5 Budget-Friendly Laptops That Cost Less Than $500 in 2024

5 Affordable Laptops You Can Buy For Less Than $500 in 2024

Image credit: Google

Getting a reliable laptop in the digital landscape we live in is a necessity. Students use laptops for their school work and research. They are invaluable to teachers in educating students. Business owners are not left out. As the demand for effective personal technology increases, so does the necessity to find a laptop that strikes the perfect balance between affordability and performance. When it comes down to it, you just want to purchase a laptop that will be efficient for your tasks and still within your budget. Here are 5 laptops that you can purchase for $500 or less:

1. Acer Aspire Go 15 (2024)
2. Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (2024)
3. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 (2022)
4. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook (2022)
5. Acer Aspire 5 (2019)

1. Acer Aspire Go 15 (2024):

Image credit: Acer

If you need an affordable laptop for work or school, then Acer Aspire Go 15 is just what you need. Going at an eye-watering price of $299, it delivers everything you need in a laptop. 
Specifications

• Display: 15.6-inch (1920×1080) 60Hz LCD
• CPU: Intel Core i3-N305
• GPU: Intel UHD graphics 
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR5
• Storage: 128GB UFS (Universal Flash Storage)
• Weight: 3.89 lbs (1.77 kg)

Acer Aspire Go 15 is a Windows 11 laptop with a comfortable keyboard, a useful port array, and a good battery life of up to 10 hours. Though it is a bit slow in performance and has a low-resolution 720p webcam, it is still a great laptop considering the price.

2. Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (2024):

Image credit: Lenovo

With this Chromebook Plus model, you can access Google's AI tools to help you edit images, offer writing suggestions, and do much more. It is up for a price of $499.
Specifications

• CPU: Intel Core i3-1315U
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB eMMC
• Display: 14-inch (1920×1200) IPS touchscreen
• Dimensions: 12.4 × 9 × 0.8 inches
• Weight: 3.57 lbs (1.62 kg)

This Chromebook model has a good performance. Its bright touchscreen and user-friendly keyboard make it easy to work on. Although the average battery span is not that long, about 7 hours, it is generally efficient for tasks that are not time-consuming making it worth every penny of your money.

3. Lenovo Duet 3 (2022):

Image credit: Amazon

This Chrome tablet comes with a detachable keyboard that makes it an effective 2-in-1 Chromebook. Its small size and detachable keyboard make it very portable. It can be bought for $280.
Specifications 

• Display: 11-inches (2000×1200 pixels)
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2
• RAM: 4 - 8GB 
• Storage: 64 - 128GB eMMC
• Dimensions: 10.16 × 6.48 × 0.31 inches
• Weight: 1.2 lbs (0.54 kg) (tablet only)/ 2.1 lbs (0.95 kg)(tablet + cover)

This lightweight tablet has a sharp display and an average battery life of 10 hours. Its various connectivity options facilitate ease of use throughout a busy day. Its good performance and high sound quality make it convenient for use for work, school or casually scrolling through your device.

4. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook (2022):

Image credit: Lenovo 

If you are a gaming enthusiast looking to purchase a budget-friendly gaming laptop then you should go for this Chromebook model which presents an affordable solution without sacrificing performance.  It can be purchased at $429.
Specifications

• CPU: Intel Core i3-1215U 
• Display: 16-inch 2560×1600 non-touch, 120 Hz
• Memory: 8 GB RAM 
• Weight: 4.01 lbs (1.82 kg)
• Storage: 128 GB eMMC
• Dimensions: 14.1 × 9.3 × 0.98 inches

This inexpensive model has fast performance with a high refresh rate and an RGB keyboard with a built-in number pad. Its long battery life of up to 10 hours makes it enjoyable and comfortable for streaming games online. Although it is a bit heavier than its counterparts, its impressive performance and excellent display  offer a satisfying return on investment.

5. Acer Aspire 5 (2019):

Image credit: Gadgets 360

This high-performance laptop has a backlit keyboard and can be purchased for $478.
Specifications 

• Display: 15.6-inch (1920 × 1080) IPS
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
• RAM: 8GB DDR4 Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
• Dimensions: 14.3 × 9.4 × 0.7 inches
• Weight: 3.96 lbs (1.8kg)

With an average battery life of 6 hours and 30 minutes, its efficient performance allows users to engage in casual gaming and general use without compromise.

While these laptops may not possess the advanced capabilities of more premium models, they are adequately equipped to perform the necessary tasks. The combination of budget-friendly pricing and solid performance ensures that there is a suitable option for everyone, ensuring that the technological needs of everyone are met.