Best Apple Esports Players Laptops under $600

What an Esports laptop means: a laptop built for competitive multiplayer,high refresh rate, low input latency, fast-poll keyboard, frame-rate consistency over absolute graphics quality. Typical use: Valorant, CS2, League of Legends, Overwatch, Apex Legends, ranked grinds, scrim nights. Fits competitive players climbing ladders, college esports team members, ranked grinders,anyone who'd trade higher textures for steady 240+ fps.

Also relevant for: esports laptops · competitive gaming · high-refresh panels · low-latency rigs

Updated: July 2026
Products evaluated: 2281
How we work: Editorial principles →

Showing: under $600 · Apple or Framework or Microsoft

Showing 1–5 of 5 Esports Players laptops
  1. #1
    Champion
    Objective profile
    Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13.5"
    (i7-1265U, 16GB, 256GB)     Renewed
    Microsoft · 13.5" · 2022
    $417 – $460
    Esports SelvaScore
    43 / 100
    Weight–
    Battery10.0 hr
    Display13.5" 2256x1504
    RAM16 GB
    Storage256 GB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 44
      Screen Refresh Refresh Rate
    • 43
      Motion Clarity Response Time
    • 47
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 57
      Input Responsiveness System Latency
    • 79
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 32
      Keyboard Feel Tactile Actuation
    • 78
      Weight Gravitational Load
    View on Amazon
    View full review →
  2. #2
    Runner-Up
    Objective profile
    Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13.5-inch
    (i5-1035G7, 16GB, 256GB)     Renewed
    Microsoft · 13.5" · 2020
    $284 – $314
    Esports SelvaScore
    33 / 100
    Weight1.89 kg
    Battery9.0 hr
    Display13.5" 2496x1664
    RAM16 GB
    Storage256 GB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 44
      Screen Refresh Refresh Rate
    • 26
      Motion Clarity Response Time
    • 40
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 76
      Input Responsiveness System Latency
    • 36
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 32
      Keyboard Feel Tactile Actuation
    • 51
      Weight Gravitational Load
    View on Amazon
    View full review →
  3. #3
    Top Pick
    Objective profile
    Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
    (i7-1065G7, 8GB, 512GB)     Renewed
    Microsoft · 13" · 2020
    $353 – $391
    Esports SelvaScore
    32 / 100
    Weight1.27 kg
    Battery9.0 hr
    Display13.0" 2560x1600
    RAM8 GB
    Storage512 GB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 44
      Screen Refresh Refresh Rate
    • 43
      Motion Clarity Response Time
    • 40
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 46
      Input Responsiveness System Latency
    • 33
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 32
      Keyboard Feel Tactile Actuation
    • 78
      Weight Gravitational Load
    View on Amazon
    View full review →
  4. #4
    Objective profile
    Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
    (i5-8210Y, 8GB, 128GB)     Renewed
    Apple · 13.3" · 2018
    $284 – $314
    Esports SelvaScore
    5 / 100
    Weight1.25 kg
    Battery10.0 hr
    Display13.3" 2560x1600
    RAM8 GB
    Storage128 GB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 44
      Screen Refresh Refresh Rate
    • 43
      Motion Clarity Response Time
    • 29
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 5
      Input Responsiveness System Latency
    • 21
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 5
      Keyboard Feel Tactile Actuation
    • 79
      Weight Gravitational Load
    View on Amazon
    View full review →
  5. #5
    Objective profile
    Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch
    (i5-1038NG7, 16GB, 512GB)     Renewed
    Apple · 13.3" · 2020
    $383 – $424
    Esports SelvaScore
    5 / 100
    Weight1.41 kg
    Battery10.0 hr
    Display13.3" 2560x1600
    RAM16 GB
    Storage512 GB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 44
      Screen Refresh Refresh Rate
    • 26
      Motion Clarity Response Time
    • 44
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 73
      Input Responsiveness System Latency
    • 64
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 17
      Keyboard Feel Tactile Actuation
    • 70
      Weight Gravitational Load
    View on Amazon
    View full review →

Quick Comparison

#LaptopScorePrice WeightBatteryDisplayRAMStorage
1 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13.5" (i7-1265U, 16GB, 256GB) 43 $417 – $460 – 10.0 hr 13.5" 2256x1504 16 GB 256 GB
2 Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13.5-inch (i5-1035G7, 16GB, 256GB) 33 $284 – $314 1.89 kg 9.0 hr 13.5" 2496x1664 16 GB 256 GB
3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 (i7-1065G7, 8GB, 512GB) 32 $353 – $391 1.27 kg 9.0 hr 13.0" 2560x1600 8 GB 512 GB
4 Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (i5-8210Y, 8GB, 128GB) 5 $284 – $314 1.25 kg 10.0 hr 13.3" 2560x1600 8 GB 128 GB
5 Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (i5-1038NG7, 16GB, 512GB) 5 $383 – $424 1.41 kg 10.0 hr 13.3" 2560x1600 16 GB 512 GB

How we ranked these

SelvaScore is independent. Rankings reflect our editorial judgment, not vendor relationships. No laptop manufacturer pays for placement, and affiliate revenue from retailers does not affect which laptop wins this list.

Every laptop here has been evaluated through the same lens for this use case. The same machines are evaluated differently for other use cases. What works for one use case doesn't always work for another.

Read about how we work →

Related rankings

Best for AAA Gamers
Gaming lens
Best for Game Streamers
Gaming lens
Best for Sleeper Builds
Gaming lens
Best for Strategy & Simulation Players
Gaming lens
Best for Daily Drivers
Balanced lens
Best for STEM Students
Student lens

Something look off?

Own this laptop, reviewed it professionally, or just think we're wrong? We read every submission. Verified corrections may influence future SelvaScores.

How SelvaScore works

A SelvaScore measures how well one product fits a specific use-case lens, on a 0 to 100 scale, rating fit for that use rather than overall quality or price.

Everything that makes a laptop a laptop is taken into account, so a score reflects the whole product rather than a single headline spec: what matters most to a given use case counts the most, while everything else still plays a part.

The information behind each score includes manufacturer specifications, benchmarks, and verified comments from owners and reviewers, and because each lens values these differently, the same laptop can score differently from one lens to the next.

Each lens reflects SelvaScore's own definition of a use case, which may differ from how other sites or people define the same need.

Scores and rankings are updated monthly as new data arrives, and every lens, filter, and product has its own stable URL, so the live page is always the current source.

Using and citing SelvaScore data

You are welcome to use our data as long as it is properly cited.

Please attribute to SelvaScore, with a link to the exact page the figure came from. For this page that is https://selvascore.com/laptop/us/gaming/esports/under-600/apple/framework/microsoft/.

The full guide to list, filter, and product URLs is at selvascore.com/cite/.

Disclaimer & Disclosure

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only. SelvaScore does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the data shown. Specifications, prices, availability, and product features are subject to change without notice, so always verify directly with the retailer before purchasing.

Scores and rankings reflect SelvaScore's independent editorial methodology and are opinions based on the data available at the time of publication. They are not guarantees of performance, suitability, or fitness for any particular use. Individual results may vary based on configuration, usage, and environment.

All product names, brand names, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used here for identification purposes only. Use of any trademark does not imply affiliation, endorsement, or sponsorship.

SelvaScore is reader-supported. Some links on this page are affiliate links, and if you make a purchase through them we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence rankings or editorial content.

To learn more about the principles behind every ranking, see How We Work. For full terms of use, see Terms and Privacy Policy.