The 5 Best Laptops Under $500 for 2023: Power and Value on a Budget

For the best value under $500, aim for at least a quad-core CPU like an AMD Ryzen 5/7 or Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM for smooth multitasking, 256GB SSD over a slow HDD for much faster performance, and 1080p display resolution (or better) for crisp visuals. Any gaming-focused laptops should have a GTX 1650 or better GPU.

15-inch laptops offer the best balance of screen space and portability at this budget. 17-inch screens limit options and force compromises to keep costs low. 14-inch or smaller screens are more portable but can feel cramped for extended use. Most users are best served with a 15.6-inch screen under $500.

Buying used or refurbished can stretch your dollar further, but it does carry some risk with no or limited warranty coverage. Quality control and battery health are the main concerns. If opting for used, inspect unit closely beforehand if possible and buy from reputable sites with buyer protections.

While underpowered for modern AAA titles, budget gaming laptops in the $500 range like the Dell G15 5520 can still deliver smooth 60+ fps performance in popular competitive games like Fortnite, Rocket League, Overwatch 2, and CS:GO. Just focus on 1080p medium settings without ray tracing. Casual and older games also fair well.

Basic $300 laptops with lower-end components can suffice for light web browsing, video streaming, and office work. But performance will feel more sluggish for demanding apps compared to our recommended picks. Opt for at least our $399 Gateway pick for a much smoother and snappier experience overall if your budget allows.

The Dell G15 5520 is the best gaming laptop under $500 thanks to its GTX 1650 GPU, 120Hz display, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD. It can run popular esports titles over 60 fps on Medium settings.

Some of the best gaming laptops in the USA include the Razer Blade 15, ASUS ROG Zephyrus models, Alienware x15 R2, Lenovo Legion 5 Pro, and Acer Predator Helios 500. High-end configs offer top tier performance with Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti GPUs and latest gen CPUs.

Yes, $1000 is enough budget for a very capable 1080p gaming laptop these days. Aim for at least an RTX 3060 GPU, 11th gen Core i5/Ryzen 5 CPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. This can comfortably run new titles on High settings over 60 fps.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is one of the best gaming laptops available under $600. It packs an GTX 1650 GPU, 120Hz display, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD. This allows playing esports and AAA titles at 60+ fps on Medium 1080p settings.

While $500 gaming laptops like the Dell G15 5520 can run lighter competitive titles over 60fps, triple A game performance will be limited. Focus on older or esports games for the best experience. General use laptops lack dedicated GPUs needed for gaming.

Budget $500 gaming laptops can comfortably run lighter/older games like League of Legends, CS:GO, DOTA 2, Minecraft, Rocket League, World of Warcraft and more. Support for modern AAA games will be limited, but some entry-level playable frame rates are possible on lower settings.

Some of today’s most popular laptops in the USA according to sales figures include the Dell XPS line, HP Spectre and Envy models, Lenovo ThinkPads and IdeaPads, Microsoft Surface devices, and affordable Chromebooks. Apple MacBooks also hold decent consumer market share.

Many divisions in the US military utilize purpose-built “rugged” laptops from brands like Getac, Panasonic, Dell, and Lenovo built to withstand extreme environments. Models include the Getac B300, Panasonic Toughbook 55, and Dell Latitude 7212 Rugged Extreme Tablet which meet MIL-STD durability standards.

Many divisions in the US military utilize purpose-built “rugged” laptops from brands like Getac, Panasonic, Dell, and Lenovo built to withstand extreme environments. Models include the Getac B300, Panasonic Toughbook 55, and Dell Latitude 7212 Rugged Extreme Tablet which meet MIL-STD durability standards.

To comfortably run new games on decent settings, budget $900 to $1,500 for an entry level rig with RX 6600M /RTX 3060 GPU. $1,500 to $2,500 provides smoother high FPS gaming with fewer compromises. And above $2,500 delivers advanced future-proof performance for 4K gaming thanks to RTX 3080 Ti GPUs and top-end CPUs.

The Dell G15 5511 offers the best bang for buck under $700 packing an RTX 3050 Ti GPU, 120Hz display, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB SSD for solid 1080p performance in most titles. Battery life takes a hit, but the GPU muscle makes up for it.

Ideally budget $1,200 to $1,800 for a well-equipped 1080p gaming laptop powered by RTX 3070 GPUs that will chew through modern titles on High settings above 60 fps for buttery performance. Sweet spot pricing depends on screen size, specs, and brand.

We recommend 16GB of RAM in 2023 as an ideal sweet spot that allows keeping multiple games, apps, and browser tabs open simultaneously without slowdowns. 8GB can suffice on tighter budgets for lighter esports gaming, but 16GB provides more overhead. 32GB is overkill for most.

While very cheap sub-$500 laptops can technically play some basic games, an entry-level gaming laptop with dedicated Nvidia GTX or RTX graphics is recommended for a decent experience. Integrated graphics found on ultra budget picks will struggle with most modern 3D titles.

While 16GB is ideal, 8GB of RAM is still sufficient for smooth gaming in most titles since graphics card power matters more. Just be wary of keeping too many background apps and browser tabs open eating up memory while playing games. Close other programs to allocate as much RAM to games as possible.