The 10 Best Chromebooks Under $500

The best way to choose the best chromebook under $500 is to first decide what’s most important to you in your new computer. Do you want something that can last for years, or do you need something more portable? Are you looking for an entertainment device or are you using it just to get work done? Will it be used primarily by adults or will kids be using it too? After considering these factors, consider which of the following 10 best chromebooks under $500 might be right for you.



1) Choosing the Right Chromebook

When looking for a new computer, you want to get something that best fits your needs. Sure, there are plenty of high-end computers that may be faster and more powerful than what you need; however, they come with high price tags that might not be worth it. So how do you choose which Chromebook is right for you? The best way to figure out which one you should buy is by asking yourself these three questions: What am I going to use my Chromebook for? How much money can I spend on a new computer? How long will I keep my computer before upgrading or replacing it? Once you answer these questions, finding your perfect laptop becomes much easier.

2) Acer Chromebook Spin 13 (best option)


The Acer Chromebook Spin 13 is our pick for best laptop under $500, and it's also our top choice among all chromebooks. For starters, it boasts an attractive aluminum design that feels sturdy while still being fairly light—perfect for throwing in a bag on your way to school or work. In addition to strong performance thanks to its 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, you get a full HD display with 100 percent sRGB color gamut coverage. The battery life is one of our favorite features; at nearly 15 hours of continuous use, you won't be tethered to an outlet all day. As icing on the cake, storage comes in at 128GB onboard with support for up to 512GB external via microSD. All things considered, it's easy to see why we're so impressed by what Acer has done here. And, if you're looking for something more affordable, take a look at our runner-up pick: HP Chromebook x2.


3) Asus C202SA-YS02 11.6 Celeron N3060 Laptop


The Asus C202SA-YS02 is a bit over our budget, but it has a great display, good sound and solid performance. It's also quite light at just 2.6 pounds, making it easy to carry around for basic use. An 11-inch laptop with a decent keyboard, trackpad and battery life (up to 12 hours), means that you can carry it around with you pretty much anywhere. The C202SA is made from plastic, and its thick edges might not be suited for everyone. However, given that it costs less than $250 and offers great value for money as well as solid performance overall (compared to similarly priced laptops), we think that buying one makes a lot of sense.

4) HP 13 G1 Laptop

The HP 13 G1 Laptop is considered by many to be one of, if not the best chromebook under 500 dollars. It offers an Intel Core i3 processor, which is just about as good as it gets for its price. If you can afford a little more, then I’d also recommend checking out its upgrade, which includes 8GB of RAM and a 256GB hard drive for an extra $100; it’s certainly worth it.

5) Dell Inspiron 15 5000 Laptop

Available for around $400, Dell’s Inspiron 15 5000 laptop is a great choice for students because it comes with an Intel Core i3-8130U processor, a 15.6-inch full HD display and 128GB of SSD storage. It has 4GB of RAM and an integrated graphics card that’ll handle most games at medium settings. If you need more space to store your coursework, there’s also 1TB of hard drive storage. Plus, it runs on Google Chrome OS so everything is automatically backed up in case something bad happens to your device (i.e., if you lose or break it).

6) Lenovo ThinkPad E550 Laptop

Lenovo has been making great laptops for years, and you can get one of their best in 2018. The ThinkPad E550 laptop will cost you under $500, but offers all of the performance you’d expect from a premium brand. It’s ready to run Android apps right out of the box and has a battery life that will last up to 9 hours. If you want one of Lenovo’s best computers, but don’t have a lot to spend, consider picking up an E550 laptop today.

7) Samsung Chromebook Plus XE510C24-K01US Convertible 2 in 1 Laptop

Samsung’s convertible Chromebook Plus is a solid mid-range performer that’s thin, light and very well designed. The 2-in-1 design means you can use it as a regular laptop or fold back its screen to use it like a tablet. It has an Intel Core m3 processor with 4GB of RAM, plus 32GB of storage for all your apps and files—and if you need more space there’s an SD card slot for expansion. Battery life is good too, at around nine hours between charges. Best of all, it costs just $499 (but prices vary wildly depending on your region).

8) Acer CB3-131 C738T Convertible Chromebook 11.6

This is a chromebook by Acer which has Intel Celeron N2840 dual-core 2.16 GHz processor, Intel HD Graphics and 4GB DDR3L SDRAM. This provides you with high resolution display so that you can view videos and photos in great quality. The battery life of Acer CB3-131 C738T is around 9 hours which is more than enough for most of us to last through an entire day of work. Also, it comes with a USB 3.0 port along with two USB 2.0 ports for faster data transfer. It weighs around 3 pounds and its dimensions are 11 x 8 x 0.8 inches which make it easy to carry around in your backpack or purse throughout your day at school or work respectively.

9) Dell Inspiron 14 3000 Series 2-in-1 15.6 Touchscreen Laptop Computer

This lightweight laptop has a compact design that makes it easy to carry with you wherever you go. The touchscreen allows for ease of use, and there are plenty of ports on hand so you can connect multiple devices. Best of all, at only 3 pounds, it won’t weigh you down too much. This one is best suited for basic users who want an affordable option without a lot of bells and whistles.

10) HP Pavilion x360 Convertible 11.6 Touchscreen 2 in 1 Notebook PC

If you’re looking for a good option for both work and play, then you should check out HP’s convertible 2-in-1. It comes with a touch screen and 360-degree hinge, so it can be used as either a laptop or tablet. The touchscreen is especially helpful when using apps in tablet mode, like watching videos on YouTube or Netflix. With up to 12 hours of battery life per charge, you won’t have to worry about running out of juice before heading home after work. And with an Intel Celeron N3060 processor inside, it’ll be fast enough to keep up with most daily tasks too.