9+ Best Gaming Laptops Under 1200 Dollars | 2021 Products Overview

The holiday season has just ended and there are a whole bunch of new graphics games on sale that you want to buy. Your bank is strapped for cash, and you’ll never find a new gaming laptop under $ 1,200 that can support the new titles you want to play.

Gaming laptops are famous for their high price point because they are designed to give you a smooth gaming experience. The real question is whether they should break the bank.

We know it is difficult to find a balance between quality and cost; that’s why we’ve listed the best gaming laptops under $ 1200 while reviewing their performance to make sure you’re getting the most out of your laptop.

Best Gaming Laptops Under 1200 Dollars

If you are looking to buy a new high-end gaming laptop, you better be prepared with at least $ 1200 USD in your pocket. I know for that price you can quickly build your high-end custom desktop PC, but not everyone wants to be at home while gaming.

Professional players have to travel frequently to coffee shops and different cities for tournaments and competitions. Anyway, if you are ready to buy a gaming laptop for under $ 1200, then we have plenty of high-end options for you.

These machines can handle top-tier games like GTA 5, Payday 2, Hotline Miami, Sleeping Dogs, etc. I know you can find some decent laptops for under $ 1000 too, but you won’t believe how much you are missing out on due to $ 200.

Returning to the topic, these devices are equipped with an Intel Core i7 processor, large GPU, high-speed memory, and a screen of at least 15 inches. If you’re on a budget, you can also check out our guides to the best gaming laptops under $ 500 and $ 800. In this article, you will see machines from well-known laptop brands such as ASUS ROG, Alienware, MSI, Dell, Lenovo, etc.

Also Read: Cheap Gaming Laptop Under 100 USD

Best Gaming Laptops Under 1200 USD | Comparison Table 2021

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Best Gaming Laptops Under $1200  | 2021 Products Overview

Product Overview:

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is a high-performance gaming laptop that comes with a 14-inch Full HD display, offering a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The laptop is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS processor, an 8-core processor that can reach speeds up to 4.30GHz, making it faster than the 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H. It also comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q graphics card that has 6GB of dedicated GDDR6 video memory, making it VR-ready.

The laptop comes with a 1TB PCIe SSD and 16GB of DDR4 RAM, providing ample storage space and quick access to your files. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 also features speakers with Smart AMP Technology and Dolby Atmos, providing an immersive audio experience. It has two 2.5W speakers that produce incredible Dolby Atmos sound, ensuring that you have the best audio experience while gaming or streaming movies.

The laptop has Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) wireless connectivity and is compatible with wired connections, making it easy to connect to the internet. The chiclet keyboard has a white backlight, allowing for comfortable and accurate typing even in low light conditions. It weighs only 3.64 pounds and measures just 0.7 inches thin, making it easy to carry around wherever you go.

The laptop runs on Windows 10 Home and comes in a moonlight white color. It is backed by a 4-cell lithium-ion battery that can last up to 10 hours on a single charge. Please note that this product is designed for use in the US and may require an adapter or converter for use in other countries.

In summary, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is a high-performance gaming laptop with a powerful processor, ample storage, and immersive audio experience. Its lightweight design and long battery life make it ideal for gamers who want to game on the go.

Product Overview:

The 2020 Dell G5 15 Gaming Laptop is a powerful machine designed to deliver an immersive gaming experience. Powered by a 10th Generation Intel Core i5-10300H processor, this laptop can handle even the most demanding games and applications with ease. It also features an NVidia GTX 1650 Ti graphics card that provides excellent performance and stunning visuals.

With a 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM, the Dell G5 15 offers fast boot times and seamless multitasking. The storage capacity may seem limited for some, but the SSD technology ensures quick access to files and programs. This laptop runs on Windows 10 Home, providing a familiar and user-friendly interface.

The G5 15 comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD 120Hz display that provides a smooth and responsive visual experience, making it ideal for fast-paced gaming. The screen is also anti-glare, so you can game comfortably in any lighting condition. The backlit keyboard is another impressive feature that adds a touch of sophistication to the laptop and ensures you can game comfortably in dimly lit environments.

The laptop is finished in a sleek black color, giving it a modern and professional look. It also features a robust build, with a durable design that can withstand the rigors of everyday use.

In terms of connectivity, the Dell G5 15 comes with all the essential ports and features, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB Type-C, HDMI, and an SD card reader. It also features a built-in webcam and microphone, making it ideal for video conferencing and online gaming.

Overall, the 2020 Dell G5 15 Gaming Laptop is a reliable and capable machine that offers excellent performance and a host of impressive features. It's an ideal choice for gamers and professionals alike who are looking for a powerful and stylish laptop. However, users looking for higher storage capacity may need to upgrade or use external storage devices.

Product Overview:

The Dell Gaming G3 15 3500 is a powerful gaming laptop designed to provide an immersive gaming experience. It features a 15.6 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) anti-glare LED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth visuals and eliminates screen tearing. The display also boasts a 300 nits brightness, which is ideal for gaming in well-lit environments.

The laptop is powered by a 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H processor with 6 cores and 12 threads, which can reach a clock speed of up to 5.0 GHz. The processor is paired with 16GB of DDR4 RAM clocked at 2933MHz, which ensures that the laptop can handle multitasking and resource-intensive applications with ease. The laptop comes with a 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD, which provides fast read and write speeds and ample storage for games, applications, and files.

The Dell Gaming G3 15 3500 is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card with 6GB of GDDR6 memory, which delivers exceptional graphics performance and enables real-time ray tracing. The laptop also features a Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.1, which ensures fast and reliable connectivity for online gaming, streaming, and other tasks.

The laptop has a sleek and stylish design with a black color scheme, which is sure to impress gamers. It also features a backlit keyboard with a numeric keypad, which enables comfortable and accurate typing in low-light conditions. The laptop runs on Windows 10 Home, which provides a familiar and user-friendly interface.

Overall, the Dell Gaming G3 15 3500 is a powerful and feature-packed gaming laptop that delivers excellent performance and graphics. It is an ideal choice for gamers who want a laptop that can handle demanding games and applications with ease.

Also Read: Best Gaming Laptops Under 400 Dollars 

Product Overview:

The Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop 2020 is a powerful and high-performance gaming laptop designed to provide an immersive gaming experience for gamers. It comes in three different models, each with varying specifications to suit different gaming needs.

The first model features an Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core processor, which provides top-level performance with up to 5.0GHz Max Turbo and 6 cores. It also features an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, which is a fast supercharger for today's most popular games. The laptop also has a 15.6" Full HD thin bezel display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which delivers incredible performance and more frames per second for an edge-out win. The laptop's CNC aluminum unibody frame is compact and thin, measuring only 0.78" thick, making it the most compact footprint possible while remaining durable.

The second model is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super Max-Q graphics card and a Full HD 300Hz display with a 512GB SSD. This model is designed for gamers who demand more power and speed for their gaming experience. The RTX 2070 Super Max-Q graphics card provides high-quality visuals and fast performance, while the 300Hz display ensures smooth and seamless gameplay.

The third and most powerful model comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super graphics card and a Full HD 300Hz display with a 1TB SSD. This model is designed for gamers who want the best of the best in terms of performance and power. The RTX 2080 Super graphics card is the most advanced and powerful graphics card available in the market, providing top-of-the-line visuals and performance for the most demanding games.

In terms of connectivity, the Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop 2020 comes fully loaded with ample connectivity options, including a webcam, wireless-AC, Bluetooth 5, 2x USB Type-A, and 2x Type-C ports, making it ready to connect to all your gaming accessories.

Overall, the Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop 2020 is a high-performance gaming laptop that provides immersive gaming experiences for gamers. It is packed with powerful hardware and features that cater to different gaming needs and requirements, making it a versatile and reliable gaming laptop.

Product Overview:

The ASUS TUF A15 Gaming and Entertainment Laptop is a powerful computing device designed for gaming and entertainment purposes. This laptop features an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H Octa-Core processor that runs at a base speed of 2.9 GHz and can turbo boost up to 4.2 GHz. The processor is supported by 16GB DDR4 SODIMM RAM, which provides high-speed multitasking and ensures that the laptop can handle multiple applications running simultaneously.

The laptop also features a dedicated NVIDIA GTX 1650 Ti 4GB GDDR6 Graphics card, which ensures smooth and seamless gaming performance with high-quality graphics. It comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) 144Hz refresh rate display, which provides stunning visuals and an immersive viewing experience. The laptop also features an RGB backlit keyboard that enhances the overall aesthetic of the device and provides ease of use in low-light conditions.

The ASUS TUF A15 comes with 512GB SATA SSD storage, providing ample space for storing large files, games, and other applications. The laptop features 2 USB 3.2 Gen1, 1 USB 2.0, 1 HDMI, USB 3.2 Type-C Gen2, Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, and Ethernet LAN (RJ-45) ports for connectivity. It also features 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity options.

This laptop is pre-installed with Windows 10 Home and comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty from GreatPriceTech. The package includes a special edition portable Dockztorm data hub that provides super speedy data syn rate of up to 5Gbps, allowing users to connect multiple devices simultaneously.

Overall, the ASUS TUF A15 Gaming and Entertainment Laptop is a powerful device that delivers exceptional performance for gaming and entertainment purposes. It comes with top-of-the-line hardware specifications and features that make it an ideal choice for gamers, content creators, and professionals who require high-performance computing.

Product Overview:

The MSI GF65 Gaming Laptop is a high-performance machine designed for gamers and content creators alike. This laptop is equipped with a 15.6-inch 144Hz FHD 1080p display that delivers smooth and vibrant gameplay. It is powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H 6 Core processor that offers maximum efficiency in gameplay, multi-task work and productivity. With a 512GB NVMe SSD and 16GB of RAM, the laptop offers fast boot times, quick load times, and seamless multitasking.

One of the key features of the MSI GF65 Gaming Laptop is its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card. The RTX 3060 is powered by the NVIDIA 2nd gen RTX architecture and is capable of delivering the most realistic ray-traced graphics and cutting-edge AI features. This means that gamers and content creators can expect stunning visuals and smooth performance in their games and applications.

In addition to its powerful hardware, the MSI GF65 Gaming Laptop also features Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. Wi-Fi 6 features 802.11ax standards and is designed to deliver lightning-fast gameplay. With Wi-Fi 6, users can expect faster download and upload speeds, reduced latency, and improved network efficiency.

The MSI GF65 Gaming Laptop also features Cooler Boost 5 and enlarge internal diameter thermal pipes for more efficient cooling in a compact chassis. This means that even during intense gaming sessions, the laptop will stay cool and perform optimally.

Overall, the MSI GF65 Gaming Laptop is a powerful and versatile machine that is suitable for a wide range of users, from gamers to content creators. Its powerful hardware, stunning graphics, and fast connectivity make it an excellent choice for those looking for a high-performance laptop.

Product Overview:

The Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop is a high-performance machine designed to cater to the needs of gamers and power users. This laptop boasts a 9th Generation Intel Core i5-9300H processor with a clock speed of up to 4.1 GHz, which delivers fast and efficient performance for demanding applications such as gaming, video editing, and more. The laptop is available in multiple configurations, including an i5-9300H/GTX 1650, i5-12500H/RTX 3060, i7-12700H/RTX 3060, and i7-12700H/RTX 3070Ti/QHD options.

The Nitro 5 features a 15.6-inch Full HD Widescreen IPS LED-backlit display that offers crisp and clear visuals with accurate color reproduction. The screen is backed by an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics card with 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM, providing high-quality visuals for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks.

The laptop comes with 8GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory and a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD, with an additional hard drive bay available for future upgrades. The laptop also features LAN: 10, 100, 1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port) and wireless connectivity through Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX200 802.11ax, ensuring fast and stable connectivity for online gaming and other bandwidth-intensive applications.

Other features of the Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop include a backlit keyboard for comfortable typing in low-light conditions, Acer Cool Boost technology with twin fans and dual exhaust ports for efficient cooling, and Alexa built-in for easy voice control. The laptop runs on Windows 10 Home and is available in a black color finish.

Overall, the Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop is a powerful and versatile machine that delivers fast and efficient performance for demanding applications such as gaming, video editing, and more. With its high-quality graphics card, fast processor, and ample storage and memory, it is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-performance laptop.

Product Overview:

The Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop is a high-performance laptop designed specifically for gamers. This laptop comes with a 15.6-inch FHD (1920x1080) IPS screen that provides outstanding clarity and deep colors with a 144 Hz refresh rate. The laptop's Phantom Black color gives it a sleek, professional look.

The laptop is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor, which is a mobile processor designed for high-performance gaming. The processor is complemented by 16GB DDR4 memory, which allows for smooth multitasking and fast load times. The laptop also comes with a 512GB SSD, which provides plenty of storage space for games, applications, and media files.

The NVIDIA GTX 1660Ti dedicated graphics card provides excellent performance for the newest and most demanding games, making it an ideal choice for gamers who want to experience the latest titles at their best. The graphics card is capable of delivering a smooth and fluid gaming experience with high frame rates and low latency.

To help improve performance, the laptop features Dual Burn Support, which allows the CPU and GPU to work together to provide improved frame rates. Additionally, the laptop features Legion Coldfront 2.0, which is a thermal tuning system that helps keep the laptop cool during intensive gaming sessions.

The laptop also features a Legion TrueStrike keyboard with soft-landing switches that deliver hair-trigger inputs, making it easier for gamers to control their characters and execute commands quickly and accurately. The laptop runs on the Windows 10 Home operating system, which provides a user-friendly interface and access to a wide range of applications.

In summary, the Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop is a high-performance laptop designed specifically for gamers. With its powerful processor, fast memory, and dedicated graphics card, this laptop is capable of delivering an outstanding gaming experience. The laptop's thermal tuning system, high refresh rate, and hair-trigger keyboard switches make it an ideal choice for serious gamers who demand the best.

Product Overview:

The Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop is a powerful machine designed for gamers and professionals who need high-performance computing. It boasts a 10th generation Intel Core i7-10750H 6-core processor with a maximum clock speed of 5.0GHz, which delivers speedy and responsive performance. This laptop features an overclockable NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU with 6GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM, NVIDIA DLSS, NVIDIA Dynamic Boost 2.0, and NVIDIA GPU Boost, making it ideal for running graphics-intensive applications and games.

The laptop comes with a 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 3ms overdrive response time, and 300nit brightness, which delivers stunning visuals with high color accuracy and fast response times. It also features 16GB DDR4 2933MHz Dual-Channel Memory, a 512GB NVMe SSD with 2 x M.2 slots, and 1 slot open for easy upgrades, providing ample storage space and fast read/write speeds for speedy data access.

The Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop features Killer Double Shot Pro technology, which combines Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX 1650i and Killer Ethernet E2600 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN for fast and stable internet connectivity. It also features a 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard, allowing gamers to customize their keyboard lighting to match their mood or gaming setup. The laptop also boasts DTS X: Ultra Audio and 4th Gen All-Metal AeroBlade 3D Fan, providing an immersive audio experience and efficient cooling.

This laptop runs on Windows 10 Home 64-bit and supports a refresh rate of up to 360Hz/165Hz. It also comes with a special feature, a backlit keyboard, making it easy to use even in low light conditions. Please note that this product is designed for use in the US, and compatibility should be checked before purchasing.

Also Read: Best Gaming Laptops Under 900 Dollars

How to Choose Best Gaming Laptops Under 1200 Dollars | 2021 Unrivaled Guide

When embarking on the purchase of a gaming laptop PC, there are generally three points to watch out for.

After decades of unchallenged domination, Intel has finally lost the performance crown! It is now AMD that offers the best CPUs both in terms of power and price. And if the majority of models on the market still offer Intel-based configurations, the best machines are to be found in the reds.

As for the graphics circuit, it is still Nvidia which dominates, with its very convincing brand new RTX 3000s. Be careful though: the brand offers GPUs with very varied performance under the same name

RAM and storage

For these components, aim for a minimum of 512 GB of SSD and 16 GB of RAM. Less than that, and you will quickly be cramped, especially with games that are becoming more and more comfortable. Call Of Duty Black Ops Cold War thus takes the trifle of 125 GB on the hard drive. Fortunately, most of the machines selected here allow you to upgrade these two components quite easily and inexpensively.

Screen

Choosing a 4K screen at 60Hz, if you want to play… that's not what you need. Especially if it has an entry-level graphics card. For now, favor a Full HD or QHD display with at least a 120Hz refresh rate. If you want a versatile machine, the 4K screen is very comfortable, but it takes a lot of resources to play.

Also Read: Best Gaming Laptops Under 600 Dollars

The connection then

If gaming laptops are "all-in-one" devices on which you can launch and play video games directly, the best is still to be able to connect an external screen or its own keyboard/mouse. And to do this, it is necessary to carefully monitor the connections. At a minimum, therefore check that an HDMI socket and USB type-A or type-C ports are present.

The brand

In general, favor gaming laptops from major brands when shopping. Acer, Asus, MSI, Razer, Aorus are brands that we strongly recommend to you. Unknown brands are often much cheaper ... but also much less reliable and have a much less efficient after-sales service than the big players.

Also Read: Best Gaming Laptops Under 700 Dollars

Final Words...

Having a good laptop for your gaming sessions doesn't have to cost you a fortune. Believe it or not, you can even get the best gaming laptop under $ 1200 and be able to run all the latest titles at maximum settings. It seems impossible, doesn't it? Well, it is not. Try out the Acer Predator Helios 300 and see for yourself.