Whether you need to get a second laptop for traveling, or you simply don't need a high-end, high-priced product, there’s no need to make major compromises in order to save money on a new laptop. There's a whole world of solid yet inexpensive notebooks out there, and it's yours for the taking.
If you're in the market for a new laptop but don't want to drop thousands of dollars on the investment, you're in luck. Many cheap laptops under $500 now offer design, hardware specs, and overall performance that were previously unthinkable at their price point. In order to determine the best worth buying, we are constantly scrutinizing new PC and Chrome OS products from Acer, Microsoft, and Lenovo, to name a few leading tech brands.
Specs are always important when shopping for a new laptop, regardless of your budget. The processor, the display panel, the type of storage, and the available connectivity options all should factor in to your purchasing decision. Choosing the right set of features will help you remain happy with your cheap laptop for years to come.
Processor: You want to make sure that the processor is as powerful and up-to-date as possible. We suggest that you opt for a product with an Intel Core series chip because it is more capable than the tech giant’s entry-level Celeron series. Affordable notebooks with the latter are suitable for casual use and light productivity work.
Battery Life: We'll be honest with you: When it comes to battery life, you should be mindful that affordable laptops can’t last as long between charges as higher-end models. That's because a cutting-edge processor is mandatory for stellar battery life. But don't worry — our top picks still deliver a reliable performance on the go.
Display: A great sub-$500 laptop should have a sharp screen with a resolution of Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) or higher. Translation? Whether you're online shopping or catching up on your favorite Netflix series, you'll enjoy a detail-rich viewing experience.
Connectivity: You should look for a notebook with futureproof Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless standards. Features like this are vital before you make the splurge on a new laptop because they prevent your device from becoming obsolete for as long as possible.
Whether you're looking for a compact 2-in-1 PC or a large-screen Chromebook, we recommend starting your search at these highly rated cheap laptops, all of which are under $500.
•CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i3 (dual-core) •Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display •Memory: 4GB of RAM, 128GB SSD •Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, USB-C port, three USB-A ports, HDMI, Ethernet port • Battery Life: 8 hours
Priced around $400, the Acer Aspire 5 is a stellar laptop with thin display bezels, an aluminum top cover, a backlit keyboard, and a fingerprint scanner. What makes it stand apart from the rest is that its impressive design and features are not typical for its price range. It is also impressively compact and lightweight for a 15.6-inch notebook.
Thankfully, there are more than just good looks to this cheap laptop. The notebook performs well for a sub-$500 product, thanks to a capable Intel processor and a speedy solid-state drive. Its onboard Wi-Fi 6 connectivity is fast and futureproof, too. And if you're willing to go a bit over your $500 budget, I suggest this Aspire 5 iteration with a beefier processor and more memory.
The Aspire 5 ships with Windows 10 in S mode, but you can upgrade to a full Windows 10 version for free.
•CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i3 (dual-core) •Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) •Memory: 4 GB of RAM, 128 GB SSD •Connectivity: USB-C port, three USB-A ports, HDMI, microSD card reader • Battery Life: 6 hours
The ASUS VivoBook 15 PC laptop is a solid alternative to our top pick with a sleeker design, more RAM, and an onboard microSD card reader. However, unlike its similarly priced rival, the notebook lacks up-to-date Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 — today's most reliable wireless connectivity standards.
The insanely thin display bezels make the ASUS VivoBook 15 laptop look impossibly compact and elegant for its cheap price. I also like the device’s ergonomic keyboard with adjustable height. It also has impressive fast-charging capabilities, getting a battery from empty to 60% in less than an hour!
It's worth noting that the VivoBook 15 ships with Windows 10 in S mode as well, but of course, you can upgrade to a full Windows 10 version for free.
•CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i3 (dual-core) •Display: 13-inch Full HD touchscreen •Memory: 4GB of RAM, 64GB eMMC •Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, 2 USB-C ports, USB-A port • Battery Life: 10 hours
Lenovo’s Chromebook Flex 5 is our favorite Chrome OS laptop for less than $500. It has a sleek design, a sharp 360-degree touchscreen, a backlit keyboard, plenty of power for a fast and fluid user experience, and access to Android apps via the Google Play store. Weighing less than 3 pounds, the 13-inch Chromebook is also impressively portable.
The best part? The product’s versatile display hinge allows it to instantly transform from a traditional laptop to a big-screen tablet. An optional Lenovo digital pen makes the Flex 5 a surprisingly capable tool for conquering productivity tasks, as well as creative projects.
Thanks to its dual-core Intel processor, it's a cheap laptop that's built to last and deliver a reliable performance for years. Its onboard wired and wireless connectivity features are just as dependable, making it as futureproof as possible.
The compact Microsoft Surface Go 2 is hands down the best 2-in-1 PC for thrifty shoppers (meaning it's a laptop and tablet in one). A $550 budget will get you an this Go 2 with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, which is ideal for most users. It also comes with a Surface Type cover, which is a must for a stellar PC experience. The optional Surface Pen is also worth investing in.
Even though it isn't exactly a powerhouse, the Intel Pentium Gold processor of the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is plenty capable for casual tasks like web browsing and streaming content, as well as for light productivity work. You can expect up to 10 hours of screen time from the device between charges, which is a great feature for the cheap price point.
Like all Surface products, the Go 2 is elegant and exceptionally crafted. Its front- and rear-facing cameras are capable of streaming crisp Full HD video, also helping to make it the best option for teleconferencing on this list.
•CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 processor (dual-core) •Display: 14-inch HD screen •Memory: 4GB of RAM, 64GB of eMMC storage •Connectivity: Two full USB ports, HDMI, microSD card reader • Battery Life: 8 hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is the best PC laptop for buyers who are on a really tight budget. Sporting a price tag that’s just a tad above $250, the notebook has a characterful design with an ice-blue finish, a big screen, a robust set of connectivity features, and stereo speakers with Dolby Audio compatibility. We only wish it had a sharper display panel than basic HD and more modern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
With an entry-level Intel processor onboard, the notebook is best suited for web browsing, streaming video, and editing office documents. With up to 8 hours of battery life, this cheap laptop is adequate for use on the go, as long as you don’t expect it to last through a busy workday between charges.
Out of the box, the IdeaPad 1 runs Microsoft Windows 10 in S Mode, but as you might have learned by now, you can always upgrade to full Windows 10 for free.
•CPU: Intel Celeron N4000 processor (dual-core) •Display: 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen •Memory: 4GB of RAM, 32GB of eMMC storage •Connectivity: Two USB-C ports, two full USB ports, microSD card reader • Battery Life: 12.5 hours
The Acer Chromebook 315 is an excellent big-screen option for frugal upgraders. It has a pleasantly understated design, a sharp touchscreen, a surprisingly lightweight build (it weighs less than 4 pounds), and a long battery life, all at a cheap price tag. That said, the notebook lacks sufficient onboard storage, a backlit keyboard, and Wi-Fi 6, so you might need to upgrade to another one sooner than you expect.
With a 15.6-inch display panel, the Acer Chromebook 315 is a great option for streaming content. Its entry-level Intel chip and 4GB combine to deliver a solid Chrome OS experience, as long as you're not a heavy multitasker.
Another perk is that the wired connectivity features are abundant and versatile. Depending on how you use it, the Chromebook 315 laptop can last up to 12.5 hours between charges, and it has a versatile USB-C connector for replenishing its battery.
Stefan VazharovSenior Technology EditorStefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
