If you have been in the market trying to find the right gaming laptop, you will be surprised to know just how many options there are, to begin with. I do understand that this is confusing for a lot of people but if you have been on the lookout for some time, you can actually look into some really good and compelling options.
We previously covered a list of laptops starting from 200 and even 300, and today, we are going to bring you the best gaming laptops under 600. In case you are feeling like spending a bit more money, this is a great entry point to get into the world of portable gaming.
These laptops should be more than enough to help you get into some high-end games, but be mindful that you would still need to keep the settings on low to medium and you will be good to go.
In a Hurry? These are The Best Gaming Laptops under $600
If you are in a hurry, just navigate through this list and you will find all the excellent laptops that you can get your hands on quickly.
Best gaming Laptop for under 600
5. Dell Inspiron 15 3505
Reviewing the Best Gaming Laptops Under 600
To keep things simple and more accessible, we have decided that we are going to keep this round up brief. The purpose here is simple, although we want our readers to have as much choice as possible, we also want to ensure that they do not get confused in the midst of all the laptops.
That is why we are taking a look at all the best offerings that you can buy. So, let’s not waste time and have a look. However, can you really get a laptop in $600 that can play games, too? Well, you would be surprised to know that you can.
1. MSI GF63 THIN – Best Thin Gaming Laptop under $600
Shop on Amazon
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line:
The MSI GF63 Thin surprises in most of the ways as it happens to be a thin and light gaming laptop; two things that you do not often see coming together. The performance is decent, and the laptop itself looks great, too. Capable of running most of the games with ease.
MSI’s entry into the laptop market was a success from the start; after all, the company had a long list of accomplishments in the industry before, so it was a no-brainer that even their laptops were going to succeed and that is exactly what happened, to begin with. The company has managed to release some exceptional laptops in the market with the MSI GF63 Thin being one of the better ones.
Gaming Experience
If I am spending so much on a laptop, it is better that I get good performance out of it regardless of the task at hand. Thankfully, the MSI GF63 more than understands it and offers a decent mix of specifications that deliver an excellent overall gaming experience to a point that you never really find yourself in a pickle where the performance is not good enough.
- Witcher 3: 63 frames per second.
- Apex Legends: 60.4 frames per second.
- Far Cry New Dawn: 49 frames per second.
- Fortnite: 101 frames per second
- CS GO: 135 frames per second
- Rainbow Six Siege: 122 frames per second
In most cases, the games run perfectly fine. Do keep in mind that these tests were run on the native resolution with high settings. So, if you do tune the settings down, you can get even better performance. I am more than pleased with how this laptop performs.
Specifications
As far as the specifications are concerned, the MSI GF63 does bring a decent set of species that you can get your hand on. It is by no means the latest and greatest but for what you are paying, it actually is decent, to say the least.
- 15. 6″ FHD display
- Intel Core i5-9300H
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX1650
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB NVMe SSD
Design and Connectivity
As far as the design on this laptop is concerned, I will be honest, the MSI GF63 mostly tries to get adhere to the gamer-esque design language that we are used to. However, it is not overdone like we have seen on some of the other laptops. So, if you do want to carry it around for some professional work without making it look like it is severely out of the way, then you can more than easily achieve that.
You get a single USP 3.1, an HDMI 1.4, and two additional USB 3.1 Type-A ports, and a Type-C port, along with an ethernet port. The port selection is basic, and nothing out of the way, but for what it’s worth, you should not be expecting the latest and greatest in terms of that.
You also get wireless connectivity, so the MSI GF63 ends up being a well-balanced offering.
Battery Life
Gaming laptops normally suffer from bad battery life, but thankfully, most modern laptops allow for graphic card switching. So, if you do decide to run on integrated graphics, you can easily get over 8 hours of battery life, which I believe is excellent.
Excellent gaming performance
2. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 – Best laptop under 600
Shop on Amazon
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line:
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is an affordable and portable laptop that manages to give a pretty decent performance in almost every regard. Sure, it is not a full-fledged gaming laptop but if you are looking for something that will grant you access to on the fly gaming without too much of a hassle, then this is an excellent laptop that you should be spending money on.
We all know of the fact that Lenovo laptops are excellent, to say the least. Everything ranging from their Yoga lineup to their IdeaPad, to their Legion notebooks, the company knows how to make a good laptop and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 that we are looking at today is just another testament to that as it delivers excellent value for money and decent performance along the way.
Gaming Experience
The gaming experience is of course a very important thing for most people, to be honest. Especially when you are spending a good chunk of change on a laptop or a PC, for that matter. In such cases, if the gaming experience is not good enough, then you might want to look elsewhere. Thankfully, that is not the case here as the gaming experience that you are getting with the IdeaPad 3 is decent, to say the least.
It still has an integrated GPU but look at the numbers yourself.
- GTA V: 81.7 frames per second.
- Witcher 3: 55.2 frames per second.
- Strange Brigade: 67.3 frames per second.
- CS GO: 130 frames per second.
- Valorant: 92 frames per second.
Now, it is important to know that the settings had to keep low but considering the size of this laptop, I am honestly surprised as to how well it performed.
Specifications
As far as the specifications are concerned, with the IdeaPad 3, you are getting a decent set of specifications for the price you are paying. Have a look at them below.
- 14.0″ FHD Display.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500U.
- AMD Radeon 7 Graphics,
- 8GB RAM.
- 256GB Storage.
Needless to say, for the price you are paying, this is an excellent laptop with a great set of specifications, too.
Design and Connectivity
The design on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is akin to what you would expect from the laptops in the lineup, it is simple, understated, and manages to look the part with ease. There are no complications whatsoever, and for the most part, you are getting a laptop that is good.
As far as the connectivity is concerned, aside from Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi, you are getting a single USB port, a USB-C port, and an HDMI port. The IdeaPad 3 only brings the essentials as far as the connectivity is concerned. Sadly, the USB Type-C does not allow for charging, which might be a letdown for some.
Battery Life
Battery life is an inherently important aspect for a lot of people and to be honest, a lot of times, people do complain about it, too. Thankfully, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is an excellent performer in terms of battery life and for anyone who has been looking at a good offering, I can already tell you that you will not regret it, at all. The laptop can easily last you a full day, but if you do want to game, I would highly suggest you plug it in.
3. HP Pavilion – Best Overall Gaming Laptop
Shop on Amazon
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line:
The HP Pavilion 15.6” is a decent budget laptop that is more than capable of playing most games with ease and without any issues coming in the way. It looks nice, and gets the job done, all the time.
Having a good gaming laptop is always important to be honest and HP is known for making some excellent laptops. I have been using the HP Envy 13 for the longest time as my daily driver but I have had the pleasure of using the Pavilion series in the past, as well. They are great laptops for anyone who is on a budget, and well, you cannot go wrong with an HP.
Gaming Experience
We all are aware of the fact that gaming experience matters to us. When you are spending so much money on a gaming laptop, it would be a shame if you are not getting the experience you want from the laptop and well, this is not the case here because the Pavilion does deliver on that front, even if the performance is not boost is not what you would expect.
- GTA V: 60 frames per second.
- Minecraft: 324 frames per second.
- CS GO: 94 frames per second.
- Valorant: 80 frames per second.
Keep in mind that the games that we have tested were all running on low; the laptop did manage to go to high settings in some cases, but not all the time.
Specifications
Specifications are of course important for almost anyone who is in the market for a new laptop and this does not change with the HP 15.6”. You can look at the specs below.
- 15.6″ FHD screen
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
For the price you are paying, the set of specifications is decent, to say the least.
Design and Connectivity
Moving onto the design, the HP Pavilion follows the same design ethos that you find in most of the Pavilion laptops and that is not a bad thing, to be honest. For the price you are paying, this is exactly what you get; if you do want an understated laptop then I don’t think you can find a better option than this.
As far as the ports are concerned, there are two USB-A ports, both are 3.2 Gen 1, and there is one USB Type-C port, also the same specs. You get a card reader, an audio jack, and an ethernet port.
It is safe to say that the HP Pavilion will not blow you away in terms of the design and connectivity, but what you do have is more than enough.
Battery Life
The battery life is also decent, to be honest. I managed to get around 7 hours on normal use, which is what I would expect from a laptop that costs this much. If you have been worried, then this is how it is going to go. There is nothing much to worry about, so it is better to know.
Best Thin and Lightweight
4. Acer Swift 3 – Best Thin and Light Laptop
Shop on Amazon
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line:
The Acer Swift 3 comes in as a thin and light laptop that looks like it cannot deliver on the gaming front but surprises with stellar gaming performance for what its priced at and great looks, as well. Making it a complete package.
The last laptop on the list is from Acer again and this time around, we are looking at the Acer Swift 3, a laptop that has been around a number of times. Acer keeps refreshing the Swift lineup all thanks to the excellent demand and value for money it brings to the table, so if you have been looking for something good, this is the way to go.
Gaming Experience
The one thing that surprised me the most about the Acer Swift 3 is the gaming performance. Ideally, you do not expect such laptops to deliver good gaming performance because they are not made for gaming, in the first place. However, the Swift 3 delivers on those fronts, making it a compelling choice for anyone who wants something solid.
- Bioshock Infinite: 75.8 frames per second.
- Tomb Raider: 40 frames per second.
- Apex Legends: 70 frames per second.
The gaming performance is good but I would not advise you to turn the settings all the way up. The best thing that you can and should do is lower the settings and resolution too, if possible.
Specifications
Now, moving on to the specs, you are getting a fairly decent mix of specs; something that you would expect from a laptop at this price tag.
- 14″ Full HD IPS 100% sRGB Display
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Octa-Core Processor
- 8GB LPDDR4X
- 512GB NVMe SSD
Overall, the Acer Swift 3 in hand does work really well and manages to deliver the type of performance you would expect.
Design and Connectivity
The laptop comes with a decent design, to be honest. It is not the thinnest and lightest laptop available on the market but for what it’s worth, you do get something that you can easily carry around.
Now, for ports, you are getting a headphone jack, a USB 2.0 port, a USB Type-C port that also supports charging and power delivery, as well a display port. You are also getting a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A. The port selection is not massive but for a thin and light notebook, it is good.
Wireless connectivity is also great, so you are not really losing on anything.
Battery Life
The last thing to be honest is the battery life on this laptop which is my favorite. In my testing, the Acer Swift 3 managed over 11 hours of battery on Wi-Fi. Sure, gaming on it is definitely going to cost you a bit more performance but for the most part, you are looking at something that is respectable.
5. Dell Inspiron 15 3505 – Good gaming laptop under 600 dollars
Shop on Amazon
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line:
The Dell Inspiron 15 3505 is an excellent laptop that can be used for office and some casual gaming at the same time. It does not cost a lot of money, has expandable storage, and works really well for the most part.
We all aware of the fact that Dell laptops are excellent in almost all the regards and to be honest, after spending some time using Dell laptops, I have had a great experience. You can either go for their higher end XPS lineup of laptops, or even their Alienware laptops but if you genuinely want something that is affordable and delivers great value, ten you should go for Inspiron series that is excellent.
Gaming Experience
Now, gaming experience is very important for a lot of people on laptops, almost as much as it is important on something like a desktop. The Dell Inspiron 15 is not going to break the boundaries in gaming but for the price you are paying, you get a respectable machine.
- Bioshock Infinite: 54 frames per second.
- League of Legends: 110 frames per second.
- Overwatch: 60 frames per second
- Dead by Daylight: 40 frames per second
- GTA V: 50 frames per second.
As you can see, the performance here something that you would expect from a budget laptop. It is nothing groundbreaking but for the price you are paying, it gets the job done.
Specifications
As far as the specifications are concerned, the Dell Inspiron 15 3505 brings everything that you would expect from a sub $600 laptop, so that certainly is a good thing.
- 15.6 inch FHD screen
- AMD Ryzen 5 3450U
- AMD Radeon Vega 8
- 12GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB SSD
I love the amount of RAM you get here and the storage is more than enough but all thanks to dual storage slots, you can add more should you want to.
Design and Connectivity
Moving further, we are going to focus on the design and connectivity; the two things that are important to a lot of people and well, the good news is that the design is something that you would expect from a budget laptop. It is not too flashy, and it definitely looks like it is made for office use, so even if you do want to spend some time playing games, you know you would be able to.
As far as the connectivity, you are getting access to three USB-A ports, two of them are USB 3.2 Gen 1, and one of them is USB 2.0. Sadly, the laptop does not have a Type-C port, but you do get an HDMI port and an SD card reader as well.
Battery Life
Battery life is something that I have the most gripe with because for an office laptop, this Inspiron underperforms and not in a good way. For instance, in my testing, I only got four hours of battery.
Related Guides
Now that we are done looking at the best gaming laptops under $600, the next step is that we are going to take a look at a buying guide. How exactly do you choose the right laptop that can even play all games you want? Well, I am going to help you do just that.
- Decide Your Budget: I know that $600 is the budget we are talking about but still, even when you do not actively have a budget, it is always better to decide on one because it can help a lot with how much you are going to get in that price.
- Emphasize the Most on Specs: Considering how you are on a budget, buying a laptop just for its looks in this price might not end well for you. What I would suggest you do is make sure that you are getting the most specs in the price you are paying. Take the HP Pavilion 15.6” for example; it delivers great gaming performance and everything else in between. You want to get something that is going to give better performance in games.
- Size of the Laptop: I, for one, love small laptops. They are thin, light, easy to carry, and a lot of fun to use when you are on the go. If you are looking for a laptop, be sure that you know the size because getting a big laptop when you are used to smaller offerings is not something ideal.
- Storage and RAM: A good laptop should have ample storage and RAM, but this just depends on the person who is using it. Some people do not emphasize on it that much, so for them it is not relevant. However, before you get your hands on a laptop, be sure that you know what you want.
- What Games Do You Play: The last and perhaps the most important thing is that you have to be sure about the games that you do play. This is an excellent thing for anyone who is going to get a laptop because knowing this and having information about it can make the entire experience so much better and simpler.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best laptop under $600?
The Acer Nitro 5 in this list is the best laptop that you can get, followed by the MSI GF63.
Which low-budget laptop is best for gaming?
Honestly, that depends on the type of games you are looking to play. You can still find excellent laptops for under 600.
Are 600$ laptops good?
Yes, a lot of people will tell you that $600 laptops are not good enough but in most cases, you are getting great performance from these laptops through and through.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I am going to tell you that finding a laptop in $600 is not something that is difficult. Yes, the same goes even if you are looking for something that can be used for gaming because there are countless options that you can choose from and all the laptops that we have featured in this round up.
We are only focusing on the laptops that we think are going to deliver a decent gaming experience and honestly, that is what these are for.
