7 Best Low Cost Gaming Laptop

Are you hunting high and low for the best low cost gaming laptop? But you are at sixes and sevens when it’s time to pick the best gaming laptop as the marketplace is full of gaming laptops with multiple price tags and every laptop provider declares itself as the best in town.

To find what are the best affordable gaming laptops, stick to this 7500+ word article. Here we will give a detailed snapshot of:

  • What a gaming laptop is,
  • The pros and cons of a gaming laptop,
  • How to choose a good gaming laptop,
  • 7 Best Gaming Laptop to buy.

Let’s take a dive into this comprehensive guide.

What is a Gaming Laptop?

Unlike personal or business laptops, gaming laptops are designed for gamers who want to play video games without any interruption. The gaming laptops are equipped with not only additional processing power, the latest operating system, dedicated RAM, next-generation graphics to boost the visuals and speed, but also a cooling system that allows a user the best gaming experience.

Simply put, gaming laptops are armed with robust hardware and built-in graphics. They can handle heavy usage and you will find no slow down while gameplay.

What are the pros and cons of a gaming laptop?

When you are performing upside-down research on gaming laptops, you should be aware of what are the advantages and disadvantages of gaming laptops.

7 Advantages of Gaming Laptops

Let’s take a glance at what are the advantages of a gaming laptop before you buy it.

Reason #1. Equipped with high-quality components

Gaming laptops are designed for playing graphics-intensive games without any lagging issues. That’s why gaming laptops are armed with powerful hardware, efficient processors, updated operating systems, fast CPUs, ample memory, and robust graphics. All the components allow a gaming laptop to deliver faster loading, better resolution, ultra-fast speed, and a soothing sound experience while playing games.

Reason #2. Speed

Since the gaming laptops are equipped with an updated fast running operating system, cutting-edge CPU, and next-generation NVIDIA Graphics, gaming laptops take less than 5 seconds to up and run after you hit the power button. No matter what games you want to install and play, these gaming laptops are designed in a way that allows you to play graphic-intensive games.

Additionally, there is no hard and fast rule that you should utilize the laptop for a robust gaming experience. You can do the intensive work that requires graphics like video edition, graphic design, 3D animation, or photoshop too right from your gaming laptop without experiencing any breakdown or crash.

Reason #3. Versatility

If you buy a gaming laptop right now, and after using it for a decade, you can upgrade it more easily following your requirements as compared to regular PCs. You can either replace the processor or graphics to play the heavy games that require a high RAM and processor without experiencing any hanging or delay issues.

Simply put, if you buy a gaming laptop right now and after five years detect that gaming laptop isn’t performing at its best, just visit the store and replace the existing part.

benefits of Gaming Laptop

Reason #4. A pleasant sound experience

Where traditional laptops offer a horrible sound experience, a gaming laptop offers the best plausible sound quality.

Take the example of the Alienware Gaming laptop. It is equipped with dual speakers with nahimic 3D Audio that lets the gamers hear every plan of attack with crisp clarity.

Reason #5. Ease of Use

Many a person has a common perception that gaming laptops are designed for gamers only. But it is not true.

Just like a business or personal laptop or computers, gaming laptops have the same features that a personal computer possesses. You can prepare a spreadsheet for business presentation or you can manage accounts via QuickBooks and other works that you can perform via regular PCs. Simply put, gaming laptops have the same interface that other PCs have and there’s no learning curve to make the most of gaming laptops.

Reason #6. Long-Lasting

Unlike regular PCs, a gaming laptop doesn’t get outdated due to being equipped with high-quality components.

A gaming laptop has built-in graphics, an updated operating system, powerful processors, and drivers that allow a user to play the games without lagging even after a decade. If you buy a gaming laptop right now, then you can expect that you can play games since these laptops have built-in powerful hardware to run the games smoothly without any interruption.

Reason #7. Portable

Gaming laptops are lightweight. Hence, they are portable, which makes gaming laptops a popular one among college students or people who travel frequently. 

3 Disadvantages of Gaming Laptops

Besides being equipped with powerful hardware and graphics that allow a user to not only play games but also prepare business presentations, gaming laptops have some disadvantages too. Let’s take a look at what are the cons of gaming laptops.

Cons #1. Gaming laptop lacks up-gradation options

Even if various gaming laptop providers claim themselves the best in town, let me tell you the bitter truth:

Once you buy a gaming laptop, you have fewer options to upgrade it.

Simply put, since gaming laptops are thinner, you can’t replace the components. However you can upgrade the RAM and hard drive, but there’s no room for upgrading the CPU, GPU, or cooling system.

Cons #2. Gaming laptops are expensive

Since the gaming laptops are equipped with high-end components that allow a user to play the games without experiencing any slowdown or crash, buying a gaming laptop demands breaking the bank. Simply put, a 15-inch gaming laptop will cost you as low as $799, whereas a high-end gaming laptop will cost $2500+ and more.

Cons #3. Low battery standby

The higher the CPU and RAM are, the higher the power consumption will be. A majority of the gaming laptops’ battery’s standby time varies between 6 hours and 12 hours on a single charge. Which tasks you are doing determine the battery life. For example, when you are playing high-end games then you are lucky enough if your laptop lasts for 7 hours. When you are preparing a business presentation or sending important emails, the battery will last for 12+ hours on a single charge.

10 Parameters you should look at while buying a laptop for gaming

If you are at sixes and seven when it’s time to choose the best laptop for gaming, do analyze a gaming laptop on the following 10 parameters before buying it.

Parameter #1. Operating System

The operating system gives a helping hand to perform all the ABCs functions on a laptop. When you are looking for a gaming laptop then you will find two types of operating systems namely macOS and Windows. No matter what your budget is you should choose a gaming laptop that is equipped with Windows OS since you can install and play a higher number of games as compared to macOS.

Popular Operating Systems

Parameter #2. Display

To boost the gaming experience, you should take close attention to not only the screen size but also what display features the gaming laptop offers.

Screen Size – When you are looking for a budget gaming laptop, then you have got ample options to pick a gaming laptop. You will find a gaming laptop with a 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, 17-inch screen size, but as a good rule of thumb don’t pick a 13-inch gaming laptop. Instead buy a gaming laptop with a screen size of 15-inch or 17-inch for the best gaming experience.

Resolution – The higher the resolution of the gaming laptop is, the higher the gaming experience will be. No matter what the price it demands never buy a gaming laptop below a 1080p standard.

Refresh rate – The high refresh rate paves the chances that a gaming laptop can redraw itself more frequently. As a good rule of thumb, choose a gaming laptop with 1080p resolution and a 144Hz display.

What Display Features make a Laptop Good

Touch Screens – Even if they allow you to play Candy Crush or Cut the Rope, but they play havoc with the battery life and display. That’s why you should avoid buying a gaming laptop with a touch screen.

Parameter #3. CPU

It’s an open secret that the central processing unit is the ‘brain’ of your gaming laptop. It is responsible for accepting the commands and in turn, it processes the instructions accordingly and gives the output of what you want on your gaming laptop. The CPU in a gaming laptop is responsible for performing the critical function from assisting to appearing the images on a display panel to uplift the response time while gaming, enhancing the battery life, and counting.

There are fewer chances of upgrading the CPU in a gaming laptop, so buy a gaming laptop that is equipped with Intel Core i5 and higher versions. When you look for laptops under $2000, then you will find various laptops with Quad-core Core i7 processors.

Parameter #4. RAM

Nobody wants to experience any slowdown or lagging issues while playing a game. When you want to play a memory-intensive game then RAM plays a critical role. RAM is responsible for locking away a lot of information in memory while playing the games, pick a laptop with at least 8GB RAM that allows a gaming laptop to run the game without any interruption or lagging issues.

Unlike the CPU that isn’t upgradable, the RAM is upgradable. But it doesn’t allow you to buy a gaming laptop that falls short of the bare minimum of 8GB RAM. If you are on a tight budget, it’s a good idea to buy a gaming laptop with 8GB RAM with 15-inch screen size.

Parameter #5. GPU

The CPU is responsible for the majority of the computing tasks namely creating a word document, surfing the web, creating of presentation, and counting. But if you want to play memory-intensive games then the chances are higher that CPUs experience lagging issues and most probably will deteriorate your gaming experience.

But the majority of gaming laptops are equipped with GPUs. This will dramatically improve the resolution, frame rates, refresh rate, speed, and processing of instructions and diminish the lagging issues without any exception that allow you a joyous gaming experience. 

When your budget is under $1000 then there are various options to choose from. For a good gaming experience buy a gaming laptop that is armed with either Nvidia GeForce GTX or Nvidia GeForce RTX that allows you to play the majority of the games. 

Parameter #6. Storage

When you are looking for a gaming laptop where you will store multiple games, then take a close look at what SSD storage the gaming laptop is offering. For a faster gaming experience, buy a gaming laptop that is equipped with a 256GB SSD. SSDs give a helping hand to uplift the pace and rapidity and in turn, the gaming laptop’s file transfer speed heightens anywhere between 20 and 100 times when compared to generic HDD. Hence SSDs enhance the gaming experience. Alike RAM, you can easily upgrade the storage of the gaming laptop.

Parameter #7. Laptop Cooling

When you play memory-intensive gaming on your gaming laptop then the chances are higher that a higher workload will generate heat, and in turn, you will witness performance issues. When buying a gaming laptop, make sure that it is equipped with the latest Intel Core processors since the processors employ Artificial Intelligence to gauge the workload and alter the CPU performance without any issues.

Parameter #8. Standby Time

It’s really frustrating when a laptop shuts down at a crucial point of the game owing to the laptop’s battery’s fast draining and it is exhausted at full tilt while you are playing memory-intensive games. That’s why before buying a gaming laptop take a close look at the battery life that allows you to enjoy an uninterrupted gaming experience without any battery issues. As a good rule of thumb, buy a gaming laptop that offers a standby time of between 4 and 7 hours.

Parameter #9. Keyboard

When you are buying a gaming laptop take a close look at the keyboard. It has been seen that in the majority of the cases the keyboard’s quality and longevity are overlooked. But the good news is the majority of the gaming laptops offer a mechanical keyboard that not only lasts longer but also will handle the hits quite efficiently while gaming. Plus, the gaming laptop offers additional features namely backlighting that allows a user to watch the keys in the dark.

Parameter #10. Portability

Even if you are a serious gamer, but when you buy a lightweight gaming laptop, then you can easily lift the laptop, pack it in the backpack and go to the office for a visual presentation. Buy a gaming laptop with screen sizes of 15-inch, 17-inch since they are lightweight and easily portable.

What Features Make a Windows Laptop Good

7 Best Low Cost Gaming Laptop

Are you conducting a fishing expedition for the best affordable gaming laptop that will allow you to experience a happy gaming experience without asking to break the bank?

Let’s take a deep dive into the world of the high performance gaming laptop that allows you to play graphic-intensive games without any lagging or heating issues.

The Best Budget Gaming Laptop: Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop

Screen Size: 15.6-Inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Operating System: Windows 10 Home | RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM | Processor: 11th Generation Intel Octa-Core i7-11800H | Graphics: Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060 | Hard Drive: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Weight: 5.07 Pounds

When you are looking for the best budget gaming laptops that won’t ask a user to break the bank, simple in design, offer robust performance, and let you allow for an immersive gaming experience with a standby time of 7+ hours, then you should bring Acer Predator Helios 300 to your desk.

Acer Predator Helios 300 is powered by the latest 11th Generation Intel Octa-Core i7-11800H processor which not only allows you to play high-end games but also assists in memory-intensive works.

What makes this laptop unique is that its Intel Core i7 processor has 8 cores and 16 threads that elevate the clock speed to 4.6GHz that will go to bat for uplifting the speed and processing power that a user expects while a user accomplishes multiple tasks concurrently from video editing to writing a complex code and running that code in due course of time, CPU-intensive games and counting. The system houses more cache memory where all the inputs are addressed in no time that lets you do multiple works without any lagging issues.

Random Access Memory’s capacity stands at 16GB which is more than enough when you are dreaming of playing graphic-intensive games namely Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Assassin’s Creed, AAA games, and counting. If you want to upgrade the memory, then you can do it without any hassle as a total of 2 DDR4 slots are there.

To play graphic-intensive games, NVIDIA is an undisputed king. This gaming laptop will boost the gaming experience since it’s loaded with the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 dedicated graphics.

No matter whether you are playing multiplayer titles, the dedicated graphics from NVIDIA is powered by real-time ray tracing and award-winning Ampere architecture, which translate into uncompromised image quality and realistic life-like color performance alike the light behaves in the real world. Not only gaming, the dedicated graphics successfully removes the background noise that in turn uplifts the audio quality, so that you can have a better visual experience during video conferences or skype calls.

A laptop’s overall performance depends on the laptop’s SSDs along with its CPU, RAM, and graphics. Its 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD fuels the processing of the data insanely faster, cuts system reboot to the quick, loads the games or heavy application before the ink is dry. Plus, SSDs use less power when compared to the traditional HDDs, thereby strengthening the standby time of your gaming laptop.

What gives this laptop a competitive advantage over peer competitors is AeroBlade 3D Technology where the system accommodates 5th Generation AeroBlade Fan with 89 blades that increase airflow by 45% and minimize the noise due to the turbulence by 36% when compared to the generic plastic fans.

Coming to the display feature, Acer Predator Helios 300 comes with a 15-inch screen with a 1920 x 1080 Full HD IPS LED-backlit display with a 16:9 aspect ratio that runs on the Windows 10 Home operating system. A high refresh rate of 144Hz and 3ms Overdrive response time will put a stop to screen tearing that results in a happy gaming experience.

What offers a gamer a competitive edge is DTS:X Ultra technology that lends a helping hand to gamers to locate the position of the enemy in the Counter-Strike thanks to the real-world special sound. With Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, you can plug the peripherals with no exception as there is no shortage of ports.

With Alexa Show Mode, you can get access to your favorite music, get the latest updates, and above all, you can control your smart home right from your smartphone from a mile away.

The Best Laptop for Gaming and Programming: Alienware m15 Gaming Laptop

Screen Size: 15.6-Inch/17.3-Inch | Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels | Operating System: Windows 10 Home | RAM: 16GB/32GB DDR4 RAM | Processor: 10th Generation Intel Octa-Core i7-10870H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060/3070/3080 | Hard Drive: 512GB/1TB PCIe NVMe SSD | Weight: 5.50 Pounds

When you are on a witch hunt for a gaming laptop under $2000 then it’s highly likely that a lion’s share of gaming enthusiasts will recommend you to buy an Alienware m15 Gaming Laptop. When you take a close look at its spaces and gaming performance, you will discover why this is one of the top rated gaming laptops under $2000.

What promotes blazing-fast, uninterrupted gaming is a 15.6″ Full HD IPS-Type Display with 1920×1080 resolution that makes the pricing and features meet. Thanks to the 100% sRGB color gamut, 300Hz refresh rate, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 300-nit brightness, and 3ms response time the system translates to lesser input lag, turns the instances of image distortion to zero, and brings more vivid and life-like colors so that you won’t experience screen tearing in your lifetime.

What makes this apart from the competitors is that it comes with an IPS NanoEdge display. One of the advantages of IPS is IPS teems with Wide Viewing Angle that cancels the distorted view at any viewing angle including the extreme position and thereby ensures vivid and consistent colors.

This gaming laptop is armed with a preinstalled Windows 10 Home operating system and a first-rate 10th Generation Intel Octa-Core i7-10870H processor that is top-notch when you play CPU-intensive games. The spaces will allow a user for an enjoyable gaming experience without a hitch. This is one of the most powerful CPUs on grounds of its eight-core design and a clock speed of 5.0GHz. Plus this multi-thread laptop’s CPU cache stands at 16MB which allows the processor to perform better.

Above all, the laptop leverages the Intel Max Turbo technology which is an energy-efficient solution that lets the CPU run either at its base clock speed when you are doing light works such as internet surfing, editing a spreadsheet, etc., or upsurge to a higher clock speed while you are playing CPU-intensive games.

Coming to the memory, it comes with 16GB 2933MHz DDR4 RAM that results in turbo speeds, substantial bandwidth, lesser power consumption, and enhanced thermal pursuit during intensive gaming.

This gaming laptop is backed with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series GDDR6 Graphics. This will allow you to play a majority of the graphic-intensive games namely AAA Games, Disco Elysium, etc., and perform various multitasking activities at the same time with ease. As the dedicated graphic leverages the real-time ray tracing technology that throws light on the different objects while gaming thereby helping you to predict what you are watching alike the real world.

This laptop is assembled with a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD that delivers faster loading times for high-end games, applications, etc. The SSDs consume lesser energy to run a game and thereby put a stop to generating excessive heat while intense gaming.

Alienware m15 gaming laptop has employed the Advanced Alienware Cryo-Tech cooling system. Unlike the majority gaming laptops that feature a dual-fan cooling system, the advanced cryo-tech cooling system promotes a vapor chamber cooling technology that evaporates heat to cool the CPU and GPU where there are 4 fans with 25% more fan blades that elevate the circulation of heated air to a degree thanks to the fan blades that are not only fire-resistant but also made up of Kevlar-like liquid-crystal polymer minimizing the friction that in turn strengthens the performance and boosts the lifespan of the gaming laptop.

Coming to connectivity, the Alienware m15 Gaming Laptop features a Wi-Fi 6 that touts the data transfer rates of up to an incredible 9.6 Gbps. With Wi-Fi 6, the data transfer rates are up to 40% higher when compared to its previous version i.e. Wi-Fi 5.

With a thickness of 0.78-inches, the manufacturer is successful in keeping the weight as low as possible as the Alienware m15 Gaming Laptop features premium magnesium alloy materials that result in a stunning and premium look. Furthermore, the surface coating will put a stop to fingerprint smearing and other typical stains without losing its pristine look.

The Best Laptop for Gaming and Animation: Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop

Screen Size: 15.6-Inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Pixels | Operating System: Windows 10 Home | RAM: 16 GB DDR4 | Processor: 11th Generation Intel Octa-Core i7-11800H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 3060/3070/3080 | Hard Drive: 1TB PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive | Weight: 4.40 Pounds

When you are conducting a fishing expedition for the best 15-inch gaming laptop that will run demanding 3D or 2D animation software from AutoDesk Maya to Blender, 3DS Max, Cinema 4D, and counting without compromising the performance, then it’s difficult to resist buying a Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop. Be it running the heaviest AAA titles or running anime software, this gaming laptop delivers a robust performance that is beyond anyone’s expectations as it’s driven by the 11th Generation Intel Octa-Core i7-11800H processor, and the clock speed of the i7 processor gets elevated to 5.1GHz on the wings of the Intel Turbo Boost Technology.

No matter how memory-intensive game you want to install and play or what animation software you install, making use of a 16GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM will not only suffice uninterrupted gameplay but also promote multitasking.

With NVIDIA GTX GeForce 30-series dedicated GPU, this gaming laptop won’t take a bite out of rendering capabilities and an animator can come out with flying colors when he is engaged in designing a Christmas tree with umpteen shadows, objects, and lights reflected in all quarters in the minimum time possible.

What will uplift the performance of this gaming laptop to a degree from maximizing the file transfer speed to an overall quicker computing experience is 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD. Plus, an anime professional can save tons of graphic design or animation files without any issues thanks to its whopping 1TB PCIe NVMe SSDs.

What technology dissipates heat from the system due to the intensive workflow i.e. gaming or programming or similar activities is vapor chamber cooling. Unlike the heat pipe cooling system, the vapor chamber cooling system, there’s a chamber that is filled with space for the internal vapor that dissipates heat through the evaporation and condensation of an internal fluid from a CPU. As the Vapor Chamber cooling system uses its entire body to cool the CPU, this system outperforms the heat pipe system by a maximum of 30%.

On the display note, the laptop features a 15-inch IPS display with a 360Hz refresh rate which ensures that you encounter vivid lifelike colors, and quick response time while competitive gaming, or when you carry out creative animation tasks that demand 4K clarity. A monitor with a 360Hz refresh rate fuels the transition between images in the blink of an eye, which in turn allows a user to react faster when you’re playing multiplayer competitive games including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, Valheim, and Valorant.

Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop features a secured login with Windows Hello where a user can get instant access to this gaming laptop and quickly unlock this laptop using facial recognition, fingerprint. In a nutshell, once you have entered your biometrics then there’s no need to enter the long complex pin to log in, your fingerprint will do the job.

With Wi-Fi 6 protocol with Thunderbolt 4 support, this gaming laptop comes with a wide array of ports including a USB Type-A port, USB Type-C port, microSD card slot, etc. ensuring that a user won’t carry out adapters when a user is on the go.

With a thickness of 0.62-inches, this CNC aluminum crafted laptop is lightweight, rust-proof, and heat-resistant that offers a sound performance at ejecting the heat from the system when you’re running multiple programs at once. It results that there is no troubleshooting errors while playing CPU-intensive latest titles.

At the time of this writing, though the system runs on the Windows 10 Home operating system, the manufacturer promises that they won’t charge a penny for upgrading the system to Windows 11 when available.

The Best Budget Laptop for Gaming and Video Editing: Dell XPS 15

Screen Size: 15.6-Inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1200 Pixels | Operating System: Windows 10 Home | RAM: 16GB 2933MHz DDR4 RAM | Processor: 10th Generation Intel Hexa-Core i7-10750H | Graphics: NvidiaGeforce GTX 1650Ti | Hard Drive: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Weight: 4 Pounds

No matter whether you’re a newbie who wants to try luck in the video editing space or a professional video editor who will earn bread and butter, then a portable laptop with powerful specifications is a viable option. What will elevate the processing power when a user runs the demanding video editing programs, and software namely Adobe Premiere, CyberLink Power Director 365, Final Cut Pro is the 10th Generation Intel Hexa-Core i7-10750H Processor.

Along with a fast processor, Dell XPS 15 houses dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Ti graphics which will make not only the gaming enthusiast’s but also a video editor’s day as it’s up to 70% faster when compared to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics. This feature makes this laptop an omnipotent one that can tackle video editing jobs with no exception you throw at it.

To keep the system cool during intensive video editing or rigorous gaming sessions, the manufacturer intelligently houses dual fans that will dissipate heat via dual heat pipes so that you won’t experience that the system is shut down in your lifetime.

It’s as clear as the sky is blue that the higher the number of applications you are running, the higher RAM a laptop requires to run the programs and switch between them accordingly without any struggle. When you are editing 4K videos and expect a happy video editing experience with minimum effects, then 16GB is a sweet spot for a significant video editor population. The good news is that the system boasts 16 GB DDR4 memory that will lend a helping hand to render large files without a hitch.

All of your rendering efforts will end in smoke if the system fails to minimize the boot time and takes more than a minute to launch the video editing software. With 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, the system launches the CPU-intensive video editing apps in the blink of an eye so that you can render the videos with 4k clarity, and save the files on the double.

It’s an open secret that when you buy a laptop with 15-inch screen size and higher, then it’s highly likely that a user witnesses lifelike images with incredible detail. No matter what screen size you have opted for between 15.6-inch and 17-inch, the Dell XPS 15 is equipped with a 4-sided InfinityEdge display of 3840 x 2400 pixels resolution with 500-nits of brightness, 100% Adobe RGB, 94% DCI-P3 color gamut, VESA DisplayHDR 400, and Dolby Vision. All these features collectively lend a helping hand to a video editor who edits videos day in day out with stunning details and color performance.

The Dell XPS 15 comes with an anti-glare monitor which is an extra layer of coating that will reflect light when direct and ambient light hits the screen when you’re playing Fortnite, PUBG, Overwatch, etc. Dell’s exclusive Integrated Eyesafe display technology lowers the emissions of harmful blue light to a degree that will keep eye fatigue at bay when a video editor is engaged in editing photos or videos throughout the day.

To keep the laptop lightweight without compromising the durability and promote a premium look the manufacturer includes machine Aluminum. As the carbon fiber has high chemical resistance, high strength, and high stiffness, this item is deemed fit for making laptop components where users are likely to place a finger or skin.

The Best Thin and Portable Gaming Laptop: MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop

Screen Size: 15.6-Inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Operating System: Windows 10 Home | RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM | Processor: 11th Generation Intel Quad-Core i7-11375H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | Hard Drive: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Weight: 3.73 Pounds

When you are looking for the best entry level gaming laptop that is thin and lightweight, and available at an affordable price, then the MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop is probably the best option.

It is equipped with a brushed aluminum front cover that offers a premium look and when you apply a microfiber cloth on the screen, keyboards, you won’t find any traces of dust, smudges, or fingerprints. Plus, despite the 15.6″ screen, it’s lightweight that allows you to carry the laptop to your office for business presentations or to the school where you can enjoy immersive gaming during class break. An RGB Backlit Keyboard throws light on the keys that assists a gamer to continue the game in low-light environments. On top of that, you can customize the color of the keyboard which is in line with your personalized gaming style from Dragon Centre.

MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop’s diagonal settles at 15.6″ with 1920 x 1080 resolution and the screen ratio stands at 16:9. MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop comes with a pre-installed Windows 10 Home operating system. Plus, the enhanced screen-to-body ratio of this laptop allows you to get immersed in your gaming world.

The laptop is armed with an 11th Generation Intel Quad-Core i7-11375H processor with a base clock speed which varies between 3.3GHz and 5.3GHz that allows a player to play CPU-intensive games namely Rainbow Six Siege and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. MSI Stealth 15M promotes the 3200MHz 16GB DDR4 RAM which is a sweet spot for a majority of the games since 16GB RAM uplifts the performance of the gaming laptop all square and lets a gamer play high-end games where a gamer won’t witness any lagging issues.

The Storage plays a vital role in overall performance from opening the applications to switching between tasks, opening files, etc. This gaming laptop teems with 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD of which the sequential read speeds and sequential write speeds stand at 1700MB/s and 1100MB/s that skyrocket the loading speed of games and applications to a degree.

No matter how graphic intensive game you want to play be it Shadow of the Tomb Raider, or AAA games, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 lets a gamer enjoy a sound gaming experience. Plus, this laptop will allow you to play multi-player games without any lagging issues.

What makes this laptop worth buying is that it features MSI’s exclusive Cooler Boost Technology where the laptop houses 2 state-of-the-art fans with blades of 0.1mm thickness and 6 heat pipes that uplift the airflow during intensive gaming and reduce the internal temperature to a degree so that you won’t experience troubleshooting errors.

With Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5, the manufacturer offers an ample number of connectivity options so that you can connect all of your devices hassle-free. The versatile connectivity option counts a USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support where the data transfer speed stands at up to 40Gbps, USB Type-A port, HDMI port, microSD card reader, and an audio jack.

The Best Budget Laptop for Gaming and Streaming: Acer Nitro 5

Screen Size: 15.6-Inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Operating System: Windows 10 Home | RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM | Processor: 9th Generation Intel Hexa-Core i7-9750H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 | Hard Drive: 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Weight: 4.85 Pounds

It’s no secret that if you’re on a fishing expedition for a laptop that allows a user to not only play CPU/GPU-intensive games but also live-streaming the gameplay in Twitch then the laptop requires a lot of processing power that will turn the instances of lag, freeze, shuttering videos, and other interruptions to zero. No matter whether you are watching Call My Agent! on Netflix, or playing high-end games namely Hitman 2, Acer Nitro 5‘s 15.6″ screen with a 1920 x 1080 display allows you to spot every wrinkle and pore on the face of Mathias Barneville and shows agent 47’s transition when he is in the wild or street.

The Acer Nitro 5 is armed with the 9th Generation Intel Hexa-Core i7-9750H Processor with a base clock speed of 2.6GHz which elevates up to 4.5GHZ that processes the commands in the blink of an eye that enables a user to prepare a business presentation, play games, or watch the best web series either on Amazon or Netflix and counting. What makes this laptop worth buying is that it has employed the 9th generation Intel Hexa-Core i7-9750 instead of the i7-8750H processor which makes this gaming laptop insanely faster.

When you expect a responsive system where you can edit the Microsoft PowerPoint and browse the internet simultaneously and switch between the tasks without a hitch then this laptop will live up to your expectations. With 16GB DDR4 2666MHz memory, this laptop promotes multitasking. That means while gaming if you have got a mail then you can check the mail, and once done, get immersed into your own gaming world without any issue.

When you are hunting high and low for a laptop either for photo editing or gaming purposes, then this laptop is a lifesaver since it comes with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Graphics with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM that lends a helping hand to the animation professionals and gaming enthusiasts.

Acer Nitro 5 is backed with a 256GB NVMe SSD that processes the commands in no time allowing you a happy gaming session. The manufacturer intelligently leaves one slot without content so that a user can upgrade the system at the need of the hour. 

The laptop features Acer CoolBoost Technology where the dual fans go to bat for cooling of CPU/GPU by increasing the fan speed during heavy use.

Irrespective of whether you bring a 15.6-inch laptop or 17.3-inch screen to your working desk, Acer Nitro 5 features an LED-backlit IPS display with 144Hz Refresh Rate, 16:9 aspect ratio, 3ms Overdrive Response Time, 300nit Brightness, 72% NTSC that results in detailed and vibrant color performance so that a user won’t witness screen tearing no matter whatever wide viewing angle is.

An added bonus, the Acer Nitro Gaming laptop comes with a bright red backlit keyboard that contains a light underneath to illuminate the keys allowing you to play the games in a low light environment or when there’s a power outage.

When you take a look at the standby time, Acer Nitro 5 has outlasted the majority of the gaming laptop under this budget and allows you to enjoy an uninterrupted gaming experience of 7+ hours.

The Best Gaming Laptop for Students: Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop

Screen Size: 15-Inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Operating System: Windows 10 | RAM: 8GB DDR4 RAM | Processor: 9th Generation Intel Core i5-9300H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 | Hard Drive: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD | Weight: 4.84 Pounds

Lenovo brought the best laptops across multiple categories into being, and the Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop is no exception. When you are looking for the best laptops for school and gaming that deliver seamless performance without breaking the bank, then the Lenovo Ideapad Gaming laptop suits your needs. Although this gaming laptop is the best cheap gaming laptop, this doesn’t mean that this gaming laptop won’t offer robust performance.

This Lenovo laptop has a 15-inch display with a 1920 x 1080 stunning Full HD display that runs on the Windows 10 operating system. Plus, the IPS display delivers a robust color performance that allows you to watch the movies no matter what the viewing angles are.

The Lenovo L340 comes with the 9th Generation Intel Core i5-9300H Processor that assists in seamless performance in the first place to outshoot, outrun, and outsmart anyone. It’s no wonder that Intel’s i5 processor lets you play most trending games at large.

A 8GB DDR4 RAM improves the system’s responsiveness, runs the games and other applications simultaneously at full tilt, and lets you allow to perform various multitasking works at the same time without a hitch. Plus, its 8GB DDR4 RAM lowers the power consumption by 40%. And it’s highly likely that it will prolong the battery life and in turn, will allow you to play games for a longer duration.

To accelerate the boot time, shutdown time, and response time of games and applications, this laptop includes a 512GB NVMe SSD that is 4 times faster than traditional HDDs. Since the SSDs handle heavy workloads during intensive gameplay, this laptop suits best for the gamers who are looking for an affordable gaming laptop without compromising the performance.

Coming to the graphics, Lenovo L340 powered by NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 will let you play Fortnite, PUBG, etc. without experiencing any slowdown or heating issues during gameplay. Plus, the Lenovo IdeaPad L340 enables a user to switch between the ‘Quick’ mode for gaming and ‘Quite’ mode while preparing a business presentation or spreadsheet accordingly. No matter what memory extensive game you want to play or swap heads in a video, set either ‘Quick’ or ‘Quite’ mode and go on.

What makes this Lenovo different from the majority of the gaming laptops is Lenovo Vantage Eye Care Mode. This feature allows you to adjust the blue light emission and alter the display’s color profile accordingly to counter the eye strain and fatigue.

Be it a student or an office goer, as they carry the books, notepads, and other accessories in their backpack, this laptop features a sleek design that’s a lifesaver as it is fitted in a designated padded compartment. With a weight of 4.84 pounds only, this laptop is not on the heavier side. It is easily carried no matter what number of books or other accessories you have placed in the middle compartment.

Final Thoughts

When you want to buy a gaming laptop, perform upside-down research and narrow down what features you want in a gaming laptop that suits your budget.

Besides the gaming laptop, here are the few gaming peripherals you should buy to heighten the gaming experience in seventh heaven.

Wireless Gaming Mouse – When you are looking for a wireless and lightweight gaming mouse then SteelSeries Rival 110 will cease your pursuit. This gaming mouse will fit all grip styles and stay on course for 30 million left/right-click.

Gaming Mouse Pad – Gaming mouse pads allow you to move the mouse here and there consistently and stop when you want, since the mouse pad has a soft and smooth surface. SteelSeriesQcK Gaming Surface comes with a non-slip rubber base that puts a stop to unwanted mouse movement and offers a low-friction surface that is perfectly optimized for gameplay.

Gaming Keyboard – No matter what games you want to play, you should bring a gaming keyboard since the gaming keyboard comes with backlights that allow you to play a game even in the darkroom. The Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard features durable metal construction with a dustproof compact ergonomic keyboard with 19 different lighting effects. Plus, the ultra-durable keys support up to 50 million clicks.

Laptop cooling pad – Have you experienced heating issues while playing CPU/GPU-intensive games namely Rise of the Tomb Raider? If yes, then a laptop cooling pad is a lifesaver. It will lower the temperature and you will witness an improvement in GPU and CPU performance. No matter what is the size of your gaming laptop, be it a 15-inch or 17-inch, HAVIT Laptop Cooling Pad will cool your gaming laptop as it is armed with 5 fans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth getting a gaming laptop?

When you can break the bank to buy a laptop that allows you to fix up office works or prepare a business presentation along with playing the memory extensive games namely Shadow of the Tomb Raider, or Hitman2 while traveling from Salt Lake City to Oklahoma City, then you are free to buy a gaming laptop without any hesitation.

Why are gaming laptops so expensive?

Here are the 3 reasons that make a gaming laptop expensive:

#1. Though the gaming laptops promote a thin and compact design, a gaming laptop houses the different components that let a user play the games without any heating or lagging issues. What demands a tidy sum is a compact design without compromising the functionality.

#2. As the engineers are working day in day out behind the curtain designing, the laptop that accommodates different components in a limited space to enhance the gaming experience doesn’t come cheap.

#3. As gaming enthusiasts or gaming professionals play CPU/GPU-intensive games, it’s highly likely the system consumes more power, which results in excessive heat production. To offer effective thermal cooling solutions so that the system does not shut down when you get immersed into your own gaming world, the manufacturer comes with an advanced thermal cooling system. The cost of the cooling system doesn’t come free which fuels the price of the gaming laptop.

Is 13-inch laptop too small for gaming?

It solely depends on the user. The 13-inch laptop is lightweight and has identical processing power and resolution as compared to the 15.6-inch laptop, but a significant gaming population prefers a larger screen to play the latest games.

Is 15.6-inch laptop good for gaming?

Undoubtedly yes. Besides gaming, a laptop with a 15.6-inch screen is a sweet spot for a programmer who remains engaged in complex coding or a video editor who edits videos day in day out.

Is Intel i7 good for gaming?

A system that accommodates a multi-core, multi-threaded i7 processor, spacious memory, fast and reliable SSD storage, and a dedicated GPU will result in a happy gaming experience.

What refresh rate is good for gaming?

The higher the refresh rate is, the lower the chances of experiencing screen tearing will be. For immersive gameplay don’t finish buying a laptop anything lower than a laptop that features 144Hz refresh rate.

Are gaming laptops good for everyday use?

Yes, the gaming laptop potentially does anything you throw at it from video editing to software development, animation, and counting.

Can you use a gaming laptop for work?

Be it preparing an office presentation, or school assignments, gaming laptops are the best bet thanks to their powerful components.

Do gaming laptops long last?

Yes, you can play the latest titles for the next 5 years when you update the system as and when there is an update request on the display screen.

How long do gaming laptops last?

That totally depends on the usage type, what components a laptop is equipped with, how you care about the gaming laptop. Typically you won’t finish buying a gaming laptop within 5 years.

Do gaming laptops last longer than normal laptops?

Yes. When you buy a gaming laptop with robust components then you can enjoy a happy gaming session for a prolonged period of time.

What is the best and cheapest gaming laptop?

When you aren’t able to pay a tidy sum, then the Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop will give you a breath of fresh air. This laptop allows you to play trending games namely Fortnite, PUBG, etc. without any heating issues, as this gaming laptop comes with best thermals.

What is the best gaming laptop with RGB keyboard?

ASUS TUF is one of the best gaming laptops that come with an RGB Keyboard that not only illuminates the keys that allow you to continue gaming in the dark environment but also stays on course for 20 Million key presses.

Hope this article has helped you to find the best and most affordable gaming laptops at various price points along with different specs to choose between.

Have I missed the best gaming laptops that are affordable? Make a comment so that I can add the best low price gaming laptop that I have missed.

When this post helps you to find the gaming laptop with best cooling, do share it with your friends so that they can find the best gaming laptop that doesn’t overheat and create a team of mercenary Vikings in Assassins Creed.

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