Top 10 Best Ultrabooks under 500 dollars for multiuse

The name or title of ‘Ultrabook’ is nothing more than a marketing strategy to brand a certain type of product that has a certain list of specifications. There isn’t one specific brand that does ultrabooks either, because many companies have amped up their tech and features games on their devices.

This is a list of our top ten picks for the best ultrabooks under 500 dollars. But it is more than that, it will help you understand how tech jargon is most of the time a marketing attempt to categorize certain products. You can understand what accounts as an ultrabook to look for your own options, adding your preferences as well. There are certain things we will be discussing before getting to the list, here’s how it will go.

Ultrabooks – Background

Starting with the why of the name will take us to when Intel first coined the word for their device. They did so to build hype around the premium feel and quality of their product. But ever since then there have been countless laptops that have similar features and can be categorized as ultrabooks. Whether they do so or not is the company’s decision because, in the end, the branding and marketing team comes up with what a product is classified as.

The ultimate decision came from adding the precisely thin as well as a lightweight structure that became a signature in modern laptops. Additionally, this premium touch of physical features was not to compromise the performance and functionality of the devices. There have been countless names in branding since then, including IdeaPad, notebooks, and some particular Chromebooks that have Google’s operating system.

Over time, the branding widened from including just high-end premium laptops to more affordable devices that had similar features. This came as all the other gradual updates that are a result of technological advancements. This is also why now you can enjoy quality products such as ultrabooks within a budget of $500.

How you can identify ultrabooks

Here you can learn what features count in deciding and identifying a laptop as an ultrabook.

• Even though ultrabooks initially came as expensive, high-end products, over time they’ve come down to an affordable range. This means there have been some changes in the features that you might have to intentionally miss out on if you want the rest in your desired price range.
• Design and weight-wise, ultrabooks still have a touch of premium feel, even at lower prices. They are thinner, and lightweight, which adds to their easy portability. You will notice the sleek design that makes them stand out as more finished and smart.
• The design factor directly needs to improve battery life too. This is one of the ways ultrabooks have developed the image of products that are similar, and it works well because it is mostly true. The battery life on ultrabooks is higher, making your overall use fluent and stress-free.
• The RAM or internal hardware of an ultrabook needs to be above DDR3 as they are directly responsible for the overall use as well as battery life. They usually have either DDR3L or DDR4 RAM that helps improve battery use and makes the tasks and processing much smoother.

Top 10 picks

1. Dell Latitude E7240

Specifications

There are many new as well as used or refurbished versions of this one that you can pick up from online sellers such as the one tagged. The price gets slashed to this low due to the used versions. It’s a classic among low-priced laptops that have high-quality features. This is why customers still look for this version.

It has a great set of features that make for good all-around performance. The RAM still seems a little outdated but you will not find the features you can get from this device and at this price. The build of this laptop is sturdy while maintaining the smart and sleek design of ultrabooks. The battery life adds a certain fluency to the tasks you want to achieve.

2. ASUS VivoBook 15

Specifications

The VivoBook 15 is famous for its slate grey look with the sleek design it accompanies. It has a 4 sided NanoEdge display making the screen-to-body ratio 88%, giving you more display front. With only 3.75 lbs, it addresses the weight issue directly as well. While the price is close to 500 dollars, it makes up for the spot-on features. With USB Type C, HDMI, microSD card reader, and USB 3.1 and 2.0 ports solve the connectivity-related concerns, so that you have seamless openings to connect your device.

The extra effort put into the design shows how a brand improves experiences for you. They added an ErgoLift hinge making the screen and keyboard both appear at an angle for improved viewing and typing. The keyboard itself is full back-lit meaning you can use it clearly in any situation or time of day without depending on good lighting to view the keys. It has a one-touch login ability removing the hassle of typing in your entire password for you. The battery life is not only good, but it also has a fast-charging ability giving you a lot to rely on in a few minutes of being plugged in.

3. HP EliteBook 840 G1

Specifications

HP is a brand that focuses on making optimal products to help increase your overall productivity that requires a laptop device. This is why there cannot be the best ultrabooks under 500 list without including HP’s top contribution within the list. The computing alone on this device is super fast with an Intel Core i5 processor complementing the 1.90 GHz speed. Whether it requires heavy computing or has a high memory requirement, HP EliteBook handles them well.

The storage space might not be an extremely positive one, but you can always get extra space with the SSD and hard drive extension option. If your work requires more space, you should go for separate storage hard drives. Additionally, it has Windows 10 pro to aid the overall fluent system. Not to mention the screen size is also great on this one. The RAM is a slightly less enticing feature of this laptop but it still works well. The renewed or refurbished options can really help you find much cheaper versions of this, at almost the same quality scale.

4. Acer Chromebook 314

Specifications

This immersive Acer Chromebook is one of the many in the list with the Google operating system that has gained popularity in laptops. The thin and light design makes for a picture-perfect ultrabook even if it’s not categorized as one. The extremely fast Intel CPU is alone responsible for much of its popularity. Not only that, but the port, as well as wireless connectivity in this device, is somewhat of a star feature as well.

The many pros of having an operating system that is associated with Google is the heightened security system. Usually, you have to equip your device with multiple antiviruses, but Google has that all covered with its efficient operating system. Additionally, you have easy access to Google services and products you want to use online. Chromecast enabling is also a great feature that makes up for great connectivity without the need for an external monitor. It is not only comfortable in use but extremely portable too with its user-friendly design.

5. Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e

Specifications

There can hardly be another laptop device with such features at this price. The Lenovo Thinkpad is a customer’s favorite even in the refurbished or used form. Right off the bat, it is clear the design is not entirely modern or sleek as many other options on this list are. But there are many users who focus on the functionality rather than it’s looks, this one’s for them. Despite the somewhat old-fashioned look, it is extremely mobile with a lightweight structure.

It has a great Quad-core processor, in addition to the adequate RAM, as it makes the functioning seamless. Another great feature that you will not find in every other option is that it’s a convertible with a touch screen ability. Windows 10 makes all the other features work really well together, bringing fluent task management and functioning to the system. It’s a good option for personal as well as professional use.

6. ASUS Chromebook CX1

Specifications

Another contender in the most reasonably priced, with the best features is this ASUS Chromebook. This is a modern masterpiece that makes giving newer companies a shot worth it. It has an incredibly Military-grade standard built, whilst maintaining the overall ultrabook design as well. The 11.6-inch display with the NanoEdge feature makes for a great screen viewing experience, with a 70% screen-to-body ratio. The screen is also anti-glare so as to prevent hurting your eyes in longer periods of use.

The keyboard is ergonomically designed as well as spill-resistant so you don’t have to worry about keeping your snacks away from the device while you work or have fun. The 180° lay-flat hinge on the laptop makes for an entirely flexible body that helps you share the screen from an optimal angle, whatever that is for you. Since the operating system is from Google you have all the security measures as well as Google services on the tip of your fingers. Additionally, you also have 1-Year Free Google 100GB Cloud Storage curbing any of your storage needs-related issues.

7. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ Laptop

Specifications

The Ideapad 3 by Lenovo is a great choice due to its features despite missing a few of those. The 10th Gen processor by Intel enables you a holistic experience of both work and fun. You can enjoy and entertain or work and enable yourself to multitask on the device without any hindrances. It has an updated RAM of DDR4 that makes sure that even if you have a smaller battery life, those hours spent on the device are productive, fluent, and fast.

They especially claim that it is a device with more for less, meaning you get the features of a high-end product at a budget-friendly price. The FHD display as well as narrow bezels make for ideal screen size and quality of the picture. It is also smart with features such as a shutter-enabled webcam that lets you use the camera and keeps it shut while you work on other things. Overall, except for storage and battery life, everything else it delivers is beyond what you would expect from a device of this price.

8. Acer Aspire 5

Specifications

Finally a display size for those who are fans of bigger screens for better viewing. It has an astonishing graphic feature that enables you to experience incredible visuals. In that regard, this is a great choice for creative experts or people within creative fields of job. It’s portable, smart, and with a thin bezel so you have an ample screen to keep yourself entertained. It has a powerful processor enabled by AMD that makes sure you have every task you are attempting finished within a few seconds. Additionally, it has a backlit keyboard, a heightened connectivity feature, as well as a very smart silver color and design that gives it a premium feel.

9. HP Stream 14″

Specifications

HP Stream lets you experience an ultra-widescreen viewing, which is only heightened by the screen resolution. It is backlit and anti-glare, which means you can use the screen for long periods without hurting your eyes. Windows 10 makes up for the missing clock speed you would expect, but it still makes for a good system.

Additionally, the device has different storage options available for you to pick that then affect its product price as well. The 8-hour battery life is great despite the upgraded graphics enabled on the system.

10. Samsung Chromebook 4

Specifications

This is Samsungs’ Chromebook from the Chromebook 4+ series of laptops. It is a highly reasonable device with a very good set of features bunched together. Starting with the incredible battery life claim, Samsung already is famous for a longer battery span, so there is more merit to it than you would think. The almost 16 inches of screen paired with the minimal bezel in the design work greatly in your favor. It’s ultra-fast, good with connectivity, as well as security since Google itself has set it up. You can enhance your overall experience by using Google Assistant to perform half the tasks you would normally do yourself.

These were the top ten best ultrabooks under 500 dollars according to us. This is no comprehensive set as you can disagree with some of the choices, in the end, you have to choose according to your own needs and preferences in a laptop. Let us know which ultrabook you would add to the list under $500.