Best laptops under $500 and links to buy them

Dell Chromebook 11 ($350)

When it comes to Chromebooks, it’s hard to argue that this 11-inch option from Dell isn’t one of the best options. Even the upgraded version — which includes 4GB of RAM, an Intel Core i3 processor, and 16GB of SATA SSD storage — is available from Dell for a mere $330. Chrome OS may not be an ideal option for some, but it’s the perfect blend of productivity and simplicity for students, with an affordable price to match. Read our full review here.

Available from:

AMAZON DELL

Acer Aspire E5 ($360)

If Windows is more your speed, Acer’s Aspire E5 strikes an appealing balance between price and performance. The heavily customizable machine can be built around an Intel Core i3 and i5 processor, or AMD A-Series chips without breaking $500, and comes outfitted with 4GB of RAM standard. Unfortunately, the 15.6-inch display is only available with either 1366 x 768-pixel resolution or a glossy 1600 x 900, but makes up for it with a 500GB hard drive and solid connectivity options. Read our full review here.

Available from:

AMAZON BEST BUY

Acer Chromebook 15 ($346)

If you want the simplicity of Chrome OS with the pleasures of a larger screen, the Acer Chromebook 15 offers a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display for under $500. Like the Dell, the Chromebook 15 boasts an Intel Core i3-5005U and a dual-core chip with a 2GHz base clock, along with 4GB of RAM and SSD storage. It offers plenty of space for the keyboard, too, and minimalist construction that looks and feel great. Read our full review here.

Available from:

AMAZON BEST BUY

Lenovo G50 ($380)

Lenovo wins points by shooting straight down the middle with the G50. You won’t find a fancy 360-degree hinge or flashy colors, but instead a serious laptop with decent performance and above-average storage and RAM. It’s powered by a quad-core AMD A8-6410 CPU, backed by 6GB of RAM, and integrated Radeon R5 graphics for gaming performance without the power or financial weight.

Available from:

AMAZON BEST BUY

HP Stream 13 ($230)

Chrome OS may not be the right choice for some users, and for them, HP makes a Windows laptop that touts the same low price. The 13.3-inch display offers 1,366 x 768-pixel resolution, and moreover, ample power via the Intel Celeron processor and 2GB of RAM. It also includes 200MB of free 4G data each month for the life of the device, which helps make the $229 price tag that much more appealing. Read more here.