Are you looking to buy some of the best gaming laptops under $500? In case you do, here’s a list of the top rated gaming laptops that comes with every possible feature you’d ever expect.

Best Gaming Laptops Under $500 For 2018

Model	CPU	RAM	Video	Rating	Price
Lenovo 320 Pro	2.7 GHz AMD	8GB	AMD Raedon R7		Check Price
Acer Aspire E 15	2.4 GHz Intel i3	4GB	Intel HD 620		Check Price
HP 17.3" Laptop	2.7 GHz Intel i5	8GB	Intel HD 620		Check Price
ASUS VivoBook	1.6 GHz Intel i5	8GB	Intel HD 620		Check Price
HP 14 HD EliteBook	1.80 GHz AMD	8GB	AMD Radeon R6 Series		Check Price
Acer Aspire 15.6 (Editor’s Choice)	2.4 GHz Intel i3	4GB	Intel HD 620		Check Price
Lenovo Ideapad	2.7 GHz AMD	8GB	AMD Radeon R7		Check Price
Acer Spin 3	3.4 GHz Intel i3	4GB	Intel HD 620		Check Price
Dell Inspiron 15 3567	2.7 GHz Intel i3	8GB	Intel HD 620		Check Price
HP 17.3" HD	2.0 GHz Intel i3	8GB	Intel HD 620		Check Price

Lenovo 320 Pro Laptop Flagship Edition

Summary

If you’re looking for a budget gaming laptop that performs exceptionally well, the Lenovo 320 Pro Laptop will definitely make the cut. With 15.6” diagonal, full HD screen this laptop comes with every relevant feature that you’d expect from a high end gaming device. It is backed by a quad core AMD processor which ensures that you get to enjoy a completely lag free gaming experience. The VGA webcam with integrated microphone, WLED anti glare screen and Raedon R7 graphics card collectively accentuates your gaming experience.

The device also comes with a decent storage space of 8GB. This means you can easily run your games without having to worry about running out of space. So if you’re looking for a decent gaming device that’ll let you enjoy a session of complete, uninterrupted gaming, this is one of the best bids you’ll make.

Manufacturer Specifications

• CPU: 2.7 GHz AMD A Series
• RAM: 8GB DDR4 SDRAM
• Storage: 128 GB SSD
• Display Size: 15.6 inches
• Graphics Card: AMD Raedon R7 Graphics
• Max Screen Resolution: 1366 x 768
• Weight: 5.85 lbs.

Acer Aspire E 15

Summary

The Acer Inspire E 15 is one of the latest variants from the brand, and going by the looks of it, this is definitely one of the coolest gaming laptops out there. Whether it’s the compact design, the super fast wireless unit or the lag free graphics- this device excels in almost every department. We were particularly impressed with the Wi-FI which now comes backed with the MU-MIMO technology.

This ensures that you get to enjoy a completely flawless gaming experience without any glitches or lags whatsoever. The laptop is backed by 4GB DDR4 memory, 7th generation Intel Core i3 processor and 1TB hard drive space. So it doesn’t really matter which game you’re playing, with this device you’ll have the space and the power for every leading game.

Manufacturer Specifications

• CPU: 2.4 GHz Intel Core i3
• RAM: 4GB DDR3 SDRAM
• Storage: 1TB SATA 5400 RPM
• Display Size: 15.6 inches
• Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 620
• Max Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Weight: 5.85 lbs.

HP 17.3″ Laptop

Summary

This device from HP is yet another excellent gaming laptop from the brand. Backed by 7th generation Intel Core I5 processor this laptop ensures that you get to enjoy all your favorite games flawlessly. And that’s not all! With the DTS studio sound dual speakers and the 17.6” screen it truly offers you an immersive gaming experience. This laptop also comes with the Intel HD graphics card which works best when you play next-generation multiplayer games. At 8 GB the storage space is copious enough to store your favorite games.

While using the laptop, we were also impressed by the 1 TB hard drive space. This means, you can easily store your favorite stuff that without having to worry about the lack of space. The HP 17.3” laptop is built to last, and it’ll work exceptionally well, even when the temperature doesn’t work in your favor. So if you’re looking for a powerful gaming laptop under $500- this is definitely one of the best products to go for.

Manufacturer Specifications

• CPU: Intel Core i5, 2.7 GHZ
• RAM: 8GB DDR3 SDRAM
• Storage: 1 TB SATA
• Display Size: 17.3 inches
• Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 620
• Max Screen Resolution: 1600 x 900 pixels
• Weight: 5.84 lbs.

Asus Vivo Book

Summary

The Asus Vivo Book is yet another excellent gaming laptop that comes with features that’ll truly blow you away! This laptop is backed by the Nano Edge Display that gives an excellent 80% skin: body ratio, and with the 15.6” screen it’ll offer you a truly immersive gaming experience. This laptop is also thinner and lighter than most of the conventional gaming laptops, which means you can easily tuck it up in your bag pack. And that’s not all!

The Asus Vivo book doesn’t disappoint in terms of performance either. Backed by an Intel i5 processor and 8GB DDR4 RAM, the device delivers super smooth visuals with no glitches or inconsistencies. The 801.AC WIFI lets you enjoy speeds as high as 867 MBPS. So if you’re into online multiplayer games, this device will totally fit your needs. With its amazing connectivity, ultra-crisp visuals, super fast processor and unbelievably affordable price- this laptop is definitely worth every penny.

Manufacturer Specifications

• CPU: 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5
• RAM: 8GB DDR3 SDRAM
• Storage: 1TB SATA
• Display Size: 15.6 inches
• Graphics Card: Intel UHD 620
• Max Screen Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels
• Weight: 3.7 lbs.

HP 14 Inch HD Elitebook

Summary

Gaming laptops tend to be pretty funky, but it doesn’t always have to work in this way. Hp’s latest Elitebook proves that gaming laptops too can be as classy and sleek as any other corporate laptop. Featuring a premium design in aluminum and silver, this laptop truly makes the cut with its stunning 14 inches display, feather touch keyboard and a couple of flexible hinges that allows you to switch it in different modes. In terms of performance too, this laptop doesn’t disappoint.

Armed with a solid processor, 8 GB RAM and 256 MB PCI solid state drive, this laptop is built to impress. While the super fast processor ensures that you enjoy a truly immersive gaming experience the stunning display features your favorite games without any discrepancy in the picture quality. HP’s Elitebook is also backed by Bang and Olufsen speakers which ensure that you get truly dynamic audio quality. So if you’re looking for a powerful gaming laptop- this one is surely an excellent product to vouch for.

Manufacturer Specifications

• CPU: AMD PRO-8700B (1.80 GHz)
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display Size: 14 inches
• Graphics Card: AMD Radeon R6 Series
• Max Screen Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels
• Weight: 3.41 lbs.

Acer Aspire Flagship High Performance Laptop – Editor’s Choice

Summary

Acer Aspire is yet another gaming laptop that features on our list for its exceptional performance. Although the design isn’t really fancy, yet, it is decently built to work with your budget system. The body of the laptop is in plastic, with small brushed patterns along the lid and a pretty keyboard deck to add some definition to this otherwise simple style. But while the laptop doesn’t really impress with it looks, it will definitely blow you away with the exceptional speed.

With the 2.4 GHZ processor speed, integrated graphics and 4 GB RAM this laptop will ensure that you get to enjoy your favorite games without any sudden glitch or lags. Yes! You can now play your favorite games at 720p resolution and that too for several hours down the line. Going by the features and the performance, the Acer Aspire is definitely a top value product. Get this laptop if you’re looking to enjoy immersive gaming at an unbelievably low price.

Manufacturer Specifications

• CPU: 2.4 GHz Intel Core i3
• RAM: 4GB DDR SDRAM
• Storage: 1 TB SATA
• Display Size: 15.6 inches
• Graphics Card: Intel UHD Graphics 620
• Max Screen Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels
• Weight: 4.65 lbs.

Lenovo Ideapad

Summary

Lenovo IdeaPad seems to be a pretty decent laptop for anyone who’s getting their very first gaming notebook. The device comes with a 15.6 inch display, and although it’s made from plastic, the textured finish makes it look classy and elegant. Like Acer Aspire, this laptop too works best in terms of performance. With a 2.7 GHZ premium AMD processor and high quality AMD UHD graphics, it ensures that all your games load incredibly fast.

And that’s not all! Unlike many conventional low-priced models, this notebook ensures that you experience absolutely no inconsistency while playing your favorite games. Another feature that really impressed us is the in-built speakers. The audio output from the speakers is pretty clean, even if it’s on the quieter side. Additionally, you can also play your full HD videos flawlessly on this device. With these incredible features and classy design, the Ideapad seems to be a pretty decent.

Manufacturer Specifications

• CPU: 2.7 GHz AMD A Series
• RAM: 8GB DDR SDRAM
• Storage: 1TB SATA 5400 rpm
• Display Size: 15.6 inches
• Graphics Card: AMD Radeon R7
• Max Screen Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels
• Weight: 6.06 pounds

Acer Spin 3

Summary

This ultra slim, super light laptop from Acer is yet another one of their classic gaming laptops. Like many other Acer laptops, this one two operates in a dual-function mode. To put it simply: you can either use it as a conventional laptop or rotate its 360 degree dual torque hinge to make this function like a perfect tablet. Acer Spin 3 features a high quality full HD display and ample battery life to get you going with your favorite games.

It is backed by a super fast processor of 3.4 GHZ which further ensures that none of your games suffer any glitch midway. There’s also the 10-point touch that lets you take complete of it by using ten fingers all at once. Super-fast and incredibly fun, this Acer Spin is amazing for getting in touch with your old buddies, playing your favorite games or simply surfing the web.

Manufacturer Specifications

• CPU: 3.4 GHz Intel Core i3
• RAM: 4GB DDR4
• Storage: 1TB SATA 5400 RPM
• Display Size: 14 inches
• Graphics Card: Intel UHD 620 Graphics
• Max Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Weight: 3.75 lbs.

Dell Inspiron 15 3567

Summary

Featured between budget and premium laptops, this product from Dell is a must have’ for anybody who’s looking to enjoy their favorite games in utmost clarity. Equipped with a 2.7 GHZ processor, full HD display, 256 GB solid state drive and 8 GB RAM this laptop works best in offering you a truly immersive gaming experience. What I really loved about the product is the fact that the resolution doesn’t suffer even if you’re playing the most immersive, high definition 4K quality video games.

And with the copious amounts of storage space, you can always keep your stuff ready and safe every time you need to. The Intel UDHD graphics are pretty impressive and going by its overall features, it definitely seems like a value for money laptop. So if you’re looking to enjoy a truly unfaltering gaming experience, this is one of the best laptops to place your bets on.

Manufacturer Specifications

• CPU: 2.7 GHz Intel Core i3
• RAM: 8GB DDR4 SDRAM
• Storage: 1TB Serial ATA-600 5400 RPM
• Display Size: 15.6 inches
• Graphics Card: Intel UHD 620 Graphics
• Max Screen Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels
• Weight: 7 lbs.

HP – 17.3″ Laptop

Summary

With its aluminum chassis, and all-metal flair, the HP 17” Premium Laptop seems, like a pretty decent laptop for the price. Weighing only 5.29 lbs it is fairly lightweight and can be easily carried in your backpack. And that’s all! The real deal of the laptop lies in its Intel processor, which, at 2 GHZ delivers an excellent performance. Although the speed can be higher, it’s definitely worth the money. What truly makes this laptop stand out is the 17.3 inches full HD screen.

With this screen you can watch your favorite games with ultimate clarity. At the same time, this also plays a major role in enhancing your overall gaming experience. While the Intel UHD graphics offer a lag free gaming experience, with the 8GB RAM you get to store almost every one of your favorite games. So if you’re looking to splurge in a high-value, low priced laptop- this one is an excellent buy.

Manufacturer Specifications

• CPU: 2.0 GHz Intel Core i3
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 1TB SATA 5400RPM
• Display Size: 17.3 inches
• Graphics Card: Intel UHD 620 Graphics
• Max Screen Resolution: 1600 x 900 pixels
• Weight: 5.84 lbs.

Gaming Laptop Buyer’s Guide

Are you planning to buy a laptop, but don’t want it to be too expensive? If yes, then you must do a lot of planning and research before buying the device. Before helping you to buy a budget laptop, let’s find out why more and more people are opting for this amazing device.

A large number of users prefer using laptops due to their compact structure and their ability to run all kinds of demanding applications. A laptop can be used for completing serious work as well as for playing interesting games, both sitting in the comfort of your own home or any other given location. It’s true that smartphones and tablets have also gained significant popularity in recent years; however, playing games and typing research papers can be done more comfortably on laptops. Read through the section below to find out things you must know about buying a laptop on a budget.

Factors You Should Consider

The first thing you must do is understand the kind of features you want your laptop to possess. Some of the factors that must be considered before making a buying decision include the following:

Size of the Unit

Right now, the market offers laptops in a wide range of sizes. The first category includes units with 11-12 inch screens. These are the lightest and thinnest systems and weigh between 2.5 and 3.5 lbs. Then, there are units with 13-14 inch screens that weigh around 4 lbs. These units are known for offering a perfect balance of usability and portability. The most widely-used units, however, are the laptops with 15-inch screens.

Their weight typically ranges between 4.5 and 6.5 lbs. These units are meant for users who are fond of larger screens and don’t have plans of frequently traveling with their laptop. Individuals who want to use their laptop like a desktop (by placing them on their desk) can think of opting for a unit with a 17 to 18-inch screen. These large-screened systems would offer the processing power one needs for playing high-end computer games.

CPU

As you must know, the central processing unit or CPU is the brain of any computer. Your laptop’s CPU would have a big influence on its overall performance. However, the good news is that depending on the purpose you are buying the laptop for you might find your system offering amazing performance even after picking cheapest CPU. Below are some of the best options you have right now:

Intel Core i5
Individuals, who are interested in owning a regular laptop offering the finest combination of performance and price, should opt for this CPU model. There are certain things you must keep in mind when buying Intel Core i5. Ideally, you should stay away from model numbers that end with a Y. They are known to showcase worse performance.

Gaming enthusiasts should, ideally, opt for model numbers ending with an HQ; keep in mind these units have been found to use up more wattage. The best options available on the market right now are the newly launched Intel Core i5 8th generation processors. The model numbers of these units start with 8. What’s more, they have four cores instead of two; this feature would improve your system’s performance dramatically.

Intel Core i7
Intel Core i7 processors with model numbers ending with K or HQ come with four cores and are known for using a higher wattage. They are ideal units for people looking for greater productivity and faster gaming. Gamers should never opt for model numbers ending with Y as they are known to deliver poor performance and have much lower power.

AMD Ryzen Mobile
These chips have been designed for competing with chips belonging with the Intel Core i7 and i5 series.

Graphics Chip

There’s no need of having a separate graphics chip if you are not using your laptop for playing high-end games, editing high-resolution videos, or creating 3D figures. The integrated graphics chip in your laptop would be enough for supporting those jobs. However, if you have plans of using the device for one or more of the above-mentioned purposes, you should get a separate graphics processor.

You will get to choose from a range of low and high-end units. Low-end workstation or gaming systems mostly use Nvidia GTX1050. The mid-range units, on the other hand, come with GTX 1060 or GTX 1050Ti. There are the high-end units which come with GTX 1080 or 1070. Like Nvidia, AMD also has high-end and low-end graphics chips.

Things You Must Remember When Buying a Laptop on a Budget

Don’t force yourself to buy a budget laptop if money is not a problem for you: You should be absolutely clear that you have taken the decision of buying a cheap laptop because you cannot afford an expensive one. Don’t force yourself to buy an inexpensive device.

If you have the money, don’t hesitate to spend more buying a laptop; it’s surely something worth your investment. Laptops can be used for completing a series of important tasks; they are often put under extreme pressure both externally and internally.

It might sound a bit harsh, but the truth is that the only thing that can confirm that you are buying a durable and efficient device is the price of the product. A major advantage of buying an expensive and efficient product is that it would prevent you from spending additional amount for repair or replacement in the long run. It would stay functional for years to come, which makes its upfront price truly worth it.

When you are going the inexpensive route, you must be ready to compromise:

When you are buying a cheaper laptop, you must learn how to tone down your expectations. Cheap laptops are almost always filled with compromises. It might be fast, but never the fastest you will ever come across and would possibly come with a skimpy battery. If you are lucky, you’ll get a laptop with a nice display; however, in turn, you might need to compromise with the quality of its keyboard.

It’s unlikely that you will get an efficient, inexpensive laptop that’s really small, lightweight, and thin. The most common units you will come across have 14 to 15-inch screens and often come packed with preinstalled bloatware (you are unlikely to use any of those bloatware). To put it more bluntly, if you are on a budget, you should be ready to be happy with something “good enough” and stop longing for something “good” (forget getting the best).

Search for units with these specifications:

When buying a budget laptop, you should search for the following specs for making the purchase painless (to a great extent)

• You would mostly come across units boasting a display of 1366×768. This spec is not sharp enough as far as modern standards are concerned; it will stop you from viewing multiple information windows onscreen. Ideally, you should opt for a 1080 p (1920×1080) panel; the view offered by it would be extremely pleasing to your eyes. Of course, if you want you can go even higher than 1080p.
• It would be wise for you to opt for an IPS (in-plane switching) display. IPS displays tend to be much more colorful compared to TN (twisted nematic) displays. IPS display also makes wide angle reading much easier. The bad news is that it’s difficult to get laptops with IPS display for a low price.
• There’s no need of getting a laptop with a touchscreen. Most experts would tell you that units that have been launched with a touchscreen would have been equally usable even if they hadn’t had one. What makes avoiding touchscreen laptops even more important for budget buyers is the low-cost touch-enabled units often turn out to be more compromised compared to the regular cheap laptops.
• Now, let’s move inside the device. It’s okay if you can’t afford an Intel Core i7 CPU; however, you must ensure that your system is running on a Core i5 processing unit. That’s something you would need for playing games on your device. Individuals who don’t have plans of using the device to play games can opt for Intel Core i3.
• The next thing you should concentrate on in getting enough RAM. If you want your laptop to offer you a smooth experience, you should ideally get an 8 GB RAM. If your budget is stopping you from doing so, at least get a 6 GB unit; it should work fine for you if your system is devoid of any deal-breaking flaw. Don’t commit the mistake of settling for a 4 GB RAM just to keep the price of the laptop low.
• Now, we’ll be discussing storage. Let’s be clear; at present, not a single company is offering SSDs or solid state drives for cheap. So, for keeping the price of your new laptop low, you must learn to be happy with slow, beefy HDDs (hard disk drives). The minimum you would need is 500 GB; the higher you go, the better would be for you. We would advise you to get your machine upgraded by installing an SSD the moment you have some extra money to spend.
• It’s unlikely that your cheap laptop will come with a dedicated graphics processing unit or GPU. If you find one on your device, you should consider yourself lucky. However, remember that the dedicated GPU just makes the device good enough for playing games; for best performance, you should get a separate graphics chip.
• Battery life is something you will know about after using the device. Most companies make false claims when it comes to a device’s battery life. Top manufacturers, however, offer close to what they claim.
• The same thing can be said even in case of connectivity and ports. We would advise you to buy a unit that at least supports the 802.11 ac Wi-Fi standard. Things would be even better if the laptop comes with some USB 3.0 ports. Here also, it’s important to mention that finding a cheap laptop with these features is an extremely difficult task.
• Consider buying directly from the manufacturing company: That might not help you to get the unit for the cheapest possible price, but would surely help you to avoid bloatware. This means, there would be very few redundant programs occupying the device’s storage space and memory.

Don’t be surprised to see things disappear:

Cheap laptops are often replaced for upgraded models. You might suddenly find that the laptop you bought a few months back has been replaced by a more advanced model. This doesn’t mean that you will also need to get your unit replaced. Replacing the unit would actually end up making your laptop buying expenses almost two times of your original budget.

Do your research well before investing:

When you are buying something for a low price, you must be extra cautious. Reading customer reviews is extremely important when buying any product, but its importance becomes even greater when buying a cheap item. Make sure the reviews you are reading are from verified users. Usually, verified users would tell you the truth; so, if you see them write negative about a product, you should avoid buying it. Similarly, positive reviews should always compel you to buy the related item.

If possible, we would also advise you to try the device once before paying for it. In fact, there’s no other way of checking whether the laptop’s keyboard and trackpad are working fine or whether the display and performance of the machine are close to what you expected. If you are buying the device online, you can always make the most of the store’s return policies. Don’t hesitate to send the product back if its features are not up to the mark.

Final Thoughts

The discussion above must have helped you to understand the process of buying a laptop on a budget. There’s another way of buying an efficient device for a low price. Now that you know about the best gaming laptops under $500, make your pick and enjoy an immersive gaming experience like never before!