If you’re a gamer on a budget and looking to kick off the new year with a fresh setup, you’ve landed on the right page. It’s January 2025, and despite rising hardware costs, there are still several laptops out there that won’t empty your wallet. Below, I’ve rounded up six models that pack enough punch to run many popular titles without crashing your framerate—or your finances. Each machine has its own quirks and strengths, so whether you’re after a thinner profile, beefier graphics, or just a straightforward gaming companion, there’s something here for you.
Powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 8 GB DDR4 RAM, the HP Victus 15 keeps up with light gaming and daily tasks. Its Radeon RX 6500M GPU handles modern titles at low to medium settings, though it lacks advanced ray tracing features. But at this level, such features make little to no sense.
A 15.6-inch Full HD display provides clear visuals, but no high refresh rates or top-tier color fidelity. At 1.99 kg, it’s portable, although the 3-hour battery life may need frequent charges. Connectivity is basic, missing more advanced features like USB-C or Wi-Fi 6.
Overall, the Victus 15 is a reliable pick for casual gamers who want affordability, decent performance, and a stylish design.
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The MSI Thin A15 is a solid budget choice if you need a portable machine for casual gaming. Its AMD Ryzen 5 Hexa Core 7535HS (Zen 3+) processor, 8 GB DDR5 RAM, and 512 GB SSD deliver smooth everyday performance. Meanwhile, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 (4 GB GDDR6) can handle modern games at low to medium settings.
A 15.6-inch FHD 144 Hz display offers fluid visuals, but 45% NTSC color coverage won’t satisfy creators needing color accuracy. Weighing 1.86 kg, it’s light for a gaming laptop, and connectivity is modern (Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3). A basic 720p webcam, and no MS Office are compromises. Overall, it’s a fair pick for beginners or casual gamers seeking affordability.
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The Acer Aspire 7’s Intel Core i5 13th Gen 13420H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 combo handles everyday tasks and casual gaming smoothly—though AAA titles might need lower settings. Its 15.6-inch FHD display runs at 144 Hz for fluid motion, and 8 GB DDR4 RAM plus a 512 GB SSD keeps multitasking swift.
At 1.99 kg, it’s portable enough, with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for fast online play. The RGB-backlit keyboard adds flair, but you’ll miss extras like MS Office. If you’re on a budget and need reliable, entry-level gaming performance, the Aspire 7 is worth a look.
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The ASUS TUF Gaming F17 pairs an Intel Core i5 11th Gen 11400H (up to 4.5 GHz) with 8 GB DDR4 RAM and a 512 GB SSD, ensuring smooth performance for casual to mid-tier gaming. Its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 (70 TGP, 4 GB GDDR6) handles most older and mid-range titles at medium settings, though demanding AAA games may require tuning.
A standout feature is the 17.3-inch FHD display with a 144 Hz refresh rate and Adaptive Sync, perfect for competitive gaming. Though color accuracy is limited (45% NTSC), the MIL-STD-810H rugged build makes it durable. At 2.6 kg, it’s heavier than average but offers Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Thunderbolt 4, multiple USB ports, and a basic RGB-backlit keyboard.
If you want a larger screen and durable design on a tight budget, the TUF Gaming F17 is a solid choice.
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Powered by an Intel Core i5 11260H (up to 4.4 GHz) and 8 GB DDR4 RAM (expandable to 32 GB), the TUF F15 handles day-to-day tasks and light to medium gaming seamlessly. Its RTX 2050 GPU (70 TGP) is solid for older titles, but it may need lower settings for newer AAA games.
The 15.6-inch FHD display hits 144 Hz with Adaptive Sync for smooth visuals, though limited color coverage won’t suit demanding creators. At 2.3 kg, the MIL-STD-810H build provides durability, and the 48 WHr battery offers fast charging. Connectivity is plentiful—Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB ports—and there’s room for an extra SSD.
Overall, the TUF Gaming F15 focuses on sturdiness, decent performance, and future upgrade potential, making it a solid option for entry-level gamers on a budget.
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Sporting an Intel Core i5 12th Gen 12500H and 16 GB DDR4 RAM, the Colorful XS Series delivers solid multitasking and respectable gaming performance. Its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 handles modern games at medium to high settings and even offers basic ray tracing and DLSS.
While the 15.6-inch FHD display lacks a high refresh rate or broad color gamut, the 512 GB SSD keeps loading times quick. Weighing 1.99 kg, it’s fairly portable, though its 3-hour battery may need frequent charging. With USB-C, multiple USB 3.2 ports, and a simple illuminated keyboard, it’s a good budget option for those craving decent power and features.
While the laptop skips premium features like a fingerprint sensor and a higher refresh rate display, it compensates with its robust specifications. The Colorful XS Series is an excellent pick for gamers looking for a well-rounded machine with extra RAM and a stronger GPU without exceeding the budget.
And that’s a wrap on the best gaming laptops under ₹50,000 this January 2025. Sure, they might not rival the performance of high-end gaming beasts, but they hold their own if you’re more about casual to moderate gaming rather than maxing out every setting. At the end of the day, picking the right laptop is all about balancing performance, portability, and price. Consider what matters most to you—display quality, GPU strength, extra features—and choose accordingly. Whichever route you take, each of these laptops proves you can dive into modern gaming without straining your budget. Happy hunting, and happy gaming!
