Many people enjoy the larger screens, attached keyboards and greater flexibility of laptops instead of mobile devices. If you are one of them, but don’t want to break the bank on your next purchase, these laptops deliver great power and use for less than $500 for a new machine.
I have covered a wide range of laptop price ranges in my reviews, but the under $500 price point seems popular with people who want a useful computer at a budget-friendly price. You aren’t going to find a good machine that will last several years for less unless you buy used, and that can bring a whole bunch of different problems.
So many brands of laptop exist with so many different features that it can be a challenge to choose the right one for you. I’ve listed the 5 best laptops available for under $500. They all have the best and latest technology for the price so you can keep up with your friends who have more expensive models.
You do not have to worry about doing extensive research yourself because I have done it all for you. Below is a list of the best $500 and below laptops I’ve found after comparing many. You can confidently make a purchase and know you’re getting a great value.
Common Buying Mistakes to avoid:
Though most of the price of laptop is expensive, they are still have affordable choice. It might mean some cutbacks on the part of the manufacturer, but you can usually find a compact and reliable solution for $500 or less. Budget laptops are a great example of this, and they are used for everyday tasks such as browsing online and creating Word documents. These types of laptops are not heavy on hardware, and they do not offer superb graphics or lots of RAM; so they’re not ideal for intense gaming or demanding multitasking, but you save money and still possess the needed essentials in a laptop.
True to its name, budget laptops are designed to meet your budget, so manufacturers eliminate elements that are not critical, such as solid state drives. These cuts are not crippling to the laptop’s performance, however. Best Budget laptops are sturdy, built in a compact manner, and come with user-friendly and ergonomic keyboards and touchpads. Overall, budget laptops can be seen as a great introductory step to someone who is new to computers, and simply needs to perform standard tasks.
Most likely, you are not a brand new consumer, and have in mind what features are most important to you in a laptop. For example, the inconvenient hauling of a 17-inch laptop, or the streaming Netflix movies that accompany small 11 inch notebooks might be inevitable letdown. However, there are many options depending on what features you deem most valuable, so there will always be something for you. In addition, there are always exceptions to the rules.
Touchscreens: Helpful, or Impractical?
Due to the profitability of touchscreen tablets, many manufactured laptops now feature touchscreen options. For example, Windows 8 and Windows 10 was one program produced with this in mind, and it is indeed true that many consumers prefer touchscreens over the more traditional keyboard and trackpad arrangement.
However, touchscreens are not perfect solutions, and are actually fraught with drawbacks. The first drawback is the increase of laptop prices. This feature alone will raise the cost of the laptop. Second, they are not always as user-friendly as given credit for. Touchscreens are more suitably designed for tablets, but can become quite an inconvenience when integrated with a laptop. Stretching forward in order to touch the screen lends an uncomfortable position to the user.
In an attempt to correct this complication, some manufacturers have attempted to compensate by constructing laptops where the keyboard can be folded behind the screen. In essence, the laptop thus becomes more like a tablet. Because the quality of these designs varies greatly, it is wise to investigate these options in more depth before making any purchasing decisions.
Building on lessons learned with Windows 8, Microsoft has tried to better consolidate these features in Windows 10, attempting to regain the familiarity and comfortable nature of the traditional mouse and keyboard experience. However, for consumers who need a laptop for basic use, touchscreens prove an expensive and unnecessary hassle.
Looking for the Lowest Cost Laptop
Trying to find the cheapest laptop available is advantageous to your wallet in the short-term, but might actually end up costing you more money in the long-term. For example, repairs are more likely to be needed, and the longevity of the laptop shortened. In addition, you will have to improvise for its lack of needed features.
Let’s give an example. Pretend you are debating between a dual and quad-core processor. First, consider what it is you are wanting and needing to accomplish with the laptop. Let’s say that although you wish to have the ability to seamlessly run multiple applications at once, you decide to save money and purchase the dual-core processor. You have succeeded in saving money, but now you must deal with the frustrations of being unable to accomplish what it is you needed to accomplish in the first place, the very reason you were driven to purchase a new laptop.
In this scenario, you have defeated the purpose of the purchase. So instead of falling for the cheapest model available, consider what you are needing the device for. If you know exactly what you are wanting and needing to do with the laptop, you will be clued in to what features are dispensable and which ones are indispensable. After this has been decided, compare your conclusions with the spec sheets of each laptop. This strategy ensures that you will save money by avoiding unnecessary features, but still be able to get everything done you need to accomplish.
Falling for Unnecessary Features
It’s easy to become consumed in the allure of fascinating, however unnecessary, features. Eye-catching ads that display the latest features can overshadow the purpose of the laptop you are looking to purchase. Depending on its purpose, some laptops are more suited for you than others. For example, if you need a cloud-computing device for both work and school, a Chromebook will get you much farther than a gaming laptop will. In this instance, a super powerful processor is not the priority.
Therefore, always keep the answer to why you need the laptop in the forefront of your mind. Is it for work, school, design or gaming? What type of activities does your work, school, or studies demand you do on the laptop? What features will best accommodate this? Will this laptop be in place of a desktop, or will you have access to both? Answering these questions before arriving at the counter will help guide you to the right purchase.
The Importance of Ports and Compatibility
Different laptops contain different ports. Depending on what you need, whether it’s extra USB ports or a card reader, will help determine your purchase. Unfortunately, your options might dwindle at this point. Because of the popularity of the ultrabook, many manufacturers are cutting down on available ports. If you prefer Apple devices, then a Thunderbolt 2 port is most likely what you need. However if you’ve been used to the more traditional external hard drives that feature USB 2.0 ports, you might be out of luck once again. Not all USB 3.0 ports are compatible. Thus, knowing exactly what ports you need and what is or is not compatible will help you narrow your search for a new laptop.
Becoming obsessed with one specification
It is not only easy, but common to get distracted by specs when comparing laptops. One feature may especially grab your attention, even if the other features and specs are incompatible with your needs.
One example is the emphasis manufacturers have long placed on RAM. The more RAM, the better. RAM is also cheap, so including more of it is a way manufacturers increase profits. While it’s easy to be dazzled by how much RAM a laptop may have to offer, unless you are a hardcore gamer or work with heavy software, you usually will not need over 8GB of RAM. Thus, how much RAM a laptop does or does not have should not influence your final purchasing decision.
Other features that are easy to become obsessed with are resolution, graphics card, processor speed, and battery life. Being on a budget means that you will need to make proper balance a variety of features and hardware options. A laptop that has a variety of components is still preferable to a laptop that excels in one, and only one, specific area.
The list of Top Laptop under 500 dollars:
Models
Detail Information
Screen
CPU/GPU
Storage
Connectivity
Battery/Weight
For Office work
ASUS F556UA-AS54
More information and user reviews on Amazon
15.6 inch 1920 x 1080
2.3 GHz Core i5-6200
Intel HD Graphics 520
256 GB SSD/ 8GB DDR3 RAM
1 x USB3.0
1 x USB2.0
1 x Type-C
1x HDMI,
Bluetooth 4.1
DVDRW/CD-RW
Battery: up to 5 hours
20.1 x 11.8 x 2.6 inches (L x W x H)
5.1 pounds
HP Star Wars Special Edition 15-an050nr
More information and user reviews on Amazon
15.6 inch 1920 x 1080
2.3 GHz Core i5-6200
Intel HD Graphics 520
1 TB 5400RPM / 6GB DDR3 RAM
2x USB 3.0
1 x USB2.0
1x HDMI,
Bluetooth 4.1
DVD Super Multi
Up to 7 hours and 45 minutes/
15.14 w x 10.28 x 0.99 inches (L x W x H) 5.07 pounds
HP 15-ay013nr
More information and user reviews on Amazon
15.6 inch 1920 x 1080
2.3 GHz Core i5-6200
Intel HD Graphics 520
1 TB 5100RPM or 128GB SSD/8GB DDR3 RAM
2 x USB2.0
1 x USB 3.0
1x HDMI,
Bluetooth 4.1
DVDRW/CD-RW
Up to 7 hours and 15 minutes
15.12 x 10.02 x 0.95 inches (L x W x H)/ 4.65 pounds
Lenovo G70
More information and user reviews on Amazon
17.3 inch
1600 x 900
2.2 GHz Core i5-5200U/
Intel HD 5500
1 TB 5400RPM / 8GB DDR3 RAM
2 x USB2.0
1 x USB 3.0
1x HDMI,
Bluetooth 4.1
DVDRW/CD-RW
4-cell lithium ion battery;
16.5 x 11.1 x 1.1 inches (L x W x H), 6.5 pounds
ThinkPad L450
More information and user reviews on Amazon
14.1 inch;
1366 x 768
2.2 GHz Core i5-4300U/
Intel HD 4400
256 GB SSD/ 8GB DDR3 RAM
2 x USB 3.0
1x HDMI,
Bluetooth 4.1
DVDRW/CD-RW
6-cell 48Wh Battery, Up to 7.7 hours;
13.3 x 9.2 x 1 inches (L x W x H), 4.4 pounds
For Gaming
Acer E5-575G-53VG
More information and user reviews on Amazon
15.6 inch 1920 x 1080
2.3 GHz Core i5-6200;
NVIDIA GTX 940MX 2GB DDR5
256GB SSD/
8GB DDR4 RAM
2 x USB3.0
1 x USB2.0
1 x Type-C
1x HDMI,
Bluetooth
DVDRW/CD-RW
6-cell Li-ion Battery;
15 x 10.2 x 1.2 inches (L x W x H) 5.3 pounds
HP ProBook 455 G3
More information and user reviews on Amazon
15.6 inch 1360×768
AMD A10-8700P(up to 3.2 GHz);
Radeon R6 Graphics
1 TB 5400RPM/
16GB DDR3 RAM
2 x USB3.0
2 x USB2.0
1x HDMI,
Bluetooth
DVDRW/CD-RW
6-cell Li-ion Battery;
14.8 x 10.4 x 0.9 (L x W x H), 4.8 pounds
Lenovo Z51
More information and user reviews on Amazon
15.6 inch 1920 x 1080
2.4 GHz Core i7-5500U;
Radeon R7 M360
1 TB 7200RPM/
8GB DDR3 RAM
2 x USB3.0
1 x USB2.0
1x HDMI,
Bluetooth
4-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery;
15.12″ x 10.43″ x 0.97″ (L x W x H), 5.07 pounds
Dell 5000 Series
More information and user reviews on Amazon
15.6 inch 1360×768; Touchscreen
AMD A8-7100 (up to 3.0 GHz);
Radeon R5 Graphics
1 TB 5400RPM/
8 GB DDR3 RAM
1 x USB3.0
1 x USB2.0
1x HDMI,
Bluetooth
3-cell Li-ion Battery;
14.9 x 10 x 0.9 (L x W x H), 5.3 pounds
2 in 1 Convertible Laptop
HP Pavilion 13-s128nr x360
More information and user reviews on Amazon
13.3 inch 1920 x 1080, IPS, Touchscreen
2.3 GHz Core i5-6200
Intel HD Graphics 520
128GB SSD/
8GB DDR3 RAM
3 x USB3.0
1 x USB2.0
1x HDMI,
Bluetooth
Up to 11 hours and 45 minutes;
8.8 x 12.89 x 0.89 inches (L x W x H) 3.77 pounds
Asus Transformer Book
More information and user reviews on Amazon
15.6 inch; 1366 x 768;
Touchscreen
2.2 GHz Intel Core i5-5200U; Intel HD 5500
500GB 5400RPM;
4GB DDR3 RAM
1 x USB3.0
1 x USB2.0
1x HDMI
Bluetooth
Up to 4.5 hours;
14 x 12.5 x 1.7 inches(L x W x H); 7 pounds
HP X360 Convertible
More information and user reviews on Amazon
13.3 inch; 1366 x 768; IPS
Touchscreen
2.3 GHz Intel Core i3-6100U/
Intel HD Graphics 520
1 TB 5400RPM,
4GB DDR3 RAM
2 x USB3.0
1 x USB2.0
1x HDMI
Bluetooth
up to 11 hours and 45 minutes
12.89 x 8.8 x 0.89 (L x W x H) 3.8 pounds
The most recommendation:
For Office:
ASUS F556UA-AS54 15.6-inch Full-HD Laptop
The typical desktop-replacement laptop that combines both sleekness and desired functionality at a reasonable cost is the ASUS F556UA-AS54. Similarly to the Asus ZenBook line, ASUS F556UA-AS54 is equipped with a carefully designed and durable chassis, In addition to its long battery life is the fact that it runs on a full HD non-touch screen and has numerous connectivity ports. The specifications of Its direct competitor HP 15-ay013nr which entails the same super sixth-generation Intel Core i5-6200U processor, 8 GB RAM memory and allows the use of SSD of capacity 128 GB which is smaller than the SSD capacity of the Asus AS54 fixed at 256 GB. Its enhanced functionality during multi-tasking and other demanding activities gives it an edge over contemporaries such as HP 15-ay013nr and the HP 15-ay011nr despite the storage difference; also to be reckoned with is its amazing design and sleekness making it the most preferred choice.
The feature of the ASUS F556UA-AS54 includes its ability to fit in a mid-size backpack, elegance and portability. The unfading icicle-gold color on the metal casing furnishes it with an alluring appearance. Other enthralling features are its size (2.6 by 20.1 by 11.8 inches) and its light weight of only 5.1 pounds. As anticipated, the metal casing definitely increased the weight of this sumptuous piece but it enhances its durability and compactness.
The ASUS F556UA-AS54 runs on a sixth-generation (Skylake), Intel Core i5 6200U processor (2.3GHz with Turbo up to 2.8GHz), 8GB RAM and an integrated Intel HD 520 graphics. Our Editors choice the Acer Aspire E5-573G-57HR, incorporated with Nvidia GeForce 940M graphics card with 2GB VRAM is more suitable for running heavy games than the Asus AS54 . The sixth-generation (Skylake) processor enhanced with a CPU benchmark score of 3,900 affords notebook users the opportunity to carry out enthusiast-level media editing on Photoshop and execute other programs regularly without hitches. The 8GB memory space allows the user keep numerous browser tabs open at the same time. The SSD capacity of ASUS F556UA-AS54 is 256GB which is twice larger than the SSD capacity of the HP 15-ay013n fixed at 128GB making the system faster while its counterpart the HP 15-ay011nr incorporated with a larger hard drive of 1TB is ideal if you like to keep numerous songs and memorable pictures of family.
The Integrated Intel HD 520 graphics card with shared memory still allows you to play trending games (low performance demanding games) at an OK performance level, like you get when using the NVIDIA GeForce 820M, at reduced settings and resolutions you also can play the lastest games. When playing GTA ASUS F556UA-AS54 operates at lowered settings of 30FPS and resolution 1366 x768, while during games like Minecraft and League of Legends, Starcraft 2 or other low-performance demanding games you are assured of not just improved settings and resolutions but also enhanced playability. Like all other laptops with similar specs, it is pre-installed with Windows 10 Home (64-bit) which is the trending operating system.
Conclusion
The ASUS F556UA-AS54 is the most preferred choice if you desire a laptop efficient in speed, functionality at a moderate cos. If you intend to purchase a laptop for the purpose of video chatting, video streaming, internet browsing, and other office related activities then look no further. ASUS F556UA-AS54 allows you to multi-task at high speed and performance. In addition, you can simply take it along as you go about your day to day activities because it is slim, light-weight and sleek. It is enhanced with a full high definition display and a large memory space to keep. ASUS F556UA-AS54 is recommended for individuals with the desire to own a compact, sleek and efficient laptop for everyday use at a reasonable price.
HP Star Wars Special Edition 15-an050nr
The design of HP Star Wars Special Edition 15-1n050nr is inspired by the Galactic Empire and it has access to the largest Star Wars collection, which people would never have accessed before, making it a favorite among Star Wars fans.
Apart from the looks, it is powered by an Intel Core i5-6200U processor that clocks at 2.3 GHz and can also go up to 2.8 GHz in turbo mode, which is better than the previous variant i5-5200U, which operated at 2.2/2.7 GHz. In the benchmark tests that were conducted, i5-5200U scored 3500 points, while i5-6200U scored 3800 points in CPU Mark, making it better. However, the difference is not evident when you operate the laptop. Yet, the higher the score, the better will be the processing.
The memory also makes sure that your applications run lag-free, thanks to the 6 GB capacity. The RAM is split in two slots with two sticks of 4 GB and 2 GB. There is a “memory slot not user accessible” note present in the specification. However, you can load both the slots with 8 GB RAM sticks, taking the memory up to 16 GB.
There is a 1 TB HDD with a speed of 5400 RPM for storage on the HP 15-an050nr which would suffice for an average user. However, if you are looking for a hard disk with faster data access rates, which is required by many applications, you have an option to install SSD, which supplements the HDD storage and gives better access speeds.
The standard 15.6” screen is both appreciated and has attracted critics. The plus point is that, it is an IPS panel, which gives better viewing angles and the color reproduction is also better. However, the screen resolution is a drawback, as people would expect at least 1080p resolution when they buy a performance laptop. But sadly, the maximum resolution of this screen is only 1366 X 768p.
Gaming would not be top-notch, as the graphics is Intel HD Graphics 520, inbuilt with the processor. There are no benchmark results available of this GPU. But we expect this to perform better than the present Intel HD 5500. Luckily, this laptop comes with a red backlit keyboard, making it easy to use for people.
Final Verdict
Although this laptop is marketed aggressively as the Star Wars Edition laptop, do not get influenced by it completely. It does look cool, thanks to the cool wallpapers and the dark side. But ultimately, you would not want a laptop that only looks good and does not perform despite the high cost. The performance of this laptop does seem impressive with the new i5 processor, 6 GB of memory to run most of your daily tasks. However, gaming is not a great experience and it might not be able to run resource extensive games. Ultimately, the choice is yours and if you find the laptop worthy of the price tag, go for it.
For Gaming:
Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575G-53VG
One of the more distinct and low-priced laptops available on the market today is the Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575G-53VG. For around $550 this 15.6” graphics-equipped laptop, comes complete with Windows 10 preinstalled and a full HD display screen. Additionally, it has a Nvidia GeForce 940MX 2GB video card, a backlit keyboard and supports a 256GB SSD, 8GB of RAM and Intel i5 core processor. The i5-6200U which is included in the i5 CPU is the new, sixth generation intel processor.
This particular laptop is a great solution for regular tasks such as emailing, creating documents in Word, Excel spreadsheet calculations, surfing the internet and watching movies (even the Ultra Hi-Definition ones) or gaming. With its 8GB DDR4 RAM, you won’t suffer from performance problems, even if you are running several apps together. We think Acer deserve a standing ovation for incorporate a 256GB SSD into the Aspire E 15 E5-575G-53VG, rather than using a much more measured hard drive storage.
Surely, the GeForce 940MX is not a gaming-class notebook video card and it performs better than systems with integrated graphic processors. Apart from the feature mentioned above, the 940MX has 2GB of GDDR5 video memory which is better than the 2GB DDR3 of the 940M model, for a bit of extra FPS rate boost. In overall, the GeForce 940MX is made in a way that makes it to easily run many of the popular game titles but some demanding games need the resolution and graphic detail settings decreased in order to have a smooth gaming experience.
This averagely heavy 5.3 pounds notebook has a chassis made of plastics, keyboard deck with glossy finish and the display lid having a texture finish. Asus says it 2800mAH 6-cell battery can work for 12 hours but you can expect to use it for 10 hours and this depends on your tasks. This time is a good period for backing up files especially for those the mainly use their laptop on the go.
In Conclusion
The Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575G-53VG has some promising technical specifications and performance and rates as a reasonably good laptop. It comes preinstalled with Windows 10 and everything else you might expect from a great day to day usage laptop. The Acer is by no means one of the more premium choices, but it will offer you enough power to get the job done without any compromise on specification. At the price around 550 dollars, the Acer Aspire E is a good performer and a great choice that won’t damage your wallet.
Convertible Laptop
HP Pavilion 13-s128nr x360 Full-HD 2-in-1 Laptop
If you are looking for an affordable 2-in-1 laptop, then the highly flexible HP Pavilion 12-s128nr(X360) is a great choice. It has a 1920×1080 (13.3＂) high-definition display screen which rotates 360°, which converts it into a multi-faceted piece of equipment. It changes from an ordinary laptop, into a tablet, can be set in tent-mode for gaming or used as a multimedia display device.
Unlike that of the high-end HP Spectre X360, which also comes with the same display size, the 13 series of Pavilion X360 doesn’t have an ultra-thin look, keyboard backlight, or aluminum case. That said, it is a lightweight option made of plastics being only 3.8 pounds, with 8.8 x 12.89 x 0.89 inch dimensions, and is fully equipped with a 2.3GHz intel core i5-6200U processor and 8GB of SDRAM.
The IPS-powered display resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) is sharp and provides wide angle viewing. The sixth generation Skylake CPU (i5-6200U) dual-core processor which provides a stable solution for those who need something for day-to-day use or intermittent heavy computer usage. The Pavilion delivers adequate multi-tasking ability for the typical user. Unfortunately, the 128GB SSD does not give the average user much storage space, but it’s responsiveness in comparison to some of the more traditional hard-drives is much greater.
The Pavilion 13-s128nr, as with other hybrid convertible laptops available, has Intel HD 520 Graphics which is integrated and delivers a total graphic memory of around 4052MB. This is sufficient for streaming media and browsing the internet. It does however struggle with 3D gaming. If you are looking for a laptop capable of handling gaming, then perhaps this hybrid is not the one for you. The conventional gaming laptops are more suited to you, for example the cutting-edge Acer Aspire V15 Nitro offers a NVIDIA GEForce GTX 960M gaming card, 16GB of memory, 256GB SSD , and 1TB (54000rpm) of hard-drive storage space.
HP (Hewlett-Packard) have boldly claimed that the Pavilion’s battery life will last up to “11hrs 45mins”. It is unclear whether this is a confident assessment on their part, but I think that the 45WHr battery capacity is pretty good for this particular type of hybrid laptop.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the HP Pavilion 12-s128nr is a high-quality performing convertible laptop. For dedicated gamers, it is not ideally suited, but generally speaking this is not the type of laptop for players that are interested in the first place. But, considering the system performance and the features that this compact 2-in-1 laptop offers, I believe it is great value for money.
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