When it comes to gaming, many people focus on the graphics card, processor, and other components, but if you want to get the most out of your experience, you need to invest in the right laptop as well. That’s why we put together this list of our favorite Top 10 Gaming Laptops Under 400.
Not only do these laptops have all the features that you need to play your favorite games, but they also are versatile enough that you can use them every day at work or school as well.
Best Gaming Laptops Under 400:Exclusive Top 10
1) Acer Aspire E 15
Priced at $399, Acer’s Aspire E 15 is a midsize laptop with a 15.6-inch display that boasts full HD resolution. Although it has an older Intel Core i3 processor and no discrete graphics card, you still get 4GB of RAM, 500GB of hard drive space, and a DVD burner. The system also features two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI output, and a memory card reader.
The battery is listed as good for up to 6 hours of use on a single charge. You can pick up some very nice gaming laptops for under $400 these days that provide better performance than your typical bargain-basement model from five years ago.
Benefits and uses of Acer Aspire E 15
The Acer Aspire E 15 is one of the best budget gaming laptops on our list, perfect for any gamer on a strict budget. It features an 8th-gen i5 processor with a dedicated graphics card and 8GB of RAM. It’s also lightweight at less than 5 pounds and boasts a speedy 256GB solid-state drive, which makes it ideal for gaming or just storing media files on your computer while you’re out of town.
Because of its $350 price tag, it’s likely to be one of our top picks among less-expensive gaming laptops that have had good reviews but not great ones—especially if you can get it at a discount.
2) Asus VivoBook F510UA
The Asus VivoBook F510UA is a budget-friendly gaming laptop that won’t break your budget. It comes with an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive for storage. The dedicated GPU is nothing to write home about, but it’s still more than capable of running most games on lower settings at 1080p resolution (the laptop works even better if you pair it with a separate graphics card).
This PC also comes preloaded with an assortment of popular PC games such as League of Legends, Minecraft, and Diablo III. One port you don’t get is Ethernet—as in wired internet connectivity. You can connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth only.
Benefits and uses of Asus VivoBook F510UA
The great thing about using a laptop is that you have all your files in one place, and there’s no need to carry them around with you. The Asus VivoBook F510UA takes portability to another level. It has an 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor with 16GB of RAM.
Other features include a 15.6-inch display, an ample 512GB solid-state drive, and an 8MP camera. The laptop comes with Windows Hello, which lets you log in quickly and securely via facial recognition technology if you don’t want to enter your password every time you use it.
3) Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Series
The Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Series is a good gaming laptop under 400. With a starting price of around $370, it’s affordable, portable, and equipped with enough power to tackle any game on medium settings. It comes with a 15.6-inch HD display that has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels at 60Hz and although it’s not as clear as some other laptops out there, it still provides more than enough visibility.
Its Intel Core i5-7200U processor packs two cores and four threads for running multiple programs at once and its 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card will be able to run games like Dirt 3 or Fortnite on low settings.
Benefits and uses of Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Series
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Series is one of those laptops which are good for gaming. This laptop has a good graphics card and high RAM. Dell Inspiron 15 7000 series laptops have a powerful processor with Intel Core i5 and i7. These laptops have an anti-glare display so that you can play your favorite games in a better way.
It has an excellent sound system which enables you to listen to music and watch movies in great quality while playing games on it. If you are looking for some best gaming laptops under 400, then you should consider Dell Inspiron 15 7000 series as your first choice because of its stunning features and latest technology support.
4) HP Stream x360
While not as powerful as some other models on our list, there’s no denying that HP has carved out a significant niche for itself in budget laptops. The x360 is another solid entry that offers impressive performance at a low price point.
It is equipped with 4GB of RAM and an Intel Pentium processor, so it won’t play the most recent games on ultra settings but will be able to run popular titles like CS: GO or Overwatch smoothly. Its excellent battery life makes it perfect for gaming when you don’t have access to a power outlet.
Benefits and uses of HP Stream x360
HP Stream x360 comes with a 15.6-inch display. It is powered by an Intel Celeron processor and features 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.
It can be used for gaming and runs Windows 10 operating system. Some other features include stereo speakers, a USB 3.0 port, 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth connectivity, and a webcam for video calling.
5) Lenovo IdeaPad 120S (6′′ Touchscreen)
If you’re looking for a gaming laptop on a budget, it doesn’t get better than Lenovo’s IdeaPad 120S. Not only is it VR-ready, but it also comes with a 6′′ touchscreen, making it easy to play your favorite games. This desktop comes equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM.
It also has a USB 3.0 port and an HDMI port for connecting your TV or another display device. The battery lasts up to five hours, which isn’t great but does give you enough juice to finish off your latest game before needing to charge it again.
Benefits And uses of Lenovo IdeaPad 120S (6′′ Touchscreen)
The Lenovo IdeaPad 120S is a sleek, portable computer that packs enough power to ensure you can do anything you want on it. At 6.0 pounds and 0.7 inches thick, you can easily carry it around with you and use it for long periods.
6) MSI PS42 8RD-034XPL
The notebook features all-day battery life, which means you don’t have to worry about finding an outlet as often as with many other models on our list. There are also plenty of ports on offer here so that you can connect everything from your monitor to your gaming mouse—plus, storage space for all of your files and multimedia.
For a great balance of price and performance, look no further than MSI’s PS42 8RD-034XPL gaming laptop. It delivers a highly efficient 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-8250U quad-core processor to tackle your everyday tasks and then some with the capability to take on more intensive software programs.
For example, you can edit videos with ease, surf social media, or watch movies in HD quality. This machine also features 8GB of RAM and 1TB HDD storage capacity to facilitate faster access when working with multiple data sources. When it comes to graphics capabilities, it runs on an NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics processing unit and features a 2GB VRAM.
Benefits and uses of MSI PS42 8RD-034XPL
This is a great deal for anyone looking to play PC games on a budget. For just under $400, you get an Intel Celeron N3350 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB solid-state drive. The battery life isn’t stellar at less than six hours, but it can last long enough to cover most commutes (and if it doesn’t, there’s always your charger).
The best part about its performance? No matter what kind of game you play—FPS, RTS, or otherwise—this laptop should be able to handle it. That makes it perfect for a weekend trip or for playing around in your downtime.
7) Samsung Notebook 9 NP900X5N-X01US
Samsung’s laptop offers a generous 1TB of hard drive space, along with an Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphics card with 2GB of memory. While not top-of-the-line in terms of specs, it will allow you to play games and edit photos without breaking your budget.
In addition, it features an anti-glare display that minimizes reflection from overhead lighting. This model is 14 inches wide and weighs 4 pounds. Its design is sleek and stylish, making it a good choice for business people who are always on the go. It also has a one-terabyte hard drive, 8GB of RAM, and Windows 10. The battery lasts for up to eight hours (six if you use gaming mode).
Benefits and uses of Samsung Notebook 9 NP900X5N-X01US
The Notebook 9 is one of Samsung’s most lightweight and affordable ultrabooks. If you’re looking for an affordable Ultrabook with some good gaming chops, you can’t go wrong with it. Although not ideal for graphics-intensive games, it can run most mid-range titles on lower settings.
The notebook also comes with a 128GB solid-state drive that helps improve load times and provides ample storage space (even if you do install games or bulky programs). It has an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and integrated graphics that support Full HD resolutions.
8) SkyTech ArchAngel SAGA X5 (New Release!!!)
If you are looking for something to fit your power gaming needs, but don’t want to break the bank on it, SkyTech has got you covered. This gaming laptop offers everything you need in a very affordable package.
It is lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around with you. However, do not be fooled by its size as the inside beats an Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor and 16GB of RAM.
Benefits and uses of SkyTech ArchAngel SAGA X5
If you are looking for a gaming laptop, SkyTech ArchAngel SAGA X5 provides tremendous graphical output power. The SAGA X5 is equipped with a 3rd generation Intel Core i7-3630QM processor and 4GB of DDR3L RAM. It comes with MSI GeForce GTX 670M 2GB Video card and it delivers a full HD 1080p display output.
If you want to play the latest games on your laptop, then go for SkyTech ArchAngel SAGA X5 as it is one of the best gaming laptops under $400. Moreover, it offers high-speed connectivity such as USB 3.0 ports and an SDXC card reader so that you can easily connect any device to it in no time!
9) Toshiba Satellite Radius 12.2 Chromebook 2 (CB35-B3340)
On Amazon for $325, our top pick is great for those on a budget. It has a 12.5-inch display and can run off of an AC adapter or in a limited fashion with battery power (lasting up to 2 hours) but is best on charge. The battery doesn’t last very long, though you can always plug it in when you need to use it unplugged.
Toshiba has its cloud services, so it’s easy to work offline and sync later; they also have a decent track record of providing updates every few months. You get 100GB of Google Drive space free for two years and if you like Toshiba, they have models that feature Microsoft’s Signature Edition software that comes with Bing instead of Chrome as your default search engine.
Benefits of Toshiba Satellite Radius 12.2 Chromebook 2 (CB35-B3340)
The body is sturdy and elegant. It runs quietly and it doesn’t get too hot, even when playing games. You can play Minecraft on it, which is a pretty powerful game to play on any computer. It doesn’t lag at all and there aren’t many things you have to compromise for (e.g., graphics).
It has an anti-glare screen that makes it easy to use outdoors or in rooms with lights on, and its resolution is really good (1920×1080), especially for a laptop under 400! The screen size isn’t gigantic, but it does its job well. Since many gaming laptops don’t come with Windows 8, I thought that might be a problem.
10) AOC E2070SWN LED Monitor 19.5 LED Monitor
The AOC E2070SWN LED Monitor is a great option for gaming on a budget. With its top refresh rate of 75 Hz, it’s got more than enough speed to help you nail that final headshot in PUBG or reign supreme on Fortnite. It also comes with several cool gamer-friendly features, including a pair of USB ports, as well as an easy-to-use joystick and special keypad designed specifically for gamers.
The monitor also comes with adjustable and removable speakers, making it easy to hear every last frag grenade being dropped in multiplayer modes. The response time is one millisecond, so your gameplay is free from annoying blurs or smears when moving fast across your screen.
Benefits and uses of AOC E2070SWN LED Monitor 19.5 LED Monitor
These monitors are great for a home office or any other workspace. They have many features that are useful and reliable. It has a convenient design that lets you keep your hands free while using it since it doesn’t require cables to connect to a computer or laptop. AOC E2070SWN LED Monitor 19.5 LED Monitor also comes with a VGA port and an HDMI port, so you can easily connect it to different kinds of devices.
You won’t have to worry about not being able to see anything on your screen with these monitors because they have a 720p resolution and a 15000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for sharp images.
Buying Guide
When buying a laptop under $400, consider the following factors:
Performance: Look for a laptop with at least an Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor. These provide sufficient power for basic tasks like browsing the web, streaming, and handling office work.
Storage: Opt for a laptop with at least 128GB of storage. An SSD over an HDD will give you faster performance and boot times.
RAM: A minimum of 4GB RAM is essential but 8GB is ideal as it allows for better multitasking.
Display: Aim for a minimum resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. However, a Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) screen would deliver better clarity.
Battery Life: Look for a laptop with at least 5-6 hours of battery life, which allows you to work on the go.
Operating System: Windows OS is common in this price range, but there are also Chromebooks which run on Google’s efficient and fast Chrome OS.
Remember, finding the right balance between your needs and your budget is key. Read reviews and compare specifications to ensure you get the best value for your money.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding the right balance between performance, versatility, and affordability in a gaming laptop doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
Our line-up of the top 10 Gaming Laptops Under 400 offers an exciting blend of power and flexibility that not only fits the bill for gaming enthusiasts but also caters to everyday computing needs for work or school.
So, embrace this guide to invest wisely and enhance your gaming experience without breaking the bank.
FAQs
Are 400$ laptops good?
Yes, laptops under $400 can be good depending on your usage needs. They are often sufficient for basic tasks such as web browsing, streaming, and office work. However, for demanding tasks like professional video editing, you might need to consider higher-end models.
Are gaming laptops weaker than PCs?
Not necessarily. The strength of a gaming laptop compared to a PC depends on the specific hardware components. While PCs have the advantage of larger space, allowing for more powerful hardware and better cooling, there are high-end gaming laptops that can compete with desktop PCs in terms of performance.
Do I need a laptop for gaming?
While it’s not a necessity to have a laptop for gaming, it certainly does offer some advantages. A gaming laptop provides the flexibility to game on the go, making it a great option if you travel frequently.
How much RAM for gaming?
For gaming, 8GB of RAM is generally considered the minimum requirement for most modern games. However, if you plan on playing more demanding titles or want to future-proof your system, 16GB is recommended.
Are normal laptops OK for gaming?
Normal laptops can be suitable for gaming, but the experience can greatly vary depending on the laptop’s specifications. Laptops with higher-end specifications, such as a powerful processor, ample RAM, and a dedicated graphics card, can handle moderately demanding games.
