Best Laptop Under 500

General Advice

• Look for laptops with SSDs instead of HDDs for better performance.
• Aim for 8GB RAM as a minimum for smoother multitasking.
• Consider Intel CPUs from 10th-12th generation, which are solid for work tasks.

New vs. Refurbished

• Consider buying refurbished business-class laptops, which offer better build quality but might have slightly older parts.
• Refurbished laptops can provide more value for your money.

Specific Laptop Recommendations

• The HP ZBook 15 G2 is recommended as a refurbished workstation option on Amazon.
• The Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3 and Acer Aspire 3 Slim are mentioned for being decent choices in this price range.
• Look for laptops with at least 8GB of RAM, i3 or Ryzen 3 CPUs, and preferably 11th gen Intel or 5th gen AMD.

User Recommendations

• Consider buying used Dell Latitudes or Lenovo Thinkbooks for better quality.
• Avoid Intel dual-core/quad-core processors and opt for better options for a more satisfactory investment.

Additional Comments

• Battery life and graphics performance should be considered based on intended use.
• Considering expansion options for RAM and storage can be beneficial for future upgrades.

Chromebook Option

• A decent Chromebook might also work fine within this price range.

Bottom Line

• Look for laptops with SSDs, at least 8GB RAM, and suitable CPUs within the specified price range.
• Consider refurbished business-class laptops for better value and build quality.
• Evaluate suggested laptop models based on performance, expandability, and overall quality.