Best Gaming Laptop Under 500 for 2023

This is the hard and cold reality: you’re unlikely to discover the best gaming laptop under 500 mark. If you’re looking for a more robust gaming laptop and cannot invest more than $500, you’ll be much better off with an all-purpose gaming computer. If you’re in dire need of a laptop that can be able to handle your gaming needs, you’re probably going to need to invest more. 

If you’re an occasional gamer or you play mostly non-demanding games, then you’ll be able to live with a $500  gaming laptop.

In this price range, it is possible to get an affordable laptop that will let you play games such as League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Minecraft, Hearthstone, and many more.

Also, if you require a gaming laptop under 500 and can’t afford to opt for a desktop, then the choices below are the best.

Best Gaming Laptop Under 500 for 2023 – Reviews, FAQs, and Guide

When searching for the most suitable gaming laptop under $500, it is important to know the different restrictions this budget places on your choices. With this price, you’re only likely for entry-level Gaming, but if you’re playing old games with fewer demands, it shouldn’t be an issue. They’re genuinely cheap gaming laptops and exceed the boundaries of a gaming laptop quite somewhat.

We recommend that you take a quick look at our things to consider when buying a gaming laptop under 500 section to see a review of the available options within this price range to make the right choice.
This article will help you locate the ideal gaming laptop under 500 dollars to suit your requirements. Every one of these five gaming laptops featured has distinct strengths and weak points, as well as different prices for retail. Our reviews concentrate on features like GPU processor, memory, CPU, and display to assist you in deciding between the five laptops. 

If you’re looking to purchase the best gaming mobile platforms that are available regardless of price, check out our top gaming laptops page. If you’re looking for the most affordable gaming laptops for the lowest price, take a look.

Recommended Best Gaming Laptop Under 500

If you’re looking to look at our top choices for the best gaming laptops under $500, look over this table.

Award	Design	LAPTOPS	Retailer
Best Gaming Laptop under $500	Staff Pick	Lenovo Ideapad 3	Check Price
Best Performance Laptop Under 500	Best Pick	Dell Inspiron 15.6 Gaming laptop	Check Price
Best Affordable Optimum Performance For $500	Budget Pick	Acer Aspire 5	Check Price
Cheap ASUS Gaming Laptop		Asus VivoBook 15 Thin & Light Laptop	Check Price
Best 2 in 1 Gaming Chromebook		ASUS Chromebook Flip C434	Check Price
Best Touchscreen gaming laptop under 500		HP 14″ Touchscreen Gaming laptop	Check Price
Best 2-in-1 Gaming Laptops Under 500		HP Pavilion X360 Gaming Laptop	Check Price

How to Choose a Good Gaming Laptop under 500 in 2023?

Are you looking to purchase the best gaming laptop under 500 USD? You’ve begun to research all the elements before that, and then this article is perfect for you.

After extensive study, we’ve covered all the parts and components in this article. We are confident that once you have read it in-depth, you will discern the parts that require focus.

Laptops are a compact device that every person (especially professional students and college students) requires. Laptops are an excellent tool that can meet technological needs.

The purchase of a high-quality laptop isn’t an easy process. If you buy an available laptop, it will have slow performance. Therefore, you must be aware of one thing that you require a high-quality laptop.

There is only one Task: to write down the necessary number of attributes. Once you’ve mastered each feature, ensure you have all the specifications needed and complete the list. I’m hoping you’ll be able to purchase a superior gaming laptop at a price that is affordable to you.

Every day, a new smartphone is launched that has a variety of functions; However, laptop’s demand will never cease to exist.

You are aware that purchasing laptops isn’t like buying a smartphone. It is an investment that will last for a long time.

It is possible to upgrade your phone every 1-2 years or less. However, when it comes to laptops, you must remember that you need to purchase a laptop for three to four years. So, invest wisely and strive to boost your budget, significantly affecting you shortly.

There are a variety of laptops available out there that fulfill different requirements. So, it is important to be aware of what your laptop is required to accomplish. This is your very first step.

You will not have any issues if you’re a tech aesthetic, and you can comprehend everything quickly. However, for people who aren’t technical, We recommend that you learn about each component and comprehend these components.

Gaming laptops come in many options, so make sure you choose your set budget.

In the meantime, be aware that many processors are being launched today. Some of these are specifically designed for Gaming, and others are specifically designed to be used by professionals working in the business.

When you are purchasing, consider the quality of the components to be used in games.

1. Budget: How to get a good one?

The price is the primary aspect when it comes to buying gaming laptops. So, you just need to think about the amount that could be put into your pocket. Even though you could buy everything you’ll need to buy, you’ll be shocked to discover how you can stay within your financial budget.

So how many laptops could you afford with your budget? Yes, you will be able to purchase what you require to purchase, but you’re shocked by the options you can get based on your budget.

Cheap gaming laptops will not please you. However, you can get an affordable laptop for your budget when finding the best bargain.

A cheap alternative

If you’re looking to purchase one of the top gaming laptops, you need to achieve everything you want in the hunt, like dedicated graphics cards with greater RAM, a strong CPU, etc.

If you are looking for the most budget gaming laptop that fits within the budget you have set, it is crucial to maximize the value of your money.

Cheap laptops may not come with the most advanced features of a computer. However, you will get the security and functionality employed in everyday working and Gaming.

Everything is contingent on the way you use your laptop. A larger monitor or smooth graphics could be what you’ll see when playing.

Mid-range

For the mid-range price range, there are numerous top laptops available. You can get the most current Intel Core i5 or i7 processors at this price. If you are looking for a gaming-focused CPU, you can choose AMD processors.

If we’re talking about memory, the most basic configuration is a laptop with 8GB RAM fitted with the latest technology available in this price range. There is either 12GB or 16GB storage on some laptops, so be sure to look into this before deciding.

In terms of storage, there’s an all-new solid-state drive. If you are looking for an enjoyable gaming experience and a smooth gaming experience, your laptop should have an SSD. When we compare it to a virtual hard drive, the modern NVMe PCle SSDs can offer fast performance.

You should select the smallest fully HD screen (1080 resolution) and then check the accuracy of colour and brightness in addition to the typical colour rendition on the market.

Laptops that meet these specifications will play most games at an acceptable frame rate with moderate settings. However, you might encounter issues when you go to higher settings.

Premium

The price range is then the top model and comes with a wide range of options. With this model, you will play the latest and most hefty games with no difficulties.

You can easily have a minimum of 16GB 32GB RAM, and you can get the most recent SSD, 1TB or 512GB. If we are talking about processors and memory, then in this class, you’ll be able to get an Intel Core I7 or i9 Processor. It’s similar to AMD that is the most recent and powerful game.

You’ll get the same performance quality as when you pay for it. You’ll get an exclusive graphics card that has 4GB-8GB of VRAM in this category and is extremely efficient. This comes with a Full HD resolution to Ultra HD or 4K and has the highest refresh rate regarding its display capabilities.

With these specs, you can play any game at the highest level without having to worry about the delay.

2. CPU: How to choose a Gaming Laptop’s Processor?

The Processor is the primary part of any laptop and is the central brain in a laptop or PC.

Everyone must know what a more powerful Processor signifies the more power it can create.

The Processor is not compatible with any other component. Gaming laptops work with GPU; however, they will not do anything without a CPU. GPU performs more on graphics, while the CPU is responsible for all other components. The CPU is thought to be the brain of laptops.

There may be a question in your mind that.

What is the best CPU I should get on a gaming laptop?

Intel is included in most gaming laptops; however, AMD is mighty on the subject today. AMD has a processing unit that gives greater access to the performance of gaming excellence regardless of price.

Intel has a 70- 80 percent market share in the field of processors; however, competition has increased. Today, AMD is increasing because AMD makes processors, specifically for Gaming and other demanding work.

Additionally, you can purchase an efficient AMD processor that can provide better quality than any other brand for a reasonable cost.

The performance of the CPU relies on many components like Generation and the Processor’s clock speed, and the amount of Cores and threads of the CPU.

Generation

First of all, the primary factor in the CPU is its Generation. Before buying a gaming computer or any other PC, make sure to verify the CPU generation as the probability of offering higher performance is contingent on your CPU’s Generation. Today eleventh Generation Intel processor has become a popular choice on the market.

Processor

The second element, what percentage of the Core does it contain? As with i3 Processor, it has Core two, and the i5 Processor is quad-core. A higher number of cores is the best performance.

Following the Core, the quantity of threads is important. Threads are similar to an element, and having more threads will give you the best performance.

Clockspeed 

A couple of years ago, and the CPU came with a particular clock speed like 2.1 2 GHz, 2.2 GHz, etc. This means that each time you turn it on, the Processor is operating at a set speed. However, technology has advanced rapidly, and in this regard, you have a wide range of choices.

There are many options regarding the frequency of your CPU, like 1.2 1 GHz up to 4.5 (GHz). This means that any time you require to increase the power of your CPU, the CPU will boost its speed. This is only possible because of using the Intel Turbo boosting technology.

  You can get a question in your mind about-    

What are the different brands that are the Processor? And what options are there when choosing the CPU?

There are many processor brands on the market; however, the most renowned brands are Intel and AMD processors for gaming laptops.

3. GPU: Main Gaming Component

Let’s look at some of the advantages of GPU GPU instead of embracing the latest technology. The cost of a graphics processing unit is expensive because the GPU can accelerate the notebook computer’s performance to produce massive power.

Similar to creating more graphic images, GPUs are used, so it is essential to get a high-quality GPU that can be used.

We suggest that your laptop be equipped with the most recent graphics technology, including specially designed NVIDIA GTX GPUs that can produce tremendous power when playing games.

Its NVIDIA GTX 1000 series features are less robust and more expensive; laptops are an excellent option.

The NVIDIA 1600 series or AMD GPU counterpart is extremely robust and offers enough power to run the latest AAA games.

If money isn’t a factor for you, you could select the most recent machine in the RTX 2000-3000 series of machines that will meet the requirements that are required by every AAAand game.

The most recent NVIDIA graphics card is loaded with characteristics. It can handle high-quality graphics and a variety of other features like real-time ray tracers at an average speed of more than sixty frames per second.

There are many exciting games available; you don’t have to shell out a lot of money. You should reduce the cost in the same manner. If you’ve got a great CPU, you may be able to make some concessions if you have a lower budget.

If you’re looking at playing fewer graphic games, then graphics cards with low-end specs like Intel UHD and Intel Iris Xe will easily play these games.

4. Memory: How much RAM do I Need for Gaming?

Let’s learn about RAM. What is RAM?

RAM is a shorter version of random access memory where data is stored for a short period. It is volatile, meaning it cannot function without the current RAM. When you disconnect your current internet connection, the information disappears from RAM, and that’s why RAM is called volatile.

Another essential component of every laptop’s RAM. The more modern and current RAM on laptops can provide better performance. It is also important to be aware that increasing RAM costs more money and uses more power, consuming batteries faster. A larger memory capacity isn’t always the best, so select the right one based on your needs.

Memory lets you access your data more quickly when compared to retrieving files from hard drives.

What amount of memory will your laptop require? It’s dependent on your needs. For instance, you’ll require more RAM when you plan to program video and graphics using a gaming laptop.

If your work is completed via any web browser, you do not require more RAM. That is why what you choose to utilize in gaming laptops is contingent on the amount of memory required by the laptop.

Operating systems like Ubuntu, Linux, and Windows 8 used for a long time are not using the same RAM. In these systems, the modern and modern operating systems (such as Chrome OS or macOS) have smaller ones, but if you are planning to run the most current Windows operating system, you need to have more memory.

We recommend at minimum 2GB of RAM to ensure lightweight use. We recommend at least 4GB or 6GB for greater performance. 8GB and more will provide greater performance.

In certain situations, you might even require greater than 16GB of memory, and creative and technical users of this type require more memory. For complete information visit to How Much RAM Do I Need For Gaming?

5. Storage: How much storage do I Need for Gaming?

Storage is the quantity of data a laptop can store for an indefinite period. All information, including videos, programs, films, documents, etc., are saved to storage.

What is a storage drive?

There is a variety of storage available in a notebook computer, including flash drives, general-purpose hard drives like HDDs, and ultra-high-speed Solid-state drives (SSD).

In the past, most laptops and gaming laptops were equipped with conventional hard disks, which were slow.

Today, many notebook computers are equipped with SSDs (solid-state drives) (SSD), which are more reliable and faster than traditional HDDs but are more costly than HDDs.

The standard HDD will only function by moving a couple of clocks, making it somewhat slow. But there are no moving components included in the latest solid-state drive, which means it can provide fast performance.

It is essential to play with SSD as will provide numerous benefits for games, but the startup speed is extremely slow. Next time, make sure that your purchase item comes with the SSD as the primary drive. It can also be used as a dual storage device. Complete information can be found on How much storage do i need on my laptop?

6. Screen What should I be looking for on a screen?

The display is an integral component of graphics and processors. If you purchase a high-quality graphics processor, storage, and display, however, the display quality is not high enough, you will not be able to perform the tasks correctly.

If you do not connect your laptop to an external monitor, then the built-in display can be used for watching your entire game.

Screen size:

It is essential to be aware that the bigger the size of the screen is, the heavier it will be, and the weight will depend on the size of monitors you’ll need. The majority of laptops display 13.3 inches up to 17.3 inches. Some laptops make use of a large display.

It is recommended to choose the 15.6-inch screen since it’s middle-of-the-road and offers great quality and mobility.

Resolution of the screen:

There are a variety of resolutions, including HD (1366 768 pixels), HD+ (1600 x 900 pixels) Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), Ultra HD (2560×1600 pixels) and Quad HD (3200 1800) pixels).

It is possible to use HD and HD plus screen to perform lower-end tasks and everyday work. The best laptops typically feature a larger screen and 1920 1080 x 1920 Full HD or greater resolution.

It is recommended that you have the largest full HD screen, as any display smaller than 1080 x 1920 pixels cannot provide an accurate image for Gaming.

If you’re an entry-level player or are looking to begin an online game, the FHD display will be able to manage your game.

If you’re an experienced gamer or wish to play games with high-end features, You can pick Ultra HD or Quad HD monitors.

Brightness:

In addition to the previous specs, brightness is vital. A brighter screen will offer a more pleasant experience. If the screen appears brighter, it means you can make use of it anyplace to gain an increased view angle. If you work outdoors or close to windows, you require an extremely bright screen to see everything in direct sunlight.

Rate of refresh:

For Gaming laptops, the refresh rate is also important. The refresh rate is the number of times the screen is updated each second with new images. For instance, a refresh frequency of 60 Hz implies that the screen on display is refreshed sixty times per second, and so on.

If the screen’s refresh rate is very low and the time to respond isn’t lengthy, issues such as ghosting and tearing can be experienced. To resolve these issues, most laptops come with G-sync and AMD’s free synchronization technology.

Touch or no touch?

Touch-screen laptops or two-in-one laptops are generally portable but are not ideal for intense games. The battery performance is also important in laptops that have x360 models.

If you are looking to play low-end or entry-level games that do not require graphics, then you can do it. If you’re an expert gamer, we suggest investing in a gaming laptop.

7. Connectivity

The connectivity of laptops can be extremely beneficial for professionals and students. With the advent of numerous new laptops, they have fewer ports built-in and connectivity.

Gaming laptops and laptops can be connected directly to the Internet. Some companies are connected to the Local Area Network (LAN). If you require each of these, verify the connectivity on the next computer you want to connect to.

Cellular connection

Sometimes, Wi-Fi or Internet connection is not accessible in certain areas, so the cellular connection is important. Certain laptops come with this kind of connection, known as the LTE connection. If the local Wi-Fi isn’t working, it won’t be affected due to the Internet.

Wireless

Wi-Fi

In the last few years, the demand for Wi-Fi has increased dramatically. It’s now the standard Internet connection choice. The majority (if it’s not the only) new laptops will include Wi-Fi.

In the past, laptops were not equipped with wireless Wi-Fi connections. Nowadays, Wi-Fi technology has become extremely popular, so this connection to the Internet is the most recent and fastest.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is an internet-connected wireless standard typically used to connect peripheral devices like the keyboard and mouse without wires.

Certain laptops (such as Dell Apple) use Bluetooth to connect computers and smartphones.

Once the connection has been established After the connection is established, you can connect to the Internet through Bluetooth.

Before purchasing the gaming laptop, ensure it is connected to the right Bluetooth connection.

Wired

Ethernet

Connect your laptop’s Internet to the local network via a cable that’s known as Ethernet. If you’re using Wi-Fi and the cellular network doesn’t function properly in your region, You will require to connect via an Ethernet connection.

8. Build Quality Matters!!

This is among the elements that allow you to spend more. Cheap, low-cost gaming laptops can provide high-end performance. For pros, choosing a computer with an unfavorable budget and low cost is not right.

For professional gamers, aspects like quality and reliability, durability, and performance are vital.

If you purchase a poor-quality laptop, it could impact your laptop’s exterior and indicate more issues. A laptop with top-quality construction quality will feel robust.

Every laptop computer manufacturer hopes to lower the cost slightly by reducing the manufacturing quality. But remember, the higher the laptop’s build quality, the more long the laptop’s lifespan.

Brands of high quality, like Apple and Dell, use high-end carbon-based metal and materials to create frames.

If we are talking about the quality of its construction, Apple is first because it is a single-piece design built from one metal piece.

Putting the laptop computer and its aluminum frame inside your hands will make you uncomfortable and weak to use.

A few people use laptops for work in harsh situations or on construction sites. Choosing a durable notebook is ideal for these people as it can withstand any condition.

We suggest that you wear protection sleeves and covers for normal gamers in the case of carrying your laptop to work on the go.

Always make sure to use gaming laptops made of metal as they can be used longer.

9. Operating System (OS)

It is important to look at the operating system before purchasing a gaming laptop. If you purchase an operating system that is not up to scratch that you don’t have, you will not be able to run any of the most popular games. It is better to find out how to use gaming laptop operating systems.

Windows

A Windows operating system has been believed to be the ideal gaming system because it runs every game, no matter how complex or advanced it may be. Certain games of recent times, including Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft, are extremely popular and run using Windows OS.

If you look at successful players on YouTube or another streaming site, you’ll be able to see that they are typically using Windows. Windows operating system.

Another reason Windows is so popular is that anyone, a novice or an expert, can use this operating system. In addition, you can buy any top-quality software at the price of a small amount and then install it on Windows that isn’t accessible in any other operating system.

Microsoft launched Windows 11 OS in 2021 year. It comes with many improvements, so let’s download it to see what the reviews say later.

macOS

If you’ve ever owned the Apple Macbook, you’ll be aware of how poorly it is in games. Apple announces MacBook Pro, a new model MacBook Pro specifically designed for content creators, students, and business users.

If you purchase an Apple laptop equipped with a premium GPU and Processor, it will run basic games.

If you’re looking for a gaming laptop and wish to run Mac OS X Mac operating system, then Hackintosh could help you.

Linux

Linux is an old operating system, and you won’t find numerous games or apps on this OS. That, in contrast, is the preferred platform for coding.

If you purchase a Windows laptop with dual boot, it is possible to download Linux.

ChromeOS

Google released ChromeOS in 2000, but it isn’t playing games with it. It was specifically designed for students who spend most of their time on Google Chrome or other lightweight software. To download any game or app, go to Google Play.

How we test the best laptops under $500 

Before they reach our testers, we subject each laptop to comprehensive benchmark testing, both synthetic and real-world. Each feature of the laptop is evaluated, including performance, battery life, display, speakers, and heat management.

We utilize a Klein K10 colorimeter in our benchmark testing to prove the laptop’s display’s brightness and sRGB color gamut. In addition, we put the laptop through a battery of performance tests, including Geekbench 4.3 and 5.0 and 3DMark professional graphics tests.

To test the laptop’s real-world performance, we had it convert a 4K video to 1080p resolution and duplicate a 4.97GB multimedia file. Our real-world graphics test is the Dirt 3 benchmark with medium settings at 1080p resolution.

We also perform heat testing on the laptop by playing a 15-minute full-screen video and measuring temperatures in various regions. Finally, our battery test includes continuous web browsing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness. A runtime of more than 9 hours is a solid result for MacBooks and premium Windows 10 laptops, although gaming laptops and workstations that can stay powered for more than 5 hours deserve commendation. 

These evaluations are supplemented by rigorous hands-on testing by our testers, which assess everything from the materials of the laptop to the feel of its touchpad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary of Best Gaming laptop under 500

Award	Design	LAPTOPS	Retailer
Best Gaming Laptop under $500	Staff Pick	Lenovo Ideapad 3	Check Price
Best Performance Laptop Under 500	Best Pick	Dell Inspiron 15.6 Gaming laptop	Check Price
Best Affordable Optimum Performance For $500	Budget Pick	Acer Aspire 5	Check Price
Cheap ASUS Gaming Laptop		Asus VivoBook 15 Thin & Light Laptop	Check Price
Best 2 in 1 Gaming Chromebook		ASUS Chromebook Flip C434	Check Price
Best Touchscreen gaming laptop under 500		HP 14″ Touchscreen Gaming laptop	Check Price
Best 2-in-1 Gaming Laptops Under 500		HP Pavilion X360 Gaming Laptop	Check Price

Final Words about Best Gaming Laptop Under 500

This is our suggested review and list of the best gaming laptop under 500, in which we explain in detail the capabilities of each one.

Today, it’s easy to purchase gaming laptops at a reasonable price as manufacturers continue to produce excellent laptops. There are a lot of choices within your budget, and it is possible to play mid-level and entry-level games.

If you decide to purchase any recommendation from the list above of the top gaming laptops under $500, you’ll not be disappointed. They all offer speedy gaming performance and are equipped with top-of-the-line hardware components.

After reading this article, we hope you can easily purchase the laptops you’re looking for and that they are the top all-around.