If you’re searching for the best budget gaming laptop in 2024, the Acer ALG deserves a serious look. Released in June 2024, this sleek and surprisingly capable machine has quickly become a favorite among entry-level gamers and students alike. With a price tag under $700, the ALG delivers impressive specs, making it one of the top contenders in the affordable gaming laptop category. But does it really live up to the hype? In this Acer ALG review, we break down its performance, design, pros and cons, and how it compares to competitors like the HP Victus and Lenovo LOQ.
The Acer ALG features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with a smooth 144Hz refresh rate, a crucial component for competitive gaming in titles like Valorant, CS2, and Fortnite. Powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7 7840HS processor and integrated Radeon 780M graphics, the laptop delivers surprisingly strong gaming performance despite lacking a dedicated GPU. Benchmarks show it can handle popular esports titles at 60–120 frames per second, depending on the game and settings. For casual gamers, streamers, or those interested in indie games and emulators, the ALG offers plenty of power without breaking the bank.
Design-wise, the Acer ALG is refreshingly minimal. Unlike most gaming laptops with RGB lighting and aggressive aesthetics, the ALG opts for a matte black chassis that blends in at work or school. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and runs quietly under moderate loads. That said, the chassis is plastic, and the speakers and keyboard are fairly basic—reminders that this is still a budget laptop. But considering the performance you’re getting, it’s a worthwhile trade-off.
Battery life is respectable, offering 6–7 hours for web browsing or productivity tasks. For gaming, you’ll want to stay plugged in, as battery performance dips to around 1–2 hours under full load. The laptop also includes upgradeable RAM and an extra M.2 SSD slot, along with modern connectivity like Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, HDMI, and Ethernet.
When compared to similarly priced gaming laptops, the Acer ALG stands out for value. The HP Victus 15 with an RTX 3050 starts closer to $799, while the Lenovo LOQ and ASUS TUF F15 with RTX 4050 or 4060 GPUs range from $849–$899. While those machines offer better raw GPU power, the ALG’s Radeon 780M is one of the best integrated graphics solutions available today. If you’re looking for a gaming laptop under $700 in 2024, the Acer ALG offers one of the best price-to-performance ratios you’ll find.
🔍 Quick Specs Overview
- Display: 15.6″ Full HD IPS, 144Hz refresh rate
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS
- GPU: Radeon 780M (integrated)
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
- Price: $699 USD (as tested)
🎮 Performance Benchmarks: Can It Game?
The Acer ALG might not come with a dedicated GPU, but AMD’s Radeon 780M integrated graphics make it surprisingly capable.
✅ Games That Ran Well
- Valorant: 1080p, ~120 FPS (High)
- CS2: ~90 FPS (Medium)
- Genshin Impact: ~60 FPS (High)
- Dota 2 / League of Legends: 100+ FPS
- Fortnite: ~60 FPS (Medium)
💻 Design & Build
The Acer ALG doesn’t look like a gaming laptop—and that’s a good thing for many users. It sports a sleek, minimalist matte-black design without RGB lighting or sharp angles.
However, the plastic build and average keyboard feel may remind you that this is a budget machine.
🔋 Battery Life
Battery performance is solid for everyday tasks—expect 6–7 hours with light use. Gaming, however, will drop that down to 1–2 hours unplugged.
🔧 Upgrade Options & Connectivity
- Upgrades: One extra M.2 slot and expandable RAM
- Ports: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, headphone jack
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3
✅ Pros
- Surprisingly capable 1080p gaming
- Fast 144Hz display
- Modern connectivity (Wi-Fi 6E, USB-C)
- Lightweight and portable
❌ Cons
- No dedicated graphics card
- Plastic chassis feels basic
- Speakers and keyboard are underwhelming
🆚 Acer ALG vs Competitors
| Laptop | Price | GPU | Display | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer ALG | $699 | Radeon 780M | 144Hz | Best for entry-level gaming |
| HP Victus 15 | $799+ | RTX 3050 | 144Hz | More GPU power, higher price |
| Lenovo LOQ | $849+ | RTX 4060 | 144Hz | Solid all-rounder |
| Asus TUF F15 | $899+ | RTX 4050 | 144Hz | Great performance, bulkier |
🛒 Where to Buy
- Acer Store: store.acer.com
🏁 Final Verdict
The Acer ALG is one of the best gaming laptops under $700 in 2024. It’s perfect for casual gamers, students, or anyone looking to play modern games at 1080p without spending a fortune.
Score: 8/10 – “Budget Beast”
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