Gaming has been a popular pastime for a lot of people these days. Imagine that with just one click of your mouse, you can live the life of a different character. How cool is that? Youtubers and E-Sports tournaments made people take gaming seriously, and the fact that some people prefer portable gaming equipment makes laptops in high demand.
There are plenty of laptops that can offer you the capability of a desktop-like performance. Therefore, we came up with this definitive list of the best gaming laptops under 800 dollars.
Recommended System Requirements
Gamers who only have an 800 dollar budget for a gaming laptop are concerned mostly if the laptop can handle the games they want to play. For example, for you to play Grand Theft Auto 5, you must at least have 4GB RAM, an Intel 2 processor, and an NVIDIA 9800 GT 1GB graphics card.
Keep in mind that these are only the minimum recommendations, so if you want better gameplay, you will also need better hardware. Upgrading to better specs will give you the room to play at higher settings without experiencing lag and overworking your computer.
| Minimum requirements | Recommended requirements | |
| Display | 15.6” full HD | 15.6” IPS full HD |
| Processor | 7th Gen Intel Core i5 | 8th Gen Intel Core i5 |
| Graphics card | NVIDIA GeForce MX350 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB SSD | 256GB SSD |
| Battery | 4 hours | 8 hours |
Our Favorite Gaming Laptops Under 800 Dollars
When you are on a hunt for an affordable yet powerful laptop under $800, you must always consider the specifications first, like the memory, processor, and battery life. Considering that different games have different game requirements, you can still enjoy any game that you like in an average setting with these best laptops under $800 featured in this article.
Note: the laptops featured below are priced at or below $800 at the time of writing. Current prices may change without prior notice.
Asus TUF FX505DT Gaming Laptop
If you are looking for a laptop with a processor that performs well, then the ASUS TUF FX505DT Gaming laptop will work for you. It offers a processor that will boost your gaming experience and make it convenient for you to work on a task that needs a lot of work from the processor.
This gaming laptop under 800 dollars offers you a decent NVIDIA graphics card and memory that allows you to play games like Apex Legends or Fortnite in a medium setting. It also has a storage capacity that will work for you if you only play a few games. Although, those who have plenty of games might need to purchase a hard drive for extra storage.
You also have an option of 512GB SSD storage if you have a budget. This gaming laptop also comes with RAM that allows you to multitask and play your favorite games smoothly. It is a little under 800 dollars but it still offers cool features, like its backlit keyboard. Simply put, this is the best laptop under $800- and the best laptop for Minecraft– that you can get today.
- 15.6” 120Hz IPS full HD display
- AMD Ryzen 5 r5-3550h CPU
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU
- 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB NVMe SSD
Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop
The Lenovo Ideapad L30 comes with a Windows 10 Operating System that gives you updated support. It also has one of the latest processors that will serve you faster gameplay and a quicker launch time.
Compared to older generations of gaming laptops, this laptop is updated and will last for a long time. The Lenovo Ideapad L30 offers a graphics card that provides excellent graphic performance. What more can you ask for? Smoother gameplay is now easy-breezy with this gaming laptop.
Not to mention, this gaming laptop offers features that will make your life convenient. The webcam also has physical shutters, allowing you to shut off the camera. It also has a quick and quiet mode feature that is useful for gamers and working individuals. And, the Dolby Audio offers a feast for your ears with its excellent sound system.
- 15.6” IPS full HD display
- 9th gen Intel Core i5-9300H CPU
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU
- 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD
Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop
The Acer Nitro has a powerful CPU with an excellent GPU that makes your gaming experience ultra-smooth. Perhaps, this is one of the best laptops under $800. This gaming laptop will serve you a high-end performance while playing games like Fortnite or PUBG, which is intense for processors.
This gaming laptop will give you the gaming experience you deserve. With the power of its graphics card, you will be able to enjoy games with better graphics. As we all know, playing games may cause overheating in laptops, which is why the Acer Nitro has a dual-fan cooling system made for gaming.
This laptop’s sound system will put you in the mood and make your gaming experience immersive. Simply put, the Acer Nitro 5 is one of the best laptops under 800 dollars. Check this gaming laptop out. After all, you deserve the best gaming experience.
- 15.6” IPS widescreen full HD display
- 7th gen Intel Core i5-7300HQ CPU
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU
- 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD
MSI GV62 8RD-275 Performance Gaming Laptop
Are you looking for a thin gaming laptop that’s convenient to carry around and a powerful laptop that makes it easy for you to play your favorite games without lagging? Most importantly, an affordable option? Then you should check out the MSI GV62. This laptop also satisfies not only your gaming experience but also your aesthetic preference.
Aside from its aesthetically pleasing appearance, this laptop still has a lot more to offer. It has a speed processor, which is a necessity in gaming, and a stunning display that will ensure you will not miss the tiniest details when you are in-game.
Out of all the best laptops under 800 dollars, this laptop stands out because you can upgrade your RAM from 8GB to 64GB if you have the budget. The only downside of this laptop is the storage space is 512GB, which is actually not bad but also not the best.
- 15.6″ IPS full HD display
- Intel Core i5-8300H CPU
- NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti GPU
- 8GB RAM, 256GB NVMe SSD
Acer Aspire 5 A515-55G-57H8 Gaming Laptop
Are you looking for a gaming laptop under $700 that is portable and adaptable with a strong configuration? Acer’s Aspire series has it all, and for its affordable price, it can offer so much more, which is good news for gamers on a tight budget.
Powered by a fast Intel processor, 8GB of RAM, and a pretty powerful NVIDIA graphics card, this 700 dollar gaming laptop can handle any game that you want. Keep in mind, however, that some games might need to be in a low or medium setting to run smoothly.
Nonetheless, with its 15.6-inch Full HD screen, it will put any gamers in the mood. Immersive playing will never be this simple with Acer’s Aspire series, so check this out if you are looking for a gaming laptop for under 700 dollars.
- 15.6” IPS widescreen full HD display
- 10th gen Intel Core i5-10210U CPU
- NVIDIA GeForce MX350 GPU
- 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD
- 9.5-hour battery life
HP Pavilion Gaming Micro-EDGE Laptop
Good news for gamers who are on a tight budget, this list of gaming laptops under 700 dollars is still going. Let us now introduce the HP Pavilion Gaming laptop that offers strong processing power that will surely satisfy your gaming needs. This laptop can handle plenty of games smoothly with the right game settings.
The HP Pavilion Gaming laptop has a fast processor that is perfect for executing work and multitasking. It also comes with a graphics card that won’t cause you trouble when running most games and 3D software. This laptop also offers IPS Anti-Glare that is perfect for gamers who keep their eyes on the screen for hours.
With this laptop, your files and information are safe. It protects you from unauthorized access and secures your local storage. The memory and storage are even upgradeable with two accessible memory slots.
- 15.6” anti-glare IPS full HD display
- Intel Core i5-9300H CPU
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU
- 8 GB SDRAM, 256 GB SSD
- 10-hour battery life
MSI GF63 THIN 9SCX-005 Gaming Laptop
MSI is a well-known company that offers top quality units in the gaming industry. MSI’s gaming laptops are supported by powerful CPUs and GPUs that will surely give you the best gaming experience you deserve. The MSI GF63 is one of the recently launched products by MSII- it has the newest processor and a powerful graphics card that will satisfy any gamer.
This gaming laptop will give you the vibe that it is really for gaming. It comes in a nice black color with red hues. Plenty of gaming accessories are also compatible with this laptop, which is a huge plus for gamers.
What we really like, though, is that this gaming laptop can handle games with strong-intense graphics without experiencing any lag. You will be surprised by how powerful this laptop is even with its affordable price. It will prove to you that cheap does not mean low quality.
- 15.6” IPS wide-view full HD display
- 9th gen Intel Core i5-9300H CPU
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU
- 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD
- 5-hour battery life
2020 MSI GF75 Thin Gaming Laptop
The MSI GF75 is probably one of the most expensive laptops featured in this list. It is an 800 dollar laptop and has a massive 17.3 inch-display screen that is perfect for entertainment purposes. This laptop is designed in a durable black chassis that makes it durable since MSI is also known for its long-lasting laptops.
Like the other MSI gaming laptops in this list, it also has the latest Intel processor and 8GB RAM. The processor has the ability to cache memory of 8MB, which will result in a pie-in-the-sky performance.
Although this laptop’s graphics card isn’t the best, you will probably see some better options, though it can still provide you a decent performance while playing games that you like in a medium graphics setting. If you don’t mind that, then this one will probably work for you just fine.
- 17.3” 120Hz full HD display
- Intel Core i5-10300H CPU
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU
- 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD
- 6-hour battery life
$800 Gaming Laptop Buying Guide
For you to be able to find the best gaming laptop under 800 dollars that’s worthy enough for spending your hard-earned money, keep in mind these important factors that you have to consider when choosing the best gaming laptop:
Processor
The processor is one of the most important parts of a gaming laptop, since it is the one responsible for your system’s performance. Most gaming laptops that are in a price range of 800 dollars have an i5 Core processor, which is not bad since you can still play plenty of games in it. But with a tad bit of effort, you can find an i7 processor.
If you have a slightly bigger budget, you can check this article out regarding gaming laptops under 1500 dollars. These gaming laptops come with a Core i7 processor that can truly maximize your gaming experience. Keep in mind that newer generations of processors enhance the performance.
Graphics Card
If you prefer a laptop that can handle games with strong-intense graphics, then you must be mindful of the graphics card offered. Graphics cards are the ones responsible for the game’s overall graphical qualities. So if you want to experience the beauty of your favorite game, then invest in a laptop that has NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or above graphics card.
RAM
The more RAM the laptop has, the faster and efficient it is. For gamers who play heavy-duty games, their RAM must be pretty decent. Higher RAM prevents the games from being laggy and makes it easier to multitask.
At an 800 dollar budget, you can get 8GB of RAM, which is a pretty decent amount of RAM, and most games have this as their minimum system requirement. What you need to know here is the kind of RAM you will be getting.
A DDR5 fits perfectly for a budget for those people who only have a budget of $800 at maximum. However, it is always best to choose a laptop that has upgradable RAM that makes it easier for you to upgrade it anytime you want.
Storage
If you are the kind of person that installs a lot of games on their laptop, then consider getting a laptop that offers a generous amount of storage. At the price of 800 dollars, you must be looking for a gaming laptop that has SSD rather than HDD.
SSDs also help your gaming laptop to transfer files fast. It can also reduce the game’s loading times. Perhaps a 256GB would be a great start for people who just started playing games and probably still figuring out what games they like to play.
Also, take a look if the laptop has an expandable storage option or not. The latest models of gaming laptops mostly have expandable storage. Other gaming laptops might offer both SSD and HDD storage.
Display Size and Resolution
For immersive and exciting gaming, choose a display resolution that will give justice to your favorite game. At an 800 budget, you would get a 15.6-inch FHD display with a pixel density of 1920 x 1080. There are also a couple of gaming laptops that come with exclusive software that improves the picture quality. So always keep an eye on these features.
Although, if you want a bigger and more immersive display, you can also consider buying a sleek gaming monitor for under $300. That should give you a more pleasant visual experience without sacrificing the mobility and portability of a laptop since you can simply disconnect the monitor whenever you need to go someplace with your laptop.
Battery
If you are playing games all day long, you should consider the battery life of gaming laptops that have to offer. Gaming all day takes up a lot of battery, and some people are quite annoyed by the constant charging every couple of hours.
Perhaps a gaming laptop that will last for around 4-6 hours while in a gaming session will be the best option for you. The battery life varies depending on the products. However, with a budget of 800 dollars, you should expect at least 3 to 6 hours of battery life.
Connectivity
An external connectivity option in a gaming laptop is pretty convenient in so many ways, especially if you are the kind of gamer that likes to connect other devices or components in your Laptop. Most of the laptops at the 800 budget offer multiple ports and card readers.
An external connectivity option in a gaming laptop is pretty convenient in so many ways, especially if you are the kind of gamer that likes to connect other devices or components in your laptop. Most of the laptops at the 800 price point offer multiple ports and card readers. One of the most important things you need to make sure of is whether the laptop you’re eyeing has a decent ethernet port. This is a must if you’re playing multiplayer online games, in which case relying on a spotty WiFi connection can spell a disaster. You’ll need the best modem for gaming if you want a solid chance at winning against your opponents.
Portability
The weight of a laptop technically does not have an advantage or disadvantage while playing games. But, the heavier the gaming laptop is, the harder it is for you to move it around so it is still advisable to choose a lightweight gaming laptop. After all, the main essence of a laptop is its portability.
Price
While the gaming laptops featured in our article are under 800 dollars, there are still other options that are a far lot cheaper than the others. If you do not mind ditching a few features to buy a cheap gaming laptop, then go for it.
But if you also have a budget for a pricier gaming laptop that can offer you much higher specs, then by all means go for the better laptop. A gaming laptop with a higher price ensures the quality and specs anyway. If you have the money to spend, then spend it wisely and treat yourself with one of these gaming laptops.
Other Factors
Aside from the things we already mentioned above, there are a few other things you might want to take into account if you really want to make sure that you’re getting the best possible laptop for gaming purposes.
One of these is the keyboard and mouse. Now, for gaming, you don’t need a full-size keyboard since you’ll probably mostly use WASD keys, but you do need speed, accuracy, and good travel distance. The mouse is a bigger issue. When it comes to PC gaming, you simply cannot rely on a laptop’s mouse pad. Rather, you need the best gaming mouse for Fortnite and other games.
You will also have to account for gaming peripherals to complete your gaming setup. These include ergonomic and comfortable gaming chairs, perhaps a pair of blue light filtering glasses to protect your eyes if you’ll be doing gaming marathons lasting several hours, and for hand and wrist protection, the best gaming gloves that can also make for more consistent performance.
FAQs
What makes gaming laptops different from other laptops?
If you are asking about physical appearance, then the differences are only minimal. Like other gaming laptops have backlit keyboards, or gaming laptops have a much cooler design than ordinary laptops.
But if you are asking about the specifications and other features, well, gaming laptops have a lot more to offer than an ordinary laptop. It has a specification that is enhanced to have a smoother gaming experience for gamers. Gaming laptops are much faster and efficient to use.
Gaming laptops are also a lot more convenient to own since you can do a lot more with gaming laptops than with an ordinary laptop. It also makes it a lot easier to process your work. But if you are on a budget and do not need a laptop with high specs, then ordinary laptops will work fine for you.
Can I get a decent gaming laptop for $800?
Yes, you can get a pretty decent 800 dollar gaming laptop. In this article, we came up with a list of gaming laptops that fits your 800 dollar or even 700 dollar budget.
Although, we still recommend a budget of beyond 1000 dollars to get an excellent gaming laptop. It is still best for you to look for a gaming laptop that has expandable specs. So if you already have the budget, you can upgrade your gaming laptop easily. Before buying a laptop, choose wisely to avoid feelings of regret in the future.
What can I expect in terms of display quality on a cheap gaming laptop?
Affordable gaming laptops still have accurate colors and can offer up to 1080p panels if the resolution is one of your main concerns. You can expect a pretty decent display quality with these affordable gaming laptops.
But keep in mind that cheap gaming laptops may not handle high or mid-resolution games, so do not expect much from these affordable gaming laptops to avoid disappointment. Expect the quality based on what you paid for.
When it comes to processor performance, is i7 better than i5?
An Intel Core i7 processor is a lot better than an i5 processor. With an i7 processor, your gaming laptop can handle heavy games smoothly. But of course, gaming laptops with an i7 processor are much more expensive than gaming laptops with an i5 processor.
There are plenty of options available under the i5 processor list that still can work for you, and pick depending on your usage. Yes, i7 processors are great, but if you are on a budget, an i5 processor is not a bad option at all, for you can still play decently with it.
Here’s a more comprehensive guide on How to Pick the Best Gaming Laptop in 2021 from Intel.
Do RAM and storage affect gaming performance?
A sizable amount of RAM can be a huge help when it comes to playing heavy games. A high-speed RAM can and will most definitely help to fasten and speed up the process of your CPU while improving the FPS values of mid-range games.
So, yes- RAM and storage can and will affect your gaming experience. Better choose a gaming laptop that has a decent size of RAM and spacious storage for you to maximize your gaming experience, as well as SSD drives to increase the bootup speed.
Final Tips
So there you have it – the best gaming laptops for under 800 dollars. Although reading technical stuff while choosing a gaming laptop might be slightly intimidating, I hope this article will help you understand the pros and cons of each of these gaming laptops mentioned.
I also considered the fact that you will use this laptop not only for gaming purposes, so I made sure that you can also use these laptops for programming, designing, and writing.
At the end of the day, gaming laptops are an investment, so do not be shy to spend a decent amount of money with your gaming setup
