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The Best Gaming Laptop Reviews for those on a Budget (2020)

In the world of gaming, we often settle for lower quality equipment when we are a little tight on funds. When in reality, we all could buy better products in terms of performance and durability even with a lower budget.

Especially when it comes to gaming laptops, you just simply cannot afford to use anything less than ideal. You’ll find yourself struggling with your pc every second move with lag spikes and will probably end up with broken equipment from throwing it against the wall.

However, if your budget is strictly around $500, I have found some of the best performing laptops after some thorough research and self-testing. The ultimate laptop I can recommend is the ASUS VivoBook F510UA

Because of its solid build and adaptive features, it could potentially compete with laptops over $1000. It gives a sky-rocket performance after an SSD is installed in it and has separate RAM for its graphics card, so gaming is sure to rock on it. The most beneficial feature is its long-lasting battery which gives a minimum of 6 hours power even with continuous usage.

I had a few terrible experiences dealing with low-specification, rendering issues and more. But the question becomes, is it possible to buy a good gaming laptop below $500? Well yes it is, but it will have certain limitations since gaming nowadays is pretty intensive and heavy on the processor.  There are a ton of tips and tricks when it comes to buying a gaming pc that I’ve answered as well.

Here our Top 10 Gamers Rated Gaming Laptops Under $500

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Acer Aspire E 15


#1

Acer Aspire E 15, 15.6″ GeForce MX150 & 256GB SSD


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Now this is what I call an incredible machine! The Acer Aspire E15 is the all-in-one package consisting of a super-fast 8th generation Intel i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 1920X1080 screen resolution monitor.

But you may say, aren’t these features already present in laptops of the same price range? Well, maybe but its distinct features are the NVIDIA GeForce MX150 GPU with a 2GB exclusive VRAM (Finally we got rid of integrated GPUs utilizing system RAM). This is incredible news for gamers! The other awesome specification is 256 GB SSD. Now, do not worry about slow hard disk drives because an SSD is already installed. The next mind blowing feature of this laptop is its battery which is claimed to last for upto 12 hours!

Review:

I don’t say it looks awesome, rather I say it performs amazingly. This laptop runs exceptionally fast – firstly, due to its 8th generation processor; secondly, because of SSD; thirdly, because it has a dedicated VRAM. Another reason why I praised this device  – not only it has a separate Nvidia Graphic Card but also a long-powerhouse kind battery (at least 6-8 hours), so you don’t have to worry about plugging the charger again and again. What a relief! Its GPU, which has a dedicated VRAM, is marvelous for gaming. SSD has only 256 GB but storage can be expanded by adding another SSD or HDD.  Apart from that, it has a 15-inch matte screen with 1080p resolution. It’s the perfect laptop under $500 to gaming out on your equally nice gaming chair (click here for reviews).

What could be better?

Tracking pad is not as good as it should be, but you can still use a mouse. Acer has done a small compromise in RAM- it has installed a  DDR3 RAM and not DDR4, but this can be upgraded. The machine might get heated when used heavily. SSD storage is only 256 GB, so you might need to add an extra drive for expanding the memory. It doesn’t look stylish if looks matter to you.

More features

It Loads faster, works faster, and shuts down in seconds

Its battery works like a power factory. You can use this laptop without having a thought about its charging

A CD/DVD drive is present and also a Backlit keyboard

A hard disk slot is provided for memory extension

Its Graphics card and dedicated VRAM are a perk for gamers

Speakers are Loud and clear
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#2

Acer Aspire 5, 15.6″ Full HD GeForce MX150 & 256GB SSD


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This is another classy laptop from Acer which outweighs other laptops in performance.

This device includes an i5 intel processor accompanied with NVIDIA GeForce MX150 Graphics processor. There are two separate RAMS – an 8GB RAM for system and a dedicated 2GB VRAM for graphics operations. It has a 256 GB SSD and no HDD and its typical battery life is specified as 7 hours. Again, this is an all-in-one package

Review:

This one is the second ideal low-budget gaming laptop I found, first one also being Acer E15. It’s always a profitable deal when you get NVIDIA Graphic cards and dedicated VRAMs in such a low budget. Though SSD is just 256GB, Acer offers an additional HDD kit too which can be purchased and installed separately. Plus, the battery life is good enough to keep the laptop awake for about 4 hours minimum and it charges fast too. Gamers! This laptop is going to play for you some of the awesome games as long as you take care of settings. Select medium settings and hopefully, you’ll not face any performance issues.

What could be better?

The SDD has only 256 GB which some of you might not feel comfortable with, so you will have to install a separate HDD kit for the laptop. Its battery could run out earlier than specified, so you got to uninstall unnecessary apps and keep only the ones that you would actually use. It has no CD drive. It’s has an average screen and quite Loud fans.

More features

Its appearance and performance both are good enough to give an impression that it’s priced around $800.

It doesn’t have a cheap built. It gives an ideal balance between built and performance.

Its speakers are remarkable, and so is its backlit keyboard. It has light weight and its graphics are good for mid-range gaming. In Addition, its speed is awesome for general use.
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#3

The Lenovo 320-15


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It is a 15 inch Lenovo laptop with an AMD quad-core 2.7-3.6GHz processor, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, and AMD Radeon R7 Integrated Graphics Card. It has a Hard disk drive of 1TB- Sufficient enough for big files and videos.

Lenovo states that battery of this laptop can run up to 5 hours. So not only does it look like it can be handled at the office, but dust off the top and the specs underneath show you it’s a gaming pc.

Review:

At first, when I looked at the specifications of this laptop, I was confused whether it deserves being in this list. Then I realized it’s got a powerful AMD processor and Graphics Card, so it’s well qualified to be here. If you are tech-savvy and understand computers, then this device is for you because it requires a few driver-and-software installations. I also recommend you to set-up an SSD and expand the RAM. Once you are done with that, you have got a robust and powerful machine in your hand. This laptop not only loads/functions faster for general softwares but is also capable of running high-end games which are played on powerful $1000 laptops. Also, if you have no problem with frequent charging, then I highly recommend this product for you

What could be better?

The first object that comes to my mind when I think of improvements is Battery. The Lenovo 320-15 has an easily exhaustible battery (lasts for around 2 to 3 hours only), and amusingly, the charger cord length is short. It comes with a mechanical HDD which produces sound and takes a bit longer time for booting. HDD can be replaced with SSD to overcome this issue. Besides this, the CPU heats up a bit when games like WoW are played.

More features

  • It is a slim, robust, and light-weighted device. It has incredible keypad and speakers.
  • This machine has AMD Radeon Graphics card which offers much better gaming experience than those laptops with intel integrated Graphic Cards.
  • 1 TB HDD+ 8 GB RAM+ AMD Processor at $380? Awesome! Because most of the laptops of same price range have either 4 GB RAM or lesser storage capacity
  • This machine has a power to play medium level as well as high-level games smoothly with a couple of adjustments in settings. This is a great bargain for gamers in a market where a good gaming laptop costs at least $800.
  • It can withstand  and process tremendous tasks smoothly. This laptop is going to survive without a hitch for a pretty long time if you learn how to operate it.
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ASUS VivoBook F510UA 15.6”


#4

ASUS VivoBook F510UA 15.6” 1TB HDD & Fingerprint Reader


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I was quite impressed after exploring about this product as I finally found a premium-specification laptop at such a low price.

Asus VivoBook incorporates an 8th generation Intel processor, 8 GB  expandable RAM, 1 TB Hard disk space with a decent Intel UHD Graphics 620 graphics card. It promises a battery life of 5-6 hours. The other laptops at the same price compromised a bit in specifications like RAM and processor. But Asus VivoBook F510UA has got all those specifications in a single package at an impressive price.

Review:

If you want to feel the real power and speed of this laptop, you have to add an SSD to it. Expanding RAM to 16 GB is a plus. Further, I suggest to not use the laptop until it finishes all its updates, and then turn off the automatic updates. I did the same for my laptop and now it’s working/ booting faster than before. As for gaming, the laptop is apt for mid-range games and can run games that don’t grip the hardware without a hitch. And, you can try changing the settings to make gaming experience further smooth.

What could be better?

The laptop built is average and it has a substandard web cam. The keyboard of this laptop has flex, no backlight, no CapsLock light. The SSD installation is tricky and should be done carefully. It has integrated GPU i.e no special VRAM, so it uses system RAM. If your game utilizes RAM higher than 1.7GB VRAM, it will cause a slow gaming. Also, it doesn’t have an ethernet port to connect the internet cable directly.

More features

  • This laptop renders high perfotmance at a low price.
  • Its 8th generation CPU is powerful and processes multiple tasks and applications simultaneously.
  • It has got a cool fingerprint reader for security and a wonderful display with anti-glare screen.
  • It is Lightweight, portable, and its sound quality is exceptional
  • It has got an expandable RAM – so you can upgrade it to 16GB and increase the speed of multi-tasking process.
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2017 HP 17.3" Business Flagship Laptop PC


#5

2017 HP 17.3″ Business Flagship Laptop 520 Graphics & 1TB HDD


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One thing I admire about HP laptops is their style and built.

This HP laptop is sold in gray and black color exhibiting a sophisticated appearance. Its screen is dazzling 17.3 inches with 1600 x 900 resolution. Amazing, isn’t it? HP insists that the battery might stay alive for about 9 hours on average. With 7th Generation, Intel Core i3-7100U Processor,8 GB DDR4 RAM, 1 TB HDD storage, this device is worth the money you pay for it. Wondering about graphics? It has Intel HD Graphics 520 with integrated VRAM- acceptable for medium-end gaming.

Review:

This is one of the standard laptops from HP. Other than appearance and style, the laptop also has competitive technical specifications. A vivid screen is of no use if the device is sluggish. Thankfully, once you handle the laptop well in the beginning stages, it would become easy to control it later. After you get rid of annoying windows updates, this device would run smoothly. If you add an SSD, its speed would further enhance and you will notice a tremendous difference. It offers a decent gaming experience and allows many high-level software to run successfully without hassle.

What could be better?

Replace HDD with SSD – and you will operate a new screaming-fast device. But SSD installation process is arduous and needs to be done carefully; I recommend you taking support from HP customer service. Also, the laptop doesn’t stay juiced up as per our expectations. Well, I see this in almost every laptop, so only HP isn’t to be blamed.

More features

The 17-inch display is just wow- who doesn’t love playing games on a large screen?

It works like a high-level laptop after SSD is installed.

Its 8GB DDR4 RAM is what I love- as it is the best one available at this cost.

Its Plays mid-range games easily like other laptops of the same price range
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#6

HP Notebook 15.6 Touch
8GB DDR4 RAM & 1TB HDD


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If you’re willing to be strictly below the budget even at the cost of performance, then this $497 laptop is worth considering. This HP Notebook runs windows 10 on a 15” screen.

The laptop consists of 8th generation Intel i3 dual-core processor and 8GB RAM. The hard disk has got the ability to store up to 1TB of data.

I was not expecting an Intel UHD Graphics 620 Card at this price, but kudos to HP for providing this.

Review:

This laptop has got some powerful features as well as some flaws, and that is fine for the cost we pay. It would work calmly for reasonable tasks and games. Its hardware is limited and so is its battery. This laptop can be ideal for you if you’re going to use it for regular tasks and moderate to low-end games.

What could be better?

Keyboard up-down keys are quite smaller than others, and we know how important arrow keys are for gamers. The Laptop sometimes allows you to hear its processor sound, but it is a feeble sound and can be ignored. It has an average processor and is better for medium to low-end games. Even though HP has modeled this laptop elegantly, the material quality isn’t robust enough. It has an average  Battery life, and also its keyboard has no backlights with a little bit of rigidity on keys. This laptop works smoothly for general tasks and average games.

More features

The graceful design, high-quality display, and touch-screen at this affordable price can push anyone into buying it.

It has well-allocated fans which prevent the laptop from heating.

It’s got moderate Multi-tasking ability which can be improved with upgrade of RAM. It sometimes allows you to play heavy games at low settings comfortably, but might need better CPU and GPU to play visually mind-blowing games.

Its other plus points are upgradability of RAM and a large amount of storage.
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2016 New Dell Inspiron 14 5000 gaming laptop 14"


#7

2016 New Dell Inspiron 14 5000 gaming laptop 14″


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This laptop is smaller in size than others, just 14 inches, but still has dynamic features. With its intel core i7 processor, 8GB DDR3L RAM, 1TB HDD, and Intel HD Graphics Card, it’s a tough hitter.

Again, the optimal features in a small package. It runs windows 10 64-bit operating system.

Review:

This device is for average users. Its screen size, low weight and portability balances its limited performance. It can run smoothly on regular usage and mild gaming. I would buy it if I were a college student who needs to carry a laptop frequently to the college. As for the performance, then it is decent but not exceptional.

What could be better?

It has screen flickering problem and is selective in running games. It doesn’t opens few games. It hangs and slows down occasionally and its battery life is average. Its Speakers and display  do not meet the quality standards

More features

It has a thin, small size TouchScreen laptop with remarkable specs -neither heavy nor it occupies more space.

It has a decent backlit keyboard with adequate key spacing.

Its battery can run for about 3-5 hours when used persistently.

It runs fine with low and mid-edge games, but unsuitable for playing heavy games.

It has CD player. Small size and CD player? Yes! I am not kidding!

Its Graphics are ideal for an average games
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HP Touchscreen 15.6 inch HD Notebook


#8

HP Touchscreen 15.6″ up to 3.40 GHz & 2TB Hard Drive


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I was stunned to see the 2TB storage in a laptop of this price. That’s really a vast memory and one of the strongest points of this device.

The 8th generation quad-core processor is the next fascination. It’s light in weight and has 8 GB RAM, so it’s all win-win situation when we glance at the specifications.

Review:

Although the specifications suggest extraordinary features, the hands-on experience is quite different for every device. This device seems  efficient and has a lesser number of inessential applications. It has a responsive CPU and the backlit keyboard is a bonus. However, the laptop’s battery lasts only for about 3 hours when continuously used. Its high standard design gives a sense of endurance. Although the screen resolution is just 1366 x 768, it still offers HD screen

What could be better?

When it comes to gaming, I don’t say that this device offers lightning speed especially without an SSD. It’s just a moderate gaming machine. Battery life is below-average for this level of performance. Its speaker’s don’t blast out at full volume if you’re expecting loud sound from it. This isn’t important for people like me as we prefer headphones over speakers. Screen resolution is fine but not excellent.  The major issue with this laptop is just battery. Also, If you are an intense user, I strongly recommend installation of SSD and expanding of  RAM.

More features

It has 8th generation i5 quad-core processor for a superfast user experience. Add an SSD to it and it is a high-performance machine.

The massive storage can store a tremendous amount of files.

Its design is admirable and the backlit keyboard is cherry on top.

Touchscreen and CD burner are other awesome elements of this laptop.
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#9

(2020) Dell Inspiron 15.6-inch HD Touchscreen w/2TB HDD


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Like its competitors, it’s got standard specifications too.

It has 7th Generation Intel Dual Core mobile processor, 8 GB RAM, Intel HD 620 Graphics card, and 2 TB hard disk storage. As for looks, it has a medium screen of 15 inches with Touch Screen. Claims to offer 5-hour battery life.  So what’s different in this device? Let me tell you.

Review:

This device is slow at beginning, but after installation of updates it speeds up and works awesome. If you’re going to buy this one, make sure to uninstall all the bloatware once you are done with basic installation. Now, the device would run smoothly without any hassle. This laptop has also got a 2 TB battery which would store huge files. The device is apt for mid-end gaming and regular usage.

What could be better?

It is moderate laptop with great storage. It runs mid-range games finely and isn’t made for intense gaming. One of its notable setback is its fragile, low-quality. Its battery lasts for about 3 hours.

More features

Laptop performs at an acceptable speed and its functionality improves remarkably after 2-3 days of installation

It can fill about 2TB of data in it. That’s huge!

It’s got a great touchscreen and a big keyboard.
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HP 17.3" HD


#10

(2020) HP 17.3″ HD Processor 2.4 GHz & 2TB Hard Drive


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The HP Notebook is embedded with 7th generation intel dual core processor with 8GB RAM and integrated intel HD 620 graphics card.

It has a full-size island keyboard with backlight facility. It’s being sold in a grayish- blue color and exhibits an elegant appearance.  Its battery normally lasts for 6 hours as claimed by HP.

Review:

This HP laptop is a low budget laptop offering low-medium functionality. It is not as fast as its competitors which offer better performance in the same price range. However, it has a large 17” screen and a stylish color and design. This laptop is good for entry-level gaming and is for you if you prefer appearance over performance.

What could be better?

This laptop isn’t that fast due to 7th generation i3 intel processor. It’s is just a modest laptop and wouldn’t meet the needs of demanding users. It doesn’t offer a superior performance or battery life. Nevertheless, it ’s good for people who play light games and are moderate users.

More features

It runs fast when operated meticulously.

It has a keyboard with backlight and also a DVD writer present

Looks magnificent- has got a Stylish design in an attractive color. Its big screen is impressive.

It has 2TB of ample storage- that’s a lot![/productbox] [mydivider]

How to upgrade your gaming laptop


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Summary

These were the best laptops under $500 for gaming. To choose an ideal gaming laptop, you should prioritize performance. Your gaming laptop should have high speed, adequate battery life, better if it has SSD, and the shouldn’t be heating.

It’s quite common for a standard laptop to freeze and slow down, but an ideal gaming laptop needs to have top-notch performance even in a low budget. So, you should not go for a laptop having less than 8GB RAM, 7th generation processor, whereas a dedicated VRAM and graphics card is a bonus.

I have done a rigorous research and penned down honest reviews to make your purchase worthy. There are a number of options and you must be clear by now and which should be laptop of your choice. The greatest advice I could give you is learn technology and your device will live longer. Feel free to share your views and questions. Happy shopping!


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4 Comments

  1. cant agree more on your top 1. I had the first release of the e15. That was in 2015. 4 years ago! It still works so fine but of course, i cant play the newer games on that but when it was new, it was the best one I could ever ask for. I got that as a gift from graduating in HS. got me through the most crucial times in my time at the uni. now getting another degree but pretty ready to replace it now. but i can attest to how well the e15 works.

  2. hello it’s the last quarter of 2019. i think it’s about time you make an update on the list of the best gaming laptops out there. I heard that the zephyrus s is such a great gaming PC but that’s a little expensive. WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. I’d like to get a new list of the best laptops under 500!

  3. THANK YOU FOR THIS ARTICLE. This is just the article that i really need. I’m an incoming college freshman and my parents are looking to get me a laptop but we are all clueless about where to start. We have a pretty tight budget so your review just hit the perfect spot. thanks for making an article about budget gaming laptops lol duh i just wont be using my laptop for school work.

    • Best of luck in getting the best laptop for your needs! Lots of deals going on right now as it is a new school year.

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