Are you looking for a cheap laptop that accompanies you in all circumstances? Here you have our selection of the best laptops for less than 500 euros.
The TOP 3 of the best cheap laptops
I’m fat frandroidAs we test more of the latest generation (thus quite expensive) computers, we don’t forget that not everyone has the means (or the desire) to resort to a high-priced laptop. Fortunately, the last few years have seen a lot of progress in the power and quality of entry-level laptops. The popularization of SSDs in particular has brought better responsiveness and ease of use, even in a low-cost laptop.
Even if the budget is tight, some points should be checked. Make sure the machine has at least 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.
How to find a cheap laptop?
It is increasingly difficult to find a good laptop to recommend under 500 euros. We also usually advise you to increase your budget a little, to go up to 600 or 700 euros. But for less than 500 euros, it is not impossible to equip yourself either! Renowned brands such as Asus, Huawei or Acer offer really affordable models.
so here it is our small selection of cheap laptops. Keep in mind that prices change periodically, and that many times there are several configurations for the same computer model, which inflates or decreases the bill. Remember to take advantage of promotional periods, such as sales or Black Friday.
While we mainly picked machines running Windows, Chromebooks are also a great choice for small budgets – that’s a good thing, we’ve got a guide to the best Chromebooks too. If you’re specifically looking for a student laptop, head over to our dedicated selection.
And if you decide to push your budget, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best laptops under $1,000.
- Dell quality
- A powerful Ryzen processor
- A certain modularity
Available in €479 at Dell
Known among other things for its XPS 13, Dell also offers many interesting entry-level models. YO’Inspiron 15 3511 it’s a great example of a cheap laptop. So yes, it’s a bit above the $500 mark, but if you can put in the extra $50 effort, you’ll get Dell quality. Admittedly, the all-plastic build isn’t the sexiest, but the chassis is solid, and there’s easy access to RAM and storage for those who want to add more later.
The configuration used is surprisingly muscular given the price: we thus find 8 GB of storage and a 256 GB SSD, but it is above all the processor. Intel Core i5-1135G7 that holds our interest. The latter offers a very decent performance as well as a more than solid autonomy that exceeds 8 hours in video playback. The 15.6-inch screen, on the other hand, is singularly lacking in brightness, although we appreciate its Full HD definition.
In short, if you are looking for a big screen and comfortable computer with office automation, look no further. And should a problem arise, Dell’s excellent after-sales service is a significant plus. As always with Dell, there are many configurations available, feel free to search the various e-commerce sites.
where to buy the
Dell Inspiron 15 3511 at the best price?
- A careful design and finish
- a good keyboard
- generous connectivity
- Somewhat weak autonomy
Available in €479 at Electro Depot
Less well known than the ZenBook PCs from the same manufacturer, the Asus Vivobook range is not without interest. If its finish is obviously less neat, it generally retains a pleasing design and good build quality. Features found in this Vivobook R415JA.
With its 14-inch diagonal and its weight of 1.6 kg, it is still relatively nomadic. We also appreciate its well-stocked connectivity (4 USB ports, HDMI output, and micro SD card reader) and comfortable keyboard, rare at this price point.
The screen is clearly the weak point of the laptop, with low brightness and, above all, a somewhat limited HD definition. On the other hand, office performance is solid thanks to the Intel Core i3-1005G1 processor accompanied by 8 GB of RAM. On the autonomy side, a charge will last us about 5 hours, so it is better not to forget the charger. It’s a shame, however, that the latter doesn’t use a USB-C connection.
The Vivobook R415JA-BV356T is therefore by no means perfect, but it offers good value for money for anyone looking for a compact and affordable laptop.
Where to buy
Asus Vivobook R415JA at the best price?
- Quality design and chassis.
- good connection
- Pleasant Full HD panel
Available in €549 in Huawei
Huawei has become an interesting brand for its laptops. The brand, somewhat forced to abandon smartphones, has largely developed its “MateBook” range, which benefits from excellent value for money. The 2021 MateBook D15, chosen in its smallest configuration, that is, with an Intel i3 SoC, thus remains below 500 euros. With the i5 it will be around 550 euros, but you have to be aware of promotions.
It is therefore a 15-inch PC, in a 1.5 kg aluminum alloy chassis. Its design is remarkably reminiscent of the old MacBook Pros of the 2010s. The finishes, given the price, are very respectable. The screen itself, in Full HD, is more than enough to enjoy your favorite content and work comfortably. Of course, the i3 is not lightning, but for less than 500 euros, it “does the job”… As is often the case with Huawei, we regret that the webcam is hidden in a key on the keyboard, which gives it an angle unflattering. on video
We especially appreciate the connectivity, very complete, with a USB-C port in particular, two USB-A 3.2 Gen1, but also an HDMI port and a headphone jack. The 65 W charger (USB-C) enables fast charging. And good surprise: you will benefit from Wi-Fi 6, which is rare in this price range. A good laptop for surfing the net and doing odd jobs.
where to buy the
Huawei MateBook D 15 (2021) at the best price?
If you want a smaller computer, also take a look at the MateBook D14 which is also under 500 euros depending on the configuration.
where to buy the
Huawei MateBook D 14 (2021) at the best price?
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Gen 6 15: a good processor at a low price
To offer you a PC for less than 500 euros, it is best to take advantage of current promotions. This is the case of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 that usually benefits from sales, lowering its price from 699 to 499 euros.
For the price it has a really interesting technical sheet: an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor, 4 GB of RAM, 256 GB of SSD storage. At this price, the AMD chip is truly a bargain. You’ll also benefit from a 15.6-inch Full HD display (with colorimetry a bit too warm) and a small 720p webcam with built-in cache. As is often the case with Lenovo, the keyboard with number pad is very nice, as well as being backlit.
For the chassis, you’ll obviously have to make do with plastic… The edges around the screen are still surprisingly thin. At 1.63kg on the scale, it’s not a featherweight, but it’s still right. In autonomy, the PC goes well for an entry-level machine: count between 7 hours and 7:30 am of autonomy.
A very good value for money to take into account, if it is well below 500 euros (and not at its official price of 699 euros).
- Compact
- Very good autonomy
- Chrome OS
Available in €329 at Fnac
If you’re looking for a portable PC and your budget is limited, looking at Chromebooks might be interesting. These are generally very affordable, as well as offering decent performance thanks to a very light Chrome OS.
Despite its low price, the Acer CB314 It offers a technical sheet that is not ridiculous, with a Pentium Silver N5030 processor accompanied by 8 GB of RAM. Chrome OS is primarily designed for cloud use, but internal storage is only 64GB.
If the machine is relatively compact for a 14-inch PC, the finish doesn’t leave lasting memories, particularly with a keyboard that lacks rigidity. Connectivity is provided with 4 USB ports (including two in USB-C format). However, for HDMI, you’ll have to go through a USB-C adapter. A micro SD card reader completes the picture and can be used to expand storage if you’re low on SSD space.
Finally, we are more than satisfied with the autonomy: the CB314 thus exceeds twelve hours on a charge. It also has the good taste to use a USB-C socket, which allows the planned imposing block to be swapped out for a more compact one.
In short, it’s a good little Chromebook, simple and efficient. If you’re looking for a bigger screen, its cousin the Acer CB317 offers almost identical features, but with a 17-inch screen.
Where to buy
Acer Chromebook 314 2021 (CB314-1HT) at the best price?
If these three models of laptops are not for you, we advise you to take a look at the HP Pavilion 14. These are sold, depending on the configuration, around 700 euros, but very often they benefit from deep discounts that can return them in around 500 euros. euro
How to choose a cheap laptop
Cheap laptop: what to expect?
Below the bar of 600 or 500 euros, laptop manufacturers are forced to make big concessions to keep a modest budget. Then, it’s up to the brand to make the sacrifice it deems most appropriate. The screen quality? The amount of memory? The processor? It is up to you to choose the element that seems least important to you. We find that a good screen contributes more to the pleasure of use than a slightly more powerful chip. The difference is usually more noticeable in the first case than in the second. In any case, you will come across plastic frames: do not expect very high-quality finishes and materials.
AMD processors in laptops?
Once downright bad, mobile processors have made a notable comeback in laptops for two years now. And for good reason, the Ryzen 4000 and 5000 processors offer very good performance, consume little power and above all they cost much less than their Intel equivalents. They are increasingly used in computers under 500 euros. It is not necessary to avoid them, quite the contrary.
What is Windows 10 S?
Windows 10 S does not exist. It’s actually “Windows 10 in S mode”, that’s what Microsoft calls it. If it’s long and not very sexy, it does have the merit of highlighting the fact that it’s a disableable mode of Windows 10 and not a full version of the operating system. The main change is the inability to install non-Windows Store apps. The mode is also less greedy, which allows it to work better on modest machines. This simplifies the use, but also limits the range of possibilities.
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