Best Gaming Laptops Under 500

Gaming laptops come in different designs and quality. These are the two main factors that determine the price of a gaming laptop. The low-priced laptops will not be able to play the crop next-generation games but that doesn’t mean you will not be able to enjoy your games without coming even closer to breaking the bank. Here you have the top 5 best gaming laptops under 500 dollars.

Best Gaming Laptops under 500

Asus X550CA-SI30303S-R 15-inch Laptop

Features Highlights:

• 1.8GHz Intel Core i3-3217U
• Intel Graphics 4000
• 500GB hard drive
• 4GB DDR3 memory
• 15.6-inch HD display
• Built-in webcam
• 802.11n WLAN
• Windows 8 (64 bit)

This machine combines a sleek look and a nice set of features for a low price. It is the latest entry-level laptop from ASUS. It is thin and light making it great as a travel laptop. Its chiclet keyboard is very comfortable to type on. It plays older and newer low-end games well. It is a good value for budget shoppers.

HP Pavilion 17-E0 17-Inch Laptop

Features Highlights:

• Quad-Core A8-5550M AMD Elite Accelerate processor
• AMD Radeon HD 8550G Graphics processor
• 750GB Hard Drive
• 4GB DDR3 Memory
• 17-inch (1600 x 900) HD+ LED-backlit display
• Front facing HP TrueVision HD webcam with integrated microphone
• Windows 8 (64 bit)

This machine is more or less like the e112dx in both looks and price. The difference is that while the 17-E0 utilizes AMD chips, the 17-E112DX uses Intel hardware. The AMD graphics on the 17-0E is slightly less powerful than the Intel HD 4600 graphics, but the performance of the 17E0 in light games and most current applications is quite sufficient. Users have the option of adding an extra RAM for better gaming and multitasking performance. In all, the 17-E0 is a good performer and is suited for both casual gaming and work.

Related: Best Gaming Laptops under $1000

HP 15-R018DX Laptop

Features Highlights:

• 4th gen Intel Core i3-4010U processor
• Intel HD Graphics 4400
• 15.6-inch LED-backlit HD display
• 750GB hard drive
• 4GB DDR3L SDRAM
• HP TrueVision HD webcam
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN
• Windows 8.1 (64 bit)

HP 15-R018DX Laptop boasts a speedy Intel HD 4400 graphics, Intel Core i3 processor and a large hard drive. It lacks a dedicated graphics meaning it isn’t a serious gaming or video editing laptop but its integrated graphics allow for light gaming and can even handle games like Modern Warfare 3 on medium settings. For common office or multimedia applications, HP 15-R018DX Laptop is a heavyweight. Its battery also performs well though it drains faster while you are playing games. In all, it has solid features that make it a breeze if you want to enjoy your gaming on a tight budget.

HP Pavilion 17-e112dx

Features Highlights:

• 2.6GHz Intel Core i3-3130 processor
• Intel Graphics 4600
• 4B DDR3L memory
• 750GB hard drive
• 17.3-inch (1600 x 900) LED-backlit HD display
• Windows 8.1 (64 bit)
• WLAN 802.11b/g/n

The 17-E112DX has powerful hardware, attractive design and decent audio quality. Its Intel graphics 4600 surprisingly outperforms the leading cards from NVIDIA and Radeon. Its 17-inch screen is also wide enough for serious gamers.

HP Pavilion 17-e113dx

Features Highlights:

• AMD Quad-Core A8-4500M accelerated processor
• AMD Radeon HD 7640G graphics
• 750GB hard drive
• 4GB DDR3L SDRAM
• 17.3-inch LED-backlit HD display
• HP TruVision HD webcam
• Windows 8.1 (64 bit)
• WLAN 802.11b/g/n

This is a decent desk-top replacement laptop with sufficient gaming power to keep you happy. It is light and offers good battery life. The AMD Quad-Core A8-4500M Accelerated processor delivers performance that is at par with Intel Core 13. Its AMD graphics performs better than Intel HD 4000 graphics card. Though it can’t play modern games in high details, a little tweaking will make them playable at acceptable framerates.

Toshiba Satellite C55D-A5108 15-inch Laptop

Features Highlights:

• Quad-Core A6-5200 AMD Elite Accelerate processor
• AMD Radeon HD 8400G Graphics processor
• 750GB Hard Drive
• 4GB RAM
• 15-inch TFT LED-backlit HD widescreen display
• Windows 8.1 (64 bit)

This is the latest budget entry in the under-$500 gaming laptop category from Toshiba. It is a heavyweight and favourite of gamers across the world. Its processor has a benchmark score closer to a Core i3-3227 and is therefore more than sufficient to handle standard applications. Its graphics processor also matches the faster Intel Graphics 4000 series chips. Meaning you can handle less demanding games quite easily with little or no lags at while playing. It also has a generous 750GB hard drive which should be sufficient to store your games and other data.

HP 15-G010DX 15-inch Laptop

Features Highlights:

• AMD Quad-Core A6-6310 Accelerated Processor
• AMD Radeon R4 graphics
• 500GB hard drive
• 4GB DDR3L SDRAM
• 15.6-inch WLED-backlit HD display
• TreuVision HD webcam
• Windows 8.1 (64 bit)
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN

For day-to-day tasks and light multitasking, the HP 15-G010DX’s processor with the 4GB RAM provides enough power. The AMD Radeon R4 graphics performs like some popular graphics like Intel HD 4200 and Radeon 7470M which makes it perfect for less demanding games. The HP 15-G010DX is a decent entry-level laptop which is also great for student or home use. It also boasts a large number of connectivity options, DVD-burner and an HD webcam.

ASUS G750JZ

Features Highlights:

• 2.4GHz 4th gen Intel Quad-Core i7 4700HQ (Turbo 3.4GHz)
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 880M graphics
• Mobile Intel HM87 Express chipset
• 1TB HDD plus 256GB SSD
• 32GB DDR3L SD RAM 1600MHz
• 17.3-inch LCD LED-backlit 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) display
• Windows 8.1 Pro (64 bit)

This is the best 17-inch gaming laptop. It measures 16.1 x 12.5 x 2 inches and weighs 9.9 lbs. With this machine you will enjoy desk-top level performance with its gaming grade Nvidia GeForce GTX 880M graphics, currently the world’s fastest laptop graphics, pumped 4th generation Intel Core i7-4700 processor and the ASUS TurboMaster technology. It also boasts the Thunderbolt technology which provides ultra-fast data transmission and graphics via a single connection. Its look would make a super-car enthusiast drool; it is sleek and attractive. The price begins from $1,699 which is a good deal since you will also get a generous 1TB of hard drive and dual 256GB SSD plus 3GB of RAM.

MSI GS60 Ghost

Features Highlights:

• 2.4GHz Intel Core i7-4700HQ processor
• Windows 8.1
• 16GB RAM
• 1TB hard drive
• 15.6-inch display with 1920 x 1080 native resolution
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M graphics

This is the best 15-inch gaming laptop. Its black aluminum lid makes it look gorgeous. This beast packs a 2.4GHz Intel Core i7-4700HQ processor, the new Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M graphics card and a 1TB hard drive making its performance to be tremendous. It weighs 4.2 lbs and its slim 0.78-inch profile makes it the lightest and sleekest gaming laptop in the world. The 1080p display is also superb and will make you feel to be part of the game. MSI GS60 Ghost starts at $2,199 which should not be much of a problem if you are into serious gaming.

Razer Blade

Features Highlights:

• Intel Core i7- 4702HQ 2.2 GHz (Base), 3.2 GHz (Turbo)
• 256GB SSD (SATA M.2)
• 8GB DDR3L – 1600MHz
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M (With 3GB dedicated memory)
• 14.0-inch QHD+ 3200 x 1800 touchscreen display
• Windows 8

The Razer Blade and the MSI GS70 Stealth Pro are the top portable gaming laptops. The Razer measures 13.6 x 9.3 x 0.66 inches and weighs 4.2 pounds. It is billed as the world’s thinnest laptop. With this sexy and lightweight chassis, the Razer is ahead of its competitors in terms of portability and beauty. It has excellent graphics performance. Thanks to its Nvidia GeForce GTX 870M GPU coupled with the 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7- 4702HQ processor. If you want to own this beauty, you must be ready to part with at least $2,099. Not bad for the combination of specs that you will get plus a fully programmable comfortable keyboard and long battery life.

MSI GS70 Stealth Pro

Features Highlights:

• 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-4710HQ processor
• 16GB RAM
• 1TB hard drive 7,200 rpm
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 870M GPU
• 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 display
• Windows 8.1

This makes it very slim gaming laptop yet it packs some powerful specs like the Intel Core i7 processor and the Nvidia Geforce GTX 870M GPU with 6GB VRAM. The 17.3-inch 1080p display offers gorgeous vistas. It boasts a customizable SteelSeries keyboard which offers a comfortable typing experience. The GS70 Stealth Pro goes for $2,099 which is quite reasonable for its blazing SSD, solid battery life and the vibrant display.

Bottom Line

As a hardcore gamer you will be spoilt of choice when it comes to gaming laptops. You have a host of machines to choose from. Your choice will also depend on whether you want the laptop purely for gaming or you want to use it for other functions. The only limiting factor could only be the amount of money you are willing to spend. If you are operating on a small budget, you can consider Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p. This goes for only $819 and delivers a superb gaming power, thanks to its quad core Intel Core i7, 1080p display, dual Nvidia GeForce GT 750 GPU and 1TB of storage.

Gaming is a pastime activity that in most cases will not take much of a person’s time. These laptops are meant for non-hardcore or casual gamers. They are also suitable for home, small business offices, or for students who do not spend much of their time playing games. However, if you have a few more bucks to spare and you are a serious gamer you can go for the high-end gaming laptops.