Best Laptop For Working From Home Under $500 In 2023

Looking for the best laptop for working from home under $500 then this is the right place to look. 

The coronavirus pandemic has completely changed the ‘traditional’ work environment and with it, the new era of ‘Work from Home’ emerged. Most companies and employers have digitized their work culture to prevent the spread of coronavirus and allow employees to work from home. So, the need for digital equipment is more than ever. 

For that, the first and arguably the best device is a laptop. This portable machine allows you to attend meetings, work on your company projects and resolve customer issues — everything right from your lap. Besides this, you can play games, binge-watch Netflix, and stream music during your tea break. 

But finding the best laptop for working from home under $500 is like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are so many of them and you need a machine that not just creates & edits presentations or spreadsheets, but also has the necessary features to attend zoom meetings, operate office software, and run programs smoothly. 

So, what can you expect from a $500 laptop, and which hardware to look at without compromising anything? For that, we’ve created a buying guide at the end of the post. Check it out.

If you are familiar with laptops hardware and know what to look for in a laptop then read the article here otherwise, first take a look at buying guide at the end of this post, after that come back here.

Important Note: At the time of writing, we’ve ensured that our list included laptops that come under $500, but laptop sellers frequently change laptop prices, so you might have to pay little more than $500 (sometimes $600) to get what you want. 

Best Laptop For Working From Home Under $500 In 2022

1) Lenovo Ideapad 3 

2) HP 14 

3) HP 15 

4) HP Pavilion 15.6

5) Acer Aspire 3

6) Asus Vivobook 15

7) Acer Spin 3 

8) HP 15-dy1036nr

9) Microsoft Surface Pro 7 

10) Dell Inspiron 15 3000

1) Lenovo Ideapad 3 

• Display :- 14 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :- Ryzen 5 5500U
• Graphics :- AMD Radeon 7 Graphics
• RAM :- 8 GB
• Storage :- 256 GB SSD
• Webcam :- 720p Camera

Lenovo Ideapad 3 is a truly powerful laptop that can handle everything you throw at it. Driving this agile device is a mighty 5th generation Ryzen 5 5500U CPU and features 6 cores to let you switch between multi apps without any freezing or hang issue. 

The stunning 14-inch display speaks for itself when it comes to amazing visuals and a clear PowerPoint presentation. Apart from this, Lenovo Equipped it with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD to run apps flawlessly and boot apps quickly.

Despite its portable design, Lenovo has crafted the machine with a solid build and ensures it lasts for long. Moreover. It also features intelligent thermals along with 3 different performance modes to switch between.  

Top of all, it comes with WiFI 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity which we’ve rarely seen in any budget Work From Home laptop. Coming to the camera, Lenovo provides an HD inbuilt webcam with Privacy Shutter to protect your identity from any misuse. 

Lenovo Ideapad 3 also features 4 hours of long battery and a plethora of ports. 

2) HP 14 

• Display :- 14 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :- Ryzen 5 5500U
• Graphics :- AMD Radeon 7 Graphics
• RAM :- 8 GB
• Storage :- 256 GB SSD
• Webcam :- 720p Camera

HP 14 is hands down one of the best laptop for working from home under $500 when you want to experience stunning performance wrapped in a gorgeous display. 

Fueled by AMD Ryzen 5 5500U CPU and paired with AMD Radeon Graphics, there is nothing this beast cannot handle. 

Not just that, you’ll get a 14-inch panel with pixels beyond your imagination and audio that gives immersive vibes while you work on your dream project. Scrolling through social media and reading PDFs was a pleasant experience through its reliable trackpad.

As for Memory and storage, HP 14 comes with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD and allows you to install your favorite apps, collect important data, and stream movies without being interrupted. 

As much as we love HP’s internal specs, we’ve also admired its external layout which is engineered with solid silver plastic and features a thin and portable design. 

The battery provides continues 6 hours of juice and can charge 0 to 50% in just 45 minutes, cool isn’t it?

Finally, you’ll get Windows 10 home edition as an operating system with this laptop. 

3) HP 15 

• Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :- 11th generation i5-1135G7
• Graphics :- Intel Xe Graphics
• RAM :- 8 GB
• Storage :- 256 GB SSD
• Webcam :- 720p Camera

HP 15 laptop has the same design and looks as HP 14 but with more room for display. It features a 15.6-inch panel with 1920 X 1080 pixels and allows you to run multiple apps at once, and work with two different apps or documents simultaneously. The panel features a micro-edge display with a slim design and makes it easy to carry around. 

It is equipped with a new 11th generation i5 processor and delivers seamless performance whether you work on Microsoft Office apps,  edit photos or videos, and run dozens of Chrome tabs. 

Heavy-duty software such as Photoshop and Illustrator runs without any stress and makes your editing tasks easier. On the graphic side, HP provides integrated Intel Xe Graphics and delivers crisp and bright images with accurate color and stunning visuals. Intel has made some changes to the new graphics card to enhance graphics performance and renders videos fast.

Coming to the memory, you’ll get an 8 GB memory rig along with a 256 GB SSD to improve your productivity and get your job done quickly. 

Best of all, HP provides a True Vision 720P HD camera with an inbuilt dual array microphone that produces images with better clarity and sound with crisp and clear audio so your fellow team member can easily see and hear you. 

The battery can give you 7 hours of juice during mixed usage and 10 hours during video playback – a perfect device to watch Netflix on weekends. 

If you prefer a big screen then the HP 15 is the best alternative to HP 14 when it comes to the best laptop for working from home under $500.

4) HP Pavilion 15.6

• Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :- 11th generation i5-1135G7
• Graphics :- Intel X Graphics
• RAM :- 8 GB
• Storage :- 512 GB SSD
• Webcam :- 720p Camera

With its robust build and portable design, HP Pavilion 15.6 stands out from the crowd and offers unmatched performance starting from your daily tasks to running big software without any hiccup. 

It is powered by an 11th generation i5-1135G7 processor along with 8 MB L3 cache, 4 cores, and up to 4.2 GHz Turbo Boost speed. The graphics unit includes Integrated Intel Iris X graphics and lets you play entry-level games with acceptable frame rates and beautiful visuals. You cannot run AAA titles with the integrated graphics card, even if you try to play it will stutters and run extremely hot.

The display has a 15.6-inch micro-edge panel with 1920 X 1080 pixels resolution, 250 nits of brightness, and 45% NTSC color accuracy. The display itself is spacious and features narrow bezels to make it one of the lightweight business laptops out there.  

The keyboard has punchy and silent keys which makes it extremely easy to type during the night when everyone is sleeping. It ensures typing sound doesn’t wake them. 

To conclude, HP Pavilion 15.6 is a powerful yet affordable machine for those who need the best laptop for working from home under $500. 

5) Acer Aspire 3

• Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :- 10th generation i5-1035G1
• Graphics :- Intel UHD Graphics
• RAM :- 8 GB
• Storage :- 256 GB SSD
• Webcam :- 720p Camera

Acer Aspire 3 is another great laptop for personal and office use. It is armed with a 10th generation i5 processor and delivers extremely powerful performance for your everyday computing tasks. 

Further, it has a 15.6-inch display with Full HD resolution and Dual-Band Wi-Fi for a lag-free internet connection. Other than this, Acer equipped it with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD to improve multitasking with ease. 

Both keyboard and trackpad are quite good and give tactical feedback with a fast response. Not to mention, Numpad for extra productivity. The i5 processor coupled with integrated Intel UHD graphics to produce images with bright and vivid colors. In addition to this, you’ll also get 3 hours of battery juice. Acer Aspire 3 earns a badge of a portable notebook with its 5.40 lbs and makes it extremely easy to carry anytime anywhere. 

The design is very old and looks bulky, and Acer hasn’t improved it a bit in the past few years. The only drawback against Acer Aspire 3 is its build quality which features a cheap plastic body, so you need extra care to make this last for long.  

6) Asus Vivobook 15

• Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :- 10th generation i5-1035G1
• Graphics :- Intel UHD Graphics
• RAM :- 8 GB
• Storage :- 512 GB SSD
• Webcam :- 720p Camera

Asus Vivobook 15 offers remarkable performance in a solid plastic body and ensures it stay cool under stress. It features a 15.6-inch panel with an 88% screen-to-body ratio and 178 degrees viewing angle. The screen is quite bright and allows you to clearly see the text, documents, or videos while you work outside of your home. 

It shouldered with tenth generation i5-1035G1 processor and adds tremendous potential to handle some of the heavy editing or conferencing tasks without any issue. 

Above all, it comes with an in-built fingerprint sensor and takes your laptop security to the next level. Out of the box, Asus packs 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD for convenient storage. 

Thanks to its Ergolift design, you’ll get a fast and pleasant typing position. You can work on a night with its backlit keyboard which gives enough light to reflect keys. 

Finally, you’ll get a smooth trackpad and long battery life packs inside its 3.75 lbs body. Overall,  with its amazing features and more storage, Asus Vivobook  15 is absolutely the best laptop for working from home under $500. 

7) Acer Spin 3 

• Display :- 14 Inch Touch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :- 10th generation i5-1035G1
• Graphics :- Intel UHD Graphics
• RAM :- 8 GB
• Storage :- 256 GB SSD
• Webcam :- 720p Camera

If 2 in 1 (touchscreen) is your priority and doesn’t want to compromise on performance, then Acer Spin 3 is a great choice for you. It has a gorgeous 14 inch Full HD IPS display with integrated touch and you can use it as a laptop or tablet mode – whichever you find convenient. 

During your zoom meeting if you like to take notes on suggestions or reviews – Acer makes it extremely easy for you by adding a rechargeable Stylus. The stylus can be used for drawing, taking notes, or highlighting text while reading Ebooks or PDFs. 

Besides this, Acer offers 8 GB RAM and 256 GB Speedy SSD to install and run graphic designing apps, Conferencing apps, or games. Not just that, it offers 12 hours of long battery life and also features fast charging to fill necessary juice. As for ports, it has 1 X USB 2.0, an SD card reader, an HDMI, one USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, and an Active Stylus Dock. 

If you intern, regular employee, or head of the office, Acer Spin 3 has something to offer for everyone. This convertible notebook is a top-notch choice when it comes to the best laptop for working from home under $500.  

8) HP 15-dy1036nr

• Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :- 10th generation i5-1035G1
• Graphics :- Intel UHD Graphics
• RAM :- 8 GB
• Storage :- 256 GB SSD
• Webcam :- 720p Camera

HP 15-dy1036nr features peerless performance along with an elegant design and makes it one of the best laptop for working from home under $500. 

Design-wise, HP offers a robust silver chassis wrapped inside a plastic body and ensures it doesn’t break easily during accidental drops or spills. It has a roomy 15.6-inch display along with an 82% screen-to-body ratio and a resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels. 

The CPU unit is run by a 10th generation i5-1035G1 processor and features a 1.0 GHz base frequency with up to 3.6 GHz turbo boost technology. The processor coupled with Intel UHD Graphics produce images with much brighter and better looks.

HP managed to squeeze a 15-inch panel into a small frame to make it a thin and light notebook on the market. 

With HP 15 in your lap, you can complete all your daily tasks without needing an adapter. And when it runs out of juice, you can charge 50% battery in just 45 minutes. 

9) Microsoft Surface Pro 7 

• Display :- 11.2 Inch Touchscreen with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :- 10th generation i3
• Graphics :- Intel UHD Graphics
• RAM :- 4 GB
• Storage :- 128 GB SSD
• Webcam :- 720p Camera

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is for those folks who need a premium machine and work in the graphic design industry. Microsoft has shaped this baby in a solid frame that feels sturdy and lasts for a long. 

The base model costs you more than $500, but it’s worth a shot when you need a laptop mostly for zoom meetings and light usage such as creating presentations or surfing the web. 

Microsoft packs it with 10th gen i3 processor along with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD to run light office apps and multiple Chrome apps without any issue. Further, you’ll get up to 10 hours of battery that can charge 80% in just an hour. 

The display features a 12.3-inch touchscreen with pen input and allows you to draw everything you can imagine and take notes with ease. 

For those, who spend hours on client meetings and need a favorable machine for video conferencing and regular office work, Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is without a doubt the best laptop for working from home under $500. 

10) Dell Inspiron 15 3000

• Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :- 11th generation i3-1115G1
• Graphics :- Intel UHD Graphics
• RAM :- 8 GB
• Storage :- 1 TB SSD
• Webcam :- 720p Camera

In the end, We’ve Dell Inspiron 15 3000 crafted by Dell’s cutting-edge technology and comes with the terrific potential to run tasks effortlessly. It sports an 11th generation i3-1115G1 processor and gives matchless performance without any cooling or noise issues. 

The graphic card is equipped with Integrated UHD Graphics and delivers beautiful images with great visuals. Coming to the display, Dell provides a 15.6 inches Full HD panel that gives enough room to multitask or run two different apps simultaneously. 

Further, the trackpad is quite smooth and responds quickly, it also supports all windows gestures to make things easier for you. As for memory and storage, you’ll get 8 GB RAM with a 1 TB HDD to store enormous data. 

We recommend purchasing a separate SSD to make your notebook faster, otherwise, alone HDD takes time to run apps and boot the laptop. 

Overall, if you have a tight budget and can compromise on performance then Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is a great piece of equipment to bring home. 

Recommended Specs For The Best Laptop For Working From Home Under $500

1) Processor 

All of your tasks whether it’s web surfing, YouTube streaming, or Zoom meetings require a potent processor to process data and instructions to do its work. A powerful processor allows laptops to think and work faster, so the more powerful the processor, the better. 

Mainly two processor brands we’ve seen in a budget laptop; Intel and AMD. Both are ideal for business and regular use. However, nowadays AMD processors are more powerful and power-efficient compares to its counterpart and yet come on a budget. 

Particularly, 4th and 5th generation AMD Ryzen processors are great choices for office and business use. It looks like this; AMD Ryzen 5 4500U and AMD Ryzen 5 5500U. They can run all video editing apps or office software without any stress. 

If you’re an intel fan, you’ll find 10th and 11th generation CPUs under $500. You can find both i3 and i5 processors on a list, we highly recommend looking after 10th or 11th generations i5 processors ($100 dollar give or take). They are powerful and handle heavy tasks like video or photo editing without a hiccup and run entry-level games smoothly.  

2) Memory 

Even a processor alone cannot handle everything, it needs helping hands to run apps hassle-free. That’s where memory (RAM) comes in. Memory or RAM collect short-term data a processor needs to execute its tasks. Without memory, a processor has to do all of these and slow down the laptop. So, ample RAM is a must. 

We recommend picking a laptop with 8 GB RAM and If possible check if it has room for expansion in the future. 

Just so you know that upgrading memory won’t alone increase performance (a significant amount) you need a potent processor to transfer data that RAM sends to it. If a processor isn’t powerful enough, upgrading memory won’t do any good. 

3) Storage

How much storage you need in a notebook solely depends on you. In general, storing dozens of presentations or spreadsheets, pictures, and other data we recommend getting at least 128 GB of storage.  

What’s more important here is a type of drive that stores data. An HDD offers you more storage at a low price, but won’t be good for laptop speed and performance. 

On the other hand, an SSD costs you more but significantly improves laptop speed and performance. So, go for an SSD and if you can’t live without storage, purchase a separate HDD and use it as a secondary storage unit. When you look for the best laptop for working from home under $500, always prefer a laptop with SSD. In our list, we’ve recommended the same.

4) Webcam

Work from home requires constant Zoom meetings and video conferencing, so a laptop with an in-built webcam is a necessity. Check for a laptop that has a 720p  webcam – it produces better and brighter images. 

For most folks it is enough, however, if you need crystal clear images with accurate colors then getting an extra accessory as a webcam would be excellent. 

5) Other important specs 

Apart from the above main features, you should look for a Full HD display (1920 X 1080 pixels) with a 13 to 15-inch panel, plenty of ports options such as HDMI, and at least two USB ports to connect a second Monitor, HDD Drive, or Webcam. 

Most of the time, you’ll work in your room so the battery is not that important, however for emergency purposes we recommend getting a laptop with up to 3 hours of battery juice.  

Final Words

Work from Home laptops needs are different from traditional office laptops – you don’t need to deal with the two most important features of office laptops such as battery life and portability. At home, you have an adapter and power source to charge the laptop and you don’t need to carry it around in your bag for a long time. So, it’s worth a tradeoff to leave these features behind and focus on processor, memory, and display. Keeping this thing in mind, the above list of best laptop for working from home Under $500 recommends notebooks that offer powerful performance with a bright and crisp display.