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- BEST LAPTOPS OF 2018 UNDER 500 UPDATE
- BEST LAPTOPS OF 2018 UNDER 500 ANDROID
- BEST LAPTOPS OF 2018 UNDER 500 SOFTWARE
- BEST LAPTOPS OF 2018 UNDER 500 OFFLINE
Both Chromebooks are fine options for high school and college students who work in Google Docs and are rarely without an internet connection. The C434TA is a classy laptop and could be mistaken for a high-end Windows computer at a glance. If you can spend more than $500, get Wirecutter’s pick for the best Chromebook overall, the Asus Chromebook Flip C434TA, which has a larger screen and a newer processor and is often on sale for around $530.
BEST LAPTOPS OF 2018 UNDER 500 SOFTWARE
But this model is old and won’t get software updates after 2022. Weighing less than 3 pounds, it has a 10-hour battery life, a bright touch-screen, and a backlit keyboard that’s comfortable to type on.
BEST LAPTOPS OF 2018 UNDER 500 OFFLINE
Despite being browser based, Chromebooks do have offline support, according to Google, but they’re not as useful as a Windows computer if you don’t have an internet connection.įor under $500, Wirecutter’s pick for the best Chromebook is the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA.
BEST LAPTOPS OF 2018 UNDER 500 ANDROID
Chromebooks can run some Android mobile apps but can’t run Windows applications, so they aren’t good for tasks that require special software, such as coding or media editing.
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BEST LAPTOPS OF 2018 UNDER 500 UPDATE
Chromebooks update automatically and have no bloatware or preinstalled software to remove the way Windows laptops do, which makes them much easier to use. They’re most useful for students who do coursework in Google Docs or through online education portals.
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They’re better built, they have longer battery life, and they’re easier to update than their Windows-based competitors.Ĭhromebooks run Google’s ChromeOS, where you do everything through the Chrome Web browser. If you don’t need Windows applications or access to specialty software, buy a Chromebook. This leaves you with a choice between three different types of computers: a Chromebook, a Windows laptop, or a tablet. Chromebooks can get away with 4 GB of memory because that operating system doesn’t require as much as Windows to run smoothly. A model with 8 GB is much better, but rare. Chromebooks can get away with a less powerful Core m3 processor.Ĥ GB (preferably 8 GB) of memory: A laptop with 4 GB of memory allows you to have two or three applications open at a time, but after 10 or so browser tabs it’ll slow to a crawl. (A Core i5 is better but rare in this price range.) You can find Pentium and Celeron processors at this price, but they’re too slow for Windows. Seventh- or eighth-generation Intel Core i3 or i5 processor: An Intel Core i3 processor offers plenty of power for basic Web browsing, word processing, and video watching. Launching applications and opening files is much snappier on an SSD than on a hard drive. Solid-state storage: I’ve found that SSD storage instead of spinning hard drives makes the biggest difference in how a laptop feels to use in everyday tasks. You could get a laptop for $200, but you shouldn’t. When shopping for a laptop under $500, you don’t have a lot of control over features, but there is a minimal threshold to meet for a good experience. At Wirecutter, I’ve tested dozens of laptops, and here’s what I’d recommend as the best laptops under $500. Still, if you know what to look for, you can find a laptop that can browse the web and handle most schoolwork, such as writing term papers or taking notes. Spend less, and you’d have a better experience browsing the internet on your phone.Īt this price, I’ve seen jangly trackpads, loose keys, unreadable screens, hinges that can’t hold a screen upright, and processors that buckle under the load of two browser tabs. To get a laptop that’s usable for most schoolwork, you typically need to spend at least $450 to $500.