Finding Your Gaming Champion: The Best Gaming Laptops Under $700
In the dynamic world of PC gaming, the quest for a powerful yet affordable gaming laptop can feel like an epic journey. For gamers on a budget, the challenge intensifies. You want a machine that can handle the latest titles without leaving your wallet in despair. Enter the realm of the best gaming laptops under $700 – a sweet spot where performance meets affordability.
TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- Affordable Power: Gaming laptops under $700 offer a balance of performance and price.
- Brand Diversity: Several well-known brands offer competitive models in this range.
- Key Features: Look for high refresh rates, powerful processors, dedicated graphics, and SSDs.
- Buyer Beware: Be aware of potential weaknesses like build quality and thermal performance.
- Personalized Choices: Different buyer avatars should focus on specific features based on their needs.
Here are our top picks for the Best Gaming Laptop Under $700!
[amazon table=”46519″]
What is a Best Gaming Laptop Under $700?
When it comes to gaming on a budget, the best gaming laptops under $700 strike a perfect balance between affordability and performance. These laptops are designed for gamers who want to enjoy modern gaming experiences without spending a fortune. Typically, these laptops are equipped with mid-range processors such as the Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, which are capable of handling most games with ease. They also often feature dedicated graphics cards like the NVIDIA GeForce GTX series, which provide sufficient power to run games at decent frame rates.
Another key feature of these laptops is their use of solid-state drives (SSDs). SSDs offer significantly faster load times compared to traditional hard drives, which means games and applications launch quicker, and the overall system responsiveness is improved. This is a crucial aspect for gamers who value speed and efficiency in their gaming sessions.
Furthermore, these laptops usually come with a decent amount of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming performance. They also tend to have a good balance of display quality, offering full HD resolutions for a crisp and immersive visual experience. However, they might not have the ultra-high refresh rates found in more expensive models, but they still provide an enjoyable gaming experience.
Overall, the best gaming laptops under $700 are an excellent choice for casual to mid-level gamers. They offer a way to enter the gaming world or upgrade from an older machine without breaking the bank. While they might not have the cutting-edge features of their more expensive counterparts, they provide a solid gaming experience for most users, making them a popular choice in the gaming community.
The Best Gaming Laptops Under $700 to Consider!
Acer Nitro 5 -Best Overall
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Powerful Processor ✅ Advanced Graphics ✅ High Refresh Rate Display ✅ Adequate Memory and Storage ✅ Effective Cooling System | ❌ Build Quality ❌ Heavier than Ultrabooks |
The Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-53E5 Gaming Laptop is a powerhouse designed for gamers who demand performance without breaking the bank. Priced at $694.00, this model is equipped with a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10300H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, striking a perfect balance between affordability and high-end gaming capabilities.
One of the standout features of this laptop is its 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS display, offering crisp and fluid visuals essential for fast-paced gaming. The 1920 x 1080 resolution ensures detailed and vibrant game worlds, while the high refresh rate minimizes motion blur, providing a competitive edge in gaming.
With 8GB DDR4 RAM and a 256GB NVMe SSD, the Nitro 5 delivers speedy performance and quick load times. The RAM is expandable up to 32GB, offering flexibility for future upgrades. The laptop’s connectivity options are comprehensive, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, HDMI 2.0, and Ethernet, making it easy to connect various peripherals and accessories.
Acer’s CoolBoost technology enhances the cooling performance under heavy use, ensuring the laptop stays cool and maintains optimal performance. The dedicated NitroSense UI button is a convenient feature, allowing users to monitor the system’s temperature, fan speed, and more.
The laptop’s sleek black design, backlit keyboard, and Alexa built-in functionality add to its appeal, making it not just a gaming device but a versatile tool for everyday use. With up to 11 hours of battery life and a weight of 5.07 lbs, it’s also relatively portable for a gaming laptop. The Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-53E5 is an excellent choice for gamers seeking a robust, feature-rich laptop at an affordable price point.
Acer Aspire Vero -Budget Pick
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Eco-Friendly Design ✅ Powerful Processor ✅ High-Quality Display ✅ Ample Memory and Storage ✅ Alexa Built-In | ❌ Integrated Graphics ❌ Price Point |
The Acer Aspire Vero AV15-51-7617 stands out as an eco-friendly, high-performance laptop, ideal for both professional and personal use. Priced at $619.00, this model is part of Acer’s Earthion mission, which focuses on addressing environmental challenges through innovative solutions. It’s a commendable effort in sustainable computing, using PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) materials, emphasizing Acer’s commitment to the environment.
At the heart of the Aspire Vero is the 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor, offering up to 5.0 GHz speed with 4 cores and 8 threads. This powerful CPU, combined with 16GB DDR4 memory, ensures smooth multitasking and efficient performance for a variety of tasks. The 512GB NVMe SSD provides ample and fast storage, making file access and boot times impressively quick.
The laptop features a 15.6″ Full HD IPS display, boasting 100% sRGB color gamut and 300nit brightness, which translates to vibrant and accurate colors, ideal for content creation and media consumption. The integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics supports everyday image processing and light gaming.
Connectivity is well-covered with USB 3.2 ports, HDMI 2.0, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6, offering versatile options for peripherals and internet connectivity. The inclusion of a backlit keyboard and Acer’s Bio-Protection Fingerprint Solution adds to its user-friendly design, enhancing both convenience and security.
Battery life is notable, with up to 7 hours under typical usage and up to 9.5 hours for video playback, making it a reliable companion for on-the-go users. The laptop also comes with an Acer Vero Protective Sleeve, adding value and protection.
In summary, the Acer Aspire Vero AV15-51-7617 is a commendable choice for those seeking a sustainable, powerful, and feature-rich laptop. Its combination of eco-friendly design, robust performance, and user-centric features make it a standout option in its price range.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Laptop-Runner Up
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Powerful Processor ✅ Advanced Graphics ✅ High-Quality Display ✅ Memory and Storage Options ✅ Affordable Price | ❌ Integrated Graphics in Base Model ❌ Heat Management |
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Laptop, a 2023 release, emerges as a compelling choice for gamers and multitaskers alike, priced at $645.00 for its base model. This laptop is powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS processor, which boasts a base clock speed of 3.3GHz and can turbo boost up to 4.6GHz. Its 6 cores and 12 threads configuration ensures smooth performance across gaming and multitasking scenarios.
A standout feature is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 4GB GPU, which elevates the visual experience, making it suitable for casual gaming, content creation, and general multimedia consumption. The graphics card strikes a balance between cost and performance, catering to the needs of budget-conscious gamers who still seek quality gaming experiences.
The laptop’s 15.6-inch 120Hz IPS display offers a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080, providing vibrant images and excellent color reproduction. The high refresh rate ensures smoother visuals, which is particularly beneficial in fast-paced gaming scenarios.
In terms of memory and storage, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers flexibility with configurations going up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and 4TB SSD, catering to different user needs from basic to extensive gaming and storage requirements.
Connectivity is robust with support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring fast and stable internet connections. The variety of ports, including HDMI 2.0, USB-A 3.2, USB-C 3.2, Ethernet, and a headphone/microphone combo, enhances its versatility, allowing for easy connection to a range of peripherals and external displays.
The laptop’s design includes a backlit keyboard with a numeric keypad, enhancing usability in low-light conditions and adding a gaming-centric aesthetic. The grey color scheme gives it a sleek and modern look.
Overall, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Laptop offers a solid combination of performance, graphics, and display quality, making it a strong contender in the mid-range gaming laptop market. Its range of configurations and price points caters to a wide spectrum of users, from casual gamers to more demanding users looking for higher performance and storage capacity.
MSI GF63 Thin 15.6″ 144Hz FHD Gaming Laptop Computer
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ High-Performance Processor ✅ Superior Graphics ✅ Fast Refresh Rate Display ✅ Ample Memory and Storage ✅ Portability | ❌ Battery Life ❌ Heat Management |
The MSI GF63 Thin is a sleek and powerful gaming laptop that offers a blend of performance and portability. Priced at $659.00 for the 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB PCIe SSD configuration, it presents a compelling option for gamers and professionals alike.
At its core, the laptop is powered by the 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11400H Processor, which boasts a base clock speed of 2.70GHz and can turbo boost up to 4.50 GHz. This processor, combined with 16GB DDR4 3200MHz SDRAM, ensures smooth multitasking and efficient handling of demanding applications and games.
The MSI GF63 Thin shines in its display capabilities, featuring a 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS-Level screen with a 144Hz refresh rate. This high refresh rate is particularly beneficial for gamers, providing smoother visuals and a competitive edge in fast-paced games. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB GDDR6 graphics card further enhances the gaming experience with its powerful performance and style.
Connectivity is well-covered with Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2×2), Bluetooth 5.1, and a range of ports including USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, HDMI 4K @ 30Hz, and a Mic-In/Headphone-Out Jack. These features ensure that the laptop can handle various peripherals and external displays with ease.
The laptop runs on Windows 11 Home, offering the latest operating system with new features and improved performance. The backlit keyboard with Anti-Ghost key (99 Key) adds to the gaming aesthetic and enhances usability in low-light conditions.
In summary, the MSI GF63 Thin is a well-rounded gaming laptop that offers a great balance of performance, display quality, and connectivity, making it a strong choice for gamers and professionals looking for a portable and powerful machine.
ASUS TUF Gaming Laptop
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Solid Performance ✅ Dedicated Graphics ✅ Quality Display ✅ Sufficient RAM ✅ Durable Build | ❌ Potential Heating Issues ❌ Single Channel RAM |
The ASUS TUF Gaming Laptop FX505GT-US52 is a robust and reliable option for gamers looking for a blend of performance and durability. This laptop is powered by the Intel Core i5-9300H Processor, which, with a base speed of 2.4 GHz, provides solid performance for gaming and general computing tasks.
A key feature of this laptop is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB graphics card. While it’s not the latest in NVIDIA’s lineup, the GTX 1650 is more than capable of handling many modern games at medium to high settings. This makes the ASUS TUF an excellent choice for gamers who need good performance on a budget.
The laptop sports a 15.6” Full HD (1920×1080) IPS-type display, offering clear and vibrant visuals. The IPS panel ensures good viewing angles and color reproduction, enhancing the gaming and multimedia experience.
Storage and memory are well-balanced with a 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD and 8GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM. This combination provides ample space for games and files, along with efficient multitasking capabilities.
Connectivity is another strong point, with Gigabit Wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) ensuring fast and stable internet connections. The laptop runs on Windows 10 Home, providing a familiar and user-friendly interface.
In summary, the ASUS TUF Gaming Laptop FX505GT-US52 is a solid mid-range gaming laptop. It offers a good balance of performance, display quality, and storage, making it suitable for gamers who need a reliable machine without breaking the bank.
Top 8 Brands and Their Best Models
- Acer Nitro 5: Balanced performance, budget-friendly.
- ASUS TUF Gaming FX505: Durable build, reliable performance.
- Dell G3 15: Solid performance, sleek design.
- HP Pavilion Gaming 15: Stylish, versatile.
- Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3: Great value, robust build.
- MSI GF63 Thin: Lightweight, powerful.
- Gigabyte G5: Excellent graphics, good thermal management.
- Razer Blade Stealth 13 (Older Models): Premium feel, compact.
7 Crucial Buying Criteria
When venturing into the market for a gaming laptop, especially under the $700 mark, there are several key factors to consider. These criteria are essential in ensuring that you get the best value and performance for your investment.
Processor Performance: The heart of any gaming laptop is its processor. A robust CPU ensures smooth gameplay and efficient handling of demanding games and applications. For a gaming laptop under $700, look for processors like Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, which offer a good balance between performance and price.
Graphics Card: The GPU is crucial for rendering game graphics. It’s important to choose a laptop with a dedicated graphics card, such as the NVIDIA GeForce GTX series, to ensure that games run smoothly and with good visual quality, even at lower price points.
Refresh Rate and Display Quality: The refresh rate of the display can greatly impact your gaming experience. A higher refresh rate means smoother visuals, which is vital in fast-paced games. Additionally, a good quality display with accurate colors and brightness enhances the overall gaming experience.
Build Quality and Design: Durability is a key factor, especially for gamers who travel. A well-built laptop can withstand the rigors of daily use and transport. The design also plays a role in the overall user experience, including keyboard comfort and screen size.
Thermal Management: Effective cooling systems are crucial to prevent overheating, especially during long gaming sessions. Good thermal management ensures consistent performance and longevity of the laptop’s components.
Battery Life: While gaming laptops are not known for their battery life, it’s important to find a model that offers a reasonable amount of unplugged usage, especially if you plan to use the laptop on the go.
Storage and Memory: SSDs offer faster game load times and system responsiveness. Adequate RAM is also crucial for multitasking and smooth gaming performance. Look for laptops with at least 8GB of RAM and a combination of SSD and HDD for optimal performance and storage capacity.
Market Insights and Expert Opinions
The gaming laptop market is rapidly growing, as indicated by the significant market value and projected growth rate. This growth reflects the increasing demand for affordable gaming solutions. The fact that gaming laptops under $700 now come with features once reserved for higher-end models, like high refresh rates and powerful processors, is a testament to the advancements in technology and the competitive nature of the market.
Expert opinions, like that of Matthew Buzzi from PCMag.com, highlight the value proposition these laptops offer. They provide an entry point into PC gaming for those who might have been priced out of the market in the past, without a significant compromise in performance. This makes them an attractive option for a wide range of consumers, from casual gamers to students and professionals who need a versatile laptop for both work and play.
Potential Weaknesses and How to Spot Them
While gaming laptops under $700 offer great value, they may come with certain compromises. Being aware of these potential weaknesses and knowing how to spot them can help you make a more informed decision.
Build Quality
One common area where budget gaming laptops may cut corners is in build quality. A sturdy construction and durable hinges are crucial for longevity, especially if you plan to travel with your laptop. To assess build quality, physically inspect the laptop if possible, paying close attention to the material used, the sturdiness of the hinges, and the overall feel of the chassis. Online reviews and user feedback can also provide valuable insights into the long-term durability of the model.
Thermal Performance
Effective cooling is essential for maintaining optimal performance and preventing hardware damage. Budget gaming laptops can sometimes struggle with heat management, leading to throttling or overheating. Before purchasing, research the laptop’s cooling system and look for user reviews that discuss thermal performance under load. Pay attention to any reports of excessive heat or noise, as these can be indicators of inadequate cooling.
Display Quality
Display quality is another aspect where compromises might be made. For a satisfying gaming experience, the screen should have good color accuracy and brightness levels. Check the specifications for color gamut coverage and brightness nits. User reviews and professional reviews can also provide insights into the display’s performance in real-world scenarios.
Testing Your Gaming Laptop
Before and after purchasing a gaming laptop, there are several tests you can perform to ensure it meets your expectations.
Before Purchase Tests
Performance Benchmarks: Researching online benchmarks can give you a good idea of the laptop’s performance capabilities. Look for benchmarks that test the specific processor and graphics card in the laptop, as these will give you the most accurate representation of what to expect in terms of gaming performance.
Build Quality Reviews: Reading user and professional reviews that focus on build quality can provide insights into the laptop’s durability and construction. Pay attention to comments about the material quality, keyboard, trackpad, and overall build.
Post-Purchase Tests
Real-World Gaming: The best way to test a gaming laptop is by playing your favorite games. This will give you a firsthand experience of the laptop’s performance, display quality, and audio output. Monitor frame rates, load times, and any graphical glitches.
Thermal Testing: During your gaming sessions, keep an eye on the laptop’s temperature. Use software tools to monitor the CPU and GPU temperatures to ensure they stay within safe limits. Excessive heat can indicate poor thermal management.
Battery Life Check: Test the battery life by using the laptop unplugged during typical gaming sessions. This will give you a realistic idea of how long the battery can last under gaming conditions.
Buyer Avatars: Who Are You in the Gaming World?
Understanding your gaming profile can help you choose a laptop that best suits your needs. Here are three common types of gaming laptop buyers.
The Casual Gamer
If you’re a casual gamer, you might prioritize battery life and general performance over high-end gaming features. Look for laptops that offer a good balance between everyday use and gaming capabilities, with decent battery life for prolonged use.
The Hardcore Gamer
As a hardcore gamer, you’ll likely prioritize high performance above all else. Focus on laptops with powerful processors, high-quality graphics cards, and ample RAM to handle demanding games at high settings.
The Traveling Gamer
If you’re often on the move, portability and build quality are key. Look for laptops that are lightweight yet sturdy, with a good balance of gaming performance and battery life for gaming on the go.
Personal Conclusion: Spezzy’s Take
As someone who’s navigated the vast seas of gaming hardware for years, I’ve come to appreciate the delicate dance between budget and performance. In the quest for the best gaming laptop under $700, it’s not just about finding a bargain; it’s about discovering a machine that punches above its weight class. These laptops are the unsung heroes for budget-conscious gamers, offering a gateway to the immersive world of gaming without the financial sting.
From my experience, the key lies in identifying what truly matters in your gaming journey. Is it the raw power to run the latest AAA titles, or the versatility to switch between work and play? Perhaps it’s the need for a reliable companion on your travels. Whatever your priority, there’s a gaming laptop out there that fits the bill. It’s about making informed choices – understanding the trade-offs you’re making and knowing that you don’t have to compromise on quality, even when you’re on a budget.
Remember, the best gaming laptop under $700 isn’t a myth; it’s a reality waiting to be discovered. With the right research and a clear understanding of your needs, you can unlock a world of gaming that’s both affordable and exhilarating. Happy gaming!
FAQs: Your Guide to Smart Gaming Laptop Shopping
What makes a gaming laptop under $700 good for gaming?
A good balance of processor, graphics card, and sufficient RAM.
Can these laptops run the latest games?
Yes, but settings may need to be adjusted for optimal performance.
How important is the refresh rate?
A higher refresh rate can lead to smoother gameplay.
Are these laptops good for tasks other than gaming?
Yes, they can handle general computing tasks efficiently.
How can I ensure my gaming laptop stays cool?
Look for models with effective cooling systems and consider using a cooling pad.
Can I upgrade these laptops later?
Some models allow for upgrades like additional RAM or storage.
Is it worth buying an extended warranty?
It depends on the brand and your usage; consider if you’re prone to accidents or heavy usage.
How long should a gaming laptop last?
With proper care, around 3-5 years.
Are there any hidden costs?
Consider potential upgrades and accessories like a gaming mouse or headset.
Can I use these laptops for streaming?
Yes, but check the processor and RAM specifications for optimal streaming performance.
