As technology evolves and prices drop, you may be surprised how much computing power you can get for your money. If you’re looking for a budget computer without compromising performance, laptops are an excellent choice. Luckily, finding inexpensive notebook computers is easier than ever. When shopping for laptops under $500, it's essential to strike a balance between your budget and your computing needs. Fortunately, there are many budget-friendly options offering adequate system memory and processor speed for basic tasks and everyday computing – from streaming music and YouTube videos, keeping up with social media or writing papers for class. Models with more hard drive space also offer plenty of storage for your photos, documents and programs.

Laptops are compact and allow for easy portability, whether you’re commuting for work or school or just moving around your home. While they don’t require a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse, you can opt to use them for extra ergonomic comfort.

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

If you’re looking for the best budget 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 able 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 plenty of laptops 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're a student or professional, prioritize laptops with good battery life for on-the-go productivity. Gamers should focus on models with dedicated graphics cards for smoother gameplay. And creative professionals might require laptops with good color accuracy and ample storage for their projects.

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.

Finally, enjoy access to tech support from the Geek Squad once you find your perfect computer. These friendly pros offer unlimited support for your budget computer, even remotely.