Laptops under $500

This HP Stream has the flexibility to meet all the different reasons you may need your laptop, switching easily between work and play modes. If you work hard and play harder, then this is the laptop for you. The HP Stream is fully personalizable, in both its design and features, with the ability to choose which of the vibrant colors you would like, giving you the ability to tailor this to your individual style. On top of this, you can also customize the amount of RAM that your laptop has, which can cater your laptop towards your own individual needs, from fulfilling basic tasks to using demanding software applications. If audio is high on your list of demands, the Stream's front facing speakers and Studio Sound give you a HD experience for your ears, giving the optimum experience for playing games, watching videos and for editing software. To top it off, the HP Stream comes in a sleek design that is sure to suit every lifestyle, with a light build that is easy to transport and use easily.

Looking for a proficient and mobile laptop wrapped up into a stylish package? Look no further than the HP Notebook 14 to satisfy your needs. The reliable performance begins with the 1.5GHz AMD E dual-core processor with 4GB of RAM that allows you to easily handle the essential tasks such as surfing the internet, checking your email, sharing on social media and other web-based activities. On top of keeping you connected, the black laptop looks fantastic with its polished all-around design. When it comes to visual quality, the 14-inch SVA display offers HD resolution that makes streaming media and interacting with apps an immersive experience. What's more is that the ultrathin body frame weighs a measly 1.75kg, so you won't even notice it after you slip it into your bag. The battery life lasts up to 6 hours without needing to recharge, allowing you to conveniently take the notebook with you for extended periods of time.

Frequent travelers, students, or casual internet surfers are going to fall head over heels when it comes to the beautifully competent Samsung Chromebook 3. 11.6-inches of pure bliss, the Chromebook 3 offers glorious graphics and impeccable clarity, with hard-working hardware that'll make tasks a breeze to do and complete. Serious battery life means you can take this little beauty wherever, whenever, and the LED backlight ensure late night scrolling doesn't have to suffer. There's more to discuss, though, with a resilient keyboard that's spill-resistant, a useful webcam and speakers for optimal Skype calls and video chatting, and a Chrome OS so that you can easily connect to your Google account and get straight to work. All in all, you get stunning visuals, attractive colors and clean lines, portability and a reliable Chromebook that makes work or play and absolute dream. Ideal for students, school or work with a light workload.

Students, office workers, and casual browsers will fall in love with this cute little powerhouse. However, don't be fooled by the cuteness. This HP Chromebook's design and specs shows that it can cope with demand while looking fantastic. The Intel® Celeron® processor 2 means that you get a fast laptop that won't struggle to multi-task, and your battery life will last, too. For those that get a lot of use from video chats, there are some high-quality visuals involved here, and for Google Hangouts or Skype, there's plenty of viewing angle. What's more, the lovely bonus of noise suppression software means that you get little in the way or background noise. The Intel® HD Audio delivers sound quality that's clear and free from distortion, and the visual from its HD screen are lively and perfectly animated. For low-demand tasks like Facebook or Twitter scrolling you'll get maximum speed, and for more labor-intensive jobs it's not going to struggle either. It's a tank that hides its power in design.

Chromebooks are renowned for a reason. Speedy, modern and ideal for lightwork loads, this line of laptop is simple but super effective and impressive. From note taking to sharing videos with your friends, the ASUS Chromebook is great for writing essays, keeping on top of your workloads and staying connected. This laptop can meet all your demands while looking fantastic, too. Rugged, durable, portable - the Chromebook can withstand knocks and drops but also offers an easy to grip design, limiting accidents from happening. Ideal for those who are clumsy and need a laptop to withstand their accident-prone tendencies. Plus, with its all-new 180-degree hinge, you can fully open out your laptop for easy viewing, which is super handy for group projects (or easy Netflix sessions). If you're a student who is need of a laptop that isn't going to rob you blind but also ensure you can work to the best of your ability, then look no further. With an ultra-modern design and all the features you need, the ASUS Chromebook Celeron is your perfect partner in crime.

The Lenovo N23 Chromebook is a reliable educational tool made to ease the lives of students. The processor is powerful enough that students can breeze through several applications at once and quickly access all their files, while the flash storage allows for fast loading times. The Chrome Operating System is a modern and secure foundation that provides the basis of collaboration and digital learning. Whether you're taking notes or simply browsing the web, the optional multitouch display enhances the overall feel of the Chromebook. The laptop features a built-in handle, lightweight frame and thin design that allows you to easily carry it around. After a hard day's work, you'll be glad that the screen is equipped with the latest in anti-glare technology, which drastically reduces eye strain. Durability was a clear design emphasis as seen with the reinforced ports and hinges, mechanically-anchored keys, sealed touchpad, non-slip grip and water-resistant keyboard makes it durable enough to survive the physical bumps and bruises of student life.

Designed for student but perfect for professionals, this is a tough laptop indeed. The optional touchscreen can be useful if you select this option, with its multitouch display that makes app management much easier. Even if you skip over the touchscreen, you're still left with a good sized screen that's in HD and comes with a cool backlight. With portability in mind, it's no wonder that this laptop is light and slim, but that doesn't have a negative effect on either power or durability. This is one tough laptop, but it's powered by some Intel® processors and great onboard Intel® HD Graphics so it's got the power to keep you going through work or play. The perfect finishing touch is the Intel® HD Audio which will make your Spotify sound flawless or your YouTube videos sound as crisp as imaginable. Whether it's for getting down to your homework, starting a new online lesson plan, or kicking back with Reddit, this laptop will do the job and do it well.

After a laptop with incredible speed and durability? You can't go wrong with the DELL Chromebook 3120 11.6, that's for sure. Built with a powerful CPU (Intel Celeron N2840), this DELL Chromebook is a workhorse that is sure to impress. Combine its weighty and impressive features with its rugged charm, and you're onto a winner. The DELL Chromebook 3120 11.6 is sturdy and although looks like a typical laptop, offers the impressive feature of being waterproof - not many laptops can offer this - making it an ideal choice for those who may be accident prone. Complete with a remarkable 11.6 inch screen that's also HD, feel free to indulge in Netflix and enjoy your favorite shows and films in perfect clarity, and with its long battery life, you can continue to watch without worrying about being far away from a plug socket. Therefore, if you are seeking a laptop that is for work and pleasure, the DELL Chromebook 3120 11.6 benefits from no internal fans (making it incredibly quiet), beautiful and vivid visuals, and a design that exudes practicality and durability.

This laptop is designed to pack a punch in both its design and its power. Its slim and yet hardy design means that durability is never sacrificed for good looks, with its aluminum alloy surfaces giving the laptop a sleek and exciting look that is also prepared for every eventuality. This laptop can still re-energize your lifestyle, with 12 hours of battery life meaning that you can stay out for longer and scrap the stress of carrying a portable charger with you. Be prepared for all of your business meetings with the Chromebook's low reflection anti-glare screen and Full HD resolution, allowing you to make presentations with a difference, and in any lighting conditions. Additionally, Quick Sync Video technology means that you can edit and share videos in a flash, giving you enhanced connectivity that will enhance all of your business and design needs for the future. Easy to use and a fantastic companion.

After a vibrant, fun, light, and sleek laptop with a difference? The HP Stream is a colorful and smooth laptop that offers any user the basics and great functionality. This laptop is hard-working, well-designed, and comes with the all-familiar Windows 10. At a thin 18.4mm and lightweight 2.6lbs, this 11-inch notebook is easily portable, so you can take it to lectures, business meetings or to the local café for the day. With Intel processors, you can enjoy a reliable performance without having to worry about performance issues; plus, you are able to enjoy your favorite films and TV shows in HD display and amazing picturesque clarity. The battery means you don't have to worry about being unplugged for too long, the DTS Sound + Audio means you can enjoy dynamic sound, and there's a selection of bright and vibrant colors for you to choose from, so the color scheme of your laptop matches your personality.

Enhancing the learning experience every step of the way, the HP Chromebook 11 G5 makes for an all-around reliable choice for students. The laptop-style Chromebook is equipped with enough power to easily juggle multiple programs and enough storage to manage the wealth of applications with ease. The multi-touch touchpad and optional touchscreen gives students access to an entirely new arsenal of innovative touch-enabled apps to expand the learning experience. The lightweight frame and 11.5 hours of battery charge allow you to freely take the Chromebook everywhere from the library and park to the daily commute and around the house without any worry or hassle. The collaboration doesn't stop when you leave school, however, as the webcam, 180º hinge design and background noise suppression allow for sharp video and audio clarity while interacting through Google Hangouts. Durability is one of the main calling cards of the HP Chromebook 11 G5 as the co-moulded rubber edges and spill-resistant keyboard have been implemented to handle the unpredictable life of a student.

Sleek, powerful, and easy to use, this Chromebook is truly spectacular. Created for those who move around a lot and are in need of casual internet surfing and light workloads, the C300SA can easily slide into your carry bag and work for hours on end with thanks to its insane battery life of 15 hours. You'll find that this particular ASUS Chromebook is made with comfort and mobility in mind, from the full-size, one-piece chiclet keyboard to the best Wi-Fi connectivity imaginable. Its stylish look is also a major selling point for the C300SA, with the chance to add your own personality and tastes when selecting the color of your Chromebook. You can choose from the full-bodied Hot Red, enjoy a calming Fresh Blue or opt for the chic brushed texture of Cool Black. Whether you're sitting at home in the dark, working hard in the office, or watching videos in the park, this is an immersive Chromebook that loads up on features so that you can max-out on productivity and entertainment.

Professionals who work online will love nothing more than an Acer Chromebook. Notorious for their high performance and impressive durability, this Chromebook is a wonder to look at and use. Sleek corners and a beautiful white coloring make this laptop ultra-modern. Ideal for students and professionals alike, this is the perfect companion for those who do a lot of web browsing, streaming content, or video calling their friends. The Acer has an Intel Celeron N3060 dual-core processor which can easily handle any online application and allows speedy surfing of the internet. You also get a compact 11.6 inch HD display that'll make viewing your content a breeze and joy. Plus, because you don't have a heavy operating system in the background, you also get a long battery life with up to 10 hours of use from a single charge. The Acer Chromebook 11 CB3 is just what you need if you like to spend time in Cyberspace.

The HP Chromebook x360 11 G1 was made to get the most out of your education. Built with today's students in mind, the 2-in-1 Education Edition has been optimized for every style of learning with the interchangeable ability to type, write, touch, capture and draw. The 11.6-inch display has a resolution of 1366x768 and is equipped with touch capabilities and intuitive pen technology to further improve productivity and efficiency. Various modes allow you to effectively take notes, create visuals, collaborate with others and present your ideas in an easy-to-use package. The robust Chrome Operating System is a low-maintenance experience that makes productivity and security its top priorities. The co-moulded industrial rubber maximizes protection throughout the day and beyond, while the keyboard has been proofed to resist minor spills. The 12-hour battery life is convenient for those days that never seem to end, whereas the ultrathin frame makes for an overall convenient carry. The HP Chromebook x360 11 is the essential classroom mate to take the digital learning experience to the next level.

Even geniuses need a great connection to the digital world, and the HP Stream can help make every student feel like a mastermind with its accessible and responsive design. Catered towards a number of student activities such as note-taking, essay-writing and research, the HP Stream is powered towards reliability, with enough memory that you can even conduct all these activities at once. The 1366 x 768 pixel resolution is also perfect for students and professionals alike, providing a clean and crispy interface through which they can work and study without interruption. For a simple computer with added elegance, the HP Stream is a great option, and its modest size makes it completely portable, ready to be squashed between scraps of homework. Not only this, but its sturdy design is completely prepared for the mishaps of student life, ensuring that the student in your life will always have a reliable source from which they can work, no matter what they throw at it.

The HP Stream is a fun, nimble, and colorful laptop for those who need a basic workstation that allows them to complete tasks such as completing homework and watching their favorite shows and films. Designed in a vibrant purple color, this laptop is the life of the party when it comes to coloring and design: smooth, rounded corners, vivid purple exterior, and beautifully modern white keys - this laptop is a loud and vivacious machine. While the Stream is by no means a powerhouse, this machine can complete the most basic of tasks, and complete them well. Designed with simplicity in mind, the Stream is ideal for high school students or those who needs a laptop for the sake of internet surfing, streaming, long battery life, and portability. With a standard 4GB of RAM, this laptop offers all the features you want, without slowing you down and causing you issue.