Do you want to buy the best gaming laptop under $400?
Well, we have compiled a list of the best gaming laptops under $400 that will offer incredible performance.
Choosing the best laptop within your budget is more challenging than you think; the right laptop is an important part of the overall technology setup.
Can You believe it?
Understand that if you regularly play games, the laptop produces a lot of heat, countered by a powerful processor or a cooling system.
Most laptops use powerful processors to maintain heat management, so they require more memory to keep them from overheating.
If you go for high performance, more memory means you have to spend more money from your pocket.
When searching for the best affordable gaming laptop (the best gaming laptop under $400) within a specific budget, it’s crucial to maximize the value of the money you spend.
Buying a laptop is always a significant and long-term investment. You will need to keep pace with changing technology every few years.
It can be eye-opening to see how expensive a new laptop can be and the incredible number of options available after just a brief browse.
I’m Sure...
While budget laptops may not offer all the features of top-tier computers, they can provide the reliability and essential elements you need for everyday work and gaming.
The choice is not one-size-fits-all; It depends on individual needs. Your selection should be customized to your specific requirements. If you plan on using a new laptop for gaming, you should prioritize a larger screen and smooth graphics. On the other hand, if you’re a traveler, Digital Nomad considers factors like battery life and weight.
Whether you need a laptop for school, work, or gaming, you can easily find one that meets your basic needs for under $400.
While this can be challenging, our expertise makes it easy for everyone. Therefore, we have compiled a list of your favorites and provided detailed reviews for those interested.
What to Look for in the 400 Dollar Gaming Laptop?
If you can spend a lot of money getting a good gaming laptop, you can buy it quickly, but it will be challenging if your budget is low.
Select the following essential hardware and software specifications if you are careful.
Choose a Processor as much as powerful
We assume that you know the importance of processors in gaming laptops. The CPU is the brain of any machine, so it is ideal for the latest generation processors made by hand to select cheap gaming laptops.
For less than $ 400, you will get processors like AMD Ryzen, Intel Core, Intel Pentium, etc. You have some great options if you can increase your budget to $500.
It should have a Smooth GPU
Another vital component is the graphics card in terms of gaming. It would be best to go for the latest integrated GPU at this price range—for example, AMD Raiden, Intel Iris Xe, UHD, etc.
Select More and Latest RAM
Memory is another essential integral part of any laptop or PC. With a good RAM size, it is easier to see gaming or multitasking performance.
Under 400, you can choose from 4 GB to 8 GB RAM; if you buy less, it can lag to run the game.
Should have SSD as primary storage
Nowadays, SSD is becoming very popular due to its speed. To choose a gaming laptop, you must have at least a 128 GB SSD with some HDDs. This would be fine if you only get 128 GB + SSD.
Minimum and Recommended Laptop Specs for under $400
Specs | Minimum | Recommended |
---|---|---|
Screen | HD (1366 x 768) | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
Processor | Intel Celeron | Latest Gen Intel Core i3, i5 / Equivalent to AMD Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5 |
Memory | 4GB | 8GB |
Storage | 64GB SSD | 128GB SSD or HDD |
Graphics | Integrated Intel HD | Integrated Intel UHD, Iris Xe or Equivalent to AMD Radeon |
Battery | 3 Hour | 5 Hour |
Gaming Laptop Under $400 Pack Gaming Performance We could only dream of offering powerful CPUs with excellent GPUs and Excellent Performance a few years ago.
11 Gaming Laptops Under $400: Top Picks
Image | Product | Feature | Price |
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TOP Pick
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Acer Aspire 3
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Best Overall
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Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
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ASUS VivoBook 16
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Acer Aspire 5
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HP 15
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HP 17
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Lenovo IdeaPad 1
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ASUS VivoBook 14
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HP Pavilion 15
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Dell Inspiron 15
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Lenovo Ideapad 3i Chromebook
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1. HP Pavilion 15
Specifications
CPU (Processor) | 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U (1.3 GHz to 4.6 GHz, 10 cores, 12 threads, 12 MB cache) |
GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
RAM | 8 GB DDR4 RAM |
Storage | 512GB PCIe SSD |
Screen | 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) diagonal BrightView IPS Micro-edge Display |
Weight | 5.07 lbs (2.29 Kg) |
Battery Life | 3-cell, 41 Whr, Lithium-ion (10 Hours) |
Others | Backlit Keyboard, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, Windows 11 Home |
PROS |
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✔ Enough RAM and Storage |
✔ Latest and Powerful Processor |
✔ Latest Wi-Fi 6E |
✔ Affordable Price |
✔ Great Design and Portable |
CONS |
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✘ Battery Could Be Better |
✘ No Thunderbolt Port |
This HP Pavilion 15 is the Best Gaming Laptop for Under 400 Dollars and will give you powerful performance and a stylish appearance. It has a powerful 10-core 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U processor with an essential CPU clock speed of 1.3GHz and turbocharged up to 4.6GHz and 12MB cache Memory.
The laptop has 8GB DDR4 Soldered RAM and 512GB of fast PCIe SSD storage, and you can store all the necessary files, games, and software. This laptop performs excellently and can easily handle daily work, accessible gaming, and multitasking.
The 10-core Intel i5 processor comes with an integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics card.
You can play low-end and mid-end games smoothly, but sometimes it provides as many functions as the High Budget Laptop if you play some high-end games.
This laptop’s appearance is silver and resembles Premium, and its simple design gives it a professional appearance.
The HP Pavilion 15 features a 15.6-inch FHD diagonal BrightView IPS Micro-edge Display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, providing good viewing angles. It delivers clear sound for an enhanced movie-watching and gaming experience.
Almost every port must be used on both sides of the laptop, making it easier to access each port. It has WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, two USB Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, a Fast USB Type-C port, a 720p HD camera, and a Dual Array Digital Microphones.
Three 41 WHr batteries can provide up to 10 hours of battery life and come with a 65W power adapter. It is supported by the 64-bit Windows 11 Home operating system.
Read our HP Pavilion 15 Laptop Review
2. Acer Aspire 3
Specifications
CPU (Processor) | AMD Ryzen 5 7520U Quad-Core Mobile Processor(Up to 4.3 GHz) |
GPU | Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics |
RAM | 8GB LPDDR5 |
Storage | 512GB NVMe SSD |
Screen | 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080); 60Hz; LCD, IPS Display |
Weight | 3.09 lbs (1.4 Kg) |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
Others | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, and Windows 11 Home |
PROS |
---|
✔ Cheap Price |
✔ Powerful Processor |
✔ Great Upgradability |
✔ Responsive Keyboard and Touchpad |
✔ Enough RAM and Storage |
CONS |
---|
✘ Lower-quality built-in speakers |
✘ No Backlit Keyboard |
If you are struggling to find a powerful laptop for gaming budget constraints, please buy a computer designed by Acer because it has launched the Aspire series of notebooks with all Gaming features.
The price of this laptop on the market is very low, and it has the excellent build quality that many premium notebooks provide.
Performance
It is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 7520U quad-core processor with a maximum acceleration clock of up to 4.3 GHz. A newly designed processor absorbs less energy and provides instant and no-delay performance like a beast.
It also comes with AMD Radeon integrated graphics; the game speed is very fast, and you can complete your work quickly.
It provides 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM, which could be better for any heavy work but can quickly complete your daily work. To store all your essential data it comes with 512 GB of SSD storage.
If you talk about its battery, it gives you a perfect backup battery. After a full day of use, it will give you up to 10 hours of battery life, which is ideal for anyone.
For quick and easy connection, it provides many ports and connection options, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6, two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, one RJ-45, one headset, one microphone combo Jack, one USB 3.0 TYPE-C port, one USB 2.0 port, an HDMI support.
Display and Design
Acer Aspire 3 comes with a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) non-touch display with a screen-to-body ratio of 82.58%, an aspect ratio of 16:9, and a narrow frame. Get the fresh images you like, and operate your design for a long time without damaging your eyesight.
Other Features
If we talk about its design, it has a very thin and stylish design, it is very light, and you can easily carry it with you. It weighs only 3.09 lbs (1.4 Kg).
It has a tremendous full-size island-style backlit keyboard, a numeric keypad for typing in low light conditions, and a fast and safe fingerprint reader.
Read our Acer Aspire 3 Review
3. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
Specifications
CPU (Processor) | AMD Ryzen 5 7520U mobile processor |
GPU | AMD Radeon 610M |
RAM | 8 GB DDR4-3200MHz |
Storage | 256GB NVMe SSD |
Screen | 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, Anti-Glare, 45%NTSC, 300 nits, 60Hz, LED Backlight |
Weight | 3.52 lbs (1.6 kg) |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours (MM18) |
Others | WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1+, Fingerprint Reader, Windows 11 Home |
PROS |
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✔ Secured Fingerprint Reader |
✔ Affordable Price |
✔ Powerful Processor |
✔ Enough Memory |
✔ Superfast SSD Storage |
✔ Highly Portable |
CONS |
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✘ Average Graphics |
When the best gaming laptop is under $400, we will remember Lenovo. If your budget is low, Lenovo will provide a perfect notebook.
Although the latest Ideapad 3 is out of budget, this compact and powerful one is worth the extra money. It is a good gaming laptop for under 400 dollars.
Regarding processing power, it is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 7520U mobile processor with AMD Radeon 610M Graphics, which can provide powerful performance for daily tasks.
The processor can provide the ability to play many games casually but remember that you need to compromise when your budget is low.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is one of the cheap laptops under $400; you can buy it now. It has an 8GB DDR4 SDRAM, which is very suitable for daily use and gaming. The 256 GB SSD also provides ultra-fast storage memory, which you can upgrade in the future.
The new 15.6-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 notebook can bring us a more entertaining experience. It has a 15.6-inch Full HD screen with a 1920 x 1080 px resolution, providing excellent image and video clarity.
There are narrow bezels on both sides of the display, which can eliminate confusion and help provide a clearer and more immersive visual experience, which is a good aspect.
For audio, it has two speakers with Dolby Audio, and it will provide excellent sound quality. Windows 11 Home smooth operating system supports it.
This gaming laptop has Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6, three USB ports, and one HDMI port for connectivity. If you connect an external storage device to add game storage, the USB 3.0 port allows you to transfer quickly. It can provide up to 10 hours of battery life for everyday use.
4. ASUS VivoBook 16
Specifications
CPU (Processor) | AMD Ryzen 5 7530U (6-core, 12-thread, 16MB cache, up to 4.3 GHz) |
GPU | Integrated AMD Radeon |
RAM | 8GB DDR4 3200MHz |
Storage | 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD |
Screen | 16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 aspect ratio display |
Weight | 4.14 lbs (1.88 kg) |
Battery | 42WHrs, 3S1P, 3-cell Li-ion with 45W AC Adapter |
Others | Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint Sensor, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, Windows 11 Home |
PROS |
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✔ Affordable Price |
✔ Powerful Processor |
✔ Strong and solid Metal Build |
✔ Killer Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 |
✔ Secure Fingerprint reader |
CONS |
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✘ Little bit Heavy |
✘ Average Battery Life |
While most priced 16-inch laptops weigh over 4 pounds, the ASUS VivoBook 15 is lightweight and weighs just 4.14 pounds. Life is about discovering the right balance, and the ASUS VivoBook 16 gives just that.
It is slim and compact; it comes with an innovative new look that fits your daily lifestyle. The ASUS 16 gives you everything you need for work or play.
This device has 8 GB RAM and 128/256 GB SSD storage. It has a 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 7530U processor with a base clock speed of 1.1 GHz and a maximum boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz and has 4 MB of cache memory for two threads. This is one of the best $400 gaming laptops available.
The ASUS VivoBook 16 battery life is also incredibly better than some of its rivals, and some users have reported a run time of over 8 hours on a full charge. You can efficiently work 6-7 hours of web browsing or word processing while playing videos and 3-4 hours.
The GPU of this laptop is slightly better. It will need to be stronger to run a strong game, but you can easily play low-game.
If you have played some standards, such as the original Red Warning and Age of Empires 2, then the AMD Radeon graphics Braswell graphics will cope just as well. If browser-based games are your thing now, you’ll be ready to enjoy them in your favorite web browser with ease.
This laptop (1920 x 1080) displays a 16-inch FHD resolution, providing excellent image quality when playing videos or movies.
This Superfast Machine comes with a USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Type-C (which can also be used for displays and charging), USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI, a headphone, a microphone combo jack, and an X MicroSD card reader.
It is powered by Microsoft Windows 11 with an excellent backlit keyboard, superfast fingerprint reader, Wi-Fi 5.1 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 6, incredible sonic master audio, and a webcam. It is the best cheap gaming laptop for under 400 dollars.
5. Acer Aspire 5
Specifications
CPU (Processor) | 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U (4.6 GHz, 10 Core) |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe |
RAM | 8 GB LPDDR5 |
Storage | 512GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD |
Screen | 14.0-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS 16:10 LED-backlit TFT LCD display |
Weight | 3.75 lbs (1.7 kg) |
Battery | 3-cell Li-ion, 50 Wh, 65W AC adapter |
Others | Thunderbolt 4, Backlit Keyboard, Wi-Fi 6E, 1080p webcam, Windows 11 Home |
PROS |
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✔ Versatile Port Selection |
✔ 1080p Webcam |
✔ Affordable |
✔ Lightweight and Portable |
CONS |
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✘ Limited Gaming Performance |
✘ No Fingerprint |
This Latest Acer Aspire 5 is the latest thin and light laptop. It praised its budget-to-performance ratio, stylish design, FHD LED-backlit TN display, and intelligent day-to-day performance.
It comes with a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U 10-core processor with a CPU clock speed of up to 4.6 GHz. Acer Aspire 5 is a light laptop, and it assures free and lag-free performance.
Acer Aspire has an Intel Iris Xe Graphics, which further enhances the graphics experience working. This does not create any glitches with its productivity, which surprises any user how little they use this laptop.
The Acer Aspire 5 features a 14.0-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS 16:10 LED-backlit TFT LCD display, regardless of its price range, and it offers excellent value for the money.
Its screen quality gives you clear text and loud colors, and it has a matte screen surface that helps reduce glare from surrounding light sources. However, when you watch a movie or play a video song, its video quality can be grainy in low light conditions.
Acer has been known to us regularly to give us excellent designs associated with different quality products. That’s why we selected the Acer Aspire 5 as one of the best gaming laptops under $400 on our list. The method of the Acer Aspire 5 is slim, light, and well-chiseled with a black color that goes with a premium look.
This laptop has 8GB LPDDR5 memory and 512GB SSD storage capacity. The combination of these two supports ensures excellent storage and the fastest performance like no other.
Besides, it gives you the power to surf, stream, and more, edit photos and videos faster than ever, and move more quickly between programs and Windows.
The Acer Aspire 5 has many exciting features that come with the latest technological developments; undoubtedly, the Acer Aspire 5’s battery life is incredible. This laptop offers a 3-cell Li-ion, 50 Wh, 65W AC battery, which is quite extraordinary.
It also has a Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, 1080p webcam, USB 3.2 Type-C Gen 2 port, Type-C Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB 3.2 Ports, and an HDMI Port.
The latest Acer Aspire 5 is powered by Windows 11 Home, designed for security and performance, and fully working apps from the Microsoft Store.
If you want to buy excellent quality and specifications in a laptop for a budget gaming laptop under $ 400, then Acer Aspire 5 is the best option.
Read our Acer Aspire 5 Review
6. HP 15
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CPU (Processor) | AMD Ryzen 3 5300U (up to 3.8 GHz, 4 MB L3 cache, 4 cores, 8 threads) |
GPU | AMD Radeon Graphics |
RAM | 8 GB DDR4-3200 MHz SDRAM (1×8 GB) |
Storage | 256 GB of PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
Screen | 15.6-inch, HD 1366 x 768 Pixels, Micro-Edge Display |
Weight | 3.7 pounds (1.69 kg) |
Battery Life | Up to 7 hours |
Others | Bluetooth 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Windows 11 Home |
PROS |
---|
✔ Powerful Processor |
✔ Excellent Battery Backup |
✔ Looking Stylish |
✔ Multi-touch gesture support |
✔ Four sides narrow Bezels |
✔ Responsive trackpad |
CONS |
---|
✘ The display should be Full HD |
✘ Reduced performance under heavy workloads |
HP has brought excellent gaming laptops to consumers on a tight budget. The graphics processing unit (GPU) is one of the essential components of gaming laptops.
All brands of graphics cards cost very high, so every gaming laptop must be equipped. It is the Best HP Gaming Laptop for under 400 dollars.
The new HP 15 laptop is one of the cheapest gaming laptops for less than $400. It is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 3 5300U quad-core processor.
This notebook boasts outstanding graphics performance with AMD Radeon integrated graphics. Another great aspect is its budget-friendly option; you can purchase this HP 15 laptop for just $400.
It comes with 8 GB of DDR4-3200 SDRAM (1 x 8 GB) and has 256 GB of internal storage on an NVMe M.2 SSD. With this configuration, you can conveniently store all your essential data and files.
The battery life of this laptop is also good; HP claims that it will provide up to 7 hours (video playback) and up to 6 hours (wireless streaming) of video.
Within this budget, battery life will meet the quality you want. This HP 15 will not confuse you; it will enhance your gaming experience.
7. HP 17
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Specifications
CPU (Processor) | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (2.4 GHz to 4.1 GHz, 4 cores, 8 threads, 4 MB cache) |
GPU | AMD Radeon Graphics |
RAM | 8GB DDR5 SDRAM, 3200 MHz memory |
Storage | 256GB PCIe SSD |
Screen | 17.3-inch HD+ (1600 x 900) IPS Anti-glare Display |
Weight | 4.58 lbs (2.1 kg) |
Battery Life | 3-cell, 41 Wh, Li-ion (up to 9 hours) |
Others | Bluetooth 5, Wi-Fi 5, Windows 11 in S mode, 720p Webcam |
PROS |
---|
✔ Affordable Price |
✔ Powerful Processor |
✔ 720p Webcam |
✔ Light-weight and Portable |
✔ Sleek and Stylish Design |
CONS |
---|
✘ No Fingerprint Reader |
✘ May Heat up under Heavy Workloads |
If you are looking for a cheap gaming laptop that costs less than $400 and can still be used commonly, buy the new HP 17. Long-lasting battery life allows you to use your computer confidently even when away from home.
The processor will provide you with reliable performance. With this CPU performance, this laptop has a competitive advantage.
The new HP17 has an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U, a clock speed of 2.4 GHz base frequency, and a boost frequency of up to 4.1 GHz. It has 8GB DDR5 SDRAM and a 4 MB cache.
Although this AMD Radeon processor’s price is lower, it is worth it in this price range and can play most low-end modern video games.
This laptop has a 17.3-inch IPS Anti-glare display and a resolution of HD+ (1600 x 900). It is not the best choice for a bright display, but you can play games.
This laptop’s high-definition screen supports certain games, allowing you to stream media predictably and even challenge some of the best-performing laptops.
HP 17 can provide long-lasting battery life and has a 3-cell, 41 Wh, Li-ion battery, which HP claims to have a lifespan of up to 9 hours (wireless streaming).
HP 17 has a Realtek RTL8822CE audio driver, Wifi-Bluetooth 5, two USB-A ports, a USB Type-C port, an HDMI, and an audio combo jack.
8. Lenovo IdeaPad 1
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Specifications
CPU (Processor) | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (2.4 GHz to 4.1 GHz, 4 cores, 8 threads) |
GPU | AMD Radeon Graphics |
RAM | 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 2666 MHz memory |
Storage | 256GB M.2 TLC SSD |
Screen | 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) anti-glare, 45% NTSC, 60Hz Refresh Rate |
Weight | 3.48 lbs (1.58 kg) |
Battery Life | 42Wh, Li-ion (up to 7 hours) |
Others | Bluetooth 5, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 in S mode, 720p Webcam |
PROS |
---|
✔ Affordable Price |
✔ Latest and Powerful Processor |
✔ 720p Webcam |
✔ Light-Weight and Portable |
✔ Enough Memory and Storage |
✔ Wi-Fi 6 Convenience |
CONS |
---|
✘ No Fingerprint Reader |
✘ Plastic Build |
A quad-core AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor powers this laptop with a base frequency of 2.4 GHz and Turbo Boost up to 4.1 GHz.
You can efficiently run low-end games. The AMD Radeon graphics card provided by Lenovo laptops is better, but you can easily play the maximum number of games.
It has 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB M.2 TLC solid-state drive (SSD), which will not disappoint you.
It has a 15.6-inch FHD anti-glare 45% NTSC display with a resolution of 1920×1080. AMD Radeon graphics cards can quickly provide daily image quality for Internet use, basic photo editing, and casual games.
Other features include an integrated 720p webcam, SD card reader, and built-in stereo speakers to ensure the best sound quality at a lower price.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is a good gaming laptop for under $400. It is a lightweight laptop weighing only 3.48 pounds (1.58 kg), allowing you to carry it anywhere easily. This weight makes it ideal for anyone who wants to play light games on the go.
It has one USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, one USB-A 2.0, an SD Card Reader, an HDMI, and a headphone combo jack.
This Lenovo IdeaPad 1 laptop is ideal for home and office use and has features not generally found in cheap laptops. It is powered by Windows 11 in S mode.
9. ASUS VivoBook 14
Specifications
CPU (Processor) | 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U Processor (1.3 to 4.4 GHz, 12M Cache, 10 cores) |
GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics with shared memory |
RAM | 8GB DDR4 2400MHz |
Storage | 256GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD |
Screen | 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) display with ultra-slim NanoEdge bezels |
Weight | 3.09 lbs (1.4 Kg) |
Battery Life | Up to 6 hours |
Others | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5, Fingerprint reader, Windows 11 Home |
PROS |
---|
✔ Affordable Price |
✔ Compact design with Narrow Bezels |
✔ 14-inch FHD display |
✔ 180° wide viewing angle |
✔ Fingerprint sensor |
✔ Backlit keyboard |
✔ Fast charging (60% in 49 mins) |
CONS |
---|
✘ Less Storage |
✘ No Ethernet port |
ASUS VivoBook 14 has a Quiet Blue chassis made of plastic, which is excellent in this price range. It looks like a premium laptop.
Low-power processors can reduce heat and extend battery life. The ASUS VivoBook 14 has a 10-core 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor. With Turbo Boost, the processor’s frequency is up to 4.4 GHz. High-end games may need to catch up, but the price is affordable.
It has an impressive 14-inch IPS display and 1920 x 1080 resolution with ultra-slim NanoEdge bezels, making it an ideal choice for everyone on this budget. This 1920 x 1080 pixel display can present text and huge images.
It has an integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics card, which will provide above-average performance.
8GB DDR4 RAM and 2400MHz memory will never let you down. It has a 256GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD, which provides space for storing documents, pictures, videos, music, etc. You can upgrade SSD storage in the future; it supports 1TB SSD.
ASUS VivoBook 14 has a backlit keyboard, which is excellent at this price point. The keyboard is well-lit, has better visibility in low-light environments, and provides convenience and comfort when typing at night.
The keyboard is soft, smooth, and eye-friendly, which is very suitable for any user type and is also ideal for gamers.
Battery life depends on the type of use and environmental conditions; for example, a portable computer provides 10 hours of backup battery on streaming media. It may provide up to 6 hours of battery life. The battery life will always decrease from time to time.
This laptop supports fast charging technology and charges your laptop up to 50% capacity in just 30 minutes.
ASUS VivoBook 14 is light, portable, weighing only 3.09 pounds (1.4 Kg), and easy to carry.
Also, there are many connections and ports, such as two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, a USB 2.0 port, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 5, and Wi-Fi 6E.
10. Dell Inspiron 15
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Specifications
CPU (Processor) | 12th Gen Intel Core i3-1215U (10 MB cache, 6 cores, 8 threads, up to 4.40 GHz) |
GPU | Intel UHD Graphics |
RAM | 8 GB DDR4, 2666 MHz |
Storage | 256 GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD |
Screen | 15.6″ FHD 1920×1080 120Hz WVA Non-Touch Anti-Glare 250 nit LED-Backlit |
Weight | 3.65 lbs (1.65 kg) |
Battery Life | 3 Cell, 41 Wh, 65 Watt AC Adapter (up to 6 hours) |
Others | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Home |
PROS |
---|
✔ Affordable Price |
✔ Latest and Powerful Processor |
✔ Decent Audio Quality |
✔ Light-Weight and Portable |
✔ Enough Memory and Storage |
✔ Wireless Wi-Fi 6 Convenience |
CONS |
---|
✘ No Fingerprint Reader |
✘ Plastic Build |
Dell Inspiron 15 is an excellent gaming laptop; you will have the best price-performance ratio offered by top brands by choosing to buy it.
This Dell Inspiron 15 is supported by a six-core 12th-generation Intel Core i3-1215U with a turbo frequency of 4.40 GHz. It is also made very portable and stylish. Therefore, game players can take it with them to school and work.
Dell Inspiron 15 comprises 8 GB DDR4, 2666 MHz memory, and a 10MB cache. It has a 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe solid-state drive and Intel UHD Graphics with shared graphics memory. This graphics card is shared, but you can easily play mid-range and low-end games.
It has a 15.6-inch full high-definition anti-glare LED-backlit non-touch display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. You have to compromise certain features within this price range, and display resolution is one of them.
This laptop has a 64-bit Windows 11 Home with an English operating system. It also includes an integrated high-definition (720P) webcam.
Dell Inspiron 15 provides various ports and connections. These are two USB 3.2 ports, one USB 2.0 port, one SD card reader slot, one HDMI port, and a headphone/microphone audio combo jack.
You can also see the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth on this laptop. The keyboard is a standard full-size, non-backlit keyboard, which may cause trouble at night.
The main battery is an integrated 3-cell 41 Whr and 65-watt AC adapter. The battery life is average and lasts up to 6 hours. The size of the notebook is 21.07 mm in height, 358.50 mm in width, and 235.56 mm depth. It is highly portable, weighing 3.65 pounds (1.65 kg).
11. Lenovo Ideapad 3i Chromebook
Specifications
CPU (Processor) | Intel Pentium Silver N6000 (1.11GHz to 3.27 GHz, 4 cores, 4 threads) |
GPU | Integrated Intel UHD |
RAM | 4 GB LPDDR4X-2933MHz |
Storage | 128GB eMMC, 128GB MicroSD |
Screen | 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Anti-Glare Touch Screen, 45%NTSC, 300 nits, LED Backlight |
Weight | 3.59 lbs (1.62 Kg) |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
Others | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, Chrome OS |
PROS |
---|
✔ Affordable Price |
✔ Excellent Battery Life |
✔ Comfortable Keyboard |
✔ Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
✔ Ultra Slim and Portable |
✔ Full HD Display |
CONS |
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✘ Storage Capacity should be more |
An Intel Pentium Silver N6000 processor with Integrated Intel UHD graphics supports Lenovo Ideapad 3i Chromebook. The processor and graphics provide innovative performance features adapted to your personalized, intuitive, and responsive experience.
It has 4 GB LPDDR4X memory, but you must compromise due to the low budget. The storage is 128GB eMMC and 128GB MicroSD, which can increase the startup speed and can be upgraded later.
The 15.6-inch FHD Chromebook can provide beautiful visual effects while the narrow frame minimizes interference. It is also lighter and thinner, weighing 3.59 pounds (1.62 Kg).
The Lenovo Ideapad 3i Chromebook has a battery life of up to 10 hours, allowing you to use all the Chromebook features you like to get your work done quickly and easily.
With a Chromebook, you can enjoy the streamlined interface of Chrome OS. You can access the rich application library on Google Play, customize Google Maps wallpapers and images, and more Google products.
Lenovo also understands this. It has two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, which are rare for Chromebooks. Just because your budget is tight does not mean you should be bothered by a bad typing experience.
It also has a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port and a Headphone/mic combo jack.
With this USB 3.2 first Gen C port and the C port, you can enjoy fast data transmission, multimedia streaming, and battery charging on a single port. Lenovo Ideapad 3i Chromebook has the latest Bluetooth 5.1 and Wi-Fi 6 built-in, enabling the fastest and most reliable connection.
How To Choose a Budget Gaming Laptop under 400 dollars?
Price
Budget is the main factor in buying a new laptop-we all want many things, and no one likes to spend much money. A Bad gaming laptop will disappoint you, but if you are looking for the right deal, you can buy a decent computer for less than $400.
Online stores are an excellent place to start because they can offer discounts on models from the previous season and offer refurbished or used computers at low prices.
If you want to reduce costs without compromising functionality and are okay with having the latest models, the comments and suggestions below may be answered.
Performance
Gaming requires a lot of power to run and puts high pressure on the CPU. It requires a powerful laptop to fast load maps, characters, and content onto your computer to play a High-End game.
Traditional laptops must optimize their capabilities to accommodate lightweight, practical machines. Dedicated gaming laptops and multifunction computers can deliver more power through more efficient designs.
Look for a high-performance laptop that can easily unlock your gaming performance.
Graphics Card
The Graphics card (GPU) always plays a good role in gaming laptops, so it is another significant element to consider when choosing a gaming laptop.
A high-quality graphics card will process the image displayed on the screen by processing the data and sending information to the monitor, allowing you to watch the game with minimal delay.
Playing games is challenging because many things simultaneously happen on the screen. Therefore, a laptop with a valid graphics card will enhance your gaming experience without compromise.
Some more expensive gaming laptops usually come with NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards. However, gaming laptops that cost less than $400 are generally equipped with low-budget Intel or AMD Graphics cards.
RAM
A high-end game puts a lot of pressure on the available RAM of the laptop. Laptops under $400 usually have 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM. Although you can still enjoy casual games with 4 GB of RAM, laptops are more likely to have lag issues or start to slow down faster.
It is recommended to use a laptop with at least 8 GB RAM for gaming in most cases. Consider whether the computer you are interested in can upgrade RAM in the future or not.
If yes, you can upgrade your RAM later to avoid spending too much money and time on a laptop with more RAM.
Storage
As we all know, storage is the main feature to check before you buy the most affordable laptop. Storage is the amount of data that a portable computer can store.
Therefore, laptops with more storage space are preferred. Therefore, if you buy the same laptop, the price difference is smaller due to the smaller storage space. Then you did it wrong and wasted some money. Most laptops listed above have storage capacities ranging from 128 GB to 512GB SSDs, so the higher the storage capacity, the better the laptop quality.
Gaming laptops that cost less than $400 sometimes come with SSD and hard drives, while others come with SSD memory or hard drives. If the SSD on the gaming laptop is below 128 GB, it will likely increase the game’s loading time and reduce performance.
Always check for upgradeability; consider whether you can upgrade the storage on the selected laptop. If so, you can add storage space later at your convenience and prevent the game from slowing down.
Display
This is one of the main aspects of display and resolution, making the gaming experience more immersive. If you want to play games in Full HD, you’d better stick to a laptop with at least 1080 pixels.
Also, the size of the display is an essential factor to consider. If your laptop screen is too small, it may be challenging to see all the small details in the game. Most gamers tend to use 14-inch or larger laptops.
For gamers, the 15-inch display is considered the best choice for gaming laptops. However, you can still buy a computer with a larger screen, but as the display becomes larger and larger, the device’s weight will gradually increase. Also, laptops weighing more than 5 pounds will be challenging.
Battery Life
The battery’s size diversifies the laptop’s portability, and the battery life is the most critical factor when the computer needs to be carried and traveled. Battery life varies directly with model display type and price.
A high-quality gaming laptop that costs less than $400 must have more than 3 hours of battery life.
The ideal time range is 4-6 hours in notebook computers and compact notebook computers. For high-resolution monitors and gaming laptops with larger screens, battery life is at most 2 to 5 hours.
Regarding high battery life, Chromebooks and ultrabooks are the best performers, and Windows small-screen laptops with simple displays and software.
Keyboard
The keyboard is another crucial aspect of your first consideration when buying a new laptop for any purpose.
It must be a convenient and easy-to-use keyboard with a reasonable layout. You control the game with the keyboard, so you should check the keyboard layout.
Of course, you can use an external keyboard through the USB port or a wireless keyboard anytime.
Operating System
Apple’s macOS is the second most used operating system in the world right now. Intelligent people like to use macOS because of its Security is excellent and, easy-to-use interface.
However, some intelligent people are more interested in the Windows operating system. However, it all depends on which operating system is the best option.
If you want a laptop for daily use, consider buying a Windows laptop. If you’re purchasing a computer for work purposes, opt for a macOS laptop.
Windows is planned to be used around a natural touchscreen interface. However, it can be used well with regular mice and consoles, thus expanding your route options. Moreover, it uses appearance or touches instead of keys while keeping the risk level safe. Also, it provides an updated career director.
Selected touchscreen laptops are also suitable for Windows Ink. It lets you write or draw works and use excellent pen decoration to communicate with various Windows Ink-enhanced applications.
The newly popular Chrome OS is a convenient, essential, and safe operating system for controlling every Chromebook. Therefore, it refreshes like clockwork with the latest programming and infection security quality.
Brands
Expensive brands like Apple charge a lot for their products, which sometimes means they’re better. You can still get a good gaming laptop for less than $400 from other top brands like Lenovo, HP, Acer, and ASUS.
If you want a laptop for gaming, some brands like MSI, Razer, and Alienware are good but also pricey. So, decide based on what you need and how much you want to spend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I play modern games on a low-end PC?
No, The best way to play modern games is on a high-end PC.
Now, you cannot play the game on a low-end PC in that much better way because a budget laptop is made for everyday work.
For a modern game, a laptop should have a powerful CPU and a Smooth dedicated graphics card, more and the latest RAM and Storage, etc.
If You can spend around $1,000 or more on a laptop that will offer excellent gaming performance, you can play modern games easily.
Q2. How much RAM Do I need for gaming?
It’s vital to ensure you have the right amount of RAM and the fastest one to guarantee good gaming performance.
If you have less than 4GB of Memory, your computer cannot play even entry-level games.
If a PC has more than 8GB of RAM, your computer can play games like Roblox, Minecraft, Nwvwrwinter, etc.
It would be best to play AAA-rated games like Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077, Counter-Strike, etc.
Q3.What is the best gaming laptop brand?
The brand of a laptop matters a lot, even for some important work like official work to study; that’s why paying attention to the brand value before selecting any PC is essential.
If you choose a laptop without looking at the brand, there will be less chance for the gaming to last for a long. So select the premium brand that has been trusted for many years.
It will help if you go with a brand with good customer service and support.
Ranking wise the best gaming laptop brands
Ranking | Brand |
1. | Alienware |
2. | Asus |
3. | Acer |
4. | HP |
5. | MSI |
6. | Lenovo |
7. | RAZER |
8. | Gigabyte |
Final Words
Consider our advice before buying a budget gaming laptop under $400 for an enjoyable gaming experience.
For low-end and mid-range gaming laptops, start at the bottom of the list and work your way up. If you’re looking for faster, more reliable gaming performance, look to the top three laptops, which are known for faster boot times, diverse options, ample storage, and upgradeability.
We’ve compiled a list of the best-selling laptops from well-known brands around the world to make sure they always rank among the top gaming laptops under $400. To find the ideal laptop within your budget, use the information provided to make an informed decision.
Our picks include gaming laptops under $400 with Chromebooks and Windows operating systems. This article gives you the knowledge you need to make the right choice for your gaming needs.