Best Gaming Laptops Under $200 Reviews, Buying Guide

As more people turn to gaming for entertainment, gaming laptops have become increasingly popular. However, they can be expensive, with high-end models costing thousands of dollars. The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy gaming on a laptop. In this article, we will review the top 5 best gaming laptops under $200 and provide a buying guide to help you choose the right one for your needs.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Gaming Laptop Under $200

Before we dive into the reviews, let’s first take a look at the key factors to consider when buying a gaming laptop under $200:

Processor

The processor is the brain of your laptop, and it’s essential for gaming performance. Look for a processor with a clock speed of at least 1.6GHz or higher. AMD and Intel are the two main brands of processors, and both offer models that are suitable for budget gaming.

RAM

RAM (Random Access Memory) is another critical component for gaming performance. Most games require at least 4GB of RAM, but we recommend getting a laptop with 8GB of RAM or more for smoother gameplay.

Graphics Card

The graphics card is responsible for rendering images and videos, and it’s crucial for gaming. Look for a laptop with a dedicated graphics card with at least 2GB of VRAM. Some of the best budget graphics cards for gaming laptops include NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050, AMD Radeon RX 560, and Intel UHD Graphics 620.

Display

The display is where you’ll be spending most of your time when gaming, so it’s important to choose the right one. Look for a display with a minimum resolution of 1920×1080 (Full HD) and a refresh rate of at least 60Hz. A larger display size can enhance the gaming experience, but it may also make the laptop heavier and less portable.

Storage

Storage is where you’ll store your games, files, and media. There are two main types of storage: HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive). HDDs are cheaper and offer more storage space, but SSDs are faster and more reliable. We recommend getting a laptop with at least 256GB of SSD storage for faster load times and smoother gameplay.

Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $200 Reviews

Now that you know what to look for in a budget gaming laptop let’s review the top 5 models on the market:

1. Lenovo IdeaPad 3

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a budget-friendly laptop with a 15.6-inch Full HD display, an AMD Ryzen 3 3250U processor, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It also features an AMD Radeon Vega 3 graphics card and a backlit keyboard. The battery life is decent, lasting up to 7.5 hours on a single charge. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is an excellent choice for casual gamers who want a reliable and affordable laptop.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a budget laptop that offers a decent set of features. Here are some of its pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Affordable price point
2. Decent performance for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and video streaming
3. Good battery life
4. Lightweight and portable
5. Comes with Windows 10 Home pre-installed
6. Plenty of connectivity options, including USB Type-C, HDMI, and SD card reader

Cons:

1. Mediocre build quality
2. Limited storage space and RAM
3. No dedicated graphics card, limiting its performance for gaming or video editing
4. Dim and color-inaccurate display
5. Poor audio quality
6. Limited upgradability

Overall, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a good option for someone looking for an affordable laptop for basic tasks, but it may not be suitable for those looking for a more powerful machine or higher-end features.

2. Acer Aspire 5 Slim

The Acer Aspire 5 Slim is another budget-friendly laptop with a 15.6-inch Full HD display, an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 128GB SSD. It features an AMD Radeon Vega 3 graphics card and a backlit keyboard. The battery life is decent, lasting up to 7.5 hours on a single charge. The Acer Aspire 5 Slim is a good choice for casual gamers who want a lightweight and portable laptop.

The Acer Aspire 5 Slim is a popular budget laptop that offers good performance and features. Here are some of its pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Affordable price point
2. Good performance for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and video streaming
3. Decent battery life
4. Slim and lightweight design, making it portable
5. Comes with Windows 10 Home pre-installed
6. Full HD display with good color accuracy and brightness
7. Plenty of connectivity options, including USB Type-C, HDMI, and SD card reader
8. Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
9. Good audio quality for a budget laptop

Cons:

1. Mediocre build quality, with a lot of plastic components
2. Limited storage space and RAM
3. No dedicated graphics card, limiting its performance for gaming or video editing
4. Limited upgradability
5. No backlit keyboard

Overall, the Acer Aspire 5 Slim is a solid choice for a budget laptop, offering good performance and features at an affordable price point. However, its limitations in terms of upgradability and lack of a dedicated graphics card may make it less suitable for more demanding tasks.

3. Acer Chromebook Spin 311

The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is an excellent choice for budget gaming, thanks to its AMD A4 processor, 4GB of RAM, and AMD Radeon R4 graphics card. It also features an 11.6-inch HD touchscreen display, 32GB of eMMC storage, and up to 10 hours of battery life.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that runs on Google’s Chrome OS. Here are some of its pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Affordable price point
2. Lightweight and portable design
3. Good battery life
4. Touchscreen display with 360-degree hinge, allowing it to be used in various modes, including tablet mode
5. Comes with Google Chrome OS pre-installed
6. Good performance for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and video streaming
7. Fast boot-up and shutdown times
8. Multiple connectivity options, including USB Type-C, USB Type-A, and microSD card reader
9. Built-in virus protection
10. Google Play Store and Android app support

Cons:

1. Limited storage space and RAM
2. No dedicated graphics card, limiting its performance for gaming or video editing
3. Limited software options, as it only runs Chrome OS
4. Less powerful than traditional Windows or macOS laptops
5. Some users may find the keyboard and touchpad to be cramped
6. Mediocre audio quality
7. Limited upgradability

Overall, the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable and versatile 2-in-1 laptop for basic tasks. Its limitations in terms of storage, software options, and upgradability may make it less suitable for more demanding tasks or power users.

4. HP Stream 14

The HP Stream 14 is another excellent option for budget gaming, featuring an Intel Celeron N4000 processor, 4GB of RAM, and Intel UHD 600 graphics card. It also has a 14-inch HD display, 64GB of eMMC storage, and up to 14 hours of battery life.

The HP Stream 14 is a budget laptop that aims to provide an affordable option for basic computing needs. Here are some of its pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Affordable price point
2. Lightweight and portable design
3. Good battery life
4. Comes with Windows 10 Home pre-installed
5. Good performance for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and video streaming
6. Full-sized keyboard and touchpad
7. Good audio quality for a budget laptop
8. Plenty of connectivity options, including USB Type-C, USB Type-A, HDMI, and microSD card reader
9. Offers a decent amount of storage space

Cons:

1. Limited RAM, which can limit performance for more demanding tasks
2. No dedicated graphics card, limiting its performance for gaming or video editing
3. Limited upgradability
4. Mediocre build quality, with a lot of plastic components
5. Display has limited color accuracy and brightness
6. Can run hot and loud under heavy use
7. Bloatware and pre-installed apps can take up valuable storage space

Overall, the HP Stream 14 is a good option for those looking for an affordable laptop for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and video streaming. However, its limitations in terms of performance, upgradability, and build quality may make it less suitable for more demanding tasks or power users.

5. Acer Chromebook R11 Convertible Laptop

The Acer Chromebook R11 Convertible Laptop is an excellent budget option for gaming, featuring an Intel Celeron N3060 processor, 4GB DDR3 RAM, and Intel HD Graphics 400. The 11.6-inch HD IPS touch display and 360-degree hinge allow for a versatile and comfortable gaming experience. The laptop also has a decent battery life of up to 10 hours. However, the storage capacity is limited at only 16GB, and it may struggle to run more demanding games.

The Acer Chromebook R11 is a popular convertible laptop that runs on the Chrome OS operating system. Here are some pros and cons of this laptop:

Pros:

1. Convertible design – The 360-degree hinge allows you to use the laptop in different modes like tent, tablet, or stand mode.
2. Lightweight and portable – The laptop weighs only 2.76 pounds, making it easy to carry around.
3. Long battery life – The laptop can last up to 10 hours on a single charge, making it ideal for on-the-go use.
4. Good performance – The laptop comes with an Intel Celeron N3150 processor and 4GB of RAM, which provides decent performance for web browsing and basic tasks.
5. Touchscreen display – The laptop has a 11.6-inch HD IPS touchscreen display, which is responsive and provides good viewing angles.

Cons:

1. Limited storage – The laptop comes with only 32GB of eMMC storage, which can be limiting if you need to store large files or install many applications.
2. Limited processing power – The Intel Celeron N3150 processor may struggle with more demanding tasks like video editing or running multiple applications simultaneously.
3. Limited app support – The Chrome OS operating system does not support all the applications that you may need, especially if you are used to using Windows or macOS.
4. Limited connectivity options – The laptop only has two USB ports and lacks an Ethernet port or an SD card slot.
5. Limited upgrade options – The laptop’s RAM and storage are not upgradeable, so you may need to purchase a new laptop if you need more storage or memory.

Overall, the Acer Chromebook R11 is a good choice for those who need a lightweight and portable laptop for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and streaming media. However, if you need a laptop for more demanding tasks or need more storage and connectivity options, you may want to consider other options.

6. HP Stream 14-inch Laptop

The HP Stream 14-inch Laptop is another great budget option for gaming, with an AMD A4-9125 processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM, and AMD Radeon R3 graphics card. The 14-inch HD display provides a decent viewing experience, and the laptop has a battery life of up to 7 hours. However, the storage capacity is also limited at only 32GB, and the laptop may not be suitable for more demanding games.

Pros:

• Decent processor and graphics card
• Good battery life
• Affordable price

Cons:

• Limited storage capacity
• May not be suitable for more demanding games

Price: from $199.99 Availability: Amazon, Walmart

7. Lenovo IdeaPad S145 Laptop

The Lenovo IdeaPad S145 Laptop is a budget-friendly option for gaming, featuring an AMD A6-9225 processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM, and AMD Radeon R4 graphics card. The

15.6-inch HD display provides a decent viewing experience, and the laptop has a battery life of up to 5.5 hours. The storage capacity is also better at 128GB, allowing for more games and files to be stored. However, the laptop may still struggle with more demanding games.

Pros:

• Better storage capacity
• Good processor and graphics card
• Affordable price

Cons:

• May struggle with more demanding games
• Battery life could be better

Price: from $199.99 Availability: Amazon, Best Buy

8. ASUS VivoBook L203MA Laptop

The ASUS VivoBook L203MA Laptop is a lightweight and portable option for gaming, featuring an Intel Celeron N4000 processor, 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, and Intel UHD Graphics 600. The 11.6-inch HD display is also a plus for portability, but the battery life is only up to 10 hours. The storage capacity is limited at 64GB, and the laptop may not be suitable for more demanding games.

Pros:

• Lightweight and portable
• Good battery life
• Decent processor and graphics card

Cons:

• Limited storage capacity
• May not be suitable for more demanding games

Price: from $179.99 Availability: Amazon, Walmart

9. Dell Inspiron 11 3195 Laptop

The Dell Inspiron 11 3195 Laptop is another budget-friendly option for gaming, featuring an AMD A9-9420e processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM, and AMD Radeon R5 graphics card. The 11.6-inch HD display and 360-degree hinge provide a versatile gaming experience, but the battery life is only up to 6 hours. The storage capacity is also limited at 64GB, and the laptop may struggle with more demanding games.

Pros:

• Versatile 360-degree hinge
• Affordable price
• Decent processor and graphics card

Cons:

• Limited storage capacity
• May struggle with more demanding games

Price: from $199.99 Availability: Amazon, Walmart

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you play modern games on a laptop under $200? It depends on the specifications of the laptop and the requirements of the game. Some less demanding games may run smoothly on a laptop under $200, but more demanding games may struggle or not run at all.
2. Can you upgrade the RAM or graphics card later on? It depends on the laptop model. Some laptops may have upgradeable RAM and graphics card, while others may not allow for upgrades.
3. Can you connect an external GPU to a laptop under $200? Most laptops under $200 may not have the necessary ports or compatibility to connect an external GPU.
4. How do you optimize a laptop for gaming? You can optimize a laptop for gaming by updating the graphics driver, closing unnecessary programs and background processes, and adjusting the in-game graphics settings.
5. What games can you play on a laptop under $200? You can play less demanding games such as Minecraft, League of Legends, and older versions of popular games on a laptop under $200.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several budget-friendly options for gaming laptops under $200, each with their own pros and cons. It’s important to consider the specifications and features of each laptop before making a purchase to ensure that it meets your gaming needs. While these laptops may not be suitable for more demanding games, they can still provide a decent gaming experience for those on a tight budget.