Best gaming laptop under $1000 in 2024 – our top picks

We think one of the best gaming laptops under $1000 is the MSI Thin GF63. In fact, it’s actually one of the best RTX 4050 laptops too, and quite a rare find for this price range. The Taiwanese laptop manufacturer has stuck to this model since its 2018 debut. But this iteration released in 2023 has newer chipsets, including a more recent CPU and GPU. 

This model is powered by the Core i5-12450H processor. With its eight cores and 12 threads, this processor will play most games at 1080p. As for gamers, video editors, and anyone using a laptop for heavy tasks, the icing on the cake is the processor’s 4.4 GHz maximum turbo boost. As for the GPU, the laptop features an RTX 4050. With its 6GB VRAM and DDR6 memory, this GPU packs enough power to play the latest titles smoothly, such as Starfield.

The display is a 15.6-inch full HD screen. Although there’s only a 61.5% coverage of the sRGB space, this screen has a 144Hz refresh rate. With 285 Nits of maximum brightness, this laptop is best suited for indoor usage.

When it comes to storage and RAM, you’ll get a 2TB SSD and 32 GB of RAM. With these, you won’t have to upgrade for a few years, at least not the RAM. 

In terms of the design, a lot has stayed the same. This unit has a brushed aluminum top and palm rest. The chassis is also thin, as its name suggests, especially as it’s only 0.85 inches thick. As a result, the GF63 weighs only 4.1 lbs. The keyboard is decent and has a solid red backlight. In summary, it’s a well-rounded laptop offering decent performance for a gaming laptop under $1,000.

The 2022 version of Lenovo’s Ideapad Gaming 3i laptop has some exciting features. Over the years, this model has remained Lenovo’s most affordable gaming laptop. As the laptop is packed with good hardware, it is safe to say that it is on par with some of the best Lenovo gaming laptops.  

This model has an Alder Lake processor, the core i7-12700H. Thanks to the architecture of this processor, there are six performance cores and eight efficient cores. Those 14 cores also translate to 20 threads with a maximum turbo frequency of 4.7 GHz.

As for the GPU, it comes packed with the RTX 3050 Ti. Although it has a 4GB VRAM, it suffices for several AAA titles, especially at 1080p resolution. Lenovo also ensured optimization for heavy tasks with a TGP of 85W. 

The display on this unit is a 15.6-inch IPS panel. Luckily, the screen has an anti-glare coating to complement the 300 Nits brightness for those planning to use the laptop outside. The screen’s 120Hz refresh rate is a significant upgrade from the 60Hz found on older versions of this laptop. If you want a bigger display, you might want to consider checking out the best 18-inch laptops. 

Lenovo scored points for the cooling. Two fans expel heat from the plastic chassis through vents on the left, right, and rear sides. The keyboard has decent key travel and a blue backlight for working in the dark. Although this laptop has 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD, both RAM and storage are upgradeable.

Overall this is a great option for most people looking to experience high frames per second gaming at 1080p at a reasonable price point.

The 2022 version of Asus’ TUF gaming laptop is next on our list. While this laptop comes in a roomier but pricier 17.3-inch screen size, Asus has made it affordable. The good news is this laptop doesn’t compromise on quality to fit into the given price range. 

This laptop has a Core i5-12500H processor. Thanks to its 12 cores, 16 threads, and base 2.5 GHz frequency, it works fast enough for productivity-focused tasks. Users can also benefit from the processor’s 4.5 GHz maximum frequency if they want more power. Paired with the correct GPU, this processor will play the most demanding games today.

Speaking of the GPU, this laptop has a 4GB RTX 3050 card. Don’t worry about the low VRAM, as it is enough to run most of the latest titles smoothly at 1080p resolution. 

The display is vivid enough for a 17.3-inch screen. The LED-backlit screen also has a 144Hz refresh rate, which is important for gamers. While it makes for faster reaction times during gameplay, it also makes for overall smoother scrolling and mouse motion. This screen also has adaptive sync support, which reduces frame rate loss and stuttering when paired with a monitor. 

The chassis is well-designed, and the rear vent is bound to impress with its futuristic look. The port selection is also on point, with virtually every I/O port present save for an SD card reader. One advantage of this laptop is its battery life, which lasts up to 6 hours of browsing and basic tasks. For its price, it works fine for both gaming and non-gaming scenarios.

We think one of the best gaming laptops under $1000 for 1440p gaming is the excellent HP OMEN 16. It’s not every time you find a Core i9 laptop in this price range, but that’s what HP has managed to pull off. This HP OMEN 16 has other exciting features apart from its processor, such as its GPU; the RTX 3060. In fact, it can be put along the lines of some of the best RTX 3060 laptops due to its performance.  

The Core i9-12900H was released in 2022. Its 14 cores and 20 threads make it one of the best CPUs for multitasking. Also, its maximum turbo speed of 5 GHz underlines its position as one of the most powerful 12th-generation processors available. Gaming is pleasantly smooth, especially for CPU-intensive games like Red Dead Redemption 2. 

For GPU-intensive games, there’s a 6GB Nvidia RTX 3060 card on the motherboard. Thanks to its 115 TDP, this card is built with high performance in mind. With mid to ultra graphics presets, this laptop can play popular titles without lagging. Despite the GPU’s high TDP, there’s a robust cooling system to keep it from throttling. 

As for the display, it has a 16.1-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio IPS display with thin bezels. Its 1440p resolution and 165Hz refresh rate mean this laptop’s display is both clear and responsive. The display also has 100% sRGB coverage, which translates to accurate color representation.

The aesthetics are pleasing to the eye. On the top lid, there’s an Omen logo with a gradient design paired with a matte black overall finish. The bottom cover is plastic and accounts for the laptop’s 5.19-pound weight. The 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD are both upgradeable. This laptop is right down the alley of anyone on a budget looking at 1440p gaming.

For a gaming laptop under $1000 for 144hz gaming, we’d say the best option right now is the Acer Nitro 5. This model has maintained a constant presence on the market since 2017. However, this more recent version has newer components. It comes with a 144Hz screen, something that is perfect for competitive gamers. The Nitro 5 ticks that box while remaining in the low-budget class.

The Core i5-12500H processor suffices whether you’re gaming or using the laptop for productivity-based tasks. For tasks that require high processing power, this CPU can max out its frequency at 4.6 GHz.

The GPU is a 4GB Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti. Even though the VRAM is not that much, you can still play most titles at 1080p smoothly. 

As for the display, it is a 15.6-inch screen. Although it covers around 50% of the DCI-P3 space, its 144Hz is a fair compromise. The IPS panel is also bright at 314 Nits, making it usable outdoors. The keyboard remains unchanged as this unit comes with the Nitro 5’s signature red backlit keyboard.

Still, Acer made some design improvements in this unit. Unlike its predecessor, this one has some cutouts between the keyboard and the screen to allow for more air intake. The hinge is also different and makes the laptop easier to open. The 16GB of RAM is enough, but you might need to upgrade the 512GB SSD offered in the laptop.