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500 dollars is just the starting price for high-end expensive gaming laptops, but that does not mean you can’t get a decent performing gaming laptop below $500.
Finding the best gaming laptop under $500 is a bit tricky, and the honest cold fact about a $500 laptop is that it isn’t going to be ideal for hardcore gaming.
Such laptops perform quite satisfactorily provided you’re expecting and aiming for casual, non-demanding games like Dota2, Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and Minecraft, etc.
A gaming laptop is ought to possess certain qualities and features and to quite our surprise, some affordable laptops are even equipped to run 3D intensive games on such a small budget.
The following article brings you a list of the best gaming laptops under 500 that offer enhanced gaming capabilities without you having to break the bank.
Top Recommendations
CHUWI HeroBook Plus – Editor’s Choice – Check Price
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop – Runner Up – Check Price
Fusion5 A90B+ PRO – Best Gaming Laptop Under $500 – Check Price
Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $500
CHUWI HeroBook Plus – Editor’s Choice
- Turbo frequency 2.7 GHz, J4125 processor
- Intel UHD on-processor Graphics 600 with 16:9 aspect ratio
- Seven port to connect with the world
- Massive storage and sleek looks
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The HeroBook Plus features a high-speed processor for a powerful performance, stable multitasking, and smoothest operation. Relish a vast full-screen vision on the laptop’s 15.6 FHD screen from a full lamination processor and 80% high screen proportion. A vibrant, vivid, and immersive visual experience for all the games and graphical work.
Connect to the wide world of the internet with 802. 11ac wireless transmission protocol that happens to be amongst the best Wi-Fi technologies in the world.
Surf the internet, play intense online games, research like a pro with CHUWI HeroBook Plus whose peak transmission speed is an impressive 1.8GB/s under a band 5G.
Moreover, with a Bluetooth 5.1 version, you get to enjoy top speeds up to 2Mbps across capable devices. The aluminum-magnesium alloy body is only 19.5mm in thickness and weighs just 1650 grams, which is the perfect formula for a lightweight and portable device.
Talking about a high-performing processor, CHUWI HeroBook Plus comes with an Intel Gemini Lake J4125 processor with four cores and four threads, and a frequency of 2.7 GHz. High-impact gaming and smooth multitasking are possible with its 12G RAM LPDDR4X and a 256G SSD ROM Storage Capacity. The Edge browser from the pre-installed Windows 10 OS is great for everyday entertainment and with that the high storage capacity allows you to store music, videos, and images for later access.
Work or play long hours because your laptop will not give up until you do! The high-capacity battery allows the laptop to run for more than 12-hours continuously which is 50% more than any other average laptop. And when you finally run out of charge, recharge up to 60% battery in just about 49 minutes. Though, battery performances vary according to the users and their daily processing.
The large keys on the full-sized keyboard are great for typing or playing as the keys are spaced appropriately. C-side of the keyboard is left without a frame and around it, everything is designed to be compact and easy to use. The backlit keyboard feature also comes in handy when you have to work in different places and the dark. Enjoy increased flexibility in connection with USB 3.0, RJ45 interface, HDMI, fast charging DC port, MicroSD Card slot, TF card, and a headphone jack.
Pros
- Turbo frequency 2.7 GHz, J4125 processor
- Intel UHD on-processor Graphics 600 with 16:9 aspect ratio
- Seven port to connect with the world
- Massive storage and sleek looks
Cons
- Not a sturdy built laptop
- Gets slower with time
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop – Best Acer Gaming Laptop Under $500
- AMD Ryzen 3 Dual-core 3200U (up to 3.5GHz) Processor
- 4GB DDR4 memory and 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Up to 7.5 hours battery support
- Backlit keyboard and slim aluminum built
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Powerful Acer Aspire 5 Slim laptop is ready to tackle whatever you throw at it, no matter how complex the job. Launch your creativity and push productivity with the incredible AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Processor and enjoy ultimate portability with the thin bezel. This supercharged AMD processor and exceptionally crisp visuals showcased at a large 15.6” Full HD IPS screen make Acer Aspire one of the best gaming laptops under 500!
Perfect for your gaming needs with its 7.5 hours battery life, play uninterrupted till you drop with this powerful laptop always up and running by your side. The Radeon Vega 3 Graphics and Ryzen 3 3200U together deliver the most exceptional desktop-class performances without straining your eyes even after long gaming or working sessions. The Acer Color Intelligence displays sharp, true-to-life, and crisp images for clarity and precision when playing a game, and the BlueLightSheet from Acer makes it safe for the eyes.
Integrate Alexa and make your life easier by letting it set reminders, alarms, timers, handle and track your calendar, create to-do and shopping lists for you. The sleek design of Acer Aspire makes it a perfect fit for on-the-go gaming or working, robust aluminum top cover not only protects the laptop from external factors but also looks great. It’s slim and lightweight for easy mobility and increased convenience.
It features Acer TrueHarmony technology to bring you the deepest of bass and an innovative speaker design lets you hear even the lowest in-game sounds with complete clarity. Moreover, the range of ports offered by the Acer Aspire 5 Slim laptop lets you accomplish much more and makes sure that connectivity issues never set you back. USB 2.0, USB 3.1, and HDMI ports are available to make connections via cables while a 2×2 802.11ac Wi-Fi connection provides strengthened connectivity where ever you go.
With Windows 10 is S mode, you get the advantage of a speedy start-up and shutdown, advanced security, and access to millions of useful apps from the Microsoft Store. Besides, you get multiple cloud storage options like Dropbox and OneDrive.
Pros
- AMD Ryzen 3 Dual-core 3200U (up to 3.5GHz) Processor
- 4GB DDR4 memory and 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Up to 7.5 hours battery support
- Backlit keyboard and slim aluminum built
Cons
- The backlit keyboard responds late
- Some complaints about noisy fan
Fusion5 A90B+ PRO – Gaming Laptop Under $500
- 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage that is expandable
- 5GHz Wi-Fi gives 2x faster speed
- 1920x1080p high-resolution display screen
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Undoubtedly the fastest, most efficient Fusion5 is amongst the best entry-level gaming laptop under 500.
Its terrific upload and download speeds from 5GHz Wi-Fi are easily twice as much as any traditional laptop has. This laptop can tackle complex tasks at a speed 135% faster than the previous models.
A908B PRO comes with a stunning 4GB and onboard 64Gb eMMC storage that can be expanded up to 256GB with a Micro SD card/TF-card. Or you can insert an HDD of up to 1TB for more internal memory.
The 14.1-inches screen comes with full HD IPS 1920x1080p display that displays you the brightest of colors and vivid graphics at any program you run.
The 178-degree viewing angle of the screen gives a perfect angle for a clear and vibrant view of the screen. Moreover, the screen is anti-glare and its 16:9 image aspect ratio is one of its kind, giving you the best of visuals during gaming or working.
The laptop has Windows 10 Professional which enables you to do a lot more as well. In addition to Windows Professional Fusion5, A90B PRO is backed with an impressive DDR4 RAM.
The laptop notebook is extremely lightweight with only 1246 grams that make carrying it around relatively easy.
The laptop can stretch and bend at a 170-degree angle, or go completely flat if need be. Play moderate and casual games at Fusion5 laptop as it comes with an
Intel HD 500 graphics card to handle multimedia and other gaming features. This card has a Video Card Benchmark score of above 309 which is all you need to have a great game.
A90B PRO comes with Windows 10’s incredible built-in security, productivity, and management functions.
There are a 2MP webcam and flexible connectivity with USB 3.0, Bluetooth 4.0, and some more connectivity ports.
The customer support is incredible and Fusion5 also comes with a 12-month US warranty. You also get the BitLocker device encryption and Windows Information Protection with the Windows 10 Pro.
Also read: Best Motherboards for AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Pros
- 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage that is expandable
- 5GHz Wi-Fi gives 2x faster speed
- 1920x1080p high-resolution display screen
Cons
- Speakers make a sound in sleep mode
- Battery life deteriorates quick
Acer 14in Swift 1 – Laptop Under $500
- 4GB DDR4 SDRAM and 64 GB Flash Storage
- IPS technology, UHD Graphics card 605, ComfyView
- Quad-Core Intel Pentium N5000 Processor (up to 2.70 GHz frequency)
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Get the best out of your Acer Swift 1 laptop with its powerful processing powers and tackle all your everyday tasks, games, and processing with it.
The Intel Pentium N5000 Processor Quad-Core 1.10 GHz and a Burst Frequency of up to 2.70 GHz provide Acer the ability to deliver fast and reliable performances.
The swifter, lighter, and thinner Acer laptop has a 128GB SSD which means ample storage and multitasking capability.
Enjoy your favorite games and videos at a high 1920x1080p resolution which displays all characters and frames with impressive accuracy.
Many more incredible features as such have made Acer Swift score a spot in the top 10 gaming laptops under 500. You can multitask as much as you like with Windows 10 Home that enables you to efficiently manage more than one thing at a time.
This pairs up with a long battery life of up to 17 hours! This will last you a day or two so you can play, work or enjoy your time with Acer Swift 1.
It features a Smart Security system embedded to allow the user to maintain their privacy and also login in just one second by enabling fingerprint reading. Hence, no more worrying about forgetting your password.
Moreover, the fashionably durable form and built of the laptop is impeccable, the all-metal structure gives it the advertised durability and strength and with just 15mm of thickness and a weight of just 1.3kgs Acer Swift proves to be ultra-portable too.
With USB 2.0, USB Type-C port, two USB 3.0 ports, and one HDMI port, Acer Swift 1 offers its users the flexibility to connect to multiple devices by multiple modes.
Stable and reliable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections also add to the laptop’s top strengths.
You also get to enjoy the most premium image quality in your webcam interactions as Acer Slim 1 features a built-in front webcam with 1280x 720p quality visuals.
Pros
- 4GB DDR4 SDRAM and 64 GB Flash Storage
- IPS technology, UHD Graphics card 605, ComfyView
- Quad-Core Intel Pentium N5000 Processor (up to 2.70 GHz frequency)
Cons
- Keys seem awkwardly placed
- RAM is a single channel
CHUWI Herobook N4000 Pro – Best CHUWI Gaming Laptop Under $500
- High bandwidth 8GB LPDDR4 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD
- Seven ports for versatile connections
- 1920x1080p high-resolution graphics at anti-glare screen
- Windows 10 OS and on-board HD Graphics card
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Perhaps the best affordable gaming laptop under 500 that you’ll come across, the incredible CHUWI Herobook Pro brings you smooth and powerful performances and longer gaming hours.
It supports Windows 10 OS and a powerful Intel N4000 Quad-Core processor. A processor that comes equipped with Gemini lake 14nm, frequency reaches up to 2.6GHz for seamless operations and allows efficient multitasking.
To enhance your gaming experience further, a powerful on-processor Graphics card delivers high-quality graphics for casual/moderate gaming and other graphic-intensive tasks.
After all, CHUWI Herobook Pro is on the list of best gaming laptop under 500 for a reason, and that is its exceptional ability to run games smoothly and flawlessly.
The built-in UHD 600 core Graphics card also brings along a high video memory for high in-game image quality and processes images faster than any other.
Whether it’s decoding 4k videos or editing high-resolution images, CHUWI has got your back! Moreover, the 8GB DDR4L RAM allows high-impact gaming and excessive multitasking a completely lag-free experience.
Store as many images, videos, and programs on an amazing storage capacity of 256G SSD.
You can also expand this storage limit with an additional 512GB TF card installation.
CHUWI Herobook Pro tells you to work longer and charge faster with its high-capacity battery that is capable of running for 12 plus hours on a single charge!
It also lasts 50% longer than an average computer’s battery would and with that, it features a fast-charge technology so you can recharge your gaming CHUWI laptop up to a striking 60% in just 49 minutes.
Though battery life varies according to usage, even under straining usage Herobook will rise.
The extended connectivity options on CHUWI Herobook let you enjoy everything a high-end laptop has to offer in under $500.
You get 7 ports in one laptop; high-speed USB3.0, M.2, Micro-HD, headphone jack, fast charging DC port, and a Micro-SD card slot for completely hassle-free flexibility of connection across multiple devices.
The 14.1-inch display screen features wide viewing angles for crisp, vivid, and accurate colors.
This 1920x1080p high-resolution display is courtesy of a four-sided IPS design which means more screen in lesser physical space compared to usual screens.
This means you get a distraction-free and more immersive in-game visual experience.
This ultra-thin and lightweight laptop is perfect for gamers, students, office workers to take along. It also comes with a pre-installed Windows 10 OS for convenience and improves your everyday operations efficiently.
Pros
- High bandwidth 8GB LPDDR4 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD
- Seven ports for versatile connections
- 1920x1080p high-resolution graphics at anti-glare screen
- Windows 10 OS and on-board HD Graphics card
Cons
- Keyboard size not ideal for large hands
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 – Best Lenovo Gaming Laptop Under $500
- Multi-core Vega 3 Radeon graphics and AMD Ryzen 3 3250U
- 4GB DDR4 memory with a 128 GB SSD NVMe M.2 storage
- Dolby Audio and crystal-clear videos
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Tailor your skills and perform better than before with a top-quality Lenovo gaming laptop in your hands. Perhaps the best gaming laptop under 500, Lenovo IdeaPad 3 comes bearing tons of stunning features and qualities.
You get much more for an “everyday” laptop’s price with this one. The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U Mobile processor and a 128 GB Solid-State Drive speed all your processes up and make sure you can multitask without being stuck.
The incredible bandwidth from this multi-core processor lets you play or work at multiple applications at once with the same speed and efficiency.
It features an HD touch display which enables the user to get the most out of this laptop. The overall design and built give it a sleek and contemporary look that you’d love to carry around.
The Dolby Audio and Dual speakers perfectly complement the HD quality visuals on screen. The screen is 15.6” and displays a 1366×768 resolution for a crystal-clear visual result on the screen. The narrow bezels make it slim and sleek and play a major role in Lenovo IdeaPad 3’s light weightiness.
Experience improved connectivity across multiple devices from your laptop three USB ports, one HDMI port, and an SD card reader.
Moreover, Bluetooth 4.1, a 2×2 802. 11ac/ac (LC) Wi-Fi 5 and connect with your buddies with a webcam and a microphone.
Keep all data and information safe, by a straightforward approach to privacy. The physical cam shutter just closes when you’re done with your webcam and keeps the webcam hacker-proof.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 enhances and improves your productivity multiple times with a convenient numeric keypad that keeps the two zones of the keyboard separate from one another.
Although the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is an entry-level laptop, its modest specs still make sure that you get to experience all that a high-end expensive laptop would offer.
Pros
- Multi-core Vega 3 Radeon graphics and AMD Ryzen 3 3250U
- 4GB DDR4 memory with a 128 GB SSD NVMe M.2 storage
- Dolby Audio and crystal-clear videos
Cons
- Plastic chassis is not very durable
- No backlit keyboard
HP 14 WLED Backlit Display – Best HP Laptop Under $500
- 3.2 GHz Athlon Dual-Core processor
- Incredible 4GB DDR4 memory and SSD+HDD storage
- Multiple connections with dedicated ports
- S Mode in Windows 10 home
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The newest HP 2023 laptop is here to stay! Probably the best affordable gaming laptop under $500 you’ll find that is not only easy on the budget but gives amazing performances no matter how it is treated.
This performance is a result of a powerful AMD Athlon Silver 3050U dual-core 2.30 GHz processor (up to 3.20 GHz and 1MB Cache).
This laptop has a non-touch SVA WLED Micro-led and above all, an anti-glare display. WLED-backlit Widescreen display is what makes the HP laptop stand out from the rest as it is not only aesthetically pleasing to look at but the display resolution of 1366×768 is also impressive for this price range.
Moreover, an AMD Radeon Graphics card performs in similarity or somewhat better than the famous AMD Ryzen 3.
With this laptop you get to enjoy efficient performances in whatever you do, from moderate gaming to surfing the web, you got it with the incredible 7th Generation Core i5 series.
Coming over to its multitasking capabilities, this HP laptop is able to handle full-power multitasking tasks due to an 8GB DDR4 2400 SDRAM memory and an additional 128GB Solid-State Drive.
A 500GB Hard Drive Disk also adds to the storage capacity. However, no amount of storage is useful if you can’t share the data with your friends and colleagues.
For that, and for making connections across multiple devices while playing games or chatting online, this HP laptop comes with two USB 3.1, one USB 3.1 Type-C, and one HDMI port.
There’s also one RJ-45 connector, one Combination Audio jack, and a Multi-format SD Media card reader.
The wireless-AC and Bluetooth 4.2 combine to let the users connect wirelessly with anyone at any time. The Stereo speakers and the built-in microphone with the webcam make sure all the audio sound outputs and the inputs are at a top-notch quality and deliver clear, loud, and distortion-free sound signals to the hearer.
It is an extremely lightweight laptop weighing only around 3.3 pounds.
This adds to the laptop’s portability and with this ease of mobility, you can take it along on trips or rides and enjoy games, play movies, or surf the internet as much as you like.
The battery life is also impressive, it can run up to 10 hours on a single charge.
Pros
- 3.2 GHz Athlon Dual-Core processor
- Incredible 4GB DDR4 memory and SSD+HDD storage
- Multiple connections with dedicated ports
- S Mode in Windows 10 home
Cons
- Anti-glare is not very effective
- No numeric keypad
iProda Laptop – Best iProda Laptop Under $500
- Eye-friendly 1920x1080p high-resolution screen
- Core i3, 6th Generation
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 256GB SSD
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A concise, simple, and smooth-running laptop for all your everyday tasks, casual/moderate gaming, and much more.
The full HD IPS display screen has a wide vision for its users to completely and properly enjoy 1920x1080p high-resolution visuals.
This ultra-high definitive screen display allows the user to have a fully immersive experience and see every vivid detail with clarity.
iProda has secured a decent place in the list of best gaming laptops under $500 with its incredible features and a highly affordable price.
With an iProda laptop by your side, you needn’t worry about connection ever again.
It comes bearing eight ports including the USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Micro-HDMI. RJ 45, Type-C, Headphone jack, Micro-SD card Slot, and a fast-charging DC slot for added convenience of the user.
You can connect with the world from anywhere you are and enjoy stable and clear correspondence with the incredible voice and image quality this laptop has to offer.
The laptop’s overall built has been keenly engineered for perfection and the simple, compact yet sturdy structure allows users to enjoy the comfortable operation of the device.
For gamers, writers, or students, the keyboard is designed to keep an adequate distance between the keys for easy typing.
It’s a full-sized borderless keypad with a 3mm key pitch and a 17mm keycap that delivers the promised convenience to its users.
You also get to enjoy the most premium sound experience without headphones as the front speakers are placed right above the keyboard to allow a beautifully dispersed, clear sound to reach your ears.
Moreover, for full-power multitasking, an 8GB DDR4 RAM and an upgraded 256 GB SSD PCIe are in place to store more data and save or fetch files faster than any other laptop.
This laptop proves to be perfect for smooth daily backups or running major gaming applications with its massive amounts of storage and PCI-e SSDs for advanced communication.
This combination creates 15 times fast performing machines than the traditional laptops.
The processor on this laptop is Dual Intel Core i3 6157U with 2.4GHz frequency and 14nm technology backing it up.
Pros
- Eye-friendly 1920x1080p high-resolution screen
- Core i3, 6th Generation with 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD
- Improved connectivity with eight ports and wireless connections
- A borderless full-sized keyboard engineered for easy operation
Cons
- The keyboard is not backlit
- Battery deteriorates fast
CHUWI CoreBook Pro 13 – Best 13 inch Gaming Laptop Under $500
- Intel Core i3 processor
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
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Boost your productivity and elevate your gaming experiences with this 13” laptop by CHUWI manufactured and designed with care to cater to the business, gaming, and daily needs of its average users.
It features a powerful Intel Core i3 processor with a master frequency of 2.4 GHz. This processor has an integrated Intel Iris Graphics 550 GPU.
Owing to the metal components in the laptop’s frame, it is able to decode 4K resolution videos and allow medium to heavy multitasking for different kinds of work or gaming.
Perhaps it is amongst the best affordable gaming laptop under 500 for a reason!
The 8GB DDR4 RAM and a 256GB ROM M.2 2280 SATA SSD come prepared to handle whatever complexity that crosses its path.
Along with that you can upgrade and increase the storage by adding a PCI-e NVMe SSD for faster and better storage in your laptop.
The incredible LPDDR4 (2133 MHz) 8GB memory is much faster than the usual DDR3 storage. The screen is perfect for long usage as it features a perfect 3:2 format.
The high-resolution of 2160×1440 pixels provide a perfect definition for gaming, writing, programming, etc.
This 3:2 IPS panel format comes with colorimetry 100% sRGB for improved visuals.
Wireless and wired connections both are exemplary with CHUWI CoreBook Pro as it sports the new 802.11 ac Wi-Fi technology and Bluetooth 4.2.
Moreover, it has a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A and Type-C port, a microSD card reader, an audio port, and a power connector. Connect with any device via these ports and enjoy long battery life.
A 46.2 Wh battery recharged faster than most laptops by a Type-C port 40 W DC socket.
Work and play day or night with a backlit keyboard that also features a large Precision trackpad in its clickpad version to fill most of the wrist-rest vertically.
The key size is appropriate enough to extend completely to the edge of the case. You can also activate the power-saving mode that can run for more than 10 hours.
The thickness and weight of this CHUWI laptop are ideal to be carried around easily.
Pros
- Intel Core i3 processor with 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- IPS 2160×1440 pixels display
- Backlit keyboard and multiple connection ports
- Windows 10 Home OS
Cons
- The laptop built is not strong
- Comes without a proper instruction manual
CHUWI CoreBook X 14 – Best 14 inch Gaming Laptop Under $500
- 7th Generation Intel Core i5 Processor
- 256GB SSD
- 16GB RAM
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Expand your productivity and play all you like with the best entry-level gaming laptop under 500.
A laptop that is equipped with a high-performing Intel Core i5 7267U processor and clocks at 3.1 GHz and 3.5 GHz on burst. It is a Dual-core four-thread 14nm core with 4M Cache.
Integrated Intel Graphics 650 to 1050MHz loads high-resolution displays and allows you to play and work with the greatest of visuals.
The Windows 10 Home and 64-bit operating system pair up with incredibly large storage from 16GB LPDDR4 2133 MHz, 256 GB SSD M.2 for fast responses and speedy performances.
Multitask, or run 3D games, software, or applications at once receiving the same speed. The display screen is wide enough to display beautifully all the contents in the brightest of colors.
A wide view Anti-glare display at 2160×1440 pixels of resolution and a night mode saves your eyes from straining even after hours of continuous use in low-light conditions.
With the stunning display comes Quad independent speakers that deliver stereo quality surround sound for a better experience. A battery life that lasts for 5 or more hours of non-stop, hardcore usage.
The built-in battery 4000 mAh comes along with a 19V/3.42 A power adapter that connects with a USB Type-C support PD2.0 for fast charging at 40 Watts. Take advantage of stable wireless connections with the Wi-Fi 802. 11ac and Bluetooth 4.2.
Browse or play on the internet for up to 867 Mbps for 5GHz to enjoy 4K streaming, reduced buffering, and intense online gaming.
You can also switch between 2.4G and 5G seamlessly for optimum performance.
Built-n six ports allow you to connect the laptop with devices for exchanging data or plugging devices for entertainment.
You get one MicroSD card slot, one M.2 SSD for expansion slot, USB A3.0, one headphone jack, one USB Type-C, and a DC port for fast charging.
Pros
- 7th Generation Intel Core i5 Processor with Iris Graphics 650 integration and large 16 GB storage
- 2160×1440 pixels high-resolution anti-glare screen display
- Quad independent stereo sound effect
- 6 ports for flexible connectivity
Cons
- Speakers at the bottom sound meek
- No light indicator for standby mode in closed lid position
How to Buy the Right Gaming Laptop
What’s better than a portable gaming laptop that can keep up with your gaming needs without running out of battery or storage mid-way? Choosing your on-the-go gaming rig packed in a sleek slim body is, no doubt, a trying task. Typically, anyone would tell to keep an eye out for specs of the gaming laptop you’re picking, but in actuality, with gaming laptops, it’s much more than just specs.
The display screen quality, keyboard size, sound quality, and memory are some of the features that need proper consideration before making the final pick, as they influence your gameplay a great deal. Some essential tips and the ins and outs of your potential new gaming laptop have been laid here, take a read, and get yourself the best gaming laptop.
The right Graphics
The most important decision you need to make while getting yourself a new gaming laptop is about the kind of GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) you need and its compatibility with your system. Most of the modern games are GPU-bound which means GPU most certainly is the keystone here.
A GPU transmits images to the display screen after processing the data, and this process can be strenuous on the GPU during gaming as they make metric tons of images per second. Hence, you need a GPU with its own dedicated memory. If you’re into visually minimalistic, simpler games then go for UHD 500, or UHD 620 graphics cards. Whereas on the other hand, if you’re willing to spend large bucks, get yourself GPUs like RTX 2080, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, 1050/1050 Ti, or SLI.
These high-end GPUs are pretty powerful and are built to tackle 4K resolution, fancy real-time tracing at even 60plus frames per second. The kind of games you play and your budget typically define what kind of GPU you would require.
CPU
Although for most gaming laptops a GPU is far more important than its CPU, but getting a powerful CPU definitely adds to the quality and performance of your gaming laptop. A Core i5 processor can run many modern games seamlessly and going above i5 will add more cost but bring along a very handy feature of handling overclocking.
Most CPUs are not upgradable, thus making the right choice at the time of buying is quite crucial. The CPU handles almost everything apart from GPU’s functions in a gaming laptop. The laptop’s non-gaming applications, OS, Productivity, and other non-playable characters, etc. are all affected by how powerful or slow processing its CPU is.
Hence, keep in mind that i3 or i5 processors handle basic to medium-level gaming. Brand-wise, always go for Intel instead of AMD. As the number gets bigger the CPU’s performance gets better. For flashy modern games, go for nothing less than Core i9 or 9 or 10th generation. CPU’s clock speed should reach around 3.3 GHz if you plan on playing demanding games on it.
RAM
Again, if you’re looking to casually play medium to low demanding games on your laptop, a 4GB RAM is good enough. However, the hardcore gaming is always RAM intensive, and that is why an 8GB RAM is recommended normally for a fine performance.
RAM is not a major concern as it is upgradable mostly and you can do so by yourself later in the future if there arises a need. If you have the money and you are into intensive gaming, then go for 16GB RAM as it would perfectly complement the GTX 1660 or 2060 cards.
HDD or SDD Storage?
The majority of gaming laptops come with a combination of Hard Disk Drives and Solid-State Drives. SDDs are greatly replacing the older mechanical HDDs as they are outperforming them with the use of a Flash memory (NAND) for electronically writing and reading data blocks. While the old HDDs have mechanical platters spinning by a motor with a moving drive head.
SDDs, especially with the new PCI-e cards, are better in accessing data quickly which is stored in far-off or different places on the drive. With this speed of loading files and programs, SDDs also help in cutting down the startup or shut the downtimes of a laptop. And, because of no physically moving parts, there are lesser chances of burnout in the case of an SDD, and this results in a longer lifespan of such drives.
Cost-wise, SDDs are relatively more expensive but if you have the bucks and looking for a fast laptop, get SDDs. Budget laptops may only have an HDD, but that is still okay because storage options in most laptops are upgradable and some also allow you to add SDDs later on. So, get yourself at least 1 TB of Hard Drive at 7200 rpm.
Display
Picking the right display or your gaming laptop can have a huge impact on your overall gaming experience. The display is not just about the size of the screen, numerous other factors need to be considered. One of such key factors is the resolution of the display screen, and the oldest rule applies here.
The more/higher the resolution, the better! This is because a higher resolution display means more pixels would appear on the screen to form an image. In doing so, these pixels make a clearer image than the lower pixel image. The 1080p standard resolution is largely being replaced by 4K or 1440p but these high resolutions also require certain hardware to run them.
Then comes the refresh rate of your display. In order to have a smooth on-screen action, you need to pick a laptop that offers a greater refresh rate. The smooth action is achieved by redrawing the image more times per a second. This technology is popularly being used now in the newer laptops.
Some of them feature 144Hz, 120 Hz, or even go higher with the prices. Then, the most common screen sizes you will come across in gaming laptops are 13”, 14” and go up to 17” screens. The borders around the screens, i.e., the bezels preferably should be thinner as they allow larger screen sizes to fit into a small form factor of the laptops. Some gaming laptops feature an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) which produces their own light from pixels instead of using the backlight. This helps them achieve more contrast and deeper back levels.
Design
Power, portability, endurance, ports, and performance are some of the factors you need to look out for. Laptops with Aluminum casings make more durable and sleeker designs in comparison with traditional plastic casing ones. Moreover, you must look for thinner bezel laptops as they reduce the size overall and make the laptop lighter and more portable.
The weight of your gaming laptop must be light enough that you can take it in your backpack anywhere you like. The thicker and heavier muscle books are more appropriate for home setups but not portable at all. They also need special cooling solutions to keep them up and running, which means more cost.
Premium laptops come with eye-catching RGB lighting and other flashy features that enhance the aesthetics. If you’re willing to invest good bucks into your gaming laptop then go for all the high-end specifications like ultrawide ratios, upgradable hardware, overclockable designs, etc.
Connectivity
Make sure the laptop has the latest technology Wireless card to make connections (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) to home routers and hotspots on 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands. Some laptops cut down on the number of ports to keep the size of the laptop small, if you need to make several connections when you play like connecting the mouse, headphone, or Ethernet cable, then a laptop with more than 4 ports are necessary.
HDMI or Display Ports allow connection of HDTVs or external monitors, USB ports are used to connect devices like mice, other peripherals, or external hard drives, and revision numbers on these ports depict their respective data transfer speeds, and the Type-A or Type-C classifications show the shape of the connector.
Then headphone jacks are a must, most laptops sport a 3.5mm headphone jack and some USB ports too for compatible speakers or headsets. The RJ-45 Ethernet jack is used for making stable connections rather than relying on the wireless Wi-Fi connection. You can also expand storage with the SD card slot or transfer data quickly and easily.
Also read: Best Budget Graphics Card
Frequently Asked Questions
Many first-timers are filled with questions regarding their gaming laptops before and even after buying one. Here are certain FAQs answered for you.
Is a Core i5 processor good for gaming?
Core i5 is the minimum requirement for numerous games. However, some light and non-demanding games might run smoothly on Core i3 as well. Core i5 is good enough for a casual gamer to enjoy several hours of continuous gaming.
What to look for in Hardware?
CPU and GPU are the two most important components for any gaming laptop. For CPU, pick Intel Core i7 or above processors. If the budget is low, Dual-Core i5 is the least you should settle for. Make sure you still get an Intel processor, not an AMD one. GPU must be of good quality. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 700 or 800 series are recommended instead of AMD Radeon.
Recommended RAM and VRAM?
To run more demanding games, your GPU must also have its own dedicated storage, VRAM. 2GB, 4GB or 8GB VRAM are common sizes. Whereas, your laptop’s RAM must be anywhere between 4GB to 16GB to run games smoothly without lagging. The most recommended RAM size is 8GB.
Is a dedicated Graphics card necessary?
It is not necessary technically. You can run games at a lower frame rate and lower settings without a dedicated graphics card in your system.
Do more Ports make any difference?
Yes! More ports in a gaming laptop mean increased flexibility in making connections. Ports allow you to connect the laptop to external monitors, hard drives, headphones, or other devices for data transferring. USB 2.0, 3.1, HDMI, etc. are some common ports you will find on laptops. Make sure your gaming laptop has a variety of these so you can easily connect multiple accessories with it.
Which Company is the best for a gaming laptop?
This is a tricky one! There are many great manufacturers out there and the choice of “best” is dependent on one’s personal taste. Some companies like ASUS, CHUWI, and HP have introduced some remarkable gaming laptops for people on a budget. Gigabyte, MSI, and Dell also have great gaming laptops.
How long should the battery last?
Most of the gaming laptops have a battery life of 2 to 4 hours. However, the more high-end the brand/laptop is the longer you can expect its battery life to be.
Conclusion
Sure, you won’t be able to play high-end AAA games at high settings and 60 fps, but if you’re in for less demanding games or enjoy casual gaming along with the school or office work, then get yourself a cheaper laptop.
Some of the best gaming laptops under $500 offer great specs and features that can run medium-level gaming quite comfortably. The best part about getting yourself a budget-friendly gaming laptop? they are portable and you can upgrade the hardware, storage, and other peripherals anytime you want!
You must be wondering if a gaming laptop under $500 even worth it? It sure is! As more decent components are dropping in prices, the affordable laptops are packing way more powerful specs. So, previously, a $500 laptop might not have been worth much in terms of game performance or longevity, but now these laptops are worth every penny. With the help of this list, pick the best affordable gaming laptop under 500 and start playing!
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