Greatest laptops below $500: Prime price range selections for 2025

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On the lookout for an honest laptop computer below $500? Yeah, it’s type of a large number on the market. One fast search and also you’re drowning in choices–most of them fairly meh. The secret is realizing what truly issues.

Shoot for a 1080p display screen and not less than 8GB of RAM. That combo retains issues working clean and makes movies look good, too. You’ll have to surrender a couple of bells and whistles at this value, however don’t fear, we’ve already sifted by means of the junk to establish inexpensive laptops you truly need.

Listed here are our prime picks that show price range laptops don’t should be horrible.

Why it's best to belief PCWorld for laptop computer evaluations and shopping for recommendation: 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 of our picks 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 can assist you discover a machine that matches your price range.

Acer Aspire Go 15 – Greatest laptop computer below $500 general

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First rate battery life

Good show visibility Cons Large and ponderous

Low-cost construct

Restricted efficiency

Value When Reviewed: $299

Who should purchase the Acer Aspire Go 15?

If you happen to’re searching for the most effective bang-for-your-buck laptop computer below $500, that is it. The Aspire Go 15 simply will get the job achieved. You’re getting a pointy display screen, stable efficiency for on a regular basis stuff, and loopy good battery life. We acquired virtually 12 hours in testing, which is a full workday after which some. The 1080p display screen seems sharp, even when it’s not tremendous vibrant. The Intel Core i3-N305 isn’t constructed for something heavy-duty, nevertheless it’s greater than sufficient for streaming, internet stuff, and primary work or faculty use.

Acer Aspire Go 15: Additional concerns

The keyboard feels nice (our reviewer was cranking out 110 phrases per minute and not using a downside) and the trackpad is clean and responsive. Plus, there’s a pleasant unfold of ports: USB-C with energy and video out, two USB-A, HDMI, headphone jack, and even a Kensington lock and barrel charger.

It’s not flashy, that’s for darn certain. However for below $300, it does the fundamentals higher than most.

Learn our full Acer Aspire Go 15 (2024) evaluate

Asus Chromebook CX15 – Greatest Chromebook below $200

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Good on a regular basis efficiency

Lengthy battery life

Nice keyboard and mouse Cons Display screen high quality is mediocre

Noisy followers

Value When Reviewed: $159

Greatest Costs Right now:

$159

$255.99

Who should purchase the Asus Chromebook CX15 ?

If you happen to want a laptop computer that gained’t make your pockets cry, the CX15 does the fundamentals rather well. It handles internet searching, streaming, and e-mail prefer it’s nothing, and the 15.6-inch 1080p display screen plus the full-sized keyboard truly make it really feel extra stable than the worth suggests.

Asus Chromebook CX15 : Additional concerns

The Intel Celeron N4500 with 4GB of RAM handles the fundamentals effective–internet searching, streaming, e-mail, all that. However attempt to do an excessive amount of directly and it begins dragging. Battery life’s stable, somewhat over 10 hours, so that you’ll in all probability get by means of a full day. Not record-breaking by any means, nevertheless it does the job.

Learn our full Asus Chromebook CX15 evaluate

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 – Greatest Chromebook below $500

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Good keyboard

A wide selection of connectivity choices

Stylish design Cons Battery life isn’t aggressive

The show’s 16:9 facet ratio feels somewhat cramped

Value When Reviewed: $499

Who should purchase the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34?

If you happen to’re not working Photoshop or taking part in AAA video games, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 completely will get the job achieved. The Intel Core i5 and 8GB of RAM hold all the things zipping alongside, even with a dozen tabs open and a video name going.

It’s light-weight, seems clear with that white end, and has a 1080p show that’s simple on the eyes. The webcam’s full HD too, which makes an actual distinction on Zoom or Google Meet. No bizarre lag or blurry faces right here.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Additional concerns

The CX34 retains it easy and simply works. It boots quick, stays responsive, and doesn’t run scorching or loud. Chrome OS has come a great distance, and in the event you largely reside in a browser, this setup is type of splendid.

Learn our full Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 evaluate

HP Laptop computer 14 – Greatest battery life

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Good on a regular basis efficiency

Lengthy battery life

Nice keyboard and mouse Cons Display screen high quality is mediocre

Noisy followers

Value When Reviewed: $449.99

Greatest Costs Right now:

$449.99

Who should purchase the HP Laptop computer 14?

In order for you one thing that simply retains going, the HP Laptop computer 14 is it. It gave us 15 hours on a single cost with mild use, and it’s fairly mild too, weighing simply over three kilos, so you'll be able to carry it round all day with out feeling it. You additionally get a snappy-enough Intel Core i3-1315U, a pleasant 1080p webcam, and an understated look in that deep blue end.

HP Laptop computer 14: Additional concerns

Battery life is the principle occasion right here. You gained’t have to hover close to an outlet, even throughout lengthy workdays. The construct is compact and travel-friendly, and typing feels nice for lengthy stretches. The fan noise will also be somewhat distracting below load, however for this value? Type of laborious to complain.

Learn our full HP Laptop computer 14 evaluate

Different laptops below $500 we examined

We additionally seemed on the Acer Aspire Go 15, which has nice battery life and a stable 1080p display screen for below $500. Then there’s the Acer Chromebook Spin 312, a small 2-in-1 that’s nice for primary stuff like searching and streaming however not tremendous quick. Each are good choices if you'd like one thing easy.

How we check laptops

The PCWorld workforce places each Home windows laptop computer by means of a collection of benchmarks that check GPU and CPU efficiency, battery life, and general usability. The concept is to push the laptop computer to its limits after which evaluate it in opposition to others we’ve examined. Chromebooks, then again, undergo a collection of web-based assessments.

For a a lot deeper have a look at our evaluate methodology, try how PCWorld assessments laptops.

Who curated this text?

Hello, I’m Ashley Biancuzzo, and I oversee all laptop computer and Chromebook protection at PCWorld. When you’ll see me evaluate Chromebooks now and again, I’m additionally actually into the broader world of shopper tech. I spend plenty of time writing and fascinated about the place laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term developments. After I’m not deep on the planet of tech, you’ll in all probability discover me gaming, getting misplaced in a great e-book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound, Allen.

How to decide on the most effective laptop computer below $500

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? Truthfully, it largely comes all the way down to your life-style and what you’re anticipating from a laptop computer below 500 bucks. You’re not gonna get some super-powerful beast at that value, however in the event you simply want one thing for the fundamentals, there are plenty of respectable choices on the market.

Chromebooks, for instance, are tremendous budget-friendly and the battery life is superior. I truly use one myself for work (writing, enhancing, all that) and it does the job simply effective. If you happen to journey lots, it’s value going for one thing that’s good and lightweight — below 3 kilos, if doable. Nonetheless undecided what to get? No huge deal, take your time figuring it out. I’ve put collectively a listing of fast shopping for ideas beneath.

Laptop computer sort: There are various totally different laptop computer sorts that fall within the sub-$500 class: clamshells, 2-in-1s, Chromebooks, and far more. The shows on convertible laptops (aka 2-in-1s), for instance, can swing round 360 levels. This lets you use the laptop computer like a pill. They will also be propped up like a tent for viewing motion pictures or collaborating in video calls. Chromebooks are available in varied sizes and shapes, and solely run Google’s web-focused Chrome OS. With a Chromebook, all you want is a Gmail account and, growth, you’re in.

CPU: Relating to the sub-$500 Home windows laptops, you'll be able to anticipate finding Intel Core i3 or i5 processors. An i5 processor clearly gives somewhat extra oomph. That mentioned, primary workplace and internet work does simply effective on a Core i3. For AMD stuff, Ryzen 3 is ok for on a regular basis stuff like internet searching, and Ryzen 5 is a stable all-rounder—type of like Intel’s i5. On Chromebooks, Snapdragon and Pentium chips often beat out MediaTek ones.

Graphics: Don’t anticipate nice graphics at this value. You’ll largely get built-in graphics, which is completely effective except you’re making an attempt to sport or do 3D work.

RAM: RAM-wise, go for 8GB in the event you can—it simply makes all the things smoother. Most Chromebooks include 4GB, which works, however 8GB is method higher in the event you can swing it.

Show dimension: For display screen dimension, 13 to 14 inches is the candy spot. Sufficiently big to work on, sufficiently small to hold round. Greater screens imply extra weight (and often the next value).

Decision: Don’t accept lower than 1080p decision. Something decrease simply seems kinda blurry, even for primary stuff like Netflix or spreadsheets.

Battery life: Battery life? Search for 10 to 12 hours. That’ll get you thru a lot of the day with out attempting to find an outlet.

Ports: It’s good to have a bunch so that you don’t want further adapters. Search for USB-C and USB-A, and HDMI is cool if you wish to hook as much as a display screen.

FAQ 1. What's the greatest laptop computer below $500?

In order for you a no-fuss laptop computer below $500 that simply will get the job achieved, the Acer Aspire Go 15‘s acquired you lined. Stable on a regular basis pace, a pointy 1080p display screen, killer battery life (virtually 12 hours!), and a comfortable keyboard, all for below $300.

2. What's the greatest Chromebook below $500?

In order for you a stable Chromebook below $500, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is quick, clean with tabs and video calls, has a pointy 1080p display screen, and a great HD webcam. It’s simply plain easy and dependable.

3. Can I improve the RAM or storage on these laptops later?

Most laptops below $500 don’t allow you to improve RAM as a result of it’s soldered, however some do allow you to swap or add storage. Examine before you purchase if that stuff issues to you.

4. What’s the distinction between a daily laptop computer and a Chromebook?

When individuals say “laptop computer,” they often imply a PC or a Mac. However Chromebooks are laptops too, they simply run Google’s Chrome OS as an alternative of Home windows or macOS. So, yeah, all Chromebooks are laptops, however not all laptops are Chromebooks. They’re largely constructed for Google apps like Drive and Docs, in order that they work greatest while you’re on-line.

5. Are Chromebooks good for gaming?

Eh, probably not. If gaming’s your factor, you’ll in all probability wanna have a look at a Home windows laptop computer or a Chromebook designed for cloud gaming. Each can be costlier than a primary Chromebook. Most Chromebooks are effective for internet video games and Android stuff, however that’s about it. With a gaming Chromebook you'll need to subscribed to a cloud gaming service reminiscent of GeForce Now and have a dependable web connection.

6. Can you utilize built-in graphics for gaming?

Sure, a number 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 assessments, Intel’s newest Iris Xe line of processors with built-in graphics can run a number of the newest video games at 1080p and 30fps. Sadly this isn't the case for all built-in graphics and your mileage could differ drastically with older tech.

Intel and AMD’s built-in graphics have made large leaps lately with regard to gaming efficiency. If you happen to’re on a price range 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 suggest testing Intel’s Core Twelfth-gen Iris Xe or AMD’s model new Ryzen 6000 RDNA 2.