Laptop computers have indeed become cheaper than they ever were, thanks to rapidly advancing technology that has led to the emergence of tablet devices and smartphones. In the recent past, desktop PCs have got cheaper, and are now on their way to become obsolete. Laptops have all but taken their place, even for intensive tasks like gaming and video processing.
Along with these developments, gaming technology has also evolved in a big way. Graphics cards, which were considered a luxury only some could afford, have now become a basic necessity for any gamer. And manufacturers too are serving what their customers want. Better and faster gaming cards are being integrated into laptops. For the complete gaming experience, one also needs more RAM and cache memory. The processor version decides the computing speed of your laptop. These factors make gaming-centric laptops slightly more expensive than others. Without these, gamers are all at sea trying to run their favorite games. But if you can’t spend a dime or two more than $500, you will have to compromise on a few features required to make your laptop the ultimate gaming laptop.
What to compromise on and what features to emphasize on is the crucial question. After all, even after paying for high-speed Internet, you do not want to be stuck in a situation where you are playing Counter-Strike online and keep pressing the fire button while some other player shoots you in the head and walks away with a swag. In this Techspirited article, we take a look at some of the best laptops in the market under $500 that promise a rocking gaming experience.
Best Gaming Laptops Under $500
If you want to opt for a gaming laptop, be ready to give Intel a skip. Laptops that feature a high-performance Intel engine but cost less than $500 are very rare. AMD processors are almost equally powerful as Intel processors but are relatively inexpensive. While a 6 core, 3.3 GHz Intel processor can set you back by a thousand odd bucks, 8 core AMD processors varying from 3.0 GHz to 4.0 GHz range between $150 to $200. Hence, most heavy-load centric budget laptops carry AMD processors and/or graphic cards.
TOSHIBA Satellite
C875D-S7330
$462.99
Specifications
17.3″ screen, 3.0GHz AMD A-Series Dual-Core A4-4300M, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, 500 GB HDD, DVD-RW DL, AMD Radeon HD 7420G, Windows 8, 12-hour battery life
SAMSUNG Series 3
NP365E5C-S01US
$449.99
Specifications
15.6″ screen, 1.9GHz AMD A8 4500M Processor, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, 500 GB HDD, DVD-RW DL, AMD Radeon HD 7640G, Windows 8 OS, 6-hour battery life
HP Envy
DV6-7210US
$499.99
Specifications
15.6″ screen, 1.9GHz AMD A-Series Quad-Core A8-4500M Processor, 6 GB DDR3 RAM, 750 GB HDD, DVD-RW DL, AMD Radeon HD 7640G, Windows 8, 5.25-hour battery life
TOSHIBA Satellite
C855D-S5320
$439.99
Specifications
15.6″ screen, 1.7GHz AMD E-Series Dual-Core E2-1800 Processor, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, 500 GB HDD, DVD-RW DL, AMD Radeon HD 7340G, Windows 8, 4-hour battery life
ASUS
A53U-ES21
$459.99
Specifications
15.6″ screen, 1.65GHz AMD E Series Dual Core E 450 Processor, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, 320 GB HDD, DVD-RW DL, AMD Radeon HD 6320, Windows 7 Home Premium, 4-hour battery life
ACER Aspire
V3-551-8469
$419.99
Specifications
15.6″ screen, 1.9GHz AMD A-Series Quad-Core A8-4500M, 4 GB SDRAM, 500 GB HDD, DVD-RW DL, AMD Radeon HD 7640G, Windows 8, 5-hour battery life
GATEWAY
NV55S04u
$499.99
Specifications
15.6″ screen, 1.4GHz AMD A-Series A6-3400M Processor, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, 500 GB HDD, DVD-RW, AMD Radeon HD 6520G, Windows 7 Home Premium, 4-hour battery life
ASUS
K55N-DS81
$379.00
Specifications
15.6″ screen, 1.9GHz AMD A-Series A8 4500M Processor, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, 500 GB HDD, DVD-RW DL, AMD Radeon HD 7640G, Windows 8, 5.5-hour battery life
LENOVO
IdeaPad S400
$425.99
Specifications
14″ screen, 1.65GHz AMD E Series Processor, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, 500 GB HDD, DVD-RW, AMD Radeon HD 6310, Windows 7 Home Premium, 5.15-hour battery life
SONY VAIO
EL2 Series VPCEL24FX/B
$479.00
Specifications
15.5″ screen, 1.9GHz AMD A-Series A8 4500M Processor, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, 500 GB HDD, DVD-RW DL, AMD Radeon HD 7640G, Windows 8, 5.5-hour battery life
In addition to the aforementioned options, refurbished laptops make an interesting case. Refurbished laptops are extremely affordable but may not always ensure top-of-the-line output. A used engine will always perform a notch lower than a shiny new one! Yes, sellers ensure that they inspect the laptop thoroughly, and deliver to you a competent, although used, product. Your affirmation or negation of opting for a refurbished laptop really depends on your computing needs, and gaming isn’t exactly a task that can be executed properly on refurbished machines. However, if you have a tight budget, keep looking with patience and you may hit gold unknowingly. Be on the lookout for stores that sell refurbished laptops.
Dell and Lenovo give you a lot of refurbished products; you can even assemble one of your own by putting together refurbished components from the Dell Store or Lenovo Outlet. Refurbished laptops can be assembled according to your choice and budget. It can save you at least a 100 odd bucks.
Gaming laptops need to be bundled with a host of high-end and expensive features. Laptops that can balance the inexpensive with the high-end to deliver a brisk experience for gamers are few. But they cater to the needs of their patrons perfectly – with fewer compromises, high performance, and within a strict budget.
