Best Under 500 Laptops

We tested the Lenovo V15 and found it to be a capable machine for everyday tasks. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor zipped through our usual workload without breaking a sweat. We opened multiple browser tabs, edited documents, and streamed videos all at once with no lag.

The 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD make a big difference in speed. Apps open quickly, and we had no issues multitasking. The 15.6-inch Full HD screen is fine for most uses, but we wish it was a bit brighter for outdoor work.

We like the inclusion of Windows 11 Pro, which adds useful features for power users. The keyboard feels nice to type on, and the numeric keypad is handy for data entry. Battery life is decent – we got through most of a workday on a single charge. While not a gaming powerhouse, it handles light gaming well enough for casual players.

We recently got our hands on the Acer Aspire 3, and we’re impressed with what it offers at this price point. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display is a standout feature, delivering sharp images and vibrant colors. It’s a pleasure to use for web browsing, document editing, and even casual video watching.

Under the hood, the AMD Ryzen 3 processor keeps things running smoothly for everyday tasks. We found it handled multiple browser tabs, word processing, and light multitasking without breaking a sweat. The 8GB of RAM helps with responsiveness, though we did notice some slowdown when pushing the system too hard.

One drawback is the 128GB SSD, which fills up fast. We had to be mindful of our storage use and rely on cloud services. The lack of a backlit keyboard is also a bit disappointing, making it tricky to type in low-light conditions.

We appreciate the laptop’s portability. It’s light enough to carry around all day without strain. The battery life is okay, lasting us about 7-8 hours with regular use. It’s not the best, but it gets the job done for most people.

For students, remote workers, or anyone needing a budget-friendly laptop for basic computing, the Acer Aspire 3 is worth considering. It’s not perfect, but it offers good value for its price tag.

After testing this HP laptop, we found it packs a lot of features for the price. The 32GB of RAM and spacious 1TB SSD provide plenty of memory and storage for most users. We like that it has a touchscreen, which isn’t always available at this price point.

The Intel Core i3 processor handled basic tasks well in our tests. We could browse the web, stream videos, and work on documents without issues. The laptop felt snappy when opening apps and switching between tasks.

We weren’t impressed by the display quality. The 720p resolution looks grainy on the 15.6-inch screen. Colors appear washed out, and viewing angles are limited. Battery life was also just okay at around 6 hours of real-world use. For a budget laptop though, these trade-offs are expected.

When we tested the Lenovo IdeaPad 1, we found it to be a solid choice for everyday computing needs. The 20GB of RAM really impressed us, allowing for smooth multitasking even with lots of browser tabs open. We also liked the spacious 1TB SSD, which gave us plenty of room for files and quick boot times.

The 15.6-inch Full HD screen looked crisp and clear for watching videos and working on documents. We appreciated the anti-glare coating, which helped reduce eye strain during long study sessions. The keyboard felt comfortable for typing, though we missed having a backlight for low-light use.

While fine for web browsing and basic tasks, we noticed the Intel Celeron processor struggled with more intensive applications. Don’t expect to do heavy photo editing or gaming on this machine. Battery life was also just okay in our tests, lasting around 5-6 hours of regular use. For the price though, we think many students and casual users will find the IdeaPad 1 meets their needs well.

We got our hands on the HP Go Slim, and it’s a decent laptop for everyday use. The 15.6-inch screen is big enough for comfortable viewing, though we wish it had a higher resolution than 720p. Still, it works fine for basic web browsing and document editing.

The laptop feels light in our bag at just over 3 pounds. We like how it doesn’t weigh us down when we’re on the go. The battery lasted us nearly a full workday, which is great for a budget machine. We didn’t have to hunt for outlets during coffee shop work sessions.

We appreciate the storage options. The 128GB internal drive filled up fast, but the included 500GB external SSD gave us plenty of extra space. The Intel Pentium processor handled basic tasks okay, but we noticed some lag when multitasking. For simple computing needs, it gets the job done. Just don’t expect to run demanding software or games smoothly.

We recently got our hands on the HP Victus 15, and it’s a solid choice for gamers who want performance without breaking the bank. The 144Hz display makes games look buttery smooth, and we noticed less screen tearing in fast-paced titles.

The AMD Ryzen 5 processor and NVIDIA RTX 2050 graphics card pack a punch. We ran several popular games at high settings with no issues. The 16GB of RAM lets us keep multiple apps open while gaming.

One thing to note is the fan noise. It gets loud when the system’s under load, which might bug some users. The battery doesn’t last long during intense gaming sessions, so keep the charger handy. It’s also on the heavier side, so it’s not ideal for carrying around all day.

The backlit keyboard feels nice to type on, and the 512GB SSD gives quick boot times. We like the variety of ports, including HDMI and Ethernet. For the price, this laptop delivers good gaming performance and everyday usability.

We tested this Lenovo IdeaPad 1 for a few weeks. It’s very light and easy to carry around. The 15.6-inch screen is big enough for work or watching videos. We liked the full-size keyboard with number pad.

The 12GB of RAM let us run a few programs at once without slowing down. The 512GB SSD gave us plenty of space for files and loaded Windows quickly. Battery life was good – we got through most of a workday on a charge.

The Celeron N4500 chip isn’t very fast. Basic web browsing and office work were fine, but we noticed some lag with more complex tasks. The screen looked a bit dim to us, even at full brightness. We wished it had more USB ports too. But for the price, it works well for everyday use.

We’ve spent some time with this HP laptop, and it’s clear that it offers good value for its price point. The 15.6-inch touchscreen is a nice touch, making it easy to scroll through web pages or navigate Windows 11 Pro. We found the screen brightness adequate for indoor use, though it might struggle in very bright settings.

The Intel Core i3 processor handled our daily tasks well. We could browse the web, work on documents, and stream videos without any noticeable lag. The 40GB of RAM is a standout feature at this price, allowing us to keep multiple apps open without slowing down the system.

Storage space is ample with the 1TB combined SSD solution. We liked the fast boot times and quick app launches thanks to the SSD. The keyboard felt comfortable for typing, and the addition of a numeric keypad is handy for those who work with numbers often.

While we enjoyed using this laptop, it’s not without its drawbacks. The battery life could be better – we got about 4-5 hours of use before needing to recharge. The 720p display resolution is okay for basic tasks, but those who enjoy crisp visuals might find it lacking. Also, the integrated graphics aren’t ideal for serious gaming or heavy video editing.

We tested this HP laptop and found it to be a mixed bag. The pink color is eye-catching, and at just over 3 pounds, it’s easy to carry around. We liked the variety of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and even an Ethernet jack.

The 16GB of RAM is generous for a budget laptop. It helped the computer handle multiple browser tabs and basic office tasks smoothly. But the Intel Celeron processor showed its limits when we tried more intensive tasks.

We weren’t impressed by the 14-inch screen. The 1366×768 resolution looks fuzzy by today’s standards. The 64GB of storage filled up fast, so we needed to rely on cloud storage. For students or casual users on a tight budget, this laptop might work. But we’d recommend looking at other options if your budget allows.

We tested the FUNYET 16-inch laptop and came away impressed by its mix of features at this price point. The big 1920×1200 display looks crisp and bright, giving us plenty of screen real estate for multitasking. With 16GB of RAM, we had no issues running multiple apps and browser tabs simultaneously.

The 512GB SSD provides fast boot times and snappy performance for everyday use. We like the backlit keyboard for typing in dim lighting, and the fingerprint reader adds a nice security touch. Build quality feels solid for a budget laptop, with a slim design that’s easy to carry.

While the Celeron N95 chip handles basic tasks well, it did start to chug when we pushed it with more demanding apps or games. Battery life tops out around 6 hours of real-world use, so you’ll want to keep the charger handy. The webcam is usable but nothing special. Still, for under $500, this FUNYET laptop packs in a lot of value for students or anyone needing an affordable workhorse PC.