Is 1000 dollars enough for a gaming laptop?

If you are looking for an affordable gaming laptops to play games like fortnite, minecraft, etc…, check out the 10 best gaming laptop under $1,000 below.

The world of computers has come a long way from the time when gaming laptops cost the moon and a handful of glittering stars.

Today, you can lay your hands on budget gaming devices that fuel powerful play without requiring you to break the bank.

Many game-friendly laptops in a comfortable and easy-to-use form factor now come in at under $1000; in no way are these machines shoddy or driven by patchwork.

Instead, they offer an enticing alternative to the computers at the other end of the spectrum (i.e., the shiny ones with their many frills, easily setting you back by $2000 and above).

In the world of budget gaming, commitment is crucial for success. This is why the brands that lead the game have identified their areas of commitment and endeavor to stick to them.

For example, if durability and reliability drive HP, companies like Acer and ASUS focus on being in vogue with the latest trends. Dell has maintained its enviable commitment to flexibility by bestowing its product line-up with features that enhance ease of use.

Lenovo, on the other hand, is focusing on creating a fascinating blend of the traditional and the contemporary, by making premium possible at low prices.

While inter-brand differences abound in the marketplace, the best gaming laptops have one thing in common: efficient and sustainable processing that does not compromise on detail.

Before heading out to purchase a gaming companion, your wallet rather fidgety in your pocket, we recommend you analyze and weigh your options.

Our Picks: 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000 in 2022

In this (near) exhaustive list of the 10 best gaming laptops under $1,000 2022, we have reviewed the very finest offerings in this space and highlighted their relative pros and cons.

Recommended Specs
Processor	Intel Core i7-11800H AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
Graphics	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti
Memory	16GB DDR4 2933MHz Memory
Storage	512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Display	15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED-backlit IPS display
Weight	Under 6 lbs.
Battery	Up to 10 Hours
Keyboard	4-Zone RGB Backlit Keyboard
OS	Windows 10 Home 64-bit

1. Lenovo Legion 5

For an under-$1000 price tag, the 15.6″ Lenovo Legion 5 is a truly phenomenal AMD gaming laptop.

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It offers brilliant performance, thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti graphics and Nahimic 3D audio.

Additionally, it delivers on mobility and audio-visual grandeur. Here are the specs: 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD.

Display-wise, you can opt for Dolby Vision along with 100% sRGB. Else, you can stick to an FHD monitor that comes with IPS, and a refresh rate of 165Hz.

Another triumph for this computer comes with mode-switching—from hybrid to quiet. Based on the need of the moment, the voltage requirement to the CPU changes; this keeps things sustainable for longer.

This 5.29lbs computer uses anti-smudge, talcum-injected materials and has a long-lasting battery life of up to eight hours. Plus, the power adapter is incredibly light and lets you charge up to 50% in less than half an hour.

2. ASUS ROG Strix G15

Another affordable gaming laptop that intelligently combines performance and portability is the 15.6” ASUS ROG Strix G15.

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Run by an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H, 8GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, this laptop is fitted with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card.

It is a virtual-reality-ready machine, offering an FHD display with an optimal refresh rate of 144Hz for ultimate gaming experiences.

The portability-boosting features of this device include Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax) for smooth internet connectivity. This is sure to find favor with digital gaming enthusiasts.

With a weight of 5.29 lbs and a 1” profile thickness, it is a good traveler for a computer of its caliber. The provision of HDMI output allows you to plug into external displays, while the five hours of battery backup facilitate some unplugged usage.

You can also enjoy an RGB backlit keyboard that adds a distinct aura of dazzle to all gaming endeavors.

3. ASUS TUF Dash 15

This list of affordable gaming laptops would be incomplete without the 15.6” ASUS TUF Dash 15—a veritable pro-gaming device powered by an 11th gen Intel Core i7-11370H CPU, NVIDIA GeForce Ampere graphics, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and a portable design.

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For all its strength, this device weighs only 4.04lbs and is 0.8” thick—dimensions that should make this computer convenient to lug along to an outdoor or out-of-town gaming event.

In fact, this is the first lightweight laptop in the TUF gaming family. Upping the mobility of this device even further is compatibility with 802.11ax Wi-Fi and the availability of inbuilt USB ports (three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports).

In terms of the display and sound, things are quite good. An 144Hz FHD screen and a surround sound system help to realize a home theater-quality experience.

Considering the incredibly attractive price point (under $1000), you might be surprised at the kind of audio-visual brilliance on offer. It also contributes toward the utility of this laptop as a gaming companion as well as an everyday laptop for creative professionals.

This machine also employs the anti-dust technology for heat dissipation, using four fans to disperse the heat generated during operation and keep the innards cool and snug.

4. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

For budget-watchers, the competent 15.6” Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is also a good choice for a gaming device.

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It comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor, 8GB RAM, a 256GB SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics.

Broadly speaking, the specs are suitable for gaming as well as multimedia content creation.

Moreover, sustainability is pretty good too. A dual-fan and vent cooling mechanism manages to keep your device running at an optimum during extended gaming hours.

Let’s talk about the visuals. The FHD display, which is compatible with IPS, supports a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The narrow-bezel design is especially useful in letting users experience engaging imagery. And oh, there’s a top-placed webcam too, complete with a privacy shutter for extra security during video calls.

A hallmark of this 4.95lbs device is its brilliant keyboard with dedicated media keys and a large trackpad. The importance of smooth keystrokes in the heat of the game cannot be overstated. (There’s also a full-size number pad.)

5. Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55

Another superior gaming laptop under $1000 has to include the Acer Nitro 5. This beast of a gaming device features an unique design with curved edges for superior design and even better performance.

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Also, the gaming laptop comes with the stunning RGB-backlit keyboard that allow you to tackle your favorite game any time of the day.

The Nitro 5 is powered by the Intel Core i5-10300H processor with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 with 4GB dedicated graphics memory for tackling some of the graphics hungry games.

The laptop is equipped with a 15.6” FHD widescreen LED-backlit display with 1080p screen resolution for crisp visuals and optimal color reproduction.

As for storage and memory, the laptop is integrated with 256GB SSD of storage with 8GB RAM, making it ideal for multitasking and handling the intensive games.

It also supports the Wi-Fi 6 connectivity with MU-MIMO technology for connecting multiple devices at once. The device runs on the Windows 10 Home OS.

6. HP Victus 16 16-inch

This one is for all those who value the power of upgradeability and control.

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The 16-inch HP Victus allows you to control pretty much everything, from CPU overclocking to the memory, with a single-panel access to the machine’s internals and an intuitive command center. (The panel is held on by only a few screws and requires little by way of handiwork during upgrades.)

As is, the laptop features some stellar specs: an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor, 8GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, and AMD Radeon RX 5500M graphics

The FHD display offers IPS-support, glare protection, and an optimal resolution of 1920 x 1080. Although this is a budget gaming machine, it offers a fantastic backlit keyboard.

Note that this laptop weighs 5.44lbs, which is heavier than some others on this list. It does, however, provide several USB ports, the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard (802.11ax), and display ports to provide a connected experience to gamers.

7. Gigabyte G5 MD

Here is an Gigabyte gaming laptop with a keen focus on display and visual glory.

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The Gigabyte G5 MD offers an FHD Anti-Glare display with a refresh rate of 144Hz, a response time of 3ms, and a thin-bezel design for maximum engagement.

With a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080, the monitor is able to render the imagery without loss of detail.

Wait, there is more—it also packs in a wide color gamut of 72% NTSC. A dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti graphics card is in-charge of the gameplay. Your content is certain to look accurate and distortion-free.

The processing chamber is highly efficient, thanks to the Intel Core i5-11400H CPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD.

While the RAM support is lower than some other budget Gigabyte laptops, it should easily allow you to play at low settings. Not a bad deal for a reliable gaming partner that comes in at under $1000!

8. Dell G15 5511

At less than $1076, the 15.6” Dell G15 5511 is an excellent gaming laptop for immersive gameplay.

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An 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11400H processor drives this device, together with 8GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics.

That’s quite an adept configuration for casual to moderate amounts of gaming.

A narrow-bezel display with an optional refresh rate of 120Hz pairs well with the Nahimic 3D Audio to guarantee engaging multimedia experiences.

Dell also prioritizes sustainability. It employs a dual-fan cooling system to keep the innards of the laptop working efficiently. A particularly triumphant feature is the Game Shift technology—a smart way to get the fans working harder when your CPU/GPU is on full blast.

What about mobility? Since this laptop weighs 5.37lbs and is about 0.85-0.98″ thick, you can carry it around without too much hassle. Plus, Killer Gigabit Ethernet and a quick-charging battery (51Whr/68Whr) grant you the freedom to game on the go.

9. MSI GL65

MSI is, undoubtedly, one of the top manufacturers of gaming laptops in the marketplace today.

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If you are looking for a durable, high-performing machine that exudes its strength inside-out, then the 15.6” MSI GL65 will not disappoint you.

It is fuelled by a powerful Intel Core i5-10300H processor, 16GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics.

A competent heat dissipation system keeps the innards cool to give you long, uninterrupted hours of play.

The 144Hz FHD display offers a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 and compatibility with IPS.

To its merit, this powerhouse is feather-light at 5.07lbs; whoever said functionality and mobility cannot coexist? It is also very sleek to behold with its brushed aluminum cover and profile measuring 1.08”.

The RGB-backlit keyboard is charming, lending incredible thrill to the proceedings. You can carry this notebook with you for gaming marathons or other outdoor events, assured of standing out in a crowd.

10. ASUS TUF Gaming F17

No surprises here: ASUS is a pro when it comes to delivering budget-friendly gaming laptops with a plethora of premium features.

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The 17.3” ASUS TUF F17 is run by an Intel Core i5-10300H, 8GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. It offers an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Ti GPU with 4GB of dedicated memory, which proves to be satisfactory for most of the latest gaming titles.

This ASUS TUF offers an effective cooling mechanism that uses two fans infused with an innovative anti-dust technology. Two special tunnels help to expel dust particles, effectively increasing both the stability of system operations and the ultimate lifespan of your machine.

While you get an FHD screen with an IPS panel, the refresh rate is a tad disappointing at 120Hz. The screen resolution, however, is optimal at 1920 x 1080.

Moreover, since the bezel is thin and the viewing angles are wide, your overall experience turns out to be quite absorbing both for gaming and everyday multimedia pursuits. This only gets a further boost from the superb auditory system: DTS Headphone: X technology for virtual surround-sound (7.1-channel).

Durability is a big commitment for this gaming laptop, as is evident from its MIL-STD-810 construction (military standard) and torture-tested keyboard (up to 20-million keystrokes). Weight-wise, you get a lightweight chassis at 5.70lbs; the thickness is about 1”. These dimensions lend themselves reasonably well to travel, aided by the sturdiness of the construction.

AMD has recently emerged as a legit alternative to Intel, endeavoring to match up to the established market giant in domains such as multitasking at a budget. If you are up to experimenting with an AMD gaming laptop, we can definitely recommend this ASUS device.

Note: The keyboard is backlit (red), although you would be hard-pressed to find per-key backlighting at an under-$1000 budget.

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Is It Worthwhile Getting a best gaming laptop under 1000?

When gaming laptops were first launched, they were met with considerable suspicion and apprehension. Gaming was such a CPU-draining activity. Could laptops ever be powerful enough to support gameplay without irritating lags and cumbersome breakdowns?

With time, however, not only have gaming laptops proved their mettle, but they have also become more affordable.

Today, it is possible to find budget gaming laptops that come in at around $1000 but offer the entire pro-game paraphernalia.

Investing in a budget gaming laptop can be the right decision for you if:

• You are passionate about gaming but watching your budget. Many laptops in this space, especially by leading brands like MSI, Asus and HP, offer a huge chunk of features from backlit keyboards to premium design. Some of these notebooks stretch the limits by even throwing in features like n-key rollover, multiple display modes, and long battery life.
• You are looking for a portable gaming computer. Several budget gaming notebooks weigh in the range of 4–5lbs, which makes them easy to lug along. They also come with other features to boost portability, such as USB ports, display ports, and a robust build.
• You are comfortable playing at low to medium settings. Let us face it, while many laptops in this league are driven by topnotch processors and have ample storage space, they may not be able to provide a refresh rate of 144Hz, per-key backlighting, a 4K OLED display, or the razzmatazz of an NVIDIA RTX card. You might have to skimp on some settings, especially if you opt for a low-RAM machine (around 8GB) or a laptop with a refresh rate of 60Hz–120Hz.
• You want to use your laptop as a multi-purpose device for activities like multimedia editing, watching a movie, working on school assignments, or an office computer. If you don’t want to invest in an out-and-out gaming laptop, a budget machine is your best bet. It will give you the best of both worlds: gaming and what lies beyond.
• You want to upgrade as you go. Some budget gamers come with the provision to upgrade the specs such as the RAM, storage, etc. For instance, many HP computers have single-panel access for upgrades. The advantage is that you don’t need to pay much upfront but can get a more powerful configuration if your budget allows it in the future or your needs warrant it.
• You want to keep your options open to accommodate innovations in the gaming arena. This is one space that keeps experimenting with new technologies. If NVIDIA RTX cards and Tobii eye-tracking are all the rage now, you might soon see more laptops with refresh rates as high as 240Hz. If you wish to wait it out and invest in a fancier gaming laptop in the future, a budget laptop can be your best bet for the present.

Must-Have Features in Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000

Fortunately, shopping at a bargain price does not—and should not—mean you have to cut corners. When you are scouting for a gaming partner, make sure it has the following features:

• CPU: You need an efficient and speedy processor to run your games smoothly. Ideally, an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor or an equivalent AMD Ryzen CPU will do the job well. Besides the CPU, you also want the RAM support to be at least 8GB.

Look for sufficient storage space too, as gaming can be a data-intensive pursuit. Think of all the files that most modern-day games require, from sounds to visuals and special effects.

It makes sense to look for an SSD as there are considerable wins in read/write speeds over the traditional hard disk drives.

A 512GB SSD is the recommended standard for laptops in this range. Guess what can be even better than an SSD? A combination of SSD and HDD.

This setup lets you utilize the hard disk storage for regular files, heavy-duty data, etc., while the SSD can contribute directly to speeding up booting times and the overall gaming performance.

• GPU: Most AAA games demand dedicated graphics. Integrated graphics are unlikely to make the cut when you crave immersive visuals and time-sensitive effects.

Many budget laptops come packed with NVIDIA GTX 1650 cards. This graphics card is based on the Turing architecture and provides a significant fillip from the GTX 1050 card that used to be common in budget gaming laptops.

What about an AMD laptop? Well, it is rare to find dedicated graphics in budget AMD laptops, primarily since they already operate at low costs.

• Cooling mechanism: Since gaming lets out considerable heat, it is imperative to get a laptop with a trustable cooling system.

You need a heat dissipation mechanism that keeps both the CPU and the GPU cool, thus preventing slowdown or, worse, breakdown.

A strong cooling system also extends the longevity of your laptop since it keeps the sensitive components functioning at their optimum.

• Display: This is perhaps the most obvious aspect you need to look for in a gaming laptop. It is all about what you see, after all, that lets you defeat foes on the battlefield.

In the $1000 price bucket, you can expect an FHD display with IPS and anti-glare provisions. Don’t settle for a screen resolution lower than 1920 x 1080 as you will then be left wanting for precision and detail.

The color gamut offered is also crucial since it will decide the range of colors you see in your content. Anything upwards of 45% NTSC is good, although a 100% sRGB color gamut would be tremendous.

Another important consideration here is the refresh rate or the number of times in a second that the screen refreshes the image.

While 144Hz is the gold standard for refresh rate, you should be able to find laptops that offer 60Hz–120Hz in this price range.

Along with this metric, also check the response time or the number of milliseconds it takes for a pixel to change the colors. A good standard is 3ms.

• Sound: Good-quality audio is a prerequisite for a gaming laptop. So many special effects and crucial junctures in games rely on audio, after all.

Even in affordable laptops, you can find fine audio with large speakers and innovative technologies.

Seek 3D output and good volume. Your computer should also be able to play great sound when on the run.

• Build and design: This one is a factor of your usage patterns. If you intend to carry your laptop along with you on travels, meetings, etc., you need a lightweight computer with a slim profile.

This will allow you to slide the notebook into a backpack and get going. You can find budget gaming laptops weighing 4–5lbs, with profiles under 1”.

It is also useful to look for robust construction, screen protection (glass), etc., so that the laptop can handle transit without incurring damage.

Many top manufacturers also focus on giving their gaming line-up an attractive appearance—a blend of the powerful and the distinctive. You can find laptops with dragon logos, eye-catching backlighting, metallic covers, and brushed patterns.

• Connectivity:  You want your laptop to be equipped with a full array of USB ports to support your devices like keyboard, mice, etc. If the computer has a Type-C port (Thunderbolt), you can enjoy rapid data transfer and quick charging.

Along with USB ports, gaming laptops should also possess display ports and HDMI to permit you to connect to external displays. You might need a larger-than-life screen on multiple occasions, such as gaming competitions.

Check that the computer supports a consistent, updated Wi-Fi standard like 802.11ac, Ethernet and LAN. Some machines offer compatibility with Killer Ethernet that prioritizes your gaming traffic to deliver a stellar online performance.

• Keyboard: This one is critical for any gaming laptop as it’s your basic weaponry for any game. You should explore backlit keyboards with a comfortable key-travel distance and n-key rollover.

Budget gaming laptops usually provide single backlighting in colors like red or white. Backlighting by zones is rare in this segment, while per-key effects are restricted to premium machines.

The right keyboard should also come with a comfortable trackpad, well-defined arrow keys, and WASD keys.

• Battery backup: A long-lasting battery isn’t usually common with gaming laptops since they pack in way too much power to guarantee much unplugged usage.

However, if battery life is one of your priorities, you can find cost-effective gaming laptops that can run for around seven hours on a single charge.

Note: No matter how budget a gaming laptop is, it should have a well-constructed chassis, a dependable keyboard, sturdy hinges, and an immersive display. You can make do with a slightly less powerful CPU and an entry-level GPU, but flimsy construction and a gaudy display are deal-breakers. In fact, bridging this gap continues to be a struggle for laptop makers aspiring to.

Closing Note

We bet this list has you feeling a great deal more excited about that $1000 cutoff! Indeed, if you are an ardent gamer looking for a powerful CPU and GPU in conjunction with enchanting graphics and sound, a budget of $1000 is no longer paltry.

In this list, we have covered the best gaming laptops with alluring price tags, all of them offering satisfying and reliable performance.

Some of them also manage to throw in a few bells and whistles, such as the Dell G5 15 5511 with its Nahimic Sound Center for voice-led in-game control and the Lenovo Legion 5 with its eye-care mode for reduced blue light emission.

The latter also packs in high battery backup to emerge as one of the best bets for seekers of portability. In achieving this end, it is joined by other picks like the MSI GL65 leopard.

Ultimately, there remains only one golden rule for acquiring a gaming laptop best suited for you: identify what you cannot do without (read brute force, a high refresh rate, a portable build, etc.) and then maximize your resources to fulfill this quest.

Last update on 2022-03-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API