The 4 Best Laptops Under $500 of 2024

The best laptop under $500 we’ve tested is the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15 (2023), a 15.6-inch Windows ultraportable. For around $500, you can get a model with an Intel Core i3-1315U Processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. While the Core i3 CPU isn’t the fastest processor on the market, it’s relatively new and still plenty fast for general productivity tasks like web browsing, text processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Most people can get by with 8GB of memory; there are configurations with more RAM, though this will push you over the $500 USD price point.

This model feels sturdy despite being all plastic. It has a decent keyboard, a reasonably responsive touchpad, and a 720p or 1080p webcam with a privacy cover, depending on the model. Ports include two USB-As, a full-size HDMI, and a USB-C that supports charging and video output. As for the display, this Core i3 model comes with a 1080p IPS touchscreen panel, although there are also 1080p TN and non-touchscreen IPS panels available, depending on the model you buy. The display looks decently sharp and gets bright enough for use in most indoor settings; it just looks a tad washed out due to its narrow color gamut. The major drawback is its battery life, as it only lasts between six to seven hours for light use.

Our best under-$500 Chromebook pick is the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023). This 14-inch model is a great option for younger students and anyone needing a simple device for light productivity tasks. You can often find the Core i3 configuration (paired with an FHD touch-sensitive display, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage) for $400 to $500 USD on Lenovo's website. There are cheaper models with an N100/N200 CPU and/or 4GB of RAM, but we don't recommend them unless you have an extremely light workload, as they'll get bogged down quickly when multitasking or running more intensive applications.

The Core i3 model's 1080p touch-sensitive display looks sharp and gets bright enough to combat glare in well-lit settings. If you're often on video calls, you'd be happy to know this laptop has an excellent 1080p webcam and clear-sounding microphones. Despite its relatively small 56Wh battery, a full charge gets you around 13 hours of light use or 12 hours of video playback, so you don't have to worry about bringing a charger. Unfortunately, the keyboard feels a little mushy, and the touchpad is small and sometimes unresponsive.

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021) is the best laptop for media consumption we've tested for under $500. It's a Chrome OS tablet with a kickstand and detachable keyboard, similar to Microsoft's popular Surface Pro line. This form factor is very versatile, as you can detach the keyboard to make the device easier to hold as a tablet or to save space, and you can snap it back on when you need to type something. It's easy to carry around thanks to its compact size, and its battery lasts around eight hours of video playback, which is plenty of time for a couple of movies or TV show episodes.

What makes this device great for multimedia is its gorgeous OLED screen. It produces vibrant colors, and the blacks look amazing, like on all OLEDs. The speakers are just okay; they get reasonably loud but sound slightly unnatural with almost no bass. If you want to use headphones, know that the laptop doesn't have a 3.5mm headphone jack, so it's best to go wireless. You don't have to buy the keyboard separately since it comes with the device. The downside is that it doesn't feel particularly comfortable to type on—it's fine for a couple of emails on the go, but better options exist for typing a long essay.

If you're looking for something compact for on-the-go use, we have yet another Lenovo device (Lenovo makes a lot of good budget laptops), the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 (2022). Like the Duet 5 above, this is also a Chrome OS tablet with a kickstand and a detachable type cover keyboard. However, it's an 11-inch model, so it's even more portable. The display is great; it's a sharp 10.9-inch IPS panel that gets bright enough for use in most settings. It supports pen input, though the pen is a separate purchase. 

All models come with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen. 2 SoC, which is fast enough for everyday tasks like simple web browsing, emails, and video playback, but don't expect to edit 4k videos or play AAA games. It's available with 4GB or 8GB of RAM; we recommend the latter option, as you'll get a much smoother experience with fewer stutters and slowdowns. Battery life is fantastic for light use, clocking in around 14 hours. It doesn't last nearly as long for video playback, though, at around 4.5 hours. The port selection is awful; there are only two USB-C ports, one of which you need to use to charge the device.