Are you a Minecraft enthusiast looking for a new laptop? Look no further. This guide features the best cheap laptops that can run Minecraft java smoothly. The good news is this game does not require an expensive laptop. You can get by with this list of good cheap laptops that will offer a seamless gaming experience without lag.
Based on the system requirements, we have narrowed our search and hand-selected seven of the best budget models packed with gaming features that won’t break the bank and are more than capable of handling Minecraft games with the highest settings.
What Are The Best Cheap Laptops For Minecraft?
The best budget laptops for Minecraft will depend on what other games or tasks you do on your new laptop. A good laptop will have 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5 or an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and this will give you enough power to run Minecraft smoothly.
In terms of graphics, Minecraft is not graphically intensive, so you don’t need a high-end GPU unless you play Minecraft ray tracing edition. In this case, I recommend choosing a laptop with an NVidia GeForce RTX 3050 or above. This would be a suitable laptop that won’t break the bank.
With all that in mind, keep reading to see my comprehensive list of the best budget laptops for Minecraft available to buy right now;
Acer Nitro 5 Laptop (Best Budget RTX Graphics)
The Acer Nitro 5 budget laptop is considered one of the best cheap gaming laptops for Minecraft. It features a budget friendly NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti laptop graphics card and a powerful processor, the Intel Core i5-10300H CPU so would make an excellent choice.
With the Acer Nitro 5 you get 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD which are more than enough to ensure a smooth multi-tasking capabilities. 8GB RAM means you can have several apps running without experiencing issues with system speed. This SSD is ample storage space for most casual users and gamers.
The Acer Nitro 5 is a top-end budget gaming laptop, with powerful specs and a speedy display
- Powerful Hardware
- Speedy 144Hz Display
- M.2 SSD Storage Slots
- 2.5″ Hard Drive Bay
Moreover, there are also two M.2 SSD slots, so you can install a 2nd solid state drive. Or if you wish, you can install a hard drive using the available 2.5″ hard drive bay. Also, the 8GB of DDR4 memory can be upgraded to 16 GB. Perfect if you want to run something more demanding like video editing software.
What’s more, this Acer gaming laptop has a fast 15.6-inch Full HD display with 144 Hz refresh rate, which I found to be bright. The RGB backlit keyboard has highlighted WASD keys, allowing you to set the keyboard colours to match your gaming setup and I found this to be quite impressive considering its budget price tag.
This Acer Nitro 5 also features the latest Bluetooth and Intel Wi-Fi 6 technology. So you can enjoy fast and reliable wireless connectivity and stay connected online with your gamer friends.
The Acer Nitro 5 is one of the best gaming laptops under $800. It is a solid budget laptop with good upgrade options and excellent graphics. Therefore, if you decide to run Minecraft Ray-Tracing or Minecraft mods this laptop will offer great performance.
What We Like
- Ease of Upgradeability
- Good Cooling and Fan System
- Cool RGB Backlit Keyboard
- 144Hz Refresh Rate Display
- Good Budget Graphics
- Good Port Selection
What We Don’t Like
- Plastic Chassis – Most laptops at this price point have this build
- Mediocre Trackpad
ASUS TUF 15 (Best Cheap Gaming laptop)
The ASUS TUF 15 is an excellent budget gaming laptop (above) I recently tested, and can confirm it is an incredible machine that can handle Minecraft with ease. This model features an NVidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, that will ensure spectacular visuals.
What’s More, the ASUS TUF has a blazing-fast Intel Core i5 10300H processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. These specs are more than you would need to enjoy a smooth Minecraft gameplay experience. The RAM can be increased to 16GB and storage to 2TB SSD.
The ASUS TUF is a good-looking affordable laptop that offers good performance with a bright display
- Good Graphics Card
- Colourful 144Hz Display
- M.2 SSD Storage Slots
- Nice Tactile Keyboard
When I tested the ASUS TUF 15, the sleek black design and hexagon pattern across the back of the laptop gave it a futuristic feel. And it was the first thing I noticed. It is made with military-grade materials. However, the outer chassis is plastic. But do not be put off by that. As you will find most budget gaming laptops have this type of material.
What’s more, I found that the Wi-Fi technology is able to deliver fast internet speeds and has suffered no downtime. Moreover, like the Acer Nitro 5 this model has a bright 144Hz Full HD display, and your games and images will look great, and images are colourful.
As for the cooling system, I consider it to be worthy. I also found it was easy to control using the software ASUS had supplied. The thermal system features a self-cleaning fan system with dual fans, and anti-dust technology. And it does ensure good thermal performance.
In terms of upgrading, the ASUS TUF 15 laptop is simple to upgrade, even for a beginner. Simply remove the screws of the back, and then you can replace RAM and SSD or the Wi-Fi card.
After testing the TUF 15, I passed it on to my daughter, who now uses the laptop to play video games like Minecraft, The Sims 4, and South park. So far, it has offered excellent performance and is one of the best laptops that is perfect for school work and movie watching.
Overall, the ASUS TUF 15 is a good cheap laptop for Minecraft and one that should be on your radar, especially if you want a gaming laptop to last for a good few years. It is easy to upgrade and has a dedicated GPU along with a fast Intel processor.
What We Like
- Military Grade Materials
- Nice RGB Tactile Keyboard
- Bright 144Hz Display
- Windows 11 Features
- Fast Gaming Intel CPU
- Good Thermal System
- Good Battery Life
What We Don’t Like
- Noisy Cooling System
- Older GTX Graphics Card
- Plastic Chassis
More Helpful Content: This laptop is that good it also features in our list of the best cheap laptops for Sims 4 gamers
Lenovo Ideapad 5 (Best Laptop With Integrated Graphics)
The Lenovo Ideapad 5 is a powerful and affordable laptop that’s perfect for low-level gaming, especially for those who enjoy playing Minecraft. This Ideapad is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5625U processor, which has six cores and can reach speeds of up to 4.3GHz.
Lenovo added a massive amount of memory (16GB of RAM), and a huge 512GB NVMe SSD. So will deliver smooth and fast gameplay and has plenty of storage space to store all your Minecraft World’s. This laptop also features a fingerprint reader, backlit keyboard, and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
The Lenovo Ideapad 5 would make the ideal gaming laptop for beginners with integrated graphics
- Superb AMD Ryzen 5 CPU
- FHD Touchscreen Display
- Masses of Memory
- 512GB NVMe SSD
What’s more, the most significant feature of this budget laptop is its 15.6″ FHD touchscreen display. So you can experience Minecraft in stunning high definition, making it easier to spot all of the game’s intricate details. The touchscreen feature allows you to easily interact and control over your games and deliver an enhancing gaming experience.
The Lenovo Ideapad 5 also has a built-in webcam, perfect for video calls with friends. The laptop also has an HDMI port for you to connect an external display. Plus, several other USB ports for connecting your gaming accessories like a mouse, headset, or gaming controller.
Another benefit of this Lenovo laptop is its affordability. Despite being packed with features that ensures it is one of the best laptops for gaming beginners. Compared to other budget options, it is relatively cheap. And perfect for gamers who want a high-quality laptop to run all their favorite games, without spending a fortune.
Overall, the Lenovo Ideapad 5 is an excellent budget notebook for Minecraft gamers who want a reliable machine. It has a powerful AMD processor, ample RAM and storage, and a touchscreen display, all that will offer a high-quality gaming experience without breaking the bank.
What We Like
- Good AMD Radeon Graphics
- Speedy AMD Ryzen Processor
- FHD Camera, Dual Microphone
- Backlit Storm Gey Keyboard
- No Lag In Minecraft Java
- Improved Battery Life
What We Don’t Like
- Not the fastest Display
- Limited Port Selection
- Not Good For AAA Games
Helpful Content: If the battery is not up to scratch, you can learn how to make the laptop battery last longer. Trust me, it is an easy fix and worth it.
ASUS VivoBook 15 (Best Minecraft Laptop Under $500)
This ASUS Vivobook is a good budget laptop for Minecraft gamers and enjoy playing other games of this nature. This laptop is a powerful and slight machine, with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor with AMD Vega integrated graphics. So playing Minecraft at 1080p resolution will not be an issue.
What’s more, this laptop is equipped with 8GB of limited RAM. Which does mean you can not add more. Although, 8GB is enough memory for this game. The 512GB SSD is ample storage space for Minecraft Java and will provide fast boot and load times, so you can access your games quick.
The ASUS budget laptop would just scrape through with its limited specs but really nice display.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600H CPU
- Beautiful 14″ Display
- Windows 11 Features
- 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD
The VivoBook runs on Windows 11, which helps to optimize performance and improve battery life. The ASUS device has a 14″ display, which offers a resolution of 1080p. Which is adequate for playing games like Minecraft, Roblox, or The Sims 4.
In addition, the ASUS VivoBook has built-in stereo speakers, which provide high-quality audio and deliver an immersive gameplay. This would also make a good cheap laptop for everyday use and school work. And the built-in webcam makes it perfect for video calls.
Overall, the ASUS VivoBook would make an excellent laptop for Minecraft gamers who want a budget-friendly 14-inch machine. With its AMD Radeon integrated graphics, fast SSD, and other great gaming features, that offers a good experience for an affordable price.
What We Like
- Good AMD Radeon Graphics
- Speedy AMD Ryzen Processor
- 14-inch WUXGA Touchscreen
- Nice Backlit Chiclet Keyboard
- Windows 11 Gaming Features
- Excellent Battery Life
What We Don’t Like
- Smaller Display Size
- Limited Port Selection
HP Pavilion 15 (Best AMD Ryzen 7 Laptop)
The HP Pavilion 15 is an affordable option that offers good performance for gamers who do not want to spend big. With this model you can enjoy the power of an AMD Ryzen 7 5700U processor with speeds of up to 4.3Ghz and it has impressive AMD Radeon integrated graphics.
On top of the fast processing speeds there is 16GB DDR4 RAM and a 512GB PCle NVMe M.2 solid state drive. So plenty of memory and storage with room to add another SSD for improved responsiveness. With these specs, this HP Pavilion is more than adequate for playing less demanding video games with toned-down low to medium settings.
The HP Pavilion 15 offers budget gaming for a reasonable price, lacks a dedicated GPU
- Superb AMD Ryzen 7 CPU
- Extremely Portable Laptop
- 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- Backlit Keyboard With Numberpad
What also impresses me with the HP Pavilion is the bright Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS Touchscreen display that brings an impressive 82% screen-to-body ratio meaning more screen space. It also features the latest Intel Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth 5.0.
For online chats you have a HD camera (720p) with dual microphones so will not only deliver on video calls through Facebook your voice will be hear loud and clear. Considering this is an affordable gaming laptop it has a nice and responsive full-size backlit keyboard.
Overall, for gamers looking for a powerful but cheap laptop for playing Minecraft look no further than this 15.6-inch HP Pavilion, it is a great all-rounder that will tick all the boxes for most casual users.
What We Like
- Full HD Touch Screen Display
- Superb AMD Ryzen 7 Processor
- Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit Ethernet
- Plenty of M.2 SSD Storage
- Offers Hours of Battery Life
- Solid Build Materials
- Good Audio Speakers
What We Don’t Like
- No Dedicated Graphics
- HP Laptops Tend To Have Bloatware You have to Remove
Things To Consider for Minecraft?
Users looking for a cheap laptop to play Minecraft on, there are a few things you should consider. Whether you want the best Minecraft gaming laptops or prefer a cheaper laptop that can still run Minecraft smoothly. You need to look out for the following.
Here you will find the recommended system requirements for Minecraft. Choosing a laptop that meets or exceeds these specs will ensure a smooth experience. However, devices that meet the minimum specs can expect to experience issues if other apps are running in the background.
Minimum Minecraft Laptop Specs
| Laptop Specs | |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| RAM (Memory) | 4 GB RAM |
| STORAGE (SSD & HDD) | 256 GB SSD |
| PROCESSOR (CPU) | Intel Celeron J4125 | AMD FX-4100 |
| VIDEO CARD (GPU) | Intel HD Graphics 600 | AMD Radeon R5 |
| DIRECTX | DirectX 12 |
Recommended Minecraft Laptop Specs
| Laptop Specs | |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 or Windows 11 |
| RAM (Memory) | 8 GB RAM |
| STORAGE (SSD & HDD) | 512 GB SSD |
| PROCESSOR (CPU) | Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 3000 Series |
| VIDEO CARD (GPU) | NVidia GeForce 1050 or AMD Radeon 5300 |
| DIRECTX | DirectX 12 |
Processor (CPU)
The processor is one of the most crucial components to consider when selecting a laptop for playing video games, especially Minecraft. Look for a laptop that features at least an Intel Core i3 or equivalent AMD processor to ensure smooth gameplay.
A dual-core processor is the minimum requirement, but for faster system speeds and better multitasking, it’s recommended to go for a quad-core processor. With a quad-core processor, you can run more apps and programs without slowing down the laptop.
Memory (RAM)
To ensure a smooth gaming experience, Minecraft requires a minimum of 4GB of RAM. But it can also run with only 2GB of RAM. However, for a better gaming experience, it’s recommended to choose a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM.
Most budget-friendly laptops suitable for this type of video game will come with 8GB of RAM installed. A laptop with 8GB RAM is more than enough to meet the requirements for Minecraft.
Storage (Hard Drive)
You can choose between a traditional hard disk drive (cheaper) or a faster solid-state drive (SSD) when it comes to storage space. A regular hard drive is cheaper, but slower. If you’re looking for the best performance possible, then go for a laptop with an SSD as the primary storage option.
Choose a budget laptop with at least a 256GB SSD, or even better, a 512GB SSD. Also, check if it has M.2 slots. This will mean you can add a 2nd SSD for improved responsiveness.
Graphics Card (GPU)
While Minecraft can be played on integrated graphics, dedicated graphics cards will offer a better gaming experience. A dedicated GPU with at least 2GB of VRAM is more than enough.
Also, integrated graphics like the Intel HD Graphics or the AMD Radeon Vega are sufficient. However, if you plan to play more demanding games, then you should opt for an affordable laptop with a dedicated GPU, such as an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or above.
To experience ray tracing in Minecraft, you will need an NVIDIA RTX graphics card, such as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 or an NVIDIA RTX 3050Ti. These are considered great budget graphics cards and will allow you to run all Minecraft versions smoothly.
Display Size Matters
The display size is another critical factor to consider when selecting a laptop to run Minecraft. A Full HD (1920 x 1080) display is the most commonly used resolution for gamers. A 15-inch screen size is ideal as it provides enough screen real estate to enjoy all the action.
Battery Life Matters
Most affordable laptops in this price range offer 3 to 5 hours of battery power on a single charge. However, this can vary depending on the settings you use. For example, if you’re watching YouTube videos and browsing the web, expect a longer battery life.
If you’re planning on playing games, expect your battery to drain faster. It’s always best to connect the laptop to an AC outlet when gaming to enjoy the best performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much RAM Do I Need For Minecraft?
The minimum amount of RAM for Minecraft is 2GB. However, 4GB or more would offer a much smoother experience. With 8GB RAM, you can run other programmes while playing Minecraft. Like recording software or listening to music, without experiencing your laptop computer slowing down.
What Is The Best Graphics Card For Minecraft?
The best graphics cards for playing Minecraft are the budget-friendly NVidia GeForce RTX 3050 or RTX 3050 Ti. They can handle most games in medium settings and are relatively affordable. But most importantly, they will help you run Minecraft Java Edition, Minecraft Dungeons, and the Ray Tracing version now available in Minecraft for Windows.
Can You Play Minecraft On A Laptop?
If the laptop meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements. You can play Minecraft Java Edition on a laptop. The computer must have 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, and an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 or better. If anything less, the game will not load. If it does, you will experience lag.
What Is The Best Processor For Minecraft?
The best processor for Minecraft would depend on your other needs. However, an Intel Core i5 or an AMD Ryzen 5 CPUs are considered good options for gaming. You can also run Minecraft with something lower, like a dual-core Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
Is A Gaming Laptop Good For Minecraft?
A gaming laptop would be superb for playing Minecraft. That said, unless you plan to run more demanding games, you do not need the most powerful specs for Minecraft to run smoothly. Good-budget gaming laptops include the Acer Nitro 5 and the ASUS TUF 15.
Is Minecraft with Ray Tracing Free?
Minecraft with Ray Tracing and Physically Based Rendering (PBR) is free if you already have Minecraft downloaded. But your will need a dedicated NVidia GeForce RTX graphics card to meet the recommended system requirements.
What Is The Cheapest Laptop That Can Run Minecraft?
The cheapest laptops for Minecraft would be the Dell Inspiron 15, the HP EliteBook, Acer Swift or the HP Pavilion 15. These are great laptops that will meet all your gaming needs. Each laptop would meet the system requirements for Minecraft.
Is Minecraft Free On A Laptop?
Minecraft is not free to play on a laptop unless you play it within your browser. However, you can download Minecraft from the Microsoft Store for a small fee. Be careful because if you get it from somewhere else, you could end up paying more money. Also, ensure you purchase the game from a reputable supplier.
Your Laptop, Can It Play Minecraft?
For gamers who already own a laptop and are wondering ‘Can it play Minecraft’. Most modern laptops can run Minecraft smoothly. It must have 4GB of RAM, and an Intel Celeron J4125 or AMD FX-4100 processor and these processors will come with integrated graphics suitable for playing Minecraft.
Conclusion
Crazy to think this popular game is over ten years old, with 130 million gamers globally. Minecraft has especially helped my young son, who sometimes struggles in life. So I believe having the right tools is essential, including the best cheap laptops that can run Minecraft smoothly.
Just to recap, the best cheap gaming laptop for Minecraft is the Acer Nitro 5 while the ASUS TUF 15 is a great choice as well. My recommendation for a budget-friendly option is the Lenovo Ideapad 5 or the HP Pavilion 15-inch laptops and they would also be good for everyday tasks.
Thanks For Reading, Cya Next Time!.
Helpful Content: Still struggling? Check out my gaming laptop buying guide or see the best gaming laptops under 1000 dollars for more ideas.
