Think you can’t get a decent laptop in the $500 range?
Before, laptops under the “$500 and below” category were only good for email or singular web browsing. All the good laptops were priced at $1,000 and up. You had to give something up (battery life, screen or material build and quality) to get within budget.
In 2018, laptops under 500 are now equipped with faster processors, more memory and high resolution screens. You can get a 2018 laptop under $500 for daily use- browsing multiple tabs on the internet, editing work and office documents and playing HD movies and video content via Netflix and YouTube. If you look hard enough you can even snag some pretty awesome laptops that have touchscreen capabilities!
Here are the 5 best touch screen laptops under 500 you can get today. In terms of performance, user satisfaction and features, these laptops provide the best experience $500 can buy:
Contents
| Laptop Model | Weight | Storage | Screen Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asus Chromebook Flip | 2.65 lbs | 64GB | 12.5 inches | |
| Acer Spin 3 | 3.75 lbs | 1TB | 14 inches | |
| Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook | 2.9 lbs | 32GB | 11.6 inches | |
| Dell Latitude 3189 Laptop | 4.5 lbs | 64GB | 11.6 inches | |
| HP Premium High Performance | 4.5 lbs | 2TB | 15.6 inches |
1. Asus Chromebook Flip
The Asus Chromebook Flip features a touch-enabled FHD screen, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of flash storage, plenty of battery life and an Intel Core processor packed in a stylish and premium aluminum body. It’s one of the newer Chromebooks that are great for individuals who want a capable touchscreen laptop on the go.
The Chromebook’s display screen is protected by tough Corning Gorilla Glass. The laptop’s shell stands at a wafer-thin diameter of 13.7 mm and all in all, only weighs a little over 2.5 lbs. Users should be able to get up to 10 hours in a single full charge. Boot up time is at an impressive 3.5 seconds with the ever-efficient Chrome OS powered by Intel Core processors. You can multitask and throw light- to medium apps at the Chromebook Flip without worrying about lag and stutter. Typing out emails and chatting is more comfortable, thanks to the full-sized chiclet keyboard.
The 2-in-1 feature shines here. You’ll be able to twist, push and bend the Chromebook Flip in a variety of modes, including tablet, tent, and laptop. It can do everything a mid-end laptops can do except for heavy, graphic intensive stuff like video editing and pushing out the polygons in video games. In short, you can rely on the Chromebook Flip to do most of the stuff you during the day.
Pros
- Durable hinge design
- -Plenty of memory and storage
- Comes with FHD screen resolution
- -Metal body construction
- -Has 2 USB-C ports
- Backlit keyboard
- Clear and bright display
- Has damage protection warranty
Cons
- More expensive than other Chromebooks
- Requires an adapter
2. Acer Spin 3
The Acer Spin 3 is a solid choice that stands out not because of its looks and performance, but because it offers a premium touchscreen experience similar to higher-end laptop models. You can get plenty of work done and still have enough to watch videos or browse the web, thanks to the laptop’s long-life battery and efficient processor.
The Spin 3 looks exactly like a traditional laptop but with added conveniences such as being able to control what’s on your screen using your finger. The 14-inch IPS Multi-Touch Display is crisp and easy with an HD resolution of 1920 x 1080. You can work the hinge on a variety of viewing modes, including tent, tablet, and traditional laptop. Battery life is unbelievable- users can work, browse and watch videos on up to 12 hours with a single full charge!
The Spin 3 by Acer packs 4 GB of RAM and an impressive i3 Core CPU processor that gets work done. This should be enough for emails, browsing on several tabs or for doing light to medium work. The FHD display gives it an edge over its competitors, some of which are still stuck on the old 1366 x 768 resolution.
Pros
- Sturdy hinge
- Lots of connectivity options
- The touchscreen display is responsive
Cons
- Noticeable screen bezels
- No USB-C port
3. Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook
Lenovo is a brand that consistently delivers value to its consumers, and the Flex 11 is a testament to that fact. Enter the Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook, a semi-rugged convertible that packs in a lot of power for its size and cost.
A quick peek under the hood reveals a 2.1 GHz quad-core chip with the MediaTek 8173C processor, which means you can open up multiple browser tabs for a true multi-tasking experience. The 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of eMMC flash equals to lightning-fast boot times on the Chrome Operating System. If the 32 GB of storage isn’t enough for you, don’t fret. Avail of the free 100 GB storage space on Google Drive you can use for 2 years.
Lenovo’s offering has a respectable screen resolution of 1366 x 768, which isn’t really FHD, but this really isn’t a dealbreaker considering the beefy specs and the price tag. The “Flex” in the product title means you can position the 360-degree hinge to a number of modes, including tent and tablet. This makes the Flex 11 a device that can be used on any space, such as when you’re on a plane, or when you’re watching a video on YouTube or Netflix. The laptop can be set up to get actual work done when you’re in the office.
Google’s Chrome OS doesn’t really work with standard benchmark tests, but the specs should be more than enough to handle a dozen tabs along with video playback and open apps. The Lenovo Flex 11 is the one to get if you enjoy watching HD videos, browsing on the internet or spending time on social media without worrying about running out of juice.
Pros
- Speedy web browsing
- Free 100 GB Google Drive
- Great hinge design
Cons
- Storage is lower than most $500 laptops
4. Dell Latitude 3189 Laptop
Dell laptops are synonymous with no-nonsense design and durability that far exceeds expectations. The Dell Latitude 3189 laptop is an 11.6-inch laptop that’s built to withstand the rigors of everyday use. The wide variety of modes ensure that it will become your favorite device whenever you need to do some work, watch videos or do some browsing on the web.
The chassis of the 3189 is tough and spill-resistant. Students will be able to rely on the laptop as it can work for 10-plus hours on a single full charge. You also get a pre-installed Microsoft Office 2016 and Windows 10 on a $500 budget. Enjoy a plethora of Microsoft learning apps that work in either tent, traditional or tablet mode. The top of the touch screen features a built-in webcam for Skype calls or for recording videos.
The Latitude 3189 laptop has an active pen which you can use to draw, edit or write on the screen’s touch-enabled surface. Viewing sites and videos has never been crisper, thanks to the HD IPS display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 protected by an industry standard Corning Gorilla Glass.
Pros
- Compact and sturdy design
- Kid-proof
- Long battery life
- Very affordable
Cons
- Maybe too small for regular office work
- Flat, mushy keyboard
5. 2018 HP Premium High Performance
HP has created a $500 and under laptop that doesn’t disappoint. Featuring the 2018 High Performance, a laptop that has the innards to complete tasks easily with plenty of power to spare!
The High-Performance aspect of the 2018 laptop model comes in the form of 7th Gen AMD Core processors clocked at 3.0 GHz speed, with boosts up to 3.6 GHz, and a robust graphics processor in the form of the Radeon R7 with 4334 MB memory.
The laptop from HP is the biggest one in the list, featuring a 15.6 inch HD touchscreen display with a max resolution of 1366 x 768. Memory is handled by 8 GB of DDR4L SDRAM, which should be enough for smooth web browsing on multiple tabs. In fact, you’ll be able to do some video playback, have a couple of apps open and will still be able to juggle email, work documents, and processor-intensive websites. The High-Performance laptop should be able to handle mid- to heavy multimedia work without a hitch!
You get a generous 2 TB of storage for all your photos, videos, downloads, music and games. The 15.6-inch unit has a full-sized keyboard with great tactile feedback. Battery life is expected to last 7 hours or more.
Pros
- High performing laptop at just under 500
- Comes in cool marine blue or purple
- Huge storage space
- Great value for money
Cons
- Maybe too bulky or heavy for some
- The battery may not last the whole day
Final Words
Your buying decision for getting a touchscreen laptop under $500 will ultimately depend on what you intend to use the device for. Will you be fine working in a Google OS environment, or are you more familiar with a Windows-based platform? Do you need a stylus pen for drawing, editing or making notes while in class? Do you prefer long battery life instead of a huge screen? Are you planning on doing office work, browsing, or entertainment?
Each of the products listed above has their own strengths. The good thing is that you can choose any of the 5 touchscreen laptops under $500 and still get excellent value for your money!
Leave A Comment