If you think that you'll be compromising when your laptop budget is under C$500, then you might be pleasantly surprised. This price range has become even more impressive in recent years, and that's due to several factors. Manufacturers know that laptops even ten years old can still do pretty much everything newer laptops can, whilst the demands that software places on our machines is either staying the same or even getting lighter. Cloud computing, where the software is running on servers rather than on your laptop are becoming the norm. Word processing, graphic design many of the things our computers would have to grunt for is now done by services such as Outlook, Word, Google Docs and Photopea on their servers. So you simply don't need that much processing power, memory or storage [Google Drive, Onedrive, DropBox anyone?].

A decade ago a budget laptop would have meant heavy, bulky and most likely ugly devices to choose from. No more. In large part due to cheap but slick and high quality Chinese brands in places such as Amazon, the old guard has had to step up. which is great news for all of us. What was considered premium just a few years ago is now standard in this price bracket including find sleek designs, decent battery life, and screens that don't make you squint. That means you'll have a vast choice when it comes to both the value you can get and the variety of uses you can put your laptop to.

Certain specialized tasks will still require higher-end hardware, such as professional video production, advanced 3D modeling, and high-end gaming, so if these are essential to you, you'll need to consider spending more. For most people though, the capabilities available at this price point are genuinely impressive.

1. What is your new laptop for?

Know your primary purpose, say studying for you English undergraduate degree, as well as you secondary ones such as watching Netflix in your student accommodation or creating Instagram posts for fun.

Once you've figured out what these are you can be more precise about what your essential needs from a new C$500 laptop are

2. What does it need to do? (Essential Needs)

Once you have a firm idea of how you'll be using your laptop, it's time to start looking closer at the best laptops under C$500. There are some brilliantly competent all-rounders in this price range, but you will need to look closer at the tech side of things. You don't have to become a hardware expert, but understanding what you're looking for on the product descriptions can be very useful for narrowing down your options.

The good news is that baseline specifications have improved significantly. Many laptops in this range now come with 8GB of RAM as standard, which was once a premium feature. SSDs have become far more common, meaning faster boot times and snappier performance. Screens have better resolution, processors are more efficient, and battery technology has advanced. All of this means you're getting more laptop for your money than ever before.

What You Can Do with a laptop under 500?

Now for the good news. If you're not looking for a professional creative workstation or gaming powerhouse, laptops under C$500 in 2025 are remarkably capable machines. The improvements in technology mean that everyday computing tasks are smoother and more enjoyable than ever. Here's what you can confidently expect your laptop to handle.

Everyday Computing

The standard activities that most people use their laptops for work brilliantly on machines under C$500. Browsing the web, checking emails, using social media, streaming Netflix or Disney+, working with Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, and general productivity tasks are all completely seamless.

Modern budget laptops handle multiple browser tabs without breaking a sweat. You can have dozens of tabs open, stream music in the background, and write a document simultaneously without noticeable slowdown. SSDs, which are now common in this price range, make everything feel snappy and responsive. Apps open quickly, files load fast, and the overall experience is genuinely pleasant.

If these everyday tasks represent the majority of your laptop use, you'll find that laptops under C$500 are not just adequate—they're actually excellent. The money you save by not overspending on unnecessary power can go toward other things you actually need.

Video Conferencing and Remote Work

The shift to remote and hybrid work has made video conferencing essential, and laptops under C$500 handle this remarkably well. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and other platforms run smoothly. Most laptops in this range now come with decent webcams and microphones, though you might want to invest in external peripherals if you're constantly on calls.

The combination of adequate processors, sufficient RAM, and good connectivity means you can participate in video calls while taking notes, sharing your screen, and having other applications running in the background. This would have been challenging for budget laptops a few years ago, but it's now standard functionality.

Battery life has also improved, meaning you can take calls without being tethered to a charger. Many laptops in this range offer six to eight hours of real-world battery life, which is more than enough for a typical working day.

Student Needs

If you're heading off to college or university, a laptop under C$500 can be an excellent choice. You'll be able to write essays, research online, attend virtual lectures, collaborate on group projects, and manage your coursework without any issues. The key is choosing a durable machine that can withstand the student lifestyle.

Modern laptops are generally better built than their predecessors, with sturdier hinges and more robust construction. You'll still want to be careful, but they're not as fragile as budget laptops once were. Look for models with good reviews regarding build quality.

The laptop that's best for you will depend on your area of study as much as your budget. Engineering students may need more power than those studying humanities, for example. Check the system requirements recommended by your university and course. For most students though, particularly those in non-technical subjects, a laptop under C$500 will serve you well throughout your degree.

Battery life is crucial for students. You don't want your laptop dying halfway through a lecture when you're taking notes. Look for models offering at least six hours of real-world battery life, and always read user reviews rather than trusting manufacturer claims, which tend to be optimistic.

Content Consumption and Streaming

If you enjoy watching films, TV shows, YouTube videos, or streaming content, laptops under C$500 are perfect for this. Screens have improved significantly, with most offering Full HD resolution and decent color reproduction. While they might not match premium displays, they're more than adequate for entertainment.

Sound quality varies more, so if audio is important to you, look for laptops with good speaker reviews, or plan to use headphones or external speakers. Many budget laptops have surprisingly decent speakers now, but some are still tinny and lack bass.

The portability of modern laptops means you can watch content anywhere in your home, or take your entertainment with you when traveling. With improved battery life, you can easily watch several films on a single charge.

Office Work and Productivity

Whether you're working with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or alternative productivity suites, laptops under C$500 handle these tasks with ease. Word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email management, and calendar scheduling all work perfectly smoothly.

For small business owners or freelancers, these laptops can serve as capable work machines. You can manage your business, communicate with clients, create documents and proposals, and handle administrative tasks without any issues. Many laptops in this price range now come with Windows 11 Pro options or can be upgraded, giving you the professional features you might need.

Screen size is worth considering if you're spending long hours working. Larger screens make it easier to work with multiple windows side by side, though they do sacrifice some portability. Think about how you'll be working most often.

Bookkeeping and Accounting

Most accounting and bookkeeping software runs beautifully on laptops under C$500. Applications like QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, FreshBooks, and Wave have relatively modest system requirements. These programs are designed to be accessible, which means they don't demand cutting-edge hardware.

If you're running a small business or managing your personal finances, these laptops will handle your bookkeeping needs comfortably. The 8GB of RAM that's now common in this price range is more than enough for accounting software, even with multiple browser tabs and other applications running simultaneously.

Storage is worth considering, because while the software itself isn't large, you'll be accumulating financial records and documents over time. Look for laptops with at least 256GB of storage, and consider cloud backup solutions to keep your financial data safe.

If you spend long hours on bookkeeping tasks, prioritize getting a comfortable keyboard and a screen size that lets you see your data clearly without straining.

Light Photo Editing

While professional graphic design might be challenging, light to moderate photo editing is perfectly viable on laptops under C$500. Applications like GIMP, Photopea, Pixlr, and even lighter versions of Adobe Lightroom can run acceptably on modern budget laptops.

You can crop, adjust colors, apply filters, and do basic retouching without issues. The main limitation is color accuracy, but for social media posts, personal projects, or amateur photography, the screens are adequate. If you need precise color work, you can always connect an external monitor.

Many people successfully edit photos from their smartphones on these laptops, preparing images for Instagram, Facebook, or personal websites. The experience might not be as smooth as on a high-end machine, but it's completely functional for casual use.

The good news is that web-based editing tools have become increasingly powerful. You can use browser-based editors that don't require installation or high-end hardware, giving you flexibility and decent performance.

Casual and Indie Gaming

The gaming situation for budget laptops has actually improved considerably. While you still can't play the latest AAA games at high settings, there's an enormous library of games that run perfectly well. Indie games, older titles, strategy games, and many popular multiplayer games are all accessible.

Games like Minecraft, Terraria, Stardew Valley, Hollow Knight, Slay the Spire, and countless other beloved titles run smoothly on integrated graphics. Many popular esports titles like League of Legends, Dota 2, CS2 (on lower settings), and Valorant are optimized to run on modest hardware.

Cloud gaming has also changed the landscape entirely. Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce NOW, and Amazon Luna let you stream demanding games to your budget laptop, as long as you have a decent internet connection. This means you can technically play almost any game, even on modest hardware.

If you're willing to adjust graphics settings and manage expectations about frame rates, you might even play some older AAA games. Titles from a few years ago that were once demanding can now run on modern integrated graphics.

Web Development and Programming

For aspiring developers and programmers, laptops under C$500 can be excellent learning machines. Most programming doesn't require high-end hardware. You can write code, run local development servers, use Git, and learn web development, Python, JavaScript, or other languages without any problems.

Text editors and IDEs like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or Atom run perfectly well. You can learn React, Node.js, Django, or any other modern framework. Browser development tools work smoothly, and you can test your projects locally without issues.

The limitations emerge when you're running multiple virtual machines, working with very large datasets, or compiling complex applications. But for learning, building personal projects, and even freelance web development work, these laptops are completely viable.

Many successful developers started on modest machines. What matters most is not the hardware but your dedication to learning and building projects.

Online Learning and Education

With online learning becoming mainstream, laptops under C$500 are well-suited to digital education. Whether you're taking MOOCs, attending virtual classes, watching educational YouTube channels, or using learning platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or Khan Academy, these machines handle it all comfortably.

The combination of decent webcams, adequate processing power, and reliable connectivity means you can engage with educational content effectively. Many budget laptops now have reasonable speakers, making lecture audio clear without needing headphones constantly.

For younger students doing homework and school projects, these laptops provide everything needed. They can write reports, create presentations, research topics, and submit assignments online without any difficulties.

What You Can't Do with a laptop under 500?

While laptops under C$500 can be fantastic for most users, you will have some limitations on what you'll be able to do with your new machine. Here are some of the activities that you will most likely struggle with if you invest in a laptop under C$500.

Professional Video Editing

If you're planning to edit 4K or 8K footage using professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut Pro, you're going to run into performance issues with most laptops under C$500. While basic video editing using simpler tools or online editors might work reasonably well, professional workflows demand more.

Modern video editing requires substantial processing power, dedicated graphics capabilities, and plenty of RAM. You'll need fast storage too, as video files are enormous and you'll be constantly reading and writing data. Professional editors typically work with 16GB of RAM as a minimum, and prefer 32GB or more. The processors in budget laptops, while adequate for many tasks, will struggle with the intensive calculations required for effects, color grading, and rendering.

If video editing is your primary goal, you'll want to look at laptops in a higher price bracket that offer dedicated GPUs, more powerful processors, and the RAM capacity to handle professional software smoothly.

Medium and Large Local AI Models

First off, let me be clear - you CAN run LLMs like Chat GPT, Claude and Gemini from a browser and even their dedicated apps directly from your sub C$500 laptop - no problem at all. That's because they run from the cloud - in other words everything is being processed at their servers.

What we can't do is run those AI models (or models a tenth of their size) locally on your own hard drive. Much more powerful machines can run medium sized models such as Deepseek, Gemma or Meta's Llama model, on your own laptop. The advantage is that your use of a local AI / LLM service is free and unlimited, sometimes even uncensored. But even these medium and larger local versions pale in comparison to the GPT's and Claudes, because they run on immensely powerful servers owned by them.

It is worth noting that small models can run on laptops under C$500, but they are limited to basic chatting, basic knowledge and writing. Additionally they tend to hallucinate a lot more, meaning they can make up answers that dont reflect reality!

High-End Gaming

While the gaming landscape has become more accessible, with cloud gaming services and better optimized titles, you'll still struggle with the latest AAA games on laptops under C$500. Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, or Baldur's Gate 3 demand serious hardware that simply isn't available at this price point.

Gaming laptops need powerful dedicated graphics cards, high refresh rate displays, efficient cooling systems, and robust processors. These components drive costs up considerably, which is why serious gaming laptops typically start well above C$500. You'll also find that gaming-focused machines have larger screens, better speakers, and more sophisticated keyboard designs.

If gaming is your primary reason for getting a laptop, you might want to look at the Choosist list of best gaming laptops and consider saving until your budget allows for a better option. Alternatively, cloud gaming services like GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming can let you play demanding games by streaming them, though you'll need a reliable internet connection.

A laptop under C$500 can handle older games, indie titles, and less demanding games perfectly well. Strategy games, roguelikes, and many popular multiplayer games will run just fine. You just need to be realistic about which games you can play.

Professional Graphic Design and Digital Art

If you're planning to use your new laptop for professional graphic design work, you may need to think carefully about your requirements. While laptops in this price range can run design software, the experience might not be ideal for professional work. Adobe Creative Cloud applications, Affinity Designer, and other professional tools will run, but you may find performance sluggish when working with large files or complex projects.

The main challenges are RAM, which affects how many layers and effects you can work with simultaneously, and color accuracy. Budget laptop screens typically don't offer the color gamut or calibration that professional design work demands. You might create something that looks perfect on your screen, only to find the colors are completely different when printed or viewed on other displays.

That said, if you're learning design or working on smaller projects, many laptops under C$500 will serve you adequately. You can always connect an external monitor with better color accuracy when you need it. Some users in this price range have successfully used their laptops for design work by being mindful of their limitations and working around them.

Resolution is less of a concern than it used to be, as most laptops now offer at least Full HD displays. However, screen quality varies significantly, so it's worth reading reviews to understand how vibrant and accurate the colors are.

Complex 3D Modelling and Animation

There's no getting around the fact that laptops under C$500 will struggle significantly with 3D modeling, animation, and CAD work. Software like Blender, Maya, AutoCAD, or SolidWorks demands substantial computing resources that budget laptops simply don't have.

3D work requires powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and plenty of RAM. When you're manipulating complex models, rendering scenes, or running simulations, your laptop needs to perform millions of calculations. Budget laptops with integrated graphics will find this work painfully slow, if they can do it at all.

For professional 3D work, you'll need dedicated graphics cards like the NVIDIA RTX series or AMD Radeon Pro options. These alone can cost more than an entire budget laptop. If this is your priority, you'll need to look at laptops starting from £1000 and upward, where you can find the workstation-class components necessary for smooth 3D workflows.

Professional Music Production

Professional music production presents unique challenges for budget laptops. While you might think audio work would be less demanding than video or 3D, modern digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Ableton Live, FL Studio, or Logic Pro can be surprisingly resource-hungry, especially when you're working with multiple virtual instruments, effects plugins, and audio tracks.

The main issues are processor speed and RAM. When you're playing back dozens of tracks with various effects applied in real-time, your processor needs to handle all those calculations without glitching or dropping out. Most professional music producers recommend at least 16GB of RAM and a relatively recent processor. Budget laptops typically offer less power, which limits how complex your projects can become.

There's also the question of audio interfaces and connectivity. You'll need reliable USB ports for your audio interface, MIDI controllers, and other peripherals. Some budget laptops are fine for this, but others can have issues with audio latency or connectivity.

If you're just starting out with music production or working on simpler projects, a laptop under C$500 might be adequate. But if you're serious about music production, you'll likely outgrow it quickly and wish you'd invested more from the start.

3. Getting More From Your Budget

When you're buying a budget laptop under C$500, success comes from prioritizing what truly matters to you and making smart compromises elsewhere. The good news is that manufacturers have become much better at offering balanced configurations, so you're less likely to encounter machines with glaring weaknesses. Here's how to maximize your investment.

Operating System Choices

You'll primarily encounter Windows laptops in this price range, which is perfectly fine. Windows 11 is mature, widely supported, and offers excellent compatibility with virtually all software and peripherals. For most users, Windows laptops are the safe, sensible choice.

Chromebooks deserve serious consideration if your computing is mostly web-based. They're fast, secure, and often offer better battery life than Windows laptops at the same price. The trade-off is that you're largely limited to web applications and Android apps. If you can work within those constraints, Chromebooks offer excellent value and a simple, streamlined experience.

MacBooks are out of reach at this price point, so don't worry about that decision. If you desperately want macOS, you'd need to look at used or refurbished older models, which comes with its own set of considerations.

Understanding Processors

Processor choice isn't as critical as it once was for everyday users. Modern processors, even budget options, are remarkably capable for general computing. You'll find Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 3, and AMD Ryzen 5 processors in this price range, all of which handle typical tasks smoothly.

Unless you're planning intensive work, you can often save money by opting for a slightly less powerful processor and investing those savings in more RAM or storage. A laptop with an Intel Core i3 and 8GB of RAM will often feel faster for everyday use than one with a Core i5 and only 4GB of RAM.

If you're primarily browsing the web, streaming content, and using productivity software, even modest processors will serve you well. The processor becomes critical only when you're gaming, editing media, or running demanding applications.

Prioritizing RAM

This is where you shouldn't compromise if you can avoid it. RAM directly affects how smoothly your laptop runs, especially when you have multiple applications open. In 2025, 8GB should be considered the minimum for a comfortable experience. If you find laptops with 4GB of RAM, they'll work, but you'll notice slowdowns when multitasking.

The beauty of modern laptops is that 8GB has become much more common in the under C$500 category. Don't settle for less unless your budget is extremely tight and you truly only do one thing at a time. Those extra gigabytes make a tangible difference to your daily experience.

Some laptops offer upgradeable RAM, which can be an excellent option if you're comfortable opening up your laptop in the future. Starting with 8GB and adding more later gives you a pathway to extend your laptop's useful life.

Storage: SSD

This is perhaps the most impactful choice you'll make. Solid State Drives (SSDs) have become much more affordable and common in recent years, and they transform the user experience. Laptops boot in seconds rather than minutes, applications open instantly, and file transfers are dramatically faster.

Windows: 256GB SSD is the practical minimum for most people. Windows itself, updates, restore points, hibernation and pagefile can easily consume 40–80GB before you install apps. You can run a Windows laptop with 128GB if you are truly cloud‑first and disciplined, but expect to actively manage storage. If you go 128GB, do all of the following:

• Turn on Storage Sense and set Downloads to auto‑clean
• Enable OneDrive/Dropbox "Files on Demand" so files don't sync locally by default
• Move large caches (e.g., Photos/Lightroom libraries) off the system drive
• Keep the system drive ≥20% free to avoid slowdown
• Use a small external SSD or a large cloud tier for media libraries

ChromeOS: 64–128GB is typically fine because ChromeOS and web apps are lean, and cloud usage is assumed.

If possible, prioritize an SSD even if it means accepting less capacity. A 256GB SSD will feel much faster than a 1TB HDD for everyday use. You can always use external storage or cloud services for large files like photos and videos.

Many budget laptops now offer SSDs as standard, which is excellent news. If you encounter a laptop with an HDD, think carefully about whether the trade‑off (usually more storage space or money saved) is worth the performance impact. For most users, the answer is no — SSDs are worth prioritizing.

Screen Considerations

You'll be staring at your laptop screen for hours, so it deserves attention. At this price point, you should expect at least a Full HD (1920×1080) display. Lower resolutions exist but make everything look fuzzy and are harder on your eyes.

Screen size is a personal choice that affects portability. Smaller screens (13-14 inches) are more portable and usually offer better battery life. Larger screens (15-16 inches) are easier to work on but heavier to carry. Think honestly about how you'll use your laptop.

Screen quality varies significantly even at the same resolution. Some displays are bright and vibrant, others are dim and washed out. This is where reading reviews becomes crucial. Users will tell you honestly whether the screen is pleasant to use or disappointing.

Battery Life Reality

Manufacturer battery life claims should be taken with considerable skepticism. They're typically based on ideal conditions that don't reflect real-world use. A laptop claiming 10 hours might deliver 6-7 hours in practice, which is still decent but worth knowing upfront.

Read user reviews to understand actual battery performance. If portability matters to you, prioritize laptops where users consistently report good battery life. If you'll mainly use your laptop at a desk, battery life becomes less critical and you can focus your budget elsewhere.

Battery technology has improved, and many budget laptops now offer genuinely useful battery life. All-day computing isn't universal at this price point, but 6-8 hours of real-world use is increasingly common, which covers most people's needs.

Build Quality and Durability

While premium laptops feel more substantial, budget laptops have improved considerably in build quality. You're less likely to encounter flimsy plastic that creaks and flexes than you would have been a few years ago. Many manufacturers have invested in better materials and construction.

That said, some budget laptops still feel cheap. Reading reviews helps here—users will mention if a laptop feels sturdy or worryingly fragile. If you're rough on your electronics or buying for a student, prioritizing durability makes sense even if it means compromising slightly on specifications.

Business-oriented laptops, even at budget prices, tend to be more robust than consumer models. They're designed for daily professional use and often include better keyboards and more durable construction. If you can find a business laptop within your budget, it's worth considering.

Connectivity and Ports

Modern laptops sometimes sacrifice ports for slimness, which can be frustrating. Check what ports are included—you'll want several USB ports, an HDMI output for external displays, and ideally a headphone jack. USB-C is increasingly common and useful, especially if it supports charging.

If a laptop lacks ports you need, you can use dongles and hubs, but they're an extra expense and hassle. Better to get a laptop with the connectivity you need from the start.

Wi-Fi 6 is becoming standard even in budget laptops, which is good news for connection speed and reliability. Bluetooth is essentially universal, so you can connect wireless headphones, mice, and other peripherals easily.

Touchscreens and 2-in-1 Laptops

Touchscreen options have become more common in the under C$500 price range, giving you interesting choices if this feature appeals to you. Touchscreens make navigation intuitive, particularly if you're used to tablets and smartphones. They're excellent for casual browsing, scrolling through social media, and certain creative tasks.

However, there are still trade-offs to consider:

• Battery Life - Touchscreens consume more power than standard displays. You'll typically lose an hour or two of battery life compared to non-touch models with similar specifications. If you're often away from power outlets, this is worth considering.
• Price Premium - Touchscreen models usually cost £50-100 more than equivalent non-touch versions. This might mean compromising on other specifications like RAM, storage, or processor speed. Think about whether the touchscreen functionality is worth those trade-offs.
• Maintenance - Fingerprints and smudges are inevitable with touchscreens. You'll need to clean your screen regularly to keep it looking decent. This is particularly noticeable if you use your laptop outdoors or in bright environments, where glare highlights every fingerprint.
• Weight - Touchscreens and their necessary reinforced glass add weight. If portability is a priority, this extra weight might be noticeable.

Despite these considerations, touchscreens can enhance your experience significantly if they match your usage patterns. They're particularly useful for students taking notes, casual users who enjoy intuitive navigation, and anyone who wants a more tactile computing experience.

The 2-in-1 laptop market has matured nicely, and you'll find decent options under C$500. These versatile machines convert between laptop and tablet modes, offering flexibility that traditional laptops can't match. They're ideal if you're torn between wanting a laptop and a tablet, as you get both in one device.

When choosing a 2-in-1, you'll encounter two main types:

• Convertibles (Bendbacks) - These have screens that rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to fold the keyboard back and use the device as a tablet. They're excellent if you'll primarily use laptop mode but occasionally want tablet functionality. They typically have better keyboards and more ports than detachables.
• Detachables - These have screens that completely separate from the keyboard base. They're better if you'll use tablet mode frequently, as they're lighter and more convenient as tablets. However, the keyboards are usually less substantial, and they have fewer ports.

For most users, convertibles offer a better balance, but your choice should reflect how you plan to use the device. If you're mainly using it as a laptop with occasional tablet use, go for a convertible. If tablet mode will be your primary usage, consider a detachable.

Screen size and resolution matter more with 2-in-1s since you'll be interacting with the display directly. Look for at least Full HD resolution, and consider whether you want a larger screen (better for laptop mode) or smaller screen (better for tablet mode).

4. Conclusions

Finding the best laptop under C$500 requires balancing competing priorities, but it's far easier than it used to be. The quality floor has risen dramatically—even mediocre laptops in this price range are competent machines. You're less likely to encounter truly bad laptops than you would have been a few years ago.

The key is understanding your needs clearly and choosing specifications that align with them. Don't pay for features you won't use, but don't skimp on things that matter to your daily experience. RAM and storage type (SSD vs HDD) have the most noticeable impact on everyday computing, so prioritize these over processor speeds or advanced features you might never use.

Most importantly, read reviews from actual users. They'll tell you about battery life, build quality, screen quality, and real-world performance in ways that specifications alone cannot. Taking time to research will pay off in finding a laptop that serves you well for years.

Finding the best laptop under C$500 doesn't require expertise, just clarity about your needs and willingness to research your options. If you're still feeling overwhelmed by choices, check out the Choosist recommendations specifically curated to highlight the best options.

Recommendations

Based on the approach we've described, please find quick links to get further details on the best laptops in this price range:

Best laptop overall under 500

• Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 6 21KK00B9UK AMD Ryzen 3 7330U 16GB 256GB SSD 16" W11P
• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Laptop | 15.6 Inch FHD AMOLED Display | Intel Core 3 | 8 GB RAM | 256 GB SSD | Windows 11 | Aluminium Grey| Works with Galaxy Phone & Tab
• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 | 14 inch Full HD Laptop | Intel Core i5-12450H | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD | Windows 11 Home | Abyss Blue
• Dell Latitude 5320 2-in-1 Business Laptop, 13.3" FHD Touchscreen, Intel Core i5-1135G7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, US Keyboard, Windows 11 Pro (Refurbished)

Best Chromebooks under 500

• Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630 15.6" 4K UHD 2-in-1 Touchscreen – i7-8550U (4 Cores, 1.8/4.0GHz), 128GB Storage, 16GB DDR4, Intel UHD Graphics, WIFI 5 & BT 4.2, HD Webcam, UK Keys, Chrome OS
• Samsung Galaxy Chromebook2 360 Laptop, 12.4 Inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB Storage, Celeron - Silver - Official