Best Gaming Laptops Under 300

When it comes to gaming, age really isn’t a factor. I recently found this out when during a family event most of my family members were glued to their phones, gaming laptops and PC screens, each engrossed in their own gaming world.

Starting from the youngsters to the much older members, they all seemed to have one thing in common- their passion for games.

But just like everything else, this favorite pastime comes with a price tag.

If you want to enjoy playing your favorite games in high resolution then the best thing for you is to invest in a high grade gaming rig because playing games causes units to heat up and if the processor is not powerful enough you will not be able to enjoy the experience.

Most people prefer to stick to desktop PCs for this reason as desktop PCs have the most powerful processors but as great as the experience can be, you will not have much flexibility or the chance to carry your gaming unit around.

Now, if you are a serious gamer and are interested in an extremely high quality gaming laptop then you will be looking to pay anywhere between $1000 to $5000. Yes, that is a huge amount we know, but it is simply because the top-notch processors on these laptops require more memory and that increases the cost.

Check out our list which includes 7 budget gaming laptops. We have also put together a buying guide and some much required information in this post which may be of good use to you. So let us dig right in.









7 Best Gaming Laptops Under 300

It can be hard to find the best gaming laptop under 300 ; therefore, we have arranged a list of top 7 good gaming laptops for your budget.

As you are looking for low cost laptop or below then check out this 15.6” widescreen laptop by HP. It comes equipped with a dual-core AMD processor and runs at a clock speed of 2.50GHz, up to 2.90GHz. The AMD A6-9220 processor may be slower when compared to Intel CPUs but are more affordable in this case and since it is above 2.0 GHz you will be able to get all basic tasks in good speed.

With a 4GB SDRAM you can also open multiple browser tabs and applications while working on any project or while surfing the net as it provides a decent high bandwidth to make running more than one application a lot faster and smoother.

Fitted with an integrated graphics chipset with shared video memory, this unit provides hassle free internet browsing, casual gaming and photo editing as well as giving you the chance to watch all your favorite movies anytime you wish. AMD Radeon R4 may not be the best when it comes to graphics but for the price it does a pretty decent job and enables you to play most of the games that requires low settings.

To give you a real life effect and pleasurable viewing, the screen has an HD resolution of 1366 x 768 with LED backlight. The glossy 15.6” screen and display of sharp and clear pictures also provides you with a better gaming experience and larger images.

Apart from the high grade picture quality, the built-in DTS sound stereo speakers will ensure that the sound quality is top-notch. If you wish to transfer files you have the option between using a USB with the multiple USB ports or transfer photos from an SD card.

There are 2 3.1 USB ports and 1 2.0 USB port built in for your convenience. Other outputs/inputs include HDMI and a headphone/microphone combo jack. You can easily carry this laptop around because it weighs at 4.52 lbs and is 0.9” thin.

Summary

Pros:

High screen resolution and wide screen display

4GB SDRAM enables multi-tasking

Includes a DVD/CD writer

Comes with 3 USB ports, most laptops with this prce range only have 2 ports.

Built-in SD card reader

Full-size island-style keyboard with integrated numeric keypad

Touchpad

Built-in webcam

Supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Cons:

Not very fast in processing

Some customers had to reinstall windows 10 to make it work faster

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The Lenovo IdeaPad is an excellent laptop for games, net surfing and other basic tasks. It will not cost you a leg and an arm and its performance is more than just satisfactory. The laptop runs on AMD A6-7310 processor which is an accelerated Quad-Core processor with a clock speed of 2.0 GHz.

It operates with the Windows 10 Home system and has a 4 GB system memory and 250GB flash memory. For all your gamers out there you will be happy to know that it with the AMD Radeon R4 Graphics you will be able to play games and watch videos with better speed and higher performance.

You can watch videos or play games with a realistic feel with the 1366 X 768 screen resolution that keeps the colors and visuals crystal clear.

Ports on the unit include ports for USB 3.0, USB 2.0, Headphone/Microphone (combo) jack, HDMI and 10/100 Ethernet. The full keyboard comes with a 10-key numeric design. Now, coming to its external specifications, the IdeaPad has a widescreen LED display of 15.6 inches that plays videos with High Definition (1366 X 768), a body measurement of 15.4’’ x 9.94’’ x 0.78’’ and a black casing.

It is not your slimmest or smallest laptop but the large screen guarantees more enjoyment when it comes to viewing pictures and videos in HD. The unit weighs around 4.85 pounds so it is quite light to carry around.

It uses a 3-cell lithium-ion battery that has a life of approx 5 hours on full charge which means hours of endless fun even when you are not near a power source.

Summary

Pros:

Quad-core processor

Good integrated Graphics for gamers to play games with speed and ease

Includes a DVD drive

Supports wireless connectivity

LED display and high resolution screening

Cons:

Might not be able to play some latest games with involve higher settings

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If you are going to be carrying around your laptop then it might as well be stylish. The ASUS VivoBook E403NA-US04 is a thin, lightweight and gorgeous looking laptop with a sleek design. At first glance it really doesn’t look like a budget friendly device with its fine visuals and amazing lines, but this unit is surprisingly very affordable.

Okay so it isn’t a gaming laptops under 300 but will still cost you less than $350 which is quite reasonable considering its high quality look and sturdy construction. The VivoBook also has a high resolution 14’’ display where you can view your valuable pictures and videos in a 1920 x 1080 resolution screen.

The only drawback despite its 1080p display is that the viewing angles are not wide and the color isn’t all that bright or vivid. Some users also went on to say that the color quality is rather dull. It runs on the Intel Celeron N3350 processor which is an average performing CPU but for the price you can’t really complain.

With a 4GB DDR3 RAM and 64GB eMMC flash storage you can run multiple applications but to a limit and also the storage space is just about enough. If you need more storage you can always connect external storage using one of the many ports that come with this laptop. If the 14” display isn’t big enough for you then you can connect it to another display using the HDMI port.

The 802. 11ac dual antenna Wi-Fi enables you to connect to the internet very fast and take care of all your web based tasks. As the unit runs on a dual-core processor with a clock speed of up to 2.4 GHz, you can expect some smooth operation when running applications but nothing really impressive when it comes to speed.

The in-built Webcam comes in handy when making video calls for official use or to keep in touch with loved ones. The operating system is Windows 10 and it uses the Intel HD Graphics 500 for all your media operation. We must mention that while this laptop is more suited for every day basic tasking like web browsing, playing videos and general computing, you can also play your favorite games on this.

Other incorporated features include 3 USB ports (USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A and USB 2.0 Type-A), dual speakers with 9cc speaker chambers and a combo jack for headphone/microphone. It also supports SD cards with its SD card slot.

Summary

Pros

Sleek design

Portable, light weight and ultra slim

HD screen with high resolution

Supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Fan-less technology ensures quiet operation

Advanced cooling technology

Long battery life

Built-in HD webcam

Cons:

Limited storage

Color display not very impressive

Not a very fast performing unit

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If you find yourself using the laptop more for gaming than for other basic tasking then Lenovo IdeaPad 320 with its powerful and latest generation Intel processing and Intel HD graphics 500 will be a perfect pick for you. It is not only affordable but also guarantees quick responses and smooth operation.

The Intel Celeron N3350 dual-core processor has a clock speed of 1.6 GHz, max speed of 2.40GHz and lots of memory. If you like to open up multiple tabs or if your project requires you to start several applications then you can run all the programs all together without trouble.

The 4GB DDR3L SDRAM memory is expandable to 8GB. This allows you to perform a vast number of multimedia works as it has the power to tackle applications that require a lot of power. For storage the IdeaPad 320 comes with a 1TB HDD Hard Drive with a spindle speed of 5400 rpm.

The high definition 15.6’’ display provides you with clear and vivid images and also sets a more comfortable viewing with the anti-glare technology. You can now play and watch all your favorite videos or even enjoy gaming with realistic and high quality screening with a screen resolution of 1366 x 768. External ports include an Ethernet port, HDMI port, DC-in port, headphone/microphone combo jack and 2 USB ports ( 2.0 and 3.0)

The unit is light weight and compact in size with 0.9’’ thickness. The Lenovo IdeaPad 320 operates on the Windows 10 system in 64 bit format and has a battery life of 4 hours, 30 minutes.

Summary

Pros:

Runs on the latest generation Intel processing

Large storage capacity of 1TB HDD Hard drive, perfect for storing all your favorite movies and important files

Can run multiple applications and tabs during web surfing

Includes an HD webcam for video calls

Built-in DVD/CD writer

Supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Large display with LED backlight

Anti-glare technology for comfortable viewing

Intel HD graphics 500

Cons:

Customers mentioned that the laptop was pretty slow at performing tasks and loading information.

Not great for powerful games

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The Dell Inspiron i3552-4042BLK laptop is one of the most affordable laptops in the market with a decent features and a reliable performance. It comes with a 15.6 inch LED lit screen with a high definition screen resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, enabling you to view photos, play your favorite movies and also play games on a large display.

It functions with an Intel Celeron N3050 processor with turbo up to 2.3 GHz, giving the unit power to perform most tasks with speed and less trouble. With a 4GB Single Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (4GBx1) memory and Intel HD graphics you can enjoy some quality and reliable performance during gaming and media presentation, it also permits multi-tasking up to a certain limit.

The audio system which features Waves MaxxAudio is an award winning technology, providing you with perfect sound clarity and quality. The wireless system supports 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.01 for speedy connectivity. The keyboard is a Standard English keyboard but the battery has an impressive life of 8 hours.

Dell Inspiron operates on Windows 10 Home with 64 bit format. The 5400 rpm 500 GB hard drive gives you some decent storage space to safe keep all your important stuff and have quick access to them whenever needed. Multi-media drive includes the Tray load DVD Drive which reads and writes both DVDs and CDs.

With a weight of 4.9 lbs and a 22 mm thickness, this laptop is easy to carry around as it can be packed in a laptop bag or in your travel bag with minimum space.

Summary

Pros:

Large display

HD screen

High grade audio system

Built-in webcam

Supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

8 hours battery life

Includes DVD/CD writer

Multiple external ports

Cons:

Somewhat slow processing speed

You cannot play high setting games on this laptop

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HP is one of the names you can trust when it comes to laptops and desktops and they have a wide range to choose from, starting from low priced to high end devices. We chose the 15.6 inch Premium Laptop for its affordable price and good features which we believe make it a one of a decent gaming laptops under 300.

In the hardware department this laptop comes with a 2.0GHz AMD Quad-Core A6-5200 APU micro processor 4GB DDR3 SDRAM (1 DIMM) memory. These specifications do not have much difference from the other laptops listed in this post considering the low cost involved but are some of the best you can get within this range.

For video graphics, the gamers can expect to get up to 2048 MB worth of memory with the AMD Radeon R4 graphics. It will provide you with good gaming experience but nothing high end or fancy. You might not be able to play games that require too much of a high setting on this one. It does however come with some pre-installed games.

The sound effect makes this one a best laptops for games like sims 4 . The 15.6 inch display is full HD with a screen resolution of 1366 x 768 and a LED backlit feature. You can enjoy some quality screening of all multimedia projects including videos, photos and of course your favorite games.

If you wish to transfer files you will be able to do so with the help of either the digital media card reader which supports multiple formats or one of the 3 USB ports (1 x 3.0 USB, 2 x 2.0 USB). You can also add an additional display through the HDMI port.

Finally the HP premium laptop operates with the Windows 10 Home (64 bit) system as its software.

Summary

Pros:

Affordable

Full HD display

Includes webcam and a DVD burner

Comes with pre-installed games

500GB worth of storage – external memory card supported

Wireless connectivity

5 hours of battery life

Cons:

The keyboard may have delay issue

Some customers complained of poor Wi-Fi range

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With a quad-core Intel processor and integrated Intel graphics, the Lenovo Ideapad 110 is a decent laptop for playing on. The processing power allows you to work, surf the internet and play your favorite games with less hassle.

Basic computing comes easy while other tasks that require more processing power also seems to work effortlessly and with satisfactory speed.

It has a 4GB RAM memory ( not upgradable) and a 500GB worth of storage space on the hard drive. You can save all your data and also some of your much loved movies and photos which you can have access to whenever you like. If you like to watch movies or listen to music offline then you can do so using the built-in DVD/CD-RW drive, eliminating the cost of purchasing an external optical drive.

The LED lit 15.6 inch display has a maximum screen resolution of 1366 x 768, giving you clear and vivid images and video screening. With sharp multi-media presentation, you will be able to enjoy the experience even more. However, since it is a widescreen and large 15.6 inch display panel, the resolution falls a little short and is somewhat visible in the quality of the texts, pictures and videos.

Speaking of ports, the Ideapad 110 comes with an ethernet port, 1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3.0 and a 3.5mm audio jack. The built-in speakers will deliver crisp and clear sounds but the volume level is more on the lower end, although investing in a high quality set of headphones may solve this issue.

Summary

Pros:

The processing power of the Ideapad is quite good for its price

Great for everyday tasking

Can be used for gaming ( to a limit)

Built-in webcam and microphone

Good sound quality

High speed wireless connectivity

Large display

Cons:

Although the display is HD, you will not get the full HD effect due to the low resolution- large display panel ratio

Battery life isn’t that great, on full charge you will get about 4 hours of activity. If you play games then expect the battery to drain much faster.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Gaming Laptops Under 300

Is it better to have a smaller display on a gaming laptop?

The size of the display is totally a matter of personal preference because it is up to if you want something small and compact or a little bigger screen for better viewing. The resolution is something to look at as it determines a lot in terms of picture quality and clarity. HD display is what you want.

The size only matters when you think of portability.

Are there any good gaming laptops under 300?

All laptops, except the ASUS VivoBook , listed above gaming laptops under 300 and each one has its special features which make them among the best gaming laptops that you can find within the $300 price range.

Note that all of the mentioned laptops carry well known and reputable brand names like HP, Dell, ASUS and Lenovo, so no matter how cheap the laptops are, quality will not be compromised with.

What is the best cheap gaming laptops under 300 ?

We cannot pick one out of the above good laptops for gaming under 300 because each model has something unique to offer and it is really up to you as a user to select the one which best suits your preference. If you like small screens and slim frames then the ASUS VivoBook is great, if you are looking for something with a lot of storage then the Lenovo Ideapad 320 will give you 1TB worth of storage space.

Or if you want to go for the models with the best customers reviews on Amazon then you can check out the HP 15.6 Inch Premium Laptop or the Lenovo Ideapad 110.

What are some of the good brands in gaming laptops under 300 ?

Some of the well known names in the industry, whether we are talking about gaming laptops or just laptops in general are HP, Dell, Apple, ASUS, Lenovo and Microsoft among others. While we could not find any best budget gaming laptop from Apple or Microsoft, the other brands have made it to our list today.

Dell is one of the best brands currently followed by HP and the others. You may want to also look at the different specs and features when choosing your laptop because your favorite brand may not have exactly what you are looking for.

Conclusion on Selecting Gaming Laptop

We hope our post today has helped you find the right gaming laptop within your budget. The list was a difficult one to compile as gaming laptops tend to be much more expensive, especially if you are looking to play 3D and all the latest version games like sims 4 on your laptop but after a lot of debate and filtering we came up with our top 7 gaming laptops under 300 in this post.

Of course if you can increase your budget by a few hundred dollars then you will have a wider range to choose from but for now the budget gaming laptops mentioned in this post are some of the best gaming laptop under 300 price range.

If you have a higher budget Check the Best Gaming Laptops Under 600

Categorised in: Budget Gaming Laptops