TOP 10 Best Cheap Gaming Laptops 2024

Gaming laptop buying guide

The increasing availability of high-performance, long-lasting gaming laptops puts them in high demand. However, shopping for the best gaming laptops can take time and effort. This buying guide aims to highlight all the crucial features to consider and assist you in making the best decision possible.

What are gaming laptops?

Gaming laptops are robust computers made to handle demanding tasks like 3D video games, virtual reality simulation, and more.

Gaming laptops differ from regular laptops because they have specialized hardware, such as a personalized video card, VRAM, powerful processor, better cooling system, and so on.

As a result of the high-end tasks and software these PCs run, gaming laptops are built to withstand demanding gaming tasks. They have fast processing speeds and can handle vast gaming operations without slowing down or causing damage.

How does a gaming laptop function?

The operation of gaming laptops is essentially the same as that of any other computer. They combine desktop computer input and output features such as a CPU, operating system, display screen, keyboard, speakers, data storage, and disc drives to create a more portable unit capable of handling high-end gaming.

The primary distinction between their function and a regular PC is that they are adaptable to high-gaming tasks and thus have greater flexibility.

Features to look for when buying a gaming laptop

While most gaming laptops have high-end specifications, there are some critical features to look for when shopping for one. Here are some features that should be noticed when shopping for a gaming laptop.

The graphics processor unit/ graphics card

The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is one of the most important components of a gaming PC. It sets the game for higher graphics and better visual effects. Given these features' importance when playing games, you'll most likely need a GPU with dedicated memory (VRAM).

Select a card that can play at least 1080p resolution; 4K or 3K resolution is recommended, and choose the most powerful GPU processor and GPU RAM that you can afford. Typically, the best gaming laptops include the powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card series, sufficient to play any game at any level.

Processor

When looking for a gaming laptop, you should look for one with a powerful processor. It is the brain of a computer system that coordinates most of the activities of your PC.

The processor you choose significantly impacts the frame rates, its response time, and even the battery life of your PC. Intel and AMD are currently the top choices for gaming laptop processors, as both provide powerful processors required for gaming.

Your budget also substantially impacts your choice, but an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor should be the bare minimum for a functioning gaming PC.

Screen resolution

The quantity and density of pixels that your PC displays are referred to as its screen resolution. To truly enjoy an immersive gaming experience, you'll need a gaming laptop with the highest possible screen resolution.

The recommended resolution for most games on any gaming laptop is 1920 x 1080—anything less would be too blurry to play games properly. You can also get 4K (3840 x 2160) screens, but they need to be toned down for ray tracing. Regarding screen size, a 15 or 16-inch laptop should be your starting point.

While 14-inch screens aren't inherently bad, keep in mind that the larger the screen, the better the experience.

The random access memory (RAM)

RAM is a type of temporary storage that saves data for quick access. The computer can retrieve data from RAM more easily and quickly than ROM. Since gaming can use a great deal of RAM, it's best to get a gaming laptop with plenty of RAM, even for tasks that require average productivity.

For intense, lag-free, high-end gaming, look for a gaming laptop with at least 8 GB of RAM, and 16 GB RAM is even better. Many graphically intensive games today, such as Assassin's Creed and Forza Horizon, require at least 8 GB of RAM. 

Storage capacity

Buyers often overlook storage in their search for the best gaming PC. Most gaming PCs have an extensive internal storage system, but the type of storage is also essential.

The Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is the most common type, and it reads and writes data using mechanical platters spun by a motor, whereas the Solid State Drive (SSD) uses flash memory.

When shopping for a gaming laptop, look for one with an SSD. This is because an SSD loads programs and processes data faster than an HDD and typically lasts longer due to the absence of moving parts.

What are the differences between gaming laptops and regular laptops?

Gaming laptops are similar to a standard or business laptops but have several enhanced features that distinguish them and allow users to play high-end games.

Due to their superior performance, graphics, and processing speeds, you can do more than just gaming. The following features distinguish gaming laptops from standard laptops.

Their graphics card

The primary distinction between the two types of laptops is the presence of a high-performance GPU in gaming laptops and a simple card in standard laptops.

In regular laptops, the graphics card is integrated into the CPU and shares RAM, reducing its performance. On the other hand, gaming laptops have dedicated graphics cards that are far more powerful and operate much faster than regular laptops’ graphics cards because they use separate VRAM.

Their processor unit

The processors in a typical gaming laptop are high-performance ones designed to handle multiple tasks. These processors have more than one core and faster processing speeds.

A gaming laptop has more cores than a standard laptop designed for high-end gaming operations, unlike traditional PCs, which are intended for light-to-medium tasks like word processing and PowerPoint slides.

Battery life

Gaming systems have stronger battery capacities than regular PCs. This is understandable, given that the high performance of gaming laptops necessitates a large amount of battery consumption, making them more impressive than traditional laptops.

Speaker quality

Gaming laptops have high-quality speakers to enhance the gaming experience. The speakers on these laptops are louder and clearer than those on standard laptops because they must provide the most satisfying gaming experience possible.

Cooling systems

The components of a gaming PC work hard and generate a lot of heat. As a result, gaming PCs have multiple fans with the latest cooling technology to compensate. Most regular laptops lack such sophisticated cooling mechanisms and only have a single fan.