Top Gaming Laptops Under $1,000: Expert Choices for Budget Gamers

Looking for an affordable gaming laptop? We’ve got you covered !

Gaming on a PC can be expensive. Aside from buying your favorite games, you also need a reliable machine to run them. Gaming laptops, in particular, need efficient cooling systems to handle the powerful components inside. But don’t worry, there are plenty of budget-friendly options available. You can find great gaming laptops under $1,000 without compromising too much.

We’ve done the research for you, but keep in mind that prices can fluctuate. While these laptops are under $1,000 right now, they may sometimes go a bit over. Check out our top gaming laptop picks below.

Acer Nitro V 16 – Best Overall - $ 957 (26% discount)

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Advantages

• Strong performance for the price
• Affordable
• Quick mode switching with a dedicated button
• Fast 165Hz display with good colors

Disadvantages

• Plastic build
• Mushy keyboard
• Short battery life

Why buy the Acer Nitro V 16?

The Acer Nitro V 16 is a great gaming laptop under $1,000. Its 16-inch IPS display is big and fast, and the RTX 4060 GPU provides enough power to run most games on Medium or High settings. In benchmarks, it hit 136 fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, proving it can handle demanding games. The 165Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay.

This laptop is ideal for gamers looking for high performance at a reasonable price. The battery lasts only four hours, and the design may not suit everyone, but it still offers fantastic value for the money. Buy now.

MSI Thin GF63 (2023) – Best for Portability - $ 989

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Advantages

• Good 1080p gaming performance
• Attractive backlighting
• Sturdy build

Disadvantages

• Display lacks color accuracy

Why buy the MSI Thin GF63?

The MSI Thin GF63 weighs just over four pounds, making it lighter than most gaming laptops, which usually weigh five or six pounds. Powered by an Intel Core i5-12450H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, it can run most games on Medium or High settings. The 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 144Hz refresh rate offers smooth visuals.

This laptop is great for college students since it’s lightweight and portable while still offering solid gaming performance. It’s also powerful enough for everyday tasks like writing papers or watching videos. Buy now

Acer Nitro V 15 – Best for Connectivity - $ 757

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Advantages

• Solid build quality
• Plenty of connectivity options
• Good gaming performance

Disadvantages

• Average display
• Limited RAM

Why buy the Acer Nitro V 15?

The Acer Nitro V 15 is a versatile gaming laptop with a wide range of connectivity options. If you prefer using external monitors or peripherals, this model is a great choice. It comes with Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, three USB-A ports, and a USB-C port. The Intel Core i5-13420H CPU and Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU deliver solid gaming performance, with an average of 105 fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

The laptop has 8GB of RAM and an average display, but if you can live with these trade-offs, the Acer Nitro V 15 is a fantastic option for gamers who need lots of ports. Buy now.

Dell Inspiron 16 Plus – For Those Willing to Spend a Little More - $ 989

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Advantages

• Metal build
• Long battery life
• Strong graphics performance

Disadvantages

• Limited port selection
• Loud under heavy loads

Why buy the Dell Inspiron Plus 16 7630?

If you can stretch your budget beyond $1,000, the Dell Inspiron Plus 16 7630 is worth considering. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7-13700H CPU and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, delivering solid gaming performance. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 30 fps on the Ultra preset at 1080p. The metal build and long battery life make it a good choice for both gaming and productivity.

This laptop is perfect for students or remote workers who need a reliable machine for both work and gaming. Though it has fewer ports and can get loud under heavy use, these are minor issues compared to its overall performance. Buy now.

What to Look for in a Budget Gaming Laptop

When choosing a gaming laptop, it depends on what kind of games you want to play and how you’ll use the laptop. Do you enjoy lightweight indie games like Stardew Valley or more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077? Will you use it for work too? You can find solid gaming laptops under $1,000, but you need to pay attention to the specs.

For less demanding games like Fortnite, you don’t need a high-end GPU. Most modern games will run well at 1080p on a budget laptop if you’re okay with lowering some settings from Ultra to Medium or High. You can still hit 60 fps in most modern games, and they’ll look good on a smaller laptop screen.

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