Gaming laptops are usually expensive, as they require high-end hardware and features to run the latest games smoothly. However, if you are on a tight budget, you can still find some decent gaming laptops under $500 that can handle some casual or older games.
Of course, you cannot expect the same performance or quality as the more expensive gaming laptops, but you can still enjoy some gaming fun without breaking the bank. Here are five of the best cheap gaming laptops under $500 that you can consider:
1. Acer Aspire 5
The Acer Aspire 5 is a versatile laptop that can handle both work and play. It has a 15.6-inch Full HD display, an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD storage. It also has a backlit keyboard, a fingerprint reader, and a long battery life.
The Acer Aspire 5 can run some light games like Minecraft, Fortnite, or Sims 4 at low to medium settings. It also has a decent graphics card, the AMD Radeon Vega 3, which can support some older games like GTA V or Skyrim at low settings.
The Acer Aspire 5 costs $364.99 and is available on Amazon.
Pros:
- Full HD display and backlit keyboard
- Fingerprint reader and long battery life
- SSD storage and decent graphics card
Cons:
- Low RAM and storage capacity
- No optical drive or Ethernet port
- Not suitable for demanding games
2. Lenovo IdeaPad 3
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a compact and lightweight laptop that can fit in your backpack easily. It has a 14-inch HD display, an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. It also has a webcam privacy shutter, a numeric keypad, and a fast charging feature.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 can run some medium games like Overwatch, Rocket League, or Apex Legends at low to medium settings. It also has a good graphics card, the AMD Radeon Vega 8, which can support some newer games like Call of Duty: Warzone or Red Dead Redemption 2 at low settings.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 costs $449 and is available on Amazon.
Pros:
- HD display and webcam privacy shutter
- High RAM and storage capacity
- Good graphics card and fast charging feature
Cons:
- No backlit keyboard or fingerprint reader
- No optical drive or Ethernet port
- Not suitable for high-end games
3. HP Pavilion x360
The HP Pavilion x360 is a convertible laptop that can switch between laptop and tablet modes. It has a 14-inch HD touchscreen display, an Intel Core i3-1005G1 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD storage. It also has a stylus pen, a B&O audio system, and an HDMI port.
The HP Pavilion x360 can run some light games like Roblox, Among Us, or Fall Guys at low to medium settings. It also has an integrated graphics card, the Intel UHD Graphics, which can support some older games like CS:GO or League of Legends at low settings.
The HP Pavilion x360 costs $499.99 and is available on Amazon.
Pros:
- HD touchscreen display and stylus pen
- B&O audio system and HDMI port
- High RAM and convertible design
Cons:
- Low storage capacity and battery life
- No backlit keyboard or numeric keypad
- Not suitable for modern games
4. Dell Inspiron 15
The Dell Inspiron 15 is a durable and reliable laptop that can last for years. It has a 15.6-inch HD display, an Intel Core i3-1005G1 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 1TB of HDD storage. It also has a DVD drive, an SD card reader, and a USB Type-C port.
The Dell Inspiron 15 can run some light games like Stardew Valley, Terraria, or Undertale at low to medium settings. It also has an integrated graphics card, the Intel UHD Graphics, which can support some older games like Half-Life 2 or Portal at low settings.
The Dell Inspiron 15 costs $469 and is available on Amazon.
Pros:
- HD display and DVD drive
- High RAM and storage capacity
- SD card reader and USB Type-C port
Cons:
- No backlit keyboard or fingerprint reader
- No SSD storage or HDMI port
- Not suitable for advanced games
5. Asus VivoBook 15
The Asus VivoBook 15 is a stylish and colorful laptop that can brighten up your day. It has a 15.6-inch Full HD display, an AMD Ryzen 3 3250U processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD storage. It also has a backlit keyboard, a fingerprint reader, and a NanoEdge bezel.
The Asus VivoBook 15 can run some light games like Hearthstone, Dota 2, or World of Warcraft at low to medium settings. It also has an integrated graphics card, the AMD Radeon Graphics, which can support some older games like Borderlands 2 or Bioshock Infinite at low settings.
The Asus VivoBook 15 costs $399.99 and is available on Amazon.
Pros:
- Full HD display and backlit keyboard
- Fingerprint reader and NanoEdge bezel
- SSD storage and integrated graphics card
Cons:
- Low RAM and storage capacity
- No optical drive or Ethernet port
- Not suitable for realistic games
Conclusion
Gaming laptops under $500 are not the best choice for hardcore gamers who want to play the latest and greatest games at high settings. However, they can still offer some gaming fun for casual gamers who don’t mind playing older or lighter games at low settings. These five gaming laptops under $500 are some of the best options that you can find on the market today.
