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5 Best Alternatives to Cheap Gaming Laptop Under $100 Reviews in 2023 | Our Recommended Models

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2 Reviewers

26 Hours of Research

23 Options Considered

We all love gaming. Who doesn’t? You like gaming and just want to find a cheap gaming laptop under 100 dollars to satisfy your simple needs. We’re here to say that we understand. Gaming is such a great way to kill time while still stimulating our minds, but honestly finding one at this price range, or even the next range is next to impossible. I couldn't find any, included used ones. Period.

Alternatively, as you go up each price range you'll get significantly better performance up to $1000. It's worth investing more into a good gaming laptop as they'll last longer and deliver much better performance.

Nowadays, games are becoming more fascinating and the only way for you to be allowed to play any of those games, you need a suitable device first. How can you find a budget gaming laptop? Well, we’d like to tell you something first.

3 Top Gaming Laptop Under 100

 Acer Predator Helios 300

 

To start off the list, we got you a product from the company Acer. The Acer Predator Helios 300 has earned its place as a legit gaming laptop. This device has more benefits than flaws, many users were happy with it overall.


  • Sufficient battery life span
  • Great sound system
  • Flexible storage

 Acer Nitro 5

2. [Best For The Money] Acer Aspire 5

4.9/5

Another candidate from the company Acer, we’re presenting to you the Acer Aspire 5. Now, this one might spark more interest in you. Only costing below 700 dollars, the Acer Aspire 5 is a mid-range laptop.


This laptop is seen to be a smart purchase for someone who is on a budget since it is affordable but still able to meet the basic requirements for a good gaming laptop.

  • Affordable for many consumers
  • Has a touchpad
  • Good battery life

 Acer Predator Helios 300

3. [Best For The Immersive Experiences]

Acer Predator Overclockable Aeroblade

4.8/5

From the same lineup as the Acer Predator Helios 300, the Overclockable Aeroblade model is offered at a reasonable price, around 1000 dollars. Many consumers have reported being very satisfied with the experience they got while using this laptop.

It has a pretty sturdy build and a cool gaming laptop appearance, with led lights running on the top back. Most buyers claim that the laptop is unexpectedly lightweight and can be used as a travel laptop.

  • Runs smoothly

  • Can refresh with ease
  • Excellent display for immersive experiences

Can You Get A Cheap Gaming Laptop Under 100?

The answer is yes, but not really. Hear us out. We are sure that you can find an incredibly cheap laptop somewhere on the internet, just please keep in mind that there are always some tradeoffs with those laptops.

Maybe they do work well the first few times but gradually, small issues start to occur and interrupt you in the middle of the game. No matter how well-developed the game is, you can’t fully enjoy the experience.

Of course, you can always bring the laptop to a store to get those issues fixed. But now you’re paying more than what you bargained for, the price to fix them may go way over what you wanted to settle for.

Moreover, there’s no guarantee that the cheap laptop will be able to stay at its best shape in the long run. These cheap laptops are mostly low-quality or secondhand, their life spans usually don’t last long.

To avoid any difficulties in the future, we advise you to buy a good brand new laptop. You may think they’re not cheap but we’d like to differ, these laptops are reasonably priced for every technological advancement that comes in a device.

They’re way more stable and last longer. Besides, if anything comes up, you can always be sure that you have a warranty if you buy them from a legitimate source.

That’s why we think that it’s better to make smart investments instead of suffering from consumer guilt later on. Here, we’re presenting to you a list of the best gaming laptops for you to choose overall, also some tips to help you make the best decision for yourself based on the various price ranges you can find.

Highly Recommended Gaming Laptop

To start off the list, we got you a product from the company Acer. The Acer Predator Helios 300 has earned its place as a legit gaming laptop. This device has more benefits than flaws, many users were happy with it overall.

The laptop screen size is 15.6 inches and its total weight is 9.2 pounds, so more on the heavy side it seems.

The top back of the screen, backlit keyboard and palmrest area are made out of metal while the screen bezel and the bottom are plastic. This helps to keep the laptop from heating up, which is favorable to many consumers.

Battery life can last up to 6 hours, 4 hours if you open many windows, which is still standard for a gaming laptop under $1200. The sound system is great, which really enhances the gaming experience for the players. Storage and memory are easily accessed so it’s easy to update, keeping the programs running smoothly.

Still, there are some drawbacks. Some people said that the cooling fan does go too loud when overworked and can cause understandable irritation. Some think that the Acer Predator Helios 300 has too little storage, which can be a problem for later use.

Another thing about this laptop that it has backlight bleeds. Backlight bleeds are the white lighting coming from the four edges, affecting the screen quality.

 Acer Predator Helios 300

Pros

  • Sufficient battery life span
  • Great sound system
  • Flexible storage

Cons

  • Fan sound is loud when overworked

Despite the disadvantages it has, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is still considered an excellent choice. This is the situation where the good really outshines the bad. Maybe this laptop is not completely perfect, its imperfections don’t affect that much and many buyers are very pleased with this device.

[Best For The Money]

4.9/5

Another candidate from the company Acer, we’re presenting to you the Acer Aspire 5. Now, this one might spark more interest in you. As an under $700 laptop, the Acer Aspire 5 is considered a mid-range laptop.

This laptop is seen to be a smart purchase for someone who is on a budget since it is affordable but still able to meet the basic requirements for a good gaming laptop

It is a 15.6-inch laptop, covered mostly by plastic, except the metal back top. Despite its sturdy outlook, buyers have confirmed that the Acer Aspire 5 feels lighter than how they thought it would be. This device has the typical simplistic look of a mid-range laptop yet still exudes professionalism.

Based on the reviews, most users are pretty content with the Acer Aspire 5. For a mid-range laptop, the Acer Aspire 5 has a pretty sufficient battery life and doesn’t turn into a hotplate after being used for a certain amount of time.

Also, this laptop is very versatile for its pricing. This laptop has a touch screen and a variety of ports, which creates many convenient uses.

Though, this device still has some downsides of its own. The fan is one of the annoyances, it goes too loud which would be irritating if you have sensitive hearing.

The screen is not all that great, either. The touchpad isn’t as satisfying to use as many had thought and the contrast is average at best. Another thing is that this laptop may take a while to charge, maybe around 2-3 hours.

 Acer Nitro 5

Pros

  • Affordable for many consumers
  • Has a touchpad
  • Good battery life

Cons

  • Sound of the fan is too noticeable

All in all, the Acer Aspire works well despite most of its difficulties. It performs pretty well and speedy, there is room for improvements but most users don’t really mind the laptop’s flaws,which proves how good the device is despite being objectively cheap.

[Best For The Immersive Experiences]

4.8/5

From the same lineup as the Acer Predator Helios 300, the Overclockable Aeroblade model is offered at a reasonable price of around $1000. Many consumers have reported being very satisfied with the experience they got while using this laptop.

The Acer Predator Overclockable Aeroblade is moderately wide in size. The screen is about 15.6 inches and the whole device weighs 5.51 pounds. It has a pretty sturdy build and a cool gaming laptop appearance, with led lights running on the top back. Most reviewers also said that the laptop is lightweight and can be travel-friendly.

The overall performance of this computer is greatly appreciated among many of its users. The Laptop doesn’t stutter or encounter lagging much. The refreshing is quite a relief to some since this laptop manages to refresh with ease without tearing in the middle of it. The display is said to be phenomenal, of course, there are backlight bleeds but not very noticeable.

On the downside, the Acer Predator Overclockable Aeroblade is no exception from some of the common flaws found in gaming devices. Namely, the overheating, which can cause some displeasure if you’re using it on your lap. The audio doesn’t sound very good so maybe you should buy a separate gaming headset.

 Acer Predator Helios 300

Pros

  • Runs smoothly
  • Can refresh with ease
  • Excellent display for immersive experiences

Cons

  • Can overheat

In general, we still think this is a good pick because most of the issues can be easily solved if you’re willing to invest an additional portion. This laptop lasts quite long, 7 hours, pretty hefty for a gaming laptop.

4.7/5

After three Acer’s in a row, we introduce to you a product from ASUS. The ASUS TUF was claimed to be very high in performance and durable. The price is somewhere the same as the Acer Predator overclockable, too. So we’ll see if it’s worth the money.

ASUS TUF, based on many customers’ reviews, lives up to its expectation quite well. The laptop weighs 4.85 pounds, the screen size is 15.6 inches. The ASUS TUF is a thin laptop with a medium size screen, which makes it a portable gaming laptop. Additionally, the dual-fan with anti-dust technology makes a great addition to help the device self-maintain.

The ASUS TUF is loved among consumers for its high-quality display. The IPS-Type NanoEdge display does create a very immersive sensation for gaming. The images displayed on this gaming laptop are extremely vivid and detailed. The sound system works well enough and this laptop also has diverse types of ports, allowing any wanted additional improvements.

The laptop has great performance and a decent battery life. Although, a minus point still needs to be addressed. If you want to stream yourself playing then you should probably buy an external webcam because the laptop’s webcam doesn’t do so well.

 ASUS TUF Gaming F17

Pros

  • Sufficient battery life
  • Vivid display
  • Sound system works great
  • Ports are various
  • Lightweight and portable

Cons

  • Internal webcam is not very good

Our take on the ASUS TUF is that it’s a good laptop. The built-in webcam may not work so well but this problem can be improved with an external one - which does not actually cost much. Overall, this laptop should be good enough for long-term use.

Last but not least, the MSI GL63 8SC-059 has earned its place among gamers for its range of capability being a mid-tier product.

The laptop screen is 15.6 inches and the total weight is more than 8 pounds, some can see this as more on the heavy side. The keyboard is pretty notable. Users can type quickly and swiftly on this keyboard, which is a benefit when it comes to gaming.

Compared to other gaming laptops around $1000, this one makes less noise while still being able to maintain its cool temperature. The laptop also gives an impressive performance, the display does a great job of keeping the viewers’ attention and doesn’t encounter much stuttering. The speaker can be desirable, too.

Although, some complaints include the dated design, which is considered not as well built as other gaming laptops. The battery life is quite short and not very powerful. Some even say this laptop is too basic for its pricing.

MSI GL63 8SC-059

Pros

  • Keyboard is easy to use
  • Excellent display
  • The sound comes out great
  • No overheating and fan doesn’t sound very loud

Cons

  • Short battery life
  • Not very portable

Still, the MSI GL63 8SC-059 should be included in this list because this laptop meets the fundamental basis of a gaming laptop for a basic user. If you’re a keen gamer or a game streamer then we wouldn’t recommend this laptop.

How To Buy The Best Gaming Laptop

Nowadays, there are various models of laptops you can choose from. Each laptop has its own unique features to fulfill different groups of demographics. Because of that, we think it’s better for you to look into your personal preference before purchasing.

Graphic Cards

This is what differs gaming laptops from their regular counterparts. Graphic cards are basically what transmit the signals to show on the screen, ensuring the computer’s performance to run smoothly. While regular laptops have integrated graphics cards, which helps the computer perform at a normal standard rate. Gaming laptops have dedicated graphic cards, which are more powerful than integrated ones.

Graphic Cards

Graphic design is one of the crucial parts of the game. They define the style of the game and play a big part in your playing experience. Games’ graphics are oftentimes, can be quite heavy, that’s why gaming laptops have separated RAM, which is supported by dedicated graphic cards.

There are different kinds of graphic cards for gaming laptops, for example:  AMD, RX Vega, GTX, NVIDIA just to name a few. Whereas AMD is seen more in desktops and not as common in laptops, NVIDIA is highly recommended among beginners.

intel core processor

Processor

The processor is also a part which you need to pay attention to. What processors do is that they perform basic tasks at very high speeds specified by instructions given by the user. The ideal processor for a gaming laptop would usually be i5 or higher. There are two types of processors on the market: CPU (Central Processing Unit) and ACU (Accelerated Central Unit).

CPUs are more common among laptops while ACUs are mostly seen in desktops. When looking for a gaming laptop, it is recommended to buy ones with CPUs since they are seen to be more powerful and people are more similar to CPUs than ACUs.

Display

One of the things that you shouldn’t overlook in gaming laptops is the display. Most of the excitement you get while playing is based on what you see. If the display appears to have low definition and is prone to lagging, you can get bored from playing pretty soon or it is simply not good for your eyes.

Screen size should be looked into when picking for a laptop. A small screen size from 13-inch laptops and slightly bigger 14-inch laptops may not be as satisfying as a bigger screen, which can go from 15-17 inches, but they engulf less battery life and are more portable.

There are two main types of display, twisted nematic, and in-plane switching. Twisted nematic is seen more in budget laptops and performs pretty well, it is highly recommended in competitive gaming for having a higher refresh rate, which prevents stuttering and tearing.

In-plane switching is more high-end, it has better color reproduction, color accuracy, and good viewing angles. Although, it doesn’t refresh as well as twisted nematic so gamers still encounter minor stuttering with this display.

laptop of 15inch

Gaming Laptops By Budget

Of course, what you get is determined by what budget you have available. We have other guides based on a variety of budgets.

Under $3000 

At $3000 and under you're getting the top of the line gaming laptop. It's hard to spend more money than this but at this price point you'll have it all - amazing graphics, built-in fans, and a powerful processor. The graphics card will also be optimized for gaming and video. You won't even need a gaming desktop or PC at this level since a solid laptop at this price point will outperform most PCs.

Under $1200

A gaming laptop at $1200 and under is still going to be great. Sure, it's not as good at one at $3000, but you'll be able to play all games fine, though you might be able to have the highest graphic settings. Still, it'll perform well and if you've never had a top of the line gaming computer then you'll never be missing anything. At this price you'll have a great gaming experience and even pros can play with options at this price points without much issue.

Under $800

Finding a good option at $800 or lower is definitely possible. At this amount, the laptop should be able to handle most, if not all games but most likely at mid-tier graphic settings. For those who are playing more graphic intensive games options at $800 will be fine, but won't be as immersive or impressive as playing on a $1200 machine.

Under $600

At $600 you still have some pretty good choices. You won't be able to play graphic heavy games or games that require a lot of processing such Monster Hunter. However, it'll be more than fine for modern MMORPG games such as Wow, League of Legends, PUBG, and more with decent graphic settings and FPS. 

You can still be somewhat competitive for a casual gamer with laptops at $600.

Under $400

Gaming laptops at $400 or under are far from the top of the line and won't be able to play all games, but for casual gamers this budget can be fine depending on what games you want to play. Laptops at this range can play MMORPG games at lower graphic settings, but can still be played at a solid frames per second (FPS) which ultimately shouldn't affect gameplay much.

Under $300

At $300 or under there are some solid options for games that require low resources. If you're playing League of Legends don't expect to get Challenger anytime soon. It's going to be hard to be competitive with gaming laptops at $300 or under so since you may see a drop in the gaming experience. 

In addition to having to play with lower graphic settings there may also be FPS spikes when you experience lag, depending on your processor.

To have the best experience possible avoid using this laptop for things other than gaming. As the memory gets cluttered and the laptop gets older you will definitely notice performance drops. Avoid streaming, downloads, note taking, and other miscellaneous tasks to keep your laptop in prime condition.

FAQs

Should you get a portable gaming laptop?

This really goes down to your budget and your personal situation. Small screen laptops are more portable compared to bigger ones. With small screen laptops, you can do more than just gaming and small screen size drain less power.

Big size laptops drain more battery life but if you don’t always play games than you can just leave them at home. After all, big screen devices offer a more immersive experience. And can you imagine, after a long tiring day, you can just sit back and venture yourself into a whole new world? That sounds pretty amazing to us.

Touch screen for gaming laptop?

This depends on your preferences. Since gaming mostly depends on mouse and keyboards, the touch screen can feel a bit excessive. Also, users have reported that the touchscreen gives a glossy look to the screen which can be distracting while playing.

On the other hand, the touch screen provides variety to your device. Nowadays, there are many games designed for a touch screen that’s just as entertaining as regular games. If you want to try and have the money, feel free to cash out.

Mouse and keyboard

Even though laptops have their own trad pack and keyboard, having separated accessories still seem pretty logical. With separated devices, you can be more flexible, especially if the games you play require speeds and quick reactions. A basic economy mouse can be 5 dollars or a few more, while a wireless one is only a tad higher, maybe around 11 dollars.

Conclusion

We know that you came here to find a cheap gaming laptop under 100 dollars but as we said before, a cheap gaming laptop won’t guarantee to last long. Sure, these laptops aren’t entirely perfect, but we’re sure that you won’t encounter any crashing while playing and even have a warranty for what could happen in a certain amount of time.

About Dusan Stanar

I'm the founder of VSS Monitoring. I have been both writing and working in technology in a number of roles for dozens of years and wanted to bring my experience online to make it publicly available. Visit https://www.vssmonitoring.com/about-us/ to read more about myself and the rest of the team.