Laptops for the Casual Worker
Laptops are the kings of versatility. Fully-featured to handle the same tasks as full-sized computers and yet small enough to carry around.
To achieve this, several compromises had to be made. You usually get less for your money with a laptop but if you need to work out of the house, a laptop is your best bet.
Acer Chromebook 311 (CB311-9H-C29L)
ranked #2 among Laptops priced under $500
Chromebooks excel as easy-to-carry travel companions for those of us who need to remain connected on the go, and this model is no exception. A USB-C d
Who it's For
- Multitasker
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Linux, Android, Chrome OS
Screen
12", 1920×1080(FHD, 1080p, 2.1MP), IPS Display (incl. PLS, AHVA, etc.), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
Intel Celeron N4000
GPU
Intel UHD Graphics 600
Memory
4 GB
Storage
32 GB total, Media Card Reader
Pricing
Lenovo 14-inch IdeaPad 3 Chromebook (82KN0002CF)
ranked #3 among Laptops priced under $500
Even by Chromebook standards, this netbook is a bit humble, but it's a cost-efficient solution for everyday needs.
A few characteristics could impe
Who it's For
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Linux, Android, Chrome OS
Screen
14", 1366×768(1366 × 768, 1MP), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
MediaTek MT8183
GPU
ARM Mali-G72
Memory
4 GB
Storage
32 GB total, Media Card Reader, eMMC Storage (slow)
Pricing
Acer 14-inch Chromebook 314 (CB314-1H-C1S4)
ranked #4 among Laptops priced under $500
This Chromebook has a larger screen, helping readability without compromising ease of transportation too much.
Who it's For
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Linux, Android, Chrome OS
Screen
14", 1366×786(1366 × 786, 1.1MP), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
Intel Celeron N4000
GPU
Intel UHD Graphics 600
Memory
4 GB
Storage
32 GB total, Media Card Reader, eMMC Storage (slow)
Pricing
Asus C523NA 15-inch Chromebook (C523NA-BB02-CB)
ranked #5 among Laptops priced under $500
With an unusually large screen for a Chromebook, this model trades some of its portability to give the user additional room to work. If you find readi
Who it's For
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Android, Chrome OS
Screen
15", 1366×768(1366 × 768, 1MP), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
Intel Celeron N3350
GPU
Intel HD Graphics 505
Memory
4 GB
Storage
64 GB total, Media Card Reader, eMMC Storage (slow)
Pricing
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14-inch Netbook (82GW0047CF)
ranked #6 among Laptops priced under $500
Built for price-effectiveness above all, this laptop might still be worth a look if you're happy with products from the Microsoft store. It's not a po
Who it's For
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Windows 10, S Edition
Screen
14", 1366×768(1366 × 768, 1MP), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
AMD 3020e
GPU
AMD Radeon Vega 3 Graphics
Memory
4 GB
Storage
64 GB total, Media Card Reader, eMMC Storage (slow)
Pricing
HP 14-inch Laptop (14-fq0008ca)
ranked #7 among Laptops priced under $500
This laptop is as modest as it gets, but if you need more versatility than a Chromebook can offer, this could be worth a look.
Luckily, this laptop
Who it's For
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Windows 10, S Edition
Screen
14", 1366×768(1366 × 768, 1MP), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
AMD 3020e
GPU
AMD Radeon Vega 3 Graphics
Memory
4 GB
Storage
64 GB total, Media Card Reader, eMMC Storage (slow)
Pricing
Asus L410 14-inch NetBook (L410MA-SH01-CB)
ranked #8 among Laptops priced under $500
This laptop is all about cost-effectiveness, and if you're strapped for cash, it could be a compelling option, especially if you're a patient person c
Who it's For
- Multitasker
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Windows 10, S Edition
Screen
14", 1920×1080(FHD, 1080p, 2.1MP), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
Intel Celeron N4020
GPU
Intel UHD Graphics 600
Memory
4 GB
Storage
64 GB total, Media Card Reader, eMMC Storage (slow)
Pricing
Asus C523NA 15.6" Chromebook (Touch) (C523NA-DH02)
ranked #9 among Laptops priced under $500
With an unusually large screen for a Chromebook, this model trades some of its portability to give the user a larger picture to work with (but not nec
Who it's For
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Android, Chrome OS
Screen
15", 1366×768(1366 × 768, 1MP), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
Intel Celeron N3350
GPU
Intel HD Graphics 500
Memory
4 GB
Storage
32 GB total, Media Card Reader, eMMC Storage (slow)
Pricing
Acer Spin 11-inch Convertible Chromebook (CP311-3H-K9K9)
ranked #11 among Laptops priced under $500
This versatile Chromebook offers a great experience for the price and is a compelling option if you can`t quite decide between getting a netbook or a
Who it's For
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Android, Chrome OS
Screen
12", 1366×768(1366 × 768, 1MP), IPS Display (incl. PLS, AHVA, etc.), Multiple Monitor Support, Touch Screen
CPU
MediaTek MT8183
GPU
ARM Mali-G72
Memory
4 GB
Storage
64 GB total
Pricing
Asus Chromebook Flip C434 (C434TA-DSM4T)
ranked #12 among Laptops priced under $500
Chromebooks can be quite versatile, but the most affordable models can come a little short for more advanced users. By investing more in a model like
Who it's For
- Multitasker
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Android, Chrome OS
Screen
14", 1920×1080(FHD, 1080p, 2.1MP), Multiple Monitor Support, Touch Screen
CPU
Intel Core m3-8100Y
GPU
Intel UHD Graphics 615
Memory
4 GB
Storage
64 GB total, Media Card Reader
Pricing
HP 14in Chromebook (14a-NA0010ca)
ranked #15 among Laptops priced under $500
This Chromebook offers a pretty compelling solution if you're looking to handle everyday communication and connectivity away from your main rig.
Who it's For
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Android, Chrome OS
Screen
14", 1366×768(1366 × 768, 1MP), Multiple Monitor Support, VA or SVA Display
CPU
Intel Celeron N4000
GPU
Intel UHD Graphics 600
Memory
4 GB
Storage
64 GB total, eMMC Storage (slow), Micro SD Storage Expansion
Pricing
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i 15ITL6 Laptop (82H801E9CF)
ranked #1 among Laptops priced $500-1000
This laptop is an attractive choice if you need a computer to handle productivity tasks efficiently with enough overhead to let you experiment beyond.
Who it's For
- Aspiring Creative
- Multitasker
- Productivity-Focused User
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Windows 11, Home Edition
Screen
15", 1920×1080(FHD, 1080p, 2.1MP), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
Intel Core i5-1135G7
GPU
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Memory
8 GB, Dual-Channel
Storage
256 GB total, Media Card Reader, Solid State (very fast)
Pricing
HP ENVY x360 13-inch Touchscreen 2-in-1 Laptop (13-ay0007ca)
ranked #2 among Laptops priced $500-1000
This versatile 2-in-1 laptop is a great candidate for productivity on the go, study or even travel.
Who it's For
- Road Warrior
- Aspiring Creative
- Multitasker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Windows 10, Home Edition
Screen
13", 1920×1080(FHD, 1080p, 2.1MP), IPS Display (incl. PLS, AHVA, etc.), Multiple Monitor Support, Touch Screen
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
GPU
AMD Radeon Vega 6 Graphics
Memory
8 GB, Dual-Channel
Storage
512 GB total, Media Card Reader, Solid State (very fast)
Pricing
Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 3 Business Laptop (20YG003EUS)
ranked #3 among Laptops priced $500-1000
This business-focused laptop is a natural fit for anyone with an appetite for productivity thanks to its powerful specs and speedy storage.
Who it's For
- Aspiring Creative
- Multitasker
- Productivity-Focused User
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Windows 10, Pro Edition
Screen
15", 1920×1080(FHD, 1080p, 2.1MP), IPS Display (incl. PLS, AHVA, etc.), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
GPU
AMD Radeon RX Vega 7
Memory
8 GB
Storage
256 GB total, Solid State (very fast)
Pricing
HP x360 14-inch Touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook (14C-CA0030CA)
ranked #4 among Laptops priced $500-1000
Who it's For
- Multitasker
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Android, Chrome OS
Screen
14", 1920×1080(FHD, 1080p, 2.1MP), IPS Display (incl. PLS, AHVA, etc.), Multiple Monitor Support, Touch Screen
CPU
Intel Core i3-10110U
GPU
Intel UHD Graphics
Memory
8 GB
Storage
128 GB total, Media Card Reader, eMMC Storage (slow)
Pricing
AMD 17-inch Laptop (17-cp0007ca)
ranked #5 among Laptops priced $500-1000
This large laptop is a compelling computer if you need a computer at home but do not have room to dedicate to a PC. As one of the larger laptops out t
Who it's For
- Serious Multitasker
- Graphic Designer
- Productivity-Focused User
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Windows 11, Home Edition
Screen
17", 1920×1080(FHD, 1080p, 2.1MP), IPS Display (incl. PLS, AHVA, etc.), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
AMD Ryzen 3 5300U
GPU
AMD Radeon Vega 6 Graphics
Memory
12 GB
Storage
1.25 TB total, Solid State (very fast), 54000 RPM hard drive (slow)
Pricing
Asus ExpertBook P1 15-inch professional laptop (P1510CJA-C71P-CA)
ranked #6 among Laptops priced $500-1000
This laptop is a pretty compelling solution for productivity and has a few enterprise-class features.
A few things are missing to make me happy: a
Who it's For
- Serious Multitasker
- Graphic Designer
- Productivity-Focused User
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Windows 10, Pro Edition
Screen
15", 1920×1080(FHD, 1080p, 2.1MP), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
Intel Core i7-1065G7
GPU
Intel Iris Plus Graphics
Memory
12 GB
Storage
512 GB total, Media Card Reader, Solid State (very fast)
Pricing
HP 14-inch Laptop (14-dq2088ca)
ranked #7 among Laptops priced $500-1000
If you need a laptop to handle simple homework efficiently without breaking the bank, this model could be the answer.
Who it's For
- Casual Nomad
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Windows 10, Home Edition
Screen
14", 1366×768(1366 × 768, 1MP), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
Intel Core i3-1115G4
GPU
Intel UHD Graphics
Memory
8 GB
Storage
512 GB total, Media Card Reader, Solid State (very fast)
Pricing
HP x360 14-inch Chromebook (14c-ca0020ca)
ranked #8 among Laptops priced $500-1000
This Chromebook can fold onto itself for those times a keyboard would get in the way, making it an attractive solution if you've been looking for a la
Who it's For
- Multitasker
- Casual Worker
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Linux, Android, Chrome OS
Screen
14", 1920×1080(FHD, 1080p, 2.1MP), IPS Display (incl. PLS, AHVA, etc.), Multiple Monitor Support, Touch Screen
CPU
Intel Core i3-10110U
GPU
Intel UHD Graphics
Memory
4 GB
Storage
64 GB total, Media Card Reader, eMMC Storage (slow)
Pricing
Asus M509 Laptop (M509DA-MB52-CB)
ranked #9 among Laptops priced $500-1000
This no-frills laptop should be able to efficiently handle most homework scenarios for a reasonable price.
Who it's For
- Aspiring Creative
- Multitasker
- Productivity-Focused User
Compared Overall
| Bang for the Buck | |
|---|---|
| Versatility | |
| Power | |
| Storage Space | |
| Portability | |
| Battery Autonomy |
Specs
Operating System
Windows 10, Home Edition
Screen
15", 1920×1080(FHD, 1080p, 2.1MP), Multiple Monitor Support
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
GPU
AMD Radeon Vega 8 Mobile
Memory
8 GB
Storage
256 GB total, Solid State (very fast)