Looking for laptop computer below $500? Yeah, it’s the wild west on the market. One fast Google search and also you’re as much as your ears in outcomes… most of them fairly underwhelming.
So, what really issues right here? Personally, I’d purpose for a 1080p display and not less than 8GB of RAM (or as much as 16GB if you wish to future-proof). That mixture ought to hold every little thing operating easy sufficient for the lighter stuff. You’ll have to skip premium options at this value, however you’ll nonetheless get every little thing you want for day by day use.
View Deal
Present Execs & Cons
Execs
- Distinguished and durable design
- Glorious single-core CPU efficiency
- Nice-looking show
- Nothing feels low-cost
Cons
- Completely different USB implementations on the 2 ports
- Trackpad lacks pressure-sensitivity
- Multi-core efficiency lags
- No P3 colour gamut assist
Conceal Execs & Cons
View Deal
Present Execs & Cons
Execs
- Compact type issue
- Good on a regular basis efficiency
- Lengthy battery life
- Nice keyboard and mouse
Cons
- Display screen high quality is mediocre
- Noisy followers
Conceal Execs & Cons
View Deal
Present Execs & Cons
Execs
- Zippy processor efficiency
- Good keyboard
- A big selection of connectivity choices
- Stylish design
Cons
- Battery life isn’t aggressive
- The show’s 16:9 facet ratio feels slightly cramped
Conceal Execs & Cons
Listed here are our high picks that show funds laptops don’t need to be horrible.
Why you need to belief PCWorld for laptop computer evaluations and shopping for recommendation: It’s in our identify! PCWorld prides itself on laptop computer expertise and experience. We’ve been overlaying PCs since 1983, and we now overview greater than 70 laptops yearly. All of our picks 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 value level that can assist you discover a machine that matches your funds.
MacBook Neo (2026) – Greatest laptop computer below $500 total
Execs
- Distinguished and durable design
- Glorious single-core CPU efficiency
- Nice-looking show
- Nothing feels low-cost
Cons
- Completely different USB implementations on the 2 ports
- Trackpad lacks pressure-sensitivity
- Multi-core efficiency lags
- No P3 colour gamut assist
Worth When Reviewed:
$599
Greatest Costs Right this moment:
$589.99
$599
$599
$599
$599.99
$686.21
Who should purchase the MacBook Neo (2026)?
For those who can stretch your funds only a tiny bit, the MacBook Neo (2026) is definitely the very best low-cost laptop computer you should buy proper now. We all know it goes a tad over our $500 cap by $99, however the leap in high quality and efficiency… properly, it’s simply too good to disregard. It merely doesn’t really feel like a funds laptop computer.
You’re getting the total MacBook expertise. The all-aluminum construct feels as premium as costlier fashions, and the A18 Professional chip delivers quick, responsive efficiency for on a regular basis duties like writing and streaming. In our overview, we famous that apps open shortly and multitasking feels easy. Battery life is one other massive win, lasting properly over a full workday in real-world use. The 13-inch Liquid Retina show can also be sharp at 2408×1506 decision and vivid at 500 nits–a powerful mixture at this value level.
MacBook Neo (2026): Additional issues
The MacBook Neo is just about the entire bundle so far as funds laptops go. You don’t get the premium extras like Thunderbolt connectivity or a high-end webcam, however that’s not wholly unsurprising for a laptop computer at this value level. What actually issues is that it feels quick and is well-built. It’s dependable in a means most Home windows laptops aren’t.
Learn our full
Apple MacBook Neo overview
Asus Chromebook CX15 – Greatest Chromebook below $200
Execs
- Compact type issue
- Good on a regular basis efficiency
- Lengthy battery life
- Nice keyboard and mouse
Cons
- Display screen high quality is mediocre
- Noisy followers
Worth When Reviewed:
$159
Greatest Costs Right this moment:
$159
$265.24
Who should purchase the Asus Chromebook CX15 ?
For those who want a laptop computer that received’t make your pockets cry, the CX15 does the fundamentals very well. It handles net searching, streaming, and e-mail prefer it’s nothing, and the 15.6-inch 1080p display plus the full-sized keyboard really make it really feel extra stable than the worth suggests.
Asus Chromebook CX15 : Additional issues
The Intel Celeron N4500 with 4GB of RAM handles the fundamentals wonderful–net searching, streaming, e-mail, all that. However attempt to do an excessive amount of directly and it’ll begin dragging. Battery life’s additionally wonderful, slightly over 10 hours on a single cost, so that you’ll in all probability get via a full day. Not record-breaking by any means, nevertheless it does the job.
Learn our full
Asus Chromebook CX15 overview
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 – Greatest Chromebook below $500
Execs
- Zippy processor efficiency
- Good keyboard
- A big selection of connectivity choices
- Stylish design
Cons
- Battery life isn’t aggressive
- The show’s 16:9 facet ratio feels slightly cramped
Worth When Reviewed:
$499
Greatest Costs Right this moment:
$529.99
Who should purchase the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34?
For those who’re not operating Photoshop or enjoying AAA video games, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 completely will get the job completed. The Intel Core i5 and 8GB of RAM hold every little thing zipping alongside, even with a dozen tabs open and a video name going.
It’s light-weight, seems to be clear with that white end, and has a 1080p show that’s straightforward on the eyes. The webcam’s full HD too, which makes an actual distinction on Zoom or Google Meet. No bizarre lag or blurry faces right here.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Additional issues
The CX34 retains it easy and simply works. It boots quick, stays responsive, and doesn’t run sizzling or loud. Chrome OS has come a great distance, and when you largely dwell in a browser, this setup is form of supreme.
Learn our full
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 overview
Different laptops below $500 we examined
We additionally regarded on the Acer Aspire Go 15, which has nice battery life and a stable 1080p display for below $500. Then there’s the Acer Chromebook Spin 312, a small 2-in-1 that’s nice for primary stuff like searching and streaming however not tremendous quick. We’ve additionally checked out the Asus Chromebook Plus CX14, which edges out fashions with Celeron processors and is at present on sale for $299.99 at Walmart.
How we take a look at laptops
The PCWorld crew places each Home windows laptop computer via a sequence of benchmarks that take a look at GPU and CPU efficiency, battery life, and total usability. The thought is to push the laptop computer to its limits after which evaluate it in opposition to others we’ve examined. Chromebooks, however, undergo a sequence of web-based assessments.
For a a lot deeper have a look at our overview methodology, take a look at how PCWorld assessments laptops.
Who curated this text?
Hello, I’m Ashley Biancuzzo, and I oversee all laptop computer and Chromebook protection at PCWorld. Whilst you’ll see me overview Chromebooks once in a while, I’m additionally actually into the broader world of client tech. I spend quite a lot of time writing and enthusiastic about the place laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term developments. After I’m not deep on the earth of tech, you’ll in all probability discover me gaming, getting misplaced in e book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound, Allen.
How to decide on the very best laptop computer below $500
Ah, right here we’re on the billion greenback query. Do you spring for a primary Chromebook or go for a Home windows laptop computer with extra options? Actually, it largely comes all the way down to your life-style and what you’re anticipating from a laptop computer below 500 bucks. You’re not gonna get some super-powerful beast at that value, however when you simply want one thing for the fundamentals, there are quite a lot of first rate choices on the market.
Chromebooks, for instance, are tremendous budget-friendly and the battery life is superior. I really use one myself for work (writing, enhancing, all that) and it does the job simply wonderful. For those who journey loads, it’s price going for one thing that’s good and lightweight — below three kilos, if potential. Nonetheless undecided what to get? No massive deal, take your time figuring it out. I’ve put collectively a listing of fast shopping for suggestions beneath.
- Laptop computer kind: There are various completely different laptop computer sorts that fall within the sub-$500 class: clamshells, 2-in-1s, Chromebooks, and far more. The shows on convertible laptops (aka 2-in-1s), 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 films or collaborating in video calls. Chromebooks are available varied sizes and shapes, and solely run Google’s web-focused Chrome OS. With a Chromebook, all you want is a Gmail account and, increase, you’re in.
- CPU: Relating to the sub-$500 Home windows laptops, you possibly can look forward to finding Intel Core i3 or i5 processors. An i5 processor clearly offers slightly extra oomph. That mentioned, primary workplace and net work does simply wonderful on a Core i3. For AMD stuff, Ryzen 3 is okay for on a regular basis stuff like net searching, and Ryzen 5 is a stable all-rounder—form of like Intel’s i5. On Chromebooks, Snapdragon and Pentium chips normally beat out MediaTek ones.
- Graphics: Don’t anticipate nice graphics at this value. You’ll largely get built-in graphics, which is completely wonderful except you’re making an attempt to sport or do 3D work.
- RAM: RAM-wise, go for 8GB when you can—it simply makes every little thing smoother. Most Chromebooks include 4GB, which works, however 8GB is means higher when you can swing it.
- Show measurement: For display measurement, 13 to 14 inches is the candy spot. Sufficiently big to work on, sufficiently small to hold round. Larger screens imply extra weight (and normally a better value).
- Decision: Don’t accept lower than 1080p decision. Something decrease simply seems to be kinda blurry, even for primary stuff like Netflix or spreadsheets.
- Battery life: Battery life? Search for 10 to 12 hours. That’ll get you thru a lot of the day with out looking for an outlet.
- Ports: It’s good to have a bunch so that you don’t want further adapters. Search for USB-C and USB-A, and HDMI is cool if you wish to hook as much as a display.
FAQ
1.
What’s the greatest laptop computer below $500?
MacBook Neo (2026) is the very best low-cost laptop computer you will get proper now, hands-down. Efficiency is quick and dependable, and battery life is surprisingly good at 13+ hours. It doesn’t reduce corners in lots of areas both, a rarity in a funds machine.
2.
What’s the greatest Chromebook below $500?
If you’d like a stable Chromebook below $500, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is quick, easy with tabs and video calls, has a pointy 1080p display, and HD webcam. It’s simply plain easy and dependable.
3.
Can I improve the RAM or storage on these laptops later?
Most laptops below $500 don’t allow you to improve RAM as a result of it’s soldered on, however some do allow you to swap or add storage. Test before you purchase if that stuff issues to you.
4.
What’s the distinction between a daily laptop computer and a Chromebook?
When individuals say “laptop computer,” they normally imply a PC or a Mac. However Chromebooks are laptops too, they simply run Google’s Chrome OS as an alternative of Home windows or macOS. So, yeah, all Chromebooks are laptops, however not all laptops are Chromebooks. They’re largely constructed for Google apps like Drive and Docs, so that they work greatest if you’re on-line.
5.
Are Chromebooks good for gaming?
Eh, not likely. If gaming’s your factor, you’ll in all probability wanna have a look at a Home windows laptop computer or a Chromebook designed for cloud gaming. Each will likely be costlier than a primary Chromebook. Most Chromebooks are wonderful for net video games and Android stuff, however that’s about it. With a gaming Chromebook, you have to to subscribe to a cloud gaming service similar to GeForce Now and have a dependable web connection.
6.
Can you employ built-in graphics for gaming?
Sure, a few of the newest processors with built-in graphics can run trendy 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 few of the newest video games at 1080p and 30fps. Sadly this isn’t the case for all built-in graphics and your mileage might range drastically with older tech.
Intel and AMD’s built-in graphics have made enormous leaps in recent times with regard to gaming efficiency. For those who’re on a funds or in search of an ultra-thin laptop computer with built-in graphics you needn’t fear, you possibly can nonetheless sport on.
