Best Gaming Laptops Under $1200 for 2023

Gaming laptops are becoming more and more popular amongst gamers. They're portable, have better graphics and refresh rate then a normal laptop, and have lots of storage. However not everyone can afford to spend thousands of dollars on a top of the line gaming laptop. Fortunately there are several great options available for those on a budget. Today we will take a look at the best gaming laptops under $1200 for 2023.

5. Dell G5 15 SE (5505) - Rating: 7/10 - Price: $1179.99

The Dell G5 15 SE (5505) is an affordable gaming laptop with CPU and GPU and SmartShift technology for the best performance. The laptop has a Ryzen processor, which offers potent processing power and is ideal for multimedia tasks and gaming. The laptop also has a Radeon GPU, which is adequate for running contemporary games at respectable frame rates, but its gaming performance does not match that of more expensive gaming laptops.

The Dell G5 15 SE has a flaw in that it is made of cheap feeling plastic that makes one doubt its durability. The laptop's keyboard is also not the most comfortable due to its cheap, plasticky key caps and propensity to become hot when in use. The laptop's display, however, is a strength because it has a vivid, bright screen that makes it simple to enjoy games and other multimedia.

Overall, the Dell G5 15 SE (5505) is a solid option for players looking for a versatile, affordable gaming laptop. Its display offers a pleasurable viewing experience, and its all AMD configuration and SmartShift technology deliver strong processing and gaming performance. However, some users might find the laptop's plastic construction and uncomfortable keyboard to be a deterrent.

4. Asus TUF Gaming A15 - Rating: 7.5/10 - Price: $1199.99

With 16GB of DDR4-3200 RAM and an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H CPU with eight CPU cores and 16 threads, the Asus TUF Gaming A15 is a powerful gaming laptop. Excellent performance is offered by this configuration for activities like continuous 3D rendering and, of course, gaming. For sharp, clear visuals, the laptop also has a 15.6-inch screen with a 1920x1080 resolution.

One of the standout features of the Asus TUF Gaming A15 is its battery life, which can deliver two hours of high performance gaming on a single charge. Making it a great choice for gamers who need a laptop that can last for all thier gaming sessions. However, the laptop's cooling system can struggle to keep up with the heat output, which can lead to reduced performance. This is a common issue with gaming laptops, but it may be more noticeable on this laptop due to its powerful components.

The Asus TUF Gaming A15 is built to withstand the rigours of travel and gaming thanks to its tough and sturdy design. The laptop has a backlit keyboard with a number pad that is cozy to type on and play games on. Overall, the Asus TUF Gaming A15 is a fantastic option for gamers looking for a strong, long-lasting gaming laptop. Users who demand the highest level of performance from their gaming rig, however, might be concerned about the laptop's cooling system.

3. Acer Nitro 5 - Rating: 8/10 - Price: $1199.99

An affordable gaming laptop with strong performance at an attractive price is the Acer Nitro 5. The keyboard's RGB backlighting, which has four different zones, the red Nitro text, and the lid's pinstripe-like pattern give it a bit of gaming flair despite its simple appearance. Comparatively speaking to some of its rivals, the laptop is thicker.

The Acer Nitro 5 offers reliable gaming performance that can handle the majority of games at medium settings. Additionally, it has a 15.6-inch screen with a 1080p resolution, which offers vivid colours and respectable contrast. The display can be a little dim, which could be an issue in areas with bright lighting. The battery life of the laptop is typical, lasting for about 4-5 hours after a single charge.

All things considered, the Acer Nitro 5 is a capable gaming laptop that offers good performance at a reasonable price. For its intended audience, the laptop's gaming performance is more important than its simple design and average battery life.

2. HP Victus 16 - Ratinhttps://amzn.to/41t6MSGg: 8.5/10 - Price: $998.00

The HP Victus 16 is a low-cost gaming laptop that provides a respectable gaming experience despite some design compromises. The laptop is angular and has a lot of ports; it weighs more than 5 pounds. The laptop has a comfortable keyboard and a 16.1-inch display that improves the gaming experience.

The laptop's AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU deliver impressive graphics performance and can handle the majority of contemporary games. The laptop also has 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD storage and 16GB DDR4-3200 memory, which is sufficient for games and other files. However, the laptop's design sacrifices in a few key areas, such as the plastic chassis, which feels a bit cheap compared to other gaming laptops. The fans can also get loud while gaming, which can be distracting, and the battery life is not exceptional, lasting around 6 hours during normal use.

Overall, the HP Victus 16 is a good budget gaming laptop that delivers decent performance for its price point, but its cost-cutting measures show in its design. If you're looking for a gaming laptop that offers premium features and build quality, the HP Victus 16 may not be the best option, but for a budget option, it is worth considering.

1. Lenovo Legion 5 - Rating: 9/10 - Price: $948.99

The Lenovo Legion 5 is a solid gaming laptop that offers impressive performance for its price point. It comes with AMD Ryzen CPUs and various NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, which can deliver smooth gameplay at 1080p. In addition, it can be configured with a QHD 165Hz display, although this requires pairing it with the top-end NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 for the best experience.

The Legion 5 is distinguished by its keyboard, which is excellent for general computing tasks and has a lot of ports and a long battery life. It has a chic design and, if benchmark results are strong, it might rank among the best budget gaming laptops available.

Overall, the Lenovo Legion 5 is a great choice for gamers seeking a strong, adaptable laptop at a reasonable price. It's a fantastic option for both gaming and regular use thanks to its strong performance, excellent keyboard, and useful features.