Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1200 of 2023

Are you looking for the best gaming laptops under $1200? Don’t worry! In this article, we have compiled a list of the 10 best laptops for gaming you can buy under 1200 dollars price range.

At this price range, you can get many high-end gaming machines that are capable to run most of the games without any lagging issues. However, you can also find some good gaming laptops under $1000, but with an extra $200, you’ll get a better gaming machine that is worth your money.

With so many choices available in the market, it can be difficult sometimes to decide which gaming laptop will be best for you. To help you out, we have written a detailed guide for finding the best gaming laptop under $1200.

Before creating this list, we have gone through an in-depth review of each laptop to check its performance and specifications. All these laptops are equipped with the latest processor, high RAM & storage, full-HD display, great GPU, and good battery backup.

So, without further ado, let’s proceed to the list.

Best Gaming Laptops Under $1200

1. Acer Predator Helios 300 – 10th Generation

Acer Predator Helios 300 is one of the powerful budget gaming laptops which offers many high-end features. The laptop sports blue accents and black chassis with geometric lines giving it a killer look. It is powered by the latest Intel Core i7-10750H 10th gen processor paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of fast SSD storage for boosted performance and shortening in-game loading times.

The laptop comes with powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 VR-ready graphics which ensure a smooth gaming experience with higher settings. A 15.6-inch full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate and an RGB color gamut that allows you to see games with consistent, brilliant color from any perspective. Further, its 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fan technology keeps the device cool while intense gaming. Overall, Acer Predator Helios 300 is fully packed with premium features making it an ideal gaming machine to buy under 1200 dollars.

2. HP OMEN 17-cb1060nr

Omen series laptops from HP are used by many serious gamers around the world. They are specially designed for gamers and packed with many high-end features. The HP OMEN 17-cb1060nr comes with attractive design features with a 17.3-inch full HD anti-glare display having a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It comes with an RGB lighting anti-ghosting keyboard with a 26 keys rollover to enhance your gaming experience.

The laptop packs in a powerful Intel Core i7-10750H processor, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD storage for instantaneous boot-ups and transfers. With Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660Ti, you can play most graphics-intensive games without a lag performance. The laptop carries a decent battery life of up to 6 hours and has a portable design which makes it a good choice for under $1200.

3. Dell Gaming G3 15 3500 Gaming Laptop

Dell is a popular brand in the gaming laptop industry. This Dell G3 gaming laptop with Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU offers incredible value in a $1200 budget range. Powered by 10th gen Intel Core i7-10750H processor, the system includes 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD storage to run your machine faster while apps loading and data transfer. This sub $1200 gaming laptop offers two front-firing speakers powered by Waves MaxxAudio to produce superior sound.

For connectivity, the Dell G3 15 offers all essential ports such as two USB 2.0, one USB 3.2 Gen 1, one USB-C DisplayPort/USB-C Thunderbolt, 802.11ac WiFi, and HDMI 2.0 port for a fully immersive top-tier gaming experience. This 15-inch gaming laptop comes with high-performance GeForce GTX 1650Ti graphics that let you turn your laptop into a true gaming rig.

Check out: Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500

4. ASUS ROG G15 Gaming Laptop

When it comes to gaming laptops, Asus always remain on the priority list of gamers. Their ASUS ROG G15 is a great laptop for playing high-end titles. The laptop comes with high-end configurations including a 10th gen Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Ti with 4GB GPU, 8GB of RAM, 512GB of a solid-state drive. Although the system features 8GB of RAM, you can still upgrade it later if needed. Apart from gaming, this laptop is also good for video & image editing, music production, and other demanding tasks.

The laptop sports a dual-fan cooling technology with an advanced thermal design, that ensures stable performance for graphics-intensive gaming. It also helps to expel harmful dust particles and dirt from the chassis and increase system stability and lifespan. The laptop has an extra-durable red-backlit keyboard to provide comfort typing.

5. Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop

The Acer Nitro 5 is one of the best budget gaming laptops you can buy under $1000 price range. This super gaming machine packs the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and high-performance NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics to give you the ultimate gaming experience. It features a beautiful 15.6″ Full HD IPS screen that crisp and sharp images with wide-viewing angles. It’s just 5.18 pounds weight and its portable design lets you place it in a backpack easily.

The laptop features an integrated Acer fingerprint biometric authentication system and Windows Hello support to log in securely. The only downside is the smaller 256GB SSD storage provided, but you can easily upgrade it when required. All-in-all, Acer Nitro 5 provides performance, portability, and a fully immersed gaming session on the go.

6. MSI GP65 Thin Gaming Laptop

If you’re looking for bang-for-your-buck performance with a portable design, then your search should end with an MSI GP65 gaming laptop. Being a productivity powerhouse, this laptop packs a 10th Generation Intel Core processor and NVIDIA’s cutting-edge GTX 1660 Ti graphics to enhance your next gaming experience. Coming to its display, the MSI GP65 flashes a 15.6-inch FHD display with powerful colors and great contrast that bring your game to life.

Leaning on MSI’s Cooler Boost technology also features a six-heat pipe thermal solution to ensure maximum performance under any gaming or multitasking scenario. It comes with a brushed tactical cover design that maintains a lightness and preserves that gaming feel. Overall, it is the best MSI gaming laptop under 1200 you can buy right now.

7. Dell G15 Gaming Laptop

This stunning-looking laptop from Dell features a 10th-generation chipset with Intel Core i5-10500H processor which can be turbo boosted to speeds of 4.5 GHz. The Dell G5 follows the pattern of gaming-centric laptops from Dell such as Alienware. It comes with a lightweight body so it can be carried around easily. It features a 15-inch full HD display with a 1080p resolution so you can enjoy any type of game.

Speaking about the other hardware configurations, the Dell G5 comes with a 10th Generation Intel Core i5 processor, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti with Max-Q Design graphics. For better connectivity, there are 4 USB 3.0 Ports along with HDMI, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth, and an SD card reader so you can easily transfer your data from another device. Overall, it is the best Dell laptop to buy under $1200 not only for gamers but also for college students and programmers.

Check out: Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $2000

8. ASUS TUF F17 Gaming Laptop

The ASUS TUF Gaming F17 is the latest model of Asus and certainly one of the best gaming laptops under $1200. It is specially designed for advanced gamers and features many high-end hardware configurations. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5 10th generation processor which is 20% faster than the previous ones. It offers the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti that offers the highest possible gaming performance with excellent VR experiences.

The laptop comes with a 17.3-inch full HD display with 1920 by 1080 pixels of resolution which is perfect for gaming. It sports a customizable RGB keyboard with 4 zones of lighting control for a better gaming experience. For storage, the laptop features a 512GB SSD which is 5 times faster than a traditional HDD. At the bottom line, ASUS TUF F17 is a top-notch gaming machine to buy under 1200 dollars budget range.

Check out: Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $800

9. Lenovo Legion 5

Lenovo Legion 5 is another high-end budget laptop on our list. This laptop is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor paired with 16GB of RAM — which provides powerful performance when you’re gaming. Its 512GB solid-state drive ensures faster performance and better reliability. The laptop comes with a 15.6-inch full HD IPS display that delivers stunning images with a 144 Hz refresh rate for full-fidelity gaming.

Apart from this, the gaming laptop features a 2 x 2W Harman Kardon speaker system with chamber Dolby Atmos headphone support that will let you enjoy excellent audio while gaming. With just a 22.7mm design, Lenovo Legion 5 is the thinnest 15-inch laptop in a $1200 price range making it easier to game on the go.

10. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop

If you’re looking for a thin lightweight and high-end gaming laptop under $1200, then ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 should be an ideal choice for you. This high-performance laptop is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 7 8-Core processor with high-quality NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics for flawless gaming sessions. The Zephyrus G14 features a full-sized backlit keyboard that will help you stay productive in any environment — even in the dark.

Apart from that, ASUS claims its battery life stays up to 11 hours for normal usage which is great for gamers as well. Its 14-inch Full HD screen provides richer, deeper, and more accurate colors — for any type of content. It comes in an eclipse grey finishing body accented by lightning silver edges giving it a premium feel. The overall weight of 3.64 lbs makes it one of the lightest high-performance gaming laptops available under $1200.

Buying Guide on How to Choose the Best Gaming Laptop Under $1200

Choosing the best gaming laptop for less than $1200 can be overwhelming, given the numerous options available in the market. However, with the right information, you can make an informed decision. Here’s a buying guide on how to choose a gaming laptop under 1200 dollars:

1. Processor: The processor plays an important role in deciding the overall performance of your laptop, and it’s essential to choose a powerful one for smooth performance. In this budget range, you can opt for an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor or an AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processor.
2. RAM: Random Access Memory (RAM) is another critical component that affects your laptop’s performance. In this budget range, you should look for at least 8GB of RAM. However, if you can find a laptop with 16GB RAM, it would be even better.
3. Storage: When it comes to storage, you can choose between a Solid State Drive (SSD) or a Hard Disk Drive (HDD). An SSD is faster and more reliable than an HDD, but it’s also more expensive. If you need more storage space, you can opt for an HDD, but if you need speed, an SSD is the way to go.
4. Display: The display is an important factor to consider, especially if you’ll be using your laptop for long hours. Look for a laptop with a display size of at least 14 inches, a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, high refresh rates, and an IPS panel for better viewing angles.
5. Graphics Card: If you’re a gamer or a graphic designer, you need a dedicated graphics card for better performance. In this budget range, you can find laptops with Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 5500M graphics cards.
6. Battery Life: Battery life is important, especially if you’ll be using your laptop on the go. Under this budget, you should choose a laptop with a battery backup of at least 8 hours.
7. Portability: If you’ll be carrying your laptop around, you need a lightweight and slim laptop. Look for a laptop that weighs less than 4 pounds and has a thickness of less than 0.7 inches.
8. Brand: Choose a reputable brand that offers good customer support and after-sales service. Some popular brands in this price range include Dell, HP, Asus, and Acer.
9. Reviews: Before making a final decision, read reviews from other users to see if they’re satisfied with the laptop’s performance, battery life, and build quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best gaming laptops under $1200?

There are some popular options in this price range including the ASUS TUF Dash F15, Acer Predator Helios 300, MSI GF65 Thin, and Lenovo Legion 5.

Can I get a good gaming laptop for less than a $1200 budget?

Yes, you can definitely get a good gaming laptop on this budget. There are many options available in this price range that offer powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and sufficient RAM and storage.

What specifications should I look for in a gaming laptop?

When looking for a gaming laptop for under $1200, you should consider the processor, graphics card, RAM, storage, display, and battery life. Look for laptops with at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor, dedicated NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, 8GB or more of RAM, and SSD storage.

Is a dedicated graphics card necessary for a gaming laptop?

Yes, a dedicated graphics card is necessary for a gaming laptop as it provides better performance and graphics capabilities. Look for laptops with dedicated NVIDIA or AMD graphics cards with at least 4GB of VRAM.

What is the average battery life of a gaming laptop?

Under $1200, the battery life of a gaming laptop can vary based on usage, screen brightness, and other factors. However, you can expect an average battery life of 4-6 hours on a single charge.

Can I upgrade the RAM and storage of a gaming laptop?

Yes, most gaming laptops in a $1200 budget come with upgradeable RAM and storage. Look for laptops with an additional RAM slot or an empty M.2 slot for SSD upgrades.

Can I use a gaming laptop for other tasks besides gaming?

Yes, you can use a gaming laptop for other tasks besides gaming. These laptops offer powerful processors and sufficient RAM and storage, making them suitable for tasks such as video editing, programming, and graphic design.

Conclusion

Choosing the right gaming laptop can be a tough decision when there are so many options available online. The laptops mentioned above are all well-known brands and will be an excellent choice to take your gaming to the next level.

We hope our guide of top recommended gaming laptops to buy under 1200 dollars will help you buy the right laptop for your needs. So before buying any laptop, make sure to do some research and read customer reviews to ensure the quality of the product.

I hope you like this review guide of the best gaming laptops under 1200 dollars. If you have any questions about laptops, feel free to ask in the comment section below.