We all know that gaming laptops are great for gamers on the go, and we all know they can be pricey, especially when paying with CAD. However, for those who don’t want to break the bank but still want to enjoy their favourite games, there are budget-friendly options available. These laptops may not have all the bells and whistles of their more expensive counterparts, but they can still provide decent performance and a satisfying gaming experience.
So, whether you’re punishing the free wifi at McDonald’s or paying with CAD in an online casino, you don’t have to settle for a low-quality or outdated laptop. We’ll look at various low-cost gaming laptops as well as what to look for in a gaming laptop. Just make sure to do your homework and get a gaming laptop that fits your requirements and budget.
Dell G5 15 SE (2020):
This laptop features a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor and an AMD Radeon RX 5600M GPU, which can handle most games at high settings. It also has a 15.6-inch FHD display with a fast 144Hz refresh rate, a comfortable keyboard with RGB lighting, and decent battery life. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as a dim screen, loud fans, and a bulky design.
HP Gaming Pavilion 15-dk0046nr:
This laptop offers solid performance with an Intel Core i7-9750H processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU. It also has a sleek design, a bright 15.6-inch FHD display with micro-edge bezels, and good speakers. However, it also suffers from some issues, such as poor webcam quality, shallow keyboard travel, and short battery life.
Acer Nitro 5:
This laptop is one of the most affordable gaming laptops on the market, with an Intel Core i5-9300H processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU. It also has a durable chassis, a spacious 15.6-inch FHD display, and plenty of ports. However, it also has some flaws, such as a dull screen, a mediocre touchpad, and loud fan noise.
Asus TUF Dash 15:
This laptop is one of the lightest and thinnest gaming laptops available, weighing only 4.4 pounds and measuring only 0.8 inches thick. It also features an Intel Core i7-11370H processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, which can run most games smoothly. It also has a long battery life, a crisp 15.6-inch FHD display with adaptive sync technology, and military-grade durability. However, it also has some downsides, such as limited storage space, no webcam, and no Thunderbolt port.
Dell G16 Gaming Laptop:
This laptop is another great option from Dell that offers a balanced performance with an Intel Core i5-11400H processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU. It also has a sleek design, a comfortable keyboard with optional RGB lighting, and good thermals. However, it also has some shortcomings, such as a dim screen, mediocre battery life, and no SD card slot.
What to look for when choosing a laptop:
The GPU:
The graphics card is the most important component for gaming performance, as it determines how well your laptop can run games at different settings and resolutions. You should look for a GPU that can handle your favourite games at high or medium settings without lagging or stuttering. Some of the popular GPU options for gaming laptops are Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 series, Nvidia GeForce GTX 16 series, and AMD Radeon RX 6000M series.
The display:
The screen quality and size also affect your gaming experience, as they determine how clear and immersive your games look. You should look for a display that has a high resolution (at least 1080p), a fast refresh rate (at least 120Hz), and good colour accuracy and brightness. You should also consider the screen size based on your portability and comfort preferences. Generally, gaming laptops come in three sizes: 17 inches (more powerful but less portable), 15 inches (balanced but heavier), and 14 inches or less (lighter but less powerful).
The cooling system:
Gaming laptops tend to generate a lot of heat when running intensive games, which can affect their performance and lifespan. You should look for a cooling system that can keep your laptop’s temperature and noise levels under control without throttling or overheating. You should also check the ventilation and fan placement of your laptop, as well as its chassis material and thickness.
The battery life:
Gaming laptops are not known for their long battery life, as they consume a lot of power when running games. However, you may still want to have some battery backup in case you need to use your laptop unplugged for other tasks or emergencies. You should look for battery life that can last at least four hours on normal usage and avoid gaming on battery mode unless necessary. You should also consider getting an external power bank or charger if you travel frequently.
The RAM and storage:
The memory and storage capacity of your laptop also affect its gaming performance, as they determine how fast your laptop can load and run games. You should look for at least 8GB of RAM, which is enough for most casual games, and preferably 16GB or more if you play more demanding games. You should also look for at least 256GB of SSD storage, which is faster and more reliable than HDD storage. You can also opt for hybrid storage, which combines both SSD and HDD, or get an external hard drive if you need more space.
Conclusion:
There are a lot of inexpensive gaming laptops that work well and are good value for casual gamers. We’ve picked out the top 5 budget gaming laptops that will meet your needs, whether you want a sleek design, good graphics, or a powerful processor. By researching and finding the right balance between price and performance, you can have the perfect gaming setup without breaking the bank. So, pick one of these options that won’t break the bank and start gaming right away.