The 8 best laptops under $500 that are actually worth buying

If you're looking for the most fully specced out laptop you can get for $500, you won't be able to beat the newest version of the popular Acer Aspire 5. The configuration we've chosen has 20GB of RAM and a full terabyte of storage, which is virtually unheard of in the budget category.

That being said, if you're looking for something a little more affordable, you can buy a less souped-up version of this computer for as little as $299 or for $365 via Amazon Prime, where it's one of the most popular budget laptops. Still, we recommend spending a little more for superior performance and longevity.

This laptop was recently tested by Mashable contributor Callum Bains, who named it the best cheap laptop of the year. Bains found it to be an impressive and long-lasting computer. There are plenty of ports on the side, and the onboard webcam is particularly good.

The Samsung Chromebook 4 isn't going to win any beauty or performance contests, but it's not designed to. It's a "just the basics" Chromebook that has everything you need to get online — and that's it. Consistently priced under $200 at both Walmart and Amazon, it's an extremely affordable computer, perfect for watching Netflix on the go or accessing Google Docs.

Mashable editor Timothy Beck Werth has been using the Samsung Chromebook 4 for over a year, and he hasn't encountered any problems in that time. He uses his Chromebook as his "party laptop." When he's done with work and just wants to check his email, watch Bob's Burgers, or do some online shopping, he breaks out this Chromebook.

If you need to download software or don't want to buy a separate hard drive for storing your files, then a Chromebook isn't the right choice for you. But so far as budget Chromebooks go, this is a no-brainer.

If you want a mid-range laptop with a little more power than your average budget laptop or Chromebook, then consider the popular Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. This device was recently tested by Mashable's Callum Bains, who said that "it's a fantastic all-rounder" that could be mistaken for a MacBook at first glance (in terms of appearance, not performance).

At the Microsoft online store, starter configurations of this ultra-compact and portable laptop are available for $499.99 (4GB RAM, 128GB storage). Unfortunately, as of this writing, all of the Surface laptops in that configuration are out of stock. Still, if you have a flexible budget, it's definitely the best laptop under $600, and it's often available at Amazon for under that amount (8GB of RAM, 128GB storage).

Anyone who wants a laptop that's both affordable and compact would do well to consider this Microsoft laptop.

If you had your heart set on a MacBook Air but can't spend more than $500, then you'll want to check out the new Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3.

This laptop is available in many different configurations, including options for under $400. We've linked to a version with an AMD Ryzen 5 CPU, but you can find comparable IdeaPad Slim 3 laptops for $369 from B&H Photo & Video and for $417.99 from Walmart. Still, no matter which model you choose, you'll have one of the best laptops for college students under $500.

The IdeaPad Slim 3 was designed to be lighter and thinner than its predecessors, and it's only 0.7-inches thin. Despite this, Lenovo has managed to fit a lot of great hardware into this super compact laptop. Not only do you get a full suite of ports (USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, SD card reader, and a headphones jack), but it also has an impressive webcam and microphone, not to mention surprisingly good speakers. That's very impressive for a laptop that weighs just 3.5 pounds.

This laptop has an extra-large 15.6-inch touchscreen display with an LED backlight, anti-glare screen, 300 nits of brightness, and low blue light technology. Finally, we have to note that we love the Abyss Blue color.

Pro Tip: If you want a Lenovo laptop that has slightly better performance, you can sometimes find Lenovo IdeaPad 3i laptops with the Intel Core i5 processor for under $500.

Tablets and Chromebooks are popular laptop alternatives for shoppers on a budget, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 is a bit of both. This device comes with a stand and keyboard, which lets you use it just like you would any laptop or Chromebook, but it also features a touchscreen if you want to use it like a tablet.

We love that this 2-in-1 actually resembled a tablet. Even the best 2-in-1 laptops are clunky and awkward to use in tablet mode, but not the IdeaPad Duet 5, which might even be mistaken for an iPad at first glance thanks to its gorgeous OLED screen, a rarity when shopping for laptops under $500.

Although it's a bit expensive for a non-Apple tablet or a Chromebook, by seamlessly combining the two, it justifies its $499 price tag.

Meet the business laptop that's so generic HP didn't even give it a name; it's simply called the HP Laptop 17t. Sure, it's not going to win any branding awards, but when it comes to the feature set, it's a dependable work laptop that can be upgraded as needed. Because this laptop is often marked down to as low as $330, you can upgrade to an Intel Core i3 processor or add additional storage without breaking your budget.

If you're a professional or a small business owner looking for cheap laptops for your employees, then this 17-incher is a solid bet. When choosing the best laptop under $500 for business, it was a toss up between this 2022 Dell Inspiron 3000 and this HP laptop, but the ability to customize the setup gives HP the edge.

If you primarily use your Chromebook for browsing the web and streaming, then you might prefer an extra-large screen. It's unusual to find a Chromebook larger than 15 inches, but this Asus Chromebook has a generous 17.3-inch HD screen, perfect for binge-watching your favorite shows after work.

The specs aren't particularly impressive, which is to be expected with a Chromebook. However, we do appreciate that this device has a USB-A and USB-C port on both sides of the laptop, as well as a built-in card reader.

Unlike the popular Samsung Chromebook 4, this Acer Chromebook is new for 2023. Not only does it have a larger screen compared to most Chromebooks, but the display is also a touchscreen. If you don't mind the lack of functionality and storage inherent in all Chromebooks, then this product offers a lot of value for the price.

Running the Chrome OS, it's an easy-to-use device that will get you online quickly. It also has more ports than your average Chromebook, and thanks to the built-in card reader, you can easily upload your files to the cloud or an external storage device.

If you're looking for a budget 2-in-1 laptop that doesn't sacrifice much in the way of specs, the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 is a great option, whether you're need a device for school, work, or your regular web surfing and streaming. Our friends over at PCMag (owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) are big fans of the Chromebook Spin 514, citing its AMD Ryzen processor, battery life, build quality, and overall value for your money as highlights.

AMD's Ryzen line of CPUs is no joke — more often than not, they're used to power high-end gaming rigs, so you can imagine the amount of processing power you'll get out of it when it's housed in a budget-level Chromebook. On top of speed and power, the Spin 514 also impresses in the battery life department, offering about 13 hours of use on a single charge. Don't think that this Chromebook is cheaply made just because it's inexpensive, by the way. The quality of its construction is actually really great for the price, so you won't have to worry about accidentally snapping it in half when converting between its two modes (yes, it's a 2-in-1, so you're getting a laptop and a tablet for under $500).

Just note that the computer doesn't come with a stylus, and you're not getting the best storage format (eMMC versus the usual SSD you'd find in a Chromebook).