Below is a list of some of the best gaming laptops on the market for the summer 2014 season. All of the computers mentioned can be purchased under $500 (US), but do keep in mind that any upgrades or enhancements that you may want at the point of sale could potentially drive up the total price.
All of the laptops included were rated and selected based on the following criteria:
- Total sale price
- Base hardware power and performance
- Professional review comparisons
- Current industry standards and benchmarks
Although it may be a situation where you’re not going to be able to play certain video games at the same capacity of rigs priced in the $1,000+ range, you’ll definitely get the most bang for your buck without bottoming out your wallet in the process. But regardless of where you fall on the gaming spectrum, whether you’re a hardcore game enthusiast or just someone who likes to blow off a little steam with an FPS or two, the laptops featured here are sure of fulfill all your base needs and then some.
Gaming Laptops Under $500
Acer Aspire V5-552-X814
The Acer Aspire V5-552-X814 is a much newer version of the Aspire V5-552-840, a fairly uncommon and unknown model with some very powerful specifications and a lightweight and super portable hardware build.
It possesses a quad-core AMD processor and a Radeon HD 8650G video card configuration that’s capable of notable frame rates that are comparable to laptops that cost double the price.
Ultimately, the V5-552-X814 is something of a diamond in the rough when it comes to affordable gaming laptops of this caliber. Currently it can be found on sale at Amazon.com for $489 with a potential discount of $110 if you act quickly.
Main specifications include, but are not limited to:
– AMD A-Series Quad Core A10-5757M 2.5 GHz (4 MB Cache)
– 6 GB DDR3
– 750 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
– 15.6-Inch Screen, AMD Radeon HD 8650G
– Windows 8, 4.5-hour battery life
HP Pavilion 17-e040us
The HP Pavilion 17-e040us comes with a 17-inch, high-definition display, and a plethora of performance options, robust audio quality and an eye-catching design.
The 4600 Intel Graphics racks up rather well against most leading graphics cards from big-name brands like Nvidia and Radeon.
According to industry standards, graphics for the HP are pretty comparable to the Radeon HD 8550G found in several of the laptops found in this list.
For the more serious gamer who would prefer a larger display, and Intel-level graphics, this laptop could very well be the perfect fit for you. Depending on where you shop, this HP laptop can be found for a low as $500.
Main specifications include, but are not limited to:
– 2.4GHz 4th generation Intel Core i3-4000M Processor, 3MB L3 Cache, Windows 8 (64-bit)
– Full-size keyboard with numeric keypad and DTS Sound+
– 17-inch diagonal HD+ BrightView LED-backlit display (1600 x 900) and Intel HD graphics 4600
– 750GB 5400RPM hard drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection, SuperMulti DVD burner
– Front facing HP TrueVision HD Webcam with integrated dual array digital microphone, HDMI, 2 USB 3.0, 6-cell 47WHr 2.2 Ah lithium-ion battery
Toshiba L75D-A7283
The L75D-A7283 is one of the newer offerings from the Toshiba brand. It offers a sufficient, 17-inch display that will not cost you an arm and a leg.
Equipped with a quad-core A4 CPU, 6GB of RAM and an AMD Radeon HD 8330 graphics card, the L75D-A7283 has an impressive arsenal of hardware that will allow to hang with even the most adamant gamer. This laptop is also lauded for its speedy performance; adequate battery life, large storage capacity, and DVD drive. All of this for just over $400.
Though some users may prefer a better performing chip over the 8330, the L75D-A7283 is an exceptional machine considering its display dimensions.
Main specifications include, but are not limited to:
– AMD Quad Core A4-5000M Accelerated Processor, AMD Radeon™ HD 8330 Graphics, Windows 8
– 17.3″ widescreen HD+ TruBrite LED Backlit display, 1600×900, 16:9 aspect ratio
– Supports 720p content. DTS Sound™, Headphone jack (stereo), Microphone jack (mono).
– Built-in stereo speakers
– 6GB DDR3 1333MHz memory, Memory Card Reader
– 750GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial ATA), DVD-SuperMulti drive (+/-R double layer)
– HD Webcam and Microphone, 1-USB (2.0) port with Sleep and Charge, 2-USB (3.0) ports: HDMI output port, RGB port
Lenovo G505s 59373006
The Lenovo G505s 59373006 is a very popular laptop with a sizable quad-core A8-5550M 3.1 GHz Processor, 6GB of RAM, and a Radeon 8550G graphics chip. This guarantees you the power of a higher-end machine at an economical price.
Additional specifications include high-quality construction and sturdy keyboard configuration; both traits typical of Lenovo system.
If you are looking for a fast and powerful machine that doesn’t break the bank, the G505s 59373006 is a superb choice. It is currently on sale for about $440 at certain online retail stores.
Main specifications include, but are not limited to:
– AMD A8-5550M 2.1 GHz Processor (4 MB Cache)
– ATI Radeon HD 8550G
– 4 GB DDR3 RAM
– 500 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
– 15.6-Inch Screen,
– Windows 8
– 5-hour battery life
ASUS K55N-DS81
The ASUS K55N-DS81 is a modest yet powerful option boasting a fairly considerable ATI HD 7640G graphics chip, and beastly quad-core AMD CPU.
Many of its rave reviews from critics were a combination of sharp design cues, nods to the laptop’s overall portability, an above-average battery life, and workhorse performance.
Designed and marketed specifically as a “gaming” machine, the ASUS K55N-DS81 comes standard with a one-year product warranty. This comes in handy particularly for the those of us who have ever rage quit a game or two.
– AMD A8-4500M Processor (1.9GHz)
– 4 GB DDR3 RAM
– 500 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
– 15.6-Inch Screen
– ATI HD 7640G
– Windows 8
HP Pavilion G6-2235us
The G6-2235us is a fairly popular machine from HP that has a great deal of gaming potential.
The Radeon HD 7520G and a dual-core AMD CPU should handle most popular and high-performance video games for sale.
And for under $500, the HP Pavilion G6-2235us is the perfect laptop for any gamer who likes to have fun, but not take themselves too seriously.
– Next Gen. AMD A6-4400M Accelerated 2.7GHz up to 3.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache Processor
– AMD Radeon HD 7520G Discrete-Class graphics
– 4GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory, Expandable to 8GB
– 750GB 5400RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
– 15.6-inch diagonal HD BrightView LED-backlit display (1366×768)
– Windows 8
Toshiba Satellite C875D-S7330
The Satellite C875D-S7330 is a typical budget gaming laptop from Toshiba.
Equipped with a AMD Radeon HD 7420G and a dual core AMD chip, most reviewers fawned over the Toshiba Satellite C875D-S7330’s overall performance and reliability.
And more often than not, most of the game performance complaints were because of operating system compatibility issues. Make sure which ever game/laptop combinations you use are compatible with one another.
– AMD A-Series Dual-Core A4-4300M 2.50 GHz
– AMD Radeon HD 7420G
– 4 GB SDRAM
– 500 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
– 17.3-Inch Screen
– Windows 8
