Image: PCWorld / Robert Strohmeyer
Looking for a decent laptop under $500? Yeah, it’s kind of a mess out there. One quick search and you’re drowning in options–most of them pretty meh. The key is knowing what actually matters.
Shoot for a 1080p screen and at least 8GB of RAM. That combo keeps things running smooth and makes videos look good, too. You’ll have to give up a few bells and whistles at this price, but don’t worry, we’ve already sifted through the junk to identify affordable laptops you actually want.
Here are our top picks that prove budget laptops don’t have to be terrible.
Why you should trust PCWorld for laptop reviews and buying advice: It’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of our picks have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
Acer Aspire Go 15 – Best laptop under $500 overall
Pros
- Affordable
- Decent battery life
- Good display visibility
Cons
- Big and bulky
- Cheap build
- Limited performance
Price When Reviewed:
$299
Who should buy the Acer Aspire Go 15?
If you’re looking for the best bang-for-your-buck laptop under $500, this is it. The Aspire Go 15 just gets the job done. You’re getting a sharp screen, solid performance for everyday stuff, and crazy good battery life. We got almost 12 hours in testing, which is a full workday and then some. The 1080p screen looks sharp, even if it’s not super bright. The Intel Core i3-N305 isn’t built for anything heavy-duty, but it’s more than enough for streaming, web stuff, and basic work or school use.
Acer Aspire Go 15: Further considerations
The keyboard feels great (our reviewer was cranking out 110 words per minute without a problem) and the trackpad is smooth and responsive. Plus, there’s a nice spread of ports: USB-C with power 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 sure. But for under $300, it does the basics better than most.
Read our full
Acer Aspire Go 15 (2024) review
Asus Chromebook CX15 – Best Chromebook under $200
Pros
- Compact form factor
- Good everyday performance
- Long battery life
- Great keyboard and mouse
Cons
- Screen quality is mediocre
- Noisy fans
Price When Reviewed:
$159
Best Prices Today:
$159
$255.99
Who should buy the Asus Chromebook CX15 ?
If you need a laptop that won’t make your wallet cry, the CX15 does the basics really well. It handles web browsing, streaming, and email like it’s nothing, and the 15.6-inch 1080p screen plus the full-sized keyboard actually make it feel more solid than the price suggests.
Asus Chromebook CX15 : Further considerations
The Intel Celeron N4500 with 4GB of RAM handles the basics fine–web browsing, streaming, email, all that. But try to do too much at once and it starts dragging. Battery life’s solid, a little over 10 hours, so you’ll probably get through a full day. Not record-breaking by any means, but it does the job.
Read our full
Asus Chromebook CX15 review
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 – Best Chromebook under $500
Pros
- Zippy processor performance
- Nice keyboard
- A wide array of connectivity options
- Chic design
Cons
- Battery life isn’t competitive
- The display’s 16:9 aspect ratio feels a little cramped
Price When Reviewed:
$499
Who should buy the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34?
If you’re not running Photoshop or playing AAA games, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 absolutely gets the job done. The Intel Core i5 and 8GB of RAM keep everything zipping along, even with a dozen tabs open and a video call going.
It’s lightweight, looks clean with that white finish, and has a 1080p display that’s easy on the eyes. The webcam’s full HD too, which makes a real difference on Zoom or Google Meet. No weird lag or blurry faces here.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Further considerations
The CX34 keeps it simple and just works. It boots fast, stays responsive, and doesn’t run hot or loud. Chrome OS has come a long way, and if you mostly live in a browser, this setup is kind of ideal.
Read our full
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review
HP Laptop 14 – Best battery life
Pros
- Compact form factor
- Good everyday performance
- Long battery life
- Great keyboard and mouse
Cons
- Screen quality is mediocre
- Noisy fans
Price When Reviewed:
$449.99
Best Prices Today:
$449.99
Who should buy the HP Laptop 14?
If you want something that just keeps going, the HP Laptop 14 is it. It gave us 15 hours on a single charge with light use, and it’s pretty light too, weighing just over three pounds, so you can carry it around all day without feeling it. You also get a snappy-enough Intel Core i3-1315U, a nice 1080p webcam, and an understated look in that deep blue finish.
HP Laptop 14: Further considerations
Battery life is the main event here. You won’t need to hover near an outlet, even during long workdays. The build is compact and travel-friendly, and typing feels great for long stretches. The fan noise can also be a little distracting under load, but for this price? Kind of hard to complain.
Read our full
HP Laptop 14 review
Other laptops under $500 we tested
We also looked at the Acer Aspire Go 15, which has great battery life and a solid 1080p screen for under $500. Then there’s the Acer Chromebook Spin 312, a small 2-in-1 that’s great for basic stuff like browsing and streaming but not super fast. Both are good options if you want something simple.
How we test laptops
The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and overall usability. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web-based tests.
For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.
Who curated this article?
Hi, I’m Ashley Biancuzzo, and I oversee all laptop and Chromebook coverage at PCWorld. While you’ll see me review Chromebooks on occasion, I’m also really into the broader world of consumer tech. I spend a lot of time writing and thinking about where laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term trends. When I’m not deep in the world of tech, you’ll probably find me gaming, getting lost in a good book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound, Allen.
How to choose the best laptop under $500
Ah, here we are at the billion dollar question. Do you spring for a basic Chromebook or go for a Windows laptop with more features? Honestly, it mostly comes down to your lifestyle and what you’re expecting from a laptop under 500 bucks. You’re not gonna get some super-powerful beast at that price, but if you just need something for the basics, there are a lot of decent options out there.
Chromebooks, for example, are super budget-friendly and the battery life is awesome. I actually use one myself for work (writing, editing, all that) and it does the job just fine. If you travel a lot, it’s worth going for something that’s nice and light — under 3 pounds, if possible. Still not sure what to get? No big deal, take your time figuring it out. I’ve put together a list of quick buying tips below.
- Laptop type: There are many different laptop types that fall in the sub-$500 category: clamshells, 2-in-1s, Chromebooks, and much more. The displays on convertible laptops (aka 2-in-1s), for example, can swing around 360 degrees. This allows you to use the laptop like a tablet. They can also be propped up like a tent for viewing movies or participating in video calls. Chromebooks come in various shapes and sizes, and exclusively run Google’s web-focused Chrome OS. With a Chromebook, all you need is a Gmail account and, boom, you’re in.
- CPU: When it comes to the sub-$500 Windows laptops, you can expect to find Intel Core i3 or i5 processors. An i5 processor obviously provides a little more oomph. That said, basic office and web work does just fine on a Core i3. For AMD stuff, Ryzen 3 is fine for everyday stuff like web browsing, and Ryzen 5 is a solid all-rounder—kind of like Intel’s i5. On Chromebooks, Snapdragon and Pentium chips usually beat out MediaTek ones.
- Graphics: Don’t expect great graphics at this price. You’ll mostly get integrated graphics, which is totally fine unless you’re trying to game or do 3D work.
- RAM: RAM-wise, go for 8GB if you can—it just makes everything smoother. Most Chromebooks come with 4GB, which works, but 8GB is way better if you can swing it.
- Display size: For screen size, 13 to 14 inches is the sweet spot. Big enough to work on, small enough to carry around. Bigger screens mean more weight (and usually a higher price).
- Resolution: Don’t settle for less than 1080p resolution. Anything lower just looks kinda blurry, even for basic stuff like Netflix or spreadsheets.
- Battery life: Battery life? Look for 10 to 12 hours. That’ll get you through most of the day without hunting for an outlet.
- Ports: It’s nice to have a bunch so you don’t need extra adapters. Look for USB-C and USB-A, and HDMI is cool if you want to hook up to a screen.
FAQ
1.
What is the best laptop under $500?
If you want a no-fuss laptop under $500 that just gets the job done, the Acer Aspire Go 15‘s got you covered. Solid everyday speed, a sharp 1080p screen, killer battery life (almost 12 hours!), and a comfy keyboard, all for under $300.
2.
What is the best Chromebook under $500?
If you want a solid Chromebook under $500, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is fast, smooth with tabs and video calls, has a sharp 1080p screen, and a good HD webcam. It’s just plain simple and reliable.
3.
Can I upgrade the RAM or storage on these laptops later?
Most laptops under $500 don’t let you upgrade RAM because it’s soldered, but some do let you swap or add storage. Check before you buy if that stuff matters to you.
4.
What’s the difference between a regular laptop and a Chromebook?
When people say “laptop,” they usually mean a PC or a Mac. But Chromebooks are laptops too, they just run Google’s Chrome OS instead of Windows or macOS. So, yeah, all Chromebooks are laptops, but not all laptops are Chromebooks. They’re mostly built for Google apps like Drive and Docs, so they work best when you’re online.
5.
Are Chromebooks good for gaming?
Eh, not really. If gaming’s your thing, you’ll probably wanna look at a Windows laptop or a Chromebook designed for cloud gaming. Both will be more expensive than a basic Chromebook. Most Chromebooks are fine for web games and Android stuff, but that’s about it. With a gaming Chromebook you will need to subscribed to a cloud gaming service such as GeForce Now and have a reliable internet connection.
6.
Can you use integrated graphics for gaming?
Yes, some of the latest processors with integrated graphics can run modern PC games at decent enough settings. For example, we found that in our tests, Intel’s latest Iris Xe line of processors with integrated graphics can run some of the latest games at 1080p and 30fps. Unfortunately this is not the case for all integrated graphics and your mileage may vary drastically with older tech.
Intel and AMD’s integrated graphics have made huge leaps in recent years with regard to gaming performance. If you’re on a budget or looking for an ultra-thin laptop with integrated graphics you need not worry, you can still game on. We recommend checking out Intel’s Core 12th-gen Iris Xe or AMD’s brand new Ryzen 6000 RDNA 2.
