When you’re on the hunt for the best laptop under $500, there are two important words to keep in mind: “Buyer beware.”
Many popular gadgets have wildly inflated prices, but in the highly competitive laptop market, you get what you pay for. And that means it can be very dangerous to buy cheap laptops. Choose wrongly, and you’ll be stuck with a slow, outdated computer that causes more problems than it solves.
The Mashable shopping team is here to make your lives easier, which is why we’re bringing you our picks for the best laptops under $500. We’ve previously tested some of the best cheap laptops overall, but if $500 is your upper limit, then you’re going to be priced out of some popular budget models. Even so, there are some great computers inside your budget.
Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
A quick guide to laptop pricing
Our favorite cheap Chromebook can be yours for just $159, while our favorite gaming laptop will set you back $2,099. And in our guide to the best laptops in general, you’ll find machines for every budget. So, how much should you plan on spending?
Typically, laptops fall into one of the following categories:
Chromebooks ($150-$650): These computers have minimal storage and are designed to run web applications. They’re light, portable, and very affordable.
Budget laptops ($250-$750): Even the best cheap laptops won’t have the most impressive specs, but they should have enough RAM and storage for everyday use at school or work.
MacBooks ($750-$3,500): The cheapest MacBook worth buying (the always-popular M1 MacBook Air) will set you back $750, while a fully specced-out MacBook Pro can cost as much as $3,500.
Ultrabooks ($1,000-$3,500): These high-end laptops have enough processing power to handle tasks like photo and video editing. They typically have a sleek and modern aesthetic, too. MacBook laptops also fall into this category.
What is the best laptop under $500 in 2024?
Below, we’ve put together a detailed guide to our top budget laptop recommendations. The right laptop will vary depending on your needs and budget, but our overall top pick is the Acer Aspire 5. We’ve also gathered computers that are great options for school, work, and personal use.
