11 Best Laptop under 500 for Photo Editing in US in 2024 - Into Laptop

11 Best Laptop under 500 for Photo Editing in US in 2024

11 Best Laptop Under $500 For Photo Editing In US 2023In this article, we can see some of the Best Laptop under 500 for Photo Editing in US.

Photo editing is one of the most demanding tasks for any laptop and only the best and most powerful laptops can handle it seamlessly. 

Apart from the performance of the laptop, there are other essential factors we will discuss in this article that you should not ignore in any case while buying a laptop for photo editing purposes.

As we all know that prices of laptops are high these days, especially high-end flagship devices. And when you are on a budget searching for a decently powerful laptop becomes even more difficult.

Although there are decent laptops you can get for your photo editing purposes under the price tag of $500.

However, you will need to make some compromises in terms of exterior looks and design. On the other hand, searching for a powerful laptop requires some technical knowledge about different hardware components and how they work in compensation to each other.

Also, it happens to be a time-consuming task which maturity of the times is impossible because of the busy work schedules. 

Also Read: 10 Best Intel Core i9 HK CPU Laptop

Best Laptop under 500 for Photo Editing in US

Out there in the market, there are many laptops under this budget from all the different brands. Since all the brands are offering many options under this price segment selecting which one is the best among them is very difficult especially if you are a beginner.

For your convenience, we have already enlisted Best Laptops Under $500 For Photo Editing In US 2023 with their detailed reviews and test results.

We have tested these laptops in real-life scenarios to share all the technical details in the most accurate way possible. With that being said let’s start the article to find you the best photo editing laptop under the price range of $500.

Also, you can explore intolaptop.com to find out plenty of more laptops that come with different processors. 

1. HP Pavilion

“Dual-Purpose Laptop For Photo Editing”

HP Pavilion Gaming 15.6-Inch Micro-EDGE Laptop, Intel Core...
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD 1920 x 1080, IPS Anti-Glare
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-9300h, 4-Core, 4.1 GHz
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 3 GB, GDDR5
  • RAM & Storage: 8 GB, 256 GB NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD
  • Operating System: Windows 10
  • Battery Timing: Up to 7-10 Hours  
Pros
  • Great Performance
  • Power Hardware 
  • Decent Battery Backup
  • Modern Design
Cons
  • ThunderBolt 3 is Missing
  • Comparatively Hefty 

HP Pavilion is one of the Best Laptop under 500 for Photo Editing in US.

There is the segment known as dual-purpose gaming laptops, these laptops can be used for intensive and demanding work as well as gaming. Also, almost all gaming laptops can also be used for intensive professional purposes like photo/video editing and graphic designing.

The main reason for that is gaming laptops are equipped with powerful hardware as compared to business notebooks. HP is a well-known brand among consumers and Pavilion is their premium flagship series of laptops.

The design of this HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop looks modern and futuristic with comparatively large air vents at the back. These aesthetics ensure that it is a device meant for performance.

The back of the late has some curved design at both front ends which provides it an elegant look. The HP trademark logo sits at the center and it has some Green tint instead of the traditional shiny Chrome to make it clear that it is a performance laptop.

Instead of the traditional two-hinged design at both ends, HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop offers a single big hinge in the middle. It could be because of the design since the display led is curved from the bottom.

Speaking of the display it features a full HD screen panel with a resolution of 1080p. Dell 15.6 inches means that you will get the full-size keyboard including the numeric pad.

Do remember that the keyboard it features is backlit but not RGB and the color of the backlit is green to match the overall design. The battery backup is decent considering it is a performance device as compared to other similar devices.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

2. Dell Inspiron 15

“Value For Money Device”

Dell Inspiron 15|Amd Ryzen 5 2500U Mobile Proc W/Radeon Vega...
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD 1920 x 1080, Anti-Glare LED
  • Processor: Ryzen 5-2500U, 4-Core, 3.6 GHz
  • Graphics Card: AMD Radeon Vega 8
  • RAM & Storage: 8 GB, 256 GB SSD
  • Operating System: Windows 10
  • Battery Timing: Up to 7 Hours  
Pros
  • Value For Money 
  • Great Performance 
  • Compact & Portable
Cons
  • Storage Space Should’ve Been More
  • No Fingerprint Reader
  • Non-Touch Display

Dell Inspiron 15 is one of the Best Laptop under 500 for Photo Editing in US.

Like always this laptop from the Inspiron Series by Dell offers great performance with good build quality despite being made out of plastic.

The color scheme is dark Grey with small textures which continue on the entire frame including the display lid. At the back of the display lid, you will find the Dell logo sitting in the center, also so the surface here is rugged and scratch-proof.

It helps you grab the device better compared to the brushed finished surfaces. Although the Dell Inspiron 15.6 inches laptop is pretty slim and thin Dell has achieved this sleek design without sacrificing connectivity options.

Connectivity is great you can connect all of your essential devices and it also features an SD card reader. One thing which we felt was missing is the fingerprint reader since some other laptops with the same price tag offer this feature.

The disc plate features a full HD panel with a resolution of 1080p however do remember that it is a non-touch display. Otherwise, the brightness levels are decent and you can work in any outdoor lighting conditions without any problem.

As far as performance is concerned it can handle any kind of photo editing workload without slowing you down. Instead of two Hinges on both sides of the display and base unit, Intel has equipped it with a mono hinge that covers almost the entire area.

As expected it features a full-size keyboard including the numeric pad however it is not backlit. On the other hand, It is comfortable to type on even for longer periods of time which makes this Dell Inspiron 15.6 inches laptop among the best option under the price tag of $500.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

3. Lenovo IdeaPad 3

“Excellent Performer With Attractive Looks”

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15.6 Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 3500U 8GB Memory,...
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD 1920 x 1080, Anti-Glare
  • Processor: AMD-Ryzen 5 3500U, 4-Core, 3.7 GHz
  • Graphics Card: Integrated Radeon Vega 8 
  • RAM & Storage: 8 GB, 256 GB SSD
  • Operating System: Windows 10
  • Battery Timing: Up to 6 Hours  
Pros
  • Elegant Design
  • Performance is Excellent
  • Compact & Thin
  • FULL HD Display
Cons
  • Subpar Battery Backup
  • Somewhat Hefty

Lenovo Ideapad 3 is also one of the Best Laptop under 500 for Photo Editing in US in the laptop market.

No matter which Lenovo device is reviewed this brand always impresses us with the excellent build quality of their product. And the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15.6 inches laptop is no exception, the brushed finish makes it look like it is made out of metal.

The texture on the surface enhances its slim and thing esthetics enabling it to stand out among other similarly priced laptops. In looks and appearance, this Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15.6 inches laptop even beats some of the more expensive options.

The best part is Lenovo has managed to make it slim and thin without ditching the connectivity option. That allows you to connect all of your essential devices with it easily and contently without any problem.

Performance wise this AMD-powered Lenovo IdeaPad 3 can cope with any kind of photo editing work without showing any sigh of stressing out.

Although Lenovo is offering this laptop in many different color schemes it looks classy in the blue color. The back of the display lid has the same texture with a brushed finish going on and the trademark logo of the company is placed on the top left side.

Opening the display lid will reveal a 15.6 inches full HD 1080p display panel which is bright enough to be used in any outdoor lighting conditions.  The only thing that bothered us about this display was its bottom border which was comparatively thick. 

The same texture also continues on the keyboard deck area, the keyboard is integrated into the base unit, unlike some other laptops which feature the keyboard as a separate panel.

The battery backup it’s kind of a disappointment, it offers you average battery backup so don’t forget to keep the charger always in the backpack.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

4. Acer Aspire 5

“Solid Performance For The Price”

Pros
  • Performance is Excellent
  • Comfortable Keyboard
  • Full HD Display 
  • Wide TrackPad
Cons
  • Average Speakers
  • NumPad is Half-Width

The Acer Aspire 5 15.6 inches laptop offers a mix of plastic and metal build which provides you the benefit of a stable but at the same time lightweight frame. It is not the first of its kind laptop since many manufacturers use a combination of metal and plastic for the build.

The one big hinge that covers the entire base unit from the back is becoming the traditional style of Acer. You can see the same mechanism in many other laptops which by the way is better in many ways from the dual Hinges design.

First of all, it holds but displays late in place pretty well and there was not too much wobbling while we tested it out. Secondly, it provides the overall frame with more stability and strength.

This Acer Aspire laptop is among the most gorgeous-looking laptops you can find under this price range of $500. The bag lid office has a dark red color scheme that looks great in combination with the shiny metal surface around the entire body.

The display it features is full HD with a resolution of 1080p however the top and bottom borders around the display seem to be thick. This laptop packs enough power to deal with any kind of photo editing workload seamlessly.

On top of that battery backup is also pretty decent considering this laptop houses a big screen. That’s why in terms of portability the Acer Aspire is pretty easy to carry around with you without worrying about recharging it.

Any important thing worth mentioning here is that despite the fact it features a full-size keyboard the numeric pad feels pretty cramped.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

5. ASUS VivoBook 15 15 3511

“Exceptional Connectivity Options”

ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop, 15.6” FHD Display,...
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD 1920 x 1080, NanoEdge 
  • Processor: Intel Core i3-1005G1, 2-Core, 3.4 GHz
  • Graphics Card: Intel UHD Graphics
  • RAM & Storage: 8 GB, 128 GB SSD
  • Operating System: Windows 10
  • Battery Timing: Up to 7-10 Hours  
Pros
  • Excellent Connectivity 
  • Keyboard is Great 
  • Decent Battery Backup
  • Great Performance
Cons
  • Tight Storage
  • The Display Should’ve Been Better

This 15.6 inches laptop belongs to the Vivobook series of ASUS, and as you know that this brand is known for its innovative designs this laptop is no exception.

It offers a very sleek design which makes it look very thin even in the closed position. This simply means that portability is not an issue at all, you can take this laptop wherever you go easily and conveniently.

During our testing, we found out that this ASUS Vivobook 15.6 inches laptop performs better as compared to other similarly priced laptops, especially for photo editing.

The back of the display lid is rather plain but in dark grey color without any doubt, it looks elegant, the branding of the manufacturer can be seen in the center and it is the only fancy thing in that area.

This laptop offers a lift hinge design which makes typing more convenient and provides better airflow to the internal components when you open the display lid.

Speaking of the display despite being a full HD 1080p panel it is definitely not as great as some other similar laptops available under the same budget segment.

Apart from that, the borders around that display are very thin since ASUS has used Nano-edge technology here.  The keyboard it features includes the numeric pad and In all honesty, this keyboard is among the best ones you can currently get in any laptop.

Keys are very comfortable to type on and they have clear pressure points but small travel distances. Considering the dark fact that it is a big laptop battery backup on the other hand seems pretty decent.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

6. Dell Inspiron 15 3511 

“Well Build & Affordable Device”

Dell Inspiron 15 3511 15.6 Inch Laptop, Full HD LED...
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD 1920 x 1080, Non-Touch
  • Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4, 2-Core, 4.1 GHz
  • Graphics Card: Intel UHD Graphics
  • RAM & Storage: 8 GB, 256 GB SSD
  • Operating System: Windows 11
  • Battery Timing: Up to 7 Hours  
Pros
  • Aggressively Priced 
  • Sturdy Build
  • Big Screen 
  • Powerful Hardware
Cons
  • USB C port is Missing
  • Display is Dim

The Inspiron series by Dell offers laptops with many different configurations including that touch display options. But today we are going to review the non-touch variant Dell Inspiron 15 3511 which can fulfill your photo editing requirements.

First of all aesthetically this laptop looks like a premium device however the price tag is well under $500. We were impressed by the overall build quality of this Dell Inspiron 15 3511 laptop despite the fact that it is made out of plastic.

Everything is well put together and the overall feel of the frame is sturdy and strong. On top of that this laptop is pretty lightweight and compact which makes it easier for you to carry it around wherever you go.

The Dell has done a great job to not only make it portable but also there are few design elements miss you will not find in many laptops under the same price range. It comes in dark grey color which has a kind of brushed finish and it makes it look more elegant and slim.

At the back of the display, the only styling is the  Dell trademark logo which is embedded at the center. Another important thing but mentioning here is that when you open the display lid it has that lift hinge design that serves two purposes.

First, it lifts the base of the laptop slightly to enable better airflow for the internal components. And secondly, this slightly tilted angle makes typing easier and more convenient for you.

The only thing Dell should fix is the maximum brightness level of its full HD 1080p display panel is comparatively low.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

7. Lenovo Ideapad 3i

“Gorgeous & Elegant Design”

Lenovo Ideapad 3i 15.6" FHD Laptop for Bussiness and...
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD 1920 x 1080, TN Anti-Glare
  • Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4, 2-Core, 4.1 GHz
  • Graphics Card: Intel Iris Xe Graphics G4
  • RAM & Storage: 8 GB, 512GB NVMe SSD
  • Operating System: Windows 11 Pro 
  • Battery Timing: Up to 8 Hours  
Pros
  • Elegant Design
  • Slim & Compact 
  • Finger Print Reader
Cons
  • Plastic Build
  • Slight Flex Under Pressure

The brushed finish makes the Lenovo Ideapad 3i look more premium and provides it with an elegant look making it stand out among other similar laptops.

Although it is made out of plastic the build quality is outstanding, and the frame feels sturdy and strong. Under the price tag of $500, this is the most gorgeous-looking laptop you can get currently.

The back of the display lid continues the same breast finish with the Lenovo trademark logo at the top left corner. Despite being comparatively slim this Lenovo Ideapad 3i laptop offers great connectivity options.

You can connect all of your essential devices with it which is kind of a 10 Minions you don’t find in every laptop. In terms of performance, it can deal with any kind of photo editing work but it would have been better if Lenovo would have equipped it with at least a Quad Core processor instead of a dual-core.

Anyhow when you open the display lid a full HD display with a resolution of 1080 p welcomes you, the brightness is excellent enabling you to work in any lighting conditions.

Like many other laptops, Lenovo has also equipped this laptop with a keyboard that is integrated into the base unit instead of a separate panel.

Speaking of the keyboard it is comfortable to use and includes a numeric pad since it is a full-size keyboard although it is not backlit which is kind of a bummer.

The trackpad on the other hand is decently responsive, and the width and height are also comparatively better. Another important thing worth mentioning here is that the Lenovo Ideapad includes an integrated fingerprint reader as well.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

8. Acer Aspire 5 Slim

“Solid Performance & FHD Display”

Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop, 15.6 inches Full HD IPS Display,...
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD 1920 x 1080, IPS Widescreen LED
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3200U, 2-Core, 3.5 GHz
  • Graphics Card: AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics
  • RAM & Storage: 4 GB, 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Operating System: Windows 10
  • Battery Timing: Up to 7.5 Hours  
Pros
  • Great Performance 
  • Decent Battery Backup
  • Keyboard is Comfortable
  • Full HD Display
Cons
  • Outdated Design
  • Tight Storage Space

As compared to other similar 15.6 inches laptops this Acer Aspire 5 is very lightweight under the price tag of $500. Another good thing is that the Acer Aspire 5 is made out of aluminum unlike the majority of the laptops which are made out of plastic under the same budget segment.

Although the best silver color scheme makes it look outdated that is not the case. In fact, its build quality is top-notch, and also it is comparatively thin despite being a 15.6 inches laptop.

The back of the display lid has a polished metal finish and at the center, you will find the trademark logo of Acer. The display it features is a Full HD panel with a resolution of 1080p, it is decently bright and the image quality is crisp.

Acer has done a great job by making it out of aluminum alloy without sacrificing its lightweight and slim aesthetics. Which makes it a great option for professionals who have to work on the go or require traveling.

Performance wise this Acer A515-43-R19L can handle any kind of photo editing workload without showing any sign of slowdowns. On the other hand, the storage device is an SSD but the space is pretty tight.

This means you will need to buy an external hard drive or upgrade the internal one. The Acer A515-43-R19L laptop featured a full-size keyboard including the numeric pad and it is also very comfortable to use.

The trackpad is decently wide and big as well, we were pleased to find out that in the top left corner of the trackpad Acer is offering an integrated fingerprint reader.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

9. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

“Elegant & Stylish Device”

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 - (2022) - Essential Gaming Laptop...
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD 1920 x 1080, IPS 20Hz 
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5-6600H, 6-Core, 4.5 GHz
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
  • RAM & Storage: 8GB DDR5, 258 GB SSD
  • Operating System: Windows 11 
  • Battery Timing: Up to 6 Hours  
Pros
  • Decently Powerful
  • Stylish Design
  • Sleek & Slim Aesthetics
  • Excellent Audio
Cons
  • Slightly Heavy
  • Average Battery Backup

Lenovo has never disappointed consumers, especially in the build quality of its devices and this Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is no exception. Despite being made out of polycarbonate plastic instead of metal it is still well-built sturdy and strong.

Another thing worth noticing here is that it is a dual purpose giving device but still Lenovo managed to make it slim as compared to other similar laptops.

Considering the fact that the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3  laptop is made out of polycarbonate plastic the surface has a brushed smooth finish. These aesthetics make this laptop look more elegant and stylish.

The back of the display lid doesn’t feature any textures and the only thing you will find here is that trademark Lenovo logo at the top left corner embedded in vertical styling.

At the back of the base unit, there are two big air vents on both sides, and in the middle, you will find some ports. Opening the display lid will reveal a Full HD display panel with a resolution of 1080p and a different rate of 120 Hz.

In fact, this laptop is one of those few which offers best-in-class vivid bright displays. The keyboard it features is not a separate panel instead it is called into the base unit, it is backlit as well as comfortable to use.

On the other hand, the trackpad is decently big and wide, it is responsive enough so you can use the gestures control feature. However, we found it unusual that Lenovo decided to place the trackpad on the slightly left side instead of the middle.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON
Conclusion

Here you go with the list of Best Laptops under 500 for Photo Editing in US  with their detailed reviews and real-life test results.

For professional photo editing work, you are required to run intensive and demanding programs that put your laptop to its limits. That’s why your laptop should be equipped with decently powerful hardware components so it can cope with the workload.

A multi-core powerful processor from either Intel or AMD will provide you with sufficient power and will enable you to multitask seamlessly.

On the other hand for the work of photo editing your laptop must be equipped with a dedicated graphics card to deal with all the graphics-related load. Another main requirement for a photo editing laptop is that it should offer excellent portability.

If a laptop is compact and lightweight it would be easy for you to carry it around everywhere you go with you. For overall great performance, a fast SSD and a good amount of installed memory are also very important.

We have tried our best to include laptops that fulfill all of these requirements so you can get the best performance out of your laptop. Usually, performance laptops don’t provide you extraordinary battery backup but in the above list, you will find many laptops that provide you comparatively exceptional battery backup.

If you are still confused about which laptop you should choose from the above then we will recommend you to read our detailed laptop buying guide. Since it will help you to determine which laptop suits your work requirements best.

Also, visit intolaptop.com for even more laptop options under every price range for every purpose. 

LAPTOP BUYING GUIDE 2024

Best Laptop Buying Guide in 2023 | IntoLaptop

READ LAPTOP BUYING GUIDE

  • Laptop Brand: Which Brand’s Laptop is your priority?
  • Display Size: Which Screen Size will you prefer?
  • Performance: Which CPU will you need?
  • Graphics Card: Which GPU will you like to have? 
  • RAM & Storage: How much RAM & Storage is needed?
  • Operating System: Which Operating System you want to have?
  • Battery Life: How much battery life do you expect?
  • Work Purpose: Know the purpose and buy a Laptop tailored for your work purpose.
  • Budget: Find the Laptop within your budget.

Robert S
Follow Me

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Leave a Comment