Gaming laptops have become increasingly popular due to theirΒ convenience and portability, but not everyone can afford them. Setting a budget is important when it comes to most things you wish to purchase, and although everyoneβs budget is different, there are some important factors that everyone must consider when buying a new gaming laptop on a budget:Β CPU, GPU, VRAM, resolution, and RAM.
We know everyoneβs budget is different, and with the massive gaming laptop market, choosing the right one can be difficult. Thatβs why here at Next Gaming we have reviewed some of theΒ best budget gaming laptopsΒ available right now.
If you canβt afford a gaming laptop with your budget, we suggest saving up a little more or pushing your budget higher for a better computer to ensure you can play the games you want to play and get the most out of your money.Β So, letβs get stuck into our list.
Best Choice: Acer Predator Helios 300
Pros & Cons
- Extra empty expandable hard drive slot for 2.5β³ hard drives
- Great specs for the price point that are upgradable
- Runs intense/graphically taxing games well
- Single USB port
- USB C is not Thunderbolt 3
Having a higher budget is a must for the Acer Predator Helios 300, but it is definitely one of the best gaming laptops on our list; the specs are upgradable andΒ perfect for lag-free sessionsΒ on the majority of games.
Key Features:
- RAM: 16 GB
- CPU: 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H 6-Core
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB)
- Display: 15.6β³ (1920 x 1080)
- Weight: 5.95 lbs
Acer Predator Helios 300 Review
With an extra empty expandable hard drive slot (2.5β hard drive), you know you will never run out of space to store all of the copies of GTA you have been collecting over the years. You wonβt have to worry about accidentally throwing your backpack on the ground and forgetting the Helios 300 is in it β this is aΒ sturdy laptopΒ that isnβt the thinnest, yet for almost $1,000 on a budget, youβll want it to hold up.
Unlike most gaming laptops,Β the speakers on the Acer Predator Helios 300 are actually pretty darn good, so you know youβre getting your moneyβs worth, especially if youβre an audiophile. Whatβs also good is the display which features a matte finish allowing for almost no reflectivity β you wonβt have to stare into your own soul during loading screens on this Acer.
The downside of this Acer is when it comes to the port selection is there is only a single USB port, and the USB C connectorΒ does not support Thunderbolt 3Β β surprise surprise.
Premium Pick: HP OMEN 15-dc0030nr
Pros & Cons
- Comfortable keyboard with softer keys
- Build quality
- Heat management controlled
- Poor battery life
Key Features:
- RAM: 16 GB
- CPU: Intel Core i7-8750
- Storage: 128 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB)
- Display: 15.6β (1920 x 1080)
- Weight: 5.56 lbs
HP OMEN 15-dc0030nr Review
We know that $1189 isnβt everyoneβs idea of a βbudget gaming laptopβ, but we must consider those higher budgets out there. The price tag on this laptop can be found in the specs whichΒ boost overall performance for the more hard-core gamers out there. If you’re looking for something more expensive, you might want to check out the best gaming laptop under $1500.
This HPβs CPU is Intel Core i7-8750, furthermore, both the SSD and an HDD are present. All this combined with 16 GB of RAM makes this HP Omen model great for games with higher system requirements.
The downside for many gaming laptops is the size of the screen. If youβre traveling or on-the-go in general, you wonβt be plugging a laptop into a 32-inch screen, and with this laptop, you wonβt have to β the bezels are almost non-existent, allowing for a larger screen.
Youβll really feel like youβre in the game youβre playing with a larger screen, while color accuracy on this Omen contributes to that feeling. The keyboard isΒ comfortable, easy to get used to and features a number padΒ for those who require one.
You wonβt feel like youβre in the game for too long as, like almost all gaming laptops, the battery doesnβt last very long at all. Regardless, you know youβre going to get the smoothest gameplay from graphics intensive games β even on max settings β due to the GTX 1060 GPU, which is one of the best graphics cards for gaming available.Β The price point on this beast might just be worth pushing your budget up for.
Best Value: ASUS FX504
Pros & Cons
- Super fast laptop (M.2 SSD)
- Great GPU for the price
- The build isnβt very sturdy for its price
- Speakers arenβt the best
Key Features:
- RAM: 8 GB
- CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H
- Storage: 256GB M.2 SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB)
- Display: 15.6β (1920 x 1080)
- Weight: 5.07 lbs
ASUS FX504 Review
The ASUS FX504 is aΒ speedy piece of kitΒ that will easily run recent, high-graphics games well. The clock rates sit at 2.2 GHz which isn’t optimal, but with the GTX 1050 Ti, you know youβre going to get great results in the benchmarks despite this being an under $1000 laptop.
Sometimes, maxing out your laptopβs capabilities can cause temperatures to rise, but donβt worry, your laptop wonβt explode as the ASUS FX504 features some great cooling options. The great thing about laptops is portability, and a downside is the sunlight. If youβre in a very bright area β worry not, as theΒ anti-glare screenΒ will ensure you have a clear view of this ASUS.
The onlyΒ downside is the build; the hinges are sturdy, but the matte finish plastic case on the ASUS FX504 is not only fingerprint-prone, but it is also a little flimsy for its price-point β we expected a bit of a better build for the price. The typical red backlit keyboard color also canβt be changed, but this shouldnβt be a problem when it comes to buying a laptop for under $900. If you’re interested, you can look at some of the best budget gaming keyboards to use with this laptop.
Best for Work: Acer Nitro 5
Pros & Cons
- Full HD
- Great port selection
- Cool boost technology
- Ghosting during some gameplay
- Weak touchpad
- Heat management
Key Features:
- RAM: 4 GB
- CPU: Intel Core i5-7300HQ (3.5 GHz)
- Storage: 1 TB
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB)
- Display: 15.6β (1920 x 1080)
- Weight: 5.95 lbs
Acer Nitro 5 Review
Not only is the Acer Nitro 5 one of the best gaming laptops under $1000, but it also makes this list. WeΒ just canβt get enough of this laptopΒ and its worth-your-money features. The Nitro 5 is available in different configurations for a higher price, but for the current specs and price, you really canβt go wrong.
This $749 laptop is a monster for its price as it can run most games smooth with high FPS on ultra-high settings, without heating up like a volcano. As discussed in our βUnder $1,000β article,Β minor ghosting occurs during gameplayΒ due to the low display response time, but for $749, it isnβt noticeable enough to notΒ consider buying if it fits into your budget.
If youβre easily distracted by ghosting then opting for a higher priced version of the Acer Nitro 5 could be worth it β after all, you want to get the most out of your money. The build is where the lower price comes into play β the plastic casing can beΒ easily scratched, so if you want a laptop you can travel with often, then invest into a padded laptop case or backpack.
Despite the cool boost technology,Β long sessions on the Acer Nitro 5 cause it to get quite warmΒ which could cause thermal throttling after a while. The touchpad is also weak, and if youβre looking for a mouse to use with your value laptop, check out the best budget gaming mouseΒ to ensure you stay on budget with everything youβll need for a smooth gaming experience.
Best for MMOs: MSI CUK GL173
Pros & Cons
- Anti-glare
- Runs demanding games easily
- Heats up very fast
- Loud fan
Key Features:
- RAM: 8 GB
- CPU: Β Intel Core i7-8750H (4.1 GHz)
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB)
- Display: 15.6β (1920 x 1080)
- Weight: 4.78 lbs
Another MSI product? Absolutely! MSI offers some of the best, budget-friendly gaming laptops on the market. If you’re a fan of MSI, you should check out the best MSI gaming laptop around, it’s also not that expensive! Bumping the price up a little,Β the configurations on the MSI CUK GL173 are unbeatable for its price.
Its Intel Core i7 CPU allows not only for impressive gameplay on CPU-heavy games like MMOs but for aΒ speedy boot-up timeΒ for those gamers who want to access their games fast β thereβs no waiting around with this MSI.
The Steel Series tactileΒ keyboard is extremely responsiveΒ to ensure you get accurate results when hammering W, S, A, D keys. The anti-glare screen allows you to game on-the-go with ease, and at 4.78 lbs, itβs a very portable laptop.
There is an arrange of ports on the CUK GL173, except for Thunderbolt 3 which seems to be a common theme with budget gaming laptops. Like many computers,Β the speakers arenβt the best and the fans can be loud, but if youβre wearing some of the best gaming headsets during intense gaming sessions, who really notices?
Best Budget Gaming Laptop: Buying Guide
CPU
Opt for at least an Intel dual-core i5 processor. For lag-free sessions for more intense gamers, we suggest searching for a laptop with an i7 quad processor. Most models can have their CPU replaced, so if you decide to get an upgrade, check out the best processors for gaming before making a buying decision.
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce GTX is the most common GPU to go for, a GTX 1050 is acceptable. If you’re looking to change/upgrade your laptop GPU, while being on a budget, you should take a look at some of the best graphics cards for gaming under $100.
RAM + VRAM
The higher the RAM and VRAM, the better. Look for a laptop with at least 8 GB of RAM.
See our article explaining what RAM does for gamingΒ for more information on why RAM is important, even on a budget.
Display
Youβll notice almost every laptop on our lists are 1920 x 1080, and thatβs because this is the minimum resolution you should be searching for. However, you can always connect an external monitor to your laptop, if you enjoy having a larger screen. This can be extremely enjoyable if you have a strong laptop combined with one of the best gaming monitors out there.
Best Budget Gaming Laptop: Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Gaming Laptop Under $1,000?
We have covered the best gaming laptops under $1,000 previously, here are some:
- HP Pavilion 15-cx0020nr
- MSI GV62 8RD
- Lenovo Y520
How Long Will a Gaming Laptop Last?
How long something lasts depends on how itβs used or treated. When it comes to gaming laptops, anywhere between 5 and 10 years, however, performance could lower sooner.
Although some of the gaming laptops on our list were pricey, everyoneβs budget differs. Sometimes,Β it is best to splash a little more cash for a better piece of equipment, than to waste money on a bulky laptop that wonβt run games well.
Final Thoughts
Having a portable machine that can run the latest titles whether you’re home or at a friend’s house can be expensive. However, it doesn’t have to be. Take your pick from our list and get yourself the best budget gaming laptop there is. If you’re in doubt, just go with the Acer Predator Helios 300 – I promise it’s extremely awesome.
Sources:
- Lenovo Tips for Laptops, Lenovo Support
- HP Notebook FAQ, HP Support