Not all laptops are created equal, especially when it comes to gaming laptops. Even if you’re just starting out with your gaming career, that doesn’t mean you can’t get the best laptop for under $500. Sure, it won’t be as powerful as some big-budget models on the market, but if you’re only playing games casually and don’t want to spend the money, this list of 5 best gaming laptops under $500 is just what you need.
If you’re looking to buy a gaming laptop but don’t want to spend more than $500, you’ll find this list of the five best gaming laptops very helpful! These are the highest-rated, most popular, and best-selling gaming laptops under $500 currently available on Amazon.
Top 3 Gaming Laptops Under $500:
Acer Aspire 5 Slim: Gaming Laptops Under 500 Reddit
- Expansive 15.6-inch FHD display
- Decent port selection
- 8GB of RAM
Asus Vivobook 15: Nvidia Laptop Under $500
- Decent port selection
- 8GB of RAM
- Fingerprint sensor
Dell Inspiron 15: 2 in 1 Laptop Under $500
- Big, comfortable 15.6-inch display
- Decent size SSD
- SD card slot
Whether you want the most affordable gaming laptop or the best possible option for less than $500, this list will help you make the right decision when it comes to which laptop you should buy. From brand-name manufacturers like Dell and Asus to store-brand laptops, every laptop on this list is capable of playing modern games at 60 frames per second, 1080p resolution, and above.
Gaming laptops can cost well over $1000, but you don’t have to shell out that much cash to get some of the best gaming performance available. With the best gaming laptops, you can play all your favorite PC games without sacrificing graphics or speed, and without spending your life savings on hardware. With so many options out there, it can be hard to pick the right one, so here are five of the best gaming laptop currently available on the market.
- Our Recommendation For The Best Gaming Laptops Under $500
- Acer Aspire 5 Slim: Gaming Laptops Under 500 Reddit
- Asus Vivobook 15: Nvidia Laptop Under $500
- Dell Inspiron 15: 2 in 1 Laptop Under $500
- Lenovo IdeaPad 3i: Refurbished Gaming Laptops Under $500
- Dell Inspiron 14: Gaming Laptop Under $400
- Summary For Best Gaming Laptops Under $500
- Frequently Asked Questions
- In Conclusion
If you’re looking to play some high-end games on your computer, you might need to spring for more expensive hardware than you had expected. But don’t worry—there are plenty of great gaming laptops available that won’t break the bank, and will get the job done just as well as the expensive ones.
Our Recommendation For The Best Gaming Laptops Under $500
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Acer Aspire 5 Slim: Gaming Laptops Under 500 Reddit
Best PickThis game offers excellent value for money, so it’s a great choice for budget-conscious gamers. An Intel Core i5-8300H processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD are featured on the Acer Aspire 5 Slim 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display. Plus, it has a GTX 1050 Ti graphics card, which is capable of running most games on medium to high settings.
It’s got a great price, a powerful Intel Core i5 processor, and a sharp 15.6-inch Full HD display. In addition, it has a 256 GB solid-state drive for quick boot times and plenty of space for games. And you can get the Acer Aspire 5 Slim with up to 8 GB of RAM (the base model comes with 4 GB). The battery life isn’t very good at around six hours on average, but the lower weight makes this laptop perfect for work or play on the go.
The slim design and lightweight make it easy to carry. Plus, it has a powerful Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, so you can easily run demanding games. There are two colors available: white and black.
Pros
- Expansive 15.6-inch FHD display
- Decent port selection
- 8GB of RAM
Cons
- Plastic build
Asus Vivobook 15: Nvidia Laptop Under $500
Staff PickFurthermore, it comes with a GTX 1050 Ti graphics card for excellent gaming performance. The backlit keyboard is comfortable to use in dim lighting, and the built-in fingerprint reader provides added security. You also get 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity on this Asus Vivobook 15 computer.
It has a 15.6-inch Full HD display, an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a GTX 1050 Ti graphics card. Plus, it comes with a 1 TB hard drive for storing all your games. As far as gaming laptops go, this one is an excellent choice. Lenovo Legion Y520: For those who want to game on the go, this laptop is perfect for you.
It has a 15.6-inch full HD display, an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB solid-state drive. Microsoft Office 365 is included for free. The VivoBook is not only great for gaming but also offers excellent battery life, which can go up to 12 hours on a single charge. If you want to use your laptop for more than just gaming, this might be the best option out there!
Pros
- Decent port selection
- 8GB of RAM
- Fingerprint sensor
Cons
- Small trackpad
Dell Inspiron 15: 2 in 1 Laptop Under $500
Budget PickPlus, it has a 4 GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card for great gaming performance. You can find the Dell Inspiron 15 on Amazon for about $450. Lenovo IdeaPad 300: You can find this laptop on Amazon for about $300, and it has a 15.6-inch display, 6th generation Intel Core i3 processor, 4 GB DDR4 memory, 1 TB hard drive with 16 GB SSHD cache, and 2MP webcam.
Plus, it has a GTX 1050 Ti graphics card, which will let you play most games on medium to high settings. Among gaming laptops under 500 dollars, it’s a great value. HP Pavilion Power: For only 400 dollars more than the Dell Inspiron, this laptop features a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with 6 MB cache, 16 GB DDR4 RAM, 1 TB HDD + 128 GB SSD (M2), and integrated AMD Radeon RX 550 4 GB discrete graphics.
Plus, it has powerful NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics. There’s no better option than the Dell Inspiron if you’re looking for something more affordable than the others. You’ll need to buy an external DVD drive separately if you want to play DVDs or CDs on this laptop.
Pros
- Big, comfortable 15.6-inch display
- Decent size SSD
- SD card slot
Cons
- Limited port selection
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i: Refurbished Gaming Laptops Under $500
If you’re looking for a cheap Lenovo IdeaPad 3i laptop that doesn’t skimp on performance, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is a great option. Powered by an Intel Core i5 processor and equipped with 8 GB of RAM, it can easily handle demanding games. Plus, the 15.6-inch display is bright and clear, and the GTX 1050 graphics card ensures smooth visuals. And at just under $500, it’s a great value for a gaming laptop.
Display size is 15.6 inches, processor speed is Intel Core i5, RAM is 8 GB, and hard drive space is 256 GB. Plus, it has Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics and a backlit keyboard.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is an excellent gaming laptop at an affordable price. Due to its Intel Core i5 processor and 8 GB of RAM, it is capable of handling most games. In addition, the 15.6-inch display is bright and vibrant, making the gaming experience immersive. And at just under $500, it’s a great value for a gaming laptop.
Pros
- Screen can fold flat
- 512GB SSD
- Intel Iris Xe
Cons
- Thick bezels
Dell Inspiron 14: Gaming Laptop Under $400
This Dell Inspiron 14 laptop is great because you can play any game that’s in the market at this time and have no problem running them at 60 FPS or higher on 1080p resolution. With an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, and a GTX 1050 Ti graphics card with 4 GB GDDR5 memory you’re guaranteed to be able to play any game you throw at it flawlessly.
An Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of solid-state storage, and a 14-inch display make up this laptop. Plus, it has NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics and a backlit keyboard.
The laptop features a 14-inch display, an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256GB solid-state drive. It is also very portable and has great battery life. And you can’t beat the price. The Dell Inspiron 14 starts at just $450 on Amazon!
Pros
- 2-in-1 design
- Small, portable design
- USB-C and SD card
Cons
- Lower resolution display
Summary For Best Gaming Laptops Under $500
| Design | Retailer | |
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Best Pick | Check Price | |
Staff Pick | Check Price | |
Budget Pick | Check Price | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a gaming laptop good for students?
While gaming laptops are great for playing video games, they are not always the best laptop type for students. One of the main drawbacks is that these computers tend to be bulky, heavy, and uncomfortable; which makes them difficult to carry around campuses or classrooms all day long. Another thing worth noting is that it takes a lot longer for this type of laptop to charge; which means you won’t be able to use them during periods when there isn’t a power outlet nearby. Lastly, because this laptop runs warm when under heavy load; it might not be possible or comfortable enough to use one on your lap.
Can a $500 laptop run Fortnite?
The best way to make sure your laptop can run Fortnite is to compare its hardware requirements to those listed on the game’s developer website. The Battle Royale mode has been designed with a diverse range of computers in mind – although it may struggle at high graphics settings, you should be able to enjoy it at low ones.
Can you use a “normal” laptop for gaming?
Generally speaking, yes. It really does depend on what you want to do with the computer – are you going to use it for work or just gaming? A laptop built for productivity typically has a good amount of specs under the hood and can run games too. They’ll only run some games, though, and often at a lower quality than an actual gaming machine.
You will most likely not have a good time playing any of these high end Call of Duty or Assassin’s Creed-type games on the average work laptop, but it doesn’t mean they can’t play some other brilliant indie games that don’t need too much GPU power.
We suggest purchasing a laptop exclusively for gaming purposes if you plan to indulge in this activity frequently. Gaming-specific laptops can handle typical tasks, such as word processing and web browsing, but they may not be able to run the latest PC games.
In Conclusion
If you’re looking for a great gaming laptop but don’t want to spend a lot of money, these five laptops are the best options. All of them have great specs for the price, and they are capable of handling any game you throw at them. You’ll find a laptop here that suits your needs, whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast.
