Image: Matt Smith / Foundry
Hunting for a solid gaming laptop that won’t totally destroy your wallet? We got our hands on a bunch of models under $1,000 and a couple of them seriously over-delivered. Whether you’re after buttery smooth gameplay, a laptop that won’t weigh you down, or just enough ports to hook up your whole setup, there’s something here for just about every kind of gamer.
These laptops usually hit that sweet spot thanks to ongoing deals, so make sure you check out our laptop deals roundup for the latest prices.
Why should you trust PCWorld for laptop reviews and buying advice
It’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
Acer Nitro V 16 AI – Best overall
Pros
- Large touchpad compared to alternatives
- 16-inch 1200p display at a low price
- Lots of physical connectivity
- Good battery life for a budget gaming laptop
Cons
- Sub-par CPU performance
- Terrible audio quality from built-in speakers
- Wireless connectivity stuck on the Wi-Fi 6 standards
- Slightly more expensive laptops offer better value
Price When Reviewed:
$899
Who should buy the Acer Nitro V 16 AI?
If you want to get the most gaming performance possible for under $1,000, the Acer Nitro V 16 AI hits all the right notes. It frequently drops as low as $629 (sometimes lower!) and delivers excellent 1080p gaming performance for the price. The RTX 5050 GPU outpaces older entry-level GPUs like the RTX 4050, averaging around 72 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077–that’s impressive for a budget gaming laptop! The battery life is also unusually strong for a gaming laptop, lasting around eight to 12 hours with light use.
Acer Nitro V 16 AI: Further considerations
The 16-inch 1920×1200 IPS display gives you a little more vertical space than the standard 1080p variety, and the 180Hz refresh rate keeps gameplay snappy in faster paced titles. The audio quality is just OK, so you’ll probably want to use headphones or external speakers. That said, small nitpicks aside, the Nitro V 16 AI truly offers the best bang for your buck.
Read our full
Acer Nitro V 16 AI review
Acer Chromebook 516 GE – Best for cloud gaming
Pros
- Attractive and rigid design
- Excellent CPU performance
- Plenty of wired and wireless connectivity
- High resolution 1600p display
Cons
- Mediocre keyboard and touchpad
- Disappointing speakers, microphone
- Display falls behind in contrast, color vibrancy
Price When Reviewed:
$649.99
Best Prices Today:
$529.98
$649
Who should buy the Acer Chromebook 516 GE?
If you’re into cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass or Nvidia’s GeForce Now, this one’s worth a looksee. It’s running an Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage, which is plenty for Chrome OS. The 16-inch 2560×1600 screen is surprisingly sharp, the 120Hz refresh rate keeps things smooth, and the price usually hovers around $650 or less. It’s a good deal if you want something affordable that can play cloud games well, but also works for the day-to-day stuff.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Further considerations
It won’t run games locally, so you’ll need a solid internet connection. Battery life is also good (14 hours!), but it’s not the most competitive result we’ve ever seen.
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 top pick list, but are still pretty awesome. The Dell G15 is a solid pick if you want to game without spending a ton. Like our top pick, it doesn’t come with all the fancy extras you’d see on pricier gaming laptops, but it still plays games just fine.
The Nitro V 16 , the Nitro V 15, and the Chromebook 516 GE are strong picks under $1,000. Just keep in mind that those prices usually depend on deals, so it’s worth checking our deals roundup to see what’s on sale right now.
How we test gaming laptops
The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web-based tests.
For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.
Who curated this article?
Hi, I’m Ashley Biancuzzo, and I oversee all laptop and Chromebook coverage at PCWorld. While you’ll see me review Chromebooks on occasion, I’m also really into the broader world of consumer tech. I spend a lot of time writing and thinking about where laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term trends. When I’m not deep in the world of tech, you’ll probably find me gaming, getting lost in a good book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound, Allen.
How to choose the best gaming laptop under $1,000
The first question you should ask yourself is this: What type of games are you into? Do you like relaxing games like Stardew Valley? Or are you pushing pixels in Cyberpunk 2077? Maybe you also need something that can handle school or work. The good news is you can get a great machine for under $1,000; you just have to be smart about where your money goes.
GPU (graphics card)
The GPU’s like the gaming laptop’s heart—it powers all the graphics. You usually can’t upgrade it, so make sure you pick one strong enough for your games.
- RTX 4050 – Good for 1080p gaming on Medium to High settings.
- RTX 4060 – Even better. Smooth gameplay on High or Ultra settings.
- RTX 3060 – Older, but still handles 1080p like a champ.
- RTX 3070 / 3070 Ti – Rare under $1,000, but a steal if you can snag one.
- RTX 3050 / 3050 Ti – A step up from entry-level, but starting to show their age.
- GTX 1650 – Very basic. Okay for older or lighter games, but not great for anything demanding.
CPU (processor)
If the GPU is the beating heart, then the CPU is most definitely the brain, as it’s responsible for the decision making. The CPU also isn’t typically upgradeable, so it’s worth getting one that’ll hold up over time. When comparing options, go for the chip with newer architecture or higher boost clock speeds, as it’ll usually offer better long-term performance.
- Spring for at least an Intel 13th- or 14th-gen Core i5/i7 or an AMD Ryzen 7000 series chip.
- Newer Ryzen models with RDNA 3 integrated graphics (like the 7840HS or 8845HS) are great if you’re skipping a dedicated GPU.
- More cores and threads help with multitasking, streaming, and heavier games.
AMD’s latest Ryzen AI chips (part of the Strix Point and Hawk Point families) bring a few extra perks:
- Offers strong multi-core performance, ideal for more demanding workloads.
- NPUs (Neural Processing Units) are designed to exclusively handle AI-related tasks like background effects. The offloading of those tasks from the CPU and GPU helps to improve overall performance.
RAM
- 8GB is the minimum, but 16GB is ideal and usually worth the upgrade.
- RAM is often upgradable later, but not always, so check before you buy.
Storage
- Aim for at least 512GB SSD.
- SSD also load games faster and many laptops let you add more storage later.
Display
- Most budget gaming laptops come with 1080p screens, usually 60Hz or 144Hz.
- 144Hz is preferred for smoother gameplay.
- If the built-in screen is dim or lacks color punch, an external monitor is always an option.
Battery life
- Gaming laptops aren’t known for marathon battery life.
- Expect four to six hours tops.
- They’re heavier too due to all that cooling hardware.
FAQ
1.
What is the best gaming laptop under $1,000?
PCWorld’s top pick, the Lenovo LOQ 15, packs an RTX 5060 and a 15.6-inch 1080p 144Hz display that can handle modern games without costing an arm and a leg.
2.
What’s the difference between a gaming laptop and a regular laptop?
A gaming laptop is basically a regular laptop on steroids. It’s built with stronger graphics, faster processors, and better cooling to handle intense games, while a regular laptop is more for everyday stuff like browsing and work. So, gaming laptops can run games smoothly, but regular ones usually can’t keep up.
3.
When is the best time to buy a gaming laptop?
The best time to grab a gaming laptop is during big sales like Black Friday or back-to-school deals when prices drop and you can score some sweet discounts.
4.
Can Chromebooks handle gaming?
Chromebooks can handle web games and Android apps just fine, but AAA titles? Uh, not really. At least not locally. However, cloud gaming lets you play those AAA titles on a Chromebook via a streaming service. You’ve got to sign up for a streaming service like GeForce Now to play those types of games, though.
5.
Can you play games on integrated graphics?
You totally can! Intel Iris Xe and AMD RDNA 3 can handle newer games at 1080p on low settings pretty smoothly.
6.
What’s the best laptop size for gaming?
If you’re always on-the-go, spring for a lighter 13- or 14-inch. If you plan on keeping your laptop most of the time, 15- or 17-inch laptops give you more power and a larger screen—just a bit heavier. Easy!