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10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000 in 2022 [Affordable Models]

By
Ray Kinton
-
January 13, 2022
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144Hz gaming laptop under $1000

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Although $2000 is an ideal budget for a gaming laptop, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot get a fast machine for less than that. The market is filled with options below that price range. In case youre looking for a fast gaming laptop that costs below $1000 that can run resource-intensive games without any lags, then this article has the 10 best options in 2022.

$1000-1200 laptops cannot give you an exceptional gaming performance like the expensive ones. Besides, you cannot play ALL of the AAA games on the highest-graphic settings. However, you can play 85% of all the games without significant frame drops, lags, heating issues, etc. Also, for most gamers, the number of games doesnt matter as theyre focused on a few games and want a machine that can run them.

The good thing about mid-budget gaming laptops below 1000 dollars range is that you can play popular titles like PUBG, Fortnite, Civilization 6, SIMS 4, Overwatch, etc., and also use the essential streaming gear without any lags, frame drops, or overheating. But with so many options in the market, how do you pick the best one?

Also, sticking to the budget is important, before finding the laptop, we suggest you make a list of games youll be playing and make sure that the device you are picking is capable of playing them or has better specifications than the minimum/recommended system requirements.

A sub-1000 dollar laptop should tick all the below-listed points:

  • A performance-friendly processor with relatively higher clock speed and Turbo Boost.
  • Sufficient RAM and SSD storage for quick access and dynamic file transfer speeds.
  • A gaming-friendly keyboard with RGB backlighting and good feedback.
  • Extensive connectivity options for peripherals and secondary displays (Useful for professionals who love to stream their gameplay on Twitch, editing YouTube videos/streaming, etc.)
  • Full HD display panel with a higher refresh rate. (90Hz or 120Hz)

In addition to these, you can look for additional customization features as well. For instance, laptops from series like the ASUS Republic of Gamers, HP Omen, Dell G series, MSI, Razer Blade, and Acer Predator offer so many options. You can control the performance, fan speed, and RGB customization. Upgradability is also a desired feature for a lot of professional gamers.

Contents

  • Minimum & Recommended System Requirements
  • 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000 in 2022
    • 1. Best Overall: Acer Nitro 5
    • 2. Best Runner Up: Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
    • 3. Best with GTX 1660 Ti: MSI GF65 Thin
    • 4. Best Desktop Replacement: HP Victus 16
    • 5. Best From ASUS: ASUS TUF Dash 15
    • 6. Best with Intel i5: HP Pavilion 16
    • 7. Best From Dell: Dell G15 5510
    • 8. Best For Bussinesman: Acer Swift X
    • 9. Best Value for Money: Lenovo IdeaPad L340
    • 10. Best for Casual Gaming: ASUS TUF Gaming F17
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Does a higher refresh rate matter in a gaming laptop?
    • Should I go for a portable gaming laptop?
    • How much RAM is ideal for gaming?
    • Are under $1000 gaming laptops good?
    • What is a must-have accessory for gaming laptops?
  • The Verdict

Minimum Requirements: The laptop you choose should have the minimum system requirements, as mentioned below. You can target a device with these specs if you are trying to save as much money as you can.

Recommended Requirements: You should go for these recommended system requirements if you are looking for a smoother gaming experience. You may have to spend something extra than $1000, but the performance would be rewarding.

Minimum System RequirementsRecommended System Requirements
CPU8th Gen Intel Core i59th Gen Intel Core i7
RAM8GB16GB
Storage256GB SSD512GB SSD
Display15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) with 60Hz15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) with 120Hz
GPU4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10506GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
BatteryUp to 3 hoursUp to 6 hours

Now that you have the basic idea about gaming laptops and specifications, shall we explore the best options from the current market?

10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000 in 2022

You cant expect the laptops to compete with the machines that come with high-end GPUs such as the NVIDIA RTX 2080 and RTX 2070. However, they can still run most of the resource-intensive games because all the models here come with faster GPUs such as GTX 16 series and the GTX 3050 series.

ImageNameFeaturesCheck Price
144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
Acer Nitro 5

  • CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-10300H

  • RAM: 8GB

  • Storage: 256GB SSD

  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)

  • GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050

  • Battery: Up to 1 hours

Check on Amazon
144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i

  • CPU: 3.1GHz Intel Core i5-11300H

  • RAM: 16GB

  • Storage: 1TB SSD

  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)

  • GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650

  • Battery: Up to 8 hours

Check on Amazon
144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
MSI GF65 Thin

  • CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-9750H

  • RAM: 8GB

  • Storage: 512GB SSD

  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)

  • GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti

  • Battery: Up to 8 hours

Check on Amazon
144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
HP Victus 16

  • PU: 3.3GHz AMD Ryzen 5 5600H

  • RAM: 8GB

  • Storage: 512GB SSD

  • Display: 16.1-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)

  • GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050

  • Battery: Up to 10 hours

Check on Amazon
144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
ASUS TUF Dash 15

  • CPU: 3.3 GHz Intel Core i7-11370H

  • RAM: 8GB

  • Storage: 512GB SSD

  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)

  • GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti

  • Battery: Up to 16 hours

Check on Amazon
144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
HP Pavilion 16

  • 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-10300H

  • RAM: 8GB

  • Storage: 512GB SSD + 32GB Optane

  • Display: 16.1-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)

  • GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti

  • Battery: Up to 10 hours

Check on Amazon
144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
Dell G15 5510

  • PU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-10200H

  • RAM: 8GB

  • torage: 256GB SSD

  • isplay: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)

  • GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650

  • Battery: Up to 4 hours

Check on Amazon
144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
Dell G3 15 3500

  • CPU: 2.4GHz AMD Ryzen 7 5800U

  • RAM: 16GB

  • Storage: 512GB SSD

  • Display: 14-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)

  • GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti

  • Battery: Up to 12 hours

Check on Amazon
144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
Lenovo IdeaPad L340

  • CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-9300H

  • RAM: 8GB

  • Storage: 512GB SSD

  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)

  • GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GTX 1650

  • Battery: Up to 9 hours

Check on Amazon
144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
ASUS TUF Gaming F17

  • CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i5-10300H

  • RAM: 8GB

  • Storage: 512GB SSD

  • Display: 17.3-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)

  • PU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti

  • Battery: Up to 6 hours

Check on Amazon

1. Best Overall: Acer Nitro 5

144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
Acer Nitro 5
  • CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-10300H
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 256GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
  • GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
  • Battery: Up to 11 hours
$800.54
Check on Amazon

Priced slightly above $1000, the Acer Nitro 5 is a perfect choice for gamers out there. With a compromise in the storage department, the laptop manages to bring some gaming-oriented features like an RTX series GPU, ample RAM, a gamer-friendly keyboard, and more. The package also favors upgradability for RAM & storage both, which is superb.

CPU & GPU

The first thing we love about this laptop is the Intel Core i5-10300H itself. The processor, with a base clocking speed of 2.5GHz, offers excellent performance for hard-core gamers. It also complements the 6GB GDDR5 VRAM from the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050. Despite the mid-budget sub-$1000 price tag, the performances are comparable to expensive machines, thereby weve ranked it as one of the best-rated RTX 3050 laptops.

RAM & Storage

The device packs in 8GB of DDR4 RAM, which is highly satisfactory for high-end gaming. However, 256GB of SSD storage gives you an impressive speed but limits you on what you can store inside.

Acer Nitro 5 is probably one of the nicest-designed laptops from the company, keeping upgradability as the major objective. The design leaves enough space for heat dissipation (like we feel in the fanless laptops) and thermal management on top of all. You can easily upgrade RAM and SSD storage, using included slots.

Display

The display panel used in the device is also just the standard. This 15.6-inch Full HD Laptop has a standard full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080, but thats about. The panel is noticeably bright and comes with thinner bezels. Once again, the lack of a better refresh rate pushes the device down to the casual category.

Connectivity & Ports

On the connectivity side, you have access to multiple USB ports, including Type-A and Type-C. You also get a full HDMI port and an Ethernet port for extensive wired connectivity. The laptop uses Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 for faster wireless connectivity.

Keyboard Quality

The keyboard is also a superstar that needs some additional mention on the device. The travel distance of 1.6mm can make things so effective in the long run. The illuminated WASD keys also give a Pro gaming feel to this affordable machine. Acer has also included a NitroSense key for one-click high-performance mode.

What do we think?

Just like the Swift series counterpart, Nitro 5 is also well-built. The sturdy build quality is accompanied by a thickness of 0.78, amazing for any gaming laptop. It weighs 5.07 lbs, which is normal than ever. Despite all these efforts towards portability, the machine offers a battery backup of up to 11 hours a sweet-spot figure if you ask us.

Pros
  • Supports upgradeability
  • Excellent performance
  • WiFi 6 support
  • Good connectivity
  • Good battery life
  • Gaming-grade keyboard
Cons
  • Limited hardware resources
Check on Amazon

2. Best Runner Up: Lenovo IdeaPad 3i

144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
  • CPU: 3.1GHz Intel Core i5-11300H
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Storage: 1TB SSD
  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
  • GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
  • Battery: Up to 8 hours
$969.00
Check on Amazon

Choosing a gaming laptop and budget constraints dont go well together. The second laptop on our list, Lenovo IdeaPad 3i brings a powerful processor with a dedicated 4GB video memory to handle gaming and graphics-oriented activities such as 3D modeling, audio editing, video editing, and more.

Intel Core i5-11300H has four cores clocking at a base speed of 3.1GHz and an upper limit of 4.4GHz. The support for multithreading improves the performance. A dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 has a dedicated processing unit to handle the demands of gaming. Its not as powerful as the RTX series graphics but is surely capable of handling many popular gaming titles.

The 16GB DDR4 RAM gives adequate operating space. Hardcore gamers might feel limited by 1TB SSD, but it offers faster data read/write operations compared to HDD. The Windows 10 Home edition comes pre-installed with this Lenovo edition.

The 15.6-inch, IPS-powered FHD screen has a high resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The 1080p display has a higher refresh rate of 144Hz keeps the gaming experience realistic with bright colors. Although its not the highest refresh rate and isnt as fast as the 240Hz laptops, considering the $1000 price range, this is the best screen you should get.

Lenovo accommodates a full-sized backlit keyboard and a dedicated numeric pad with an optimal 1.5 mm key travel, making it comfortable for prolonged gaming and typing sessions. The standard trackpad provides a responsive platform for various multi-touch gestures.

Gaming laptops are hefty owing to the heavy hardware and the ventilation it demands. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i weighs 4.95 lbs and sports a phantom black design. Lenovo generously offers 1X USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type C, 2X USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type A), 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x Ethernet (RJ-45), and an audio jack to the mix. With Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5, the user gets the latest wireless modalities.

The batteries are more often than not becoming the compromise in gaming laptops. It comes with a battery backup life of up to 8 hours. The multi-threading, octa-core processor works in tandem with an NVIDIA GPU, offering a solution for playing games working with budget constraints.

Pros
  • Powerful Intel-powered CPU
  • Excellent graphics card
  • Versatile connectivity
  • WiFi 6 support
Cons
  • Average battery life
  • Hefty
Check on Amazon

3. Best with GTX 1660 Ti: MSI GF65 Thin

Also ranked #2 in our list of best video editing laptops under $1000.

144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
MSI GF65 Thin
  • CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-9750H
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
  • GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
  • Battery: Up to 8 hours
$979.00
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If you are a student or a professional who has to travel a lot, youd prefer a portable gaming laptop. The MSI GF65 Thin is your perfect choice under $1000 if you are looking for impressive performance to run popular titles like GTA 5, gaming-grade hardware, and utility-oriented design.

Just like the devices listed above, this MSI laptop is also using an Intel Core i7-9750H, which has a base clock speed of 2.6GHz. You should also note that the processor can reach up to 4.5GHz on Turbo Boost. 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM from the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti can give you top-class graphics performance as well.

One of the not-so-great areas of the laptop is the RAM and storage allocation. 8GB of DDR4 RAM is enough for most games, but you have to limit the quality to basic settings. On the contrary, MSI has packed 512GB of full SSD storage, which makes a huge difference.

The company has included a super-cool display with the package. The 15.6-inch full HD display has a refresh rate of 120Hz apart from the resolution of 1920 x 1080. When combined with the thin bezels on both sides, the panel provides a stunning and immersive gaming experience.

Despite the powerful hardware, MSI has succeeded in ensuring some level of portability in the device. The device uses dedicated thermal solutions, called Cooler Boost 3, to provide the best results. The entire body is surrounded by cooling vents, which enable effective heat dissipation.

Amazingly, the MSI GF65 Thin has included all the ports you need within the portable chassis. You get 2 USB 3.1 Type-A ports, 2 USB 3.1 Type-C ports, a full-sized HDMI, and an Ethernet port. This means you can easily use the device for extended purposes as well and enjoy reliable connectivity for multiplayer.

There arent any fancy features in the keyboard department. However, the keys offer good feedback and do make the gaming experience impressive. MSI has also included high-resolution audio options with plenty of customization options.

With a weight under 4.1 lbs and a thickness of 0.85, MSI GF65 Thin is an exemplary portable gaming laptop in the current market. Nevertheless, the laptop consists of a powerful battery, which can provide you with a total backup of up to 8 hours with mixed usage. Even when you are gaming all the time, you can get somewhere around 4 hours.

Pros
  • 9th generation i7 processor
  • 120Hz Full HD display
  • Extensive connectivity
  • Impressive battery life
  • Thin design for easy portability
Cons
  • Low RAM
Check on Amazon

4. Best Desktop Replacement: HP Victus 16

144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
HP Victus 16
  • CPU: 3.3GHz AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • Display: 16.1-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
  • GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
  • Battery: Up to 10 hours
$919.99
Check on Amazon

Coming straight from the Victus 16 lineup of HP, this VR ready gaming laptop is an excellent choice for entry-level gamers out there. Despite a few compromises in some areas, this laptop can provide a seamless gaming experience with popular titles like Overwatch, PUBG, and Witcher.

RAM allocation is where HP makes the first compromise. 8GB of DDR4 RAM means that you can play popular titles like PUBG and Overwatch at recommended settings, but thats it. You cant go further. Just like our top pick, this device also brings 512GB SSD storage, but upgrading is a breezy task.

The display is where we see the next significant compromise if you ask us. The 15.6-inch full HD is anti-glare and offers some of the most crystal-clear visuals, thanks to the resolution of 1920 x 1080. However, it has a standard refresh rate of 60Hz, which is, to be honest, a let-down.

Just like our top recommendation, Victus 16 also bears a wonderful design. It has been designed with upgradability and thermal control in mind. Through single panel access, you can upgrade the HDD, SSD, and RAM of the laptop. The 3-phase motor fan system provides the best speeds as well.

The connectivity sector of the device is unmatched and is even better than the Predator laptop we covered. The I/O panel consists of 2 USB 3.1 Type-A ports, 1 USB Type-C port, 1 RJ45 port, 1 HDMI port, 1 Mini DisplayPort, and a media card reader. As a matter of convenience, most of these ports are on the rear side.

This laptop also brings one of the more effective gaming-quality keyboards to the forefront. The keyboard is using a 26-key rollover mechanism, which enables anti-ghosting. It also comes with zoned backlighting, and the device looks stunning overall.

As you can guess, including these many options makes the laptop considerably bulky but can be used as a desktop replacement laptop. The laptop weighs a total of 4.89 lbs and has a thickness of 1 inch as well. HP has included a battery that provides a mixed usage of up to 10 hours. Once again, if you use higher settings, you should expect half of it instead, and HP itself says that you get 6hrs of movie playback.

Pros
  • AMD processor
  • Easy-to-upgrade design
  • Convenient connectivity options
  • Anti-ghosting keyboard
  • VR-ready performance
Cons
  • Limited RAM
  • Bulkier design
Check on Amazon

5. Best From ASUS: ASUS TUF Dash 15

144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
ASUS TUF Dash 15
  • CPU: 3.3 GHz Intel Core i7-11370H
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 512GB SDD
  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
  • GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
  • Battery: Up to 16 hours
$949.99
Check on Amazon

Powering this amazing gaming machine is an Intel Core Intel Core i7-11370H, which is clocked at 3.3GHz. It can reach up to 4.8GHz when needed, though. Similarly, the 4GB GDDR5 from NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti is more then sufficient when it comes to even the popular Battle Royale games.

To keep the performance on par with competitors, the laptop has packed 8GB of DDR4 RAM on board. This is a sufficient number for not just gaming but also high-end content creation. ASUS has even opted for a 512GB SSD, which is a great deal for a price of $1000.

While the display panel is great, wed have loved some refresh rate upgrade. The 15.6-inch display has a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 but is limited to the 144Hz refresh rate. However, TUF Dash 15 deserves a pat on the back for keeping the bezels to a minimum (thin).

Unlike the gaming notebooks mentioned above, ASUS TUF Dash 15 takes a middle ground when it comes to design. Even then, the bezel-free design brings a rather immersive viewing experience to the user. Multiple heat dissipation vents also surround the laptop for advanced thermal performance.

The attempts to bring a thin profile havent compromised connectivity options, though. The laptop has 3 USB 3.1 Type-A ports, 1 HDMI port, 1 Ethernet port, and the trusty audio jack. You get a Thunderbolt 4 port too and that is amazing for this price point.

The backlit chiclet keyboard on this ASUS TUF Dash 15 device is just exemplary. In addition to good travel, N-key rollover, and dedicated buttons, you get 4-zone RGB lighting options as well. You can control various aspects of these features using the ASUS-exclusive software solutions.

While this gaming beast isnt particularly portable, ASUS has done a great job in controlling the weight and dimensions. That is why it has a final thickness of 1.03 inches and a total weight of 4.41lbs. This is not a laptop you cannot carry around every day, though. In the end, the device also offers a battery life of up to 16 hours, which is good for basic gaming needs.

Pros
  • Excellent performance
  • Dual storage options
  • Extensive connectivity
  • Top-of-the-line keyboard
Cons
  • GPU could be better
Check on Amazon

6. Best with Intel i5: HP Pavilion 16

144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
HP Pavilion 16
  • CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-10300H
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 512GB SSD + 32GB Optane
  • Display: 16.1-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
  • GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
  • Battery: Up to 10 hours
$899.99
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The HP Pavilion 16 is one of the most comprehensive gaming laptop packages in the market right now. It is a healthy combination of high-end hardware, good build quality, immersive visuals, and gaming-oriented features for playing titles like CS: GO and COD.

Probably the first thing we loved is that it uses the 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10300H as the processor. It not only has a slightly better base clock speed of 2.5GHz but also contributes to battery savings. Similarly, 4GB of VRAM from the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti can also fulfill your gaming needs.

There are no compromises on the hardware side, thanks to 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB of PCIe SSD + 32GB Optane storage module. Some improvements in the display department would have made this machine perfect. As it stands now, the 16.1-inch Full HD panel is surely impressive. It has a resolution of 1920 x 1080, and the different angle used by HP provides a more immersive viewing angle.

Design-wise, however, HP Pavilion 16 is a bulky laptop for sure. It weighs 5.06 lbs, however, HP has utilized this extra space to accommodate a superior sound system and extra-quality heat vents in the device. Both of these aspects can make a difference in overall gaming performance.

As we move to connectivity, we see the standard lineup from HPs side. There are two USB Type-A ports and one USB Type C port, accompanied by HDMI and RJ45 ports. We loved the fact that HP Pavilion 16 packs a truly gaming-grade keyboard with the device. It is powered by green backlighting and it adds some feel to the environment. The island-style keyboard is also a favorite of serial typists.

With a thickness of 0.9 inches and a total weight of 5.06 lbs, this laptop is lighter and sleeker than what you see in a typical gaming package. And, thats a great place to start when you cannot spend more than $1000. The package also estimates a battery life of up to 10 hours.

Pros
  • Well-built design
  • Gaming-grade keyboard
  • Excellent mid-range GPU
  • Great battery life
  • Versatile connectivity
  • Excellent heat management
Cons
  • On the heavier side
Check on Amazon

7. Best From Dell: Dell G15 5510

144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
Dell G15 5510
  • CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-10200H
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 256GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
  • GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
  • Battery: Up to 7 hours
$899.00
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If you like Dell laptops a lot, we are here with an interesting option from them. The Dell G15 5510. This gaming-grade laptop is a superb combination of heavy build, standard performance, great graphics, and excellent battery life.

Going a step down the performance chart, Dell has chosen an Intel Core i5-10200H to power the device. This 10th Gen processor has a base clock speed of 2.4GHz but reaches up to 4.1GHz. On the graphics side, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 with 4GB VRAM also does an incredible job for the most part.

There is no magic in the storage department, as expected. The machine is equipped with 8GB of DDR4 RAM, which means you can play almost any AAA title at mild settings. Similarly, we loved the storage module offering 256GB of SSD storage.

Dell uses one of the finest 15.6-inch full HD panels, and this package comes with a refresh rate of 120Hz. It isnt as powerful and handy as 240Hz or 144Hz panels, but still far better than 60Hz panels.

An area where Dell has made no compromises is the design itself. As we said, Dell Gaming G5590 is a premium-build laptop by all means. You dont have to worry about using this device in the harshest environments. In addition, thanks to its properly placed vents, the device pushes further with heat dissipation, as well.

Connectivity is also a strong forte of the laptop, as you get 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB 2.0 (One with PowerShare), 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet Port, and a Headphone/Mic Jack.

The keyboard included in the package is of top-quality, indeed. However, we would have loved to see more options for customization. Its a monochrome-backlit keyboard and provides a good typing experience, if not entirely dedicated to gaming needs.

The Dell notebook has an incredible thickness of just 0.9 inches. Even the weight of 5.3 lbs is reasonable when we take the connectivity options and other hardware into account. However, the battery department on this package doesnt seem to be promising. It provides up to 7 hours of backup.

Pros
  • Rugged-built design
  • Versatile connectivity
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Amazing battery life
Cons
  • Storage could be bigger
  • GPU could be better
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8. Best For Bussinesman: Acer Swift X

144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
Acer Swift X
  • CPU: 2.4GHz AMD Ryzen 7 5800U
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • Display: 14-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
  • GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
  • Battery: Up to 12 hours
$1,049.59
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Sometimes, you need a laptop that can game instead of being a dedicated gaming laptop. For a bit more money you can get this business-looking model and enjoy everything that Acer Swift X has to offer. Its a high-performance yet portable laptop that packs enough power to let you play titles like Far Cry 5 and Overwatch alike.

We see the same processor we have seen in other devices on the list, an AMD Ryzen 7 5800U. The processor has a base clock speed of 2.4GHz but can Turbo Boost up to 4.4GHz. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti comes with a total VRAM of 4GB, which is just enough for casual gamers.

The combination of 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD makes this laptop a true performance beast. You dont have to worry about lagging or huge rendering times when you use high-end apps like Premier Pro, Blender, Revit, and more. 512GB is a good amount of storage as well.

Because its a multipurpose laptop, we cannot expect anything fancy from the laptop display. The 14-inch full HD panel provides good viewing angles, of course. It comes with a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080, but the refresh rate of 60Hz is a let-down for advanced gamers.

Acer Swift X also comes with one of the best metal designs on the market. The device gives you a premium feel and some level of durability. There arent any fancy features for heat dissipation or thermal control, but the machine provides reliable performance, especially when you are on the go.

The sleek design of the machine still accommodates 3 USB ports, including 2 USB 3.2 ports, and 1 USB Type-C port. There is also an HDMI port and RJ45 port, letting you have a good extended display experience. There are also a few physical buttons and indicators on the right side of the device.

Although it does not have any gaming-friendly keyboard design, the existing keyboard is good enough. The backlit keyboard looks classy and the typing experience is decent for most people. Acer has also packed one Precision Touchpad and fingerprint reader for extra convenience.

Last but not least, the device has a portable thickness of just 0.7 inches. The weight of 3.06lbs also seems to be an okay figure for casual gamers. In the end, what matters is that you get up to 12 hours of backup on just a single charge. In the end, Swift X is one of the under-$1050 laptops that you can confidently buy from the manufacturer.

Pros
  • Sleek, portable design
  • Multipurpose performance
  • Impressive connectivity
  • Good battery life
  • Precision touchpad and keyboard
Cons
  • Not suitable for hard-core gaming
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9. Best Value for Money: Lenovo IdeaPad L340

144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
Lenovo IdeaPad L340
  • CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-9300H
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
  • GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
  • Battery: Up to 9 hours
$805.00
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The Lenovo IdeaPad L340 does not come from the Legion lineup of Lenovo. The laptop still manages to provide one of the best gaming experiences, with a few compromises here and there. The package offers enough RAM and a powerful CPU to run titles like Red Road Redemption 2 and Call of Duty: Warzone.

CPU & GPU

Just like the Acer Acer Swift X laptop we covered, Ideapad L340 is also using an Intel Core i5-9300H processor, with a base clock speed of 2.4GHz. It can reach up to 4.1GHz on Turbo Boost, as well. On the graphics side, Lenovo has used an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, which comes with 4GB VRAM.

RAM & Storage

Despite the sub-$800 budget, this laptop does not compromise much for gaming needs. 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD storage are valuable additions to a smoother gaming experience.

As you may have noticed, IdeaPad L340 comes with an even more, portable design. This hasnt stopped the company from adding necessary cooling technology. Though you cant find dedicated areas, upgrading the RAM and SSD on this laptop is an easy task. You can do this by removing the bottom cover.

Connectivity & Ports

You get an expansive connectivity option with this gaming-based laptop. The left side of the laptop consists of 2 USB 3.0, HDMI ports, and Gigabit Ethernet port, and a smooth-enough WiFi card. The right side of the gaming machine has a Kensington lock too. You do miss out on the Thunderbolt 3 with the Type-C port, though.

Lenovo has packed an impressive keyboard inside the package. The island-style keys provide excellent feedback while typing. Although you dont get customization features, you can choose between two stages of key illumination. The trackpad isnt that great, though.

Why should you consider this?

As we said, Lenovo has made this laptop look sleeker. It has a thickness of 0.9 inches, which is low for any gaming laptop. Even the total weight of 4.84 lbs seems impressive, especially when we consider the hardware inside. Despite all these, this laptop can provide you with a mixed usage battery life of up to 9 hours. You can still get a few hours with games at lower FPS.

Pros
  • High-quality display
  • Comes with 2 usage modes
  • Has fingerprint reader
  • Comes with privacy shutter for webcam
  • Satisfactory RAM and SSD Storage
  • Premium and sturdy build
  • Impressive GPU
Cons
  • 60Hz (could have been 120Hz)
Check on Amazon

10. Best for Casual Gaming: ASUS TUF Gaming F17

144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
ASUS TUF Gaming F17
  • CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i5-10300H
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • Display: 17.3-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
  • GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
  • Battery: Up to 6 hours
$854.99
Check on Amazon

Another product from the budget-friendly gaming series by ASUS, this TUF Gaming laptop is a nice option for those who need competitive hardware. The package also includes standard performance, a good keyboard, and excellent connectivity that most gamers need.

Just like the previous ASUS product on this list, the TUF laptop also uses a 2.6GHz Intel Core i5-10300H processor. It does a rather good job with Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz. Similarly, when it comes to graphics, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti offers 4GB of VRAM, which is sufficient.

Its pretty amazing to see how much memory and storage ASUS has included in the package. In addition to 16GB of DDR4, you get a dual storage setup of 512GB SSD storage. For a device that is running on Windows, this is a best-in-class specification list.

We see the typical 17.3-inch Full HD panel with this device. The panel brings the same quality you can expect from other ASUS products. But, even with the 1920 x 1080 resolution, we think the lack of a better refresh rate is problematic from the dynamic gameplay point of view.

The laptop also has the same thickness as the previously covered ASUS notebook. However, in comparison, this notebook has a portable design. Despite the weight, it is a laptop that you can carry around without having much trouble.

ASUS has not compromised on the connectivity side either. You get a sufficient number of ports including USB 3.1 Type-A, USB 3.1 Type-C, and USB 2.0. You also have access to better display and internet connection via the HDMI and RJ45 ports. However, all the ports are arranged on both sides of the machine.

This machine packs one of the best keyboards we can find on laptops that cost under $1000. The keys arent specifically made for gaming needs. However, the blue-tinted backlighting and good travel give the keyboard a classy feel altogether. The trackpad also looks dope.

Just like the other device, ASUS TUF Gaming F17 also has a thickness of 0.9 inches, which is impressive. However, it should be noted that the laptop looks sleeker. The weight of 5.73 lbs is pretty normal, though. ASUS claims that the included battery can power the laptop for up to 6 hours. Of course, you should expect less if youre planning to play all the time.

Pros
  • Sleek design
  • Extensive connectivity
  • Good battery life
  • Rich storage options
  • Competitive hardware
Cons
  • Heavyweight
Check on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a higher refresh rate matter in a gaming laptop?

A higher refresh rate, of 120Hz or 144Hz, can improve the overall dynamics of gameplay. You can have a better gameplay experience, especially if you are into titles like PUBG or Fortnite. Even with other titles, you should see some differences.

Should I go for a portable gaming laptop?

If you are looking for a desktop replacement gaming laptop, we wont recommend that. However, if you are into casual gaming and want a device that you can carry around between your home and office/school, you should choose a portable alternative.

How much RAM is ideal for gaming?

Judging by the minimum and recommended system requirements of popular titles, 8GB of RAM is sufficient in most laptops. That having said, getting a laptop with more RAM is never an issue. On the contrary, it can help you improve the overall multitasking experience.

Are under $1000 gaming laptops good?

In the previous years, we have seen some affordable takes on gaming hardware, including graphics cards. In light of that, creating a gaming-friendly laptop at a lower cost is now possible for most manufacturers. Given that you find a laptop with the hardware/performance you need, you dont have to doubt.

What is a must-have accessory for gaming laptops?

We believe you should purchase a gaming-grade mouse with the laptop. While most of the new laptops ship with a good trackpad, you need a wired/wireless mouse for enhanced gameplay. Customizable buttons and DPI controls are features you should look for.

The Verdict

We have ensured that all the laptops on this list offer one of the best gaming experiences out there. As you can see, we have set 8GB as the minimum requirement. So, even if you are addicted to PUBG, you can pick any of these laptops as your pick.

Of course, we recommend going for an expensive laptop if your budget allows you to. As we said earlier, laptops with a higher refresh rate display can offer an enhanced gameplay experience as well. Last but not least, your purpose should be the decision-maker.

  • TAGS
  • Gaming Laptops
  • Under 1000
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144Hz gaming laptop under $1000
A veteran techie from the days of the ZX Spectrum 48K. Ray enjoys technology, entrepreneurship, travel, writing and photography, and always looking for ways to improve his skills. He has built many computers and enjoys tinkering with technology. Follow Ray on Twitter

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