When looking for the top laptop under $500, it’s crucial to tread carefully.
In the cutthroat [laptop market](https://mashable.com/category/laptops), you typically get what you pay for. Selecting a “budget” laptop can be risky—if you make a poor choice, you could end up with a slow, outdated device that causes more frustrations than it alleviates. While Mashable routinely assesses the [best affordable laptops](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-cheap-laptops), sticking to a $500 budget will mean missing out on some well-received budget models. Nevertheless, there are still numerous fantastic laptops available within this price range.
### A Brief Overview of Laptop Pricing
Laptops are available at a variety of price levels. You can find a basic [Chromebook](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-chromebooks) for around $100, whereas a premium [gaming laptop](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-gaming-laptops) may exceed $3,000. In our compilation of the [best laptops](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-laptops), you’ll discover devices that cover this entire range. With a $500 budget, premium Ultrabooks, MacBooks, and most gaming laptops will likely be out of reach, but there are still reliable options worth exploring.
Here’s a summary of the usual laptop categories:
– **Chromebooks ($100–$650):** These lightweight, portable devices are mostly crafted for web-based applications and feature limited storage. Some newer cloud-based gaming Chromebooks even provide an alternative to standard gaming laptops.
– **Budget Laptops ($250–$750):** While budget laptops may not offer high-end specifications, they typically deliver sufficient RAM and storage for daily tasks such as schoolwork or office use.
– **MacBooks ($850–$3,500):** The entry-level [MacBook](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-macbooks) worth considering is the [M2 MacBook Air](https://zdcs.link/V0NwL?pageview_type=RSS&template=roundup&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=M2%20MacBook%20Air&object_type=roundup&object_uuid=02falkPo600mrCm6WxGHXR9&short_url=V0NwL&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Ffeeds%2Frss%2Fall), starting at $850 during sales. Premium variants like the [MacBook Pro](https://mashable.com/article/apple-macbook-pro-2023) can climb to $3,500.
– **Ultrabooks ($1,000–$3,500):** These elegant, high-performance laptops excel in tasks like [photo](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-laptops-for-photo-editing) and (https://mashable.com/roundup/best-laptops-for-video-editing). MacBooks are included in this segment as well.
### What Are the Top Laptops Under $500 in 2024?
To assist you in locating the ideal budget laptop, we’ve assembled a comprehensive guide featuring the best options under $500, including standout Chromebooks. Your perfect choice will depend on your individual requirements, but our top pick is the [Acer Aspire 5](https://zdcs.link/6gV6j?pageview_type=RSS&template=roundup&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=Acer%20Aspire%205&object_type=roundup&object_uuid=02falkPo600mrCm6WxGHXR9&short_url=6gV6j&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Ffeeds%2Frss%2Fall). Explore the complete list of candidates to select the right laptop for your needs.
For additional recommendations, don’t forget to check out our guide to [the best gaming laptops for 2025](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-gaming-laptops-2024), catering to all budgets.