10 Best Gaming Laptops under $1500

Until recently, purchasing a gaming laptop seemed to be a far-fetched dream for people with a low budget. But all hail to technology development, now this dream can be materialized.

With the abundance of laptop manufacturers, there’s a lot of competition in the marketplace. All companies struggle to grab the most users, by pricing their products in a range that is affordable to a bigger chunk of the public.

Although there is a wide range of laptops under $1500, not all of them fit your gaming requirements. They need dedicated graphics cards in the RTX series, mighty processors such as the Core i7, and extra SSD storage. 

 

We have done all the research and concluded that you indeed could find an excellent affordable gaming laptop. We know gamers can’t live with laggy machines. 

 

The list below contains all the best gaming laptops under $1500 that carry stunning graphic cards, powerful processors, and massive SSD storage.

Processor: Intel Core i7 9750H

Display: 15.6 inches

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660ti

RAM: 16GB

The Acer Predator Helios 300 is the one the most popular gaming laptop that comes with a 144Hz IPS Panel. It ensures viewing comfort for long hours on its 15.6 inches full HD display. 

Processor

It comes with a 9th generation Intel Core i7 9750H processor, ideal for a gaming laptop. With no freezing issues at all, you can run all the high-end games you want to at ultra settings, and this beast will not lag for a moment.

Graphic card

This gaming laptop certainly lives up to the standard in this case as well. It is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660ti card and 6GB of dedicated VRAM.
Within its price range, it’s not easy to find a mid-high range GPU which is crucial for a laptop to fall into gaming laptops. 

Besides, you can run any AAA titles. Be assured of ultimate smooth gameplay if you choose this laptop, as it comes with a high and stutter-free refresh rate of 144Hz.

Storage

It includes a 256 GB M2 drive with an extra M2 slot for easy upgrade of storage. Additionally, the 16GB RAM guarantees a perfect gaming experience. Moreover, this gaming genius is loaded with an extra 512 GB SSD storage. So memory is never going to be a problem with this vast SSD capacity, and your games are going to be faster than ever.

Pros
  • Ultra fast response time
  • Speakers are good
  • Backlit keyboard makes the gaming experience even better
  • Extensive Connectivity range
  • Comes with fast PCIe M.2 Storage
  • Powerful GPU
Cons
  • Fans are loud

2. Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop

It is a secret to none that manufacturers like Razer go above and beyond to satisfy their users. This is why we have included the Razer Blade 15 is an ultra-compact and powerful machine with a 15.6-inch FHD display and an excellent aluminum finish

Processor

It is equipped with a 9th generation 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 Hexa-core processor. Also, 16 GB RAM makes the functioning of the laptop incredibly smooth and fluid. Such a powerful processor is bound to give you phenomenal gaming experience. You can run any modern games without having to deal with any lagging issues.

Graphic card

The graphic card offered by the Razer Blade 15 will make you want to buy it. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti is mind-blowing. It renders an insanely fast visual experience with a 144Hz refresh rate. 

You can run all your favorite AAA titles on this magnificent beauty. A dedicated powerful GPU is a necessity you cannot compromise on when you’re looking for a good laptop. So in terms of graphics, the Razer Blade 15 is the best choice.

Storage

Fueled by an astoundingly huge 1 TB HDD, this laptop frees you from all the worries of insufficient storage problems. It guarantees maximum performance at all times. The additional and very important SSD memory of 128 GB is not very impressive. yet, you’ll always have the option to top up the SSD memory and make it the laptop of your dreams.

Pros
  • Amazing display
  • Build quality is fantastic
  • Very fast processor
  • Wide range of ports make it easy to connect to any device
  • Slim design
Cons
  • Fans can get a bit loud while gaming

3. ASUS TUF Gaming A15

Gaming freaks gear yourself up because this is hands down the best laptop that you can find at an affordable price range. The ASUS TUF gaming A15 comes with a 15.6 inch IPS display, powerful processor, and an NVIDIA GeForce graphic card

Processor

The octa-core AMD Ryzen 7 processor chip is a perfect fit for a gaming laptop. The processor is accompanied by a 16 GB RAM that paves the way for hard-core gaming. You can run your games at the highest settings and consistent frame rates above 60 Fps and it will not break a sweat.

Graphic card

This laptop will not fail to impress you in terms of its graphics as well. It is equipped with a 6 GB VRAM and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti graphic card. You can also choose between a 60 Hz and 144 Hz panel, with 144 Hz being ideal even for serious gaming. There is no high-end game that this beast can’t handle even at ultra settings.

Storage

The deadly combination of its enormous 1 TB HDD storage and an extra 512 GB SSD memory is second to none. There’s nothing left that you can demand from such a budget-friendly laptop. It can run most of the stuff at its best and is loaded with more than enough firepower that allows you to have spectacular gaming experience.
Pros
  • Extensive connectivity range
  • Additional SSD storage lets you store heavy games
  • Very Durable
  • Fast Processor
  • Fast Response Rate
Cons
  • Lack of DVD drive

4. Acer Nitro 5

Hardcore gamers and tech savvy’s you can skip this option while it can be fit for budget gamers. The Acer Nitro 5 is the most pocket-friendly gaming laptop available in the market right now. 

It has a plastic body, which doesn’t look nice, to be honest, but the processor is a good compensation for the cheap-looking chassis. If you’re a casual gamer and not an enthusiast, you’ll be more than happy to buy this laptop for an affordable price.

Processor

It is well-equipped in terms of processing power. A 9th generation 2.3 GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5 processor is more than enough for a casual gamer. Moreover, it carries an 8 GB SSD RAM which is great for a mid-tier gaming laptop. Rather it is a very powerful processor for casual gamers. You cannot expect more from an 800 dollar laptop.

Graphic card

It has an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics chip with a 4 GB VRAM, which is quite valuable for a low-end gamer. It devours all the low-end games. However, the display goes up to 60 MHz only but it is okay for this point.

Storage

It is loaded with a 256 GB SSD storage that enables your games to function smoothly. However, you might want to upgrade it. Pre-upgraded ones are also available in the market so you can buy them in the first place to save yourself from the hassle of upgrading your laptop.
Pros
  • Large Display
  • Backlit for specific gaming makes the experience better than ever
  • Long Battery Life
Cons
  • Build quality doesn’t feel that good

5. Lenovo Legion Y540

The Lenovo Legion Y540 is a complete package that offers epic gaming performance and easy portability, both at the same time. It comes with a 15.6 inch full HD display.

Processor

The powerful 9th generation Intel Core i7 9750H Hexa core processor chip guarantees amazing gaming experience. Especially because it is paired with a 16 GB RAM. In addition to the standard 2.6 GHz processing power, the smart TURBO mode offers a Boost up to 4 GHz. It can increase the performance of your laptop. 

Graphic card

The graphic chipset will also not fail to amaze you. It is powered by an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti card and 6 gigabytes of VRAM which provides the surety of fabulous gaming experience. It can effortlessly run all high-end triple-A games at 120fps in 1080p. If the GTX card doesn’t suit you, don’t worry because it is upgradable to RTX 2060 with an additional cost. You’re bound to have a fantastic gaming escapade with this monster.

Storage

The Lenovo Legion Y540 is loaded with a huge HDD storage of 1 Terabyte and an additional SSD storage of 128 GB. Besides, it is easily upgradable if you want a better than ever gaming adventure. 

Yet, the pre-installed storage capacity is enough for most people as it is capable of running almost every heavy-duty game at ultra settings. So be assured that you won’t have to fret over freezing issues with this laptop.
Pros
  • Any game can be played on this gaming laptop
  • Slim Design
  • No lag occurs while playing 
Cons
  • Fans are a bit loud
  • Expensive

6. ASUS Rog G531t

ASUS never fails to leave gamers awestruck. Like the previously mentioned ASUS TUF gaming, this one is also a budget-friendly gaming gadget. It has a 15.6 inch full HD display. Also, it is loaded with a powerful processor and a promising storage capacity. It is affordable yet contains the latest generation of gaming technology.

Processor

The Rog G531t offers the 9th generation Intel hexacore i7 processor that supports an exceptional Turbo frequency of up to 4.5 GHz. Additionally, it contains a 16 GB RAM capacity. It offers a tough competition to a Mac yet offers the same RAM. So the processing power of this machine is ideal for a gaming enthusiast. It supports your gaming needs that too within a budget.

Graphic card

It is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphic card which is not amazing but also not bad. It can run the many latest titles. Yet, the 60 Hz refresh rate is not so satisfactory and can create a mess while hardcore gaming. It falls back in this criterion; but, if you’re willing to compromise with this feature, you’ll find this laptop acing your expectations in all other areas of concern.

Storage

The storage capacity of this laptop is commendable as it is loaded with huge capacities of both HDD and SSD. With the availability of 1 TB HDD and 512 GB of SSD memory, this laptop will give you a smooth experience of gaming. Besides, this is an ideal SSD storage for a gaming laptop. thus, you can rest assured that there will be no system freezing issues, whatsoever.
Pros
  • Very Quick Startup
  • Silent fans
  • Turbo mode for gaming makes the laptop ultra fast
  • RGB lights
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Speakers are mediocre

7. MSI GL65 Leopard

Processor

The 10th generation Intel Core i7 hexacore processor paired with 16 GB DDR4 RAM is what makes this laptop a power giant. It will make you experience a fantastic gaming experience with no CPU crashes or stuttering. You can throw at it the most high-end games all you want but the processing power is not going to disappoint you. So get ready to have an ultra-smooth gaming experience!

Graphic card

As mentioned before, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphic card is what makes this laptop worth every penny. It provides ultra-smooth graphics even at high FPS settings so that you can delve into breathtaking worlds of your games. The rapid refresh rate of 144 Hz helps the GPU to perform at its best. Not to mention the thin-bezel display and anti-glare screen ensures maximum viewing comfort.

Storage

To further enhance the worthiness of this laptop comes the enormous  512 GB of SSD storage. The huge SSD storage makes the gaming experience faster and smoother than ever. It ensures no system down time, which paves the way for your victory in the gaming arena.
Pros
  • 144hz screen looks amazing
  • Amazing RTX graphic card
  • Keyboard with RGB light feels good
Cons
  • Speakers are a bit weak

8. HP Pavilion Gaming 15

This HP Pavilion 15 comes with a 15.6-inch High Definition display. Besides, it is equipped with some decent specifications. Lets take a look

Processor

It has a 9th generation Intel Core i5 9300H quad-core processor paired with an 8 GB RAM. The processor is 2.4 GHz which can be boosted up to 4.1 GHz, thanks to Intel’s Turbo Boost. It supports the minimum system requirements for most of the games. Yet, it doesn’t fulfill the recommended system requirements for high-end games like PUBG and The Witcher 3.

Graphic card

The HP Pavilion Gaming 15 is equipped with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 which ensures smooth gameplay visuals for low-end gamers. It has a very basic 60 Hz screen refresh rate which, then again is suitable only for casual gamers. Overall the graphics are pretty decent and are capable of bringing your entertainment to life.

Storage

Get yourself ready for a snappier experience with an internal M2 drive that supports 256 GB of SSD storage. If that’s not enough for you, HP offers an easy upgrade facility for the memory so that you can make this laptop perfect for your casual gaming needs.
Pros
  • Very Fast Processor
  • Design is impressive
  • Large vents for air flow
Cons
  • Refresh rate is low as compared to other gaming laptops

9. Dell G5 15 Gaming

This laptop has been designed to give you an above-average gaming experience within a budget. It has a 15.6 inch full HD display and is powerful enough to handle demanding games as well.

Processor

The powerful 9th generation Intel Core i7 9750H processor combined with a huge RAM capacity of 16 GB is your key to unlock unrivaled processing power. It is a Hexa core processor that can be boosted up to 4.5 GHz. The 16 GB RAM is certainly ample even for the very demanding gamer.

Graphic card

The Dell G5 15 Gaming laptop can handle complex graphics of most of the modern games as it comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Ti graphic card. Also, it is combined with a 4 GB GDDR5 VRAM. It can easily run most of the games at a high 1080p setting at 60 FPS. The 144Hz refresh rate of the anti-glare screen provides stutter-free gaming visuals.

Storage

The huge storage capacity of this power giant provides extra speedy power even to perform heavy-duty tasks or play hardcore games. Also, it helps you to multi-task with faster loading time of applications and games. It has a 1 TB powerful SATA hard drive and an additional 256 GB SSD memory which makes it much of a perfect gaming laptop.
Pros
  • Decent VR performance
  • GeForce GTX 1660Ti 6GB DDR6 graphics processor can play most currently-released games
  • Sound is powerful
Cons
  • Noisy during high-performance use
  • Bulky

10. HP OMEN 17

A gaming pc in a laptop format loaded with the power of a desktop, suitable for playing most of the high-end games.  It one is the only 17.3-inch FHD display laptop.

Processor

The 10th generation Intel Core i7 10750H processor chip is paired with an 8 GB DDR4 RAM. It can, without a doubt, give you very nice gaming experience. 

It even fulfills the recommended system requirements for your favorite games like Fortnite, PUBG, and The Witcher 3. The processor is powerful enough to keep your system running in fluid motion at all times. And if you want, you can easily upgrade the 8 GB RAM to 32 GB to get the ultimate gaming experience.

Graphic card

One of the finest graphics cards, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti paired with 6 GB dedicated GDDR6 VRAM is an absolute marvel in this price range. It allows you to run the most demanding titles and experience realistic graphics for most of the games. However, the 60 Hz screen refresh rate is a downfall, otherwise, the graphics are super fine. 

Storage

It is loaded with a huge SSD storage of 512 gigabytes that ensures the system doesn’t face any freezing problems. The powerful and fast SSD memory allows you to run all your favorite games at maximum speed and ultra settings with faster loading speeds.
Pros
  • Keyboard and trackpad are pretty good
  • Easily upgradeable
  • Bright and very responsive screen
Cons
  • Quiet speakers
  • Noisy Fans at full-speed
  • Heavy weight

Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500 - Buyer’s Guide

Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500

If you’re a rookie in the gaming arena and are not very familiar with a gaming laptop’s requirements, this ultimate guide to buying the best gaming laptops under $1500 will help you buy the best one. Of course, while selecting a gaming laptop, you’ll have to have a thorough understanding of a lot of its specifications and features. 

You might end up buying a regular laptop that will be useless for gaming if you’re not well aware of the essential gaming requirements. Thus, we recommend you to have a look at this buying guide. But first, let’s take a look at the basic specs required for a gaming laptop before getting into the details.

Processor

A sound processor is a crucial feature of a gaming laptop. If you want your system to be fast and lag-free, then you’ll have to invest in a good processor. Almost all gaming laptops have Intel’s technology. Every manufacturer strives to stuff a powerful processor, even in a low-budget gaming laptop.

Most of the mid-range gaming laptops are equipped with a Core i7 CPU. The CPU handles all the other functions of a system except the visuals.

So for a laptop to provide a smooth gaming experience, it has to be loaded with a powerful processor. Yet, most of the games run solely on GPU. If you’re low on budget, you can think of settling with a Core i5 with a strong GPU instead.

Almost all the laptops above carry a Core i7 hexacore processor. Besides, s quad-core processor is good as well, but a Hexa-core processor is a future proof. So you don’t have to worry about settling for less.

Graphic Card

The feature that carries the utmost importance for a gaming enthusiast is a laptop with top-notch graphics. You won’t want to play any game if it looks like crap. So you have to invest in a good GPU because it is not upgradable most of the time. 

Compromise on a RAM or storage capacity all you want, but GPU? 

It is a huge NO! You cannot think of upgrading it in the future, and you’ll have to look for a new and better laptop all over again. So for your convenience, we have classified the types of gaming and the graphic cards required for them accordingly.

  • Entry-level: For casual gamers, a laptop with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX series is good to go, such as the GTX 1650. Or an even better choice is the GTX 1660Ti that renders noticeable improvements in your gaming quality. Most of the laptops contain a GTX 1660Ti card. 

  • Mainstream: For gamers who demand a more realistic gaming adventure, we suggest selecting a laptop with an RTX 2060 for fluid motion visuals. 

  • Hardcore: If you’re a hardcore gamer, you’ll be demanding much more from the GPU system. An NVIDIA RTX 2070 is an ideal graphic card that fits the heavy-duty gaming requirements. We have MSI GL65 at number 7 that contains an RTX 2070, the dream of an enthusiast gamer.

RAM

The selection of good RAM is also an integral part of choosing a gaming laptop. A minimum of 8 GB RAM is recommended even for a mediocre gaming experience. You can have a laptop with a 16 GB RAM, in fact, we recommend you a 16 GB RAM capacity if you’re targeting high-end games.
 
Yet, in case of a low budget, you can settle on an 8 GB gadget as most of the laptops with GTX 1660Ti graphic card come with an 8 GB RAM. You can plan to invest a few bucks on its upgrade in the future because most laptops usually offer a very easy upgrade facility for RAM up to 32 GB.

Storage

You might be confused between choosing an SSD or HDD storage type. You can have a combination of both because most of the laptops offer a pair of 128 GB SSD and 1 TB HDD. However, you can always go for a huge SSD capacity of about 512 GB as SSD is a much faster drive. Also, it guarantees faster loading time and a snappier system.
 
Also like the RAM, the storage capacity is upgradable. If you ever face a storage problem, you can grab a bigger storage drive and your system will be fine.

Display

The crisp graphics of a game at ultra settings and high frame rates will not look satisfying on a dull and low-resolution display. Being a gamer you have to keep in mind both the quality of graphics and display of the screen. We recommend you to look for laptops with 1920×1080 resolutions because that is what you can get in a sub-1500 dollar range. Also, the fastest screen refresh rate of 144 Hz is supported by a 1920×1080 screen resolution.

Battery Life

If you’re looking for a good gaming laptop, you’ll have to face the fact that battery is something you’ll always have to compromise on. For the best gaming performance, you will have to plug in your laptop. You cannot expect a system to carry an ultra-powerful processor, a huge RAM, life-like graphics an 8-hour battery life.
 
Gaming laptops are always short on battery, especially if you’re looking for a laptop with long battery life, then you’re dreaming my friend!

Portability

Laptops are meant to be portable. Otherwise, a desktop is good enough to provide you enough firepower for an amazing gaming experience.
 
Laptops with 14-15 inch displays are generally portable and weigh around 6-7 pounds. On the other hand, bigger screens ranging between 16-17 inches are okay if you want your laptop to be sitting on a table. They usually weigh around 10 pounds so they don’t offer great portability. So choose according to your needs, this is totally up to you.
 
Almost every laptop in our list  has a 15-inch display so the decision is even easier to make.

Keyboard and Touchpad

A backlit RGB keyboard is a turn on for a gaming freak. It elevates your mood and makes the environment all set for a gaming adventure. Most of the gaming laptops provide this feature even within a low budget. So you don’t have to purposely look for it.

Brand

Some people tend to run after brands and huge companies. Resultantly, companies take advantage of their user’s naivety. Some of the famous brands produce crappy products in a low budget range. While, on the other hand, lesser-known ones manufacture amazing products even at an affordable price range.

This is why you always have to keep a track of all the specifications offered in a certain budget over a wide range of companies in the market. We have included companies like HP, Acer, ASUS, Razer, and MSI. So you can choose from a diverse range of brands.

The Gadget’s Verdict

You can buy any of these laptops keeping your requirements in line. However, in our opinion, the MSI GL65 leopard is an absolute beast. It has a 10th generation Core i7 paired with a 16 GB RAM that will not fail to provide you a wholesome experience. 

Unlike most of the other laptops with a Core i7 and GTX 1660 combo, this one is equipped with one of the best RTX 2070 graphic card. It can even run your games at 4K. Most importantly, it is hard to find a laptop with RTX 2070.

Nonetheless, the selection of the laptop is up to you. Just keep in mind the strong processor, good graphic card, and storage capacity while purchasing a gaming laptop that lasts longer.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Choosing a laptop makes you concerned about a lot of things. While doing research, we came across some frequently asked questions.

Is Core i5 good for gaming?

Generally, a Core i5 processor is found to be the minimum requirement even for lower end games. To have a good gaming experience, a Core i7 CPU is recommended. In our guide, almost every laptop has an Intel Core i7 processor. Like, the best being Acer Predator Helios 300 and MSI GL65 Leopard.

How much RAM is needed for gaming?

An 8 GB RAM is a minimum requirement even for a casual gamer. So a 16 GB RAM is recommended for a marvelous gaming adventure. Yet, most laptops with GTX 1660Ti come with an 8 GB RAM but they offer an easy upgrade facility at the same time. So you can stay in your budget.

What is the cheapest but best gaming laptop?

If you’re looking for a cheap option, you’ll have to compromise on some of the things. Cheap gaming laptops can provide a pretty good casual gaming experience, yet, you cannot expect them to handle hardcore gaming.
 
Our guide contains a cheap yet powerful gaming laptop for entry-level gaming. the Acer Nitro 5 is mentioned at number 4 on our list.

Should I buy a gaming laptop or pc?

To be very honest, desktop computers carry more than enough power even for an enthusiast gamer within a budget. The only con is that they do not offer portability. Most of the gamers prefer portability; however, it totally depends on your requirement.
Categories  Gaming