High-end gaming laptops generally run for thousands of dollars, meaning they will set you back a lot. Therefore, if you want a gaming laptop on a budget, be ready to still spend much more than you would on a regular laptop of mid to top tier value. This being said, be ready to spend a maximum of $1000 for a budget gaming laptop. Now that this has been said, how should you choose one among countless models out there? We have you covered, and you only need to read the rest of this article to find out.
1. Best Overall – Dell G7 15
Dell has recently changed its entry-level gaming series for a more exciting and powerful line, hence the G7 15 arrived. It is visually different than the Inspiron and Alienware brands, meaning it has its own identity. The overall performance is solid, and enough for all your multitasking needs, and thanks to its Max-Q GTX 1060 graphics card, those AAA titles will run smoothly on medium to high video settings.
Img source: pcworld.com
Good sides: Rather slim and lightweight, fast performance
Bad sides: Dim, dull display, and a below-average battery life
Specifications: 2.2-GHz Intel Core i7-8750H CPU, NVidia GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q GPU 6GB VRAM, RAM 16GB, 1TB 5,400-rpm HDD, 15.6 1920 x 1080
2. Best Performance – MSI GF63 8RB
This gaming laptop by MSI is designed for those who want to play games, but not spend a fortune in the process. You will have a very solid performance the Intel Core i7 processor and NVidia graphics combo, as the computer offers excellent performance for a reasonable price. You will be able to play most of the modern games at low to medium settings. This is a true entry-level machine.
Img source: laptopmag.com
Good sides: Slim and lightweight with fast performance
Bad sides: Dull display, low travel keyboard, lack of gaming utilities
Specifications: 2.2-GHz Intel Core i7-8750H CPU, NVidia GeForce GTX 1050 TI 4GB VRAM, RAM 16G, 256GB M.2 PCIe SSD, 1TB 5,400-rpm HDD, 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080
3. Longest Battery Life – Dell G3 15 Gaming
If you plan to spend hours in Fortnite or Call of Duty, check out this Dell Gaming laptop, which will last you an amazing 6 hours and 37 minutes on battery. Gamers will be happy with the solid frame rates and a good sound, because of the GTX 1050 TI GPU and a powerful set of speakers. It weighs 5.2 pounds and it is 0.9 inches thick, and therefore among the most convenient entry-level laptops to carry around.
Img source: laptopmag.com
Good sides: Stylish interior, solid performance, great battery life, and a decent audio
Bad sides: Dim display, low-travel keyboard, no gaming utilities
Specifications: 2.3-GHz Intel Core i5-8300H, NVidia GeForce GTX 1050 TI GPU 4GB VRAM | RAM 8GB, 126GB SSD, 1TB 5,400-rpm HDD | 15.6 1920 x 1080
4. Best Value – Asus TUF Gaming FX504
With the price starting at just $699, a more affordable gaming laptop than this Asus can hardly be found. For this amazing price, you will get the 8th generation Core i5 CPU, and an NVidia GTX 1050 GPU, more than enough for most games on low to medium settings. At such a low price point however, sacrifices have to be made, but if you want to spend as little as possible for a gaming rig, the FX504 is your guy.
Img source: laptopmag.com
Good sides: Very affordable with good gaming performance, solid audio, runs cool
Bad sides: Bland display, slow storage, below-average battery
Specifications: 2.3-GHz Intel Core i5-8300H, NVidia GTX 1050 2GB VRAM, RAM 16GB, 1TB 5,400-rpm HDD | 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080
5. Best Versatility – Acer Nitro 5 Spin
The Nitro 5 Spin by Acer will allow you awesome multitasking power, a good battery life, a rather comfortable keyboard and great versatility from the interesting convertible design. There is an NVidia GTX 1050 graphics card inside it, which means it can run most games on low and medium settings. This is a solid choice for gamers who are looking for an affordable system for more than just their gaming needs.
Img source: laptopmag.com
Good sides: Stylish and versatile design, a comfortable keyboard, bright and vibrant display
Bad sides: Somewhat lower graphics for the price, toasty when gaming
Specifications: 1.8-GHz Intel Core i7-8550U, NVidia GTX 1050 4GB VRAM, RAM 8GB, 256GB SSD, 1TB 5,400-rpm HHDD, 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080
