Best laptop under $500 as of now?

[Jonditi]

What is the best laptop for sale under $500 right now (Christmas time)? Light gaming & video watching as primary usage.

 

[photonboy]

First, I'd be looking for a sale.

THIS is the best one I've found so far:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-17-3-laptop-intel-core-i5-6gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-textured-linear-gradient-grooves-in-black/5657867.p?skuId=5657867

GPU is Intel HD620 which is okay for light gaming. For example, Torchlight 2.

Other:
1) 1600x900 resolution (most are 1366x768)

2) 1TB HDD

3) 6GB system memory (most were only 4GB)

Unless extreme portability is a requirement (it's 17") this is one I'd have on my short list.

OTHER:
THIS one has a weaker CPU, but I don't know how the AMD GPU compares:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-110-17acl-17-3-laptop-amd-a8-series-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-black/5412738.p?skuId=5412738

OTHER:
The GPU will share the system memory, so it should have options in the BIOS to change the amount allocated. That's for any iGPU, so includes both above. If it's set to 1024MB that might not be enough for some games. If you can go to 2048MB keep in mind you're now limiting the amount that Windows/apps can use as the main memory.

For light gaming 1024MB is probably fine. just keep that in mind. I'd check just to see what it is though.

 

[photonboy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o4kLTmIkJc

The above is basically the same CPU as the Intel (one I linked is slightly better). It handles LoL at 40-60FPS 1366x768, but they don't give the settings.

You can adjust the quality and likely can achieve a solid 60FPS if you want.

WITCHER 3 is unplayable (as expected) but here's the video anyway:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hsWl2UHdDA

There's a bunch of similar videos, and Bioshock Ultimate appears playable (Medium, 1366x768, 30FPS)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DzAemPcBCM

Most of the 2D/2.5D games should be playable like StarCraft 2, Diablo 3, Torchlight etc.

 

[jaguarskx]

The Acer Laptop Aspire E 15 E5-575G-52RJ is currently the best laptop you can for $480 + $3 for standard shipping. It has a Core i5-6200u CPU, 1080p screen and a nVidia 940mx GPU. The 940mx should be decent enough to play many games @ medium graphics settings at 1080p. But you can alway lower the resolution to 900p or 768p for better performance.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834315422&cm_re=940mx-_-34-315-422-_-Product


Newegg does not charge tax unless the laptop is being shipped to CA (it's headquarters) or TN and NJ where they have warehouses. If the order is placed by 2pm Pacific Time, then I believe they guarantee the order will be processed on the same day.

2 Business Day shipping will cost $21.
Next Business Day shipping will cost $47.