Gaming laptops have a huge market. There is no denying that gaming laptops are some of the most fun and capable devices available today. There are a lot of people who wonder if it is possible to get a good gaming laptop under $500. There are many gaming laptops available for under $500! These laptops are specially designed for gamers who want something portable so that they can game away from home while also playing games like DOTA and Counterstrike!
Laptops come in a variety of sizes and types. Some items, like the processor and video card, cannot be upgraded or changed. It is relatively easy to upgrade RAM and the hard drive / SSD (Solid State Drive). Several other components, such as the monitor, can be bypassed by connecting an external monitor.
Do you think the best gaming laptop under $500 is worth the money?
There are several restrictions that a budget under $500 puts on your options when looking for the best gaming laptop. This price will only allow you to get older and weaker hardware with entry-level gaming performance, but if you plan on playing older, less demanding games, this may not be a problem. They are truly cheap gaming laptops, and arguably stretch the definition of what constitutes a ‘gaming laptop’ a lot.
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Do $500 laptops run Fortnite?
Check your laptop’s minimum specs to confirm it can play Fortnite. The Battle Royale generally supports a wide range of computers, so you shouldn’t have any problems playing it on lower settings if your computer is older or less powerful.
For Fortnite, the following are the minimum and recommended system requirements:
The following system requirements are recommended:
- The video card should be from Nvidia GTX 960, AMD R9 280, or an equivalent DX11 GPU
- The video memory is 2 GB
- A Core i5-7300U 3.5 GHz or AMD Ryzen 3 3300U processor is recommended
- RAM must be at least 8 GB
- Operating system: Windows 10 64-bit
The following are the minimum system requirements:
- Video Card: Intel HD 4000 on PC, and Intel Iris Pro 5200 on Mac
- The processor is a Core i3-3225 running at 3.3 GHz
- RAM must be at least 4GB
- You will need Windows 7/8/10 64-bit or Mac OS Mojave 10.14.6 to run this program
Is it possible to play games on a “normal” laptop?
The kind of game you want to play really depends on your preferences. Some games can be enjoyed on a productivity laptop equipped with a discrete graphics chip for use at work and for general computing. Some games are only played on lower settings, and some games cannot be played at all.
There is a requirement for powerful CPUs, GPUs, and RAM in many of today’s top AAA titles. You may not be able to run that game on an older machine if you own an older machine. Most work laptops aren’t capable of handling games like Call of Duty or Assassin’s Creed. However, there are a lot of great indie games that don’t require a lot of GPU resources.
Gaming laptops are great for people who plan to play games every day. Word processing and web browsing are perfectly possible on gaming-specific laptops. It is important to note, however, that not all standard laptops can play the latest games, especially those at the lower end of the spectrum.
A guide to selecting the best gaming laptop under $500
A gaming laptop should take a few things into consideration, perhaps more than any other laptop.
The following are some things to keep in mind when buying a new gaming system:
1- RAM
More RAM increases the amount of information you can load into your memory. The average laptop comes with 4GB of RAM, but splurging in this area can help you run high-end games smoothly. Be careful of voiding the product warranty if you add more RAM, however. RAM specs above 8GB are not standard in this price range. If possible, upgrade to at least 16GB.
2- Hard drive
Under $500, you won’t find a gaming laptop with a hard drive or SSD larger than 256 GB, though there are some models with 512 GB SSDs. The average laptop user’s operating system and other software applications typically occupy more than 50 GB of disk space. Therefore, WePC considers 256 GB to be an inadequate amount of storage for most gamers. Any 256 GB SSD should be upgraded to 512 GB or above, or additional SSDs or hard drives should be added.
3- Replication of colors
If you only play games, you can still get a sufficiently good color gamut on a $500 budget. You won’t be able to find 100% sRGB replication in laptop displays in this price range if you need to do some light design work along with your gaming. Color accuracy won’t be good either. A gaming laptop with this dual-use capability will cost you considerably more if you want a display that is suitable for both uses.
4- Max refresh rate
In the current market, 120Hz gaming laptops are impossible to find for under $500 (unless you get a refurbished one). It is common for 60Hz to be the standard in this price range, which means you are limited to 60 frames per second when playing games. These laptops cannot be recommended for competitive gaming, however, you can use them for slower-paced RPGs, strategy games, and adventure games, though you will find the overall experience a bit janky and less immersive. Purchasing a second-hand laptop is a better option if this isn’t for you.
5- Resolution
The screen will always appear sharper in Full HD resolution than in HD resolution. Splurging on a full HD TV might be worth it if the games you want to play support it. A Full HD monitor can always be connected to your laptop if it does not come with one.
Gaming laptops under $500 will have a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080. Buying a monitor with a resolution of 1440p or higher will cost you at least $1,000, if not more. For many, however, this might not be a major issue – 1080p is still the ideal resolution for competitive gamers, and a higher resolution screen isn’t worth the money if your gaming laptop is less than 15″ inches (unless you use it as a visual workstation).
Sharp, vibrant displays make games look great on gaming laptops as well as on dedicated gaming monitors. The larger screen may help gamers build immersion, especially in temporary spaces. A particular size that stands out is 15 inches. You can play games comfortably on this size screen without having to carry a heavy laptop all day. A 17-inch gaming laptop is a good choice if you spend most of your time using it at your desk.
6- Processor
A faster processor can handle larger workloads better. It’s not easy to upgrade your laptop’s processor after purchase, so pay attention to this.
CPUs are the brains of computers. Various tasks, such as editing photos and running programs, are performed by it. CPU power is measured by the number of computing cores in the chip and the speed at which the chip operates. Calculated by counting cycles or computations made by the processor every second, clock speed is expressed in Hz. An example of a CPU is one that runs at 2.8GHz and executes 2.8 billion cycles each second.
If you’re looking for an 11th or 12th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor with 6-8 processor cores, or an AMD Ryzen 5 processor with 6-8 processor cores, you’ve found the best Windows laptop. Considering these laptops have the tightest budgets, you’re likely to see older versions of the most basic processors, such as Intel’s 10th-generation Core i3 processor, or AMD’s Ryzen 3000 processor. For a basic laptop with a good CPU, it doesn’t hurt to sacrifice bells and whistles. A laptop’s performance is determined more by its processor than by any other component.
7- Graphics
Graphics processing units, or GPUs, are essential components in gaming laptops that render graphics in 2D and 3D. High-resolution video and art benefit from a GPU because it relieves some of the pressure on the CPU and makes rendering everything much faster. Video games have become increasingly popular, as have gaming laptops, which emphasize graphical processing power over anything else. The video card is one of the most important components of video games since they require more video processing than other tasks. Video cards with dedicated memory will always be more reliable than onboard ones.
Dedicated graphics cards are usually found in gaming PCs, as they handle the visual processing for games, video encoding, and other tasks that require lots of graphics. Dedicated graphics cards are made by NVIDIA and AMD for desktop computers and more compact ones for laptops. There are occasionally laptops with “full-size” desktop graphics cards. You should not carry these laptops every day on your back because they are often too heavy.
8- Battery life
Having a limited battery life on gaming laptops can seriously limit gamers’ ability to play games from anywhere. Unfortunately, gaming laptops don’t have the longest battery life. A full day of heavy usage will not be possible for even the most powerful, most expensive models.
Whenever you play a game on your laptop, the battery will drain much faster than when you do other tasks. Therefore, you should be strategic about how much you play. Always keep an eye on your battery indicator and your outlet availability.
9- Accessorize
An advantage in the field can be gained by using gaming accessories, such as a controller or mechanical keyboard. Keyboards can also include macro buttons, making it possible to create combinations with a single click.
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Which gaming laptop is the best for under $500?
In terms of gaming laptops for those operating on a $500 budget, the HP Pavilion 15-dk0010na is the best choice currently, especially if you can get one at a discount compared to the usual price. Otherwise, the ASUS F512DA-EB51 and Asus VivoBook 15 is a reasonable choices.
Best gaming laptop under $500 in 2022
Take a look at the best gaming laptops for under $500.
1- 2022 Newest Acer Aspire 5 Slim
Aspire 5 Slim’s Ryzen 3 3350U processor allows users to play many popular games at low settings.
| Features | |
| Screen size | 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) |
| Item model number | Aspire 5 |
| Dimensions | 14.31 x 9.74 x 0.71 inches |
| Memory Speed | 3.5 GHz |
| Weight | 3.97 pounds |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 3 3350U |
| CPU Model / CPU Speed | AMD R Series / 2.10 GHz |
| GPU | Radeon Vega 6 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Hard Disk Size | 128 GB |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C 3.1 Gen 1, USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 x 2; HDMI 1.4b, Wi-Fi 6 |
Pros:
- A decent selection of ports
- Keyboard with backlit
- Display in Full HD
- TrueHarmony by Acer
Cons:
- Build with plastic
2- Dell Inspiron 15 3511
Dell’s Inspiron 15 is perfect for schoolwork, and you can play a few games between classes.
| Features | |
| Screen size | 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) |
| Item model number | i3511-3481BLK-PUS |
| Dimensions | 14.11 x 9.27 x 0.74 inches |
| Weight | 3.82 pounds |
| Processor | 4.1 GHz core_i3_family-1115G4 |
| CPU Model | Core i3 Family |
| GPU | Intel UHD |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Connectivity | There are two USB-A 3.0 ports, two USB-A 2.0 ports, HDMI, SD card, WiFi, and Bluetooth. |
Pros:
- A large, comfortable 15.6-inch display
- A decent-sized SSD
- SD card reader
- A touchscreen display
Cons:
- Port selection is limited
- Full HD is not supported by the screen
- The graphics card is integrated.
3- Asus Vivobook 15
A combination of the Intel i3, UHD graphics, and 8GB of RAM gives the Vivobook 15 enough power to edit family vacation videos. A nice-looking package that allows you to run resource-intensive games easily.
| Features | |
| Screen size | 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) |
| Item model number | F512JA-AS34 |
| Dimensions | 14.1 x 9.1 x 0.78 inches |
| Weight | 3.75 pounds |
| Processor | Intel i3-10054G1 |
| Memory Speed | 3.4 GHz |
| GPU | Intel UHD |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB SSD |
| Connectivity | There are USB-C 3.2, USB-A 3.2, USB-A 2.0 x 2, HDMI, microSD, WiFi, and Bluetooth on this device |
Pros:
- Port selection is decent
- CPU with four cores
- The fingerprint sensor
- SSD capacity is larger than the competition.
Cons:
- Trackpad is small
- The keyboard is not backlit.
- An integrated graphics card.
4- 2022 Newest Lenovo Ideapad 3i
It features Intel Iris Xe graphics, 512GB SSD, and 8GB RAM, making it excellent gaming and streaming laptop.
| Features | |
| Screen size | 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) |
| Item model number | Lenovo |
| Dimensions | 14.26 x 9.98 x 0.78 inches |
| Weight | 3.75 pounds |
| Processor | 3 GHz Intel i3-1115G4 |
| Memory Speed | 4.1 GHz |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| Connectivity | A USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 x 2, a USB-A 2.0, an HDMI 1.4, an SD card, a WiFi 5, and a Bluetooth |
Pros:
- Foldable screen
- SSD with 512GB
- The device is powered by Intel’s Iris Xe graphics processor
Cons:
- Bezels are thick
5- Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop/ 12th Gen
For gamers who want to prove to the world that they are serious about their game, this laptop is the best choice.
| Features | |
| Screen size | 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) |
| Manufacturer | China, Compal Electronics Pvt Ltd, No.D01, Zone D, Air Port Section of LiangLu CunTan Free Trade Port Area, YuBei District, Chongqing |
| Item model number | AN515-58 |
| Dimensions | 27.1 x 36 x 2.6 cm; 2.5 Kilograms |
| Weight | 2 kg 500 g |
| Processor | 4.5 GHz Core i5,12500H processor |
| Maximum Memory Supported | 32 GB |
| Memory Clock Speed | 3200 MHz |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| Average Battery Life | 5 Hours |
Pros:
- The keyboard is backlit
- A full-HD display
Cons:
- Bezels are thick
Here are some other gaming laptops under $500
- Acer Aspire 5 A515-43-R19L
- Acer Aspire 5 A515-45
- ASUS F512DA-EB51 VivoBook 15 Thin And Light Laptop
- HP 14” Laptop
- Flagship HP 14” Laptop
- HP 15.6” HD Touch-Screen Laptop Notebook Computer