Unlike Windows gaming laptops, this device runs Chrome OS and is designed specifically for cloud gaming services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW. The best gaming Chromebook we've tested is the Acer Chromebook 516 GE (2022). That said, the Lenovo is still cheaper if you go with a lower-end model, like this Ryzen 5/RTX 3050 configuration, which usually costs around $700 USD. One last note: at the time of writing, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (2023) we recommend above is on sale, making it a better value. There's no fingerprint sensor or facial recognition camera, though we don't expect such features at its price. RAM and storage are user-replaceable, so you can upgrade later on. Port selection is great you get three USB-As, one USB-C (not Thunderbolt or USB4, unfortunately), an HDMI 2.1, and an Ethernet port. The keys have a lot of travel and don't require much force to actuate they just lack tactility, so it's sometimes hard to know if you've actuated a key. The 144Hz panel's response time is rather slow, so you'll likely see some ghosting in fast-moving scenes.Īs for the rest of the device, the laptop feels relatively sturdy despite being entirely plastic. We recommend one of the high-refresh options for gaming, as they'll provide better responsiveness and support VRR to reduce screen tearing. Display options include two FHD (60Hz and 144Hz) panels and a 165Hz QHD panel. The RTX 40 models can handle 1440p gaming we recommend the latter, as the RTX 4050's 6GB VRAM is very limiting at the QHD resolution. Every configuration can deliver a smooth gaming experience at 1080p, though you'll have to play with the settings a bit on the lower-end RTX 3050 models to get over 60 fps. Our best cheap pick is the Lenovo LOQ 15 (2023), a 15.6-inch model available with AMD Ryzen CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs, up to a Ryzen 7 7840HS and RTX 4060, respectively. Unfortunately, this is a rather bulky laptop, so it isn't the best for on-the-go use, and the battery lasts only a little over an hour when gaming. Thermal throttling isn't a problem, but the laptop gets hot and loud. Ports include four USBs (two As and two Cs), a true HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an Ethernet port. You can also replace the wireless adapter, as the existing module only supports Wi-Fi 6. There are two storage drive slots-upping storage capacity will probably be necessary since 512GB (or even 1TB) isn't a lot these days. This laptop feels sturdy and provides easy access to the internals for repairs and upgrades. Both the 165Hz FHD and the more costly 240Hz QHD panel support variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing. Faster configurations are available if you're willing to pay more.

The base configuration costs around $1,000 USD you get a Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU, a Radeon RX 7600S GPU, a 165Hz FHD display, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. This 16-inch all-AMD system pushes high frame rates in demanding AAA games, giving you a smooth and immersive gaming experience. The best budget gaming laptop we've tested is the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (2023). You can also check out our recommendations for the best budget and cheap laptops, the best laptops for college, and the best gaming laptops. We've tested over 110 laptops, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best budget gaming laptops you can get. The list is short for now but will grow as we review more laptops. Below is a list of a few we've tested to get you started. That said, good budget options are available, costing around $1,000 or less. These things add up, making gaming laptops far more expensive than your typical thin, light ultraportables. You also want a laptop with a high-quality display to see a clear image in fast-paced games, a comfortable keyboard that won't cause fatigue on long gaming sessions, and a fast SSD to reduce loading times. First and foremost, you need to look for a system with a powerful CPU, a dedicated GPU, and a good cooling system to reach high, consistent frame rates. Shopping for a gaming laptop can be challenging, as gaming is a demanding task with many requirements.

Budget gaming laptop under 1000