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Budget-friendly laptops have become a rare sight nowadays; even pandemic has not helped. With the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic, the online working system became effective, the demand for laptops has drastically increased. However, the rapidly rising prices, and chips shortage, have undoubtedly exacerbated the situation, resulting in a scarcity of well-priced laptops.

Reading our latest buyer guide on Best Touchscreen Chromebook Under 300

Although it’s difficult, still, if you look hard enough, you can indeed find the best 14 inch laptop under 500 dollars, which certainly won’t be perfect. In this price range, sacrifices occur.

14-inch laptops are ubiquitous. Whether a student, teacher, businessman, or even a programmer, big-screen laptops are primarily used because of their more extensive displays, high-definition, effective GPUs, and good battery life.

Are 14-inch Laptops Good Enough?

If this question repeatedly pops up in your mind, then fellas know this, don’t purchase a 500 dollar laptop under desperation. Buying a need-it-at-the-moment notebook is similar to going food shopping because you are hungry.

Think about the future as well. Your 500 bucks 14-inch laptop should last for a minimum of 3 years. It would help if you also thought about raising your recent laptop’s life. If you desire specs such as an HD webcam, DDr4 RAM, AMD Radeon graphics or UHD graphics, or even an HDMI port, look at its spec list so that you won’t regret it.

Reading our latest guide on Can I Upgrade My Laptop Processor

A 14-inch laptop under 500 bucks is a hard-to-find gem, but with consistent efforts and brilliant thinking, it can’t slip from your grasp.

Your best 14 inch laptop under 500 weighs heavy, so depending on your need, make sure you have a lightweight chassis laptop, one which is travel-friendly.

Our article reviews the best work and travel-friendly 14-inch laptops under 500. Find out which one is compatible with your needs!

Top Pick:

HP Stream 14-ds0090nr Laptop is among the top laptops under 500, featuring a solid chassis and lightweight design. This thin profile laptop features an AMD dual-core a4-9120e CPU capable of handling various less-demanding tasks-lag free. Moreover, the 4GB RAM and 64GB storage make it perfect for college students. Whether it’s organizing your work on a spreadsheet, making a PowerPoint presentation, writing a thesis in word, this laptop can handle it all.

Moreover, the 8 hrs battery life is excellent. You won’t have to charge your laptop frequently. It’s among the best laptops under $500 you could ever have.

Laptops Vs Chromebooks – Which One Is Better?

A few of the laptops mentioned in our article are Chromebooks. So, what makes them different from 14-inch laptops? 

 Chromebooks are Linux-based tablets with google browsers as their nucleus. These notebooks promote pre-installed shortcuts on your homepage bar, automatically leading you to various sites like YouTube, Gmail, Google Docs, etc.

You can’t download windows on Chromebooks. With the help of the Chrome web store, you can only install chrome-based applications and extensions. Moreover, the latest versions support the google play store meaning you can now install various android applications like MetaTrader 4, video players, notepads, and even writing & editing programs.

Google docs allow you to polish your writing. Its services are available, even when offline. Chromebooks feature their internal storage for various files and pictures, whereas plenty of its applications is nowadays cloud-based, i.e., Office 365, etc.

Moving onto its downsides, the Chromebooks are not suitable for individuals who mostly have to do work offline as these notebooks feature web-based OS. Similarly, those who have been using windows their entire life would find Chromebook as an uncomfortable notebook.

Pros of Chromebooks:

• Affordable than Windows laptops
• Quick start-up and shut-down
• Healthy battery
• Not vulnerable to viruses
• Feature lightweight design

Top 11 Best 14 Inch Laptop Under 500 In 2023

Let’s see the product reviews!

1.) HP Stream 14-ds0090nr Laptop: (Best Overall Laptop) 

Shopping for a laptop and not going for an HP one cant happen. HP Stream 14 is among these renowned brands’ most prideful gadgets engineered to bring out the absolute best.

Features: 

HP Stream 14-ds0090nr Laptop model is an elegant plastic-built notebook ideal for multitasking. The smooth textured surface provides you with a nice feel. There are a pair of rubber grips underneath the laptop, keeping the device steady.

With the 14 inch SVA, 1366×768 resolution, you get to enjoy vivid displays. The touch screen technology further upgrades your fun. Now, you can watch venom, spiderman, and any other shows with clarity and configure it with just a touch.

The internal components include an AMD Dual-core a4-9120e processor featuring glitch-free experiences. Whether writing emails, taking notes, browsing the internet, watching Netflix or YouTube, HP Stream 14-ds0090nr can effectively open various programs without getting slow. But, don’t expect more than that. For heavy-duty tasks, the processor can handle them.

Reading our latest buyer guide on Best 17 Inch Laptop Under 600

With the office 365 suite, you can access Microsoft Word, Microsoft excel, and even OneNote. Indeed, the best laptop for college students under 500.

 The 4GB RAM and 64GB storage are sufficient in light of your computing needs. Moreover, the battery is an average of 8 hrs, perfect for school-going individuals. It’s the best 14 inch laptop under 500.

Its ports collection includes HDMI, USB 3.1 types Gen 1, USB 2.0 Gen 1 Type-A, Media reader, headphone/microphone jack. 

2.) Lenovo Chromebook S330 (81JW0001US): (Affordable Laptop)

Although this isn’t Lenovo’s first shot at launching an affordable price Chromebook, it certainly knows the art of styling up and enhancing the durability of its gadgets. 

 Lenovo Chromebook S330 is their best gadget for work. 

Features:

The Lenovo Chromebook S330 (81JW0001US) is an incredibly designed plastic-made notebook that has a fine finish, colored deep business blue. Although its lid tends to leave some fingerprints, under the 500 bucks price tag, you won’t find wobbly or creaky panels.

This 14-inch laptop promotes a modest 1920x 1080p resolution TN display. This pixel resolution is sufficient; however, the TN display isn’t as great as the IPS panel, where viewing angles are broad.

The brightness of this gadget isn’t too much, but it’s sufficient to overshadow the usual office glare.

The Lenovo Chromebook S330 (81JW0001US) features a spacious trackpad and keyboard, providing you with the best responsiveness and typing experience.

It is to note that, unlike windows laptops, this Chromebook doesn’t have a page up/down/home/end keys in it.

The 180-degree hinges allow the notebook to lay flat. However, the absence of rubberized edges makes it skid a lot when in a horizontal position.

This device has a 2.1GHz MediaTek MT8173C processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB ROM. Although this combo is not sufficient for multitaskers, it’s a fair deal for primary users. The processor can execute these essential functions: streaming videos, web browsing, or opening multiple tabs. Moreover, the UHD graphics 620 provides good pictures, which are although it’s perfect for gaming for 1080p video streaming at 60fps, it is well-suited for it.

The 45 Wh battery lasts over 10 hrs with 150 nits brightness level. Hence, it can smoothly stay a full day at work or college, which is rare to find under 500 dollars.

It’s the best 14 inch laptop under 500 indeed.

3.) HP Chromebook x360 Laptop: (Exceptional Keyboard)

Hats off to the addition of the HP Chromebook x360 affordable laptop list. Constructed with a sturdy base and superior feel, Chromebook x360 is the best 14 inch laptop under 500.

Features:

Although mostly plastic built, an aluminum keyboard deck adds an aesthetic and premium feel to this laptop. With a mere 3.5 pounds weight, this notebook is ideal for easy totting.

Perhaps, the fundamental trade-off in this Chromebook is its display. The HP Chromebook x360 is a 14-inch touch screen laptop facilitating a maximum luminance of 229 nits, which is barely bright to work in the office. 

The enterprise has given this notebook a 3:2 aspect ratio which is far better than the 16:9 ratio of windows laptops. It is one of the best Chromebooks under $500. 

Unlike some low-budget Chromebooks, offering terrible keyboards- the Chromebook X 360 has is incredible. Under a decent price range, it provides a well-responsive keyboard with springy, well-spaced keys with reasonable key travel. Your typing experience gets modified with it. The trackpad is also very precise with palm rejection and won’t certainly go berserk. This laptop has a stylus pen that magnetically gets hooked up at the edge of the keyboard.

The internals includes Intel Celeron N4000 CPU, 32GB ROM, and 4GB, a combo perfect for adequate performance. You can juggle various applications on a hectic day, with 10 to 20 tabs opened without glitches. However, you would notice strain while video streaming or online gaming. You can play games like Mario, sonic, etc., with occasional lag. 

On the plus side, its Ports selection is fantastic. Keeping up with the current trends, it offers 2 USB C ports and a USB A port. Moreover, the HD camera integrated has wide viewing angles.

4.) ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 Laptop: (Intuitive Screen)

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 is much better than its predecessors with an immense display, long-lasting battery, and speedy performance. It’s among the top 2 in 1 laptops under 500. 

Features:

Initially, this laptop may look similar to the costly Zenbook laptops; however, its sliver-matte aluminum touch set it apart. The barely-there bezels and 87% screen-to-body proportion make it the best compact laptop under 500 bucks.

Interestingly, its 360-degree hinge system provides you with tablet and studio modes. Being a convertible one, you can even work on ut while lying on your couch.

The inclusion of the ergo lift hinge allows you to live the back of the keyboard- hello to a better typing experience.

With 3.1 pounds weight, you can single-handedly commute with it without getting tired.

Although there is no space for the ports, the company has somehow managed to squeeze in the essentials. That includes USB 3.1 Type-A port, headphone jack, USB C, and micro SD card. USB C facilitates charging. 

Its 14-inch display promotes 93%sRGB as per our colorimeter. Hence its displays are more crisp, vivid, and vibrant than its predecessors. 

Engineered with an Intel Core m3-8100Y processor and 4GB RAM, you can browse and open various google tabs without experiencing lag. Overall, its performance is good on Jetstream 2.0 benchmark; it scored 76.7. 

During heat testing, this laptop functioned pretty well. For 15 min videos, the trackpad maintained an average of 83° F whereas the keyboard was at 87 F. Only the corners had 99 F temperature. 

ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 is an overall good laptop with decent ports, a good battery, and an impressive display.

5.) Fusion5 A90B+ PRO Laptop: (Unique Design)

Fusion5 has gained much reputation because of its low cost. Whether it’s making video calls, using zoom, Microsoft word, or Microsoft Excel, this laptop is designed to support such applications without glitches.

Features:

Looks-wise, this laptop isn’t much. It gives off an image of an old and chunky dell laptop. However, its display, webcam, and integrated Bluetooth are redeeming features.

It’s a 14 inch IPS display with 1080p resolution. The visuals are close to life and vibrant with less glare and wide viewing angles.

The 2Mp camera integrated at its top bezel makes it a fair deal for your occasional skype or zoom meetings, video calls, or online classes.

Fusion5 internals includes an Intel AtomTM x5-Z8350 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB ROM. These features are ideal for some causal use and some basic schoolwork. However, for intensive tasks, this processor can handle much. The 64GB storage is sufficient – don’t expect to get an SSD at this price range.

The overall performance of this laptop is satisfactory. You can open various tabs and even watch 1080p videos; however, a minor lag will be observed.

Its ports include a USB port ethernet port enabling you to enjoy a more prominent display while connecting your laptop to the television.

It’s the best 14 inch laptop under 500.

6.) CHUWI HeroBook Pro: (Healthy Battery )

The upgraded CHUWI HeroBook Pro is a lightweight laptop that will motivate you to be more creative and productive at college, school, and even office. As the best 14 inch laptop under 500, the Hero book Pro offers a lot.

Features:

This laptop comes in beautiful color variants, featuring 0.36 pounds weight and about 0.84 inches thin profile. This slim design makes traveling with HeroBook pro a comfortable one. 

Its internal components include a Gemini Lake N4020 processor and a 14nm process with a 2.6GHz highest frequency. Equipped with UHD graphics 600, the shared video memory renders superior quality images for casual photo editing or videography. 

Its powerful GPU can decode 4k videos effectively, providing you with an incredible experience while working or playing. 

The 8GB RAM and 256 GB SSD combo are sufficient for everyday work. You can jot down notes, bang some emails and even download various work-related files. 

The 14.1 inch IPS display with 1920x1080p resolution brings forth more vivid displays, providing you with a better video watching and web surfing experience. 

The ingenious color settings and Convenient night mode help reduce eye strain. 

The full-size borderless keyboard features a 17nm keycap and key pitch of 3mm, making your typing experience enjoyable and comfy. The 38Wh li battery is monstrous and will last all day on a single charge. 

This best 14 inch laptop under 500 comes with pre-installed windows 10, helps in upgrading to Windows 11

The Cortana plus the Edge browser work together to provide the users with a more lovely and productive experience. 

The CHUWI HeroBook Pro features an ultra-large 5.75-inch trackpad. Now you can use various touch gestures to interact with your notebook. 

7.) Dell Inspiron 14 5481 Laptop: (SSD Storage)

If your goal is to purchase a core i3 2 in 1 laptop, nothing is better than the Dell Inspiron 14 5481 Laptop. This convertible laptop for your teenager facilitates a touch screen, decent storage, and portable design.

Features:

This laptop is plastic built, with zero premium feel; however, it’s sturdy and durable for daily use. The 180-degree hinges allow this laptop to bend backward. This touchscreen laptop features an HD (1366x 768p) display with narrow bezels and a webcam installed at the top. With 220 nits luminance, it isn’t the brightest laptop. Moreover, don’t expect additional luxuries like a fingerprint reader on this buddy. 

The Dell Inspiron 14 5481 Laptop isn’t a powerhouse, but with its 8th generation Intel Core i3 8145U CPU, your web multitasking tasks are completed without glitches. You can stream HD videos and even play various windows specific games. 

This processor has a 4MB cache with up to 3.9 GHz frequency. The UHD Graphics 620 provides optimal graphic processing speed. 

Dell Inspiron 14 5481 isn’t for heavy-duty intensive tasks. Its ROM is 128GB which is quite limited. Its 4GB RAM is upgradable to a 16GB one. 

Moving on to its battery life, it’s terrible. Its three cell 42Whr battery takes about 5.5hrs to charge fully, whereas it lasts for only 4 to 5 hrs. Hence, it can’t last all day long, and you have to carry its charger wherever you go. 

Its connectivity options are pretty generous. It has a USB C port, a USB 2.0 port, a USB 3.0 port along with a media card reader, and an HDMI. 

It’s one of the good laptops under 500.

8.) Acer Aspire 1 A114-32-C1YA Laptop:(Lightweight Design)

Purchasing something cheap means sacrifices: a mediocre display, slow performance, and unattractive designs. However, with aspire 1, Acer is trying to break this old trend. This laptop is a real deal-breaker featuring FHD, sharper visuals, light chassis, and good performance under 500 bucks. It’s the best 14 inch laptop under 500.

Features:

The Aspire 1A114-32-C1YA is a feathery light 3.64 pounds notebook with a relatively thin profile. This laptop is although a pound heavier than the Zenbook; however, it’s hardly noticeable. 

The 13-inch HD display is truly a remarkable feature, considering how many laptops under 500 bucks usually offer 1366 x 768 resolution. Although the screen isn’t the brightest and you see various grid patterns while watching Hd content, but for web surfing and Video streamings. 

Its front-facing webcam has a 640x 480 resolution, which is not as good as the 1080p one; however, it will suffice for your zoom or skype meetings. 

The internals includes a 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4000 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB ROM, along with a UHD graphics 600. All of these specs are great for your everyday work. However, you may face some glitches. While opening plenty of chrome tabs, you may have to wait a moment for them to load fully; after that, the working is smooth. 

Although Aspire 1A114-32-C1YA is for basic computing tasks, it’s unable to deal with your intensive office projects even if they center around spreadsheets. Moreover, the absence of a full-size keyboard makes it quite lacking for office employees who have to deal with numbers since the keyboard doesn’t have the Numpad. 

It is suitable for media consumption, Internet browsing, video calling, and primary office work. 

It’s among the best 2 in 1 laptops under 500.

9.) Acer Chromebook 514:(Versatile)

Acer never ceases to amaze its fanatics with deal-breaking Chromebooks. Taking the lead, the Acer Chromebook 514 is one of their latest launches which have awed the general public with its looks and specs. It’s the best portable laptop under 500.

Features:

Chromebook 514 gives off a professional metallic feel. Its premium looks and thin z sleek design makes it easy to carry around. For travelers, this is a highly recommended gadget.

It’s among the few laptops which offer FHD resolution under 500 dollars. Its 14 inch IPS display provides immersive visuals. The keyboard has decent key travel, whereas the trackpad also has good precision.

Now, you can swipe, grab, zoom and even tab with just your finger touch. You can innovatively interact with your laptop. Since it’s a Chromebook, it only supports chrome applications. You can access google docs, spreadsheets, powerPoint, hangouts, and many others online and offline.

If your work greatly revolves around these programs, then Acer Chromebook 514 is the best one for you guys.

Its processor is Intel Celeron N3450. Without lag, this processor can do less demanding tasks like video calling, writing papers, streaming videos, etc. However, it’s not a good option for graphic design and other intensive projects. 

It features 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. Although not much, this combo is for casual users not demanding intensive performance. The 360 hinge system incorporated into it makes it more flexible and versatile. You can work on your projects in either a laptop, studio, tablet, or tent mode.

The battery life is also incredible. With 10 hrs long battery, you can work all day without frequent charging. For travelers, s a plus point.

Its ports include dual USB type c ports, USB 3.1 gen 1 ports, USB 3.0 ports, and a display port. It’s the best 14 inch laptop under 500 so far.

10.) ASUS VivoBook Flip 14: (Travel-friendly)

ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 will let you experience the different joys the world has to offer to you. This sleek and slim notebook will change your view of the world with its ultra-narrow bezel and full HD Nano Edge display. Multitasking, work, and entertainment are made much more fun and satisfying.

Features:

ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 comes with a superb Nano Edge display with a 73% screen-to-body ratio making it the best 14-inch laptop under 500. Your viewing experience will become top-notch as it offers you a panoramic display of 178 degrees. The colors and contrast will become vivid and remain vivid and clear from an acute angle.

This thin and elegant notebook weighs only 3.3 pounds and is 0.6 inches thick, making it your best bud for traveling.

Its high-precision touch sensors come with the best quality touch screen that can detect even the tiniest of touch.

Best quality audio will be delivered to you through this laptop with ASUS Sonic Master technology which will immerse you into the ocean of sounds and take your entertainment to a whole different level.

ASUS Vivobook Flip 14 laptop comes with an Intel Pentium Silver N5030 Processor making the performance and efficiency of the laptop the best. This energy-efficient device will help keep your noise level down with its cleverly crafted fanless design enabling you to conduct presentations, meetings easily and watch movies.

With its 128GB eMMC storage and a 4GB DDR4, you will have ample storage.

This convertible laptop comes with excellent battery life as ASUS SuperBattery Technology help protect the life of the battery, making the laptop work all day long.

11.) Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5: (Great Performance)

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is a laptop made for you to multitask on it. It is sleek yet intricate design will satisfy you to the best of its abilities. It has a perfect size that makes it compact and user-friendly. This laptop is among the best 14 inch laptop under 500.

Feature:

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 comes with a satisfyingly long-lasting battery as it’s powered Ac and 

battery. It uses Lithium-ion batteries. The laptop can last for about seven to ten hours, making it an outstanding work and travel-friendly gadget.

It comes with a sleek, slim, and thin body built and weighs only 1.2 pounds. Its dimensions are 1.54 inches in height, 11.18 inches in width, and 18.58 inches in length.

This 14-inch laptop provides you with the most vivid and clear colors and contrasts with its Full HD IPS touch display and comes with 1920 to 1080 pixels of resolution. The display is superb as it has excellent touch sensors that can detect the tiniest of touch without much effort. It uses windows 10 as it’s an operating system in S mode.

It has Bluetooth, 1 USB 2.0 port, and 1 USB 3.0 port. It comes with an intel chipset and an ‎Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics coprocessor making it easier to design, edit, and photoshop.

This convertible laptop has a 3200 MHz memory speed, a 128 GB SSD hard drive, and 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM. It also has a 2.4 GHz AMD r series as its processor, making its performance and processing excellent. You can conduct meetings, give presentations and watch movies with ease as this device is one of the best windows laptop under 500.

Buyer Guide:

Although Chromebooks can only run chrome applications, many individuals require Windows applications to run beefier and intensive programs like Adobe or illustrator.

Choosing a Windows or Chromebook laptop can be quite a headache. There are plenty of gadgets, but what stands out from the crowd is what you need to find. While shopping, you need to consider its specs, where you would be using your gadget, and your price range.

We have sorted out this buyer guide to help you find the best 14 inch laptop under 500.

Windows or Chrome?

The first step towards choosing a good 14-inch laptop is to decide whether you need a windows laptop or a Chromebook. Under 500 dollars, you will mostly find either Windows Od or Chrome OS laptops. You won’t see a Mac or apple tablet since they range more than 500 bucks.

Chromebooks are lightweight notebooks capable of handling various web-based applications for your everyday computing needs. However, the windows require a bit more power and can run some heavy applications that Chromebooks lack. It supports various applications greater than the Chrome Os can even imagine. Not only that, it is updated regularly, meaning you get to work on the best software that Microsoft can offer.

Convertible or Clamshell:

 The next step is deciding on the type. The clamshell comes with a fixed keyboard and non-touchscreen, akin to the traditional laptops. However, the convertible ones feature 360-degree hinges. That allows the laptop to transform into a tablet, a tent, or a studio. Choose how your 14-inch laptop should be. They even have touch screens. Compared to the clamshell ones, the 14-inch convertible laptops are better.

Resolution:

Finding a 14-inch laptop under 500 with FHD resolution is pretty hard as plenty offer only up to 1366 x 768 resolution. Going for a 1080p resolution laptop will make a massive difference in your entertainment. Your display will be vivid and crystal clear, indulging you in watching videos and working on documents for hours.

Processor:

The processor is the brains of your gadget, and it’s essential for the speedy performance of your laptop. Under 500 bucks, you will find mostly Celeron or Pentium. We recommend you to go for either intel core i5 or intel core i3. If not, then even 4000 or 5000 series AMD Ryzen 3 or 5 can do. Don’t go for AMD dual-core A9 processors.

Storage:

Your best 14 inch laptop under 500 should have at least 128GB SSD. Avoid getting the old-school HDD.

Memory:

For memory, 8GB is an absolute one. But, if you are i. A pinch, even 4GB can do. However, remember that it won’t be able to run multiple applications.

Wrapping Up:

Finding 14-inch budget laptops can be very difficult; however, by keeping in mind the butter guide and various key features that it should possess, you can get your hands on a good gadget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Are Laptops Under $500 Good?

Yes, many laptops under $500 provide great features. These laptops are lightweight, but they offer HD resolution and decent CPU performance. Although they lack power and can’t handle intensive web tasks, they are perfect for basic users.

Do I Need A 14-Inch Laptop?

14-inch laptops are generally smaller and more compact than larger laptops. Their lightweight design and compactness make them great for traveling. Hence, if you are always on the go, 14-inch laptops can be your best buds; however, don’t expect their performance to be on par with the more large and bulky laptops.

This Article is Updated in January 2023.

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