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7 Best Gaming Laptop Under $1200 Reviews in 2023 | What to Expect for the Price?

7 Top Picks

4 Reviewers

34 Hours of Research

30 Options Considered

With the radical growth of the mobile gaming industry nowadays, owning the best gaming laptop under 1200 with sophisticated design, stable performance at a reasonable price is on the wishlist of every avid gamer.

However, there are a variety of shapes, sizes ranging from the cheapest laptops to the most luxurious ones when it comes to best gaming laptops. This might be a fun and exciting challenge to take on.

We are here to help you with some interesting, updated info to make your shopping experience greater than ever. The list of seven top-notch gaming laptops under 1200 recommended on the gaming gadget market is here for you to consider.

Wait no more; get down on it now

3 Top Gaming Laptop Under $1200

Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop

 

1. [Best Overall]

 Acer Predator Helios 300, i7

5/5

While many gaming laptop companies claim that their products are such a bargain, Acer really knows how to get the customer's attention with no big talk.


Being the latest 7th generation intel core i7 processor, Acer Predator Helios 300 is definitely a steal. It is equipped with a robust Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU (also ready for VR mode) at a more affordable price compared to competitors.

  • Powerful performance
  • Relatively long battery life
  • Reasonably priced

Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop

2. [Best For The Money] Acer Predator Helios

4.9/5

Is it worth spending around 1200 on this gaming laptop? Our answer is 100% yes. Set the technical forte aside, the design, with the simple black and teal tone, is relatively aesthetic - simple, eye-catching, and trendy.


The whole package, with a sturdy chassis and lighting keyboard, creates a vivid look at first sight. Besides, the 5.29-pound weight, neither too heavy nor super light, can be suitable for takeaway trips.

  • Competitive price
  • 144Hz display
  • Good port selection

MSI GV62

3. [Best For The Powerful Performance]

MSI GV62

4.8/5

The Intel Core i5-8300H and huge storage reserves up to 16GB + 1TB (5400RPM) enable the MSI GV62 8RD-200 to run quite smoothly, which meets well below the $ amount specified in this article. You can surely perform multiple tasks such as exporting audio files from Adobe Premiere and downloading large files.

  • Powerful performance

  • Thin and lightweight
  • Optane Memory Module

7 Highly Recommended Gaming Laptops Under 1200

5/5

While many gaming laptop companies claim that their products are such a bargain, Acer really knows how to get the customer's attention with no big talk.

Being the latest 7th generation Intel Core i7 laptop, Acer Predator Helios 300 is definitely a steal. It is equipped with a robust Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU (also ready for VR mode) at a more affordable price compared to competitors.

2.8-GHz Intel Core i7-7700HQ CPU together with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB hardware storage enables the Acer to bring multitasking to the next level.

This laptop's durability surprises us even more. With almost 7-hour running over Wifi results, the Acer has come further than any current gaming laptop on the market.

The two-year warranty offer is also a plus in customer service. Last but not least, there is no difficulty in upgrading this buddy, as there are two plug-ins to connect with the gears.

The only thing that makes this laptop step away from perfection is the display still needs further development.

Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop

Pros

  • Reasonably priced
  • Powerful performance
  • Relatively long battery life
  • Two-year warranty
  • Upgrade easily

Cons

  • The display is quite vague

Verdict

This Acer Predator Helios 300 version is a captivating deal on the mobile gaming market. It will surely satisfy you with its advanced performance and impressive resilience.

[Best For The Money]

4.9/5

Is it worth spending around 1200 on this gaming laptop? Our answer is 100% yes. Set the technical forte aside, the design, with the simple black and teal tone, is relatively aesthetic - simple, eye-catching, and trendy.

The whole package, with a sturdy chassis and backlit keyboard, creates a vivid look at first sight. Besides, the 5.29-pound weight, neither too heavy nor super light, can be suitable for takeaway trips.

Plus, the 144Hz display is somewhat around average-quality which is quite good with the money spent. With max screen resolution at 1,920 x 1,080, it reaches a comparatively qualified performance.

Another significant pro worth mentioning is that the 9th Generation Acer is surprisingly excellent at choosing a wide range of highly accessible ports, from two USB 3.0 ports to a standard HDMI door.

Therefore, it might not be suitable if you are looking for a highly durable one since this model has moderate runtimes.

So, take it into consideration!

Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop

Pros

  • Competitive price
  • 144Hz display
  • Good port selection

Cons

  • Brief battery life

Verdict

If you aren't too demanding in a gaming laptop's runtime, this version is an excellent choice with a perfect combination of high performance and vibrant graphics. However, like most other gaming laptops, the brief battery life is still a problem.

[Best For The Powerful Performance]

4.8/5

The Intel Core i5-8300H and huge storage reserves up to 16GB + 1TB (5400RPM) enable the MSI GV62 8RD-200 to run quite smoothly. You can surely perform multiple tasks such as exporting audio files from Adobe Premiere and downloading large files.

Although we tried some high-level graphic photoshopping the other day and even downloaded some files for references, this device could run continuously without a lag.

Another noticeable feature that makes the MSI GV62 8RD-200 stand out from its competitors is its lightweight design. If you are into travelling, this will be a perfect travel laptop.

Optane Memory Module is not an authentic SSD card; however, it can be a relatively qualified alternation. It is now equipped in this gaming laptop as an upgrade to improve the performances.

Having replaced the old card, this lightweight laptop still needs little improvement to have more premium level of performance. Plus, the Vr display is still in development so the next model will be even better.

 MSI GV62

Pros

  • Powerful performance
  • Thin and lightweight
  • Optane Memory Module

Cons

  • Middling gaming performance

Verdict

If you are usually busy with business trips, but still a technology-oriented person, you can keep the MSI GV62 8RD-200 as your company. With less than $1000 for this laptop, consider this beauty already yours.

4.7/5

Being an Intel Core i5 laptop, the Acer Nitro 5 can operate quite well over multitasking demand.

Moreover, the high screen resolution at 1920 x 1080 brings quite satisfying graphic quality. You will be more than delighted to stream movies or perform photoshop with full HD images, colors, etc.

If you are an office worker who wants to own a gaming laptop at an affordable price, Acer Nitro 5 can be your next favorite.

The Acer has a compact design taking a pure black as its leading tone. Its interior is mainly plastic with peachy-red accents on the keyboard. Overall, it can definitely make a good impression with your colleagues.

One of the most common problems while processing multiple tasks is that your computer might get heated . But when it comes to this piece of art it can be very awesome.

It will be really good if you have a laptop's audio to enjoy music at peak performance.

The battery needs to be worked on more to increase the use span with full power.

However, it’s still a good deal at a competitive price.

 Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop

Pros

  • Smoothly operation, high graphic resolution
  • Applicable design
  • Runs cool

Cons

  • Muted audio

Verdict

The Acer Nitro 5 is an attractive deal for any gamer with unreal visual effects and robust operation. You can efficiently process engineering works and entertain yourself with exciting gaming experience.

4.5/5

Armed with Intel Core i7-8750H chip and high storage supported by 128BG PCIe SSD, plus 1TB Hybrid HDD card, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar Edition can process continuously without any errors.

Undoubtedly, this 17-inch laptop is qualified for daily tasks, watching movies, office and so on. Wan to purchase this for higher demand, such as processing large-data required games? Even in that case, we guarantee that this device would manage to satisfy you.

The speaker can process well in maximized volume without any unwanted noise. It is adjusted by the Sonic Studio as well.

This new version of ASUS will require you a couple of hours to get acquainted with the keyboard. You might have difficulties in receiving feedback from specific keys due to its firmness.

The last thing that might bother you is that the fans can get annoyingly noisy while processing. However, it is not a big deal compared to its excellent performance.

 ASUS ROG Strix Scar Edition

Pros

  • Excellent performance
  • Top-notch sound quality
  • Large screen (17 inches)

Cons

  • May need some time to get used to the keyboard

Verdict

If you are willing to spend some time on the keyboard and take a pass on the fan noise, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar can be a relatively ideal choice. It offers you a great balance between smooth performance, magic graphics resolution, and VIP-class sound quality.

First of all, the sturdy metal-black chassis with a compact design makes the Asus ROG Strix G irresistible to the most critical taste.

Secondly, like any other version of Asus, this brand always focuses on taking their product's performance on the next level. The Asus ROG Strix G offers Intel Core i7-9750 H and sufficient storage, which helps it run thoroughly and flawlessly.

We took an operation test while opening 30 tabs at the same time through the Overclock Checking tool, and it ultimately passed without any clog.

Although most of the Asus gaming laptop is famous for its display advantage, this version is an exception. The screen generates sharp graphics, but the colors aren’t as lively as expected.

This speaker is suitable for general activities, but when it comes to superior gaming audio quality, you might want to invest in a gaming headset.

 Asus ROG Strix G (2019)

Pros

  • Cutting-edge design
  • Superior performance

Cons

  • Average display

Verdict

You are finding a gaming laptop with aesthetic design with powerful performance to generate daily tasks, and sometimes take it up a notch with gaming experience? Then consider sealing the deal.

4.2/5

GeForce GTX 1050 Ti and 12GB enable the Omen by HP to run like a top. With dimensions up to 10.35 x 14.17 x 0.98 inches, this beauty adds a vibrant and lively effect to all visual experiences.

Thanks to the 144-Hz rate, this piece of art demonstrates good to excellent display while testing. Spending 2 hours watching Transformer 6: The era of Unicron  on this device is such a lifetime experience.

Nevertheless, nearly 4-hour running is an acceptable number when considering the battery cycle.

OMEN by HP 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop

Pros

  • Exceptional graphics performance
  • Solid display

Cons

  • Below-average battery life

Verdict

Not only budget-friendly, which only costs 968 for full package, but the Omen by HP also offers extraordinary performance and perfect graphic resolution. This device will be an excellent match for professional gamers out there.

Factors You Need to Consider When Selecting the Best Gaming Laptop Under 1200

The most frequently asked question is what we should expect from a high-quality gaming laptop priced under 1200. So here is our answer!

GPU defines the performance 

The quality of GPU distinguishes a gaming laptop from a common one because it elevates the visual aids. As it is hard to take an upgrade, you must carefully select (maybe splash out an extra amount of money on it).

Let's just start with the essential first! Most standard GPU card among avid gamers is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060. All seven gaming laptops under 1200 mentioned above use this card to fancier one.

Technical specs knowledge is also necessary

Having a basic understanding of the technical specs plays a vital role in making a wise choice. Apart from GPU, you should also know about CPU, storage figures, and some graphic specifications of the PC that you intend to purchase.

For example, knowing exactly what the graphic specs will help you categorize products easily and avoid wasting money! Lower budget laptops will have worse tech specs and won't be able to handle all games.

Plat=ying a game on a laptop

Ports and other gizmos

Many gaming laptop’s ports only support external gadgets from the same brand, which causes many troubles if you are too far from the customer service office. We suggest that you should choose a laptop with highly applicable ports.

Bottom Line

Finding “Mr. Right” in the vast gaming laptop market has never been an easy task, as you will spend hours on binge-playing and using it. So our final advice is not to rush in a gaming laptop so fast. You should take some time to look into this matter to make the best decision on what to buy so that you can be satisfy.

We’ve given some updated data of seven best gaming laptops under 1200, which were hours of research, tests, and several resources. Hope that you will find some helpful info here!

About Dusan Stanar

I'm the founder of VSS Monitoring. I have been both writing and working in technology in a number of roles for dozens of years and wanted to bring my experience online to make it publicly available. Visit https://www.vssmonitoring.com/about-us/ to read more about myself and the rest of the team.