When you ask a pro gamer about the best gaming laptop you can find, there is a chance you will get frowned upon. Why? According to “legit gamers”, laptops aren’t made for heavy-duty gaming action.
However, this is just a misconception. Every gamer has its own unique set of needs and wants. If you are a gamer who likes to have the idea of portability balanced with powerful specs, then you must be looking for a gaming laptop.
How Much Should You Spend on A Gaming Laptop?
That’s a question that will pop up when you first start searching the internet for a gaming laptop. In all honesty, it all depends on what type of gamer you are. If you are a casual gamer, a lightweight gaming laptop under $1000 would be perfect for you.
It also depends on what type of games you want to play. The Sims 4 can easily run on entry-level gaming laptops; however the same cannot be said for the latest NFS titles.
Furthermore, the latest gaming laptops can last anywhere from 3 to 5 years depending on the gaming titles. Therefore, if you buy an expensive 2020 laptop model, there is a chance that its specs may stay relevant till the end of 2025.
The truth is that the more you spend, the better specs you get. However, it would not be wise if you spend anything more than $1,500 especially when you are not a pro-level gamer.
| SiteStripe Image | Title | Screen Size | Processor | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop | 15.6” | Intel Core i5 (2.3 Ghz) | Buy on Amazon |
  | Acer Nitro 5 AN515 Laptop | 15.6” | Intel Core i5 (2.3 Ghz) | Buy on Amazon |
  | Acer Aspire 7 Laptop | 15.6” | AMD Ryzen 5 3550H Quad-Core (Up to 3.7 GHz) | Buy on Amazon |
  | Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop | 15.6” | Intel Core i5 (2.4 Ghz) | Buy on Amazon |
Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000
A few years back, it was difficult to buy a decent gaming laptop under $1,000. Thanks to advancements in hardware and software technologies, these days you can grab a nice gaming laptop without spending too much. Some of these under $1000 gaming laptops come with empty slots for expansion. This way, you can easily double your RAM or upgrade to a bigger hard disk.
HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop
| Screen Size | 15.6” | Processor | Intel Core i5 (2.3 Ghz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | RAM | 8 GB (16 GB Max) |
| Hard Disk Size | 1 TB SATA | RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 | OS | Windows 10 |
| GPU Size | 3 GB | Battery Time | 7.5 hours |
It all depends on what you want to play on your gaming laptop. The HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop is a decent deal for anyone who is looking for a lightweight gaming machine. Under the hood, you get an Intel Core i5 processor along with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050. Both components can run old and contemporary titles in a decent fashion.
The laptop is excellent for hobbyist gamers who are into multiplayer battle titles like Fortnite and World of Warcraft. Double up your memory by installing a second 8GB RAM for non-stop fun. The backlit keyboard looks awesome while gaming.
The display is nice and bright, thanks to the IPS Anti-Glare panel. Therefore, it won’t be difficult for you to spot your enemies. The laptop disappoints when it comes to audio performance. The small front-firing speaker units sound muffled. Therefore, you should plug in your headphones to hear your peers.
Pros
- Affordable
- Decent mix of components
- Well-lit keyboard
Cons
- Inclusion of SATA hard drive
- Not for competitive gaming
- Small speakers
Summary
If gaming is just a hobby for you, then you must grab this budget gaming laptop from HP. The experience will simply amaze your senses to an extent that you will spend all of your free time on this laptop.
Acer Nitro 5 AN515 Laptop
| Screen Size | 15.6” | Processor | Intel Core i5 (2.3 Ghz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | RAM | 8 GB (Upgrade to 16 GB) |
| Hard Disk Size | 1 TB SATA | RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 | OS | Windows 10 |
| GPU Size | 4 GB | Battery Time | 7 hours |
Truth be told, Acer is known for creating affordable gaming laptops with amazing spec sheets. Right off the bat, you can see the time-tested combination of Intel Core i5 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050. This means you can play all your old and new gaming titles at decent framerates.
Fire your planes as you can easily nuke your enemy in Skyrim, thanks to 8GB RAM. Wanna level up your gaming skills in PUBG? Just slide a second 8GB RAM cartridge and you will be a winner with your proverbial chicken dinner in no time.
The red back-lit keyboard looks vicious, yet cool. The sound performance is decent. The full HD 15.6-inch IPS display shines bright with 180-degree flat viewing range. You get a variety of connectivity ports, including a USB-C port with fast read-write speeds.
Pros
- Not pricey
- Upgradeable RAM
- Great CPU and GPU for beginners
- Well-lit keyboard
Cons
- Use of SATA hard drive
- Not for competitive gaming
Summary
For an entry-level gaming laptop, Acer Nitro 5 fits the bill. With a mix of GPU and CPU, you will have hours of guns-blazing fun. Just make sure you upgrade to 16GB of RAM for modern titles.
Acer Aspire 7 Laptop
| Screen Size | 15.6” | Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 3550H Quad-Core (Up to 3.7 GHz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | RAM | 8 GB |
| Hard Disk Size | 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD | RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 | OS | Windows 10 |
| GPU Size | 4 GB | Battery Time | 7 hours |
You are a well-rounded individual and the colorful back-lit keyboard is not your thing. You want a laptop for work and play. Look no further as Acer Aspire 7 might be the one for you.
Unlike other affordable gaming laptops, the Aspire 7 is generally considered a high-end business laptop. However, the spec sheets tell you otherwise.
The Acer Aspire 7 is the perfect stealth gaming laptop. It’s made for those who like to live in the fast lane. The combo of AMD Ryzen 5 with NVIDIA GeForce is good enough to power up a few rounds of Need for Speed.
With its serious black construction, everyone will think you are working hard. That’s the truth, of course. You are working hard to survive in CS:GO.
The display is made up of a Full HD 15.6-inch IPS panel. It can only mean one thing. The Aspire 7 has great viewing angles with close-to-life colors.
Pros
- Fast processor
- Decent GPU
- Bright display
- Sleek professional look
Cons
- Should have include 1TB SSD
- Not ideal for competitive gaming
Summary
With Acer Aspire 7, you can have a lot of fun without making too many compromises. It’s the best versatile gaming laptop you can buy with your hard-earned thousand dollars.
Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop
| Screen Size | 15.6” | Processor | Intel Core i5 (2.4 Ghz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | RAM | 8 GB |
| Hard Disk Size | 512GB SSD | RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 | OS | Windows 10 |
| GPU Size | 4 GB | Battery Time | 9 hours |
Rarely, people consider Lenovo to be a gaming laptop manufacturer. Little do they know they are missing out on a lot.
The Lenovo IdeaPad L340 provides butter-smooth performance and amazing gameplay with sophisticated business looks – all under 1000 dollars. Because of an Nvidia GTX 1650 GPU as well as an Intel Core i5 CPU, the IdeaPad is actually the very best cheap gaming laptop if you can ignore business like branding.
Unlike other under-1000 gaming laptops, this one features a newer GPU. This can only mean one thing! Modern titles will run faster. The IdeaPad L340 features an amazing 15.6-inch display for you to watch your Netflix shows.
The keyboard is comfortable to use and it does not feature the showy array of colors you find in gaming laptops. This one is all about sophistication.
Pros
- Fast processor
- Best GPU you can find under $1000
- Bright display
- Sleek professional look
Cons
- Should have include 1TB SSD
- Not ideal for competitive gaming
Summary
Sometimes, it’s good to ignore the branding and just focus on the spec sheets. This is how you will always be able to find great versatile laptops which are good for business and gaming. Lenovo IdeaPad L340 is a great lightweight gaming laptop for any casual or hobbyist gamer.
| Image | Title | Screen Size | Processor | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | MSI Alpha 15 A3DD | 15.6” | 3rd Generation AMD Ryzen 7 2.3 GHz | Buy on Amazon |
  | ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 | 14” | AMD Ryzen 7 2.9 GHz 8 Core | Buy on Amazon |
  | Dell G5 SE 5505 | 15.6” | AMD Ryzen 5 | Buy on Amazon |
Best Gaming Laptop Under $1,500
Spending $1,500 on something is a big decision. When it comes to gaming laptops, this is the price range when things get really serious. By adding a couple of hundred dollars to your budget, you get better GPUs, faster CPUs, and more storage.
MSI Alpha 15 A3DD
| Screen Size | 15.6” | Processor | 3rd Generation AMD Ryzen 7 2.3 GHz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | RAM | 64 GB |
| Hard Disk Size | 512GB SSD | RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| GPU | AMD Radeon RX5500M | OS | Windows 10 |
| GPU Size | 4 GB | Battery Time | 7 hours |
Let’s start with memory! When you have 64 gigs of RAM, you are pretty much set for supersonic performance. Couple that with AMD Ryzen and Radeon GPU – and you have got yourself a winner. The Alpha 15 knows no compromises. It’s made for a winner like you!
However, we have just started. The full HD 144Hz screen provides a color-rich, crystal-clear display. Since it’s an anti-glare IPS panel, you will get a wide range of clear viewing angles.
Then, there is the option to set per-key backlight. Yes! You can change the backlit options of every single key present on this gaming laptop.
Sadly, the speakers on this laptop are nothing special. Furthermore, it’s not the most handsome looking gaming laptop.
Pros
- Fast processor
- Amazing GPU
- Bright display
- Per-key backlit customization
Cons
- Low on aesthetics
- Disappointing speakers
Summary
If you are into buying “pretty” gaming laptops, then you may have to look elsewhere. However, if you want a laptop that can play titles like Fallout 76 and Rise of theTomb Raider on High settings, then this is your machine.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
| Screen Size | 14” | Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 2.9 GHz 8 Core |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | RAM | 8 GB |
| Hard Disk Size | 1TB SSD | RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| GPU | NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 | OS | Windows 10 |
| GPU Size | 4 GB | Battery Time | 6 hours |
It’s like the best of both worlds. The gaming industry has become quite a fan of AMD Ryzen 7 processors. Obviously, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is quite popular too. When you put the two together, you get a powerful machine like ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14.
Yet, this is not where the marvels of this machine ends. The 14-inch Full HD display is super bright and portrays colors in their full vibrance. The soberly white backlit keyboard is comfy to use. Plus, you get a 1TB SSD. Therefore, you can install as many games as you like.
An array of ports can fulfill your connectivity needs. The webcam has a decent output. However, due to its small construction, the G14 gets too hot to handle. Therefore, you should install an external laptop fan to regulate its temperature.
Pros
- Great processor
- Industry’s favorite GPU
- Portable and lightweight
Cons
- Heats up quickly
Summary
If you are looking for a portable and lightweight gaming laptop with amazing specs, then this one’s for you.
Dell G5 SE 5505
| Screen Size | 15.6” | Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | RAM | 32 GB |
| Hard Disk Size | 1TB SSD | RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| GPU | AMD Radeon RX 5600M | OS | Windows 10 |
| GPU Size | 4 GB | Battery Time | 9 hours |
Yes, we are going to discuss Dell in this category. Why? Well, the American computing giant recently created one of the best lightweight gaming laptops with a balanced specs sheet.
Inside the Dell G5, you find the 4th generation hexa-core AMD Ryzen 5 doing all the work. The laptop is powered by 32 gigs of RAM. On the GPU front, you have got the amazing Radeon RX 5600M with 4GB dedicated memory. All of this technical jargon can mean only one thing. Endless gaming fun!
Plus, the 9-hour powerful battery does not disappoint. The vibrant 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display will keep you glued to the screen.
Pros
- Newer CPU model
- Amazing GPU
- Portable and lightweight
Cons
- 512GB SSD
Summary
Even though it’s a bit more expensive than the under-1000 gaming laptop models, the Dell G5 offers more value for the buck. The laptop comes with a balanced specs sheet with 32 GB RAM to deliver exceptional performance you rarely see at this price point.
How to buy the best gaming laptop?
Let’s discuss the basics of buying a gaming laptop. In all fairness, buying a gaming laptop is as easy (and complicated) as buying any computer. You browse through dozens of spec sheets and yet you cannot make a sound decision.
Well, just follow our guidelines on buying the best gaming laptop and you will always make the right choice.
GPU
One of the things that makes gaming laptops unique is the use of GPUs. Although high-end business laptops come with GPUs, you always want to stay away from any “integrated” Intel ones. They are not made for high-powered gaming action. Always go for NVIDIA or AMD Radeon. Both brands have a unique set of advantages (and disadvantages). However, in most cases, both will be able to run your favorite games.
CPU
Obviously, you need to have a blazing-fast processor for uninterrupted gaming action. When it comes to CPUs, the gaming world is divided into two camps: Intel and AMD. Currently, AMD is making impressive CPUs for gaming laptops. However, manufacturers generally prefer to create gaming laptops with Intel microprocessors due to its trustworthiness. When it comes to pricing, you may find a better deal with AMD processors.
RAM
The basic rule: the more RAM you have, the more fun you can get out of your gaming laptop. These days, there are gaming laptops that can come with as much as 64 GB of RAM. That’s a lot of muscle for hi-octane action!
Hard Disks
Modern laptops come with SSD hard disks. However, most gaming laptops under $1000 are generally packaged with SATA drives. Generally, SSD hard disks are more expensive than their SATA counterparts. Therefore, cheap gaming laptops will always come with SATA hard disks. If you can opt for SSD drives due to their faster read-write speeds.
Final Words
A gaming laptop should be handled carefully. When you spend thousands of dollars on a computer, you would want it to stay in good shape for years. Regular maintenance can ensure that your gaming laptop lasts long.
