It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to buy a solid laptop in 2025. For college students, the average user, or anyone looking for a second device to browse the web, send emails, and use for everyday tasks, there are plenty of affordable options for under $500 that don’t skimp on performance.
With the advancements in processors, lighter-weight operating systems, and cloud-based software, today’s best budget laptops in 2018 will not only be thanking you with their low price tags but also their performance similar to what you would get with a much more expensive laptop.
Best Cheap Laptop
A $500 computer isn’t going to be a great gaming rig or a professional video editing workstation, but for web browsing, writing, and most other common tasks, it’s completely sufficient. The reality is that there are a ton of affordable laptops that will do just fine for students, remote workers, and light users who don’t need a system for much more than surfing the web, word processing, video streaming, or joining classes or meetings online.
The Lenovo Idea Pad 1
The Lenovo Idea Pad 1 remains one of the top picks for the budget-minded in 2025. Despite its heavily discounted price of less than $400, it comes with Intel N200 or AMD Ryzen 3 processors and its performance is surprisingly good for a budget computer. It’s also the newest model with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, another rarity at this price. So it’s great for surfing the web, working on documents, watching YouTube, or attending Zoom classes.
Its sub-3-pound weight makes it a cinch to carry in a backpack, and the 14-inch full HD display is plenty sharp, whether you are working or streaming. You can expect battery life to last an average of 10 hours, which is enough to get you through a typical school day or work shift. It comes with a comfortable keyboard, and while the plastic design may feel a bit cheap, it also feels modern and clean.
For students, casual users, and people who just need something with a bit more power than a Chromebook, the Idea Pad 1 is also another best laptop for people in less demanding situations in 2021.
HP Laptop 14
The HP Laptop 14 secures HP’s place as the maker of excellent and affordable laptops. The model here features an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor and comes with a comfortable 14-inch full HD screen with an anti-glare coating. Simple and sleek, the design is attractive and durable and it comes with Windows 11 Home (S mode) for ultra-fast performance and built-in security. It has 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB SSD storage, but that’s plenty for simple everyday use.
It should give you more than enough space and power to handle basic tasks without problems. No matter if you are reporting, surfing, or making a video call, your work is never going to be compromised on this laptop. HP’s fast charging support is up to 50% in 45 minutes. For people who want a no-frills, well-made laptop for less than $500, this HP model hits that sweet spot between price and power.
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
If the majority of your tools of trade are on the internet, a Chromebook is a good choice. One of the most efficient Chromebooks of 2025 under $400 is the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 Intel Core i3-N3050,84 GHz. It is running on Chrome OS, a no-frills operating system that is all about speed and security. You should still be able to access Google’s own Docs, Sheets, Gmail service, and around 600,000 other Android apps that pass through the Play Store.
This model features a 14-inch full HD display, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Storage is tight, but you get 100 GB of free Google Drive space and cloud backups. Chromebooks fire up in seconds and do not decelerate with use. It would be useful for students, casual users, or anyone who now lives in the Google ecosphere, and it would come with built-in virus protection and two USB-C ports. For Web-based computing, the CX34 is a no-brainer.
Acer Aspire 3
If you are the type of person who needs a little more space for videos, spreadsheets, or multitasking, the Acer Aspire 3 is one of the best 15.6-inch laptops under $500It also includes 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD and these two things are perfectly fine for the price point. The Aspire 3 also offers a full keyboard plus a numeric keypad, which can be incredibly handy for accounting, data entry, or if you are taking online classes.
Despite having a larger screen, it’s slender and not too chunky. With additional Wi-Fi 6 support, a solid complement of ports, and a bloat-free Windows 11 experience, the A3 is an excellent choice for those home and office workers who need a bit more screen but don’t want to pay for it.
FAQs
Can I get a laptop that works well with Zoom meetings and online classes for $500 or less?
Many budget laptops now offer enough RAM and power to handle video calls and online learning smoothly.
What is the use of 8GB RAM in a relatively cheap laptop?
8GB RAM is the recommended minimum for smooth multitasking, though 4GB can still work.
Are Chromebooks better than Windows laptops in the sub-$500 range?
Chromebooks are in general faster for tasks on the web and have better battery life, while Windows laptops can do more offline with their built-in software.
