10 Best Ultrabooks Under $500 – 2021
TOP PICK 
BLW's Score
90
89
85
83
80
MSRP
Price not available
Price not available
$399.00
Price not available
$999.11
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i3-8130U
Intel Core i3-8130U (up to 3.4 GHz)
Intel Pentium N5000 Processor (up to 2.7 GHz)
AMD A12-9720P (up to 3.6 GHz)
Intel Core i5-7200U 2.50 GHz
RAM
4GB DDR4
8GB DDR3
4GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
128GB SSD
500GB HDD
128GB SSD
256GB SSD
1TB HDD
Display
13.3" FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
14" HD (1366 x 7680)
15.6" HD (1366 x 768)
15.6" HD (1366 x 768)
13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
Intel HD Graphics 620
Intel UHD Graphics 605
AMD Radeon R7
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10 S
Windows 10
Windows 10 S
Windows 10
Windows 10
Weight
3.31 pounds
3.2 pounds
3.3 pounds
3.2 pounds
3.4 pounds
Battery Life
6.5 hours
10.5 hours
8 hours
8 hours
5 hours
TOP PICK
Model
BLW's Score
90
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i3-8130U
RAM
4GB DDR4
Hard Disk
128GB SSD
Display
13.3" FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10 S
Weight
3.31 pounds
Battery Life
6.5 hours
Model
BLW's Score
89
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i3-8130U (up to 3.4 GHz)
RAM
8GB DDR3
Hard Disk
500GB HDD
Display
14" HD (1366 x 7680)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Weight
3.2 pounds
Battery Life
10.5 hours
Model
BLW's Score
85
MSRP
$399.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Pentium N5000 Processor (up to 2.7 GHz)
RAM
4GB DDR4
Hard Disk
128GB SSD
Display
15.6" HD (1366 x 768)
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 605
OS
Windows 10 S
Weight
3.3 pounds
Battery Life
8 hours
Model
BLW's Score
83
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
AMD A12-9720P (up to 3.6 GHz)
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
15.6" HD (1366 x 768)
Graphics
AMD Radeon R7
OS
Windows 10
Weight
3.2 pounds
Battery Life
8 hours
BLW's Score
80
MSRP
$999.11
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-7200U 2.50 GHz
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
1TB HDD
Display
13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Weight
3.4 pounds
Battery Life
5 hours
Our comparison table only shows our top 5 picks. You can find the other recommendations within this article.
There was a time not long back when buying a below $500 laptop could actually dampen your image as they were perceived to be cheaply made with barely there functionalities.
Coming back to the present scenario, you don’t need to sell off your kidney for bagging the best gadgets and can get strong battery life, high end processor, brilliant touchscreen and a lot more by shelling out just $500. In our todays article we shall discuss in brief about top ten budget ultrabooks which can set the game rolling in your favour.
These sleek new ultrabooks featuring a sturdy build are portable enough for you to carry around and are powered by high-end batteries which can run the system for minimum five hours without facing the need for further recharge.
The Ultrabooks listed below offer complete value for every penny spent with at least 4GB of RAM, Intel’s latest 7th generation Core processors and 500GB hard drive.
This fresh batch of CPU bring along a blast of power efficiency with blazing fast speed which can help you tackle everything from video editing to gaming like a boss.
While taking your pick, you need to be aware of the following requirements:
- Full HD screen having resolution of 1920×1080 as it enhances the sharpness of images and helps in fitting more content under a single page.
- Good build quality as you might end up travelling a lot with the Ultrabook as your solitary company. This means that it shall be prone to getting manhandled whenever you throw it inside the backpack in a hurry. Real aluminium body having soft-touch finish is the ideal pick however premium plastic bodies can also serve your purpose equally well.
- Solid State Drives having faster boot time and lower application launch lag.
Our Top Picks for Best Ultrabooks under $500
1. Acer Spin 3
Specs:
- Intel Core i3-8130U Processor
- 128GB SSD
- 4GB DDR4 RAM
The chubby little Spin 3 having a plastic build comes off as a compact and good looking model which is sure to deliver you a complete value for money. Its aluminum covered lid displays a brushed-metal texture but acts as a fingerprint magnet given its black exterior.
The Spin 3 features dual hinges which imparts a 360 degree rotational advantage so that you can enjoy screen viewing in a variety of modes. Weighing at 3.5 lbs, it might come off as slightly bulkier than its 13 inch convertible contemporaries but the budget price tag and 4-Cell Battery more than makes up for the same.
Its grippy exterior prevents the Ultrabook from slipping off and makes sure that it stays fit even when you roughly throw it inside the backpack. The screen is not much heavy from the top and can be easily adjustable according to individual needs whereas the rounded corners and blunt edges of the keyboard pave the path for comfortable typing.
The backlit keyboard features dual light intensity levels and the plastic made trackpad works brilliantly to register taps and clicks with utmost precision. Its connectivity frontier stands guarded with an HDMI slot for video output, three USB slots, a card reader and a Kensington Lock slot.
2. HP Pavilion X360
Specs:
- Intel Core i5-8130U Processor
- 500GB HDD
- 8GB DDR3 RAM
Are you looking for a flexible laptop with the ability to take notes with a stylus, then look no further. The HP Pavilion X360 may check your boxes and do it at a very affordable price.
Hewlett Packard engineers has been quite generous while designing the ports section of the X360 which comes loaded with an SD card reader, 3.5mm headset jack and USB 3.0 connector in the left and a pair of USB 3.1 Type-C connector on its right hemisphere.
Wireless connectivity gets established via Bluetooth 4.2 and dual-band Intel 802.11ac Wi-Fi. The robust laptop feels strong enough to undergo rough usage and its durable 360-degree geared hinge allows you to position in a way that’s perfect for your activity.
The well-spaced keys guarantee comfortable typing experience with enough travel time. Keeping in sync with the typical HP tag, the Pavilion x360 brings along an ultra-wide touchpad providing plenty room to perform gestures. Its HD 1366 x 768 touchscreen display has great color accuracy, but we’d personally prefer a display with higher resolution.
The pre-loaded Bang & Olufsen audio software along with the stereo speakers provides a great audio experience. If you’re willing spend a little more, you can also get this laptop with a higher-end processor and more memory. Check the product page for more details.
3. ASUS VivoBook Flip 14
Specs:
- Intel Pentium Processor
- 128GB SSD
- 4GB RAM
The super thin and super sexy VivoBook Flip 14 weighing just 3.3 lbs embeds the operational brilliance of a hardcore laptop in the compact body of an Ultrabook. The NanoEdge display with its ultra slim bezel means that Asus was able to fit a 14 inch laptop into the size of a 13 inch chassis. It also makes the display looks great.
The touchscreen is where this laptop excels. It uses high-precision touch sensors to accurately track display touches. We liked how easy it was to work with Windows 10 applications using this touchscreen.
We thought the audio was impressive for a laptop in this price range. The laptop uses ASUS SonicMaster technology and it works well with voice applications, streaming video, and for light gaming.
The Pentium N5000 processor and 4GB of RAM are sufficient for everyday computing tasks. However, be aware that this laptop’s RAM cannot be upgraded. If you want a laptop for tasks beyond surfing, email or video streaming, you may want to look for a model with more memory.
The best features of the laptop are the super portability and the flexibility of the 2-in-1 design that allows the laptop to also be used as a tablet. It can also be configured in a so-called tent configuration for giving presentations or streaming video content.
For a budget laptop, this model packs a lot of features. If you don’t need the flexibility of a 2-in-1 or need the touch screen, you may want to choose one of our other picks with more memory instead.
4. Asus X555QA
Specs:
- AMD Quad Core Processor
- 256GB SSD
- 8GB RAM
Given its budget tag, the ASUS tech baby serves up a pretty decent all black design which does not spread the hype of flashy hues or aluminum bodies. However its plastic built-up surely brings a premium feel to the table imparting an executive like feel.
Its Quad Core AMD A12-9720P Processor having a maximum clock speed of 3.6 GHz, 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM accumulates all the necessary horsepower to keep the machine running with maximum efficiency even when taxed with heavyweight applications.
Whether it is an important seminar where you need to prove your worth or just a regular file transfer, an array of ports accumulated under a single roof in the Asus model in terms of HDMI, USB 3.0, VGA ports and a 3-in-1 SD/SDHC/SDXC card reader.
Its full size chiclet-styled keyboard featuring a new and improved back-assembled design and IceCool technology guarantees comfortable typing with minimal key float and 1.6mm key travel.
The multi-point touchpad which is the USP of ASUS X Series notebooks gets the solid backing of ASUS Smart Gesture technology which delivers a much more natural and intuitive fingertip-input experience.
Usually notebooks are embedded with minuscule speakers which does not help out much in the audio department but the deadly combo of ASUS AudioWizard and ASUS SonicMaster technology creates an immersive experience with omnidirectional high-fidelity audio.
This is a very affordable and portable laptop. If you are someone on the move, like a frequent traveler or a student, we think you’ll love this pick.
5. Dell Inspiron i5378-2885GRY
Specs:
- Intel Core i5-7200U Processor
- 1TB HDD
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
‘Gorgeous’ that is the first word which comes to our mind whenever we think about the Inspiron Ultrabook from the house of Dell. This grey beauty is built on the latest Iris technology which brings a whole new level to face recognition as a password pin by activating its Infrared camera.
Weighing down only 3 pounds, this sleek model can be your perfect travel companion. Whether it is work or play, its 13.3 inch screen size having maximum screen resolution of 1920×1080 pixels serves up enough potential for sufficing both.
The versatile 360-degree hinge aids this impressive 2-in-1 model in toggling between various usage modes. This 5000 series model equally stuns with its less bezel and optimum screen space to make sure that your eyes don’t deviate away from the magnificent screen as images spring up to life with accentuated brightness, contrast and colour accuracy.
Compared to its predecessors the 802.11ac Wi-Fi helps in establishing long-range wireless connectivity with minimal buffering. Waves MaxxAudio Pro comes preinstalled in the system thus paving the way for rich audio content with proper sound enhancements.
With 7th generation Intel Core i5-7200u processor having maximum turbo speed of up to 3.10 GHz, 5,400-rpm HDD, 8GB DDR4 2400Mhz memory which can be expanded up to 16GB and 1TB HDD storage, the i5378-2885GRY is one tough beast when it comes to multi-tasking.
6. ASUS Q304UA
Specs:
- Intel Core i5-7200U Processor
- 1TB HDD
- 6GB RAM
This 13.3 inch convertible painted in silvery hues in sync with the company’s signature style stands out with its dual hinges having a chrome finish which can help this stylish beauty flip at any angle between 0 and 360.
Its brilliant touch screen having a resolution of 1920×1080 brings crisp imagery straight out of the movie to your tablet screen and allows you to make the most out of Windows 10 with its hands-on control powered by finger-touch navigation. Weighing at just 3.3 pounds, this tablet surely is portable enough for being tagged along as you brave through the day.
The keyboard decides to give a separate number pad section amiss but the comfortable backlight feature more than suffices for the same helping out in managing those gruelling night sessions when you have to function in a dimly lit environment.
Built on an Intel Core i5-6200U processor, the ASUS model delivers efficient performance by properly optimised power intake. Its 6GB 1600 Mhz DDR3 RAM ensures that the machine doesn’t suffer from unnecessary hiccups while dealing with your multitasking requirements.
Its built-in 1TB hard drive with a spindle speed of 5400 rpm paves in the way for ample file storage space so that you can store all your favourite pictures and movies without breaking any sweat about space worries.
7. ASUS Vivobook 17″
Specs:
- Intel Pentium N5000 Processor
- 1TB HDD
- 8GB DDR RAM
Asus has tried to merge in the best of both worlds by combining portability with a large 17″ display. This is definitely not the most portable laptop on our list, but the display makes it worth considering.
The large display uses NanoEdge thin bezels which makes the laptop smaller than you might expect. It also uses the ASUS Tru2Life video technology which uses advanced algorithms to adjusts every pixel of the display to deliver optimal brightness and contrast. We think the vivid display lives up to those claims.
The 17.3″ HD+ display (1600 X 900 pixels) makes every image spring up to life irrespective of the angle of viewing. Powered with 8GB DDR4 memory, Intel Pentium N5000 Processor and a generous 1TB hard drive, this Vivobook has the processing power and data storage you need for daily computing tasks.
This Vivobook has USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 serial ports and includes an HDMI connector that allows you to attach it to a television monitor. It also has an SDXC card reader for transferring photo or video files and other data to the laptop storage.
The display is why this laptop earns a spot on our list. Although it’s certainly not a high-end laptop, it has the features you’d expect for this price range. If the large display is not important to you, you will want to consider one of our other recommendations.
8. HP Spectre X2 12-a008nr
Specs:
- Intel Core M3-6Y30 Processor
- 128GB SSD
- 4GB RAM
If you looking to strike the perfect chord of balance between flashy style and best-in-class performance then your search for best Ultrabooks under $500 range will surely come to a halt once you stumble upon the detachable HP Spectre X2.
Curved out from sandblasted aluminium, the X2 radiates an elegant aura from every angle. Its Intel Core m3-6Y30 Processor, 4GB LPDDR3 SDRAM and 128 GB M.2 solid-state drive comes together to help this mean machine multitask like a pro.
Experience zero time lags as you toggle between heavy running applications such as live streaming of Netflix and high end gaming. Its RealSense 8MP rear facing camera allows hi-tech functionalities such as 3D scanning of people and objects.
It’s equally brilliant 5MP front-facing shooter captures shots with much perfection even in low-light settings. With no moving parts and fans, the Spectre X2 promises pin drop silence with its running to ensure the complete Tablet experience without cutting down on the horsepower required to run Windows 10.
But the sacrifice made in the department of fans add up to the system’s temperature which again is barely noticeable given its clever system engineering. With LTE capability and 10 hours of battery life you can leave the plugging cable back at home as you enjoy unbridled freedom on the go.
9. Dell Inspiron i5559-4415SLV
Specs:
- Intel Core i5-6200U Processor
- 1TB HDD
- 6GB DDR3L RAM
The 15.6 inch Inspiron model has garnered a lot of appreciation thanks to its handsome design and solid performance. This versatile laptop with an Intel Core i5-6200U processor can tackle even the most excruciating task like an absolute boss without draining out the system from its juice.
Powered by 8GB of 1600 MHz DDR3L RAM and 6th-gen Skylake 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5-6200U dual-core processor, this budget ultrabook is an absolute monster when it comes to multitasking.
Even with multiple background tabs open and juggling between the same, the i5559-4415SLV can open up your desired files and programs instantly. Storage worries gets looked after by its 1TB hard drive with 5400 rpm.
Its Intel RealSense 3D camera having depth perception technology can create 3D digital models simply by scanning the same. Such models can be printed to lifelike brilliance using a 3D compatible printer.
In comparison to standard webcam, the 3D camera is better at tracking movement. So the next time you try to take a groupfie with people coming in and out of the frame randomly, expect zero blur.
10. Lenovo Ideapad 310
Specs:
- AMD A10 Processor
- 1TB HDD
- 8GB RAM
The simplistic design of the Ideapad 310 having a silver-coloured lid made of anodized aluminium spells out clear class without going over the top. In spite of being structured around a single hinge, the Lenovo model feels pretty smooth to operate and can be opened using only one hand.
Its flat black sides seals off the connectivity perimeter in one full circle with an ample amount of offerings in the form of DC charging connector, LAN, VGA, HDMI, 3.5 mm audio jack, USB 3.0 and an SD card reader to the left and the optical drive and two USB 2.0 connectors in the right.
The keyboard having an AccuType design ensures optimal comfort with stiff feedback and efficient key travel. Equipped with integrated AMD Radeon R5 graphics and latest AMD processors, the Ideapad brings extreme processing prowess to the graphical arena of this mean machine.
Its built-in stereo speakers powered up by Dolby technology can easily fill in a medium sized room with crisp vocals which do not get diluted even with the volume button turned to the maximum. Wireless connectivity gets established through 802.11a/c Wi-Fi which paves the way for streaming, browsing and downloading at lightning fast speed.
Conclusion
Just because you are surveying the market looking for an Ultrabook doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to spend a fortune on the same.
No doubt ultrabooks once comprised of the most premium segment of laptop buyers but few years and considerable technological advancements hence ultrabooks have undergone significant price reduction thus widening up its market penetration amongst even the budget consumers.
With the market filled with equally good options you are sure to come across the one which suits you best. The ones mentioned in our article will help you take on everyday activities such as watching movies, browsing, working on documents or listening to music with much ease.
Some will even double up as an inexpensive option to help your children with their school project whereas others can run light-gaming or advanced gaming at moderated settings. Whatever be the case you surely will emerge victorious if you select any of the ones mentioned above.
Resources
About the Author Marcus
Marcus has a graduate degree in computer engineering and has many years of experience in cutting-edge technology research and development in both startups and Fortune 500 corporations. In his free time, he enjoys RTS gaming.
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