Why you should trust us: It's in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We've been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who've applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We're also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
If you can manage to stretch your budget a little bit further, check out our best laptops roundup for even more suggestions.
Updated April 24, 2024: We added the Acer Aspire Go 15 as the Best Laptop Under $300. It's even cheaper than our top pick, for those who are on a strict budget, and has better battery life. We've also updated our list of recent laptop reviews, so be sure to check those out.
The best laptops under $500
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