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HP Pavilion dv6-1362nr
Today, I’m presenting to you the five best gaming laptops that offer the best performance at a given price, under $1000. Why would you want that, you ask?
Because you want the best bang for the buck, because you want the best possible gaming notebook for your hard-earned money and because you want the highest FPS possible in your video games.
If you have the time, reading detailed gaming laptops reviews and specifications are a lot of fun. However, most of us don’t have the time to do the research and just want the answers. In other words, what you want to know is what is the best gaming laptops within your budget.
So if you don’t have the time to do the research, or just don’t care to do it, don’t worry. I’ll come to your help with this Guide of the Five Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000
Pros and Cons of a Gaming Laptop vs a Gaming Desktop:
Pros:
- It’s a laptop, meaning you can bring it wherever you want and it’s better than an heavy case for LanParties. You can bring it to school, a library, to your friend’s house, etc.
- It has a battery and with wireless internet, you don’t have a bunch of cables everywhere, at least less than a desktop.
Cons:
- For the same price, a Gaming Laptop will be less powerful than a Gaming Desktop. If you’re really cash-strapped, yet want to play the latest games, you’re better off with a Gaming Desktop Computer.
- Heat: Laptops tend to accumulate heat more than their desktop counterparts, due to their size constraints. If you have it on your lap, you’ll feel the heat in gaming sessions or intensive workloads.
- Smaller keyboard, mouse not as accurate: You’re better off using a separated keyboard and mouse, especially for first person shooters.
Keep in mind:
I’ll use this opportunity to remind you that this article is only a guideline for the prices I’ve seen on November 25th. You’re letting yourself down if you’re not looking for deals when you decide to purchase.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you read this list:
- This list is for gamers who want the best bang for the buck. If you don’t play videos games, the laptops in this list are not specifically targeted to you.
- This list is based on the best U.S. prices from NewEgg and/or Amazon. Prices and availability change everyday. I can’t keep up with accurate pricing everyday, but I can suggest to you great laptops that you won’t regret buying.
- All prices are based on new laptops prices, no used or open box are listed; they might be a good deal, but they come with trade offs, such as limited return policy, limited warranty, etc.
The Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000:
Short Version
| Price: |
The Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000 |
| $550 |
TOSHIBA Satellite L505-S5995: 15.6″ (1366 x 768), ATI Radeon 4570 512MB DDR3, Intel Pentium T4300 (2.10GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2), 3GB DDR2, 250GB 5400rpm Hard Drive, Windows 7 Home Premium
|
| $650 |
ASUS K61IC-X2: 16″ (1366 x 768), NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M 1GB DDR2, Intel Pentium T4300 (2.10GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2), 4GB DDR2, 320GB 5400rpm Hard Drive, Windows 7 Home Premium |
| $750 |
HP Pavilion dv6-1362nr: 15.6″ (1366 x 768), ATI Radeon HD 4650 1GB, Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 (2.20GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2), 4GB DDR3, 320GB 7200rpm Hard Drive, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit |
| $800 |
ASUS X83VP-X1: 14.1″ (1280 x 800), ATI Radeon HD 4650 1GB DDR3, Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 (2.20GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2), 4GB Memory DDR2, 320GB Hard Drive 7200rpm, Windows 7 Home Premium |
| $970 |
ASUS X83Vp-A1: 14.1″ (1280 x 800), ATI Radeon HD 4650 1GB DDR3, Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 (2.53GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 3MB L2), 4GB DDR2, 500GB 5400rpm Hard Drive, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
|
The Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000:
Detailed Version
Best Gaming Laptop for $550:
Specifications:
- Brand and Model: Toshiba Satellite L505-S5995
- Screen Size/Resolution: 15.6″, 1366 x 768 WideScreen
- Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 4570 512MB DDR3
- Processor: Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4300 (2.10GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache)
- Memory (RAM): 3GB DDR2
- Hard Drive: 250GB 5400rpm
- Optical Drive: 24X CD Read/Burn, 8X DVD Read/Burn
- Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n Wireless, 10/100Mbps LAN
- Ports: 3 USB, 1 VGA, 1 E-SATA, SD Cards, Webcam
- Battery: 4000mAh (6 cell) Lithium Ion
- Dimensions and Weight: 15.1″ x 10.2″ x 1.4-1.55″, 6lbs
- Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium
- Warranty: Parts and Labor – 1 year limited
About the Toshiba Satellite L505-S5995:
This is the least expensive laptop that is able of handling some video games. Considering the price, don’t expect the best looking or the most powerful laptop with tons of accessories, but instead expect an honest laptop with the bare necessities.
The video card limits you to older games and some less demanding recent games, but with lowered details. More information on the Radeon 4570. This laptop is best suited for you if you are very limited on cash and only intend on playing older games or occasionally more recent games that are less demanding.
Pros:
- Least expensive gaming laptop
- E-SATA port
Cons:
- Weak Video Card, limiting you to pretty much only older games or a few recent games that are not too demanding, but with details at the minimum.
- Low storage capacity (250GB)
- Only 3GB of RAM
- Lan limited to 100 Mbps
- Only 3 USB ports and no HDMI output
Best Price: $550 on NewEgg |
Best Gaming Laptop for $650
ASUS K61IC-X2
Specifications:
- Brand and Model: ASUS K61IC-X2
- Screen Size/Resolution: 16″, 1366 x 768 WideScreen
- Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 220M 1GB DDR2
- Processor: Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4300 (2.10GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache)
- Memory (RAM): 4GB DDR2
- Hard Drive: 320GB 5400rpm
- Optical Drive: DVD/CD Burner – SuperMulti
- Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n, 10/100/1000Mbps LAN
- Ports: 4 USB ports, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 5 in 1 Card Reader, 1.3MP Webcam
- Battery: 6 cell Lithium Ion
- Dimensions and Weight: 14.8″ x 10.24″ x 1.3-1.4″, 5.7lbs
- Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium
- Warranty: 1 year ASUS Accidental Damage Warranty – Drops, Fire, Spill, Surge
- Parts and Labor – 2 years limited
About the ASUS K61IC-X2: A nice step-up in looks, power and ports. While it is more powerful than the $550 Toshiba laptop, it still limits you to older games or recent games that are not too demanding with lowered details.
Pros:
- Good Price for the features offered
- 4 USB ports and HDMI output for your monitor or large HDTV
- Rather light for a Gaming Laptop
- ASUS Warranty
- Unique Cooling System that keeps the laptop cooler and more silent. In simple terms, it uses two fans instead of one.
Cons:
- Video Card is not powerful enough for modern games.
- Slow 5400rpm Hard Drive
Best Price: $650 on NewEgg |
Specifications:
- Brand and Model: HP Pavilion dv6-1362nr
- Screen Size/Resolution: 15.6″, 1366 x 768 WideScreenLED Baclight
- Video Card: ATI Radeon 4650 1GB
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 (2.20GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2)
- Memory (RAM): 4GB DDR3
- Hard Drive: 320GB 7200rpm
- Optical Drive: LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW
- Connectivity: 802.11b/g, 10/100/1000 LAN
- Ports: 4 USB, 1 E-SATA, VGA and HDMI, ExpressCard/54 slot, IR Remote
- Battery: 6 cell Lithium Ion
- Dimensions and Weight: 14.90″ x 10.15″ x 1.33″ – 1.61″, 6.34lbs
- Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
- Warranty: Parts and Labor – 1 year limited
About the HP Pavilion dv6-1362nr:
Finally, we have a laptop with a better video card, capable of handling most DirectX 9 games (like Call of Duty 4, F.E.A.R., or Unreal Tournament 3) should be playable in low to medium detail. Demanding DX10 games from 2008 like Crysis run only in low details fluently.
The Mobility Radeon HD 4650 includes the Avivo HD called video technology including an onboard soundchip for 7.1 sound output over HDMI. The Avivo HD technology handles all video tasks and enables the GPU to decode HD videos.
Pros:
- Decent Gaming Performance thanks to the Radeon HD 4650
- Nice Looking
- Faster Hard Drive, at 7200rpm.
- Remote Control for MultiMedia
- 4 USB and HDMI output for your monitor or large HDTV
- 7200rpm Hard Drive
- Cons:
No 802.11n wireless
Best Price: $750 on NewEgg |
Best Gaming Laptop for $800:
ASUS X83VP-X1
Specifications:
- Brand and Model: ASUS X83VP-X1
- Screen Size/Resolution: 14.1″, 1280 x 800 WXGA
- Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 4650 1GB DDR3
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 (2.20GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache)
- Memory (RAM): 4GB DDR2
- Hard Drive: 320GB 7200rpm
- Optical Drive: DVD/CD Burner – SuperMulti
- Connectivity: 802.11b/g/n, 10/100/1000 LAN
- Ports:5 USB, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 eSATA, 8-in-1 card reader, 1.3MP webcam
- Battery: 6 cell Lithium Ion
- Dimensions and Weight: 14.52″ x 10.52″ x 1.42″, 5.5lbs
- Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
- Warranty: 1 year ASUS Accidental Damage Warranty – Drops, Fire, Spill, Surge
Parts and Labor – 2 years limited
About the ASUS X83VP-X1: While this ASUS laptop has the same processor and video card as the previous HP Pavilion dv6-1362nr model, it’s more portable due to its smaller size and lower weight.
Like the HP Pavilion dv6-1362nr, it is capable of handling most DirectX 9 games (like Call of Duty 4, F.E.A.R., or Unreal Tournament 3) should be playable in low to medium detail. Demanding DX10 games from 2008 like Crysis run only in low details fluently.The Mobility Radeon HD 4650 includes the Avivo HD called video technology including an onboard soundchip for 7.1 sound output over HDMI. The Avivo HD technology handles all video tasks and enables the GPU to decode HD videos.
Also, it’s lower resolution of 1280 x 800 actually gives this laptop the edge for video games performance compared to the HP Pavilion dv6-1362nr. Why? The lower resolution means that the video card doesn’t have to work as hard, which in the end means you’ll have higher framerates.
Pros:
- Decent Gaming Performance thanks to the Radeon HD 4650
- Lower Resolution brings higher framerates
- 5 USB Ports and HDMI output for your monitor or large HDTV
- 7200rpm Hard Drive
- Light for a Gaming Laptop
Cons:
- DDR2 RAM, draws more power, more expensive to upgrade
Best Price: $800 on NewEgg |
Best Gaming Laptop for $970:
ASUS X83VP-A1
Specifications:
- Brand and Model: ASUS X83VP-A1
- Screen Size/Resolution: 14.1″, 1280 x 800 WXGA
- Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 4650 1GB DDR3
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 (2.53GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 3MB L2 Cache)
- Memory (RAM): 4GB DDR2
- Hard Drive: 500GB 5400rpm
- Optical Drive: DVD/CD Burner – SuperMulti
- Battery: 6 cell Lithium Ion
- Connectivity: 802.11b/g/n, 10/100/1000 LAN
- Ports: 5 USB, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 eSATA, 8-in-1 card reader, 1.3MP webcam
- Dimensions and Weight: 14.52″ x 10.52″ x 1.42″, 5.5lbs
- Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
- Warranty: 1 year ASUS Accidental Damage Warranty – Drops, Fire, Spill, Surge
Parts and Labor – 2 years limited
About the ASUS X83VP-A1: In looks, it is identical to the ASUS X83VP-X1. However, inside it contains a much more powerful CPU and is equipped with a larger 500GB Hard Drive, although it is slower at 5400rpm.
In video games, the more powerful processor will help gain a few extra frames per second. However, that doesn’t justify spending $170 more, just for that. This laptop is meant for you and worth the extra $170 if, on top of video games, you do some audio/video/3D editing or multi-task a lot.
Pros:
- Equipped with the more powerful Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 CPU, at 2.53GHz, 1066MHz FSB and 3MB of L2 cache.
- Decent Gaming Performance thanks to the Radeon HD 4650
- Lower Resolution brings higher framerates
- 5 USB Ports and HDMI output for your monitor or large HDTV
- Light for a Gaming Laptop
Cons:
- Slow 5400rpm Hard Drive
- DDR2 RAM, draws more power, more expensive to upgrade
Best Price: $970 on Amazon |
Conclusion
Do you still think that you can’t play video games on a laptop for $1000 or less? Sure, perhaps not with the highest level of details, but still, these Gaming Laptops are a viable solution for many of us who can’t afford more expensive laptops.
If you’re looking for a more powerful Gaming Laptop, come back on Friday for The Best Gaming Laptops from $1000 to $2000 and Tuesday next week, for The Best Gaming Laptops over $2000
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