When you’re buying a laptop, technical terms like GPU and solid-state drives can be confusing, especially if you’re buying your first laptop. Still, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of what you’ll be buying, so let’s break down the basics:
Processor: Also known as a CPU, a processor is the brain of your laptop. If you’ve seen terms like “11th Gen Intel Core i5” in product descriptions, this refers to the type of processor inside the computer. In the budget category, you should look for laptops with either an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3. If you’re lucky, you can sometimes find laptops with a superior Intel Core i5 processor discounted to $500 or less.
Graphics card: Also known as a GPU, a graphics card renders the visual images and textures displayed by your laptop. Unfortunately, even the best laptops under $500 will lack the latest GPUs. Look for devices with graphics cards from AMD or Intel. Most of the laptops in this category will have a GPU such as the AMD Ryzen 3, but you can find some budget laptops with AMD Ryzen 5.
System memory: You’ll often see laptops with names styled like so: Dell Inspiron 3000 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD. The number that comes first, often listed as RAM, refers to the amount of onboard memory available for computing. The higher the number, the more powerful the laptop. The cheapest laptops will have only 4GB of memory, while the best will have 16GB or more.
Storage: A laptop’s storage is usually described as 512GB SSD or 256GB HDD. The terms “SSD” and “HDD” refer to the type of storage drive used by the device. (Most users prefer SSD drives.) The more GB of storage you have, the more photos, videos, software, and files you can save to your computer. Chromebooks have next to no storage, but non-Chromebook laptops should have at least 128GB of storage, and ideally 256GB or more.
Display: Your laptop’s display is measured in inches and resolution. You may prefer a larger or smaller screen depending on your needs. While it’s rare to find budget laptops with a premium OLED screen, there are some options available.
Operating System: Often abbreviated to OS, this refers to the system software that lets you interact with your device. Usually when shopping for a laptop, you’ll have to choose between macOS or Windows 11, but since there are no Apple laptops at this price point, your wallet has made the decision for you. As such, you can consider this article our guide to the best Windows laptops under $500.
