Best Laptops Under 1500

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The worldwide frenzy around gaming only increases by the day. Games like Fortnite, Far Cry, Apex Legends, etc., keep you on the lookout for the latest gaming laptops in the market. But it can be pretty intimidating to choose the right laptop when there is an abundance of options available in the market with different configurations and price ranges.

There are minimum required specifications that make gaming on a laptop possible. You need to know them. Secondly, it is necessary to know what your budget is to be able to find the best laptop in that range. Some technical requirements for a good gaming laptop include a powerful graphics coprocessor and CPU, good-quality audio, high refresh rate, peak brightness, and other factors that depend on tasks other than gaming you wish to perform on the laptop.

Gaming laptops have quite the reputation for being very expensive. But brands are also aware of the casual gamer community and have hence launched many wallet-friendly options. We have made a comprehensive guide for the best gaming laptops under 1500. Let’s jump right in!

Best Laptops Under 1500

1. MSI GL65 Leopard

The MSI GL65 Leopard is a top performer and the best MSI laptop under 1500. This is a laptop meant explicitly for fast gaming. It runs on the Intel Core 2.6GHz i7-10750H processor with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics. Do not think that just because this is on a budget, the aesthetics that define a gaming laptop are done away with. It serves the gaming looks with an RGB backlit keyboard and a bulky chassis.

Processor

The 10th Gen Intel Core 2.6GHz i7-10750H (Turbo Boost up to 5GHz) is a powerful processor and lends incredible speed and versatility to this laptop. You can play games without any lags. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics with 8GB dedicated GDDR6 VRAM are flawless GPU specs and, combined with the Intel processor, delivers high-speed and blur-free gameplay. It comes with an ample port assortment.

Design

The MSI GL65 Leopard has a chunky chassis. So clearly, it isn’t very portable. It has the typical MSI aesthetics with the flaming red logo on the lid and two black accent strips. It looks like the MSI GS75 Stealth except for the weight. This weighs 9.13 pounds which means it is feasible only on a desk. The matte black chassis looks classy, and the per-key RGB-backlit keys add a colorful element to it.

Display

The 15.6-inch FHD IPS-level display of the MSI GL65 Leopard is a decent display that offers clear images. The colors are disappointing for an MSI laptop, and there is slight backlight bleeding too. The 144Hz refresh rate adds speed to the display and gives smooth gameplay. You wouldn’t face delays while gaming or doing daily computing tasks. This is one of the best $1500 gaming laptops. The color accuracy is good (94% of sRGB). The display is anti-glare to protect your eyes from excessive strain.

Storage

There is 16GB DDR4 RAM, which is suitable for RAM-intensive games. The 512GB NVMe SSD can be supplemented with more storage with the two 2666MHz sockets at the laptop’s bottom. You can expand storage space up to 64GB.

Battery

The MSI GL65 Leopard lasts three to four hours, which is decent for a gaming laptop. There are laptops which have better battery life despite being a gaming laptop.

Pros

• Excellent hardware
• 144Hz display
• Per-key RGB-lit keyboard

Cons

• Bulky
• Average audio quality

2. ASUS ZenBook 15

The ASUS ZenBooks have introduced an entirely new dimension to laptop trackpads. They aren’t the same touch and button click trackpads, but full-fledged mini-screens which ASUS calls ScreenPad. The ASUS ZenBook 15 comes with the ScreenPad 2.0, which has features like app navigator, handwriting, mode switch, Numpad, etc., to increase productivity. Overall, this is a great gaming laptop under 1500 dollars.

Processor

The powerful Intel Core i7-10750H CPU can perform day-to-day computing tasks without any glitches. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Ti graphics offers fast and high-octane gameplay. You can efficiently multitask with multiple open Chrome tabs, 1080p YouTube videos, Spotify, documentation, etc., all running together.

Design

The Pine Grey aluminum chassis is perfect if you want to blend in and don’t want the loud RGB-lit or edgy aesthetics typical to a gaming laptop. It has the signature concentric-ring pattern and a silver ASUS logo. The chassis is durable because it is made of metal. The ScreenPad 2.0 stands out once you open the lid. It is a beautiful 5.65-inch interactive touchscreen for enhanced control and multitasking. The ASUS ErgoLift helps you to maintain a comfortable typing and viewing position and also enhances the audio output from the bottom-firing speakers.

Display

The primary 15.6-inch FHD NanoEdge display with a 1920×1080 pixels screen resolution is vivid and crisp, but the brightness is underwhelming. There are super thin bezels surrounding it, which give an immersive visual experience. The matte LCD touchpad, the ScreenPad 2.0, is a secondary display and trackpad powered by the ScreenXpert software. You can switch apps, write notes, play music on Spotify, and access other apps directly on the ScreenPad 2.0. A stylus is bundled with the laptop, a plus point to make notes and doodle on the ScreenPad.

Storage

The ASUS ZenBook 15 has 16GB DDR4 RAM, which is more than enough to run your favorite modern computer games. The 1TB SSD gives faster transfer speeds than most of its competitors and is excellent for multitasking; you can open many tabs and do other tasks without any lags.

Battery

The ASUS ZenBook 15 has fantastic battery life for a gaming laptop. It lasts for around 5 hours 30 minutes, which is a pretty good number for a gaming laptop and is enough for a long gaming session.

Pros

• Excellent design
• ScreenPad 2.0 with enhanced features
• Excellent battery life

Cons

• Dim display

3. Acer Predator Helios 300

The Acer Predator Helios 300 is one of the best 1500 gaming laptops. It sports the 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H 6-core processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics. This laptop will help you defeat your enemies in style with its cool aesthetics. This laptop is solid gaming and work machine. The only drawback is its subpar battery life and poor audio quality.

Processor

The 9th Generation Intel Core i7-9750H 6-core CPU (with Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz) makes working or playing on this laptop a lag-free experience. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU packed with 6GB dedicated GDDR6 VRAM delivers high-octane gameplay that matches or outshines its competitors in some cases. Users have also tried and found that this laptop works well for 3-D modeling applications like AUTOCAD or Revit.

Design

The Acer Predator Helios 300 has an edgy and angular design aesthetic. The black chassis makes it sturdy and durable, and it isn’t all cheap plastic, but the lid is aluminum. The lid has a backlit Predator logo instead of the written version. Two non-backlit strips add to the gaming laptop vibe. It has the 4th Gen All-Metal AeroBlade 3D fan for enhanced heat management. The four-zone RGB-backlit keyboard is responsive and looks great. There is an ample port assortment; one USB 3.1 port, one USB Type-C port, a headphone jack, an HDMI 2.0 port, a Kensington lock slot, and a mini-DisplayPort (it supports up to 240Hz refresh rate).

Display

The 15.6-inch Full HD widescreen LED-backlit IPS display of the Acer Predator Helios 300 with the fast 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms overdrive response time make gaming on it a delight. You wouldn’t face any lags while performing day-to-day tasks or playing modern computer games. You will have a blur-free gaming experience. So if you are a fast-twitching gamer looking for the best gaming laptop for 1500, this is an amazing choice. The display is very vivid and immersive because of the 300 nits brightness.

Storage

You can do heavy work like intense gaming and video or photo editing without any problems with the 16GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM. The laptop comes with 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, which you can expand using the two M.2 slots that can support up to three drives. This feature is a game-saver, literally.

Battery

The Acer Predator Helios 300 doesn’t do very well when it comes to battery performance. It lasts just over a meager three hours.

Pros

• Good performance
• Futuristic aesthetics

Cons

• Poor battery life
• Poor audio quality from the in-built speakers

4. ASUS ROG Strix G15

Just like the ASUS ZenBook 15, the ASUS ROG Strix G15 is also designed to destroy enemies in style. It has an RGB-lit design to light up a room, quite literally. The RGB light strip around the base is an extra design element other than the standard RGB-lit keyboard. It is packed with the 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H processor and powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics. It does have short battery life, which isn’t particularly different from other gaming laptops. The display could be much better.

Processor

The 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H processor brings power to this laptop and is combined with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 with 6GB GDDR6 and ROG Boost (up to 1560MHz), it is a solid gaming machine. You can play intense games and do your daily tasks like browsing the web, word processing, streaming music, etc.

Design

The ASUS ROG Strix G15 comes with typical gaming laptop aesthetics. It has a classy black ROG logo on the lid. The cover has a diagonal brushed finish in one half and straight brushed in the other. The most attention-grabbing feature of the laptop is the RGB light strip around the base. The keyboard is RGB-lit, and the laptop weighs 5.28 pounds. The ROG Intelligent Cooling thermal system is a great way the laptop stays cool while playing intense games. The thin bezels take away the webcam, which isn’t good in today’s remote working world.

Display

The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS-type display with a screen resolution of 1920×1080 pixels is not something one would expect from a ROG laptop. It isn’t bright or vivid with poor color accuracy. You should look for another laptop if you do color-critical work. The 144Hz refresh rate does give smooth gameplay but isn’t enough to save the otherwise dismal display.

Storage

The 16GB DDR4 2933MHz RAM is enough to run modern computer games and other computing tasks you may perform. ASUS has been economical with the 512GB PCIe SSD, but it can store a few games. The transfer speeds are good despite this.

Battery

The ASUS ROG Strix 15 is a gaming laptop, so the battery doesn’t last long. It is along the lines of the ASUS ZenBook 15 and averages about 5 hours 11 minutes of battery life.

Pros

• Stays cool
• RGB-lit keyboard and base lights

Cons

• Dim display
• Short battery life

5. Razer Blade 15

The Razer Blade 15 is not just an excellent gaming laptop, but a solid work machine too. It is very popular among gamers. The powerful 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H processor and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics are minor changes since the Razer series’ launch in 2018. It has a 15.6-inch FHD display with amazing color accuracy that is perfect if you are into color-critical work.

Processor

The Razer Blade 15 laptop has the 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H processor, with up to 5GHz Max Turbo and six cores. This packs enough power into the computer to run games without any problems. The dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics coprocessor, driven by the Turing GPU architecture, gives high-octane and blur-free gameplay. It also comes with real-time ray-tracing technology. You can play games like Fortnite, Overwatch, or PUBG on it without any lags.

Design

Razer Blade 15’s design hasn’t changed much from its predecessors. Like the previous models, the chassis is made of CNC aluminum, which is sturdy and looks classy. The thin bezels enhance the viewing experience. It weighs 8.8 pounds and isn’t very portable. You can find lighter gaming laptops. It is packed with ample ports except for the Mini DisplayPort. The backlit chiclet-style keyboard has good tactile feedback and customizable backlighting.

Display

The 15.6-inch FHD display gives good picture quality and bright colors. If you engage in color-critical work, the 100% sRGB color coverage is an excellent specification. Be it intense gaming, online classes, or just word processing, all these tasks involve excessive amounts of screen time. The anti-glare display helps with that. The bezels around the display are thin and lend an immersive gaming experience.

Storage

The 16GB RAM is able to power your games and day-to-day computing tasks without slowing down. Again, the 512GB SSD might not be competitive, but you get options to amplify storage space. It didn’t perform that well in benchmark tests, so if you have RAM-intensive games, think twice. The fans work silently and do an excellent job of keeping the laptop cool.

Battery

The Razer Blade 15 does not have good battery life. It performs better than previous models and lasts for about four and a half hours of continuous gaming or working.

Pros

• Sturdy build quality
• 144Hz refresh rate

Cons

• Short battery life

6. ASUS TUF TUF506IU-ES74

The ASUS TUF TUF506IU-ES74 is a gaming laptop that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. It is powered by the 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor (Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz) paired with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics with 6GB GDDR6. This laptop has a gaming aesthetic and a sturdy chassis.

Processor

The ASUS TUF TUF506IU-ES74 is powered by the 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor (Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz) paired with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics with 6GB GDDR6 graphics coprocessor; you can play your favorite modern computer games in high settings without any problems. It gives you amazing speeds and can perform demanding tasks fluidly. You can open multiple Chrome tabs, stream YouTube videos, play music on Spotify, etc.; multitasking is a cakewalk for this laptop.

Design

Design-wise, this laptop has elements that are typical to gaming laptops, but the lid isn’t very funky. It has a sleek silver-grey chassis and is quite portable at 5.07 pounds. The build is sturdy and durable, with the ASUS TUF logo in black on the lid. ASUS claims it has MIL-STD-810H military standard construction. The ASUS TUF TUF506IU-ES74 has a backlit keyboard with well-spaced out keys and dual fans to keep the laptop from overheating.

Display

The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS-type display and 144Hz refresh rate are sure to give you a smooth and glitch-free gaming experience. The color accuracy is good compared to other laptops, and the images are bright with adequate contrast. The 16:9 display has slim bezels surrounding it and is anti-glare to protect your eyes.

Storage

The 16GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM is more than the minimum 8GB required RAM for a gaming laptop. It is enough to power your games and multitasking. The 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD will boot the laptop faster and launch programs without delays. You can even upgrade storage by adding SSD in the slot provided.

Battery

The ASUS TUF TUF506IU-ES74 excels when it comes to delivering long battery life. It lasts for just over 8 hours (continuous web browsing) despite being a gaming laptop! That is a game-changer, literally, and effectively shows that even gaming laptops can have good battery life.

Pros

• AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor
• Long battery life
• Has a webcam

Cons

• Underwhelming display

7. MSI GS65 Stealth 

The MSI GS65 Stealth gaming laptops are extremely portable, which is a rare quality in gaming laptops. It is a budget-friendly gaming laptop with a power-packed Intel Core i7-10750H processor (Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz) and a lightning-fast 240Hz refresh rate. This laptop also excels in the department of classy aesthetics.

Processor

The Intel Core i7-10750H processor (Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz) CPU makes gaming on this. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, along with 6GB dedicated GDDR6 VRAM, delivers high-end performance. You can even run 3-D modeling software like AUTOCAD or Revit on this laptop, along with game development software.

Design

The MSI GS66 Stealth serves beautiful design elements like the matte all-black chassis and the slightly shimmery MSI logo. It is perfect if you want to blend in and are not into the loud gaming laptop aesthetics. This matches up to its name, Stealth. It weighs around 4 pounds which is remarkably light for a gaming laptop. So you can carry this to your office and home without any problems.

Display

The 15.6-inch Full HD Anti-Glare wide view angle display of the MSI GS66 Stealth is a stunner despite low vividness. The 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time are the best in the category and make it a blazing fast gaming machine. You will have smooth images and blur-free gameplay. Lags are not an issue, and if you are finding laptops for gaming, this is the perfect affordable option. The display lacks when it comes to color accuracy, as it only covers about 70% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.

Storage

The 16GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM is immune to huge multitasking loads. You can run multiple Chrome tabs, watch Netflix, play YouTube videos, stream music, etc., simultaneously without any lags. The 512GB NVMe SSD is standard for this category, but you get options to upgrade storage.

Battery

The MSI GS66 Stealth has a 99.9WHr battery., the largest TSA allows. So it does have good battery life when compared to its competitors. It lasts over six hours, which is more than many gaming laptops which only last 3-4 hours.

Pros

• Top-notch performance
• Good aesthetics
• Long battery life

Cons

• Dim display
• Cramped keyboard

Verdict

There are various factors to take into account before purchasing a $1500 gaming laptop that fits your gaming and work requirements. A good gaming laptop must have a high-performing CPU and GPU with decent battery life to power a long gaming session. Gaming laptops get hot, so a good cooling system is also important.

For fast-twitching gamers, good tactile feedback and blur-free graphics along with a high refresh rate are must-haves. You now have a better idea of what’s out there in the market and which laptop will fit your needs.

Now, all that is left to do is to make the right choice among the best gaming laptops under 1500, so you can go ahead and make a value purchase!