How to Buy the Best Laptop Under 500

How to Buy the Best Laptop Under £500

Maybe this has been on the cards for some time, and you’re now ready to buy a new laptop. Or maybe, your current laptop just died, with no warning, and now you’re behind the eight ball. Perhaps you’ve been trying to get your kid to make do with your old laptop, but their screams of agony are just too loud now. Whatever the reason, you’re looking for a new laptop, and you’re hoping -- seriously hoping -- you can find a decent one for less than £500. Is it even possible? Didn’t that one you bought long back, which wasn’t even that impressive, cost way more than that? Well, worry no more. There’s never been a better time to buy a new laptop, and we’re going to help you find a terrific one, without a going a penny over £500.

Let’s begin!

Yes, you can get a great laptop under £500

While you’ve been getting by with that old laptop, there’s been plenty of progress in the industry. The trend that Intel’s Gordon Moore noted years ago -- that every two years CPUs become twice as powerful -- (Moore’s Law) has continued apace, meaning that today’s laptops are more powerful than ever, and way more affordable, relatively speaking. For £500, depending on the model, you can expect a dual-core CPU, up to 8GB of RAM, integrated graphics, and a choice of screen sizes -- from 11-inches up to 17-inches. There’s also a wide variety of storage options, from ultrafast 128GB SSD drives, to 2TB HDDs, a perfect size if you like to take all of your files with you.

There’s no shortage of laptop designs, either. For under £500, you can pick from dozens of conventional models, plus Chromebooks, and highly flexible 2-in-1 designs that convert from a laptop into a tablet, with just a flip of the screen. There’s so much choice in this price range, your toughest job will be figuring out which model combines the features that matter most to you. There will be some compromises -- for under £500 you won’t get a 2-in-1, with a 17-inch screen that has a 2TB HDD -- but with a bit of research, you shouldn’t have a trouble finding one that will last you for many years to come.

Of course, we think that your next laptop should come from a reputable brand like Lenovo -- a company with a long history of designing computers that possess the latest technology yet built with an unwavering commitment to quality. To get you started, here’s a roundup of some of our best laptops by category, all of which are priced below £500.

Best all-around use laptop under £500

It’s almost like we read your mind. We took all of the features we knew you’d want in a laptop: High quality materials, top-notch components, power and speed in equal measures, and a screen that lets you do everything from intricate photo editing, to watching movies -- and we packed them into one product. The Ideapad S Series has all of that, and more.

The Ideapad S series are slender, premium laptops, that’s under ¾” thick, and weighs in at only 3.52 lbs. They’re small enough to fit in the most confined spaces, yet big enough to let you work comfortably.

With up to 128GB SSD, there’s plenty of room for your photos, videos, music, and apps, and you’ll be able to see them even in bright daylight, thanks to the anti-glare screen.

Best student laptops under £500

Times are changing and most schools are taking their classes online. This makes it important for students to invest in a good-quality laptop to help them cope competently with assignments, zoom calls, and other everyday tasks. However, getting a decent laptop for less than $500 can be quite challenging, but not with the Lenovo brand.

Lenovo has a list of selected laptops that are very affordable and designed for students. Unlike popular belief, have all the features that will help you tackle your average day-to-day tasks comfortably without necessarily paying a hefty price.

You will get top features in a single package including 8GB of RAM, dual-core CPU, integrated graphics, and varying screen sizes and storage options. Therefore, if you are hoping that you can buy an affordable laptop without compromising on all the important features, you have come to the right place.

Below is our comprehensive list of the best laptops for students under 500 worth considering.

1. IdeaPad 330S

The IdeaPad 330S is a laptop from the Lenovo IdeaPad series. Measuring under ¾”, this laptop is slender and small enough for anyone that wants to take it on the go. Nevertheless, it is powerful and features high-quality components that will allow you to handle productive tasks effectively.

It is built for speed, especially when you want to play demanding games. With its 8th Generation Intel Core i3 processor, Intel UHD Graphics 620, and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, you can do heavy browsing and handle intricate tasks like photo editing.

Also, if your work involves storing a lot of apps, photos, videos, and music, then you will be pleased to know that this affordable laptop comes with a 128GB SSD. This device is also equipped with a 14” anti-glare screen that will give you the right display in bright daylight.

2. Lenovo Chromebook C330 2-in-1

If you are after versatility, then the Lenovo Chromebook C330 will not disappoint you. This device is a 2-in-1, meaning that it works both as a laptop and a tablet. It has a comfortable keyboard to help you get your work done quickly. This PC is always a good option if the battery life matters to you as it can run up to 10 hours.

The Lenovo Chromebook C330 features a MediaTek processor, a Google Chrome operating system, and 4GB of RAM. Therefore, it may not be ideal for playing the latest hardware crunching games or browsing with multiple tabs. This makes it a great choice for students that want a device that will help them get their assignments done without spending too much.

3. IdeaPad Duet Chromebook

This Lenovo laptop-tablet features a simple design and accessories of expensive models beginning at an affordable price of £212.49. When you purchase this laptop, you will get an attachable keyboard that provides all the comfort and convenience to get you productive.

It is great for students that want to complete simple tasks such as writing essays in Google Docs. It also works well for individuals whose work doesn’t call for a lot of multitasking. It has a battery life of up to 10 hours and a 10.1” screen display with FHD resolution.

It runs On Chrome OS and features MediaTek P60T CPU, 4GB RAM, and 64 GM eMCP. This 2-in-1 also handles the job of a tablet in terms of watching videos and social media.

Why buy a laptop for your student at Lenovo.com?

Lenovo offers a wide range of budget-friendly yet high-quality laptops for students. Just like buying any tech product, the final decision of the best laptops for students under 500 comes down to your individual needs. The above products vary in design, functionality, performance, and price, depending on how you intend to use the device.

Ultimately, Lenovo's range of laptops designed for students will let you complete your assignments, attend online sessions, stream your favourite shows on Netflix, and catch up with friends on social media. Check Lenovo’s range of laptops for including students Chromebooks, Ideapad, Yoga 2 in-1s, ThinkPad to your favorite Legion gaming laptops.

Much, much more

These laptops are just a taste of what you’ll be able to find for less than £500. If they aren’t quite right for you, we’ve got dozens more to choose from. Plus, all of our laptop models come in multiple configurations, so if you find one that’s almost perfect, make sure to scroll to the bottom of the product page for all of our current models. There you’ll find options that give you control over components like the processor, RAM, storage, and screen quality.

When you add a laptop to your cart, you’ll be offered a range of additional options, like extended warranties, pre-loaded software, and special discounts on accessories like wireless mice, and backpacks.

So, take a look… we think you’ll find that the laptop you’ve been holding out for is there, and costs less than you think.