Top 5 Affordable Laptops in 2024 (Under $500): Practicality with Features

Affordable Laptops in 2024

Buying a laptop is a big decision for any consumer. Before buying a laptop, a consumer would consider various things, such as technical specifications, features, warranties, services, value, price, etc. Regarding price and value, the Laptop market provides many choices for laptop buyers. Customers don’t need the costliest laptops to get the necessary features. Many laptops provide good value for money without compromising on technical specifications and features. Many consumer groups, such as students, first-time laptop buyers, house-makers, new job entrants, etc, look for budget laptops with decent features and good value for money.

In this article, we are going to talk about 5 such Affordable Laptops in 2024 that are priced at or below $500 and, at the same time, provide buyers with a lot of decent features. You could check out this article if you are looking for good budget laptops in 2024 that are below $1,000.

1. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (15IJL7)

Released in early 2022, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (15IJL7) laptop has been marketed as an affordable laptop for students and new job entrants. This affordable laptop comes with some very good features while at the same time providing very good value for money. The laptop is equipped with an Intel Celeron N4500 processor which has a dual core a base speed of 1.1 GHz and a max speed of 2.8 GHz. It has integrated Intel UHD Graphics which does a decent enough job.

This laptop runs on Windows 11 Home which fits with the existing setup. The overall setup does a good job for professional work and tasks related to study. However, graphics-laden works may not provide satisfactory results. The laptop has 20 GB of RAM, 1 TB of SSD storage and an additional 128GB of eMMC storage. It has a Full HD 15.6-inch screen with a max resolution of 1920×1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The maximum brightness of 250 nits provides a decent experience. However, ultra-HD videos may encounter display and lagging issues.

The laptop is relatively lightweight and a user will be able to carry it with comfort. It weighs around 1.6 kg and has a thickness of 1.8 cm. The laptop has a total of 3 USB slots – one USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1, one USB 3.2 Gen 1, and one USB 2.0 Gen 1. The laptop has a Wi-Fi version of 6 and a Bluetooth version of 5. The laptop provides a battery life of 8 hours which is decent but not the best among the top affordable laptops in 2024. All in all, it is a good laptop that deserves a place on the list.

Specifications

• Processor: Dual Core Intel Celeron N4500
• GPU: Integrated Intel UHD
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home
• Storage: 1 TB of SSD Storage + 128 GB of eMMC Storage
• RAM Memory: 20 GB
• Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
• Display: 15.6-inch screen, max resolution 1920×1080 pixels, and 60 Hz refresh rate
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth: 5
• Price: $399 (Amazon)

Pros & Cons

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2. Asus Chromebook Plus 14-inch CX34

Asus Chromebook Plus 14-inch CX34 is a laptop that runs on Chrome OS and provides a balanced approach with decent value proposition and compatible technical features. Unlike other Affordable laptops in 2024, this Asus laptop is not so lightweight as it weighs around 2.4 kg. Also, it has around 2 cm thickness. The laptop tries to mitigate this by providing a 180^o flexible hinge through which the screen can be laid flat on the surface. This laptop comes with a 12th Generation Intel Core i3-1215U Processor which provides a max CPU speed of 4.4 GHz. The laptop comes with integrated Intel UHD Graphics.

As mentioned earlier, this laptop comes with Chrome OS which allows it to access various Google apps and Google A.I feature. The laptop has 256 GB of UFS storage. UFS stands for ‘Universal Flash Storage‘ which is better than the eMMC as UFS can write and read simultaneously. At the same time, UFS requires less power consumption, boosting the battery life. This affordable laptop provides 8 GB of RAM. This laptop has a 14-inch screen with 1920×1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. It provides max nits of 250 which provide a better viewing experience compared to many other Affordable laptops in 2024. However, a bright environment may subvert the display.

Although this laptop has a more powerful CPU compared to other Affordable laptops in 2024, it still boasts an amazing battery life of 10 hours. The laptop laptop comes with UFS storage that conserves power. Again, this Asus laptop has some good connectivity features. It comes with the latest Wifi 6 and the latest Bluetooth version 5.3. It is equipped with a total of 4 USB ports – two USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports. These wired and wireless features make it one of the best Affordable laptops in 2024 in terms of wired and wireless connectivity.

However, all these features drive up the price to $ 410 (Amazon) making it one of the priciest Affordable laptops in 2024. Still, this laptop, alongside decent features, provides good value for money and is a worthy entrant in the list of top affordable laptops in 2024.

Specifications

• Processor: Intel 12th Generation Core i3-1215U Processor
• GPU: Integrated Intel UHD
• Operating System: Chrome OS
• Storage: 256 GB of UFS storage
• RAM Memory: 8 GB
• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
• Display: 14-inch screen, max resolution 1920×1080 pixels, and 60 Hz refresh rate
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth: 5.3
• Price: $410 (Amazon)

Pros & Cons

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3. Lenovo V15 Gen 4

Launched in Mid-2020, the Lenovo V15 series is a competent model. Since then it has launched various updated models and its latest version, Lenovo V15 Gen 4, is one of the top affordable laptops in 2024. It weighs 1.65 kg and has a thickness of 2 cm. The laptop is lightweight and easy to carry around. This Intel Laptop is equipped with a 6-core 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U Processor that has a max speed of 4.5 GHz. It comes with integrated Intel UHD Graphics and along with Windows 11 Pro, does a pretty decent job handling professional work and study-related tasks.

It has 15.6-inch displays with a max resolution of 1920 x 1080 Pixels. With a 60 Hz refresh rate and max nits of 250, the display provides a decent experience. However, the display may not provide a smooth frame transition in the case of high-intensity games or videos. It has 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage. Along with 16 GB RAM, this laptop provides a smooth multitasking experience and fast data transfer. The laptop has 3 USB ports – a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, a USB 3.2 Gen 1, and a USB 2 Gen 1.

Along with USB ports, it has a power port, an HDMI port, an ethernet port, and an audio/microphone combo jack. The laptop has Wifi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1 version. Though wireless connectivity is not the latest, the value proposition fits well among the affordable laptops in 2024. As the CPU and GPU are less powerful, the affordable laptops in 2024 have some impressive battery life with respect to the overall value proposition. This Lenovo laptop is no different as it has an impressive battery life of 10 hours. However, if heavy-duty works are performed or the laptop is being used for longer hours, battery life may be affected negatively and the laptop itself may get heated up.

Overall, Lenovo V15 Gen 4 provides a good value proposition and is one of the top affordable laptops in 2024.

Specifications

• Processor: 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U
• GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
• Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
• Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD storage
• RAM Memory: 16 GB
• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
• Display: 15.6 inch,1920 x 1080 Pixels, 60 Hz refresh rate
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 5
• Bluetooth: 5.1
• Price: $499 (Amazon)

Pros & Cons

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4. HP Stream 11-inch

HP Stream 11-inch (Model – ak0030nr) is one of the most affordable laptops in 2024 that comes with decent features commensurate with affordability. It is equipped with Intel’s Dual-core Celeron N4020 which has two core and max speed of 1.1 GHz. It has an integrated GPU – Intel UHD Graphics 600. This affordable Windows laptop runs on Windows 11 Home S mode which means it has integrated security features of Microsoft and allows only Microsoft Apps and Microsoft’s Internet Edge for browsing. However, the S Mode does limit the software options and comes with compatibility issues. The user can switch off the S Mode, but it will only turn on with full re-installation, which is quite cumbersome.

The combination of CPU, GPU, and Operating system allows for faster performance with a secure environment and longer battery life. It has one of the best battery life among the Affordable laptops in 2024. The battery could last for up to 12 hours. This HP laptop weighs only 1.1 kg and has a thickness of 1.7 CM. It has an 11.6-inch screen with 1366 x 768 Pixels and a 60 Hz refresh rate. It has max nits of 225 and has anti-gare which allows users to use the laptop outside in the Sun. Although, too much bright environment dims the display. It is also not suitable for ultra-HD videos or high-intensity games.

The laptop has 64 GB of eMMC storage which provides a good value proposition for this affordable laptop. It has 4 GB of RAM which goes well with the overall setup. The laptop is equipped with Wifi 5 and Bluetooth 5. It has 3 USB 3.0 ports. With a price tag of $199 (Amazon), this HP laptop provides amazing value for money and is one of the low-priced Affordable laptops in 2024.

Specifications

• Processor: Intel’s Dual-core Celeron N4020
• GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home S-mode
• Storage: 64 GB of eMMC
• RAM Memory: 4 GB
• Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
• Display: 11.6-inch,1366 x 768 Pixels, and a 60 Hz refresh rate
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 5
• Bluetooth: 5
• Price: $199 (Amazon)

Pros & Cons

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5. Acer Spin 311-2H 11-inch

Acer Spin 311-2H 11-inch is a 2-in-1 laptop that finds its place in the list of top affordable laptops in 2024 with its value proposition and commensurate features. It is also one of the lightest and easy-to-carry affordable laptops in 2024 with a 1.2 kg weight and 2 cm thickness. This 2-in-1 laptop is equipped with Intel’s Celeron N4000 4-core which has the max CPU speed of 2 GHz. The Acer Laptop comes with integrated ARM Mali-G72 MP3 Graphics. The convertible laptop has 64 GB of eMMC storage and 4 GB of onboard RAM that is integrated to the motherboard.

Unlike other affordable laptops in 2024, this Acer laptop comes with Chrome OS which is suitable for a 2-in-1 laptop. The inclusion of the stylus pen, which comes with the package, provides flexibility and maneuverability. The laptop has Wifi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 version, which is actually let down since other affordable laptops in 2024 come with slightly updated versions of Bluetooth. Considering this is a portable 2-in-1 laptop, updated wireless connectivity would have been preferred. The laptop tries to make up for wireless connectivity by providing a total of 3 USB ports – one USB-Type C, one USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, and one USB 2.0 port.

The laptop provides an impressive battery life of 10 hours, allowing users to carry it in the workplace and in study places. This lightweight 2-in-1 laptop has an 11.6-inch touchscreen display which has a max resolution of 1366×768 and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The screen could reach max nits of 200 which may become an issue in a bright sunny environment. Even though this laptop may appear as low in features, with a price tag of $214 (Amazon), it is one of the top affordable laptops in 2024.

Specifications

• Processor: Intel’s 4-core Celeron N4000
• GPU: Integrated ARM Mali-G72 MP3
• Operating System: Chrome OS
• Storage: 64 GB of eMMC
• RAM Memory: 4 GB
• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
• Display: 11.6-inch,1366 x 768 Pixels, and a 60 Hz refresh rate
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 5
• Bluetooth: 4.2
• Price: $214 (Amazon)

Pros & Cons

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*This article is for informational purposes. Do not make your decision based solely on the information provided here. Do your own research before making any decision.