Laptops are equipped with bundles of features, including those we don’t use throughout their life. If we determine the features we require and look for a laptop boasting those specific features, rest assured that we can acquire a laptop under $500. A budget laptop will be able to perform all basic tasks like dealing with documents, scrolling through social media, and more.
If you are searching for the list of the best cheap Windows laptops under $500, we have got you covered! This article features in-depth info about our experts’ top picks for budget laptops. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in to explore the list!
Our Top Picks of the Best Cheap Windows Laptops
From HP and Asus to Lenovo and more, we have researched multiple top Windows laptop brands to compile the best cheap Windows laptop solution. Here they are!
1. Asus VivoBook 15 Laptop
Processor: Intel Core i3 8th Gen 8145U
Memory: 12GB DDR4 RAM (4GB Onboard + 8GB SO-DIMM)
Display: 15.60-inch, LED-backlit FHD Anti-Glare with 45% NTSC, 88% Screen-to-body ratio
Featuring a sleek look, Asus VivoBook 15 Laptop is ideal for students looking for the best cheap Windows laptops under $500. It comes with 8GB RAM, a backlit keyboard, a broad display, and Intel UHD graphics. Moreover, its refresh rate of 60hz has made working, studying, and playing on this laptop a breeze. You will surely get inspired by its ideal performance.
Its excellent built and functional 15-inch, along with premium quality chassis and multiple ports, are other features adding to its worth. That said, it makes for a perfect competitor for cheap HP laptops with Windows.
| Pros | Cons |
| Attractive and solid, built at an affordable price | Poor audio quality |
| Backlit keyboard with Numpad | Shorter battery life |
| Wide color gamut support | Extended gap within keyboard keys |
| OLED screen displays inky blacks | USB-C doesn’t support charging or video output. |
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU8
Processor: 13th Gen Intel Core i3
Memory: LPDDR5 SDRAM
Display: 15. 6″ display, Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080)
With the latest hardware upgrade and budget-friendly cost, this product is a must to consider. You can access all its features, including 12 hours of battery life, a 15.6-inch bright display, and a fast-running processor, for just under $500. Isn’t it amazing? Other notable features include its lightweight, convenient portability, and availability of multiple ports.
| Pros | Cons |
| Impressive battery life | Cramped keyboard |
| Noise-canceling and background blurring | Lack of stylus |
| Touch-style fingerprint reader | Somehow the poor built quality |
| A quality choice for students | Weak performance |
3. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i
Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
Memory: 4GB Soldered DDR4-2666 + 4GB SO-DIMM DDR4-2666
Display: 15. 6″ FHD IPS touchscreen
Next on the list is the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i! It comes equipped with remarkable specs like High Definition (HD) audio, around six hours of battery life, and more. Other noteworthy features include Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, a keyboard with a numpad, and a 4-in-1 Card Reader.
Besides all these, the best part remains the number of ports it features. It comes with a 1x Card reader, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x Power connector, and 1x USB 2.0.
| Pros | Cons |
| Bright touch screen | Lacking color coverage |
| Touch Style security chip | Glossy screen with reflection issue |
| Sturdy built | Non-backlit keyboard |
| Excellent cooling system | Lack of support for Dolby Audio™ |
4. Newest Dell Inspiron Laptop 15.6
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3450U
Memory: 32 Gigabytes DDR4
Display: 15.60-inch with 1366 x 768 pixels display resolution
This masterpiece is best known for its picture quality, featuring a 15.6-inch display and an amazing resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It’s constructed with a hinge angle to offer users a comfortable view and position to type on. Though it features an AMD Ryzen 5 3450U processor and 32 Gigabytes DDR4, it can support well for performing basic tasks.
It comes with 1x USB 2.0 Type A, 2x USB 3.2 Type A Ports, 1x HDMI Outputs, Wireless-AC Cooling System, Air Front-Facing Camera, and a Media Card Reade.
| Pros | Cons |
| A stable design with rubber feet and bumpers on the hinge | The processor sometimes lacks performance |
| Efficient Cooling System | Weak speakers |
| Exceptional Full HD LED display | USB Type-C ports missing |
| Solid build with a large 15-inch full HD display | Average screen brightness |
5. Gateway 15.6 Ultra Slim Notebook
Processor: 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Display: 15.6″ LCD IPS + Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
Get Your hands on Gateway 15.6 Ultra Slim Notebook if you want one with a bigger display. It features a decent sound system, impressive display, smooth keyboard with number pad, USB-C port, and great storage capacity. Owing to the features, it competes with the best cheap HP laptops with Windows well. You can perform everything from basic computing tasks to gaming on it. Its impressive look and smooth performance are also worth mentioning.
| Pros | Cons |
| Solid speakers | Low screen resolution |
| Inexpensive | Absence of webcam privacy slider |
| Optimal screen size | No keyboard backlighting |
| Well-spaced keyboard | No touchscreen option |
6. Gateway 14.1 Ultra Slim Notebook
Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Display: 14.1″ LCD FHD touchscreen display
If your main concern is battery life, we suggest going with this option. A masterpiece from Gateway, the 14.1 Ultra Slim Notebook can run 10 hours on web hosting and 8-9 hours of video playback. Its exceptional battery life pairs well with the processor to deliver optimal performance. The best thing about this laptop is its options for upgradability. You also get THX Audio, 512GB SSD, and more amazing specifications.
| Pros | Cons |
| Portable | Webcam quality isn’t good |
| Touch screen display | Keyboard styling could be better |
| Decent speaker | Dim and dull glossy display |
| Excellent built and premium design | Cheap touchpad |
Wrapping It Up!
Finding cheap HP Windows 10 laptops or the best cheap Windows laptops under $500 can be daunting, but you can shortlist your choices with the targeted features in mind. Moreover, if you’re interested in gaming laptops then check our complete guide for the best cheap gaming computers under 500.
