If you’re out there for a reasonable laptop computer for day-to-day duties, you’re in luck. We’ve received an inventory of our high picks beneath. That mentioned, it’s vital to be good about your selections. Although you might have to cope with a few minor drawbacks like a dim show or quick battery life, it’s nonetheless potential to attain a sub-$500 laptop computer with robust efficiency.
Why it is best to belief us: It’s in our identify! PCWorld prides itself on laptop computer expertise and experience. We’ve been protecting PCs since 1983, and we now evaluation greater than 70 laptops yearly. All of the picks beneath have been personally examined and vetted by our consultants, who’ve utilized not solely efficiency benchmarks however rigorous usability requirements. We’re additionally dedicated to reviewing PC laptops at each worth level that can assist you discover a machine that matches your finances.
If you possibly can handle to stretch your finances somewhat bit additional, take a look at our best laptops roundup for much more strategies.
Updated April 24, 2024: We added the Acer Aspire Go 15 because the Best Laptop Under $300. It’s even cheaper than our high choose, for many who are on a strict finances, and has higher battery life. We’ve additionally up to date our checklist of current laptop computer evaluations, so be sure you examine these out.
The finest laptops beneath $500
Acer Aspire 3 – Best laptop computer beneath $500 total
Pros
- Reliable efficiency
- 1080p show
- HD webcam
- Solid construct
Cons
- Speakers sound tinny when taking part in music
- A bit heavy
Price When Reviewed:
$329.99
Why we just like the Acer Aspire 3
The Acer Aspire 3 laptop computer is a superb machine that gives strong efficiency and a sturdy construct at an inexpensive worth. It’s lots zippy for day-to-day duties like watching Netflix, writing e mail, and so forth. You’re additionally getting a full-sized keyboard in addition to a 1080p display.
Who should purchase the Acer Aspire 3
Anyone who’s on a finances! To slim it down some, we really feel as if the Acer Aspire 3 is an efficient choice for college students and distant employees. You can’t argue with the value and the HD webcam produces “clean, crisp video” in line with our evaluation. That means you’ll at all times look sharp on video calls.
Read our full
Acer Aspire 3 review
Acer Aspire Go 15 – Best laptop computer beneath $300
Pros
- Affordable
- Decent battery life
- Good show visibility
Cons
- Big and ponderous
- Cheap construct
- Limited efficiency
Price When Reviewed:
$299
Why we just like the Acer Aspire Go 15
For simply $300, the Acer Aspire Go 15 provides speedy day-to-day efficiency, good battery life, and a clear-looking 1080p show. In our testing, the 53.9 watt-hour battery lasted virtually 12 hours on a single cost, which is greater than a full workday. The 15.6-inch show has a decision of 1920×1080 and a modest brightness degree of 284 nits. In use, the reviewer was nonetheless capable of see the display even with a light-weight beaming down onto it. While the Intel Core i3-N305 CPU lags somewhat behind different laptops in its class, it’s appropriate for on a regular basis duties like listening to Spotify, watching Hulu, and so forth.
Who should purchase the Acer Aspire Go 15
Anyone that’s on an ultra-strict finances. The Acer Aspire Go 15 is about $30 cheaper than our high choose (as of proper now) and provides higher battery life. It additionally has a pleasant keyboard that the reviewer was capable of comfortably sort “around 110 words per minute” on and the trackpad is good and easy. There’s even an honest array of ports accessible. You’re getting one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, one HDMI, one 3.5mm audio, one Kensington lock slot, and one DC barrel jack.
Read our full
Acer Aspire Go 15 (2024) review
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus – Best Chromebook beneath $500
Pros
- Snappy day-to-day efficiency
- Versatile 2-in-1 design
- Good typing expertise
Cons
- Stylus not included
- Heavier than anticipated
Price When Reviewed:
$499
What we like concerning the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus packs in a whole lot of options for the low worth. The 2-in-1 kind issue lets you flip the display round and use it like a pill or you possibly can prop it up like a tent for watching motion pictures or sharing info. You may also anticipate peppy on a regular basis efficiency and blazing quick boot-up occasions.
Who should purchase the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
If you want the flexibility of a convertible laptop computer however wish to follow a extra modest finances, then the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is the one to choose. It stands other than the remainder of the pack with its sturdy building, reasonably priced pricing, and versatile convertible design.
Read our full
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review
Acer Chromebook Plus 515 – Best audio
Pros
- Solid audio high quality
- Fast basic efficiency
- Includes a 1080p webcam
- Good typing expertise
Cons
- Boring design
- Thick bezels
Price When Reviewed:
$399.99
Why we just like the Acer Chromebook Plus 515
The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 has good audio for a laptop computer. The positioning of a laptop computer’s audio system can actually influence the sound. Thankfully, the audio system on the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 fireplace upwards, which suggests the sound is coming at you. Highs and lows sound fairly darn crisp! This machine additionally supplies a pleasant typing expertise in addition to quick basic efficiency.
Who should purchase the Acer Chromebook Plus 515
The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is an efficient choice for the informal consumer, particularly for those who like watching motion pictures or listening to music. The audio is spectacular and efficiency is sweet sufficient for day-to-day actions. The 15.6-inch show is sort of good as properly due to the 1080p decision.
Read our full
Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review
HP Laptop 14-ep0865no – Best battery life
Pros
- Compact kind issue
- Good on a regular basis efficiency
- Long battery life
- Great keyboard and mouse
Cons
- Screen high quality is mediocre
- Noisy followers
Price When Reviewed:
$449.99
Why we just like the HP Laptop 14
Although we love the HP Laptop 14’s compact kind issue and comfy keyboard, it’s the battery life that’s the actual star of the present. It lasted about 15 hours on a single cost with mild use, which is an unbelievable outcome for a sub-$500 Windows machine. This laptop computer additionally weighs simply over three kilos, so it’s mild sufficient to take with you from class to class or assembly to assembly. There’s even a 1080p webcam and, because of the Intel Core i3-1315U CPU, efficiency is zippy sufficient for day-to-day duties. The subdued midnight blue coloration scheme is beautiful, too.
Who should purchase the HP Laptop 14
Anyone that wants a long-lasting, sub-$500 laptop computer! The 15 hours of battery life is greater than a full work day (or faculty day), which suggests you don’t must go looking for an outlet. It’s additionally light-weight and slim, so you possibly can simply stick it in a backpack or messenger bag and be in your merry method. While day-to-day efficiency is okay, it’s not one of the best machine for multimedia duties and the fan noise is a bit annoying to cope with. That mentioned, these are affordable compromises given the value.
Read our full
HP Laptop 14 review
Recent laptop computer evaluations
We’ve reviewed a number of new laptops just lately, although many price greater than $500.
- Acer Aspire Go 15: The Acer Aspire Go 15 (2024) isn’t a lot to have a look at, nevertheless it runs with out a lot fuss, solely struggling when demand is placed on the meager built-in graphics or an excessive amount of CPU horsepower is known as for. For easy computing wants, it has clear worth at simply $300.
- Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Fast, good-looking, and affordably priced, the Chromebook 516 GE is a superb do-it-all laptop computer that’s additionally best for cloud gaming.
- Asus Zenbook 14 OLED: AMD’s Ryzen 7 8840HS powers the brand new Zenbook 14 OLED to robust benchmark outcomes and lengthy battery life.
How we examined
The PCWorld crew places each Windows laptop computer via a series of benchmarks that take a look at GPU and CPU efficiency, battery life, and so forth. The concept is to push the laptop computer to its limits after which evaluate it towards others we’ve examined.
Chromebooks, however, undergo a sequence of web-based assessments. It wouldn’t be honest or potential to run the identical sorts of assessments on a Chromebook, as they’re Chrome OS-based machines. Below, you’ll discover a breakdown of every take a look at and the explanation why we run them. For a a lot deeper have a look at our evaluation methodology, take a look at how PCWorld tests laptops.
Windows laptops
- PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we decide how properly the laptop computer handles lighter duties like internet shopping, phrase processing, spreadsheets, and so forth.
- HandBrake: HandBrake is extra intensive than PCMark 10. It mainly measures how lengthy a laptop computer’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
- Cinebench: Cinebench is a short stress take a look at of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a brief time frame.
- 3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D efficiency stays constant over time by operating graphic-intensive clips.
- Video rundown take a look at: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video utilizing Windows 10’s Movies & TV app till the laptop computer dies.
Chromebooks
- CrXPRT 2: The CrXPRT 2 benchmark assessments a Chromebook’s battery life.
- Speedometer 2.0: This take a look at determines a Chromebook’s internet browser efficiency. It simulates this by including, finishing, and eradicating a to-do checklist.
- Basemark Web 3.0: This benchmark gauges how properly a Chromebook can deal with web-based functions.
- Kraken 1.1: Kraken 1.1 is a JavaScript efficiency benchmark.
- Jetstream 2: Jetstream 2 is a mix of WebAssembly and JavaScript benchmarks. This is a approach to gauge how properly a Chromebook runs superior workloads.
What type of laptop computer do you have to get?
Ah, right here we’re on the billion greenback query. Do you spring for a primary Chromebook or go for a Windows laptop computer with extra options? Well, it actually relies on your way of life and your expectations of a sub-$500 machine. At this worth level, you’re not going to discover a highly effective workhorse. However, there are many reasonably priced laptops on the market for many who want the fundamentals.
Chromebooks, for instance, are an important low-cost choice and supply phenomenal battery life. I take advantage of a Chromebook as my main work laptop computer, because it has the whole lot I would like for each modifying and writing. If you journey for work, it’s in all probability a good suggestion to spend money on a laptop computer that weighs lower than three kilos. If you’re nonetheless uncertain, don’t sweat it. I’ve put collectively an inventory of fast shopping for suggestions beneath.
- Laptop sort: There are many various laptop computer sorts that fall within the sub-$500 class: clamshells, 2-in-1’s, Chromebooks, and far more. The shows on convertible laptops (aka 2-in-1’s), for instance, can swing round 360 levels. This lets you use the laptop computer like a pill. They may also be propped up like a tent for viewing motion pictures or taking part in video calls. Chromebooks are available numerous 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: When it involves the sub-$500 Windows laptops, you possibly can anticipate finding Intel Core i3 or i5 processors. An i5 processor clearly supplies somewhat extra oomph. That mentioned, primary workplace and internet work does simply high quality on a Core i3. As for AMD choices, the Ryzen 3 is sweet for primary productiveness and internet shopping, whereas Ryzen 5 chips rival Intel’s Core i5 as strong all-arounders. For Chromebooks, Snapdragon and Pentium processors are extra highly effective than MediaTek chips.
- Graphics: At this worth vary, you in all probability received’t discover a laptop computer with a strong discrete graphics card. Instead, you’ll encounter laptops with built-in graphics, that are built-in with the CPU and use much less energy in consequence. This is completely high quality for on a regular basis duties, particularly for those who’re not doing something that’s graphics-intensive—like 3D gaming.
- RAM: Always go for 8GB of RAM. That’s lots sufficient for firing up functions and loading internet pages. Most Chromebooks are outfitted with 4GB of RAM, which is the naked minimal. You want an honest quantity of reminiscence on these machines, as they’re primarily web-based. If there’s an 8GB RAM choice, I’d suggest springing for that.
- Display measurement: If you’re a video editor or somebody who does a whole lot of multimedia work, you’ll need a show that’s wherever from 15- to 17-inches (however these machines normally price way over $500). The candy spot for finances laptops is de facto wherever from 13- to 14-inches. The greater the show, the heavier your laptop computer goes to be. A 13- or 14-inch show is one of the best when it comes to portability and worth.
- Resolution: I wouldn’t go for something lower than 1080p, as there’s nothing extra annoying than a barely fuzzy picture. 1080p produces an image that’s sharp sufficient for watching Netflix or working in Excel. At this worth vary, you received’t actually discover many (if any) laptops with 1440p decision or greater.
- Battery life: If you propose on taking your laptop computer wherever with you, purpose for one thing that may final 10 to 12 hours on a single cost. That’s greater than a full work day, so it ought to theoretically get you thru lengthy flights or a day of lessons. Obviously, extra is at all times higher. Just know that the larger the battery, the heavier the laptop computer.
- Price: The worth actually relies on your finances. If you’re strapped for money (been there, belief me), go for a Chromebook or an entry-level enterprise laptop computer. These laptops are a good selection for college students or younger professionals. If you store good, you possibly can even discover 2-in-1’s within the $500 vary.
- Ports: A wide selection of ports is at all times a plus, because it eliminates the necessity for an adapter. I’d suggest a laptop computer that has each USB-C and USB-A. An HDMI port is sweet, too. This is particularly helpful for hooking as much as an exterior monitor.
FAQ
What is the distinction between a daily laptop computer and a Chromebook?
When individuals discuss common laptops they normally imply a PC or Mac. A Chromebook continues to be a laptop computer, nevertheless it differentiates itself from both of these two by utilizing a novel working system referred to as ChromeOS, which was created by Google. Think of it like this: All Chromebooks are laptops, however not all laptops are Chromebooks.
Unlike different working methods reminiscent of Windows or macOS, ChromeOS are optimized to run Google apps reminiscent of Google Drive, Google Docs, YouTube, and different Google providers. Because most Google apps are on-line, Chromebooks typically require an web connection to make use of most of their vital options.
Finally, Chromebooks have traditionally been designed with portability, ease of use, and affordability in thoughts fairly than high efficiency. They usually forego the quicker high-end {hardware} that PCs or Macs use for a extra minimalist, light-weight strategy to computing.
Can you employ built-in graphics for gaming?
Yes, a number of the newest processors with built-in graphics can run fashionable PC video games at first rate sufficient settings. For instance, we discovered that in our assessments, Intel’s newest Iris Xe line of processors with built-in graphics can run a number of the newest video games at 1080p and 30fps. Unfortunately this isn’t the case for all built-in graphics and your mileage might differ drastically with older tech.
Intel and AMD’s built-in graphics have made enormous leaps lately with regard to gaming efficiency. If you’re on a finances or searching for an ultra-thin laptop computer with built-in graphics you needn’t fear, you possibly can nonetheless sport on. We suggest testing Intel’s Core 12th-gen Iris Xe or AMD’s brand new Ryzen 6000 RDNA 2.
What’s the distinction between a finances laptop computer and a pill?
More and extra the road between what’s a laptop computer and what’s a pill blurs as corporations combine the options of each into their newest gadgets. But there are nonetheless just a few key distinctions between the 2. Laptops typically are bigger, include extra storage, have higher efficiency and productiveness options, and should or might not function a contact show. Tablets however are smaller and extra transportable, have longer battery life, function a contact show, and are normally a bit extra reasonably priced.
When selecting between a finances laptop computer and a pill it is best to first ask your self what the first use of the system might be. Do you want one thing for productiveness with plenty of storage? Then a laptop computer—even a finances mannequin—will in all probability be the best way to go. Or do you want one thing that’s small, travels properly, and has an extended battery life? Then you may think about a pill.
Do Chromebooks make good gaming laptops?
Unfortunately, if gaming is your important concern, you might wish to look elsewhere. Chromebooks can deal with internet video games and Android video games with none points. But of their present state they merely aren’t designed to deal with high-powered 3D video games. This primarily comes right down to the truth that they don’t run Windows and most Chromebooks don’t have ample graphics energy.
With that mentioned, cloud gaming services permit a distant PC or console to play video games streamed from a distant server utilizing extra highly effective {hardware}. But these are early days nonetheless, and the true viability of this selection will rely on the well being and survival of cloud gaming providers, in addition to Chromebook makers providing extra choices expressly designed with gaming in thoughts, like this Asus Chromebook Vibe CX43 Flip.