Looking for a reliable gaming laptop that won't completely ruin your wallet? We got our hands on several sub-$1,000 models, and a couple of them were seriously overpowered. Whether you want a smooth gaming experience, a laptop that won't weigh you down, or enough ports to connect your entire system, there's something here for every gamer.
There's something for every gamer here. Just be aware: these laptops usually hit the sweet spot thanks to current deals – check our Review of laptop offers at the latest prices.
Why You Should Trust PCWorld Laptop Reviews and Buying Advice
This is on our behalf! PCWorld prides itself on its experience and knowledge in the laptop industry. We've been in the PC business since 1983 and now inspect over 70 laptops each year. All of the options below have been personally tested and reviewed by our experts, who apply not only performance criteria, but also strict usability standards. We're also committed to reviewing laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that fits your budget.
Lenovo LOQ 15 is the best overall
Pros
- Simple design and good build quality
- Multiple physical connections
- Great GPU and gaming performance for the price
Cons
- Moderate CPU performance
- Latest connectivity options like Wi-Fi 7, USB4, etc. are missing.
- Disappointing motion clarity on 144Hz display
- Short battery life
Price when viewing:
$809.99
Best prices today:
Who should buy Lenovo LOQ 15?
If you're looking for a solid gaming laptop under $1,000, it's easy to recommend the Lenovo LOQ 15. It typically sells for around $800, a rarity for a machine with discrete graphics. By the way, the RTX 5060 GPU runs demanding games such as Cyberpunk 2077 And Metro Exodus smoothly in 1080p. Although the AMD Ryzen 7 250 processor is not top-end, it will perform well and quickly.
Lenovo LOQ 15: Additional Considerations
Lenovo definitely had to make some concessions to reach this price – the 1080p screen doesn't have great motion performance and isn't very bright – but you still get a lot of power for your money. The port selection is reliable and will handle most tasks you throw at it. If you just want a serious gaming laptop that performs well and is inexpensive, the Lenovo LOQ 15 is the best choice.
Read our full
Lenovo LOQ 15 Review
Acer Chromebook 516 GE is the best option for cloud gaming
Pros
- Attractive and tough design
- Excellent CPU Performance
- Multiple wired and wireless connections
- 1600p high resolution display
Cons
- Mediocre keyboard and touchpad
- Disappointing speakers and microphone.
- The display lags in contrast and color brightness
Price when viewing:
$649.99
Best prices today:
Who should buy the Acer Chromebook 516 GE?
If you're into cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass or Nvidia's GeForce Now, this is a game worth checking out. It has an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage, which is enough for Chrome OS. The 16-inch 2560×1600 screen is surprisingly sharp, the 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth images, and the price typically hovers around $650 or less. This is a good deal if you want something affordable that can play cloud games well, but is also good for everyday tasks.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Additional considerations
It won't run games locally, so you'll need a strong internet connection. The screen looks good, the keyboard and speakers are just fine (you can always connect better peripherals for gaming), and the webcam works well. However, battery life is excellent – we recorded just over 14 hours.
Read our full
Acer Chromebook 516 GE Review
Other products tested
If you're on a budget under $1,000, these gaming laptops didn't make the list of the best, but they're still pretty good. Dell G15 And Lenovo LOQ 15 both are good choices if you want to play without spending a ton of money. They don't come with all the fancy extras you see on more expensive gaming laptops, but they play games very well.
The Nitro V 16, Nitro V 15, and Chromebook 516 GE are good choices under $1,000. Just keep in mind that these prices are usually subject to special offers, so it's worth checking our review of proposals to see what's currently on sale.
How we test gaming laptops
The PCWorld team puts every Windows laptop through a series of tests that check GPU and CPU performance, battery life, etc. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it to others we've tested. Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web tests.
For a deeper dive into our review methodology, see How PCWorld tests laptops.
Who supervised this article?
Hello, I'm Ashley Biancuzzoand I oversee all laptop and Chromebook coverage at PCWorld. While you'll see me review Chromebooks from time to time, I'm also passionate about the broader world of consumer technology. I spend a lot of time writing and thinking about where laptops are headed, from artificial intelligence and eco-friendly design to long-term trends. When I'm not delving into the world of technology, you'll likely find me gaming, getting lost in a good book, or relaxing with my rescue greyhound, Allen.
How to Choose the Best Gaming Laptop Under $1,000
The first question you should ask yourself is: what games do you like? Do you like relaxing games such as Stardew Valley? Or are you sticking pixels Cyberpunk 2077? You might also want something that's suitable for school or work. The good news is you Withget a great car for less than $1,000; you just need to be smart about where your money goes.
GPU (video card)
The GPU is the heart of a gaming laptop: it powers all the graphics. You usually can't upgrade it, so make sure you choose one that's powerful enough for your games.
- PTX 4050 – Suitable for 1080p gaming at medium to high settings.
- PTX 4060 – Even better. Smooth gameplay on High or Ultra settings.
- PTX 3060 – Older, but still handles 1080p great.
- PTX 3070 / – A rare item worth less than $1000, but if you manage to catch it, you can steal it.
- PTX 3050 / – A step up from entry level, but starting to show its age.
- GTX 1650 – Very simple. Suitable for older or light games, but not suitable for anything demanding.
CPU (processor)
If the GPU is the beating heart, then the CPU is most likely the brain, as it is responsible for making decisions. The processor is also usually not upgradable, so it's worth buying one that will last a long time. When comparing options, choose a chip with a newer architecture or higher clock speed, as it usually offers better long-term performance.
- At a minimum, purchase a 13th or 14th generation Intel Core i5/i7 processor or an AMD Ryzen 7000 series chip.
- Newer Ryzen models with integrated RDNA 3 graphics (like the 7840HS or 8845HS) are great if you're forgoing a dedicated GPU.
- More cores and threads help with multitasking, streaming, and heavier gaming.
The latest AMD Ryzen AI chips (part of the Strix Point and Hawk Point families) provide several additional benefits:
- Provides fast multi-core performance ideal for more demanding workloads.
- NPUs (Neural Processing Units) are designed exclusively for AI-related tasks such as background effects. Offloading these tasks from the CPU and GPU helps improve overall performance.
RAM
- 8GB is the minimum, but 16GB is ideal and is usually worth upgrading to.
- RAM can often be upgraded later, but not always, so check before purchasing.
Storage
- Aim for at least a 512GB SSD.
- An SSD also loads games faster, and many laptops allow you to add more space later.
Display
- Most budget gaming laptops come with 1080p resolution screens, usually at 60Hz or 144Hz.
- 144Hz is preferred for smoother gaming experience.
- If the built-in screen is dim or lacks color, you can always use an external monitor.
Battery life
- Gaming laptops do not have long battery life.
- Expect a maximum of four to six hours.
- They are also heavier due to all that cooling equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gaming laptop is under $1,000?
PCWorld's Top Pick, Lenovo LOQ 15features an RTX 5060 and a 15.6-inch 1080p 144Hz display that can handle modern games at no extra cost.
How is a gaming laptop different from a regular laptop?
A gaming laptop is essentially a laptop on steroids. It comes with more powerful graphics, faster processors, and better cooling to handle intense gaming, while a regular laptop is better suited for everyday tasks like web browsing and work. So, gaming laptops can run games smoothly, but regular laptops usually fail in this task.
When is the best time to buy a gaming laptop?
The best time to buy a gaming laptop is during big sales like Black Friday or back-to-school sales when prices drop and you can get some nice discounts.
Can Chromebooks Play Games?
Chromebooks are great at playing web games and Android apps, but AAA games? Uh, not really. At least not locally. However, cloud gaming allows you to play these AAA games on your Chromebook through a streaming service. However, you need to subscribe to a streaming service like GeForce Now to play these games.
Can I play games on integrated graphics?
You totally can! Intel Iris Xe and AMD RDNA 3 can handle new 1080p games quite smoothly on low settings.
What size laptop is best for gaming?
If you're always on the go, choose a lighter 13- or 14-inch screen. If you plan to use your laptop most of the time, 15- or 17-inch laptops will give you more power and a larger screen—they're just a little heavier. Easy!
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