The Top 5 Gaming Laptops Under $1,000 Reviewed

Gaming laptops provide fully immersive entertainment due to their high-quality graphics, beautiful displays, and high processing speeds which can keep up with even the most fast-paced gameplay.

Gaming laptops provide fully immersive entertainment due to their high-quality graphics, beautiful displays, and high processing speeds which can keep up with even the most fast-paced gameplay.

However, their ability to transport you to other worlds you can build, fight for, or take over means that if you want the best experience, gaming laptops don’t come cheap.

It’s generally accepted that $2,000 is an appropriate budget for gamers, but what if you can’t justify spending that amount of money? Does that mean you have to miss out and continue to run your games on any old laptop? It shouldn’t have to!

Unless your aim is total online gaming domination, then you can find a gaming laptop for $1,000 or less that is still perfectly equipped to run the vast majority of games, including Fortnite, Overwatch, and plenty of others for you to choose from.

They may not have quite the same HD quality graphics or settings, but budget laptops still allow you to rise through the ranks of the leaderboard of your favorite game over hours of exciting gameplay.

If you’re new to the world of gaming and are yet to familiarize yourself with which are the best specifications to look out for, or you just don’t know how to find the best gaming laptop for the least amount of money, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

We’ve reviewed 5 of the best gaming laptops under $1,000 to help you stay within your budget, without compromising too much on quality.

We’ve also included a buyer’s guide to explain some of the different components you’ll want to consider when purchasing your next gaming laptop, in addition to answering some frequently asked questions.

Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000

1. ASUS TUF Gaming FX505

Our top pick is the highly-rated ASUS TUF gaming FX505 model which stands out from other budget options due to its MIL-STD-810G reliability and RGB keyboard.

It features AMD Ryzen processors and a GeForce GTX 16-series graphics card for optimal performance.

Your laptop won’t die at an embarrassingly critical moment, as it runs on an appropriate amount of power vs. battery life thanks to SenseMI.

The IPS-type nano edge display has a thinner than ever bezel as well as wide viewing angles to guarantee bold graphics for a fully immersive gaming experience.

This also means it’s even lighter for easy portability.

It has a CPU speed of 3.7 GHz and the 15.6-inch screen has a display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels which is an impressive performance considering it’s at the lower end of the price range.

With 256 GB of hard disk drive storage space, you won’t be forced to delete a game every time you want to download something new, either, although this is a basic level of storage.

The anti-dust cooling system is effective at turning out particles of dirt and dust, forcing them out of the chassis via two tunnels.

This means there’s no build-up of dust in the thermal fins which could cause your laptop to run less well and reduce its lifespan.

2. Lenovo Legion 5

Next up we have the Lenovo Legion 5 gaming laptop which reaches the upper limit of the budget for this review.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4800 processor ensures better and faster gaming capabilities with a CPU speed of 2.9 GHz.

It’s the highest number of cores you’ll find in any ultrathin laptops, which is great for managing heavy workloads or for multitasking between games.

The 15.6-inch display is LED-backlit with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution, and the impressive NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti graphics provide excellent visuals and colors.

It has a refresh rate of 144Hz which is more than enough to keep up with your gaming needs, and the CPU and GPU work together to improve framerates.

It’s kept cool by the Legion Coldfront 2.0 system which dissipates heat, and it features a longer battery life than other models for extended gameplay.

It doesn’t have any hard disk drive space, but the laptop does come with 16GB of computer memory size and 512GB SSD storage which is decent for the price.

Speaking of size, the lightweight design makes it easy to carry as it weighs less than 6lbs.

3. HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-dk0010nr

The next gaming laptop we’ve included is the Windows 10 HP Pavilion laptop, best suited for multitasking and games such as Fortnite, PUBG, and Overwatch.

It features the same 15.6-inch size display as the other models we’ve reviewed, with 1080p and a 60Hz refresh rate. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics ensures powerful, high-quality graphics for intensely bold visuals so you can get lost in the game.

The Intel Core i5 processor has a decent CPU speed of 4.1 GHz, but this isn’t as powerful as other models, and it has a basic level of storage with 8GB memory and 256GB SSD.

Advanced thermal management keeps your laptop cool and the battery life can last up to 10 hours before you run out of charge.

Additionally, the full-size keyboard has an acid green blacklight which adds to the overall design.

4. MSI GF63 Gaming Laptop

You’ll be impressed by the NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics and the Intel Core i5 processors are capable of handling most games, yet it’s one of the more affordable options.

The CPU and GPU are high performing thanks to thermal solutions which prevent them from overheating. It features 2 fans, 4 exhausts, and 7 pipes for effective cooling.

NVMe SSD read speeds also ensure an enhanced gaming experience, although this gaming laptop falls slightly shorter than others with only 7 hours of battery life.

Power and portability are combined due to its thin bezel and lightweight design.

The brushed aluminum front cover is attractive, especially with the contrasting red keyboard, although this isn’t backlit.

5. Acer Nitro 5

Last but not least is the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop with improved speed and storage.

It has 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD storage capacity and it’s been upgraded to 8GB DDR4 SDRAM for high speed and excellent multitasking capabilities.

The AMD Ryzen 5 processors guarantee a smooth gaming experience with advanced GPU to power your games. The 15.6-inch display is in full HD with 1920 x 1080 resolution for vibrant color and extreme clarity.

It’s easy to play on thanks to the NintroSense Key and the WASD and tactile arrow keys are highlighted for you, but like the previous model in this list it’s slightly let down with only 7 hours of battery life.

Buyer’s Guide

Before we go into further detail, here’s a quick rundown of the basic requirements you’ll need for your gaming laptop.

Minimum System Requirements:

• CPU: Intel Core i5
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD and/or 1TB HDD
• Display: 15-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) with 60Hz refresh rate
• GPU: Dedicated Graphics with 3GB VRAM
• Battery: 4 hours
• Weight: 8lbs or less

These are the minimum specification requirements you should opt for. Anything less than this will struggle to keep up with your gaming needs.

If you’re looking to get more out of your gaming laptop and you have the budget for it, these are the requirements you should look out for instead.

Recommended System Requirements:

• CPU: Intel Core i7
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512GB SSD or 256GB + 1TB HDD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) with 120Hz or better refresh rate
• GPU: Dedicated Graphics with 6GM VRAM
• Battery: 8 hours+
• Weight: 6lbs or less

A laptop with these specifications will perform better and enhance your gaming experience rather than restrict it. However, it will come at a higher cost and may even exceed your $1,000 budget.

Now you know what to look out for, we’ll explain what each of these specifications actually means in terms of laptop performance.

Processing Speed

Processing speed typically depends on the laptop’s CPU (central processing unit) and GPU (graphics processing unit) capabilities.

In terms of gaming laptops, arguably one of the most important things to look for is GPU as this allows you to render high-quality graphics.

This can also be done on CPU but not to the same standards, as GPU is specifically designed for games therefore it’s better at rendering and writing.

CPU is what processes every single command or action, including choosing where to store things, and both CPU and GPU have a ‘clock speed’ which is measured in gigahertz (GHz).

Typically you want to choose the CPU or GPU with the highest read/write speeds you can find within your budget, as this will guarantee a smooth running performance which is essential for gaming.

RAM, HDD, and SSD Storage

When you’re not actively using an application it’s stored either in a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), which are the two main types of memory storage laptops have.

A hard disk drive is a physical storage space that puts your data on a CD (compact disc), like the ones you’d see still spinning in your PS2 game tray if you were to open it before switching the console off.

A solid-state drive is a lot quicker than HDD, as while this is still a physical type of storage, it has no moving components. It won’t necessarily provide a higher framerate in the game you’re playing, but it will be able to boot up faster.

HDD is more prone to damage if knocked about or dropped, which can corrupt or lose the data you’ve stored on it. An SSD can better withstand these types of hits, but maybe don’t go throwing it out of your window in a fit of frustration after a hard defeat. It can’t withstand that.

Gaming laptops are about performance, so they’ll be writing and reading to memory a lot more than a laptop for general internet searching would. This means you’ll typically want to look for a laptop with SSD because it’s quicker. It also updates the memory faster, so there’s no lag or latency in your game.

RAM is another form of storage, but this is used for applications that are currently running or you’re currently accessing rather than background data.

For the main memory storage, which is everything you’re not currently running (i.e. progress saves or other downloaded games), if you don’t have enough you’ll end up having to delete applications to free up more storage. RAM requires less memory storage because you’re less likely to have everything running at once.

Display

When purchasing a gaming laptop, the display and screen quality is going to be an important factor, as this is what you’re going to be staring at for the foreseeable future while you delve into the world of gameplay.

Look for a high-resolution display and a higher pixelation, as this will provide intense color clarity for fully immersive gameplay. Technology such as NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync can help to reduce screen tearing or ghosting.

The monitor refresh rate is what updates the images on your display screen. You might think you’re looking at one continual visual, but in fact, the screen is refreshing as quickly as 240 times every second.

In order to reliably keep up with a standard 60FPS game, you’re going to need at least a 60-75Hz refresh rate.

Another thing to consider which may seem obvious is the size of your screen. You can purchase laptops with large 17-inch displays, but 15-inches is the sweet spot for any gaming laptop. If you opt for the former, you’ll be adding unnecessary weight to your laptop.

Weight and Portability

One of the benefits of having a gaming laptop rather than an entire rig set up is that it’s portable. You can build entire worlds or fight against aliens in a futuristic hellscape, all from the comfort of your local coffee shop.

Choosing a gaming laptop that doesn’t weigh too much will allow you to play anywhere without resulting in muscle strain from lugging your laptop around with you.

Aluminum is a particularly good material for laptop manufacture, as it’s lightweight and therefore easily portable.

If you think you’re likely to want to take your laptop out and about with some frequency, you may also want to consider a laptop that has more plastic components, as this will help reduce the overall weight you’re having to carry.

Cooling Components

Gaming laptops are particularly prone to generating and trapping heat, especially ones with higher CPU and GPU, which can damage its internal systems.

Cooling fans are great for anyone who gets wrapped up in the world they’re gaming in, as they allow you to play for longer without your laptop overheating. Most modern gaming laptops will have several fans and the best systems prevent dust build-up too.

Battery Life

Because of their high running power and graphics performance, gaming laptops tend to lose charge a lot quicker than regular laptops.

Having your laptop die at the point of victory is the worst (and most embarrassing) thing that could happen to any gamer, so it’s worth checking the maximum battery life of your gaming laptop.

However, it’s worth noting that some laptops which offer higher battery life come at the expense of the display quality, as the screen may dim to conserve power. Having a charger close by is therefore always a good idea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are gaming laptops only for gaming?

Gaming laptops can perform many functions aside from running games, so you would be able to use it for more than just gaming.

However, considering the high prices of gaming laptops, if you have no intention of using it for gaming purposes you might want to opt for a different laptop which will better suit your needs.

How long will a gaming laptop last for?

Gaming laptops have a much shorter lifespan than ordinary laptops. Typically, a gaming laptop can last for up to 5 years if you take proper care of it.

You could probably stretch this to 10 years, but by this point, the hardware will be pretty much obsolete, even if it was the best model available when you purchased it.

Gaming laptops with a budget limit of $1,000 have a shorter lifespan, which is to be expected considering the lower price. These will last for about a year or two before it needs replacing or the hardware becomes irrelevant.

What’s the best accessory for gaming laptops?

Despite improvements over the years, trackpads can be infuriating for gamers.

Having a wireless mouse with customizable buttons and DPI controls will seriously enhance your gameplay, so they’re a must-have accessory for anyone into gaming.

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