The Best Used Gaming Laptop for PUBG Under $500
The best used gaming laptop PC under $500 might seem like an oxymoron, but if you know what to look for you can find something that will have you fragging and winning matches in no time!
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Today we’re going to take a look at the most notable contenders, outlining the pros and cons of each so that you can find the right one to fit your budget and playstyle.
What you need to know
Getting into PC gaming is less expensive than ever before. Manufacturers have caught on to what gamers really want, which means you can get a high-end computer without spending top dollar. While not every one of these laptops will be suited to playing PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds or Fortnite at an ultra-fast frame rate, all of them will allow you to play popular games like The Sims 4, Civilization VI, and Total War: Warhammer at reasonable settings in 2018.
And if you don’t care about playing today’s most popular titles on ultra settings, then they all make perfect entry level gaming computers that are good enough for League of Legends and Overwatch! We included budget options as well as luxury machines so there should be something here for everyone regardless of your budget.
Acer Aspire E 15 (E5-575G) review: One of our favorite budget laptop deals right now is actually pretty pricey when compared to others, but it offers great value thanks to its 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage combo that's currently going for just $599 at Amazon (save around $100). That's no small chunk of change but it's less than half what you'd pay for many similar configurations from other manufacturers.
It also comes with a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display, which will be fine for most people who are planning on doing some casual gaming or watching movies on their new PC. You can upgrade to a 4K screen if you want, but why would you? It's not like 4K gaming is really a thing yet anyway!
The E15 has an all metal design that feels sturdy and durable enough to take some bumps in your backpack or bag without worry about damaging it. And while we wish there was more room inside for upgrades like memory and hard drives, we have to admit it looks pretty good as is! What else do you need to know? Well, it weighs 5.29 pounds and measures 1 inch thick so it's easy to carry around wherever you go.
It also features dual USB 3.0 ports, a USB 2.0 port, Ethernet jack, HDMI output and SD card reader too! If you're looking for something with a little more power then check out our next recommendation... ASUS ROG Strix GL553VD review: If money isn't an issue then consider stepping up to something like ASUS' ROG Strix GL553VD gaming laptop instead.
What kind of specs do I need?
This is by far one of the most popular questions asked when it comes to used gaming laptops. The answer is simple: It depends on what you’re looking to do with your laptop. Do you just want something that can play Fortnite?
Or do you need something beefier that can handle playing CS:GO and League of Legends? There are a few things to consider when trying to decide what specs are necessary. First, look at how old your laptop is.
If it’s over four years old, its days as a gaming rig may be numbered if it hasn’t already gone obsolete in favor of newer tech like VR. Next, check out what kind of games you want to play. Are they graphically demanding? Will they run well on integrated graphics alone or will you need a dedicated GPU?
And finally, remember that price is important too—you don’t have to spend thousands on an expensive system if all you plan to do is surf Facebook and watch YouTube videos. You should also think about whether or not you actually use all those extra features built into more expensive systems like backlit keyboards and high-resolution displays.
Just because they’re there doesn't mean they're worth paying extra for! For example, I personally prefer to buy laptops without touchscreens even though many of them come standard nowadays. I find myself rarely using them and prefer my screen real estate instead being devoted to other things. All these factors combined help determine what specs you need in order to run your favorite games smoothly while staying within budget.
Your best bet is to simply ask yourself these questions when shopping around online: What do I intend on doing with my laptop? How much am I willing to spend? How long am I planning on keeping it? Once you know these answers, you'll be able to make a better decision regarding which used gaming laptop PC will work best for you! Good luck!
Like we said above, there's no silver bullet for determining exactly what parts are good enough for you. Let's break down some of our favorites below to get a sense of where your money should go depending on your intended purpose.
If you just want a cheap machine that can handle playing casual or indie titles (Fortnite, etc.), a decent i3-6100U processor paired with 8GB RAM and a GTX 1050Ti video card (or equivalent) will likely be more than enough to get low settings at 1080p resolution.
However, if you'd rather avoid laggy performance and enjoy higher resolutions in general then an i5 processor with 12GB RAM should take care of business for another twenty dollars or so.
What are my options?
With countless options and configurations to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down which gaming laptop is right for you. Ideally, you want to make sure that it has a dedicated graphics card, an i7 processor, at least 8GB of RAM and a solid-state drive (SSD).
For gamers on a budget, finding a laptop with an i5 processor and at least 4GB of RAM would be ideal. However, if you plan on using your laptop mainly for schoolwork or watching movies on Netflix while you travel, putting more resources into your device isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The ASUS ROG Strix GL553VD-DS71 15.6 Full HD Gaming Laptop, for example, comes in at just under $1,000 but offers an Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM—plenty of power to play games like Overwatch on high settings.
And because it's so affordable, there's no need to worry about upgrading in a year or two when games get more demanding.
The same goes for battery life: If you're away from power outlets much of the time and don't mind carrying around extra weight (the ROG Strix GL553VD weighs 5 pounds), a gaming laptop with less battery life may even last longer than one with better battery life—and you'll still have money left over to upgrade other parts later. It all depends on what kind of games you intend to play.
More powerful hardware will allow for smoother gameplay at higher resolutions, especially on full-size laptops with higher-resolution displays. But more importantly, gaming laptops are portable enough that most people can easily carry them around and use them wherever they go—at work, in class or during their commute.
Some models also offer specialized features such as backlit keyboards or built-in webcams for video chatting. These features add value beyond simply playing games; however, they're not essential to playing most titles.
Most gamers prefer 17-inch laptops because they can fit larger components inside, including desktop-class CPUs and GPUs.
A laptop with a smaller screen size means its keyboard won't be as comfortable to type on or use for extended periods of time. This is where choosing between an i3, i5 and i7 CPU becomes important. Is your primary concern performance? Then you probably want to stick with an i5 or possibly an i7 CPU depending on how many cores each model includes.
Is it worth buying an older model?
What makes a good gaming laptop? Besides cost, one of the main factors you should consider is power—and specifically whether it has enough oomph to run graphically demanding games.
The best gaming laptops use discrete graphics processors or GPUs that can put out enough video power to handle low-end work such as video playback.
It won’t be able to handle high-end work such as editing videos or playing 3D games on high settings, but if your processor is powerful enough it might not matter in terms of performance.
For example, an Intel Core i7–4720HQ processor with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M GPU will do well for most users. But if you want something more powerful, say a laptop that can play Overwatch at max settings and 1080p resolution, then you may need to spend more than $1,000.
That said, there are plenty of great options under $1,000: You just have to know where to look. Here are our picks for some of the best used gaming laptops under $500 In addition to being affordable, these models offer quality specs that help make them suitable for gamers.
Some come with backlit keyboards and premium screens; others offer features like a touchpad or large number pad. Some are even light enough to carry around without causing strain (or give up any hope of using them on public transportation).
Others feature sturdy construction from metal frames and aluminum hinges (like the Dell Inspiron 15 7000), while still offering space for upgrades like additional RAM or SSDs. These machines aren't as portable as super-lightweight ultrabooks—they weigh about 5 pounds—but they're also larger and less fragile than fully featured desktops.
They'll generally last longer and provide better battery life, making them a solid choice for students or anyone who needs a machine they can count on. And since many of these laptops were designed with office workers in mind, they tend to include extras like dedicated numeric keypads and USB ports that make them easier to use when typing long documents.
Many are available refurbished online through retailers like Amazon (which offers free shipping) or Newegg , so you can get a great deal by buying open box units directly from manufacturers like HP . Plus, unlike many new PCs sold today, older versions of these systems often include Windows 7 instead of Windows 10—so there's no added cost for upgrading later.
Where can I find good deals?
One of your first steps should be to research retail sites like eBay, Amazon, and Craigslist to get a sense of what gaming laptops with your specs are going for.
You can also use a PC pricing tool like PCPartPicker to compare different components and their prices in a single search. If you want to buy something used, keep an eye on our laptop buying guides and best laptop deals pages to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
And if you’re looking for more detailed advice on buying a gaming laptop, check out our six tips for finding great deals on new gaming laptops . How much should I spend?: The biggest factor affecting price is whether or not you get a dedicated graphics card (also known as an GPU) with your machine.
It will take up some space inside your case, but it will give you a significant boost in performance over integrated graphics alone. For example, right now Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060-based dedicated graphics cards start at around $200 to $250—but they often go on sale for less than that during flash sales.
Which brands should I look out for?
There are a handful of well-known laptop makers you can rely on when shopping used: Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer and Asus. But depending on what kind of deal you’re looking for, it may be better to buy an older model from a less prominent brand.
For example, both Lenovo and Dell have had quality control issues over the past few years that led to widespread problems with units shipping out of factories—but many owners were willing to put up with those issues because they were paying far less than retail price. When buying used from someone selling directly, especially if it’s a private sale or you don’t have a lot of personal experience with them as a seller, stick with well-known brands where possible. What should I look for in a gaming laptop?: If you’re planning to play PUBG (or any other game) on your new machine, there are some things you should keep in mind.
First off, make sure your graphics card is compatible with DirectX 12. This is important because without support for DX12 games will not run at their full potential. You'll also want to make sure your CPU has four cores and runs at least 3GHz (many budget laptops use dual-core CPUs). Finally, while 8GB of RAM is sufficient for most users nowadays, more memory will help performance in high-end games like PUBG even more so than lower-end titles like League of Legends or Overwatch.
How do I decide which processor is right for me?: In terms of raw power, Intel's Core i7 chips are easily one of the best options available today. The i7-8700K ($359 on Amazon) remains our top pick thanks to its six cores and hyperthreading technology. It offers plenty of power for playing AAA games or editing 4K video, plus it comes unlocked so you can easily overclock it yourself if needed.
However, AMD's Ryzen 7 chips offer comparable performance for significantly cheaper prices—and sometimes include extra features like built-in coolers and RGB lighting that aren't available with Intel processors. We recommend checking out our guide to choosing a processor before making your final decision between AMD and Intel processors. How much storage space do I need? Most people won't need more than 256GB of storage space, but if you're a heavy gamer or a professional, you might need something bigger.
SSDs are still expensive, but 1TB of solid-state storage space will set you back about $600 these days. If that sounds like too much money for too little storage space, consider getting a hybrid drive instead.
These drives combine traditional hard drives with flash memory to provide faster load times for frequently accessed files. A good option is Seagate's FireCuda 2TB SSHD ($85 on Amazon), which provides great value for money despite being nearly twice as expensive as standard hard drives.
Do I need a gaming mouse or keyboard?
To answer that question, you need to first ask yourself what exactly you plan on doing with your laptop. Some gamers are content with just an Xbox controller while others would prefer a complete mouse and keyboard setup.
If you play competitively, you’ll probably want to get a mouse and keyboard anyway—if only to have complete control over your character’s movements. Whether it’s your general settings or in-game commands, using a mouse gives you more precision than any controller ever could. On top of that, if you have consistent hand and wrist issues (especially carpal tunnel), using a mouse can reduce pain/discomfort while gaming by as much as 80 percent!
That said, there are some great controllers out there that don’t require a mouse at all. So ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what works best for you. Just make sure whatever you choose is comfortable and fits your budget!
How much storage do I need?
The most popular brands of RAM today are Samsung, Crucial, Kingston, and G. Skill. If you're just running one or two programs at a time (browsers and other similar apps), 4GB is sufficient. However, if you regularly run more than four things at once (such as a game along with streaming software), you'll need 8GB or more.
This will usually be reflected in your purchase price; extra storage equals a larger price tag. Why is it worth it? Because programs that aren't used often can be closed temporarily so they don't slow down your computer's performance in any way—think of it like multitasking on steroids.
So while a program may only take up 2-4MB when it's open, you could have 30+MB open while gaming or editing video. You also have to think about what type of files you're storing: Are they photos and videos?
Or do you mostly work with text documents? Most people use their computers to store both types of files but some people only work with one type or another. It all depends on how you plan to use your laptop. While most games require 16GB these days, if you plan to play newer titles that require more memory space, 32GB is.
How much RAM do I need?
In 2019, gaming laptops are more powerful than ever before, but that doesn’t mean you need a ton of RAM to get great performance. If you can afford it, having 8GB or 16GB of RAM should be plenty for even high-end gaming; 8GB is probably sufficient for casual PC gamers.
The best way to figure out how much memory you need is to look at what programs you have open while playing your favorite games and see if there’s any lag or slowdowns. If there are significant slowdowns with just a few programs running in tandem, you could benefit from having a little extra memory in your laptop. Otherwise, you may be fine sticking with 4GB or 8GB. Do I need an SSD?
An SSD will give you faster load times when compared to standard hard drives. This is because an SSD has no moving parts, which means less time spent moving parts around. Less time waiting on an SSD means more time spent using your computer! It also means that an SSD won’t wear down as quickly as a traditional hard drive (and thus will last longer). On top of these benefits, an SSD typically costs less per gigabyte than a traditional hard drive. However, if you don’t play many games or do other things that require large amounts of storage space, an SSD might not be worth it.
For example, if you only play one game occasionally and don’t store many files on your computer, then you might not need an SSD. How much storage space do I need?: Storage space is important when buying a new laptop for gaming purposes.
You want enough storage space so that your operating system and all of your favorite games can fit comfortably onto one device—but not so much storage space that you end up paying too much money for something unnecessary. A good rule of thumb: Buy as much storage space as possible without going over budget. Remember, you’ll likely want external storage for backups, media files, etc., so plan accordingly. What kind of display do I need?: Display size matters when buying a new laptop for gaming purposes.
If you play lots of games on your laptop and spend hours staring at its screen every day, then larger displays are definitely better. But if you mainly use your laptop to browse social media or watch Netflix shows while sitting on your couch, then bigger screens aren’t necessary—you can save some cash by opting for a smaller display instead.
What kind of graphics card do I need?: Graphics cards determine how smoothly graphics will run in different applications like video editing software and video games.
Do I really need Windows 10 Pro?
With Windows 10, you can use digital licenses (such as those issued by Microsoft) to install Windows 10 on more than one computer. If you’re buying a used gaming laptop with a Windows license and no recovery media, be sure to ask if it was previously activated with a digital license. If it wasn’t, then you’ll need your own digital license—which is sold separately from copies of Windows—to activate it after installing Windows 10 on it. This is true even if you buy a new PC or used laptop with Windows already installed on it.
You can learn more about activation here. In most cases, though, you won't have to worry about activation issues when purchasing a used laptop with Windows 10 preinstalled on it. You'll just need to enter a product key to start using Windows.
However, if you want reassurance that your copy of Windows will work properly without any activation issues or other problems down the road, consider purchasing an unused retail copy of Windows 10 instead of getting one that's been preinstalled on a device from someone else.
That way, you know that what's being installed matches what came with your hardware and isn't subject to licensing restrictions imposed by whoever had their hands on it before you did. And while many retailers sell used software at deep discounts, keep in mind that buying refurbished software may not give you all of your rights under its original warranty. For example, some refurbished software may come with shorter return periods than new software purchased directly from its manufacturer. So if there are any issues with a piece of refurbished software, you might not be able to get help fixing them right away.
But regardless of whether you're looking at new or used devices, always make sure they come with all original parts and accessories—including all discs and serial numbers needed to reinstall their software.
Without these items, you could face serious consequences later on. Before buying a used gaming laptop, look up its model number online and check out third-party listings like eBay to see how much it typically sells for.
Then use that information to decide how much you should offer to pay for it. While shopping around, also try to get answers to questions like: How old is it? What condition is it in? Does anything appear broken or damaged? Are there any missing components?
Is there a valid warranty card included with purchase documentation? How do I know if I'm getting everything that comes with it originally? Have these questions answered ahead of time so you don't end up paying too much or getting stuck with something that doesn't meet your expectations once you take ownership of it.
Are there any other recommendations?
So, what makes a good gaming laptop? The short answer is: anything built with a good video card.
The video card is like your computer’s processor—it renders pixels on screen and makes games work. A great gaming laptop will have a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060/1070/1080 GPU or AMD equivalent (some laptops may even support two).
These cards offer enough graphical power to run any current game at 1920x1080 resolution—the most popular desktop resolution.
You can get by with an HD display if you’re just planning to use your laptop for internet surfing, but if you’re looking to play games that require more processing power (such as Overwatch), then aim for an HD+ screen.
