Best Laptops Under $500
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on a laptop. Thanks to cheaper chips, more efficient software, and the fact that an increased amount of our computing is done online (meaning your computer doesn't need to be as powerful), plenty of notebooks can be had for less than $500 (in fact, Intel is developing new technology that will help push powerful PCs to the under-$250 price point). We scoured the tech landscape and found five laptops that will do all your basic computing needs, and then some, but still keep your budget balanced. Unfortunately, we couldn't find any Mac-based laptops – even in the used/refurbished bins – but you'll have to take that up with Steve Jobs. In the meantime, check out our picks for best bargain-basement laptops.
The Windows One: Acer Aspire 5315
Acer's full-fledged Vista-enabled mainstream laptop may not be the fastest, sturdiest, or prettiest, but it'll certainly do when you absolutely, positively have to have Windows for less than $500.
Who it's for: Students on a budget who still need Windows-compatible software (such as PowerPoint and Word for class preparation); parents and grandparents who don't want to do much more than word-process, balance the checkbook, or surf the Web.
What we like: The huge 15.4-inch LCD screen is great for movie-watching and slideshows, and the built-in stereo speakers are surprisingly powerful (considering they're made of plastic!). Sure, it's 6.2-pounds -- more than twice as heavy as the MacBook Air -- but that's not as heavy as we expected at this price point. It has three USB ports, which is generous. The keyboard is spacious and comfortable to type on, and includes a one-touch key for wireless and battery management, and a Wi-Fi on/off button. Most other laptops in this price category don't have a DVD/CD-RW drive, so music rippers and DVD watchers will be pleased that the Acer Aspire does have one.
What we don't: With no dual-core processor (just a Celeron 450) and 1-gigabyte of DDR2, this baby can be slow to start and a bit lethargic when running several programs at once. Battery life – at just over two hours – can leave you stranded at the Internet café if you're not near a power outlet. Plus, the plastic casing feels a bit cheap.
Verdict: It does the trick for $500, but if you have an extra couple of Benjamins, go for the Aspire 4710, or any laptop with a dual-core processor.
Cost: $500 (the version we tested out was available exclusively at Wal-Mart for $470, but you can search around online for similar deals).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Cathy said 8:28PM on 2-19-2008
I have the Acer 5570 and wondered if anyone with this model are having screen problems. My screen will just go black on occasion and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm surfing the net or playing a game - using the battery or the unit is plugged in. I've sent it for repair once and all they tell me "we can't duplicate the problem."
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Gary said 1:58AM on 4-15-2008
My Acer seems great EXCEPT it has been sent back for the dc powerboard failing. This was in the first month I bought it. The exact same thing happened on the third month and was fixed and a new cdrom drive because the technition forgot to put the screw in for it and it fell out and hit the floor. So, after that and for some reason they also replaced the kbd (I still don't know why) and now went back and got the 2 year extended warranty which was another 100 bucks but I didn't feel safe with the year warranty due to the problems I have had.
Marilyn said 5:01PM on 2-19-2008
I was given an Aspire 5520 as a gift for Christmas and I can tell you that it runs circles around my Gateway Desktop hands down. It took me awhile to get used to the angle of the keyboard,, but man,, this little sucker has it all, including a web cam,, and with its AMD 64 x 2 Dual Core Processor,,, is a fast little bunny. I am technologically challenged,,, only cuz in part I am a 63 yr old "gamaw", but I would not trade my little Acer for any of the other higher end laptops........
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Marilyn said 10:27PM on 2-19-2008
To Cathy,,, I have the Aspire 5520 and mine does the same thing. It did it last night and almost didnt want to come back for me. But,, having said that,, my little Acer runs circles around my Gateway desktop. This little puppy has guts and some real capabilities that I cannot wait to get going on. Only problem I had was getting used to the keyboard and its angle. LOL... bought a cordless mouse and that was another adjustment, too. Not too bad for a 63 yr old "gamaw".
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Debra Ognian said 6:11PM on 2-19-2008
I have had an Acer laptop for a couple of years.Right from the beginning when I bought it, the screen goes blank after typing in email. When the screen reappears a few seconds later, the letters are switched around. Acer sent me a new keyboard. It still never fixed the problem. I will never by another Acer again. As far as I am concerned,Acer is junk. I will spend the extra money for something more reliable.
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Haley said 5:26PM on 2-19-2008
umm the acer may be a good buy but it breaks REALLY easy and they are Really bad so DO NOT BUY THEM they get a bad internet connection we tried everything on our acer to get it runing NOTHING worked
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Haley said 5:27PM on 2-19-2008
hey cathy mine does the same thing its really wierd
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Dani said 6:03PM on 2-19-2008
I recieved my ACER for a Christmas gift. I'm really happy with it. I am just learning my way around it, but i love it. i guess it's not the best way to judge a computer, but my favorite thing about mine is there were samples of music, most of which were on my list to buy, and some other stuff that I really love. I don't know how they did that.
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april said 8:22PM on 2-19-2008
My acer turns black at ODD times also. The company said it couldn't duplicate the problem.
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Cathy said 5:56PM on 2-19-2008
Haley,
Where did you buy your Acer? What do you plan to do about it? Ours is from Best Buy - where I'll never buy a computer again - and I'm trying to get them to give me a new computer!
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j said 7:37PM on 2-19-2008
i paid $348 at walmart...........beats the windows ME unit i bought used off ebay for $200. The days of expensive computers and having the latest and greatest crap is over for me.
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Sweetpee said 12:24PM on 2-20-2008
OMG!!!!!! I spent $800 for the ACER laptop for my daughter to use in college I bought it in Staples, three times it has been sent back to ACER for repairs and the system keeps shutting down (same problem), I have asked them for a replacement and up to now no one has answered my emails! I am now paying for a rental laptop for her to use in school. ACER SUCKS!!!!! Is there anyone I can report them to as my $800 went down the drain, I still have my receipt. Sorry, but Dell, Mac are the best, I have a Dell PC at home for 4 years now and no problems......it cost more but much better service and less issues.
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jerry said 6:22PM on 2-19-2008
cathy-my HP F1905e has the same problem with the screen going black after startup. a pc geek(Tom) that lives near me says in a problem with the windows program. since your acer & my HP have no other relationship other than windows-i now think maybe Tom was right. I've had this problem for 18 mos with no other problems other than its bothersome while i'm playing a timed game.
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Amanda said 6:45PM on 2-19-2008
CAthy... My Acer Aspire 3100 has serious screen problems. I have to "jiggle" the screen to make it better. Sometimes I have to hold the screen with one hand and typr with the other to make it work. VERY FRUSTRATING!!!!
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John J Jacobs said 6:47PM on 2-19-2008
you get what you pay for,so the cliche goes.
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christine said 11:38AM on 2-20-2008
I am on my Acer computer right now and I have the same problem with the buttons and the computer going blank. I thought I was the only one. I paid a good amount of money for this computer, I will NEVER buy a Acer computer again. It is not worth it; after reading everyone messages today I now know that I did not do anything to cause this.
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KDRDIBFT said 6:46PM on 2-19-2008
ACERS R MADE BY FERRIE SPORTS CAR CORP.
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Vivi said 6:51PM on 2-19-2008
I have an Acer, but it is a desk model. I have not had any problems with it other than my stupidity. I am 85 years old and use it every day.
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DER said 7:00PM on 2-19-2008
I have the Aspire 5315... in the first 20 days it crashed so badly that I could not boot it up at all. I had to send it back to the company at my expense - $30+. They sent it back in a couple of weeks and it then could be booted up but any time I try to download anything - including the standard Windows updates - it crashes again, although I can get re-booted now.
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Mark said 7:08PM on 2-19-2008
Sweetpee,
Contact consumer affairs in your area. My wife and I got great results, and fast, going through them.
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