When looking to buy a laptop with a limited budget — specifically under $500 — it’s crucial to consider your choice carefully.

In the highly competitive laptop industry, you typically receive what you invest in. This implies that opting for a budget laptop purely based on its affordable price can be perilous. A bad selection may result in a sluggish, obsolete device that causes more problems than it fixes. Mashable regularly evaluates budget laptops, but if $500 is your limit, some models might still exceed that. Thankfully, we suggest several computers that are well within your financial means.

Moreover, one of our recommended laptops for college students is currently available for under $500 during the back-to-school shopping period. Right now, you can buy the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus for $379 at Best Buy.

A brief overview of laptop pricing

Affordable Chromebooks can be found for as little as $100, while our top gaming laptop prices exceed $3,000. In our comprehensive guide to the best laptops, you will discover choices spanning a broad price spectrum. With a budget of $500, Ultrabooks, <a href="https://mashable.com/roundup/best-macbooks" target="_blank" data-ga