If you want to enjoy the excitement of modern gaming without spending vast amounts of money on the latest cutting-edge gaming rig, then a budget gaming laptop could be exactly what you are looking for. If you do not want a tower PC taking up space in your room, a laptop is a much better option too. Modern gaming laptops on the entry-level end of the market have enough power to run most of the latest games on lower or medium graphics settings. You will have to compromise on specific design features, and 4K gaming is unlikely to be an option at the lower price points. However, with a bit of knowledge, you can choose something suitable on a budget. Here are some key features to look for (and features to sacrifice) in a budget gaming laptop.
The graphics card
The graphics card is one of the most important components in a gaming laptop as it determines how effectively your laptop can run the latest games. The graphics card in a gaming laptop cannot be upgraded later, so it makes sense to prioritize this in your list of “must-have” components. Ensure that the graphics card is a dedicated one rather than an integrated card. Integrated graphics cards utilize the computer’s onboard memory rather than having their own. This means that on games that have higher running requirements, an integrated card will be pulling more memory from the computer itself, and you are likely to see dips in performance or framerates. At a lower price point on a budget gaming laptop, always make a dedicated graphics card top of your agenda.
Sacrifice certain features
While top-of-the-line gaming laptops may boast RGB keyboards and exceptional build quality on the keyboards, these are not things that you should consider on a budget. An RGB keyboard, especially at a lower price point, may look impressive but will come at the expense of lower quality hardware to compensate. Consider also that larger, heavier gaming laptops are likely to offer you better components than an ultra-slim and portable laptop at this price point. It should also be obvious that at a budget price point, you certainly do not need a touch screen. You do not want a budget gaming laptop with lots of fancy lights or innovative features. Its hardware spec should always be the main consideration.
Make sure the display is good enough
As a final point, remember not to overlook the screen resolution itself. There is little point in having a good graphics card if the laptop screen does not allow for the games to run at higher resolutions. A 1,920×1,080 pixel resolution should be an absolute must at this price point. Do not accept anything below this, as your gaming enjoyment will suffer on lesser displays. Pay attention to the refresh rate of the screen too. Ideally, if your budget can stretch to a screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, you will notice the smoothness in your gaming. As an absolute minimum, a 60Hz refresh rate will suffice, but the difference in quality between that and a 120Hz rate will be noticeable.
