If you’re a PC gamer, you know how expensive it can be. In addition to purchasing your favorite triple-A titles, you also need a powerful machine to run them on. When it comes to gaming laptops, it gets even more complicated, as it requires an intricate cooling system to handle the heat-generating components inside. Fortunately for you, there are some inexpensive options out there. In fact, when it comes to a sub-$1,000 gaming laptop, you don’t have to cut as many corners as you may think.
If you’re feeling totally lost, don’t worry–we did the hard work for you. The laptops below have been personally tested and vetted by members of the PCWorld team, so you know you’re getting a good machine. Just note that laptop prices can fluctuate, so our picks below may occasionally go over $1,000. For more recommendations on gaming laptops, see our roundup of the best gaming laptops across all prices, or take a look at our roundup of the best laptop deals.
Why you should trust us: Hey, 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.
Quick links to select top recommendations
- Best overall: Acer Nitro V 16
- Most portable: MSI Thin GF63
- Best connectivity: Acer Nitro V 15
Acer Nitro V 16 – Best overall
Pros
- Solid performance
- Competitive price
- Dedicated button for quick performance mode switching
- Fast 165Hz display with good colors
Cons
- Fully plastic build
- Mushy keyboard
- Weak battery life
Why we like the Acer Nitro V 16
The Acer Nitro V 16 is a really good sub-$1,000 laptop, full stop. The IPS display is big and fast, and the RTX 4060 GPU has enough power to run most games on the Medium or High graphics preset. While running the built-in Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark, the Nitro turned in a respectable 136 frames-per-second. Sure, it’s an older game/bench, but the fps shows that it’s very playable. The 16-inch 1920×1200 display’s 165Hz refresh rates ensures nothing but smooth gameplay.
Who should buy the Acer Nitro V 16
Anyone who’s looking for an affordable laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance. The display is a great choice for action-packed worlds because it’s big and fast and the RTX 4060 GPU is capable of “running any modern game,” according to our review. The battery life isn’t the best (four hours on a single charge), but that’s about par for the course with gaming laptops. The gamer aesthetic is also a bit, ahem, loud. If you can live with those trade-offs, then you can’t pick a better value than the Nitro V 16.
Alternative option: The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition ($1,099.99), which was our previous Best Overall pick until the Acer Nitro V 16 usurped its throne, is still a good option to consider. For about a grand, you’re getting reliable graphics performance, a spacious keyboard, and long battery life. The HP Victus 15 ($1,099.99) is a more subtle-looking gaming laptop if that’s your cup of tea. In addition to the sophisticated design, gameplay should look smooth thanks to the high refresh rate display (144Hz).
MSI Thin GF63 (2023) – Most portable
Pros
- Good 1080p gaming
- Attractive backlighting
- Rugged build
Cons
- Not the most color-accurate screen
Why we like the MSI Thin GF63
The MSI Thin GF63 weighs just over four pounds, which is lightweight for a gaming laptop. For context, most gaming laptops tip the scales at five or six pounds. In addition to the MSI Thin GF63 being portable, it’s also packing a good amount of power. Between the Intel Core i5-12450H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, you should be able to run most games on the Medium or High graphics preset. The 1080p display is also spacious at 15.6-inches with a refresh rate of 144Hz.
Who should buy the MSI Thin GF63
The MSI Thin GF63 is a good option for college students, as it’s light enough to take with you from class-to-class. It’s also powerful enough for everyday tasks like watching Netflix, writing papers, and so on. It’ll scratch the gaming itch, too.
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