Every time I delve into the world of gaming, I realize how crucial the right gear is. There’s nothing quite as frustrating as a game lagging right in the middle of an intense scene just because my budgeted laptop couldn’t keep up.
It’s not just about enjoying smooth gameplay; it’s about immersion, precision, and responsiveness. We deserve a seamless gaming experience without breaking the bank, but finding that sweet spot between performance and price? It can be a real challenge.
That’s why I’ve taken the time to sift through the market and curate a list of the 9 best gaming laptops under $1300. Each of these laptops packs a punch in terms of performance, ensuring you get value for every dollar spent to upgrade a mid range gaming laptop Let’s dive in and help you find your next gaming companion.
These power-packed laptops assure exceptional graphics, potent CPU and larger display which deliver a commendable gaming experience along with higher compatibility for other uses.
While there are a plethora of gaming laptops ranging from under $200 to under $2000, choosing a mid-range gaming laptop is a tough task. If you are looking for a budget gaming laptop under $1300, you are at the right place. However, we strongly recommend to check out our exclusive list of best gaming laptops under $2000, if you are looking for a high-end gaming laptop.
I have compiled a comprehensive list of the 9 best gaming laptops under $1300 that are well-researched on the parameters like GPU, processor, display etc. These are essential components for any efficient gaming laptop. If you an ardent WOW gaming enthusiast, we have also curated a highly researched list of best gaming laptops for World of Warcraft.
9 Best Gaming Laptop under $1300
Let’s begin our detailed review of 9 best gaming laptops under $1300:
1.Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop
Key Specifications
- Display: 15.6 inches Full HD Widescreen IPS
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Processor: 9th Generation Intel Core i5-9300H
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics
- Memory: 8GB DDR4 2666MHz
Acer Nitro 5 is a slim yet sleek laptop with a mix of modern and premium profiles. Using the 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor will smoothen your workflow and allow you to run multiple power intense programs together. The full HD, 15.6″ widescreen offers a refresh rate of 144 Hz that enriches your gaming experience. With NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, you will play any of the AAA titles seamlessly. Acer Nitro 5 includes 16 GB RAM with 256 GB PCle NVMe SSD that is a cornerstone of any gaming laptop at this price range.
This laptop also features fantastic heat management technology. Acer CoolBoost technology provides you with optimum boost, and you can enjoy longer hours of gaming without any heating issues. The keypad is extra sensitive with dedicated NitroSense Key technology and is designed ergonomically for easy location. It also comes with an iron red backlit feature to add convenience in dim-lit environments. Enjoy an immersive gaming venture with crushing audio enhanced by Acer TrueHarmony and experience real-to-life gaming every time. Owing to all these outstanding features, Acer Nitro 5 has acquired the #1 place in our list of Best Gaming laptops under $1300 which is worth of its investment.
2.Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming
Key Specifications
- Display: 15.6 inches LED
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Processor: 9th Generation intel(r) core(tm) i5-9300h
- Graphics: nvidia(r) geforce(r) GTX 1650
- Memory: 8 GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM
Razer Blade 15 is a utility-cum-gaming laptop. The Aluminium chassis ensures a stylish look and ensure it as one of the durable laptop on the list. Using the recent 10th Gen Intel Core i7, 6 core processor, it delivers excellent power while playing modern games. The 15.6″ wide, full HD screen offers fast gaming with a 120 Hz frame rate and supports 1920×1080 display resolution. Housing 16GB DDR4 RAM, it is perfect for multitasking, and with 256GB PCIe SSD upgradeable storage, you will be able to store most of your heavy games and media files without any hassle.
Using NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics, this laptop would be able to handle today’s most popular games effortlessly. If connectivity is your concern, put your worries to rest as the broad range of connectivity options, including wireless – AC, Bluetooth, USB Type A, Type C, HDMI port, etc., will cater to all your requirements.
3.ASUS TUF 15.6″ FHD
Key Specifications
- Display: 6 inches LED
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Processor: 9th Generation Intel Hexa-Core i7-9750H
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5
- Memory: 32GB DDR4 2666 MHz SDRAM
If multitasking is your top priority, ASUS TUF is the perfect choice for you. It hosts a 32GB DDR4 2666 MHz RAM that will allow you to work with more information simultaneously and have an incredible speed effect on the overall system performance. With 1TB PCIe NVMe Solid-state performance, the laptop will boot quickly and provide you with enough storage for heavy media. The 144 Hz frame rate coupled with the 5ms response time offered by the 15.6″ FHD screen will provide top-tier performance while playing modern games. Using NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5 graphics, you will experience fast-paced games in real-time without any issues.
This model houses Intel Core i7-9750H, 2.6 GHz up to 4.5 GHz, Hexa core processor, which will load your games quickly, and you won’t experience any unnecessary lags or slowdowns. Featuring extensive connectivity options like 2x USB 3.2 Gen1, 1x USB 2.0, 1xHDMI, 1x RJ-45, and 1x headphone/microphone combo jack, you would be able to connect with any external device effortlessly. With this, you also get incredible wireless Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity choices. One of the significant drawbacks of this model is its portability factor, as it’s on a heavier side weighing around 4.9 pounds, and features a 14.17 x 10.31 x 1.02″ dimensional aspect, making it bulkier than its competitors. When compared to Razer Blade 15, it’s not as cost-efficient too. Hence, Asus TUF secures third place on our list.
4.Dell G5 15
Key Specifications
- Display: 15.6 inches LCD
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Processor:
- Graphics: GeForce GTX 1650Ti
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
This laptop is one of the most budget-friendly options contained in our list. Being interstellar dark in colour, it looks and feels premium. The 15.6-inch FHD screen supports 1920 x 1080 display resolution and offers a 120 Hz FPS rate. With narrow bezels and anti-glare technology, the visuals provided by this device are nothing less than a treat. Coming with standard 16GB DDR4 RAM runs multiple programs smoothly, and you will experience no annoying lags while switching between them. The 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD stores all the media files, and you will have ample storage for heavy games.
This laptop runs on 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10300H, quad-core Processor, which is sufficient for power-intensive games. The GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics with 4GB GDDR6 Dedicated Memory ensures quality performance at higher graphics settings. Considering all these impressive specs, Dell G5 is priced reasonably and is an excellent bang for bucks deal for you.
5.MSI GF65
Key Specifications
- Display: 15.6 inches LED
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i7-9750H
- Graphics: GeForce GTX1660Ti 6G GDDR6
- Memory: 8GB DDR4 2666MHz
MSI GF65 is a thin and light laptop that comes power-packed with high performing specs. Its 15.6″ screen supports 1920×1080 screen resolution and has razor-thin bezels to cut down any distractions. This laptop houses 8 GB DDR4 RAM that enriches its speed and performance. With 512GB M.2 SATA SSD, storage would never be a problem for you.
Coming with the unbeatable combination of Intel Core i7-9750H, Hexa core processor, and NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX Graphics, this laptop has got “gaming” written all over it. You would be able to invigorate your gaming experience with the power-efficient processor and play some recent games in the highest graphic settings. Are you planning to step into the world of virtual reality? MSI GF65 is ready to deliver you the best VR experience. Just grab your favourite VR gears, and you are all set to go!
6.HP – OMEN
Key Specifications
- Display: 15.6 inches
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 4800H
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
- Memory: 8GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM
This laptop is perfect for beginners to the intermediate level gamer or someone who wants to play classics without any hassles. The specs of this device speak highly about its gaming facilities, and by the look itself, you can tell it’s architectured to be a gaming laptop. Coming with the AMD Ryzen 7 processor can support some of the most popular power craving games with ease. The NVIDIA GeForce 1660 Ti graphics card allows stutter-free visuals and streams videos on their best quality settings. Moreover, the 8GB RAM makes switching between programs convenient and streamlines your work needs as well.
Coming to the display, the 15.6″ screen offers a 144hz frame rate and 1920×1080 display resolution. This laptop features HP Wide Vision, a full HD webcam that has integrated digital microphone support. With comprehensive options of ports and slots and wireless Intel Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 Combo, connectivity would never be a problem for you.
7.Acer Predator Helios
Key Specifications
- Display: 15.6 inches LED
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core Processor
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- Memory: 16 GB DDR4
Acer Predator Helios comes in aluminium chassis, and its cutting-edge design screams “gaming.” It offers some of the most eye-catching specs for gaming laptops and is a little too chic to be included as a middle-tier gaming laptop. Utilizing the 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core Processor, it can play complicated modern games with ease. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics offer killer graphics, real-time ray tracing, compatibility with AI, and bring visuals to reality. With 16 GB DDR4 RAM, you will face no problem while playing several programs simultaneously, and the 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD storage will make storing heavy media a cakewalk.
This device reduces heating with a 4th Gen Aeroblade 3D fan and maintains cool device temperature at all times, improving airflow up to 45%. As for the display, you are gifted with a 15.6” full HD screen that offers a 16:9 aspect ratio, 144Hz refresh rate, and 3 ms response time for the fastest gaming experience. All in all, Acer Predator Helios is a great gaming laptop for you. If you are ready to invest a little extra for a professional-grade gaming experience, we recommend you proceed with this product.
8.2020 ASUS ROG Zephyrus
- Display: 14 inches LCD
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- Memory: 16 GB DDR4
ASUS ROG Zephyrus is an outstanding gaming laptop. It is engineered to be ultra-thin and light for maximum portability. Since it weighs only 3.64 lbs and is as thin as 0.7″, you can carry it comfortably while travelling and continue with work or gaming while being on the go. Using AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS, an octa-core processor up to 4.20 GHz, it features one of the most powerful processors at this price range. The 16GB, high-bandwidth DDR4 RAM will allow seamless multitasking and prevent abrupt system slowdowns. If storage is something you are looking for, ASUS ROG Zephyrus boasts a 1TB PCIe SSD that will save your files in a blink and never pose a problem in storing data.
This laptop uses Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q GPU, which enriches graphics and fuels some of the most states of art games. The comfortable keyboard comes with backlit technology that will let you type accurately in any lighting conditions. Lastly, the battery life extends up to 11 hours, and so you will encounter no interruption while playing your favourite games for as long as you want.
9.HP Pavilion
Key Specifications
- Display: 16.1 inches WLED
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Processor: 5 GHz core_i7_family
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti
- Memory: 16 GB DDR4
Featuring a 16″ screen size, HP Pavilion supports an FHD IPS display. Like any other high-performing laptop, it uses 10th Generation Intel Core i7 Processors to provide you with faster loading times and optimum responsiveness. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX, 1660 Ti graphics with Max-Q design ensured dynamic gameplay. With 16GB RAM and 512 GB PCIe SSD storage, you won’t only get broader scope for multitasking but also the convenience of file stashing without any trouble.
HP Pavillion offers almost all the ports that you might need. For wireless connectivity, it includes Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0. Heating issues are prevalent with gaming laptops, but this model spreads heat like a pro during continuous gaming sessions and stabilizes operations. Besides all these features, it runs automatic health checks and provides the necessary barrier to prevent unauthorized access.
As we have reviewed all the gaming laptops under $1300 that are capable of delivering a competitive edge to the user with their impeccable features, it’s time to understand the important factors one should consider while buying gaming laptops.
How to choose the best gaming laptop under $1300 – Buying Guide
Let’s check out the various factors that one should look for, before buying a reliable gaming laptop under $1300:
Storage & Memory
You need storage to keep your files saved while memory is important for smoother laptop functioning. When it comes to gaming laptops, 4GB RAM is not enough leading to the slowing down of your laptop. Hence, gaming laptops with 8GB of DDR4 fast RAM are good deals worth considering.
Solid State Drive (SSD) comes with 5 times speed over HDD. Hence fetching a laptop with a pre-installed SSD is a good choice at this price point.
Graphics Card
All the graphic related tasks in a gaming laptop are handled by the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). While integrated GPU can perform well for a normal laptop, a gaming laptop needs a dedicated GPU that can handle heavy gaming graphics smoothly. For a budget under $1300, you can expect Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or 2060 graphics cards in the best gaming laptops.
Processor
Processor is the most important consideration while buying a gaming laptop. While choices are abundant for the processor when your budget is somewhere $1000 to $1300, the Intel processor is the preferred user’s choice.
Considering AMD, the Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 are powerful series that gives gaming laptops an edge. Owing to more cores to their chipsets than Intel, AMD is also a good considering at this price point.
Vivid Display
Gaming laptops at this price should be engaging and bright to deliver an impeccable gaming experience. Look for at least an FHD display with a thin bezel to avoid any external interference. The laptops listed above generally comes with a screen size of 15″ or greater. The screen with an IPS panel is an add-on to let you view from different angles without any distortion.
Heat Dissipation
Gaming laptops tend to heat up easily leading to excessive pressure on their components. Laptops with effective heat dissipation mechanisms should be preferred as effective gaming laptops. Some laptops are equipped with an aeroblade fan for faster cooling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why refresh rate is important for gaming laptops?
The number of times the laptop screen refresh itself per second refers to the refresh rate. For gaming laptops, a higher refresh rate ensures more frames per second to elevate your overall gaming experience. While the standard refresh rate is 60Hz, it can go as high as 120Hz to 144 Hz.
If you are not a serious gamer, you may settle at 60Hz for your casual gaming. For professionals in the fighter and shooter games, a higher refresh rate makes a considerable difference. It delivers a more realistic experience making it a crucial metric for gaming laptops.
Are Gaming laptops under $1300 any good?
It is an excellent deal to consider if you can short-list a laptop at par with your preferences under $1300. More and more manufacturers are cutting down the cost to make gaming laptops affordable.
Is RAM important for gaming notebooks under $1300?
When you are specifically looking for a reliable gaming laptop, RAM is crucial to accelerate CPU operations. It can also boost the fps for mid-segment gamins. However, the GPU shall also be powerful.
What features should I look into for a gaming laptop under $1300?
Look for at least 4GB of VRAM support along with a powerful GPU to run your gaming sessions smoothly. Look for the laptops with the best faster refresher rates, battery backup of up to 4 hours, and a 1080p panel.
Conclusion
Most of the casual gamers do not require to go for high-end gaming laptops under $1300 as they can find decent features for laptops under $750 that results in cutting the cost to almost 50%. But for serious gamers who love explore the latest game library or if you are a professional gamer with a gaming channel, you need to invest in a worthy laptop.
Gaming laptops included in the list above are some of the high-end laptops that are all set to deliver a competitive advantage to live gaming streamers and professionals. The blend of aesthetics, latest features and performance of these gaming laptops make them a worthy deal for under $1300.