Are you looking to get the best gaming laptops? You need not spend a fortune to do that. You can easily buy a gaming laptop for under $1000. The processors and other accessories used on the flagship models have now begun moving down the ladder and are now offered on budget devices. Here we go with the best laptops under $1000 that you can buy.
The Features You Need to Look For In The Best Gaming Laptops
Before we can move on to look for the best gaming laptops that you can buy for under $1000, we will check out the features that you should look for in the best gaming laptop. Serving as a buying guide for the perfect gaming laptop, these features should help you make a learned choice.
The CPU
There is not much of a choice when it comes to the processors. You can choose either an AMD processor or an Intel one. Intel Core i5s and i7s have been known to offer a good performance. Among the AMD processors, I would recommend AMD Ryzen 5 processors for the best gaming performance.
The GPU
Gaming is mainly dependent on the GPU on your laptop. The Nvidia 3050 Ti should be the best pick for the best gaming performance in most of cases. The features like G-Sync make it something that you would prefer. You may also witness a few laptops with the RTX 3060 GPU.
Display
Most gaming laptops come with a screen size of either 15 or 16 inches. If you are on a budget, it may not be possible to find a laptop more significant than that. More than the display size, it is the refresh rate that would have a say in the performance. A higher refresh rate would ensure that you have a better motion performance and, in turn, a better gaming.
RAM
Most of the low-end gaming laptops today come with the DDR4 RAM. For a good gaming performance, my recommendation would be to go with the 16 GB RAM. A few gaming laptops come with just 8 GB RAM. If you are constrained by budget or other features, I would suggest a laptop with upgradeable RAM. That would help you upgrade the RAM, just in case.
Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000
Having understood the features one should look for in the best gaming laptop, let us now check out a few great-looking gaming laptops under $1000.
1. Acer Nitro 5
The model with RTX 3050 Ti comes at a price below $1000. However, it offers a performance equal to the high-end model with the RTX 3060. The GPU supports ray tracing and provides a great speed when compared to the previous year’s model. The keyboard and trackpad are also quite comfortable, offering a decent gaming performance.
Main Features of Acer Nitro 5
- An excellent 1080p performance
- A cooler chassis, even with a high-end gaming
- Upgradable Ram and SSD
Technical Specification of Acer Nitro 5
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-12500H |
| Graphics | Nvidia RTX 3060 |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080p, 144Hz, IPS |
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Not a massive fan of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, but the laptop should be a decent choice if you are looking for the best gaming performance at a budget price. The RTX 3050 onboard the laptop is not slower, but you may observe a few glitches in your gaming here and there. The sleek and modern styling is one of the best features that I liked about the model.
Features of Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
- Extremely lower pricing
- Excellent set of speakers
- Modern aesthetics
- Upgradable RAM and SSD
Technical Specifications of Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-12500H |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5 4800MHz |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 165Hz IPS |
3. Dell G15
The Dell G15 offers you an excellent 1080p gaming performance at the price that it is made available. However, if you are into high-end games, you may need to turn down a few settings. The best part, however, is that the laptop offers plenty of options for upgradability. You have a bright screen, and the chassis remains cool enough.
Features of Dell G15:
- 15x better performance than the traditional hard drive.
- A good CPU performance
- Strong graphic performance
Technical Specifications of Dell G15:
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-12500H |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti |
| RAM | 32GB RAM |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 120 Hz |
4. MSI Thin GF63
The laptop is known for its lifelike performance, thanks to its AI-powered functionality. The laptop offers you access to AI-powered DLSS 3 and enables lifelike virtual worlds with full ray tracing. A smoother and lightening fast display is yet another factor that makes the laptop stand out from the competition.
Main Features of MSI Thin GF63
- Powerful CPU at the price
- Best performance CPU onboard
- A powerful RAM that may not need an upgrade
Technical Specifications of MSI Thin GF63
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-12650H |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 RAM |
| Display | 15.6″ 144Hz |
5. HP Victus Gaming Laptop
HP Victus I is a sub-brand that replaces the popular Pavilion range of HP laptops. The 144 Hz refresh rate provides you access to better screen estate than the regular 15.6-inch display. You can expect a reliable 1080p gaming performance, making it a genuinely formidable pick for your gaming needs.
Features of HP Victus Gaming Laptop
- A longer battery life
- A very bright display
- A mature-looking design
- Comfortable keyboard
Technical Specifications of HP Victus Gaming Laptop
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13700H |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5 |
| Display | 16.1-inch, 1080p, 144 Hz |
Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000 – $1500
Next on, let us expand our budget a bit and check out a few laptops in the range of $ 1500.
6. ASUS ROG Strix G16
The Asus ROG Strix G16 is the best laptop for all your needs in smoother gameplay and effective multitasking. You can also find it offering faster load time as well. The liquid metal cooling ensures that you have access to better cooling and thermal efficiency for the high-end gaming. A powerful brightness is yet another feature that makes your gaming to be more advanced.
Features of ASUS ROG Strix G16
- Support for high frame rate for smoother gaming
- Clear and faster visuals.
- Aura Sync optimisation
- A full-sized keyboard with the best travel distance
Technical Specifications of ASUS ROG Strix G16
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i9-13980HX |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5 |
| Display | 16” Nebula Display 16:10 QHD 240Hz |
7. Alienware M15 R7 Gaming Laptop
The Alienware m15 R7 Gaming Laptop comes with a high-quality design and a great battery life. It does have a little weight, and that would make it extremely solid. This is definitely a laptop that should take you places. Crypto tech technology ensures an enhanced level of supreme performance. The beautiful design offers you great aesthetics.
Features of Alienware M15 R7 Gaming Laptop
- High-quality chassis design
- A longer battery life
- A powerful gaming performance.
Technical Specifications of Alienware M15 R7 Gaming Laptop
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 6800H |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 165 Hz |
8. Dell Gaming G15 5510
If you are into Esports gaming, the Dell Gaming G15 5510 is the best that you can choose. The highest possible frame rate offered by the game would make it a formidable option for almost all your gaming needs in Esports. It can also be a great workhorse even when you are not into playing games.
Features of Dell Gaming G15 5510
- A powerful 1080p gaming performance
- Solid device for productivity-based needs.
- Faster loading times
- Quieter performance
Technical Specification of Dell Gaming G15 5510
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-12700H |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 300 Hz |
Best Gaming laptops under $1500 – $2000
As a bonus, here we go with the best laptops under $2000. If you can extend your budget a little further, you will find your gaming experience further enhanced.
9. ASUS – ROG Zephyrus 15.6″ QHD Gaming Laptop
The ASUS – ROG Zephyrus 15.6″ QHD Gaming Laptop is the right pick for the best cheapest laptop with the best possible performance. The features like an IPS-level anti-glare display, impressive colours, clarity, and tremendous performance.
Features of Asus ROG Zephrys QHD Gaming Laptop
- High-quality compact design
- An excellent color accuracy
- Extremely cool, even at the high-end gaming
- Right balance between sharpness and smoothness
Technical Specifications of Asus ROG Zephrys QHD Gaming Laptop
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-12700H |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 |
| Display | 15.6″ QHD |
10. Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
Are you looking for a gaming laptop with a punch? Look no further than Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming. An extreme cooling performance offered by the laptop would ideally make it one of the excellent options for an enhanced performance in terms of the best gaming.
Features of Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
- An outstanding keyboard for an effective gaming
- Control the entire system with PredatorSense.
- An efficient lag-free performance
- Plenty of ports
Technical Specifications of Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | 12th Gen Intel i7-12700H |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5 |
| Display | 17.3″ Full HD 144Hz 3ms IPS |
The Closing Thoughts
Finding the best gaming laptops under $1000 is no longer a challenging task. The price reduction that we have been witnessing in terms of the components on your laptop would make it easy to find your favourite gaming laptop. The list of the best gaming laptops under $1000, as outlined above, should help you get the best possible experience in your gaming skills.
If you are willing to extend your budget a little, we have a select list of the best laptops under $1500, and $2000 should make it an excellent option to look out to.
FAQs
Is $1000 suitable for a gaming laptop?
Yes, the $1000 price band is the best pick for the best gaming laptop. You should get most of the features that you would expect from a gaming laptop on that budget. You should call most of the features, such as a 1080p display, a strong CPU, and a discrete and gaming-ready GPU on a laptop at $1000.
How long does a $1,000 gaming laptop last?
The price does not have any say on the lifespan of a laptop; You should get at least five years life span on a laptop with a $1000 price band. However, most of the budget laptops do not come with upgradable hardware.
How much RAM do I really need on a gaming laptop?
A 16 GB RAM should ideally be enough on a gaming laptop in most cases. You can, however, look for a laptop with upgradable RAM so that you can upgrade it if needed.
Hi Zainil,
I do not think that HP laptops can be good gaming devices, they tend to heat up pretty soon and give many problems. If you buy an HP then make sure to get the proper cooling pad, it can help a lot.
I use a Lenovo G580 Laptop, and it works fine and has really great battery backup.
Thank you.
Nice article Zainil! Love the progress they make with laptop GPU’s. Still if your laptop is not powerful enough to play the latest games you could also use an external GPU like the Razer Core.
Hp 15 ac117TX LPTOP is a very good gaming laptop. It can play good quality of latest games smoothly as it has a 2 GB graphics card. Windows 10 also runs very smoothly on this laptop. High specifications games can be played on this laptop. Apart from the specification, the other physical features offered by this laptop are also worthy to consider while making a purchase decision. The body is sleek and seems durable enough to work for more than a couple of years without issues. I use Laptops mostly while traveling to watch movies. So., this can be a best buy for me as it worksuniteruppted for 2 hours after charging full.
Thanks for the informative post. This post helped me to find the best laptop within the budget. I will regularly follow this type of blogs to find some stuff. Keep posting please let me know for the upcoming posts.