Restored Dell Latitude 5430 14" Notebook - Intel Core i7-1255U - 16GB RAM - 512GB SSD - 12th Gen - Windows 11 Pro

The ThinkPad is a better choice if you want to lock it in, but you should look for better laptops under 500, with a 11, 12 gen i5, 13th, or series 1 core 5, as those will have way more performance than the ancient 10th gen. I would probably go for a dell latitude if I were you, like this 5430 for $380: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Restored-Dell-Latitude-5430-14-Laptop-FHD-Intel-i7-1255U-16GB-DDR4-512GB-SSD-Iris-Xe-Graphics-Windows-11-Home-PWKN4-Refurbished/5363645345?conditionGroupCode=2&classType=REGULAR&from=/search The 12th gen i7 in this laptop is significantly faster than the 10th gen i5. If the 5430 is too expensive, I would go for a 5420, for $270: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Restored-Dell-Latitude-5420-14-Laptop-Intel-Core-i5-11th-Gen-16GB-RAM-512GB-SSD-Windows-11-Pro-Refurbished/5373120103?conditionGroupCode=2&classType=REGULAR&from=/search