The Top Budget Gaming Laptop Options | Price Versus Performance

The Top Budget Gaming Laptop Options

Looking for the best budget gaming laptop?

In this article, we’ll break down the top budget gaming laptop options available whilst comparing them for price versus performance.

1. Dell Inspiron 15 i5567:

Starting off at number 1 we have the Dell Inspiron 15 i5567.

The Dell Inspiron 15 i5567 is one of the most affordable gaming laptops available on the market, with brand-new units going for just a little over $700.

It runs on a 7th generation Intel Core i7-7500U that can go up to 3.5 GHz and comes with an 8GB DDR4 memory.

The memory is a step from the DDR3 found in its predecessor, the Dell Inspiron 15 i559,
which was a bit disappointing.

Lightweight and easy to pack, this budget gaming laptop includes a 15.6-inch Full HD
1920 x 1080 screen capable of showing off gorgeous visuals.

In the graphics department, this laptop comes with an AMD Radeon R7 M445 with a maximum 4GB of GDDR5 video memory.

This should be good enough to run modern games that don’t demand high-end graphics cards. For avid players of MOBAs like League of Legends, this laptop is perfect.

But for big-budget games loaded with eye-popping visuals, this laptop isn’t the most reliable.

Weighing just 5.13 lb, the Dell Inspiron 15 i5567 allows you to take gaming practically
anywhere – and the great battery life guarantees that you will be able to actually play games for more than two hours before the laptop calls for you to plug it in.

The battery fully recharges in about 2-3 hours, which is just about what you would expect from a laptop of this caliber.

This laptop includes a backlit keyboard, a godsend feature for those who prefer to play games in the middle of the night with the lights turned off for a more immersive experience.

The backlit keyboard means you will be able to precisely hit keys even in total darkness.

In games were hitting the wrong key can cost you a precious in-game life, the backlit keyboard is a game-changer.

Equipped with a 1TB SATA hard drive and a DVD drive, the Dell Inspiron 15 i5567 is a
recommended gaming laptop for those working on a tight budget.

Sure, the hardware under the hood may not be enough to reliably run games like Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: WWII at high settings.

But for casual gamers who are not much into graphics-heavy games, the Dell Inspiron 15 i5567 will get the job done.

2. Lenovo Flex 5:

Next up at number 2 we have the Lenovo Flex 5.

Considering Lenovo is best known for producing business laptops, the Chinese brand is probably not on everyone’s short list when shopping for the best gaming laptops under $700.

The Lenovo Flex 5 isn’t exactly the first laptop most people would consider for gaming purposes.

But not because it runs on potato specs that can’t even run the most basic of games.

No, the reason it doesn’t get much recognition is that it’s not really being advertised as a gaming laptop.

It’s a 2-in-1 laptop with a 360-degree hinge, which allows you to use it in tablet mode
and tent mode.

The latter is perfect for those who prefer to play games with a dedicated controller.
Playing in tent mode is actually similar to playing on a Nintendo Switch in tabletop mode.

But obviously, gaming on the Lenovo Flex 5 offers a more immersive experience, courtesy of the 14-inch Full HD touchscreen display.

In the hardware department, the Lenovo Flex 5 is no complete slacker. It includes an 8th generation Intel Core i5-8250U clocked at 1.6 GHz and has an 8GB DDR4 memory.

In terms of storage space, it comes with a 128GB hard disk, which immediately tells you that it’s not built to hold a lot of modern games.

Featuring Harman Audio speakers, the Lenovo Flex 5 surprisingly produces a respectable sound quality while gaming.
But obviously, having a dedicated pair of headphones is the better option.

Everything considered the Lenovo Flex 5 is a decent pick-up for those looking for a budget gaming laptop capable of running simple games and a few modern games in low settings.

If you’re willing to cough up more money, the flexible laptop is also available in a more formidable setup, with a more powerful processor and a better graphics card in the form of the Nvidia GeForce GT 940MX.

3. Asus ZX53VW:

Up next at number 3 we have the Asus ZX53VW.

Stuffing powerful hardware into a small chassis is no easy feat, one reason why laptops capable of consistently running modern games on high settings are hard to find.

And the manufacturers that do manage to put together a powerful gaming laptop understandably ask for a premium price.

Featuring a 15.6-inch Full HD screen, the Asus ZX53VW runs on a 6th generation Intel Core i5-6300HQ clocked at 2.3 GHz, which can go up to 3.2 GHz. It includes an 8GB DDR4 memory and a 512GB SSD for storage.

All of these specs mean that the Asus ZX53VW is more than capable of running the latest games even at high settings, which is really impressive considering the economic price tag.

The Asus ZX53VW was designed with only one thing in mind gamers. And as such, it’s packed with features meant to significantly enhance the experience while gaming.

First of all, the keyboard is extremely sturdy, which is just what the doctor ordered for
those who often rage and furiously press keys out of anger while playing.

The WSAD keys are also optimized for gaming. Boasting an F-22 stealth fighter-inspired chassis, the Asus ZX53VW includes the SonicMaster Technology and the GameFirst III Technology.

The former helps the laptop produce a more immersive audio experience while gaming, enhancing clarity and loudness.

The GameFirst III Technology optimizes the laptop to keep lags at bay, which is huge when playing online multiplayer games like Overwatch in which a few seconds of lag can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

And to top it all off, the Asus ZX53VW comes with an anti-glare matte display, resulting in vivid and accurate visuals no matter where you’re gaming.

So feel free to play games while outside in the middle of the day with the sun in full swing.

If you’re serious about playing the latest games while on-the-go, the Asus ZX53VW is definitely for you. Not many laptops in the same price range can offer the same gaming experience.

4. HP Pavilion 15:

At number 4 we have the HP Pavilion 15.

Like Lenovo, HP isn’t usually the first brand people think of in regard to gaming laptops – the American company is more known for producing top-class business laptops.

But HP actually has a line of laptops specifically engineered for gaming, which comes in the form of the HP Omen series.

However, like other high-end gaming laptops, the Omen series requires you to part with a hefty amount of money. For a more affordable option, check out the HP Pavilion 15.

Yes, we’re fully aware that the Pavilion series is meant for work and school. And no, we’re not losing our minds here by including the HP Pavilion 15 on our list of the best gaming laptops under $700.

Because, like the Lenovo Flex 5, the HP Pavilion 15 does a good job at running games. But let’s be more specific.

The good news is that, yes, the HP Pavilion 15 is capable of running games for on-the-go entertainment.

The bad news is that it won’t be able to reliably run the latest games in maximum settings. But for popular games that don’t come with rich graphics like Counter-Strike Global Offensive, the HP Pavilion 15 is more than adequate for the job.

The HP Pavilion 15 includes a 7th generation Intel Core i7-7500U, clocked at 2.7 GHz and capable of running all the way to 3.5 GHz.

It has a 12GB DDR4 memory, a 1TB SATA hard drive, and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 620.

The latter pretty much explains why the HP Pavilion 15 isn’t really up to the task of running the latest games in ultra-high settings.

Our biggest gripe with the HP Pavilion 15 is that it doesn’t come with a built-in optical drive, which means you won’t be able to easily play older games that you have physical copies of.

Other than that, it’s a solid option for those looking to buy a gaming laptop without
spending more than $700.

But if you want a decent laptop that you can use for both work/school and casual gaming, the HP Pavilion 15 is a good choice.

5. Lenovo Ideapad 700:

For our final pick at number 5 we have the Lenovo Ideapad 700.

If the Lenovo Flex 5 is too weak for you, check out the Lenovo Ideapad 700, a laptop
more equipped to handle gaming right out of the box.

It runs on a 6th generation Intel Core i5-6300HQ clocked at 2.3 GHz and has a 12GB memory, with available options for 8GB and 16GB – the latter configuration is packaged with the Intel Core i7 model.

For the graphics card, the Lenovo Ideapad 700 comes with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M, giving it enough juice to run the latest games in decent settings.

But for gaming at max or near-max settings, it doesn’t hold up very well, especially when it comes to graphics-heavy games.

Then again, expecting a $700 to buy gaming laptop to perform on the same level as a high-end gaming laptop or PC is downright unfair.

Featuring a 15.6-inch Full HD display and a 256GB SSD hard drive, the Lenovo Ideapad
700 is an ultra-portable gaming laptop, measuring just 0.89 inches thick and weighing 5.06 lb.

You will never feel burdened carrying it around, which can’t be said for extremely high-end gaming laptops that look more like a suitcase than a laptop.

And no need to worry about the durability of the laptop while mobile – being from Lenovo means that it comes with the same level of durability and sturdiness associated with all Lenovo laptops.

The Lenovo Ideapad 700 is not without flaws, however. First off, the lack of a built-in optical drive means you’re pretty much stuck with digital copies of games, which is far less desirable than owning physical copies.

And second, the audio system isn’t exactly the best one out there. But we didn’t really expect it to provide a 7.1 surround sound experience.

Since gamers usually play with headphones on, the latter probably won’t be much of an issue.

For a low-cost Lenovo laptop engineered for gaming, the Lenovo Ideapad 700 is an excellent choice, with brand-new units going for just a little over $700.

It has the necessary hardware power to keep up with modern games and comes with superb durability.

Not to mention, the keyboard is top-notch, another signature feature of Lenovo laptops.

So that sums up our top budget gaming laptop options of 2019 with price versus performance. 

I hope you enjoyed this article. I will be back in the next one. Until next time have a great day.