As part of the ongoing story, yeah, it’s the wild west out there. One quick Google search and you’re up to your ears in results… most of them pretty underwhelming. Trying to find a good laptop under $500?
According to the latest update, personally, I’d aim for a 1080p screen and at least 8GB of RAM (or up to 16GB if you want to future-proof). That combination should keep everything running smooth enough for the lighter stuff. You may have to skip premium functions at this price, but you’ll still get everything you need for daily use. So, what actually matters here?
As part of the ongoing story, here are our top picks that prove budget laptops don’t have to be terrible.
Industry observers note that pCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of our picks have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget. Why you should trust PCWorld for laptop reviews and buying advice: It’s in our name!
Industry observers note that we know it goes a tad over our $500 cap by $99, but the jump in quality and performance… well, it’s just too good to ignore. It simply doesn’t feel like a budget laptop. If you can stretch your budget just a tiny bit, the MacBook Neo (2026) is easily the best cheap laptop you can buy right now.
In a fresh development, the all-aluminum build feels as premium as more expensive models, and the A18 Pro chip delivers fast, responsive performance for everyday tasks like writing and streaming. In our review, we noted that apps open quickly and multitasking feels smooth. Battery life is another big win, lasting well over a full workday in real-global stage use. The 13-inch Liquid Retina display is also sharp at 2408×1506 resolution and bright at 500 nits–a strong combination at this price point. You’re getting the full MacBook experience.
The report highlights that you don’t get the premium extras like Thunderbolt connectivity or a high-end webcam, but that’s not wholly unsurprising for a laptop at this price point. What really matters is that it feels fast and is well-built. It’s reliable in a way most Windows laptops aren’t. The MacBook Neo is pretty much the complete package as far as budget laptops go.
According to the latest update, read our full.
As part of the ongoing story, apple MacBook Neo review.
In a fresh development, it handles web browsing, streaming, and email like it’s nothing, and the 15.6-inch 1080p screen plus the full-sized keyboard actually make it feel more solid than the price suggests. If you need a laptop that won’t make your wallet cry, the CX15 does the basics really well.
In a fresh development, but try to do too much at once and it’ll start dragging. Battery life’s also fine, a little over 10 hours on a single charge, so you’ll probably get through a full day. Not record-breaking by any means, but it does the job. The Intel Celeron N4500 with 4GB of RAM handles the basics fine–web browsing, streaming, email, all that.
According to the latest update, read our full.
Industry observers note that asus Chromebook CX15 review.
According to the latest update, the Intel Core i5 and 8GB of RAM keep everything zipping along, even with a dozen tabs open and a video call going. If you’re not running Photoshop or playing AAA platform releases, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 absolutely gets the job done.
The report highlights that the webcam’s full HD too, which makes a real difference on Zoom or Google Meet. No weird lag or blurry faces here. It’s lightweight, looks clean with that white finish, and has a 1080p display that’s easy on the eyes.
Industry observers note that it boots fast, stays responsive, and doesn’t run hot or loud. Chrome OS has come a long way, and if you mostly live in a browser, this setup is kind of ideal. The CX34 keeps it simple and just works.
According to the latest update, read our full.
As part of the ongoing story, asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review.
According to the latest update, the idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web-based tests. The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and overall usability.
Industry observers note that for a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.
According to the latest update, while you’ll see me review Chromebooks on occasion, I’m also really into the broader global stage of consumer tech. I spend a lot of time writing and thinking about where laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term trends. When I’m not deep in the global stage of tech, you’ll probably find me tech industry, getting lost in a good book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound, Allen. Hi, I’m Ashley Biancuzzo, and I oversee all laptop and Chromebook coverage at PCWorld.
According to the latest update, do you spring for a basic Chromebook or go for a Windows laptop with more functions? Honestly, it mostly comes down to your lifestyle and what you’re expecting from a laptop under 500 bucks. You’re not gonna get some super-powerful beast at that price, but if you just need something for the basics, there are a lot of decent options out there. Ah, here we are at the billion dollar question.
Industry observers note that i actually use one myself for work (writing, editing, all that) and it does the job just fine. If you travel a lot, it’s worth going for something that’s nice and light — under three pounds, if possible. Still not sure what to get? No big deal, take your time figuring it out. I’ve put together a list of quick buying tips below. Chromebooks, for example, are super budget-friendly and the battery life is awesome.
As part of the ongoing story, performance is fast and reliable, and battery life is surprisingly good at 13+ hours. It doesn’t cut corners in many areas either, a rarity in a budget machine. MacBook Neo (2026) is the best cheap laptop you can get right now, hands-down.
According to the latest update, it’s just plain simple and reliable. If you want a solid Chromebook under $500, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is fast, smooth with tabs and video calls, has a sharp 1080p screen, and a good HD webcam.
As part of the ongoing story, check before you buy if that stuff matters to you. Most laptops under $500 don’t let you upgrade RAM because it’s soldered on, but some do let you swap or add storage.
The report highlights that but Chromebooks are laptops too, they just run Google’s Chrome OS instead of Windows or macOS. So, yeah, all Chromebooks are laptops, but not all laptops are Chromebooks. They’re mostly built for Google apps like Drive and Docs, so they work best when you’re online. When people say “laptop,” they usually mean a PC or a Mac.
The report highlights that if tech industry’s your thing, you’ll probably wanna look at a Windows laptop or a Chromebook designed for cloud tech industry. Both will be more expensive than a basic Chromebook. Most Chromebooks are fine for web platform releases and Android stuff, but that’s about it. With a tech industry Chromebook, you will need to subscribe to a cloud tech industry service such as GeForce Now and have a reliable internet connection. Eh, not really.
As part of the ongoing story, for example, we found that in our tests, Intel’s most recent Iris Xe line of processors with integrated graphics can run some of the most recent platform releases at 1080p and 30fps. Unfortunately this is not the case for all integrated graphics and your mileage may vary drastically with older tech. Yes, some of the most recent processors with integrated graphics can run modern PC platform releases at decent enough settings.
The report highlights that if you’re on a budget or looking for an ultra-thin laptop with integrated graphics you need not worry, you can still system update on. Intel and AMD’s integrated graphics have made huge leaps in recent years with regard to tech industry performance.