The best laptops under $500 in Australia are affordable models that shouldn’t make you regret your investment. Plenty of valuable notebooks are being sold in the market that adds a stellar performance, complete HD screen, and extensive battery life.

Whether you are hunting for a 2-in-1 convertible beast that can serve as a laptop and tablet both or a usual clamshell device, we have scoured the internet to find reasonably priced options for you.

After reviewing so many valuable models, we have picked the top 5 laptops that are priced below $500. So without further ado, let’s dive in.

1. Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook

Specifications:

Weight: 2.2 pounds

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2

Size: 12 × 7.4 × 0.28 inches

RAM: 8 GB

Storage: 128 GB eMMc

GPU: Adreno 618 GPU

Display: 13.3 inches, OLED, 1920×1080

Why you should buy it:

• Cover and keyboard included.
• Great battery life.
• Intuitive, bright OLED screen.
• Detachable 2-in-1 design.

Cons:

• There’s no headphone jack
• The screen is a bit small
• There’s a single USB-C port
• SD card support isn’t available for extra storage

This device is actually a visible departure from the predecessor Chromebook Duet. Even if you get repelled by the costly price tag, the refreshing hardware updates make this dual device worth every penny.

The Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook showcases a keyboard cover similar to the last model and a fabric rear case. But once you open it, the massive 13.3 inches of OLED screen will make you doubt the price tag. However, this is not the only change in the new model.

Even the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor is significantly better, which offers above 13 hours of continuous usage on a single charge. Although it might not be the same as the original model, the bulked-up Duet 5 Chromebook is here to challenge its rivals.

2. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (Intel)

Specifications:

Weight: 3.1 pounds

Storage: 32 GB eMMc

GPU: Intel HD 615

Size: 11.5 × 8.3 × 0.3 inches

CPU: Intel Core m3-7Y30

RAM: 4 GB

Screen: 12.3 inches, 2400 × 1600

Why you should buy it:

• Reasonably priced
• Stellar performance
• Extensive battery life
• Great sound quality
• A responsive keyboard

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with a stylus
• There’s a single USB-C port

When it comes to competitively priced laptops, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 Intel is a decent choice. Even if the dull display might drive some people away, it is still a joy to work with. Launch as many tabs as you want – the device will run smoothly. Oh, and the battery life is pretty impressive, giving you 14 hours and 16 minutes of usage.

This means that you can be entertained throughout the day. And though the construction primarily revolves around plastic, the model still appears and feels like a powerful, sleek laptop that deserves your investment.

When the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 Intel first emerged in the market, it was in the price range of $500 to $600 based on the configuration. However, the base model can now be purchased for $400 or $500. This makes it a great value-for-money decision. Many users consider it a brilliant laptop under $500 in Australia.

3. Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3

Specifications:

Weight: 2 pounds

RAM: 4 GB

CPU: MediaTek MTK 8183

Size: 12.7 × 8.9 × 0.68 inches

Storage: 128 GB eMMc

Screen: 10.5 inches, touchscreen, 1900 × 1200

GPU: Integrated Arm Mali-G72 MP3

Why you should buy it:

• A built-in stylus pen.
• Impressive battery life.
• Long-lasting and reliable.
• Detachable 2-in-1 design.

Cons:

• The CPU isn’t very powerful
• Does not deliver a very impressive performance

The Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 is extremely low profile as it appears like a tweed-bound journal. But after you lift the cover and unlock the intuitive 2-in-1 laptop, you will be amazed. Even if it is not the most sturdy Chromebook, the vivid screen and useful form factor proves it to be ideal for web surfing and content consumption.

Slip it inside any bag and keep yourself entertained on long travels. Although it is expensive for including a MediaTek processor, the model fills the gap with a powerful chassis and 12 hours of long battery life.

4.   Acer Chromebook 317

Specifications:

Weight: 5.3 pounds

CPU: Intel Pentium Silver N6000

Size: 15.8 × 10.5 × 0.9 inches

Storage: 64 GB eMMc

GPU: Intel UHD

Screen: 17.3 inches, 1920 × 1080

RAM: 8 GB

Why you should buy it:

• A satisfactory battery life.
• A huge screen.
• Big touchpad and keyboard.

Cons:

• The sound quality is weak
• There’s no HDMI port

This is the first ever 17.3-inch Chrome OS laptop on the market. And yes, while most consumers prefer a travel-friendly and portable device, there is a strategy to Acer’s madness. Why would anyone use a clunky laptop? You will know soon.

A big audience for Acer Chromebook 317 exists, especially big-handed folks or the ones who follow the “go big or go home” motto. But in this scenario, both have to be done as Acer 317 is not suitable for travel. This laptop should be placed in your home office.

And while the Acer Chromebook 317 lacks the longest battery life, the most sturdy processor, and the most vivid screen, it is still perfect if you are ready to compromise on such perks. In return, you will gain a huge screen and a spacious device.

5.   Acer Aspire 5

Specifications:

Weight: 3.2 pounds

CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G4

Size: 12.9 × 8.8 × 0.71 inches

GPU: Intel UHD

Storage: 256 GB SSD

Screen: 1920 × 1080, 14 inches

RAM: 8 GB

Why you should buy it:

• A sharp 1080p screen.
• A great array of ports
• A great battery life
• Smooth performance

Cons:

• Dull Screen
• The keyboard isn’t very comfortable to use
• A plastic body that gets covered with fingerprints easily

Sure, you can’t expect the Acer Aspire 5 to stun you, particularly if compared to laptops priced at $1,000. But it is a solid contender for a Windows 11 laptop under $500. All types of web surfing and productivity tasks can be tackled by the Intel UHD graphics and 11th gen processor. What’s more, it can even handle some old games.

And when it comes to the battery life, 8 hours of usage is guaranteed. The 1080p screen is vivid and gets super bright at 275 nits. The decent availability of ports will enable you to hook anything. And with only 3.2 pounds, it is considered travel friendly.

Here is a piece of advice: keep your expectations realistic with this device. But as a laptop under $500 in Australia, it still delivers a solid performance, user experience, and construction. If you are simply hunting for a device that can tackle general computing tasks without hurting your budget, look no further.

Wrapping it Up

Choosing the Best laptops under $500 in Australia for your use depends on the exact budget. Both the Lenovo models in this list hover around $300 to $500. It might be tempting to look at even more affordable options, but then you will have to sacrifice in many aspects.

Unless you’re determined to get a particular Windows software, don’t be hesitant to use Chrome OS as it is less processor intensive. Moreover, Chrome OS delivers everything for usual computing tasks. If you’re seeking top-notch computer repair services in Perth, Australia, Mastercomputer stands out as a leading destination for laptop and computer repairs.