Can you get a good gaming laptop for under $400? It’s a question many gamers ask, and the answer might surprise you. With today’s technology and affordable price points, you can find laptops designed specifically for gaming that can meet your needs with a few hundred dollars.
Before you decide to purchase a laptop for gaming, it’s important to consider what kind of games you want to play and what type of performance you expect. Some gamers are looking for a laptop that can handle mainstream gaming titles, while others demand the highest frame rates and graphics settings available. As a general rule of thumb, laptops that cost under $400 are best suited to playing older or less resource-intensive games.
Fortunately, there are options. Many laptop manufacturers, such as Acer, Lenovo, and Dell, offer budget gaming laptops in this price range. These laptop computers typically come with Intel Celeron or Pentium processors, 4GB to 8GB of RAM and hard drives of 500GB or larger. While the graphics cards on these laptops may not be powerful enough for some of the more demanding games, they are adequate for many popular titles.
If you want to squeeze out a bit more performance from your gaming laptop, another option is to purchase the laptop in parts from retailers such as Newegg and Amazon. Doing this allows you to customize your laptop by selecting the specific parts that best meet your needs, such as a faster processor, more RAM, and a better graphics card.
When shopping for parts, it’s important to remember that some parts may require other components in order to work. For example, if you purchase a dedicated graphics card, you may need to purchase an additional power supply or cooling fan. You should also factor in any taxes or shipping costs when calculating the final cost of your laptop.
Another factor to consider when buying a gaming laptop is portability. While laptop computers offer the convenience of mobility, it’s important to remember that gaming laptops are typically heavier than other types of laptops, so you may want to consider purchasing a laptop bag to protect your laptop from damage when you’re on the go.
All in all, it is possible to find a good gaming laptop for under $400. While it will be more limited in performance than its more expensive counterparts, with a little research and planning you can find a laptop that will meet your gaming needs and your budget.
Maintenance
No matter how well-built your gaming laptop might be, it’s important to remember to maintain it properly. As with any computer, it’s good practice to make sure your laptop is regularly updated with the latest firmware and security patches to help ensure your laptop is running at its best. It’s also important to make sure your laptop isn’t overheating, as this can cause it to run slowly and inefficiently.
If you want to keep your gaming laptop running smoothly, it’s a good idea to regularly clean the laptop’s cooling fans and vents. This can help increase airflow and reduce the risk of the laptop overheating. You should also regularly check the laptop’s battery and replace it when necessary.
In addition to hardware maintenance, you should also ensure that your gaming laptop has the necessary protection from viruses and malware. Installing a reputable antivirus software is an important step in keeping your laptop secure.
Connectivity
Before buying a gaming laptop, it’s also important to consider your connection needs. While Wi-Fi is the most common way to connect your laptop to the internet, if you plan on gaming with multiple people, you may want to consider connecting your laptop directly to the internet with an Ethernet cable. This will provide a more reliable connection and reduce your latency, which can be essential for competitive gaming.
If you want to connect more than one laptop to the internet, you may be better off using a wireless router. This will allow you to easily and quickly create a local network between all of your devices, allowing you to game with others without having to physically connect each laptop to the internet.
Peripherals
When shopping for a gaming laptop, it’s also important to consider any additional peripherals you may need to purchase. For example, if you plan on playing with a controller, you may need to purchase a gaming mouse, headset and keyboard, as well as a laptop cooling pad to keep the laptop from overheating. Make sure to factor in the cost of all of these items into your final budget.
You may also want to consider purchasing a stand or laptop carrying case so that you can easily transport your laptop. This is especially important if you plan on taking your laptop with you places, as it will provide extra protection from damage.
Display
The type of display you select for your gaming laptop is also important. High-end gaming laptops can be configured with 4K displays that offer richer colors and more detailed images, however these displays can be expensive and may require a higher-end graphics card. For a laptop that costs under $400, you’re likely to get a display with a resolution of 1280×800, which is sufficient for most everyday gaming.
Parts
If you need to upgrade any components of your gaming laptop, make sure to only buy parts that are designed to work with the laptop. Purchasing incompatible or incompatible parts could damage the laptop or void your laptop’s warranty. It’s also important to back up any data or files on the laptop before attempting any upgrades, as they can be easily wiped or lost during the upgrade process.
Before buying a gaming laptop, it’s important to keep these tips in mind. By taking the time to research the different components and features of gaming laptops, you can find one that meets your gaming needs and fits your budget.
