Top 10 Best Cheap Laptops for Emulators in 2024
If you’re a gaming enthusiast looking to relive classic titles through emulators, having a reliable and affordable laptop is essential. Emulators require decent processing power and graphics capabilities to run smoothly. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top 10 best cheap laptops for emulators that won’t break the bank.
1. Acer Aspire 5
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon
Pros
- Great battery life
- Good build quality
- Decent performance for gaming
Cons
- Limited storage capacity
- Average webcam quality
Price: $499.99
2. Lenovo IdeaPad 3
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Great keyboard experience
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- Battery life could be better
- Average speakers
Price: $348.41
3. HP Pavilion 15
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon
Pros
- Good price-to-performance ratio
- Sleek design
- Fast SSD storage
Cons
- Heating issues under load
- Battery life is average
Price: $599.99
4. Asus VivoBook 15
- Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
- Display: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD
Pros
- Dual storage options
- Lightweight and portable
- Affordable price
Cons
- Entry-level processor
- Average battery life
Price: $329.99
5. Dell Inspiron 15
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
Pros
- Solid performance
- Great display quality
- Good build quality
Cons
- Heavier than some competitors
- Battery life is mediocre
Price: $465.90
6. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1035G1
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR4x
- Storage: 64GB SSD
- Display: 12.4″ PixelSense (1536 x 1024)
- Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD
Pros
- Ultraportable design
- Good display quality
- Responsive touchscreen
Cons
- Limited RAM for gaming
- Small storage capacity
Price: $725.00
7. HP 14 Laptop
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 5300U
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 14″ Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Good performance for the price
- Affordable
Cons
- Smaller display size
- Battery life is average
Price: $309.00
8. Lenovo Flex 5
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 14″ Full HD Touchscreen (1920 x 1080)
- Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon
Pros
- 2-in-1 convertible design
- Great performance
- Stylish and portable
Cons
- Battery life could be better
- Heavier than some ultrabooks
Price: $699.99
9. ASUS Chromebook Flip C434
- Processor: Intel Core m3-8100Y
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR3
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Display: 14″ Full HD Touchscreen (1920 x 1080)
- Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD
Pros
- Flexible 2-in-1 design
- Lightweight and portable
- Good battery life
Cons
- Limited storage
- Not suitable for heavy gaming
Price: $329.99
10. Dell XPS 13
- Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 13.3″ Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD
Pros
- Premium build quality
- Compact and lightweight
- Great display
Cons
- Expensive for the specs
- Limited ports
Price: $1,435.00
Conclusion
Finding a budget-friendly laptop for emulators doesn’t have to be a daunting task. The laptops listed above are capable of handling various emulator software with ease, allowing you to enjoy your favorite retro games smoothly. Whether you prefer a more portable option or a laptop with robust specs, there’s something for everyone in this list. Choose wisely based on your gaming needs and budget!