Best Laptops under $500 to Buy in August 2025
HP 14 Laptop, Intel Celeron N4020, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB Storage, 14-inch Micro-edge HD Display, Windows 11 Home, Thin & Portable, 4K Graphics, One Year of Microsoft 365 (14-dq0040nr, Snowflake White)
- ULTRA-PORTABLE DESIGN: 6.5MM BEZEL FOR MAXIMUM SCREEN EXPERIENCE!
- ENJOY VIBRANT VISUALS ON A 14-INCH HD DISPLAY WITH NO DISTRACTIONS.
- ALL-DAY PERFORMANCE WITH INTEL CELERON: POWER MEETS EFFICIENCY!
HP Stream 14" HD BrightView Laptop, Intel Celeron N4120, 16GB RAM, 288GB Storage (128GB eMMC + 160GB Docking Station Set), Intel UHD Graphics, 720p Webcam, Wi-Fi, 1 Year Office 365, Win 11 S, Silver
- 1-YEAR WARRANTY: UPGRADE CONFIDENTLY WITH OUR 1-YEAR WARRANTY PROTECTION.
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE: 16GB RAM AND INTEL CELERON FOR SMOOTH MULTITASKING.
- BONUS DOCKING STATION: COMES WITH 7-IN-1 DOCK FOR ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY!
HP 15.6 inch Laptop, HD Touchscreen Display, AMD Ryzen 3 7320U, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, AMD Radeon Graphics, Windows 11 Home in S Mode, Natural Silver, 15- fc0099nr
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ULTRA-FAST SSD & RAM: BOOST PERFORMANCE WITH 128GB SSD & 8GB RAM.
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INTUITIVE TOUCHSCREEN: TOUCH, SWIPE, AND CONTROL WITH HD CLARITY.
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ENHANCED PRIVACY FEATURES: PHYSICAL CAMERA SHUTTER & MICROPHONE MUTE FOR SECURITY.
HP 16GB RAM Laptop with Free Microsoft 365 | 1.2TB Storage (256GB Hard Drive and 1TB Cloud) | Intel 4-Core | Windows 11 | Lightweight Design | Slim & Powerful | No Earbuds
- BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY WITH MICROSOFT 365'S SMART ASSISTANCE TOOLS!
- ENJOY ULTRA-WIDE VIEWING ON A STUNNING 14 HD MICRO-EDGE DISPLAY.
- SEAMLESSLY MULTITASK WITH POWERFUL INTEL CELERON PERFORMANCE.
Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop | 15.6" Full HD | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core | AMD Radeon Graphics | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB NVMe SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Windows 11 Home
- SLEEK AND LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN FOR EFFORTLESS TRAVEL AND STYLE.
- POWERFUL AMD RYZEN 3 PROCESSOR FOR FAMILY-FRIENDLY PRODUCTIVITY.
- STUNNING 15.6 FULL HD DISPLAY FOR VIBRANT VISUALS AND CLARITY.
HP Chromebook 14 Laptop, Intel Celeron N4120, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB eMMC, 14" HD Display, Chrome OS, Thin Design, 4K Graphics, Long Battery Life, Ash Gray Keyboard (14a-na0226nr, 2022, Mineral Silver)
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ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE: 14 HOURS FOR WORK OR BINGE-WATCHING SHOWS!
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LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE: PERFECT FOR HOME, SCHOOL, AND TRAVEL.
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4K READY WITH POWERFUL INTEL GRAPHICS FOR STREAMING AND GAMING!
Dell Inspiron 3530 Laptop - 15.6-inch FHD (1920x1080) Display, Intel Core i3-1305U Processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Carbon Black
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY: CONNECT ALL YOUR DEVICES EFFORTLESSLY WITH MULTIPLE PORTS.
- COMFORTABLE TYPING: SPACIOUS KEYPADS AND ERGONOMIC DESIGN ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY.
- EYE-FRIENDLY VIEWING: ENJOY LONG SCREEN TIME WITH TUV-CERTIFIED BLUE LIGHT REDUCTION.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook, 15.6” FHD Display, Intel Celeron N4500, 8GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, 1920x1080 px, 720p Camera, Chrome OS, Abyss Blue
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SEAMLESS MULTITASKING & PERFORMANCE ON THE GO TOP PERFORMANCE FOR WORK AND PLAY, IDEAL FOR THE BUSY LIFESTYLE.
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VIBRANT 15.6 FHD DISPLAY FOR IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE ENJOY CRISP IMAGES AND SHARP DETAILS FOR AN ENHANCED VISUAL JOURNEY.
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ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE FOR UNINTERRUPTED USAGE WORK AND PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS, FEATURING UP TO 10 HOURS OF POWER.
HP Portable Laptop (Include 1 Year Microsoft 365), 14’’ HD Display, 16GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, Intel Quad-Core N4120, Student and Business, Webcam, HDMI, Wi-Fi, RJ-45, Windows 11 Home, Grayish Blue
- BOOST PRODUCTIVITY WITH 16GB RAM FOR SEAMLESS MULTITASKING.
- EXPERIENCE FAST BOOT-UP WITH UPGRADED 64GB EMMC STORAGE.
- ENJOY WINDOWS 11 HOME FOR THE LATEST FEATURES AND SECURITY.
HP Stream 14" HD BrightView Laptop, Intel Celeron N4120, 16GB RAM, 416GB Storage (128GB eMMC + 288GB Docking Station Set), Intel UHD Graphics, 720p Camera, Wi-Fi, 1 Year Office 365, Win 11 S, Gold
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UPGRADED PERFORMANCE: ENJOY 16GB RAM & 416GB STORAGE FOR SEAMLESS MULTITASKING.
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VIBRANT DISPLAY: EXPERIENCE STUNNING VISUALS WITH A 14 HD BRIGHTVIEW SCREEN.
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BONUS ACCESSORIES: COMES WITH A 7-IN-1 DOCK & 32GB MICROSD FOR EXTRA STORAGE.
Finding the best laptop deals under $500 can be a thrilling yet challenging task. Whether you're a student, a professional on a budget, or simply someone looking for an affordable tech upgrade, this price range offers various options that balance performance and cost. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essentials of choosing the perfect laptop under $500, along with tips on what to look for in this price segment.
Understanding Your Needs
Before diving into the specs and features, it's crucial to define what you need from your laptop. Are you looking for a device for basic tasks such as web browsing, streaming, and document editing? Or do you require something that can handle more intensive applications like light photo editing or casual gaming? Knowing your primary use-case will help narrow down your options.
Key Features to Consider
1. Processor
In the under $500 category, you’ll often find laptops equipped with Intel's Core i3 or AMD's Ryzen 3 processors. While these may not match the power of higher-end models, they are typically sufficient for everyday tasks. If your budget slightly extends, keep an eye out for occasional discounts on Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processors, which can offer better performance.
2. RAM
For smooth multitasking, aim for at least 8GB of RAM. Many budget laptops come with 4GB, which might suffice for light usage, but 8GB is more future-proof and handles multiple applications with ease.
3. Storage
Storage is another critical consideration. Most laptops under $500 will feature either a 256GB SSD or a 1TB HDD. While SSDs offer faster data access speeds and improved performance, they come in smaller capacities at this price point. Decide on your priority: speed or storage capacity.
4. Display
Look for a laptop with at least a Full HD (1920x1080) display. This will ensure clearer images and better overall viewing experience. Screens in this range typically measure around 15 inches, which provides a good balance between usability and portability.
5. Battery Life
Battery life is essential, especially if you plan to use your laptop on the go. Many affordable laptops now offer a battery life of around 5 to 8 hours, which should be ample for a full day’s work or study.
Build Quality and Design
While under $500, don’t expect premium materials like aluminum or carbon fiber, you can still find laptops with decent build quality. Pay attention to user reviews regarding the durability and functionality of the keyboard and trackpad. A lightweight design can also be beneficial if portability is important for you.
Warranty and Support
Ensure that the laptop you choose comes with at least a one-year warranty. Many manufacturers extend additional support services, which can be an added benefit, especially if you're unfamiliar with troubleshooting technical issues.
Expanding Your Budget
If you find that the options under $500 do not quite meet your specifications, you might want to consider slightly extending your budget. Check out our guide on Affordable Laptops Under $1000 for more robust options.
Conclusion
Navigating the world of budget laptops requires a balance between features, performance, and price. By focusing on the key aspects such as the processor, RAM, storage, and build quality, you can find a laptop that meets your needs without breaking the bank. Remember, assessing your primary usage and considering future requirements can lead to a more satisfactory purchase.
For more specialized needs, such as video editing, you might want to explore premium options. Visit our detailed article on Laptop Deals for Video Editing for recommendations.
By making informed decisions, you’ll ensure that your investment in a budget-friendly laptop will pay off with satisfying performance and longevity.