TOP PICK 
RUNNER UP
Model
BLW's Score
90
88
86
82
80
MSRP
$855.00
$479.90
$798.00
$629.00
$399.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-7200U 2.5 GHz
Intel Core i5-7200U
Intel Core i5-8250U 1.6 GHz
Intel Core i5-7200U 2.5 GHz
Intel i3-1005G1
RAM
8GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
8 GB DDR4 RAM
Hard Disk
1TB HDD
256GB SSD
1TB HDD
1TB HDD
128G SSD
Display
17.3" HD+ (1600 x 900)
15.6" HD (1366 x 768)
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
17.3" HD+ (1600 x 900)
15.6" FHD Display
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
Intel HD Graphics 620
Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
Intel HD Graphics 620
Intel UHD Graphics
OS
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10
Windows 10
Windows 10 S
Weight
5.84 lbs
5.1 pounds
4.21 pounds
4.41 pounds
2.75 pounds
Battery Life
7.5
7 hours
7 hours
8 hours
5 hours
TOP PICK
Model
BLW's Score
90
MSRP
$855.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-7200U 2.5 GHz
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
1TB HDD
Display
17.3" HD+ (1600 x 900)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10 Home
Weight
5.84 lbs
Battery Life
7.5
RUNNER UP
Model
BLW's Score
88
MSRP
$479.90
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-7200U
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
15.6" HD (1366 x 768)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10 Pro
Weight
5.1 pounds
Battery Life
7 hours
Model
BLW's Score
86
MSRP
$798.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-8250U 1.6 GHz
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
1TB HDD
Display
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Weight
4.21 pounds
Battery Life
7 hours
Model
BLW's Score
82
MSRP
$629.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-7200U 2.5 GHz
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
1TB HDD
Display
17.3" HD+ (1600 x 900)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Weight
4.41 pounds
Battery Life
8 hours
BLW's Score
80
MSRP
$399.00
More Information
Processor
Intel i3-1005G1
RAM
8 GB DDR4 RAM
Hard Disk
128G SSD
Display
15.6" FHD Display
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics
OS
Windows 10 S
Weight
2.75 pounds
Battery Life
5 hours
Hello there Mr. Gamer, it has been long since we met. But your browsing through our pages makes me inquisitive about whether you are facing the requirement of a brand new gaming monster.
In case you do, then congratulations, you have arrived to the exact place. There was a time when laptops were used primarily for their portability which was absent in the traditional desktops binding us to just one place.
But with time, our demands have changed and increased substantially. We are now perceiving the laptop as our entertainment buddy who will safeguard us from the pangs of boredom at all time.
Thus we are leaning on this tech baby to infiltrate our ear lobes with divine music beats and immerse our senses into a visual extravaganza without missing out on the functional aspects. Gone are the days when people would buy a separate desktop PC or gaming console to cater to their gaming needs.
They want it all from the performance powerhouse laptop and that too without going over the top with the limited financial resources. Spending a fortune on the rapidly changing technology is a sheer waste.
Our suggestion is to go for the mid ranged laptops bellowing to the $600 price territory and save the extra bucks for getting your hands on the coolest new games in town.
Today we shall talk about ten such tough contenders of the best below $600 gaming laptop category. Each of them packs in enough surprises in the form of latest CPU, spacious HDD, high speed RAM, smooth and tactile keyboard, responsive and accurate touchpad etc. Processor can surely be considered as the heart of our machine with a significant impact on its overall performance.
For the gaming ones, at least an Intel core i5 model is required so that you can run new games without having much afterthought. At least 4GB of DDR3 RAM is needed if you don’t want your high-definition games to hang midway.
Usually there is no optimum screen size if you are an out-an-out gamer. Users usually swear by the more, the merrier philosophy as a bigger screen enhances the overall gaming experience. Enough said, let’s get to know the beauties one by one.
What to Look for in a Laptop Under $600?
When searching for a budget laptop, it is vital that you opt for a laptop that has all of the features and specifications that you are looking for in a high-quality laptop. Make sure that you do not forfeit the following specs:
Processor
Look for a laptop with a clock speed of 3.5 GHz to 4.0 GHz if you intend on using your laptop for gaming purposes. Gaming laptops need at least an 8th or 9th-Gen Intel-Core processor to be sufficient for gaming.
Memory
A gaming laptop needs 8GB memory or more. Although 8GB of memory should be enough, 16GB RAM is even better for gaming purposes.
GPU
A GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is responsible for the images on your computer screen. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or AMD's Radeon RX 56 are great GPU’s for gaming laptops and should be more than enough for your gaming needs.
Our Top Picks for Best Gaming Laptops under $600
1. Acer Aspire E 15
Specs:
When looking for a gaming laptop under $600, it’s hard to beat the Acer Aspire E15.
Externally, the design has changed very little, with the same obsidian black finish on the internal surfaces and a polished textured lid as last year’s model. Under the hood, it’s a little different though!
Gaming will benefit from the new improved processor, code-named Coffee Lake, especially games which are more CPU intensive. The NVIDIA MX150 GPU offers significantly higher performance than the previous GeForce GTX950M, and being one of the latest, it can be optimized for the best FPS you can get for games at this price.
Another new addition is the use of IPS technology on the back-lit, LED, 15.6-inches full HD (1920 x 1080) screen which allows for better viewing angles.
If your budget doesn’t allow for you to go all out for a high-end gaming PC, the Acer E15 offers one of the best compromises for use as a multi-purpose laptop and a gaming machine. The only thing some users may struggle with is the extra weight of this machine. At 5.3 pounds it’s not the lightest of laptops to carry around.
Specs:
HP are well known for their range of top specification laptops for all budgets. The i5-8250U processor used in this latest model is known to be a great performer for gaming and heavy multitasking processes.
The powerful Intel HD 520 graphics mean that you will have no problems playing the latest Call of Duty WWII on this laptop, as long as you don’t want to ramp the graphics setting up to the max.
A quality backlit 15.6-inch HD SVA WLED touchscreen is further enhanced with the B & O audio processing that gives studio-quality sound for the best gaming and multimedia experience.
The backlit keyboard is comfortable enough for typing up your latest report, with a large palm rest area and full-sized numerical pad.
For connectivity, the HP Pavilion 15 comes with one USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports, one HDMI display port, a headphone-out/microphone-in 3.5 mm jack and one RJ-45 ethernet port.
If you are gaming on the go, you should find no shortage of options to connect to external peripherals to improve your gaming experience.
With all these features, the
Specs:
If you are on the lookout for bang-for-your-buck performance and can happily settle down with a desktop replacement which does not pack in top-of-the-line construction and flashy engineering then your search should end with the Lenovo ThinkPad E570 model.
Its black plastic chassis having a subtle thatched pattern chooses the mid lane in between being matte finish and shiny.
Being a productivity powerhouse, the no-nonsense laptop comes with multiple ports to enhance your productivity. These ports are in the form of one HDMI slot, one Headphone / Speaker / Line-Out Jack, 10/100/1000Mbps LAN, Docking Connector, two USB 3.0 slots, one USB 2.0 slot and one Secure Digital (SD) Card Media Reader.
802.11ac dual band Wi-Fi establishes wire free connections which aids in surfing the web at lightning fast speed.
For its display, the ThinkPad E570 model flashes a 15.6 inch FHD screen with LED backlight so that you don’t feel the pangs of fatigue after a long day in front of the mean machine.
Powered with a resolution of 1366 x 768, the E570 display is relatively low resolution. Depending on the game, this may be an issue. However, good color accuracy, great contrast and perfect brightness level makes the darkest of reds and the most pristine whites stand out in all its glory.
The audio is excellent with clear surround sound via built-in stereo speakers and Dolby Audio Premium.
There are a few bonuses with this model. One is the DVD burner, which is becoming difficult to find in a laptop. The other is that it ships with Windows 10 Pro which provides useful features for enhanced security and remote access.
Specs:
Without bringing in much variations to the subtle HP Pavilion line-up, this model continues with the signature-style chassis and silver colored matte lid which looks like machined aluminum in the first glance. The sturdy hinges keeps the screen in place and using the display touchscreen with increased pressure doesn’t cause the screen to sway.
The bottom cover features dual vent openings and silicone legs for extra airflow. Its mammoth 15.6 inch HD screen having screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 delights users with its backlit display with touch screen features. Perfect for gaming buffs who don’t like to miss on even the minutest of details, the HP model will surely not leave much area for complaints.
The keyboard comes with a full sized number keypad and properly-spaced keys which make typing an enjoyable experience.
The large trackpad also responded to gestures beautifully thus helping out in performing Windows 10 operations such as three-finger flicking and two-finger scrolling in an easy manner.
Equipped with two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, one HDMI out port, one 3.5mm audio in/out jack and one RJ-45 Ethernet port, the Pavilion 15 brings along extreme connectivity on the go so that you can connect your system with external peripherals to experience the ultimate gaming bliss.
In spite of being an entry level model, the Pavilion 15 packs in some solid punch for the gaming addicts powered by Intel UHD Graphics 620 graphics.
Specs:
If you are looking for an ultra-slim, 17.3-inch gaming laptop under $600, this Lenovo built business laptop could be the answer.
Powered by a 7th generation Core i5-7200U processor, it also features a respectable 8GB of DDR4 RAM for lightning fast and reliable performance. Integrated Intel HD 620 graphics and the advanced processor make this laptop more than suitable for high-end gaming.
The 17.6-inch screen offers a brilliant HD+ resolution of 1600 x 900 with anti-glare technology for the best viewing experience. Games will really come alive on this crisp screen and the extra screen space can be useful in more complicated RPGs.
You will also enjoy true visual clarity when watching movies or browsing the web on this screen.
The hardware inside the Lenovo will display games smoothly—although only games that don’t have very high system requirements—and you must play them in low to medium resolutions. This laptop pairs the faster processor with 8GB of dual-channel memory for a better FPS rate.
The main selling point of this laptop is that, for a 17-inch laptop, it’s quite lightweight. It is heavier than the HP Pavilion we looked at earlier, but you’re getting nearly two inches of extra screen space. The newer processor and integrated Intel graphics will ensure games look stunning on those extra two inches.
Specs:
They say good looks never fail to create a solid first impression. And this is the exact thing which the Dell manufacturers had in mind while coming up with this beauty. Inspiron was once considered the most promising series from the house of Dell.
But the situation has changed considerably at present and it is an absolute bliss to see another Inspiron model taking on the market competition with much sass.
Its metallic lid with the embossed Dell logo gives a neat appearance to this desktop replacement. In the interiors, the plastic skeleton of the laptop gets coated with metallic sheen to pump up its premium feel.
It’s wrong to expect an out-and-out metal body given the below $600 price tag. But the manufacturers offer commendable service by covering underside of the base areas in metal coating whereas the screen bezel, wrist-rest and keyboard have an underwhelming matte black plastic finish.
With consistent build quality, this tough lady can easily be carried out in a sling bag without impending fears of damage. Weighing at 4.8 lb, the Inspiron 5000 finds itself to be a bit on the heavy side, but its 3-cell Lithium-ion 43 WHr battery makes sure that your machine does not run out of juice while you are at a friend’s place competing in a gaming marathon in spite of a power cut.
Connectivity does not bring in massive changes with the same old USB trio, LAN (10/100) port, SD card reader and HDMI output/ Microphone input combo slot.
The backlit keyboard comes with an exclusive number pad which accentuates productivity. Its precision touchpad having dimensions of 104x81mm coughs up smooth responses which aids in easy navigation.
One of the most significant component of the Dell Inspiron 5000 is its 6th Gen Intel Core i7-6500U processor having Turbo Boost technology which apart from ushering in major performance excellency also improves the battery life and product efficiency.
Its 15.6 inch Truelife display has a screen resolution of 1920x1080 and an aspect ratio of 16:9. Paired with its heavyweight processor and 8GB of 1600 MHz DDR3L RAM you can retrieve files as well as multitask quite easily.
Specs:
This stunning-looking laptop from ASUS features an 8th Generation chipset with the new faster core Intel i5 processor which can be turbo boosted to speeds of 3.41GHz.
At 16.2 inches wide, the laptop is less than an inch thick. It has a 0.3 inch, NanoEdge bezel, giving a superb 80 percent screen to body ratio. It truly is a thing of beauty.
The NanoEdge display gives you more screen space for better viewing and delivers smooth and clear visualizations. Running at Full HD resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels, it’s one of the clearest screens we have seen on a sub $600 laptop.
It features visual optimization technology for better-looking graphics. It is equipped with several viewing modes so you can choose the option which works best for you.
With 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive included as standard, the ASUS Vivobook is a competent and stylish laptop. As an ultra-thin laptop it offers all the connectivity you would expect including a USB-C port.
The excellent screen provides stunning visuals, just don’t expect the same performance as a dedicated graphics card found in some other sub $600 gaming laptops.
Specs:
The Ideapad 330 comes with a swanky new makeover which makes it all the more appealing and lucrative than its predecessor model. Build from better choice of materials the refined Ideapad 330 ushers in a no-frills design, super slim good looks and portability on the go by weighing just 4.5 pounds.
The external surface is made from a slightly rugged plastic having a soft matte finish which brings along anodized aluminum like looks thanks to its metallic hues.
The metal palm rest of the Lenovo Ideapad 330 feels cool and smooth to touch and is perfect for those long laptop sessions. Its single hinge design which opens up to 180 degrees holds the lid right in place and feels sturdy to operate.
The ports are evenly distributed in its dual sides with VGA, DC, 3.5 mm audio jack, HDMI, USB 3.0 and SD card reader in the left and another USB 3.0, optical drive and USB 2.0 in the right.
The anodized aluminum finish can act as a fingerprint magnet at times, but cleaning it is easy.
Targeted especially for the users who wish to nail accurate and super-fast typing, the backlit keyboard with properly spaced keys is sure to win you over with its pleasant and stiff feedback.
The 256GB of fast SSD storage is sufficient for most people and, with the integrated DVD/CD-RW drive, you can watch offline movies, listen to CD’s and load programs without having to shell out much on an external optical drive.
Be assured to be greeted with increased reliability, lower power consumption and higher performance coming out of the in-built DDR4 chip.
Enjoy a leisurely video chat and feel the thump as your high end games teleport you to a sci-fi world powered by the deadly combination of FHD IPS display and Harman Audio speakers.
Intel integrated graphics delivers good, but not great, video editing, gaming and multimedia experience. However, the performance is typical for a laptop in this price range.
Specs:
Usually we have to compromise on end-to-end functionality if we have budget constraints. But the HP 15-ay011nr delights with well-rounded features, 1080p graphics, 1TB hard drive, 8GB of memory and ultra-fast sixth gen processor without causing much stress on one’s wallet.
The HP model believes in delivering greater performance on the go rather than making unnecessary trimming which has caused several of its contemporaries to do away with the good old optical drive.
Made from moulded plastic, the diamond textured pattern of the machine’s silver lid featuring the trademark HP logo in black imparts a handsome look to the HP offering.
Weighing at 4.7 pounds, the full sized laptop mesmerises with a 15.6 inch full HD screen with maximum resolution of 1920x1080.
Given its budget tag, the vibrant and sharp display is surely something which surprises us with top notch feature such as anti-glare display so that you can binge watch those late night Game of Thrones episodes without worrying about your retina.
Empowered by 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 6200U processor, 8GB system memory, Integrated Intel HD 520 Graphics card and 1TB of 5400RPM Hard Drive, the HP 15-ay011nr can run multiple background programs and juggle in between numerous tabs without showing any sign of fatigue.
The HP Notebook packs in more surprises in the form of a bevy of connectivity options to cater to the diverse necessities of its users. The right side has an USB 2.0 port, SD card slot, security lock and disc drive.
On the left is a mic/headphone combo unit, USB 2.0 port, USB 3.0 port and Ethernet jack. The chiclet styled keyboard with a full length number pad will be immensely appreciated by number crunchers.
Expecting audio excellency out of a budget laptop will be a crime, but the HP model suffices with DTS Studio which produces decent sound quality which surely won’t disappoint while you live stream videos or browse the web.
Specs:
Dell never fails to bring in variety with each of its models and the Inspiron 15 3000 stands out with its interesting texture which can surely hog the limelight. The keyboard base, deck and the back lid is constructed using textured black plastic thus imparting a smooth and flexible look to the Dell beauty. The matte finish on its palm rest and lid feels grippy without being too bumpy.
The left side of the laptop comes with an exhaust vent, a charging port, a USB 3.0 port, a HDMI 1.4 connector and an SD card reader slot. In the right side you will come across a CD/DVD combo drive, a Kensington lock, a headphone jack and two USB 2.0 ports.
The monochromatic appearance of the laptop enhances the size of its bezels surrounding the 15.6 inch touchscreen display.
Maximum screen resolution of 1366x768 is perfect for web browsing or typing documents.
But don’t expect the machine to excel in photo editing tasks. The lower resolution goes easy on the CPU and graphics silicon with lesser pixels to push leading to a better battery life. The colour scheme is not particularly vivid but enoughly accurate to fit your bill.
The beauty of the black and grey splash resistant keyboard deck gets accentuated with the attractive white lettered sans-serif font. Although the keys do not come with the hugely popular backlit feature, the roomy number pad in the right more than makes up for the same aiding users during numerical drills.
The large button less touchpad helps in easy navigation and works in smooth sync with Window 10 gestures.
5th Generation Intel Core i5-5200U Dual-Core mobile processor running at 2.20 GHz serves as the brain of the system and the integrated HD Graphics 5500 silicon boosts up its graphics power to create a visual extravaganza.
8GB of DDR3L low-voltage memory running at 1,600MHz powers up the CPU for multitasking with much ease. The Inspiron model offers Intel dual-band 802.11ac chip for establishing wireless connectivity which is a rare feature in budget category offerings. It also supports Bluetooth 4.0.
11. LeNOVO IDEAPAD 3
Specs:
This laptop is brilliant for gamers that need a laptop for more than one use. If you are a student or work from home, this laptop is a great option for you as you can work on it and play your favorite games without needing to buy separate laptops.
Lenovo has a wonderful customer service team that looks after customers every step of the way. This is hugely important, especially when we are talking about electronic goods as they often malfunction or need repair.
Gaming on this laptop is comfortable and smooth. Playing graphic video games is a treat too. Overall a wonderful laptop for the price.
Specs:
This laptop is super responsive. It is ideal for light gaming and for surfing the web. It is extremely connective and has four USB ports so that you can connect to multiple devices at once.
The screen is brilliant and displays crisp images with superb clarity. Highly graphic games may lag a little, but for light gaming with simple images this laptop is great.
8GB RAM is more than enough for casual gamers, and you will be pleased to learn that it works quickly and efficiently along with the CPU and GPU. If you are looking for a simple laptop on a budget, this could be the one for you.
13. iProda
Specs:
With up to 10 hours of battery life, this laptop is great for people that are on-the-go. If you like to meet up with friends for a gaming sessions, this laptop would be great for that.
All of its specifications are on par with high-quality gaming laptops and it meets the minimum criteria for features that gaming laptops should have. The only thing we would say could be improved is the clock speed. A clock speed of 2.4GHz is a little low for gaming, but it should be fine for light gaming purposes.
Conclusion
Hardcore gamers might be highly surprised with the idea of using a budget laptop belonging to the below $600 category to cater to their gaming requirements.
Well the fact these laptops can’t support the highest rated games cannot be denied but they surely can excel the expectation of casual gamers.
If you are not too choosy about HD graphics quality or playing older games then there are multiple laptop options below the $600 threshold which can deliver plenty of power without breaking into your bank vault.
Now that you have gone through our list of carefully picked out desktop replacements, you surely must have noticed that each one of them provide complete value for money.
For further clarification regarding the same, you can visit online shopping portals like eBay, Amazon and browse through the list of customer reviews on each one of them.
While taking your pick don’t forget to zero on the laptop which can serve with ease for the upcoming five years taking into consideration the massive technological advancements and new software launches flooding the market.
