Best Gaming Laptops under $500 -2018 Buyer’s Guide

Welcome to our guide on the top budget gaming laptops you can buy in 2017 for under $500. Buying a laptop for under a budget of $500 can be extremely difficult, so its very important to know what you’re looking for in a laptop at that budget. Below our top 10 recommendations for gaming laptops under $500 is our guide on what to look for in a budget laptop, so we recommend you read that before you look at our top 10 gaming laptops for under 500 dollars. As usual, any questions on why we chose a particular laptop or perhaps you want some advise on what gaming laptop to get, feel free to drop us a question in the comments below or send us an email. We hope you enjoy our guide!

1. Lenovo Z50-75

Lenovo Z50-75 gaming laptop

At a cost of only $380.00 USD it would be hard for us not to recommend this gaming laptop from Lenovo that’s a wonderful entry level gaming laptop. Featuring an AMD FX-7500 with a boost up to 3.3ghz, 1TB HDD, AMD Radeon R7 graphics card, and a weight of only 5.5lbs making for a wonderfully transportable gaming machine. You get 8GB of DDR3 memory and a screen size of 15.6 inches with a battery life of about five hours at full charge. For an entry level gaming laptop you get so much for so little. If you’re on a budget and need a laptop to get your gaming adventures started the Lenovo Z50-75 is a laptop you’ll definitely want to consider.

2. HP 15-AY011NR

HP 15-AY011NR

The HP 15-AY011NR is one of the best budget gaming laptops out on the market today. Featuring an Intel Core I5 6200 with a boost up to 2.8ghz, 8 GB of DDR3 RAM, a 1TB HDD, and an Intel Graphics 520 with up to 4GB of video memory. The weight is roughly about 4.73lbs and a battery life of around seven hours which is very impressive given the laptop only cost $459.00 USD. As you delve deeper into the HP 15-AY011NR you get all the standard USB 3.0, HDMI, and audio jack hookups with a weight of only 4.73lbs making this HP laptop travel capable. You get a 15.5-inch display at 1080p giving you extra crisp clear picture quality for all your gaming needs. The HP 15-AY011NR gives you the performance you need at a price you can afford.

3. Acer Aspire E 15

Acer Aspire E 15 Gaming Laptop under 500

If you’re looking for one of the best gaming laptops under $500.00 then look no further than the Acer Aspire E 15. Many of the features include a 7th generation Intel Core I3 7100 processor at 2.4ghz, 4GB of DDR4 memory, and the most impressive feature of all is the 12-hour long battery life at a full charge which is very impressive for a gaming laptop at this price point. At just $349.99 USD the Acer Aspire E 15 is affordable for everyone especially college students. What sets this particular laptop apart from the rest is its ability to be used as a business laptop as well. The Acer Aspire E 15 is Skype Business Certified so you can get the work done when you need it done, and a gaming laptop when you’re ready to fry some enemies. Regardless of your needs we highly recommend the Acer Aspire E 15 for its superior versatility.

4. Dell Inspiron 15

Dell Inspiron 15 Gaming Laptop

We highly recommend the Dell Inspiron 15 as the best gaming laptop under $500.00. Featuring an i5-7200U Core i5 processor, an Intel HD Graphics 620 that’s integrated with the CPU similar to Intel’s CPU/GPU technology, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, and a weight of only 5lbs. As you look further into the Dell Inspiron 15 you notice all the standard ports are included such as USB 3.0, HDMI, standard audio jacks, and a 2TB HDD for all your storage needs. The display is a reasonable 15.6 inches that gives off vibrant colours immersing you into your gaming adventures. So what does the best gaming laptop under $500.00 cost you? Just under 500 USD which is why we highly recommend the Dell Inspiron 15 for your budget gaming needs.

5. HP Business 15

Don’t let the word business fool you, while the HP Business is a good option for your business needs it also packs a punch for an entry level gaming laptop. Because of this versatility, we definitely recommend the HP Business 15 for your gaming needs. As you look closer into this wonderful gaming laptop you’ll notice it’s powered by an AMD A6-7310 processor with a max boost of 2.4ghz, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, AMD Radeon R4 Graphics, and a weight of only 4.73lbs making for easy travel. Instead of the traditional HDD drive, you get a 128GB SSD drive which gives a much-needed boost to loading times while you’re gaming or just general use. This wonderful entry level gaming laptop also has a built-in webcam in the event you need to use Skype Video for your work related needs. Costing Only $357 you get a gaming machine made by one of the best companies in the industry.

6. Dell Inspiron 7000

The Dell Inspiron 7000 is another one of the best gaming laptops under $50. Now we know we’ve mentioned previous Dell gaming laptops earlier but this is another one that needs praise. Featuring an Intel Core I5 5200u processor at 2.7ghz, 8GB of DDR3 memory that can be upgraded to 16GB if needed in the future, Intel HD Graphics 5500, and all the modern ports are included such as USB 3.0 and HDMI. The average battery life is 8 hours at full charge and a weight of only 4.5lbs makes it easy to travel with for business professionals and students alike. The cost comes in just under $500.00 USD which makes the Dell Inspiron 7000 a sweet spot for performance per dollar spent. If you need the best gaming machine possible at a price you can afford you’ll definitely want to consider the Dell Inspiron 7000.

7. Asus F555LA-AB31

Asus F555LA-AB31 Gaming Laptop

When it comes to anything computer hardware related Asus is the name you’ll find most frequently comes up in conversation. From motherboards to graphics cards Asus does it all including gaming laptops. That’s why we have to mention the Asus F555LA-AB31, the best gaming laptop under $500. Featuring the 5th generation Intel Core I3-5010u at 2.1ghz, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB HDD drive, and Intel HD Graphics processor. The weight is 5.1lbs and a lithium-ion battery to keep you playing longer and charging less. Your display screen will be 15.6 inches in size along with all your standard modern ports included. The last thing that should have you sold on this gaming laptop is the one-year international warranty backed by the best in the industry. Asus has built its name on trust and quality, that’s why the Asus F555LA-AB31 is highly recommended by us.

8. Acer Aspire E5-573G

Acer Aspire E5-573G

For a great value gaming laptop the Acer Aspire E5-573G makes its own spot on the list. Featuring the 5th generation Intel Core I5 5200u processor at 2.2 ghz with a boost to 2.7ghz, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, a Nvidia 940m with 2GB of video memory, and a 1TB HDD for your storage needs. It’s important to note that what sets this laptop apart from previous gaming laptops that we’ve mentioned thus far is the dedicated Nvidia graphics card included in the Acer Aspire E5-573G. While the AMD APU’s and Intel HD Graphics are a good option it is always better to have a dedicated graphics card if you have the option to do so. The battery life is around 5 hours fully charged and a reasonable travel weight of 5.3lbs with a 15.6-inch display that gives excellent picture quality. You do have two colour options black or grey depending on your preference and with a price right at $500.00 USD, the Acer Aspire E5-573G earns a spot on our top pick budget laptop list.

9. HP Turbo Silver

The HP Turbo Silver might be a better option for those looking for something with a bigger screen than the standard 15.6 display options mentioned so far. The HP Turbo Silver’s 17.3-inch screen gives you a spectacular picture that immerses you in your games sometimes disconnecting you from reality. As you look further into the HP Turbo Silver you begin to see why we consider it one of the best budget laptops for gaming. Featuring an Intel Core I3 6100U at 2.3ghz, 6GB of RAM, a 1TB standard hard drive, and Intel HD integrated graphics there really isn’t anything this laptop can’t handle especially at a price of only $399.99 USD. If that wasn’t enough the weight is the lightest listed in this top pick budget laptops list at 3.7lbs so not only do you get a good budget gaming machine, it’s very portable. The HP Turbo Silver really is a top contender among similar competitors.

10. HP Pavilion 17

Acer Aspire E5-573G

The last great value gaming laptop to make our list is the HP Pavilion 17 which also sports a nice 17.3-inch display screen that gives spectacular visuals. Some of the features include an AMD A10-8700p processor at 1.8ghz and a boost up to 3.2ghz, 8GB of DDR3 memory, 1TB hard drive, AMD Radeon R6 graphics with 4GB of video memory, and all the standard ports found in most modern gaming machines such as USB 3.0, HDMI, and audio jacks. The HP Pavilion 17 does weigh a little more than the HP Turbo Silver we mentioned earlier at 5.8lbs but is still a respectable weight for a 17-inch laptop. So what will the HP Pavilion 17 cost you? Only $399.99 USD making it affordable for just about any gamer out there. If you need power on a budget the HP Pavilion 17 is here to answer the call.

What you should look for in a <$500 Laptop

1. 8GB RAM

With most games these days requiring at least 4GB of system RAM you want to look for at least 8GB of system RAM in your gaming rig. This allows your gaming laptop to last longer and gives you the ability to multi-task while gaming with the extra headroom of memory. If you can manage more RAM into your budget such as 16GB or higher more never hurts especially if you plan to do professional video editing type work.

2. Features – i5/i7, Kaby Lake/Skylake CPU

When it comes to your CPU pick you in an ideal situation want to go with an Intel Core I7 Kaby Lake CPU which is Intel’s latest and newest architecture. This gives you the best performance possible and the most longevity out of your CPU. If you can’t get your hands on an I7 Kaby Lake CPU or if it’s not available at that particular time the Skylake line of CPU’s are a good option as well.

3. USB 3.0

This newest architecture is pretty standard on most modern gaming laptops but it’s important to be sure just in case. Despite the new architecture, some laptops are still built with USB 2.0 architecture and even a mix of both options so it’s important to double check what’s included in your gaming laptop before purchasing. Remember there’s not a significant difference between USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 just USB 3.0 will have more compatibility going into the future.

Best Gaming Monitors

Buyer’s Guide

4. Graphics Card W/ Minimum 1GB VRAM

As games have become more demanding these days video card VRAM has become just as important as other components of your gaming system. You’re going to want at least 1GB of VRAM and more if your budget allows for it. VRAM becomes more important as your screen resolution increases as well especially for 1440p and 4K gaming. For your standard resolution gaming at 720p or 1080p 1GB of VRAM should be more than sufficient for your gaming needs.

5. Battery Life 8 Hours Ideally Lithium Ion

Just as important as other components in your gaming laptop you want a battery that can last so you stay gaming and not charging. Lithium Ion batteries are known to last between eight and ten hours on a full charge which is much higher than the standard batteries on the market that usually last five hours or less when fully charged. If you’re a diehard gamer the Lithium Ion battery is a no brainer.

6. Minimum 1080p resolution

With 1440p and 4K gaming fastly becoming the new standard in the computer gaming industry there really is no reason not to get at least a 1080p display screen. Because of 1440p and 4K displays, the cost of most 1080p displays has come way down making them very affordable. 1080p is the sweet spot between performance and price that just can’t be beaten.

 

That’s the end of our top pick budget laptops list and we’re confident you’ll leave today armed with the information you need to make the right decision for you. Finding a budget gaming laptop can be a daunting task at times not knowing what to look for and if you’re getting your monies worth along with the performance you need. Just take a step back and consider your budget, what your needs are, and how long you want your laptop to last then you can move forward with the information to make the right decision. Don’t wait any longer get started today!.

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