In a world obsessed with power and portability, laptop gaming is growing faster than ever. Being able to play all your demanding games while on the move is the hallmark of a great gaming laptop. However, sometimes these mobile beasts can be a bit pricey. Big names such as Alienware dominate the market due to their ability to woo the customer into their lair of flashy lights and attractive architecture. Many fall prey to this tactic – including myself – and soon realize that they could have had the same thing for much less. In an effort to provide you with the biggest bang for your buck, we've compiled a short list of the most affordable gaming laptops, ranging from late 2012 to the most current hardware on the market.
#5 HP Envy dv6-7210us
The first on the list comes from the bowls of a very well-known PC and laptop manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard. HP has been in the business since 1939, and is a proven creator of quality machines. All of that said, their Envy series of laptops have shown themselves to be a true force in the gaming laptop realm.
The dv6-7210us model really astounds, though. Priced at a stunningly low $549.99, the machine already appears to be a strong prospect for purchase. After peering under the hood, it becomes apparent why this computer is on the list.
This beauty comes equipped with:
- 15.6-inch screen
- 1366 x 768 resolution
- AMD Quad-Core A8-4500M (2.8GHZ) processor
- 750GB 5400RPM hard drive
- 6GB DDR3 RAM
- Radeon HD 7640G graphics card
- Windows 8 OS
- 1 x USB 2.0 ports
- 3 x USB 3.0 ports
- 1 x HDMI port
- TrueVision HD webcam
- 5-hour battery life
#4 Samsung Series 3 NP350V5C-T01US
Next up on the docket is a laptop from Samsung Group, well-known for their amazing television sets and smart phones. The South-Korean mogul has inserted itself into the laptop market in recent years, and to much fanfare. The company has picked up a lot of traction with American consumers, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
The laptop we've chosen for our list today is the NP350V5C-T01US, which is part of Samsung’s Series 3 lineup. Though the price for this one is a bit on the steeper side, sitting at $697.00, we feel that it is justified through its amazing features and technical offerings.
This iteration of the Series 3 comes packed with:
- 15.6 inch screen
- 1366 x 768 resolution
- 2.3 GHz Core i7–3630QM processor
- 500 GB hard drive
- 6 GB DDR3 RAM
- AMD Radeon HD 7730M 2GB graphics card
- Windows 8 OS
- 2-USB
- 2.0 Ports
- 2-USB 3.0 Port
- 1.3 MegaPixel HD webcam
- Lithium Ion Battery
#3 Toshiba Satellite L875D
Our next laptop comes from a company that doesn't make as many waves as they used to, but are certainly still there. Focusing lately on their more “upscale” side of business, their gaming laptops and PCs have lost some vigor. At any rate, they must not be doing too poorly if one of their creations made it onto this list, even with their changing business plans.
The Satellite L875D sports a good division between its price mark and its offerings in terms of technical prowess. Sitting at a modest $549.00, the L875D finds itself a pretty strong niche for budget gamers around the globe.
Take a peek at its specifications:
- 17.3-inch screen
- 1600 x 900 resolution
- AMD Quad-Core A10-4600M (3.2GHZ) processor
- 640GB 5400RPM hard drive
- 6GB DDR3 RAM
- Radeon HD 7660G graphics card
- Windows 8 OS
- Bluetooth 4.0
- 1 x USB 2.0 ports
- 2 x USB 3.0 ports
- 1 x HDMI port
- 1.3 Megapixel HD webcam
- Up to 4.5-hour battery life
#2 Acer Aspire V3-571G-9686
Taiwanese multinational corporation Acer Inc. has had a bit of a revitalization in the past few years. The company has consistently released stellar hardware, and much of this comes in the form of awesome laptops, gaming or otherwise. In 2012, Acer proved itself to be the fourth largest computer company in the world.
Acer's Aspire line of laptops has made themselves a strong contender for any gamer wanting to take their video games on the go. The V3-571G-9686 model is the definitive budget gaming laptop in most peoples’ eyes, and was barely edged out by our number one. After you see what this thing has got to offer, we’re sure you’ll be pretty amazed at what $729.91 can get you.
Have a look:
- 15.6-inch screen
- 1366 x 768 resolution
- Intel Core i7-3632QM (2.3GHz) processor
- 5000GB 5400RPM hard drive
- 6GB DDR3 RAM
- GeForce GTX640M (2G DDR3 VRAM) graphics card
- Windows 8 OS
- Bluetooth 4.0
- 2 x USB 2.0 ports
- 1 x USB 3.0 ports
- 1 x HDMI port
- 1.3 Megapixel HD webcam
- Up to 4.5-hour battery life
#1 Lenovo IdeaPad Y580 59345715
At the top of this list lies a laptop from Lenovo Group Limited. Lenovo has proven itself time and time again, and over the past few years, has made itself a household name in regards to its efforts in the laptop world. That said, the company has been seen as more of a business-oriented company, crafting machines that work seamlessly into the office environment or integrate perfectly with the traveling executive’s schedule.
All of this has changed recently, and Lenovo has been pushing with fervor into the gaming market. The Y580 59345715 is perhaps one of the best gaming laptops ever put on the market, and this includes higher-end machines costing over $1,000.00. The Y580 will run you a hefty $869.99, but what you get is definitely worth every penny spent. The technical specifications are out of this world.
Feast your eyes:
- 15.6-inch screen
- 1366 x 768 resolution
- Intel Core i7-3630QM(2.3GHz) processor
- 750GB 5400RPM hard drive
- 6GB DDR3 RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M
- Windows 8 OS
- Backlit keyboard
- Bluetooth 4.0
- 2 x USB 2.0 ports
- 2 x USB 3.0 ports
- 1 x HDMI port
- 720p HD webcam
- 4.5-hour battery life
