Selecting a gaming laptop is not easy. Laptops aren’t usually built for gaming, and the ones that are, are incredibly expensive. Snagging a desktop capable of playing any game you could ever want is fairly cheap in comparison. However, if you require the simplicity of form that a laptop allows, you’ll have a hard time finding one at a decent price. The portability and compact size of a laptop is sometimes just essential for some peoples’ needs. Luckily, if you’ve got $1,000 bucks burning a hole in your bank account, you may be in luck.
There is no better time for a PC gamer on a tight budget to buy a new laptop than now. Most PC makers nowadays offer affordable models under $1000 that can accomplish more than running old games on low-quality setting.
It’s crucial to ensure that you get a model with excellent processing capability and excellent graphics from the start because you won’t be able to upgrade them later unlike other parts such as the storage and memory. Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1050Ti or 1060 graphics cards are suitable and affordable options. They deliver incredible performance on the latest games on medium to high settings at this price range.
Here’s a list of the top 5 best gaming laptops you can get for less than that one thousand dollars you’re just itching to spend on your gaming habit.
Quick List Review
Best Bang for your Bucks: Dell G5 Gaming Laptop
If you are looking for the best value gaming laptop under $1,000 available in the market, then Dell G5 is what you should consider. It uses the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 reliable graphics card alongside NVIDIA MAX Q Design tech and Intel 8th Gen Core i5-8300H processor working with 8 GB RAM. The graphics processor makes it stand above the pack among laptops in this $1000 price range. The 128 GB of SSD and 1TB of HDD provides good storage.
The bulk of Dell G5 comes with a red highlighting and an all-black frame that circles the mouse trackpad. This design gives it an attractive look and considering that it’s a gaming laptop under $1000; its build quality matches the price. The 15.6” IPS matte screen has a 1080p resolution display. However, the screen could be made better, and while it has 1080p IPS, the 15.6 screen looks faded.
Generally, Dell has upped the game with the G5 15 gaming laptop and with this price, you get value to your money. Although its price is under $1000, it delivers excellent performance to suit any multitasking needs. It’ll be unfair not to mention their Max-Q GTX 1060 that enables budget conscious gamers to get a better frame on games that demands good graphics. We hope the screen could be more colorful. If you are comfortable keeping a laptop that runs on an older CPU, then you should consider the Acer Predator Helios 300 detailed below. While it’ll cost you an extra hundred compared to the G5 15, it comes with an enhanced display, long-lasting battery life, and a full power GTX 1060 GPU.
Hardware Specifications |
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Processor: | Intel Core i5-8300H Processor (up to 3.9GHz) |
Screen: | 15.6 Inch Full HD IPS Anti-Glare, LED-Backlit Display 1920 x 1080 |
Graphics: | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 with NVIDIA Max Q Technology |
RAM: | 8GB DDR4 |
Storage: | 128 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD |
Weight: | 6.28 lbs |
Battery Life: | Up To 5 Hours |
OS:: | Windows 10 Home 64-bit |
Best Gaming Laptop Option: Acer Predator Helios 300
If you’re ready to spend a little extra cash for a better gaming experience, then look no further than Acer Predator Helios 300. It is our best gaming machine for you in the $1000 price range. Most gaming laptops in this range usually come with Core i5 CPU and a GTX 1050 Ti graphics card. You don’t find this in the Predator; it is equipped with Core i7-8750H processor and a dedicated full power 6GB GeForce GTX 1060 (no Max-Q version) that’s normally found in gaming laptops that cost more. Even with the affordable price, Acer didn’t compromise its memory by equipping the gaming machine with a 16 GB DDR4 RAM. The storage is backed up with a 256GB SSD giving it a faster storage capability.
Its chassis has plenty of plastic, something common with gaming laptops under $1000, but the look is improved by the brushed sleek lid and keyboard deck. The lid is flanked by two angled red stripes which are noticeable and gives it a beautiful look.
Acer invests a lot into their PC’s, and gaming laptops are not exceptional. Helios 300 delivers a powerful, VR-ready Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU with a reduced price than its competitors and beats the GTX 1050 Ti cards that laptops at this price range from Acer’s competitors use. Besides, it’s upgradable if you feel the need in future. Although the 15.6 Full HD widescreen LED-backlit IPS display is not as bright as we’d like and the storage, not the best. But if you can tolerate these drawbacks, then you’ll get a great gaming laptop that’s reliable.
Hardware Specifications |
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Processor: | Intel Core i7-8750H Processor 2.2GHz (up to 4.1GHz) |
Screen: | 15.6 Inch Full HD Widescreen IPS Display 1920 x 1080 |
Graphics: | Full Power NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 |
RAM: | 16GB DDR4 |
Storage: | 256GB SSD |
Weight: | 5.95 lbs |
Battery Life: | Up To 5 Hours |
OS:: | Windows 10 Home 64-bit |
Best 17 Inch Gaming Laptop: Dell G3
As the screen gets big, the entertainment becomes greater. If you are a gaming enthusiast in love with big screens, then Dell G3 is the best and the cheapest 17.3-inch gaming laptop under $1000 on our list right now! Powered by an Intel Core i7-8750H processor supported with 8 GB RAM and powerful backup from its Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB GDDR5 graphics card, this laptop Dell G3 is the best and the cheapest 17.3-inch gaming laptop under $1000 on our list right now! The performance is also enhanced by the dual drives featuring 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD that makes the laptop reliable.
Gaming lovers who prefer simplicity will appreciate Dell G3’s low key design. It comes with no angular curves, designed graphics, flashy keyboard or LEDs. Instead, it is constructed with a slim, sleek, clear, and lightweight design making it suitable for official purposes. If you will be attending meetings, conference, college or office, then this is the best laptop to carry along.
The manufacturer of this laptop built it with the needs of gaming fans in mind enhancing its performance and reliability. Apart from being budget-friendly, the device is packed with outstanding hardware. Although it has some few unnoticeable drawbacks such as lack of viewing angles and low brightness on the screen, the laptop offers great value for its price.
Hardware Specifications |
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Processor: | Intel Core i7-8750H Processor (up to 3.9GHz) |
Screen: | 17.3 Inch Full HD IPS Anti-Glare, LED-Backlit Display 1920 x 1080 |
Graphics: | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB |
RAM: | 8GB DDR4 |
Storage: | 128 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD |
Weight: | 7.2 lbs |
Battery Life: | Up To 4 Hours |
OS:: | Windows 10 Home 64-bit |
Best Screen & Gaming Performance: HP Omen 15 Gaming Laptop
If you are in the market for a gaming laptop with the best screen and gaming performance under $1000, then you should consider Hp Omen. Operating on the new Windows 10, Hp Omen is designed to use 8th Gen Intel Core i5 8300H powerful processor and 4GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card with a huge 12 GB RAM capacity. Storage is also excellent with a well-managed 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD.
While this gaming machine comes with a blend of red and black aesthetics common on most gaming laptops, Omen still looks attractive. The lid is black with four red lines that form an “X” sign which divides the lid into quadrats; two are made from plastic with a brushed aluminum look and two covered with carbon fiber. The carbon fiber material looks and feels good quality which is unexpected, but the plastic doesn’t feel the same. We wish it were built with better quality materials.
Hp Omen has one of the best looks that any gamer will find desirable. The eye-catching design meets its purpose, and the clicky, responsive keyboard complements its beauty. The easily removable RAM, SSD, and HDD will give you an easy time when upgrading them. Entertainment is even improved with the loudspeakers, and the bright, vibrant display keeping your gaming session thrilled. On the downside, the laptop’s battery life might not last you long especially if you like gaming for long hours. The areas of the chassis covered in plastic also don’t look premium. But for just under $1000, we couldn’t possibly ask for more!
Hardware Specifications |
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Processor: | Intel Core i5-8300H Processor 2.3GHz (up to 4.0GHz) |
Screen: | 15.6 Inch Full HD IPS BrightView Micro-edge WLED-backlit Display 1920 x 1080 |
Graphics: | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4 GB |
RAM: | 12GB DDR4 |
Storage: | 128 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD |
Weight: | 5 lbs |
Battery Life: | Up To 4 Hours |
OS:: | Windows 10 Home 64-bit |
Asus TUF FX504 Core i7 Gaming Laptop
Asus TUF FX504 is another great gaming laptop that’s perfect for students and any gaming addict. The laptop is built to offer great versatility and processing speed that supports the operation of even the toughest tasks simultaneously. It runs on 8th Gen Core i7-8750H and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4GB graphics alongside 8GB DDR4 RAM to eliminate any performance challenges. Storage is even better with 256GB SSD delivering fast storage.
While the design is simple, it looks classic. So, whether you like it or not depends on your taste and preference. If you love plain designs, then there is no doubt you’ll be impressed with this laptop. You can expect no annoying lights or flashy color accent apart from the red bordering on its keys.
Many gaming laptops including entry level ones are usually priced around $1000. However, you can get this incredible laptop Asus TUF Gaming FX504 under $1000. According to our experience with various laptop models, we can say that there is no such perfect gaming laptop. The Asus TUF Gaming FX504 offers 1080p resolution with a not-so-good display. But, for gamers looking for a laptop that runs most AAA titles on medium graphics setting, you’ll get that precisely, thanks to its Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics and 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor enabling you to multitask and play the latest games with no complications.
Hardware Specifications |
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Processor: | Intel Core i7-8750H processor (up to 3.9GHz) |
Screen: | 15.6 inch Full HD Display 1920 x 1080 |
Graphics: | GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB |
RAM: | 8GB DDR4 |
Storage: | 256GB SSD |
Weight: | 5.1 lbs |
Battery Life: | Up To 4 Hours |
OS:: | Windows 10 Home 64-bit |
This marks the end of our list of the best gaming laptops under $1000 for gaming enthusiasts. We are sure that this guide will help you pick the best gaming laptop from the above choices that suit your gaming needs.
This decision is not easy. It will never be easy. That’s why we made this list to help you along. Gaming laptops can be incredibly expensive. If you want a top of the line machine, you could be looking at much more than a thousand dollars, but if you shop wisely, you can do much better. If you have the more than 1,000 bucks to spend, the Acer Predator Helios 300 rules the roost and is your best choice.