Video conferences and Internet meetings are essential to everyday life in this digital world. Zoom has become the best way to talk to people online, whether you are working from home, taking classes online, or just getting in touch with family and friends. However, it would help if you had a suitable machine for a smooth and easy Zoom experience.
If you do not have much money, you can spend a little on a laptop that works well for video calls. This article will discuss the best Zoom computers that cost less than $500 and can fully meet your videoconferencing needs.
Key Features to Consider for Zoom Laptops
When shopping for a cheap laptop for Zoom, you should pay attention to these features to make sure your videoconferencing goes smoothly:
Camera Quality:
It would help if you had a good camera for clear video calls. Find a laptop with a camera that can record in at least 720p.
Processor:
If your laptop has a good processor, you can do more than one thing simultaneously while on a Zoom call. At the very least, you should get an Intel Core i3 or an AMD Ryzen 3.
RAM:
Your laptop should have at least 8GB of RAM so that Zoom and other programs can run smoothly.
Battery Life:
If you will attend many meetings on the go, you need an extended battery. Laptops that last 6 to 8 hours on a charge are an excellent choice.
Screen Size:
For video conferences, a screen size of at least 13 to 15 inches is best for a good view.
Microphone & Speakers:
MB built in microphones and speakers should provide clear sound so you can talk without interruptions.
Considering these important factors, let us examine the best Zoom computers that cost less than $500.
Acer Aspire 5 (A515-46-R3UB)
Price: $400 to $450
Best For: Regular Zoom talks and light multitasking
The Acer Aspire 5 is a well known cheap laptop that runs smoothly and costs little. It has a 15.6-inch Full HD screen, which makes Zoom talks look bright and clear.
It comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 3350U processor and 8GB of RAM, which are great for running Zoom smoothly and multiple apps simultaneously. The battery lasts up to 10 hours, so you do not have to worry about putting it in during meetings.
HP 14 Laptop (14-fq1021nr)
Price: $400
Best For: Zoom meetings on the go and simple work
The HP 14 Laptop is an excellent choice if flexibility is essential. It is easy to carry because it weighs just over 3 pounds and has a 14-inch HD screen.
This laptop’s 8GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and AMD Ryzen 3 3250U processor make it fast for Zoom calls and everyday work. It also has a 720p HD webcam that lets you have good video calls, and the battery lasts up to 9 hours to stay online all day.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (81W10094US)
Price: $450 to $500
Best For: When it comes to video calls and tasks, this is the best app.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a good low-cost laptop that gives Zoom users a lot for their money. Its 15.6-inch Full HD screen and 720p webcam make it great for virtual meetings and online lessons.
The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD give it enough power to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. This laptop can use Zoom to browse various web pages simultaneously without any problems. It also has Dolby Audio technology, which makes talks sound better.
ASUS VivoBook 15 (F512JA-AS34)
Price: $450
Best For: Meet with Zoom and do some light work.
This sleek and stylish laptop, the ASUS VivoBook 15, is great for Zoom and everyday jobs. It has a 15.6-inch Full HD screen that makes video calls look clear. The laptop also has an Intel Core i3-1005G1 processor and 8GB of RAM, which allows it to run Zoom and other programs quickly.
Its 128GB SSD may look tiny, but it boots up quickly and works well for web reading, streaming, and videoconferencing. In addition, the ErgoLift hinge design tilts the keyboard slightly to make typing more comfortable during long meetings.
Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3505)
Price: $470
Best For: Reliable Zoom calls and doing more than one thing at once
The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 laptop won’t break the bank and works well for Zoom talks. It has a 15.6-inch HD screen and a 720p HD camera to record pretty good video. Its 8GB of RAM and AMD Ryzen 3 3250U processor make it a powerful computer that can run Zoom with Microsoft Office or web apps.
This laptop also has 256GB of SSD storage, so you have plenty of room to store files and papers. The battery should last for about seven hours, which is long enough for most Zoom talks during the day.
Samsung Chromebook 4+
Price: $300 to $350
Best For: The best Zoom talks for people on a budget that let you do work in the cloud
The Samsung Chromebook 4+ is an excellent choice for people tight on money. This Chromebook lives up to its reputation for being easy to use. It has an Intel Celeron N4000 processor and a 15.6-inch Full HD screen, so it’s powerful enough to handle Zoom talks without problems.
Chromebooks use cloud storage, so using Google Drive or another cloud service is OK. However, they only have 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. Zoom for up to 10 hours will only require charging it again at the next meeting.
Acer Chromebook Spin 311
Price: $350
Best For: Best for zooming on the go and using a touchscreen.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is a small 2-in-1 Chromebook made for people who want to be mobile and flexible. Thanks to its 11.6-inch HD touchscreen and 360-degree hinge, it can be used as a laptop, tablet, or tent. This can be useful for Zoom meetings that take place in different places.
This Chromebook has a MediaTek MT8183 processor and 4GB of RAM, so it can run Zoom and do simple jobs quickly. It has 64GB of eMMC storage and a power life of up to 10 hours. This is an excellent laptop for Zoom talks if you need something light and easy to carry around.
HP Chromebook 14a-na0023cl
Price: $300
Best For: Cheap Zoom talks and easy tasks work best.
The HP Chromebook 14a-na0023cl is another Chromebook on the list. This laptop has a 14-inch HD screen and an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, which is powerful enough for Zoom and other simple tasks.
Like most Chromebooks in this price range, it has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. This laptop is different because it’s small and light, and the battery lasts up to 13 hours. This makes it perfect for people who need to go to meetings on the go.
Conclusion
Getting a good laptop for Zoom talks does not have to cost much money. The above laptops work well and cost less than $500, so they are great for students, workers, and anyone who wants to stay connected online. When picking out a laptop, consider your needs, like how portable it needs to be, how long the battery will last, and how much space it requires.