When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Best Gaming Laptops Under 1500
Are you upbeat about getting yourself a new gaming laptop for about $1500 or less? If so, then it’s high time you play your cards right and find a device that matches your expectations.
Gaming laptops vary, and it isn’t only about the GPU and the incorporated VRAM.
If you’re an experienced gamer, you know there are a couple of aspects to account for, including adventure, combat, FPS (first-person shooter), Racing, RPG games, etc.
In addition, all games depend on varying computing components.
For instance, FPS titles such as Call of Duty and Fortnite are GPU-intensive, where the GPU needs to provide intricate textures with the help of the incorporated VRAM.
Likewise, demanding racing titles such as Wreckfest primarily depend on the PhysX engine, which relies on the CPU more.
So if you’re into specific gaming genres, you need to find a PC that matches your gameplay tendencies rather than overspending on pricey gaming PCs.
In addition, you need to find a laptop that covers aspects such as the battery, CPU, display, GPU, RAM, etc. So let’s look at what to consider when buying a gaming PC and some of them under $1500 models you can mull over.
What Should You Consider When Buying A Gaming PC?
If you aren’t aware of what to look for in a gaming laptop under $1500, here is a comprehensive buying guide including features to consider when buying a computer in this class.
Battery Life and Portability
Battery life shouldn’t be so much of a concern if you want a gaming laptop. Most laptops under $1500 offer a battery life of up to 3 hours.
Therefore gaming for a long requires you to connect your laptop to power from time to time. High performance always consumes a lot of power, so there’s no issue with it.
When it comes to portability, you might feel heaviness in most gaming PCs because most have lots of extra integrated components such as massive cooling fans, dedicated graphics cards.
A typical $1500 gaming PC weighs about 5 pounds. So if you’re looking for one, keep in mind the extra weight and the extra thickness compared to typical business laptops.
CPU
The CPU is one of the most vital components to consider before buying any laptop, regardless of the reason behind buying the new device.
The CPU is, in fact, the heart of any laptop, so if you want a laptop for gaming purposes, then a potent CPU is vital to your requirements.
If you have a budget under $1500, you can find a new and decent CPU. However, it would be best to get at least an 11th Gen Core i5 for impressive gaming performance.
However, 11th Gen Core i5 processors are also available in other price brackets. Also, you can get a machine with an AMD processor, which is Intel’s closest competitor in the chipset manufacturing business.
Currently, if you have a laptop with AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 processor, you can participate in extreme gaming if you’re an AMD lover. In general, there are very capable gaming laptops under $1500 with processors from either AMD or Intel.
Graphics Card
This is one of the main components which makes all gaming laptops powerful machines to handle graphics-intensive. As you may know, NVidia is the most common GPU brand, and there are many impressive options available for under $1500.
More exclusively, the RTX 3050 or 3060 could be ideal options with a good processor. We have also incorporated some PCs from the RTX 30 series, which is not yet popular.
Other options are the GTX 1660 and RTX 3050, which are decent enough to handle low to average games at high settings. However, if you’re looking for high-end gaming with smoothness, you should blindly go for the RTX 3060 or 3070.
If you’re split between Non-Ti and Ti, the ‘Ti’ on NVidia GPUs represents ‘Titanium’ slightly more potent than the non-Ti version with the same model number.
However, potent graphics cards are more expensive than typical GPUs. So decide wisely which best suits your budget.
RAM & Storage
Although most laptops on this list have 16GB RAM and SSD storage, you shouldn’t worry about performance.
Most current PCs have SSD storage, a polished version of a traditional HDD. But if you have added hard drive support, it’s a decent option to store your files.
One thing you should look out for is SSD support, where you’ll install your OS.
Since faster SSD reduces the start-up time and the considerable impact of the operating system’s overall performance on RAM, try and avoid 8GB RAM laptops if there is no option to increase it with the extra slot. Instead, for smooth performance, get a 16GB DDR4 machine.
Best Gaming Laptops Under 1500 | Processor | GPU | RAM | Display | Storage | Battery Life | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acer Nitro 5 | 11th Gen Intel Core i7 | NVidia RTX 3050 | 16GB DDR4 | 17.3" FHD 144Hz IPS Display | 1TB SSD | At least 7 hours | 5.95 pounds |
Acer Predator Helios 300 | 11th Gen Intel Core i7 | NVidia RTX 3060 | 16GB DDR4 | 15.6" 144Hz FHD IPS Display | 512GB SSD | At least 4 hours | 5.07 pounds |
Asus ROG Strix G15 | AMD Ryzen 7 | NVidia RTX 3060 | 16GB DDR4 | 15.6" 300Hz FHD IPS Display | 512GB SSD | At least 8 hours | 5.07 pounds |
GIGABYTE G5 KC | 10th Gen Intel Core i5 | NVidia RTX 3060 | 16GB DDR4 | 15.6" 144Hz FHD IPS Display | 512GB SSD | At least 3.5 hours | 4.85 pounds |
HP OMEN 15 | 10th Gen Intel Core i5 | NVidia RTX 3060 | 16GB DDR4 | 15.6" FHD 144Hz IPS Display | 512GB SSD | At least 5 hours | 5.4 pounds |
Lenovo Legion 5 | AMD Ryzen 7 | NVidia RTX 3050 | 16GB DDR4 | 15.6" FHD 144Hz IPS Display | 512GB SSD | At least 6.5 hours | 8.48 pounds |
MSI GF65 | 10th Gen Intel Core i7 | NVidia RTX 3060 | 16GB DDR4 | 15.6" FHD 144Hz IPS Display | 512GB SSD | At least 5 hours | 4.10 pounds |
MSI GL66 | 11th Gen Intel Core i7 | NVidia RTX 3070 | 16GB DDR4 | 15.6" FHD 144Hz IPS Display | 512GB SSD | At least 3.5 hours | 4.63 pounds |
Razer Blade 15 | 10th Gen Intel Core i7 | NVidia GTX 1660 Ti | 16GB DDR4 | 15.6" 120Hz FHD IPS Display | 256GB SSD | At least 6 hours | 4.50 pounds |
1. Acer Nitro 5
The Acer Nitro 5 gaming PC with various advanced entertainment and gaming technologies, including the latest NVidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, delivers smooth gameplay in ultra settings in even the most difficult games.
The massive 17.3 FHD (1080p) IPS display brings all your games, photos, and videos to life with sharp and stunning color.
The 8-core 11th Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost 2.0 offers you the kind of power you require to take on the most daunting tasks.
Key Specifications
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7
- GPU: NVidia RTX 3050
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Display: 17.3″ FHD 144Hz IPS Display
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 7 hours
- Weight: 5.95 pounds
2. Acer Predator Helios 300
The Predator Helios 300 from Acer is an impressive mid-range gaming laptop that combines graphics, power, and speed to create a smooth all-around experience.
It has the specs of higher-end gaming PCs without breaking the bank. The design also boosts performance, which keeps things optimized under pressure for uninterrupted playtimes.
This Acer machine has 16GB DDR4 RAM, an NVidia RTX 3060 graphics card, 512GB SSD and 11th Gen Core i7 processor.
In addition, you can use Alexa’s show mode to have a full display rich in visuals. This PC is ideal for gaming as well as everyday use.
Key Specifications
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7
- GPU: NVidia RTX 3060
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Display: 15.6″ 144Hz FHD IPS Display
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 4 hours
- Weight: 5.07 pounds
3. Asus ROG Strix G15
The ROG Strix G15 from Asus gaming PC is one of the finest gaming PCs you can get for less than $1500. It has a massive 15.6″ 300HZ FHD (1080p) IPS display.
This laptop is an impressive pick for gamers because of the NVidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card with a ROG boost up to 1800MHz.
This graphics card allows you to play the newest games on ultra settings. In addition, the AMD Ryzen 7 processor will allow you to engage in above-average gaming exploits as well as everyday tasks.
Key Specifications
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7
- GPU: NVidia RTX 3060
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Display: 15.6″ 300Hz FHD IPS Display
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 8 hours
- Weight: 5.07 pounds
4. GIGABYTE G5 GD
The G5 KC from Gigabyte is an impressive gaming PC perfect for people looking for a potent device without breaking the bank.
This laptop has a 10th Gen Core i5 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and an NVidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card.
It has a thin bezel 144Hz screen ideal for gamers who want rubbery smooth gameplay.
The Gigabyte G5 KC also comes with plenty of other features, such as a 1+3 Multi-Screen and 512GB SSD storage to create an even finer gaming experience.
Key Specifications
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5
- GPU: NVidia RTX 3060
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Display: 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS Display
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 3.5 hours
- Weight: 4.85 pounds
5. HP OMEN 15
If you want to enjoy gaming on a massive screen but don’t want the unwarranted baggage that comes with it. It’s a 15.6″ gaming laptop that weighs almost 5 pounds which is the ideal middle ground between 15-inch PCs and massive 17-inch laptops.
But it isn’t just about size; the OMEN 15 is among a couple of gaming PCs donning AMD’s ‘Advantage Edition’ badge, meaning it can run games around 100 FPS.
Key Specifications
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5
- GPU: NVidia RTX 3060
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Display: 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS Display
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 5 hours
- Weight: 5.4 pounds
6. Lenovo Legion 5
If you’re looking for a good bargain, the Lenovo Legion 5 is undeniably is the best bang for the buck.
For a price well under $1200, this machine offers impressive performance for gaming and other tasks as well as features that would make you doubt some other laptops on this list.
The Legion 5 has an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, coupled with 512GB SSD and 16GB DDR4 RAM.
Therefore its specs are in line with other gaming PCs, right? Well, its graphics card is somewhat disappointing; it’s the NVidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti.
Key Specifications
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7
- GPU: NVidia RTX 3050
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Display: 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS Display
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 6.5 hours
- Weight: 8.48 pounds
7. MSI GF65
The MSI GF65 gaming PC has a 15.6″ Full HD (1080p) IPS display for unparalleled clarity. The 144Hz refresh rate boosts gameplay with ultra-smooth visuals, while the True Color Tech from MSI offers pulsating colors in HDR.
For input, the graphics card has an advanced anti-ghosting keyboard fueled by a powerful engine to maintain control even in the most intense games.
This laptop is equipped with a quad-core 10th Gen Core i7 processor and 16GB DDR4 RAM, which can be increased to 32GB RAM.
It also has 512GB SSD storage which is impressively fast, and an NVidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card.
Key Specifications
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7
- GPU: NVidia RTX 3060
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Display: 15.6″ 144Hz FHD IPS Display
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 5 hours
- Weight: 4.10 pounds
8. MSI GL66
The MSI GL66 gaming laptop is priced under $1500, making it relatively affordable for most gamers.
The 15.6″ 144Hz screen offers true-tone pictures with a huge refresh rate so you can see all frames of the game. In addition, the 11th Gen Core i7 chip ensures high performance.
The MSI GL66 has the GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card, so you can take on the most common games with relative ease. It’s also thin and light, so you can carry it around every day, and its Cooler Boost Tech allows for optimal thermal dissipation.
Key Specifications
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7
- GPU: NVidia RTX 3070
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Display: 15.6″ 144Hz FHD IPS Display
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 3.5 hours
- Weight: 4.63 pounds
9. Razer Blade 15
The Razer Blade 15 is a standard gaming PC, but it has impressive ratings and reviews.
Razer Blade is a brand that mainly focuses on designing gaming PC including some of the finest ones in the market. These devices compete with the likes of Asus and Alienware from Dell.
The Razer Blade 15 has a basic design with a green Razer logo, but it looks shiny. However, this machine is well-built with CNC aluminum, and the 10th Gen Core i7 processor offers the definitive level of performance with a 5GHz max turbo.
Key Specifications
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7
- GPU: NVidia GTX 1660 Ti
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Display: 15.6″ 120Hz FHD IPS Display
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery Life: At least 6 hours
- Weight: 4.50 pounds
Final Thought
As you can see, identifying the best gaming laptop under $1500 can be difficult and time-consuming.
This is why we have come up with this review, where we have shown you what to check for and listed some of the most powerful gaming laptops out there.
See Also