Many of us consider gaming to be a way of life. It is a part of our everyday lives just as much as cleaning our teeth. For our PCs, which we have custom-constructed from the ground up, meticulously choosing each component to meet our demands, we typically have a designated area, a gaming room, or a desk.
However, what occurs if you require something more portable or lack the workspace? It’s hard to set up a gaming PC on a train. So, what are we to do? Laptops for gaming, naturally! We are here to help you choose the finest gaming laptop under $600 if that’s what you want.
Sorting through the available laptop alternatives might be a bit of a pain since there are many different elements to consider. Thankfully, we list the benefits and drawbacks of each gadget in our selections below so you can make an informed decision.
But how do we choose the finest gaming laptop when so many are available? Particularly when we’re on a tight budget? Yes, it may be overwhelming. The numbers keep spinning until you start to sweat due to overheating.
But do not worry! To save the day, your pals at PC Guide are charging in on our virtual horses! We’re happy to present the best gaming laptop under $600 we’ve found!
6 Best Gaming Laptops Under $600
An excellent place to start is with these best laptops. You’ll still have a fantastic time even if you don’t have access to some of the most sophisticated features. See our list of the top gaming laptops under $600 if you have the funds for the more costly models.
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
The Acer Aspire 5 Slim is ranked number one on our list. Because of its many features, this laptop is a fantastic option for anyone seeking a gaming laptop under $600, earning it the #1 spot on our list. The Ryzen 5 3500U processor is one of these qualities, albeit it might not be as special as some of the other aspects of this laptop.
Still, it contributed to its number-one rating. Unlike Intel i5 CPUs, which are primarily used for gaming, Ryzen laptops have the advantage of being used for streaming and video editing in addition to gaming.
Key Specifications
- 15.6 inches display
- 1080p screen resolution
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD Storage
- Windows 10 Operating system
- Integrated Graphics card
- Backlit keyboard
Key Features
For you, Acer has yet another amazing deal! Their top-of-the-line, budget-friendly Aspire 5 has great RAM and memory for quick gaming on the fly! Full HD resolution is available on the laptop’s 15.6-inch screen.
The widescreen’s LED-backlit IPS display provides excellent visuals and clarity. Your games will look sharp and lag less if you use the Radeon Vega 3 mobile graphics card! This laptop has some fantastic additions that stand out from other current models!
If you’re a first-time customer needing an HDMI cable, USB extension cord, and mouse pad, the Aspire 5 is a great choice because it comes with accessories! The Ryzen 3 3200U processor in Acer’s Aspire 5 can overclock to 3.5GHz, providing outstanding performance even when playing games at high rates.
Another characteristic that drew our attention is the absence of an RJ-45 port on some well-known and costly laptops. Additionally, there is one USB 3 port accessible, and there are two USB type 2 ports, which are typically ten times slower than USB 3 ports.
Additionally, it has an HDMI connector that enables you to connect to big-screen displays. This is useful for individuals who enjoy editing films or images and gamers who want to play games on a huge screen.
Nonetheless, a few patrons had no problems with the sound. Even when the volume was set to 100, they discovered the speakers were quite low. You should not have any issues using headphones or external speakers, but it is something to consider when buying your laptop.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Laptop
For approximately $600, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is the best gaming laptop available. It’s usually listed for more than this guide’s price range, but we’ve seen it frequently discounted to about this amount.
It’s worth spending a little extra when something checks most of the boxes.
Key Specifications
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5
- 15.6 screen size
- 8GB RAM
- Windows 11 OS
- Anti-Glare coating
- Dedicated graphics card
- 256GB hard disk size
- 120HZ refresh rate
Key Features
The primary items that come with a price tag are:
- The AMD Ryzen 5 5600H CPU.
- It’s a decent mid-range processor from a few generations ago.
- The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card.
It’s a great combination for the money that will provide you with the highest frame rate you can hope for at this price point.
In addition, the Ryzen 5 5600H has exceptional energy economy, translating into an astoundingly long battery life of at least 7 hours when power-saving mode is engaged. It generally works well for surfing the web and for office work.
The laptop has a 120Hz refresh rate display, which is more than enough for fluid gameplay with components of this power, guaranteeing fun gaming sessions. Like every other laptop in this price range, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 normally only includes 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, which might need to be increased for some customers.
Still, following the original purchase, these parts can be upgraded.
Asus VivoBook Laptop Computer
Although the Asus VivoBook 2020 has some of the BEST specifications on our list, it regrettably lacks an RJ-45 connector. That means you’ll have to continue using the WIFI connection, which might not be the best choice if you want to play games with minimal ping times.
Furthermore, as this laptop lacks RJ-45 ports, we do not advise playing games like Fortnite. Instead, it would help if you played them with an Ethernet connection plugged in.
Key Specifications
But the best thing about this laptop is that, like the other one, it boasts a Ryzen 5 3500u processor. Moreover, its AMD Radeon RX Vega 10 graphics card is more potent than that of the Acer Aspire 5 Slim laptop.
Apart from that, it’s a fantastic, reasonably-priced gaming laptop! Also, the Ryzen 5’s performance is great for streaming games; these CPUs are designed for multi-core performance jobs like video editing and streaming, two of the most popular pastimes among gamers.
You won’t need more space to save your games because this laptop features a 512GB PCIe SSD storage drive and a 15.6-inch full HD 1080p display. Additionally, the HDMI port lets you connect to a bigger screen, if necessary, exactly like the previous laptop did.
Additionally, a headphone jack is becoming increasingly uncommon on smartphones. As much as we appreciate this laptop, we’re not overly fond of the port choices. Your new gaming laptop has two USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, and one USB type-C port so that you can connect practically any device to it.
Acer Nitro 5 GTX 1650 Laptop
Throughout its many revisions, the Acer Nitro 5 is a dependable laptop for gamers on a budget and is regularly included in annual best-of lists. It is important to note that this specific model again consists of an Nvidia GTX 1650 graphics card.
Key Specifications
- 15.6 inches screen size
- CPU model: Core i5-9300H
- 8GB RAM
- Backlit keyboard
- Dedicated graphics card
- Windows 10 OS
- 256GB SSD storage
- 60HZ refresh rate
Key Features
This laptop’s display has a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz, so console users should be right, but professional shooters should seek elsewhere if they want something more. Again, the 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD are standard for this price bracket, but they can be expanded much higher.
This gaming laptop’s maximum brightness and color gamut are constrained but still suitable for indoor gaming. On the other hand, the keyboard is better than average for a laptop in this price range.
The dedicated Nitro Sense Key makes commands just a touch away, and the highlighted WASD and arrow keys make it simple to find them. Savor the 1.6mm travel distance of the keys and their tactile feel.
With the red backlit keyboard, you can up the ante on your gaming and play in low-light settings. Enhancing the audio quality yields a dual benefit of increased immersion and competitive advantage. Waves MaxxAudio joins Acer True Harmony to deliver jaw-dropping audio to energize your gaming.
Use Waves MaxxAudio for intelligent bass, dialogue, and volume augmentation and Acer True Harmony for richer sounds.
HP 14-Inch HD Touchscreen Laptop
We chose to identify this HP laptop by its salient characteristics because its listing page doesn’t give it a name. Although it is a 3200u variant, it also has a Ryzen 5 processor. Although it’s not a horrible CPU by any means, in all honesty, it’s not that good for gaming, especially in light of the 3500u. It has a less powerful CPU and GPU.
Its touchscreen capability is a pleasant little bonus, though.
Key Specifications
- 14 inches display
- 256GB hard disk drive size
- 8GB RAM
- Windows 10 OS
- 2.6 GHz
- Laptop weight: 1.8kg
- 720P resolution
- CPU model: Ryzen 3 3200U
Key Features
Additionally, this laptop has an RJ-45 adapter, which is useful for a dependable Internet connection and minimal ping times, essential for playing games like Fortnite. This laptop’s screen is our least favorite among the laptops on this list, measuring 14 inches and having a resolution of 1366 x 768.
Still, it’s okay for the price range, particularly if you like the touchscreen. It would be better if your graphics card used your RAM when you have 8GB of DDR4 RAM. It would be more cost-effective to save money and purchase a better gaming laptop rather than updating your RAM because you are on a limited budget.
In addition to an HDMI port, there are two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, one USB 3.1 Type-C port, and a headphone socket. Indeed, that is accurate! USB 2.0 ports are not present.
Asus VivoBook 15 Laptop
The VivoBook 15 from Asus might be the perfect choice for anyone looking for an amazing gaming experience! With its 15.6-inch full HD screen, you can view more of the game than before! You can observe a wide view of your game, documents, or any streaming websites on the Nano Edge bezel display, which has an 88% screen-to-body ratio.
Your laptop can play games and do other work well thanks to its Ryzen 5 3500u CPU. Unless you’re snoring and someone signs in with your finger, the fingerprint sensor that’s embedded into it adds an extra layer of security.
Key Specifications
- CPU model: Ryzen 5 3500U
- 128GB hard disk drive
- 8GB RAM
- Windows 10 OS
- Integrated graphics card
- 15.6 inches screen size
- Slate grey colour
Key Features
Clients praised the screen’s quality, with several saying it was the best they could get for less money! The clean screen provided excellent wide viewing angles and minimal graininess when playing games! An added benefit, we believe!
The amazing screen and power go hand in hand. The laptop has a Ryzen 5 3500U processor, which can overclock to 3.6GHz for fast performance! A dedicated graphics card called Vega 8 is also included to guarantee seamless gameplay on Windows 10 Home.
With 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB of PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage, you won’t run out of space. A wide variety of ports also provides excellent connectivity! To guarantee a quick file transfer or a great connection for an extra mouse or keyboard, there are several USB ports, HDMI, and Wi-Fi 5.
Consumers complimented the laptop for its quick speeds—it took five seconds to boot up! They discovered that it offered excellent speed for streaming movies, editing papers, and playing music in addition to gaming.
Despite this laptop’s excellent speakers and sound quality, many users reported that the music became distorted at higher volumes. Due to laptops’ small and frequently thin speakers, accurate and deep sound reproduction is impossible, leading to volume distortion.
Separate speakers linked to your laptop or headphones are a popular workaround for gamers always on the road! It should be fine if you plan to utilize headphones or additional speakers, as few customers have encountered this issue!
Is it possible to buy the best gaming laptop for under $600?
There are undoubtedly limitations on the type of screen your gaming laptop will have if your spending limit is only $600. While devices suitable for indoor gaming are still available, don’t anticipate a wide color gamut, excellent contrast, or brightness. The only true resolution option is 1080p, but this is fine for a laptop with a screen that is 15.6 inches or smaller.
The most typical refresh rate is 60 Hz, which could be better for a gaming laptop, even with a modest processor, because it caps your effective frame rate at 60 regardless of how well you play the game. Nonetheless, numerous excellent 120Hz alternatives are available, and the uncommon 144Hz model occasionally surfaces.
A Few Considerations Before Buying a Gaming Laptop
The processor on your laptop is one of the most important components to consider. Your laptop’s speed is determined by its CPU, which is typically not replaceable like PC parts. A strong CPU that can give speeds that enable fluid gameplay and the operation of numerous tabs or programs at once is what you’ll need. It’s also a good idea to investigate your CPU’s overclocking capabilities.
- Overlocking Feature
Your CPU’s overclocking ability alters the rules when it comes to speeds! To achieve quicker speeds that will make you forget you’re using a laptop, look for laptops that support overclocking! Games and visuals will load at amazing speeds with no lag or low quality when the overclocked speed exceeds 3GHz.
You might not need to overclock if you spend more money on a laptop with a better and faster CPU.
- Graphics
Your graphics are crucial when it comes to gaming. Aren’t crystal-clear, fast-refreshing images what we all want? There are a few display-related factors to consider while choosing the best gaming laptop; let’s quickly review them now.
The best resolution for you will be one that offers incredibly clear graphics. Full HD resolution is necessary and should be possible with the $600 budget.
- Storage and RAM
SSD drives are standard on almost all laptops, even the less expensive models on our list. Regarding quick loading times for games and regular programs, SSDs are fantastic; your computer will feel more energized with traditional hard drives.
However, SSDs have the drawback of being somewhat pricey. There must be a minimum of 16GB of RAM. We’ll have to settle for Windows laptops for now because, although they are not as well optimized as MacBooks, they are typically more powerful and better suited for gaming.
- Check for Additional Features
Additionally, any new features that the display claims to have been worth noticing. Comfy View technology, IPS panel panels, and anti-glare screens will help reduce the eyestrain that comes with using computer screens while ensuring a comfortable viewing experience.
While looking for your gaming laptop, consider the things important to you personally. Be careful to verify the laptop’s weight and thickness if you want a small, lightweight device.
You need enough room to view your games comfortably; therefore, the screen size is crucial. You may have a great viewing experience for about $600 if you choose a screen that is 15 inches or bigger.
Which is the Best Gaming Laptop Under $600? Our Recommendation
A laptop with a strong CPU and GPU is ideal for gaming. Because of our $600 budget, none of the laptops listed below have these features. Undoubtedly, gaming laptops can cost far more than $600. These will provide you with the maximum frame rate and optimal performance if you can afford them!
We’ve arrived to the end in an instant. As you can see, plenty of excellent gaming laptops are on the market for around $600! It is a good idea to consider the things we discussed today and your priorities while making purchases.
According to our research and review, Acer Aspire 5 Slim is one of the best gaming laptops under $600. However, according to your requirements and specifications, you can choose from the other 5 laptops reviewed in this article.
Whether you’re gaming on your lap in bed or on a packed train on your morning commute, we’re sure that any of these laptops will be a great investment and a fun experience.
Final Words
Our first pick, and the one you should get if you’re searching for the finest gaming laptop under 600 dollars, is the Acer Aspire 5 Slim. An excellent alternative is the ASUS VivoBook. It does not have an RJ-45 connector, but other than that, it functions and has more capacity than the Aspire 5 Slim.
Just keep in mind that playing games requires Wi-Fi. The Lenovo IdeaPad gaming laptop would be our choice after these two. It works best for laptop users who wish to play games and edit videos. Thanks to its extra memory card slot, you may directly import images or videos from your DSLR into it.
