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Best Laptops Under $500

Updated December 2018
Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
HP
Pavilion X360 15.6" Touchscreen 2-in-1 Laptop
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Bottom Line

A good option for both work and creativity, the flexibility of the 360º hinge and high storage capacity earn this model top marks.

Pros

The 360º hinge allows this model to be used as a traditional laptop or flipped and used as a stand-up tablet. The touchscreen is useful for efficiently navigating through multiple windows, and can also be used as a draw pad. The screen is among the largest in this price range, as is the processing speed and storage capacity, all of which allows users to work comfortably and quickly whether they are on the job or having fun.

Cons

The 2 USB ports are close together, preventing both from being used at once unless the device connector is small.

Dell
Inspiron 15.6" Laptop
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Bottom Line

This model stands out for its good processing speed and wide array of connector ports allowing connection of multiple devices.

Pros

The 15.6" screen offers a clear display, while 8 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage compares favorably with other models at this price point. AMD A9 processor is surprisingly efficient, so users can work quickly without long waits for downloads or other computing tasks. Ports include 3 USB ports, an HDMI port, and 3-in-1 card reader, offering connections for almost all commonly used devices.

Cons

The mousepad is not divided, forcing users to feel around for the left and right buttons.

Lenovo
Ideapad 15.6" High Performance Laptop
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Bottom Line

Lightweight despite the large screen and high storage capacity, making it a good option for those who want a traditional laptop that travels well.

Pros

While some laptops may be lighter than the Lenovo's 6 lbs., most of them have smaller screens or less storage capacity than a traditional laptop. This model remains lightweight even with its 15.6" screen and 1 TB hard drive. The 2.7 GHz AMD processor offers adequate processing power for most users, and multiple USB ports and an HDMI port give users the ability to connect most commonly used accessory devices.

Cons

The run time of a fully-charged battery is shorter on this model than some others.

ASUS
10.1" Flip Chromebook
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Bottom Line

The flip hinge and light weight make this a good option for those who need a computer to use when traveling or for occasional use.

Pros

While it is not designed to be used as a traditional laptop, this model is one that travels easily. At only 2 lbs. and thin enough to fit in almost any bag or backpack, it is exceptionally mobile. 3 USB ports means accessory devices can be used on the go. 10.1" screen offers a clear display, so even with its smaller size, visibility is not a problem. 2 GHz of processing power is impressive for a unit this size. Flip hinge allows users to convert it easily from a traditional laptop to a tablet.

Cons

With limited storage space, this unit is designed for occasional work or travel, and it is not a good option as a primary laptop for a high volume of work.

Best Bang for the Buck
Acer
Aspire E15 15.6" HD Laptop
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Bottom Line

The screen size and storage capacity of this model compares favorably with other laptops in its price range. Earns high marks for its extended battery life.

Pros

The 15.6" screen and 1 TB hard drive are among the best available under $500, as is the computing power of the 8th generation Intel processor. We love the extended 13 hour life of a fully-charged battery, allowing users to be mobile for long periods of time without requiring a recharge. The 4 USB ports outnumber most laptop models as well, and an HDMI port is also included.

Cons

The 6 GB of RAM is a little less than some comparable models, so users may notice a slight lag during downloads or watching video.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

  • 17 Models Considered
  • 6 Hours Researched
  • 1 Experts Interviewed
  • 159 Consumers Consulted
    • Zero products received from manufacturers.

    We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

    Why trust BestReviews?
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.

    You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a decent laptop. Thanks to aggressive pricing from manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Acer, many of the entry level models bring tons of features at a price point below $500. Most of these laptops are based on a Google Chromebook or Windows platform, or a hybrid of the 2, and often come with an Intel processors inside. With screen sizes up to 15”, these laptops will Web surf, meet basic productivity, and make a great bet for students. Check that the make and model you choose has enough memory to deal with the kind of work expected. Many are between 4GB and 8GB. Hard drives range from 16 GB to 500 GB, but many of the smaller drives offer free cloud storage. Also look for features like USB ports and HDMI output.

    The team that worked on this review
    • Katie
      Katie
      Editorial Director
    • Melinda
      Melinda
      Web Producer
    ×

    HP

    Pavilion X360 15.6" Touchscreen 2-in-1 Laptop

    HP

    Pavilion X360 15.6" Touchscreen 2-in-1 Laptop

    A good option for both work and creativity, the flexibility of the 360º hinge and high storage capacity earn this model top marks.
    $0
    ×

    Dell

    Inspiron 15.6" Laptop

    Dell

    Inspiron 15.6" Laptop

    This model stands out for its good processing speed and wide array of connector ports allowing connection of multiple devices.

    $499
    ×

    Lenovo

    Ideapad 15.6" High Performance Laptop

    Lenovo

    Ideapad 15.6" High Performance Laptop

    Lightweight despite the large screen and high storage capacity, making it a good option for those who want a traditional laptop that travels well.
    $347
    ×

    ASUS

    10.1" Flip Chromebook

    ASUS

    10.1" Flip Chromebook

    The flip hinge and light weight make this a good option for those who need a computer to use when traveling or for occasional use.
    $329
    ×

    Acer

    Aspire E15 15.6" HD Laptop

    Acer

    Aspire E15 15.6" HD Laptop

    The screen size and storage capacity of this model compares favorably with other laptops in its price range. Earns high marks for its extended battery life.
    $364

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