Finding a suitable gaming laptop is a pain in the ass, right? So many choices… Some have powerful GPU but lacks battery backup and GPU.
To help you save from regretting later, we have listed the top 9 best gaming laptops under 1200.
The no-fluff review and pros & cons will help you decide whether the product is for you or not.
My little brother is a game addict and he spends most of his time playing computer games. But, the computer that we had was having very low specs. It was having i3 processor and the experience of gaming was very poor in that.
Looking at my little brother and his dedication to becoming a gamer, I decided to buy him a gaming laptop. We both quarrel on the topic of who is best Ninja or Shroud. LOL.
Now, I started hunting for the best gaming laptop under $1200. I wanted to have the best laptop within the budget.
I searched, went through the internet recommendations, and did some ground research but I couldn’t find a definitive answer on which laptop is the best for gaming under $1200.
That’s when the idea came to my mind. We decided to visit the gaming parlors, and gaming shops to try as many laptops as we can. We took notes on every laptop’s performance, features, and overall feel.
Laptops are essential for any gamer. If you plan on playing games for an extended period of time, a laptop is absolutely necessary. However, with so many options available, it can be hard to find the best gaming laptop on your budget.
In the end, we narrowed it down to the top 9 laptops that met our criteria. They had great graphics, and fast processors, and were within our budget.
I thought to share my experience with these 9 laptops under $1200 with others who might be in the same boat as us.
This blog post is a labor of love and hard work, but we were proud of what we had accomplished together – me and my little brother.
I can assure you that you can’t go wrong with these recommendations.
From battery life to performance, I have kept it all in mind before picking the product. This blog will list the best gaming laptops under 1200 and why you might want to invest in one of them.
We will first start with a quick comparison table.
Don’t worry Champ! We are here to help you find out the best gaming laptop for you.
Top 3 Picks For Gaming Laptops Under 1200
Just a quick snap before we head off to the detailed reviews. Here are our top 3 picks and a quick comparison between them to help you choose the best for yourself.
Note: You can not get everything on a laptop. Gaming laptop will provide you with the utmost performance, but it will lack battery backup. A gaming laptop will offer you less battery backup than a normal laptop.
| Features | ASUS TUF Dash 15 | ACER Nitro 5 | Acer Predator Helios 300 |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 | 16GB DDR4 | 16GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD | 1TB NVMe SSD | 512 GB SSD |
| Processor | i7-11800H | i7-11800H | i7-11800H |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 |
| Display Res. | 1920 x 1080 pixels | 1920 x 1080 pixels | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 144 Hz | 144 Hz | 144 Hz |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Battery Backup | 16.6 Hrs (Claimed) | 8 Hrs (Claimed) | 6 Hrs (Claimed) |
| Overall Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Weight | 1.79 lbs | 5.95 lbs | 5.07 lbs |
| Price | Check Now! | Check Now! | Check Now! |
Comparison Table: Best Laptop For Gaming Under 1200
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value For Money |
Value For Money
|
ACER Nitro 5 |
|
Check On Amazon |
| Top – Notch Performance |
Top – Notch Performance
|
Acer Predator Helios 300 |
|
Check On Amazon |
| Excellent Functionality |
Excellent Functionality
|
Lenovo Legion 5 |
|
Check On Amazon |
| Highly Practical |
Highly Practical
|
Razer Blade 15 |
|
Check On Amazon |
| Optimum Performance |
Optimum Performance
|
HP Pavilion |
|
Check On Amazon |
| Excellent Specs |
Excellent Specs
|
MSI GF65 |
|
Check On Amazon |
| Well Balanced |
Well Balanced
|
Lenovo Ideapad L340 |
|
Check On Amazon |
| Impressive |
Impressive
|
Dell G3 |
|
Check On Amazon |
| Top Pick |
Top Pick
|
ASUS TUF Dash 15 |
|
Check On Amazon |
Review of 9 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1200
Here is a list of the top 9 highly recommended gaming laptops under 1200.
Ready to dive in the section of budget gaming laptop? If you are into RTS gaming then check out best mouse for RTS gaming.
Let’s get into each of these beast gaming laptops under 1200.
ACER Nitro 5 – Value For Money
Acer laptops are one of the most popular brands across the world. They have been making laptops and workstations for a while and have perfected the experience that a user gets. Acer Nitro 5 is one of the best laptops you will get in this price range. Let’s look at its features to know about it in detail.
CPU and GPU
It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor. Intel Core i7 11800H is an extremely powerful octa-core processor mainly designed for gaming.
The clock speed of this processor at 45W is 2.3 GHz. The highest clock speed it can reach is 4.6 GHz. This one provides better CPU performance than the Intel core i9 10875H.
This device has NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphic card in it. This GPU is good for the 1080p gaming.
The RTX 3050 is powered by the GA107 chip. The clock speed ranges between 1695 MHz and 1035 MHz. This 4 GB dedicated GDDR6 can provide the utmost experience during online games also.
The GPU is equipped with ray tracing, tensor cores, and CUDA cores. The combined performance of the CPU and GPU has amazed me. The multiprocessor supports DirectX 12 for outstanding performance.
Acer Nitro 5 is undoubtedly one of the best gaming laptops under 1200. Games like Tomb Raider, Red Dead Redemption, Apex Legends, Cyberpunk 2077 will run smoothly in this device.
RAM and Storage
It is packed with 16 GB DDR4 ram (3200MHz). You can do multitask smoothly in this gaming laptop.
All of your games and software will run smoothly with this much RAM. 16 GB RAM is more than enough for playing as well as streaming games.
However, if you feel the need for more RAM, you can increase it up to 32 GB. Whether it is GTA Vice City or Call of duty, it is capable of running everything swiftly.
You will get 1TB NVMe SSD in this gaming laptop. This gaming laptop will boot up within seconds and running, or launching applications will never feel choppy with this much super-fast SSD. The slots are PCle M2 slots. I think that 1TB is enough to store games, files, movies, etc.
Battery Life and Connectivity
Now coming to the battery life part. Acer Nitro 5 provide 8 hours of battery backup in one go. It has a Lithium-ion battery. The battery life is quiet good for your daily use.
Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop has awesome connectivity options. You will get wifi 6 AX1650 and Ethernet connectivity at same time. This boost your gaming and gives you full access to enhanced throughput and speed.
Here you will get 4 USB ports. This laptop comes wth two USB 3.2 Gen1, one Gen 2 port, one Gen2 USB Type C port and HDMI 2.1 port too along with HDCP support. You get ports for headphone, speaker, charge and and adapter too.
My Experience With It
I got the opportunity to try and experience Acer Nitro 5 at one of the local gaming parlors. My experience was flawless. I was very much satisfied with the design and the specs.
I played for an hour and tried a few games and the experience was good. The sound quality was decent too. I wasn’t using an earphone though.
There are two things that might be a deal breaker for you. The first thing is that it is a little bulky and it might not last too long while playing.
Overall, my experience with the Acer Nitro 5 was overwhelmingly positive. It is a fantastic laptop for gaming, with top-notch performance and beautiful graphics.
FPS I was getting
I played quite a few popular games in the gaming parlor like League of Legends, GTA V, Minecraft, Valorant, Fortnite, CS.
I played most of the games in the high settings only, I listed the highest fps that I got.
League Of Legends: 419 FPS
GTA V: 93 FPS
Minecraft: 574 FPS
Valorant: 182 FPS
Fortnite: 99 FPS
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: 257 FPS
Other User Reviews
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the specifications of this laptop while shopping for a new computer for my wife. The GPU was incredible, it had a good sized HD, and everything about it seemed like such a great deal. – Tribal (Amazon Certified)
I got this for portable gaming since I’m in transition and needed something to play on the go and do other tasks with like video editing and coding, first I have to say I’ll always recommend a gaming desktop for serious gaming, but this is a great device. I haven’t had any issues with it being able to keep up with the latest Warzone Pacific, Vanguard, Halo, and Battlefield 2042. -Patrik (Amazon Certified)
You can buy it from here.
The major drawback with the laptop is the battery life. If you are doing your regular work then it will be okay. But when you play games in it the battery will run out soon. So if you need a good battery life then opt for other laptops under 1200 mentioned in the list.
Acer Nitro 5 GPU is a beast when it comes to gaming. Under this range it gives you amazing processor, GPU and LED IPS display. So if your are in a search of gaming laptops under 1200 then you can check out this Acer Nitro 5.
Pros
- Powerful CPU and GPU combination.
- 144 Hz IPS display.
- 1 TB SSD storage.
- Durable and solid built.
- Robust Cooling System
- Good Color Accuracy
Cons
- Battery life is not up to the mark.
- Fans make noise during intense work/gaming.
Acer Predator Helios 300 – Top Performance
Acer Predator Helios 360 is a gaming laptop from the PH315-54-760S series. Acer is always chosen for mainstream gaming. Around ten variations are present for Acer gaming laptops. But the interesting thing is all of these laptops are unique in their own way.
CPU and GPU
Acer Predator Helios is the best laptop in this range. It comes with an 11th Gen Intel core i7-11800H processor.
This Intel core i7 processor is a high-end processor with an octa-core configuration. A total of 16 threads is used for computational work.
The clock speed ranges between 2.3 and 4.6 GHz. It has 24 MB of cache of level 3. Most workstations and gaming laptops use this processor.
Coming to the Graphic card part, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 has nailed it. The configuration consists of 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM graphics memory. This GPU is made up of Ampere architecture.
The GPU is also integrated with Tracing cores, Tensor cores, and Ray Tracing. Your gaming experience will be smooth, realistic, and lag-free with this GPU.
The RTX 3060 is compatible with DirectX12, so you can stream all the games like Metro exodus, Cyberpunk 2077, Red dead Redemption without any problem.
RAM and Storage
16 GB DDR4 RAM is present in this device. You will get a total of 2 slots for the RAM. So, later on, you can add up another 16GB DDR4 here. This RAM provides 3200 Hz memory speed. You will get blazing fast performance and fast reboot time too.
Acer Predator Helio has something more in its feature. 512 GB SSD of PCIe Gen 4 makes up a lot of room for storage purposes. The response time gets reduced with this SSD to 3ms.
Battery Life and Connectivity
One lithium-ion battery is included in it. The processor consumes a lot of power, so 6 hours of battery backup is provided by this gaming laptop.
Coming to the connectivity part, you will be getting each and every type of connectivity support. There are 4 USB 3.2 ports available. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 AX1650i and Ethernet E2600 at a time.
You will also get a Thunderbolt 4 USB-c connector. An HDMI 2.1 port helps you to connect to the external display. This laptop is also suitable for watching movies.
Acer Predator Helio lags in the battery life. Because of its high performance, it consumes more power. But 6 hours of battery life is enough for this high-end device.
Acer predator Helio gaming laptop has AeroBlade technology which keeps it cool during intensive gaming. A 144Hz refresh rate along with RGB backlit keyboard makes it more special.
The thing that I don’t like about this laptop is that it makes a lot of noise on load. It is not something to complain, but then also it got my attention during testing. When you run heavy games or software, the load on the laptop increases, which also increases the heating to make it cool fans speed gets increased, and the noise comes. It is a perfect laptop to go with if you are okay with it.
It is one of the solid and robust devices you can get in this price segment. Powerful CPU equipped with high end GPU, decent storage and a lot of RAM – what else does a gamer need?
If you are looking for something that can run any game at medium to high frames rates, Acer Predator Helios 300 is the one for you. This is the best 1200 dollar gaming laptop.
Pros
- The keyboard feels premium.
- The predator sense UI is clean and easy to use.
- The design is top-notch.
- Great value for money.
Cons
- Loud noise during heavy gaming.
- The audio is decent..can be improved.
Lenovo Legion 5 – Excellent Functionality
Lenovo always provides reliable and tested methods so that their customers get what they need. So here comes the beast of gaming laptops, the Lenovo Legion 5. The sleek design with high performance is what make the device more appealing.
CPU and GPU
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800H is a high-end octa-core processor. It belongs to the Cezanne product family. AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor is mainly designed for mobile workstations and larger laptops. The clock speed can go up to 4.4 GHz.
The GPU present in this laptop is NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti. The AMP chip technology, along with 20 Ray Tracing as well as 60 Tensor cores, add a realistic view in games. This graphics card can easily handle heavy games.
Overall, this is the CPU and GPU combo you will get in this price segment.
RAM and Storage
This device is packed with 16 GB DDR4 RAM. You can later expand it up to 32 GB of space. This allows you to multitask smoothly. In some of the intense gaming matches, you can even enjoy improvement with this RAM.
The laptop has 512 GB of space for storage. Instead of a hard disk, it uses a 512 GB SSD. So you will get a quick boot facility, reduction in the response time as well as fast data transfer.
Battery Life and Connectivity
A 4 cell Lithium-ion battery of 60W provides power to this device. The device can last for 6 hours and 30 minutes on a single charge.
For connectivity, you will get a built-in 720p webcam along with an e-shutter. For high-speed internet connectivity, WiFi 6 is provided. Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI 2.1, 4 USB ports, USB-C, RJ45 Ethernet, are all present in the laptop, especially for gamers.
You get a three-month free trial for Xbox with this laptop. Lenovo Legion 5 also gets a free upgrade to Windows 11. The clarity in the display and high-end performance are what make it unique from others.
Battery life is a major problem with this laptop. When playing games, it will not last more than 2-3 hour. So if you need battery life, you can opt for others.
It is also an excellent laptop in the price segment with super impressive specs. Ryzen 7 5800 H with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti is a perfect combo in terms of gaming. 16 GB DDR4 ram with 512 GB of SSD is also very worth buying in this price range. Overall, it is one of the best gaming laptops under 1200.
Pros
- 165 Hz refresh rate for fast reflex
- Thermal control facility
- Lightweight
Cons
- Battery life is not up to the mark
Razer Blade 15 – Highly Practical
Razor Blade gaming laptops are one of a kind. From day to day work to perform the best in the modern-day games, Razer Blade 15 nails everywhere. A powerful machine that can meet all your gaming needs at ease. Let’s have some more info about its special features.
CPU and GPU
Razor Blade 15 has the 10th Gen Intel i7-10750H as a processor. The CPU has six cores and 12 threads.
With 2.6GHz as the base CPU frequency and 5.0GHz as the maximum CPU frequency, its performance is outstanding. A maximum of twelve threads can run simultaneously using six cores in this Intel core i7 processor. The majority of high end games like Tomb Raider, Red dead redemption etc. will run at a high rate in this system.
This gaming laptop comes with NVIDIA GeForce graphics card. The GPU is an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti. This GPU is inspired and made up of Turing architecture. As a budget-friendly GPU, it does not compromise its performance.
RAM and Storage
Razer Blade 15 features 16 GB DDR4 RAM. Further expansion is supported up to 32 GB. 16GB RAM is always recommended for a gaming laptop. From live streaming to recording, you can do everything seamlessly with 16GB of DDR4 RAM.
A 256 GB SSD is provided with this Razer Blade 15. For hassle-free gaming, along with storing other applications, you will have zero difficulties. This SSD makes your laptop faster and more power-efficient.
Battery Life and Connectivity
Razer Blade 15 has one Lithium-ion battery with a battery backup of 6 hours during normal work.
In addition to a webcam, wireless AC, and Bluetooth 5, RGB keyboard the laptop is fully loaded with other connectivity options. This includes 2 USB Type-A ports and two Type-C ports.
The problem which I have faced with this laptop is with the cooling system. During intensive gaming, the bottom surface becomes very hot. You have to use an external cooling system in order to keep the temperature low.
Razer Blade 5 is a budget gaming laptop with a 120 Hz full HD bezel display. A powerful beast packed with great specs and elegant design. To sum it up, it’s a pretty good deal. The best thing that I like is the keyboard in this laptop; this laptop feels super-premium.
Pros
- Thin and compact design
- Turbo boost performance with i7 processor
- RGB backlit keyboard
- 15.6″ display with 120Hz refresh rate
Cons
- The GPU is not up to the mark
- The storage is comparatively less
HP Pavilion – Optimum Performance
HP is one of the oldest yet dedicated laptop manufacturing companies. HP laptops comes under budget gaming laptops category.
Whenever there is a need for a laptop, I always try to put HP in priority. Their customer service and reasonable price are way more attractive than any other brand. HP Pavilion 16 has already drawn my attention because of its features as a gaming laptop.
So let’s go get some more information about it.
CPU and GPU
Intel Core i5 10300H processor powers this device. It has a maximum clock speed of 4.5 GHz and the lowest speed of 2.5 GHz. It is a four-core Comet Lake-H series fast processor. It has improved clock rates and consumes up to 45 W of power. That makes it ideal for gaming laptops.
This laptop has a dedicated GPU. It has NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti 6GB graphics card in it. GTX 1660 Ti provides awesome graphics because of NVIDIA’s exclusive Turing architecture. 1660Ti consumes 80 W of Total Graphics power(TGP).
You can have a full HD and Quad HD gaming experience with this GPU as I had. Your experience will be more realistic as well.
RAM and Storage
HP Pavillion 16 comes with 8 GB DDR4 RAM. Here you will get two slots for the DDR4. You’ll have enough room for fast multitasking and playing virtual games. The RAM is upgradeable too.
With HP Pavilion 16, you don’t have to worry about storage. A 512GB SSD along with 32 Optane will be in your service. It provides a huge amount of storage. This PCI-e SSD has great communication power and takes daily backups also.
Battery Life and Connectivity
HP Pavilion 16 comes with a three-cell Lithium-ion polymer battery for power. It provides 7 hours of battery backup.
From wireless AC Bluetooth to ethernet ports, it has got everything for connectivity. Two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, one USB Type C port, one HDMI output port, and an ethernet port is available in it.
So here, you get awesome connectivity for all your gaming accessories like headphones, mouse, RGB keyboard, and internet.
The only drawback that I found in this laptop is that the RAM is only 8 GB. Most gaming laptops are equipped with 16 GB of RAM nowadays, but this one has only 8 GB. Though you can expand the RAM, there is one extra slot, but you will get 8 GB with the default one.
The most awesome feature of this laptop I have observed is its backlit keyboard. The laptop also got an anti-glare and micro-edge display in it. This is a great choice for 1200 dollar gaming laptop.
Pros
- Anti-glare, micro-edge display
- Backlit keyboard
- 144Hz refresh rate for seamless gaming
Cons
- RAM memory is less
MSI GF65 – Top Notch Specs
MSI is a well-known name in the gaming laptop industry. MSI’s best gaming laptops come with a ton of features. The durability and quality make it different from all other brands in this competition.
CPU and GPU
MSI GF65 Thin features the Intel Core i7 processor. It is a Hexa core processor.
This i7-10750H processor has base clock frequency of 2.6 GHz, and the maximum is 5.0 GHz. A maximum of twelve threads can run simultaneously using six cores. This processor works smoothly for games and multitasking. For most of the latest virtual games, it will work fine.
Now talking about the GPU part, MSI GF65 has NVIDIA Ge Force RTX 3060. Graphics memory is 6GB GDDR6. This GPU is based on the GA106 Ampere chip.
The best part I have observed is the Ray tracing and advanced artificial intelligence. Due to ray tracing, you will get more realistic views of your game. As an affordable laptop for gaming under dollar 1200, this dedicated GPU will work great.
RAM and Storage
MSI GF65 Thin laptops have 16GB DDR4 RAM in them. The memory speed is 3200 MHz which is good for doing your other works along with gaming. The maximum memory it can afford is 64GB.
You will get an SSD of 512 GB on this device. The NVMe SSD allows you to store games, videos, music, notes, etc. It does not project load on your computer.
Together this SSD and the RAM make up good storage space and also keep the device fast and smooth.
Battery Life and Connectivity
MSI GF65 has a battery backup of a minimum of 7 hours. One lithium polymer battery is included in it for power.
You will get a total of 2 USB ports for connectivity. You will also get 802.11ax to enable WI-FI 6. Along with this, you will also have Bluetooth connectivity.
The major problem that this laptop has is it starts to stutter. The laptop starts to heat up during intense gaming or running heavy applications. Though this is minimal, and if you are okay with it, this is the best MSI laptop within 1200.
The sleek design, backlit keyboard, and processor are great in this price range. You are also getting a 1080p resolution. So for an advanced gaming laptop, MSI GF65 is one of the best MSI laptops under 1200.
Pros
- Ray-traced feature
- Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
- Efficient cooling technology
Cons
- Heat up during intense gaming
Lenovo Ideapad L340 – Well Balanced
Lenovo is a popular brand for laptops. Lenovo gaming laptops are also well known among gamers. Whether you tell about its slim design or hardware used, Lenovo Ideapad L340 is awesome in this budget.
CPU and GPU
Lenovo Ideapad L340 has the 9th Gen Intel i5 9300H processor. It is a quad-core and high-quality processor for gaming laptops. Per core, there are two threads dedicated to it.
For laptops that want a huge amount of power for computational tasks, this processor works well. The maximum clock speed is rated at 4.1 GHz.
Lenovo Ideapad L340 uses NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 as GPU. TU117 chip is used in this GPU. It is capable of running any latest games at 60fps. It is an improved and faster version of GTX 1050 Ti.
This processor and GPU combination makes the laptop speedy and ideal for gaming.
RAM and Storage
A 16GB DDR4 RAM is present in this device. This DDR4 RAM has 2400 MHz speed. The requirements for gaming laptops are met with this RAM. You can also increase the RAM memory, but this one will also work fine.
A 1 TB PCle SSD is used in this device. It will provide you with a hell of a lot of room for storage. With this SSD, you will have access to quick reboots, fast data transfer, opening games, and any game with lightning-fast speed.
Battery Life and Connectivity
The battery life of this device is great. One Lithium-ion battery is included in it. It provides up to 9 hours of battery backup during normal tasks. When you play games, it can last up to 2 hours.
You will get full connectivity for a seamless gaming experience. Bluetooth connection and two USB 3.0 ports are provided on this laptop.
Lenovo Ideapad L340 has got some issues with its trackpad. Other than this, I think I haven’t seen any other issues with this device.
Lenovo Ideapad L340 has 1080p resolution. It also comes with an RGB backlit keyboard and Dolby Audio sound system. This device is reasonable, equipped with cool features, and a dream of many gamers.
Pros
- 1 TB internal storage
- RGB backlit keyboard
- Dolby audio sound system
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- GPU is not up to the mark
- Only 60 Hz refresh rate
Dell G3 15 – Top Pick & Flexible
Dell’s Laptops are designed to address the specific needs of gamers in competitive gaming. With the newest processor and top-of-the-line graphics cards, every experience is more realistic. DELL G3 is a top gaming laptop under dollar 1200.
CPU and GPU
DELL G3 portable gaming laptop is equipped with 10th Gen Intel i5 10300H. This processor has quad cores and a total of 8 MB of cache. The base clock speed i5 8300H is 2.5 GHz. It goes up to 4.5 GHz.
An NVIDIA GTX 1650 comes as a GPU with this device. 4GB GDDR6 of space is allotted as graphics memory. With this powerful GPU, you can enjoy detailed and realistic gameplay.
RAM and Storage
A 16 GB DDR4 RAM is installed in the DELL G3 gaming laptop. It is expandable up to 32GB to smooth the gaming. A 2666 MHz is the memory speed of this DDR4 RAM.
Enhanced performance and greater reliability are guaranteed with 256GB SSD storage. You will get an additional 1 TB of HDD. You will get enough room to store files, the recording of your gameplay, etc. You can also enjoy hassle-free streaming with this device.
Battery Life and Connectivity
Although it is claimed that the battery can sustain up to 6 hours, our team has tested it and found only 5 hours of battery backup is provided.
The other area in which it can be improved is its performance in the latest games. It works fine for the older versions but creates problems with the latest one.
This model comes with a 56 Whr Lithium-ion battery. Due to its hardware specification and Li-ion battery, you can use it for almost 6 hours.
To better your gaming experience, this model has an RJ-45 ethernet port which supports 100 by 1000 Gigabit connections. So there will be no lag due to the internet.
Other than this, it also has 2 HDMI ports, an SD card slot, superspeed USB 3.1, headphone or MIC jack, and a power slot.
The trend now is to have a stylish and light laptop. When you are getting both of them along with a backlit keyboard, 14.96″ screen size, and IPS display with anti-glare technology, then you can opt for that.
There is no such major drawback in this machine. However, we feel that the laptop battery drains much faster as compared to other laptops, even in normal usage. It has also been reported that this laptop drops the internet randomly.
Dell G3 is one of the finest laptops you can get in this price segment. Graphically intense games can run pretty smoothly in this beast. In a nutshell, this laptop is worth the money.
Pros
- 1 TB internal storage available
- RGB Backlit keyboard
- 10th gen intel processor
- stylish and lightweight design
Cons
- GPU is not up to the mark
- 60 Hz refresh rate
ASUS TUF Dash 15 – Gaming Beast
ASUS laptops are known for their excellent performance. ASUS is such a brand that is good for both gaming as well as everyday multitasking like video editing. ASUS TUF dash is the best gaming laptop under 1200 in this ASUS series. So let’s deep dive into the specifications.
CPU and GPU
This device consists of an Intel core i7-11370H processor. It is a quad-core processor with high-end performance.
The clock speed ranges between 3.0 and 4.8 GHz. It operates with a full 12 MB level 3 cache.
The Graphics card present in it is a new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti. It can use 4GB of graphics memory. It can reach 1585 MHz at 60W. It is faster and improved than the GTX series.
The AMP chip technology, along with 20 Ray Tracing as well as 60 Tensor cores, give a new life to your gaming experience.
RAM and Storage
ASUS TUF Dash 15 consists of 8 GB DDR4 RAM which obviously make it a good gaming laptop. Most of the latest versions of virtual games can be played without any difficulty with this RAM. But if you feel your device is lagging somewhere, you can always upgrade it to 16GB.
For storage, this device has an ample amount of space. A 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD is inbuilt in it.
PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD consumes less power and provides awesome performance. It also has high IOPS (Input Output Per Second).
Battery and Connectivity
As our team has observed, although it is claimed that the battery lasts up to 16 hours, the reality is something different. The battery life is decent. For normal tasks, you can use it for up to 8 hours. During gaming, you have to plug in the charger much before.
You will get 3 USB 3.2 ports. It also has an HDMI port, Thunderbolt 4, USB C, and audio jack for connectivity.
ASUS TUF DASH 15 does not have a webcam in it. This is the major disadvantage of this product. You have to buy a webcam separately for your use.
Its IPS display with a 144Hz rate is awesome. In addition, you get two more slots for SSD and one more RAM stick. ASUS TUF Dash 15 is a good choice for laptops under 1200.
Pros
- Precision gaming keyboard
- lightweight and portable
- Powerful GPU with ray tracing
- Awesome battery life
Cons
- No webcam is present
Recommended Specs for good gaming laptops under 1200
We all know that gaming laptops must provide supreme performance. If you are opting for any of the best gaming laptop, here are the key specs that you should follow to get an overall good gaming experience.
The gaming experience remains incomplete without a perfect gaming mouse, right?
We have mentioned how to hold a gaming mouse that you can consider to make your gaming experience more smooth.
| Features | Recommended Settings |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-11800H |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 |
| Refresh Rate | 144 Hz |
Read More guides
Final Take
E-sports and gaming industry is the new emerging industry. So before buying any gaming laptop, you have to go through research and jot down every point.
But WAIT! I have made your work easier. I have researched the best gaming laptops for under 1200 dollars.
All nine models have something unique in them. Moreover, gaming laptops are not just meant for gaming but also serve for daily work fluently.
We have included some of the best gaming laptops under 1200, which will provide the best performance. They are budget-friendly yet come with high-end specifications.
Hey Jayden,
Great List post from gamingzy.com about the best Gaming Laptops.
Cheers!