Best Laptops Under $500

Acer Aspire 5

Priced under $500, this budget Windows 11 laptop offers decent performance with an Intel Core i3 processor, but suffers from warm temperatures and poor speaker placement.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet

A hybrid tablet/Chromebook under $500, featuring a sharp 1920 x 1080 display and impressive battery life, though the keyboard and hinge are less sturdy.

Microsoft Surface Go 2

Offering improved battery life and a bright 10.5-inch display, it doubles as a tablet and laptop with the optional Type Cover accessory, though its performance is modest.

Acer Chromebook Spin 311

This durable Chromebook provides solid battery life, a great keyboard, and a tough Gorilla Glass screen, but suffers from a dim, low-resolution display.

Apple iPad 2021

While technically a tablet, when paired with the optional Smart Keyboard, it becomes a hybrid laptop under $500, offering a bright display and excellent battery life, albeit with some iPadOS limitations.

Dell Inspiron 15

Priced under $500, the Dell Inspiron 15 offers a large 15.6-inch display, decent performance with an Intel Core i3 processor, and a comfortable keyboard, but suffers from a lackluster battery life and heavy weight.

HP Pavilion x360

This versatile 2-in-1 laptop under $500 features a responsive touchscreen and a convertible design, allowing it to be used as a tablet or laptop, though it may struggle with heavier multitasking due to its entry-level specs.

ASUS VivoBook 15

With a sleek design and a 15.6-inch Full HD display, the ASUS VivoBook 15 offers good value for its price, providing reliable performance for everyday tasks, but may be prone to heating up under heavy use.