Nov 25, 2025

Best Gaming Laptops Under $700 for Black Friday 2025 – Top Picks and Specs

Introduction

Black Friday 2025 brings a wave of laptop discounts, but finding a gaming notebook that balances performance and price can be challenging. While many deals hover around the $1,000 mark, there are solid options under $700 that still deliver respectable frame rates and modern features. This guide reviews the most compelling budget gaming laptops available during the holiday sales, focusing on models that ship with RTX 4050 or higher GPUs and avoid older RTX 3050/2050 solutions that quickly become outdated.

What Makes a Good Budget Gaming Laptop?

When the budget is capped at $700, certain compromises are inevitable. The key is to prioritize:

GPU generation – newer cards like the RTX 4050, RTX 5050, or RTX 4060 provide better ray‑tracing support and AI‑based upscaling (DLSS) compared to legacy 3000‑series cards.
CPU performance – modern Ryzen 5/7 or Intel i5/i7 13th‑gen processors ensure smooth gameplay and multitasking.
Display quality – at least a 1200p (Full HD+) panel with 144 Hz or higher refresh rates for fluid visuals.
Memory and storage – 16 GB of RAM and a fast 512 GB SSD are becoming the baseline for a decent gaming experience.

With those criteria in mind, here are the top laptops that meet or exceed expectations while staying under the $700 threshold.

Top Picks Under $700

Acer Nitro V16 – $629 (Walmart)

Display: 16‑inch IPS, 1200p resolution, 180 Hz refresh rate
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5240 (6 cores, 16 threads)
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 with 8 GB GDDR7 VRAM
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Storage: 512 GB SSD
Design: Sleek, understated chassis suitable for both gaming and everyday use

The Nitro V16 packs a high‑refresh 16‑inch screen and a capable RTX 5050, making it one of the most performance‑rich options at this price point.

Gigabyte A16 – $599 (Best Buy)

Display: 16‑inch IPS, 1200p, 165 Hz
CPU: Intel Core i7‑13620H
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 with 6 GB VRAM
Memory: 16 GB DDR5 RAM
Storage: 512 GB SSD (upgradeable)

The Gigabyte A16 offers a strong CPU‑GPU pairing and a high‑refresh panel, making it a solid all‑rounder for the price.

MSI Thin 15.6” – $644 (Walmart)

Display: 15.6‑inch IPS, 144 Hz, Full HD
CPU: Intel Core i5‑13420H
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Storage: 512 GB SSD

MSI’s thin‑and‑light chassis rivals the Gigabyte in performance, giving buyers a choice between similar specs in slightly different form factors.

HP Victus 15.6” – $599 (Best Buy)

Display: 15.6‑inch IPS, 144 Hz, Full HD
CPU: Intel Core i5‑13420H
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Storage: 512 GB SSD

HP’s entry‑level Victus line delivers the same RTX 4050 and 13th‑gen i5 as its competitors, with a design that leans more toward a professional aesthetic.

ASUS TUF Gaming A16 – $599 (Walmart)

Display: 16‑inch IPS, 144 Hz, Full HD
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7445HS
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Storage: 512 GB SSD

A fan favorite, the ASUS TUF series combines a robust Ryzen 7 processor with the RTX 4050, offering strong performance for both gaming and content creation.

Lenovo Legion (Lock) 15.6” – $649 (Best Buy)

Display: 15.6‑inch IPS, 144 Hz, Full HD
CPU: Intel Core i5‑13458H (slightly higher clock speeds than the 13420H)
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 with 8 GB VRAM
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Storage: 512 GB SSD in a subtle Luna Gray finish

Lenovo’s Legion‑branded “Lock” model offers a more subdued design while still providing the newer RTX 5050 GPU, which benefits from Nvidia’s DLSS 3 upscaling.

MSI Thin 15.6” with RTX 4060 – $679 (Walmart)

Display: 15.6‑inch IPS, 144 Hz, Full HD
CPU: Intel Core i5‑13420H
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Storage: 512 GB SSD

Crossing the $670 mark, this MSI variant upgrades to an RTX 4060, delivering noticeably better frame rates and DLSS performance compared to the RTX 4050/5050 models.

HP Victus AMD Edition – $629 (Walmart)

Display: 15.6‑inch IPS, 144 Hz, Full HD
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6550M
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Storage: 512 GB SSD

For users who prefer an all‑AMD stack, this Victus model pairs a Ryzen 5 processor with the Radeon RX 6550M. While the GPU trails Nvidia’s RTX 4050 in raw performance, it offers a viable alternative for those invested in AMD ecosystems.

Why Skip RTX 3050 and RTX 2050 Models?

Even though laptops with RTX 3050 or RTX 2050 GPUs can be found well below $500, they lack the future‑proofing needed for modern titles. These older cards struggle with higher‑resolution textures and do not fully support Nvidia’s latest DLSS 3 technology, leading to lower frame rates and a less enjoyable experience. Investing slightly more—around the $600‑$700 range—ensures access to newer GPU architectures that will remain relevant for the next few years.

Conclusion

Black Friday 2025 offers a surprising number of capable gaming laptops under $700. Whether you prioritize a larger 16‑inch display, an all‑AMD configuration, or the extra performance of an RTX 4060, the options above cover a range of preferences without breaking the bank. By focusing on newer GPU generations and solid CPU choices, you can secure a machine that handles current AAA titles with respectable settings and remains viable for future releases. Happy hunting, and may your gaming sessions be smooth and lag‑free!