Lenovo G500 review
Lenovo G500 — from 2013, 2.3 kg, performance 7.
Technical specifications
| Type | Laptop |
| Release year | 2013 |
| Screen | 15.6" · 1366x768 |
| Processor | Intel Celeron 1005M |
| Max. RAM | 16 GB |
| Weight | 2.3 kg |
Performance scores
A 2013 G500 whose 16GB of RAM outclass its Celeron engine
The Lenovo G500 (2013) pairs an Intel Celeron 1005M with 16GB of RAM at $127, near the floor of the general-class band (median about $248). The configuration is a study in mismatch: memory that belongs two tiers up, bolted to one of the slowest processors of its era. The CPU score reads 6.23 against a category median of 58.99, and reliability sits at 3 versus 54.
Memory without an engine to use it
Sixteen gigabytes cannot make a Celeron 1005M quick. The RAM will absorb tab sprawl and keep the machine from swapping, but every computation still waits on two slow cores. The honest description: someone upgraded this machine's memory past the point of usefulness, and the upgrade does not transfer to any buyer whose workload is CPU-bound. For single-task browsing and documents, it is adequate; for anything more, no.
Reliability at the floor of the band
The verdict names graphics the leading weakness — none on file, score zero against a category median of 27.24 — but the deeper cautions are reliability (3 against 54, near the catalog floor) and the basic-band CPU. No game capability flags survive. This listing is for a buyer who wants the cheapest possible light-duty machine and accepts a coin-flip service outlook.
Value at the practical floor
From a $900 base the G500 has drifted to $127, about 6.76% per year, with a projected $111 in two years. The remaining downside in dollars is trivial — the machine has already reached its terminal value.
General-class neighbors
Pricier options include the HP 17-p023ng ($137) and Compaq Presario CQ60 ($135); cheaper ones include the HP 15-ay087ur ($120) and Compaq 15 ($120). The IdeaPad Z575 ($122) and Dell Inspiron 15 3542 ($123) sit sideways. At this level all machines are floor-tier; the G500's 16GB is its only distinguishing line.
Bottom line
The G500 at $127 is a floor-tier machine whose 16GB of RAM outclass its Celeron engine: memory headroom the CPU cannot exploit, reliability 3, no graphics claims. Buy it for the cheapest gentle duty; expect nothing the flags do not concede.
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⭐ What stands out
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graphics performance absent (no data or feature not provided).
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reliability is lower than typical general laptop class (+94.4%) (low tier).
budget segment of category -
CPU performance is lower than typical general laptop class (+89.4%) (basic tier).
budget segment of category
🔁 Alternatives
Compromise axis: mobility ↔ overall performance
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration is built for office apps, web browsing, and basic daily tasks.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 54) ↔ price (median 247.9).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 50) ↔ overall performance (median 43.1).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 50) ↔ battery life (median 2.3).
G500: verdict
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