As much as we all might want to buy the most powerful laptops around, it’s not always feasible on a budget. When it comes to sub-$500 laptops, it’s especially important to be smart about your choices. Realistically, you’ll need to make some compromises, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck shopping the bargain bin. It’s entirely possible to get a great laptop with reliable performance on a budget. Plus, cheaper laptops usually come with a silver-lining—their low-powered processors generally translate into better battery life.
Within this budget range, it’s best to stick with Windows machines containing Intel Core i3 or i5 processors or less-expensive Chromebooks. We have tested a number of inexpensive laptops and know their pros and cons. Our favorites are listed here. Not all budget laptops need to be a standard clamshell design either, we’ve included our favorite inexpensive tablets and convertibles in this list as well.
It’s that time of the year again—back to school time. We’ve got you covered with our roundup of best back to school deals. Check out our list of best laptops for some additional suggestions if you are able to stretch a bit more. See our…
