Greatest laptops beneath $500: Reasonably priced picks that may fulfill

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On the lookout for a good laptop computer beneath $500? Yeah, it’s sort of a multitude on the market. One fast search and also you’re drowning in choices–most of them fairly meh. The secret's figuring out what truly issues.

Shoot for a 1080p display and a minimum of 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 via the junk to establish reasonably priced laptops you truly need.

Listed below are our high picks that show funds laptops don’t need to be horrible.

Why it is 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 protecting PCs since 1983, and we now assessment greater than 70 laptops yearly. All of our picks have been personally examined and vetted by our specialists, 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.

Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025) – Greatest laptop computer beneath $500 general <img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" class="product-chart-item__image" alt="Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025) - Best laptop under 0 overall" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Acer-Aspire-Go-15-head-on.jpg?quality=50&strip=all" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Execs Nice worth

Strong show

Beneficiant RAM and storage for the value

Affordable webcam and mic Cons Gradual Intel N-series CPU

No fingerprint reader or facial recognition

Middling battery life

No keyboard backlight

Value When Reviewed: $499 Greatest Costs As we speak:

Retailer Value

$284.95 View Deal $329.99 View Deal $329.99 View Deal Value comparability from over 24,000 shops worldwide

Product Value Value comparability from Backmarket Who can purchase the Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025)?

For those who’re searching for one of the best bang-for-your-buck laptop computer beneath $500, the Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025) brings a number of worth to the desk. You’re getting a spacious 1080p IPS display and stable efficiency for the on a regular basis stuff. The Intel Core i3-N355 isn’t constructed for something heavy-duty, nevertheless it’s greater than sufficient for streaming, internet searching, and primary work or faculty use.

Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025): Additional concerns

The keyboard feels good and has a superb quantity of key journey (round 1.5mm or so, in accordance with the reviewer). Plus, there’s a pleasant unfold of ports: two USB-C, two USB-A, HDMI, a combo audio jack, and a Kensington lock slot. As for battery life, we obtained nearly seven hours in testing, which is sufficient for many of a workday.

It’s not flashy, that’s for darn positive. However for beneath $500, it does the fundamentals significantly better than most.

Learn our full Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025) assessment

Asus Chromebook CX15 – Greatest Chromebook beneath $200 <img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" class="product-chart-item__image" alt="Asus Chromebook CX15 - Best Chromebook under 0" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/asus-chromebook-cx15-cx1505cka-2.jpg?quality=50&strip=all" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> 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

Value When Reviewed: $159 Greatest Costs As we speak:

Retailer Value

$139.99 View Deal eBay $159 View Deal $347.99 View Deal $404.13 View Deal Value comparability from over 24,000 shops worldwide

Product Value Value comparability from Backmarket Who can purchase the Asus Chromebook CX15 ?

For those who 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 plus the full-sized keyboard truly make it really feel extra stable than the value suggests.

Asus Chromebook CX15 : Additional concerns

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

Learn our full Asus Chromebook CX15 assessment

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 – Greatest Chromebook beneath $500 <img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" class="product-chart-item__image" alt="Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 - Best Chromebook under 0" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/hero.jpg?quality=50&strip=all" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Execs Zippy processor efficiency

Good keyboard

A wide selection of connectivity choices

Stylish design Cons Battery life isn’t aggressive

The show’s 16:9 facet ratio feels a bit cramped

Value When Reviewed: $499 Greatest Costs As we speak:

Retailer Value

$139.99 View Deal Asus $399.99 View Deal $529.99 View Deal $599 View Deal Value comparability from over 24,000 shops worldwide

Product Value Value comparability from Backmarket Who can purchase the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34?

For those who’re not working Photoshop or taking part in AAA video games, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 completely will get the job carried out. 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, appears to be like 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 case you largely dwell in a browser, this setup is sort of excellent.

Learn our full Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 assessment

Different laptops beneath $500 we examined

We additionally seemed on the Acer Aspire Go 15, which has nice battery life and a stable 1080p display for beneath $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. We additionally seemed on the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, which serves up a big 16-inch show, an aluminum construct, and beneficiant specs for the value. We’ve additionally checked out the Asus Chromebook Plus CX14, which edges out fashions with Celeron processors and is at present on sale for $299.99 at Walmart.

How we check laptops

The PCWorld crew places every Home windows laptop computer via a sequence of benchmarks that check GPU and CPU efficiency, battery life, and general usability. The thought is to push the laptop computer to its limits after which examine it towards others we’ve examined. Chromebooks, however, undergo a sequence of web-based exams.

For a a lot deeper have a look at our assessment methodology, take a look at how PCWorld exams 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 assessment Chromebooks now and again, I’m additionally actually into the broader world of shopper tech. I spend a number of time writing and fascinated by the place laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term traits. Once I’m not deep on the planet of tech, you’ll in all probability discover me gaming, getting misplaced in a superb e book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound, Allen.

How to decide on one of the best laptop computer beneath $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 right down to your way of life and what you’re anticipating from a laptop computer beneath 500 bucks. You’re not gonna get some super-powerful beast at that value, however in case you simply want one thing for the fundamentals, there are a number of first rate 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, modifying, all that) and it does the job simply wonderful. For those who journey loads, it’s price going for one thing that’s good and light-weight — beneath three kilos, if attainable. Nonetheless undecided what to get? No huge deal, take your time figuring it out. I’ve put collectively a listing of fast shopping for suggestions under.

Laptop computer kind: There are numerous completely different laptop computer sorts that fall within the sub-$500 class: clamshells, 2-in-1s, Chromebooks, and way 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 can be propped up like a tent for viewing films or taking part in video calls. Chromebooks are available in varied sizes and shapes, and completely run Google’s web-focused Chrome OS. With a Chromebook, all you want is a Gmail account and, increase, you’re in.

CPU: In the case 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 supplies a bit extra oomph. That stated, primary workplace and internet work does simply wonderful 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—sort of like Intel’s i5. On Chromebooks, Snapdragon and Pentium chips normally beat out MediaTek ones.

Graphics: Don’t count on nice graphics at this value. You’ll largely get built-in graphics, which is completely wonderful until you’re attempting to recreation or do 3D work.

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

Show measurement: For display measurement, 13 to 14 inches is the candy spot. Large enough to work on, sufficiently small to hold round. Larger screens imply extra weight (and normally the next value).

Decision: Don’t accept lower than 1080p decision. Something decrease simply appears to be like 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 many of the day with out attempting to find an outlet.

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

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

If you would like a no-fuss laptop computer beneath $500 that simply will get the job carried out, the Acer Aspire Go 15‘s obtained you lined. Strong on a regular basis pace, a pointy 1080p display, killer battery life (nearly 12 hours!), and a comfortable keyboard, all for beneath $300.

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

If you would like a stable Chromebook beneath $500, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is quick, clean with tabs and video calls, has a pointy 1080p display, and a superb HD webcam. It’s simply plain easy and dependable.

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

Most laptops beneath $500 don’t allow you to improve RAM as a result of it’s soldered on, 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 an everyday laptop computer and a Chromebook?

When folks say “laptop computer,” they normally imply a PC or a Mac. However Chromebooks are laptops too, they simply run Google’s Chrome OS as a substitute 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, so that they work greatest once 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 might be costlier than a primary Chromebook. Most Chromebooks are wonderful for internet video games and Android stuff, however that’s about it. With a gaming Chromebook, you have to to subscribe to a cloud gaming service corresponding to GeForce Now and have a dependable web connection.

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

Sure, among the newest processors with built-in graphics can run trendy PC video games at first rate sufficient settings. For instance, we discovered that in our exams, Intel’s newest Iris Xe line of processors with built-in graphics can run among 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 enormous leaps lately with regard to gaming efficiency. For those who’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 recreation on.

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