Gaming laptops can be way expensive with all the features and accessories. Cutting on a budget seems like you may have to sacrifice key components. And it’s true to some extent.
If you are a passionate gamer and want a full-blown gaming laptop with all the features but can’t afford to put thousands of bucks into it because of budget constraints, you don’t need to get disheartened. Yes, the budget can put certain limitations, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on everything. You can still get features that you need in a £1,000 portable package. Here’s how.
Note these steps, as they will help you sort options for the best gaming laptop under 1000.
- Access what games you (or want to) play: Based on your requirement, you can either opt for Integrated GPUs or discrete GPUs. For hardcore gaming, discrete GPUs are a must-have. Remember, discrete GPUs are expensive. The more memory you choose, the more you have to pay. For gaming laptops under 1000, you should at least go for Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050, with a minimum of 4GB of VRAM or more. Having said that, you don’t always need discrete graphics for gaming. If you play games casually, integrated GPUs work just fine.
- Display and resolution: When it comes to budgeting for gaming laptops, the first thing we sacrifice is the display. But being on a budget doesn’t mean you don’t have to do that. Here are a few tips that will help you find the best screen that is affordable too.
- Resolution: Irrespective of your gaming laptop budget, don’t settle for a low resolution of 1366 x 768. Aim for at least a 1920 x 1080 screen. And if you can get more than that, it’s well and good.
- Screen: Go for a 15-inch screen. The 15-inch gaming laptop strikes a perfect balance between portability and power. As a result, you will not have to compromise on the performance factor. Besides, the best gaming laptops under 1000 feature these screens.
- Touch screen: If you are going for a budget laptop, avoid touch screens entirely. They are only going to impact your budget. Although you will not find touchscreen options in £1,000 gaming laptops, there are specific models that feature them.
- Processor and Memory: It is one of the integral components of the gaming laptop. So, make sure you don’t compromise in this regard. Your CPU should be strong enough and not bottleneck your GPU.
Go for an Intel processor and select at least one, like the Intel Core i5 processor. With this CPU, you will get better yet affordable performance. Anything below will affect your gaming performance.
If you can find a Core i7 under £1,000, check the chip’s generation, number of cores, and clock speed. Basically, you should aim for everything better in your budget. Be it the latest chip generation, multiple cores, and higher clock speed. All these features help in better processing. When considering the RAM, a minimum of 8GB memory is a must for handling intensive games.
- Storage: SSD (Solid state drives) is considered standard. They are comparatively faster than traditional hard drives. SSD are costly too, but affordable laptops also have SSD. So it’s up to you to decide whether you want to go for more storage (Hard drive) or speed (SSD). But for gaming purposes, you must choose the speed factor over memory. Ideally, 256GB is preferred for SSD, but the price can be considerably high depending on the brand, so you may also go for 128GB.
- Accessories and add-ons:
For gaming, nothing is better than a full-size keyboard with a backlight and mechanical keys. These keyboards have a high precision level and tactile feel, but they are expensive. Membrane-based keyboards may not have that great feel, but they are still serviceable and perfect to fit one’s budget criteria. Also, get a budget-friendly yet functional gaming mouse because touchpads aren’t comfortable for gaming.
Conclusion:
You don’t necessarily have to empty your savings account for gaming. You can still get an immersive experience of the world of VR with a gaming laptop that’s under £1,000, too. Now that you have an idea about what specs you should look for in the given budget, look for a trusted company that produces reliable laptops in a budget-friendly range.