Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,500

It’s not simple to pick out the ideal laptop for gaming at around $1,500. Sometimes it’s hard to find a laptop in the middle price range that has everything you need.

Would you like to control the latest major game releases with ray tracing and good frame rates? Or perhaps you’re looking for a lightweight laptop that can handle both work and play.

We’re here to assist you if you’re feeling lost. To take away some of the burden of finding a new laptop, we have compiled a list of some of the best gaming machines available for around $1,500.

HP Victus 15

The HP Victus 15 presents an exceptional value proposition for casual gamers. Its price tag is not only reasonable but also offers the capability to handle most games at a steady 30 frames-per-second. The keyboard design, boasting an “edge-to-edge” layout, maximizes the laptop’s interior space effectively. In terms of tactile feedback, the keyboard offers long key travel, facilitated by the deep chassis. This extended key travel reduces the likelihood of accidental keystrokes, a valuable trait for a gaming laptop.

It includes an Intel Core i5-12450H CPU, an Nvidia GTX 1650 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and generous 512GB SSD storage. This configuration provides sufficient power for lighter gaming experiences. However, it’s essential to note that, given these specifications, the Victus 15 may not consistently reach the 60 FPS threshold in most games. Nevertheless, if you can accommodate this limitation and are on a tight budget, the HP Victus 15 emerges as an outstanding choice.

Pros:

1. Outstanding affordability
2. excellent touchpad and keyboard
3. Capable of handling most games at 30 FPS
4. Good processor performance

Cons:

1. Standard design
2. Poor construction quality
3. Unappealing 144Hz display
4. Often falls short of 60 FPS

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro (2023)

The latest Lenovo Legion 5 Pro model stands out as an exceptional budget gaming laptop, offering a delightful combination of features. It offers a comfortable keyboard, a wide range of connectivity options, and robust graphics performance. This laptop offers great gaming performance with its Intel Core i7-13700HX CPU, new Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 512GB PCIe SSD.

Connectivity features are crucial for gaming laptops, especially for those who prefer hooking up external monitors, mice, or other peripherals without the need for expensive docking stations. Fortunately, the Legion 5 Pro performs admirably in this regard. It has three USB-A ports, one USB-C port with DisplayPort (but no power delivery), one USB-C port with 140 watts of electricity and DisplayPort Alternate Mode. This is an impressive choice that adds up to five USB ports, which is uncommon in laptops these days. Moreover, when the laptop is set up on a workstation, the rear-facing ports make cable management easier.

If you’re in search of a budget gaming laptop that truly delivers exceptional performance and connectivity options, the Legion 5 Pro should be your top choice.

Pros:

1. Attractive design
2. Outstanding keyboard
3. Abundance of connectivity options
4. Powerful CPU and GPU performance

Cons:

1. Bulky and heavy
2. Average display quality
3. Limited battery life

Asus Vivobook Pro 15 OLED

For those seeking a laptop that leaves room in the budget for high-quality peripherals, the Asus VivoBook Pro 15 OLED is a compelling option. It comes at a lower price point than some other laptops on this list while still delivering solid overall performance.

Equipped with a Ryzen 7 5800H CPU and a GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, it can handle your favorite games at decent frame rates while handling productivity tasks with ease. However, the standout feature of this laptop is its stunning 1080p OLED display, which offers exceptional color performance and accuracy. While it may not win any design awards, the VivoBook Pro 15’s performance and OLED screen make it a great value proposition.

Pros:

1. High levels of productivity
2. Outstanding OLED display
3. Durable design
4. Impressive battery life

Cons:

1. Plain aesthetics
2. Mediocre 720p webcam
3. Limited port selection
4. Not a good fingerprint scanner

Asus ROG Strix G16

Like a creation from a cyberpunk fantasy, the Asus ROG Strix G16 boasts futuristic punk aesthetics, making it a visual delight among gaming laptops. However, its standout feature is undoubtedly the gaming keyboard. Featuring a full-size keyboard and trackpad, it caters perfectly to competitive gamers with programmable hotkeys, a cleverly concealed numpad within the trackpad, and keys that offer a satisfying 2mm of travel.

But the ROG Strix G16 doesn’t rely solely on style; it backs up its appearance with performance. Equipped with the latest-gen Core i7-13650HX processor and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, it delivers robust performance. The laptop also flaunts a stunning 16-inch, 2560x1600p display with a 240Hz refresh rate. While it does contain a bit more plastic than some competitors and offers average battery life, these quirks quickly fade into the background when you immerse yourself in the neon-lit world of this laptop.

Pros:

1. Captivating cyberpunk styling
2. Efficient utilization of performance hardware
3. Stunning display with excellent motion handling

Cons:

1. Left-sided port cluster may not suit left-handed users
2. Average battery life
3. Contains more plastic in the chassis compared to some rivals

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition

The HIDevolution ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition FA617NS is a high-performance gaming laptop designed to deliver an exceptional gaming experience. Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.2 GHz and a maximum turbo frequency of 4.7 GHz, this laptop ensures smooth and responsive performance. Paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7600S graphics card with 8 GB GDDR6, it’s well-equipped to handle demanding games and deliver impressive visuals. The laptop boasts a 16-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) display with a fast 165Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth and immersive gaming environment.

HIDevolution enhances this laptop by applying Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut on the CPU and Gelid GC Extreme on the GPU for improved thermal performance. It also features a speedy 1 TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD for fast boot-up and load times, along with 16 GB of DDR5 4800MHz dual-channel RAM for seamless multitasking. Running on Windows 11 Home, this laptop offers access to the latest features and software. With HIDevolution’s quality assurance, warranty, and expert support, this ASUS TUF Gaming laptop is a top choice for gamers seeking powerful performance and customization options.

Pros:

1. Exceptional all-day battery life
2. Stunning and smooth FHD+ 16:10 display
3. Durable chassis with US military-grade certification

Cons:

1. Some left-handed users may find left-side port orientation uncomfortable.
2. Keys are a little soft and bothersome.
3. 720p HD camera quality falls short

Dell G16

The Dell G16 7620 Gaming Laptop is a powerhouse designed for gamers and power users seeking top-tier performance. With its impressive specs, including an Intel Core i9-12900H processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a spacious 1TB SSD, this laptop ensures smooth multitasking and rapid loading times for games and applications. The standout feature is its 16-inch QHD display with a high refresh rate of 165Hz, delivering stunning visuals and an ultra-smooth gaming experience.

Equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070Ti graphics card, it excels in rendering lifelike graphics and handling demanding titles. The backlit keyboard enhances visibility, while its sleek Obsidian Black design adds a touch of elegance. Running on Windows 11 Home, this laptop provides access to the latest features and software. With WiFi 6 support, you’ll enjoy fast and stable connectivity. Whether for gaming or demanding tasks, the Dell G16 7620 is a top-notch choice for those seeking uncompromising performance in a stylish package.

Pros:

1. Strong performance at a competitive price
2. Versatile and bright 16-inch 16:10 QHD display
3. Includes Thunderbolt 4 support

Cons:

1. Bulky and unassuming design
2. Keyboard feels mushy, touchpad is small
3. Grainy 720p webcam
4. Generates considerable fan noise

Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Gaming Chromebook

When considering gaming laptops, Chromebooks may not be your first thought. Lenovo’s IdeaPad 5 Gaming Chromebook, on the other hand, bridges the gap, making gaming available to Chromebook users. It has an impressive 16-inch 2560×1600 display, a 256GB SSD, an 8GB RAM, and a Core i5 processor. Surprisingly, it offers strong speakers, a rarity in laptops.

To game on a Chromebook, you’ll primarily rely on cloud gaming services, as ChromeOS doesn’t support most modern games. Subscribing to a cloud gaming service allows you to stream top-notch modern games directly to your Chromebook.

Pros:

1. Spacious, vibrant 2560×1600 display
2. Excellent wireless and wired connectivity options
3. Good display quality and robust speakers

Cons:

1. Uninspiring design
2. Average keyboard and touchpad
3. Underwhelming webcam and microphone quality

How Do You Choose a Cheap Gaming Laptop?

Choosing the right gaming laptop depends on your specific needs and usage. Consider the following factors:

GPU: The GPU plays a crucial role as it determines how well your laptop runs games. Opt for a GPU that suits your gaming preferences. An affordable GPU that can handle 1080p gaming at mid-to-high graphics settings is the GTX 1650. A GTX 1660 Ti or higher, or a modern RTX 30-series GPU, would be desirable for increased power.

CPU: The processor is crucial, and it’s non-upgradeable. Look for an 11th-gen Intel Core i5 or i7 (or newer) for Intel CPUs, or a Ryzen 4000 or 5000 for AMD CPUs. A processor with at least four cores is recommended, but six or more is even better.

RAM: Aim for a minimum of 8GB of RAM, and consider 16GB if your budget allows. Memory is often upgradeable, so you can add more later.

Storage: Opt for at least 512GB of SSD storage along with a hard drive if possible. AAA titles tend to consume a lot of space, and SSDs offer faster loading times.

Display: Expect a 1080p display in this price range. While budget gaming laptops may not have the best displays, you can always use an external monitor for better visuals.

Battery Life: Gaming laptops usually have high power consumption components, which results in short battery life. A single charge typically lasts four to six hours, although there are some that last longer—the HP Envy 14, for example, has an outstanding 15 hours of battery life.