Best cheap laptops: 10 options for under $500

Rudie Obias

So you're in the market to buy a new laptop? We have some advice: Don't let big tech companies with multimillion dollar marketing campaigns fool you into thinking you have to pay upwards of $1,000 to get a quality notebook.

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You can actually get a brand new one for less than half of that price. And we aren't talking about poorly made, subpar notebooks that run slower than your smartphone after the latest iOs update. We're talking about cheap laptops that are high-tech and responsive, helping you do the things that matter most, like writing, browsing the internet, storing files, and even gaming. 

Rather than just making a few purchase suggestions and sending you on your way, we're going to equip you with some knowledge that'll help you be a more informed PC shopper. You know all that computer talk of processor-this and gigahertz-that, we'll explain it all in terms everyone can understand.

Let us introduce you to 10 of the best cheap laptops for you to choose from, starting with the most affordable. All of these come in at less than $500.