Our experts used the PerfectRec decision engine to comb through our laptop database and find the best gaming laptops under 1500 available in 2024. Here are our top picks.
Our criteria for the best gaming laptops under 1500:
Operating System: We limited the search to Windows laptops since there are more games available than on Mac.
Usage: We focused on gaming laptops.
Budget: We chose a higher budget of $1,000-1,500, which should cover a mid-range gaming laptop.
To consider others factors, try the PerfectRec decision engine to get your personalized laptop recommendation
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, with a midrange price point, offers a balance of performance and features suited for versatile users, especially those interested in gaming and demanding tasks. It comes equipped with a large storage capacity, adequate RAM, a high-end Intel i7 processor, and an Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card, supporting hardware ray tracing and DLSS for enhanced visual fidelity. The device boasts a significant battery capacity, a 16-inch IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a high refresh rate, ensuring smooth motion and a sizable workspace. However, with a weight over 5 pounds and a battery life offering modest hours of typical usage, its portability is compromised. Windows 11 Home comes pre-installed, and the laptop features multiple USB-C and Thunderbolt ports, ensuring extensive connectivity options. The laptop also includes a quality keyboard with a number pad and backlit keys, alongside good speakers and heat management systems. Despite its suitability for intensive gaming and high-performance tasks, its bulk should be considered if frequent mobility is necessary.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is a midrange gaming laptop that offers a blend of performance and features suitable for both gaming and general use. It comes with ample storage and a good amount of RAM, powered by a robust Intel i7 processor and a high-end Nvidia RTX graphics card, which makes it great for 3D applications and machine learning tasks. The laptop's 16-inch display boasts a high resolution that's larger than standard Full HD, and the screen's high refresh rate ensures smooth visuals, important for fast-paced games. Battery life is moderate, so it may not be ideal for extended use away from a power source. The build is solid, with a weight that leans towards the heavier side, affecting its portability. It includes features like a backlit keyboard with a number pad, hardware ray tracing, and DLSS for improved gaming graphics. Ports are generous, with multiple USB-C and Thunderbolt connections, though its midrange price reflects a balance between the high-end features and compromises in areas like the battery. The laptop was released quite recently and it's optimized for Windows 11 Home. It's well-suited for gaming and work tasks involving complex graphics and engineering software.
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is an upper midrange laptop with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics, ideal for gaming and demanding graphical tasks like 3D rendering and machine learning. It features 16GB of RAM, a 1024GB storage drive, a 16-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, and a refresh rate of 165Hz ensuring smooth visuals during fast-paced games or videos. It isn't touchscreen but has a high brightness level and robust color coverage. With a 3.5-hour battery life, it's less suited for extended work on-the-go, but it makes up for this with a backlit keyboard that includes a number pad, and hardware features like ray tracing and DLSS support for enhanced gaming graphics. Weighing 5.6 pounds and nearly an inch thick, portability is fair, yet it remains a strong performer for both general use and engineering applications. It was released in March 2023 and runs on Windows 11 Home.
The Lenovo Legion 5i Pro is a midrange-priced laptop with a large storage capacity and ample 32GB of RAM, suited for both demanding engineering tasks and gaming with its Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. Its screen is a 16-inch IPS panel with a high refresh rate, ideal for smooth visuals, and it has a resolution that strikes a balance between clarity and performance. It doesn't support touchscreen but has a comfortable keyboard with a numpad and is backlit. However, at 5.6 pounds, it leans towards the heavier side, which might affect portability, and its battery life is modest, which could limit mobility for extended use away from power sources. It supports a wide range of ports, including USB-C and HDMI, and has features like Ethernet and USB-C charging, but it's not the quietest under load. Overall, it's built for gaming and heavy workloads but not the best for on-the-go usage.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is a midrange-priced laptop offering solid gaming performance and is released recently in February 2023. It is equipped with a large and fast 17.3-inch display, a powerful AMD Ryzen processor, and an Nvidia RTX GPU, which makes it excellent for gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning tasks. Its keyboard is highly rated for quality, and it provides ample connectivity, including Ethernet, USB-C, and HDMI ports. However, it is not the most portable option, given its size and weight, and the battery life is not designed for long periods away from power outlets.
The Acer Nitro 5 15 is positioned at a midrange price, offering solid general use and gaming performance, thanks to its robust AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor and Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics. It has 16GB of RAM and a large 1024GB of storage, ideal for demanding applications and multitasking. The laptop features a 15.6-inch IPS display with a high resolution, perfect for detailed work and immersive gaming, complemented by a high refresh rate suitable for fast-paced action. The build includes a backlit keyboard with a number pad, hardware ray tracing, and DLSS support for enhanced gaming visuals. It's not the lightest at over 5 pounds and offers moderate battery life, meaning it sacrifices some portability for performance. Its array of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and Ethernet, plus the presence of available RAM and storage slots, adds to its versatility. This device suits users needing a powerful laptop for engineering, machine learning, and gaming, but who don't require the longest battery life or the most portable design.