15.6 Inch Laptop Tote Bag for Women,Vintage Leather Work Tote Bags... | $32.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
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LOVEVOOK Laptop Bag for Women Tote Bag for Work Computer Bags PU Leather Tote with Purse Briefcase... | $33.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who just needs a reliable machine for everyday tasks, this list of the best laptops under $500 will help you find the perfect fit for your needs.
Top 10 Best Laptops Under $500
1. Acer Aspire 5 (2024 Model)
The Acer Aspire 5 is a well-rounded laptop that balances performance and pricing effectively. It features a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display and is powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 processor, which offers a solid performance for daily computing tasks.
The laptop comes with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, allowing for quick boot times and enough speed for multitasking. While the storage might be on the lesser side, it’s easy to expand with an external hard drive if needed.
With its backlit keyboard, you can comfortably type even in low light. Additionally, the battery lasts up to 8 hours, making it a great choice for students or those who travel frequently.
- Do What You Do With Exceptional Performance: The 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H processor goes beyond performance to let your PC do even more at once. And Intel UHD graphics distribute performance where you need it most. With 16GB LPDDR5 memory and 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage—the Aspire 5 is made to do it all.
- Clear and Comfortable Viewing: Experience crisp, lifelike colors and sharp details on the 15.6” FHD IPS touch display. You have more space to work thanks to narrow bezels. Equipped with Acer’s suite of visual technologies for dynamic color optimization and viewing comfort.
- The Design: The slim 0.71" body give the Aspire 5 a premium feel and appearance. An ergonomic hinge design lifts the body of Aspire 5 and tilts the keyboard for comfortable typing, improved cooling and a better sound experience.
- Smooth Operator: Make light work of your daily tasks, with a full line-up of features to elevate your day-to-day—like a 720p webcam and an air inlet keyboard.
- Internal Specifications: 16GB LPDDR5 memory; 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD to store your files and media; Windows 11 Home
2. Lenovo IdeaPad 3
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is another fantastic option for users looking for the best laptop under $500 in 2024. This laptop features a 15.6-inch HD display and is powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor, which provides excellent performance for its price.
With 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, you will enjoy faster performance and ample storage for your documents and media. Additionally, it has a physical privacy shutter for the webcam, making it a sensible choice for those concerned about online security.
The built-in Dolby Audio speakers enhance the overall entertainment experience, making it a good option for watching movies and playing games.
- 【Memory & Storage】Memory is 12GB high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once. Hard Drive is 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive which allows to fast bootup and data transfer
- 【Processor】 Intel Core i3-1115G4 3.00 GHz 2 Cores Processor (6MB Cache, up to 4.10 GHz), Intel UHD Graphics
- 【Screen】15.6" HD TouchScreen (1366 x 768) Display
- 【Ports】2 x SuperSpeed USB Type-A 3.2, 1 x SuperSpeed USB Type-A, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Headphone/Microphone Combo, 1 x SD Card Reader, Wireless-AC (Wi-Fi 5) and Bluetooth Combo
- 【Operating System】Windows 11 Home, 64 bit
3. HP Pavilion x360
If you prefer a convertible laptop, the HP Pavilion x360 delivers great versatility at an affordable price. This 2-in-1 device features a 14-inch touchscreen display, allowing you to use it in various modes—laptop, tent, stand, or tablet.
It comes with an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. The performance is suitable for everyday tasks, including browsing the web, streaming, and using office applications. The included HP Pavilion Pen provides a further layer of creativity for both notes and design.
This laptop offers a battery life of around 7-8 hours, making it convenient for on-the-go users.
- FULL HD TOUCH DISPLAY - Intuitive touchscreen technology lets you control your PC right from the vibrant 1920 x 1080 screen, plus be entertained any way you choose with this PC’s 360-degree design
- INTEL CORE PROCESSOR - Offering more than just a performance score, this 13th Generation Intel Core i3-1315U processor advances real-world computing and delivers more ultra-efficient multi-tasking
- INTEL UHD GRAPHICS - Smoothly stream 4K content and play your favorite games
- STORAGE AND MEMORY - Get up to 15x faster performance than a traditional hard drive with 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage; and enjoy higher bandwidth and boosted performance with 8 GB DDR4 RAM memory
- GET A FRESH PERSPECTIVE WITH WINDOWS 11 HOME - From a rejuvenated Start menu, to new ways to connect to your favorite people, news, games, and content—Windows 11 is the place to think, express, and create in a natural way
4. Dell Inspiron 15 3000
The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 provides a reliable and sturdy build, which is often valued by users in educational or professional environments. This laptop comes with a 15.6-inch HD display and is powered by the Intel Core i3 processor.
It packs 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for swift performance and ample storage. The Dell Inspiron is known for its dependable performance and long-lasting battery, giving you up to 10 hours on a single charge, which is perfect for those who need to work all day without worrying about running out of power.
![Dell Inspiron 15 3000 3520 Business Laptop Computer[Windows 11 Pro], 15.6'' FHD Touchscreen, 11th Gen Intel Quad-Core i5-1135G7, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Numeric Keypad, Wi-Fi, Webcam, HDMI, Black](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51O3nNfyJPL.jpg)
- 【15.6" Full HD Touchscreen】The 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity. IPS technology for wide viewing angles. Energy-efficient LED backlight. Designed with tiny rubber feet and bumpers on the hinge that keep it from skidding and provide additional stability.
- 【11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor】Ultra-low-voltage platform. Quad-core, eight-way processing provides maximum high-efficiency power to go. Your always-ready experience starts as soon as you open your device. Turn on, boot-up, and log-in quickly.
- 【16GB DDR4 RAM + 1TB PCIe SSD】16GB RAM can smoothly run your games and photo- and video-editing applications, as well as multiple programs and browser tabs all at once. A 1TB NVMe PCIe solid slate drive that leaves the power at your fingertips with the fastest data transfers currently available.
- 【Easy-to-use Technology】Long-lasting battery and express charge capability, to keep going for longer. Comes with Express Charge capabilities that minimize the time you spend tethered to an outlet and will recharge your battery 80% in 60 minutes. Built-in media reader for simple photo transfer.
- 【Windows 11 Professional】Experience the most secure Windows ever built with fast boot times, increased responsiveness, and added protection against phishing and malware. Plus, you can switch out of S mode.
5. ASUS VivoBook 15
The ASUS VivoBook 15 is recognized for its stylish design and excellent performance at an economical price. It offers a 15.6-inch Full HD display and is powered by an Intel Core i3, making it perfect for typical daily tasks and media consumption.
The laptop features 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, which is upgradeable if you need more space later on. One unique feature is the ErgoLift hinge that tilts the keyboard for a better typing experience while keeping airflow optimal.
Its battery life is approximately 7 hours, making it a practical choice for school and work use.
- 15.6” NANOEDGE DISPLAY — Super slim bezel design with a smooth 60Hz refresh rate, vibrant 45% NTSC color gamut and 250-nit sustained brightness
- AMD Ryzen 5 7520U PROCESSOR — Designed for thin laptops, this processor gives you fast performance for browsing and light gaming with longer battery life with integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
- 8GB MEMORY + 512GB STORAGE — Faster memory that smoothly runs multiple applications at once with supersized storage for files, documents and more
- WI-FI 5 AND BLUETOOTH 5.1 — Seamlessly and quickly connect your devices
- SOUND BY SONICMASTER — Crisp, multi-dimensional sound with built-in speakers and an array microphone
6. HP 14 Laptop
The HP 14 Laptop offers a compact and lightweight solution for users who prioritize portability without sacrificing performance. Featuring a 14-inch HD display, it’s ideal for students and professionals who travel or commute frequently.
Powered by an AMD Athlon Gold processor, it comes with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. The performance is sufficient for web browsing, streaming, and office work, although you may encounter minor delays during more demanding tasks.
This laptop provides a battery life of about 8 hours, suitable for a full day of use.
- READY FOR ANYWHERE – With its thin and light design, 6.5 mm micro-edge bezel display, and 79% screen-to-body ratio, you’ll take this PC anywhere while you see and do more of what you love (1)
- MORE SCREEN, MORE FUN – With virtually no bezel encircling the screen, you’ll enjoy every bit of detail on this 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) display (2)
- ALL-DAY PERFORMANCE – Tackle your busiest days with the dual-core, Intel Celeron N4020—the perfect processor for performance, power consumption, and value (3)
- 4K READY – Smoothly stream 4K content and play your favorite next-gen games with Intel UHD Graphics 600 (4) (5)
- STORAGE AND MEMORY – An embedded multimedia card provides reliable flash-based, 64 GB of storage while 4 GB of RAM expands your bandwidth and boosts your performance (6)
7. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
For those who prefer a Chromebook, the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is an excellent choice among the best laptops under $500. This 2-in-1 device features a 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen display, making it a versatile option for various tasks.
Powered by an Intel Core i3 processor, it offers 4GB of RAM and a 64GB eMMC storage that runs Chrome OS smoothly. While the storage may seem limited, the inclusion of Google Drive for cloud storage mitigates this concern.
The battery life can last up to 10 hours, making it a suitable option for long-distance travelers or students attending back-to-back classes.
- Touch Screen Type :Capacitive.Aspect Ratio:16:9
- Work from home, school, or anywhere with the outstanding combination of performance, connectivity, and entertainment enabled by 10th generation InteI Core processors. The Lenovo Flex 5 offers intelligent performance features that adapt to you for a personalized, intuitive, and responsive experience
- This 2-in-1 laptop combines a keyboard and touchscreen to make it easy to interact with everything on your display. You can also use the Lenovo digital pen (sold separately) to quickly write, click or drag files right on the screen
- The 13.3-inch FHD display in this slim, light 360° convertible Chromebook offers beautiful visuals, while narrow bezels minimize distractions. Two user-facing stereo speakers keep you immersed in the experience
- Use your Google account to easily access files, videos, music, and documents stored on the cloud from anywhere. With up to 10 hours of battery life, you'll stay productive
8. Acer Spin 311
Another fantastic Chromebook option is the Acer Spin 311. It’s particularly designed for users who want utmost portability without giving up performance. Its 11.6-inch touchscreen display is perfect for working while on the go.
Powered by an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, combined with 4GB RAM and a 64GB eMMC storage, this device may not be for heavy usage, but it’s adequate for schoolwork, web browsing, and streaming. Moreover, it supports the Play Store so you can use Android apps.
The battery life lasts over 10 hours, enabling you to work or enjoy multimedia without anxiety about finding a charging port.
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- Chromebook runs on Chrome OS - An operating system by Google that is built for the way we live today. It comes with built-in virus protection, updates automatically, boots up in seconds and continues to stay fast over time. (Internet connection is required).
- All the Google apps you know and love come standard on every Chromebook, which means you can edit, download, and convert Microsoft Office files in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides.
- Get access to more than 2 million Android apps from Google Play to learn and do more.
- Chromebooks come with built-in storage for offline access to your most important files and an additional 100GB of Google Drive space to ensure that all of your files are backed up automatically.
9. Toshiba Dynabook Satellite
The Toshiba Dynabook Satellite also makes it to our list with its balanced blend of performance and price. This device features a 15.6-inch display, solid AMD Ryzen 5 processor, and a complement of 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD.
It’s designed to meet the needs of everyday users while providing decent battery life of approximately 7-8 hours. The laptop is also known for its full-size keyboard offering a comfortable typing experience.
- CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10510U Processor @ 1.8 GHz (4 Cores, 8M Cache, up to 4.90 GHz)
- 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) Non-Touch Display; NVI-DIA GeForce MX250 2GB GDDR5. Webcam and Microphone Ideal for Home, Student, Professionals, Small Business, School Education, and Commercial Enterprise, Online Class, Google Classroom, Remote Learning, Zoom Ready.
- 32GB DDR4 SDRAM Memory; 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive.
- Wireless-LAN (802.11ac+agn) + Bluetooth. 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (Data, Power, Display), 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (1 w/ USB Sleep and Charge), 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ-45 LAN, 1 x SD, Headset.
- Bundled with BROAGE All-in-One Conference Camera, Microphone & Speaker for HD1080P Video Call, Wide-Angle 90° Camera, 10ft Voice Pickup, AI Noise-Cancel. OS: Windows 10 Professional, 64-bit, English. Premium raised-tile Non-Backlit Keyboard w/10 key numeric pad.
10. Dell Chromebook 3100
Finally, the Dell Chromebook 3100 is a durable option tailored for students and schools. Its rugged design can withstand drops and spills, making it ideal for younger users.
It features an 11.6-inch display and is equipped with an Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. It’s suitable for web-based applications and cloud storage, providing a seamless experience for online study and research.
The Chromebook can last up to 10 hours, perfect for a school day, without the need to recharge.
- Storage: 16GB Flash Memory
- OS: Chrome OS
- Screen Size: 11.6"
Buying Guide for Best Laptop Under $500
When searching for the best laptop under $500 in 2024, consider the following factors to ensure you choose the right one for your needs:
Performance
Look for laptops with modern processors. Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processors are common within this price range, providing adequate performance for day-to-day tasks. If your usage demands more power, consider laptops with Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, if possible.
Memory (RAM)
Aim for at least 8GB of RAM, which facilitates smooth multitasking. Anything less may hinder your experience, especially if you intend to run multiple applications simultaneously.
Storage
While SSDs are faster and more reliable than traditional hard drives, you may need to compromise on storage capacity due to budget constraints. A minimum of 128GB SSD is recommended to ensure faster boot times and software responsiveness.
Display
Consider laptops with Full HD (1920×1080) displays for better clarity and color depth, particularly if you enjoy watching movies or editing photos. They typically enhance your overall computing experience.
Battery Life
Evaluate battery life when choosing your laptop. You should aim for at least 7 hours of usage in a single charge, especially if you need it for school or work while on the go.
Portability
If you plan to carry your laptop frequently, consider its weight and size. Ultrabooks or compact models are generally more portable and convenient.
Brand and Support
Finally, consider reputable brands with good customer support. Research warranty policies and after-sales support, which can save you time and hassle in case of issues down the line.
In conclusion, choosing the best laptop under $500 requires careful consideration of performance, specifications, and your own needs. Using this guide, you can find a reliable device that checks all the boxes without breaking the bank. Whether for work, study, or entertainment, these options provide a solid blend of value and performance in 2024.
With these recommendations and the buying guide, you’re now ready to make an informed decision and find the best laptop under $500 that suits your requirements!
Last update on 2024-09-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API | votechriscarrillo.com is a participant in the Amazon Associate program and will earn from qualifying purchases.