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10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500 – Buyer’s Guide

Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500

In recent years, laptops and other portable devices have risen in popularity significantly due to the advent of capitalist hustle. The utility of these portable devices has been emphasized by companies like Asus, Alienware, Dell, HP, and even Lenovo. Previously, laptops were mainly used for light duties like browsing the Internet, receiving urgent notifications via the mail, viewing movies, or typing out papers on a computer keyboard and printing them through printers. The fact that laptops are portable was the primary selling point. At this point, a laptop can easily outperform a full-size desktop computer while producing much less heat, and it does it without any noticeable performance degradation. And it is for this reason that we are here today with another subject that is currently trending – 10 best gaming laptops under $1500.

In 2010, the global sales of desktop computers were around 201 million to 160 million, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC). While the number of desktop computers sold globally decreased by an order of magnitude in 2019, the number of laptop computers sold increased by an order of magnitude to 180 million. People all throughout the globe prefer laptops with good cooling systems to desktop computers, according to the study. In most cases, you can acquire a laptop for less than $1000 dollars that can render 4K films and even play your favorite video game at its maximum graphic settings.
This article will focus on the 10 best gaming laptops under $1500, which are given in the section below. This list contains the most adaptable machines now available on the market. If you are spending this much money on a laptop, it is reasonable to expect it to provide some of the greatest performance possible along with improved cooling systems. Every gadget would perform flawlessly, whether you were creating high-quality motion graphics or engaging in taxing video gameplay.

10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500

1. Dell G7

best gaming laptop under $1500
Image Courtesy: Amazon.com

Coming from a brand that produces quality laptops, the Dell laptops are probably one of the most durable ones on the market. They might not provide fancy chassis or RGB keyboard lighting, but you can easily trust the machine to work up the money you spent. The Dell G7 has a 17.3” FHC IPS display, along with a 144Hz refresh rate. At its core, the G7 is powered by a 9rth generation Intel i5 processor, which can go up to 4.1Ghz. Hybrid storage consists of 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD, which is pretty convenient. You can simply boot your windows on the SSD for faster load time and use ample HDD storage for other stuff.

To start with the list, the Dell G7 offers a premium video card–the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060. At $1,199, this is the go-to deal for all the Dell fans out there. Anyway, the video card offers excellent performance, and call handle titles such as Star Wars Battleground or even Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. You might go lose on the video settings, but you would be able to enjoy your game.

Spoiler alert–Dell G7 is the only laptop in this list that comes with an Intel Core i5 processor. To give you an idea, the Core i5 – 9300H outperforms the Core i7 – 8665U. Other than that, you get 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which is sufficient for daily multitasking, streaming, or even playing video games. That is a perfect product to start our list of best gaming laptops.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5 – 4 core | Clock speed: 4.1 GHz | RAM: 16GB | RAM TYPE: DDR4 | Storage Type: SSD + HDD | Storage Capacity: 256GB + 1TB | GPU Name: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 | GPU Memory: 6GB DDR6 | Screen size: 17.3″ | Screen Resolution: FHD | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Battery capacity: 5 hours | Ports: 2 x USB-A 3.1, 1 x USB-A 3.1(Including with PowerShare), 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB-C(DisplayPort/USB-C Thunderbolt), 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x Mini DisplayPort, 1 x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet Port, 1 x SD / MicroMedia Card slot, 1 x Headphone/Mic Jack | Connectivity: BLUETOOTH 5.0 and Wifi | RGB lighting: Single Tone Lighting | OS: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

  • Intel Core i5 9th generation is better than older i7 models.
  • Decent specifications for the price
  • Hybrid storage option lets you store your data in both SSD and HDD
  • Large display provides an immersive experience
  • High refresh rate display
  • RTX 2060 is probably the best you can do at this price point in terms of video performance
  • Plenty of ports for easy connectivity

Reasons to Avoid

  • The laptops weighs about 7.28 lbs. – not ideal for carrying around
  • Overall design is durable but not that appealing as some other gaming laptops

Bottom Line

If you are a Dell fan, or you want to invest in a laptop for at least 3 to 4 years, this might solve the purpose. Now keep in mind, the weight of this device would make it difficult to carry it around. Hence, if you have a desk or a workstation to stage it, go for it.

2. Lenovo Legion 5

best gaming laptop under $1500
Image Courtesy: Amazon.com

Starting off the list with Lenovo Legion 5, a mighty machine priced at $992. A perfect combination of performance and build quality, the Legion 5 is an Amazon’s Choice product. However, for saving those five hundred, you give up on an Intel chipset. The Ryzen 7 4800H would not disappoint you. Coupled with high frequency 16GB RAM, this powerful computer can do everyday multitasking with ease.

Another thing to be excited about this laptop is the GPU. At its core, the Lenovo Legion 5 is a gaming laptop. It can easily run all the demanding titles you love and run them on medium to medium-high settings. Thanks to Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660Ti, you can enjoy desktop level performance anytime, anywhere. The battery would probably last from 2 to 3 hours of gaming.

For faster boot and load time, you get a 512GB SSD storage. Other than that, you get a 15.6” FHD IPS display, with 144Hz refresh rate, which is pretty good. Right out of the box, Lenovo Legion 5 has a textured finish on the top chassis, which itself is black.

If you are running short on budget, or this is your first time investing in a multimedia laptop, the Lenovo Legion 5 offers a complete package. Yes, there are more capable machines in the market, but none of them are available at $990. The price-friendly nature of this device gets it a place in our 10 best gaming laptops under $1500 list.

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4800H – 8 cores | Clock Speed: 2.9 GHz | RAM: 16GB | RAM Type: DDR4 | Storage Type: SSD | Storage Capacity: 512GB | GPU name: NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1660Ti | GPU Memory: 6GB DDR6 | Screen Size: 15.6″ | Screen Resolution: FHD | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Battery capacity: 5 hours | Ports: 4*3.1 Gen 1 ports, USB-C port, 1*HDMI, 1*ETHERNET, and 1* Audio Jack | Connectivity: BLUETOOTH 5.0 and Wifi 6 | RGB lighting: Single Tone Lighting | OS: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

  • Affordable price
  • 512GB of SSD would not prove to be less for quite some time
  • High refresh rate display
  • GeForce 1660Ti is absolutely worth your money
  • High speed Wifi 6 support

Reasons to Avoid

  • Absence of Intel processor – not suitable for heavy users
  • Absence of advanced RTX series GPU – not suitable for hardcore gamers or digital creators
  • At 5.4 lbs, the laptop might feel slightly heavy

Bottom Line

The Lenovo Legion 5 is ideal for entry-level gamers and those who want a capable laptop on a budget. It offers some decent features for the price point, might be ideal for someone who wants a laptop for day-to-day tasks, and occasional gaming.

3. ROG Zephyrus G15

best gaming laptops under $1500
Image Courtesy: Amazon.com

The second laptop on our list is from the Republic of Gamers, or the popular called ROG series. Priced at $1,149, the Zephyrus G15 is just a baby step ahead of the Lenovo Legion 5. For starters, the core specification remains the same. You get a 15.6” FHD IPS panel with a refresh rate of 144Hz. The  81% screen-to-body ratio looks modern. The device comes in the classic black color body, with the iconic ‘eye’ logo on top.  

The beautiful display is pushed to its limits by 6GB of Nvidia GTX 1660Ti. Titles like FIFA and Call of Duty would be a delight on this machine. All of that is managed by a 3200Mhz 16GB RAM. At its core, the device is powered by the same Ryzen 7 4800Hs processor, but with a twist. The processor can go up to 4.2 GHz when needed, giving you an edge over the regular model. You can use the additional processing power while running all your favorite software right from the primary drive. Yes, the Zephyrus G15 comes with 1TB of SSD storage, proving its worth.

Getting the Zephyrus G15 would save you about $350 and get all your work done. The GPU is good; the screen is decent, and the battery life is manageable. All-in-all, you get a slightly better processor and a much larger storage option. It looks and feels great, making it all the way to our list of best gaming laptops.

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS – 8 cores | Clock speed: 4.2 GHz | RAM: 16GB | RAM TYPE: DDR4 | Storage Type: SSD | Storage Capacity: 1TB | GPU Name: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660Ti MAX-Q | GPU Memory: 6GB DDR6 | Screen Size: 15.6″ | Screen Resolution: FHD | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Battery capacity: 5 hours | Ports: 4*USB 3.0 Ports | Connectivity: 802.11ax, BLUETOOTH and Wifi 6 | RGB lighting: Single tone lighting | OS: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

  • The maximum clock speed of 4.2Ghz provides a performance boost to the processor
  • 1TB of SSD is a lot of fast storage
  • High refresh rate display
  • GeForce 1660Ti is suitable for entry-level gaming
  • Weighs only 4.60lbs, one of the lightest devices on this list
  • Advanced cooling system would help in long hours of usage

Reasons to Avoid

  • Absence of Intel processor
  • Absence of advanced RTX series GPU – not suitable for hard core gamers or digital creators

Bottom Line

The Asus Zephyrus G15 is more or less similar to the last device on our list. However, you get a large 1TB SSD and a lightweight machine. It is ideal for college students, or professionals on a budget.

4. Acer Predator Helios 300

best gaming laptop under $1500
Image Courtesy: Amazon.com

The Predator series by Acer comprises high-end gaming laptops at an affordable price. At $1,199, the Acer Predator Helios 300 turns up the heat. And not just in terms of competition! We will come to that soon. Probably the best reason to get this laptop is its GPU. This twelve hundred dollar machine comes with 6GB of Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060. The second most compelling reason would be the 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor. You can play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare at FHD-max settings with ray-tracing.

Now, to enjoy such a capable graphic processor unit, you need an equally capable screen. Helios 300 comes with a 15.6” FHD IPS display. A144Hz refresh rate along with 3ms response time is gamers’ delight. The customizable RGB keyboard would impress you, especially if you want your laptop to have that cool and trendy look. Not just that, the predator logo at the front chassis glows and changes colors.  

Keeping the gaming-mindset intact, the machine lets you over-clock your processor at one press. You can even control the cooling fan speed, monitor your computer’s resources in real time, and even access it through your smartphone. You can even allocate a certain bandwidth to your favorite application and restrict it for others. That is the control you have on your device when you ride a Predator.

As far as the memory is concerned, you get 16GB DDR4 dual-channel memory, along with a 512GB SSD. You also get a spare M.2 slot, in case you want to expand the SSD storage in your laptop.

Specifications

CPU: Intel i7-10750H -6 Core | Clock speed: 6 GHz | RAM: 16GB | RAM Type: DDR4 | Storage Type: SSD | Storage Capacity: 512 GB | GPU Name: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 | GPU Memory: 6GB DDR6 | Screen Size: 15.6″ | Screen Resolution: FHD | Refresh rate: 144Hz | Battery capacity: 6 hours | Ports: 3*USB 3.0 Ports | Connectivity: Wifi 6 | RGB lighting: keyboard | OS: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

  • Intel i7 processors are currently the best at this price range
  • Plenty of fast storage
  • High refresh rate display
  • Nvidia RTX 2060 offers lifelike graphics
  • Spare M.2 slot makes the device easy to upgrade
  • One press to overclock feature is a blessing for gamers
  • Real-time resource allotment and management

Reasons to Avoid

  • Slightly on the chunkier side – 5.04lbs
  • The design of the laptop might be too loud for some people

Bottom Line

The Acer Predator Series is a success among gamers for a reason. It is the quality of their device and the high-end specifications, that make the Helios 300 a success. If you are running tight on your bundles, this is the best bang you can get for your buck.

5. Asus ROG Strix G15

best gaming laptop under $1500
Image Courtesy: Amazon.com

Here is another laptop that offers a seamless experience and stunning design. The Asus ROG Strix G15 comes with the powerful 10th generation Intel Core i7, paired with Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 offer top-of-the-line performance. That combination means a great deal to both gamers and digital-content creators out there. Being one of the most reviewed and cherished laptops; the Asus ROG Strix G15 is not only an Amazon’s Choice product but also the winner of ‘Best Laptop Brand 2020’.

Other than the beast-like specifications, you also get 30 days of Xbox Game pass for PC, which provides access to over 100 high-quality PC games. Another highlight of the device is its 240Hz display. With a response time of 3ms, it is one of the most immersive 15.6” FHD IPS panels out there. Just like other devices on this list, you get 16GB of DDR4 RAM, with 1TB of PCle SSD. The processor can go up to 5.0 GHz without jittering. Thanks to what they call ‘Thermal Grizzly Liquid,’ the device stays at optimum temperature during prolonged use.

Even today, aesthetics play a crucial role in the success of a computer. Even if one has all the muscles built in their device, they want the exterior to speak for itself. Well, with the Strix 15, you get the ‘Aura Sync’ RGB lighting system for the keyboard, logo, and glow bars. You can customize it and map it to your liking. Apart from the standard ports, you get USB 3.2 Type-C, DisplayPort 1.4 HDMI 2.0b for wires, and a Wi-Fi 6 with Gig+ technology for wireless connection. All the features along with the competitive price make it a best gaming laptop in the given price range.

Specifications

CPU: Intel I7-10750h | Clock Speed: 5Ghz | RAM: 16GB | RAM Type: DDR4 | Storage Type: SSD | Storage Capacity: 1 Tb | GPU Name: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 | GPU Memory: 8GB DDR6 | Screen Size: 15.6″ | Screen Resolution: FHD | Refresh Rate: 240hz | Battery Capacity: 4 hours | Ports: 3*Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4, Audio Jack | Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 And Wi-Fi 6 | RGB Lighting: Keyboard, Logo, and Light Bar | OS: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

  • The maximum clock speed of 5.0Ghz provides a performance boost to the processor
  • 1TB of SSD is a lot of fast storage
  • Highest refresh rate on the list – 240Hz
  • RTX 2070 offers advanced ray tracing, producing cinema quality graphics
  • Advanced cooling system would help in long hours of usage
  • The 30 day XBox gaming pass might be something of your interest
  • Plenty of ports for better connectivity
  • Narrow bezels for modern look
  • Full RGB lighting support

Reasons to Avoid

  • Slightly heavy at 5.28 lbs

Bottom Line

Winning the ‘best laptop brand 2020’ speaks volumes about the quality of this device. It is packed with industry-leading technology and would be ideal for students, professionals, or anyone with a requirement for a decent setup.

Also Read – 10 Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $100

6. MSI GP65 Leopard

best gaming laptop under $1500
Image Courtesy: Amazon.com

Priced at an even $1,499, the MSI GP65 is yet again an Amazon’s Choice product. The laptop comes with a 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB DDR4 RAM. Now, this is a standard configuration that you shall get from laptops around this price range. It is the Nvidia RTX 2070 GPU that makes all the difference. While some entry-level laptops have a total RAM of 8GB, the GPU on this one is a whopping 8GB. That is a lot of memory for a graphic processing unit. It can virtually run almost all the popular titles at max graphic settings.

As far as the storage is concerned, you get a 512GB SSD. Now that is pretty good but you might need to expand it. A 15.6” FHD IPS panel, with a 144Hz refresh rate, is what you expect and get at this price point. The MSI GP65 has an advanced cooling system, an RGB light for each key, and a supposedly better speaker system. It is pretty much a standard solution for all your needs, which makes it end up on our list.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core I7-10750h | Clock Speed: 5.1Ghz | RAM: 16GB | RAM Type: DDR4 | Storage Type: SSD | Storage Capacity: 512GB | GPU Name: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 | GPU Memory: 6GB Ddr6 | Screen Size: 15.6″ | Screen Resolution: FHD | Refresh Rate: 144 Hz | Ports: 3*USB 3.0 Ports | Connectivity: Wifi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 | RGB Lighting: Keyboard | OS: Windows 10 Home | VR Ready: Yes

Reasons to Buy

  • Advanced Intel Core i7 processor offers best-in-class performance
  • Industry leading graphics by RTX 2070
  • High refresh rate display
  • 512GB of SSD
  • High quality speakers
  • Individual RGB key

Reasons to Avoid

  • Heaviest device in this list – 9.38 lbs

Bottom Line

The MSI laptop is built for a static workstation-based environment. Because either way, you would not be able to carry it around a lot. And given the weight of the device, it would be advisable if it is kept in one place. This in itself is a very crucial factor in deciding the ideal laptop for you, as people buy these machines for the sake of portability.

7. Razer Blade 15

best gaming laptop under $1500
Image Courtesy: Amazon.com

The premium name in gaming laptops, Razer Blade 15 is essentially a combination of robust design and adequate specifications. For starters, it has the standard 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor, coupled with 16GB of RAM and 512GB storage. That being said, there is nothing new or extraordinary in this device. It is the high-performance Nvidia RTX 2060 video card that earns Razer Blade 15 a place on our list.

However, the brand is cherished by its customers for a reason. It is the simplicity and longevity of Razer devices that have made them popular. For starters, this machine weighs only 4.69 pounds, which is lighter than most professional laptops. The processor that they have used goes up to 5.0 GHz, making it blazing fast. A whopping 6GB of RTX 2060 is enough to render cinema-quality shots and sequences. Narrow bezels surround the immersive 15.6” 144Hz display. The aluminum unibody design looks sleek and premium to the touch. And to top that, the keyboard comes with programmable RGB keys.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core I7-10750h | Clock Speed: 5.0Ghz | RAM: 16GB | RAM Type: DDR4 | Storage Type: SSD | Storage Capacity: 512GB | GPU Name: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 | GPU Memory: 6GB DDR6 | Screen Size: 15.6″ | Screen Resolution: FHD | Refresh Rate: 144hz | Battery Capacity: 6 Hours | Ports: Gigabit Ethernet, Thunderbolt 3, USB Type-A And Type-C Ports, HDMI | Connectivity: Bluetooth, 802.11a/B/G/N/Ac, Wifi 6 | RGB Lighting: Single Tone Lighting | OS: Windows 10 | VR Ready: Yes

Reasons to Buy

  • The maximum clock speed of 5.0Ghz provides a performance boost to the processor
  • 512Gb of SSD
  • High refresh rate – 144hz
  • RTX 2070 offers advanced ray tracing, producing cinema-quality graphics
  • Premium chassis designed with aluminum alloy
  • Highly Portable – 4.70 lbs
  • Narrow bezels for a modern look

Reasons to Avoid

  • The compact form factor results in excessive heating while gaming
  • Lesser ports

Bottom Line

Delivering comprehensive support to their customers, Razer recently became the number one company in ‘Tech Support Showdown’. After-sales, service would not be an issue. Undoubtedly, the Razor Blade 15 is definitely one of the best products out there.

8. Omen 17 Gaming Laptop

best gaming laptop under $1500
Image Courtesy: Amazon.com

Omen is yet another highly capable laptop lineup by HP. Or in other terms, it their in-house gaming laptop brand. While other laptops in this list feature a 15.6” FHD display, this one is an exception. The Omen 17 series comes with a huge 17.3” 1080p IPS display, with a 144hz refresh rate. Now, it might be too big if you are looking to travel a lot with your laptop. However, if you have a dedicated workstation and you need not move your laptop around, go for it. Gamers are always looking for a big screen, as it provides an immersive experience.

If you have read so far, I assume that you already have an idea about the ideal specifications at this price point. The Omen 17 has a no different Intel i7 processor, along with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of NVMe SSD. Playing video games, demanding titles and even streaming would be easy with this device–thanks to the 6GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 video card. The all new Turing architecture and RT technology produces lifelike graphics in games.

You can enjoy titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, World of Warcraft, StarCraft 2, and even Call of Duty at recommended settings. With the help of an in-built gaming hub, you can customize your device to deliver the best performance. In terms of connectivity, the device has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 alongside 3 super-fast USB Type-A ports. Under heavy usage, the battery lasts for up to 3 hours, which is decent.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core I7-10750h | Clock Speed: 5Ghz | RAM: 16GB | RAM Type: DDR4 | Storage Type: SSD | Storage Capacity: 512GB | GPU Name: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 | GPU Memory: 6GB DDR6 | Screen Size: 17.3″ | Screen Resolution: FHD | Refresh Rate: 144hz | Battery Capacity: 5 Hours | Ports: 3*USB 3.0 Ports | Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 And Wifi 6 | RGB Lighting: Yes | OS: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

  • The maximum clock speed of 5.0Ghz provides tones of bandwidth for usage
  • Ample SSD storage
  • Large screen provides for immersive gaming experience
  • High refresh rate display ensures smooth gameplay
  • RTX 2070 offers advanced ray tracing, producing cinema quality graphics
  • Plenty of ports for better connectivity
  • Full RGB lighting support
  • Ergonomic design

Reasons to Avoid

  • Those who do not want a large laptop should not consider buying this
  • Battery drains very fast while gaming

Bottom Line

A large display is ideal for professional creators and streamers. If you wish to buy a laptop from HP, and you need a high-end computer, go for this one.

9. Alienware M15 R3

best gaming laptop under $1500
Image Courtesy: Amazon.com

The price of these high-performance laptops keeps fluctuating from $1450 to $1550. Grab it on a sale and you might save an extra $100. Alienware is quite popular for manufacturing top-of-the-line gaming laptops. This 15.6” 144Hz laptop comes with Intel i7 10th generation processor at its core. To get things up and running, you get 16GB of DDR4 RAM. The 512GB SSD gives it a faster load time.

Something that you would love this device for is the materials used for manufacturing the chassis. The magnesium alloy, copper, and steel finish provides a premium finish. Now, the laptop is definitely one of the thinnest in this price range, at just 20.5mm. It is lightweight, compact and stylish–perfect for the young gaming nerds.

As far as the video performance is concerned, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 provides real-time ray tracing. You can enjoy lifelike lighting, shadows, reflections, and even textures. The Alienware M15 comes with a cooling chamber that keeps the device cool while you enjoy your favorite title. The keyboard comes with anti-ghosting and 4-zone RGB lighting. That being said, you can buy amazing Alienware accessories, such as the gaming headphone, mouse, and keyboard.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core I7-10750h | Clock Speed: 4.8Ghz | RAM: 16GB | RAM Type: DDR4 | Storage Type: SSD | Storage Capacity: 512GB | GPU Name: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 | GPU Memory: 8GB Ddr6 | Screen Size: 15.6″ | Screen Resolution: FHD | Refresh Rate: 144hz | Battery Capacity: 4 Hours | Ports: USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C *1, USB 3.2 Gen1 *2 Steel Series Per-Key | Connectivity: 3*USB 3.0 | RGB Lighting: 4-Zone N-Key | OS: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

  • The maximum clock speed of 4.8Ghz provides tones of bandwidth for usage
  • Ample SSD storage
  • High refresh rate display
  • RTX 2070
  • Full RGB lighting support
  • Compact Design
  • Plenty of ports

Reasons to Avoid

  • As is the thing with compact laptops, the temperature tends to rise while gaming or under heavy usage
  • Average battery life under heavy usage

Bottom Line

Alienware products are always designed to perform. At a mere 4.65 lbs, this laptop might be the go-to choice for the majority of people out there, who are willing to invest in a good quality gaming laptop.

10. MSI CUK GF65

best gaming laptop under $1500
Image Courtesy: Amazon.com

Straight out of the box, the beast from MSI comes with an Intel Core i7–9750H processor, with six core and a max clock speed of 4.5Ghz. Just like other devices on this list, the GF65 comes with a 15.6” FHD IPS panel, with a 144Hz refresh rate. The textured black finish feels premium to the touch. Well, if that seems normal, get ready to be surprised.

Priced at $1,459, the laptop comes with a whopping 64GB of DDR4 RAM. You read that right! Not 16, neither 24, but 64! And if you cannot keep up with that, a 1TB NVMe SSD is what you get as a primary storage option with this machine. If you through in an extra $100, you can even buy the 2TB SSD storage model.

On top of that, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 delivers the ultimate gaming experience. Capable of real-time ray tracing, AI implications, and controllable shading, the 6GB DDR6 video card is just amazing. Other than that, you get a single backlight keyboard, with an anti-ghost key. To keep things into perspective, you could run games like The Witcher, Red Redemption, and Assasin’s Creed Odyssey at max settings.

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core I7-9750h | Clock Speed: 4.50Ghz | RAM: 64GB | RAM Type: DDR4 | Storage Type: SSD | Storage Capacity: 1 TB | GPU Name: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 | GPU Memory: 6GB DDR6 | Screen Size: 15.6″ | Screen Resolution: FHD | Refresh Rate: 144hz | Battery Capacity: 4 Hours | Ports: 3*USB 3.0 Ports, 1*HDMI, 1*Ethernet | Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 And Wifi 6 | RGB Lighting: No | OS: Windows 10 Home | VR Ready: Yes

Reasons to Buy

  • 1TB SSD storage is a decent offering at this price
  • 64GB of RAM is the highest in this list
  • High refresh rate display ensures smooth gameplay
  • RTX 2060
  • Plenty of ports for better connectivity
  • Full RGB lighting support
  • Ergonomic design

Reasons to Avoid

  • For some reason, the display does not exceed 120Hz in real usage

Bottom Line

The MSI laptop is probably the best laptop on this list – performance-wise. Go for it if you have to do heavy rendering, graphic designing, video editing, or even live-streaming.

Advantages of Getting a Gaming Laptop

A gaming laptop is essentially a compact computer with high-end specifications, that allows it to do heavy multitasking, run demanding games, and produce lifelike graphics. All of that would only be possible if the individual elements of the laptop are performing well. If you get yourself a laptop from our list, you would immediately feel the difference. Additionally, the advantages are not only limited to gaming.

  • Portable high-performance computer: It is true that desktops offer top-of-the-line performance and speed, making them a great option for all demanding tasks such as gaming and graphic rendering. However, you need a large desk, cable organizers, and basically a huge setup to work on a desktop. This is where gaming laptops step in. They offer you desktop-like performance with added portability. All you need to carry is a laptop bag or a thin laptop sleeve. Even the charging cables provided with laptops are shrinking in size. The high portability makes these products ideal for students, professionals, and even designers.
  • Better quality components: Since these laptops are designed to perform better than standard ones, manufacturing companies use better components in them. For instance, high-frequency RAM, a better cooling system, a tactile keyboard, a long-lasting battery, faster connectivity options, and excellent displays. All these features not only help while gaming but also while doing all the daily surfing, launching applications, watching videos on the internet, and even booting your device. If you do a lot of multitasking on your current computer and it is not able to cope up with you, it is time to upgrade to a new machine.
  • Longevity: More often than not, high-performance laptops last more than business laptops. And there are two reasons for it. Firstly, they are designed in a manner to be used for long hours while maintaining an optimum performance level. That slows down the aging process of your machine. As a result, the core components of your device would last longer, giving you an extended device life. Secondly, you would not have to worry about your laptop being outdated for at least 4 to 5 years. For example, if you get a gaming laptop with Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 video card, you need not worry about it for another couple of years.

Also Read – 10 Best Noise Canceling Headphones Under $100

Pros & Cons of Buying a Gaming Laptop under $1500

Playing games on a laptop was unthinkable just two or three years ago. Compact devices can now handle complex multimedia tasks thanks to advancements in design and heat management.

Pros:

  • Many low-cost gaming laptops now have the processing power to run games like Fortnite and Overwatch at medium to high settings.
  • Cheap gaming laptops are now available with numerous quality features, thanks to manufacturers responding to the demands of current consumers. If you’re willing to shell out $1,500 for a gaming PC, you can enjoy NVIDIA RTX visuals and high refresh rates.
  • Your money may be used to buy gaming accessories like controllers and external gadgets, such as mouses.
  • Many gamers are quick to jump on new laptop models as soon as they are released. With a cheap notebook, you’ll be able to upgrade a few years down the road if you choose to do so. In other words, you won’t have to make two significant investments so close together.
  • Laptops designed primarily for gaming may often serve as superb multimedia workstations for filmmakers, editors, photographers, and other creative professionals as well as hobbyists. They may be used to create and edit multimedia content, expanding their use. Buying a gaming laptop did not require robbing a bank; nonetheless, the final result was a system that could be used for a variety of different tasks.

Cons:

  • Budget gaming laptops aren’t always the best option, so you’ll need to be extra careful when picking one out. It is not uncommon to find picks with the shoddy build quality, cheap keyboards, and terrible design.
  • Among inexpensive laptops, upgradeability is typically low. A new laptop is likely to be required if your demands alter.
  • A desktop-league gaming experience on a laptop is tough to come by, especially under $2,000 models. As a result, desktops tend to be more environmentally friendly and long-lasting than laptops because of their superior cooling mechanisms. By using technology like anti-dust and customizable fan speeds, laptops are equaling this.

What Can You Expect at the Given Price Point – Buyer’s Guide

It is pretty simple. While you are spending a good amount of money on your laptop, expecting excellent performance is only natural. However, from the 10 best gaming laptops under $1500, you would find certain things that are common across all the devices.

CPU – You should look for the Intel i7 10th or 9th generation processors. However, in some models, you might get the Ryzen 7 series processor, which is absolutely fine, as they are slightly less heavy on your pocket. A clock speed of 2.5Ghz to 5Ghz would suit you, depending upon your type of usage.

GPU – In terms of GPU, nobody does it better than Nvidia. The amount of money you are spending would easily get you to the RTX series. While if you try and save some bucks, you can still get your hand on the GeForce GTX 1660Ti, which if not the worst, is not the best video card either. Nevertheless, look for RTX 2060 or 2070.

RAM – Look for at least 16GB of RAM. Some devices might even offer 24GB or even 34GB of RAM. Remember, more RAM allows your computer or laptop to function properly, gives it ample space to load and run applications, and increases its capability to perform tasks.

Storage – SSD is almost 8 times faster than normal Hard Disk Drives. Hence, it is always advisable to go for them. Even if your laptop has 128GB of SSD and 1TB of HDD, it would help you reduce boot time to 1/8. Ideally, an SSD of 512GB to 1TB is what you should be looking for.

Screen – A 15.6″ FHD display is pretty much the standard at this price range. Some models also offer a fast 144Hz refresh rate, while in the others, you get the narrow bezel design. The IPS panels in all the devices in our 10 best gaming laptops under $1500 are excellent in color production and accuracy.

Battery Life – While companies advertise the battery life of these devices to be as high as 6 or 7 hours, that is not the truth. In real-life usage, the devices would probably last around 3 to 4 hours or maybe even less at their peak performance. However, a general formula to understand the real battery life would be considered 75% of the advertised value.

What is Refresh Rate & Why is it Important in a Gaming Laptop?

A laptop’s refresh rate may be calculated by counting how many times the screen refreshes itself in a second. The greater the refresh rate, the more frames per second you’ll be able to view. The end effect will be a more responsive and smoother video. This implies that even while a 60Hz (60 times per second) refresh rate is the norm for laptops, you may be disappointed when using a laptop for intensive gaming. In this case, a measure of 144Hz is proposed in 2022.

But wait—can the human eye see the difference between a 60Hz, 120Hz, and 144Hz display on a computer monitor? Definitely! If you just want to play low-key games with slow-moving objects and don’t intend to use your laptop for serious gaming, you may be good with a 60Hz display. Nevertheless, for high-fps action, you need a display that can quickly refresh and allow your eyes to follow motions properly. This is practically a must when playing a shooter and fighting games; it is less critical in strategy-oriented games.

A pixel’s reaction time is measured in milliseconds, which is separate from the refresh rate. However, with a gaming laptop, this is also an important consideration. Stuttering and screen tearing may occur when you play a video game at high frame rates on a monitor with an increased reaction time and low refresh rate.

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