If you are looking for the best gaming laptops under 1000 dollars as the portable alternative to your desktop gaming rig. Then you might know the main advantage is they’re highly portable so you can travel with them, take them to college, vacations, eSports tournaments, and more.
The other big advantage to gaming laptops is that, unlike standard laptops, they’re optimized to play graphics-intensive games. Standard laptops almost never come with an actual graphics card with its own memory and all the other features that set true graphics cards apart from the less capable graphics chips that tend to come with standard laptops.
By coming with a true graphics card, gaming laptops can handle the sort of high-end games that a desktop gaming rig can. Gaming laptops also tend to have better fans to keep the hardworking components cool.
Long story short: If you want to play graphics-heavy games on a laptop under $1000, your best bet is a gaming laptop, because it can handle the stress of demanding games.
Top 5 Best Gaming Laptops under $1000 Performance Reviewed
After a tough analysis and firsthand uses, we have compiled the review of the performance of the top 5 gaming laptops under 1000 dollars.
ASUS K501UW-AB78 Review
- Powerful 6th-generation Intel Core i7-6500U 2.5GHz
- 15.6 inches Matte FHD display
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M gaming graphic card
- 8GB RAM
- 512GB SSD Storage
- Gigabit Dual-Band 802
- 1x Headphone-out & Audio-in Combo Jack
- Windows 10 Operating System
Performance Analysis of ASUS K501UW-AB78
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M gaming graphics card
The powerful GTX 960M gaming graphics card is specially optimized to work on laptops. It features NVIDIA’s Maxwell Architecture as well as their BatteryBoost Technology, which allows for a better gaming experience when the laptop is unplugged and running on its battery. This graphics card also has a cool feature where it boosts your GPU to give you better gaming experience.
8GB RAM
The 8GB of RAM meets the recommended specs of most modern games and almost all minimum specs of modern games. (There were a few outliers released in 2016 that required more minimum RAM, but that’s rare still in this trending time.)
Intel Core i7 processor
Intel Core i7 is a processor designed with extensive multitasking in mind, making it great for gamers because gaming in the 2010s is a lot different than in previous decades. Many gamers are simultaneously running a live stream while gaming and that takes a lot of processing power, which is what makes the i7 so great for a gaming laptop.
Fast Wi-Fi connectivity
The ASUS K501 gaming laptop has ultrafast 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity, so playing demanding multiplayer games works beautifully.
What Makes the Laptop Best
What to like about the ASUS K501 Full HD Gaming Laptop:
- 8GB of RAM is great for gaming
- Fast Wi-Fi makes multiplayer games run smoothly
- Intel Core i7 processor’s multitasking capabilities are primed for gaming laptops
- NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 960M graphics card optimizes the gaming experience and is specifically designed to improve laptop gaming performance.
- Two USB 2.0 ports
- Two USB 3.0 ports
- Has a combo jack for headphone-out and audio-in
- LAN jack
- The long-lasting battery further boosted by the GTX 960M graphics card
What Could be Improved
Some users say they find the screen could be better, that the contrast may not be high enough, however, many other users don’t notice this issue. Remember that screen contrast can be tweaked in settings, so if you’d prefer higher contrast, you can fine-tune it to your liking quite easily.
Dell Inspiron i7559-2512BLK review
- Intel Quad-Core i7-6700HQ 2.6 GHz Processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M 4GB GDDR5
- 8 GB DDR3L SDRAM
- 1 TB HDD + 8 GB SSD Hybrid Drive Storage
- 15.6 Inch FHD (1920 x 1080 pixels) LED-lit Truelife Screen
- Windows 10 Operating System
- a backlit keyboard
- a precision touchpad gives you responsive, accurate gesture support
Performance Analysis of the Laptop
Up to 16GB of RAM
The Dell Inspiron comes with 8GB of RAM already installed with an additional 8GB of DDR3 RAM ready to go, totaling 16GB of RAM. This is great because while 8GB RAM is often listed as the recommended RAM for games, that’s just to run the game smoothly. You won’t be able to necessarily crank up the settings on 8GB alone if that’s merely the recommended RAM. 16GB of RAM, on the other hand, will allow you to kick your gaming up a notch.
15.6-inch laptop
For an affordable gaming laptop under 1000 dollars, a 15.6-inch model is a great size; you get a full-sized keyboard and a screen large enough to see the finer details.
Intel Core i7 processor
The Intel Core i7 processor allows you to multitask while gaming, accommodating your needs.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M graphics card
The GTX 960M graphics card was designed specifically for gaming laptops with features like NVIDIA Optimus technology which essentially means it automatically optimizes your experience in the background, tailoring it to what you’re doing, whether it’s gaming or streaming shows.
What Makes the Laptop Second Best
What to like about the Dell Inspiron i7559-2512BLK:
- Ability to accommodate 16GB of RAM
- Intel Core i7 is a great gaming processor
- The solid-state hard drive is upgradeable.
- Comes with Windows 10 64bit installed
- GTX 960M graphics card is great for laptop gaming
What Could be Improved
Customers have complained about dead pixels. If this becomes a problem, it should fall under the warranty.
There have been other screen issues, such as flickering or dimming. These issues should be covered under the warranty as well. That’s typically not how this laptop functions normally, so this is likely a defect; call customer service and have it replaced for a non-defective model.
Eluktronics N151RD1 Pro review
- 6th Gen Intel® Core i7-6700HQ Quad Core Processor
- 2GB GDDR5 VRAM Nvidia® GeForce GTX 960M Graphics
- 16GB DDR4 2133MHz RAM
- 15.6-inch Full HD IPS LED Anti-Glare 16:9 Display
- Full Size White LED Backlit Keyboard
- Genuine Windows 10 64-Bit
Performance of the N151RD1 Pro Laptop
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M graphics
The GTX 960M graphics, as I’ve mentioned, are especially tailored for laptop gaming. The 2GB GDDR5 VRAM and NVIDIA’s Dynamic Super Resolution technology are just two of the feature that the GTX 960M graphics use to give you an amazing laptop gaming experience.
Intel Core i7 Quad-Core Processor
The i7 Quad Core is an ideal processor for laptop gaming because it allows you to do more than the game while you’re gaming, which fits the modern gamer’s needs.
16GB DDR4 RAM
The 16 gigs of DDR4 RAM easily meet modern gaming spec recommendations so you don’t have to worry about RAM being an issue.
Full HD webcam
Gamers who live stream while gaming will find the FHD webcam a nice touch.
Pros and Cons of the Eluktronics Laptop
Pros
What to like about the Eluktronics N151RD1 Pro:
- GeForce GTX 960M graphics
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Full-size keyboard with LED backlighting
- SoundBlaster Cinema 2
- 16:9 display
- Intel Core i7
- FHD webcam
Cons
What to consider:
Some consider the laptop heavy, however, gaming laptops tend to be heavier than standard laptops so unless you have back issues or joint problems, it shouldn’t be much of an issue providing you bear the general heaviness of gaming laptops in mind.
Some have had overheating units, but this appears to be a defect instead of a design flaw, so if this happens to you, contact customer service.
ASUS ZX53VW Gaming Laptop Review
- 15.6-Inch wide-view Full-HD Display with Windows 10 Pre-installed
- Latest 6th generation Intel i5-6300HQ 2.3 GHz Processor
- NVidia GeForce GTX 960 4GB discrete graphics
- Fast 512GB SSD with 8GB DDR3 RAM
- Extensive connectivity with HDMI/D-SUB/USB Type C, 802.11a/c WiFi, and SD Card Reader
Performance Review of the Laptop
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M 4GB graphics
The GTX 960M graphics have 4 gigs of memory so that your laptop runs faster when graphics are demanding.
8GB DDR3 RAM
You’ll easily meet the recommended or minimum requirements of practically any current game with the included 8GB RAM.
6th generation Intel Core i5 quad-core processor
A fast processor is essential for gaming and multitasking and this processor delivers, especially when you factor in the 8 gigs of RAM and GTX 960M’s gaming laptop-enhancing capabilities.
SonicMaster Technology
Thes sound is greatly improved with SonicMaster Technology. A lot of people underestimate the value of good sound in a laptop, but let’s be honest: You shouldn’t have to buy headphones or external speakers just to hear your game and have an audible Skype conversation. With SonicMaster, you get good sound built-in which is a rarity.
Pros and Cons of ASUS ZX53VW
Pros
What to like about the gaming laptop:
- FHD matte display is perfect for displaying accurate visuals
- Fast game loading
- Lag-reduction technology
- More durable chassis than previous models
- Windows 10
- GTX 960M graphics
- Great sound
Cons
What to consider:
The biggest complaint about this laptop is the trackpad. However, a lot of people love this laptop. Here’s the thing about trackpads: Some are universally annoying while others only annoy certain people who can’t get the hang of a new one after the last one they had. The only way you’ll know which case this is is if you try it. And remember—most people seem okay with the trackpad, so this may be a niche problem and not a universal one.
MSI GE62 Apache Pro-239 review
- Powerful 6th-generation Intel Core i7-6700HQ 2.6GHz
- 12GB RAM
- 1TB 7200RPM Storage
- 15.6 inch Matte FHD display Wide view angle
- Exclusive Super Port supports dual 4K external monitors and portable charging power up to 5V/3A
- Intelligent Killer Gaming Network E2400 technology prioritizes the flow of the game data across your network
- Fast, accurate and responsive programmable gaming keyboard by SteelSeries
Performance Evaluation of the Laptop
1TB 7200 RPM hard drive
With 1 terabyte of storage, the Apache Pro-239 is great for the gamer who has extra needs, like video editing—essentially anything that takes up a lot of storage space. Large hard drives don’t always go hand in hand with gaming laptops so it’s nice to see a model that has storage because it makes it more versatile.
Killer Shield Technology
The Killer Shield tech fights lag, so you won’t feel like tearing your hair out while playing demanding MMORPGS.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M 3GB VRAM
The GTX 970M graphics have some cool features like Multi-Frame sampled Anti-Aliasing (MFAA) which essentially is fancy speak for making high-resolution pixels a lot smoother than they already are, which is music to graphics enthusiasts’ ears.
Another feature that separates GTX 970M from 960M is Voxel Global Illumination (VXGI) which basically amps up the dynamic lighting for a lusher lighting experience in modern games. There have been a lot of great leaps made in-game lighting in recent years and this graphics card can exploit and expand on that.
Cooler Boost 3
Cooler Boost 3 optimizes your gaming experience by keeping your CPU and GPU nice and cool by directing and dissipating the heat out of your system.
Pros and Cons of the Laptop
Pros
What to like about the MSI GE62 Apache Pro-239:
- MSI supports the gaming community.
- The multicolored keyboard with the SteelSeries engine looks awesome.
- GeForce GTX 960M graphics
- Supports up to two monitors for the serious gamer
- DDR4 12GB RAM
- Windows 10 installed
- Weighs only 5.29 pounds
Cons
What to consider:
Users have two separate issues with the battery: 1) it can die in as little as 30 minutes and 2) it’s not removable, which means it’s not replaceable. However, if you plan on upgrading to another gaming laptop when more “futureproof” models are available, this isn’t that much of an issue.
Some complain the body of the laptop isn’t high quality. There are two possibilities: The company made a choice to focus on the internal side of things or else these complained-about models were simply defective. MSI has a reputation for caring about their customers, so if you have any problems with the casing, they’ll likely help with a solution.
Winner Gaming Laptop under $1000 Budget
The winner of this 1000 dollars gaming laptops roundup is easily the ASUS K501UW-AB78. The GeForce GTX 960M graphics combined with the Intel Core i7 Skylake processor make for a very robust and capable gaming laptop that I feel confident in recommending.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gaming Laptops
Related Article: Are Laptops Good for Gaming?