Mar 5, 2013 12:00 PM EDT by LAPTOP EditorsThose on a budget might be surprised to learn just how much laptop you can get for less than $500 these days. You can expect a very capable dual-core Intel Core i3 or AMD A6 processor, at least 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. In other words, you’ll have plenty of horsepower to run Windows 8 smoothly. Want something even cheaper for just getting online? You can pick up our favorite Chromebook for just $249, an ARM-powered clamshell lasted over 7 hours on our battery test. The trick of choosing a great budget laptop is finding one that delivers in the areas you care most about, whether it’s performance, design, display quality, sound or comfort. Here are the best laptops available now for less than $500.
HP Pavilion g6 ($430)
One of our favorite budget notebooks, the HP Pavilion g6 comes in multiple color options and your choice of a Core i3 CPU (the Pavilion g6t, for more processing punch) or AMD APU (the Pavilion g6z, for more graphics muscle). Either way, you’ll enjoy good sound and ergonomic comfort for a great price.
More: HP Pavilion g6z Review and HP Pavilion g6t Review
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February 21st, 2012 at 8:17 pm
My 10 year-old desk top is dying and I had no idea where to begin to find information on laptops. I stumbled on to your site and so appreciative of the reviews and comments. I’ve managed to narrow my choices to only 4! That’s a great accomplishment for me.
August 24th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
It makes me wonder your motivation when given 8 slots to fill you only mention two brands …. are you getting paid to have this oppion then?
August 24th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Your choice of ONLY two name brands makes me trust PC mag more. But thanks anyway.
September 7th, 2012 at 11:29 pm
HP, Dell, ASUS, Toshiba = 4 brands.
November 12th, 2012 at 3:52 am
And people wonder why I left the US for my PhD- no one back home believes my building is closed on Sundays and you can’t go in!
November 27th, 2012 at 10:44 am
Everyone loves cheap, and everyone wants equipment that does not slow them down. This is why this blog is great, as it lists 8 laptops that come under both of the above categories. These 8 laptops by HP offers great performance and all of them are under £500.
March 5th, 2013 at 9:38 pm
Top 6 laptops for paupers.
April 16th, 2013 at 5:26 pm
I’m looking though I haven’t gotten anything, the Samsung Chromebook Series 3 is really cheap and there is no mentioning of the ram or memory. What could this mean?
April 18th, 2013 at 8:56 am
You are trying to find the TOP 6 so if there is a shortage on brands thats because the best spots are clear. Its like asking for the fastest overall coolest cars and then getting upset if they say Lamborghini or Ferrari.
April 23rd, 2013 at 9:46 am
I bought my Lenovo laptop in March, 2013 for $445 total from a Staples special. It has a 3rd generation i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, 700GB hard drive and many other nice features. I got it with coupons Deal of the Day type thing from PC Magazine site referral. So there was an extra coupon serial code beyond the large Staples discount. It’s an excellent laptop. Of course, on most of these laptops you can add the 4 GB to get 8 GM but why bother, if you can buy one that comes with it already.
May 19th, 2013 at 11:30 am
i hope they were using windows 7 for non touchscreen laptop, well whatever