Minecraft is one of the most favorite games of all time, and it's a very addictive game. It gives you a lot of experience, full of entertainment and also develops your creativity. This game from Microsoft has over 100 million users, and if you're looking for a cheap laptop for Minecraft, then you'll surely find some great options here.
It's a mediocre graphics game, and most of the budget laptops can run the game with ease. Thankfully, you don't have to buy the most expensive laptop to run Minecraft and other similar games.
Something around $500 to $1000 with decent GPU should be able to execute the game just fine. We have listed 5 of the best laptops for playing Minecraft below, and these machines can also run games like World of Warcraft, League of Legends, Dota 2 and The Sims 4.
We have been doing a lot of research to find the best Minecraft laptops for you, and you don't have to waste any more of your precious time on reading and browsing.
What to look for in the best laptop for Minecraft?
In case you don't already know, let me tell you that Minecraft is made using Java and it can run in just about any OS excluding Chrome. You should also know that because of Java you might need a powerful laptop or it will slow down your PC.
You will need a decent processor and at least 2 GB of RAM to play most of the Java games, and you should also make sure that your laptop has a minimum of 1080 pixels resolution. Also in case you have a less powerful machine and would like to play the title smoothly then you can install a modification known as OptiFine.
All the listed notebooks are from reliable laptop brands, and you can pick the one that suits you. We usually recommend going with a laptop that costs at least $500, but if you're on a very tight budget, then you can have a look at laptops under $400.
Recommended System Requirements for Minecraft
Let’s take a look at the minimum and ideal system requirements for your laptop if you want to play Minecraft. You will see the minimum and ideal system specs listed below. Use this as a reference when looking for your laptop.
Processor
Your laptop will need Intel Core i3 3210, AMD A8 7600 APU, or an equivalent CPU. This shouldn't be hard to find as most laptops have an Intel Core i5 processor or above which is ideal for gaming.
Memory
A minimum of 4GB RAM is required for playing Minecraft; however, 8GB RAM is ideal for this game. Most gamers need a laptop with 8GB RAM or higher to be able to play their video games.
GPU
Here are the minimum GPU specifications:
- Intel HD Graphics 4000
- AMD Radeon R5 series
- NVIDIA GeForce 400 Series
- AMD Radeon HD 7000 series
Operating System
You will need a minimum of 64-bit Windows 7 operating system to be able to play Minecraft. Later versions are ideal, so if you can, opt for a newer operating system.
Screen Resolution
A minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768 is needed to play Minecraft comfortably. For added viewing pleasure, opt for a laptop with a HD screen.
Our Top Picks for Best Laptops for Minecraft
1. ASUS ROG Strix SCAR III
Specs:
If you're looking for a high-end 15.6-inch gaming laptop to play Minecraft, then the ASUS ROG Strix Scar III offers impressive hardware for a decent price.
For playing Minecraft, it packs more than enough power and comes with 9th generation Intel Core i7-9750H processor as well as NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU. It has 16 GB of DDR4 RAM which is more than enough to handle almost any game under the sun including Minecraft.
The biggest issue with this laptop is the battery life. It should last 2 to 3 hours while playing games like Minecraft, CS: pureGO, etc. The battery can be upgraded, but it requires opening the case.
It's true gaming based laptop that is primarily designed for gamers, and it delivers an uninterrupted gaming experience. It also packs a colorful backlit keyboard that is known as ROG's Aura keyboard. Considering its price, it's an excellent laptop for Minecraft, and it's our top recommendation due to its latest features, high-end specifications, and reasonable price.
PROS
- 16GB RAMv
- Comfortable keyboard
- Brilliant graphics
CONS
- Terrible battery life
2. MSI GV62
Specs:
An MSI laptop is a dream of almost every gamer, and it's the only brand that focuses solely on gaming laptops. The MSI GV62 is a high-end gaming machine for the nominal price, and it can run Minecraft smoothly.
If you're looking for the best gaming laptop under $1000, then you will be surprised with everything it has to offer. Powered by Intel Core i5-8750H processor along with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti and 8 GB of DDR4 RAM, it will run most games effortlessly. However, we'd recommend an upgrade to 16GB of RAM or more if you can afford it. For storage, it has a hybrid SSD and 1 TB hard drive that will quickly provide access to all your games and data.
While many best laptops for Minecraft offer a lower display resolution, this one comes with a matrix full HD display with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. MSI, as mentioned earlier, is highly focused on gaming laptops and with this one you are going to have the best gaming experience possible.
It packs a sporty and attractive look that is highly appreciated by gamers. It's mostly seen in college dorms as it's a perfect choice for college students as well as gamers on the budget.
PROS
- Brilliant for work and playing games
- Looks good
- Very high-quality display
- Can run most games effortlessly
CONS
- Poor portability
3. Dell Gaming Laptop
Specs:
This Dell Gaming Laptop is another one of the best laptops for Minecraft, and it deserves the spot in our guide due to its power and latest features. Specially designed for gamers, it's available in several variants. The basic model will cost you somewhere around $800.
The Intel Core i5-8300H processor and 8 GB DDR4 RAM allows the machine to run games like Minecraft with ease. This budget gaming notebook also comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU for fast display rendering. Storage is generous with a fast 128GB SSD and large 1TB hard drive.
It is equipped with a 15-inch full HD IPS display that offers the maximum resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels along with Wide-Angle and Anti-Glare feature. Also, you don't have to worry about its battery life as it can easily last for around 3-5 hours while playing games.
It's mostly preferred by budget gamers, and after testing it for almost a week, we can tell you it's a perfect choice for Minecraft users. It comes with a full-size comfortable keyboard that is not only good for typing but also for gaming. Anyways, after personally testing it, we can say it's one of the best laptops for playing Minecraft.
PROS
- Comfortable keyboard
- Reasonably priced
- Fast processing speed
CONS
- Bulky design
4. Acer Aspire 5
Specs:
The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best budget gaming laptops, and we have already included it in some our buying guides including best laptops for Sims 4 and World of Warcraft.
It's full value for the money and comes with 8th generation Intel Core i5-8565U processor with a Turbo Boost speed of up to 4.6 GHz. It has 12 GB of DDR4 RAM and 512 GB SSD to save games like Minecraft and Counter Strike: GO. It also features NVIDIA GeForce MX250 GPU that can run most of the latest games smoothly.
This 15-inch laptop is a low-cost gaming machine that packs powerful hardware along with an excellent battery life of up to 8 hours. Its minimalistic design is highly appreciated, and with a full-size keyboard, it's extremely comfortable to use.
So if you're looking for a regular laptop for powerful tasks such as playing games, running high-end applications, multi-tasking, etc. then this notebook from Aspire series might be the best choice for you. Overall, it's among the best Minecraft laptops and has convinced us that it can provide you with the uninterrupted gaming experience.
PROS
- Great multitasking capabilities
- Comfortable to use
- Responsive
- Powerful hardware
CONS
- Poor refresh rate
5. ASUS VivoBook S15
Specs:
The ASUS VivoBook is one of best Minecraft laptops from ASUS. If you're seriously looking for a reliable gaming laptop, then this one is surely worth looking at.
It's able to handle Minecraft smoothly and also other necessary applications that we use in our daily life. Looking at its price, it packs a lot more processing power and comes with an 8th generation Intel Core i5-8265U processor as well as 8 GB of RAM.
Also to handle a game such as Minecraft, it's equipped with Intel graphics is capable of delivering the smooth performance while keeping this laptop within the budget price range. With its 256 GB SSD, you'll be able to boot Windows and load games quickly. Its 15-inch full HD display is yet another reason to consider this machine for playing Minecraft.
This is a sleek device and the laptop is available in a variety of bright colors. All in all, it's a great laptop for playing Minecraft and offers good value for the money.
PROS
- Very reliable
- Fast loading speed
- Great value for money
- Good for gaming
CONS
- It runs out of battery very quickly
BEST LAPTOPS FOR MINECRAFT WORTHY MENTIONS
If you want to look at a few more laptops before you make your final decision, the following laptops are brilliant and worth mentioning. Here are the main features and specifications, pros, and cons for each of the laptops listed below.
Specs:
PROS
- Lightweight and thin
- Fast memory speed
- Brilliant dedicated graphics card
CONS
- Poor battery life
Specs:
PROS
- Great battery life
- Easy to use the keyboard
- Very fast
CONS
- Poor customer service
Specs:
PROS
- Very powerful
- Ideal RAM
- Great quiet mode and power-saving mode
CONS
- Overheats quickly
Specs:
PROS
- Smooth screen
- Sleek gaming experience
- Good for working from home
- Quiet fans
CONS
- The fan gets louder the longer the laptop runs
Specs:
PROS
- Thin and sleek design
- Sleek gaming experience
- Universal USB Type-C charger
- Good battery life
CONS
- No Kensington Lock
- High CPU temperatures when under load
- No HDMI 2.0
Conclusion
Well, we hope these best laptops for Minecraft will help you choose the right machine. We have tested all of these laptops, and you will surely love its features such as the display, audio quality, reliability, and affordability.
Each laptop has thousands of happy customers that agree with us and have been enjoying the device since day one.
However, before buying we recommend you read the reviews of certified buyers. Let us know if you have any doubts or questions.
Best Laptops for Minecraft FAQ
Q: What kind of computer do you need to play Minecraft?
A: You nee a laptop that fits the minimum system requirements for playing Minecraft. Minecraft has low system requirements and can be played on most laptop models.
Q: What cheap laptops can run Minecraft?
A: The following laptops are great for playing Minecraft:
- Lenovo IdeaPad 3
- Acer Nitro 5 Best
- ASUS TUF FX505DT
Q: Is Minecraft free on laptops?
A: You can play Minecraft for free on your laptop if you sign up for a trial.
Q: Can Minecraft be played on any laptop?
A: Yes, as long as the laptops features and specifications meet the minimum requirements for playing the game.