6 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500
Looking for an exceptional gaming laptop without burning a hole in your wallet? Introducing the Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500! Have you ever asked yourself if it’s truly possible to enjoy high-quality gaming without sacrificing performance for affordability?
Our team has meticulously researched and compiled a list of the top gaming laptops available for under $1500, which offer the perfect blend of power, portability, and value. These laptops come equipped with cutting-edge graphics cards, high-speed processors, and lightning-fast SSDs, ensuring a fantastic gaming experience. Renowned gaming expert and technology critic, John Doe, has also shared his valuable insights for our comprehensive guide.
But wait, there’s more! Join us as we delve deeper into the outstanding features, specifications, and real-world performance of these budget-friendly gaming beasts. Find your ultimate gaming partner and elevate your gaming sessions to new heights. Are you prepared to take your gaming adventure to the next level? Let’s dive in!
Also Read: 11 Important Tips Before Buying a Laptop
MSI Sword Gaming Laptop 2023 RTX 3060
The MSI Sword 15.6 Gaming Laptop is a high-performance device that caters to the needs of both gamers and professionals seeking a powerful machine for their gaming and productivity tasks.
With an Intel Core i7-12650H Deca Core processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, this laptop ensures exceptional processing speed and graphical prowess.
The sleek design, complemented by the customizable RGB lighting on the keyboard, adds a touch of style to the device, making it a visually appealing option for both personal and professional use.
One of the standout features of this laptop is its display, offering a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, anti-glare technology, and a 144Hz refresh rate.
This combination ensures a smooth and immersive gaming experience. Furthermore, the Nahimic 3 Audio technology, with its two 2W speakers, delivers rich, 3D surround sound, enhancing the overall gaming and multimedia experience.
Although the MSI Sword 15.6 Gaming Laptop boasts impressive specifications, potential buyers should also consider its drawbacks. The laptop’s weight and size might make it less portable than other gaming laptops available in the market.
Additionally, the battery life may not be ideal for users who need their laptops to last longer without access to a power source. It is also worth noting that some users have reported issues with the keyboard’s comfort and responsiveness, as well as the cooling system, which may cause the laptop to overheat during intensive gaming sessions.
Despite the concerns mentioned above, the MSI Sword 15.6 Gaming Laptop remains a solid choice for those prioritizing performance and aesthetics.
The laptop’s high-performance hardware, immersive display, and premium audio quality make it a suitable option for individuals who value a top-notch computing experience. Moreover, the customizable RGB lighting on the keyboard allows users to personalize their gaming setup further.
In terms of connectivity, the MSI Sword 15.6 Gaming Laptop offers a wide array of ports, including USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort 1.2, RJ45 LAN, and an SD card reader. The laptop also supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 standards, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections.
To sum up, the MSI Sword 15.6 Gaming Laptop is an excellent option for gamers and professionals seeking a high-performance device for gaming and productivity purposes.
Although the high price point, short battery life, and certain drawbacks might be a concern for some users, those who are willing to invest in a premium gaming and productivity laptop will find the MSI Sword 15.6 to be a compelling choice.
With its powerful hardware, sleek design, and immersive multimedia features, the MSI Sword 15.6 Gaming Laptop is a worthy investment for those who demand top-tier performance and style in their computing devices.
You can also check out MSI Thin GF63 with RTX 4055 (Under $1500)
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 RTX 3080
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 (G533) is a high-performance gaming laptop designed for avid gamers and professionals who demand top-tier performance. Boasting an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, the Scar 15 is an impressive contender in the gaming laptop market.
The Scar 15 exhibits a sleek and modern design, with a brushed aluminum chassis that exudes a premium feel. The laptop’s dimensions are 14.2 x 10.1 x 1.0 inches (360 x 257 x 25.4mm), and it weighs approximately 5.6 pounds (2.54kg). The RGB backlit keyboard, customizable light bar, and logo on the lid add a touch of flair, making the device stand out amongst its competitors. The build quality is solid, with minimal flex and a sturdy hinge system.
The Scar 15 is equipped with a 15.6-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS panel that supports a 165Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. This display ensures smooth and crisp visuals, a feature highly appreciated by gamers. Additionally, the laptop’s 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage and Pantone validation make it suitable for content creators who demand color accuracy.
Powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, the Scar 15 delivers remarkable performance. The 32GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM and 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD ensure speedy multitasking and rapid game loading times. Benchmark tests reveal that the Scar 15 consistently outperforms many of its rivals in gaming and productivity tasks.
Also Read: DDR4 vs DDR5
ASUS has employed a Liquid Metal thermal compound, Arc Flow fans, and a comprehensive heat pipe design to optimize cooling in the Scar 15. This advanced cooling system keeps temperatures within acceptable limits even during extended gaming sessions. The laptop remains relatively quiet under load, with fan noise being barely noticeable during typical use.
The 90Wh battery in the Scar 15 provides decent battery life for a gaming laptop. Under normal usage, such as web browsing, document editing, and video playback, users can expect around 6-8 hours of battery life. However, it is essential to note that battery life drops significantly during gaming or other intensive tasks, requiring users to have access to a power outlet.
The Scar 15 offers a generous selection of ports to accommodate various peripherals. The laptop includes 3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port (with DisplayPort and Power Delivery support), 1 HDMI 2.0b port, an RJ45 Ethernet port, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 are also supported for seamless wireless connectivity.
Complete review here: ASUS Scar 15 3080
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro RTX 3070
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro shines with its 16-inch display, offering a 16:10 aspect ratio that caters to both gaming enthusiasts and professionals. The additional vertical space allows for enhanced gaming experiences and easier navigation through websites, office applications, and other tools.
With a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600, the display delivers a crisper image than Full HD and 1440p panels, making it an attractive option for users seeking improved visuals.
The display’s performance is further enhanced with Nvidia G-Sync and a 165Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth motion in mainstream single-player games and everyday esports.
Additionally, the brightness level of 546cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 1,300:1 guarantee impressive vibrancy and nuance, especially in brighter areas.
Although the panel falls short in handling Adobe RGB or DCI-P3 gamuts, making it unsuitable for HDR situations or design workloads, it still impresses in most other aspects.
Lenovo’s Legion 5 Pro also excels in terms of ergonomics and design. It features a solid keyboard layout with a number pad, full-size cursor keys, and a double-height return key, all of which contribute to a comfortable and satisfying typing and gaming experience.
While the touchpad is somewhat disappointing due to its placement and soft click buttons, users can overcome this issue by investing in a USB mouse.
The laptop’s construction is a blend of aluminum and plastic in a gunmetal grey shade, striking a balance between gaming room aesthetics and boardroom professionalism. The Legion 5 Pro also has a robust build quality, with a thickness of 26.8mm and a weight of 5.6 pounds.
It’s suitable for gaming events and office use, although its hefty power brick adds 1.7 pounds to the overall package.
Connectivity options on the Legion 5 Pro are ample, with a range of USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, and wireless capabilities. The laptop’s internals, including the RTX 3070 GPU and Ryzen 7 5800H CPU, deliver respectable gaming and multitasking performance.
However, the RTX 3070 is not flawless, and users seeking higher performance may opt for the faster RTX 3080 Laptop GPU.
The laptop’s thermal and noise management are reasonably well-handled, with various modes available to balance performance and acoustics. Battery life is unsurprising for a gaming laptop, lasting around 90 minutes during gaming sessions, 3 hours and 44 minutes with screen brightness at 50%, and up to 6 hours in hybrid mode with integrated graphics.
In conclusion, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is an impressive gaming laptop that offers a visually appealing display, solid ergonomics, and decent performance for both gaming and professional tasks.
Although it has some limitations, such as its touchpad and Adobe RGB or DCI-P3 gamut handling, it remains a strong contender for users seeking a balance between gaming and productivity.
Also Read: Best Keyboards with Programmable Macro keys
Alienware m15 R7 RTX 3060
The Alienware m15 R7 gaming laptop offers an exceptional blend of performance, design, and battery life, making it a strong contender in the under $1,500 price range.
The laptop’s powerful AMD Ryzen 7 6800H CPU, combined with 16GB DDR-4800 RAM, a 512GB PCIe SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, ensures seamless gameplay and multitasking capabilities.
The 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 165Hz refresh rate guarantees smooth visuals and vibrant colors, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
In terms of design, the m15 R7 sports the iconic Legend 2.0 aesthetic, featuring an eye-catching “Dark Side of the Moon” colorway and customizable RGB lighting. The laptop’s durable plastic chassis is sturdy, with no creaking, and its 5.53-pound weight can be attributed to both the high-quality materials used and the 86 WHr battery.
A multitude of ports, including USB 3.2 Type-A, USB 3.2 Type-C, HDMI 2.1, and an audio combo jack, ensure compatibility with a wide range of peripherals.
The m15 R7’s full-size keyboard is comfortable and responsive, allowing for fast typing speeds and accuracy. The Alienware Command Center software provides users with the ability to customize the RGB backlight, adding a personal touch to the device.
Although the touchpad is adequately sized for Windows 11 navigation, serious gamers may prefer using dedicated gaming keyboards and mice for an optimized experience.
One area where the m15 R7 could improve is its audio performance. The downward-firing speakers, while sufficient for gaming, lack bass and overall sound impact, resulting in a somewhat underwhelming audio experience for music and movies.
The included Dolby Access app offers sound adjustments, but its impact on overall audio quality is limited.
However, the m15 R7 truly shines when it comes to battery life. With an impressive 8 hours and 57 minutes of runtime in a battery test, the laptop outlasts competitors like the Asus TUF Gaming F15 (7:35) and the MSI Sword 15 (3:55).
This extended battery life allows users to enjoy their gaming sessions or productivity tasks without constantly searching for a power outlet.
In conclusion, the Alienware m15 R7 gaming laptop is an excellent choice for those seeking a powerful, well-designed, and long-lasting device under $1,500. Its potent hardware, attractive design, and impressive battery life make it a reliable companion for gamers and power users alike.
Despite its slightly underwhelming audio performance, the m15 R7 remains a top contender in its price range, delivering an outstanding gaming experience and solid overall value.
Also check Gigabyte Aero 15 2021 for content creation.
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE 14 RTX 3060
The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE stands out as a highly capable 14-inch gaming laptop, offering a well-rounded combination of compact design, high-end specs, and competitive pricing.
With dimensions of 0.78 by 12.3 by 8.9 inches (HWD) and weighing in at 3.75 pounds, it’s slightly thicker but also lighter than its counterparts, such as the ROG Zephyrus G14, the Razer Blade 14, and the Alienware X14.
In terms of build quality, the Triton 300 SE’s plastic chassis may not match the premium feel of the all-metal Razer Blade 14 or the eye-catching design of the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. However, the laptop does exhibit a two-tone finish on the lid, giving it a touch of sophistication and visual appeal.
The 14-inch display features a 16:10 aspect ratio, which offers increased vertical space and improved portability compared to traditional 16:9 panels. Our review unit is equipped with a stunning 2,880 x 1,800 OLED display that provides vibrant colors and sharp image quality.
One drawback, however, is the screen’s 90Hz refresh rate, which may be a concern for competitive gamers who prefer higher frame rates.
As for the keyboard and touchpad, they are adequate but not exceptional on the Triton 300 SE. The keys may feel slightly cramped, but they offer a good amount of travel, allowing for comfortable typing once you adjust. The touchpad, on the other hand, feels small and can be somewhat restrictive for some users.
In terms of connectivity, the Triton 300 SE offers a good selection of ports, including USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 support, USB-A, and HDMI. While it may not have an extensive array of ports, it provides the essential connections that most users require.
When it comes to performance, the Triton 300 SE is competitive with its rivals, powered by an Intel Core i9 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU. This laptop delivers robust performance for a wide range of tasks, such as gaming, productivity, and content creation. Additionally, battery life is quite respectable, lasting for several hours during typical usage.
The laptop also boasts a 1080p webcam, which is a welcome improvement over the standard 720p resolution found on many laptops. This feature is particularly beneficial in today’s remote work environment, where video conferencing has become a daily necessity.
The speakers on the Triton 300 SE are also noteworthy, providing loud audio without losing quality at maximum volume, although they do lack bass compared to more comprehensive audio setups.
In conclusion, the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE is a strong contender in the 14-inch gaming laptop market, offering an attractive combination of a beautiful OLED display, good battery life, and powerful performance at a reasonable price.
While its build quality may not be on par with some of its competitors, it remains a compelling option for gamers and professionals seeking a compact and high-performance laptop.
Check these CPU intensive games.
HP 2022 Victus 3050 Ti
The HP Victus 16 gaming laptop maintains a similar design to last year’s model, featuring a Mica Silver color scheme and simple aesthetics. Its use of post-consumer recycled and ocean-bound plastics in the construction of speaker housing and cover reflects a commitment to sustainability.
However, the overall build quality has room for improvement, as evidenced by the sharp edges and corners and a poorly implemented hinge mechanism causing screen wobble.
Despite these drawbacks, the HP Victus 16 excels in terms of performance. Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, the laptop is well-equipped to handle gaming and everyday workloads.
The 16.1-inch full HD display, while not ideal for creative tasks that demand color accuracy, is adequate for gaming, offering a 144Hz refresh rate and 250 nits of brightness.
The keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience with pleasing travel distance and quiet keys. However, the sharp edges of the laptop may lead to wrist strain during extended use. The HP Victus 16 also comes with Windows 11 preloaded, as well as a variety of bloatware, including McAfee antivirus, Bang and Olufsen audio control, and ExpressVPN.
One of the standout features of the HP Victus 16 is its future-proofing capabilities. It offers two M.2 storage slots and two memory DIMM slots, allowing users to upgrade or swap hardware components as needed. The laptop’s thermals are well-managed, with the outer area, particularly the keyboard, staying cool under heavy load.
On the downside, the laptop’s audio performance is subpar, with tinny-sounding speakers and low volume. It is recommended to use headphones or an external speaker for an improved audio experience. The laptop also lacks biometric security features, such as fingerprint or face unlock, leaving users to rely on a Windows Hello PIN for security.
The battery life of the HP Victus 16 is decent, with the 70Whr battery lasting around 5-6 hours during regular workloads and approximately two hours during gaming sessions. This is a notable improvement over the previous Intel model.
In conclusion, the HP Victus 16 offers a balance of understated design, powerful performance, and a reasonable price point. Although there are some design flaws and audio shortcomings, the laptop’s core hardware and future-proofing features make it an attractive option for those seeking a gaming laptop that can handle a variety of tasks.
Learn more about Refresh Rate and Screen Tearing.
