Playing video games on a PC might be costly. To play games, you not only need to purchase them but also have a suitable computer! However, you can save hundreds of dollars for a new gaming laptop.
For less than $1,000, you can acquire a lot of gaming laptops with features like a discrete, gaming-ready GPU, a powerful CPU, and a 1080p display, enough for both work and competitive video games like esports.
Getting a portable powerhouse doesn’t have to break the bank if you’re in the market for a new gaming laptop. With prices significantly lower than those of their more expensive siblings, the best gaming laptops under $1,000 offer competitive gaming performance.
It will be up to you to decide which parts are necessities and which are extras for the games you wish to play. We have put up a brief but helpful review guide on how to pick the best gaming laptop under $1,000 to assist with that difficult chore.
5 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000
Finding one of the greatest gaming laptops under $1000 is feasible. As processor power continues to increase, capabilities once exclusive to high-end gaming laptops have found their way into more affordable models.
With thin bodies, adjustable keyboards, high refresh rate screens, and respectable batteries, the budget alternatives had it all!
Acer Chromebook 516 GE
While cloud gaming on Chromebooks has been supported for some time, gaming-focused Chromebooks, such as Acer’s Chromebook 516 GE, are a relatively recent development. Whether you use it for cloud gaming or not, we adore this beautifully designed, powerful, and delightfully priced Chromebook. But why is it a Chromebook that’s meant for gaming?
A 16-inch Chromebook for cloud gaming, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE. Up to 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and an Intel Core i5-1240P or Core i7-1260P CPU are available with it. It features a 1080p webcam, a 120Hz QHD display, and Wi-Fi 6E wireless access.
There are two USB-Cs, one USB-A, an HDMI, an Ethernet, and a headphone jack among the ports. USB-C ports do not support Thunderbolt 4; however, video output and charging are.
Key Specifications
- 256GB Hard disk size
- 8GB RAM
- Core i5 CPU model
- Chrome OS
- 16 inches screen display
- Backlit keyboard
- Integrated graphics card
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics coprocessor
- 1.70GHz CPU speed
- 12 processor count
Key Features
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE offers unique keyboard functionalities such as RGB lighting and anti-ghosting. Moreover, it features a high refresh rate display, often reserved for conventional gaming laptops.
All of the capabilities included in this Chromebook bundle allow you to get more for the same or less money than many of Acer’s Windows-based productivity laptops, such as the Swift 3. Of course, any device can play games on the cloud. An internet connection that is reliable and fast is more vital than a particular device, such as the Chromebook 516 GE, for gaming.
This gadget does include an Ethernet port, and wired Internet is more than stable enough for cloud gaming.
MSI GF63 Gaming Laptop
Your best option if you’re looking for a cheap laptop that can play games in 1080p resolution is the MSI Thin GF63. It’s surprisingly light and portable for a gaming laptop at a little over four pounds, which is great news if you enjoy playing games while on the road.
Regarding the internal parts, it’s a reasonably powerful gaming computer for its price. With an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, 8GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and an Intel Core i7-12650H CPU, the MSI Thin GF63 is a powerful machine.
Key Specifications
- 15.6 inches screen display
- 512 GB hard disk size
- 16 GB RAM
- Windows 11 OS
- Anti-glare coating
- RTX 4050 graphics card
- Core i7 CPU model
- 4 processor count
- 1.7GHz CPU speed
Key Features
A package of compromises, the MSI GF63 Slim offers surprisingly strong 1080p gaming performance. If you decide to live with it, you’ll receive an excellent all-around laptop that will survive for a good few years, though its gaming potential will gradually decrease.
When selecting a new laptop, price is likely the first factor you consider, and it is a significant differentiator from specs. Even if this GF63 Thin upgrade is more expensive than it once was, many gaming laptops now cost thousands of dollars.
MSI is a skilled manufacturer of gaming laptops, and even if the GF63 was designed to be affordable, it doesn’t overtly display that fact. Despite the moniker, it’s not the thinnest or the chunkiest laptop available.
Although the screen bezels are bigger than the current trend for ultra-thin borders, meaning the display has a large black frame, the red keyboard backlighting stands out against the simple black chassis.
In terms of price or Performance, the GeForce RTX 4050 is at the bottom of Nvidia’s current-generation hierarchy, but it is still far superior to the Intel UHD graphics chip built into the CPU and works well with the GF63’s 1080p screen.
ASUS FX506HF Gaming Laptop
It functions flawlessly, ASUS FX506HF-ES51 TUF Gaming F15. This laptop’s NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 GPU, 4GB GDDR6, and Dynamic Boost contribute to its great Performance and appearance. Multitasking and streaming are made easier by the Intel Core i5-11400H processor and the 144Hz 15.6′′ Full HD IPS display.
The 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD accelerates RTX gameplay by storing your whole library of games. Heavy gaming laptops meet MIL-STD-810H military endurance criteria. External displays and peripherals are connected via RJ45 LAN, Thunderbolt 4, and USB Type C.
This laptop can multitask, stream, and play games. Gamers enjoy networking and robustness. The ASUS FX506HF-ES51 enhances gaming.
Key Specifications
- 15.6 inches screen size
- Core i5 CPU model
- 8GB RAM
- 512GB hard disk size
- Graphite black colour
- Windows 11 OS
- Backlit keyboard
- Dedicated graphics card
- 6 processor count
- 4.5GHz CPU speed
Key Features
Accelerated RTX Visuals For fluid gameplay and breathtaking visuals, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 GPU has 4GB of GDDR6 memory and Dynamic Boost technology. It offers strong Performance with 8GB DDR4 RAM and an Intel Core i5-11400H processor, allowing for fluid streaming and multitasking.
ASUS FX506HF has a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with a refresh rate of 144 Hz, ensuring fluid and seamless gameplay. Its 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD provides plenty of storage and speeds up game loading.
Its Military-Grade Toughness satisfies MIL-STD-810H military requirements for resilience against vibration, drops, high humidity, and extreme temperatures. Complete connectivity is provided by the ASUS FX506HF, which has an RJ45 LAN connector, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and USB Type C ports with compatibility for Thunderbolt 4 and DisplayPort.
ASUS TUF Gaming F17 Laptop
Our list continues with the Asus TUF gaming laptop. This laptop has a 17.3-inch screen that is more spacious but costs more, yet Asus has kept it reasonably priced. Fortunately, the computer maintains its quality without sacrificing functionality to stay under the specified budget.
With the TUF Gaming F17, Asus’ TUF gaming laptop dives straight into the action. With Windows 11, a 12th-generation Intel Core CPU and lightning-fast DDR4 RAM let you easily stream and multitask. Utilize the GeForce RTX 30 Series GPU’s entire gaming capabilities using a dedicated MUX Switch.
Key Specifications
- 17.3 inches screen size
- 16GB RAM
- 4.5GHz CPU speed
- Mecha Gray color
- Windows 11 OS
- Core i5 CPU
- Dedicated graphics card
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics Coprocessor
- 12 processor count
- 0 TB hard disk size
Key Features
The processor on this laptop is a Core i5-12500H. With 12 cores, 16 threads, and a base frequency of 2.5 GHz, it operates quickly enough for tasks centered around productivity. Users can use the processor’s maximum frequency of 4.5 GHz if they need more power.
With the right GPU, this processor can run the most demanding games. About graphics, this laptop sports a 4GB RTX 3050 card. Most recent games will run nicely at 1080p resolution, so don’t worry about the minimal VRAM.
Enough color is present in the display for a 17.3-inch screen. A crucial feature for gamers is the 144Hz refresh rate of the LED-backlit screen. It results in faster reaction times when playing games and improves mouse and scrolling movements overall.
Additionally, this screen’s adaptive sync functionality minimizes frame rate loss and stuttering when linked with a monitor. The rear vent’s futuristic appearance is sure to impress, and the chassis is expertly crafted.
Almost every I/O port, except an SD card reader, is included, so the port variety is also excellent. One of its advantages is this laptop’s battery life, which allows for up to six hours of browsing and simple work. It functions well for both gaming and non-gaming settings, considering its pricing.
Dell G16 Gaming Laptop
An excellent laptop for business or play is the Dell G16. In the processor category, it dominated the competition. Put another way, it packs a lot of power for routine chores like email checking, video conferencing, and office productivity.
Additionally, it ran the Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark at 131 frames per second. Its hardware comprises a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD drive, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i7-12700H CPU.
Key Specifications
- 16 inches screen size
- Core i7 CPU model
- 16GB RAM
- Dedicated graphics card
- 1TB hard disk size
- Windows 11 OS
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Graphics Coprocessor
- 3.5GHz CPU speed
- 14 Processor count
Key Features
Although the G16 isn’t the prettiest laptop we’ve ever tested, what matters most is that it does the essential functions well. The G16 is the best option if you’re looking for a laptop to use for both work and play.
The midrange gaming PC Dell G16 puts more emphasis on functionality than design. If you want the most pixel-pushing Performance for your money and are prepared to put up with an uninspired design to achieve it, it will serve you well.
Under the sleek, grey shell, this laptop boasts a potent CPU-GPU combination, an RTX 3060 graphics card, and a Core i7-12700H processor, placing it at the forefront of the midrange gaming market. The Dell G16 is a low-cost gaming laptop with good middle performance at a price that falls between budget and midrange.
In addition, it delivers excellent value when it is on sale, almost reaching budget-friendly prices. Smooth graphics are achieved with a refresh rate of 165Hz, about average for a midrange laptop.
The frame rate of 165 frames per second is more than sufficient, as the RTX 3060 is unlikely to achieve higher frame rates.
What to Look for While Buying a Gaming Laptop Under $1,000?
Selecting one largely depends on your intended use of the gaming laptop. Will you utilize the device for both work and play? With careful examination of the various parts, you can obtain dependable Performance from a gaming laptop for less than $1000.
Something like Fortnite doesn’t require a high GPU. Suppose you don’t mind lowering the in-game visual settings from Ultra to more sensible High to Medium levels. You can run most of the newest games at 1080p resolution with even entry-level graphics cards.
- Processor
You’ll need to be picky because, similar to the GPU, the processor cannot be changed. We advise an Intel Core i5 or i7 from the 11th generation. For AMD, you should invest in a Ryzen 4000 or 5000 processor. While a CPU with four cores or less is good, one with six or more is preferable.
- RAM
A minimum of 8GB of RAM is required. Go for 16GB of RAM if you can afford it. You can upgrade your memory later and replace it with more if needed.
- SSD Storage
The amount of storage on your laptop affects how many apps and games you can install. Similar to RAM, storage is frequently upgradeable and interchangeable. A hard drive and at least 512GB of SSD storage are recommended, though, as AAA games often occupy much room.
Because SSDs store data on chips rather than spinning discs, they load games more quickly.
- GPU
The GPU cannot be changed or updated later, so you must be very selective about which one you choose because it can affect how smoothly your computer runs games. Fortunately, solid gaming performance may be achieved without the best of the best. An entry-level GPU suitable for 1080p gaming at mid-to-high graphics settings is the GTX 1650. It is reasonably priced.
The more recent RTX 3050 and 3050 Ti are recommended for more power. They are frequently seen in gaming laptops at around $1,000. Although rare, a laptop with an RTX 3060 processor for around $1,000 may occasionally be available.
- Screen Size
At this pricing point, 1080p with a 60Hz or 144Hz refresh rate is what you should anticipate. Because manufacturers often economize there to keep costs down, low-cost gaming laptops sometimes have better displays.
You can always grab an external monitor and connect it if your display is faint.
- Battery Time
In general, gaming laptops are not recognized for their long battery life. They use a lot of power, which is why. Additionally, they typically weigh more than regular laptops because they require more room for heatsinks and other cooling components.
Depending on usage, most can run on a single charge for four to six hours. Still, there are a few outliers.
Which is the Best Gaming Laptop to Buy Under $1000?
The MSI Thin GF63 is the greatest gaming laptop under $1000. The Core i5-12450H, an outstanding processor for everyday chores and gaming, is paired with an RTX 4050, one of the newest GPUs from NVIDIA. To top it off, the laptop has 32GB of RAM and a 2TB Solid State Drive.
Final Words
With these finest gaming laptops under $1000, gamers on a budget may enjoy top-notch gaming experiences without sacrificing Performance. With the latest technological advancements, these finest gaming laptops under $1000 come equipped with strong processors, dedicated graphics cards, and enough storage to play demanding games smoothly.
Even while they might not be as powerful as expensive gaming laptops, they are affordable and allow users to play their favorite games without going over budget. Experience this price range if you’re a gamer searching for a cheap gaming laptop to experience a world of exciting adventures and limitless gaming possibilities.
