Best Laptops Under $500 in 2026
You don't need to spend a fortune to get a solid laptop. Under $500, you can find machines that handle web browsing, documents, streaming, and light productivity without frustrating slowdowns. Here are the best budget picks.
Updated: January 28, 2026
100e/300e/500e Education Chromebooks - 100e Gen 2 / AMD A4 / 4GB RAM / 32GB
A rugged, education-focused 11.6-inch Chromebook. The 100e Gen 2 is built to withstand classroom use with a durable, spill-resistant design. Powered by a basic AMD A4 dual-core processor and 4GB of RAM, its performance is suitable for essential learning applications, web browsing, and document editing on Chrome OS. The 32GB of storage is minimal, intended for cloud-centric workflows. It's a no-frills, durable device designed for affordability and reliability in school environments.
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Chromebook 315 15.6" Laptop (Intel Celeron N4500) - 4GB RAM / 64GB eMMC / FHD
A popular budget 15.6-inch Chromebook that offers a Full HD (1920x1080) IPS display, a significant upgrade over HD models. It runs on an Intel Celeron N4500 processor with 4GB of RAM, which is best for light productivity and media viewing. While multitasking is limited, the FHD screen makes it a great value for watching videos and general web use. The 64GB eMMC storage is standard for this price range. It's a strong choice for users prioritizing display quality on a tight budget.
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Chromebook CX1 14" Laptop - 4GB / 64GB / FHD
A budget-friendly 14-inch Chromebook that offers a significant visual upgrade with its Full HD (1920x1080) display. Powered by an Intel Celeron N4500 processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage, it's best suited for single-tasking activities like web browsing, streaming video, and using cloud-based productivity apps. The FHD screen makes it a much better choice for media consumption than its HD counterpart. Its lightweight design and long battery life make it a solid option for students on a tight budget.
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Chromebook 14 (Intel Celeron N4500) - 4GB RAM / 64GB eMMC
A budget-friendly 14-inch Chromebook featuring the dual-core Intel Celeron N4500 processor. With 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage, this laptop is designed for light productivity, web browsing, and media consumption on Chrome OS. While the dual-core CPU is a step back from the quad-core N4120 in multi-threaded tasks, its newer architecture offers efficiency. The HD display is basic. It's a solid choice for users who need a simple, secure, and affordable laptop for on-the-go tasks.
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IdeaPad Slim 3 14" Chromebook - FHD / Touch
This top configuration of the IdeaPad Slim 3 adds a responsive touchscreen to the 14-inch FHD IPS display, enhancing interactivity with Chrome OS and Android apps. It retains the efficient 8-core MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, excellent battery life, and slim profile of its siblings. While the 4GB of RAM is still a constraint for power users, the touchscreen makes this a more versatile and engaging device for media consumption, browsing, and light productivity, representing great value in the budget category.
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Pavilion 14 Laptop with AMD Ryzen 3 3250U - 8GB RAM / 128GB SSD
A compact and budget-friendly 14-inch laptop for users on the go. It features a sharp Full HD IPS display, which is uncommon at this price point. The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U is an older dual-core processor suitable for light tasks like web browsing, streaming, and document editing. With 8GB of RAM, it can handle moderate multitasking. The 128GB SSD is very small and will fill up quickly, making this best for cloud-centric users or those with minimal storage needs. A good option for a portable, secondary device.
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BTC501 15.6" Laptop - 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD
A budget-friendly 15.6-inch laptop designed for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and document editing. It is powered by an Intel Celeron N5095 quad-core processor, paired with a generous 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, offering a responsive experience for basic use. Notable features for its class include a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader. While capable for light productivity and student work, the Celeron CPU will struggle with demanding applications or heavy multitasking. A solid choice for users seeking value.
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IdeaPad 1 15.6" Laptop (AMD Ryzen 3 7320U) - 8GB / 256GB
A solid budget laptop for students and everyday home use. The AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor, paired with 8GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM, handles multitasking, web browsing, and office applications smoothly. The 256GB SSD provides ample space and quick load times for a machine in this class. The FHD display is adequate, though its TN panel has narrower viewing angles than IPS. A good choice for those needing a reliable machine for productivity without a high price tag.
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Get the AppFrequently Asked Questions
Can a $500 laptop handle everyday tasks?
Absolutely. Modern budget laptops handle web browsing, Office, streaming, and video calls just fine.
What should I prioritize under $500?
An SSD (not HDD), at least 8GB RAM, and a 1080p display. These make the biggest difference in daily use.
Should I buy refurbished?
Refurbished business laptops (ThinkPad, EliteBook) can be excellent value under $500.