Best laptops under $500: the best budget laptops around

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If you’re looking for the best laptop under $500, then we’re here to make your day. It may be harder to find the best laptop under $500, but it’s not impossible. And, we’ve made it even easier for you.

Most budget laptops are never going to deliver that level of performance many of the best laptops on the high-end boast. However, while it’s generally true that more powerful laptops tend to be pricier, the best laptops under $500 strike that perfect price and performance balance. If you don’t expect to do anything incredibly graphics-intensive or processor-hungry, they’re just the ticket to see you through most computing demands without costing an arm and a leg.

With a bit of help from us, you can save some cash while still getting that portable that meets your computing needs. Whether you’re simply looking for a cheap laptop for the kids, an affordable gaming laptop, a 2-in-1 laptop or one of the best Chromebooks on the market, we’ve got the best laptops under $500 on this list.

Best laptops under $500 at a glance

Microsoft Surface Go
Acer Switch 3
Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1
Acer Chromebook 15
Acer Chromebook R11
Acer Chromebook Spin 15

Best laptops under 0: the best budget laptops around — Microsoft Surface Go will more than meet your computing needs in its compact and portable package.

1. Microsoft Surface Go

The best laptop under $500 so far

CPU: Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615 | RAM: 4GB – 8GB | Screen: 10.5-inch 1,800 x 1,200 PixelSense touch display | Storage: 64GB eMMC – 128GB SSD

Affordable

Light and easy to hold

Not as powerful as the iPad

Type Cover not included

The Microsoft Surface Go may not be the traditional laptop we’re all used to, but it will more than meet your computing needs in its compact and portable package. Not only is this device one of the best Windows tablets out there, but it makes for an excellent laptop alternative if you’re looking for the best laptop under $500. With a Windows 10 S mode out of the box, you’re getting a proper operating system that lets you use such apps as the mobile versions of Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop. If you’re computer needs go as far as word processing, sending emails, video conferencing, some light gaming, light photo editing and streaming Netflix, this device has you covered.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go

2. Acer Switch 3

A Surface Book 2 alternative at half the price

CPU: 1.10GHz Intel Pentium Quad Core N4200 – Intel Core i3 7100U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 505 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 12.2-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 IPS LCD touchscreen | Storage: 64GB – 128GB eMMC

Excellent build quality

Superb value

Tricky hinged stand

Slower storage options

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is fairly expensive, but the Acer Switch 3 is a great alternative for far less money, making it the best laptop under $500 for fans of Surface Book 2’s features. This tablet is designed around basically the same concept as the Surface Book 2, even though it’s less adept because of its lower-power internals. For most tasks, however, it’s a plucky little machine. What this 2-in-1 laptop has over Microsoft’s ‘Pro’ and ‘Go’ models is that the keyboard is already included. Of course, the Acer Switch 3 comes in multiple configurations, with USB-C, 8GB of memory, an IPS touchscreen and an Intel Core i3 7100U processor coming with the more expensive option.

Read the full review: Acer Switch 3

3. Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1

The best cheap 2-in-1 Chromebook

CPU: Intel Celeron N3060 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 400 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 11.6-inch, HD (1366 x 768) touchscreen | Storage: 32GB-64GB eMMC

Durable

Long battery life

Not very powerful

Slower SSD storage

Counted among the best Chromebooks is also a thrifty machine for anyone looking for the best laptop under $500. It’s easy to see how the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 exceeds expectations. While it is far from the most powerful Chromebook available, it’s exactly what people need it from it: budget-friendly, easy to use and able to hold up to abuse. The Dell Inspiron 11 2-in-1 is more than able to handle all your web browsing and document editing, and consider that it could be the best laptop under $500 which won’t shatter from a simple stumble.

Read the full review: Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1