Best Laptops Under $500 For Users – Expert Guide in 2023

Michael barns

May 10, 2023

Introduction

These days, everyone has to have their own laptop in order to function properly. Not only are they put to use in the workplace, but also in the gaming industry. These days, the majority of individuals who wish to purchase a laptop also search for one that is simple to use, does not weigh too much, and has a screen that is of a high quality. We have compiled a list of some of the most impressive laptops that can be purchased for less than $500, so that you can narrow down your search for the ideal laptop.

Even if it may seem that pricey laptops are more of an exception than the norm, this does not imply that it is impossible to get excellent prices on top-of-the-line computing products. For instance, you may discover amazing prices on highly rated laptops with powerful graphics cards, comfy keyboards, and decent battery life by consulting our list of the best budget gaming laptops, which can be found here.

List of best laptops under 500$

Acer Aspire 3

Even though the Acer Aspire 3 is a big and heavy laptop, its 17-inch screen makes it a suitable replacement for a desktop computer. This Best Buy configuration is from 2020 and runs Windows 10, but we still like it because of the quality of its components, notably the lightning-fast 256GB SSD. Although this setup should be enough for less demanding tasks, more intensive computations may stall or even crash the system.

While the Intel Iris Xe graphics in this 11th generation CPU are capable of handling entry-level gaming, they are best suited for casual games and esports, where steady performance is more important. Nonetheless, whether you’re working or playing, you’ll appreciate the wide screen’s enhanced readability and amazing high-definition clarity.

Despite having good internal components and a big screen, the battery life is below par, lasting barely seven hours. There is just one USB 3.0 Type-A port, zero USB Type-C ports, and a total of two USB 2.0 Type-A ports on this device (the newer Best Buy config of the Aspire 3 still lacks Type-C, but flips the complement of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports). It has the latest wireless networking technologies, such as Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5, as well as the gigabit ethernet connection, which is becoming less common on lightweight laptops.

Pros:

Big display for movies and working
Good mix of components for the price

Cons:

Heavy
Limited battery life
No USB Type-C port

Gateway 14.1″ Ultra Slim Notebook

Gateway is a well-known brand because of its affordably priced desktop and portable computers since the 1990s. In 2020, Walmart returned with a new line of laptops and tablets made just for the retailer. The 15.6- and 14.1-inch models were recently updated with 11th-generation jIntel CPUs, so we put them to the test. The latter is preferable since it costs less money and is simpler to move about campus during the school day without reducing productivity.

The Intel Core i5 CPU is the star since it performs well even when paired with less costly components. Although the keyboard is comfortable, the touchpad isn’t the most accurate. Furthermore, there are concerns about the fingerprint reader’s dependability. In any case, there are many of ports for attaching accessories like a mouse or an external monitor, and the full HD display is excellent. Additionally, the battery lasts approximately 10 hours.

CPU: 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7| RAM: 16GB | Graphics: Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics

| Storage: 512GB SSD| Display: 13.1” x 8.75” x 0.75” | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080

Pros:

A good battery life
1 Type C port
Micro SD Slot

Cons:

The fingerprint is not completely effective
It has a very fragile screen

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is a good option if you’re looking for an economical, portable computer to carry about with you at all times. Even though it is just 13.3 inches and very lightweight, it has a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC, 8 GB of RAM, and a 1080p screen. When you’re mending something and need a how-to video on a larger screen than a phone, this is the ideal little device to have with you so you can answer emails while you’re on the road with a complete keyboard.

Because of its OLED screen, it’s also great for viewing movies. For such a cheap gadget, the contrast and color richness are remarkable. Although you won’t be able to watch UHD video at its original quality thanks to the 1080p resolution, it’s more than enough to save money and guarantee a long battery life. The storage space of 128GB is also not awful. Although it’s slower than a laptop with an SSD, there is more than enough capacity to keep all of your professional papers on it.

Pros: For a laptop with this budget, the OLED screen looks awesome and also is unique.

A reasonable battery life
It is incredibly mobile as well as compact

Cons: The storage capacity is not as fast as a laptop with an SSD

Dell Inspiron 15 3511

This model has Intel UHD Graphics, a 15.6-inch screen, and a Full HD LED display. There is no need to be concerned about the speed and power of this device since it is powered by an Intel Core i3 CPU and 8GB of RAM.

This computer was built by Dell with a lift hinge to elevate it to a position that makes it more comfortable for the user to type on. Additionally, this computer will be sturdy even if the surface you rest it on is unstable thanks to the use of rubber feet and bumpers on the hinge.

Another notable quality of this device is that eye comfort was considered while making it. Dell uses ComfortView Low Blue Light software to assist minimize blue light emissions from the screen.

CPU Model: Intel Core i3 | RAM Memory: 8GB DDR4 | 256GB SSD | Screen Size: 15.6″

Pros:

HD LED display
ComfortView Low Blue Light software
Unique and stable design

Cons: It has Intel i3 Processor

Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook

Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook does not in any way resemble a low-quality item in terms of appearance, feel, or functionality. Ironically, this Chromebook includes the term “Flex” in its name, yet it has a strong metal chassis and a body made in part of aluminum, giving it a luxury feel. The Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook can turn into a tablet and first seems to be just another gray clamshell laptop thanks to its sturdy 360-degree hinge. However, if you look closely, you’ll see that this device also has the ability to resemble a book.

The Flex 5 Chromebook’s keyboard is probably going to end up being one of your favorite features since it sticks out from the rest of the laptop’s features, except the build quality.

One of the keys on this illuminated island-style keyboard clicks and bounces more than any other keyboard we have had the pleasure of evaluating so far. With an almost hypnotic sense of rhythm, you’ll glide through any word-processing tasks on the Flex 5 Chromebook’s sensitive keyboard. Because of this, the Chromebook excels at productivity tasks.

CPU: Intel Core i3-10110U | RAM Memory: 8GB | 64GB Storage | Screen Size: 13.3 Inch

Pros:

Flexible 2-in-1 design
Touchscreen with pen support
Good keyboard
Webcam privacy shutter
Affordable

Cons:

Battery life is not good
Dim Display

Conclusion

So far, we have explored different brands of laptops that are under 500$. While you may have seen the one that suits your interest, it is important for you to consider the weight, rams, processor, and other fantastic specifications before making your decision on which one to buy.