Best Cheap Laptops With Windows (2023) And Recommended Models For Less Than 500 Euros

Some users are looking for gaming laptops to play, and others are clear that they need a computer for photo and video editing, but… what happens when what you want is a laptop for general uses such as browsing the Internet and office automation with Windows as the system? operational and you also have a tight budget?

In this guide to buying Windows laptops for less than 500 euros, we propose some minimum and adequate specifications to carry out office automation, content playback, and browsing tasks with solvency today, but with an eye on the coming years. Likewise, we offer you a series of models that meet these criteria, seeking to offer the greatest possible diversity with laptops with a high relationship between performance and price .

How to choose a Windows laptop for less than 500 euros

We are looking for a Windows laptop that will give us a satisfying experience now and shortly for less than $500.

In this case, the idea is to run common programs for a basic user with solvency and fluidity – medium such as the Microsoft Office suites or LibreOffice, Chrome, Mozilla, VLC, Audacity, GIMP, and Photoshop – for occasional uses at an amateur level -, Acrobat Reader, Caliber, Skype, among others.

When choosing any other computer, we will pay special attention to the hardware taking into account that the budget is limited: CPU, RAM, type, and storage space … leaving aspects such as the design, the screen, in the background. connectivity dimensions and weight. However, in this range of prices, there are careful and interesting options.

In our search for the best Windows laptops for less than 500 euros, we have asked Juan Carlos López and JaviPas.

CPU

When it comes to CPUs, both Intel and AMD have very attractive microprocessors for entry-level laptops in their catalog. JaviPas anticipates that in a couple of lines the state of the art of laptops in this price range relating hardware with design and which ones to bet on if we want fluidity:

It is the latter that offers a proposal that is more capable of moving Windows and general software. Pastor sets us a line of minimums: “Although older processor models such as 10th generation Intel Core or Ryzen 4000 predominate, our recommendation is to bet on equipment with at least 11th generation Intel Core processors (which gain in efficiency) and also from the Ryzen 5000 family, although in its more modest versions. Here it is good to bet on those micros because their relationship between power and efficiency is much better than in previous generations “

Juanky is more demanding and, taking into account that in this price range it is practically impossible to find models with more cores such as the latest generation Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7, he urges us to look for the latest releases from both manufacturers :

From here, Juanky explains “I would try to make this chip as capable as possible. Better a Core i7 than a Core i5, and the latter than a Core i3. And the same with AMD. Better a Ryzen 7 than a Ryzen 5, and the latter that a Ryzen 3.”

RAM

JaviPas warns us to ” be careful with the offers of 4 GB laptops that may fall short in scenarios such as browsing the Internet with many tabs open.”

From here, he explains that proposals for 8GB of RAM are commonly around 500 euros and it is a good figure, something Juanky agrees on:

The main memory has a significant impact on performance, so Juanky gives us a note in case we have to choose: “It is worth sacrificing some CPU power if with it we are going to be able to jump from 8 to 16 GB of RAM. This simply means that it makes sense to choose a laptop with an Intel Core i5 processor and 16 GB of RAM, and not one with a Core i7 and 8 GB, as long as the rest of the components are up to the task. .”

Storage

Although SSDs are already fully consolidated in the proposals of the main laptop manufacturers, there are still computers with classic mechanical hard drives, which offer more space in exchange for a drastic reduction in data transfer speed.

For less than 500 euros we are not going to find combinations of both, so Juanky is clear: “I would not give up an SSD with an NVMe M.2 interface under any circumstances. Its impact on the machine’s performance, regardless of its capacity, it’s huge, so I’d rule out a mechanical hard drive “

JaviPas is of the same belief, offering us a starting point:

Juanky is once again more ambitious: “In a low-priced laptop, the usual capacity is 256 GB, a figure that is not very happy, but that can be complemented with an external hard drive.

However, JaviPas offers us more options: “We can buy them with those drives and then invest a little more in a separate SATA SSD drive that we can install in the computer: most laptops give relatively easy access to that change of storage drives .”

And the rest?

With the limitation of 500 euros, with some exceptions, we will have to give up the most opulent finishes, the most sophisticated cooling systems, and the most ambitious screens.

However, as JaviPas has anticipated above, the most frequent diagonal at these prices is 15.6″, but be careful because it urges us to pay attention to the resolution “In many cases they will ask us with HD resolution (1,366 x 768) instead of Full HD (1,920 x 1080)”, a jump that we will notice if we spend hours in front of the screen.

Both Javi and Juan Carlos agree on the importance of the available ports. JaviPas gives us the minimum: “At least with a USB-C, a USB-A, and an HDMI we can connect all kinds of peripherals”

From here, Juanky qualifies: “Its presence guarantees that the laptop is capable of coexisting with the peripherals and external storage units that we will need for the next few years. And, as a tip, if it incorporates Wi-Fi 6 much better than if It only has 802.11ac WiFi connectivity.”

Regarding the keyboard, JaviPas warns us when buying imported models on the Internet: “It is also important to take into account that the keyboard has a QWERTY layout in Spanish and, if possible, that it is backlit.”

Finally, a note: the idea is to have a general-purpose laptop with Windows installed, but be careful because as JaviPas explains:

Cheap Windows Laptops: Featured Models

HP 15s

This HP 15s ( 432 euros ) is very interesting in its price range due to its lightness, screen features, and combination of hardware.

And it is that despite its diagonal it remains at 1.69 kg. If we also take into account that its theoretical autonomy exceeds 8 hours, we have a very attractive model for use on the move.

In terms of components, it stands out for integrating a solvent Intel chip for simple tasks that are up to the task in basic navigation and office scenarios, as well as a sufficient SSD for basic use and the RAM figures essential for a good experience.

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Gen 6

This is probably the most interesting candidate in terms of hardware and price quality. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Gen 6 ( 499 euros ) is a laptop with components suitable for general use thanks to the power of its processor and the size of its SSD. It is not the lightest of the selection, but its screen is comfortable in diagonal and resolution to spend hours in front of it.

ASUS F515EA

If our budget is tight, we don’t want to complicate ourselves with the installation of Windows and we are looking for balanced and reliable hardware for easy use, This Asus ASUS F515EA ( 419 euros ) is a great option.

With a basic but attractive design, this is a laptop that, without being an ultrabook, is moderately light and with a full keyboard to work comfortably.

Its screen has a good diagonal, but its resolution is lower than the usual FHD standard, which is especially noticeable if you are going to spend hours in front of it.

Lenovo V15 G2

With a robust and simple design, this Lenovo V15 G2 ( 461 euros ) has a screen with a diagonal resolution that is very suitable for spending time in front of it, although it is of the TN type. Its range of ports is the most complete.

It also has a modern and complete hardware proposal in its price range, which makes this laptop a good option for general office automation and navigation.

If you consider that your tasks are going to be basic and you prefer a larger SSD, you can opt for this version of the Lenovo V15, with Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor and 512GB SSD (459 euros ).

Lenovo V14 G2

The features of this Lenovo V14 G2 ( 467 euros ) are very similar to the previous model, standing out for the power of its processor, so it is suitable for general use. With enough RAM for the basic-average user, its SSD is a rather tight size.

The main difference is that this is a more compact and lighter model, interesting if you are going to move it from here to there thanks to its 1.6 kg and its comfortable 14″ screen (although again, of the TN type).