Compare real specs, prices, and reviews from 0 Acer and HP budget laptops under $600 โข Pick better, buy smarter
Acer dominates the budget laptop segment with the Aspire series, delivering exceptional value with solid specs at aggressive price points. Known for offering more RAM and storage per dollar than competitors. [PCWorld Best Budget Laptops, 2025]
HP's Pavilion series offers budget laptops with better build quality, superior customer support, and more refined designs than competitors. Often includes touchscreen options and better displays at similar price points. [LaptopMag Brand Ratings: HP #2 Overall]
๐ก The Verdict: Choose Acer Aspire if you want maximum specs per dollar (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD at $399-$449 vs HP's $549), better value for basic tasks, and don't mind plastic build. [TechRadar: "Best Budget Value"] Choose HP Pavilion if you prioritize build quality, want a touchscreen option, need better customer support, or value design aesthetics. HP offers better resale value (45% after 2 years vs Acer's 30% [LaptopMag]). For pure productivity per dollar: Acer wins. For long-term ownership experience: HP wins.
| Feature | Acer Aspire 5 ($399-$549) | HP Pavilion 15 ($449-$599) |
|---|---|---|
| Value Per Dollar | โ โ โ โ โ 16GB RAM + 512GB SSD at $449 (best specs-to-price [CNET]) | โ โ โ โ โ 8GB RAM + 256GB SSD at $499, 16GB RAM at $549+ |
| Build Quality | โ โ โ โโ Plastic chassis, functional but basic, flex in keyboard deck | โ โ โ โ โ Better build materials, more rigid chassis, premium feel [LaptopMag] |
| Display | โ โ โ โโ 15.6" FHD IPS, 220 nits (dim), 45% NTSC color | โ โ โ โ โ 15.6" FHD IPS, 250 nits (brighter), optional touchscreen, 62% sRGB [NotebookCheck] |
| Battery Life | โ โ โ โ โ 8-9 hours (mixed usage), 48Wh battery | โ โ โ โ โ 7-8 hours (slightly less due to brighter display), 41Wh battery |
| Performance | โ โ โ โ โ Intel i5-1235U / Ryzen 5 5500U, solid for productivity, 16GB RAM advantage | โ โ โ โ โ Intel i5-1235U / Ryzen 5 7520U, comparable performance, newer AMD chips |
| Keyboard & Touchpad | โ โ โ โโ Decent keyboard, small touchpad, mushy keys | โ โ โ โ โ Better keyboard feel, larger touchpad, more responsive [Tom's Guide] |
| Customer Support | โ โ โ โโ Average support, 1-year warranty, slower response times | โ โ โ โ โ Better support reputation, faster replacements, more service centers (LaptopMag Brand Rating: 79/100 vs Acer's 68/100) |
| Best Use Cases | Students on tight budgets, basic multitasking, home office, video streaming, light productivity | Students prioritizing quality, users needing touchscreen, light photo editing, better media consumption |
Sources: PCWorld Best Budget Laptops, CNET Best Cheap Laptops, LaptopMag, PCMag, NotebookCheck, TechRadar, Tom's Guide
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| Image | Product | Processor | RAM | Storage | Display (Size) | Panel | Refresh Rate | Touchscreen | Graphics | Weight | Rating | Price | |
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