15 Best Gaming Laptop Under 1200$ For 2023 Pro Review

15 Best Gaming Laptop Under 1200$ For 2020-2021

Mostly mobile laptops are used for study, business purposes, and surfing the Internet. But for fans of modern games, high-performance gaming laptops are available. Such models have the most modern characteristics, balanced among themselves. The main characteristics of the top Best Gaming Laptop Under 1200 are high performance and advanced functionality.

Selection of features for Gaming Laptop

When it comes to the best gaming laptops under 1200 dollars, the most important parameter is the graphics card, its performance and the amount of memory. With the improvement of these characteristics, the scope of devices is expanding – they are used not only for games, but also for creativity:

  • work with graphics;
  • photo and video editing;
  • performing complex calculations.

NVIDIA produces two series of video cards – GeForce GTX and GeForce RTX, which are based on the Turning architecture:

  • for games with a resolution up to 1920×1080, the GTX 1650 video card is optimal;
  • in Full HD resolution – GTX 1660 Ti, which will provide more memory;
  • with 2560×1440 resolution and 6K video processing, the RTX 2070 and RTX 2080 models cope.

Other important points:

  • a cooling system that can cope with high loads;
  • processor power;
  • the ability to add memory or replace a drive;
  • display parameters – dimensions, frequency, resolution no less than 1920×1080;
  • keyboard characteristics – key travel, macro support, backlighting;
  • number of connectors.

The rest of the characteristics of the gaming gadget are secondary, their choice depends on the user’s preferences.

Top 15 Best Gaming Laptop Under 1200$ for 2023

With the development of the computer gaming industry, the requirements for the technical equipment of laptops are growing. Every year this market is replenished with new models. Best gaming laptops under 1200$ are represented by machines with a good margin of power and a competent cooling system.

Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop

The model is available in three versions, which differ in processor power and memory size. The design of the laptop remains minimalistic, but the display has been updated it received a matrix with a frequency of 144 Hz.

Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop 2019
Pros
  • Robust stainless steel housing
  • Large number of connectors
  • Powerful processor
  • Screen protection with tempered glass
  • Small key travel
  • Multiple backlight modes
  • Metal case
  • Accelerated cooling system
Cons
  • Speaker sound not very good
  • The keyboard flexes slightly in one sector
  • Custom keyboard layout
  • Lack of official services
  • When performing resource-intensive tasks, the power supply does not withstand autonomy
  • Too noisy cooling system
  • Heavy
  • The functionality of the additional key block on the left is not entirely clear

According to its parameters, the model is recognized as the most powerful in its price segment.

Specifications
Video cardNVIDIA RTX 2660
Screen15.6 “
Cache memory12 MB L3
Resolution1920×1080
The weight2.6 kg
The size364x21x265 mm
CPUIntel Core i7-9750
Battery life4.5 hours

Check Best Laptop For Animation And Graphic Design.

Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop Enhanced Edition

A powerful processor, two hard drives and the amount of RAM make the product from Xiaomi one of the best gaming laptop.

Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop Enhanced Edition
Pros
  • Effective and comfortable back
  • lighting
  • Many connectors
  • Convenient buttons
  • Enhanced ventilation mode
  • Display matte finish
  • Big screen
  • High speed
  • Excellent cooling system
Cons
  • The block of keys on the left is not clear
  • Build quality complaints
  • Slightly slows down under intense load
  • Noisy
  • The keys are slightly pressed in the center
  • Not very good sound
  • Small touchpad
  • Poor webcam quality

With the declared power, the existing shortcomings are not very critical.

Specifications
Video adapterGTX 1050 Ti
Screen15.6 “
Resolution1920×1080
The weight2.7 kg
Overall dimensions364×20.9×265 mm
CPU6 cores Intel Core i5 8300H
RAM8 GB
Battery life6.5 h

MSI GL65 9SDK

A budget gaming laptop with good performance. Power headroom and solid-state storage allow you to set maximum settings and ensure the desired frame rate in the game.

MSI GL65 9SDK
Pros
  • Robust aluminium cover
  • The display is held firmly by the hinges
  • Matte finish for display and panels
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Customize the backlight for each key
  • Request processing speed
  • Efficient cooling system
  • Sufficient number of ports
Cons
  • Sound is not very balanced
  • Touchpad shifted to the left
  • Missing Fn keys
  • Charge indicators are not visible
  • Inconvenient location of the charging port
  • Screen flares
  • Plastic quality
  • Keyboard font

The keyboard with a standard layout is convenient for working and playing.

Specifications
RAM8 GB
Screen15.6 “
Resolution1920 × 1080
Battery life4.5 h
The weight2.3 kg
Overall dimensions358x28x248 mm
CPUCore i5 9300H
Video cardGTX 1650

MSI GL65 9SDK

Compact and inexpensive gaming laptop with good speed capabilities. Built-in Nvidia Optimus technology translates power consumption into economical consumption for simple operations.

MSI GL65 9SDK
Pros
  • Durable body – plastic + aluminum alloy
  • Three-level backlight
  • Matte finish
  • Good screen brightness
  • Fast charging
  • Wide viewing angle
  • Fast loading
  • Simultaneous processing of up to 8 information streams
Cons
  • Fingerprints remain
  • The charging connector is located next to the hot air exhaust
  • There is no number pad on the keyboard
  • Backlight only red
  • Small touchpad
  • Insufficient color gamut
  • Lights appear
  • The cooling system makes a lot of noise

The kit includes a mount for additional hard drive installation.

Specifications
RAM8 GB
Screen15.6 “
Resolution1920×1080
Overall dimensions359x22x254 mm
The weight1.78 kg
CPUIntel Core i5 9300H
Graphics acceleratorGTX 1050 Ti Max-Q
Battery lifeAbout 4 hours

Acer Aspire 7 A715-75G

The first position is occupied by a universal laptop with a classic design. Its advantages:

  • high-quality assembly;
  • durable magnesium alloy body;
  • many ports on both sides;
  • familiar key layout.

The ventilation holes are located at the back and do not interfere with your work.

Acer Aspire 7 A715-75G
Pros
  • There is a digital block
  • Key illumination
  • Can be upgraded
  • Performance
  • Good display
  • Attractive design
  • There is a fingerprint scanner
  • Nice build
Cons
  • Lacks brightness
  • Inconvenient shutdown key
  • Low RAM
  • Inconvenient location of the headphone jack
  • Marked case
  • Heats up a lot
  • Bad sound
  • Highlights at the bottom of the display

The keyboard is slightly shortened, but allows for fast typing.

Specifications
Screen15.6 “
Resolution1920×1080
The weight2.15 kg
The size363x23x254.4 mm
CPUIntel Core i5 9300H
Video cardGTX 1650 Ti
Memory16 GB
Battery lifeUp to 7 hours

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MSI GL75 9SCK

Compact gaming model with internal slots for an additional drive. It is possible to adjust the key illumination.

MSI GL75 9SCK
Pros
  • High performance
  • Internal connectors for disk and memory
  • Illumination option for each key
  • There is a digital block
  • Matte finish
  • Good build
  • Strong hinges on the lid
  • Comfortable keyboard
Cons
  • Insufficient RAM
  • Battery drains quickly
  • Inconvenient location of the arrow block
  • Keys sometimes make a loud noise when pressed
  • Few service centers
  • The plastic of the case bends
  • Cooling system noise increases under heavy loads
  • It takes a long time to load

The keyboard has a comfortable layout and the screen has good contrast.

Specifications
Battery life3 hours
Screen17.3 “
Resolution1920×1080
The weight2.5KG
Overall dimensions271x28x397 mm
CPUIntel Core i7 9750H
Video adapterGTX 1650
RAM8 GB

HP Pavilion Gaming 15

A laptop with an excellent balance of performance and external characteristics. There is a full-fledged keyboard with a numeric block, a successful cooling system that stabilizes the temperature at around 74 degrees. Take a look at Best Laptops For Watching Movies.

HP Pavilion Gaming 15
Pros
  • Lots of ports left and right
  • Digital block Two backlight modes
  • Convenient touchpad
  • Matte finish on keys and display
  • High-quality assembly
  • Good viewing angle
  • Thin display bezels
Cons
  • Lid corners too sharp
  • There is no special cover on the bottom for maintenance
  • Can’t change backlight brightness
  • Arrow buttons are small
  • Low screen brightness
  • No shortcut key compatibility
  • The fan makes a lot of noise under heavy load
  • Weak speakers

Thanks to the wide viewing angle, readability is maintained even with strong deflection.

Specifications
Video adapterGTX 1060 Max-Q
RAM6 GB
Screen15.6 “
Resolution1920×1080
Overall dimensions365×25.4×257 mm
The weight2.37 kg
Electronic control unitIntel Core i7 9750H
Battery life3-4 hours

MSI GL63 8SC

A universal device for games and work with a 6-core processor, the ability to increase the RAM, adjust the backlighting.

MSI GL63 8SC
Pros
  • The case is resistant to mechanical damage
  • Matte screen
  • Membrane keypad with standard dimensions
  • Backlight brightness adjustable
  • Competent cooling system
  • Anti-glare screen
  • Good key travel
  • High performance
Cons
  • Fingerprints remain
  • Insufficiently saturated image
  • Noisy under heavy load
  • Sound quality
  • Battery capacity
  • Backlight only red
  • Performance drops over time
  • Inconvenient arrangement of function buttons

An efficient cooling system makes the laptop the best in its category.

Specifications
Battery life3 hours
Screen15.6 “
ResolutionFull HD
The weight2.2 kg
Overall dimensions383x29x260 mm
The electronic unitIntel Core i7 8750H
Graphics acceleratorGTX 1050 Ti 4 GB GDDR5
RAM16 GB

Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315

A fast graphics card, a powerful processor, and a full-size island keyboard make this model one of the top-end models.

Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315
Pros
  • Increased air flow in the cooling system
  • Robust case
  • Slightly aggressive, memorable design
  • High-quality assembly, no backlash and squeaks
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Digital block
  • Two-level backlight
  • Matte screen
Cons
  • Touchpad shifted to the left
  • Speaker sound average
  • Heavy
  • The case heats up under load
  • Large size, inconvenient to carry
  • Insufficient battery capacity
  • Noisy cooling system
  • Display contrast

It is possible to replace the 2.5-inch drive or increase the amount of memory.

Specifications
RAM16 GB
Screen15.6 “
Resolution1920×1080
Overall dimensions390×26.75×266 mm
The weight2.7 kg
The electronic unitIntel Core i7 8750H
Graphics acceleratorGTX 1060
Battery life5 h.

HP Pavilion 15

A mid-range model that can be classified as a cheap laptop for gaming. But it can easily withstand gaming loads and easily runs on the built-in battery.

HP Pavilion 15
Pros
  • Two-level backlight
  • Large touchpad
  • Clear display
  • Fast battery charging
  • Good performance-to-power ratio
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Excellent visibility
  • Intelligent cooling system
Cons
  • Marked screen
  • The touchpad is loose
  • It gets very hot under heavy loads
  • The body creaks
  • Faint sound
  • There are traces on the plastic
  • Little RAM
  • Screen flares

The working panel does not heat up under load.

Specifications
RAM8 GB
Screen15.6 “
Resolution1920×1080
The size379x32x246 mm
The weight2.35 kg
CPUAMD Rysen 5 4600H, 6 cores
Graphics acceleratorGTX 1650 Ti
Battery lifeAbout 5 hours

HP Omen 15

The model is characterized by a clear balance of functions of the main components – a powerful 6-core processor, a discrete video card, a comfortable backlit keyboard. There is a cooling system with air flows of different directions.

HP Omen 15
Pros
  • Anti-glare display
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Robust case
  • Fast system boot at startup
  • High performance
  • Clear graphics
  • Excellent color rendering
Cons
  • Fan is noisy
  • Heats up under load
  • Weak sound
  • Does not show the remaining time to discharge
  • Mediocre webcam
  • Insufficient autonomy
  • Low mobility

At minimum load, the battery keeps charging up to 3.5 hours, but the game mode reduces this time to 1.5 hours.

Specifications
Battery lifeAbout 3.5 hours
Memory16 GB
Screen15.6 “
Resolution1920×1080
CPUIntel Coffee Lake i7- 9759H
Video cardGTX 1660 Ti Mobile
The weight2.39 kg
The size360×20.4×260 mm

Lenovo Legion Y540

The newest member of Lenovo’s high-spec gaming PC lineup. Has a matte display with a frequency of 144 Hz, wide color gamut, clear sound.

Lenovo Legion Y540
Pros
  • Screen deflection angle – 180 degrees
  • High performance meets portability
  • To disassemble, you need to unscrew only 2 screws
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Soft white backlight
  • High-quality assembly
  • Large touchpad
  • Many ports
Cons
  • The keyboard is squeezed a little
  • Marked case
  • Location of the webcam at the bottom
  • Speaker setup problems
  • Noisy under load
  • Inconvenient placement behind connectors
  • The digital block is located unusually
  • You need to monitor the temperature

The RAM works in dual channel mode, ensuring maximum system speed.

Specifications
Memory16 GB
Video cardNVIDIA RTX 2060
Screen17.3 “
Resolution1920×1080
CPUIntel Core i7 9750H
Battery life3-4 hours
The size399.8x25x290 mm
The weight2.8 kg

ASUS TUF Gaming A15 FX506IV

The design uses AMD Rysen 7 processors, but the manufacturer announces the possibility of using a more powerful 9th ​​generation model.

ASUS TUF Gaming A15 FX506IV
Pros
  • Easy to lift thanks to beveled bottom
  • There is a digital block
  • Classic key layout
  • Three-level backlight
  • The touchpad supports many functions
  • Powerful processor
  • Good build
  • Compact for gaming device
  • Battery capacity
Cons
  • Top row buttons reduced
  • The screen is dull
  • Small air intake holes
  • Low sound level
  • Cooling system problems
  • Too short cable
  • The block with arrows is shifted slightly downward, which is not comfortable for everyone
  • The Fn button is inconveniently located
  • Gets dirty quickly

Pros and consEasy to lift thanks to beveled bottomThere is a digital blockClassic key layoutThree-level backlightThe touchpad supports many functionsPowerful processorGood buildCompact for gaming deviceBattery capacity

The three-level backlit keyboard is easy to use.

Specifications
Battery life8 h.
Memory2×16 GB
Screen15.6 “
Resolution1829х1080
CPUAMD Rysen 7 4600H
Video cardNVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
The size360×28.5×255 mm
The weight2.3 kg

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MSI GL75 Leopard 10SDK

The model is popular not only among gamers, but also among users working with graphics. Powerful graphics card, wide choice of configurations, reliable ventilation system make the product one of the best.

MSI GL75 Leopard 10SDK
Pros
  • LED key illumination
  • High performance
  • Excellent build
  • Many connectors
  • There is a matte finish
  • Download speed
  • Convenient keyboard layout
  • Dual channel memory
Cons
  • Noise under load
  • Dim screen
  • Brittle plastic
  • Sound is not very loud
  • Letters are erased
  • When the picture changes abruptly, the image is blurred
  • Heats up a lot under loads
  • Ports too tight

The full-size keyboard with number pad has many interesting customizations.

Specifications
Memory8 GB
Screen17.3 “
Resolution1920×1080
CPUIntel Core i5 10300H
Video cardGTX 1660 Ti
Battery life3-4 hours
The size399x28x272 mm
The weight2.6 kg

ASUS ZenBook 15 best gaming laptop under 1200$

The best gaming laptop under 1200$. The developer has achieved a balance of high gaming performance and energy efficiency in a compact size.

ASUS ZenBook 15 UX534FTC
Pros
  • Wide viewing angle
  • Digital block
  • ScreenPad 2.0 technology
  • Slim side frames
  • Multiple backlight brightness settings
  • Good color rendering
  • Additional heat dissipation
  • Sound volume booster
Cons
  • Strongly visible fingerprints
  • Screen flares
  • Weak voltage on connectors
  • There is not enough depth of sound
  • The touchpad sometimes sticks
  • Vibration from the cooling system
  • Heats up under heavy load
  • RAM is not expandable

Instead of a touchpad, an interactive panel is used.

Specifications
Battery life5 h.
Screen15.6 “
Resolution1920×1080
Memory8/16 GB
CPUIntel Core i5 8565U
Video cardGTX 1650 Max-Q
The weight1.65 kg
The size354×18.9×220 mm

Maintenance rules

Any device requires perfect care and proper use. Dust builds up inside the laptop over time, causing the fans to run harder. The device begins to slow and overheat, the processor performance drops. Periodically, you should clean the problem areas with a can of compressed gas, having previously disassembled the gadget.

Replacing the thermal paste between the chips will help reduce the operating temperature inside the device. To clean the screen, you need to purchase special microfiber wipes. A lot of debris accumulates under the keys. You don’t need to remove the buttons, but you can just turn the keyboard over and shake it, and then blow it with a spray can.

These simple steps will help keep your laptop in working order for a long time.

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