Consumer Reports Best Laptop Under $500

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The Best Laptops Under $500 According to Consumer Reports

If you’re looking for a new laptop but don’t want to spend a lot of money, you’re in luck. There are a number of great laptops on the market for under $500. To help you find the best one for your needs, we’ve rounded up the top picks from Consumer Reports.

What to Look for in a Laptop Under $500

When shopping for a laptop under $500, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

  • Processor: The processor is the brain of your laptop, so it’s important to choose one that’s powerful enough to handle your needs. For basic tasks like web browsing and email, a dual-core processor should be sufficient. However, if you plan on doing more demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, you’ll need a quad-core processor or better.
  • Memory: Memory, also known as RAM, is used to store data that the processor is currently using. The more memory you have, the more programs you can run at the same time without your laptop slowing down. For most users, 4GB of RAM is sufficient. However, if you plan on doing a lot of multitasking or running memory-intensive programs, you may want to consider 8GB of RAM or more.
  • Storage: Storage is used to store your files, such as documents, photos, and music. Laptops typically come with either a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD). HDDs are less expensive, but they’re also slower and less durable than SSDs. If you can afford it, we recommend opting for an SSD.
  • Display: The display is what you’ll be looking at when you’re using your laptop, so it’s important to choose one that’s clear and easy to read. Most laptops have a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, which is fine for basic tasks. However, if you plan on doing a lot of video editing or gaming, you may want to consider a laptop with a higher resolution display.
  • Battery life: Battery life is important if you plan on using your laptop on the go. Most laptops have a battery life of around 6 hours, which is enough for most users. However, if you need a laptop that can last all day on a single charge, you’ll need to look for one with a longer battery life.

The Best Laptops Under $500

Now that you know what to look for in a laptop under $500, here are our top picks from Consumer Reports.

1. Acer Aspire 5

The Acer Aspire 5 is a great all-around laptop for under $500. It has a powerful processor, plenty of memory, and a large storage capacity. It also has a good display and a long battery life.

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-1035G1
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Storage: 256GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • Battery life: 7 hours

2. HP 15 Laptop

The HP 15 Laptop is another great option for under $500. It has a powerful processor and plenty of memory, and it comes with a large storage capacity. It also has a good display and a long battery life.

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Storage: 256GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • Battery life: 8 hours

3. Lenovo IdeaPad 3

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a good budget laptop for students and other users who need a basic machine for everyday tasks. It has a powerful processor and enough memory to handle most tasks, and it comes with a large storage capacity. It also has a good display and a long battery life.

  • Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Storage: 256GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • Battery life: 7 hours

4. Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop

The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop is a good value for a budget-friendly laptop. It has a powerful processor and enough memory to handle most tasks, and it comes with a large storage capacity. It also has a good display and a long battery life.

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Storage: 256GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • Battery life: 8 hours

5. ASUS VivoBook 15

The ASUS VivoBook 15 is a good all-around laptop for under $500. It has a powerful processor, plenty of memory, and a large storage capacity. It also has a good display and a long battery life.

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Storage: 256GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • Battery life: 7 hours

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a good laptop under $500, there are a number of great options to choose from. The laptops listed above are all highly rated by Consumer Reports, and they offer a good balance of performance, features, and value.

When choosing a laptop, it’s important to consider your individual needs and budget. If you need a laptop for basic tasks like web browsing and email, you can get away with a less powerful laptop with less memory. However, if you plan on doing more demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, you’ll need a more powerful laptop with more memory.

No matter what your needs are, we hope this guide has helped you find the best laptop under $500 for you.

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