Investing in a top-of-the-line gaming laptop can leave a sizable dent in one's wallet. However, there are affordable alternatives available that still offer commendable performance. While they may not match the sheer power of a Razer Blade 14, gaming laptops priced at $999 or lower can still capably run games. Admittedly, a few tweaks to the settings might be necessary to achieve optimal results, but the overall experience should be satisfactory.
Nevertheless, choosing a gaming laptop within this price range can be challenging. With countless options flooding the market, it's difficult to differentiate the wheat from the chaff. Fortunately, we've compiled a comprehensive guide highlighting some of the finest gaming laptops that won't exceed the $999 budget.
By availing yourself of this resource, you'll be equipped to immerse yourself fully in your favorite games without breaking the bank. Nonetheless, if portability isn't a priority for you, then you might be better off acquiring a desktop instead. Conversely, if you desire the flexibility of being able to use your gaming PC both at home and beyond, investing in a gaming laptop is undoubtedly the wisest decision.
1. Lenovo Legion 5
In recent years, Lenovo's Legion laptops have become significantly improved and this particular model of the Legion 5 is no exception. Although the graphics card may not be as powerful as some of its counterparts, you will receive a generous allocation of 16GB of RAM, as well as a 256GB SSD coupled with a capacious 1TB HDD, providing substantially more storage space than the previous three laptops we have reviewed thus far.
However, this abundance of storage comes at a cost, namely a less powerful GPU- specifically, the Legion 5 is equipped with a GTX 1650, and an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor. One noteworthy aspect is that Lenovo offers several configurations of this laptop on Amazon, with all but one priced under $1,000, allowing for customization to suit your individual preferences. However, it's worth noting that each model is equipped with the same GTX 1650 graphics card.
The display boasts a sizeable 17.3-inch screen, however, Amazon does not disclose the refresh rate. It's important to keep in mind that if you purchase this laptop directly from Lenovo with an NVIDIA 30-series GPU, you'll need to pay over $1,000 to obtain the same storage specifications and memory allocation.
Buy: Lenovo Legion 5
2. Dell G15 5511
Next up is Dell's G15 5511, another RTX 3050 laptop. Although its retail price is typically $1,049, it's currently available on Amazon for $999.98. In addition to the RTX 3050 graphics card, the laptop is equipped with an Intel Core i5-11400H CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 120Hz 15.6-inch FHD display.
When compared to other laptops on this list, many of the specifications are comparable, particularly those with the same graphics processing unit. However, the G15 stands out as one of the best options due to its solid track record of performance for the price and Dell's excellent customer support in the event of any issues.
Like some of the other models, the G15 does have a slightly hefty weight at 5.37 pounds, but this is an unavoidable tradeoff when opting for a less expensive option.
Buy: Dell G15 5511
3. MSI GF63 (2022)
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MSI's latest offering deserves a spot on this list, courtesy of its impressive specifications and MSI's reputation for producing reliable gaming laptops. This particular model is equipped with an NVIDIA GTX 1650 Max-Q GPU instead of an RTX 3050, beginning with a base configuration of 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.
The laptop also features a 15.6-inch FHD display, an Intel Core i5-10500H CPU, Windows 11 Home, the customary backlit keyboard found on most gaming laptops, and weighs approximately 4.10 pounds. While it has two USB ports rather than three like some of the other models, it boasts similar port offerings.
Considering its lower weight, this model is one of the more portable options available in this price range. It should still perform well when running games and thanks to its higher RAM allocation, users can smoothly run multiple programs simultaneously.
Buy: MSI GF63 (2022)
4. HP Pavillion 15-dk0020nr
The last two options on this list are provided by HP, beginning with the Pavillion 15-dk0020nr. Priced at $784, it offers slightly less in terms of features. Instead of an RTX 3050, users will receive a GTX 1650 graphics card which is still sufficient for gaming albeit with some reduction in settings. The extent of the required tweaking will vary depending on the game and users may need to adjust accordingly as they play.
In addition to the GTX 1650 GPU, the laptop is equipped with an Intel Core i5-9300H CPU, a 256GB SSD, and a 15.6-inch display boasting FHD resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. With regards to memory allocation, 8GB of RAM is included, and HP claims the battery can provide up to eight hours of usage time. It's important to note that this estimation is more applicable to daily tasks rather than gaming, so users should expect a lower battery life when using the laptop for extended gaming sessions.
Despite these limitations, the HP Pavillion 15-dk0020nr is an excellent option for those seeking to cut costs without sacrificing performance. However, if budget allows, one of the other laptops on this list may offer better value for money.
5. HP Victus
Last but not least is the HP Victus, an RTX 3050 option boasting specifications comparable to most of the laptops on this list. It comes equipped with an NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU, an Intel Core i5-11400H CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
The laptop features a 16.1-inch FHD display boasting a 144Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the HP Victus is an ideal choice for those seeking a gaming laptop that doesn't necessarily look like one, thanks to its minimalist design and absence of an RGB keyboard.
While we believe some of the other options on this list offer better value for money, the HP Victus is still a solid choice considering its affordable price point.
Buy: HP Victus
