best laptops for graphic design under 500

Best Business Laptop Under $300: Acer Chromebook 315 (2020).However, if you want a more compact laptop and don't mind a few compromises, the HP is a very decent alternative. If you don't mind spending a bit more, the Lenovo is a better choice because it's more versatile and provides a superior user experience. Performance-wise, its Intel Celeron N4000 CPU provides a pretty smooth experience as long as you don't push it too hard with demanding workloads like video editing. We recommend getting a model with a 1080p IPS display, but expect to pay a little more.

It has an exceptionally long battery life, lasting over sixteen hours of light productivity, and its fanless design means you won't have to worry about fan noise in quiet classrooms or libraries. It doesn't have a Numpad, though, and it isn't a 2-in-1 convertible, so you can't use it as a tablet. It's a 14 inch laptop that's easier to fit into most bags, and it's also lighter.

If you find the Lenovo Chromebook C340 15 (2020) too big to carry around, the HP Chromebook 14 (2021) might be a better choice.

More Compact Alternative: HP Chromebook 14 (2021).

The price is usually slightly above $300, but considering its impressive build, long battery life, and good performance, it's well worth spending the extra cash. That said, you can't install x86 applications on a Chromebook, so if you're in a program that requires the use of third-party x86 applications, you're better off with a Windows device. It's flicker-free, though, which helps reduce eye strain.Īs for the CPU performance, the Intel Core i3 processor is more than powerful enough to handle most web-based tasks on Chrome OS. The 1080p display is decently sharp and provides plenty of room for multitasking however, it looks a bit washed out and doesn't get very bright. It doesn't have the biggest touchpad, but it tracks well and responds to gestures. It sports a full-size keyboard with a Numpad on the right side, which is great for those working with lots of numbers, and it feels great to type on for extended periods. Its port selection includes one USB-A and two USB-C ports, with the latter supporting data transfer, charging, and video output. It's easy to carry around thanks to its thin and light design, and you likely don't need to bring the charger because it has outstanding battery life, lasting well over 12 hours of light productivity. It's a 15.6 inch convertible laptop with a 360-degree hinge, which means you can flip the screen around and use it as a tablet. The best student laptop under $300 that we've tested is the Lenovo Chromebook C340 15 (2020).

Best laptops for graphic design under 500