Laptops Under $500

As technology evolves and prices drop, you may be surprised how much computer you can get for your money. These laptops under $500 have adequate system memory and processor speed for basic tasks and everyday computing, like streaming music and YouTube videos, keeping up with social media, or writing papers for class. Models with hard drives also offer plenty of storage for your photos, documents and programs.

A key decision involves choosing between a laptop, desktop, or all-in-one computer. Laptops are the most compact and allow for easy portability, whether you’re commuting for work or school, or just moving around your home. Traditional desktop towers take up more space since they require a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse. However, that also allows you to go for a larger screen size than what you’ll get with a budget laptop. A third option is an all-in-one computer, which is a more space-saving type of desktop, with the computer components built into the screen or its base.

Whichever type of PC you choose, antivirus software is important to help protect your budget laptop and your data.

If you’re looking to buy a laptop, you’ll need to settle on an operating system. Windows is a familiar option for most people, but some laptops are called Chromebooks because they use the Google Chrome OS. These lightweight laptops typically use cloud-based apps rather than traditional software and files stored on your device. This makes them great for internet activities like email and social media, but they might not be compatible with all software programs.

While you can find some no-frills laptops under $200, there are many other affordable laptops with a variety of features to consider. If you regularly use a disc drive, there are models that still include one, but if you only use DVDs or CDs infrequently, you can opt for a thinner, lighter laptop and plug in an external DVD drive only when you need to use it. There are also laptops with a convenient touch screen, or even a two-in-one design with a rotating display that doubles as a tablet.

If you will be taking your laptop on the go, a slim laptop sleeve or well-organized laptop bag will protect your computer from bumps and scratches.

Check out Total Tech Support from Geek Squad, too. The friendly pros will give you unlimited support for your budget computer and help you get used to your new device.